June 29

Google is set to roll out its own social media service, designed to compete with Facebook.  Initial reports are that it will look and function similar to Facebook, with real-time updates (including posted photos) from your circle of friends.  Google hopes to avoid a repeat of the social media debacle that occurred last year when they launched Google Buzz.

The date for the public launch of Google+ has not been announced.  The service is already being used by Google’s own staff.  So it is reasonable to assume that a phased public roll out could occur as early as the next few weeks.