Google has just announced its new Twitter like service, Google Buzz. Google’s Vice President for product Management, Bradley Horowitz has officially released this service to all Google users.

Google Buzz is basically a part of popular Gmail service and it has some basic features to get social with other web users. You can check the features below.

Features of Google Buzz

• Public and private sharing
• Inbox facility
• Auto-following
• Fast sharing experience
• Custom Photo Viewer
• Group integration support
• Limited API support
• Works on Android, iPhone and Symbian mobile operating systems

It collects data from other services such as Picasa, Twitter and Flickr. You can use same keyboard shortcuts as Gmail. It supports @reply which are currently available on Twitter.

You can access Google Buzz from 3 places -

• Google Mobile’s website
• Buzz.Google.com
• Google Mobile Maps

Google Buzz can find out the location of the person just like GPS service. It supports voice recognition and publish your updates in real time. Users can also use Google Maps with Buzz.

Google Buzz is looking an interesting concept and I just hope that it will not become just another service like Google Wave.

Watch Google Buzz Official Video

In last week, I had announced a contest to giveaway Google Wave invitations to Tech Exclusive’s readers. It’s November 30th today so now I am declaring the names of winners.

I am giving 5 invitations to 5 winners who have answered pretty well to my question ( Why do you want a Google Wave invitation? ). So, here’s the list of winners.

Google Wave Invitation Winners

• Nuthan
• Mudit
• Lisa
• Angi
• kasi

Congratulations to the winners. I have sent invitations to all the winners through my Google Wave account. Thank you all for participating in this contest. I will be hosting many more contests on Tech Exclusive in the future, so stay tuned.

For those who don’t how to use Google Wave Extensions and Gadget, go through this simple Google Wave Extensions Guide and also check useful Google Wave Extensions for you wave account.

In earlier posts I have shared information on Google Wave and tried to explain its concept and usefulness. Google Wave is using futuristic technology to set a single platform for each internet user who is working on different services at a time.

I have also written a post on Google Wave extensions and gadgets which can be used in Google Wave to spice up the entire experience. Google Wave extensions are very simple to use. If you find it difficult to use, you can try following guide.

How to install Extensions in Google Wave?

There are two types of extensions available in Google Wave i.e. gadgets and bots. Let’s see the installation part of these extensions.

Bot Installation

1. Get a bot address and open your Google Wave.

2. Click on “+” sign which is placed at left bottom in Google Wave.

3. Add your bot address in ‘Address’ field and submit it.

4. Installation completed.

Gadget Installation

1. Copy the import link of a gadget.

2. Open a new wave and select “More Actions…” from tools bar.

3. Click on green icon to add your gadget URL.

4. Installation Completed.

How to Use Google Wave Extensions?

Now that you have installed both the gadgets and bots, you should also know how to use them in a Wave.

Whenever you install a bot in Google Wave it gets stored in contacts list. If you want to use a bot, use following steps.

1. Open Google Wave and go to Contacts.
2. Select a bot and open it in new wave.

As soon as you click on new wave option,  it will start working according to its task. Take a look at the image of AmazonBot displayed below to get quick idea about it.

As far as gadgets are concerned, it doesn’t require any such steps. It will automatically open in new wave once you add appropriate gadget URL.

So, now I think there should not be any problem in using Google Wave extensions and gadgets. If you still find any difficulty or have any question regarding Google Wave, do let me know.

Don’t have a Google Wave Invitation? Not to worry! Get a Google Wave Invitation.

Google Wave is an amazing open source service and it has great potential to replace social networking sites in the future. I have been trying Google Wave for past few weeks to understand its working procedure, usability and extensions support.

At the first moment, Google Wave looks like a different geeky world. But once you get familiar with its basic concepts, it becomes a friendly tool. I have found some interesting Google Wave Extensions which will add extra fun to your waving experience.

List of Google Wave Extensions and Gadgets

1. Wikify

As we know, Wikipedia is a biggest encyclopedia on the internet. Wikify gives you an additional functionality to find difficult terms and phrases on Wikipedia.

Add Wikify address in your wave list to use Wikipedia on Google Wave.

Wikify Address: wikifier@appspot.com

2. Dr. Musical Wave

Dr. Musical wave is a simple extension for music lovers. It gives information about what music is being played on last.fm.

Dr. Musical Wave Address: dr-music@appspot.com

3. Dr Weather

It is a weather related extension which gives you an idea of weather in the city. Add Dr Weather using following address.

Dr Weather Address: shiny-sky@appspot.com

4. Tweety

If you’re a Twitter addict, tweety is currently the best extension available on Google Wave. Tweety allows you to update and track your Twitter timeline from single wave.

Tweety for Google Wave: tweety-wave@appspot.com

5. URL Shortening

Twitter’s default url shortening service, bit.ly can be used in Google Wave. You don’t have to leave your on-going wave; bit.ly bot allows you to trim long URLs in same wave.

Bit.ly for Google Wave: bitly-bot@appspot.com

6. Calcbot

Calcbot helps in calculating simple mathematical operations. In case you want to perform any such operations, this tool will be very useful. Keep it in your contact list.

Calcbot Address: calcbot@appspot.com

7. Google Map

Map is a built-in extension in Google Wave. You can use maps while traveling from one place to other. Maps can be enabled from Google Wave’s extension gallery.

8. AmazonBot

Amazon online shopping website is the best place to get good product deals. If you want to shop from Google Wave then there is an add-on called AmazonBot, which will help you shop products on Amazon.com

Amazon for Google Wave: amazon-withwaves-com@appspot.com

9. Sudoku

Sudoku, the popular puzzle game is now available on Google Wave. You can add sudoku gadget to your Wave list by using following import link.

Sudoku for Google Wave: Sudoku Import Link

10. TwilioBot

It is an useful bot for those who prefer calling other person from internet. One can easily contact on landline phone or cell phone using TwilioBot. For more information about Twilio, head over to their official website.

TwilioBot Address: twiliobot@appspot.com

11. iWave

iWave helps you customize and personalize user profile on Google Wave. It collects information from Facebook connect.

iWave for Google Wave: iWave Import Link

12. HTML

Now, you can add any HTML into Google Wave. It is useful for webmasters and web designers.

HTML in Google Wave: HTML Import Link

13. Slashdot Gadget

No need to search for headlines, Slashdot gadget is here to serve you latest headlines.

Slashdot Gadget for Google Wave: Slashdot Import Link

14. Yes/No/Maybe Gadget

This gadget can be used to create an interactive session in Google Wave where people will respond to the question in Yes, No or Maybe. You can add this gadget through the extension gallery.

15. Smiley

Smiley bot replaces default smiley symbols with smiley images.

Smiley for Google Wave: smiley-bot@appspot.com

16. Ratings

With the help of Ratings add-on, you can rate and review any movies, software, games etc. on Google Wave. It’s just designed for fun.

Ratings:  Import Ratings

17. Cards

Wanna play cards? There is a gadget called Cards, which lets you play card games in Google Wave

Cards for Google Wave: Cards Import Link

18. Polly

Polly helps you create different polls in a wave. Use following address and start creating polls!

Polly Address: polly-wave@appspot.com

19. Eliza

Eliza is an auto chat bot which will be a good time pass tool to keep you away from boredom.

Eliza for Google Wave: elizarobot@appspot.com

20. Hangman

It’s just another puzzle game where you need to guess the letters in blank field and if you lose the game, you will be hung as shown in image below.

Try Hangman: wavehangman@appspot.com

21. Chess

Play chess on Google Wave.

Chess Import Link

22. Flippy

Flippy is a cool extension to surprise someone in your wave group by flipping the text. Do try it once.

Flippy for Google Wave: flippy-wave@appspot.com

23. Cartoony

Cartoony can be used to enhance the conversation style. It adds a balloon around each word that you type in a wave.

Cartoony for Google Wave: cartoonybot@appspot.com

24. Stocky

Stocky is an amazing tool for traders and investors in stock market business. It displays latest value of each stock in a wave.

Stocky for Google Wave: stocky-wave@appspot.com

25. Napkin

Napkin allows you to draw or plot on a Google Wave. It is similar to MS Paint in Windows.

Napkin for Google Wave: Napkin Import Link

I’m sure you will use these amazing extensions in Google Wave. If you find them useful, drop a comment below and share your experience with other readers.

Google Wave is not released for public and you will need an invitation to join it. I am giving away few Google Wave invitations on this blog, please check here.

Also Read: 15 Useful Google Chrome Plugins