Facebook Inc (FB) and Google Inc (GOOG) Looking More Like Rivals

Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) looks to pick up what Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has left behind, as it’s set to replace the Google Reader. This is one more piece of evidence that competition between the two is heating up. Its new RSS service would take the spot of the RSS feed that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) shut down on July 1.

Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB)’s development of the new code was initially reported by Scottish developer Tom Waddington when he mentioned spotting RSS feeds in Facebook’s code. The feed revealed various entries and a multitude of subscribers. However, when he attempted to access the feeds on the site’s API, he was locked out. The feature can only be accessed through apps that are whitelisted.

If the development proves true, it will be another step Facebook has taken to attain a segment of the tech market. And this marks yet another attempt to move it away from being a one-trick pony. Facebook is doing whatever it can to increase its revenue, and that’s good news for investors. While Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) is the newcomer on the scene, the company is looking for ways to expand, and that could be a sign of tremendous growth in the years ahead.

Full steam ahead for Facebook

Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) was reported, by the Jerusalem Post, to be in a bidding war for what was eventually purchased by Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG). Waze, a navigation application, was recently acquired by Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) for $1.3 billion. The software is an improved version of Google Maps and will facilitate the development of traffic and accident reports to help people decide the best route to take.

According to the Jerusalem Post, Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) officials landed in Israel for discussions, but a deal never materialized due to money and the reluctance of Facebook to keep staff in Israel. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was also reported to be close to a deal for Waze.

Apple is in many takeover talks. Last year alone, the company made three acquisitions, including Chomp, (an app search engine), Authentec, (security for PCs and mobile devices), and Particle (an HTML 5 web app firm). Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), like Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG), knows acquisitions are important to continue to develop superior products. But Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has the cash to buy anything that will help it grow and it can certainly outbid competitors like Facebook and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) in order to gain market share.

Getting back to Facebook

Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB)’s mission for tech domination continues: the company also made a move into the iPhone market with its Facebook Home software earlier this year. While it was optimistic about the potential of people integrating the software on their phones, the release didn’t hit and now Facebook is attempting to re-release Home with a slew of upgrades.

The company also bought Parse in May. The $85 million deal allows Facebook to branch out into building mobile applications through various operating systems.