What is Google's grand plan? They are growing their content capability buy acquiring comapanies like Keyhole (google earth) and they are now moving into providing WIFI capability across the US. Heck, they have even impacted our vocabulary - how many times have you googled something?
Is their plan to rival Microsoft? Have they got their targets on the media corporations like NBC or Fox? Or have they got even bigger aspirations?
Think about the future. In most apocolyptic movies the 'machines' take over and turn on the human race (Terminator with Cyberdine, Matrix with...ummm...the Matrix). Should we be looking at 3Com or Sony as the producer of the artificial intelligence that could surplant our own? I don't think so. I think that we should be looking at the roadmaps for Google, Amazon and Yahoo for a glimpse where our lives are heading.
Anyone who has an interest in scenario planning might like to ponder this and post a comment.
Dave
Google is the future for technology. Just look at what the market thinks: an IPO price set at close to $100 with a share price exceeding $250. No wonder they are investing in M&A and R&D, with shareholder expectations like that.
Posted by: Luis | January 13, 2006 at 11:56 AM
In my opinion, they will continue to invest in search technology to at some point serve as the primary hub where all data search is performed. Remember the movie, "Minority Report?" Recall the scenes where, by the scanning of someone's retina - anyone could know where you are, what you are doing, advertise products and services based on prior behavioural characteristics. And consider this for a moment - what if you could predict the behaviour of consumers with greater accuracy? That could almost make our jobs obsolete.
Posted by: Robert | January 13, 2006 at 02:46 PM
In my opinion a more appropriate question to tackle the Google issue would be :"Does Google have a plan?".
It seems that the company is trapped in its reach the critical mass strategy, and cannot move further.
Also I would like to point out that one of the most important assets that Google have, it's the outstanding way it can attract talents.
Google is more human than any of us might think.
Posted by: Emilio | August 14, 2006 at 01:05 PM