Google: Arms Dealing in Weapons of Mass Destruction

Been thinking about the various fights against Microsoft over the years.

Apple went to war head on and failed. Linux tried “free” but their efforts were unfocused and uncoordinated.

Google took a different tactic. It’s seeded a revolution by handing out weapons of mass destruction to everyday people.

Rather than fight the war itself, Google took the role of “arms dealer” and started giving away weapons of mass destruction for free.

Those weapons?

Gmail, Google Docs, Google Analytics, Google Maps, Adwords and Adsense, Google Voice, Android, the Chrome browser, the Chrome OS…and others.

When you think about it this way…Google isn’t fighting anyone…and Microsoft is literally fighting everyone…very clever.

I never count Microsoft out, but one has to wonder how can they compete when everyday people have such powerful alternatives…or should I say weapons?

The Google Revolution and Sun Tzu’s “Art of War”

A year ago, we saw Google roll out the Chrome Browser, push energy behind Android and keep plodding along in their low key fashion of doing great things.

Today, we’re in the world of WinMobile failing, the Chrome OS around the corner, announcements of Android based netbooks and rumors of the Chrome OS rolling out soon in China on non-Intel processor machines.

Reminds me of Sun Tzu’s Art of War:

• “Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy’s will to be imposed on him.”
  
• “Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.”

Or more directly, don’t attack the enemy (Windows/Intel/monopoly) head on, instead go where they are weak (Mobile/Netbooks/open market).

Is there any question on we’re watching a well organized world revolution in progress?

No seriously, any question at all?

Chrome: Google’s Present To Microsoft

So the idea of a cake with a stick of dynamite in it isn’t new.

But what about the idea that Google’s Chrome is actually a “gift” in many ways to Microsoft? 

Let me explain a few obvious examples of what I mean. 

1. History has proven time and time again that Microsoft is great at taking competitors ideas, incorporating them into their own software and selling a bunch of copies.

With Chrome, Google just gave Microsoft a whole lot of ideas. 
 

2. Chrome signals a new paradigm for the future and possible scary competition to Microsoft. Ever the competitor, this “crisis” gives credence to the demand for “CHANGE” and is many ways a “license” by the public for Microsoft to take bolder steps than maybe they felt comfortable with in the first place. 

In other words, Microsoft can now go into “Battle mode”, making rapid changes, upgrades, etc. which will all more likely than not, be better for their users. 
 

3. Chrome is a great example of the concept of completely separating the app from the OS. Sure it runs “web pages”, but when normal users start creating little desktop short cuts to their “Chrome Apps”, people look at things differently.

Indeed, given the release of Chrome, it makes sense now for Microsoft’s to release a slimmed down Windows 7 OS that encourages users to run online apps using Windows Live, eliminating the need to bundle Windows Mail, Windows Photo Gallery and Windows Movie Maker with the OS. 

 

4. Chrome inspires new thinking and new creativity. Combine it with Android and “WOW”, everyone’s imagination is fueled. Beyond more ideas to copy, web developers and programmers everywhere are inspired by it.

It’s likely that some of that inspiration and new creativity has touched some of the developers at Microsoft too. It will be great fun to see what pops out of it. 
 

See the idea now? We already know Chrome was Google’s gift to the “ecosystem”, but it’s also a gift to Microsoft as well.

 

If you know of other examples on how Chrome is a gift to Microsoft, speak up and post a comment. 

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