a9 is launched

Amazon's new search engine is live.

John Battelle got to break the news about a9 going live. Interesting responses in the comments. People are always quick to poo-poo new things. People are natural critics, first and foremost. Nevertheless, I think there are some pretty cool features in the toolbar and the site.

I've been using eurekster quite a bit and really appreciate being able to quickly repeat searches without typing. How many times do you repeat searches? I do the same ones (+ others) every day.

Also, taking this a step further, a9's toolbar allows you to take notes that pop up when you visit the site next time... kind of like a mini-personal-blogging feature This could be handy too.

I am also kinda excited about how/if amazon will use the search data to recommend products to me. Amazon has the best personalization technology on the web when it comes to commerce. I can see this only improving it.

One thing that everyone seems to be looking over there in Battelle's comments, that people normally complain about is: that amazon is using alexa.com's technology to: collect site info as people travel the web, just like alexa, amazon's other search subsidiary. Here's a quote from the A9 privacy policy:

"A9.COM'S TOOLBAR SERVICE COLLECTS AND STORES FULL UNIFORM RESOURCE LOCATORS ("URLS") FOR EVERY WEB PAGE THAT YOU VIEW WHILE USING THE A9.COM TOOLBAR SERVICE. THESE URLS SOMETIMES INCLUDE PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION. "

This usually gets the privacy and the spyware people's panties in a bunch.

Overall, it seems that they are rebranding some of their existing technologies(alexa and search inside the book), adding a few new snappy features (search history, toolbar), and trying out a new search interface. (something that yahoo was too chicken to do).

I welcome a9 to the race. it isn't revolutionary, but it offers some nice improvements.

Comments

[Daniel]

It will take something revolutionnary to beat Google.

They break the back button, aren't up front about safe search... and they want to have lots of info about me that they can resell.

I too welcome more competition, but this isn't anything earth-shattering. I certainly will not be switching

[Michael]

Do you buy a new car every year in order to get the latest "features"? Are you constantly buying new computer hardware, PDAs, music players &c&c? Then, you'll probably be rushing over to a9 to get the latest gimmickry. But if you drive a car for transportation, not sport; if you buy hardware to do your work, not to earn bragging rights; then you'll probably keep on using Google because it does just what you want from a search engine -- it searches: as someone mentioned elsewhere -- quickly and reliably.

I have a two-step search process: I click the button labelled "Google" on Mozilla Personal Toolbar; I type the term and press "Enter." If I wanted to, I could make it one step by simply typing the search term in the address bar and clicking "Search" -- but I can't seem to get used to that. One extra click is not a burden.

[S Page]

"two-step search process"

Set Google as your default search in Mozilla. Then press [Ctrl-L] or [Cmd-L] to move to the location bar, type your search, then press the down arrow to choose "Search Google for "foo"". It's a no-step process and your hands never leave the keyboard.

[Peter Caputa]

my first comments on my new blog. thanks gentleman.

I agree that google rocks. I am not disputing that. I am just saying that a9 has a few neat tricks and features that make it worthy of a little praise.

and no, michael. i drive a '98 chrysler, don't have a pda, don't wear a watch and can't remember the last time i bragged about a possession.

i do agree that speed and reliability are the 2 most important features in a search engine. i fail to see how a9 doesn't do as well as google using that scorecard, though. and it adds some neat new features.

I use more than one search engine regularly. I'll add a9 to my list.

i don't use mozilla, but maybe it is time i try.

[San Francisco Click]

A9.com published today a San Francisco Virtual Tour.

I have a way better interactive tour where you can visit all city attractions, walk along golden gate bridge and much more. Great pictures! And it was published 2 years earlier! Check it out, be the judge:
www.vituar.com/ysf2/

Igor Polk,
San Francisco Click,
Photo Virtual Tour Magazine: http://www.virtuar.com/click.htm
Yes San Francisco, LLC

[Juno888]

I agree that google rocks. I am not disputing that. I am just saying that a9 has a few neat tricks and features that make it worthy of a little praise.