9 Big Things Google Is Doing Before Year's End

Whether Google's performance this year will surpass that of last year remains to be seen. But within the next four months, Google has nine major issues to address.

1. Android

Android is the seed that Google planted in 2007, and this year is the harvest season. Reports indicate that the world's first Android phone, HTC Dream by HTC, is expected to launch on October 13th.

2. Applying OpenSocial to Google Apps

Google product application manager Rishi Chandra once stated that the OpenSocial API would be applied to Google Apps services such as Calendar, email, and documents. Now is the time to deliver on that promise.

3. Resolving YouTube litigation

The final outcome will likely be Google paying royalties to Viacom; otherwise, Google's video monetization plan will suffer a severe blow.

4. YouTube profitability issues

YouTube's revenue for this year is estimated to be only $200 million because only 4% of video content generates revenue for YouTube. Without resolving copyright issues, it will be difficult to solve YouTube's profitability problems.

5. Mobile and social network advertising

The mobile and social network advertising market holds tremendous potential, with Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Facebook, and MySpace all eager to participate, but results have not been satisfactory. Google co-founder Larry Page also admitted that social network advertising is a challenge.

6. Google web services

With one million servers and a large number of technical experts, Google should be capable of challenging Amazon in the web services market. Otherwise, Microsoft and Yahoo may catch up.

7. Upgrading search services

The emergence of specialized search engines like Wiki Search, Powerset, and Cuil poses a threat to Google. To maintain its 70% market share, Google must continuously improve its search business.

8. Resolving privacy issues with the government

Many of Google's products have faced privacy concerns, which is a headache for Google.

9. Retaining core talent

This year, Google, especially YouTube, has lost a significant amount of talent. To keep the company vibrant as it was before, Google must retain its talent.

Source: ccw.com.cn