It’s pretty amazing how much an impact Google is having in industry after industry. So they have moved into search, maps, e-mail, video, books and price comparison, and it seems even Wal-Mart is keeping an eye on them (article in NYT).
Wal-Mart is scarcely alone in its concern. As Google increasingly becomes the starting point for finding information and buying products and services, companies that even a year ago did not see themselves as competing with Google are beginning to view the company with some angst – mixed with admiration.