Where Have You Been, Google?

Most of you were already aware about yesterday’s event. Yes, Google launched their browser, Chrome, in Jakarta yesterday. That was the first time for Google having a consumer event for one of their product. So, i sat down with Andrew McGlinchey Google SEA’s Lead Product Manager and talk about it.

The 20 minutes discussion came up with a pretty interesting conclusion, from my side. So i asked Andrew, why Google decided to do something in Indonesia? Google have been operating in Singapore for quite a while, and until now they practically ignore Indonesia. And my second question was, why Chrome? Why not Android, or Google Maps?

Andrew’s answer for both question is very interesting. He said that Google wanted to do something in Indonesia. They didn’t know what to do, or which product to launch, but they have to be here in Indonesia soon. Indonesia is definitely an enormous consumer market for internet companies like Google, and they realized that they have ignored Indonesia for too long. It’s about time for Google to make a move. It could’ve been Android, it could’ve been Maps, but they have to come up with something to launch in Indonesia.

So apparently it has nothing to with Yahoo’s acquisition, or Mozilla’s campaign in Indonesia. They just want to make a statement, that they’re here and ready to do something with you Indonesians.
Another question crossed my mind, WHAT TOOK YOU GUYS SO LONG?! And i know there’s a lot of people asking about the same thing.

My guess is, Google SEA is not focusing on consumer market. If you look at some of Google SEA’s activity, they launched Google Maps and Street Views, and other Google corporate solutions for Asian market. It’s not exactly a consumer market for them, they’re going after corporates who’s willing to pay to use their corporate solutions. While back in Indonesia, that corporate market was not really in to Google’s technology.

Now that everyone’s aiming at Indonesia’s huge consumer market, it’s only normal that Google made the jump. Besides, Yahoo! already open the path for these soon-to-come big internet giants. Right? 😉