Google clearly has no intention of giving up on the idea of its own social network. Just recently, Google+ was shut down, and now the 'corporation of good' is... testing Shoelace. This is a new platform for social interaction that differs from Facebook, Vkontakte, and others.
The developers position it as a solution for offline use. In other words, Shoelace aims to help users find friends and like-minded people in the real world. The mobile app is intended to 'connect' people based on shared interests, helping newcomers meet others living nearby.
This is already the third attempt by the company to win over the minds and hearts of social media users. In 2011, Google launched a similar project called Schemer, but it was shut down three years later. The current effort is essentially a reboot of that system. Either they just haven't tired of it in Mountain View, or they want to learn from past mistakes.
It is reported that the test version of Shoelace is currently only available in the USA for Android and iOS devices. A device must run at least Android 8 or iOS 11, and a Google account is required. The service allows the creation of a list of interesting events, such as sports competitions, shows, and more. There is also a calendar and the ability to invite users. This functionality has existed for a long time in Facebook, Vkontakte, and other projects, so Google's creation will have to make a significant effort to get noticed.
Source: 3dnews.ru
