[This guest post is written by Jason Irwin of J2fi.net]
In an effort to make up for fragmented research efforts, the European Union nodded its approval toward France’s desire to fund the next Google.
France is planning to invest €99-million ($152-million USD) with several companies, including the French technology group Thomson SA. Thomson SA, in conjunction with 22 other companies, is working on a multimedia search project called Quaero. Just under half of the funding for the five-year €199-million project will come from the French government.
Quaero, Latin for “I search” (watch out for Apple), will develop technologies for working on all major platforms including desktops, cell phones, televisions and other connected devices. The idea is that this technology would be sold to television studios, film companies, online video sites and just about anyone else that makes, modifies or otherwise uses audio-visual content.
Oddly enough, the 23 organizations working on the Quaero project each have divergent interests and the EU has even gone so far as to say the project’s “chances for success are uncertain.” This is perhaps the nicest way of saying France’s €99-million are as good as wasted on this venture.
Thomson wants to use this funding to develop better internet protocol distribution technology for delivering high definition audio-video content online. Another company wants to develop algorithms that scan audio and video files for key words and phrases to index and search the media. Yet another wants to create a way to embed links in existing videos that would take us to a site based on what we’re touching.
Could you imagine seeing an interesting cell phone in a movie, touching the phone on your screen, and being taken to that manufacturers’ website or some online store offering that device? These are interesting dreams, but is it really wise to roll them all together when not one technology exists?
A Dysentery to Development
One of the main driving forces behind the EU’s plan to make the next Google is the desire to create some competition for the American juggernaut. Unfortunately, the EU has struggled with badly fragmented research efforts, poor funding for programs, and a general lack of ambition in the digital arena.
More often than not, development teams are forced to work with members from other companies to make “the next big thing”, while each team has their own plans and ambitions. Not only does this hinder the development of new technologies, but it makes completion of any project next to impossible. Quaero is no different.
No Euro-Google
What many established and budding technology firms seem to forget is that Google did not become Google overnight. In the first three years of operation the Big-G was nothing more than a very effective search engine, and they slowly gained market by offering a superior service with a very uncluttered interface. Once their existing technologies and offerings were running smoothly, Google would venture into other areas. Not before.
Rather than try to be everything to everyone right away, the companies working on Quaero need to step back and look at their core requirements and build that first. If public support exists, and if the market is there, then these 23 companies can tackle the next technology. The biggest problem with trying to accomplish 23 different goals simultaneously is that there will be no coherent core technology for people to get used to. Instead, we’ll just be served up with a lot of corporate propaganda and fancy advertising promoting something as grand, simple and unified as Google, only to find something as confused, cramped and discombobulated as Yahoo.
Microsoft has been trying to take on Google by offering everything to everyone without success. The same is said for Yahoo. If these internet giants can’t take on the mighty Google with their plethora of functions, features and advertising schemes, how can an over-managed hodge-podge of disparate developers do any better?
Time to Find Europe’s Silicon Valley
France wants to invest in local technology companies to spur innovation and keep skilled labour in the country. The EU is permitting the grant because they have the same goals, and France’s cash will not give any company an unfair advantage over the other. In all, I think this is a great idea and could go a long way in promoting technology companies in Europe. That said, investing in well-established organizations with the hope they build the next colossal success story may not be the way to go.
The most successful internet ventures have all started the same way: a small group of talented people solved a problem with a clean and simple solution. Ten minutes on Google will return a dozen small European companies that are trying to fill a need in the online search and advertising market, and some of these ventures could be quite successful with a little capital assistance.
There are certainly exceptions to this rule but, at the end of the day, the pattern is clear. If the EU is looking for their next digital claim to fame, they might just want to look to someone smaller.
[If you enjoy reading MsDanielle.com, please feel free to subscribe via RSS or get free email updates.]
Share This Post:
These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
What an amazing day it’s been. All I’ll say at this time is I’m glad I came to this conference. I’ll give a proper update when I’m not so exhausted. From the 300-vendor exhibit hall to the back to back sessions and networking opportunities, day 1 has been a whirlwind and day 2 will most likely be more of the same. I just wanted to share some pictures with you all since pictures are supposedly worth a thousand words and at the moment I don’t have a thousand words to express today’s events. There are more pictures but I’ll have to steal them from Ian Lee tomorrow. Anyway, here you go. Enjoy!
I came across a fantastic article while reading 
Everything was planned out this morning for my day which included finishing packing and working for a solid 4 hours before my flight. I figured I’d work remotely at 
I’m so excited, tomorrow I’m leaving for San Francisco! Woohoo! I pretty much love everything about San Francisco — the people, the air, the food, the music, the lifestyle — which is why I’m so happy to be attending 
Yesterday’s little 
Hey everyone! This is my 2nd Official Stumble Upon Party! My 
I love coming across stuff like this because personally I find it entertaining to see what advertisers are doing in their ads to attract their audiences. I’ve blocked out the URLs so not to give promotion to these ads while I scrutinize them.
