Mobile usage increases daily and is expected to surpass desktop internet usage by 2014. Android OS devices, which are known for supporting Flash, are starting to overtake Apple’s iPhone in number of units sold. Why would Adobe decided to stop supporting Flash now?

Adobe’s reaction implies that they don’t believe that Flash will improve enough in speed and security to compete against quicker and friendly HTML5 that already has the lead in mobile browsing development. Add the fact that Apple made it beyond clear that Flash would never be supported on the iPhone and iPad, and you end up with half of the mobile internet market at best being able to view Flash in some capacity.

So, there’s still regular desktop browsing. Why can’t Flash survive there? The relatively new but fast growing concept of Responsive Design prevents the use of Flash. The idea of Responsive Design is to create and develop your site once with HTML5 and CSS3 in a way that allows the design to display correctly to the specifications of the device it is viewed on. For that to happen, the site must be compatible with mobile browsing practices, which again means no Flash can be used.

Flash has had it’s time in the sun for web development. Now, it appears, it’s time to move on.

They both have similar looks and features, but they approach socializing differently. In simplest terms, Facebook focuses on making your status updates public first and private second, whereas Google+ encourages the opposite. So how does that imply Google+ could be some sort of anti-social introverted new kid on the block?

Contrary to stereotypes, introverts are not necessarily anti-social. Due to internalizing information, they prefer discussing in-depth on specific topics of interest over small talk and value connecting with small circles of friends. This is where Google+’s top promoted features support those traits. Let’s take a look at some of the other key features found in Google+:

Circles

Stop sharing publicly and start sharing privately. Google+’s Circles uses an innovative interface for grouping contacts to allow users to privately share content among those groups. Your boss won’t see what your friends see and vice versa. As long as they’re in separate Circles, anyway.

Sparks

Like a saved search, Sparks lets you add topics to your profile page that display regularly updating search results of articles and videos associated with those topics. Consider this a simple way to obsess over your favorite sports team, or your passion for underwater basket weaving.

Hangouts

Hangouts might be more aptly described as video chat on steroids. Check into Hangouts with a simple click, to notify friends of your pre-selected Circles that you’re available for an up to 10-person video conference. Have face-to-face meetings with only those you want to bump into online.

The focus for Google+ is to provide tools for users to control how they socialize while providing added privacy over the information you share online. Regardless of growing pains, the different approach to social networking Google+ offers is enough to keep this “anti” social network around.

For anyone that’s not aware, Google launched Buzz in early February. Buzz is a new social networking platform that is meant to start conversations about the things you find interesting. The most interesting features are: that it’s built into GMail, you can connect sites you already use, see updates in real-time, share publicly or privately with your followers, and the capability to see photo/video thumbnails with each post. Sounds Awesome, right!

Well…maybe. Now that the privacy issues have been hammered out let’s take a brief look into if it really “works” for users.

The social media landscape is filled with many players. Of course, the ultimate powerhouses are the same as they were 2 years ago, Facebook and Twitter. Personally, I don’t see this changing anytime soon. So where does that leave Google’s stamp on social media?

I’m still trying to figure that out, and I am not alone. A quick Twitter survey from my followers indicated that, users are not sure how it fits it into their digital lifestyle or if it fits at all.

Using myself and a host of friends and colleagues as examples: we all use Facebook and Twitter. So why use, Buzz? In fact, most of the people I follow are posting from Twitter or Google Reader without actually “using” Buzz at all.  Their posts look strangely familiar, oh yeah, I already saw them on Twitter. So what value does Buzz have for me?

Social Media users are struggling to find relevance in the noise. So a platform that pushes comments of your friends friends, seems to add to the noise. However, Google intentionally made Buzz different because it wants Buzz to evoke a different type of interaction. For example, after posting a Buzz about the use of the service. Several of my followers commented, a friend from college, a freelancer (that I’ve never physically met) and a family member. Don’t get me wrong, this can be achieved via Facebook and Twitter, but with Buzz, the conversation is in my face as it happens. This point will dictate whether Buzz lives or dies in the coming months.

So what does all this mean? Simply potential. I wouldn’t write off Buzz just yet, nor would I jump on the band wagon singing praises. We will just have to wait and see.

Go ahead, try it out and then chime back in here. I’d love to hear your thoughts on Google Buzz.