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Here's a quick look at Microsoft's new social network

Despite its relationship with Facebook, Microsoft is apparently setting up its own social network.

MICROSOFT IS preparing its own social network named “Socl,” Thomas Huston at The Verge reports.

Huston got a look at the social network. It sounds and sounds like your basic set-up:

Ignoring for the moment that the interface looks a lot like that other social network, Socl offers a bare bones, three column layout, with basic navigation in the left rail, a social feed down the middle, and invites and video party options (more on that soon) on the right.

As usual, you can follow other friends, but you won’t find any list-making tools. Core to the experience is the large search field at the top that asks, “What are you searching for?” effectively creating a new type of status update. You can also toggle the field to a traditional status update.

Does the world need another social network? Of course not.

We understand why Google is doing Google+. It has zero access to Facebook data, and it wants to make search more social. It wants to have more data on its users.

Microsoft on the other hand is a relatively close partner with Facebook. It has a big investment in the company, and it has access to Facebook data to make Bing more social.

Socl is just a research project right now for Microsoft. But, Houston says it’s going to be released to the public eventually.

- This article by Jay Yarow first appeared on BusinessInsider.com

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18 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nialllateshow
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    Nov 16th 2011, 7:21 PM

    Not another one !

    86
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute neuromancer
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    Nov 16th 2011, 8:19 PM

    Facebook wastes enough of my time.

    No one wants another social networking site.

    It looks like Facebook already.

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wujashtop
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    Nov 16th 2011, 8:08 PM

    What a waste of resources

    35
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    Mute Chan Lynch
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    Nov 16th 2011, 11:13 PM

    Awful name.

    21
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    Mute Sean McNally
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    Nov 16th 2011, 9:37 PM

    A social network site aimed at older fold would be a winner. Oh no, wait, we prefer just to be in the same room as the person to whom we’re speaking. How old fashioned.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean McNally
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    Nov 16th 2011, 9:38 PM

    Sean, you meant older FOLK, didn’t you? Now just drink your Horlicks and go to bed.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean McNally
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    Nov 16th 2011, 10:16 PM

    So, Sean, what are you doing on Twitter?

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    See 2 more replies ▾
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    Mute Adrian De Cleir
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    Nov 16th 2011, 10:45 PM

    Let me pass you the werthers originals there Sean

    13
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    Mute Sean McNally
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    Nov 16th 2011, 10:55 PM

    Thank you, Adrian. Ask nurse to turn off the light.

    13
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    Mute Joseph O Reilly
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    Nov 16th 2011, 7:28 PM

    I giv u the new google plus

    15
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    Mute Titus d
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    Nov 16th 2011, 11:52 PM

    Microsofts “ideas” department’s next challenge is to take on the Super Nintendo

    15
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    Mute Ricky Smith
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    Nov 16th 2011, 9:40 PM

    I’m not working there so its not defeatist talk but really? This will flop. Facebook does so many things better than anything they’ll come up with. Just leave it alone and try some other market.

    11
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    Mute Stephens Jones
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    Nov 16th 2011, 11:11 PM

    google will usually produce (buy) better apps than microsoft, and they’re still not even in the race…
    Now wheres the sign in with google here? Doh…

    2
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    Mute Ian C
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    Nov 17th 2011, 8:12 AM

    Facebook is a marketers wet dream. When those telephone directory size surveys land on your mat, offering the free carriage clock and fountain pen, do you fill them in? No! They go straight in the bin!

    Yet people willingly sign over all their personal data (including the fact they flip their pillow to the cold side) in a heartbeat to social networks.

    I stopped using Facebook about 3 years ago. Given their handling of privacy and constant T&C amendments and new feature bungles. I use Diaspora, Twitter and G+, but I limit the data I provide them and think before I post. If Socl can get right what Facebook gets wrong (taking Microsoft’s stake in the company to account) then they could be on to a winner.

    5
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    Mute Shane Hamrick
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    Nov 17th 2011, 7:44 AM

    In the words of The Miz on WWE Really. Microsoft feels left out they try to after another corp because they got beat before they let the world know about Bing.com. Really come on.

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    Mute Melvin
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    Nov 17th 2011, 2:44 PM

    http://www.unthink.com is worth a look

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    Mute David Jackson
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    Nov 17th 2011, 10:30 AM

    Microsoft really needs to just stick to enterprise software, on the consumer end they have no new ideas, they never had. They just copy everything badly, thats fine, the problem is that they do it about 4 years too late and waste cash. Look at the Zune player, Sliver-light and possibly Windows Mobile to name but a few.

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    Mute damian
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    Nov 18th 2011, 11:16 AM

    I had a first-generation zune and it was a quality device… A lot better than the iPod in fact. Pity it didn’t sell better than it did, but it had no chance against apple.

    Windows Mobile also looks good from any time that I have played with it….

    1
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