Google: Searching for the desktop?

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Keep hoping.

ZDNet continues its policy of wishful thinking about the defeat of Microsoft.
This one is unusually ludicrous.

Google does some hires which might indicate interest in a browser. If so, maybe a branded version of IE with extra features. Maxon (nee MyIE2) and Avant are examples.
But that ones not enough for our author:

On the face of it, there's nothing for Google in the browser market. There is no browser market. IE is clunky and has a history of security trouble; Mozilla's making inroads for those reasons and because there's a sizeable distrust -- in some cases loathing--of Microsoft. But it's not easy to build a business case for dabbling in those waters.

The only sensible part is, there is no browser market. Mozilla/Firefox have, the last I heard, produced a reduction in IE share within any reasonable margin of error. In other words, not at all.
And the article is ready to assume that a Google browser would be built atop Gecko, not IE. Why?


Next, our author assumes that Google's place atop search could vanish instantly:

It may well be the world's favorite search engine but if someone else comes along tomorrow with a better way, then we'll switch overnight.

The reason IE retains its share is because of inertia. Why shouldn't Google have the same advantage?


Finally, our author decides that Google should produce something that excels Microsoft at every turn (except maybe Excel). Sounds giddy:

What Google must do is get itself on the desktop. The obvious Google-shaped hole is local searching, where Microsoft has a history of conspicuous failure. A browser plug-in that amalgamated general file management with knowledge of Outlook, multimedia data types and online searching would be tempting indeed. Add extra features such as integrated email, instant messaging, automated backup to a remote storage facility and so on, and it gets very interesting. That would need considerable browser smarts, but would extend the Google brand right into the heart of the unconquered desktop where it would stick like glue.

Or not.
In other words, Microsoft may have a problem producing universal search (and the filing system to go with it), but Google hired 3 people, so they'll have it done before the end of the year.

Frankly, if I wanted that kind of do-it-all sludge, I'd be using AOL or Yahoo.

Isn't taking on Microsoft in search enough? Now our author advises Google to take on the we-do-it-all champs at the same time.

Revolutionary War, Civil War, someone has wanted to use the fighting in the US as an excuse to attempt to conquer Canada. (Actually was attempted in the Revolutionary War.) ZDNet is continuing this proud tradition. Google has trouble maintaining its position in search? Let 'em take over the browser and the desktop while they defend their existing territory.

It's Friday. Our author's weekend should be spent figuring out more sensible ideas so that this Commentary can be replaced on Monday.

Posted by: Anton Philidor   Posted on: 09/24/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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