Google to Add Social-Network Elements - WSJ.com

Typical Eric Schmidt subtlety

Google Inc. this fall plans to infuse its core products with elements of social networking, said Chief Executive Eric Schmidt, ratcheting up the Internet giant's rivalry with Facebook Inc.

Speaking Tuesday at the Google Zeitgeist conference in Scottsdale, Ariz., Mr. Schmidt said Google hoped to at least get access to Facebook users' contact lists so that people can grow their social network on Google. He said, without elaborating, that Google's products would incorporate more social-networking elements later this year.

"The best thing that would happen is for Facebook to open up its data," Mr. Schmidt said. "Failing that, there are other ways to get that information." He declined to be specific.

Google to Add Social-Network Elements - WSJ.com