Google debuted the “Google Dashboard” today, which is a fancy way of saying it created a platform where users can access data behind Google products and services, all from one location. Comprehensive and secure, according to Google’s official blog, the “Dashboard covers more than 20 products and services, including Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Web History, Orkut, YouTube, Picasa, Talk, Reader, Alerts, Latitude.” The only excluded Google offerings currently are Analytics, Feedburner, Groups, and Mobile.
Promoted as Google’s latest attempt to bring greater transparency, choice, and control, I explored the dashboard this morning and found it useful and inclusive in the data it stores, though the page itself is rather uninspired. A Spartan platform – perhaps a plus when sifting through so much data – the Dashboard offers no service behind a consolidation of profiles and search. If you’re looking for a Web 2.0 utility – such as synchronization or interactivity across platforms (or profiles) you’ll be disappointed. However, if you have been curious as to the data that Google has accumulated on you over the past 11 years, then this page is right up your alley. It’s like traveling through a chat and search history time-warp.
There are two interesting facets to this latest development.
First: The immensity of the data Google maintains. Google knows more about us than our friends, family, even ourselves. Can you remember exactly what you talked about or read on Nov. 3, 2004? Sergey, Larry, and Eric do – if that doesn’t make you a little uneasy, and very much in awe, than your past is far less interesting than most.
Second: This marks a continuation of the consolidation trend on the web. Really, consolidation has been a trend among CPGs long before the web was batting signals between warehouse-sized computers. From washer-dryers, encyclopedias, sporks (yes, this is the second time in 2 months I’ve mentioned sporks), right up to iPhones, Kindles, and Seesmic. Beer companies parody this phenomon, but it makes it no less true. We’re actively seeking ways to consolidate and simplify – and why not? This amount of data is far more manageable in a uniform platform, in the same way a GPS, computer, stereo, and app store is far more manageable in the uniform iPhone.
The caveat of course is if that is the consolidated entity becomes corrupted – your iPhone breaks, your seesmic crashes, your spork tips break – you’re left exposed by an inept utility.
I am not suggesting Google is planning a devious foray with this aggregation of data. Just keep an eye on your sporks.
- Pat
