When Microsoft has a search related announcement to make, I typically hear from someone on the PR team. However, with the launch of Microsoft’s SearchPerks–which gives people points for using the search engine that can later be redeemed for prizes–I didn’t hear from anyone. And I think I know why.

I would have laughed out loud.

Listen, I have no ulterior motive towards Microsoft. I happen to believe the company does some awesome things, but I just cannot help but LMAO at yet another lame attempt to bribe you to use Live Search. In fact, this one goes one step further. You have to use Live Search and Internet Explorer and you have to download a program that sends all this data back to Redmond.

While MSFT’s last incentive effort–Live Search Cashback–did see a short-term increase in market share, the latest numbers show a decline in audience. (Meanwhile Google roars ahead without any incentives).

So, will SearchPerks help Microsoft increase its search audience? Even Live Search Senior Director Frederick Savoye is not confident.

On the broader goal of boosting Microsoft’s share of the commercial search business, Savoye said, Cashback has yet to make a meaningful shift in share. “We haven’t seen it move significantly yet,” Savoye said.

Microsoft has to be careful that it doesn’t end up like a car manufacturer–an endless cycle of new incentives and rebates, which becomes hard to break away from.

So, who’s ready to switch to Live Search, Internet Explorer, and share data with Microsoft?

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Over at BusinessWeek, I was asked to share my thoughts on the initial launch of Google Chrome. I try to debunk any talk that Google Chrome is an attempt to replace your operating system and also tackle whether Google can steal market share from Internet Explorer or Firefox.

Here’s an extract:

It should come as little surprise that Google is entering the Web browser market. The search heavyweight already has a substantial stake in our online activities. Search, check! E-mail, check! Office documents, check! The list of Web applications offered by Google is both long and varied. With its goal of providing all of our online needs, it makes perfect sense that Google would step up and provide a Web browser built to accommodate its applications. With Chrome, Google is betting that more of us will move more of our computing from desktops to online, relying on the vast data centers known as “the cloud.” But can Google’s Web browser singlehandedly entice us to dump a favorite Web browser and our computer’s operating system?

You can read the entire article at BusinessWeek. While you’re there, be sure to read the comments. It appears that Google’s fanboys are becoming just as blinkered as Apple’s. I’m a big fan of Google’s services, but it appears my attempt to look at Chrome with a balanced view ruffled a few feathers. (Who me, ruffle feathers?)

Read the rest here:
Will Google Chrome Replace Your Browser, or Even Your OS?

If you’ve tried–and hated–Google Chrome, you’d better disconnect from the internet-tubes for the next day or two–the news is just buzzing with Google’s entry into the browser space.

For those of you who with a rebel yell for “more, more, more,” I’m happy to oblige.

First, in case you weren’t invited to the exclusive Google Chrome launch demo, here’s the video:

Second, co-founder Sergey Brin explains why it took so long for Google to launch a web browser:

Next-up, Google’s Matt Cutts explains when and how Google Chrome shares data with Google and answers some common questions about Google’s motives.

Lastly, maybe you shouldn’t worry so much about Google spying on your browsing habits. It’s the hackers you should worry about–they’ve already found a security flaw in Google Chrome.

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Go here to read the rest:
Recycling Google Chrome News

If you’re a Windows user you can now download Google Chrome, the new web browser from Google.

Maybe if you’re switching from IE6, you might find Google Chrome to be cool. As a Firefox 3 user, I find myself thinking “what’s the big deal?”

All browsers have to start somewhere, right? It’s still early days, but this video from Google explains the engineering behind Google Chrome.

Have you tried Google Chrome? Let us know what you think of it.

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Google Chrome Now Live

Just as soon as Google makes Google Chrome available, I’ll take a look and let you know my thoughts on Google entering the browser space. In the meantime, here’s a screenshot (floating around the blogosphere) so you know what it will look like.

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