Web 2.0 short doc
TechCrunch’s Arrington delivers a 24 min. documentary, asking Silicon Valley leaders and start-up founders to define and discuss Web 2.0–what is it, and for how long? link
Two blogs born per second
Technorati’s latest state of the blogosphere, from David Sifry. Today, the blogosphere is doubling in size every 200 days, or about once every 6 and a half months. link
Google…the musical
The Minnesota Fringe Festival is putting on an electronic musical about Google. A dark-comedic fable, the musical depicts what would happen if Google disappeared one day—after taking over the world, one thought at a time.” Philipp has a detailed synopsis and review. link
Google Checkout expands
Google Checkout has now acquired more than 180 retailers and adds new categories—including Arts & Crafts, Beauty, Clothing, Home & Garden, Kids, Sports, Shoes, and Health. As Comparison Engines notes, there’s no integration with Froogle yet–but that must be on the way.
Interesting to see Ubid.com as one of the businesses highlighted on Google checkout. With GoogleBase as well, you got to wonder what eBay is thinking. It is pretty obvious Google is looking to take a big share of their business. I am not sure if they can sit back much longer without taking a pretty big hit, eventually. Not tomorrow, but no doubt it seems like a gradual effort to seriously compete with them. Still, it seems like they so far they have not had much of a response.
Stating that Google “acquired” 180 merchants is misleading. That’s recycled PR from Comparison engines (Aug 6) recycled from Revenews (Aug 2).
Google Checkout launched June 29th.
Buy.com, Starbucks, uBid.com, RitzCamera.com, ACE Hardware, Jockey.com, GNC, Timberland, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Magazines.com, Sports Authority, Dockers, Bluefly, eCost, Aeropostale, Zales, Rockport, Fossil, Luggage.com, Shop PBS, Skates.com, Levi’s, Buy.com were all GC beta clients.
Lots of small retailers issued press releases six weeks ago touting their adoption of GC.
Sierra Trading Post, GNC & Tweeters appear to be the major new additions to the Google Shopping Cart in the last six weeks.
Any updates on Google Checkout from Search Engine Strategies?