Sometimes things happen for a reason. And sometimes, things justhappen because. In either case, the newspaper industry appears to(still) be asleep at the wheel — the “just released: Google NewsTimeline, 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 (wonderingagain why it was that I continue to fly into Newark instead ofLaguardia though history has proved this not to be the wisest of choices), I read Robert Scoble’s increadly engaging and thought provoking postabout how the newspaper industry continues (seemingly) to just allowtheir traditional strengths and business models be disrupted by the newonline “order” – with Twitter being the new kid on the block makingwaves 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 slickfolks – type in a search term, and choose where you want to search,whether it be news feeds, video sites, or blogs, and before your veryeyes, you will get a “newspaper like” view where you can scroll “backthrough time” , neatly arranged and related articles for your browsingand research pleasure. Forget about going “back into the stacks”anymore and pulling all that source material…searching throughmicrofiche, or paying for that premium service from one of thenewspaper media firms. Google gives it to you for free folks, righthere, right now.
Is it just me that sees the “mind blowing” synergy that would beobtained 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 thatmuch further.
The only thing left would be “the future”. Think Google hassomething coming out in Beta that will predict that for us? I don’tthink so. But the future is being written by Google and other Web 2.0heavy weights. The question is, are the newspaper media execs reading?
I am. What about you? Pour me another cup of coffee…this show isgetting good folks. And we’ve got a front seat at the event. And bythe way, to bring the title into this story – yours truly “wasted”plenty of time in the days and weeks after Google Earth was firstreleased. 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 orcritical path. Don’t tell your project manager. And if you are thePM, hope you’re not overseeing any of my projects.