Google toilet paper?
By Techgirl

Google is my favourite search engine and has 80 percent of the market in India. It has cash reserves of tens of billions of dollars.

Understandably, Google earns billions every quarter and is one of the most sought after places to work at.  In November, 2008, during the early days of the global recession, I had reported on how road side stalls looking suspiciously like Google franchises were spotted in Mumbai selling golas and sherbets. Was Google looking to make a few more rupees in the Indian market?  No one is sure as Google never released a public statement dissociating themselves from the Indian road side stalls.  Microsoft would have sued and taken full page advertisements in Indian newspapers distancing themselves from such imitators.

The worst of the global recession seems to be behind us.  The Google share price is steadily inching up.  Or is the worst behind Google?

Funny-potato is reporting that Google is now selling toilet paper. What is happening here? And what will Google do to customize its latest product for the Indian market as Indians prefer water to paper?

(Techgoss had published the following article on Nov 10, 2008)

Google sells drinks
By Techgirl

Google is my favourite search engine and has 80 percent of the market in India.

Understandably, Google earns billions and is one of the most sought after places to work at.  A couple of years ago Google share prices rose to US $700.  Last year, you could buy a share for US $520.  In the current economic meltdown each share has slumped to $370.  Despite a good third quarter financial results, Google shares have yet to regain their true market value.

Tough times in the tech industry.

How tough?  A road side stall looking suspiciously like Google was spotted in Mumbai selling golas and sherbets. 

If our desi bhais are the original article and thought up the idea first, perhaps they can sue Google in USA for plagiarizing their logo and design.

What Google can inspire, Indian search engine Guruji can do better for a ‘local audience’.  Expect Guruji inspired stalls on our roads as well.

Techgoss would like to thank Satish Vijaykumar of BombayLives for allowing us to use his photos

Techgoss note:  Techgirl is a senior Tech journalist who reports on the IT, KPO and KPO Sectors for a leading media house.  In her spare time, she dabbles in satire in her blog http://techgirltalk.blogspot.com