Expletives aside, we now stand witness at what is probably Google’s largest blunder, ever.
For most owners of Google accounts (most likely through Google mail), getting into Google based services has always been a matter of patience and testing. Patience because new features are new automatically made available, and testing because features go through so many stages of bug finding before being made final.
It is a long process, but it has worked for years. Thanks to this, we have learned that there are amazing features like Google labs for Gmail and there are odd things that rarely see usage like Google Wave. But regardless of the feature, if it is in our accounts, it means we signed up for it. This is an amazing rule that Google has followed.
Google’s Buzz broke that rule.
Buzz came out of the blue. Sure, we had a choice between yes and no. No was a safe answer that took away all the issues without anyone ever having trouble, “Yes” was a total nightmare.
Before, when you see a new Google service, they run you through several pages of introductions about features, what it is, why it is available and why you should use it. When you sign up, you are shown settings that you can alter to your needs.
Buzz skips all of these.
When you press yes, you are instantly connected to Buzz and you suddenly find yourself following random people in your contact list and are being followed by random people in your contact list. It is confusing, creepy and ultimately, a big security hazard.
Google has been in denial, saying that no one has been hurt or that this can all be easily fixed. It is not nice to downplay mistakes, and this seemingly little blunder could lead to disastrous consequences for Google.
In any case, Buzz is getting updates; check out what else is coming at the Telegraph UK.
Tags: Google-Buzz