Is there a limit to Google's search agenda? Just before the crucial
holiday CD sales buying bonanza, we have the launch of Google Music search. Type in an artist - e.g. Lyle Lovett - and you get their CDs and quick access to news, photographs, Web sites and, of course, places to buy the music. Is Google late to the music game as Don Dodge implies? Maybe, but what makes Google Music so compelling is the clean interface without a lot of distracting bells and whistles, and the simple fact it works quickly. Om Malik has already fallen in love with it while Fred Wilson has little time for it. Google Music search is no allmusic.com, which provides extensive information (some of it user-driven), but Google Music doesn't have to be all-things-to-all-people to become widely used. With an army of PhDs, it never ceases to amaze me how Google's is working to extend its reach into new services and markets. But like many people, I'm curious about whether there are bigger strategic plans in place. With $7-billion of cash on the balance sheet, does Google want or need to do anything more dramatic. Or do Larry Page and Sergey Brin content to constantly and methodically press forward without feeling the need to make a big bang? If that's the case, why do you need $7-billion? Is it just-in-case money - sort of like a pre-approved mortgage for house-buyers? This is just one element that makes Google such a fascinating company to watch. You have to wonder what 2006 will bring for Google. Any thoughts?
Update: The Social Customer Manifesto offers up a nice Google Music how-to guide complete with screen shots.
holiday CD sales buying bonanza, we have the launch of Google Music search. Type in an artist - e.g. Lyle Lovett - and you get their CDs and quick access to news, photographs, Web sites and, of course, places to buy the music. Is Google late to the music game as Don Dodge implies? Maybe, but what makes Google Music so compelling is the clean interface without a lot of distracting bells and whistles, and the simple fact it works quickly. Om Malik has already fallen in love with it while Fred Wilson has little time for it. Google Music search is no allmusic.com, which provides extensive information (some of it user-driven), but Google Music doesn't have to be all-things-to-all-people to become widely used. With an army of PhDs, it never ceases to amaze me how Google's is working to extend its reach into new services and markets. But like many people, I'm curious about whether there are bigger strategic plans in place. With $7-billion of cash on the balance sheet, does Google want or need to do anything more dramatic. Or do Larry Page and Sergey Brin content to constantly and methodically press forward without feeling the need to make a big bang? If that's the case, why do you need $7-billion? Is it just-in-case money - sort of like a pre-approved mortgage for house-buyers? This is just one element that makes Google such a fascinating company to watch. You have to wonder what 2006 will bring for Google. Any thoughts?Update: The Social Customer Manifesto offers up a nice Google Music how-to guide complete with screen shots.