Google's New Toy

[lanux128]

Google acquires Writely, a full-functioned, Ajax-based word processor that allows you to do most anything in your browser that you would be able to do with a machine-based program, short of a full-fledged office application. Full report here.

As Google adds yet another app to its arsenal of suites, will we be seeing a new trend here?

[Ampa]

Yesterday they bought SketchUp. Difficult to know whether that is a good thing or not... I really hope they don't mess up what is a superb product.

[brotherS]

Google acquires Writely

I never heard about it before, but it sounds a bit like the Google Mail of word processors Nice!

[m_s]

There was very good posting about Google's strategy on the Signal Vs. Noise blog (which is written by 37 Signals, the people behind BackPack and its associated Web 2.0 apps) - take a look: http://37signals.com/svn/archives2/what_googles_acquisition_of_writely_means.php

[vegas]

I find it very interesting how handy a tool like this could become for quickly creating your own Auction Listings, especially if they were Google Auctions!  Let's see a payment/micropayment system is due soon, it does look like they are slowly positioning themselves to take on the juggernaut eBay.  Yay.

[lanux128]

...it does look like they are slowly positioning themselves to take on the juggernaut eBay....

yes, apparently they want to be in internet what Microsoft already is consumer/corporate PC market... To quote Ampa, "Difficult to know whether that is a good thing or not..."

[zfshi]

Yesterday they bought SketchUp. Difficult to know whether that is a good thing or not... I really hope they don't mess up what is a superb product.

I have used SketchUp, it's a great little program

[brotherS]

There was very good posting about Google's strategy on the Signal Vs. Noise blog (which is written by 37 Signals, the people behind BackPack and its associated Web 2.0 apps) - take a look: http://37signals.com/svn/archives2/what_googles_acquisition_of_writely_means.php

Nice discussion going on there, let me quote Drew McChesney's comment:

It’s obvious Microsoft is doing something right, no matter how bloated or ugly their UI is. Google isn’t going to topple Office with another Office (even web-based), and I really don’t think that’s their goal. The idea of the 80/20 rule, both the idealistic side, and the realistic side, has valid points, but here it’s being considered in a product vs. product debate.

Google is playing a completely different game which could have significant cultural impacts; moving the desktop to the web. Right now, these purchases, rollouts, and strategies are a part of a movement that is in its infancy. Many of these new services and products will flop, miserably, and I think Google understands this very well. However, and I don’t think I’m alone, I believe Google has the resources, the talent, and the track record to pull something this ambitious off.

Google’s threat to Microsoft isn’t just creating superior products; it’s Google’s ability to change the paradigm in which those products are made, distributed, and used.

I believe Drew is right!