Let the games begin!  Two of the largest technology corporations battle head to head in a heated race to capture the others market share.  Gmail vs. Hotmail, Google vs. Bing, Chrome vs. Internet Explorer, and the list goes on. 

Last year, Microsoft took a stab at Google’s pride and joy and what makes up Google’s primary source of revenue, internet search and advertising.  On June 3, 2009, Microsoft unveiled its newly renovated MSN Search, Bing.  This “decision engine” includes search suggested queries, changing of random backgrounds, a left side navigation panel, and allowing quick preview of a site prior to redirecting to the actual site.  The re-launch of the titan’s search engine worked well according to figures from ComScore.  Their data indicated Microsoft holding 8 percent of search engine market share increasing to 11.5 percent in February 2010.  For this move, one point goes to Microsoft.   

Earlier this year, Google Inc. - known for Google.com (the most visited site in the world) - announced Chrome OS which takes the place of the Windows Operating System in netbooks.  The Google netbook OS works strictly with web applications and has a functionality similar to its web browser counterpart, Chrome. The idea behind Chrome OS is that all user computer time is based on the internet. Hence, all applications once on an traditional Windows OS would be cloud-based clearing out all processes that would be installed on a netbook PC.  This leaving the need for only one application to launch...Chrome.  The Google developed operating system is to be released fall of this year.

When it comes to innovation, it appears that Google Inc. has a better handle on the competition.  As the technology industry veers in the direction toward cloud computing and online services now available “anywhere-you-go”, Google has their systems in place.  It makes for easy migration and quick conversion to Google's suite of services.  Microsoft on the other hand has to play catch up as they develop software and systems that will need to keep up with their user demand.  

In the end, it can be anyone’s game.   As spectators we can only watch and see which of these two behemoths take the crown. Any bets?