Google SVP Vic Gundotra announced yesterday that he’s leaving the company, sparking instant speculation about the likely impact for Google+, the social initiative he had been spearheading. “This is a group of people who built social at Google against the skepticism of so many. The growth of active users is staggering, and speaks to the work of this team,” he wrote in his farewell post. Google CEO Larry Page said in his own post that “we’ll continue working hard to build great new experiences for the ever increasing number of Google+ fans”, but reports are already suggesting that without Gundotra, Google’s social network may be downgraded. “What we’re hearing from multiple sources is that Google+ will no longer be considered a product, but a platform — essentially ending its competition with other social networks like Facebook and Twitter,” claimed TechCrunch. “Basically, talent will be shifting away from the Google+ kingdom and towards Android as a platform, we’re hearing.” Google has denied the reports, but how it takes Google+ on in the coming months will be watched closely – not least by the music industry marketers who’ve been using the platform.
Tools: platforms to help you reach new audiences
Tools: Kaiber
In the year or so since its launch, AI startup Kaiber has been making waves,…