The battle for the clouds (Google)

Imagine this… you power on your computer at home, a web based client instantly pops up with an interface similarly to that of facebook, twitter allowing you to socialize with your friends. Don’t like their layout? Just change the background or shift the widgets around to your liking. Want to create a words document? No problem, you just click on the web link on the page and you are immediately directed a new tab with a familiar MSoffice like interface. PDF, Excel, PowerPoint you name it, they are all available. Moreover, you don’t even need a power desktop as all the apps are loaded in an apps server and your document in some SAN storage that can be situated somewhere in the world. But what happen if you are on the road, you might ask? Just grab your phone from your pocket, release the key lock and Viola! You are greeted with an interface similar to that of your desktop but tailored for your device. You can access all your friends’ contacts and what’s more, you can dig out the document you prepare last night to review and even edit it real-time. More incredibly, these are available at a low subscription fee! Hmmm, that doesn’t sound too appealing? Well, there is a cost free option, you just need to do a simple registration online and pick the type of Ads from a list of companies you are interested in and this will then in turn be displayed on side bar of your PC or as flashing icons on your phone. But you will need to pick a minimum number of Ads option to qualify for the free subscription.

Sounds familiar? This is because the transition has already begun. Among the various efforts to move us towards this new paradigm, Google stands out as the clear contender. After winning much deserving fame from their search engine algorithm, much effort has been spent in rolling out application that complements its existing business.

In 2004, Google launched its first web mail application which was very well received by the public. At the same time, they also acquired a technology company Where2, which it later used to springboard its Google map service. The location based product line initiative has since blossom into whole range of popular products such as Google earth, google map mobile apps, Google latitude etc.

In 2005, Google bought Android Inc., a small startup firm that specializes in mobile phone software. This paved the way for them to launch Android OS for mobile devices with the first device HTC dream being launched in 2008.

In 2006, they launched Google doc line of product, providing web based documentation editing and creating tools.

In 2008, Google release its own web browser.

Google announced their plan to launch its own Operating System, Google Chrome OS in 2009 (Chrome Preview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QRO3gKj3qw ). In the same year, they also acquired Admob, a mobile advertising company and launch its Google Wave web services. The warm reception Wave initially garnered sizzle out after a while as user realize that it is not be a tool for everyone but Wave nonetheless serves as a playground for Google to experiment with application, services that will enhance our user experience in future..

So what is in stall for 2010, Just last week Google launched its first own mobile product Nexus one. The device that did not receive good press and was clouded by issue ranging from data connectivity and support management. But Google isn’t Apple; it is trailing in unfamiliar ground, which is retailing. It remains to be seen if they can learn about selling stuff as good as they churn out web services. Google will probably be launching their Chrome OS line of products this year and they will likely adopt two approaches in this line of their products. We will see some new releases for Chrome web browser. They will probably want to revamp the layout of the web browser to make it similar to what they have on Chrome OS, giving the users on other platforms access to Chrome OS environment. They will likely partner or acquire a thin client manufacturer such as Devon IT, Ncomputing, WYSE Tech etc., all who participated in the Vegas CES. Much like Android’s phone, Google may decide to sell the Chrome devices themselves, well… that will depends on how their latest Nexus move fans out.

Google, I think will be also be thinking of buying (or already in the midst of buying) one of the popular social networking companies. Twitters and Facebook looks probable (I would have chosen Facebook, but that’s just me ). But even then, they would have to convince Mark. Z to sell and they might want to do this before Facebook launch their much anticipated IPO, of course Facebook will not be cheap.

Henry