Google to Offer Video Downloads, Software That Rivals Microsoft's
As reported in the Wall Street Journal online this morning (and right in time for CES where Larry Page will be a keynote speaker)...
"Under the major upgrade to Google's video-search service, consumers will be able to pay to download and view videos, such as television shows, on their computers from Google content partners such as TV companies, people familiar with the matter say. Google plans to announce partnerships with some major players tomorrow, including CBS Corp. and the National Basketball Association, these people say. By virtue of Google's huge presence online, the move could place Google in competition with other emerging powers in Internet distribution of video such as Apple Computer Inc."
The video move had been a topic of recent speculation. See recent articles in Search Engine Watch
and MediaPost
And, in a move that will need some dissecting -
Google "also plans to announce Google
Pack, a bundle of software from Google and other companies that
consumers will be able to download and install on their computers, say
people familiar with the matter. That software will include the
open-source Firefox Web browser, a version of Norton AntiVirus software
from Symantec Corp., Adobe Software Inc.'s Reader software, RealNetworks Inc.'s RealPlayer multimedia software, Trillian instant-messaging
software from Cerulean Studios and Lavasoft AB's Ad-Aware antispyware
software. Google Pack will also include Google's own desktop search
software, Google Earth satellite imaging and maps software, Picasa
photo-management software, Google Talk instant-messaging program, its
Toolbar add-on for Web browsers and screen saver software."
WSJ LInk: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB113643814564838423.html?mod=djemalert (subscription required)
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