- Facebook purchased WhatsApp for $19 billion
- Google purchased Nest for $3.2 billion
- Lenovo purchased Motorola for $2.91 billion
- Facebook purchased Oculus for $2 billion
- Google purchased DeepMind for $500 million
- Comcast purchased Time Warner for $45 billion
- AT&T purchased DirecTV for $50 billion
*Note: Most of, if not all of these deals, are still under review by various governments globally, before being finalized. Additionally, this is a VERY short list. There have been other rumors, and announced deals this year, globally, that pertain to technology.
Now, there's a new rumor circulating that certainly sounds realistic (and terrifying) YouTube (Google) is about to finalize negotiations to purchase the Game streaming service Twitch. Why would I consider this terrifying? Simple: YouTube (Google) is getting closer and closer to owning all user-submitted video services on the internet. Additionally, rumor has it that Microsoft, and possibly Yahoo were attempting to court the young Twitch service, but were turned down. While it still would have been unfortunate that our options are thinning out, at least it would be someone other than Google offering a video service. This is something we really need (I am glad Yahoo! is releasing their own service).
So why do I bring this up? It's simple: this year in particular has seen a few large fish swallow-up everything they possibly can. In the end it means we the user have two options when choosing certain services. Example: Internet providers, Comcast or T.... erm... make that one option.
Okay, so that's not entirely accurate. The point is, we are losing options. We will soon only have one real option for cable-internet. On the flip-side, AT&T has stated that if the FCC approves their purchase of DirecTV (without placing any regulations or stipulations), they will honor the old Net Neutrality rules for 3 years. Though that's still a crap-shoot.
When Facebook announced the purchase of WhatsApp and Oculus, there was an outcry from users, claiming they would no longer use the services. I heard/read very little positive responses from users towards the acquisitions (though analysts acted positively). Comcasts purchase of Time Warner is largely considered the reason Comcast was voted the worst company in America. People were outraged and concerned about Google purchasing Nest (I was actually close to purchasing one, before Google swooped up the company). Even though the deal has not been officially announced yet, even fans of Google and YouTube are disgruntled about the possible acquisition. We like options. We don't necessarily need a million options, but we want options. Most notably, people that do not use Android or Chrome OS (especially Windows Phone and Xbox users) are typically especially concerned when Google purchases a company that currently (in one way or another) supports their preferred platform. After all, Google has continually showed a desire to stifle competition whenever they can.
I will end this post with a "humorous" note: Microsoft, Facebook, and Google all claim to encourage and foster startup companies. However, as soon as any of them become anything, they try to swoop them up. The future is starting to look like a 10 (random number) company world.
So why do I bring this up? It's simple: this year in particular has seen a few large fish swallow-up everything they possibly can. In the end it means we the user have two options when choosing certain services. Example: Internet providers, Comcast or T.... erm... make that one option.
Okay, so that's not entirely accurate. The point is, we are losing options. We will soon only have one real option for cable-internet. On the flip-side, AT&T has stated that if the FCC approves their purchase of DirecTV (without placing any regulations or stipulations), they will honor the old Net Neutrality rules for 3 years. Though that's still a crap-shoot.
When Facebook announced the purchase of WhatsApp and Oculus, there was an outcry from users, claiming they would no longer use the services. I heard/read very little positive responses from users towards the acquisitions (though analysts acted positively). Comcasts purchase of Time Warner is largely considered the reason Comcast was voted the worst company in America. People were outraged and concerned about Google purchasing Nest (I was actually close to purchasing one, before Google swooped up the company). Even though the deal has not been officially announced yet, even fans of Google and YouTube are disgruntled about the possible acquisition. We like options. We don't necessarily need a million options, but we want options. Most notably, people that do not use Android or Chrome OS (especially Windows Phone and Xbox users) are typically especially concerned when Google purchases a company that currently (in one way or another) supports their preferred platform. After all, Google has continually showed a desire to stifle competition whenever they can.
I will end this post with a "humorous" note: Microsoft, Facebook, and Google all claim to encourage and foster startup companies. However, as soon as any of them become anything, they try to swoop them up. The future is starting to look like a 10 (random number) company world.
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