As a consumer, and a devoted user of all things Google, I find the fact that they let the general public in on their betas a liberating and empowering aproach to developing products and services. I love how Gmail has changed over the years with each new feature only making it better.

Google as a brand means ‘innovation and simplicity’. They’re on the cutting edge and providing early access to these technologies/services puts them ahead of their peers.

Just my $.02.

As long as what google has to offer continues to support their trueline “making the world’s information easier to access” (or whatever it actually is) fine. But as soon as they start moving outside of that, the meaining of the brand will begin to change in the public’s mind.

Eric at Method was asked about whether he had considered extending his brand because it was so successful.

I cringe when I hear about people starting to extend their brand—most often it results in bad decisions. As long as Method continues to pay off on “people against dirty”, or Google on their promise it should be fine—but start wandering too far off and you may see the beginning of the end.

http://www.methodhome.com/products/candles.php

Don’t just buy into the hype – get your facts straight.

I disagree most people have never heard of it. I’ve never known so many people who would never step into a Target before, own the product.