Google Should Be Afraid.

[SwimSwim]

I agree on your point that Google wants to stop Metro before it even takes off, I wouldn't say Google is necessarily afraid. At this point in time, Microsoft, Google and Apple are all just way too big with too deep of pockets to fail.

Sure, they all risk a fall from grace (I.E: Apple in the 90s), but they will always exist in some shape or form for years to come. For Microsoft, they can always do well in business, at least for the next while. Google will be the search king for who knows how long, and if Apple ever gets to a point desperate enough, they can make iTunes available on more mobile platforms.

I digress, so going back to main point: Google isn't really afraid. Sure, they don't want to have to deal with more competition (especially with Windows Phone beginning to kick *** in the low-end market, where Android has reigned for years), they aren't really shaking in their boots either.

 

[MERCDROID]

Oh wow.

I like WP8 a lot... but that is an interesting comment.

Well, better is subjective. Microsoft's ecosystem works better for him than the others. So, technically, he's not wrong, lol.

 

[SwimSwim]

'm sure Google's interest in those patents was purely altruistic, you know, "Don't be evil"......

That slogan pisses me off, because Google has not stood by it. All their profit comes from mining and selling their user's data and giving very few privacy options, and then they go and refuse to develop for Windows (an action which Google very well knows will do nothing but hurt users of Windows, and try to compel them to switch to Android where they can get a more native experience).

Sigh, rant over... I just wish that slogan would die... Pretty much any time making profit is involved, especially on a corporate scale, some evil will be found. I don't mind what Google is doing, as much as I mind them claiming to be above "evil," and how everyone thinks Google can do no wrong.

 

[cckgz4]

Having an eco system is more than just having the pieces. I got a new windows 8 desktop and laptop (great sales at Costco) for Christmas and Tuesday got a Lumia 925 with the express purpose of tying this ecosystem you speak of together. I have had a microsoft account for a while for my son's xbox. Trying the all together is not as easy as it sounds. Lots of moving parts... Skydrive is a mess and slow when auto uploading etc, outlook.com versus outlook on the desktop etc. So while I see the potential, it just is not there yet. I consider myself pretty tech savvy too. Apple has a much better system for my macbook, iPad and iPhone. Android is easy because google makes the apps and they sync regardless of the device they are on android or iOS. I open Chrome on my macbook and it looks the same as the chrome on my android and my windows desktop etc. Google Drive or keep on my Android or iPhone, iPad etc. Seems like the only place you cannot get OEM google apps is Windows Phone. Maybe because Google is scared? I must say that I am not too keen on google trying to force google+ and hangouts onto everyone. I do not want to use those products but they are trying to integrate them so tightly that you have to use them...no thanks.

I agree that 2014 could be big for MSFT, but I think you overestimate things a bit if you think they are doing to put any dents in APPL or GOOG any time soon. Mobile is where it is and the next batch of new Nokia devices hopefully announced in March or so will show us if MSFT is going to gain any ground soon.

So far I am enjoying my Lumia 925 for it's camera but it is not a serious contender to a Google Now and Google Wallet tap and pay user like me. I will keep an open mind and we will see.

I use one note, SkyDrive with auto upload, and Xbox music. All works well on any device I pick up, or computer. Neither looks messy or horribly designed. Not saying they don't have quirks but they aren't a mess. All access music subscription, since I'm a music head, worked inconsistently on my LG optimus less than a year ago. Songs wouldn't play, wouldn't cache properly, and if I dared skip past any portion or rewind, it crashes or permanently cuts my songs off at that point with any listen. To add, new music I purchased wouldn't show up for about a week. Google has some nice knick knacks but their performance needs fine tuning also

 

[dkediger]

That slogan pisses me off, because Google has not stood by it. All their profit comes from mining and selling their user's data and giving very few privacy options, and then they go and refuse to develop for Windows (an action which Google very well knows will do nothing but hurt users of Windows, and try to compel them to switch to Android where they can get a more native experience).

Sigh, rant over... I just wish that slogan would die... Pretty much any time making profit is involved, especially on a corporate scale, some evil will be found. I don't mind what Google is doing, as much as I mind them claiming to be above "evil," and how everyone thinks Google can do no wrong.

Well, that's why I used it in that context. I remember Google from the beginning, now they're more reminiscent of Microsoft of the 90's.

Google wanted those patents for the same reason Apple did, make no mistake.

 

[Tre Lawrence]

Well, better is subjective. Microsoft's ecosystem works better for him than the others. So, technically, he's not wrong, lol.

Fair point.

I always look for the important qualifier "for me." We forget to use it at times.

 

[planoman]

I use one note, SkyDrive with auto upload, and Xbox music. All works well on any device I pick up, or computer. Neither looks messy or horribly designed. Not saying they don't have quirks but they aren't a mess. All access music subscription, since I'm a music head, worked inconsistently on my LG optimus less than a year ago. Songs wouldn't play, wouldn't cache properly, and if I dared skip past any portion or rewind, it crashes or permanently cuts my songs off at that point with any listen. To add, new music I purchased wouldn't show up for about a week. Google has some nice knick knacks but their performance needs fine tuning also

Thanks for the one note tip. Still trying to figure it all out. Since I only have a 16GB model I need to use x box music but it seems so busy, I like simple apps. I do use iTunes but it was all put there drm free from Amazon. I also use Google play music as the songs are matched. I guess I just need to have the x box music app on my desktop read the music from iTunes and then select match for the cloud and all of my song will be available on the x box app on my phone? Maybe I am doing something wrong but skydrive is very very slow on my device. I have a AC wireless network so I cannot imagine it being the network. Also trying to get photos to auto upload seems hit and miss...works well from computers just the Lumia I am having issues with. Also as a gmail user I am still working through not having a OEM google app. Using the Outlook app since my gmail is my MSFT account email also. Works ok but just takes getting used to.

 

[Kris Simundson]

Hmmm everyone here has pretty much echo'd my opinions, thoughts and rebuttles, so all I would like to say is,

THANKS
Sent from my Yellow Nokia Lumia 1020

 

[Blu3V3nom07]

I'm really hoping Windows Phone can triple their upward slope in the coming year. Not just have a steady growth, but really take off! I care from Blackberry and switched to Windows Phone with HTC Radar. My contract just ended, but phones are lining up so that most phones are not gonna launch until like April, or something. I really, Really wanna wait and see if that Sony Windows Phone lands over on T-Mobile. I don't wanna necessarily just jump onto Nokia, just because Whatever! I wanna give Sony a chance some, and I've already bought an XONE, so its not like I'm really jumping any boats any. What worries me a little is that HTC doesn't really wanna stay on the WP side, too much. I wouldn't be surprised if they just skip this year on WP, a folly mistake that won't gain them too much over on Android.

And Samsung is being strange again and seems to have Verizon WP exclusive, so that's whatever. Anywho, I'm sure glad I'ma stay on Windows Phone for next two years. I wouldn't have it any other way, and I'll help WP swing our way back to success!

 

[psudotechzealot]

I would not say afraid, but Google and their fans need to realize that WP is not going anywhere & Microsoft is in it for the long haul.

 

[SwimSwim]

I would not say afraid, but Google and their fans need to realize that WP is not going anywhere & Microsoft is in it for the long haul.

Indeed. I'm more than likely to stand by Microsoft and its Metro philosophy until its dying breath.

 

[TheJoester09]

Aren't those Nortel patents the ones that MS approached Google about joining in on the bidding with them, and Google basically told them to eff off and went their own way? The way I see it, Google is just getting what they deserve for their arrogance.

 

[Dantekai14]

That slogan pisses me off, because Google has not stood by it. All their profit comes from mining and selling their user's data and giving very few privacy options, and then they go and refuse to develop for Windows (an action which Google very well knows will do nothing but hurt users of Windows, and try to compel them to switch to Android where they can get a more native experience).

Sigh, rant over... I just wish that slogan would die... Pretty much any time making profit is involved, especially on a corporate scale, some evil will be found. I don't mind what Google is doing, as much as I mind them claiming to be above "evil," and how everyone thinks Google can do no wrong.

So, what you think about MS, some kind of angel. If you read about Rockstar , then you'll find MS is even more evil than Google.

and it's not actually evil, it's called business.

 

[Dantekai14]

Indeed. I'm more than likely to stand by Microsoft and its Metro philosophy until its dying breath.

Yeah! Just like Window Mobile, WP isn't going anywhere, I don't know when this site users becomes Google hater.

 

[radmanvr]

I've had windows phone for a year now and it doesn't bother me none that there isn't a youtube app. With that being said, I highly doubt Google is afraid but I do believe that they are not taking Microsoft lightly neither. Every competitor is a competitor.

 

[sym1a1a]

Yeah! Just like Window Mobile, WP isn't going anywhere, I don't know when this site users becomes Google hater.

Hey Dantekai, I thinks it really comes down to the two OS's approach, look at it this way, MS has made almost all of there proprietary software available to all of its customers regardless of the ecosystem they have chosen to use, both apple and android have access via apps to skydrive, office, xbox, onenote, ect, they have made it a point to ensure that even if you dont use MS based hardware you can still conveniently access all of their services, Google on the other hand has refused to make any app for the WP platform, cutting off their customers who, heaven forbid, chose a MS based phone, i think if Google rethought this approach and started to produce WP based apps, or at the very least, stopped interfering with devs to produce apps they themselves have declined to make the "hateing" would greatly diminish, it really picked up steam after the youtube fiasco with MS, googles approach was petty and quite disappointing from a consumers stand point, hence the strong anti google sentiment you see here, they really brought it on themselves.

 

[dkediger]

I'm the IT Administrator for a small-mid sized company. I get to decide where I want my email and other "cloud" type resources hosted. At the present, those are with Google Apps Business. Two general experiences in the last six months made me re-examine that choice and we will be making a change:

• GoogApps support on OSx. Frankly, its nearly as bad as on WP
• Google support of WP. Its just my phone, but I'm the decision maker. I have others who would try WP, but I won't push it on them with the minimal Google support.

I realize I'm only one, and I only affect 300 - some accounts. But objectively looking at the differences between Google Apps and Office 365/Exchange Online is nearly a no-brainer now. Yes, the Microsoft solution costs more, but the platform support is broader and the product offering is deeper. Google's antics give me no reason to believe they have any interest in broadening or deepening their product.

I'm also pretty sure I'm not the only IT decision maker working through these issues and looking at the offerings as a whole and not just at the mobile device level.

When it comes down to it, this is why I think Google is fostering the animosity towards Microsoft. Apple/iPhone is pretty much what it is, until Apple rolls an enterprise cloud service. iPhone users aren't likely to switch either because of the "inertia" built up in app/media purchases. Microsoft, on the other hand, if they're allowed a foot hold, imperils a lot of in roads Google has made in the enterprise services area.

 

[tgp]

With that being said, I highly doubt Google is afraid but I do believe that they are not taking Microsoft lightly neither. Every competitor is a competitor.

This is probably as accurate as anything said here yet. The competition goes both ways. Microsoft is certainly not trying to assist Google. And they seem to be crapping their pants over the Chromebook.

 

[EasilyTheBest]

I honestly think that Google is afraid of Microsoft and I also think that Microsoft is afraid of Google.
I think Google is trying to get their OS onto everything along with their office software, into schools and business. Microsofts main income's.
I see Microsoft finally getting Bing more market share and incorporating Bing into a ton of new things so its on every Microsoft product. Google's main income.
I think both companies know this and ten or maybe only 5 years down the line one of them will really be in trouble.

 

[radmanvr]

We all know Bing stands for But It's Not Google