I love Google as a company but I am getting concerned that their pace of innovation is slowing down. This browser play is an old idea. We did it at AOL many times and struggled to make a dent into Microsoft’s monopoly position and we had a client and we could add a DLL into our code. We also owned Netscape. The work done by Mozilla and Firefox - which I played a direct role in with Mitch Kapor - is truly the only “alternative” play against Microsoft. Many hands make light work against a giant and I believe Firefox is the best alternative in the market.
It sure took a long time to get this product into market just as it did for instant messaging at Google. I think they have too many PhDs; too many levels of approval; and too many teams working on projects. This kind of launch is indicative that Google is slowing down and losing some if its edge and brilliance.
Google should be focused on life outside the browser. They should be focused on mobile and next generation computing. This move is the move of an incumbent that is financially motivated NOT consumer or technology- oriented. The browser wars are long over. The cold war has thawed. Live to fight another day and a more important battle.
