Web 2.0 Summit 2010: Battle Ground for Facebook and Google

Article first published as Web 2.0 Summit 2010: Battle Ground for Facebook and Google on Blogcritics.

Two web titans Google and Facebook must be preparing their rank and file to head on with their rivals. Rivalry seems to be increasing between Google and Facebook for the domination in commercial internet. Amassing millions of users on the internet the two giants are going to present their new plans in Web 2.0 summit 2010, to be held at Palace Hotel in San Francisco for three days from November 15 to 17.

Titans’ Rivalry

Rivalry developed between Goggle’s search engine and social networking service giant Facebook, as they pursued to attract more number of users claiming information monopoly. It is actually a natural development when the market is limited. But, monopolies always prevent competition, making users deprive of new inventions at cheap costs.

While Google is famous for its instant search results, Facebook became famous in social networking handing several tools for users to interact among themselves. Google introduced a new phase to its search engine offering previews of the sites on the search results page itself. It looks crazy when it is known that many users of Facebook are clinging to their PCs even during their sleep in a bid of updating their conservations on Facebook whenever they get up from sleep. Facebook became an obsession to many younger users.

Google introduced “Google Wave” to make available all of its services on a single platform, but failed, as several such services already occupied the internet space. Eventually, Google had to withdraw from promoting Google Wave further. Official announce was made by Google a few months ago to that effect. Now, Google and Facebook are planning to cross their conventional platforms to win more space in commercial internet.

Google intends to enter social networking arena while Facebook plans to start its own email service dubbed as Gmail-killer within Facebook ranks, as reported by the Reuters news agency, quoting Techcrunch blog. Facebook may also provide “@facebook.com” email addresses to existing Facebook users. Last week, Google began blocking a Facebook feature that automatically imports Gmail contacts to Facebook site. Google says Facebook is not allowing its users to import and export of their information.

Aggressive Acquisitions

Google aggressively bought several small social networking sites to encroach upon social networking space. It bought online networking application maker ‘Slide’ in August first week as part of a drive to “make Google services socially aware.” San Francisco based Slide was launched in 2005. It was behind applications such as SuperPoke and FunSpace, which became famous on social networking sites Facebook and others. It develops games, widgets, and applications specifically for social media.

Google purchased Jambool, a virtual currency platform, launched in 2006. It allows users and developers to maintain virtual economies and monetize them. Jambool is a competitor to Facebook credits. Jambool is said to collect 6 to 10% of users’ transactions where Facebook is said to retain 30 percent.

Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt said in August that they acquired 17 companies in 2010 alone including Aardvark, reMail, Picnik, DocVerse, Simplify Media, Episodic, PlinkArt, Agnilux, LabPixies, Bump Technologies, Global IP Solutions, Simplify Media, Invite Media, ITA Software, Metaweb, Instantiations along with Slide and Jambool. Analysts say these are supposed to be potential components of “Google Me” a supposed upcoming social networking site of Google. But, strangely Eric says many of Google’s acquisitions are big failures.

After Eric’s announcement, Google went on to buy SocialDeck, a mobile game developing company based in Canada and Angstro that helps derive news and information from social media like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Web 2.0 Summit 2010

As per Web2Summit.com, the summit gathers the intelligence innovation, and leadership of the internet and media industries for a conversation. It says Google founder Sergey Brin may visit the conference. The summit is supposed to receive insights from best internet personalities. Jim Balsillie, CEO of Research in Motion (RIM), makers of controversial BlackBerry mobile phone, will also attend the summit, the site says. Over 50 leaders and global executives are attending the summit including FCC Chairman Genachowski, Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz and Baidu CEO and Chairman Robin Li.

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