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Microsoft Testing Its Own 'Google Base'
sheasie! writes "eWeek is reporting that Microsoft is readying an online marketplace, code-named Fremont, which is apparently in response to a similar feature that rival Google Inc. introduced a few weeks ago." From the article: "The software giant will enhance the Fremont listings with localized maps, and make them available through Microsoft's newly revamped Internet portal, now known as Live.com, according to the company."
Unless I can type www.google.com to get there is has no hope ;)
Microsoft seems to be blindly copying whatever is coming out of Google these days.
This is good, because this creates a competition between two companies which are both strong...no chance of Microsoft swallowing up a smaller company and becoming a monopoly in this case...
I hope this brings out the best value for the consumers.
It used to be that companies had to jump everytime Microsoft announced an initiative, dumping cash into project that at best would have them keeping up with Microsoft. Interesting that Microsoft is being forced to do the same now when Google moves - probably only because they're one of the few innovative compeitors that Microsoft can't just buy.
Drag n' Drop DVD Recommendations
At least Microsoft won't be able to sell all their recent Internet-based innovations (read: Google rip-offs) as true innovations. Copying off small companies and Apple might've gone relatively unnoticed, because, let's face it, Apple market share, how shall I put it, has growth potential. Google, however, is unchallenged in its area of expertise and in popularity, so Microsoft's rip-offs will be exactly that.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the light cone.
Its amazing just how innovative that Microsoft is these days. I mean just look at what they produce for the (allegedly) huge R&D budget they have. They've got TABS in a browser (unbelivable) and now they are either ripping off GoogleBase or CraigsList depending on how you read it.
Its great being a monopoly, you never have to innovate, just leverage your position to copy other people's good ideas.
An Eye for an Eye will make the whole world blind - Gandhi
Microsoft claimed that protecting intellectual property encouraged innovation, in other words they don't want people copying them because they feel copying is detrimental to being innovative. If this is the case, why is it they have suddenly come up with an equivalent of the open document standard, added tabs to their new Internet Explorer, copied Google's search features to the letter, and now copying Google's other offerings (satellite maps, online books and directories). I'm not really against them improving their services, merely that in doing so it goes against what they seem to campaign for. Microsoft now just seems to be a huge company, with huge resources and huge finances and clone anything that makes money. Where's their leadership in innovation now?
It's not just google, it's any successful market that relies on technology.
It's called 'playing catch-up'.
Microsoft's business model is failing, and rather than wasting precious time figuring out what new things it can do, it needs to quickly copy other successful businesses, and preferably kill them off (as usual) by leveraging its monopoly.
Linux/Open Source/Anti Microsoft News
I struggling to think of a single time that companies had to "jump" to keep up with Microsoft due to a new MS iniative...
The internet... nope last there
Enterprise Software... nope last there
Spreadsheets, Wordprocessors... nope last there
Multi-tasking operating system... nope last there
Games Console... nope last there
Mobile Phone OS... nope last there
Desktop Search... nope last there
etc etc etc
Microsoft has NEVER dictated the direction of the market, its just leveraged a monopoly position to successfully copy other people's strategies and dominate in that segment.
The only place where MS are seen to lead is in marketing, where they announce the week after another company has done something that Microsoft will be doing that "any day now"... 2 years later you may still be waiting.
An Eye for an Eye will make the whole world blind - Gandhi
Neither is Google innovating everything....only, google is buying out new technology instead of developing from scratch [ eg:keyhole,orkut etc].
And just because someone follows on , doesnt mean they cant succeed. Apple's ipod was not the first mp3 player,was it?
Why does yahoo do this
Gotta love that innovation...
Just because you can't, doesn't mean you shouldn't.
recent Internet-based innovations (read: Google rip-offs)
OK, this is perhaps a Google ripoff. But let's look at the rest of the list. Google maps: Rip off of Terraserver (a Microsoft product). Google Home: start.com (a Microsoft product) predates it Google News: msnbc news predates it. MSN messenger predated Google's IM client. So besides this item; I fail to see where Microsoft is 'ripping off Google.' Enlighten us, please.
-everphilski-
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Google rocks!
I'm surprised that people even find browser tabs an "innovation" no matter who put them in a browser first. Tabbed documents within an application is a very old concept. Windows 3.1 apps had tabbed documents.
Why do the Firefox people claim that Tabs are all the rage? Is that the pinnacle of Firefox innovation or something?