• TechCrunch, Wednesday, December 8, 2010 12:54 PM

By all appearances, TechCrunch has posted a screenshot of Google's highly-anticipated, top-secret social project, which, last time we checked, was being called "Google +1." "It's a toolbar that exists along the top of Google's properties -- in this case, Google News," TechCrunch explains. "There's a Share button, a place for a Google account icon, and a Google username." And? "Next to it is a numerical count -- it's not clear what this is for just yet. (Maybe a share count?)" And?! "And next to that is an options menu." That's it?!

A toolbar with a share button?! Well, "One other important thing to note: the 'Loop' area in the left side toolbar links," writes TechCrunch, suggesting that "loops" is Google's word for "groups." The 'Plus One' name reportedly derives from some of the functionality of the project, as Google plans to let users publicly endorse a piece of content with a '+1' just as one can 'Retweet' content via Twitter, and 'Like' something via Facebook.

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