Bing, Google, Microsoft, Search
In General on Monday, 13 July 2009 at 12:22
According to Microsoft, Bing has done well in its first month:
We saw 8 percent growth in unique users to Bing.com in June, which is an important indicator that you are trying Bing and the word is spreading.
I’m sure that, coming from Microsoft, some of this is hyperbole, but probably no more so than other companies “exaggerate”.
In my view, even if the exact figure may be disputed, I am not surprised that Bing has likely done well so far. I rather like it.
In fact, I’ve set it as my default search in Internet Explorer (though I hardly use IE) and Firefox. Unfortunately, I can’t set it as my default in Safari, because Apple seems to think there are only two search engines: Google and Yahoo. Come on, Apple, let’s open that up a bit, OK?
Chrome OS, Google, Software
In General on Thursday, 9 July 2009 at 8:28
So there’s a new OS that’s based on the web, relies primarily on a web browser, and whose native apps are web apps. Old news, you say? We already know about Palm’s WebOS. No, I don’t mean that one. This one will primarily target netbooks. Still old news, you say, because we know a modified Android is coming to netbooks soon. No, I don’t mean that, either. I’m speaking of a Linux kernel with a modern web browser. Way old news, you say, since Linux distros and Firefox were available on netbooks even before Windows. No, no, I don’t mean that, either…
Read the rest of this article on the Apple Blog >>
Cloud, Docs, Gmail, Google, Software
In General on Tuesday, 7 July 2009 at 12:01
Today Google removed the liability shield beta tag off of their suite of apps. Google Gmail, Calendar, Docs, and Talk are now official, supported apps.
This must have been a tough decision for Google. With the beta shield they pretty much escape serious criticism for outages, etc. since, after all, “it’s beta”. However, many people and businesses (rightly) look on relying on beta software as a problem. Ultimately, in my mind it comes down to this: When are you going to own up and have enough confidence in your solutions to stop hiding behind a beta label?
This is a good day for Google. Not just for its current apps users, but also for the new users they can bring on board now they they’re out of beta (though, no, I won’t be one of those users).
Bing, Google, Microsoft, Search, Software, Yahoo
In General on Tuesday, 23 June 2009 at 13:44
Interesting story from Mary Jo Foley on Microsoft picking up more Yahoo! executive talent. It’s interesting because of this comment:
I’ve seen a few industry watchers refer to these moves as Microsoft “poaching” Yahoo’s talent. But I wonder whether this is a case of Microsoft poaching or Yahoos jumping ship (or maybe a little bit of both)
I think she has a point; it’s almost certainly a little of both.
One thing is for sure, and I alluded to this in my review of Bing, I don’t think Microsoft needs to mess with caring (or even pretending to care) about Yahoo’s search business so much. Bing is a nice service, and just may pick up Yahoo’s business without even the hint of a buyout.
Heck, Bing even got Google to sit up and take notice.
Bing, Google, Microsoft, Search
In General on Tuesday, 16 June 2009 at 12:31
In my review of Microsoft’s new search engine, Bing, I concluded with this:
I think Bing is an impressive offering, and have already bookmarked it for frequent use. I also think Google should get working on a sidebar — or something similar — of their own.
It appears Google has indeed taken notice, and possible changes may result:
It might not be a Google-killer (yet), but Microsoft’s new search engine, Bing, is certainly raising hackles at the Googleplex. The New York Post reports that Google co-founder Sergey Brin is personally leading a team inside the company to analyze Bing’s search engine and make changes to Google’s search results as necessary.
This is good news any way you look at it. Google certainly has the savvy to rollout competitive changes fairly quickly, though as the article explains:
Google’s entire business plan revolves around text ads placed around search results… If Google has to put in “decision” links to compete with Bing, it will: 1) mess up Google’s page layout; and 2) potentially mess up the company’s massive search ad business…
Was it Microsoft’s intent to possibly disrupt Google’s chief business in this manner? I suspect they hadn’t thought of it that way, but rather simply as an example of providing a better experience than Google provides. In any case it’ll be interesting to see how the search giant reacts to its own turf being stepped on. That’s a problem it hasn’t faced in a while.
Bing, Google, Microsoft, Search, Software, Yahoo
In General on Wednesday, 10 June 2009 at 9:04
Microsoft’s new (well, newly labeled, anyway) search engine, Bing, went live last week. I’ve been playing with it a few days and find it to be a very respectable search offering. This thing won’t be toppling Google anytime soon, but there are things about it worth noting that should push Google to begin improving their own offering. Read the rest of this entry »
Android, Apple, Google, iPhone, Software
In General on Monday, 23 February 2009 at 11:05
App Store, Apple, Google, iPhone, Mobile, RIM, Software
In General on Monday, 6 October 2008 at 11:17
An article today mentions that RIM’s new Blackberry will begin the use of a RIM-hosted app market, and attempt to outline the three recent models for selling mobile apps:
iPhone – Apple is controlling what Apps can and can’t come through their store…
Blackberry Storm – RIM is starting up an App Center that they’re handing control of over to the carriers…
Android – Google’s App Store claims to be completely “open” but we’re already hearing that they may not allow applications that tether the phone to a laptop…
The article then goes on to ask:
Which model do you like better, and why? Or better yet – do you like ANY of them?
Is this a trick question?
Read the rest of this entry »
Google, Microsoft, Software, Yahoo
In Uncategorized on Sunday, 3 February 2008 at 23:34
Everybody and their little brother is all over this. Heck, it even managed to knock all the MacBook Air fawning/despising off the charts. Like most major issues, there seem to be opinions lining up on one side or the other, with few voices in the middle.
Read the rest of this entry »
Apple, Dell, Google, Linux, Mac OS X, Media, Microsoft, Microsoft Surface, Music, Software
In Uncategorized on Monday, 12 November 2007 at 12:40
As I continue to fight off some sort of cold, or flu, or death, or whatever it is, it’s time for another review of recent headlines.
Read the rest of this entry »
Apple, FUD, Google, Microsoft, Thud
In Uncategorized on Friday, 1 June 2007 at 10:12
Rob Enderle is one of a handful of names the Mac community knows well. There’s kind of a “Three Musketeers” of Apple analysts: Rob, Paul Thurrott, and John Dvorak, who are generally confused about Apple’s strategies and target markets. They have always viewed Apple through Microsoft-colored glasses, attempting to shoehorn their every move in terms the Redmond giant would use.
Read the rest of this entry »
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