Sam Gustin
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Can Google (GOOG) do no wrong?
In the latest University of Michigan American Customer Satisfaction Index, Google triumphed in the web search and portals category with an 86 out of 100, beating Yahoo (YHOO) (77), MSN (MSFT) (75), Ask.com (74), and AOL (TWX) (69).
My skepticism of these types of surveys is only enhanced by the fact the researchers won't disclose their methodology.
Referring to Google's 8-point jump from last year, TechCrunch's Eric Schonfeld asks the right question: "Is it really doing that much of a better job than last year, or is it just that its halo effect keeps growing?" (To wit: Monday, Google ramped up its campaign to open up unused radio spectrum the company said could offer "ubiquitous wireless broadband access to all Americans," and yesterday, the company announced a $10.25 million investment in geothermal energy which it said could be the "'killer app' of the energy world.")
I can't help but think that the survey's respondents are basing their feedback, at least in part, on some kind of amorphous perception of the companies involved.
Could the survey results be evidence that Google's near incessant attempts to show that it is a good corporate citizen are paying off?
Meanwhile, Apple (AAPL) topped the list of computer manufacturers with an 85, beating Dell (DELL) (75), HP (HPQ) (73), Gateway (72), and Compaq (70).
But as News.com's Tom Krazit notes, the survey was conducted before Apple's release of the iPhone 3G and its MobileMe Web services product. Both of those launches were plagued with problems.
Yeah, we get it guys, you're not evil.
Google's philanthropic arm, Google.org, yesterday announced a $10.25 million investment in "breakthrough geothermal energy technology."
So-called Enhanced Geothermal Systems [EGS] technology entails fracturing hot rock, and then pouring water through the cracks to create steam to power engines.
"EGS could be the 'killer app' of the energy world. It has the potential to deliver vast quantities of power 24/7 and be captured nearly anywhere on the planet," said Dan Reicher, director of climate and energy initiatives for Google.org.
And the tech titan couldn't resist taking a swipe at politicians currently mulling off-shore oil drilling as a way to ween the country off foreign oil.
"While the U.S. debates drilling in the ocean for oil," Google said in a statement, "we are focused on drilling for renewable energy -- and lots of it -- right beneath our feet."
The recipients of the $10 million investment include: AltaRock Energy, ($6.25 million), and Potter Drilling, ($4 million).
The new investment builds on Google's philanthropic initiative, formally launched earlier this year, which is run by Larry Brilliant.
At the time, the company quoted its founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, as saying they wanted to "make Google an institution that makes the world a better place."
Full release here.
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This article has 3 comments:
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sgmsg
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24 Comments
Aug 20 08:14 AM-
Shorting Should be Banned
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138 Comments
Aug 20 10:59 AM-
brewer
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424 Comments
Aug 21 01:50 AMYour Malthusian argument ignores environmental issues, but if it worked this could make economic sense as well, so if you have those things going, why bother 'decreasing the surplus population?'
What I don't understand is how deep they would have to drill to make clean energy like this.