Monday, September 15. 2008

What Would Google do With GeoEye?

Seeking Alpha's Eric Jackson ponders that very question.

Highlights:

By owning GeoEye, Google would own the proprietary images it captures from its satellites. There would continue to be the need to invest in future satellite launches to stay ahead with the most up-to-date technology but Google certainly has the capital and the interest in space to do this. Owning the satellites also allows Google to develop the tools and unique services which can become integrated into Google Earth but (perhaps more importantly down the road for Google) its Android operating system which it will roll out on future mobile handsets (think highly unique location-based services here).

...

GeoEye is a more compelling potential acquisition target for Google than DigitalGlobe for two reasons: (1) it has the newest satellite in space today with the most advanced features and (2) it has a cadre of tools for using the images which their private competitor DigitalGlobe lacks. These tools came, in large part, from the MJ Harden acquisition done last year by GeoEye. More tools, from Google's perspective, means more usage of Google Earth from its clients and therefore more usage of Google Search and Apps.

Jackson thinks a deal by the end of the year would make sense as planning goes ahead for GeoEye 2.

PA Fed Judge Says "No Personal Location Data without Warrant"

In the past, investigators were able to obtain a person's location information if they could convince a judge it was relevant to the case. Now, Judge Terrence McVerry of the Western Pennsylvania U.S. District Court upheld an earlier ruling that that's not good enough. A warrant, ideally confirming probable cause a crime was committed, is required. The ruling does not apply across the U.S.

- Wired

Off Topic: Back to Basics $100 device for mobile e-mail only

It's called Peek and costs $100 plus $20/month for service. I can deliver e-mail from up to three accounts (corporate not yet supported). It has no GPS, Web browsing, mp3 player, etc. and you can pick one up at Target or online. I like my devices simple so this is the first mobile e-mail device I've even been curious about.

Another reason it may be successful, offers a Frost and Sullivan analyst: "He said there are 264 million cell phone subscribers in the United States. But only 15 million of them are using their cell phone to access their e-mail."

- San Francisco Chronicle

For the PR Folks and CEOs: Michael Hyatt on Defending Your Brand

Michael Hyatt is the CEO of Thomas Neilson Publishers. Most importantly, though he's the CEO of a company with a brand. He's got some great stories to tell about Defending Your Brand Online online. Basically, he's saying you need to monitor what's being said and done with your brand and respond accordingly.

Are your marketing/press relations/communications folks keeping an eye out for your company's brand? If not scary things can happen. ExxonMobile already got brandjacked (story in the Industry Standard).