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Google Flight Search

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Re: Google Flight Search

#121

Post by raldi »

redthrowaway wrote: post #112
raldi wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, Adam has said in the past that only a small amount of Hipmunk's traffic comes from Google search results, so they don't really have that far to fall there. On the other hand, users are fickle and traffic can be a bit butterfly-effecty, so it's hard to predict the impact of something like this. That said, I don't expect Hipmunk to panic or take this lying down.

So who are you rooting for? In the hypothetical world where there is a winner and a loser (which travel search pretty much is, given its maturity), are you rooting for the home team or for the guys you worked with for so long?

Well, I work at Google and some of my best friends are at Hipmunk, so the ideal outcome would be for Google to buy Hipmunk. Or vice versa.

Re: Google Flight Search

#122

Post by abraham »

alohahacker wrote: post #78
cletus wrote: post #20

Internally, this has been around for a little while (disclaimer: I work for Google but not on anything related to this). What continues to impress me about Google is: 1. Just how quickly this was built (really, it was quick); and 2. Google wants you to use our services because they're compelling not because we don't give you any other choice (ie "Don't be evil"). Sure there are limits to what it currently does but I…

is there a API or a way to affiliate model to integrate this on our own sites? i could totally use this on my travel related sites/apps :)

I doubt there will be. Flight data is typically well protected by the industry. The only reason Google has access is they acquired ITA who is the main data warehouse.

Re: Google Flight Search

#124

Post by joelhaus »

throwaway32 wrote: post #114
breck wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I strongly disagree. Google wants us to use its services because at its core is a bunch of engineers that simply want to make the world better.

the first motivation of any for profit corporation, especially one as large and successful as Google, is profit. That is their entire reason for existence, don't fool yourself into believing otherwise.

There is a lot of truth in this, but what impresses me most about Google is the way they have aligned their business model with their users interests and how that has enabled them to sacrifice short-term gains for long-term profits... it's a very Buffett-esque strategy that is difficult to pull-off.

Re: Google Flight Search

#125

Post by _urga »

bradleyland wrote: post #31
cletus wrote: post #20

Internally, this has been around for a little while (disclaimer: I work for Google but not on anything related to this). What continues to impress me about Google is: 1. Just how quickly this was built (really, it was quick); and 2. Google wants you to use our services because they're compelling not because we don't give you any other choice (ie "Don't be evil"). Sure there are limits to what it currently does but I…

Let's be honest. Google wants us to use their services because the better they understand us, the better they can advertise to us. That's the profit model at Google. I don't begrudge them for it either. You've got to turn a profit if you want to keep the lights on. I don't mean any offense, but the "Don't be evil" mantra is growing a bit tired. Evil is a strong word, and "not being evil" is a pretty low bar, IMO.

If you drove past a restaurant that had a big sign outside that said "no cockroaches here", what would you associate with it?

I have always been amazed that some people would consider "don't be evil" to be a motto with any power to motivate or lead people, since it ventures no strong opinion, and points in no clear direction.

"Do good" is far more costly, less likely to be politically correct, and more likely to invite ridicule. At the same time, this kind of heart-on-sleeve sincerity has more power to inspire. Sincerity, humility, innocence tend to achieve more than cynicism and jaded worldly wisdom.

Re: Google Flight Search

#126

Post by [deleted] »

throwaway32 wrote: post #114
breck wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I strongly disagree. Google wants us to use its services because at its core is a bunch of engineers that simply want to make the world better.

the first motivation of any for profit corporation, especially one as large and successful as Google, is profit. That is their entire reason for existence, don't fool yourself into believing otherwise.

[deleted]

Re: Google Flight Search

#127

Post by _urga »

throwaway32 wrote: post #114
breck wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I strongly disagree. Google wants us to use its services because at its core is a bunch of engineers that simply want to make the world better.

the first motivation of any for profit corporation, especially one as large and successful as Google, is profit. That is their entire reason for existence, don't fool yourself into believing otherwise.

[dead]

Re: Google Flight Search

#129

Post by yesbabyyes »

alec wrote: post #108
rhygar wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a cool in a geeky sense that destinations drop off the map when I click back and forth. How does this solve my problem as a customer though? I know I need to get from A to B. How does the map help me choose which flight from which carrier on what day?

If you leave the destination open and limit by price, you can answer questions like "Where can I go for $500"?

This is all I've wanted from a flight search product since forever. It will be awesome when it's more international!
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