The Rise Of....

[allentrace]

Lately I have begun to notice my increasing dependency of specific Search Engine features that are not related to a search engine. For example my mail carrier is Gmail. If I need directions or a map I use Google Earth. If I want TV listings I use Yahoo TV. Etc... My question is that where do you think it will all stop at what point will these massive online companies and the best example is of Google's becoming an IPO reach there peak and what services will they offer?

[skroo]

Lately I have begun to notice my increasing dependency of specific Search Engine features that are not related to a search engine. For example my mail carrier is Gmail. If I need directions or a map I use Google Earth. If I want TV listings I use Yahoo TV. Etc... My question is that where do you think it will all stop at what point will these massive online companies and the best example is of Google's becoming an IPO reach there peak and what services will they offer?

It probably won't, at this point. What is likely to change, though, are both the types of and how the services are offered.

TV listings are a good case in point: my cable box already downloads listings from the cable company directly, who get them from... Well, wherever the cable company gets them. The same applies to PVRs, and even to some CD/DVD players. Push content to cellphones is starting to make inroads in this direction - it's just a question of getting content to them that's worthwhile.

As an extension of this, something that I've always thought would make a neat toy: a globe containing a projector in its centre capable of showing weather patterns, ocean currents, ice drifts, etc. anywhere on the planet by beaming them onto the underside of the map. IP-enable it, give it somewhere to download the info from, and let it go. Hell, there might even be real-world applications for it beyond interesting eye candy.

Basically, my gut feeling is that it won't stop, just that the content will adapt itself to what the market will bear. IPOs, failed companies, etc. - it won't matter, because someone will find the void and fill it.

[astcell]

I am sure many companies realized that the dot com to dot bomb meant that they needed y rely on standard business models to conduct online operations. Good examples of this are online sites that are gone such as etoys.com and pets.com. Some service like onlin grocery ordering with free delivery may be great in thought but to expensive to operate. Business are learning.

Those who are exclusively online such as Amazon and Google need to feel things out more so that places with brick and mortar business operations. Banks do well to offer services online and I know of only one virtual (online only) bank.

What will they offer in 5 years? Probably things that have not yet been invented.

[Beginner]

I don't really see an end to it either. In fact I can see services costing more $ in the future. Of course I am used to Microsoft.

[bascule]

I am sure many companies realized that the dot com to dot bomb meant that they needed y rely on standard business models to conduct online operations. Good examples of this are online sites that are gone such as etoys.com and pets.com.

pets.com filed for bankruptcy in 2000. PETsMART (the brick and mortar company) bought their domain.

[astcell]

pets.com filed for bankruptcy in 2000. PETsMART (the brick and mortar company) bought their domain.

Maybe I was a little muddy there. These two sites are examples of what NOT to do, hence they are gone.