During his CES keynote tomorrow at 4pm, Google co-founder Larry Page is expected to announce details on two rumored product offerings:
* Pay-per-download content through Google Video, including programming from CBS and the NBA.
* "Google Pack," a software bundle that looks, walks, and quacks a lot like the beginnings of a web OS.
A Wall Street Journal article (Link, paid subscription required) broke details this morning, citing a source familiar with Google's plans. Tim Beyers at Motley Fool provides astute analysis here, including thoughts on how tomorrow's anticipated announcements might relate to the company's rumored plans to offer a sub-$200 thin client computer. Saul Hansell's New York Times piece (reg-free link) compares the company's video-related plans with those of competitors Yahoo and Microsoft. And in Technology Review, Eric Hellweg dissects the "Google Cube" rumors (Link).
A Google rep I spoke with this afternoon said the company would not confirm the contents of the WSJ article or related reports, deferring comment until tomorrow's 4pm announcement. Author and Boing Boing "band manager" John Battelle will no doubt have much to say on his blog after that time.
Update: I'll be a guest on ABC's "Good Morning America" Friday for a segment exploring what announcements from Google, Microsoft, and others this week mean for consumers.
Reader Comment: Damon Haidary says,
I've found some small evidence validating the 'Google Pack' rumor that some of your more impatient readers might like. After reading the post I immediatly hit pack.google.com (as I'm sure a lot of people did) and noticed it redirects to a beta tester login page for the new offering.
The first time I attempted to login it gave me some error about not being able to auth because the service is down. Now all it gives me is "invalid request".
If there's no truth to the pack news then why bother with a redirect?
It's hardly a 404. :)
Reader Comment: Punk Sergeant in Fallujah found proof in Iraq that Google really does want to take over air, water, and food, too:
I found this water over here in Iraq. Currently, I'm serving over here in Camp Fallujah, Iraq with the Marines. I work with TCNs (Third Country Nationals) on regular basis for supplies and contracting issues. One day I was talking to contractor and I happened to run across this bottled water.
Yes, it is GOOGLE WATER. Obviously a clear copyright violation. But is it? This is deionized water and is non-potable. It is meant for steamers and radiators and is made by Zena Water. It is bottled in the "free zone of Syria Jordan" (I don't know where that is).
Part of the reason I'm auctioning it on Ebay is two fold. 1. I want to expose Google's attempts to take slowly take over the world. LOL. 2. Also, 75% of the proceeds will go to the Fisher house. This organization is very similar to the Ronald McDonald house, with focus on military families.
I would also consider this a limited edition bottled water. Because once Google's lawyers get a hold of this, it won't be around much longer.
Reader Comment: Michael Cicconi says,
Remember Google's April Fool's joke about Google Gulp? That's what I'm reminded of a little here.
Reader Comment: kdt says,
The "Google water" listing has been removed. Hopefully the folks at Google have decided to lob a hefty donation the way of Fisher House.
5653615339 – Google Water
was removed because the intellectual property rights owner notified eBay that the listing potentially infringes its copyright, trademark or other rights. Due to this claim, and the fact that the feedback system is no longer available, we strongly urge you not to complete this transaction.
