With Google's announcement that they are entering the operating system arena, I wondered if my prediction back in 2005 was coming true. Back then, when Gmail and Google Apps were in it's infancy, I told my Introduction to Computers classes that five years from then, one of two things would be said of Google. Either we would look back and be amazed how this upstart was able to revolutionize the PC industry and topple Microsoft or we would marvel at the resiliency of Microsoft to adapt to a new competitor's tactic and beat them at their own game. One way or another, it seems the final show down is quickly approaching.
Cloud computing is at the heart of this in my humble opinion. Both titans offer their take on Software as a Service (SaaS), yet nothing could be more different in each approach. Google continues to add features to their FREE services while Microsoft continues to leverage their SaaS approach on their Office software suite of applications. Most of Microsoft's services appear to be free, but in order to utilize the majority of the features of Office Live, you must purchase a copy of Microsoft Office and install it on your PC. The other people you wish to collaborate with must also have Office installed on their PC.
All of this brings me to the point of this Blog entry; what do you think will happen in the ongoing battle between Google and Microsoft? I don't know what the outcome will be, but maybe you do.
