Why Google Plus won’t hurt Facebook, but Skype will hate it | Hacker News Reader

Why Google Plus won’t hurt Facebook, but Skype will hate it

gigaom.com

62 pointsdavewiner14 comments

> One of the reasons why I think Facebook is safe is because it cannot be beaten with this unified strategy. Theoretically speaking, the only way to beat Facebook is through a thousand cuts.

That's not a reason, that's just an assertion backed up with an assertion.

> I don’t feel quite compelled to switch from Facebook or Twitter to Google

Well, neither do I, but I'm sure as shit going to try it, and make my friends try it too - and then I'll make an informed decision. And anyway, there's not necessarily any reason I'll need to stop using FB or Twitter - maybe I'll use all three, which would still be a win for Google.

I don't think people need to switch anything, and that's the genius of it. Pretty sure everyone "will be" on Google+ want it or not.

Well, so was every Gmail user on Buzz, but it didn't exactly made it a success.

Huddle? Sparks? Hangout? Such flamboyant names!

Don't they realize their greatest hits have always been dull names: Google Mail, Google Chat, Google Apps, Google Search. OTOH their failures were just as flamboyant: Buzz, Wave, Knol... Is that the work of some expensive branding consultants?

But I hope Google+ catches on. FB needs some competitive pressure to start getting their act straight.

"Google" itself is(was?) rather unconventional.

The "Keep me posted" link on their home page returns a 404:

https://www.google.com/intl/en-GB/+/learnmore/notifyme.html

A bit strange to see a rookie mistake like that from Google, given the fanfare over this thing.

I have a bad feeling this is going to be like Wave - those people who do get invites have nobody to talk to so by the time everyone else gets invited the interest has peaked.

I really hope not, though. Facebook seriously need competition.

Worked for me earlier and works for me now. Either it was down temporarily or you've got something else going on.

>"I personally think Skype Video can easily be brought to its knees by Google Plus’ Hangout."

That's not much of a reason.

Not to mention that Skype has a lot of business users. I don't see them migrating to a social network.

Or that Google often limits the geographic scope of services to the US.

Why not?

Step 1: G+ is integrated into Google Apps for Business. Every business account is tied to a G+ account.

Step 2: Departments use it for communication. The CEO uses it for top-down communication. It's no more or no less secure than email as it is, but it gives a better way to manage what was once email groups.

Step 3: Instead of maintaining a Skype address book and an email address book, it's all bundled into one. Conference calls are simple to manage, and how far away is screen sharing and presentation features?

G+ could, if Google were inclined, become a Skype killer, and a Lotus Notes killer, and finally become an Outlook killer.

Now, I'm not saying that Google has the vision, or that Google has it in their DNA, but it is possible.

We're a Google Apps customer and I'm chomping at the bits to get my hands on these new collaborative meeting features. We're spread out over two states and three cities. We live and die by Skype, but outside of screen sharing, Skype's collaborative features are pretty weak. This looks really powerful.

Facebook will integrate Group Video Chat from Skype in a few weeks - bet on it.

Google would be better off targeting linkedin. I'm not even remotely enthused with what I've seen of this plus thing.

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