Microsoft has made a lot of noise recently with
their “Scoogled” campaign, accusing Google of taking every bit of information
they can get their hands on – your searches, your emails, your IM’s, etc and
storing it and using it. They use it to give you ads; they use it to track your
interests; they use it to “turn you into the product”, to use the accepted
phrase of the day. Microsoft’s counter is to try and turn your fears into
Google-phobia. They’re trying to scare you away from Google.
And it’s kind of…what’s the word? Oh yeah,
stupid.
Because what Microsoft doesn’t address in this
campaign is the fact that, anecdotally anyway, in many ways Google is better
than Microsoft’s equivalent services.
Google It
Google search is far and away Google’s bread and
butter. They’ve been doing it forever. So long, in fact that “Google It” has
replaced “Look it up” in modern vernacular. Now, I know what you’re thinking –
just because they’ve been doing something for forever doesn’t necessarily mean
it’s good. Except in this case, it does. Google’s search results are very
simple, very clear, and very refined, almost to the point of anticipating your
needs.
Microsoft counters with Bing. Bing is pretty.
Which is great if you fancy form over function. Bing’s results, at least in my
experience, are rarely any more accurate or easy. So I stepped up to the plate.
. I took the Google vs. Bing challenge and in a blind test of 5 searches, I
chose Google over Bing twice, with two draws. Close, Microsoft. And I’m not
saying that’s the definitive litmus test. But…
“Let’s Bing it”
–No one. Ever.
Maps are another area where Microsoft falls
short. For me this is actually a closer horse race than searches. But in the
end, I prefer the Google mapping experience. Microsoft does offer a very nice
“Bird’s Eye view” which is similar to Google’s 45 degree view, but in thus case
Microsoft offered it first, and they also offer the option to rotate the 45
degree view. There are just some things that aren’t clear from straight up. So
in the specific case of wanting the 45 degree view, advantage Microsoft. But that’s
pretty much where Microsoft’s reign comes to an end.
Remember, in this case, we’re talking about Bing
Maps, not Nokia Here. Turn-by-turn directions on Google have a much better user
interface, both in browser and on mobile. But where Google truly trumps
Bing is in information gathering for those maps. Namely, traffic and business
searching. I can relate numerous tales of when I have sat in a parking
lot in front of an empty dark storefront clutching my Lumia (whichever) and
cursing the gods of Bing. I have stopped by more closed (permanently) stores and
restaurants than OSHA and the health inspector combined.
If you’re wondering who OSHA is, Google it. See
what I did there?
At least Microsoft has
the prettier logo…
Don’t Shoot The Messenger
Finally, I saved Microsoft’s biggest ball drop
for last. Messaging and video chat. Microsoft picked up Skype two years ago,
and never really did anything with it. At the same time Apple was rolling out
Face Time – except of course to AT&T customers, Microsoft seemed to be
searching for it’s own FaceTime type thing. The difference is, when Microsoft
bought Skype, they just let it sit there. Like “Hey everyone, here’s Skype. Use
it. Please?”
In some circles, Skype is a great way to go,
especially for video chat. We at Pocketnow use it all the time. But now, Google
has pushed out Hangouts, the artist formerly known as “Talk”, which allows for
video conferencing with multiple parties, with future SMS and Google voice
integration, which trumps the video/text of Skype. What’s more, Google has
integrated it into Google Plus and Android, making it available to everyone, no
extra app downloading necessary. Microsoft on the other hand, integrated
Facebook chat into their OS-level messenger platform but not their own product,
Skype.
‘Absurd’, Party of One. Your table is ready.
Having said that, while it can be argued that
Google has handled their messenger services better, it cannot be said
definitively that Hangouts are “better” than Skype. At this point, it’s really
too early to tell whether Hangouts are better, because hangouts are about a
week old at this point and we can’t hedge our bets against promises of future
upgrades (right Palm?). So in terms of the messaging service itself, we’ll call
it a draw. But the fact that Google did not rest on their laurels and have made
significant inroads with Hangouts, while Microsoft has almost forgotten that
Skype exists means the advantage will likely be Google’s very soon.
Of course, a lot of this is anecdotal and
subjective. “Better” is hard to quantify. But it still stands that while Google
has continued to innovate and push their respective services forward, Microsoft
has never really done that, relying instead of gimmicky marketing and
schoolyard name calling. Shocking that Microsoft has fallen behind with that
model, no?
So I’ve told you my stories. How about yours?
Any Microsoft love out there? Anybody Bing it on the regular? Sound off in the
comments and let us know your success and/or failure stories.
