BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Google set to map the world -- and push out GPS makers as a result?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/25/google-set-to-map-the-world-and-push-out-gps-makers-as-a-resul/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/25/google-set-to-map-the-world-and-push-out-gps-makers-as-a-resul/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/25/google-set-to-map-the-world-and-push-out-gps-makers-as-a-resul/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Google (GOOG) changed the game of many global GPS appliance makers this month by announcing a completely free and quite capable GPS product as part of the Motorola Droid handset announced and now being sold by Verizon Wireless.

In what seems to be the norm for Google, it is once again disrupting an entire market by giving something away for free that's both competitive and capable. TomTom and Garmin saw their share prices plummet upon Google's announcement, and rightfully so.

Continue reading Google set to map the world -- and push out GPS makers as a result?

Google set to map the world -- and push out GPS makers as a result? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GOOGGoogleGoogle GPSGoogle MapsGPSInc.inthenewsMotorola DroidWed, 25 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Voice ruffles AT&T's feathers yet again, along with many telecom operators]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/29/google-voice-ruffles-atandts-feathers-yet-again-along-with-many/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/29/google-voice-ruffles-atandts-feathers-yet-again-along-with-many/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/29/google-voice-ruffles-atandts-feathers-yet-again-along-with-many/#commentsFiled under: ,

Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) just keeps on rolling out products that are keen on competing with established industries. The internet search giant now wants you to replace your cellphone number with only your Google Voice number. That's right -- replace your cellphone number and voicemail service with the Google Voice service and have all those voicemails transcribed to you and emailed or texted to yourself.

Continue reading Google Voice ruffles AT&T's feathers yet again, along with many telecom operators

Google Voice ruffles AT&T's feathers yet again, along with many telecom operators originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GOOGGoogleGoogle VoiceGoogle Voice SMSGoogleVoiceGoogleVoiceSmsInc.Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Google turns 11 -- and Microsoft is its next target before turning 20]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/02/google-turns-11-and-microsoft-is-its-next-target-betfore-turn/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/02/google-turns-11-and-microsoft-is-its-next-target-betfore-turn/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/02/google-turns-11-and-microsoft-is-its-next-target-betfore-turn/#commentsFiled under: ,

Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) was born eleven years ago as more of an experiment, and exceeding anything founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin could have ever imagined. That company -- just over a decade old -- is now poised to challenge the world's largest software company -- Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) -- as the leading supplier of digital information flow for countless individuals and companies.

Continue reading Google turns 11 -- and Microsoft is its next target before turning 20

Google turns 11 -- and Microsoft is its next target before turning 20 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GOOGGoogleGoogle AppsGoogleAppsInc.Microsoft WindowsMicrosoftWindowsMSFTFri, 02 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T, Google still waging battle over Google Voice on the iPhone]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/28/atandt-google-still-waging-battle-over-google-voice-on-the-iphone/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/28/atandt-google-still-waging-battle-over-google-voice-on-the-iphone/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/28/atandt-google-still-waging-battle-over-google-voice-on-the-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The infighting between AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) and Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) just continues to get nastier as the line that constitutes a telecommunications provider continues to break down. Back when Google'e "Google Voice" application was not approved for use on the Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone this summer, the game began.

Continue reading AT&T, Google still waging battle over Google Voice on the iPhone

AT&T, Google still waging battle over Google Voice on the iPhone originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLApple iPhoneAppleIphoneATTGOOGGoogleGoogle VoiceGoogleVoiceInc.iPhoneMon, 28 Sep 2009 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Google's Chrome operating system already lining up hardware partners]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/09/googles-chrome-operating-system-already-lining-up-hardware-part/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/09/googles-chrome-operating-system-already-lining-up-hardware-part/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/09/googles-chrome-operating-system-already-lining-up-hardware-part/#commentsFiled under: ,

Now that Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) has announced a new computer operating system, which computer makers will inevitably start looking at in 2010, the first volleys have already been fired. Taiwanese PC maker Acer, Inc. has already committed to Chrome (that was fast), and the world's largest PC maker -- Hewlett-Packard Corp. (NYSE: HPQ) -- is "looking" at Chrome as well. Dell, Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) is also expressing similar sentiment.

Continue reading Google's Chrome operating system already lining up hardware partners

Google's Chrome operating system already lining up hardware partners originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chrome OSChromeOsGOOGGoogleGoogle ChromeGoogleChromeInc.Microsoft WindowsMicrosoftWindowsThu, 09 Jul 2009 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Google argues that it isn't really that big after all]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/30/google-argues-that-it-isnt-really-that-big-after-all/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/30/google-argues-that-it-isnt-really-that-big-after-all/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/30/google-argues-that-it-isnt-really-that-big-after-all/#commentsFiled under: ,

Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) is the largest search provider on the entire internet. It handles more advertising than any other company in the world and is extending its reach into multiple areas still to this day, including several disruptive online areas. Yet, the behemoth still thinks it's not that big in the grand scheme of things. Do you agree?

Continue reading Google argues that it isn't really that big after all

Google argues that it isn't really that big after all originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GOOGGoogleGoogle competitionGoogle searchGoogleCompetitionGoogleSearchInc.Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Why did Google go on television to advertise?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/11/why-did-google-go-on-television-to-advertise/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/11/why-did-google-go-on-television-to-advertise/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/11/why-did-google-go-on-television-to-advertise/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When anti-traditional media company Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) indicated it would go on television to promote its Chrome web browser, I was befuddled. Why on Earth would the king of new media (and associated revenue) want to go to an age-old format to promote one of its most important products? Chrome, which was just released during the second half of 2008 and thus has barely any market share, seemed oddly-placed when it was released anyway. Does the world really need another web browser?

Continue reading Why did Google go on television to advertise?

Why did Google go on television to advertise? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 11 May 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GOOGGoogleGoogle ChromeGoogle TV adsGoogleChromeGoogleTvAdsInc.web browserWebBrowserMon, 11 May 2009 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Hewlett-Packard may use Google's Android in future netbook PCs]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/01/hewlett-packard-may-use-googles-android-in-future-netbook-pcs/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/01/hewlett-packard-may-use-googles-android-in-future-netbook-pcs/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/01/hewlett-packard-may-use-googles-android-in-future-netbook-pcs/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ) is looking at using the Android operating system owned by Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) and currently used on mobile smartphones (but with the potential for much more). HP could add Google's wares to future netbook PCs in addition to offering nearly decade-old software known as Windows XP like what's currently offered on HP netbooks.

Continue reading Hewlett-Packard may use Google's Android in future netbook PCs

Hewlett-Packard may use Google's Android in future netbook PCs originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GOOGGoogleGoogle AndroidGoogleAndroidHewlett-PackardHPQInc.inthenewmsftWed, 01 Apr 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Voice debuts; now Google can be your telephone provider]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/16/google-voice-debuts-now-google-can-be-your-telephone-provider/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/16/google-voice-debuts-now-google-can-be-your-telephone-provider/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/16/google-voice-debuts-now-google-can-be-your-telephone-provider/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) continues to try owning as many communication channels as possible to its customers. After buying unified messaging company GrandCentral a few years ago, the largest internet search company is has morphed that service into "Google Voice." Google Voice lets you can place free phone calls to anywhere (from anywhere) in the U.S. where you have internet access.

Continue reading Google Voice debuts; now Google can be your telephone provider

Google Voice debuts; now Google can be your telephone provider originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GOOGGoogleGoogle VoiceGoogleVoiceGrandCentralInc.VoIPMon, 16 Mar 2009 15:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Google rapidly expanding search advertising channels?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/10/google-rapidly-expanding-search-advertising-channels/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/10/google-rapidly-expanding-search-advertising-channels/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/10/google-rapidly-expanding-search-advertising-channels/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When advertising-centric companies like Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) start assessing business models in this recession, one thing remains clear: innovate or shrink. Standard advertising channels are all suffering as consumers close their wallets and purses amid massive layoffs and plummeting savings, and Google is not immune to this.

Continue reading Google rapidly expanding search advertising channels?

Google rapidly expanding search advertising channels? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GOOGGoogleGoogle AdsGoogle AdSenseGoogleAdsGoogleAdsenseInc.Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Google's Android a sleeper threat to Microsoft?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/20/googles-android-a-sleeper-threat-to-microsoft/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/20/googles-android-a-sleeper-threat-to-microsoft/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/20/googles-android-a-sleeper-threat-to-microsoft/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Google Inc.'s (NASDAQ: GOOG) Android operating system was publicly marketed as a mobile operating system when it was released. The first wireless handset it was available on was the G1 smartphone offered by the fourth-largest U.S. wireless carrier, T-Mobile USA. But, you can't keep an open-source operating system developed by the Google behemoth down to just one platform.

Continue reading Google's Android a sleeper threat to Microsoft?

Google's Android a sleeper threat to Microsoft? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GOOGGoogleGoogle AndroidGoogleAndroidInc.Microsoft Corp.Microsoft SurfaceMicrosoft TabletMicrosoftCorp.MicrosoftSurfaceMicrosoftTabletFri, 20 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Does Google devalue everything it touches?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/16/does-google-devalue-everything-it-touches/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/16/does-google-devalue-everything-it-touches/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/16/does-google-devalue-everything-it-touches/#commentsFiled under: ,

Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG), by most accounts, brings enormous value to each customer it touches. From rapid-fire internet search results to free email to online document creation and storage, the company helps hundreds of millions find and organize their digital lives every day. So, with that being said, why don't some folks seem to understand Google's value more than be afraid of it?

Continue reading Does Google devalue everything it touches?

Does Google devalue everything it touches? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GOOGGoogleGoogle NewsGoogleNewsGoogleSearchGProxy-Connection: keep-alive Cache-Control: max-age=0 gle sInc.Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Google success does not define it as a monopolist]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/21/google-success-does-not-define-it-as-a-monopolist/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/21/google-success-does-not-define-it-as-a-monopolist/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/21/google-success-does-not-define-it-as-a-monopolist/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) just can't seem to do any better. It dominates the main market where it competes (internet search) and figured out long ago how to maximize revenue from that market share. It has billions in cash and low debt as a result. This doesn't mean Yahoo, Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) still are not gunning for the leader, though.

Yahoo!'s attempt to foil a Microsoft takeover that started almost a year ago caused damage to both companies. While everyone involved was bitterly fighting with each other, Google just kept on building market share and pumping revenue into its coffers. However, Google's plan to become one of Yahoo!'s largest partners ended in failure late last year due to anti-competitive concerns. Was Yahoo! really wanting to get Google powering some of its vast global searches, or was Yahoo! looking for some kind of Achilles heel within Google?

Some in the U.S. Government may be eying Google as the AT&T of 1982 (Baby Bell breakup) or the Microsoft of 1998 (operating system browser monopoly). Is Google -- even without a Yahoo! partnership and even with keeping Microsoft at bay in search -- a monopolist? It's the capitalist's best question: does a company that serves customer needs so well that it takes so much business really a monopolist?

Circumventing the law to build a monopolist position is one thing. Building some of the best products and recruiting the majority of customers without any legal circumvention is another. Is absolute success a recipe for being labeled as a monopolist? In many circles, yes. Every competitor wants a piece of Google's pie, and they're watching every move it makes. But, if Google continues to build the products people want and use -- and the competition does not or cannot -- Google will become even more powerful that it already is. That's not a monopolistic behavior.

Google success does not define it as a monopolist originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GOOGGoogleGoogle competitionGoogleCompetitionInc.MicrosoftMSFTYahooYHOOWed, 21 Jan 2009 15:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Q4 earnings preview]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/21/google-q4-earnings-preview/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/21/google-q4-earnings-preview/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/21/google-q4-earnings-preview/#commentsFiled under: ,

Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) will be reporting its Q4 numbers tomorrow afternoon once the market closes. With its stock well off its $700+ peak, PC sales slowing, and Google ditching low-performing products, all eyes will be on the search leader. Just how much are customers not clicking on Google-supplied advertising? We're about to find out.

Will Google be able to meet expectations of $4.23 per share? The company has had very few financial missteps since going public in August 2004, but even the mighty global search leader is not immune to an ongoing global recession and financial meltdown. It's true that Google has a ton of cash and very little debt, and its positioned to ride out the current malaise pretty easily. That still doesn't mean it will make the killing some pundits think it will tomorrow. Expect Google to miss estimates by at least a few pennies.

The problem with Google's share price is that it's still too high. The company has solid fundamentals and continues taking market share away from the competition. In other words, it is not going anywhere. But, that does not mean market sentiment will allow its share price to pop over the $300 mark anytime soon, unless is really brings a surprise EPS figure a little over 24 hours from now.

Google Q4 earnings preview originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GOOGGoogleGoogle earningsGoogle profitGoogleEarningsGoogleProfitInc.inthenewsWed, 21 Jan 2009 12:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Google to employees: no $20,000 bonuses this year]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/26/google-to-employees-no-20-000-bonuses-this-year/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/26/google-to-employees-no-20-000-bonuses-this-year/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/26/google-to-employees-no-20-000-bonuses-this-year/#commentsFiled under: ,

Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) employees who were counting on those luxurious $20,000 bonuses may have expectations that won't be fulfilled this year. Instead of handing out large bonuses as in the past, the world's largest search company is handing out Google-powered cellphones instead.

Even Google needs to watch its nickel in this kind of economy. The company is used to giving away free meals and massages to its employees along with all other kinds of unheard-of perks. But, it isn't immune to the slowdown in consumer and business spending currently causing a recession for the U.S. (and, in fact, globally). There's nothing wrong with a $400 Google smartphone. In fact, employees of many companies would be glad to get a $400 gift from their employer.

The Google Android smartphone has been configured to work on any GSM carrier in the world, so at least those Google employees receiving one won't be tied to using it with T-Mobile here in the U.S. or a single carrier somewhere else in the world. While layoffs in the tech sector are still happening (and will continue), Google employees who have to forgo a hefty bonus this year and instead receive a new smartphone should still count their blessings. One day, Google's storied perks will cease to exist when the next Google being incubated in a garage somewhere steals the power.

Google to employees: no $20,000 bonuses this year originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GOOGGoogleGoogle bonusesGoogle employeesGoogleBonusesGoogleEmployeesInc.inthenewsFri, 26 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple's iPhone to see Google's mobile-specific AdWords soon]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/09/apples-iphone-to-see-googles-mobile-specific-adwords-soon/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/09/apples-iphone-to-see-googles-mobile-specific-adwords-soon/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/09/apples-iphone-to-see-googles-mobile-specific-adwords-soon/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) is starting to place its advertising all over its web-based products as it tries desperately to gain ad revenue outside of its web search results.

In what has been a long time coming, the world leader in internet search will now be tailoring ads for its search product specifically for smaller screens like those on the Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone and the Google-powered G1 smartphone, offered by T-Mobile.

This makes sense. A web search performed on a standard web browser brings up text ads that bring in billions of revenue for Google every quarter. On smartphones with full web browsers but with a lack of screen real estate, these ads work but are sub-optimal. If Google can get this right and make text ads next to search results look like they belong on small-screen web browser, it will have significantly upped its ante.

Will customers click (with their fingers, no less) on mobile ads set next to mobile search results on these full-featured phones? The law of averages suggests they will, most likely. As iPhones sell in more volume and smartphones eventually become the mobile device of choice, mobile advertising will become a decent income stream for Google and other mobile ad networks.

At least, that is Google's dream. So far, mobile ads are miniscule in income generation compared to standard web search income generation -- even with many more phones in use than computers with standard web browsers.

Apple's iPhone to see Google's mobile-specific AdWords soon originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLApple iPhoneAppleIphoneGOOGGoogleGoogle AdWordsGoogleAdwordsInc.iPhone adsIphoneAdsTue, 09 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Google hunkers down in tough times, rearranges employee priorities]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/04/google-hunkers-down-in-tough-times-rearranges-employee-prioriti/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/04/google-hunkers-down-in-tough-times-rearranges-employee-prioriti/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/04/google-hunkers-down-in-tough-times-rearranges-employee-prioriti/#commentsFiled under: ,

Say it isn't so: Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) may be tightening its always-loose belt and reigning in costs as the economy tries to pick its way out of a recession. The company that prepares free gourmet lunches for employees and gives extraordinary time for employees to develop pet projects is pulling things into reality a bit.

Revenue growth at the search giant has slowed in the last year, as even internet advertising has slowed down in the face of a prolonged economic crunch that we're experiencing. Like many of us here at BloggingStocks have said for years, almost all of Google's revenue comes from online advertising. It was late to the game in trying to develop other revenue sources (yes, even a year makes a difference), and the incremental gains the company has seen in revenue still mostly revolve around some form of advertising. What happens when customers have no budget to advertise?

Google CEO Eric Schmidt told the Wall Street Journal that "We have to behave as though we don't know" (what's going to happen). Google will be cutting efforts to projects that have not caught on, aren't generating revenue and
also cutting back efforts on products that aren't exciting. Google's leader indicated that the company needs to "prioritize our resources and focus more on our core search, ads and apps business." That's great, except the "ads" part..

Google still has the model of envy when it comes to ad-based online revenue, but now it's having to stretch ads into more of its properties, like Google Finance and Google News. Can Google find more revenue engines than those small text ads that appear next to its search results? It has to -- it can't continue the same way of generating its cash flow and expect things to turn out alright in the future. Is Google a one-trick pony? Could be, although it's still too early to tell.

Google hunkers down in tough times, rearranges employee priorities originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Eric SchmidtEricSchmidtGOOGGoogleGoogle 20 ruleGoogle revenueGoogle searchGoogle20RuleGoogleRevenueGoogleSearchInc.inthenewsThu, 04 Dec 2008 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Google shares below $300 for first time since 2005]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/13/google-shares-below-300-for-first-time-since-2005/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/13/google-shares-below-300-for-first-time-since-2005/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/13/google-shares-below-300-for-first-time-since-2005/#commentsFiled under: ,

As Doug noted a few days ago, shares in Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) have dropped to 52-week lows and then some. It's no surprise -- Google has joined just about every public company in the stock market freefall this year. But now, the company's shares have gone below the $300 mark for the first time since 2005. Is the company doomed?

Of course not. Google has very little debt and billions in cash to do whatever it wants. It, of course, won't be immune from the online advertising slowdown that's in progress and will get worse. Still, if analyst pundits think businesses can just stop advertising and expect the same business activity, that's a huge fallacy. Google will still remain one of the best advertising destinations, even as businesses squeeze their marketing budgets as much as they can.

Google's shares are off more then 50% this year, but this doesn't change the fact that Google's financial fundamentals are completely sound. But, of course, doom and gloom predictors are coming out of the woodwork with the guesswork on what Google's 2009 profit outcomes could be (flip a coin, anyone?). Collins Stewart analyst Sandeep Aggarwal told Yahoo! that "we believe that the high CPC (costs-per-click) inflation Google has been experiencing for the past six quarters is not sustainable and will pressure core search growth". Of course it won't be sustainable. But Google isn't going to hurt unless it stays this way for 24 months or more.

Google shares below $300 for first time since 2005 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GOOGGoogleGoogle share priceGoogle sharesGoogleSharePriceGoogleSharesInc.Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft talking to Verizon about displacing Google as mobile search provider]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/10/microsoft-talking-to-verizon-about-displacing-google-as-mobile-s/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/10/microsoft-talking-to-verizon-about-displacing-google-as-mobile-s/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/10/microsoft-talking-to-verizon-about-displacing-google-as-mobile-s/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) is talking to Verizon Wireless in an effort to replace Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) as the default mobile search provider on the second-largest wireless network in the U.S. Why does Microsoft want this? Because, it has lost the web search business to Google on the PC screen -- so perhaps it thinks it can compete better (or win) the web search race on the cellphone screen.

Google CEO Eric Schmidt has reminded the world that Google's next large focus is on the mobile market. Although mobile search and mobile web browsing has taken a while to gain steam, the sheer number of mobile devices with internet connectivity dwarfs the PC market. Google and Microsoft are both licking their chops over this one.

So, it's kind of like entering the web search market back in 1988 here -- whichever company can seal as many deals to become the de-facto mobile search and information portal for major wireless companies will own the space. It's the same argument that has stood for a while in the PC market: consumers will use whatever default software or services offered on the device they just bought. Why type in "google.com" on your cellphone or smartphone keypad if Microsoft's search is right there waiting for you? Seeing that Verizon Wireless doesn't have an outside partnership for mobile web searches, this may be a huge battle that gets little attention -- but that doesn't mean it's not important.

Microsoft talking to Verizon about displacing Google as mobile search provider originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GOOGGoogleInc.inthenewsMicrosoftMobile searchMobileSearchMSFTVerizonVerizon WirelessVerizonWirelessMon, 10 Nov 2008 13:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Google finally settles lawsuit brought over book scanning efforts]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/30/google-finally-settles-lawsuit-brought-over-book-scanning-effort/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/30/google-finally-settles-lawsuit-brought-over-book-scanning-effort/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/30/google-finally-settles-lawsuit-brought-over-book-scanning-effort/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) can finally put a goofy litigious chapter behind it. It can now get back to the business of scanning books in its effort to make anything ever printed available digitally. Google's book scanning project is intended for one thing, and one thing only: profit-generation while enabling readers to have access to any book from almost any web browser anywhere on earth.

Google will settle two copyright lawsuits for $125 million and then will continue to scan in books and make them available for purchase electronically. Book publishers and authors will, of course, receive advertising revenue and other revenue as a result of Google's efforts. Google will, of course, get a cut of the action as well. I'm not sure of the scale here, but if Google reached just a small portion of readers across the globe and eeked out a buck or two from each one, there's some massive revenue generation for you. Nice business if you can get it.

In addition, Google certainly hopes to convert authors still demanding the physical printing of authored works to the digital side, where even more revenue can be generated. The generation who reads newspapers, carry books with them and does calculations by hand is being replaced by the generation who has everything online from anywhere they go and run a completely digital life. The distribution method is the internet for these folks, and the content must be there as well. There's something nostalgic about taking a nice book with you to read in a quiet place (that is, if you can find a quiet place). But, for those multitasking Gen-Yers, information flows only digitally -- and Google wants to make sure you find what you need through it.

Google finally settles lawsuit brought over book scanning efforts originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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