Is Wolfram|Alpha Beta?

Will the new search engine sensation Wolfram | Alpha be enough to take on Google? Wolfram Alpha was developed with the hope of making all systematic knowledge immediately computable by anyone. It is the result of a long-running quest to provide a single, reliable source for definitive answers to factual question. Does this mean Wolfram|Alpha is better than the dominating search engine, Google?

If referring to its ability to provide precise accurate knowledge in response to a question, yes- it far surpasses the random query return presented via Google- which is random rather than factual. 

Just how impressive is this knowledge source? Type in a query ranging from a mathematical equation, professional salaries to a comparative analysis between universities and Wolfram|Alpha will return definitive answers based on factual knowledge. Type the  same query into Google and it will return anything it sees fit as the most relevant page to your query, factual or not. Google users then decide which to believe as accurate.

I searched the medical disease ‘colon cancer’ on both Wolfram Alpha and Google. Wolfram Alpha returned data on the mortality results in Australia and worldwide, whilst Google’s first result yielded information from wikipedia along with results on symptoms and natural remedies. Wolfram Alpha’s ability to produce accurate knowledge-based information is surely impressive and useful, but will undoubtably be slotted into a context-based category for search users.

Whilst it presents an impressive and accurate knowledge source though, it is unlikely to  be an appropriate search engine for queries regarding the best local web design company or recipes for tasty winter meals. Nor will it return information on local feedback giving a profound and critical restaurant review. Certainly when enquiring after any factual knowledge though,  Wolfram Alpha will undoubtably reign.

Will it conquer the current world-dominating search engine, Google? Unlikely.