NewsFactor.com’s article, Google Downplays Goobuntu Linux Rumor – Tech Trends – NewsFactor Network, is more rumbling about the possibility of Google selling it’s own operating system. Though I would certainly be among the first to try it out if they did, Google has made no public disclosure that they have plans to do so. Furthermore, with MacOS X being positioned as a great UNIX operating system with all the touchy feely GUI details the average consumer looks for, and able to run on at least two architectures, I imagine for Google to be competitive in this business would be very difficult. Don’t get me wrong, I use Linux and love it, but I also see why most people don’t. If you are just looking for a "Not MS" OS, why not Mac OS?
Today I finally downloaded Google’s Firefox Blogger Web Comments extension. The plugin searches the web for blogger articles relevant to your current browser location. Though it is not perfect, it often comes up with very relevent results. Though this is certainly a cool toy for random perusal of the internet, I am not yet sure it will prove very useful for targeted searches for information. I’ve found the pages it suggests to be convenient distractions from what my original search intent may have been. However, that being said, it certainly is fun and worth checking out.
This morning I lauded Microsoft for their recent unveil, Local Live, however, I somehow missed Google’s unveil, Google Transit. Though this is only in beta, and unfortunately only supports the Portland area, this is the extension to maps I have always wanted since moving to Chicago. This would be a huge improvement over the CTA’s current trip planner. I sincerely hope plans for expanding this project are short in coming. Nice job google!
As much as I hate to admit it, it looks like microsoft might be finally catching up to google with their map technology. Last time I checked Microsoft’s maps (a few months ago), they were barely supporting Firefox, were extremely slow, images were low quality, and the user interface wasn’t very intuitive. Today, I checked and their new Local Live is much improved. The images are much clearer, the sever response is much faster, firefox worked just fine, and they even include "birds eye" airial views.
This certainly gives developers at Google Maps an incentive to keep improving, and I am certain that they will respond soon with their own improvements. The competition is certainly clear as both have raised the bar for AJAX interfaces to new levels. However, it appears that Google’s is a little faster and supports more browsers. This rivalry will fuel more improvements from both companies, so it can only help the users, no matter which giant you want to see win.