We've carried stories of Google and Second Life mashups in the past, but the latest from the Google Operating System blog is that they may be in the testing phase of a virtual world of their own.
Arizona State University students have been testing a virtual world called "My World" that uses a logo similar to Google Earth's, although the forms themselves only say that it's from "a major Internet company". The application form strongly implies that this will be a social world of some kind, but of course until we learn more we'll only be guessing.
Speculation about Google creating a virtual world began last year in part because they've created all of the tools necessary to put one together. If one ever needed a proof-of-concept for that you could look to Everyscape. Between Google Street-View, Google Sketch-Up and Google Earth, we have all of the tools necessary to mash-up several varieties of virtual world.
Why do we think ASU is testing for Google? For starters, the form also asks you if you have a Gmail account or if you'd be willing to get one. ASU already uses Google Apps, site search from Google Search Appliance, maps via uses Google Maps and the campuses are already modelled in Google Earth. Not only that but ASU contributed photos for the Google Mars project, and speakers from Google hold regular events there. What better place for Google to test a new virtual world?
If you're an ASU student you can complete the questionnaire to apply for the beta. As for the rest of us, we'll have to wait until the software is released later this year.
(via TechCrunch)
maybe they will use the peer to peer Croquet application - open source !