David Filo: No browser for Yahoo

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--Google just announced its Chrome Web browser, but Yahoo co-founder David Filo doesn't expect his company will follow suit.

Yahoo co-founder and Chief Yahoo David Filo

(Credit: Stephen Shankland/CNET News)

"I don't think you're going to see a browser from us," Filo said in an interview Thursday at the company's headquarters here.

Rather, the company is focusing its attention on improving its current products, for example by opening up the Yahoo home page, the My Yahoo customized start page, Yahoo Mail, and search to others' applications, Filo said. Those are examples of what's enabled by the Yahoo Open Strategy, which the company will tout more aggressively during its second Open Hack Day 2008 on Friday and Saturday.

"We're getting to the point where everything we do is a completely open platform," he said.

Filo reflected the praise some people expressed for Chrome's performance running JavaScript--the programming language many Web applications use. But, he said, it's too soon to judge whether Google Chrome will change the game for Internet companies.

"They've been trying a lot of things, most of which won't go anywhere," Filo said. "This is another thing they're throwing against the wall."

[fredtheviking]

I think it would be a mistake to try to do everything Google does. It would be overwhelming. I like Yahoo idea of opening everything up.

[Kwasiowusu]

The fact that Google is busy wasting their money on a browser war that they are going to lose to IE and Firefox, doesn't mean Yahoo should do the same foolish thing.

[ofmyony]

I visit yahoo everyday but only for news. They should focus on being the USA Today of the web and less about competing for search. Maybe they can reignite this someday but they need to rethink search and focus on News.

Google is going to surpass everyone because they get it. Forget Microsoft, Apple and Yahoo, these are outdated companies who built the cornerstones of the digital age. Google is the result of failures of all these great companies who failed to see what the future could like like. Google is now the leader in the digital world and has left these other companies with IPods, Zunes and Yahoo Buzz so Good job Google. We will see where you lead us. Hopefully you well have the vision to give us products that are not proprietary and lead to more innovation not less.

While these other companies embrace their past accomplishments Google roars past them looking for ways to improve upon their past successes. Google will fail at times but their successes will certainly be on the shoulders of the ones before it and their short sightedness.

[PC_Hamster]

One small problem with Yahoo!'s idea of "open platform" - IT IS ALL WEBWARE & PROPRIETARY!!! How s THAT "open platform"?