The other day, Google released a new service called Google Buzz.

It is what you might call a feed aggregator—visually reminiscent of GREE or goo Home in Japan, or services like FriendFeed, Cliqset, and Facebook globally. With a structure that lets you comment on and like entries on a timeline, it looks at first glance like a very stereotypical, rather unremarkable service.

Its notable features include its integration into Gmail, its visibility on Google Profiles, and about five other points mentioned on stage. I was watching the live stream in real time, and my initial impression was that it might be difficult to make this catch on.

However, once I looked at the API documentation released at the same time, I realized that Buzz isn't simply aiming to be a feed aggregator. I also realized just how ambitious and grand it is, and that it represents a concrete answer to the ideal service vision I have dreamed of for over three years. I couldn't contain my excitement.

When I tweeted that "whether it catches on or not doesn't really matter that much," there was actually a deeper meaning behind it. To explain that, I wrote an article that has now been published on gihyo.jp:

ソーシャルウェブテクノロジーに見るGoogle Buzzの本当の意味

It touches on some rather technical topics, but if you have tried Google Buzz and felt that it is boring or will never catch on, please give it a read. I think it will change your perspective.