Google has released a dozen of social gadgets in Australia on a test basis in order to allow iGoogle users to share data with their friends on Google contacts. The gadget is a program that can be embedded in iGoogle pages.
Jeff Regan, a Google engineer, said that the gadget also features a new updates feed that allows users to check on their friends in iGoogle without having to add the gadgets they have. Reportedly the updates feed is similar to Facebook wall.
The new social gadgets include Biggest Brain, news.com.au, YouTube, Photos, To Do, Go Comics, Chess, Crossword, Trivia, Flood-It!, NY Times, Tile Game and Timeline.
Regan added that the gadgets will function without the social features as they are optional. The gadgets are available for users outside Australia. But for such users the social features are not enabled. In future, Google plans to make these gadgets available in the US if the test phase proves successful.
Reportedly, Google’s move to incorporate more social features to its sites is expected to increase ad revenues that the company doesn’t have to share with partners.
