In a continuing effort to dominate the universe…er, control all information…today Google announced its new social features during a show-and-tell event in Mountain View, CA. Their newest tool is called Buzz, and it’s Google’s answer to content sharing.

The overview:

For Gmail, Buzz is built right in on top of other conversation features like chat and video chat.

The 5 key features (according to Google):

1) Auto-following. You auto-follow the people you email and chat with the most.

2) Rich, fast sharing. Same Gmail UI and keyboard shortcuts with special attention to media.

3) Public and private sharing. Allows things Google can index and private messages.

4) Inbox integration. Comments get sent right to your inbox.

5) Just the good stuff. With so much social data, it filters the noise.

Also included: thumbnail photos with posts; connects with social media sites you already use – Twitter, Picassa, Flickr, and Google Reader; real-time updates; and interesting post recommendations.

Beyond Gmail, Buzz integrates into Google’s homepage. So pulling the site up from your cell phone allows Buzz to find your location using the phone’s GPS. This allows your searches to be ranked by relevancy based on location, creating real opportunity for local businesses to reach their customers in the time and place most likely to produce action.

Buzz will also come in app form for Android phones and iPhones. This app streams Buzz items, showing all the public conversations close to you. If you’re at a concert or play, you could hit “Nearby” and see what everyone else is saying about it in real time.

Finally, Buzz integrates with Google Maps for mobiles (Android, Windows Mobile and Symbian today – other phones to come later), geotagging your location and showing you white chat bubbles of Buzz on the map.

What does all this mean?

With 146 million users on Gmail as of July 2009 and Apple’s iPhone alone controlling 25.3 percent of the smartphone market, this new tool creates interesting possibilities both online and on the go.

At very least, there are new opportunities for businesses, nonprofits, and marketers to reach location-targeted audiences, as well as participate in real-time conversations about brands, news and information affecting their communities.

More info: Google Goes Social with Google Buzz (Mashable)

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