Initially supports five Google online products

Google has released a new service to make data portability easier than the normally step-by-step process it has involved in the past. Takeout simultaneously downloads data from multiple Google services in one swoop. Its initial release will support five apps, with more to follow.

Google claims that because all data is in portable and open formats‚ it can be easily import to other services. The first Google apps supported are Buzz, Contacts and Circles, Picasa Web Albums, Profile, and Stream. The company has not indicated which of its online products will be the next to be added.

Google Takeout compliments Google+, a new social networking service that the company launched earlier today. The company has tried to pitch itself as an anti-Facebook by making data easily accessible and transportable. Facebook's approach of using proprietary and often locked-away information helps guard privacy but also makes it difficult to get out if users aren't happy.