December 14 th

11

Where is Google Wave Going?

by David

Post image for Where is Google Wave Going?

As somebody who has been…well overly evangelistic about Google Wave I find Google’s complete disregard in describing where and how they expect this product (Google Wave) to evolve rather discerning.

I have mentioned many times on this blog that I think the real market for Google Wave is the business community. If we agree that the definition of Web 2.0 “is commonly associated with web applications that facilitate interactive information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design and collaboration on the World Wide Web.” Google Wave then, in my mind, is the first real Web 2.0 application that truly meets that overall definition and the first that promises to deliver real-time Web 2.0 to the business world.

Problem is, business doesn’t know what you talking about with you speak with them about Google Wave. I have now spoken with many business owners and professional communities. All of who had no idea what Google Wave was.

When I explained it to them they all had the same three questions:

  • Can you collaborate using Google Docs?
  • Can you collaborate using Microsoft Office?
  • Do I have to do everything in the cloud?

To those questions I say:

  • I hope that soon Google will announce what they are doing with Google docs.
  • I know of a few online companies, that support cloud computing using Microsoft Office, are working on a Google Wave extension.
  • There should be no reason that you cannot host your server and have Google Wave for your company Intranet.

Then they ask:

  • So is it available?
  • When will it be available?
  • Who makes this robots and gadgets and how much will they cost?

I reply:

  • It’s in Beta testing and you need an invite.
  • I think next year it will be open up to the public.
  • You could make your own robot or gadget that supports your own collaborative flow.

For the businessman and professional this is interesting news. But that is pretty much all it adds up to. Until it becomes real, until there is a clear business use case mapped by Google with a timeline for some important functionality or milestones in the development of Google Wave, this technology will remain a wait and see for almost all businesses.

So Google, if you listening, this is what you must do:

  • Develop your Google Wave strategy for the way ahead.
  • Release your vision of Google Wave and you vision for what you will be further developing for the product.
  • Release some milestones that you have for the product.
  • Talk about document support and how it will evolve and when you think it will be available.
  • More info about a robot/gadget store would be wonderful.
  • Outline a clear business support model. – Accreditation and/or certification credentials, building an appliance, etc, etc

Without any real information on those points listed above anything I share with folks is purely speculation. Business does not support or pay too much attention to speculative IT. When it is available and when it works then they might take an interest.

In the meantime, Microsoft will be releasing it’s new Office line and it’s new SharePoint product. Many, many businesses will be signing up to upgrade their business’s collaborative workflow processes with something tangible. Unless, they know about something better (like way, way better) that is coming in the very near future.

Google, don’t do an Apple, share your plans for the Google Wave product. It may be able to do all things, that will be clear to most when they start using it, but share the areas of development where you will focus your efforts.





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December 14, 2009 at 7:40 am
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

Brett McQueen December 14, 2009 at 7:33 am

It would be nice to get some clarity into the strategy and the vision Google is taking with Wave. I feel like they’ve sort of created a really cool almost foreign piece of technology and then have said, “Good luck figuring how this fits.” And again, I know that it is in preview and maybe my expectations are unrealistic, but I’ve talked to a lot of people who are still scratching their heads even after giving Google Wave a try.

David December 14, 2009 at 7:47 am

Brett,

I hear exactly the same response. It is very difficult to talk in “ifs” and “buts” with business folks. They lose interest real quick.

Thomas Perry December 14, 2009 at 9:05 am

I realize how excited everyone is about the possibilities of this tool. But I think if you look at the Google has acted in the past and think about the state that Google Wave is in, I think you’ll understand why Google is acting the way it is.

I think the Google folks have an idea of what they think Google Wave (GW) is all about. Also, while right now GW is sort of usable, I think as you have seen, it’s not ready for prime time. So Google had a couple of choices. They could go out and hire a whole ton of developers to bring it up to speed, or they could “give it away” to the community and see 1. What customers really want (instead of having to guess), and 2. let the huge community out there develop it into something that nobody might have imagined.

So now they’ve got free development staff, and they’re letting their potential customers tell them what they want. Seems like the perfect way to me to get a good product developed.

Given that GW probably won’t be ready for real production usage till maybe 2011, I’m sure over the course of 2010, you’ll get the answers you are looking for. Or GW will fade away as a really great idea whose time wasn’t quite ready yet. But I don’t believe that. I know if I had a small design project going I’d being using it right now.

Thomas Perry December 14, 2009 at 9:11 am

P.S. The Google folks aren’t stupid. I’m sure if it’s feasible, it’ll at least be integrated with Google Docs in some way.

Collaborate using Microsoft Office? What does that mean? How (that isn’t already obvious by attaching documents and creating gadgets for editing MSO docs inline)? MS Office standalone or Live? Lots of questions there that will get better answered as time goes on.

Hank December 14, 2009 at 11:31 am

It would be nice if Google provided some projection on future expectations/plans for Wave but it still wouldn’t mean much to businesses. It’s in preview (AKA pre-beta). Many businesses won’t using a product if it’s marked beta let alone if it’s marked “pre-beta”. It’s just a matter of time passing and Wave developing toward the real release.

Hank December 14, 2009 at 11:34 am

By the way, Google Wave rocks even as is. My Girlfriend is using it to co-write a book with a friend. I’m in a organization that is using it for planing meetings and sharing ideas.
Hank´s last blog ..Jason Garfield and the World Juggling Fedaration (WJF) My ComLuv Profile

David December 14, 2009 at 12:30 pm

Hank, Thomas,

I agree with everything you both say. But I would really like to them to give system timeline. It makes me feel like I am talking about something tangible, even though it is future development and business will not be interested until it is released, I can still talk with some authority instead of constantly saying “I think”.

That fact that they haven’t worries me. Given this was released in May, they should by now have a project plan/use cases defined/major milestones defined. If they do have that, talk about it. If they don’t, they really need to get moving on this.

I know that it Rocks. Just sitting side by side with somebody and being able to work on something together in real-time is fantastic. You don’t need to be worlds away to see how great a collaborative tool this is.

Daniel Graversen December 17, 2009 at 2:01 am

Hi.,
I have precisely the same concerns when dealing with Wave and developing opportunity. It all boils down to when the tool is released. I would sure love to help organization implement Wave, but at the current state it does not make any sense because you cannot get wave for your domain, unless you are one of the beta customers on the tool.
On the other side wave cannot be implement in organization yet, it is still a preview version not suitable for everyday business users.
Daniel
Daniel Graversen´s last blog ..Book review: Google Wave Preview Explained My ComLuv Profile

David December 17, 2009 at 6:03 pm

I understand that Wave cannot be implemented in organizations yet. But, I don’t even have a good feel for what it will be able to do when that time comes. I am just asking that they start to be a little more open with there plans for Wave. The secret part is over now…time to share.

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