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Caroline O'Donovan reports at Buzzfeed that Google plans to announce a new product aimed at connecting Google search users with local home-service providers — like plumbers and electricians.
Currently, Google searches for things like plumbers and electricians return links to service providers along with associated AdWord advertisements. Sources said the new product would go beyond this presentation format to actually connect search users with service providers.
Google isn't the only tech company looking to tap into the huge and rapidly expanding home services industry. Amazon just launched its new Home Services site, which allows Amazon shoppers to search, select, and pay for things like landscapers and car mechanics without ever leaving the site.
Amazon is offering more than 700 services that include just about anything that might require a professional to come to your door. Tasks are searchable on Amazon, just like any other product, and there are no estimates — offers will be priced by the professional before the job takes place. Amazon says it vets all the professionals for the invite-only program before inclusion. "It's a pretty natural extension of our business to move into the service space," says Peter Faricy, vice president of Amazon Marketplace. "In talking to customers, they don't feel like anyone serves their needs end to end. You can pay a subscription to get reviews, but why not just do that on Amazon for free?"
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 14 2015, @02:30AM
First they only wanted to know what you searched for, so they could serve you better results next time. Then they gave you free email service, which drove other (some | many | most) businesses out. Then they read all your emails (average joe: why would anyone be interested in my "boring" emails ? Let them read all they want). Then they gave you a free OS on a phone. Then they sold you a browser-computer below cost. Now they want to get into your house. Later on all these "plumbers" will wear a camera to ensure "quality customer service".
They will provide these services free at first, which will make (some | many | most) local small businesses go away. Then they will start charging a bit later (and allow you to give them some more of your data for continued free quality service).
And when bi g brother tells them to send their "plumber" to your house, they will be happy to. And this "plumber" will then fix all your plumbings, installing a microphone and camera in all the usual places. The faucets and pipes themselves will be spying devices, which will also be able to deliver a lethal electrical charge when their masters tell them to. So they can get rid of people who have become... "inconvenient".
These "plumbers" will then start coming into your house whether you asked them to or not, because they were sent by their employer to replace a component from the last job, because the component was not good quality (or contained cancer-causing chemicals, etc). And you would be happy that they "saved" you. Then they will want keys to your house, so they can continue to provide you "quality service" while you are away.