Google News Timeline History – Biggest Time Waster Since Google Earth

Sometimes things happen for a reason. And sometimes, things just happen because. In either case, the newspaper industry appears to (still) be asleep at the wheel — the “just released: Google News Timeline, is in the “you gotta know” category – and just like my Google Insights post this, you need to read this. The difference here is, I'm not catching you up on “months old” news – this news is just hours old folks….you are “in the inner circle” on this one…Read on! As I sat here at Pearson airport (wondering again why it was that I continue to fly into Newark instead of Laguardia though history has proved this not to be the wisest of choices), I read Robert Scoble's increadly engaging and thought provoking post about how the newspaper industry continues (seemingly) to just allow their traditional strengths and business models be disrupted by the new online “order” – with Twitter being the new kid on the block making waves all over. But Scoble proves once again that he either: (a) has inside information no one else does (b) is that “that good” of a blogger and the rest of us wish we can be like when we grow up (c) all of the above… Why? Well no soon do I finish reading his post than I learn about Google News Timeline, just released today. This is slick folks – type in a search term, and choose where you want to search, whether it be news feeds, video sites, or blogs, and before your very eyes, you will get a “newspaper like” view where you can scroll “back through time” , neatly arranged and related articles for your browsing and research pleasure. Forget about going “back into the stacks” anymore and pulling all that source material…searching through microfiche, or paying for that premium service from one of the newspaper media firms. Google gives it to you for free folks, right here, right now. Is it just me that sees the “mind blowing” synergy that would be obtained if Google were to take over Twitter? Between Google, the “past” and the “present and now” of internet content would be a lock, and Google's position as “Content King” would be buttoned down that much further. The only thing left would be “the future”. Think Google has something coming out in Beta that will predict that for us? I don't think so. But the future is being written by Google and other Web 2.0 heavy weights. The question is, are the newspaper media execs reading? I am. What about you? Pour me another cup of coffee…this show is getting good folks. And we've got a front seat at the event. And by the way, to bring the title into this story – yours truly “wasted” plenty of time in the days and weeks after Google Earth was first released. This “new offering” is in the same category for me. Intriguing, Tempting and Dangerous – in particular if you have anything “else” you are supposed to be getting done on any kind of timeline or critical path. Don't tell your project manager. And if you are the PM, hope you're not overseeing any of my projects. 🙂 Liked this post? Browse through all my posts here. Thanks…Pedro Or better yet, Subscribe to my blog now!