Re: [Sheflug] Google Offers Free Voice Calls via Gmail

[David Smith <sheflug@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Thu, Aug 26, 2010 at 1:10 PM, Bob Mottram <fuzzgun@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> On 26 August 2010 11:44, Richard Ibbotson <richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> Not much sign of the antitrust and EU crowd coming over the horizon
>> yet in the way that they did with Apple and Microsoft.  Shouldn't be
>> long now.
>
> Even though I'm a Gmail user, there's really no need for Google to
> keep bundling stuff into the mail client.  Bundling VOIP and social
> networking stuff leaves them vulnerable to antitrust, and isn't very
> much different from what Microsoft did with browsers and media
> players.

The major difference being that MS had 90% of the desktop OS market
(number made up off the top of my head) and was abusing its dominant
position to dominate other markets. Gmail does not have anywhere near
that take-up (and arguably it is much easier to switch to a
competitor's email offering, than it is to switch your desktop OS, so
there is a bit less 'lock-in' involved).

Davo

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