But IBM still lives – and does anybody think they have the "edge"? Maybe it is not necessary to be on the edge to stay big. It is only necessary to evolve a big momentum and roll on, and don't experiment, but just do what you know what you are doing.
Microsoft lost the edge years ago, but they also still live and do very good. The same will probably happen to Google. They will remain a big company, but they will not be on the innovation front anymore. Somebody else will take their place at the top.

The more intriguing article has been published by the Telegraph. It seems that after dismissing privacy completely last time Eric Schmidt wants us to trust Google with our private data now:

"Google's Eric Schmidt: You can trust us with your data"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/7864223/Googles-Eric-Schmidt-You-can-trust-us-with-your-data.html

This is obvious opportunism IMHO. I bet there was some pressure from the PR department after last time.

From the Telegraph article:

"The fact of the matter is that if you're online all the time, computers are generating a lot of information about you. This is not a Google decision, this is a societal decision. In Britain, you all allow yourselves to be photographed on every street corner. Where are the riots?" (E. Schmidt)

I don't see something threaten Google as long as Google give benefit to people.