Life ain't fair, especially life on the internet.
Yes, we all know, FaceBook Messages is out. A single email style inbox which merges multiple text based formats – IM, text messages, email, in a single real-time format. You can choose to send or receive communications in any of these formats, and they will all be gathered in your FaceBook Messages inbox.
Wait, that sounds familiar.
Gmail aint dyin'
As everyone knows, Facebook launched its email application a few days ago. As expected, it sent the "Gmail killer" brigade into a frenzy, and debates of this doing in Gmail was everywhere, especially since it is rumored that the new "Facebook Messages" feature was nicknamed "Gmail killer" internally. But as we know, there are few murderers in the web industry. We hear talk to "MS Office killer", "SharePoint killer", "email killer" all the time, but these popular applications die their own slow death.
So, Facebook Messages are not a Gmail killer.
If anybody had any doubts about the Google Apps vs. Microsoft BPOS battle being serious, read this. Google has sued the US Department of Interior, for allegedly favoring Microsoft while setting bid conditions for a government contract. Google has accused the DOI of floating a Request for Quatation (RFQ) seeking to replace the Department's disparate email and collaboration systems, which excludes Google Apps, and favors Microsoft's Business Productivity Online Suite.
Google has called the RFQ "unduly restrictive of competition" and that it was “arbitrary and capricious, an abuse of discretion, and otherwise contrary to the law.” The RFQ clearly states, that the solution should be "part of the Business Productivity Online Suite", which is Google is so worked up about. Before approaching the Court, Google approached the DOI even before the RFQ was floated, but was rebutted.
Googleappsbuzz, as the name suggests, is designed for anyone who is interested in Google Apps, especially for businesses - users, potential users, experts or just lay geeks who can't get enough of Google Apps. This site will bring you up to the minute opinions, news, reviews, expert reviews, resources, articles, how-tos, videos on the subject.
The Google Bee (that's me) would love to get your feedback, or hear from you if you think your resource deserves to be included in the site. You can contact me at gb (at) googleappsbuzz (dot) com.
