The next big step for Google is...

I spend a lot of time looking at the "big picture" with Internet companies, and there's no company more interesting than Google. From free wireless installations to Java-based office clones to a VOIP solution to a new competitor for Craigslist, Google is a company with its fingers in many different market segments. But there's a commonality between them all, a central vision that's driving the company and its efforts, and when I connect these dots, I think that the next logical step for Google is to build a next generation shopping engine, a venue where shopping online becomes fun and rewarding.

Here's my essay on the subject:

    Next Up: Google Shopping?

If you're an informal Web user, you'll find it interesting reading, but if you're a merchant, it's a must read as it explains how you can be optimally positioned to take advantage of the next Big Thing from Google: Google Shopping.