Google: Your new phone carrier?

I wonder if Google might be stumbling into anti-trust law ... it seems to be monopolizing a lot of things or being some sort of conglomerate

In 2008, Google put in a bid to buy wireless spectrum to provide mobile Internet access -- spectrum that ultimately went to Verizon (VZ, Fortune 500) for its new 4G network. Rumors that Google is buying up "dark fiber," broadband cables that have been laid but are not in use, have been widely circulated, though never confirmed.

Connecting customers: In February, the company announced that it will become an Internet provider of "ultra high-speed broadband" for up to 500,000 customers for a U.S. city. That project is still under development, but Google is about to start testing its service out at Stanford University.

http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/30/technology/google_wireless_carrier/index.htm?iid=EAL

CES 2011: RealNetworks Steps Past Apple & Google to Offer Cloud-Based Music

http://www.nytimes.com/external/readwriteweb/2011/01/06/06readwriteweb-ces-2011-realnetworks-step-past-apple-goog91313.html

Looks like RealNetworks is going to beat Apple and Google to the punch by offering cloud-based music sometime in the early part of this year. This service will allow users to purchase their music and keep it stored in the cloud so that they can access their music from anywhere--mobile phones, PCs, tablets, etc.

People have been waiting for Apple or Google to offer this service and there have been lots of rumors that Apple was going to announce a cloud-based music service last year especially after the purchase of LaLa, a company that provided services to users by taking the music on their PCs and putting it on the cloud so that they could access their music from anywhere.

We'll see if Apple and/or Google can finally deliver this service sometime this year. I wouldn't be surprised if Apple finally was able to deliver such a service, but it will be another round of tough negotiations with the music labels before this becomes a reality.

Priceline: What does Priceline have to do with Microsoft, Apple, Google and Facebook?

My research company is on Priceline. I have been using Priceline for a while on my travellings, mostly on hotels. I did some research on how to do better and more efficient bidding. It takes a bit of time, but it was a fun process and I feel that I am always making a deal - most of the time.
I might post some tips on how to do some better bidding if there are any interests.

Anyways, below are some information on what does Priceline have to do with Microsoft, Apple, Google and Facebook?


Microsoft and Priceline Partnering

Microsoft® Advertising worked with Priceline to create Bing™ travel campaigns focused on budget-conscious consumers who still needed or wanted to travel. Priceline had a brand awareness advantage in the name-your-price budget market based on its commercials featuring William Shatner as “The Negotiator.” Microsoft Advertising search specialists helped Priceline optimize for Bing Travel by launching campaigns that featured top travel search destinations on the decision engine.

http://advertising.microsoft.com/priceline-case-study

Apple has a PriceLine Widget

PriceLine Widget allows you to find a hotel via your Dashboard on PriceLine.

http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/travel/pricelinewidget.html

but some apps may be better than others...
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/priceline-helper-bidding/id405143884?mt=8

Google: Google acquisition of ITA Software, Jeffery Boyd of Priceline sees “opportunity

the Priceline president and CEO said if Google buys ITA Software and leverages the technology to deliver better-qualified customers to Priceline and other online travel agencies, then Google’s foray into vertical, travel search would represent an opportunity for Priceline.

Boyd said Priceline would be willing to pay more to Google for such better-qualified leads.

http://www.tnooz.com/2010/05/18/news/priceline-no-fear-and-loathing-about-google-ita-software/


Facebook - Apps for Priceline in Facebook but also being sued for Patent infridgement Priceline is currently have facebook apps and also is suing facebook for patent infridgement. There could be complication in partnership where you share too much information. There may be some gray area in this type of relationships when technology/algorithm is key to ones business.

http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=16289913689

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-11-24/facebook-sued-by-inventor-behind-priceline-com.html

In-Car Search: Waiting on Google

During the much anticipated Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas yesterday (1/4/11), Toyota unveiled Entune. According to Toyota's website, "Entune is a revolutionary in-car experience that keeps you and your Toyota connected. It’s never been easier. Just download the Entune mobile app to applicable phones, and you can access a variety of in-car applications from your phone. You can control the applications by using the touch screen or voice commands." See the Entune website for additional specifications: www.toyota.com/entune

Or check out the video:


To some, the interconnect-ability (made up word :) ) is a no-brainer. With the rise of smart phones and other devices that enable users to access the internet, it seems like surfing the web or syncing your mobile devices to your vehicle should have occurred a few years ago. But, as we collective IS829-ers found out today, Ford and GM have only made minor strides towards synchronization.

Toyota's unveiling of Entune established a partnership with Bing: named the "first deal to provide in-car search capabilities," according to Search Engine Land.

Bing has struggled in the Search industry where they have 10-15% market share (if they're lucky). The Toyota partnership is most recent in Microsoft's attempt to compete with search-giant Google. On August 24, 2010, Microsoft partnered with Yahoo! to establish the Search Alliance which resulted in Bing-powered organic and paid search results that appear on both Yahoo! and Bing search results pages. Check out the Search Alliance for more information.

Bing was the first "in-car search" mover. What do you think Google is up to?

Google always seems to be at the forefront of technological innovation and I am certain they have something up their sleeves. I wouldn't be surprised to see an Android-based platform for automobiles that allows a user to sync their Android phone with the vehicle's OS. Google could seek a partnership with GM but the auto-industry giant may be conflicted given GM's OnStar service. Google's GPS navigation app could eliminate OnStar's popular turn-by-turn feature.

Whether Google partners with GM or not, they better have something brewing.