Go Google Geeks

6:15 PM -- Reports today suggest that Google is testing pre-installed software on Dell machines, hot on the heels of deals with Intel, Time Warner AOL, EMC, and Kazeon. (See EMC Googles Documentum and Kazeon Joins Google Program.)

This only makes sense: Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page seem hellbent on turning the whole world into one massive search engine. And in part, they're succeeding. Even my technophobe Dad, who took delivery of his first-ever home PC a couple of months ago, knew all about Google before he had even switched the machine on.

The firms relentless rise to power may be making some people nervous, but it also stands to benefit consumers, and I don't mean only 60-something Luddites. Anyone that turns the heat on Microsoft can only benefit the greater good. Competition, after all, is what really makes software vendors listen to their customers. (See Software Slump Is Deal Time.)

In the long term, don’t be surprised if Google eventually turns itself into a Microsoft-style technology behemoth, lording it over the rest of us plebs from the fastness of its Mountain View headquarters. But in the meantime, sit back and enjoy the disruption these guys are causing.

— James Rogers, Senior Editor, Byte and Switch

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