Steve Wozniak warns that Google may become the 'Microsoft of the Future.'

[onehandle]

Wozniak is a highly respected, truly fair and balanced tech genius. He rarely says a bad word about anyone. If he says this about Google, I am really worried.

"I love Google but I'm afraid it has the chance to of becoming the the Microsoft of the future. You remember how Microsoft used all of their ownership of the operating system to take over the browser."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/04/steve-wozniak-on-iphone-i_n_670333.html

[customerserviceguy]

1. Theres still one big difference

Microsoft got its power from having an installed base. When MS made bug-plagued hackable software, most people didn't suddenly reformat their hard drives to install Linux. Those who had already started up the learning curve of Windows/Office/etc. were more likely than not very reluctant to switch over to something else.

I cannot think of anything that Google offers that would be that 'sticky'. Anybody can switch their default search engine in a heartbeat, and since they all work pretty much the same way, it can be done rather painlessly. I'd say that was probably true for any sort of apps that Google offers, too.

[RKP5637]

2. Google is the surveillance empire of earth. None thinks those free apps are

done because Google is nice, I hope. They have a massive agenda and it's very cleverly executed.

Steve Wozniak is correct, Google may become the 'Microsoft of the Future.' ... except I would say "will become."

Also, none should forget that Eric Schmidt is also a genius.

[snot]

3. We shouldn't be trying to rely on any private company "being good" just 'cuz they feel like it.

Rather, our laws and agencies should ENSURE they're motivated to stay good.

[Rage for Order]

4. I've been making a conscious effort to use Bing more often than Google

Thereby ensuring that the 'Microsoft of the Future' is the same one as the 'Microsoft of the Present'. At least Microsoft's nature isn't disguised. And Bing has cool pictures too.

[onehandle]

5. Me too. Bing has a more modern feel than anything Google.

Bing is very unMicrosoft. Surprisingly good.

I've been going back to ol' Yahoo too.

I avoid all things Google and have been making a conscious effort to stop saying 'Google that.' Not going to say Bing that either.

I search.

[Rage for Order]

7. I'll use Yahoo search for something quick and easy...

When I basically know what I'm looking for: something like a business phone number or address, for example. Otherwise I go to Bing. And installing any company's toolbar on my browser is simply out of the question. Sorry Google and Yahoo; I may not be the brightest bulb in the chandelier, but I'm not the dullest either (or did I just out myself as such with that last statement?)

[havocmom]

6. "may"? "future"?

Big Googly Brother is the devil