"Just a search engine" part 2

The same follows for the rumor that Google, as a dark fiber buyer, will turn itself into some kind of super ISP. Won't happen. And WHY it won't happen is because ISPs are lousy businesses and building one as anything more than an experiment (as they are doing in San Francisco with wireless) would only hurt Google's earnings.

So why buy-up all that fiber, then?

The probable answer lies in one of Google's underground parking garages in Mountain View. There, in a secret area off-limits even to regular GoogleFolk, is a shipping container. But it isn't just any shipping container. This shipping container is a prototype..."

And with that, he's off! Robert Cringely again provides his intelligent and informed speculations re Google / GOOG. (Well, about as informed as anyone outside, and including many inside, the Googleplex can be.) Continue reading here...

In addition, Bill Burnham focuses on one small piece of the pie.

Of course, I welcome your comments...