Another Acquisition by Google

After acquiring the online video sharing site YouTube for $1.65 billion in stock, Google continues its acquistion by acquiring the Internet, mapping and data processing units of Endoxon, a Switzerland based company, for an undisclosed sum.

Endoxon is a developer of internet mapping solutions, mobile services, data processing, cartography, direct marketing and the Trinity software suite. This company is specialized in AJAX mapping technologies, geo-referencing data processing, and aerial and satellite imaging.

Google acquired only three of Endoxon’s six business units, as these units expected to complement Google Earth and Google Maps technologies and services. The other products and services which are left unacquired by Google, seems to continue business as usual under a new company Mappuls AG. But, Endoxon will discontinue selling Endoxon products and services.

Google says "With this acquisition, we are excited about having a dedicated team in Europe that can bring a distinctively European focus to our Maps products in those markets." And this acquition is expected to help Google to build out and improve the functionality of Google Earth and Google Maps across Europe.

Let's see who is next in Goolge's acquition list.

AJAX helps replacing desktop applications

From the past recent years, the desktop applications are getting replaced by online applications. Online applications have many advantages over desktop applications, but because of their response time/slow performance they could not compete with desktop applications.

Thanks to AJAX - Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, a scripting technique for creating interactive dynamic web applications. It gives the users of online applications a feel of desktop applications by silently loading new data from the server without refreshing the whole page. Many of the ASPs (Application Service Providers) include Google, Zoho, etc., are developing their web applications using AJAX, so that they can give better interface, performance and functionality to their applications.

The desktop productivity applications like word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, CRM, collaboration groupware, etc.,have become a target area for AJAX based online applications. The webmail services like Yahoo mail, Rediffmail, etc., have brought up their new versions with the full-fledge use of AJAX.

I believe that a well planned implementation of AJAX can lead to an enhanced user experience and can soon be a replacement to most of the desktop applications (where users' data privacy is not a very big concern). On seeing the pace at which the industry is moving towards the implementation, I have no doubt that AJAX will not just be a hype but it would change web.