There are times when the general public becomes so enamored with a company, product, service, etc. that it's dangerous. I think that in some regards, this has happened with Google. Note Well: I have nothing against Google. What I'm questioning is people's judgement.
When GoogleTalk was released a few weeks ago, it didn't really do anything new, except it had the "Google" name on it. It had some cute interface ideas, but overall really doesn't have much to it. Yet the public lined up like Lemmings to jump on the Google bandwagon. Why?
I think Google is the only company that could successfully pull off any number of products, including:
I obviously jest. Nonetheless, I still am baffled by the starry-eyed wonder people seem to have for Google. Yes, their search engine rocks. Their email, privacy issues aside, is feature-rich and innovative. But I never endorse cart blanche consumption of anything based on a company, product or service name.
When BitWise was first release three and a half years ago, one of the first questions was, "When are you adding emoticons?" This question is still probably the most-asked question about BitWise. Another popular question is, "When are you adding fonts and colors and bold and stuff?" Some people even seem to hold this against BitWise to the point where they don't want to use it because of it. I don't think these exact same limitations are hurting GoogleTalk, though. The question I want to ask is: Why? If GoogleTalk doesn't need emoticons, then BitWise doesn't either, darn it!
Honestly--my hats off to Google. They do some really neat stuff. But please, when the Google Virus comes along, I hope everyone has woken up enough to realize that just because it says Google doesn't automatically make it the best thing since sliced bread. Remember that Google was once a little guy, and it was then that they turned the search world upside down. There's lots of other little guys that can bring another "next big thing" if only we'll let them.