itasoftware by google
 

What are the chances that at some point in the future google will require one to log into a google account in order to access itasoftware?

Possible justification: An enhancement that would allow google to recommend flights based on your travel (inquiry/search) history as maintained within your google account.

How about airlines paying google to have their "sponsored" flights listed at the top of the search results similar to what happens with google search? Unlikely, because one could always sort by price, but possible?

I'm surprised they haven't really seemed to make any changes yet post acquisition. Right now in matrix 2 the only thin I've really seen is the addition of the google logo to the ita software logo

I'd put the chances as pretty high on both counts. I'd bet that the integration goes further even "suggesting" flights based on the content of your emails. The data collection that Google's doing opens all kinds of possibilities. The only opt-out you have right now is with respect to advertising - Google still collects the data, you can opt whether or not they use the data to target advertising to you.

Pretty unlikely. The ITA matrix site is basically there because by using it, we give them free testing for a product they sell to other people. It's not really publicized, and the "publicized" version is with google flights -- http://www.google.com/flights/ -- which is already aware of your sign in, although it doesn't require one.

I wouldn't be surprised if matrix actually does report back some information to Google if you're signed in, but you never know. I know people at Google on both sides of their travel search dept (ITA and the main google part) but they sure as heck won't tell me anything about things like that.

Please don't give anyone any ideas..... ;)

Not to worry. I am sure that if I thought of it, the fine marketing personnel and programmers at google have already been working on implementation for some time now.

I can see your point. But I would counter that google has no problem labeling a product as BETA and putting it on the street for "testing". Also flights outside the United States are not currently available on google flights. With the recent changes to "unify and simplify" their privacy policy, is it just a matter of time before a google account log-in is required? What really got me to thinking about this is "Why is it a requirement to have a google/gmail account to use an Android phone/tablet?"

Like I said, I doubt it; it's not needed to get marketing information out of it if they care to.

Despite the nags, it isn't, although they don't make that obvious. You DO need to have a google account to use the Google-run Android Market.