How do news events affect a single user's opinion of tech company reputations?
Google
Google v. Authors - Big G has shown that it's prepared to go the distance on this one. What it comes down to is this: what provides the value in Google's service--the content itself or the ability to find specific content. This clearly benefits both parties, so the profits should be shared. I can see Google throwing its mighty might around a bit in this battle. And I'm looking the other way because I want the service to work out. I'll still buy books, but only if I can ensure they contain what I want. (+1 for persistence, -1 for bullying)
SPDY Protocol, Go Language - Google rolls out a new programming language and a new web protocol? In Chrome's wake, Google is finding more and better ways to improve the web experience. Sure, it's ultimately self-serving--these improvements encourage users to move closer to the cloud-based future where Google has an advantage. But that's not a bad thing when we share the vision. (+1 for Go, +1 for SPDY)
Chrome OS - I'm moving to the cloud. I'm using fewer and fewer desktop applications, and I declare that I'm ready for a streamlined operating system that provides the legs (and nothing more) for the browser to stand on. I'm sick of the bloat. I'm freshly converted from Firefox to Chrome browser, and my Netbook is ready to boot Chrome. (+1)
Google v. Swiss Streets - I know there's a net neutrality joke in here somewhere. While I feel for people who have been immortalized picking their noses, scratching their butts, etc., there comes a point where petty privacy concerns ("someone could see what my garden looks like!") could hobble the utility of a service like this. Google's plate is as full as Obama's, but the Big G ain't caving. (+1)
Google Buys Gizmo5 - "We aren't subject to regulation because we don't provide the telecommunications backbone, or at least we didn't when we began this sentence, but we do now, so never mind." This acquisition makes Big G's legal caseload deeper and murkier, but widens the arsenal and positions Google Voice to take out Skype. But then again, I'm no phreak. (+0)
Google v. Murdoch - Howlin' Mad Rupert Murdoch threatens to de-index his news holdings from Google News. The linked article makes a point that Bing could pay to index News Corp's holdings, which would supposedly give Microsoft some kind of edge. Seriously? Big G should call Murdoch's bluff. Google's goal is to index all the world's information, not all the world's conspiracy-laden opinion masquerading as news. (+1)
Apple
Apple #1 Handset Vendor - Apple moves past Nokia in handset sales. I actually own a Nokia, but then again, I hate phones. Still, congrats to Apple. It will be interesting to see how Google's tactic of fielding the software alone plays out vs. Apple's complete product. I predict it will be hard for Apple to maintain their edge with the software design, but will always be a step ahead in hardware design. Coming never: an Android iPhone? (+1 for now)
AT&T v. Verizon - Verizon makes a fair comparison; AT&T cries foul. Apple may have chosen its partner poorly. "Can you hear me now?" (-1)
Is Apple the New Starbuck's? - Apple plans to open dozens more Apple stores. These stores are crowded for a reason--they're well-staffed, you get your receipt emailed to you--what's not to like? Apple isn't just selling products, they're selling a lifestyle, and having their own stores fits well into their business plan. (Microsoft stores, on the other hand, are a ridiculously backward idea.) (+1)
Microsoft
Open, Now Closed - Microsoft incorporates open source code into a proprietary code, gets caught, cops to the mistake. But what does this say about their development process that this happened in the first place? (-1)
Microsoft: Like Apple, But Not - Microsoft employee claims that the company learned from their chief competitor when designing Windows 7. Yup, that's how it's supposed to work--if someone is doing something better, you incorporate that into your product to reduce their advantage. Then Microsoft denies the report. Uh, okay ... Yet more questions about their development process. (-1)
Bing + Wolfram - Microsoft clearly scooped Google on this one. Then again, I'm not sure it's working correctly. One of the examples of the article about the kinds of results Wolfram Alpha produces is for "france gdp". Here's what
Wolfram Alpha by itself produces. And
Bing. And
Google. Advantage Google, which has a graph, just like Wolfram Alpha, plus more recent data. It's not clear how Bing has incorporated Wolfram Alpha data. Or has it not pulled in the data yet. That's why Microsoft gets some many black eyes--they announce what they're going to do well in advance of when they do it. (+1 for scooping Google, -1 for inexplicable execution)
This week's score: Google (+5), Apple (+1), Microsoft (-3)