The Google Plan and Microsoft

November 6, 2011

There were some interesting factoids about Microsoft in my Overflight system today. The first was a link to a Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, Mary Jo Foley podcast in which Windows experts pointed out that Microsoft was making money from Windows 7 and (hang on to your beanie) Office.

As you may know, Google has been chasing the enterprise in general and Microsoft Office. If the information on the Windows podcast is accurate, Microsoft is doing just fine with Office, thank you. Even Google’s notable wins for its alternative to Office made headlines when Los Angeles raised some questions about the security of the Google enterprise apps.

But the big factoid was in the story “Half of All Android Devices Have Entered into Patent Agreements with Microsoft.” The key point was that Microsoft has taken steps to do a toll booth on the Android super highway. Here’s the passage I noted:

That noise you hear is Google swearing as Microsoft is now profiting on more than half of all Android devices being sold, kudos to Microsoft for finally finding a way to make money in the mobile phone segment. Although, Google is trying to find a way to protect Android with its acquisition of Motorola, but so far, that has done little to stop Microsoft on its crusade.

Let’s assume that Office is indeed selling and that Microsoft’s approach to intellectual property toll boothing is working or will work to some degree.

First, Microsoft may not have the Googley goodness or the nifty mouse pads, but it does have a clutch of patents and money from Office licenses to fund just about any legal challenge Microsoft may wish to launch against Google, Android, or my dog Max.

Second, Google’s marketing is chipper, but the company’s tactics to thwart Microsoft may not be working as planned.

Third, Google may be distracted with Viacom, Google Plus, and green energy investments. If Microsoft follows its present trajectory, Android may face some price friction. Free is okay but not if Microsoft slaps a surcharge on Android phones.

And that beast Office keeps on selling. Maybe Yandex will make a run at Google search?

Stephen E Arnold, Novewmber 6, 2011

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Stephen E. Arnold monitors search, content processing, text mining and related topics from his high-tech nerve center in rural Kentucky. He tries to winnow the goose feathers from the giblets. He works with colleagues worldwide to make this Web log useful to those who want to go "beyond search". Contact him at sa [at] arnoldit.com. His Web site with additional information about search is arnoldit.com.