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fjtorres · 02-27-2014, 12:48 PM

Google is now on their third pivot, looking for added revenue sources.
First they tried to do ad-supported software and services. Most never got past the betaware state.
Then they tried mobile OSes and software and while Android has broad adoption, their choice of java on Linux created an IP minefield that sapped most of the profitability out of android and has encouraged forks. (MS is reported to make more money off android than google. And now they have their own Android fork.) Small wonder Google is working so heavily on ChromeOS.
Now, Google is turning to robotics. Self driving cars, etc. Not a bad gamble.
They're doing fine but for all their tinkering and tech investment, the bulk of their money is still from selling online ads.

Going from one successful product to a fully diversified portfolio is a rarity. Lotus eventually failed; Word Perfect, Ashton-Tate, Borland, DEC, Apollo, Sun... some lasted years, a few lasted decades, but all eventually faced a market shift and failed. Apple itself came to within inches of collapse and is still vulnerable to unforseen market shifts.

Facebook is another big company looking desperately for a tighter grip on their good fortune.

02-27-2014, 12:48 PM	#70
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	Google is now on their third pivot, looking for added revenue sources. First they tried to do ad-supported software and services. Most never got past the betaware state. Then they tried mobile OSes and software and while Android has broad adoption, their choice of java on Linux created an IP minefield that sapped most of the profitability out of android and has encouraged forks. (MS is reported to make more money off android than google. And now they have their own Android fork.) Small wonder Google is working so heavily on ChromeOS. Now, Google is turning to robotics. Self driving cars, etc. Not a bad gamble. They're doing fine but for all their tinkering and tech investment, the bulk of their money is still from selling online ads. Going from one successful product to a fully diversified portfolio is a rarity. Lotus eventually failed; Word Perfect, Ashton-Tate, Borland, DEC, Apollo, Sun... some lasted years, a few lasted decades, but all eventually faced a market shift and failed. Apple itself came to within inches of collapse and is still vulnerable to unforseen market shifts. Facebook is another big company looking desperately for a tighter grip on their good fortune.