In thinking about the Google OpenSocial Announcement I realized how much some of Google's recent moves remind me of Microsoft of old [for some undeclared definition of old]. We have

  • Google is now a two trick pony with two self reinforcing monopolies (Search + AdSense/Adwords) which is reminiscent of the self reinforcing nature of Microsoft's Windows + Office.

  • A scared overreaction to the growing hype of a startup that is eclipsing it in coolness. See OpenSocial reaction to Facebook

  • Several high level and very visible defections to said startup from people who were highly regarded there. Seems like just yesterday we were reading similar articles and blog posts about MSFT -> Google employee defections.

  • Said startup may be attacking Google's core monopoly in ways that were unforeseen but make sense in hindsight. See Facebook's SocialAds announcements.
  • Creation of de jure and de facto industry standards which are pitched as being great for customers but seem suspiciously like attempts at Fire & Motion. Compare WS-* to AtomPub + GData + OAuth + OpenSocial + ???.