Recently Google has made a number of acquisitions that have made headline news. The most obvious recent purchase was the high profile takeover of YouTube for $1.65 Billion in stock. However this merger is just one in a long line of Google purchases.
Google’s latest procurement includes the purchase of the WIKI based site JotSpot. JotSpot was founded by the co founders of the former search engine site Excite; one of the first search engine home pages to feature customizable home pages which Google users have come to know and love.
The current trend to move towards new web 2.0 technology (such as WIKI technology AJAX and my space type sites) is being vastly adopted by many big players in the web technology world. Big players using web 2.0 and JotSpot include: eBay, Google, Intel and Symantec (Owners of Norton Anti-Virus).
Some of Google’s previous acquisitions have enabled the implementation of some of their well known services. Below shows some of those services and the acquisitions that made the technology possible:
- Google Maps : Where2 Group (Sept 2004)
- Google Earth : KeyHole Group (Oct 2004)
- Google Analytics : Urchin Software Corporation (May 2005)
- Google Docs : Writley (March 2006)
- Sketch Up : @Last Software (March 2006)
Google has also purchased a large number of other software companies; some of the most exciting technologies include biometric identification systems, You Tube video on demand, and other BLOGGGER/WIKI technologies. Combine this with Google’s future plan to move over to selling lo-cost Linux based hardware for a fraction of the typical personal computer costs; it is not that difficult to imagine a world where all your computing needs are served online without the need to purchase software.
For a glimpse into the future head on over to Google Docs and check out their on demand office solution. It doesn’t quite knock Microsoft Office out of the water just yet but watch this space!!
Please feel free to add any comments to this post. Please check back regularly to see reviews and descriptions of new Google technologies and tips/tricks for getting the best out of Google.
Written by Andrew Pinner
Personally, I and some of my colleagues have enjoyed using some Google products in place of Microsoft ones. Most recently, events planning with a remote team has been made a bit easier through use of Google Calendars. Crazed, late night stabs at data- manipulation have become group projects that all can benefit from using Google Spreadsheets. As you say, Microsoft products are by no means supplanted, but the ability to collaborate and build upon what we do in our day to day has taken a step forward. I wonder if Google’s philosophic move from individualised, personal use of products to a more ‘open’ approach will have a noticeable affect on the way we all work in future…