In 2008 & 2009, Google only listed just two major competitors – Microsoft and Yahoo. And now in 2010, Google lists 10 major competitors starting from Microsoft, Yahoo on top of the list. This is not surprising, BUT the surprise is that, Apple actually was not listed on the chart. I’ve compiled a list of competitors that are giving Google a kick and push to be more innovative and much more competitive. Google is sitting in hot water, especially after it was charged for allowing advertisers to run scams on their search engine.
1. Facebook
Facebook and Google are two of the fastest growing and largest companies on the internet, and so far Facebook’s popularity has really helped Google to see an increased earnings share. Facebook is complementary and positive for Google so far, but that could change if /when social media such as FaceBook finds a business model and attract ad dollars from other online media.
On January 15, 2013, Facebook Inc. CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled a feature to help its users search for people and places within the social network. This is the company’s first major attempt at a product launch since its May 2012 initial public offering.
The new feature – called the “graph search” refers to Facebook’s growing content, data and membership. The “social graph” – will allow users to sort through pictures, people, places and members’ interests to find the answers to their queries.
2. Cuil
Cui is a search engine developed by a team of ex-Googlers and other top notch people from institutions such as IBM and Altavista. Cuil which is said to be a Google killer was launched on 28th July, 2008 and is said to be the world’s largest search engine, indexing ten times as many pages as Microsoft and three times as many pages as Google.
3. Twitter
Twitter is also considered to be a Google killer, but there are just too many “bugs” to get worked out for this to be a Google killer, at least in the short term. However it is a great tool for SEO but is not worth anything without Google.
More and more companies are including Twitter strategy in their online marketing and SEO campaigns. Tweets allow companies to send marketing messages to an audience that is already interested in their products or services, so the chances are good that followers will take advantage of the sale or special offer. Some companies — especially retail stores — now offer deals specifically for their Twitter followers. Offering a deal on Twitter allows the company to track how many people take advantage of the offer.
Twitter is also good at creatinf a way for companies to interact with their fans and customers. Many companies are also actively engaging their customers with questions, polls and other conversation starters via tweets. This intimate way of communicating helps build brand loyalty and identity because customers feel closer to their favorite brands when they can ‘talk’ directly to them.
4. Yahoo
Yahoo is seen rolling out a series of changes to their search technology. On the usability side, this search engine helps users to perform the search query while educating them for getting relevant results. As far as the findability side is concerned, Yahoo is now offering Flickr integration, embedded video and other universal search result features which according to Yahoo’s Tim Mayer is the most significant change Yahoo has made to their search business.
5. Wolfram Alpha
It is in everyone’s minds whether Wolfram Alpha will supplant Google? Not in the short term. Google is synonymous to search, as Xerox is for copying. Wolfram appears to be a largely scientific endeavor, but with the right kind of innovation, promotion and funding, it could find an audience in the near future.
Chopin was born in 1810 and left Poland after being established as a child prodigy. He started learning the piano at a very young age after which his mother enhanced his skills. His talent became more apparent as he grew up and he was deemed as the ‘second Mozart’.
Gauss was born in 1777 and was extremely sharp even as a toddler. He made several discoveries in the field of mathematics during his teenage years. His masterpiece was published in 1801 and went by the name of “Disquisitiones Arithmeticae”. Gauss is undoubtedly the most influential in the field and is fondly referred to as the Prince of Mathematics.
Lope de Vega was born in 1562 and was a playwright and poet. He published a good deal of literary pieces out of which about 2,500 were plays and 425 can still be found. This child prodigy could read both Latin and Spanish at 5 and by the time he was 10, he could translate Latin verses. He finished his first play by his 12th birthday.
Yehudi Menuhin started playing the violin at age three under the guidance of Sigmund Anker. He performed in front of an audience in 1923 and had recorded several pieces with his pianist sister by the time he was seven.
This mathematician was born in Hungary in 1903. He contributed greatly to function analysis, topology, computer science, quantum physics, set theory, statistics and much more. He came to be recognized as an outstanding mathematician at a very early age and one of the best the world had to offer. This child prodigy could divide 8-digit numbers mentally at six and completed his Ph.D. at 23.
This movie was released in 1979 and was massively marketed with the help of action figures, comic books and toys. One can say that “Alien” is the film that inspired the creation of some of the best monster movies we know of today. The cast was brilliant and the creature designed by H.R.Giger scared the audience out of their wits and looked like nothing one had ever seen before.
Released in 1985, “Creature” was filmed after “Alien” was a huge success. Therefore, while it is quite similar to the above mentioned movie, the “monster” elements are not as frightening and the story line is not as serious. In addition to that, even though the creature in this movie will not be as fondly remembered as the one in Alien, it is definitely a charming one, making this movie perfect for those who wish to spend the evening getting terrified.
Deep Rising was released in 1998 and was directed by the man who created the famous mummy in the films “The Mummy” and “The Mummy Returns”. The monster in this movie lives underwater and enjoys consuming ships. Even though many people are killed in the process, the movie is slightly humorous- you will find yourself laughing for several minutes at scenes that are meant to be grim and action-packed.
This movie was released in 1989 and was directed by Sean S. Cunningham. The monsters in this movie live underwater as well and are said to belong to another era. These prehistoric monsters consume anything and anybody that stands in their way. Even though the cast is unknown, the monster is undoubtedly appealing for monster-lovers!
The Descent was released in 2005 and the plot revolves around such monsters that reside underground and look like humanoid vampires. They attack six women who are unfortunately, locked underground and cannot find an exit. The movie is terrifying and nail-biting and will make you jump every time something movies in the darkness.
3 six 5 is basically three hundred and sixty five and the green part comes in because the company is passionate about living in an eco-friendly manner all through the year (365 days). They give beautiful calendars to their customers which include photographs and tips that list out how a lay man can save the planet. Their products are bio-degradable and the popular ones include jute rugs and jewelry made with bamboo and terracotta. 
This retail store has a respectable reputation as it is a conscientious and dependable member of the community. Their main aim is to promote the benefits of sustainable resources and simultaneously address the most prominent issues that surround the planet.
A.R.E Naturals’ mission is to protect and propagate the values of a ‘green life’. Their products are handmade, recyclable, sustainable and 100% organic. Those who supply to their store are aware of the fact that they ultimately need to give back what they have taken from the planet.
This company specializes in the production and research of those products that are eco-friendly with the help of biotechnology. They collaborated with the U.S. Coast Guard for the purpose of creating a system for paint removal that was both effective and biodegradable. Athena Environmental Sciences, Inc. has created products like MagiGlue and MuckPuck.
Wallaby Boomerangs produces sturdy and natural boomerangs and has been in business since 1993. These boomerangs are handcrafted and made using bamboo. The varnish and paint used is ecological and biodegradable.
J. K .Rowling released the first book in the Harry Potter series in 1997 after being rejected by a number of publishing houses. Luckily for her, the books became hugely popular and made her richer than the Queen of England. The final book released in 2007 and was, needless to say, immensely successful.
Created by Danny Boyle, this movie has been adapted from the book written by Vikas Swarup. It revolves around an impoverished boy who gets the chance to become a contestant in “Who Wants to be a Millionire?” The movie took the world by storm and won over 7 Oscars and made about 377 million dollars.
Everybody is familiar with Facebook- most of us are addicted to it. When this social networking site was launched, it gained instant popularity. However, it was thought that it would die down and would soon be forgotten. It goes without saying that these people were wrong- facebook has proven itself and has made keeping in touch easier.
Gelada Baboons have massive manes and flat faces that look severe no matter what. They are native to Ethiopia and their diet consists of grass and leaves. While they quite peaceful most of the times, they will eat you alive with their sharp and terrifying teeth if you happen to irritate them.
The American Bison was left behind after the extinction of the Ice Age and can weigh about one ton. Humans tried their best to kill the species off but the Government intervened which is why a few are still around in zoos and national parks. They are dangerous only if you show signs of hurting their offspring or if you enter their territory.
A gorilla can weigh about and more than 200 kilograms and is extremely strong. They are quite peaceful and may even smile at you if you are lucky but if you try to hurt its family or threaten it in anyway, the gorilla will attack you without thinking. They have huge arms and their canines are sharp and knife-like and because they can run faster than any human on the planet, an irritated gorilla can kill you within a few seconds.
These birds are the largest in the world and are native to New Guinea and Australia. These vegetarians eat only fruit but if you manage to irritate them, the Cassowary will kick you with it dagger-like claw and disembowel you in no time.
All the species of rhinos are native to Asia and Africa. Because they are big, strong and have horrible tempers, they can be very dangerous. Even though a rhino’s horn is made of hair, it can enter an enemy and watch it bleed to death.
An alien spacecraft is said to have landed in July 1947 in Roswell, the New Mexican town. Metallic debris and some flying disc material were recovered on the hillside by Army Airfield Personnel which caught the attention of the national media. Roswell has since then become a destination having alien appeal as Americans were captivated by the idea of extraterrestrial visitors.
The most famous alien abduction story is the one that involves the story of Barney and Betty Hill, a married couple who claimed to have been abducted by extraterrestrials in September 1961. As they were driving on a rural road in New Hampshire, a strange disc-shaped light suddenly appeared in the sky. Barney saw several humanoid figures through the windowed UFO.
At No. 3 is the RB-47 encounter, one of the famous UFO encounters in history. The U.S. Air Force’s RB-47 plane was conducting an electronic intelligence mission in July 1957 over the southern U.S. The team aboard the plane observed that they were being followed by an unidentified flying object. The object soon began to close in on them.
A series of UFO sightings took place in Britain’s Rendlesham Forest, a woodland area situated located along England’s east coast. Air force patrolmen and eyewitnesses saw a UFO on Dec. 26, 1980 as it landed in the forest. On investigation, patrolmen saw a conical metallic object on three legs. The object hovered over the ground and soared toward the sky shining bright lights down on them.
A set of lights were seen flashing before his plane when Kenju Terauchi, a Japanese Airlines (JAL) pilot, was flying a Boeing 747 over Alaska. The crew realized that the glowing objects were actually two spaceships hovering directly in front of them. The spaceships circled in formation a few times before disappearing from view. The mothership which they saw also disappeared as they began to descend.
Those who suffer from this disorder act out during their dreams. Such actions are usually violent and they can end up injuring themselves or those who are sleeping next to them. With the help of consistent therapy and certain drugs, this condition can be treated and the patient can resume the natural paralyzed state.
Those who suffer from night terrors are plagued with unexplainable terror and find it difficult to wake up. They wake up slowly after an episode and can be found gasping and screaming. They do not remember the night terror and can end up hurting anybody who tries to help them.
Those who suffer from this sleep disorder tend to grind their teeth as they sleep. This condition is quite common and can damage the teeth irreversibly if left unchecked. It can cause extreme facial pain and can also lead to acute arthritis of certain joints. Unfortunately, a majority of the bruxers do not know that they have a condition which is why it becomes difficult to treat them.
Those who suffer from the Restless Legs Syndrome feel the urge to move their legs as they want to stop such sensations that make them uncomfortable. Even though medicating a patient which suffers from this condition is considered to be controversial, doctors prescribe opioids or methadone in order to provide temporary relief to such patients.
This sleep disorder is quite rare and the bodies of those who suffer from it do not recognize the sleep cycle. The patient finds it difficult to sleep in a proper pattern and the cycle they follow changes almost every day. The body may take over a week to complete a sleep-wake cycle in some cases.
Directed by David Lean and starring Peter O’Toole in his finest role, this film is believed to be the best epic ever made. Phenomenal cinematography and the expanse of the Sahara desert just added to the grandeur of this film. Many consider it to be one of the most influential films ever made.
Winner of eleven Academy awards, this film directed by William Wyler, has been a great box-office success. It brought the biblical time period into the homes of the cinemagoers, and Charlton Heston went on to be the best epic film actor of all times!
Steven Spielberg’s epic about the Holocaust won innumerable awards and was judged to be a milestone in the genre of war and epic films. The story of a German businessman who saves countless Jewish lives, it is believed to be Spielberg’s finest film till now.
Many consider this to be the best epic film ever made. Set in the time period of the American Civil War, it had extraordinary performances by Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh. A Hollywood blockbuster, it is an unforgettable film, and an epic of grand proportions.
Some great performances by Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier and Charles Laughton, raised this Stanley Kubrick above the ordinary. As time has passed it has grown in artistic value, and has been appreciated for its cinematic achievements.
This album was released by Type O Negative in 1992 and the cover photo was said to be ‘cheeky’. It featured a derriere that was held by two hands and the image was in gray. It was said that it belonged to Peter Steele, the lead vocalist.
This album by Pantera was released in 1994. It showed a drill that was sticking out of a human’s anus. It was then replaced with the image of a skeleton and the same drill, it seemed, was coming out of his forehead instead.
This album was released in 1994 by The Black Crowes. It showed a woman wearing an underwear which had the American flag printed on it. A few strands of hair were poking out which is why it was banned.
This Guns n Roses album was released in 1987. The name was taken from a painting by Robert Williams. The cover showed a very graphic rape scene which is why retailers across the country refused to stock the album. The cover was then replaced by a common image of skulls.
The cover of this album by Marilyn Manson released in 2000 shows the singer against a black background. His arms are stretched upwards and it looks as though he is being crucified. The disturbing part is that his jaw is missing and when he was asked about that, he replied saying that it was symbol of censorship. The image is very violent and was later removed completely from the album cover.
