Online speculation is all over the place today, and Google isn't doing much to clear up on the confusion.

For months now, online chatter has focused on whether Google is secretly working on its own social networking site - something that focuses on gaming or maybe one that focuses on music or movies. Whatever it is - and whether it's called or Google Circle -- it's been called more than once a Facebook killer.

That's pretty optimistic since Google hasn't had much luck in the social networking genre. After all, last August Google did throw in the towel on its first social networking effort - . Not an auspicious start, according to industry analysts.

So, what prompted this week's spate of speculation?

First there was a lot of talk that Google would be unveiling a social networking service called Google Circle at SXSW, the film, interactive and music festival now under way in Austin, Texas.