Tagged Microsoft

Browsing all posts tagged with Microsoft

June 10, 2010
By Simren Deogun
2 Comments
in Business, Digital, Thoughts

Google Slowly Introduces Chrome OS To The Masses

Well, at least in my opinion. In a very Bing-esque styling, Google has atypically changed its design approach to an option that will undoubtedly be compared to their biggest competitor.

So, what's the reason, Google? My guess is that with Google's Chrome OS on the verge of release, the great Google geniuses are giving us a taste of what it might feel like. Without Microsoft, without a desktop, without all those PC (and Mac!) familiarities, Google has to bridge the gap.

Step one seems to be to introduce the "wallpaper" to Google -- thereby transforming your Google homepage into a desktop (or into a desktop-like experience!).

Now, you can customize your Google experience, just like you can currently customize your PC or Mac experience, but, of course, without all the burdens that come with bloated operating systems, such as applications and features you don't even need. This will most certainly be Google's future pitch for its shiny, new OS!

Does Google's new homepage enhance your experience or is it just another web-based distraction? It is smart, though, I will contend. As almost everything from Google is. Even when we doubt Google's zany new offerings in the beginning, as we did with Gmail and are now doing with Buzz, Google has consistently outwitted our skepticism. The geniuses are testing the waters, sharks abound. For me, I have a take-it-or-leave-it attitude for the wallpaper, but, for the masses, I predict it will grow to be a fan-favourite!

February 17, 2010
By Simren Deogun
No comment
in Business, Digital, News

Google Buzz Or Microsoft Outlook Social Connector

What is Google Buzz?

Google Buzz is a social media sharing experience inside of Gmail, which includes public or private sharing, inbox integration, photo-friendly sharing, connectivity to Twitter, Picasa, Flickr and Reader, real-time updates, and delivery of content based on Google's recommendations.

What is Microsoft Outlook Social Connector?

On the flip side, Microsoft Outlook plans to roll out a bevy of social media integration options with its 2010 Outlook Social Connector (OSC) release. As reported by Mashable, the OSC will include integration with Facebook, LinkedIn, and MySpace with, I'm sure, more options on the horizon to be announced.

Buzz vs. OSC

Google Buzz isn't worth the time and it will add the most value for those heavy Gmail users (that use Gmail as a primary email client and/or are working in the client for multiple hours a day). For those high-level users of Gmail, Buzz can offer the advantage of a single-stop, integrated experience.

In order for this integrated experience to be truly representative of the current social media landscape, it would require the inclusion of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Digg, and all of the other major players. What this creates is a feed system (much like Google Reader) that aggregates ALL, not some, of the social media content being made available by those you want to follow.

Microsoft Outlook Social Connector wins (despite the poor branding). That is, they win if Buzz is unable to secure the same big names (and I mean all the big names) to integrate with what should be the ultimate aggregated social experience.

Microsoft Outlook owns market share at 39% as the primary email client of choice. Gmail trails in with a much lower 5.5%. In a business environment, Outlooks is critical to almost all work-related tasks. It is the core communication point for internal and external communications. Employees are immersed in it for at least 8 hours a day. An integrated social media experience within the primary email client of choice is a marriage for success.

The disadvantage for both OSC and Buzz in a work setting is productivity. If OSC secures Twitter alongside the others, then it poses a significant threat to worker productivity what with the number of distractions suddenly multiplying exponentially. Gmail, also used within work settings, poses the same problem with Buzz.

Employers could, of course, prohibit usage of these services but we all know the social clients mentioned above are just a click away in any web browser.

Are either of these social media integrators worth your time? Do you immediately have preference for one over the other simply based on brand and experience?

What I think the most pertinent question to be asking is: Will this equation of Email+Social be the next phase with social media or will an unknown third-party, comprehensive social media aggregator eclipse Google and Microsoft?

November 1, 2009
By Simren Deogun
No comment
in Business, Campaigns

‘Windows 7′ vs. ‘Mac vs. PC’

One of the most widely entertaining marketing rivalries in years: which side are you on, Apple or Microsoft?

On October 22^nd, everyone in the tech community was awaiting the official release of Microsoft's eagerly (though atypically) anticipated new OS -- Windows 7. Vista, Microsoft's previous OS release, was a flop, so they needed to come back strong, arms flailing and voices loud to show Mac who's boss.

But, wait a second, what did Mr. Jobs and his Apple dominion do on October 21^st, well, they decided (perhaps a little strategically!) to release a new line of iMacs. Now with their updated OS, Snow Leopard, incredible wide screens boasting better-than-HD resolution and with plenty more GB and GHz to please the masses.

Less than a couple weeks later, the following two ads popped up on TV:

Message: Microsoft's back, better than ever and this time they've listened to what their consumers want and have successfully delivered.

Message: Apple, instead, banks on Microsoft's less-than-perfect track record of releasing one successful OS followed by one failed OS, as if on purpose .... 'broken promises'.

It's exciting to watch this battle unfold. Apple has always had the innovative, marketing edge from design to packaging to advertising to MacWorld and all the rest. Microsoft has had the market share with a big, bad wolf mentality.

But as Apple continues to grow and edges its way more and more into the enterprise space both it and Microsoft face considerable challenges. How does Apple sustain its high quality level of innovation? and How does Microsoft break a path of inconsistency and broken promises?

July 15, 2009
By Simren Deogun
1 Comment
in Business, Uncategorized

Bing Me Baby – The New Google

Countless reviews and comparisons have taken place concerning the new Google vs. Bing feud so this post will ask you to consider what YOU think. Check out this site that provides side-by-side results of the two engines.

Someone everywhere will be telling you why Bing is better or why Google can simply not be matched in the search game. But ask yourself this, does Bing have staying power?

Google took a word - a misspelled noun to be exact - and transformed it into a universal action synonymous with the act of search. "Give me a sec, I'll google it!"

Are you inclined to change that statement to, "Hold on, I'll bing it!" The choice is yours.

Has Bing impressed you? Do you remain loyal to Google? Or are you among the few that remain indifferent or still have allegiances with Yahoo or whomever falls into the 'other' category?

Microsoft reportedly spent hundreds of millions to develop Bing -- aka the next Google -- and are marketing it everywhere. But are they doing it well? With television commercials, online ads and word-of-mouth from Microsoft fanatics, it is certainly hitting the ears of the masses, but after the test drive phase wears off do you change your default homepage to bing.com or do you return to Google's understated plain vanilla webpage powered by some of the most sophisticated search technology available today?

Time will tell. BUT ultimately, you will tell. The power now lies with us. To bing or not to bing, that is the question!

Tagged Microsoft

Google Slowly Introduces Chrome OS To The Masses

‘Windows 7′ vs. ‘Mac vs. PC’

Bing Me Baby – The New Google

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