I think the real lesson is "avoid lockin whenever possible." Yes, it's easy to switch from Google search to something else. But is it easier to leave Google Buzz or Google Docs than to leave Facebook or Microsoft Office? (Yes.)
As long as you can leave easily, they have to keep trying hard to please you. If you're locked in, look forward to high prices - in the form of money, sucky product, loss of privacy, or whatever.
Comments
I think the real lesson is "avoid lockin whenever possible." Yes, it's easy to switch from Google search to something else. But is it easier to leave Google Buzz or Google Docs than to leave Facebook or Microsoft Office? (Yes.)
As long as you can leave easily, they have to keep trying hard to please you. If you're locked in, look forward to high prices - in the form of money, sucky product, loss of privacy, or whatever.