Need A Little Chrome on Your Browser?

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Google is a little like most politicians. They keep denying this and that, when it's obvious that they are going to something. In this case, it was create their own browser. Called Chrome, they had to finally let the cat out of the bag, when this clever comic book was discovered by the public before they were ready.

Although there are a lot of reviews and explanations for Chrome out there already, I'm gonna give my simple-minded spin. The comic explains the reasons, but it's somewhat technical, and definitely biased.

Chrome is Google's ultimate weapon. They know if you control the browser, you get to direct user behavior. Sure, the reasons are better speed, easier to run web apps, security, less crashing etc, but the REAL reason in my opinion was ensure they had a platform that they could control to make all the things they want work - work. And to ensure that Microsoft didn't stop them by not allowing it, or SLOWLY cooperating.

Firefox is already open source and does most of the things that Google needs. But they don't control Firefox, and besides Firefox is only about 18-20% of the market. And because Firefox can't be bought because of their company structure, Google put their tremendous resources to work and built their own.

So what that mean to you dear reader? You will have another choice to make. With all the free applications and tools from Google, you can be sure they will run better in Chrome. On the other hand, some things, especially Microsoft products (both paid and free) will likely not be as compatible. Think of it as what a browser was supposed to do, but without the wrinkles that Microsoft plugged in to make their browsers 'better'.

What I'm going to do is keep using Firefox, until I see a clear need to switch to Chrome. I might have Chrome on my desktop, in case something I'm using really needs to run in Chrome (just like I have IE on my desktop for IE 'enhanced' web pages), but otherwise, the last thing I need is another browser.

Where it does make sense is when they make Chrome usable on a PC without an operating system. Which is what I think is the ultimate goal. No Windows, just boot up your Netbook and use your browser for everything. Then your phone is next with Google's Android project. No wonder Microsoft doesn't like Google.

BTW, the comic book a lot better in my opinion than the Seinfeld/Microsoft commercials, because frankly most people don't get the commercial...the commercial has a pile of inside jokes while at least with the comic, you can ask somebody what all the geek means.

Labels: Android, Chrome, comic book, Google, Microsoft

posted by Fred @ 4:41 PM

Microsoft Buying Yahoo

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Well, it's finally happened. After a big dip in the markets, and Yahoo ready to layoff 1,000 employees, Microsoft made its move and offered $44.6 billion for Yahoo. That's Microsoft biggest bet yet, that the Internet advertising business is a large part of their future. Remember they spent $6 billion not long ago to buy Aquantive. So just those two now represent a $50 billion investment in online ads, search engine marketing and online marketing by MS.

You're probably thinking that this is a bid, not a done deal, which it is. I'm talking like it's a done deal because it will be - there is no way that the shareholders will turn this premium done, and there is no one else out there (save Google), who can beat this bid. And the anti-trust hurdles aren't there, because it's Google that needs to worry about that nowadays, rather than MS.

So what does this mean? Well for one, MS has finally admitted that they can't build a significant enough search and online ad business, because they are a band of techies who build software. And Yahoo, who is floundering because they depended more on display ads and portal content (like a media company), needs more Goog-like technical savvy. Does this mean it will work to catch Google? Only time will tell for sure, but I for one don't think so. The culture and mentality is too different. Googles need to be built by tech guys who ALL know they are in the advertising and media business.

Certainly Microsoft and Yahoo will both continue to do reasonably well, given the growth in online ads, search engine marketing and online media. But as for knocking down the big dog in this space - no.

I am hopeful that the combination will make the industry more competitive. Online ad pricing is starting to get expensive, and less effective. More competition will keep innovation up and costs down.

Labels: consolidation, Google, Microsoft, online advertising, yahoo

posted by Fred @ 9:27 AM

Special posting: Google PrintAds

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We don't usually blog this frequently, but yesterday's announcement that Google PrintAds is now available merited special attention.

PrintAds is just like it sounds, Google driven ads, that appear in print, instead of online. Although PrintAds has been around since November 2006, to select high volume advertisers, it is now available to all Google Adwords advertisers.

This means you can now place ads in 225 'quality' newspapers in the U.S., using geography, circulation, ad size, section (local, business, sports), and of course day of week. One thing you won't be able to do yet is place the ad on a contextual basis, or by keyword. Contextual refers to ads that are placed next to articles that are related (eg. condo ad next to article on condo living).

There is even a bid component to it, in that the newspaper can reject the ad or come back with a counteroffer.

This is newsworthy because Google as you may know, already has radio inventory, and you can see how their ad network is now evolving into a total advertising network. The fact that 98% of the newspapers that piloted the PrintAds system have chosen to stay in the network tells us that the newspapers see value in this.

This is a breakthrough as far as mentality. Newspapers have been fighting online adverting for awhile now (and losing). It's far better for them to embrace change and benefit from it, then to keep believing that motorized carriages will never replace the horse and buggy.

The best part of this is advertisers are reporting an increase in sales and inquiries of around 20%. So if the ads are priced right, it can have ROI that may approximate online.

Labels: Google, Google Ad network, newspaper advertising, PrintAds

posted by Fred @ 6:17 PM