Quote:
Originally Posted by Agent 488
(Post 17696238)
adwords, adsense, chrome, earth, talk, toolbar, youtube, blogger, docs, news, reader, maps ... just a few. :winkwink:
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Just about all of those are built on technologies developed at smaller startups who were acquired by Google.
Youtube & Blogger are pretty much outright buys. Adsense/Adwords, Earth, Talk, Docs & Maps are all based heavily on acquired technologies from smaller companies. Some weren't exactly small either, take the case of Adsense for instance. Chrome was built with a lot of purchased technology behind it too. That leaves News & Reader...
The only thing Google has ever created itself that was massively successful was Google Search, the rest has simply been a matter of buying and reconstructing with the Google name slapped onto it. That should stand testament to the fact that all you need to succeed, is to have decent enough product, with a popular name you can attach to it. I don't see FB losing out here at all.
FB mail isn't going to crush Gmail overnight. But they will take a portion of users who see the ease of use factor right of the start, and there will be a slow migration towards Facebooks service as new people are needing new email addresses, and see them available right in front o them where they spend a huge portion of their time already. They will get millions and millions of users on this platform, guaranteed. You can bet that any loss of users to FB is considered a loss by Google.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RDFrame
(Post 17696904)
Facebook won't even come close to taking over GMail.
Might cause a small rift in Gmail, but that's about it. Google vs. Facebook. Gee, I wonder who to bet on...
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Google should be scared of Facebook, and they are. Look at their repeated blunders attempting to break into social networking. They know they are losing out on the most important new front on the internet. The social aspect of the net is massive, and FB is the new giant posing a legitimate threat when it comes to online competition for Google. Look at the number of people out there whose internet usage consists of like 95% Facebook time these days. So many internet users whose usage rarely goes anywhere other than FB, then maybe over to Youtube for a bit.
Email itself is pretty much moving towards obsolete for Joe Shmoe internet user as is, with just about everyone using FB as a personal messaging service already. A lot of people only ever use email when forced to. It's all about usability here, and in giving a person a path of least resistance, you will find them using it more often than not. For the little bit that people need email anymore, why wouldn't it make sense to consolidate your messaging info?
I'm surprised Facebook doesn't have a desktop Instant Messenger application of their own too. It would push pretty much everyone else out. Why? because everyone already uses Facebook like mad, and it would further consolidate you online social time. FB holds A LOT of power in this aspect. They already have a large portion of people's attention. Allowing Facebook to perform more functions for them, makes it easier for them. Within a few years, you will see FB enter the search market. This I am sure of. especially as Google continually tries to prod into social networking. It'll be a retribution prodding, and despite it's success I'm willing to bet they go for it, as are many others. Maybe they will take their ad platform web-wide. Who knows, but you will see big moves from them in the future, and they are going to go into Google dominated territories.
In summary: Discounting Facebook in the fight against Google right now, is stupid.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Monique Niccole
(Post 17697179)
That would defeat the entire purpose.
They need to keep you inside FB.com
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Exactly. Facebook is a closed network, they want you to be a member to use their services. The longer you stay in that network and use their services, the stronger they become. Opening up to @facebook.com emails is a relatively low risk next move for Facebook to expand their marketshare in new areas.
I can see privacy concerns being raised, as is the norm with FB. That's just gonna happen, but I doubt you will see this little project in the failure bin. It's a smart play on their part, for what my opinion is worth.
