Googl-y

• Google and Sun team up


• Google bidding to provide free Internet access in San Francisco


• that Google has been making plans of buying unused fiber optic cables all over USA


• Google recently bought an undisclosed stake in a Maryland startup, the Current Communications Group, which is trying to provide high-speed connections through power lines.


• Google launched an effort to create digital libraries


• Google unveils Instant Messenger cum Internet Telephony software


• Google confirms development of online payment system

And finally,

• The company has nearly $7.1 billion in cash, having just raised $4.17 billion in stock offering completed last month. That stock sale prompted several industry analysts to conclude Google might be preparing to build its own high-speed Internet network.

So, what is Google up to? It is spreading its arms and legs in a lot of directions. In fact, most of them are uncharted territories, where Google hopes to gain ground before anyone else does.

With all these new initiatives and a plan to build a million square feet complex a few miles from its existing headquarters, and plans to avail the services of NASA scientists, Google may be in the right position to challenge Microsoft as the dominant player in the PC market.

Its objectives though, remain obscure. Its not clear whether it is simply exploring different market segments, or is it pursuing a grand vision that no one outside the company knows.

Quote from a recent news article:
“Skeptics argue that Google could become the 21st century Icarus… a high flying company, brought down by its own weight.”

Google is ultimately, one the few companies with the potential and resources to dethrone Microsoft from its place. With Sun, it has already agreed to bolster the relations. And the potential of OpenOffice cannot be overestimated. In the search engine wars, it was already the king, and now it must be looking at content distribution services as well… on the lines of MSNBC or even an online music store like iTunes.

Its going to be an interesting ride for this 7-year-old startup worth an estimated $80 billion.