It seems war is near. With Microsoft and Google coming to blows, and AOL caught in the middle, who really benefits? Obviously the victor's stock will rise. I'm not sure the public will benefit from this, though.
The conflict between the two giants could result in huge innovations for each. Or the companies may get tunnel vision. Their new products or services could exist purely to defeat the enemy, putting the user second. Do we really need Microsoft Image Search? Or possibly a Google Explorer? There's healthy competition, and then there's vicious rivalry. It seems Gates & Co. would buy a piece of AOL simply to deprive Google, not because the purchase would strengthen Microsoft.
What do you think will come out of this?
Related Stories: | Topics:Innovation, innovation + creativity, Microsoft Corporation, Google Inc., AOL LLC, Computer Technology, Science and Technology |
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Recent Comments | 4 Total
September 22, 2005 at 1:39pm by roger fulton
something not good for us??
September 22, 2005 at 11:28pm by Jeff De Cagna
Kevin, Microsoft is already all about defeating the enemy and putting the user second. Gates and Ballmer are lashing out at Google because Google's open approach to innovation is screwing with Microsoft's "it's all about us" view of the world.
The public will benefit from Google's continued pursuit of innovation that helps the end user. If Microsoft wants to get in the way of their efforts, then perhaps "war" is necessary. No problem...the triumvirate has already shown that it will go the mattresses!
September 23, 2005 at 1:51pm by jerry kenny
Microsofts has long held the stance "take it or leave it" they were the only game in town. Now they are fighting competition , not by putting out a better product, but by grabbing marketshare, and as it was said somewhere, aol has users because it comes bundled with computers the average consumer doesnt know how to use.
Microsoft loses more credibility in the tech communitys by doing this, while Google is a relatively new company that thinks innovation and new ideas are a good thing, microsoft thinks innovation is "rocking the boat"
Waht will benefit us all in the long run is Google's willing to take chances on new products and new idea's, after all, thats what the net is all about
September 26, 2005 at 9:58am by Martin Tibbitts
A MS / Google battle will happen, but I think it will take more than MS courting AOL to really provoke it.
Martin Tibbitts