Google, Inc. (GOOG) may not be scaring Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) to the bone just yet, and many pundits continue to believe that PCs -- the way they've always been -- will largely remain in Microsoft's grasp. But how wrong that perspective is.
There are countless business associates I know that perform almost every single business task "in the cloud" these days. No Microsoft Office and very little installable software. You can video conference, build websites and convert video files with no installed software.
This is the universe Google wants to create instead of revolutionizing Microsoft's universe. Its Chrome operating system, while easily dismissible, is a great first stab at the heart of Old Softie. And, Google's Chrome OS runs great on the $249 netbook -- a segment of the PC universe that has seen sales grown even in a recession.
The largest question Google could miss (or hit) is this: does the majority of PC users have a need for overpowered hardware and expensive software that really has not created substantial user benefit for quite a while? In other words, are you still using your PC to pretty much perform the same tasks as a few years ago?
If so, some of that has moved from your "My Documents" folder and email storage on your hard drive to multiple places on the internet. That's Google's universe more than Microsoft's -- even with a resurgent attempt at relevancy. Google really hasn't had a losing battle in quite some time (if ever) -- who's to say it will lose this one?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-23-2009 @ 7:16PM
ShockWave said...
The world will always need Microsoft. Maybe a handful of people can find a use for some netbook with a "cloud operating system," but what happens when you're internet connection is not there? People need a powerful and dirty OS like Windows to run their businesses and their lives. I'm tired of people constantly biting the hand of Microsoft. If Microsoft went under entire governments would crumble.
http://angryauntie.com
11-24-2009 @ 6:03AM
al coholic said...
Microsoft has been at war for years with attackers and their systems have been battle hardened. Their latestproducts are remarkably protected considering the very dangerous environment in which they exist.
Google's "cloud" will attract Net criminals like never before. I expect a lot of bad things will happen to people who rely on the cloud to protect their data.
11-27-2009 @ 10:20PM
Skepticat said...
I remember when someone at work showed me 'this cool website where you could have documents converted to .pdf and other formats' and they were so excited. I asked them 1) if they knew it was some random server in Europe and 2) if they had any idea what else was happening to their 'business' documents besides being converted.....they shuffled their feet for a bit and then quietly walked away.
I'm with Al on this one - this cloud thing is going to be a real security problem eventually.....
And Shockwave - I doubt that any governments in Europe (using Linux and Open Office) will 'crumble' if MS does.... ;)