The words 'Google' and 'monopoly' are commonly found in the same sentences these days as Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) continues to extend its brand further and further. First, Google became the dominant search engine, then they owned online advertising, next came social media, now it's a Google phone. What's next? Rumors have been rampant for quite awhile about a Google operating system to compete against the all-powerful Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT). One monopoly attacking another. This could get interesting.
The question is whether or not consumers will switch from the known quantity (albeit lacking in many ways) of Microsoft for the lesser known quantity (at least in terms of operating systems) of Google. It seems as though not enough information is available yet about the possible Google OS to predict how consumers will react, but it does seem obvious that Google will have its work cut out for them in terms of trying to gain a large amount of market share from Microsoft in the OS market. Microsoft has long been established as the category leader, and challenging them would be an uphill battle. However, if any company has the power and proven track record of taking over, it's Google.
It seems like Google will have a second obstacle in the OS category that they put in place themselves, and that's privacy. Consumers are already wary of Google's far-reaching knowledge about users' online behaviors and information. Will Google be able to alleviate consumers' concerns related to privacy and their omnipotency if and when they roll out an OS?
Google clearly has challenges in the OS market, but I don't think that will stop them. I'm sure they'll position their OS as a market challenger to Microsoft's OS, and then really hype the differentiators between the two products, brand names and companies.
On the other hand, Microsoft will need to create a plan to counter the attack by Google's OS. Google certainly does have the power and reputation to pose a threat to Microsoft, and it's something Bill Gates and his team will need to address and respond to accordingly.
It should be very interesting to watch the events unfold. Watching two companies that have become (or threatened to become) as close to a monopoly as a company can get battle it out should be very entertaining and educational from a marketing perspective.
What do you think? Would you use a Google operating system? What do you see as the pros and cons of a Google OS versus a Microsoft OS? I'm not a computer person, so I'd love to hear your opinions about the technical side of this impending marketing battle.
You know the saying, do what you best and leave the rest to the experts. I'd still use Microsoft as my operating system - because I'm familiar with it. But if I were to build a web site and want to attract traffic, I'd listen to google, and perhaps adopt a software technology called Nemeas - which promises to improve page ranking.
Posted by: sharon q | November 27, 2007 3:18 PM | Permalink to Comment