Google as Target
May 11, 2010
Android, according to an azure chip outfit, is ahead of the iPhone operating system. Google is ready to blast off with its developer conference that will set the bloggies a twittering. Google even wrote almost a page and a half explaining that it tries hard in the privacy game and even admits it is not perfect.
But – and here is the grit in the Google gullet – a journalist (unlike the addled goose) is making lots of noise about Google. Instead of beautiful music, the trombone slide has grit and the guitar slide is dirtier than a Gulf coast beach.
Navigate to “Consumer Watchdog Targets Google.” The write up is a long tailed dog. Like a pound dog’s tail, the article knocks figurines and lamps to the floor. Not many are broken but the dog’s tail is not likely to tire any time soon. The pound dog chasing Googzilla is John Simpson, who now works for Consumer Watchdog. Don’t blame me for picking up the “dog” metaphor, please.
The point of the article is two fold. First, the Washington Post gets a chance to beat up on the Google about various alleged missteps. The other part of the article seems to give the “watch dog” some teeth.
Here’s the passage I found interesting:
Last month, Simpson organized a news conference with lawyers representing Microsoft, Yahoo and Amazon and other Google competitors after he petitioned the Justice Department for a broad antitrust investigation. He found he was in good company.
Does this matter?
First, yep. The Washington Post is serious work for the DC crowd. Big stick. Watergate. Media giant.
Second, Mr. Simpson has a bark, a loud bark. Barks attract attention. Microsoft and Yahoo don’t show up for a meeting unless there is a reason. Google is a pretty good reason in my opinion.
Third, Google has for 11 years been able to dash through flower beds in its playful pursuit of its vision. Its original competition was search engines. It is risky to generalize, but I think I am on pretty safe ground when I suggest that Google was like an NFL rookie playing grade school football. Not much competition.
Now the Google has money and a killer business model. Despite the economy, Google spins money from its ad program. In the last three years, Google has decided to move into other markets and in those markets, the competitors are not chasing portals like my deaf boxer. Nope, there are some real companies who want to put Google in a zoo with restricted visiting hours and a vet who knows how to use knock out drops.
In short, the Washington Post story is a public relations problem. Now Google has a pound dog yapping, countries annoyed, litigation that would make a lawyer weep with joy for future billable hours, and a pair of companies with more teeth than Lycos and Fast Search & Transfer.
The barking will alert Apple and Facebook. These are serious beasties. Real serious.
Stephen E Arnold, May 11, 2010
No one paid me to write this.
Comments
One Response to “Google as Target”
-
- Subscribe to Beyond Search
Feature archive
News archive
-
Now Google is using an executive recruiter to find for them a new social head? Next they will want advice from consultants how to keep up with their new as-yet unappointed social head. Have they lost their head? Or have they become a [head] holding company?