A day after Google launched its Chrome browser, the blogoshpere is abuzz with inImplications of this major release.
Chrome Provides Entry Point for "The Google Social Network"
Google is certainly interested in Social Networking. They released the Open Social API as a way to level the playing field and allow you and your profile to be free to join multiple networks, etc. Facebook and MySpace represent closed networks. Chrome could be a backdoor that allows Google to create a defactor social network. Facebook has already shown us how this could work. Starting around June, when you are logged into Facebook, you can see friends who are also logged on and you can easily chat with them, all from within the browser. Google could easily allow you to do the same across your whole online experience. Then they can leverage this into a defacto network by using the implicit social graph represented by who your have sent and received Gmail messages to or from.
Google could either leverage this as a private entry point, which would diminish interest and growth. OR they could combine it with Open Social to provide a completely open network where all social networks have to play on the same level playing field. I expect them to do the latter. Google has shown a definite orientation towards openness. Besides, it only further expands their advertising reach.
Chrome will be used on the Android Open Mobile Phone Platform
This provides even more of a threat to Microsoft. The so-called Smartphone has been a faithful extension of the Windows experience, and there is the problem. Smartphones are not so smart, or easy, or fun, or useful. Apple has shown what's possible by leaping far ahead. So far Android is yet to be seen, but the early leaked info looks so-so. Let's hope the reality exceeds the early info.
With Chrome as the browser, Google could be right there with Apple. Apple would represent the private platform. Google would represent the open platform.
Chrome Could Enhance Google's Ad Targeting
By owning the whole browser experience, Google could offer unprecedented targeted search results. If anyone can, it's Google. We could all be dead before Microsoft's Live search comes alive.
What do you think?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Do you think Chrome is the beginning of the end for Microsoft? Will Google force the future of Social Networking to be open? Will Google take over the whole web? Let us know what you think.