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CP Mr Ofevaw · 04-25-2006, 07:49 AM

Once upon a time, I liked Google ... I thought they had everything planned out. Those times are gone... What happened? They seem to spread like wildfire into different tech categories, only to kind of fizzle?

Just a few things I consider to be "flubs":

1) Google Base (hasn't even touched eBay's market)
2) Google Video (or whatever) service (still not hurting iTunes)
3) Social networking ventures "Orkut" and "Dodgeball" (last I checked, most haven't heard of these)
5) Their job search site?
6) Google Webpage designer tool
7) Then there was that lengthy rumor of an operating system...

Am I missing something here, or is Google doing something big behind the scenes?

Google Bot, I hope you're reading this, because I was quite dissapointed when I found out that "the next big thing" wasn't a web-based operating system, but a collection of bland tools

theapprentice · 04-25-2006, 08:29 AM

dont forget Google Calendar :P

Freddie
www.Map-Traffic.com

jimmiejo · 04-25-2006, 09:00 AM

Google Calendar won't be a flop. I've liked it so far, and it was made to be built into gmail eventually.

nado · 04-25-2006, 09:13 AM

They're creating all these little apps for their big scheme to literally take over the world.

Think about what they're buying up and what they're building. They are replacing the traditional desktop-based computers.

Within the next 5-10 years, if bandwidth prices decrease, I think there will be a big move toward ditching our desktop computers and moving to completely online based desktops. People will simply buy a cheap, portable screen and pay a small monthly fee which will give them their own storage space in some data rack centre somewhere. You can then just use your screen, login anywhere in the world and access a complete range of programs and your files... all online.

I think that's the idea. I picked it up again from listening to diggnation... kevin rose has a pretty good business mind when it comes to technology, and I remember he put forward this point in a past episode when people were questioning what Google was actually doing.

cheers
nathan

Bscivolette · 04-25-2006, 10:06 AM

Google search sucks ( too many people figured out the majority of the algorithm) however Gmail and Google Earth rock. I use Yahoo! for all my searching.

CP Mr Ofevaw · 04-25-2006, 10:48 AM

I didn't include gmail or gcal because they, thus far, aren't flubs.

I sure hope nado is right... That'd be pretty cool. But, if so many are predicting that to happen, who's to say Microsoft isn't doing something similar? Or perhaps some guy in his garage...

clax313 · 04-25-2006, 10:58 AM

For anyone who has seen "Lazy Sunday," the SNL Skit posted on itunes, I'll quote Samberg that "Google maps is the best."

As for the idea of renting server space and toting around your cheapo computer, I totally agree. There are already companies that are selling this service. My cousin's office uses a service called externalIT. They provide server space that allows use of any software you upload. You can log into your account from anywhere and use anything you've uploaded. Awesome idea.

NeeJam · 04-25-2006, 04:48 PM

Nado, i hope your right, it would be pretty cool.

NeeJam · 04-25-2006, 04:49 PM

But google have had flops because they are trying to get the product out quickly instead of spending time and devolping what they are doing.

NeeJam · 04-25-2006, 04:50 PM

If they spent time devolping those porducts im 100% sure they would of been alot better and i believe they would of challenged in the markets they was created to challenge in.

NeeJam · 04-25-2006, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CP Mr Ofevaw

3) Social networking ventures "Orkut" and "Dodgeball" (last I checked, most haven't heard of these)

I have never heard of these 2 social networking ventures, and if they are to get any market share against myspace, facebook etc then they are going to have to promote these.

Day2 · 04-25-2006, 05:12 PM

Heh. Gotta kiss a lot of toads to find your prince.

If I had 8 BILLION in cash, I'd try the shotgun approach as well. Collect smart people, turn 'em loose to create any business they want to create under your banner, and see what hits it big.

It's not dissimilar to the VC model, where VCs expect to have 60-90% of their investments be a 100% loss. The idea is that you can only lose 100% of an investment, but if it hits big, you can make many enough money to more than cover your 100% losses on your other investments.

Think of Google as a very rich VC company that invests by hiring folks rather than by buying stock... Thinking of it this way makes things look a bit rosier for 'em.