Much was made last week about Microsoft's announcement of "Paid Search," albeit inverting the funnel (to use a Seth Godinism) and paying the searchers once they become buyers.
An obvious ploy to steal some thunder (and traffic, and eventually, revenue) from Google, Microsoft's search idea is a nice twist, but I don't know how excited folks are gonna get jumping through hoops and climbing somewhat rickety ladders to save a couple of bucks from some participating sites. There's a lot of variables at work here; too many, perhaps, to make us wanna jump and shout for joy.
Methinks the future of search--perhaps of many standardized, commoditized activities--can be better crystal balled by downloading an app called PicLens.
PicLens is part of the CoolIris group, which I stumbled upon while searching (there's that word again) for an in-browser preview program now that Browster has gone to the Web 2.0 graveyard. I dig their preview program, but I'm enamored with PicLens, which I believe is the beginning of the future of browsing.
Here's why:
IT'S FUN!
Right now, it works only (only!) for image/photo, video and social sites like flickr, Photobucket, YouTube, Google Image Search, Facebook, MySpace and the like, but what a ride! Instead of pages upon pages of flat squares, PicLens converts the found visuals into a 3D-like wall, which you whip across and up & down with your mouse. Not only is the effect efficient and fast, but the experience is such a blast, you almost forget why you came there in the first place.
Making the mundane fun. Making a chore into play. Way more appealing to us at Surprise Central than waiting for a refund from Redmond.
Lemme know what you think once you find it.