Apple to Develop Search Engine?

[localoid]

Nonsense. When Google went online, there established players then just as there are established players today. Ever heard of Alta Vista, Lycos, HotBot, Webcrawler, Ask Jives, and many, many others--both non-commercial and commercial? Google rose to the top because it was the best available, not because it was on the scene first--because it was not.

Excuse me? I said absolutely nothing regarding "why Google rose to the top".

What I did address however was your naive contention that "developing a search engine is a very inexpensive proposition". It isn't. And anyone who thinks indexing something on the order of 10 billion Web pages would be an "inexpensive" undertaking hasn't a clue regarding the enormity of such a project.

In regards to " Alta Vista, Lycos, HotBot, Webcrawler, Ask Jives" and such -- yes, I've "heard of them". Since I was using the Net before they existed I also remember using them when they were all brand new.

 

[mysterytramp]

This long term AAPL holder disagrees strongly. What benefit would this have for Apple? Will it sell more Macs, iPods, iPhones or iPads? No, then what's the point?

It will sell more iPads if you consider that search will be to the iPad what iTunes is to the iPod. Like I said from the outset, I don't think Apple should do this. The OP's question was whether this was feasible. Based on Apple's resources in cash and talent, I think it's feasible. That it can fit into their overall business goals is icing on the cake.

I am sure that Apple could develop a search engine. It just won’t be nearly as usable as other search engines are. Getting to par with the competition is going to take massive efforts and funding.

While Google is the best out there, it's still a damn frustrating experience for most people. This could be an opportunity for Apple: a less frustrating search engine (Bing is trying, but like most things Microsoft attempts, it has lousy marketing).

And don't underestimate the enmity Google is building among content providers. If Apple came up with a search engine that shared ad revenue with the providers, the providers would then be in a position to close their sites to Google's spiders, almost forcing users to Apple. The Jobs-Schmidt feud ain't got nothin' on the feud Schmidt is building with virtually every news site.

mt

 

[maflynn]

It will sell more iPads if you consider that search will be to the iPad what iTunes is to the iPod. Like I said from the outset, I don't think Apple should do this. The OP's question was whether this was feasible. Based on Apple's resources in cash and talent, I think it's feasible. That it can fit into their overall business goals is icing on the cake.

Why, I see not incentive for someone to buy an iPad because it now uses an apple search engine instead of google. Even if that's true, the increase in sales could in no way offset the huge cost of developing the software and purchasing the hardware to manage the search.

Apple has been very adept at identifying strategic opportunities, where they can invest money and expect a decent return on that. Just look at the iPad as a good example, they pre-sold what > 100k on the first day.

 

[pdjudd]

Why, I see not incentive for someone to buy an iPad because it now uses an apple search engine instead of google.

Right. The notion that people buy the iPad based on the search engine used online is not one based on any evidence whatsoever. People use Google and stick with it because it can find what they want. That's all that matters for many people.

 

[mysterytramp]

Why, I see not incentive for someone to buy an iPad because it now uses an apple search engine instead of google.

Sorry, but I think my analogy is being misconstrued ... I don't think people buy iPods because they have a strong brand loyalty to iTunes. iTunes is just the tool that gets music and audiobooks into an iPod. Likewise, search (Google, Bing or this mythical Apple search) is what will bring content to an iPad.

Users won't care care much on the brand name on their search; they'll just use whatever offers the best experience. Apple certainly has the arrogance to believe it can offer that, and it might have enough money and talent to do so. To me, what's most important is the fear among folks like the New York Times, SI, Time and even your local newspaper that Google's business model will hasten their demise.

If you want to see the cool demonstrations of tablet media come true, those companies are going to have to invest in labor, and they won't if they think they won't exist in some quarter 'round the corner.

Apple *could* (not saying should) create the search that ensures media companies (the iPad's lifeblood) will stick around, or at least think they'll stick around.

Unless you think someone is going to drop $400 for a gizmo to watch YouTube videos. I'm not that bullish.

mt