Google launches Lively, Virtual Social Networking
By Madhur Kapoor on Jul 11, 2008 in Google, Tech
Google has made another addition to its Services with Lively, a 3D virtual social networking service similar to Second Life. Users can create there own Avatar, enter chat rooms and chat with others in 3D graphics. I tried this but was unimpressed by this service. Google has a lot to do if they want to make it more popular. It seems like a bad copy of second life.
To use it, you will have to download the application from the Lively Website and install it. After launching the application, you will have to select the room which you want to enter after logging in with your Google Account. Most of the existing rooms are almost full and the server also seems to be too slow. You will then get a chance to create your own Avatar. There are a total of 10 variety of Avatars to choose from. You can even dress your Avatar with clothing but the clothing selection is quite small. You can also select which hair styles to choose from. Here is the Avatar which I managed to create
The interface also seems to be bad. To move your avatar, you will have to drag him using the mouse. They should have at least provided keyboard keys movement. And the camera angle is also disappointing and difficult to get used to. There are a lot of things to do in the room. You can chat with others and perform a variety of actions such as hug, kick, kiss, punch etc. If there are TV sets in the room, you can stream the videos from Youtube, if there is a picture frame, you can put your own photo. You can interact with objects like sot on a chair etc.
The loading time for a room is too much. There is a lot of work that needs to be done if Google wants to make it a top service. At present, I wouldn’t recommend any of you to try it. It will just be a waste of time.
Wow this is cool…lemme try out…
Rajesh | Jul 11, 2008 | Reply
Well if YOU’re covering Lively too, maybe I should be checking it out. (#);)
Bush Mackel | Jul 11, 2008 | Reply
Wow! I was looking for an unbiased review as i cant check lively now on my mobile connection. So its not upto the hype it created. I’ve linked to this post in blog.
FLu!D | Jul 12, 2008 | Reply
@Rajesh
Do tell me whether you like it or not
@Bush
Do check it out but it is not that good
@Fluid
Thanks buddy
Madhur Kapoor | Jul 12, 2008 | Reply
Thanks Madhur, I hadn’t seen this. I checked it out, and you’re right, it isn’t very good. I think google is just testing the water, and chances are, with more development, it may end up being really good. We shall see!
Bobby Revell | Jul 12, 2008 | Reply
lol.. your character looks funny :\.. on another note secondlife and cokemusic are way better than this.. but.. the point In my opinion is that its a start.. you see google is getting involved in almost everything there is to do on the web.. next thing we know google will come up with their on MMORPG (massive multiplayer online RPG) good post tho, keep it up!
Ibrahim Rabbani | Jul 13, 2008 | Reply
@Bobby
Right Bobby, if google develops it more, it might become a good application
@Ibrahim
I haven’t tried Cokemusic yet. A MMORPG from Google. Now that is really a great idea
Madhur Kapoor | Jul 13, 2008 | Reply
Cokemusic is basically a music-based virtual 3 chat.. you get to make your own songs using a mixer.. and you can play them for points.. and use points to make your own studio.. its a good way to kill time.. and its MUCH better than what google came up with lol.. and its browser based.. which is another plus point, as far as the rpg goes.. google has the resources to do it.. so they probably will..
Ibrahim Rabbani | Jul 13, 2008 | Reply
I dont really concern about the service. But what I’ve seen here is Google expands everywhere. It seems that Google won’t pass any opportunity.
Jacklin | Jul 14, 2008 | Reply