Google thinking of Building it's Own Second Life

There will be thousands of different virtual/mirror worlds, they'll be connected to each other, just like web sites are "connected" now, it'll be a virtual Galaxy or I'd say a new 3D Internet Universe. Internet as we know it now will not exist.

Do not forget that Google Earth is a mirror image of the real Earth as opposed to SL that is imaginary place. GE is the future of the maps and will affect greatly the tourism not only with all 3D RL locations but with the future possibility to "visit" these locations with an avatar just like we do in SL. It's in the air and many people already work on different ways to make it happen. It just will be much more about RL and not so much "make believe" as it's here. And because Google is an add company you can expect RL businesses to pay crazy money for 3D adds (they already pay good money for their 2D web adds); compared to this SL will look like a kidds play.

/me laughs

I don't think so. The internet will remain a largely 2d medium as it is right now. The trick is knowing where 3d is useful, and when it's not.

If you want to do tourism, I highly recommend this place called "real life". Seriously... Google doesn't want to be an online service. They never have and they never will. How do I know this... well, lets just say I've talked to people who actually work there. It's not their core business, and they're not interested. I could totally see Google being interested in integrating their Google Earth maps into large virtual worlds such as Entropia Universe and SL, but I do not see Google wanting to run such businesses. Rather to *sell* to them.

My bet is, there will be some other crazy little start up company that will be the SL killah, just like MySpace killed Orkut and Friendster, and Facebook killed them after that. All of these - all small startups. Just like LL was.

Or Artists play. I really think SL will be the artistic, creative part of town.

"The Internet will remain a largely 2d medium as it is right now"

For how long? I'm not talking about next year but it's coming, it's going to be a slow process. There were people not so long ago that believed color TVs will never come to our homes.

"If you want to do tourism, I highly recommend this place called "real life"

I never said GE is going to replace RL tourism (it's more close to replacing regular maps) but RL tourism will greatly benefit by this technology, people that can not afford to travel will benefit too, I'm one of these and I'm already using it.

"Google doesn't want to be an online service."

What kind of service is selling adds on the Internet?

"I could totally see Google being interested in integrating their Google Earth maps into large virtual worlds "

It's just the opposite - parts of virtual worlds environment will integrate into GE as a way to transform it from a static platform into a place for social interaction. Why? These are the potential customers, that's the CORE Google business - selling adds to the masses.

It's not coming, and its never going to. The written word is not replaceable by 3d technology. Unless you think being literate is ... outdated. For communication of large amounts of information that can be referenced, you need text. Plain and simple.

3d can enhance text, but even SL needs the lowly notecard, and people sure like using that web tab in their profiles for their blogs. Have you considered why SL has such an active blogosphere, despite it being a 3d world? Does that seem odd to you?

*shrugs*




Google Earth is an interactive map - useful for travelling, sure. But, not a replacement for it. Not at all.




Lots of companies sell ads on the Net. People are pretty good at avoiding looking at them, too. I can't think of a single company that has gotten truly rich over selling ads. I know online journalism - the ads don't come anywhere close to covering overhead expenses. It's a problem for that industry, actually. Unsure where it's going to go, because people don't *like* ads, for the most part.



It's not Google's core business, and I recommend looking up what is. They sell Google Earth for commercial purposes to companies, right now.

This discussion is getting very political it seems to me.

None of us knows what the future holds. We have our opinions, and the reasons for them. We shall all see what actually happens in the next ten years.

While I have no idea how 3D the web will eventually become. I have to admit this point is an excellent one.

This is true, 3D is not going to replace text, or websites as they exist today. It is analogous to audio conferencing vs. video conferencing: there are many reasons why people prefer a simple phone call in most circumstances.

However, 3D will, I think, augment the web in several ways. It will almost completely kill videoconferencing, thank god. And it will accelerate collaborative conceptual design tasks for architecture, mechanical ... really anything that uses CAD/CAM. It will not replace CAD/CAM, but will vastly speed up the early design and sales process. It will be used widely in education, for corporate launches of new products, for virtual sales meetings ..... one can go on. 3D meetings have a big role to play, and will I think the virtual worlds that supply them will be searchable by Google, just like any other website.

In addition to work, the number of virtual world playgrounds, like SL, will increase greatly, don't you think? Once a good 3D world codebase becomes available? With the corporate presences moved out to their own grids, the playgrounds will probably become less inhibited than they are today ... and too multitudinous to be policed by vigilantes. For good or ill.

There is definite market here. It will take a good little number of years to mature, and is still overhyped ... but it is real.

"I can't think of a single company that has gotten truly rich over selling ads."
.........................
This company is called Google


"The written word is not replaceable "
.........................

Who says it is? Texts are not a technology, different technologies are the medium that brings text to people in a different ways. It's an evolution, every new level consist of the previous levels plus something new.
........................

"Have you considered why SL has such an active blogosphere, despite it being a 3d world? Does that seem odd to you? "

No, it does not. These two compliment each other perfectly, they will marry some they and will live happily ever after, lol.
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"Google Earth is an interactive map - useful for traveling, sure. But, not a replacement for it. Not at all."

Again, who says it's a replacement? I want to go to Ireland, I'll do it some day but for now I can go there via GE or by visiting virtual Dublin. I have not seen my brother in 5 years but I visited his place and he visited mine on GE.

Amen to all of that.

Cinema is not a replacement for theatre.
Television is not a replacement for cinema.
Watching a movie is not a replacement for reading the book.
Watching or reading news content is not a replacement for witnessing events in person.
...etc.

So? Somehow they all get along together as part of a rich mix.

"Flash..." News at 11.... Manhunt after suspected shooting... homocide of a jealous boyfriend... police searching streets... you can watch the event live now and help the search... tune into GE Cops! Watch it in 3D!

A good example of text more important is with sl.reuters.com, a lot of us look at the website, but I doubt many visit reuters in world.

Yes all of us hate ads on the net and avoid them. The traditional ways of advertising seem to be pretty much of a time that has come to an end on the net, virtual worlds, tv, radio....all of them.

To see the homicide as it took place, click on Advanced Search / Archive.

Do you want to take a vacation to Egypt, but are not sure? Ok, so you do a little research online, get some good write-ups, and some detailed pictures...but you're still isolated and detached...

If, however, you could visit the 'virtual' Egypt--walk around the pyramids, get a grasp of their size...even go inside one and see King Tuts sarcophagus. As technology progresses, these things will be much more realistic and immersing. Visit shops, cafes, restaurants--the possibilities are endless...

Then, after you've virtually toured Egypt, you are more excited than ever, and are certain you want to visit--in real life. It's not a substitute, it's a preparation and examination phase...and it's damn entertaining.

Virtual spaces are not meant to rid our first lives of experiences...it is meant to enhance and simplify. And most importantly, it's meant to entertain. If someone spends all day in a VRML world...that can become a problem (WoW)--however, as long as you are not isolating yourself inside these virtual spaces, and instead use them as a temporary escape, and are not abusing your time. As long as you use it for entertainment, research, creation, and socialization...it is very healthy, and will in time become Web 3.0.

I think Google is spreading like a virus...a good virus...and looking at what they've created in the past (browser, email, chat, groups, Sketchup, gEarth, video), my opinion and deductive reasoning is telling me they are poised to create a virtual space...and lord knows they have the resources, knowhow, and talent base.

Premium Members can see it up close with the Exclusive Google Bullet Cam *tm*, which uses exclusive technology that guarantees a shap, clear, picture from entry to exit wound.

Brilliant!
We're jaded watching video from missiles taking out bridges and buildings.
With nanotechnology, we can build cameras into bullets.

It's not a replacement for shooting people in RL however

Thankfully so.........

I'm pretty sure the boss of Cologne Cathedral didn't get the SL one built to save the RL door hinges wearing out.

And of course, those who physically can't get to the real thing are enriched too.