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Meanwhile, Google and its rivals continue to make waves on other fronts. On Sunday, the New York Post reported that, based on recent hires of high-tech personnel, including certain Microsoft (MSFT:Nasdaq - commentary - research) veterans, it appeared that Google is developing its own Web browser and other software products to challenge the Redmond giant.
"Based on the half-dozen hires in recent weeks, Google appears to be planning to launch its own Web browser and other software products to challenge Microsoft."
Any Konqueror people?
I would find it silly that Google would decide to write a browser from the ground up instead of using KHTML or Gecko.
I can't wait...
Can't anyone think of any other reasons for google to hire the best and the brightest?
Now, I would not be the least bit surprised to see Google starting to contribute to Mozilla in a major way to keep from getting locked out when (if?) longhorn actually makes it out the door. But Google has plenty of things going to keep this crowd busy without going the route of building a proprietary browser from scratch.
It's a good idea, especially if they can push it before Longhorn. They will need to get people on the browser soon. I think you will see some more competition from browsers in the near future. Firefox has shown a ton of new downloads and IE is losing some market share.
Google is always pretty innovative and should have some unique things with their browser. Not to mention gmail and the toolbar will be built in I'm assuming.
The DOJ may require M$ to allow other browsers equal access to its future operation systems, so Google wants to be standing in line when that day comes --hence their interest in developing a browser of their own.
Why?
90% of computer users will use longhorn
Therefore:
85% of computers users will use IE 7 because it comes with Longhorn
Therefore:
70% of computer users will use the new MS search because it comes with IE7 which comes with longhorn!
These are hypothetical percentages just used to show the kind of potential threat google is seeing.
I'm sure the Google has been keeping a close eye of the search engine rumblings coming out of redmond and I'm sure they know why netscape lost the browser war (like we all do), and I am sure sure they can connect the dots just as well as I have.
Bear is right... Google NEEDS a competative brower.
If G were to offer an affiliate program (at around $1 per download) for their browser they would win the war without effort!
Feel free to contact me Google, for advice in setting this up ;)
Take Internet Explorer for example. How many average to below average Internet users do you see downloading Firefox?
Even today, some 13 years into the open source "movement", I - on occasion - get curious responses from people who do not recognize "Linux", conceptually, much less as an operating system. While I would like to believe in the intelegence of the average internet user I know there has to be someone picking up all the free disks distributed by a certain ISP.
I would love to see the browser wars revamped and relaunced with a strongish mozilla/firefox, something (ideally, but not likly firefox) backed by the name recognition of google, and an aging feature devoid non-compliant no-show, if for no other reason then to see IE incorperate some of the innovation (and standardization) of its rivals. Ideally this time around the competition would promote standards rather then introduce a lack thereof.
I disagree, many users will use the one that either 1)came with their PC 2) their son/daughter/friend etc set up for them
Having said that, I don't know what the 'average' user actually is, is it someone who knows what a search engine is and switches around to find the best results, or is it someone who replies 'what's a Search engine?'
Google is a magnetic pull for smart technology people," said Gary Stein, an analyst with Jupiter Research. "They're really trying to broaden their tech base. This is all about putting smart kids in a Google sandbox.
Beavis
I disagree, many users will use the one that either 1)came with their PC 2) their son/daughter/friend etc set up for them
hmmmm... maybe you're right... i've forgot about "average" users.
so, longhorn coming, and in this case it's time to worry for Google :)
Your average person will use what is easiest to them. Is IE the best browser out there? Not even close. But 99% of people will use it because it is there. Same goes for search. Most of your average computer users will just use the search that is the first one they come across.
My comment on Firefox wasn't saying that they could compete with Microsoft. I was saying there are signs of opportunity to steal market. Google has that chance, but they really need to come out with something unique and different. With that they can steal even a small percentage of browser users.
As for the DOJ and browsers. By the time any fines or judgements are levied, it will be too late. Microsoft can drag a trial out for 5 years if they want.
Google is very trendy, but very one dimensional. They are making an attempt at e-mail and maybe a browser to broaden that horizon. They will never be able to compete with Yahoo on a network standpoint and will be hard pressed to steal any market from them. Once that trendiness of Google wears off, they will need to rely on some cunning marketing and good search results. Right now, they have let their SERPs go to crap and we'll see how that marketing goes. I would not be holding on to my Google stock for long.
If G were to offer an affiliate program (at around $1 per download) for their browser they would win the war without effort!
:o Sounds a good idea!
patent [appft1.uspto.gov]
Google know a lot about Browser Technology because they have GOOGLEBOT! That's why it only take 50% effort to build a browser. So, Go Ahead GOOGLE.
As a person who did both I assure you that writing a browser and a bot are two completely different things.
Several of you believe that users will rely on the easiest path to search engine results. Then how do you explain Google's popularity today?
They don't have a portal like MSN or Yahoo...
If you type a query into the address bar of IE, you are likely seeing MS results, not Google.
I would think they are popular because they deliver the best results. So the challenge is how to continue to deliver the best results.
We all know that MSN is testing a beta robot to support their new search engine. That is the immediate threat to Google. Google needs to beat MSN to the punch here - introducing their "next generation" of search engine technology before MSN gets up and running.
If not, Longhorn coupled with the new MSN search could be a problem for Google.
If you allow a country to have a better school system the country will prosper later.
By having a higher tax rate going towards education or by having more attention on a better education the entire country will be more educated later... and in turn 99% of the time the country in the long haul will be more powerful and strong in all aspects.
Google, do not underestimate them; they are hiring the brightest minds in the world right now, as we speak. In the long haul as mentioned above they will prosper by doing this. Hire educated people prosper more later, it will work. In terms of this browser thing, I think this makes sense 100% and MSFT should be nervous!
I do know one thing, after visiting the largest SEO firm in Europe personally this summer... I found that Google is hiring a whole bunch of talent all over. Google also has many many new items in the labs ready to be spoken about, more than 150 if sources are correct, many of these I have never seen mentioned before.
Google has its feet wet for good reason and it will work... yes the browser as well, it is a good idea.
Hollywood
I've got IE, Mozilla and Opera on this box. Does the world really *need* a Google browser? Methinks Google should focus on Internet search. That is well nigh the core of their business.
Back when Alta Vista was king of search, I recall similar sentiments being expressed about a young upstart company named Google! Who *needed* another search engine?
Bring it on Google and good on ya! Ya can't play the game if you don't join the club!
If they could leverage the existing firefox with their vast computing power, then it would be fun to see how MSFT reacts ;).
