Can Microsoft Out-Google Google?

faria24 writes "For the past decade, Microsoft has largely ignored the Web as an emerging platform for application development with fears that it could render Windows obsolete. But that will all change next week, as Microsoft unveils a new strategy for transforming its Web properties into an open platform for developers. As part of its new 'Web 2.0 Platform' strategy, Microsoft will expose application programming interfaces, or APIs, for MSN Search using SOAP. MSN Virtual Earth, Desktop Search and MSN Messenger will all be opened up for outside developers to extend." Coverage on CNet as well. From the article: "Microsoft's online rivals, notably Google and Yahoo, already provide the hooks that let third-party Web developers write applications that tap into their Web services, such as search and mapping. Because these Web applications rely on a Web browser, they can, in theory, run on any operating system. Microsoft, meanwhile, has always drawn third-party developers to Windows. But even with its commitment to Windows, analysts said, Microsoft needs to more fully address the growing popularity of online Web development. Having a healthy ecosystem of third-party add-on products helps drive traffic to Web properties. "

Comments

Re:Too Little Too Late != Out-Googling Google

[dioscaido]

You misunderstand the game. It's not who gets there first, but who grabs the largest market/amount of traffic. Google has been coming out with some sweet services, but at the same time MSN, as it stands now, has many times more users and traffic than Google in those same applications (except for search of course). # of users: hotmail >>> gmail, msn messenger >>> google's chat, my spaces >>> blogger.com.

I'm glad Google is around because it woke up MSN, who was pretty lame and coplacent. And it definitely looks like they are gunning for Google, and have tons of resources all focused on that.

As long as both google and msn keep improving their services, we win, so god speed to both companies.

Re:Great Question, Here's the Answer

[ciroknight]

Netscape was different; netscape, though being the leading competitor, was also the far less powerful competitor. They had virtually no finances to fight the battle, and their development teams seemed to keep starting over, or getting pissed and spinning their wheels.

Google, on the other hand, has the lead, and the money, to fight Microsoft in this market. Their recent IPO has freed up billions of dollars to throw around as they see fit, and I'm fairly certain they are going to be expanding their bases of operations quickly. Alliances in SIP (VoIP), quick competition with Google Talk, and Gmail, and Google Earth's rapid media acceptance (see Hurricane Katrina for details) are all ways Google hopes to stay superior.

This won't be a battle like Netscape vs Microsoft. This time, the software isn't tied to Microsoft's infrastructure in any way (see the prevalance of cross platform tools from Google; they haven't completely full compatibility, but I insure you that they are working on it feverishly). Pair this with extreme competition from Microsoft in market dominance (Apple's catching up fast with the recent iPod successes), and you start seeing a really pissed off Microsoft.

It seems at this point, Microsoft, as well as News Corp, along with EBay, are all feeling the on-coming war, and are sweeping the playing field clear, buying up their places on the battlefield so that Google and Microsoft won't destroy them. See the recent purchase/intent to purchase GameSpy, Skype, etc.

This is war, and a war that Google can fight. Don't expect them to roll over and die like Netscape did.

Headline

[R.Mo_Robert]

I'm not trying to rant, but...

Normally, BetaNews rips stuff right off the front page of Slashdot, but this time it looks like it went the other way around. I mean, was it really necessary to copy the exact headline, word for word, from the linked BetaNews article?

Re:Question Translated:

[hritcu]

Who every thought that Google would ban CNET because CNET used Google to do research on Google Execs?

They did't ban anyone, you can still search CNET on google and it will work. They will just not make press announcements to them. This is a very different thing.

Re:Marketing bullshit

[Bogtha]

Actually, "Web 2.0" is a buzzword that originated outside of Microsoft and typically refers to "next gen" web technologies, like web services, AJAX, etc. Google it for more information.

Still stupid, vague to the point of meaningless marketing, but in this case, it's not Microsoft's fault, they are just using the same terminology as a lot of other people.

obligatory

[ImaLamer]

But he gets some credit from Vint Cerf and Robert Kahn. "Al Gore was the first political leader to recognize the importance of the Internet and to promote and support its development."

http://tinyurl.com/65ssc

or Coralized:

http://tinyurl.com/as4k8

altavista

[YesIAmAScript]

Your question is pretty strange. As if people didn't search before google?

I know Google when they came on the scene were far better than everyone else, they really did a much better job.

But that doesn't mean that worthwhile search tools didn't exist before Google.

I really should have put something after my knock-off comment in my post. Google has done some great sites. Few original ones, but a couple great ones. But still, that doesn't mean MS can't come in even later and out-do Google. And before you spout about how that's impossible, think of Orkut. It sucks. Think of MSN Earth, which has much higher res sat pics than Google maps.

Okay, so anyway, MS is going to try to compete with Google. I'm glad of that. I can pick and choose whichever ones I want, so competition is a good thing.

Finally, Google came onto the scene with a great search tool. Remember when every time you would search on Google, the best result was #1? How long has it been since that was the rule? It's not their fault, it's because so many people are trying to skew Google's results for profit, and it's working. But by the same token, it means that any competitor who comes into the marketplace with a new scheme stands some chance of beating Google on results quality simply because they aren't the ones the bozos are optimizing to beat.

Re:I can't wait..

[alienfluid]

And you, my friend, are such a perfect example of an evolved and a "right" human being; so eloquently putting your thoughts across. Yes, peace is the way to go. Of course, the world is wrong - you're right. There's nothing to worry about any more.