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Google Apps: You Can Run but ….

posted on October 19, 2009


google angel haloEver get the feeling that as Google announces more and more services for more and more people at more and more spots on the globe that there is less and less room to go without a primary colored logo looking over you?

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am feeding this animal as much as the next guy because I use a lot of Google’s services. Most of them perform just as advertised and they do allow virtually anyone from the single person shop to the multi-national conglomerate some form of relief from some traditional IT and Internet headaches. It’s just getting a little creepy when I sit back and think about how Google uses their blog to announce things in an almost casual fashion that most companies would be firing off press releases left and right about. An example:

Today, we’re excited to support this global momentum with the expansion of the “Gone Google” initiative to additional countries including the U.K., France, Canada, Japan, Australia and Singapore. We hope our messages — in train stations such as Paddington, La Défense and Shinagawa, and at airports in Singapore, Toronto, Dallas and beyond — help companies, schools and organizations learn all about the benefits of going Google with our enterprise products.

For those counting that’s on four separate continents. Geesh. I have to tip my hat to them though. They don’t stop pushing.

One thing the blog post failed to mention, however, are some of the significant outages that Google has incurred in recent months which makes them seem more normal. In other words, they are still all about hyping themselves and ignoring the soft spots. How about a little contrition by saying that “We are working on ironing out our issues while we plow forward with our full assault on the world”?

It’s an interesting position that Google is carving out in the world. You can’t live with and you can’ t live without them. They do more good than bad in most cases so it’s not that much fun to try to poke holes in their efforts. They are the most recognizable brand on the planet. Has it truly become a Google world and we are all just allowed to live in it?


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  • http://www.printglobe.com Kim.D

    Google offers a lot of useful services that are really convenient and helpful. Lately it just feels like Google is trying to become a part of everything. Seems like they should focus a little more on their current projects and not become spread too thin.

  • http://www.a451.co.uk David Hollands-Hurst

    I am starting to feel the same way. I have gone over to Gmail then Apps. It is all very easy and coming off Microsoft Office cold turkey was much easier than I thought. I do remember a time when Microsoft was in a dominate position but went with them until something better came along – and it did, Google. Will I still be around when someone can unseat Google?

  • Dave

    Google apps offer limited functionality. I run business myself and I have to rely on MS office for accounting, publishing, formatting documents, plus if Google experiences outages you are screwed. Cloud is nice but I prefer desktop apps more. Also may suggest Open office which is totally free.

  • http://aqunayo.info/ Aqunayo

    Google offers many useful services that really nice and very helpful and google has a very large share
    .-= Aqunayo´s last blog ..When and Where the Affluent Shop for December Holiday Gifts =-.

  • http://www.jefflazerus.com Jeff Lazerus

    This article is ill considered. Did Google kill your Grandma or something?

    You start by talking about Google being like Big Brother, then you take them to task for, apparently, promoting the things their marketing department should be promoting. AS IF they are going to promote what you call their “soft spots”. AS IF not a single other company in the world has such soft spots. Can you imagine CocaCola promoting the fact that it could rot your teeth and cause obesity?

    There are worse things in the world. You probably hate Apple as well. Marketers doing their job. The NERVE!

    • http://www.frankthinking.com Frank Reed

      Hey Jeff- Thanks for stopping by. FYI – I have become an Apple bigot (translation – I am ‘de-Windowing’ my entire life).

      As with all marketing it is important for those of us being marketed to to see through the rosy picture painted (i.e. Google is perfect and makes the world a better place without any issues). I’m just reminding folks of this.

      As for my grandmas both died many years ago and your concern is touching.
      .-= Frank Reed´s last blog ..Social Media Good Guys =-.

  • Ross Bradley

    “They do more good than bad in most cases so its not that much fun to try to poke holes in their efforts”.

    It’s partly true …. And of Google’s “Don’t be evil” ….HMMmm?

    Two short stories here, one a little oldish but both are very ‘relevant’, I’m sure that your many readers would agree, Frank.

    From The Sydney Morning Herald – JULIAN LEE – May 28, 2009

    “……….Anyone who buys keywords to appear next to queries entered into Google’s search engine will receive a bill from Google Ireland. After you have paid it, Google Ireland pays a fee back to Google Australia for services rendered.

    The tax goes to Ireland, where the corporation tax rate of 12.5 per cent is considerably lower than the US threshold of 35 per cent and Australia’s 30 per cent. That explains why Google Ireland reported a whopping €5.2 billion ($9.2 billion) turnover for the year ending December 31, 2007″.

    “Google Ireland is owned by entities based in the tax haven of Bermuda”.

    “Depending on who you talk to, estimates of the size of Google’s business in Australia vary from $600 million to $800 million”.

    “Google’s profit margins in Australia are among the highest in the world at 70 per cent, so the company is avoiding a possible tax bill in Australia of up to $160 million. Last year it paid just $3.9 million”.

    “The irony is that the very people Google sees as its future customer base – small businesses – are taxpayers”.

    See full story in the Sydney Morning Herald.

    http://www.smh.com.au/business/net-profits-the-tax-move-that-makes-goo gle-rich-20090527-bnqk.html

    And ..”Google Cries Poor, Loses Money in Oz!” (Wednesday, October 21, 2009)

    “GOOGLE claims to be operating at a loss in Australia despite having 90% market share”.

    http://www.searchengineroom.com.au/search-222-google-cries-poor-in-aus tralia

    RB

  • http://www.bathroom-review.co.uk Andi O

    I think on the whole what Google do is good. I do find it concerning though that they slowly seem to be taking over the world. How on earth are we meant to keep up with all these new things?
    .-= Andi O´s last blog ..Euphoria showers compliment chrome brassware collection =-.

  • http://jumbocdinvestments.com/cd_rates_blog ChrisCD

    The quote “Freedom isn’t Free” comes to mind. Also, “Nothing good is Free”. The fact is that the “free” apps from Google come with a cost. Mainly, they now almost everything about you. The new Google Tool bar even “graciously” tells me where I last visited with cute thumbnail images. A little bit scary.

    They do a lot of good, but then they also use their money do support things, not so good and they cave in when it is convenient to their profit making (China).

    Yes, I use a few of their services, but keeping a watchful eye is good. Although, I don’t think it would be possible to stop the Googlenaut at this point.
    .-= ChrisCD´s last blog ..Best IRA Certificate of Deposit Rates – October 2009 =-.

  • http://www.ezwebsitemonitoring.com/ Aaron

    It is a great strategy by Google. By adding more and more apps to their “suite” of offerings, they get you hooked into something that you will never want to leave. It is just like a bank signing you up for a credit card, checking account, savings accounts, auto loan, mortgage, investments, etc. The more they can get you signed up for, the harder it is to leave when you get mad about one of their products.
    .-= Aaron´s last blog ..Top List of DoFollow Blogs with mozRank =-.

  • http://www.siskiyouwebdesign.com Siskiyou Web Design

    What company out there brings up their shortcomings? When we put all our eggs in one basket, you will have trouble, redundancy can be good.

  • http://www.hyperoffice.com Collaboration Cathy

    Google indeed has found its way into our lives. If nothing else, we all use the Google search engine! But on the downside, the marketing blitz of big firms like Google and Microsoft makes us a little myopic to other good services that may be available on the domains they are operating.

  • http://www.travestigaleri.com travestiler

    thanks your sites

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