Web 3.0 & Google (Part 2)

Vertical Strategy Google has adamantly maintained that a magically simple, clean User Interface is part of its key to world domination. This year, however, we have started seeing a clear trend towards verticalization of the web. In fact, my entire Web 3.0 thesis is based on verticalization, and Vertical Search, in particular, is a key

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Web 3.0 & Google (Part 1)

Introduction Google is the world’s largest search engine and online advertising network. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. It is the largest American company (by market capitalization over $217 billion) that is not part of the Dow

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Web 3.0 & MSN (Part 1)

Introduction MSN is the all in one Internet portal of Microsoft. The Company has divided its core business into three divisions – Platform products and services division, Business division and Entertainment and Devices Division. The online services group comes under the first division. Microsoft, through MSN, has significant presence in the online business and owns

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Online Video Beneficiaries: Synthesis

Online Video is a clear growth market, and many parts of the ecosystem are benefiting as a result. I have done a series called Online Video Beneficiaries, which you can catch up on here: * Online Video Beneficiaries: Introduction * Online Video Beneficiaries: Polycom * Online Video Beneficiaries: Cisco * Online Video Beneficiaries: 3Com?

Murdoch Gets Dow Jones, Now What?

As expected, Rupert Murdoch has successfully negotiated for himself a position in the Business and Finance vertical with a crown jewel brand, The Wall Street Journal. Here’s my previous analysis on why this deal is a good one. I really like News Corp’s verticalization strategy. James Altucher asked Jim Cramer, “What’s the one thing the

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Google’s AdSense Revenues Vulnerable

How much is AdSense’s share in Google’s business? To find an answer we scanned Google’s balance sheet and cash-flow statement for the past year including those of the last quarter (Q2-06/2007). Predictably, there is no indication of AdSense’s figures. Analysts however maintain that the figure hovers between 37%-44%. A somewhat clearer picture emerges in the

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Rediff’s Acquisition Prospects

Rediff (Nasdaq: REDF) is reported to be in acquisition discussions with Google and Yahoo. The company’s stock moved up to an all-time high of $27.50 per share on July 12 from $17.94 on July 5. The trading volume increased to more than a million shares from an average of 50,000 share a day, and has

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Happily Bootstrapping: Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu (Part 4)

AdventNet provides a safety zone from which to launch Zoho, which is why I was looking to gain an understanding of the revenue and cash position of the company. While competition will be stiff from Google and Microsoft, as well as other CRM and group meeting companies, Zoho seems to have a unique philosophy of

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