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It's Yahoo Plus eBay vs. Google

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the i'll-form-the-voip-solution dept.

Octagon Most writes "Yahoo and eBay have announced a broad partnership in their efforts to compete against Google and Microsoft." From the article: "In addition, Yahoo Web search features will be integrated into a co-branded version of the eBay toolbar, and the companies said they would explore developing 'click-to-call' ad technologies on their respective Web sites. 'Click-to-call' provides a link inside an advertisement that allows consumers to directly call the advertiser to pursue a transaction."

7 of 113 comments (clear)

  1. If Yahoo and Google want to make me happy... by AKAImBatman · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ...they can stop trying to install toolbars into my frickin' web browser. No, I don't want another upteenth widget that reduces my vertical viewing area, I don't want your special Yahoo! browser bundled with Internet service, and I don't want you to install your toolbar when all I want is desktop search! Someone stop the insanity!

    That's my opinion, anyway. I'm sure there are those people out there who looooove their toolbars.

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    Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
    1. Re:If Yahoo and Google want to make me happy... by lawpoop · · Score: 3, Insightful

      "I'm sure there are those people out there who looooove their toolbars."

      I doubt it. I think it's people who don't understand computers that well, and wait on the genius computer experts to give them the next great computer thing that will make their lives happier. Right now the answer is the toolbar.

      Most people don't understand computers well enough to apprehend the potential. They can't fully understand the UI problems they face, and therefore they also can't think of creative solutions to those problems.

      So the management of companies like Yahoo! and eBay, in the effort to increase marketshare and make more money, tell their developers to create newer and better toolbars, which are just devices to improve the marketshare of the toolbar owners. Mom & Pop computer users hear about the great new toolbars that are in the pipeline, and think all their problems will be solved in short order.

      We are still in the glow of the vast communications improvements that computers have afforded the average person -- email, websites, online banking. That revolution hasn't yet been fully co-opted by marketers who aren't making new revolutionary technology, but instead just fight for existing marketshare. So people still see computers as having the potential to revolutionize their life, and haven't yet become jaded to the constant barrage of marketing and sales pitches that will eventually take over computers, too.

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      Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.
      -- Pablo Picasso
    2. Re:If Yahoo and Google want to make me happy... by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I guess my days of purchasing off Ebay may be just about over.

      Why? Who says you need an eBay or Yahoo toolbar to buy (or sell) stuff on eBay? Unless eBay or Yahoo absolutely require the installation of such software (not likely, since requiring such software usually prevents some class of users from being able to use the service) there's nothing that says you have to accept their spyware.

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      My blog
  2. Amen! by mpapet · · Score: 2, Insightful

    "Partnership" means flashing ebay ads in the Yahoo toolbar. Phuleeze!

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    http://www.maxineudall.com/2010/02/should-economists-be-sued-for-malpractice.html
  3. Re:I'm rooting for Google by damiam · · Score: 3, Insightful

    What exactly makes Google less evil than Yahoo? I like Google too, but there's really not that much of a moral difference. Sure, Yahoo caved in to the Chinese thought police, but then again so did Google.

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    It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.
  4. Click to call by ronanbear · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Doesn't really seem like too bad an idea to me. There are plenty of times where calling is much faster and more effective than web or email based requests. Since ebay own skype it might be handy to be able to instantly call businesses through skype. You could talk to ebay sellers (If they want to include that option) to sort out product details and shipping etc. quickly. Another option would be yellow pages style ads where a local restaurent would have a facility to call and make a reservation from their website or ad. Many restaurants aren't bothered with web based reservation systems (and rightly so). Sure I can order a pizza online or check if a DVD is in stock but sometimes a phone call is just easier. It's usually much faster.

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    the more they over-think the plumbing the easier it is to stop up the pipe
  5. Re:I'm rooting for Google by donutello · · Score: 3, Insightful

    People want a Good (tm) hero to root for. Google is the closest they can find.

    They have "Don't be Evil" in their corporate manifesto. The rest is mostly idealization by their fans. Google has been smart with their PR not doing too much blatant (Chinese censorship was their lone misstep here) to violate the image built up by some.

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    Mmmm.. Donuts