Comments on: On Google’s acquisition strategy

By: william

william — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:26:02 +0000

Grand Central does seem to have been worked on (google voice) , and i can imagine this become quiet important to google…

By: Marcos Ramos

Marcos Ramos — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:02:51 +0000

This is not your point but there seems to be a merge of paths of Google’s aquisition strategy and MSFTs will to defeat competitors/destroy good ideas. The effect on bought companies is the same even if the reason is different (is it really?).

The crisis may not be allowing Google to invest time, therefore money, into all projects. Even really useful ones – not bought – are being shut (google notebook for example).

Is the great Google implosion coming? Let me know, so I can create an Hotmail account (:P).

By: Alex MacGregor

Alex MacGregor — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:41:09 +0000

Good post. It’s almost funny that the big tech companies have such a poor track record with acquisitions.

The best examples from the top of my head are Google with Jaiku as mentioned, Microsoft with Danger and most famously eBay with Skype.

By: André Luís

André Luís — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:58:39 +0000

Absolutely, Eduardo. :)

It’s not just Google or MSFT too… look at how long it took for Yahoo! to do something about del.icio.us, for example.

You’re right Fred, Grandcentral would be a killer if it was merged with GApps. No arguing there. But I’m guessing it’s easier said than done. Specially for this little corner of the Earth.

Now, in all fairness, we the users actually felt the purchase of Feedburner. You started getting features for free that were for paid-users only. It’s not much of an integration with Google services like you suggested, but it’s not like they just put it on a shelf for show off-ing. :)

By: Vitor Caneco

Vitor Caneco — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:45:39 +0000

Great opinion that you wave in there. In fact Google acquired many companies, but the question is, “For what”?!

Does Google acquired those companies to make them better? Extracting the juice, add some sugar and making lemonade? Like it did with YouTube.
Or Google do this kind of things like some kid do with the new brand of gums? Taste it… Eat the sugar and throw it away?

Google buyed Jaiku, expeting to be greater than twitter, but it got wrong. And now he giving the code to the people… For what? In my opinin it’s to take some power of twitter.

Maybe…

–
Regards,
Vitor Caneco.

By: Eduardo

Eduardo — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:38:34 +0000

I remember when exactly the same thing was said about MSFT’s acquisition strategy. By then, the word on the street was that they bought whomever might be a threat on their own agenda. It might have been the case here and there although they have actually used some of the technology on their products.

Funny (but predictable) to hear people saying just the same about Google.

Of course there’s always the usual answer: “Why did we buy it? Because we can”