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Google Eyeing a VC Arm?
According to the Wall Street Journal, Google may be trying to build out a corporate venture capital arm similar to other strategic venture groups at companies ranging from Intel to Motorola. The Journal reports that Google SVP David Drummond will be in charge, and that the search giant has hired 33-year-old former entrepreneur and investor William Maris to help.
Since Google already invests in plenty of companies, from Current Communications to 23&Me, the genetic information company run by Sergey Brin’s wife, I don’t think this news it terribly new or exciting. It also has a program in place for clean and renewable investments as part of its philanthropic arm. And so far, its track record as an investor has been unproven or weak given issues faced by portfolio companies. Current faces lackluster BPL use, Meraki is trying to stay relevant and electric vehicles are still far out there.
When a company sets up a venture arm it needs to decide if the investments it makes are part of a money-making effort similar to the way Intel now invests its capital, or to push product lines or ideas. Google already invests in companies to further its technology goals, so it may be looking for a strategic arm to create financial returns.
The downside of setting up a formal investment arm is that investing in startups is a long-term effort and many public companies are driven by short-term results. In tough times, it can be hard to write down the value in the portfolio, as Dell and Boeing discovered after the crash. They have both discontinued their strategic investment groups.
Update: To create a successful strategic investment group a company really needs to focus, something Google has not historically done well. If the goal is to complement and push Google’s technology efforts, the comapny needs to figure out what those efforts should be, and ferret out the best startups in that sector. If the fund is motivated by returns, then Google will need to temper its desire to only get involved with the best, the brightest and the hottest items right now (You know like accepting a $17,000 a year daycare instead of $30,000), because valuations on those deals can be sky high. I’m not terribly optimistic that Google has the discipline to handle strategic investing, or even if it really should.
photo of David Drummond courtesy of Google
William's miscellaneous git tools
Nokia N78 Released in the US for $560!
Yey, Nokia N78 released today for $560. I am not about to get one as I have tested this model at the Web2.0 show earlier this year and the browser really sucks… But I think you could put Opera Mini on it…
A perfect fusion of features and services - the Nokia N78 now available in US
Newest Nseries device enhances the mobile lifestyle by merging new technologies and Ovi services
New York, NY, USA - Starting today, convergence craving consumers across the United States can set their sights on the newest Nokia Nseries device to hit American store shelves, the Nokia N78. Combining advanced mobile features such as integrated A-GPS, a 3.2 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and high-speed HSDPA connectivity on North American 850/1900 MHz networks, the Nokia N78 is perfect for enjoying new Nokia services such as Nokia Maps and Share on Ovi. Along with this full suite of data features, the Nokia N78 has also been engineered for maximum voice and messaging performance as well. Now available through select consumer electronics and wireless retailers, online retailers and at the Nokia Flagship Stores in Chicago and New York, the Nokia N78 retails for approximately USD 560. Specific information on retailers offering the Nokia N78 and other Nseries devices can be found at www.nseries.com.
“Offering the robust feature set expected from an Nseries device, the integration of these features with Nokia’s new suite of Ovi services is what makes the Nokia N78 a perfect companion for a connected and mobile lifestyle,” said William Plummer, Vice President of Go-to-Market for Nokia. “Whether using GPS to find my way across town, adding geotag information to the images I capture and upload to Share on Ovi, or using the FM transmitter to listen to my music collection through my car stereo, the Nokia N78 keeps me connected and entertained wherever I go.”
Each Nokia N78 includes a free three-month trial navigation license for the Nokia Maps service, which enables users to calculate routing information, provides details on up to 15 million different points of interest, and gives audible and visual turn-by-turn directions from point A to point B. With the integrated A-GPS, users can ‘geotag’ images they capture on the Nokia N78 with location information. With this information images uploaded to Share on Ovi or other selected image sharing sites can include not only when the picture was taken - but also where the picture was taken, even displaying that information visually on a map.
For music fans, the Nokia N78 combines two exciting features - a digital music player and an integrated FM transmitter - to enable a complete audio experience. With storage for up to 8GB of music on an optional MicroSD memory card, a music collection can be easily shared and enjoyed in the home or car by playing it wirelessly through the FM radio.
Yet another useful tool that the Nokia N78 offers is widget support enabled by Web Runtime technology. This functionality allows easy mobile access to valuable online information, including weather, sports, news and more. A wide variety of widgets are available through the Download! client on the Nokia N78 or through the MOSH mobile content distribution platform at http://mosh.nokia.com.
To further enhance the overall experience of the Nokia N78, a variety of Nokia Original Accessories are also available. Offering exceptional sound in an over-the-ear style headset, the Nokia Stereo Headset WH-600 offers the perfect blend of comfort and sound quality. If the occasion calls for sharing tunes with a friend, the Nokia Bluetooth Stereo Speakers MD-7W offer full range sound in a compact easy to carry package. Unlike most portable speakers, the Nokia Bluetooth Stereo Speakers MD-7W features 3D sound, dynamic compression for optimal audio at all volume levels and dynamic bass control for powerful low frequencies.
When Computers Fail
Dear Amazon.com Customer,
As someone who has expressed interest in books by William Gibson, you might like to know that “Religion and the Enlightenment 1600-1800: Conflict and the Rise of Civic Humanism in Taunton by William Gibson (Author)” is now available.
You can order your copy for just $71.95 by following the link below.
Funny thing is, it does sound like a book I’d be interested in.
Kellan-Elliot-Mcrea: Laughing Meme
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