Today I am going to blog about Google. Being more specific I am going to blog about: Google Chrome, Google Operating System and Google & Privacy.
What is Google Chrome?
Google Chrome is the open source web browser Google launched to compete with Internet Explorer, Firefox,….
Google announces it (http://www.google.com/chrome/intl/en/more/index.html) as being:
Fast – “Chrome is designed to be fast in every possible way: It's quick to start up from your desktop, loads web pages in a snap, and runs complex web applications
fast.”
Simple – “Chrome's browser window is streamlined, clean and simple. Chrome also includes features that are designed for efficiency and ease of use. For example, you can search and navigate from the same box, and arrange tabs however you wish — quickly and easily”
Secure – “Chrome is designed to keep you safer and more secure on the web with built-in malware and phishing protection, autoupdates to make sure the browser is up-to-date with the latest security updates, and more”
Google Chrome was launched in 2008 and today is the 3rd most used with a market share of 6,73% (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Chrome ).
For me the functionality that makes Google Chrome singular is that he combines the address bar with the search bar “One box for everything”. I am an Internet Explorer user and 90% of the times a go to a webpage is via www.google.com .Google made it easier.
Google Operating System
“Google Chrome OS is an upcoming open source operating system designed by Google to work exclusively with web applications. Announced on July 7, 2009, Chrome OS is set to have a publicly available stable release during the second half of 2010.
The operating system is based on Linux and will run only on specifically designed hardware. The user interface takes a minimalist approach, resembling that of the Chrome web browser. As a browser incorporating a media player will be the only application residing on the device, Google Chrome OS is aimed at users who spend most of their computer time on the Internet”. (Source: www.wikipedia.com )
“Google Chrome OS is an open source, lightweight operating system that will initially be targeted at netbooks. Later this year we will open-source its code, and netbooks running Google Chrome OS will be available for consumers in the second half of 2010. Because we're already talking to partners about the project, and we'll soon be working with the open source community, we wanted to share our vision now so everyone understands what we are trying to achieve.
Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS. We're designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds. The user interface is minimal to stay out of your way, and most of the user experience takes place on the web. And as we did for the Google Chrome browser, we are going back to the basics and completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates. It should just work.” (Source: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/introducing-google-chrome-os.html )
Seems this OS will focus in internet using. This makes me excited about it and hoping the see lots of innovation here.
Google & Privacy
My major concern as a Google user is privacy. Every day I use Google tools to search around 90% of the web pages I see. This way Google knows very well what my habits in internet are, what I like and don’t like. And I can say that I like that Google know what I like, so they can and are using this information to suggest me pages that I really like and advertisement that I think is interesting. With the broad range of products that Google has and will launch (e.g. Google OS), Google will have access to all possible information related to personal internet use. As I said privacy is a concern for me but so far I can’t complain and I hope it will keep this way.
P.S.: This post about Google was done using Google as the research tool.
5/31/10
5/25/10
When I think in Microsoft (www.microsoft.com)….
… I immediately think in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Messenger, Microsoft Internet Explorer… tools that I use in a daily basis and that I couldn’t imagine me living without them. For me Microsoft has been and is still the top world company in developing software.
According to http://www.wikipedia.org/, Microsoft Windows has currently a market share of 91% which demonstrates Microsoft dominance in operating systems segment. Even if competition is increasing I don’t believe that Microsoft will lose is market dominance in operating systems at least in the next 5 years (and 5 years in a world that is changing faster and faster, it’s a long time… ).
If we analyze the browsers segment I believe the story will be another, actually the Internet Explorer has a market share of 50% – 60% after having around 95% during 2002 and 2003 (Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/). Microsoft is slowly losing market share in this segment and probably will lose the market dominance in the next years.
My favorite Microsoft product, Microsoft Office (Excel in particular) is used by 80% of the enterprises (Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/). I had to do some research to find out what are the competitors for this product and in the article http://www.pcworld.com/article/49506/suite_survivors.html , Corel’s WordPerfect, Lotu’s SmartSuite and Sun’s StarOffice are pointed has the competitors (the article highlights the best prices of this products and the offer of some features that office lacks).
Just to finish I would like to convey that in my opinion Microsoft has been a very innovative company (even with some flops in the way) launching continuously new versions of his products. I believe that Microsoft will continue for a long time a top player in software development even with the increasing competition.
According to http://www.wikipedia.org/, Microsoft Windows has currently a market share of 91% which demonstrates Microsoft dominance in operating systems segment. Even if competition is increasing I don’t believe that Microsoft will lose is market dominance in operating systems at least in the next 5 years (and 5 years in a world that is changing faster and faster, it’s a long time… ).
If we analyze the browsers segment I believe the story will be another, actually the Internet Explorer has a market share of 50% – 60% after having around 95% during 2002 and 2003 (Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/). Microsoft is slowly losing market share in this segment and probably will lose the market dominance in the next years.
My favorite Microsoft product, Microsoft Office (Excel in particular) is used by 80% of the enterprises (Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/). I had to do some research to find out what are the competitors for this product and in the article http://www.pcworld.com/article/49506/suite_survivors.html , Corel’s WordPerfect, Lotu’s SmartSuite and Sun’s StarOffice are pointed has the competitors (the article highlights the best prices of this products and the offer of some features that office lacks).
Just to finish I would like to convey that in my opinion Microsoft has been a very innovative company (even with some flops in the way) launching continuously new versions of his products. I believe that Microsoft will continue for a long time a top player in software development even with the increasing competition.
5/14/10
Don’t know “Foursquare”? Get your Blackberry or iPhone ready…
Foursquare (http://foursquare.com) is a social network with 1 000 000 users. You are probability thinking “Another one? I already have 2 or 3? What makes it different?”. Well, Foursquare is an application where you can be connected with your friends, know where your friends are now, find out the best restaurants near you by checking the tips posted, …
How it works? It’s simple, “Users share their location with friends by “checking in” via a smartphone app or by text message. Points are awarded for checking in at various venues. Users can connect their Foursquare accounts to their Twitter and Facebook accounts, which can update when a check in is registered. By checking in a certain number of times, or in different locations, users can collect virtual badges. In addition, users who have checked in the most times at a certain venue will be crowned “Mayor” until someone surpasses their number. Various venues have embraced Foursquare, and offer special deals to users who are “mayors”. Foursquare has applications for iPhone, Android, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile” (Source: http://www.crunchbase.com/company/foursquare).
The possibilities to get advantage of Foursquare for business are huge. Imagine you have a clothes store or a restaurant, and from one moment to the other you just realize that some of your clients are recommending your store in a social network of 300000 users (and this number is growing up), you would love that costumers (and Foursquare!), they are advertising your company for free. What you could do to get advantage of this? For example giving a discount to Foursquare users, they would be happy and then post something nice about your store for 1 000 000 users and with luck you would have to open a new restaurant for the new clients. More people would join to Foursquare to get discounts everywhere and Foursquare would grow up exponential. As you can see Foursquare is adding value not only for their direct customers (Foursquare users) and that is maybe a big advantage over other social networks.
Big companies have already realized the value added by Foursquare, Finantial Times (http://www.ft.com/home/europe) for example is using Foursquare to get in contact with students from top business schools. “Foursquare users at the cafes in Cass, LSE, London Business School, Harvard and Columbia will be able to earn secret codes that will give them access to premium subscriptions for FT.com. More venues will be added as the campaign continues. For Foursquare, this is an opportunity to promote itself to a wealthy and entrepreneurially minded userbase, while the FT gets a very fashionable marketing campaign. "We're conscious we need to engage with readers in different ways," said Rob Grimshaw, the FT's head of digital operations.” (Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2010/apr/12/foursquare-ft).
“This new social broadcast application can help your business promote deals, get the attention of savvy early adopters of technology, or simply to increase foot traffic.” (Source: http://www.inc.com/guides/making-money-foursquare.html). “Foursquare has been cutting partnerships left and right. Some of these are for good causes, some are for potential business relationships, and some are just interesting” (Source: http://techcrunch.com/2010/01/12/foursquare-harvard/#ixzz0nvC4Plyh ).
Foursquare success is already making people wondering if Foursquare will become the next Twitter. Read more at http://mashable.com/2009/07/25/foursquare-app/ or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7hCMyUJmOE&feature=related.
To know more about Foursquare Business model check the blogs I follow. Below I have some links if you are interested to know in more detail how Foursquare works.
- http://foursquare.com/overview
- http://videos.edufire.com/2009/internet/foursquare-7-tips-on-how-to-use-foursquare/
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwM2sKX9Xok&feature=related
How it works? It’s simple, “Users share their location with friends by “checking in” via a smartphone app or by text message. Points are awarded for checking in at various venues. Users can connect their Foursquare accounts to their Twitter and Facebook accounts, which can update when a check in is registered. By checking in a certain number of times, or in different locations, users can collect virtual badges. In addition, users who have checked in the most times at a certain venue will be crowned “Mayor” until someone surpasses their number. Various venues have embraced Foursquare, and offer special deals to users who are “mayors”. Foursquare has applications for iPhone, Android, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile” (Source: http://www.crunchbase.com/company/foursquare).
The possibilities to get advantage of Foursquare for business are huge. Imagine you have a clothes store or a restaurant, and from one moment to the other you just realize that some of your clients are recommending your store in a social network of 300000 users (and this number is growing up), you would love that costumers (and Foursquare!), they are advertising your company for free. What you could do to get advantage of this? For example giving a discount to Foursquare users, they would be happy and then post something nice about your store for 1 000 000 users and with luck you would have to open a new restaurant for the new clients. More people would join to Foursquare to get discounts everywhere and Foursquare would grow up exponential. As you can see Foursquare is adding value not only for their direct customers (Foursquare users) and that is maybe a big advantage over other social networks.
Big companies have already realized the value added by Foursquare, Finantial Times (http://www.ft.com/home/europe) for example is using Foursquare to get in contact with students from top business schools. “Foursquare users at the cafes in Cass, LSE, London Business School, Harvard and Columbia will be able to earn secret codes that will give them access to premium subscriptions for FT.com. More venues will be added as the campaign continues. For Foursquare, this is an opportunity to promote itself to a wealthy and entrepreneurially minded userbase, while the FT gets a very fashionable marketing campaign. "We're conscious we need to engage with readers in different ways," said Rob Grimshaw, the FT's head of digital operations.” (Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2010/apr/12/foursquare-ft).
“This new social broadcast application can help your business promote deals, get the attention of savvy early adopters of technology, or simply to increase foot traffic.” (Source: http://www.inc.com/guides/making-money-foursquare.html). “Foursquare has been cutting partnerships left and right. Some of these are for good causes, some are for potential business relationships, and some are just interesting” (Source: http://techcrunch.com/2010/01/12/foursquare-harvard/#ixzz0nvC4Plyh ).
Foursquare success is already making people wondering if Foursquare will become the next Twitter. Read more at http://mashable.com/2009/07/25/foursquare-app/ or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7hCMyUJmOE&feature=related.
To know more about Foursquare Business model check the blogs I follow. Below I have some links if you are interested to know in more detail how Foursquare works.
- http://foursquare.com/overview
- http://videos.edufire.com/2009/internet/foursquare-7-tips-on-how-to-use-foursquare/
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwM2sKX9Xok&feature=related
5/3/10
Why a blog?
Three weeks ago I have landed in Madrid to start my MBA at IE Business School. So far has been a great experience.
The first two weeks was the beginning of the program with the “Launch Program” (see video below). In these 2 weeks I have participated in basketball games, arquitecture classes, Arab, Japanese and Chinese culture classes and had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world (Lebanese, Korean, Mexican, ….). Previously I had worked in very diverse environments but never in one like this (in my class there are 24 different nationalities). All of this time has been like “honeymoon”: just fun and more fun.
Classes started in the third week and the “honeymoon” was over. Lots of reading, preparation of study cases that with more or less difficult were done …
After being accepted in a top business school my confidence was very high and I thought that, for sure, I was ready for everything. I realized I was wrong in my first Information Systems class when the professor started speaking about new applications/technologies. During some minutes I thought the teacher and some class mates were speaking Chinese. I felt analphabet but, fortunately, I began to ear some familiar words such as Google and Facebook.
Can you guess which was the first Information Systems class task? Yep, create a blog! So this is the reason for this blog and one of the objectives is the discussion of new technologies, information systems, etc. I will try to do my best and I am expecting your contribution.
Please feel free to post!
The first two weeks was the beginning of the program with the “Launch Program” (see video below). In these 2 weeks I have participated in basketball games, arquitecture classes, Arab, Japanese and Chinese culture classes and had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world (Lebanese, Korean, Mexican, ….). Previously I had worked in very diverse environments but never in one like this (in my class there are 24 different nationalities). All of this time has been like “honeymoon”: just fun and more fun.
Classes started in the third week and the “honeymoon” was over. Lots of reading, preparation of study cases that with more or less difficult were done …
After being accepted in a top business school my confidence was very high and I thought that, for sure, I was ready for everything. I realized I was wrong in my first Information Systems class when the professor started speaking about new applications/technologies. During some minutes I thought the teacher and some class mates were speaking Chinese. I felt analphabet but, fortunately, I began to ear some familiar words such as Google and Facebook.
Can you guess which was the first Information Systems class task? Yep, create a blog! So this is the reason for this blog and one of the objectives is the discussion of new technologies, information systems, etc. I will try to do my best and I am expecting your contribution.
Please feel free to post!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
