Clash of the Titans Part 2: Google vs Facebook
Even as Google and Apple are colliding head on, Google is already setting their eyes on their next challenger: Facebook. TechCrunch recently revealed Facebook’s plans of incorporating a full email system, which if true, can pose a challenge to Google’s Gmail service. Both companies have taken large strides over the years to branch far past their initial products and services to become full one-stop shops. While Facebook looks to adopt email, Google is planning on adopting an update that will allow Gmail users to “share media and status updates with friends,” as reported by the Wall Street Journal, bringing it another step closer to Facebook’s and Twitter’s social networking territory.
As online services and companies continue to consolidate, stronger, more in-depth products will continue to develop. Google’s phone, the Nexus One (as well as other Android phones) already takes full advantage of the various other products out of Mountain View, including maps, text-to-speech, and instant messaging. Google Chrome (the OS, not the browser) and an anticipated Google Tablet are expected to follow a similar route. Facebook is in an unique position to step into the mobile market as well; with personalized databases of contacts, events, and personal data and a desire to continue their monster growth (now in the top 3 for largest online display advertiser), a Facebook-phone doesn’t require a huge stretch in imagination.
While several of these “big players” have played nice, allowing for cross-channel integration (Google services on the iPhone, Facebook/Google integration on Palm, Facebook mobile apps, etc.), as these companies begin to overlap one another, the market could possibly see a more segmented field, similar to what we see with Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo in video games.
This may leave the consumer in a confused position, however – even now, I sometimes wonder at the best way of reaching someone (Email? Facebook message? Twitter reply?).
Update
Google’s proud to pronounce the birth of their new baby, Google Buzz!