In January, rumors started to surface that Google was working on a virtual world to be based on their ever popular Google Earth platform. While these rumors were never confirmed or denied, it seems that the public is getting closer to answer as each day goes by. There is word circulating around the tech industry that Google will be testing their virtual world on the campus of Arizona State University.

Google Operating System has released the following information: Arizona State University students will have the chance to test a new product that is set to be launched late in 2007 by a major internet company. Additionally, this new product is said to be related to video games as well as social networking. As you can see, it appears that Google is doing all it can to build the hype around this new product before it becomes available to the rest of the world.

Second Life is the main player in the virtual world at this time. It is hard to say if Google’s new product is going to be a true competitor. But one thing is for sure; Google definitely has the technology, power, and platform in place to make this happen.

Many feel that Google’s virtual world will be closer to IBM’s virtual world than to what Second Life has to offer.

Even though everything is still in the “rumor stage” at this time, there is no denying that Google is working on something big. After the students at Arizona State get their chance at the product, the rest of the world will be able to jump in on the action.

It is safe to say that Google has become quite comfortable with large product launches like this. There is no reason to think that this one will be anything less than a huge success!

Ars Technica has more about this and the name of is supposed to be “My World”

Filed under: Google, Web News