When Google unveiled its instant messaging client yesterday, there was only one problem: Google Talk requires a Gmail account, which has been invitation-only since its beta debut in 2004. This changed on Thursday, however, as Google opened Gmail to anyone in the United States with a mobile phone. Other countries will follow.
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Member since:2005-07-06
I don't think Google plans to do anything evil with its information. I suspect they'll use it to build up a profile of each user, so they can return more accurate search results. As its advertising all works through its search capabilities, this will allow it to do a better job of targetting advertisments at users. This advantage should see them hold onto their current position as lead Internet advertiser.
Of course, this relies on users using Google for almost everything. This is why it seems to be setting itself up as a voluntary web-proxy. You've got Google home leveraging RSS feeds to give you your own custom webpage, the GDS sidebar keeping you up-to-date with your news-feeds (perhaps a later version will use the setup from your Google Home for its "Web-clips"), Google Talks takes care of IM, Maps takes care of travelling, Froogle shopping, and then Google Search for the rest of your internet needs.
This is what makes up the "Google Browser". It's not a normal web-browser, it's a collection of desktop and online tools that you use every time you visit the web. Basically Google relegates the Web-browser to the side-lines, and ensures that you use Google tools to find the content you're looking for. The web-browser is just an enabling technology to let you view the content Google (indirectly) provides.
There is a major problem though, particularly for people living outside the United States. Google's servers can be examined by agents of the US. I think they can even examine the data without allowing Google to notify its users. For citizens of other countries, which have far stricter data-protection laws, using Google tools involves waiving certain rights you have at home (although after the London and Madrid attacks, and the assasination in the Netherlands, many European governments are diluting these rights). This is the risk with using Google tools.
Personally, I'm an Irish citizen, and I don't like trusting my data to US companies (which has sold or lost personal data with an alarmingly cavalier attitude), but for basic personal stuff, I like Google.
Member since:
2005-07-06
Isn't anyone concerned with the fact that Google probably has the most complete database of almost every internet citizens life?
I mean imagine having access to the complete search engine history (and with google bar, the complete surf history) of a person, crossreferenced with all his/her personal mail and entire contact network.
The only thing missing is GoogleMoney and you'll be able to entierly map a person.
Imagine FBI and CIA just dropping their databases, why bother, google has it all...