The difference between then and now is HTML5. Particularly the parts of HTML5 that Google has been pushing. Webcam integration, video, webgl, canvas, svg, gps, etc etc etc
You can now write software on the web that can do anything non-web software can do. The only issue for Google has been that it wasn't written yet ... so they wrote it. That's what Google Apps is about.
They also pushed Angry Birds on Chrome for a reason and made it free. Games are an integral part of the experience. Ro.me is also along that vein. Hardware acceleration was the last piece of the puzzle.
They are definitely in position for success, although that is certainly no guarantee of it.
Comments
The difference between then and now is HTML5. Particularly the parts of HTML5 that Google has been pushing. Webcam integration, video, webgl, canvas, svg, gps, etc etc etc
You can now write software on the web that can do anything non-web software can do. The only issue for Google has been that it wasn't written yet ... so they wrote it. That's what Google Apps is about.
They also pushed Angry Birds on Chrome for a reason and made it free. Games are an integral part of the experience. Ro.me is also along that vein. Hardware acceleration was the last piece of the puzzle.
They are definitely in position for success, although that is certainly no guarantee of it.