You must have already seen the array of blogs and news articles today about Google's new online spreadsheet program.  I personally haven't used it yet, so I have no opinions on the functionality of the tool.  I'm speaking more to the general consensus I'm seeing on the blogosphere, which can basically be summed up like this:  "Google is trying to really tick Bill Gates off, and they just might have done it, but what does this have to do with Search?  Has Google really lost focus?"

Notwithstanding the Forbes report this week, I think Google is right on course.  I wrote this post last fall which talked about the underlying reasons why people use one engine over another.  I maintain my position that people use an engine for its convenience and ease-of-use moreso that it's relevancy.  I think this will be particularly true in 12-24 months, around the time Windows Vista launches.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, Google has to become a mainstay in multiple areas of computing or they will become irrelevant.

P.S.  I also think Google likes you to be logged in with your Google account as much as possible, so this aids that goal as well.  Between GMail, Analytics, Adwords, Notebook and Adsense, I'm having trouble staying logged out while I search, which I'm sure is exactly the goal.