Share

Google is spreading out into almost every area on the internet these days.  The introduction of Buzz (Google's socialization add to G-Mail) caused me to assess how much Google has slid into my life.

Google basic search is the homepage for my browser (hmmm Chrome, another Google product) Google didn't invent web crawling, indexing and the many other facets of making a search engine.  All they did was make it better at its number one job, find relative stuff on the web for people... oh and provide a simple clean UI.  Google continues to be a leader in its primary function.  Bing is providing a good challenge but I see now compelling reason to switch especially since they have entered and failed so many times in the search field.  Yahoo! is all but dead.  Both Bing and Yahoo have small web 2.0 niceties that I like but these small shinny objects really don't distract me from the fact that their results are not on par with Google.  The search field is pretty incestuous already with each major player pulling on some level from the other.  In Google's case they just buy company X to fill in the designated service gap. (much like Microsoft of yore).

My email all streams through G-Mail.  G-mail is hands down the best web based free email system out there.  Yes yes, some people still use AOL mail, Hotmail yada and yes, people do lots of stupid things out of habit, fear of change and/or ignorance.  Email is still the killer application of the web (sorry twitter fans, you don't even come close) This means whether computer or mobile based, email becomes the primary goto for the majority of users.

An so the sucking sound can begin..because once you logged into one system why go else where for services?  I need a calendar that can be shared with the family and accessed from multiple devices, no problem, Google has it.  I need MS Office functionality but I don't want to buy it/deal with it, no problem G-docs does all and files can be easily accessed from any connected device.  Organize the blogs, news and other feeds I like to read... yup there is G-reader.  Leaving comments on  the stuff you read, no problem just use your universal Google login.  Photos, youtube, blogger, shopping, voice... its all there tightly organized, no annoying flash ads, one login and down right zippy compared to other providers.

All of these services are of course an outlet for Google's #1 revenue stream, Ad-sense.  This is the cornerstone of their success and why it will be tough to challenge them no matter how many agreements other service make with each other.  The only glaring need that Google hadn't filled was a social connection like Facebook, linkedin etc etc... and hence why I stopped and assessed Google's "control" of my internet life.

Google entry into the social frey is Buzz, which is tightly integrated into G-mail. Orkut you say. no no thats a community builder and is an entirely different beast.  When I go to a community about (insert favorite hobby) you likely don't know everyone there, don't want to.  Its merely a great place to expand your knowledge, help other people, ask questions and possibly find people you like.  Once you've made a connection with people the conversation then moves to a more one to one system. (messages, email, IM, phone etc).  Wave?  no no wave is a collaboration tool.  This is for project groups that need to work closely together on objects.  These could be "friends" but likely not.  Buzz is Facebook without all the annoying games and a different class of users.  Facebook is everyone and grandma too which is great for some people.. Buzz, well I don't expect non-savy users to find it anytime soon, and thats a good thing.

The crown for the G-kingdom is its new browser Chrome.  Fast, clean, add ons, optimized for Google services... If your using G-mail, G-docs or something else why not move to the Chrome browser that is optimized for them, and renders just as fast or faster than other main stream browsers.  IE is dead to me, and firefox is still installed but doesn't get used.  The gem in the crown will be the Chrome OS that will finally realize an OS based solely around a browser (not a new idea... Google will just make it better and viable).

Wait wait stop..what about Zoho??  Zoho is awesome you say.  Why yes it is... but its not entirely free and honestly its services are slow.  What happens to your data when this India based company shuts its doors, scales back or gets gobbled up?  Personally, I'm not worried about Google closing shop and again like MS or yore, Google is grabbing all the good ideas they can find and implementing them.  They with the most staying power will ultimately prevail.

Google has me in its tentacles for better or worse.  I didn't even touch on Android based phones and the integration into these services... don't even have to pay for an app. They are the new MS.  Do you switch or hope Word Perfect stays in business?

Ad-sense, privacy and other fears.... for a later day.

Google Services