Facebook has consistently done the same thing with all of their new features (Graph Search, Timeline, etc). I fail to see why this is so egregious?
It's the same disconnect that we know from Microsoft, that couldn't see itself as the monopolist they were, because their self-image was still that of the little startup that took on the mighty IBM.
Of course it could all just be marketing, like every word out of Google these days is just marketing without substance.
Either way, Google doesn't listen to user feedback and is perfectly capable of rolling out a new product on a global scale. "Request an invite" is BS.
How do you know this? I find this Request a clever way to stagger the release of the update. In case there happens to be any issues then only those who volunteered for the update would be affected, hopefully resulting in slightly higher patience.
What? Since when has launching a product to a small audience and gathering feedback been something that only a startup is allowed to do?
Also, your negativity makes you sound very disgruntled.
grumble grumble
It actually looks cool though.
I'm not going to complain though, I just want to try it out!
People literally lust into ads for "things they cannot have".
That's also part of the success of all the "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" style shows and magazines on the poor/middle class.