First they positioned themselves very early in the web user experience: After the user turned on their Dell computer, booted Windows and started Internet Explorer, the next step was to use Google.
Then they moved one step closer to the user by building their own browser: Chrome
Then they moved even closer to the user by building their own OS: Android
Then they moved even closer to the user by building their own computer: The Pixel Phone
The question is what the next platform shift could be. And if the big players will miss it so that a new player can emerge. And if there will be a new player which is as smart and driven as the Google founders.
Chrome was made to prevent whoever controls the browser from blocking users’ access to Google.
Android was created because they were afraid Apple would block them on mobile.
All tech companies do this kind of positioning.
Apple made Apple Maps to make sure Google Maps isn’t the only choice on iOS fearing Google could withdraw Google Maps and hurt the utility of iOS devices - at least in the short term.
It’s why Apple made Safari and enforces it as the only browser on iOS.
Apple learnt relatively early the dangers of being dependent on another company, https://www.folklore.org/StoryView.py?story=MacBasic.txt
Everyone is very actively working on making the browser dead and serving you content exclusively via corporate controled apps on locked platforms.
You can kill off Chrome, but the result isn't going to be a renessaince of Firefox, but a move into your content being only available on locked iPhone.
Aka cable box.
[1]: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_...
So while those were big aquisitions (Around $3B and $2B) they only accelerated the process of Google turning into the web's central player. It was already set in motion before the aquisitions.
- OpenAI is already 'evil'.
- Apple has staying power but I still wouldn't consider it cool anymore.
- Likewise Tesla.Regulatory capture attempts to prevent others from releasing actually-open models.