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Google/AdMob deal okayed

Dick Taffe — Fri, 21 May 2010 22:11:33 +0000

Despite concerns that Google could extend its Internet marketing dominance into the emerging field of wireless devices, federal regulators approved the company’s $750 million purchase of its mobile advertising rival AdMob. Law Professor Keith Hylton, an authority on antitrust law, said it looks like the right decision given rapid changes in the market such as rival Apple buying the third largest mobile ad network, Quattro Wireless. Besides, he said, Google doesn’t seemed worried about antitrust threats from the Obama administration.

“[Google] appears to have the administration working diligently on its side on the net neutrality issue, and that is probably worth a lot more than these relatively minor antitrust issues.”

Contact Keith Hylton, 617-353-8959, knhylton@bu.edu

iPad rival from Verizon/Google

Dick Taffe — Wed, 12 May 2010 16:53:06 +0000

Verizon and Google are teaming to develop a tablet computer in their combined effort to catch up with Apple‘s iPad and host AT&T. School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman, head of the Information Systems Department, is researching competition in business network and says this is a new form of competition — not between firms but between pairs or clusters of firms.

“The real question is whether it will be a Google-branded tablet like NexusOne or Android-OS running on multiple variations of touchscreen tablets manufactured by many different hardware vendors.”

Contact N. Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu

Google buys 3-D software maker Bump

Dick Taffe — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:54:20 +0000

Continuing its furious buying spree, Google has acquired Bump Technologies, maker of software that makes computer desktops appear to be 3-D. This latest acquisition by the world’s most popular search engine, says School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman, just intensifies the competitive battle between Google and Apple.

“Looks like Google and Apple may be defining the battle for user interface when, just a few years back, we would have expected Microsoft to do so.”

Contact N. Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu

FTC sniffing Google-AdMob deal

Dick Taffe — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:06:33 +0000

The Federal Trade Commission is reportedly preparing an antitrust challenge to Google’s proposed acquisition of the mobile-advertising company AdMob, and asked AdMob competitors about what the deal would mean for consumers. Law Professor Keith Hylton, an authority on antitrust law, says be weary of what the competitors say — even in sworn statements.

“If the FTC asks AdMob’s competitors what they think about an acquisition that might give the firm a competitive advantage by enhancing the efficiency of its service, what will they say? My guess is that they will say that the acquisition is bad for consumers.”

Contact Keith Hylton, 617-353-8959, knhylton@bu.edu

China counters Google

Dick Taffe — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:53:10 +0000

After Internet search giant Google redirected millions of Chinese users too its uncensored Web site in Hong Kong, the Chinese government countered by blocking access to the alternate site. Political science and international relations Professor Joseph Fewsmith, a China expert, says move by the government that insists on censorship wasn’t a surprise.

“I’m surprised Google thought there was room to negotiate on that [censorship] point.”

Contact Joseph Fewsmith, 617-353-6344, fewsmith@bu.edu

Microsoft, Google antitrust sparring

Dick Taffe — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:34:22 +0000

Google says Microsoft is waging a proxy war by hijacking lawsuits brought by third parties to crank up antitrust sentiment against it so that regulators clamp down on Google’s growth. Law Professor Keith Hylton says legal weapons have become competitive tools among big technology firms.

“I don’t think there are any angels left in the high-tech sector at this stage. The problem is that all of them will suffer if they do not take a firm, public stance against excessively interventionist antitrust regulation.”

Contact Keith Hylton, 617-353-8959, knhylton@bu.edu

Google may quit China

Dick Taffe — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:44:24 +0000

They’re still trying to gauge the fallout of Google threatening to pull its business out of China because of massive cyber attacks against the Internet-search giant. International Relations Professor Joseph Fewsmith, an authority on Chinese domestic and international politics, says this big news.

“It has obvious implications for all businesses operating in China. No doubt this will be one of several important topics Clinton will be discussing in China next week.”

Contact Joseph Fewsmith, 617-353-6344, fewsmith@bu.edu

Google & Yelp, maybe not

Dick Taffe — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:11:23 +0000

Talks have broken down after a flurry of stories saying Google was about to buy the online local search and business-review provider Yelp in order to expand search advertising opportunities. School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman, chairman of the Information Systems Department, says a Google acquisition of Yelp could benefit both.

“Yelp could play an important part to Google’s social media content and different from simply highlighting Twitter or Facebook results. For Yelp, it is about investment for growth and finding a good strategic fit with a company with traction.”

Contact N. Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu

Apple/Google co-opetition

Dick Taffe — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:01:48 +0000

After years of staying out of each other’s way and thriving, Google and Apple now fight over the same start-up acquisitions and develop competing products. School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman, chair of the Information Systems Department, says it embodies the shift under way in how companies compete in the era of convergence shaped by information technologies.

“Managers who fail to see evolving competitive landscape under conditions of convergence will find themselves trapped into rigid business arrangements. This battle should serve as a wake-up call.”

Contact N. Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu

Google blinks at publishers

Dick Taffe — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:20:11 +0000

Google has agreed, as a concession to publishers of paid content news, to let them limit the number of free articles accessed through the Internet search engine. Journalism Department Chairman Lou Ureneck calls it a positive development for the media indusry, and ultimately for consumers.

“The free traffic in articles that news organizations have put significant money into developing is unsustainable in the long term. This moves the Internet and media closer to a consumer-paid model.”

Contact Lou Ureneck, 617-353-4095, lureneck@bu.edu