Re: Google Buzz
this "following" seems so much like twitters.
i personally think that if google want to be really want to be an to be an all-in-one service then as a UI analytical prospect i think it shows that google wanted to see how good the competitor is with the interface, and how did the competitor achieved that interface it. which is to many of us is considered as Research & Development.
so in a way google is in a win-win situation...not only they figure out the interface of their competitors main technology model but also if their improved version of the similar idea clicks, they will have the monopoly.