Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is certainly one of the more active tech companies around. Between all their legal battles (over patents, anti-trust and privacy and security issues), introduction of new devices, new Android operating systems and all the latest experiments (Google Glass, Project Loon, among others), CEO Larry Page and co-founder Sergey Brin have certainly found ways and opportunities to keep Google in the news as often as possible – and keep its influence in people’s lives. And the headlines don’t let up this week, as we have a trio of items that may impact some of you investors.
Google Inc (GOOG) Brings The Hill to The View
One of the ways that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is active every day is in the area of lobbying efforts, and a recent junket certainly qualifies in this area. Byron Tau, with help from Andrea Drusch and Anna Palmer, wrote on Politico about Google executives hosting the chiefs of staff for the California Congressional delegation at the main Google campus in Mountain View. The goal of the junket, which was approved by the House Ethics Committee? Apparently to introduce the congressional delegation to the impact of Google on the statewide economy. Google spent nearly $900 per representative, according to house filings.
Google NOW Powers Up Its Encryption … Too Late?
So it only took for the leak of NSA documents before Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) reportedly figures out that it needs to strengthen ts encryption. Which, of course, we find interesting, as Google maintained in a court case its right to read e-mails, and in fact saying that Gmail users should “expect” that their e-mails will be scanned and read.
Sounds like a NIMBY thing, doesn’t it? As Saroj Kar reports on SiliconAngle that Google has been working on a initiative designed to enhance its encryption models. While Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is admitting that no encryption is hack-proof, it is maintaining that this new model will make things more difficult for hackers or government agencies to conduct any digital surveillance.
New Moto X Ads – Google Claims Other Phone Users are ‘Lazy’
In terms of the smartphone wars, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) was putting a lot of stock into its latest Android-based entry, the Moto X, the debut of Motorola Mobility since Google bought it 18 months ago. However, as the phone came out, while there has been positive feedback with some of the features of the phone, the device is not hitting a stride in the market – which is noteworthy, as Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is due to unveil its latest iPhone editions this week.
In an effort to kick up support for the Moto X, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has been sending out a series of advertisements highlighting the many sensors and touchless controls possessed by the phone, and some of the ads have started to go viral. Kelly Hodgkins over at IntoMobile wrote about three recent ads that all have the same message – that those who do not use the Moto X smartphone are lazy,” apparently giving the argument that “lazy” smartphone users should line up to use the Moto X.
First of all, would you appreciate being called “lazy”? And would that encourage you to buy a smartphone that would be “conducive” to your “laziness”? OK, we know that these ads are meant to be funny and satirical, but still…
What do you think about these news items if you were an investor in Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) like fund managers Philippe Laffont or Stephen Mandel? Will you jump in, stay on the sidelines, or wait and see over the next few months?
DISCLOSURE: None
