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As a Google shareholder this is great news, but now I'm starting to feel that the market is underestimating the chance that someone simply builds a better searc
by MarkMc 10y ago
As a Google shareholder this is great news, but now I'm starting to feel that the market is underestimating the chance that someone simply builds a better search engine.
For example, here are 3 search queries I recently performed where I found Google's results lacking:
1. What is the best Thai restaurant within 10 kilometres?
2. What companies have a market cap greater than Microsoft?
3. Does Android track my location by default?
In each case I don't want to see a list of web pages - I want a single one-sentence answer (like I would get for "what is the height of the Eiffel Tower?"). Something like Wolfram Alpha on steroids.
No doubt Google is working on this problem, but what is the chance someone else beats them to it? And how much damage would it cause Google if they do?
- Gustomaximus 10y agoAlso consider ads. If you look at the progression of Google search page, it's not uncommon for a laptop/mobile screen to be entirely ads. Basically they have trained us to search for ads. It's possible one day they'll take this too far and there will be a better alternative. While I dont think it is likely , if these things aligned Google could realistically lose a big proportion of their business in a few years. It would be brutal.
- killerdhmo 10y agoHeyo, I tried the "Best Thai Restaurant near me" and got a result with a list, pins on a map, etc. So, it could be a query thing. (screenshot) https://www.dropbox.com/s/lr01wno3aqskoan/Screen%20Shot%202016-07-28%20at%206.13.04%20PM.png?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/lr01wno3aqskoan/Screen%20Shot%2020... This worked across desktop and mobile. You're right, that it doesn't handle specifically within 10km, but I thought I would mention it if it was an acute need!
- killerdhmo 10y agoHeyo, I tried the "Best Thai Restaurant near me" and got a result with a list, pins on a map, etc. So, it could be a query thing. (screenshot) https://www.dropbox.com/s/lr01wno3aqskoan/Screen%20Shot%202016-07-28%20at%206.13.04%20PM.png?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/lr01wno3aqskoan/Screen%20Shot%2020... This worked across desktop and mobile. You're right, that it doesn't handle specifically within 10km, but I thought I would mention it if it was an acute need!
- dredmorbius 10y agoMy understanding is that this is precisely what services such as Google Now (or Apple Siri, or Amazon Echo, or Facebook's Faceless Voice) are addressing. True conversational interfaces, ask question, get answer. (Also true integrated global persistant vocal surveillance, but that's another matter.)