Google’s Lame Attempt to be More Social

After reading Amir Efrati’s article in The Wall Street Journal, I have learned that Google would like to be a more social presence on the Web. I also learned that Google attempted to launch a social media site last year called Google Buzz. Maybe I am in the dark ages, but the fact that I heard about Google Buzz a year after it was lunched explains its failure. Never have I seen any form of advertisement for Google Buzz. Yes, this may seem like old news, but I find it astonishing that a company like Google could fail so epically at marketing a social media site. Why not mass market on the main Google web page? Google advertises Google Chrome in such a way and it is a successful product. In short, I do not know what Google was thinking with their social media site. I guess the fact that I heard about it a year later, as have many others, explains the failure. Now, Google is attempting to integrate “social searches” that would supposedly allow user friends to rate the site that shows up in a search. Sounds like another terrible idea to me. Maybe I will be wrong. Overall, I think Google should stick to what it does best. Trying to make Google similar to Facebook is a mistake, especially when Google makes modest attempts at a new idea. Sources: Efrati, Amir. “The Wall Street Journal Online”. 31 March 2011 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703806304576232771273306208.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_LEADTop

New Operations Chief at TD Ameritrade

TD Ameritrade recently hired their first operations manager. Many would believe an online company would not need a traditional operations manager. As a matter of fact, TD Ameritrade never had anyone occupying this position. It is surprising that a company of this size would not have a manager solely dedicated to the operations of the firm. Being an online company, TD Ameritrade has countless transactions occurring daily. Information must flow smoothly and the information systems must be in place to support these processes. As a result, it is expected that TD Ameritrade would hire an operations manager with a strong technology background. The new hire, Marvin Adams, oversaw technology and led information-technology strategy and policy in his latest position. Maybe, Mr. Adams can provide cost saving insight to a company that is on the rise and continues to post outstanding financials. Jarzemsky, Matt. “The Wall Street Journal Online”. 28 March 2011. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704461304576216422127531008.html

Facebook VS Google (Continued)

As part of my management class today we had an interesting discussion about the future of Google and Facebook. To my surprise an overwhelming majority of the class agreed that Facebook is the future of the Internet and will outperform Google. However, I am sticking to my guns as I still believe Google is the better company.

Yes, it is true that Facebook has much potential to grow and expand into different areas of the Internet, but Google is a more established company that can grow twice as much due to its broad coverage of the Internet. In my opinion, Google’s innovation far exceeds Facebook. What other companies have launched vehicles on the road that drive themselves? Another aspect to consider is that Google owns YouTube and has a large revenue stream from this subsidiary. Google Earth, Google Maps, Google Finance, Google Translate, and Google Chrome are just a few of the countless products Google has to offer. Facebook is definitely lacking in this category. Yet, many seem to believe that if Facebook enters these areas they will see more success than Google. I disagree, seeing that Google already has a core competence in these areas and Facebook will have to play “catch up”. Overall, the next few years will be exciting and I am interested to find out who will be the true Internet titan in the future.

Facebook VS Google

I was recently reading an article from The Wall Street Journal about the competition between Google and Facebook. In my opinion, there does not appear to be true competition between the two companies. It seems as if they exist in harmony and actually complement each other.

The only major competition between the two seems to be user traffic. The two companies are “neck and neck” at the moment with the amount of traffic they generate per day. The amount of traffic these companies generate is extremely important considering that advertisers look at traffic as one of their main reasons for advertising on a certain network.

In the future, there will most likely be more competition between the two companies. As they continue to grow they will eventually find themselves competing in the same industry. For instance, when Facebook’s social media growth becomes stagnant, will they decide to create a search engine? Or, will Google create a true social networking sight? All this remains to be seen. Yet, at the moment I do not believe there is true competition between the two companies seeing that they concentrate in different segments of the Internet arena.

Is Facebook Too Commercialized?

The future of social networking appears to be favorable. However, I believe Facebook’s future is not as bright. They recently signed a deal with WB to provide movie rentals. It seems like Facebook is slowly drifting away from their roots. The amount of marketing on the site continues to grow. As the site becomes more commercialized I believe people will lose interest and an alternative social networking site will emerge.

Looking back, Facebook was started in 2004. It has been around for over seven years. Will the popularity of this site ever diminish? I think so. As time passes, it is natural for consumers to adopt new products or services. I believe the fate of Facebook will be the same. Soon another company will enter the arena and become the new trend. Facebook has a strong business model, but a product that is so reliant on consumer whims cannot last forever.

iPad Threat?

I was recently reading an article in the Wall Street Journal about tablet computers. When I heard of the $200 dollar tablet I assumed there was a “catch”. And there was a “catch”, but it was not all that bad. Apple’s iPad 2 goes on sale Friday and consumers can expect to spend at least $500 on the product. Brett Arends’ article in The Wall Street Journal about how he saved over $300 on a tablet computer is remarkable.

Here is how you can achieve pure value: First, you can buy a Barnes & Noble Nook Color tablet, which normally cost about $250 but you can get them on special for as low as $190 if your timing is right. Next, you can “root” the Nook Color by downloading a software fix that will make the Nook run on Google’s Android platform. Most applications can be run, and for the most part, the Nook will function with the features of a full blown tablet. Of course, users will sacrifice some options the iPad 2 has to offer.

The iPad 2 and the Nook with the Android system are obviously two different beasts. The Nook with Android is not anywhere near as appealing as the iPad 2. However, for the price some people may sacrifice the imbedded camera and other functions present on the iPad for the more reasonably priced Nook. Will buyers who are aware of this “catch” opt for the Nook? The economy is still recovering and people will try to save as much money as possible. Personally, I believe the Nook with the Android system is a great idea and will certainly have an effect on Apple if it becomes widely publicized.

And one other thing, this is supposedly completely legal. Take a look at Arends’ article using the link below to get the full details.

Arends, Brett. “The Wall Street Journal Online”. 9 March 2011. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703662804576188901890884360.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_LEFTTopNews

Will Tablets Overcome PCs?

Steve Jobs’ recent unveiling of the Apple iPad 2 has many thinking tablet computers will become the future. For instance, Gartner Inc. expects worldwide PC shipments to grow 10.5% in 2011, down from an earlier forecast of 15.9% growth. Gartner decreased their estimate after Steve Jobs mentioned that tablet computers are stealing demand from PCs. Many estimates are calling for 40 million tablet sales in 2011, with Apple dominating the market.

Personally, I do believe tablets will decrease overall PC sales. Those who do not use PCs for work related purposes will probably opt for the more practical iPad. However, I cannot picture white-collar workers using tablet computers to conduct their normal day to day activities. There is no question that many will have a tablet device as an accessory to their laptops, but tablets are impractical. It is difficult to type on a tablet for an extended period of time. It is also difficult to imagine businesses buying tablets for their daily functions.

As mentioned, these are my personal opinions and others may feel differently about the future of tablet computers. Nevertheless, there is no question that tablet devices will become more present in daily life. There benefits should be utilized in the business world to help drive greater profitability and efficiency.

Sources: Worthen, Ben. “The Wall Street Journal Online”. 4 March 2011 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703300904576178381437662352.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_LEADTop