Computer software innovator, Microsoft has teamed up with the internet’s most innovative site, Facebook in the war against rivals, Google for internet supremacy.
Over recent months, Microsoft and Facebook have unveiled a series of partnerships, which included the integration of Facebook user data into the results of Microsoft’s search engine, Bing. Also Microsoft has merged the use of its Office applications into Facebook’s messaging service. This will permit users view, but not edit Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents within the browser instead of forcing them to open the files with a desktop application.
Despite these moves initially causing little threat, many tech analysts think of these moves as measures to help perfect Facebook’s vision to revolutionize the internet’s framework in more imaginative ways their Google rivals did in their rise to prominence. Such collaborative initiative is essential for companies looking for a boost in their revenue, such as Microsoft, to team with the social company rather than struggle trying to contrast its movements, as Google did with their failed social networking attempt (Google Buzz).
Microsoft’s relationship with Facebook tracks back to 2007 when they bought a 1.6 percent stake in Facebook for $240 million, beating out offers from Google and Yahoo. Microsoft sells search advertising and provides services via Facebook whilst integrating the social network’s Chat feature into its Windows Live Messenger product.
Experts surmise that important aspects of social networking such as posting links and “Likes” will improve the internet experience and, concurrently undermine the role of search which would cut into the core of Google’ success as an entity over this past decade. Furthermore, it would revive Bing’s services as they would link search results to user preferences, making the process smoother.
It will be tough to render Google unnecessary as the company’s advertising and mobile revenue continue to impress, reaching US$2.5 billion and $U.S 1 billion on an annualized basis as illustrated during their third-quarter conference call. Additionally, Google’s maintained that they possess an open system; allowing users to control their information and other companies to adapt their software accordingly. Facebook & Microsoft operate closed systems which tightly control user data.
Regardless, it seems as if Google’s reputation as an internet trendsetter is constantly being tested nowadays. With Microsoft becoming “friends” with the social media giant, it clearly outlines that the popular search engine may be in danger of becoming somewhat irrelevant.
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