Since Google now wants take all our identification numbers to ” Speed the Online Checkout Line,” why not go the natural extra step – develop the “Google Family Plot” so that, upon our deaths, we can be immediately uploaded to our final resting places in cyberspace? It’s quick and easy – and think of the ecological benefits. And then of course there’s the “Google Birth.” Why even bother with a body?
PJ Media appreciates your comments that abide by the following guidelines:
1. Avoid profanities or foul language unless it is contained in a necessary quote or is relevant to the comment.
2. Stay on topic.
3. Disagree, but avoid ad hominem attacks.
4. Threats are treated seriously and reported to law enforcement.
5. Spam and advertising are not permitted in the comments area.
These guidelines are very general and cannot cover every possible situation. Please don't assume that PJ Media management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment. We reserve the right to filter or delete comments or to deny posting privileges entirely at our discretion. Please note that comments are reviewed by the editorial staff and may not be posted immediately. If you feel your comment was filtered inappropriately, please email us at story@pjmedia.com.
Google believes that it has the answer for the convenience of online shopping with its release of its new service – Google Checkout.
eBay’s PayPal and Microsoft’s former attempt at streamlining the online checkout process, Passport, have tried to address the security and convenience concerns of retailers and buyers alike, but neither have been able to make the processes deliver sales at the end of the shopping experience.
Google is banking on the trust built through owning the private information of the online shopper and insuring its privacy, they can deliver valuable purchasing information to retailers so that the retailer can market more directly to its potential target market.
What is the convenience to the online shopper? To be able to purchase online as if one had a “Mobile SpeedPass”, in that the shopper would not need to enter private purchasing information for every shopping experience at every online retailer.
The rub is this — Can shoppers trust Google to treat the information and its potential monopolistic power with a strong enough respect over time? There lay many strong temptations to play with this information and its collective power to the detriment of the user of the service.
http://maxine-log.blogspot.com/2006/06/privacy-and-convenience-go-head-to.html
“And then of course there’s the “Google Birth.” Why even bother with a body?”
Well, why not? There’s already a Google Earth.