Google and their expanding empire
Today the first Google Android powered device was announced. It's an HTC G1 on the T-Mobile network. It will be released sometime in October. While I was watching this video, something struck me that I've never really wanted to think about. I knew it, but didn't want to pay attention to it. Google's reach is constantly expanding and consumers blindly buy into it. They offer an abundance of free, very useful applications that increase the productivity of daily life. Throughout the video, all the features/applications are synchronized with your Google account. With a Google account you can do a lot, from Gmail to purchasing things with Checkout, from YouTube to productivity suites with Documents, Reader and Calendar.
I've always been a fan of Google since they offer many free applications/services that their competitors don't or aren't even interested in offering. What we consumers have to keep in mind is that these free offerings are totally available for the sole reason of driving advertising revenue. After all, how would Google still exist without any income?
Back in college when Google's stock was about $350 per share, I did an extensive report from an ethical point of view. Based on the company's ethics, I recommended to my peers to buy their stock. After all, Google's motto is "Don't be evil".
Since then many new applications have been released. Their reach has grown far beyond what it was in the Spring of 2006. Back to the video. They're highlighting that you have access to all your Google apps right from your handheld Android powered phone. This is really great, but again, we need to remember that they're trying to drive ad revenue.
Suppose that they're motto is a fluke and they somehow were subpoenaed to turn over all their user data to courts to allow prosecution of their customers, for example? How evil would that be? A company like Google has so much user data in their databases that if it were hacked or otherwise compromised by a court of law, for example, their customers would be wide open to attack.
Imagine if you use Google Documents and Calendar on a daily basis for work related activities. Is it right for Google to turn over potential trade secrets to a court of law or prosecuting entity? Is it right for Google to track each user that watches given videos on YouTube and turn that information over to Viacom, for instance, so that they can be prosecuted if the content that the user accessed was copyrighted?
Advances in technology provides us with tough questions. I'm not so sure that we should be so tightly integrated with one company's services that they're linked to your mobile phone and go with you wherever you go. You'll never be disconnected from Google's database if you opt to use their very convenient, useful, and free services.
Just a thought to keep in mind... think about it.
The new Facebook
Many, many people are against the new Facebook design. I've read about it in my local newspaper, the Pottstown Mercury. I decided to see for myself if I like the new design.
Honestly, I don't see anything wrong with it at all. It takes a little time (no more than 10 minutes) to get used to. Frankly, if you can't get used to it in 10 minutes or less, you might be Petarded. You should welcome change, not be averse to it. I never understood why many people my age are so critical of their parents for being totally against change but end up possessing the same trait.
Anyway, when I use the new Facebook, I feel like my focus is trained a bit more. There are separate tabs for Info, Wall, Pictures, etc. If you want to visit a different section of someones profile, you aren't distracted by the other sections.
Also, since I'm not a big fan of Facebook apps, this separation of Profile subsections is great. I can view a person's profile without being bombarded by all their pointless apps that they've added. Apps usually fall under the Boxes tab or a completely separate tab to themselves.
In conclusion, I don't see the need to create a group called '1,000,000 AGAINST THE NEW FACEBOOK LAYOUT!' It just shows that you're supporting the ideals of your parents (or preceding generations) blind conservatism and changeless outlook to the future. After all, we're the technology generation and I'd say that Facebook is heavily technology oriented. Did you think it'd stay the same for long?
