Google unveiled a new Gmail feature called 'Google Buzz' at a Google announcement earlier today.

Google Buzz was described as 'a new way to share and communicate' in Gmail.

With the new product, Google seeks to solve what it characterizes as a 'relevancy and ranking problem' posed by the volume of content produced and shared on social media.

CNET, which is live-blogging the Google Buzz announcement, has information on Google Buzz features:

1. Auto-following: First time you use the product you automatically follow the people you e-mail or chat with.
2. "Rich, fast sharing experience." Includes media, keyboard shortcuts, twitter updates, "all the things users like to share often."
3. "Public and private sharing." Public entries indexed into google's search.
4. "Inbox integration"
5. "Just the good stuff." A relevancy filter to highlight only top items.

Google Buzz will include a custom-built photo viewer that aims to make it easier and faster for users to view photos. In addition, users will be able to control what media (photos, videos, etc) are made public, and what is private. CNET notes, 'any item in Buzz can become a conversation,' a feature Google's Todd Jackson calls 'one of the most interesting parts of the product.'

Google also demonstrated new products that will allow users to experience Google Buzz on their mobile handsets.

More details are coming. Watch the Google Buzz release live here.