Google Search Engine led to Microsoft deciding to develop its own MSN Search. Google Gmail led to Microsoft enhancing the space on Hotmail and develop Kahuna. Google Maps led to Windows Live Local. Google Desktop Search led to MSN Desktop Search. Google Book Search led to MSN Book Search. Now Google Base is leading to MSN Fremont. No matter, MSN guys still claim that they started developing it before Google announced their plans to launch Google Base.
Maybe Google heard about MSN Fremont and decided to beat it by coming out first with Google Base!
