2 June 2009
Google vs. Microsoft?
It doesn’t have quiet the ring that Apple vs Microsoft does, but recent announcements have put the two giants competing against one another for a stake of the others dominant service. Recently Microsoft announced that they are renewing their efforts to compete in the internet search marketplace with their new service Bing. Microsoft is branding their new search as a “decision engine.” Their goal is help searchers make better decisions, not just deliver search results. Although early reviews have been somewhat positive, one has to wonder if Bing can put a dent into Google’s dominant market share (recent reports show Google owns 64% of the U.S. search market).
Then there is the recent news from Google announcing that their Android operating system will be used on a new netbook made by Acer. Acer ranks as the world’s third-largest company for total PC shipments and is No. 2 for notebooks. Using Google’s freely distributed software would presumably lower the cost of netbooks running Android versus Windows. Considering Microsoft’s recent ad strategy attacking the cost of Macintosh computers, this could put them in a tough place in the market. They would no longer be the cheapest computer on the market nor the computer with the best customer satisfaction. The other potential problem for Microsoft is that as more users move away from their dependence on Windows and the Office Suite, it may make the line of computers from Apple even more inviting. Many users are fearful of making what they believe to be a big leap from Windows to the Mac. However, netbook users who don’t miss Windows on their netbook, may be more easily convinced to consider a Mac when it comes time to replace their bigger laptop or desktop.
Will either of these announcements change the landscape of the industry? Probably not, but it should be a fun battle to watch.
