Googling Google

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Google won't kill Facebook, and vice versa

By | June 27, 2010, 9:27pm PDT

It doesn’t matter what happens now — headlines saying that X is about to launch a Y killer have started. Any headline of the sort is a major jinx. I can’t remember a single time when a headline like this was successful in predicting the future.

It’s been said that Facebook is readying a Google killer — I am looking forward to seeing that happen. Remember Wikia Search? The Google killer. Or Wolfram Alpha, the Google killer. Or perhaps Google Buzz, the Twitter killer, etc. I’m not saying it can’t happen, just that it’s unlikely.

Google is rumored to be launching what’s called “Google Me”, a Facebook killer. Kevin Rose was the source of such headlines — citing a “very credible source”.

What do you think? Is there really a chance that Google Me, whatever it is, could actually compete with Facebook? If they do launch a new social service, I’m willing to bet that there will probably be a privacy problem on Google’s hands again.

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Topics

Google Inc., Facebook, Garett Rogers

Garett Rogers has always had a deep interest in computers and the Internet, which led him to a degree in Computer Information Systems. He is currently employed as a programmer for iQmetrix.

Disclosure

Garett Rogers

Garett Rogers is employed as a programmer for iQmetrix, which specializes in retail management software for the wireless industry. He has no other formal associations with any software or hardware companies.

Biography

Garett Rogers

Garett Rogers has always had a deep interest in computers and the Internet, which led him to a degree in Computer Information Systems. He is currently employed as a programmer for iQmetrix, which specializes in retail management software designed specifically for the cellular and electronics industry.

Garett's journey into Google started with his employer asking him to "get a better rank on Google." Diving into search engine optimization sparked his curiosity for how things work and led him to create a blog dedicated to what interests him most--Google.

Talkback Most Recent of 9 Talkback(s)

  • I remember headline like "iPod killers get killed by iPod", which was true
    The subject.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    DeRSSS
    27th Jun 2010
  • Google is also launching "iTunes killer", do not forget
    The subject.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    DeRSSS
    28th Jun 2010
  • RE: Google won't kill Facebook, and vice versa
    Absolutely Right! Google's privacy Issue!
    ZDNet Gravatar
    che2on
    28th Jun 2010
  • You're right
    These overhyped headlines are little more than a way to stir up eyeballs and get people talking...which is a good thing. Google has tried to get more social, but Buzz isn't as good as Twitter and I'd hazzard a guess that any Google Me wouldn't be as good as the 400M+ strong Facebook community. If you look at the recent gaffes from the house of G, I'd think they'd start to learn to stay in their lane a little more. Last thing G needs is another online venue to open itself up to more privacy/security issues.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    kelbysj
    28th Jun 2010
  • facebook killer
    Google already launched a "facebook killer". It's called Orkut, and it really isn't widely used anymore except in Brazil.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Bucky24
    28th Jun 2010
  • RE: Google won't kill Facebook, and vice versa
    I am a power user of Google and Google products/labs. Below is an unbiased inference based on my interactions with Google online and offline.
    Google will prevail over others in any of of their (Google) initiatives.
    Simple reason being they are not worried about the ways and means they adopt to achieve,( goes without saying Google is the best black hat hacking service available on the net,probably not explicitly).

    Their (Google) Strength lies in their meticulous planning and execution of their implementation(S) with no paucity for resources.
    So it's too early to predict or judge.
    I am not a great fan of goggle but I have no equivalent options. >> ravi
    ZDNet Gravatar
    ideaflashed@...
    28th Jun 2010
  • RE: Google won't kill Facebook, and vice versa
    Once, Yahoo was THE web resource (and I still think it does some things better than anyone else, such as its Groups). Once, AOL was the leading ISP. Once, DMOZ was important (thank goodness it doesn't matter any more). Once, MySpace mattered.

    Today, Twitter matters, Google matters, and Facebook matters a lot. Someday, those will also be replaced. The only constant is change.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Improper Username
    28th Jun 2010
  • I came here for this?
    Are my eyes deceiving me?

    Is Mr. Rogers -- and ZDNet -- actually, with a straight face, daring to distract us away from our daily routines with attractive headlines in emails which lead us to articles that ask if web apps which DON'T EVEN EXIST YET could possibly trump some which do?

    Is this Monday, June 28th, in the year 2010 such a slow newsday that Mr. Rogers, et al, are reduced to THIS?

    Hey... Rogers... how 'bout you have a little more respect for our precious time, eh?

    Bother us WHEN YOU ACTUALLY HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY.

    Sheesh. [rolls eyes]


    ____________________________
    Gregg L. DesElms
    Napa, California USA
    gregg at greggdeselms do com
    ZDNet Gravatar
    gregg@...
    28th Jun 2010
  • good idea about facebook
    A good post. Do you know tattoo? It is quite amazing. We supply kinds of tattoo kits, tattoo machines, tattoo needles, tattoo ink and so on. Please buy single stack magnum tattoo needles at wholesale price from us.h7vBb
    ZDNet Gravatar
    gavin.chan
    2nd Oct

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