Malik: Google involvement will worry Microsoft
updated 12:50 pm EDT, Wed August 30, 2006
Malik on Apple and Google
Yesterday's appointment of Google CEO Eric Schmidt to Apple's board of directors has created a ripple effect in the technology industry. Microsoft and other companies investing heavily in digital media should be especially worried, says technologist Om Malik. Though the alliance is strictly informal, both companies have technology and services the other could use to great advantage, challenging Microsoft's own efforts at media consolidation through its upcoming Zune player and store. Malik suggests the possibility that paid videos hosted on Google's website could be purchased through iTunes, increasing the focus on direct video sales instead of Google's existing advertising model. Apple's rival Microsoft has already established deals with video providers in advance of the Zune launch.
