Related to Canvas scene here are some news. From TechRadar UK online newspaper:

"Google is extending the capacity of its iGoogle personalised homepage service, in a move that could threaten major social networking sites like Facebook.

The iGoogle homepage has been in existence for years, but the company is reportedly making major updates to several key areas that could extend the page into social networking territory.
...."

Link:
http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/igoogle-changes-could-threaten-facebook-410623

I would second that idea.

Well technically, if Google connected all it's services together correctly, it could have the worlds largest Social Networking Site.

It's got Chat, Email, Calender, Google Pages/Sites, Google Groups, Photo and Video Uploading, Blogger, Friend connect, Open Social, and as you say the iGoogle Page. Connect them in the right way, and I think it would be an amazing SNS.

Admittedly Google already has Orkut, Jaiku and Dodgeball, but they aren't exactly the most popular SNSs are they?