TWIG - This Week In Google (9/2)

This entry is the first for a new series we are starting at CN. This is a weekly wrapup of the events that took place of significance for Google for the past week.

Google Image Labeler

Google launched a "game" called the Image Labeler. Basically the idea is that you help tag photos (which helps Google's search engine) and try to beat your opponent's score. Each time your tags match, you earn points. Looking at the high scores list, some of these players have been doing this non-stop!

It appears Google is licensing the technology for the game from Carnegie Mellon University. You can read the ESP Game information and then play the original game.

Google Book Search

Google launched a book search tool where you can download PDF documents of books that are out of copyright. Books such as: Shakespeare's Hamlet, Dante's Inferno, Aesop's Fables and more are available either to read online in a book-style format or for download as a PDF. What's happens to libraries now? Currently there are no ads within this book search but I have to wonder, are they coming?

Google CEO Dr. Eric Schmidt Joins Apple's Board of Directors

A press release snippet:

"Eric is obviously doing a terrific job as CEO of Google, and we look forward to his contributions as a member of Apple's board of directors," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "Like Apple, Google is very focused on innovation and we think Eric's insights and experience will be very valuable in helping to guide Apple in the years ahead."

In my opinion this news is simple, it means that Google search will be on the iPod very soon. (Just Kidding) I think this is great news as basically the two biggest anti-Microsoft companies will be able to share ideas in an executive forum. Google does everything bigger than the others and Apple does things better than their competitors.

Google and eBay Form Advertising Alliance

Google has scored the international advertising for eBay. The net result is when an eBay user searches for a product and no results are found, Google will provide search results outside of the eBay environment. This is similar to the deal eBay struck with Yahoo! for US site results. Since the eBay non-US traffic and purchasing is growing, this could become a substantial deal for Google.

Google Launches an Office Product

You can read about this launch in our earlier entry.

Final Comments

Google had a very busy week for the last week in August 2006. Spending and launching seemed to be the tone for the week. Google reminds me a lot of P&G in the consumer goods space in the "outspend" mentality. Google has the cash to buy or build to beat their competition, I am just hopeful they will not run too thin. A wise man once told me, "Focus on Your Strengths". Perhaps for Google, we have not yet reached the limit of their strengths.

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