Google vs. Facebook and Twitter? |
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The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, reports this morning that Google is set to launch a dedicated module in Gmail that will let people share and view status updates from friends -- turning the free email service into a more direct rival to Twitter, Facebook and other social networking services.
As the WSJ notes, Gmail users can already alert contacts to their status in the program's built instant-messaging module. The new feature, expected as early as this week, would be more similar to the dedicated stream of updates and messages provided by existing social networking services.
Sometimes new features can be overblown as a competitive threat, but the potential for the search giant to rival Twitter and Facebook is generating lots of attention already. "HUGE!" declares internet entrepreneur Jason Calacanis. Clearly Google is one company with the potential to buck the trend we identified in this story: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn get free pass from potential rivals.
The Wall Street Journal mentions possible integration of alerts from Google's YouTube and Picasa into the Gmail social-networking stream. One additional point is that users of the company's Google Reader service can already follow each another and share links and messages related to the stories they're reading.
When you start to think about Google's far-flung online ventures in that way, it makes sense that the company would attempt to stitch them together more tightly through something akin to a social networking stream.
Google's move could also have implications for Microsoft, which previously announced plans to let social networks integrate their streams into its Outlook email program, through a special module.
Marchex COO Pete Christothoulou is leading the effort to transform the strategy and culture at the company. In this role he clearly sees the people he’s surrounding himself with as a key competitive advantage. Here’s a small sample from a recent Q&A with Pete:
What kind of person succeeds at Marchex?
• You are world-class or have the potential to be
• You will do the work yourself vs. constantly delegating/waiting
• You are a team player
• You have a sense of urgency
• You have a competitive spirit
• You are respectful
Read more from Pete at http://www.makehistory.com
Seattle’s One of a Kind Urban Rest Stop is Celebrating…
1,053 miles of toilet paper…
29,000 loads of laundry…
541,000 showers…
AND
10 years of providing something everyone needs –
A Nice, Hot Shower, a Shave and a Restroom
All Wet for the Right Reasons!
What: 10th Anniversary Party
Date: Saturday, August 28th
Time: 10:00am to 3:00pm
Place: Urban Rest Stop, located at 1924 9th Avenue in Seattle (between Stewart and Virginia)
Info: www.urbanreststop.org and www.facebook.com/urbanreststop
Is My Business Out of Control?
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