I'm staring to think that Google intends to duplicate all the high tech products we use.  It as if they have embraced the world with a wild abandon, saying "anything being done now, we can do better and cheaper."  It's an attractive statement of confidence.

Consider the big players Google seems to be picking a fight with.

• Microsoft--Google has been pitching in on the grave-digging for Microsoft Office for a while.  They have mail.  They are running a private beta for calendaring.  They just bought Writely, a good approximation of Word.  They have an IM client.  I'm sure one of the AJAXy Excel clones will make it onto their list.  How long before IT departments are ordering Google PCs, preloaded with a customer Linux distro and running Google Office?
• EBay--Google has a free database, Google Base, that functions similary to EBay's catalog of auctions.  They are working on a PayPal equivalent that includes a reputation component.  How long until people decide they trust Google more than that the virtual flea market at EBay?
  
• AT&T--Google has a bid in to supply San Francisco with free WiFi.  They've also been buying dark fiber, unused fiber optic cabling that they could use to route around the network pipes.  Their IM client, gTalk, does VOIP.  How long until SMBs are installing Google boxes that both search all the content on the LAN and replace the PBX?
• Autodesk--Today's aquisition is SketchUp, a 3D modeler which plays nicely with Google Earth.  Is Google ramping up to compete with Maya?

Don't get me wrong.  I don't think Google is out to crush anyone, that we're headed for a future where everything's branded Google.  I do think Google is running with their model of supporting software with targeted ads, and this puts pressure on any competitors who have become used to getting revenue in more traditional ways.

Disclaimer: Clear Ink does some work for Autodesk, and we certainly use Google's Ad network.