The rumour mill is a good thing - if possible, it's nice to get a feel for what they're doing, and specifically what they're doing differently. Not, I note, for

The rumour mill is a good thing - if possible, it's nice to get a feel for what they're doing, and specifically what they're doing differently. Not, I note, for check-box copying, but to see how your products are going to stack up, and see if you're lacking big-time in one harea. For my tuppence (although I haven't been in this position yet), launch on time, and make noise. Even if they're making noises, a genuine usable product will speak louder. And even if they launch in turn soon afterwards, as the established service you could well ride the PR coat-tails. Of course, the longer you're established before they launch, the more likely you are to be cited as their main competition when they do launch. Kiko described this effect wrt Google Calendar here (which is a different take on the story than some I've heard): http://www.height1percent.com/articles/2006/08/18/actual-lessons-from-kiko http://www.height1percent.com/articles/2006/08/18/actual-les...