Matt Cutts on Next-Generation Search

It's very refreshing to see in-depth, thoughtful answers from Matt Cutts when he is interviewed - not all secretive and cagey like Google as a whole.

If we can believe that the full extent of Google's plans on next-generation searching are already known - personalized, vertical, Google Base - I think their talent and cash are not performing very well. If personalization is the future, why not make the future happen now? As long as it is an option within an option (sign in to Google, turn on personalization), and still experimental, they are just treading water.

Why not launch it under a different brand name?

For all their previous verve, I feel they are starting to become overly cautious, like other major corporations.