Kazaa Vets
Skype was created by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, the founders of Kazaa, a peer-to-peer audio exchange program, two years ago. It has rapidly moved beyond the computer-to-computer space with services such as Skype Out, which allows users to call traditional phone numbers anywhere.
The Google application is, on the other hand, still very limited, pointed out Scott Kessler, an Internet analyst with Standard & Poor’s. And it’s only available to Gmail users at this point.
“It’s uncertain if you’re going to see broad adoption,” said Mr. Kessler. “Google Talk is exceedingly limited, from having to have a Gmail account, to having to have a computer, and having someone you’re in touch with on the same network.”
Then again, Google Talk is free, at least for now. And Mr. Kessler noted that if users asked for a capability to make calls to land-line phones, Google would probably try to provide it. In other words, down the road, Google Talk could eventually become a Skype-killer.
“They’ll compete with each other, and Google might have an advantage, because their business model is not based on this offering,” said In-Stat analyst Keith Nissen. “Skype is ultimately going to have to wonder, ‘Where are we going to get money from?’”
Google derives the bulk of its revenue from online advertising. In its most recent quarter, it posted net income of $342.8 million, or $1.19 per share, on revenue of $890 million.
Analysts have often said that it needs to diversify its business model. The Mountain View, California-based company has said it isn’t going to run any ads on Google Talk.
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