Pop Quiz: Google In Talks To Buy YouTube
The rumors started this morning with a post on TechCrunch claiming that Google was in talks to buy Web video superstar YouTube. After that the Wall Street Journal and other major media plays ran with the story and the rumor mill has been buzzing ever since.
I am not going to speculate on whether Google will pull the trigger or not on this deal. Instead, I want to focus on some of the more interesting strategic questions this potential deal raises:
1. How would Google's acquisition of YouTube affect it's growing partnership with Apple? In August, Apple Computer announced that Google CEO Eric Schmidt would take a director's seat with the company. How will the YouTube buy affect this partnership?
2. Following On Question 1: Pay or play? Music videos and iTunes? YouTube already has a partnership with Warner Music to push music ads. Could Google -- and possibly Apple -- use this deal as a way to push music audio and video sales through the YouTube channel?
3. Technically Speaking: What will happen to Google's video player? Will it be replaced by YouTube's? And will Apple try to push QuickTime on the Tube?
3. Could this potential deal give Google the ammunition it needs to fight back the growing challenge from Microsoft?
4. How will Google handle the growing criticism of copyright infringement on much of YouTube's content? And will any crackdown destroy YouTube's appeal?
It's an open book quiz, guys, so feel free to take your time. And please, feel free to send me your answers: swellman@cmp.com. I'll publish the most interesting emails I receive.
- Stephen Wellman
Editor, Grok on Google
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No one seems to have noticed, but Microsoft actually launched a new search tool this week: Windows Live Search.
The revamped search engine focuses heavily on personalization, allowing users to customize their searched and even tease the engine into giving them results that more closely anticipate their search patterns. The new engine also offers improved results with greater relevancy.
EXTRA! Google is acutally pointing users to Windows Live Search.
PLUS! Nokia offers Windows Live Search on cell phones.
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