Category: Microsoft

Does Google Need to Make Money On Anything But Advertising? Answer: No

March 20, 2007August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 4 Comments

Googlelogo Google often gets flak for having all its eggs in one basket, at least in terms of how it makes money. Current figures put advertising revenue at 97% to 98% of total revenue. So that has some critics asking what the search giant plants to do to diversify. But to clarify, we should distinguish between two types of diversification: 1) different types of advertising revenue (search, video, billboards, in-game, etc.) and 2) all other revenue (charging for premium services as an example: Picasa, Google Apps, etc.).

Google seems to be aggressively diversifying in one way while only dabbling in the other.

Internet, Microsoft, Tech News

“Google Phone” Rumors: A Compilation of All The Sources

March 18, 2007August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 1 Comment

Googlemobile Whether or not Google has a phone in the works doesn’t seem to stop the world from wanting the search giant to have one. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) has a piece out today that discusses the latest wannabe details of the “Google phone.” As of now, that particular WSJ article is listed at the top of the site’s “Today’s Most Popular” section. Here’s a compilation of what we know (don’t know?) about the Google phone:

Gadgets, Google, Internet, Microsoft, Tech News

Comcast Unhappy with Google, Talking to Microsoft for a Better Deal

March 17, 2007August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell No Comments

Comcast is busy negotiating with Microsoft so as to find a potential replacement for Google search on the Comcast.net portal. Comcast is the largest cable operator in the United States with over 24 million cable subscribers and is the second-largest high-speed Internet provider (second only to AT&T). Comcast.net receives around 15 million visitors per month and is one of the biggest non-Google sources of search queries handled by Google. Comcast is currently under contract with Google through the end of this year but appears to be less than satisfied for the following reasons:

Google, Internet, Microsoft, Tech News

Microsoft CEO Trash Talks Google While Google CEO Eats Lunch Down the Hall

March 16, 2007August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 8 Comments

This one’s a classic in the never-ending Google vs. Microsoft saga. Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer met with business students at Stanford University only to bash Google during the Q&A. He said things like, “Google built one very good business. They only have one thing they do. Everything else is sort of cute.” And in response to Google’s growth plan: “They are trying to double in a year… That’s insane in my opinion.”

Perhaps the funniest part of the story is that Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt was close by during the thrashing; he was eating lunch at the business school’s cafeteria.

Google, Internet, Microsoft, Tech News, Web 2.0

February Sales Figures Compared: Wii vs. Xbox 360 vs. PlayStation 3

March 16, 2007August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell No Comments

Gamingconsoles The research company NPD Group released data for U.S. sales of gaming consoles: 335,000 Wiis, 228,000 Xbox 360s, and 127,000 PlayStation 3s. The Wii continues to outsell all other consoles in the short term but has a ways to go to catch up to Microsoft in terms of total sales. Latest cumulative figures for U.S. sales for the big three: 5.1 million Xbox 360s, 1.9 million Nintendo Wiis, and 1.1 million PlayStation 3s.

Gaming, Microsoft, Sony, Tech News

Watch out Google! Microsoft’s Live is the New Toolbar on Lenovo Computers

March 14, 2007August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 4 Comments

As of yesterday, Microsoft and Lenovo Group have an agreement that Lenovo computers will come pre-loaded with a toolbar powered by Microsoft’s Windows Live. Lenovo is the world’s third largest PC maker and is the first computer manufacturer to formalize an arrangement with Windows Live. Windows Live is also third in its sphere, ranked behind Google and Yahoo in terms of market share.

Which company did Lenovo use prior to Microsoft for default search and toolbar installation? Google.

Computers, Google, Internet, Microsoft, Tech News

Google Apps Premier: Is this the beginning of the new “pick a side” battle?

February 23, 2007August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 2 Comments

Googlelogo_11 In its latest effort to diversify revenue sources, Google now has a “Premier Edition” of Google Apps. The $50 per user per year is obviously much cheaper than any Microsoft equivalent. At the same time, though, Google’s spreadsheet program is nowhere near as robust and so far there’s no Google PowerPoint.

So here are major improvements you get when you pay for Google Apps Premier Edition:

Google, Internet, Microsoft, Tech News

Behind the Scenes Details Leading to Google/YouTube Losing Viacom & CBS Deals

February 21, 2007August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell No Comments

So the latest news in online video revolves around Viacom signing a deal with YouTube competitor/newcomer Joost. The deal is limited for now (no South Park or Colbert Report) and will include shows like MTV’s My Super Sweet 16, BET’s American Gangster, Comedy Central’s Freak Show, and some movies from Paramount. Financial details weren’t disclosed.

This comes just weeks after Viacom demanded YouTube to take down 100,000+ videos of various shows including the good stuff from Comedy Central. Interestingly enough, the Wall Street Journal (subscription required) has an article out today that details the behind-the-scenes action of Google losing Viacom and CBS deals. The whole thing cites are favorite source: “those familiar with the situation.” But, hey, that source has pulled through for us before.

Media, Microsoft, Tech News, Web 2.0