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17
Jun
Jun
The billionaires at Google went on a bit of a shopping spree recently and have bought the very successful makers of the app Waze for an estimated $1.3 billion.
More expansion for the largest tech company
Like any good hegemon, Google has decided to not stop buying despite being one of the most influential companies in the world today.
The techies are now expanding their mapping and localization segment of the market with their newest purchase. Here's hoping the bid is successful as the cool $1.3 billion shaped hole in the Google Wallet could be worrying.
What is Waze?
Unlike other billion dollar purchases from recent history (Tumblr anyone?) this one was not hugely reported on apart from in specialist circles. Perhaps something to do with Tumblr being a major game-changer in social media and online trends and Waze basically tells you where there traffic jams are.
That may be a little harsh; Waze is an invaluable tool for all those who commute by road. Joining this to the geniuses at Google Maps, it could really be a new era in technology helping with our daily problems.
Waze claims to have almost 50 million users and uses a crowdsourcing method to amalgamate traffic information. Based in Israel, they offer information for most of the world's road thanks in part to satellite information.
Facebook and Apple losing out
It turns out all three companies were contenders when it came to buying the Waze app makers. Facebook was hoping to further develop their Home offering through the purchase of Waze but it all fell through when Waze headquarters refused to move to the US which was enough to break the deal. Facebook may kick themselves in the shins later for that decision.
Apple is still trying to scrape back after the disastrous launch of its own mapping service for iOS6. The damage done by that is definitely still lingering in the air as the company went from a flawless, untouchable tech company to one that makes blunders large enough for it to reverberate all over the world. Sadly though, this time again Google won over Apple.
New Baidu Maps Includes Friend Tracking
30
May
May
In its latest version of the now ubiquitous mapping app, Baidu now offers the chance to know exactly where our friends are all the time. Put your hand up if you think this is a bit stalky.
Google has an option called Google Latitude which effectively turns your friends (and lover) into a small pin on the interactive map meaning you don't even have to ask them where they are (it's also good for calling people out on their lying and cheating habits).
Incorporating Skype?
The one thing we clearly need more of is opportunities to chat online. Indeed, Baidu picked up on that and have added a chat option to the map app. What this means is that as you track where your friend is you can talk to them at the same time.
My only true issue with having a plethora of chat platforms is that one can never remember when someone wrote something important and it needs to be checked. Where did you write down your address? Skype, Facebook, WeChat, and now Baidu maps as well? Too much.
Privacy issues
Now, this tracking system can only function if all parties consent to it. It can include more than two people and only happen so long as they are signed into their Baidu account.
This is somewhat reassuring if you suddenly realize you are maybe sharing too much of your personal info online. However, once you agree to share your localization with a friend, there is little justification for stopping it abruptly.
The true issue for many of us is that lying about how late we're actually going to be will become so much harder. Indeed, the phrase "I will be there in 5 minutes" will not work out as well if the other one can see that you're still 6 subways stops and an interchange away.
Baidu maps in China
Anyone who knows China a little will know full well that it is the most popular search engine in the country and is sort of the face of Chinese internet. However, its mapping service is only second in the country, it must concede 1st place to Autonavi, a company owned in part by tech goliath Alibaba and sworn enemy of Baidu.
However, Baidu maps has 80 millions users and if this new feature proves a success could amass quite a few more shortly.
Google More Successful than Baidu - Why?
2
May
May
Google has been going from strength to strength over the last decade while Baidu may have already reached its peak. These two companies are at the same place in their respective countries but not heading in the same directions.
Baidu's place in China
When it comes to search, Baidu is at the helm in China. Indeed, the engine takes on 80% of search queries on the internet here and its closest rivals are still light years away when it comes to numbers.
The issue is not so much with the engine but the platforms it uses. Baidu is still mainly used on static computers which have seen sales tumble as tablets and smartphones take up the market.
Google is not overly present in China as a search engine which may explain in part why Baidu's part of the market is as big as it is. Now, the greater issue is for the Chinese search engine to find new streams of revenue.
Google's success
Why is Google so successful? Timing and smart decisions seems to be the clincher when it comes to this mega-company.
Both companies make the vast majority of their revenue through advertisement online. However, Google invested heavily in mobile and other services and is now seeing the rewards of that risk.
Android was purchased in 2005, long before the iPhone hit our shelves and is now the most widely used mobile operating system in the world.
Youtube was bought in 2006 and is now a staple of the global internet and has been promoted to the rank of verb.
How to stay afloat
The problem for Baidu is that it exists in one of the most ferocious and ever evolving environments. It has been noted that the company has dropped value in its shares over the last year despite it being the biggest search engine in the country with the most internet users.
The future will be difficult for Baidu as it will seriously need to develop into a more multi-function platform in the way that Google has managed.
The rise of Baidu maps could be a step in the right direction for a business too heavily reliant on old-school personal computers.
Baidu's Take on Google Glasses
3
Apr
Apr
Chinese Baidu is hot on the heels of Global Google as rumors swirl around claiming the company is developing its very own brand of smart eye ware.
Baidu mimicking Google?
Interactive glasses is now all the rage as tech companies scramble to grab a part of the market. Indeed, if the rumors are correct, Baidu is making its own version of the Google Glass. Although I don't actually think they will market it that way "We're copying Google".
Baidu Eye as they will be known are to be worn in the same way glasses are and will be fitted with an LCD screen and can be controlled by voice.
Apparently, Baidu has got the intricacies of the device down pat and are now mainly working on the design and bulkiness. Do they become sunglasses as well? What are about people who already wear glasses? Will they make them in wayfarer shape? So many questions!
Further rumors have said that Baidu is in talks with Qualcomm to get a battery life of at least 12h. We can't have our Baidu Eyes failing on us halfway through the day!
Glasses Apps?
The same source has also hinted that the application will be a platform where 3rd parties will be able to develop software for the device. Genius way of getting free labour.
Now what will be truly interesting is how the Angry Birds app is played on glasses. This is going to make for some epic pavement crashes.
Although there is no end to the creativity of developers, one can wonder what type of apps will be developed for glasses. Will people be facebooking while walking down the street?
The Future is now
Although nothing has been announced officially, these rumors are most likely true. What is less certain is exactly how long it will take Baidu to put these little gems on the market.
If they leave it too late, they could lose all hope of making money off them as other companies sail on ahead of them and people are seen sporting their Google Glasses and Xiaomi visions!
Google Hotel Finder: A Game Changer?
26
Mar
Mar
Big news in Google Land (also know as the internet). Our favorite search engine has decided to ignore my pitch for a clothing line and has launched Google Hotel Finder service a few months ago. There has been a flurry of reviews and opinions about this search tool. The main questions being: who will it benefit and who is losing out?
It comes as its own miniature search engine on the Google results page. So, if you type in "kunming hotel" there's a few sponsored ads and THEN, this wonderful little search bar that gives you the chance to pick your dates and some pre-chosen guideline prices for different ranking hotels in the city of Kunming.
What's it all about?
Unlike other search engines and price comparison sites Google has the capacity to merge these two together.
This is what happens: You get a choice of prices, star ratings and availability. But you also get to check out where the positioning of the hotel actually is. Thanks to Google maps you can see its place in the street/beach/rainforest (clearly I have not been on holiday in a while) and so you can hone your search for the perfect hotel. As many say, there is much more that can go wrong with a hotel booking than a transport method.
It also includes Zagat and customer reviews all mangled into one space, thus making it extremely practical.
Who is gaining from it?
Well Google obviously. They may be a cool company, but they have not quite broached into selfless benevolence. Those who don't gain are the former top of the SERP list before this finder appeared. Indeed, now that the search box sits comfortably under the paid ad space but atop the start of the organic search results.
Those companies that are now half-way down the page instead of closer to the top may have something to say about this new layout. But what? It's not like they can call up the Google Hotline and demand that the old order be restored (cue that New Girl episode where Jess calls up the yellow pages asking for a number to have a video removed from Youtube).
It also evident that one of two results will have been pushed to the second page of Google, and we all know who visits the second page of Google… no one.
Other comparison websites
Those who will get clobbered by this recent innovation in hotel searches are companies such as Qunar and other hotel comparison websites. Indeed, their main value is offering customers their choices along with different amenities.
If Google already does the job they do and are sitting pretty on the results page and offer a selection of other services to go with it does not bode well for the direct competition.
Again, another example of why we should not rely solely on Google for everything as they control a little too much how we live online.
Is Baidu Bigger than Google?
19
Mar
Mar
When it comes to daily traffic, Baidu may in fact be larger than Google. Considering one is used all around the world and one is used almost completely in China, there could be a large discrepancy in the next few years if Baidu plays its cards right.
How much is Google getting?
According to les numbers of le Google (note my excellent grasp of the French language) they reach something akin to 100 billion search queries every single second! No, I lie, they deal with about that many queries each month. That comes to about 3.3 billion queries a day or 76 388 a second. Still quite impressive if you ask me.
Now it has to be said that Google is used in many parts of the world (incidentally, not in China), it is indeed a global search engine despite there being more localized search engines popular in certain regions.
Baidu gaining strength
The great Chinese finder rakes in something close to 5 billion queries a day. FIVE BILLION QUERIES A DAY is rather a lot.
Now, I know what you might say; China is like 20% of the world population to itself without even counting the greater region. China is the fastest growing internet user base in the world, China has one of the largest diasporas in the world (after Ireland, if one bases it on how many people were celebrating Paddy's day).
Fear not my friends, I was expecting these comments to come flying through. Baidu is indeed catering to a giganticus country but that does not change the fact that it taking in more traffic per day than the largest search engine in history.
It turns out that Baidu do have searches coming from more than 130 countries but an overwhelming majority of its users are indeed in the Zhongguo. That means China for those less versed in the art of mandarin.
Google as a game changer
In any case, whoever does have the highest number of search queries a day does not change the fact that Google will remain one of the internet game changers for a while still (see upcoming news of a Google clothing line). Indeed, the company is so embedded in our psyche that we've even started using the name of the company as a verb. Googling something is now a rather mundane act that does not warrant a reaction. I am not so sure Baidu has as much clout despite its slogan trying to make it out as a verb. Plus they don't have Google Doodles so I mean, how can anyone take them seriously?
How these companies decide to take on the future will decide who becomes the next leader of the internet.
New Head of Android at Google
18
Mar
Mar
Google has announced that Andy Rubin, who has been at the helm of the Android developing department is stepping down, overcome by his own brilliance and success.
So much Google
It turns out he is staying with Google and is planning to open a new chapter in the company. After Google Chrome, Google Phones, Google Glasses, what else is there to googlize? Perhaps a fashion line. It shall be called: Google Chic.
The King of this sovereign state web company has put forward Sundar Pichai to take the helm of Android, a tremendous risk considering the current success of the operating system under Andy Rubin.
Sundar Pichai had been manning the Chrome and apps division of Google until now. Could this news bring back rumors of a potential merge between Android and Chrome? I'll keep you updated folks.
Android's global success
As of today, Android is the most popular operating system in the world and plans to maintain its place at the top of the heap. Although Google have been impressed and happy with the results of their Android products, the reality of the market today means that they are going to have to continue to be innovative if they want to stick at the top.
If we take Apple for example; it went to global superstar when it was at the peak of its iPhone hype, but there is now building negativity around a company that is moving further away from its former top spot.
A heavy burden to follow
Sundar Pichai has an extraordinary legacy to follow as he steps into Andy's shoes. He will either do as well as him and keep Android alive, or Android will inevitably fall back as newer, better operating systems beat it. Either way, he will never get the recognition given to the pioneer Andy Rubin.
There are major changes happening in the world's leading web companies. Whether it is a coincidence or the sign of a need for renewal in a constantly moving environment is yet to be decided. For now though we should follow these new new leaders and see what they come up with.
Google and Qihoo Announce Partnership, Damaging to Baidu
22
Feb
Feb
Google the almighty and Chinese mega-company Qihoo 360 are partnering up, leaving out Baidu to fend for itself. Despite it still having a majority stake in search activities in China, Baidu should be a little worried about these two companies pairing up.
When is the great coalition commencing?
The partnership will most likely start within the beginning of 2013 (which is now!). Indeed, Qihoo's CEO had already made it clear the e-commerce giant was rather willing to work with other companies.
Another hint that the linking up will happen soon is the raising of search revenues for 2013 by analysts. They have gone from an estimated $62 million USD to $90 million USD. A massive jump considering we do not even have full details about this marriage yet.
No details yet
It is true that the two companies have stopped short of sharing any details about the upcoming association. Perhaps they are eking them out to make the whole announcement more exciting. Or they are trying to torture Baidu - which if true is hilarious.
What is Google playing at?
So what's the deal with all of this? Why is Google partnering up with a Chinese e-commerce company? Is this its way of eating into the Chinese market.
Furthermore, Qihoo has also launched itself into the world of search engines when it debuted its very first search engine in a bid to expand it's grasp of the internet beyond security - which is where it started.
And with Alibaba lauching it's own search engine recently - this part of the market is getting very heated indeed! More information about this parntership will be eagerly received for us all to get a good idea of what's happening the area.
Alibaba and Baidu in Search Engine War
21
Feb
Feb
Alibaba has launched a new search engine called aliyun.com and hopes to challenge Baidu and, to a larger extent, Google with this newest release.
The Battle of the Search Engines
The time has come when the most important declarations of war are those declared on the internet. It has begun people, WAR.
The largest e-commerce website in China, responsible for such wonders as the online payment platform Alipay takes pride in its status within China, and is therefore keen to show off its latest development and gage the reaction from users and competitors.
This new part of the company will be hosted under Alibaba Group's subsidiary named AliCloud. It will offer four main features: internet, maps, news and, of course, images. Now, although nothing else has been announced, there is significant scope for further developments for the brand new search engine. This is, after all, the very first version.
Alibaba's place among the big boys
E-commerce companies in China are at each other's throats; Qihoo notably launched its search engine so.com in the midst of last summer. This move was an attempt to chomp on Baidu's part of the market, and it proved successful with Qihoo jumping to second place on the popularity scale.
Baidu remains King of Search with 73% of the market share. Admittedly, slightly ailing compared to before. Poor Baidu, it has had the most outstanding growth for years and people just keep on complaining.
A more even spread?
As can be imagined, Baidu is fuming at this new development and Google is keeping a watchful eye on it from the top floor of its lair in Mordor.
Some may claim that a less obvious hegemony by Baidu is healthy for this part of the market. Remains to be seen…
The effect on SEO
What does this say about the Search Engine Optimization scene? As Google stays at the top of the top, we all learn their ranking methods and algorithms. However, if there are more search engines well surely that means more time discovering and figuring out how best to enhance a website for each search engine. This will be time consuming but inevitable as results depend on it. The office is buzzing with excitement at the thought of all this new learning.
Almost All Smartphones in China are Android or iOS
3
Feb
Feb
In news that will make iPhone and Android sellers rejoice, it has been discovered that the majority of smartphones sold on Chinese mainland run on either Apple's or Google's operating system; 98% of them to be exact.
They are calling the phenomenon a duopoly which sounds like Google and Apple have been in cahoots over this from the start.
In numbers
During the last quarter, Android was accountable for 86% of all smartphones shipped to China. Apple had another 12%, leaving the rest of the smartphone makers of the world with a teeny 2% to play with.
What competition?
If anything, the bosses at Windows are scrambling around trying to figure out why so many people want Android and Apple. And devise a plan to crack the secret to phone selling in China.
Blackberry, on the other hand is a lost cause because it can't even keep it's network from crashing to the ground and disrupting major political decision making. Just go home Canada!
Google the clear winner
Now obviously, because so many phone makers use Google's operating system, the 86% figure has to be separated out between the many different companies. This also explains why Apple only has a 12% stake. Because the one company makes phone and software.
The only place worth fighting for
There is no denying that Android and Apple are dominating the Chinese market and quite possibly most of the world's smartphone market. Because China is one of the fastest growing areas in the world for these products, there is little reason why companies should not concentrate on wooing customers over here.
53 million smartphones were sold in China in the final quarter of 2012. Dare I say that's a lot of phones.
