Amazon’s A9

This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on April 15, 2004). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.

Interesting: Amazon just launched A9, a Google-based search engine, choosing to break the news via John Batelle’s blog.

A9, Amazon’s much discussed skunk works search project goes live today, so I can finally write about it. I saw it last month (caveat: unbeknownst to me until recently, Amazon targeted me as their conduit to break this news – I think they wanted it to move from the blogosphere out, as opposed the WSJ in) and had to keep the damn thing to myself, it was hard, and here’s why: On first blush it’s a very, very good service, and an intriguing move by Amazon. It raises a clear question: How will Google – and more broadly, the entire search-driven world – react?

(via Boing Boing and Jason Kottke)

iTunes: “Ill Flower” by Future Sound of London, The from the album Lifeforms (1994, 3:24).