Signal, Services, Segments Understanding Google’s Expanding Content Ecosystem

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Signal, Services, Segments Understanding Google’s Expanding Content Ecosystem John Blossom, Shore Communications Inc. 17 September 2014

description

A strategic review of Google's performance, platforms/products and projects, with competitive analysis, acquisitions analysis and recommendations for partnering and positioning.

Transcript of Signal, Services, Segments Understanding Google’s Expanding Content Ecosystem

Page 1: Signal, Services, Segments Understanding Google’s Expanding Content Ecosystem

Signal, Services, SegmentsUnderstanding Google’s Expanding Content Ecosystem

John Blossom, Shore Communications Inc.17 September 2014

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About Shore

● Content Marketing Strategists○ For publishing and content technology

products & services in enterprise and media markets

● We provide:○ Market research, intelligence & analysis○ Marketing strategy review and advice○ Go-to-market content and services

● Recognized:○ Twice-awarded EContent 100 Company ○ SIIA CODiE – Best Media Blog

shorecominc.com

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Google’s World

PerformancePlatformsPoliciesProjects

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Quantifying Google

Benchmarks of Google performance

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Google is the #1 global brand

● If there is a future worth having, people trust Google to deliver it

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Google is the #1 global search engine

● Rapid growth in developing nations will accelerate global market share

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Google is the #1 mobile platform

● Rapid growth in developing nations will accelerate global market share

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Google is the #1 computing platform

● Billions experience the Web mobile-first

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Google is the #1 Web platform

● Google Chrome dominant on PCs, #3 in mobile and rising

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Google is the #1 digital ad platform

● Maintaining a strong hold on revenue from context

Source: Statista

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Invested in the long run for success

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Invested in the long run for success

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Strong, but Stalled in the Short Run

Treading water as revenue streams shift slowly to new and broader sources and investors punish R&D, capex spends

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Strong, but Stalled in the Short Run

● Treading water as revenue streams shift slowly to new and broader sources

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What the top-line numbers tell us

● “Understand the world and make it more usable” works!● Google innovates rapidly, but being pushed into more and

larger acquisitions and R&D to sustain and grow markets● Mobile and Web revenue growth is restricted

○ Marketing solutions aren’t helping small businesses to grow fast enough to generate significant new revenues

○ Over-centralized social media and mainstream media restricting growth of quality content destinations

○ The Signal Economy is real, but infrastructure and services are still very immature

○ Regulatory pushback in large/developed markets● Best hopes focused on constant redefinition of markets

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Google vs. Competitors

● Apple: fading walled-garden position, Googlex-platform apps minimizedirect impact, a BMW in a Chevy world

● Microsoft: Huge investmentand restructuring to get backinto the game rapidly, strong brand growth and enterprise loyalty, but legacy and near-zero mobile share a huge challenge vs. Google

● Facebook: Stranglehold on mom, dad, small businesses and social marketers may loosen as Google attacks these, lack of sense-making for personal signals and Web content

● Amazon: Strengths are becoming weaknesses as Google’sdisjointed tools for business marketing & fulfillment mature

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Google Platforms 2014

Highlights and trends

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● Any device, any market● Signal-driven services● Openness that customers want● Fueling inter-platform services● Defines leading edge of

performance, innovation● Expanding premium content

offerings and mojo● Acquisitions and features pushing

into enterprise

The world according to Android

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Android: products for all markets

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Android: Not just for geeks and cheap

● Leading in specs and design○ Moto X rivals iPhone 6 for style and performance○ Nexus “X” (Fall launch) “spec killer”○ HTC One M8, HTC Nexus 9 Tablet (Fall)

● $100 Android One launched in India ● Flexible licensing strategy pays

○ Vendors mostly adopt Play Services○ Allowed to compete with own services○ “Pure” Android growing

■ Nexus/”Almost pure” models■ Google Play Editions■ “Silver”

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Android drives signal services

● Google Now predictive and voice-driven services (some appear in Notifications)

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Android & enterprises

● iOS 67% ent. share in Q214 vs. Android 32%● Samsung Knox MDM/EMM device management

integrated into base code● National security-cleared versions emerging● Acquisition of Divide for BYOD encryption and

work/personal contacts/content division● Google committed to fork of OpenSSL to address

Heartbleed exploits ● Google Drive Android apps provide more editing

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Android Wear

● Extends Android phone apps functionality● Voice commands/notifications/gestures focus● “At a glance” functionality

+ health sensors● Motorola, LG,

Samsung, Asus, more● Predictive services● Easy-to-customise features● All-day battery life? (varies)● Compatible with all Android 4.4+ phones

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Google Glass

● Full production availability for Explorer Edition● The only head-mounted full-function wearable -

but a niche market (new model expected)

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Is Google Glass a “fail”?

● The last “escapedproduct” fromSergey Brin?

● Extension of Cr-48 dev’t concept

● More apps!● The bleeding

edge “Corvette” tested system/apps for Android Wear “Impala”

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Android vs. iPhone

● iPhone 6 corners“iPhone but bigger”market

● Almost no featureinnovation, specsoften eclipsed by best Android devices

● Apple Pay debut is timed for 2015 rollout of smart bank cards in U.S., but Wallet does more

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Android Wear vs. Apple Watch

● Full apps run on Watch● 3 style levels● Early 2015 availability● Trying to do too much?● Works only with iPhones● Unknown battery life● DATED concept for

wearables compared toAndroid Wear

● Margin-building focus

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Android on the horizon

● Nexus X - “spec-killer” phone with 4K video● Nexus “9” - tablet w/optional keyboard● Android 5.0/”L” - enhanced battery life, ART

performance, Material design + multi-platform integration

● Android TV● Year-round new

products to buildmarket momentum

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Android TV - multiplatorm, multiplay

● Cross-content video search and curation● Emphasis on gameplay via phones/tablets/jstick● Chromecast integration ● Upcoming voice-command casting/auto-casting

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Android & Google Play services

● Near-equivalent content vs. competitors from audio, video publishers (can’t afford not to)

● Book publishers lag, but catching up slowly (Authors’ Guild suit impact diminished)

● Gamepublishers seex-platform &performanceopportunities

● Apps? #1

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● The dominant global Web experience● 64-bit across all platforms (V37)● Integrating Android Apps● Chrome OS growth● Mobile sensor APIs● Pushing graphics standards● Google Now integration● Android file system access● Chrome for Meetings● Edit Office Docs in Drive

The world according to Chrome

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● For all PCs, Android& Chrome OS

● Introduced in Version 37

● Enables better performance forgames, streaming, Native Client

● Enables Android apps embedding

Chrome 64-Bit = performance

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● Limited release (4 apps)

● Uses Native Clientsecure container

● APIs still developing● Keyboard or

touchscreen use● Available for secure offline use● Chrome as the universal OS? MSFT worried.

Android Apps on Chrome

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Chrome OS: More than niche

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● Early “it’s a joke” false analysis in media obscured growth as platform was refined

● Launches again and again with more and more platform partners

● Hits “can’t miss” price points● Touchscreen models● High battery performance● Truly viable offline use● Secure, zero-virus use● Wide enterprise use

Chrome OS extends Android playbook

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● Offline streaming support for video, audio● Multiple profile support● Google Now data cards integration,voice search● Android device downloads mountable via USB● Android-style on-screen touch keyboards● Android apps integration● More Web apps support (e.g., GoToMeeting)● More Web-based developers’ tools● New Chromebox models from ASUS, HP, Dell

Chrome OS grows features list

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● The gyro-sensitive, game-quality Web

Chrome - more graphics and sensors

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● Enterprise-grade streaming videoconferencing○ High-CPU Chromebox, remote, HD cam, speaker/mike○ Voice-activated and collaboration tools○ Compatible with many desktop/conference systems○ Starts at $999/room for hardware & service

Chromebox for Meetings

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● Heavily discounted, stripped models● Trial versions of antivirus, Office ● Launching at higher-than-Chromebook prices● Back-to-school

sales pushedback some ofChrome OS’2013 gains

● Enterprise salesremain strong

Windows 8 fights Chrome OS

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● Chrome’s pervasiveness on PCs may not translate to “ready for a Chromebook/box”

● Powerful, but Drive not yet a “killer” cloud app vs. Windows Office 365 as large enterprise standard

● Android integrationmakes enterprisesales much easier

● Mobile integrationemerging strength

● Web apps key

Will Chrome OS grow like Android?

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Chromecast: Pervasive cord-cutter

● 4+ million $35 units sold since 24 July 2013 launch● Now sold in 12+ countries● About 500 Chromecast-enabled apps, Drive streams● Right now it’s a Roku/Chromecast race for streams● Producers moving towards streaming over cable

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Nest: Sensing the home

● $3.2 billion buys a branding hedge, mostly● Aim is to have sensors and predictive services in

every room in the house● Product recalls, high pricing makes it a long-term bet

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Google+: The quiet social giant

● #2 network? stats “iffy”● Underused by marketers● Interest-based audiences● Android drives global use● Backing off author tags● Ahead of Facebook in

automated content curation, video + photos services● Google’s unbundled G+ services aped by Facebook

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Google Drive: x-platform, offline, APIs

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Gmail: More active + friendly

● Automated sorting of emails● More integration of media players,

Google+ profiles and content● Better ad context● Integration of data from emails into

Google Now data cards (e.g., shipping notifications)

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Google for Education: Classroom

● Automated sorting of emails● More integration of media players,

Google+ profiles and content● Better ad context● Integration of data from emails into

Google Now data cards (e.g., shipping notifications)

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Google Views: Curating Maps photos

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Google Fiber: Live and growing

● 1GB/s for $70/mo, 1.5MB free w/$300 install● Rollouts live in 3 cities, targeting 9 new metros● Already pressuring

cableco pricesdown

● FCC reviewingcompetitiveness ofISP marketplace

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Google and Amazon: Unfriendly giants

● Order fulfillment initiatives○ Shopping Express

(limited trial rollout)○ Google[x] drone delivery

tests in Australia● Streamlining, enhancing

support for small merchants and cloud services● Fizzling Fire phone and TV box sales offset by

media pricing leverage and YouTube-only originals

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Google Policy Trends

EU “Right to be forgotten”Net NeutralityPersonal identity and security

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Google and EU “Right to be forgotten”

● Expert panel implemented guidelines relatively rapidly, 91.000 requests for 328.000 link removals

● Doesn’t address commercial databases that have already scraped data into “dark” subscription sources

● Censorshipeasilybypassed

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Google and Net Neutrality

● U.S. Federal Communications received 1+ million comments on proposed Net Neutrality changes

● Google lobbied at first quietly for preserving “all-equal” access, then more prominently

● FCC likelyto expandneutralityprotections

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Google and personal data

● Secure HTTP and dual-factor authentication key tools for managing personal data securely

● Apple iCloud breach triggered late and incomplete dual-factor options, may have stifled iPhone launch

● Prioritizing search resultsfor HTTPS-secured sites

● But average person stilldoesn’t understand thedifferences well...

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Google Projects

Baseline Study health dataProject TangoAdvanced communications networksInteresting acquisitions

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Google Baseline Study: small, huge

● Intense digital health data collection from 175 subjects● Using a variety of sensors

○ May include experimental contact lens for diabetes data

● Goal is to verify clinicalvalue of intense healthmonitoring

● May define key servicesand standards

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Project Tango: 3D imaging for mobile

● Development prototype devices that scan spaces into 3D data models in realtime

● Applicable to mapping databases, motion-triggered apps and services, games, augmented reality

● New sensors promise3D data via one lens

● May surface in production productsas early as 2015

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Project Ara: Production Prowess

● Modular mobile phone chassis

● 3D-printable components

● Tailored production for modules and standard chassis

● 2015 debut

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Advanced Networks: web everywhere

● Titan Aerospace acquisition highlights interest in wide-area wireless/mobile network options

● Alpental acquisition to extend capabilities of gigabit Web connectivity more cost-effectively

● Short-term push in Africa for higher speedsin urban settings

● Rural strategies notrealistic so far

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Machine Learning: DeepMind

● Stealth startup acquisition focused on artificial intelligence (machine learning)

● More revenues in marketing and services shifting towards predictive analytics (The Signal Economy)

● Quantum computingmay acceleratemachine learningcapabilities

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Realtime Imaging: Skybox

● Evaluating satellite imagery for realtime “signals”● Applications to industry, traffic services, navigation

(is the parking lot full, etc.), marketing● Improved satellite resolution

powers detailed semanticimage analysis

● Applying lessons learned from other semantic imagingservices

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Semantic music curation: Songza

● Context-driven content curation with a human touch● Music genres follow your work/life patterns● Some tech may be applied to Google Play Music

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Summing it all up

The big pictureWhat it meansWhat we should do

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Google’s big picture

● Agile giant with long term focus and shortterm product execution

● Still a geek culture, butlearning how to make ita brand “plus”

● Still does “moonshots”but the target range is now more isolated from mainstream and productized more carefully

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What Google means for you

● Leverages open platformsto build valuable signal

● Redefines what’s interestingvia new definitions of content,markets and services

● Semantic context for datafrom anywhere is gold

● Investing in the “next 5 billion” aggressively

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What to do next about Google

● The era of the walled garden isn’t dead, but it’s not where the growth is - spend on success in the open/mobile Web and being relevant in the midst of its signals and services (as if you shouldn’t have already)

● Be at the forefront of cross-platform standards and services - before Google defines them for you

● Come to terms with the mistakes that you made in combatting Google - and move on

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For Follow-Up

PHONE(+01)203.293.8511

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John BlossomPresidentShore Communications Inc.80 Talcott Road

Guilford, CT 06437-5002 USA