The fall of Dell was predictable. They're whole business plan was to essentially drive their profits to zero. Commoditize computer manufacturing. It worked while they were the first, but there are a lot of companies that are perfectly happy running on lower margins than Dell can survive on.
Much better to have the Apple model-- anyone can outsource their business, but not everyone can continuously innovate.
At least Apple, unlike google, actually produces a product, does R&D, and contributes something rather than just sucking up other peoples work and selling advertising.
I think you're selling Google a little short here-- they do a tremendous amount of R&D, and they produce one of the most valuable products out there: quality search. The fact that they've really only got one revenue stream doesn't discount the fact that they have a stack of talent and have improved my life significantly.
There's a single product that could kill the entire Google business model: AdBlock. If it ever gets widespread adoption, watch that stock crash.
Now this is an interesting concept I hadn't thought of before-- with MS hating Google as much as they do, and owning the browser market, I wonder if they'd considered putting ad blocking into IE.
Split-adjusted basis around $5.00 a share, since we seem to be showing off.
I bought in around the same time with this strategy: once I've made enough on the stock to buy an iMac, I'll sell. You may be holding a bigger financial profit, but the stock I bought back then changed my life.
I don't think that was the point of the comment on Google. Even if it was, I would add that I believe Google is surfing a wave right now, but that I'm not convinced that they really know where they're going.
All I can say is I'm not convinced. I describe Google as a company with ADD. I see them heading off in all directions at once without really perfecting anything. Gmail is still in beta -- how many years later? Google Earth is a nightmare and hasn't been updated for some time. Maps still lacks some obvious features. I don't know anyone who uses their online applications. They do one thing really well, which has given them lots of money to pursue a wide variety of projects -- but where's the focus? Where's the desire to get something right before they take up the next thing?
I'm convinced they don't know where they're going, but they're making boat loads of money and seeding it everywhere they can. They're stock price has no where to go but down but they'll be remembered as a huge influence on the next decade-- not just because of hype, but because of their randomly targeted innovation.
In the same way the Dot Com boom brought huge innovation because the money was flowing without accountability, Google is accomplishing the same thing single handedly.
To some extent their frenetic development is serving the company quite well-- as long as they're seen as friendly, cool and innovative, people will use their one product.
Obviously they don't think it's done yet. Or maybe it's an oversight. Now, that would be even worse, no?
I don't work for Google, but it seems to me that the Beta thing is cultural. An indication that nothing is ever complete-- we're still innovating here. Or maybe a nod to their shareholders that it's not done because they haven't figured out how to make money from it yet.