One of the most frustrating things people encounter with search engines is doing product research.
Putting A Face On Consumer Product Reviews
Web 2.0 is an honor system where everyone expects the crowd to be noble and then becomes angry at the reality of honor systems. Anonymity is a ski mask for drive-by commentators. Though a rude blog comment is often nothing more than cursing behind the windshield, when the road-raged driver becomes a crusader outside your storefront, it’s serious.
Product Placement: The Difference A Year Makes
On August 18, 2005, I wrote about how I had seen some extreme Microsoft product placement in The Island, a Michael Bay movie starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson.
Product Planning and Apple Stores
I just had an evil thought. In every Apple store there’s several computers setup where you can get on the Internet, play around, basically do everything you want.
Zune: Really A Toshiba Product
In what comes as no surprise to anyone who looked closely, the much-hyped Microsoft Zune portable media device is pretty much a Toshiba Gigabeat S with added Wifi, a new OS, and different buttons.
Google/AP Deal To Spawn New Product
For many publishers and news providers, being included in the Google News index is a good thing. It’s a traffic driver. For the Associated Press, it’s another matter because AP content is syndicated in publications worldwide. Google has agreed to a licensing agreement with the not-for-profit organization to avoid further legal entanglements.
Updated Jabber Product Improves Messaging
Jabber, Inc. has launched an updated version of its Jabber Extensible Communications Platform (Jabber XCP) in the form of a 5.1 release. Features have been added and compatibility has been improved from the last generation of the software.
Ruby Product Gives Nod To Microsoft
New software called “Ruby In Steel” is set to come out later this year; according to its makers, it will “provide an easy, accessible Ruby coding environment for [Microsoft’s Visual Studio 2005] users.” One version, a “personal edition,” will be free. A “developer edition incorporating more advanced features” will sell for an unknown amount.
Microsoft Unveils New ERP, CRM Product
Microsoft has announced a new enterprise resource planning product, one that CEO Steve Ballmer thinks was both anticipated and unavoidable.
Googles Throwaway Product Strategy
It was curious last year when Google’s corporate philosophy suddenly had two omissions. The running mantra “Do No Evil” was sidelined, presumably, because the company realized that 800 lb. gorillas required some evil sometimes – success brings war and playing fair is a poor survival strategy. But Google also completely abandoned its other motto: do one thing and do it well.