Google acquires Slide, aims to 'build a more social web'
By Darren Murph 
posted August 6th 2010 1:42PM
posted August 6th 2010 1:42PM
We can't say we've ever heard of Slide (okay, maybe in passing), but there's a good chance the entire tech universe will know their name after today. Why? Google just picked 'em up for an undisclosed amount of cheddar and good will, with the overriding goal of "building a more social web." Google's own announcement is rather cryptic, nothing that there aren't any "detailed product plans to share right now." We're guessing that some of the company's web apps will be fleshed out with social features at first, but the minute we see Farmville load within an applet in Gmail, we're gone, baby, gone. And that's a promise.Update: Reuters is reporting that Google shelled out a staggering $182 million for Slide, not to mention an extra $46 million in "employee retention bonuses." It pays to be wanted, eh? Thanks, Chris!
@Prevacator : Don't look to your right. :)
...oh well.
@One Love I did and it appears as though the data collection work is going smashing. I see ads for macbooks, ipads, and TVs all at rock bottom ad prices at the top. At the bottom is one for AT&T Xtreme DSL. If the ads really had any incite into what I wanted the Apple items would be on fire and they would already know I have AT&T Uverse. So nothing to see here folks move along.
I'z be excited to see what happens with it.
@corylulu I suppose there is no such thing as a free-lunch. Google's coming for your data. I am more and more freaked out how the ads I am being shown at some sites seem to be tailor-made for me. But then again... FB is probably doing the same thing.
@JojoMojo
Targeted ads like its a bad thing. I am so sick of seeing ads that are completely useless to me, if your gonna show me stuff, might as well be stuff I like.
I never thought that targeted ads was a bad thing.
@corylulu
Me: dear Google. What should I eat tomorrow.
Google: Oh, there is a $9.99 NY Stake two blocks near your appartment. Turn left into Happy Street, and Right into We Own You Avenue. The please is right on your left.
Now, that.. I am ok with.
Google buzz was a huge sucess too...
@LordThree And how is the Android purchase for them working out? You know, that #1 selling smartphone OS in the most profitable (not biggest) smartphone market in the world?
People always bring up the point they want to drive home, but this doesn't have to work out to be a good purchase, because Google doesn't throw all their eggs in one purchase. They *DIVERSIFY*, funny, because that's investment 101...good idea Google!
@LordThree
spending money for orkut ftw!
I'm 5 an waht is sldie?
will it mkae my games fsater!?!//!11111
@rmbrown09 will i get moar FPSes
@rmbrown09
No. I mean, no, you're not 5. A five year won't be able to type, for instance. He won't read the article either. Unless you placed your 5-year-old on your lap, with his/her hands on the keyboard and instructed him where to push.
@pavlindrom I 5 and hlf
@pavlindrom
Hey, he is after all part of Generation Z, so im not too surprised he has a PC, but as to how he stumbled upon engadget and read the article, um, i dunno.
@pavlindrom
Excuse me, but I started reading when I was 3. Because my parents are both tech geeks, they started me on the computer with all the stupid learning programs, and by the time I was 4 I could type 15-20wpm. I started reading PC magazines and websites between I was 5-6, and I have always had the latest gadgets. Built my first computer at 11, and my WearComp when I was 13.
A majority of 5 year olds, and teens such as myself couldn't care less about the world around them, especially the tech world, it is my life.
@Apeman96 I built my first pod racer when I was 8. I built a gender confused protocol droid when I was 9 and I then won a race with the pod racer I built. *beat* that
@Lord Vader
I touched myself(at night) at 7.
@TickLe MY eLMo
ah, good times, :)
@Apeman96
Well I cloned myself at the age of 138; beat that.
@Lord Vader
I feel honored to be commented on by your genius.
We need more PERSONAL socializing - IN PERSON! What kind of society are we turning into that just "socializes" through a computer screen? So lame.......get out and meet people and visit them in person.
@Juggernaut408 And get off my lawn while you're at it!
@Juggernaut408 Why are socializing in person and online mutually exclusive? Why can't socializing online enhance socializing in person - say, by being able to share pictures of events via Facebook with people who couldn't be there? Anyway, people who don't "get" technology always think it's competing with, rather than complimenting, real life. Sorry to disappoint.
@Juggernaut408
embrace change bro, so in the future we may talk 90% digitally, so what? in the past we used to consumate sexually without even exchanging words,
remember the fittest is not the strongest or most intelligent, but the most adaptable to change
@Juggernaut408 You mean like commenting on blogsites.
@Juggernaut408 people smell funny, they fart, make noise, get agry at things you say and do. this is an agoraphobics dream come true. Thanks google (potentially)
Google! Yes! More social? Yes please!
It'll be even better than... ah.. you know, the thing with the Facebook-ish, ah, instant messaging.. um... what was that last Google social thing again?
Ill pass why don't they encourage buzz I love Google buzz
google intends to create a more social web in which they can find out more about you, the user and also your friends. which would help enhance and improve the accuracy of their ads/advertising so that they can make even more money
:)
@Prevacator
You're just anti-social. :P
I'm ashamed I played Farmville a while ago. Sorry all geeks.
Google... Integrating You Mobile Experience - One App At A Time
Hello googleme.com ?
http://www.whois.net/whois/googleme.com
http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/05/heres-what-everybody-made-from-the-slide-sale/
You can thank me later :)
@monkfishbandana
Thanks for the link. Interesting info. I would have expected it to be a larger payday for the founder.
Great, because we need stupid rotating cube slideshows of every high res photo people we know have ever taken in their life filling our gmail inbox.
Yawn.
Now, Google Me! Please
'And I thought Googling yourself meant the other thing' -- Marge Simpson
Glad to see my comment got deleted; thanks Engadget.
Basically, Google can't stand the idea that someone else might be getting advertising dollars from the web. They want the same kind of sweet, succulent personal information that millions of people provide on Facebook.
Who cares? They're just going to kill them like they did with Gizmo5, which Google hasn't done anything with nor allowed them to reopen to new subscribers either. Ridiculous.
@Johnny Rockets Grand Central, later turned into Google Voice, didn't get to register new users for over 12 months, bought in 2007 launched in early 2009, and started doing so on invite or an Android purchases basis initially. Now, it's the shit.
Google doesn't really do "Lala purchases" with the intention of shutting them down, you've given them less than 12 months on Gizmo5, I'd say that isn't really fair. Additionally, I think this will allow much more international use of Google Voice (due to the way things cost overseas), therefore, I think it's likely we do see something in the future when it's ready. The history books on this isn't closed, hopefully if they impliment this appropriately you'll change your tune at least a bit (we all want more, better, faster, so you're not completely off the mark, and there was a product previously that you could use, but Google wants this to have as good a chance for long-term success and I'll give them the benefit of the doubt in the short-to-medium term).
- *bit of a Google fanboy*
Never heard of slide???? slide is HUGE? :S it was VERY big on customizable social networks such as myspace, bebo, piczo etc., not on facebook because facebook sucks on customization
Google always is trying to dominate the whole internet, one day Google will be the king of everything. Which i hope doesn't happen, google is great i love google but i don't want it to be only one thing out there, if that makes sense.
And the google monopoly marches on. This is what happens when a company gets too much money and suddenly thinks they can enter any market they feel like entering.
This is jamaica.
Yes, as google is going to start a new inning in social world with Slide. Hope this time they will not make the same mistake, which they made with buzz and wave. Good luck Google-Slide.
Hmm... @Darren Murph, I'm with you on Farmville in Gmail...
The day that happens... I will bid a rather tear-filled adieu!!!
Please don't sink that low, GOOG!