Microsoft vs. Google
Anyone looking at the world of internet business in the late 90s would probably have laughed at the suggestion that within 10 years Microsoft would be thought of as the little guy in a David & Goliath style struggle. But that is exactly what Google has managed to.
Two Gartner analysts have explained exactly how this situation came about, and how Google’s actions now aren’t intended to beat Microsoft, rather they are an attempt to stop Microsoft catching Google. Having taken their eye off the ball as Google swept all before it in search in the early years of this century, Microsoft seem to have repeated the mistake by putting all their recent energies into getting Vista out.
But as Andy Hagans explains, there are still some ways that MSN could get back on top in this battle. Becoming the engine that goes after those users who are concerned about privacy is certainly one way in which they could do this. Whether they will, is of course another matter entirely.
In the meantime, I’ll just keep whistling in amazement that the company from Redmond that bestrode the world like a colossus in the 90s, now have an image as an underdog, despite revenues of $44 billion in 2006.
The biggest battle between the two is yet to come I feel.
Google is a big fan of opensource - Microsoft charge stupid prices for an opperating system that whilst user friendly, has plenty of bugs.
Microsoft has been looking at an online version of their office suite for a long time - google has similar things.
Will google ever release an OS or put hardcore backing into *nix? Will google docs become a real competitor against Word?
Time will tell, but it’s going to be a fun ride!
I think that you’re probably right - but I do have my doubts about the business applications of things like Google Docs