William Bunce

Google had a huge year in 2009. From the little things, like acquiring small no name companies – many of which no one is really quite sure why – to launching and announcing new products like Google Wave, ChromeOS, removing Gmail from beta (finally), you get the picture. Most people don’t see much of a problem from this behemoth company running most of their lives. Many seem to rather enjoy it. I don’t need to go into the benefits of being part of the Google ecosystem, you can find that all over the tech journals and podcasts, most of which slobber at the thought of another way they can bow down to the almighty Schmidt and Company. I’m different, I don’t see all of Google through rose tinted glasses – perhaps mine are a different shade.

Google Products are… meh… at best

While many of their products are sub-par (Google Docs to name one), people will always claim that they are much better. For example, I can honestly say that I have been using Bing for several months now, and notice a huge improvement in my search results. Most will not admit that Microsoft got something right. Some for a good enough reason, in that Google gained so much brand recognition in the perfect time – when the internet came of age this past decade. It was the big dog while the majority of the world caught up and got online. It doesn’t hurt that tech journalists tend to over-emphasize the impact of certain Google products. Gmail is a damn good e-mail system. Not the best, and certainly not the most used. Google Docs is laughable when compared to Office, and will NEVER have NEAR the penetration. Either way, the geek culture doesn’t notice that these products, similar to Google search, just don’t have the brand recognition that services like Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail, and others have, in order to make an overwhelming impact. However, when Microsoft is still putting out disastrous software (WinMo 6.5), and the only other option is an iPhone, people will search harder for something to replace it with. Like Android. People are clamoring to Android, and rightfully so. Android is a wonderful mobile OS, and will surely be around for a long time. The problem for Google, they’ve never had a REAL monetizing product except for its ads. Example: Google’s phone, the one they officially support, has been on sale for less than two weeks, and already are taking heat for what could be a disaster in the making.

Google imposes $350 early termination fee for subsidized Nexus One in addition to carrier's own ETF
Google learning that users want real support for Nexus One

This is not the kind of press Google needs right now. Google is just getting to where they want to be – in control of everything. Any little doubt from the mainstream, and there will be no more credibility.

Just to make you aware of the kind of control Google is attempting to have, here are the things they are trying to get you – the everyday user – to use.

ChromeOS – The operating system controlling your computer.
Chrome browser – Bye bye Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, etc.
SPDY – An HTTP replacement protocol focused on speed.
Google DNS – What you use to navigate the web
GO – A programming language based on speed and ease of use.
Wave – A replacement for e-mail
G-mail – Your every day email
Google Talk – Your instant messaging
Google Calendar – Your daily activities
Google Search – Your search history
Google Health – Your health records

I know I’m missing many important ones, but you get the gist, right? All of these wonderful free utilities. From an ad company.

Oh – that’s right. Google has to get money from SOMEWHERE to make all these wonderful products. What – I ask – is the reason for an AD company to control and be aware of all of your internet activities? I don’t think I need to go into detail here.

Please, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying don’t use Google products. I’m saying, are we sure we want to trust Google with ALL of our information? Just a thought from an angry, bitter man.