What’s this? Google Pages? Is Google going after the ad powered hosting services that so many internet users rely on to report on the latest activities of their cat?

Google recently uncloaked its latest beta service by the name of Google Pages. Fitting, considering Google users now have the option to create fully hosted websites powered by Google. I took the service for a test drive and came away semi-wow’d. Noticeable features:

• Google hosting! You start your day, check your weather, find your stuff, email your contacts, play Mr. Voyeur, and now…. create a fully hosted website without the nuisances of paying or maintaining your own server.
• WYSIWYG editor. Text, images, and links. You name it, Google has a button for it. 100 MB of storage, drag n’ drop image positioning, and autosave for keeping your current page safe.
• Looks are everything. Google Pages offers 41 different color schemes and four different layouts for keeping your page personalized.
• Create multiple pages. Make one for you car, car, dog, kid, monkey, wife’s sister-in-law, etc.

Free hosted service by Google. What’s not to like?

What’s a hosted service without the ability to add YouTube clips? (You can’t snare the Xanga users without right?) Where is the direct integration with related Google services? Is the option for domain registration and redirects in the works?

Wanna see mine? Don’t knock it. I made that in 2 minutes 12 seconds. Now show me yours. Try Google Pages out for yourself.

UPDATE: If the Google Pages site goes down, fret not for the service is in beta. An eternal beta life…