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//Wednesday, March 03, 2010


  Patent lawyer: Apple going after HTC first and Motorola next, but Google’s the real target
"On Tuesday, Apple sued HTC, the Taiwanese company that is the largest maker of smartphones running Google’s Android operating system, including the Nexus One, designed and sold by Google," Brad Stone reports for The New York Times.

"In the lawsuit, filed with the office of the United States International Trade Commission and the United States District Court in Delaware, Apple said that HTC phones running Android violated 20 of its patents, including those relating to the iPhone’s ability to recognize the touch of multiple fingers on its screen at once," Stone reports. "Though the lawsuit singles out HTC, many patent lawyers and analysts say they believe Apple’s target is Google and the Android operating system, which the company gives away to cellphone manufacturers." Via MacDailyNews .

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//Monday, March 01, 2010


  Google's CDMA Nexus One passes throught the FCC
Google's CDMA flavor of the Nexus One has received FCC approval. Google announced that they would offer the Nexus One on Verizon when they launched the Unlocked GSM model back in January. An exact date hasn't been announced, but an announcement is expected on March 23rd.

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//Tuesday, February 09, 2010


  Google Buzz for mobile

Google Buzz for mobile allows you to see what's going on around you, post messages tagged with your location, and keep up with your friends on the go. Visit buzz.google.com from your phone's mobile browser to start using buzz.

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//Sunday, February 07, 2010


  Google's "Parisian Love" Super Bowl Commercial

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//Tuesday, February 02, 2010


  Google releases Nexus One update, enables multitouch
Starting today, Nexus One users will begin to receive an over-the-air software update on their phones. This update provides some great new features, and fixes a few problems that some users might have experienced, including:

Google Goggles: this mobile application will now be available directly on your device by launching it from your All Apps menu. Just use your Nexus One camera to start searching the web

Google Maps: the Maps application with be updated to a new version, Google Maps 3.4, which will include:
* Starred items synchronized with maps.google.com - access your favorite places from your phone or computer
* Search suggestions from your personal maps.google.com history - makes it easy to search for places you've searched for before
* Night mode in Google Maps Navigation - automatically changes your screen at night for easier viewing and driving

Pinch-to-zoom functionality: devices will now include a new pinch-to-zoom mechanism in the phone's Browser, Gallery and Maps applications

3G connectivity: we will provide a general fix to help improve 3G connectivity on some Nexus One phones

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//Monday, February 01, 2010


  Steve Jobs: Adobe is ‘lazy’, Google can’t ‘kill iPhone,’ ‘Don’t be evil’ mantra is ‘bullshit’
Steve Jobs held a Town Hall meeting at Apple the day after he announced the iPad. The Town Hall is usually held a day or two after Apple announces a new BIG product. It allows Apple employees to get information from Steve Jobs and Senior Apple Execs, as well as ask questions about the topic. This is what Steve Jobs had to say about Google and Adobe:

• On Google: We did not enter the search business, Jobs said. They entered the phone business. Make no mistake they want to kill the iPhone. We won’t let them, he says. Someone else asks something on a different topic, but there’s no getting Jobs off this rant. I want to go back to that other question first and say one more thing, he says. This don’t be evil mantra: “It’s bullshit.” Audience roars.

• About Adobe: They are lazy, Jobs says. They have all this potential to do interesting things but they just refuse to do it. They don’t do anything with the approaches that Apple is taking, like Carbon. Apple does not support Flash because it is so buggy, he says. Whenever a Mac crashes more often than not it’s because of Flash. No one will be using Flash, he says. The world is moving to HTML5.

Via MacDailyNews .

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//Wednesday, January 20, 2010


  Apple, Microsoft Discuss Giving Bing Top iPhone Billing
"Amid an accelerating rivalry with Google, Apple is discussing ways to make Bing the default search engine on the iPhone

In 2003, when Apple said its iTunes music software would work on PCs using the Windows software of its age-old rival, Microsoft, Apple made up posters that read "Hell Froze Over." Hell may be getting frosty again.

Apple (AAPL) is in talks with Microsoft (MSFT) to replace Google (GOOG) as the default search engine on its iPhone, according to two people familiar with the matter. The talks have been under way for weeks, say the people, who asked not to be named because the details have not been made public." Via BusinessWeek

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//Saturday, January 09, 2010


  Google facing a tough time selling smartphones
"Google support forums are awash with people looking for help for problems with their Nexus One phones -- and unable to find it.

The volume of complaints points to a problem that Google faces now that it has decided to try to push a new cell-phone-buying model in the U.S. Since most people buy subsidized phones from a mobile operator, they turn to the operator when they have problems.

But Google is selling the phone directly to end-users. That means many users are turning to it first, and the search giant doesn't have the kind of customer support that mobile-phone users are accustomed to.

Google appears to be only accepting e-mail customer queries, to which it pledges to reply in one to two days -- far too long, say most people who are complaining online." Via PC World .

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//Tuesday, January 05, 2010


  Walt Mossberg reviews the nexus one

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  Google officially announces the nexus one

Google announced the nexus one smartphone today. It's got some very impressive specs. You can buy a nexus one from Google right now for $529 unlocked, and $179 with a new 2 year contract with T-Mobile with free overnight shipping. Google also announced the nexus one will be coming to Verizon in Spring of 2010.

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//Wednesday, December 30, 2009


  Google will sell the Nexus One unlocked for $530, $180.00 for T-mobile customers

Gizmodo has gotten some leaked documents pertaining to the Nexus One smartphone to be sold by Google.

Google is expected to begin taking orders for the Nexus One on January 5th @ 9am. The Nexus One will be sold by Google for $530.00 unlocked (will support 3G on T-Mobile, EDGE on AT&T. Google will also be selling the Nexus one for $180.00 when signing a new 2 year contract with T-Mobile.

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  Google announces Android press conference for January 5th

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//Tuesday, December 22, 2009


  Google Nexus One Interface Preview

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//Sunday, December 20, 2009


  SNL highlights the iPhone's dropped calls feature

Via Engadget .

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//Tuesday, December 15, 2009


  Google's Nexus One makes a video debut

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  Android Market now serving up over 20,000 apps

Google's Android Market has passed a major milestone. The Android Market has over 20,000 apps and most are free. Via Androlib .

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//Saturday, December 12, 2009


  Google confirms Google employees are testing a Google phone
"At Google, we are constantly experimenting with new products and technologies, and often ask employees to test these products for quick feedback and suggestions for improvements in a process we call dogfooding (from "eating your own dogfood"). Well this holiday season, we are taking dogfooding to a new level.

We recently came up with the concept of a mobile lab, which is a device that combines innovative hardware from a partner with software that runs on Android to experiment with new mobile features and capabilities, and we shared this device with Google employees across the globe. This means they get to test out a new technology and help improve it.

Unfortunately, because dogfooding is a process exclusively for Google employees, we cannot share specific product details. We hope to share more after our dogfood diet."

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//Friday, December 11, 2009


  Google Chrome- Features

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//Friday, August 07, 2009


  Google plans to bypass Apple's App Store on the Web
"With its native Google Voice application rejected from the iPhone App Store, the software maker is planning a full-featured Web application in its place.

Revealed by David Pogue in The New York Times, Google's alleged Voice Web application is said to be the "next chapter" in the ongoing dispute between it and Apple.

"Already, Google says it is readying a replacement for the Google Voice app that will offer exactly the same features as the rejected app -- except that it will take the form of a specialized, iPhone-shaped Web page," Pogue writes. "For all intents and purposes, it will behave exactly the same as the app would have; you can even install it as an icon on your Home screen."

He goes on to question: "What is Apple going to do now? Start blocking access to individual Web sites?" Via AppleInsider .

Apple is taking a lot of heat for the rejecting Google's Voice Application , so much so that long time Apple fanboy David Pogue, Tech Columnist from The New York Times is beginning to bash them.

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//Monday, August 03, 2009


  FCC launches inquiry into Apple’s rejection of Google Voice iPhone app
"The Federal Communications Commission has launched an inquiry into why Apple Inc. rejected Google Inc.'s Internet-telephony software for the popular iPhone, another sign of the Obama administration's stepped-up scrutiny of competitive practices in the technology industry," Fawn Johnson and Amy Schatz report for The Wall Street Journal.

"In letters sent late Friday to the two companies and AT&T Inc., the FCC asked why Apple rejected the Google Voice application for the iPhone and removed related applications from its App Store. The letter also seeks information on how AT&T, the exclusive U.S. iPhone carrier, was consulted in the decision, if at all," Johnson and Schatz report. "The FCC's letter to Google asks for a description of the Google Voice application and whether Apple has approved any other Google applications for its store."

Johnson and Schatz report, "Google Voice assigns a single phone number to a user's cellphone, land line or Internet phone accounts. It also allows free text messaging and inexpensive international calls."

"On Tuesday, Google said Apple wouldn't let it distribute the software through its App Store, where iPhone users can download software. Apple has previously turned away Internet-telephony programs because they repeated key iPhone functions," Johnson and Schatz report.

Johnson and Schatz report, "In a statement Friday, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said the FCC 'has a mission to foster a competitive wireless marketplace, protect and empower consumers, and promote innovation and investment.' The inquiry isn't a formal investigation, but it is notable because the FCC hadn't received a complaint about Apple's rejection of Google Voice." Via MacDailyNews .

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  Dr. Eric Schmidt Resigns from Apple’s Board of Directors
CUPERTINO, California—August 3, 2009—Apple® today announced that Dr. Eric Schmidt, chief executive officer of Google, is resigning from Apple’s Board of Directors, a position he has held since August 2006.

“Eric has been an excellent Board member for Apple, investing his valuable time, talent, passion and wisdom to help make Apple successful,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Unfortunately, as Google enters more of Apple’s core businesses, with Android and now Chrome OS, Eric’s effectiveness as an Apple Board member will be significantly diminished, since he will have to recuse himself from even larger portions of our meetings due to potential conflicts of interest. Therefore, we have mutually decided that now is the right time for Eric to resign his position on Apple’s Board.”

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//Friday, July 10, 2009


  What's worse celebs pictured not wearing panties or CEO using the competition's smartphone?

While it's always great to see Britney , Paris , and Lindsay photographed "forgetting" to wear panties (they're not necessarily known for their brains). Someone who is, is Google CEO, Eric Schmidt. He got caught taking pictures using a BlackBerry. As the Seinfeld saying goes, "not that there's anything wrong with that", but he could have used one of the many Android based smartphones that run the OS from the company he's CEO of. I'm just sayin'...

Picture via Engadget .

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//Wednesday, July 08, 2009


  Google announces Google Chrome OS
"It's been an exciting nine months since we launched the Google Chrome browser. Already, over 30 million people use it regularly. We designed Google Chrome for people who live on the web — searching for information, checking email, catching up on the news, shopping or just staying in touch with friends. However, the operating systems that browsers run on were designed in an era where there was no web. So today, we're announcing a new project that's a natural extension of Google Chrome — the Google Chrome Operating System. It's our attempt to re-think what operating systems should be.

Google Chrome OS is an open source, lightweight operating system that will initially be targeted at netbooks. Later this year we will open-source its code, and netbooks running Google Chrome OS will be available for consumers in the second half of 2010. Because we're already talking to partners about the project, and we'll soon be working with the open source community, we wanted to share our vision now so everyone understands what we are trying to achieve.

Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS. We're designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds. The user interface is minimal to stay out of your way, and most of the user experience takes place on the web. And as we did for the Google Chrome browser, we are going back to the basics and completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates. It should just work.

Google Chrome OS will run on both x86 as well as ARM chips and we are working with multiple OEMs to bring a number of netbooks to market next year. The software architecture is simple — Google Chrome running within a new windowing system on top of a Linux kernel. For application developers, the web is the platform. All web-based applications will automatically work and new applications can be written using your favorite web technologies. And of course, these apps will run not only on Google Chrome OS, but on any standards-based browser on Windows, Mac and Linux thereby giving developers the largest user base of any platform.

Google Chrome OS is a new project, separate from Android. Android was designed from the beginning to work across a variety of devices from phones to set-top boxes to netbooks. Google Chrome OS is being created for people who spend most of their time on the web, and is being designed to power computers ranging from small netbooks to full-size desktop systems. While there are areas where Google Chrome OS and Android overlap, we believe choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google.

We hear a lot from our users and their message is clear — computers need to get better. People want to get to their email instantly, without wasting time waiting for their computers to boot and browsers to start up. They want their computers to always run as fast as when they first bought them. They want their data to be accessible to them wherever they are and not have to worry about losing their computer or forgetting to back up files. Even more importantly, they don't want to spend hours configuring their computers to work with every new piece of hardware, or have to worry about constant software updates. And any time our users have a better computing experience, Google benefits as well by having happier users who are more likely to spend time on the Internet.

We have a lot of work to do, and we're definitely going to need a lot of help from the open source community to accomplish this vision. We're excited for what's to come and we hope you are too. Stay tuned for more updates in the fall and have a great summer.

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//Wednesday, April 08, 2009


  Updated Mobile Gmail for iPhone and Android

"Today we're introducing a major revision to Gmail for mobile that takes advantage of the latest browser technology available on iPhone and Android devices. We've updated the user interface, made it faster to open messages, allowed for batch actions (like archiving multiple messages at once), and added some basic offline support

Despite the advent of 3G networks and wifi, smartphones still lack a high-speed, always-on broadband connection and can have connections far less reliable than their desktop brethren. So, just like when we redesigned the Gmail for mobile client app last October, we've gone back to the drawing board and redesigned Gmail for the mobile browser to overcome some of these limitations. We made performance more consistent, regardless of connection type, and laid the foundation for future improvements.

Now, when you go to gmail.com from your iPhone or Android browser, archiving email is quicker because it doesn't require a response from a remote server. Instead, we cache mail on the device itself (using database storage on the iPhone and a device-local mobile Gears database on Android-powered phones). Actions like archiving or starring messages are first applied to this cache and then sent to Gmail servers in the background whenever a network connection is available. You only have to wait for a response from the server when you're requesting an uncached message or list of messages. As a result, you can start-up Gmail even if you're on a slow connection. You can even compose mail and open recently read messages while offline."

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//Thursday, February 19, 2009


  Google demos offline Gmail application on an unreleased T-Mobile Android smartphone

Engadget has posted a picture of Google demonstrating an offline Gmail application. The phone in the picture appears to be the HTC Magic that HTC and Vodafone announced a few days ago. The T-Mobile branding on the phone is the US T-Mobile logo, so it looks like the G1 won't be the only Android smartphone on T-Mobile.

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//Wednesday, February 18, 2009


  Video tour of the HTC Magic

Via Phonescoop .

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  Vodafone and HTC unveil Android-powered HTC Magic

Vodafone and HTC Corporation today announced the HTC Magic smartphone, Vodafone’s first Android-powered mobile, which will be available in the spring.

The stylish new handset is exclusive to Vodafone in the UK, Spain, Germany and France (SFR) and available on a non-exclusive basis in Italy. Customers can ensure that they are the first to receive information about the HTC Magic’s availability, pricing and pre-ordering by registering their interest via their local Vodafone website from today.

The introduction of the HTC Magic is the result of a successful relationship between Vodafone and HTC, and Vodafone’s joining, late last year, of the Open Handset Alliance.

A tablet-style device, with a sleek design and unprecedented compactness for a smartphone featuring the Android platform, the HTC Magic enables a superior mobile internet experience, providing broad flexibility for personalisation via the application-rich Android Market. Available in white in the UK, Spain and France, black in Germany and in both colours in Italy, the HTC Magic will be for sale in several other Vodafone markets over the next few months.

“Delivering an unbeatable mobile internet experience for our customers is a priority for Vodafone, so we are very excited to be introducing our first Android-powered smartphone in the spring,” says Patrick Chomet, Global Director of Terminals, Vodafone Group. “Following our joining of the Open Handset Alliance, we have worked very closely with HTC to bring this cool new phone to the market. Our customers want to access a wide range of the most attractive mobile devices to help them make the most of their time - the HTC Magic helps meet that need.”

“The HTC Magic embodies the compact style and sophistication for which HTC has come to be known, with the powerful and intuitive internet experience for which the Android platform was designed,” says Peter Chou, president and CEO, HTC Corporation. “We are proud of our partnership with Vodafone and excited about making the Android-powered HTC Magic available to Vodafone customers in Europe.”

"The announcement of the HTC Magic is an important step for Android and the Open Handset Alliance," says Andy Rubin, Senior Director of Mobile Platforms at Google. "With it, Vodafone is opening up the mobile web for consumers across Europe and giving more third-party developers a platform on which they can build the next wave of killer applications."

Available from free on various price plans, the HTC Magic has a 3.2” QVGA touch screen display and features a trackball and navigational buttons for quick, easy access. The HTC Magic includes a variety of email options such as Google Mail™, POP3 and IMAP as well as Google Talk™ for instant messaging.

The HTC Magic has a variety of powerful mobile internet capabilities beginning with an Android-optimised Webkit browser. It also features the popular Google™ applications, Google Maps™ and Google Search™ as well as favourites like YouTube™. In addition, Android Market allows for quick and easy downloading of games and applications utilising Vodafone’s fast and reliable network.

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//Tuesday, February 10, 2009


  Source: Apple asked Google not to use multi-touch in Android, and Google complied
"One of the bigger complaints about T-Mobile’s G1, the first phone based on Google’s Android platform, is that its touch screen doesn’t use multi-touch, the technology which allows for a screen to accept multiple points of contact as simultaneous input. Now we may know why.

Apple, which of course makes the signature multi-touch mobile device, the iPhone, apparently asked Google not to implement it, and Google agreed, an Android team member tells us." Read more @ VentureBeat .

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//Monday, February 09, 2009


  Google Sync for iPhone and Windows Mobile and SyncML devices

"Today, we're offering more people easy access to their information on the go with two-way calendar and contacts sync for iPhones and Windows Mobile devices, and two-way contacts sync for mobile devices that support SyncML. This will be a particularly handy improvement for people who regularly use Google tools, like corporate employees, university students, and busy families.

For iPhone and Windows Mobile devices, Google Sync allows you to get your Gmail contacts and Google Calendar events onto your phone. Sync uses push technology, which means that any changes you make to your calendar or contacts from the browser or phone will be reflected on your device within minutes. For phones that support SyncML, the tool will allow you to get your Gmail contacts onto your phone. For all of these devices, synchronization happens automatically over the air, without having to manually sync your phone. The connection is always on, which means your information is always up-to-date, no matter where you are or what you're doing.

Getting started is easy. You can configure Google Sync directly from your device. The instructions and capabilities vary for different phones, so check out our Help Center for device-specific information. If you're a Google Apps user, Google Sync must be enabled for your domain by your administrator.

Following our credo to launch early and iterate, we're introducing Google Sync in beta. Before you begin, we encourage you to review a few known issues for the iPhone and Windows Mobile devices. Also, please keep in mind that Google Sync will replace all existing contacts and calendar information on your phone, so make sure to back up any important data before you get started. You can find out more information on backing up your data in the Help Center.

To try Sync, visit http://m.google.com/sync

Via The Google Blog .

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//Monday, January 05, 2009


  iPhoto just got a competitor, Google releases Picasa for Mac
Google has released Picasa 3 Beta for Mac. Check out the video below.

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//Tuesday, November 18, 2008


  Google iPhone voice search app now available in the App Store & how to get it
The new Google iPhone voice search mobile app is now available. The App Store does not list the app as an update, and there's no voice features listed under the description for the Google Mobile App in the App Store.

If you have already installed the Google Mobile App on your iPhone you'll need to remove it from your iPhone and in iTunes, re-download the app and you'll get the new features.

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//Friday, November 14, 2008


  Google Adding Free Voice Search to the iPhone
"Google has created an app for the iPhone that will give the handset advanced voice recognition, reports John Markoff from the NY Times. The app can answer location related questions (Finding the nearest Starbucks), give driving directions, respond to generic questions, and even search local data from the address book.

It works by recording a soundbite, uploading it to Google's servers, which will crunch the data and return an answer "within seconds on a fast wireless network". The app will be free and might be available to download as soon as Friday." Via Gizmodo .

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//Wednesday, November 12, 2008


  Google adds video and voice chat to Gmail
"Google Inc has added a voice and video chat feature to its Gmail email service on Tuesday, launching a free Web-based service that competes with the likes of eBay's (EBAY.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) Skype.

Gmail and Google App subscribers can now choose to speak with friends on a video screen and simultaneously instant message them in a Google Chat box.

The video screen can be popped out of the chat box and moved around a user's computer screen. Users can also change the size of the screen and expand it to full-screen size.

"The idea was to make it quicker and easier to communicate with other people by whatever means is best convenient," said Google spokesman Jason Freidenfelds.

"It's a nice alternative for businesses looking for another way for people to connect," he added.

The feature is available for both PC and Apple computer users.

A webcam and small web browser plug-in are required to use the video chat. Users who do not have a webcam will still be able to chat with friends by voice." Via Reuters .

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//Tuesday, November 11, 2008


  Google Flu Trends: Invading Privacy to Help Our Country!
I saw this post at DrudgeReport.

From Drudge:

GOOGLE will launch a new tool that will help federal officials "track sickness".

"Flu Trends" uses search terms that people put into the web giant to figure out where influenza is heating up, and will notify the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in real time!

From Google.org:

Each week, millions of users around the world search for online health information. As you might expect, there are more flu-related searches during flu season, more allergy-related searches during allergy season, and more sunburn-related searches during the summer. You can explore all of these phenomena using Google Trends. But can search query trends provide an accurate, reliable model of real-world phenomena?

We have found a close relationship between how many people search for flu-related topics and how many people actually have flu symptoms. Of course, not every person who searches for "flu" is actually sick, but a pattern emerges when all the flu-related search queries from each state and region are added together. We compared our query counts with data from a surveillance system managed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and discovered that some search queries tend to be popular exactly when flu season is happening. By counting how often we see these search queries, we can estimate how much flu is circulating in various regions of the United States.

During the 2007-2008 flu season, an early version of Google Flu Trends was used to share results each week with the Epidemiology and Prevention Branch of the Influenza Division at CDC. Across each of the nine surveillance regions of the United States, we were able to accurately estimate current flu levels one to two weeks faster than published CDC reports.

I actually don't know where I stand on this issue--I'm a big fan of online privacy. I'm also a big fan of Google (which would seem hypocritical of me being a fan of online privacy.) But, and this is a big but--if they put their powers to good use, maybe we as a whole will benefit...or it will lead to our demise. Either which way I'm excited about the technology.

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//Sunday, November 02, 2008


  Android Market - First Weekend Download Analysis
'While Google are keeping the exact download statistics private, mobile advertising network Medialets have been doing some data analysis of their own and have publicised some approximate figures and trends for the Android Market’s first weekend.

Here's a rundown of the statistics Medialets have published:
* 167 Apps have been downloaded between between 667,000 and 2.9 Million times.
* Downloads are being driven by 41 apps, which account for between 73% and 83% of all possible downloads.
* Two applications, Pac-Man by Namco and The Weather channel generated the most downloads (50,000 - 250,000).
* Although download ranges can be very large, growth on the low-end was still nearly 80% during the first week.
* 5 Categories account for 61% of all apps.
* The number of apps has nearly tripled since launch, led by the Games, Tools and Productivity categories. Via TalkAndroid .

Those numbers are pretty impressive, especially considering that all those applications were downloaded over the air from the Market. The Android Market is only available through the device unlike the iPhone's App Store which is available through iTunes on a Mac or PC and through the iPhone or touch.

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//Wednesday, October 29, 2008


  Motorola Speed Dials Cell Overhaul
New Mobile Chief Plans to Slash More Jobs, Focus on Google Software to Simplify Design and Cut Costs

"Motorola Inc.'s new cellphone chief is moving quickly to scale back the struggling division, simplifying the way it makes devices and cutting additional jobs.

Sanjay Jha, who also became Motorola's co-chief executive in August, has decided to focus on Google Inc.'s Android operating system as the software platform for Motorola's showcase phones, according to people familiar with the matter.

Mr. Jha is expected to detail his plans -- which will likely include thousands of layoffs -- as early as Thursday when the company reports earnings, these people said." Via The Wall Street Journal .

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//Monday, October 27, 2008


  Google releases Google Earth for iPhone

Gizmodo is reporting that Google has released Google Earth for iPhone. It's free and available in the App Store now.

Here's the iTunes link for Google Earth .

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//Tuesday, October 21, 2008


  Google releases source code for Android
Google and the Open Handset Alliance Announce Android Open Source Availability

Today, Google and the Open Handset Alliance announced the availability of the Android platform source code to everyone, for free, under the new Android Open Source Project. This represents the first truly open and fully featured mobile platform which will enable people to create a mobile device without restrictions, build applications that run on Android powered devices, and contribute to the core platform.

As an open source project, anyone can contribute to Android and influence its direction. It means that anyone can download, build, and run the code needed to create a complete mobile device. With an open source platform, developers, OEMs, carriers and code contributors are given the opportunity to build faster, cheaper and more innovative devices and services.

Android is a complete, end-to-end software platform that can be adapted to work on any number of hardware configurations. Having an open source mobile platform will dramatically reduce the time and resources required to bring mobile devices to market. Handset manufactures can access a complete, full featured mobile stack without any barriers and get a head-start in creating as contemporary a device that they want to build. Developers for the first time can contribute code, with a full set APIs that allows the platform to host applications written by third-party developers and carriers can offer faster, cheaper and more innovative devices and services.

"Open source allows everyone and anyone equal access to the ideas and innovation that can make good products great," said Andy Rubin, senior director of mobile platforms, Google. "An open sourced mobile platform, that's constantly being improved upon by the community and is available for everyone to use, speeds innovation, is an engine of economic opportunity and provides a better mobile experience for users.

With the availability of Android to the open source community, consumers will start to see more applications like location-based travel tools, games and social networking offerings available to them directly; cheaper and faster phones at lower costs; and a better mobile web experience through 3G networks with richer screens.

The code can be found under the Android Open Source Project, the open source initiative for Android now available at source.android.com.

For more information around the Android Open Source Project visit, source.android.com .

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//Wednesday, October 08, 2008


  Celebrate Google's birthday by looking back

Google



Apple


Palm


Sony



Nintendo

It's pretty cool to take a look back and see what kind of products your favorite tech company was offering as the latest and greatest (at the time)...

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//Thursday, September 25, 2008


  T-Mobile G1 User Guide appears on T-Mobile G1 support site

TmoNews is reporting that T-Mobile has posted the G1 User Guide on its site. If you want to get acquainted with the G1 before it hits your doorstep take a look.

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//Thursday, September 18, 2008


  Google’s $199 phone to compete with the iPhone
"The Google-powered cell phone is coming soon, and it will retail for $199, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The price of the new Google (GOOG) smart phone would put the device head-to-head with Apple’s $199 iPhone (AAPL). The Google phone, which features a touchscreen and is made by Taiwanese manufacturer HTC, faces some stiff competition. The iPhone 3G has generated significant interest among consumers for redefining touch-screen technology, popularizing mobile applications and significantly improving Web navigation on cell phones.

T-Mobile (DT), the first carrier that will run Google’s Android mobile software, will show off the new phone to analysts and reporters on Tuesday in Manhattan. It is expected to hit stores later this fall."

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//Tuesday, September 02, 2008


  Google acknowledges debt to Apple in unveiling ‘Chrome’ browser
"Google Inc's new browser software is designed to work 'invisibly' and will run any application that runs on Apple Inc's Safari Web browser, company officials said on Tuesday," Eric Auchard reports for Reuters.

The company said the new Web browser, dubbed Google Chrome -- a long-anticipated move to compete with Microsoft Corp, Mozilla Firefox and other browsers -- is now available for download [WIndows-only beta currently]," Auchard reports.

"Google Chrome relies on Apple's WebKit software for rendering Web pages, he said. It also has taken advantage of features of community-developed browser Firefox from Mozilla Corp. Google is a primary financial backer of Mozilla," Auchard reports. "'If you are Webmaster, and your site works in Apple Safari then it will work very well in Google Chrome,' Sundar Pichai, Google's vice president of product management said at a news conference at the company's Mountain View, California headquarters."

"Apple WebKit is widely used by Web developers, not simply for Apple applications like the iPhone but also by Google itself with its mobile phone software, called Android," Auchard reports. "'We have borrowed good ideas from others,' Pichai said. 'Our goal here was to bring our point of view but do it in a very open way,' he said in response to a reporter's question." Via MacDailyNews .

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  Google's Open Source Chrome Browser

Windows users can download a beta version of Chrome here .

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//Saturday, August 16, 2008


  Apple Overtakes Google As King Of Silicon Valley
"Thanks to the sleek new iPhone, Apple has now unseated Google as the most valuable company in Silicon Valley—America's cradle of technological innovation.

Since the iPhone's launch a year ago, people are lining up outside Apple stores everywhere to get their hands on the prized device.

The popularity of the phone has fuelled a 44% surge in Apple's share price on Wall Street in past 12 months. By the close of trading on Wednesday, Apple's market value had edged up to $158.8bn - a shade ahead of Google's $157.2bn." Via RedOrbit .

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//Friday, August 08, 2008


  Get Olympic updates on your phone from Google

GearDiary has posted an article about Google providing Olympic updates to cell phone users. Go to www.google.com/m/summergames to get the latest Olympic updates.

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//Thursday, July 03, 2008


  Google Talk for iPhone released

Google has released an iPhone version of Google Talk.

"Our new version of Google Talk is designed specifically for the iPhone and runs in the iPhone’s browser, so you don’t need to download or install anything. Just visit www.google.com/talk on your iPhone, sign in, and start chatting."

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//Monday, June 23, 2008


  Palm Announces Unlocked Centro Smartphone

SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 23, 2008 – Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM) today announced that the popular Palm® Centro™ smartphone is now available unlocked for U.S. customers. Now offered on Sprint, AT&T and Verizon Wireless – the nation’s three largest carriers – and in an unlocked GSM version, Centro gives U.S. customers the ability to choose the mobile phone that’s right for them.(1) Palm also announced that Google™ Maps for mobile with My Location on Centro is available for Centro starting tomorrow, giving customers faster access to local maps and driving directions.(2)

The unlocked Palm Centro retains the smartphone’s compact, modern design and is dressed in a new white color with grey accents. Centro offers customers more choices to stay in touch with friends, family and co-workers by using voice, text messaging, email or the web. Also available in 25 countries worldwide, Centro is Palm’s smallest and lightest smartphone to date.

Google Maps for mobile with My Location makes it easier and faster for Centro customers to get mapping and direction information by approximating the user’s current location on the map. This saves time and keystrokes for people trying to find where they are, what’s around them, and how to get there.

In addition to My Location, Google Maps offers:

• Comprehensive information on traffic conditions in more than 30 U.S. major metropolitan areas, and partial information in many others;

• Detailed driving directions with traffic estimates to avoid congestions;

• One-touch recall of favorite locations and routes;

• Integrated search results for business locations, including directions and contact information;

• Ability to scan and drag maps using Centro’s touch screen for a PC-like experience; and

• Satellite and aerial views.

Pricing and Availability

The unlocked Centro smartphone is available online at http://www.palm.com/centro for $299.

Google Maps for mobile with My Location will be available tomorrow free of charge for Palm Centro smartphones at http://www.google.com/gmm . Please check the site for details on the download process and carrier availability.

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//Tuesday, June 10, 2008


  John McCain uses Google to choose VP
John McCain says he is turning to Google to help him in his bid to find the ideal running mate for president.

We love our Commander in Chief to be smart and up on the latest tech. Republican Presidential Nominee, John McCain joked to a small crowd of fundraisers in Virginia that he is using Google to research his list of potential Vice Presidents.

"You know, basically it's a Google," Mr McCain said, to laughter, when asked how the selection process was going during a 10,000 dollar-a-head luncheon in Richmond. "What you can find out now on the internet - it's remarkable." Via The Telegraph .

Who can forget this classic clip of Dubya telling us how he uses "the Google"?

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//Friday, May 16, 2008


  Google will have iPhone native apps on 1st day of App Store
Just Another iPhone blog is reporting that Google will have native iPhone applications in the App Store on day one.

"When Apple ships its iPhone 2.0 update–and the accompanying App Store for distributing third-party software for the phone–you won’t have to wait too long for native iPhone apps built by Google programmers.

"We expect to have applications at Day One," said Vic Gundotra, Google’s vice president of engineering."

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//Thursday, February 14, 2008


  Google: iPhone searches dwarf rivals
"Google has announced that Apple's iPhone is dwarfing the competition in internet searches, with Web surfers seeking out the iPhone 50 times more than any other mobile handset. "We thought it was a mistake and made our engineers check the logs again," Vic Gundotra, head of Google's mobile operations told the Financial Times at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The results are bolstering Google's confidence about generating revenues from the mobile internet arena." Via iPodnn .

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//Monday, February 11, 2008


  Google's Android software debuts in Barcelona
"The first mobile phone fitted with Google's Android software platform has made its debut in Barcelona at one of the world's biggest telecom trade shows, Google said Monday.

Google is hoping Android will become the dominant operating system for mobile phones. It is designed to improve the quality of the Internet experience on handsets.

"We are seeing a number of technology companies demonstrating how Android will operate on their technology," Google spokesman Barry Schnitt told AFP on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress. "Clearly momentum is building."

ARM, Marvell, Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, NEC, ST Microelectronics were showing prototypes on Monday, the companies and sources confirmed.

"We're demonstrating a prototype of Android," a spokesman for ARM told AFP. US chip maker Texas Instruments is to demonstrate another prototype phone later Monday in public.

Analysts say the establishment of Android as the industry standard would enable Google to become the key search engine on mobile phones, enabling it to earn advertising revenues.

The first Android-enabled phone is expected to go on sale in the second half of this year."

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//Monday, February 04, 2008


  Yahoo may consider Google alliance, source says
"SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Yahoo Inc would consider a business alliance with Google Inc as one way to rebuff a $44.6 billion takeover proposal by Microsoft, a source familiar with Yahoo's strategy said on Sunday.

Yahoo management is considering revisiting talks it held with Google several months ago on an alliance as an alternative to Microsoft's bid, that source said. At $31 a share, Yahoo believes the bid undervalues the company, two sources said.

A second source close to Yahoo said it had received a procession of preliminary contacts by media, technology, telephone and financial companies. But the source said they were unaware whether any alternative bid was in the offing.

In a memo to Yahoo employees on Friday, which was obtained by Reuters on Sunday, Yahoo leaders wrote: "We want to emphasize that absolutely no decisions have been made -- and, despite what some people have tried to suggest, there's certainly no integration process underway."

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//Monday, January 14, 2008


  Google announces faster, more customizable Google experience for iPhone Users
Today, the first day of Macworld, Google announced new improvements to the integrated Google experience on iPhone. The previous version, launched just over a month ago, brought together our suite of web applications -- including Search, Gmail, Calendar, Reader, and more -- into one easy-to-use interface. Since then, we've streamlined the interface even further, making the applications faster and improving their usability. Some of the improvements announced today include:

* Improved UI: The applications look and feel slicker, and they are easier to activate, navigate and use via a touch-screen.

* Customization of default tabs: Now Google users can have easy access to their favorite applications by customizing the applications that appear on the Google.com menu bar. Users simply choose their favorite Google applications to bring them to the front menu, ensuring that they'll be close at hand whenever they're needed. Switching between applications is effortless, as users only need to sign in once to access their Gmail, Calendar, Reader, Docs, and Picasa accounts.

* Speedier Gmail: New emails will automatically show up so there's no need to manually refresh inboxes. And the new auto-complete feature for contacts makes composing emails faster than ever.

* Speedier Calendar: With our new month view, users can glance at an entire month of appointments.

* iGoogle: Now Google users can access their iGoogle gadgets on the iPhone. Everything they've customized on their iGoogle homepage including weather, stocks, and news feeds now appear on their iPhones. To go to iGoogle, simply click on the iGoogle link on the Home tab. You can customize your iGoogle page on your computer at www.igoogle.com.

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//Wednesday, December 12, 2007


  Picasa available for iPhone & iPod touch

We all know how much Google and Apple are liking eachother these days. So, it's not too surprising that Google has decided to do an iPhone version of Picasa.

Google’s torrid love affair with the iPhone continues as the big G rolls out a new iPhone-optimized interface for its online photo-sharing site, Picasa. According to Joe Walnes, a software engineer with Google’s mobile division, the decision to do an iPhone-specific version of Picasa came about where all good ideas do: the pub.

I was sitting in the pub recently (I’m a Brit, it’s what I do), and I wanted to show my friend a photo of the sunset I saw on my honeymoon. I pulled out my phone and started typing in the URL for Picasa Web Albums. Before I could continue, he threw his shiny iPhone into my hand. He told me to launch the Safari browser bundled on the iPhone and give that a try.

I had a look around some websites and I really liked how they looked on the iPhone. I could get to everything I needed. I went to picasaweb.google.com but it didn’t quite feel right. It was using some very cool AJAXy features, but these were designed with a desktop web-browsing experience in mind. So the next day I had a go at creating a new interface for Picasa Web, designed for the iPhone.

The interface is smooth and easy to use on the iPhone and lets you quickly view your pictures or search for images in the community at large. It even has a slideshow mode, and of course you can flip your images into landscape just by rotating the phone. To access the new interface, head over to Picasa on your iPhone, or by navigating to Google’s revamped homepage and selecting “More” from the toolbar at the top.". Via iPhone central.

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//Wednesday, December 05, 2007


  Google unveils new iPhone optimized interface

Just another iPhone blog is reporting that Google has updated and optimized the Google interface when used with an iPhone.

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//Friday, November 30, 2007


  Google Will Apply to Participate in FCC Spectrum Auction

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (November 30, 2007) – Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) announced today that it will apply to participate in the Federal Communications Commission's upcoming auction of wireless spectrum in the 700 megahertz (MHz) band.

As part of the nationally mandated transition to digital television, the 700 MHz spectrum auction -- which begins January 24, 2008 -- will free up spectrum airwaves for more efficient wireless Internet service for consumers. Advocacy by public interest groups and Google earlier this year helped ensure that regardless of which bidders win a key portion of the spectrum up for auction (the so-called "C Block"), they will be required to allow their users to download any software application they want on their mobile device, and to use any mobile devices they would like on that wireless network. The winner must ensure these rights for consumers if the reserve price of $4.6 billion for the C Block is met at auction.

"We believe it's important to put our money where our principles are," said Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO, Google. "Consumers deserve more competition and innovation than they have in today's wireless world. No matter which bidder ultimately prevails, the real winners of this auction are American consumers who likely will see more choices than ever before in how they access the Internet."

Schmidt also praised the leadership of FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and his fellow commissioners for adopting the new rights for consumers earlier this year.

Google's formal application to participate in the 700 MHz auction will be filed with the FCC on Monday, December 3, 2007 -- the required first step in the auction process. Google's application does not include any partners.

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//Wednesday, November 28, 2007


  Google Announces Launch of Google Maps for Mobile With "My Location" Technology
Google today announced the release of version 2.0 of Google Maps for mobile, its innovative and widely used mobile mapping and local search application. New in v2.0 is a beta version of Google's "My Location" technology, which uses cell tower ID information to provide users with their approximate location, helping them determine where they are, what's around them, and how to get there.

Google is committed to providing users with quick and easy access to the information they need, no matter when or where they need it. Location information makes mobile mapping and search faster and more convenient, but the most common source of location information to date -- GPS technology -- is supported on fewer than 15 percent of the mobile phones expected to be sold in 2007. With Google's new My Location technology, users who don't have GPS-enabled mobile phones will now be able to take advantage of the added speed and convenience afforded by location information. The My Location technology also complements GPS-enabled devices, as it delivers a location estimate faster than GPS, provides coverage inside buildings (where GPS signals can be unreliable), and doesn't drain phone batteries as quickly as GPS. Whether users are trying to locate a restaurant in an unfamiliar neighborhood, get directions to the nearest hotel while traveling, or just find a place to grab some coffee while shopping for the holidays, Google Maps for mobile with My Location can help them get what they need quickly and easily.

The My Location technology takes information broadcast from cell towers and sifts it through Google-developed algorithms to approximate a user's current location on the map. This approximation is anonymous, as Google does not gather any personally identifiable information or associate any location data with personally identifiable information as part of the My Location feature. The feature can also be easily disabled by anyone who prefers not to use it. The My Location technology is available on most smartphones, including all color BlackBerry devices, all Symbian Series 60 3rd Edition devices, most Windows Mobile devices, newer Sony Ericsson devices, and some Motorola devices.

To download Google Maps for mobile with My Location, point your mobile or desktop web browser to www.google.com/mobile/gmm/index.html .

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//Monday, November 05, 2007


  Palm responds to Android
Palm has responded to today's Android announcement from Google.

"Palm has always been committed to open platforms for developers. And Palm has the added differentiation of being able to tightly integrate the software platform with our hardware design, which we believe gives us an advantage in delivering a great user experience.

Palm customers have benefited from the availability of Google services on Palm's platform, such as Google Maps for mobile on Palm OS. And we look forward to further collaboration with Google to offer great user experiences on Palm products."

It's no surprise that Palm isn't aligned with Google and their Android Linux-based operating system. Palm has been working on their own Linux-based mobile operating system for years;) In all seriousness, Palm has too much invested (money and time) in their Linux-based Palm OS to join forces with Google. Hopefully Palm will ship devices running their Linux-based OS before Android-based devices ship. One can only hope...

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  Google annnounces "Android" mobile operating system
Industry Leaders Announce Open Platform for Mobile Devices

Group Pledges to Unleash Innovation for Mobile Users Worldwide

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.; BONN, Germany; TAOYUAN, Taiwan; SAN DIEGO, Calif.; SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (November 5, 2007) -- A broad alliance of leading technology and wireless companies today joined forces to announce the development of Android, the first truly open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices. Google Inc., T-Mobile, HTC, Qualcomm, Motorola and others have collaborated on the development of Android through the Open Handset Alliance, a multinational alliance of technology and mobile industry leaders.

This alliance shares a common goal of fostering innovation on mobile devices and giving consumers a far better user experience than much of what is available on today's mobile platforms. By providing developers a new level of openness that enables them to work more collaboratively, Android will accelerate the pace at which new and compelling mobile services are made available to consumers.

With nearly 3 billion users worldwide, the mobile phone has become the most personal and ubiquitous communications device. However, the lack of a collaborative effort has made it a challenge for developers, wireless operators and handset manufacturers to respond as quickly as possible to the ever-changing needs of savvy mobile consumers. Through Android, developers, wireless operators and handset manufacturers will be better positioned to bring to market innovative new products faster and at a much lower cost. The end result will be an unprecedented mobile platform that will enable wireless operators and manufacturers to give their customers better, more personal and more flexible mobile experiences.

Thirty-four companies have formed the Open Handset Alliance, which aims to develop technologies that will significantly lower the cost of developing and distributing mobile devices and services. The Android platform is the first step in this direction -- a fully integrated mobile "software stack" that consists of an operating system, middleware, user-friendly interface and applications. Consumers should expect the first phones based on Android to be available in the second half of 2008.

The Android platform will be made available under one of the most progressive, developer-friendly open-source licenses, which gives mobile operators and device manufacturers significant freedom and flexibility to design products. Next week the Alliance will release an early access software development kit to provide developers with the tools necessary to create innovative and compelling applications for the platform.

Android holds the promise of unprecedented benefits for consumers, developers and manufacturers of mobile services and devices. Handset manufacturers and wireless operators will be free to customize Android in order to bring to market innovative new products faster and at a much lower cost. Developers will have complete access to handset capabilities and tools that will enable them to build more compelling and user-friendly services, bringing the Internet developer model to the mobile space. And consumers worldwide will have access to less expensive mobile devices that feature more compelling services, rich Internet applications and easier-to-use interfaces -- ultimately creating a superior mobile experience.

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  Google to unveil mobile strategy: sources
"NEW YORK (Reuters) - Google Inc will unveil its mobile strategy on Monday, including a phone operating system and a broad alliance with multiple wireless service providers and handset vendors, people familiar with the matter said on Friday.

Sources said the Google mobile operating system would be based on open-source Linux code, which will support applications from different software developers in addition to Google's own services, which include e-mail and mapping.

Its partners include Sprint Nextel Corp, Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile USA, Motorola Inc and Samsung Electronics, sources said.

The phones are expected to come on the market around the middle of 2008, said one person who was briefed on the plans.

Google has been in talks with Verizon Wireless -- jointly owned by Verizon Communications and Vodafone Group Plc -- about putting Google applications on the phones it offers, people familiar with the matter said this week.

Anian, a Reuters company that tracks industry trends for institutional investors, reported this summer that Google had engaged Taiwan's High Tech Computer Corp to design a Linux software-based phone for launch in the first quarter.

All the companies involved declined to comment" Via Reuters

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//Wednesday, October 31, 2007


  Google shares break $700 on reports of wireless talks
San Francisco (IDGNS) - Google's stock broke through the $700 mark on Wednesday, after press reports that the search engine giant is in advanced talks with U.S. wireless carriers over adoption of mobile phone software Google is reportedly developing.

On Tuesday evening, Reuters and The Wall Street Journal, quoting anonymous sources, reported that Google and Verizon Wireless are making progress in drafting a mobile partnership.

On Wednesday morning, the Journal expanded its story, reporting that Sprint Nextel is also at the negotiating table with Google. Via Yahoo .

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  Google in talks with Verizon and Sprint
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Google is currently in talks with Verizon and Sprint about its new mobile-phone operating system.

"Google Inc. is in advanced talks with two top U.S. cellphone operators, Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel Corp., about selling handsets tailored to its new mobile-phone operating system, people familiar with the matter said.

Deals with the carriers would represent a major breakthrough for the Internet search giant, which until now has encountered wariness from some quarters of the wireless industry about its mobile-phone plans. Google shares crossed $700 Wednesday on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The milestone is a fresh intraday high for the company, after it passed $600 for the first time only three weeks ago.

Within two weeks, Google is expected to announce new software and services that handset makers could use to build customized Google-powered phones. The company needs wireless operators to sign on to the project in order to get its mobile devices in front of consumers by the middle of next year. Verizon Wireless, a joint venture of Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group PLC, and Sprint Nextel are both in advanced discussions with Google, the people familiar with the talks said."

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//Wednesday, September 26, 2007


  Another Microsoft Search Engine...

Do you remember the late 1990s? Way back then Yahoo! was king, Google was a baby and Microsoft was focused on the future.

Now, after several failed attempts (Yukon, MSN v.1, MSN v.2, MSN v.3 and Live v.1), Microsoft is re-creating its search engine with 'improvements in several specific types of search queries, notably in video search and in searches for products.' I say that it has been done before: Google.

From news.com via The Drudge Report

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//Thursday, July 26, 2007


  Google and Sprint working on new WiMAX portal
"Google aims to offer all of its services through Sprint's upcoming WiMAX network, going live in 2008.

In collaboration with Sprint, Google will bring WiMAX mobile Internet customers content such as search, interactive communications and social networking tools through a new mobile portal.

Sprint network bandwidth, location detection, presence capabilities and multimedia services will initially be matched with Google Apps, which combines Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Talk services.

The mobile portal will be available through WiMAX enabled handsets, laptops, portable media players and other devices that'll offer WiMAX support. Eventually, the WiMAX service will also be available in vehicles for navigation information, news and entertainment." Via infosync .

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//Monday, July 16, 2007


  GrandCentral
Chances are you use more than one phone number, GrandCentral ties all of your phone numbers into one number. GrandCentral recently got acquired by Google and here's why:

"GrandCentral is an innovative service that lets users integrate all of their existing phone numbers and voice mailboxes into one account, which can be accessed from the web. We think GrandCentral's technology fits well into Google's efforts to provide services that enhance the collaborative exchange of information between our users.

GrandCentral offers many features that complement the phone services you already use. If you have multiple phone numbers (e.g., home, work, cell), you get one phone number that you can set to ring all, some, or none of your phones, based on who's calling. This way, your phone number is tied to you, and not your location or job. The service also gives you one central voice mailbox. You can listen to your voicemails online or from any phone, forward them to anybody, add the caller to your address book, block a caller as spam, and a lot more. You can even listen in on voicemail messages from your phone while they are being recorded, or switch a call from your cell phone to your desk phone and back again. All in all, you'll have a lot more control over your phones."

This is a great service for people that have more than 1 cellphone;)To find out more about GrandCentral, and to sign up click here .

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//Monday, June 25, 2007


  In not-iPhone news, Google to buy Grand Central
The Boy Genius is reporting that Google is about to make another acquisition.

"Search giant Google is in the final stages of negotiating a deal to purchase Grand Central. The purveyors of "One Number for Life" will soon find themselves under the warm and protective Google umbrella. Grand Central is an innovative service that provides users with a single phone number that can route calls to multiple different phone lines, giving you single number access to a land line, cell phone, business phone, and more. It also provides email delivery of MP3-encoded voice mail messages, among many other things. This appears to be a smart move on Google's part, further enabling the company to pursue world domination, supreme wealth, and king of the hill status."

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//Thursday, June 21, 2007


  Brandishing iPhone, Google CEO says expect more Apple+Google collaboration to come
"Apple's much-vaunted iPhone received a ringing endorsement from the chief executive of Google, Eric Schmidt, on Tuesday, after he claimed that the handset was a perfect platform for the search specialist's hosted applications," Andrew Donoghue reports for ZDNet UK.

"Speaking at an event in Paris on Tuesday, Schmidt was questioned on whether, as Google's boss and an Apple board member, he had any insights into future collaboration between the two companies. 'What you are really asking is to see my iPhone,' he quipped before producing a handset from his pocket. 'iPhone is a powerful new device and is going to be particularly good for the apps that Google is building. You should expect other announcements from the two companies over time,' he said," Donoghue reports." Via MacDailyNews .

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//Tuesday, June 05, 2007


  Google Maps StreetView: What Fun!

Google Maps StreetView has been the center of controversy since its inception.

First, we see the faces of people.

Then, we see the home of the one and only, Mr. Steve Jobs.

Google has given us, the ordinary people, the power to find almost anything, anyone or any place.

But with all of the good that technology brings us, and Google brings us more than most, we must learn to take the good with the bad. Technology is good. It mustn't be stopped nor infringed upon. Let Google do what Google does: it makes my day ahelluva lot easier.

Besides, when exactly did email go from this to this to this NSFW anyway?

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//Thursday, May 31, 2007


  Google Gears: Take your apps offline

The Boy Genius is reporting that Google has released a new application. It's called Google Gears.

"Google has released a free, fully open source technology in order to help not just Google applications, but all Web applications. The technology takes advantage of the offline mode built into most modern browsers. It lets you perform the tasks you would normally do online, while being away from an internet connection. For starters, the Google Reader feed reader is available with Gears enabled offline capabilities. In the future Google hopes to bring this technology to its other Office-like apps, including Google Docs & Spreadsheets, Google Calendar, and even GMail."

You can download Google Gears here .

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//Tuesday, May 29, 2007


  Google cooking up more apps for the iPhone and other details

"So The Seattle Times got a sit down with the rather guarded Glenn Lurie, AT&T's man on the ground for the iPhone. While he didn't give much up in the way of the phone's finer details, he did have one takeaway that left us interested. When asked about the mass skepticism over the iPhone's price, he replied "... There are other things -- you have the widgets, some of the Google applications that are coming -- there are just so many things here that the price will not be an issue." Now, we don't want to get all weird here and read tea leaves, but he did say Google applications (as in plural), so we think it's safe to say Google has more planned than just Gmaps for the iPhone. We wouldn't be surprised to see a Google news reader, Gmail, or even Gcal apps on there." Via Engadget .

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//Wednesday, April 18, 2007


  HTC to ship Google Phone by end of 2007?
"High Tech Computer (HTC) is now manufacturing Google handsets with shipments officially commencing at the end of 2007, according to handset component makers. The makers also said the shipment volume will reach as high as one million units. Google handsets will hit the global market in 2008, noted the component makers. The Google handset will support Texas Instruments' (TI) 3G platform and EDGE, pointed out the makers. The handset, however, will not feature GPS functionality. The device will also feature built-in G-mail and Google search." Via Pocket PC Thoughts .

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//Friday, April 06, 2007


  Google releases GOOG-411
"Google Labs just rolled out a Google Voice Local Search, which is basically a free 411 search along the lines of previously mentioned 1-800-FREE-411.

To use the local business search tool, pick up your phone and dial 1-800-GOOG-411. Like you'd expect, an automated operator starts asking you questions and you narrow in on what you're looking for. Once you get your results, Google can connect you to the business for free or say, "text message", and it'll send you details by SMS to your phone. And since you're sure to want to know all of the advanced shortcuts, be sure to check out the GOOG-411 cheatsheet.

In my test runs, I didn't run into any ads (strangely enough - maybe in time), and the voice recognition was quick and correct every time. It's still considered "experimental", but it looks like it's already a great service." Check out LifeHacker for more information.

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//Wednesday, April 04, 2007


  Hands-on with new Google Desktop for Mac beta
"Google Desktop has finally made its way to the Mac. Almost two and a half years after the initial introduction of the Google Desktop search beta for Windows, the desktop searching tool will be available as a beta for OS X users today," Jacqui Cheng reports for Ars Technica.

Cheng reports, "Like both Spotlight (built into OS X 10.4) and the third-party utility Quicksilver, Google Desktop offers users the ability perform an indexed search of their entire computer's contents, including applications, music, photos, chat logs, e-mail, and other documents."

"In addition to what's stored on the hard drive, however, Google Desktop also allows users to index their Gmail from Google's servers as well as the contents of their web search history, so that a copy is always accessible to them, even when the computer is no longer connected to the Internet," Cheng reports.

Cheng reports, "The beta period for Google Desktops for the Mac will likely last about three months in order to get user feedback. The Google team says that it plans to eventually bring all Google Desktop features to the Mac, which they estimate to happen sometime within the next six months."

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//Monday, March 19, 2007


  Google confirms they're working on a smartphone
Brighthand is reporting that a "high-level" Google executive has confirmed what we've all been suspecting, Google is working on a smartphone.

"Isabel Aguilera, the company's Managing Director in Spain and Portugal, told the Spanish web site Noticias that Google engineers are in the process of creating a phone that can access its mobile services, such as its search engine, gMail, and Google Maps.

According to Aguilera, the goal of the project is to make these services available to people in developing countries, where PCs are rare but phones are relatively common."

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  Google is so yesterday, K-Fed is the new way to search
This is no joke, K-Fed wants in on the search engine action just like Google. The hopefully soon to be ex-Mr. Britney Spears has launched a search engine complete with Firefox and Internet Explorer plugins to help you get your search on "K-Fed style". If you use the branded SEARCH WITH KEVIN toolbar and plugin you get the chance to win prizes like tickets to his birthday party or some of Britney's money. Watch out Google, we all know how talented K-Fed is.

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//Wednesday, February 14, 2007


  Gmail Now Open To Everybody
"Just a quick tip for y'all: Google just opened up Gmail to everybody in the whole wide world today, so if you're one of the few who doesn't have an account yet, get to it. Don't forget that Gmail now works splendidly with Java-friendly cellphones, too." Via Gizmodo .

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