Null Agenda

So Microsoft is probably going to reveal its new Kumo search at D: All Things Digital event next week. According to leaked screenshots from a couple months ago it seems to focus on a left hand navigation menu that breaks down searches into a number of related queries. (more info at CNET)

This seems like it may be interesting to see if Microsoft can cut into Google’s search market share.  At the same time, I am thinking that Microsoft should probably concentrate more on  brand new and unique products. It probably won’t take much of an effort for Google or even Yahoo to mimic and improve upon what Kumo will offer. With the market share of Internet Explorer slipping (while Firefox and Safari grow), the market share of Windows Mobile slipping (while BlackBerry and iPhone sales grow), the many available popular open source office suites (not to mention Apple’s iWork suite) , and the popularity of the Mac platform among college students, Microsoft seems to be under attack on all fronts.

If Microsoft were to tackle an industry in its infancy (or one not yet dominated), I feel they could solidify their name in at least one more sector while making sure their current market share with their existing products holds steady or grows. Although there are a number of people who would love to see Microsoft fall off the face of the earth, a better result would be a reinvented and more agile Microsoft that we would all love to hate.

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There is no question that Apple has made a push into the gaming world with the iPhone and iPod Touch. The power of the devices coupled with the solid AppStore platform brought the gaming world to iPhone owners everywhere. This got me thinking that an Apple video game console would be an excellent fit into their lineup.

A goldmine is resting in the living rooms of consumers around the world for Apple. An AppleTV like device that not only gives you access to music, movies and streaming video via the iTunes store but also a game-focused AppStore where consumers can purchase, download and play games right on their sofa could be the must have device(if priced right) for any kid, teen, tween, or adult out there.

This could  also open the doors for developers to reach an even wider audience who haven’t yet jumped on the smartphone bandwagon, but enjoy playing games from time to time, as well as the hardcore gamers who live and die by their Xbox, Wii, or PS3 game consoles.

From a business standpoint, Apple would have the opportunity to not only compete with Microsoft on another front(against their Xbox), but also with Amazon and Netflix with their streaming services…all from one device. With big names like EA and Sega already developing iPhone games,  support from game developers already exists  on the Mac platform possibly even attracting more big name developers.

With the economy stabalizing, the current game console generation going flat in about a year or so, and the hype behind everything iPhone, I really think Apple has a golden opportunity to make a giant footprint in yet another industry.

I’m not the type to wait in line for a product, but something like this may have me camped out at a Best Buy.

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