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Part of Google's success is due to its secret algorithm, capable of delivering search results that are relevant to users, but also marketable to firms. The problem is that Google has the power to grow or kill any business by simply moving it up or down the hierarchy in search results. Some firms are starting to complain about fairness of this (especially the ones that partially compete with Google). However, it is up to antitrust authorities and end users to decide on the right tradeoff between convenience and neutrality of results.

Quite a controversial article, but interesting in that it highlights the deep challenge between the search-based paradigm on which Google sits, Apple's device-based one, and Facebook's network-based fundamentals. All in all, it shows a few interesting weaknesses in the company that seemed to be unstoppable.

One of the recent topics (or fads?) in innovation management is associated to "indovation", i.e. the search for low-cost products targeted to emerging markets, and the transfer of these solutions to industrialized countries. Is it an episode? Is is a trend? Is there something deeper that is worth researching and understanding?

The battle for smartphones is no longer a Symbian / Nokia vs.Microsoft affair. The two real competitors appear to be Apple and Google. However, it is interesting to notice that their strategy is markedly different, and depends on the underlying business model of the two companies. Apple wants to use cheap Apps to bring users to its devices. Google wants to use Internet access to bring users to its search algorithms. In any case, it is interesting to notice that both firms base their competitive position on a mixture of openness (to achieve reach) and secrecy/closeness (to make money).

Google has finally announced its long-rumored TV efforts at Google I/O. The experience will be search-driven, which is unsurprising given that, well... it's Google we're talking about. Users can enter search terms and get results from the Web and what's currently being broadcast on TV, as well as videos from YouTube and other sites. There will be a "home screen" where you can add bookmarks to your favorite channels, shows, websites, music, photo albums, and so on. Users are forced to choose between accessing the Web or TV, which is a loss for users. Google wants to combine the two into a "single seamless experience" by allowing users to turn their TV into an interactive experience with the Web As usual, Google is not making any of the hardware itself. In typical Google form, the company has instead implemented a remote control protocol that will allow third-party developers to build their own software for controlling Google TV from other devices.

What is going to be the next TV generation? Searching for the new paradigm and after revealing the 3D line, Sharp launches the new RGBY QUATTRON model. The technology utilizes a fourth color pixel, yellow,and enhances the RGB-technology. RGBY is the abbreviation for Red Green Blue Yellow used in some LCD high-tech screens, so not LED. Sharp is investing a lot in the launch of this new product as they really believe in the technology.

Yet another acquisition by Google. The company, also thanks to its impressive position in cash, has a long-term strategy of using acquisitions in order to grow its base of technology assets and competencies.

Google on Tuesday said it will acquire Global IP Solutions Holding, which makes processing software for voice and video over IP, for $68.2 million. The deal means that Google will own the voice and video conferencing engine behind its competitors' instant messaging systems. Global IP Solutions (GIPS) provides best-in-class voice and video processing in IP communications. GIPS enables its customers to deliver unmatched quality, with a faster time to market and less risk than alternative solutions. Its customer list includes Nortel, Oracle, Samsung, WebEx, Yahoo!, AOL and other key players in the VoIP market. The purchase of GIPS comes a day before Google's I/O conference. Given Google's acquisition of Gizmo5 and its existing Google Voice service, the search giant appears to be collecting enough assets to give Skype and others competition on the consumer and business fronts. GIPS's software can also be layered into Google Apps in multiple areas as a business collaboration tool.

Google's innovation strategy started out with mostly internal developments, then moved to related acquisitions - mostly to speed up innovation - and is now moving towards loosely related investment. However, this effort is not viewed as diversification but as getting a foothold in fields that now seem unrelated, but might not be in the future, giving the ubiquity of information technology