Forbes wrote about the potential importance of Google Talk: By distributing the program, Google could also cash in on its core business of helping Internet users find information, selling advertising space on those search results. Ultimately, Google could charge advertisers extra for a “call me” button, providing consumers with a direct link to call a business they find in a search. Imagine searching on Google for details about a local restaurant and calling for reservations without leaving your search results page The true promise of Google Talk –and the company’s likely goal–is to eventually provide full telephone capabilities, and to make a user’s Gmail address their primary point of contact, on or offlineBy using the same identifying name for several different kinds of communication, Google hopes to put itself at the center of all of its customer’s communications.
Phil Windley builds on the concept of Identity: Google’s strategy is based on becoming the Internet OS and integrating commodity components (i.e. Linux, OS X, and Windows). Google can’t build an integration point without an identity strategy and their identity strategy has to include synchronous messaging and presencethings they get in spades and on the cheap from a IM system built on XMPP.
The Pondering Primate wrote about Googles decision to link a Gmail ID with the users mobile number:
Looking closer at Google’s Talk, I realize they are in the process of dominating the mobile space as well. One of the ways to get GoogleTalk is is if you have Gmail (or are invited for a Gmail account).
Now you can get a Gmail account AND GoogleTalk if you just give Google your mobile number. What a smart way to not only to get people to sign up, but to get a mobile phone number database.
Things I see Google does with this if they create a mobile messenger.
Google would have a permanent search window on your mobile for search, IM, or VOIP.
Google SMS would be incorporated into this search window.
Google would keep track of all of your mobile search requests in your Gmail that you could review later on the big screen.
See an interesting product and want more info? Type in the barcode or take a picture and send to Google SMS. Get info back on the product and that info is stored in your Gmail account under “Things I Mobile Googled Today”.
The Pondering Primate had this to say about Googles purchase of Android:
Would you download a Google toolbar for your mobile? Instead of going to http://www.google.com, you had a little search box that you could type a search query in.
What if that search window incorporated GPS into your search query?
What would Google have to offer you, to make this part of your mobile screen?
Do you see where this is going? When you agree to download this mobile toolbar, you have given Google (and their clients) permission to advertise to you.
Think of taking Google’s keyword revenue model and DOUBLING IT by offering a mobile version.
Tomorrow: Googles Intent (continued)
TECH TALK Internet Tea Leaves+T
