I followed this title “The Google Linux desktop has arrived” from PopURL’s this morning expecting details of a new Google OS and was disappointed to read this opening gambit.
Google has been slowly, but surely, displacing Microsoft as the number one PC technology company. Google has done it by misdirection
I’m not trying to be the stick in the mud Microsoft guy here but by what measure has Google displaced Microsoft as the #1 PC technology company? Or indeed HP, or Dell? Sure they’re doing some cool and very interesting stuff like Android and Chrome that puts them in a position to become a force in the PC world, but really, that opening sentence is just, well in my opinion….”lazy” by Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols.
A couple of chaps have put Android on a netbook? Gosh that’s it then, the end of the world is nigh for Microsoft. May as well shut up shop now I reckon.
I was going to put forward my own observations on this whole piece which ranged from talking about Linux on netbooks, Apple being stronger in the apps market, Windows 7 getting great reviews pre beta (far from being “rushed”) and the fact that there is some irony in suggesting Google wants to be a “PC” player when they’re the darling of web, mobile etc…but I decided that Steven was just living up to his pseudonym of Cyber Cynic and had probably achieved what he wanted by winding me up on this glorious Saturday morning in London.
Damn.
Maybe I'm not looking at it correctly - but for me Google and Microsoft are totally different. Google has search - I know it has a lot else (which i use every day) but seriously, Google makes its money from search. Microsoft runs the corporate world, office and OS market. If you asked the average joe you'd probably get that answer.
They both clash on the internet space but they are both #1 technology companies in their core areas.
yep. spot on James...like a pal sai on Twitter, no point in letting facts gets in the way of a good headline eh!
Displaced not yet & probably won't for some time more, but the threat is real now. No matter how ugly Android looks the fact that Google came out with it & it is gonna make life tough fro Win Mo add to that Chrome. And if Google distro becomes reality, chances of which are really high, MS is in for some really tough competition.
IMHO, Google OS will be tougher competition for MS than OS X & Apple.
You guys seriously need to rethink the way you do business in markets like India. Drop prices, market your products in a better way, the ads currently being aired suck bad. Having said that, I'm someone who liked the Bill-Jerry ads.
US is 1 part of the world & if you want to continue to dominate, countries like India is where you should have better focus.
I completely agree as well James. Microsoft and Google are very different companies. With the exception of the online services business Microsoft are reshaping themselves into a platform company. With .NET, Silverlight, Azure and Live Services you've got an amazing platform for other companies, including partners such as us, to build the applications and services which touch customers. Google may have some great services, but they have no comparable 'platform'. Google, however much money they have, can never take on the hundreds of thousands of independant software vendors in the world. Microsoft exists as a business to support these companies and that is how it will continue to thrive.
The way I see it is, Microsoft's position as a software giant won't be affected, but what will be affected is Windows' dominance.
Chrome's release and subsequent large no. of downloads here in India had a spiritual leader using a tag line saying, "Ready to try Chrome for efficient browsing but hesitant to try Yoga for efficient living."
Never heard of that, have you?
If that's not all, we have a ice cream kinda thing, where flavored syrup is poured on crushed ice, it is called a "gola" in Hindi, there is a person who sells this & guess what he names his selling stand as, "Gogla" written in Google's logo color & just like the Google logo.
Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is, Microsoft needs to tighten it's belt as far selling/promoting Windows is concerned.
Taking strict measures against piracy is also going to affect Windows' over all user base. The technically inclined people will not hesitate to try newer options from let's say Google if they can't afford Windows or don't hear good reviews or have a good experience with it.
The initial prices of Windows Vista here were ridiculous, Vista Ultimate price is still outrageous! Add to that the crapware that comes with OEM etc. it hurts Microsoft's image.
You're not different companies when you're competing in the same market!
Google OS, Chrome, Google Docs, Picasa, Google Desktop, GMail, Google Chat. Different? I don't think so.
MS needs to look at Google as a competitor beyond the internet now. Google is slowly making its way onto the desktop.
Act now, act fast, to retain your position guys.