Google Buzz by default creates a neighborhood chat room. By selecting the "Nearby" mode in a residential area, all messages will be those posted by neighbors. It's fuzzy, too. If someone on the edge of your neighborhood chimes in, someone else on the edge of her neighborhood might join the chat. Conversations could literally spread like a virus.

When you're in "Nearby" mode, you can select a drop-down menu of businesses. If you're standing in front of a restaurant, why just read the menu? Read the reviews. Or, if you've just finished a meal, you can quickly write your own review. In either case, tap the "More info" link next to the name of the establishment, which takes you to Google's info page on the place. The info page includes details about the restaurant, plus a place for customers to write reviews.