Googling Google

August 28th, 2008

First images of Google-powered HTC Dream

Posted by Garett Rogers @ 7:00 am

Categories: Google Phone

Tags: Google Inc., High Tech Computer Corp., Bluetooth, Digital Media, Digital Video, Cellular Phones, Digital Music, Wi-Fi, Wireless, Consumer Electronics

It was rumored that the HTC G1 (Dream) would be the first Google powered phone on the market, and if everything pans out, those rumors will end up being true with a launch date sooner than later. Android Guys have the first mock-up drawings of the Dream, and it’s clearly Google powered — the back of the phone says “with Google”.

[image from Android Guys]

The image shows a fairly basic looking phone that has a sliding screen that reveals a full qwerty keyboard. It’s also got some pretty decent specs:

• 528Mhz Qualcomm 7201 processor
• Data kit for USB connectivity in the box
• 64MB Internal RAM
• 128MB Internal ROM
• 1GB MicroSD card
• 5 Row QWERTY keypad
• Trackball
• Dedicated camera button
• 3.1MP camera (no flash) 2048 x 1536
• Video playback files - H.264, streaming, 3GPP, MPEG4, and Codec 3GP
• Dedicated YouTube Player
• Audio playback files - MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA, MPEG4, WAV, MIDI, REAL AUDIO, OGG
• Wallpaper supports JPG, BMP, PNG, and GIF
• Speakerphone (mono, natch)
• Ringtones (MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA)
• HTTP, WAP Push, xHTML
• Bluetooth (class 1)
• Picture Caller ID
• SMS and MMS support (Take that Apple!)
• POP, IMAP, and SMTP, AOL, and GMAIL email
• AIM, MSN, YAHOO, and GTALK messaging
• Quad Band (850, 900, 1800, 1900)
• 3G
• 802.11b & 802.11g
• UMTS (1,4), HSDPA, SUPL
• 1150mAh battery
• Screen size is 3.17″ with HVGA (480 x 320)
• Handset 117 x 55 x 16mm
• 5.6 oz weight
• Sync capable with Google Calendar
• Downloadable content via Android Marketplace
• Google Streetview with built-in compass

We can probably subtract GTalk messaging from the list of features though — that has been officially scrapped for security reasons. There’s no word on when this API will be re-introduced, but certainly they will do their best to make it available to developers sooner than later.

Bluetooth functionality will be limited to things like headsets in the first version of the Android SDK. That means developers will not be able to create their own Bluetooth enabled applications any longer. The reason? Mostly because the API was incomplete, and would have shipped broken if it was included in version 1.0. Google has every intention of re-including this, but they are going to make sure they have it right before it’s added.

Still no official word on when the HTC G1 (Dream) will be launched — but it shouldn’t be long now. Will you get it?

August 26th, 2008

Google Suggest goes live, will people like it?

Posted by Garett Rogers @ 4:42 pm

Categories: Google

Tags: Google Inc., Google Suggest, Security, Garett Rogers

Google Suggest is a feature that gives you automatic recommendations when you begin to search for something — it’s eluded the official Google homepage for several years, but today it has finally found it’s way there. The question now, as Philipp Lenssen puts it, is weather it will be useful or annoying in the long run.

I would suggest (no pun intended) that Google has probably done enough experimentation to determine that it will be a positive experience for everyone. I come to this conclusion because I know how protective they are of their homepage — even adding the privacy link at the bottom took forever, and even then the word “Google” was removed to compensate for the added word.

What do you think of Google Suggest on the main page?

August 23rd, 2008

Google finally ready to launch Jaiku on their platform

Posted by Garett Rogers @ 8:24 pm

Categories: Google

Tags: Google Inc., Jaiku, Activity Stream, Text Messaging/SMS/MMS, Channel Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Telephony, Servers, Cellular Phones, Consumer Electronics

Jaiku is down, and according to jaikuinvites, it’s because they have finally moved their system to the Google App Engine platform. There’s no official word from Google about what’s happening, but their website describes it as “server maintenance”.

If you’re wondering what Jaiku is, you can basically think of it as Twitter, but owned and operated by Google. Here’s how they describe themselves:

Jaiku’s main goal is to bring people closer together by enabling them to share their activity streams. An activity stream is a log of everyday things as they happen: your status messages, recommendations, events you’re attending, photos you’ve taken - anything you post directly to Jaiku or add using Web feeds. We offer a way to connect with the people you care about by sharing your activities with them on the Web, IM, and SMS - as well as through a slew of cool third-party applications built by other developers using our API.

It didn’t take long after the acquisition for people to start wondering if Google had forgotten about this service. Twitter has been plagued with downtime, and it is surprising that Google hasn’t yet taken advantage of that situation.

We’re not too far away from seeing a new Jaiku though — or at least a Jaiku that’s hosted on Google App Engine. Even if the service hasn’t changed, it is certain to be very reliable and scalable now that Google is finally hosting it. For proof that it’s now hosted by Google, check out the traceroute.

August 21st, 2008

Google gains share again, should Microsoft give up?

Posted by Garett Rogers @ 6:12 pm

Categories: Google, Microsoft

Tags: Google Inc., Microsoft Corp., Operating Systems, Software, Garett Rogers

Google has been gaining market share consistently since they day they opened up shop, and it doesn’t appear it will be slowing down any time soon — in July they were up to 62%. Yahoo and Microsoft have been trying their hardest, spending hundreds of millions of dollars each year to try and change users’ minds. Unfortunately for them, their money has so far been wasted considering they are consistently losing ground to Google — a company that really doesn’t even have to try.

So, 5 years down the road, what happens once Google’s market share moves from 60 some to 90 some? Does any other current search engine have a chance? I can see the battle ground moving off US soil to another country where there may be an opportunity for success. I sometimes feel that Microsoft and Yahoo should probably cut their losses with search, and start thinking outside the box. Leave “Google Killers” to start-ups who at least have a new brand going for them.

I often ask myself why Microsoft is so intent on trying to compete with Google anyways. Shouldn’t they be focusing their efforts on things they have proven they can do well, like creating excellent operating systems that get the job done in homes and in the enterprise? If it’s the big advertising bucks spurring their efforts to try and take on Google, they are trying too hard. Why not figure out how to work relevant advertising (that users will welcome) into the operating system in a way that isn’t intrusive, or a privacy problem, then give the operating system away for free.

I make it sound too easy, but anything can be figured out. Where there is a problem, there is usually a solution, and I think Microsoft would be spending their money more wisely figuring that out than trying to topple Google. What do you think about the future of Google’s market share, and what it means for the companies trying to compete?

August 19th, 2008

New Android SDK finally given to developers

Posted by Garett Rogers @ 9:56 pm

Categories: Google Phone, Usability

Tags: Developer, SDK, Garett Rogers

It’s been a long time since a new Android SDK has been publicly released to developers — the last one was made available only to contest winners which made some developers feel less than appreciated. This comes right after the FCC approved the first Android handset expected to be released very soon by HTC.

The new SDK comes with a brand new interface that I think addresses a lot of the problems older versions had — it’s a lot simpler, and most things make sense, or are easy to figure out. The previous version was filled with usability problems that made the device pretty much useless.

If you are interested in trying out the device before buying your own, do the following steps:

1) Download the SDK
2) Unzip into a directory on your computer
3) Open the “Tools” directory
4) Double-click on the “emulator.exe” application

A simulator will open up that lets you play with the operating system — mind you, there’s not a whole lot you can do with it until there is some kind of way to find and install applications from some sort of application directory.

This release, according to Google, is very close to what the final one will look like — the only thing left, likely, is finding and fixing bugs and security problems. What do you think of the new interface?

August 18th, 2008

Want to know what key political players are reading?

Posted by Garett Rogers @ 12:06 pm

Categories: Google Reader

Tags: Google Inc., News, Blogging, Web Site Development, Web Technology, Internet, Garett Rogers

This is an interesting idea — Google’s now sharing with the world what is catching attention from presidential candidates and political commentators. Political news isn’t hard to find online — it’s basically everywhere. Popular news featured on Google News is often political in nature, and there is certainly no shortage of political bloggers out there.

But, have you ever wondered what politicians and journalists themselves are reading? Do they find the same things interesting that you do? To help you answer that question, Google has launched a website called “Power Readers” that aggregates articles shared by these people through Google Reader.

So right now, who are considered “Power Readers”? Well, on the Official Google Blog, they have published the current list:

• Obama and McCain campaigns
• Mike Allen, POLITICO
• Chuck DeFeo, Townhall
• John Dickerson, Slate
• Mark Halperin, TIME
• Arianna Huffington, Huffington Post
• Ruth Marcus, Washington Post
• Jon Meacham, Newsweek
• Patrick Ruffini, The Next Right

A similar type of system be applied to lots of different types of news though — I think Google should definitely consider doing the same thing for Tech news (or perhaps even more detailed to something like “Google” or “Apple” news for example). What do you think?

August 16th, 2008

Google feeds publishers with new AdSense option

Posted by Garett Rogers @ 7:30 pm

Categories: Google AdSense, Google

Tags: Google Inc., Advertisement, Google AdSense, RSS, Internet, Garett Rogers

When most publishers use RSS feeds to syndicate their content, most are hoping readers click through to the original content, and then they can monetize it from there — unfortunately, consumers of this feed data are often just looking for a quick fix, and not really that interested in the actual source of the information. This has made monetizing content a bit tricky when providing full-text feeds.

When Google bought Feed Burner, they instantly got access to a whole bunch of new ad inventory — which has largely remained untapped. Google has finally publicly launched their solution to that problem — AdSense for Feeds.

Google has actually been trying out this service for a long time with a few selected feed publishers, but yesterday they launched it for the rest of the world . This new offering lets publishers very easily include AdSense in their RSS feeds which takes advantage of Google’s classic CPC (cost per click) and also CPM (cost per thousand impressions) ads.

To use the service, simply log into your AdSense account, then follow these steps:

1) Click on AdSense Setup
2) Click AdSense for Feeds
3) Fill out the setup form
4) Click “Save” and you’re done

Once you’ve finished this, the feeds you selected will now show ads at a frequency that matches the criteria you specified when setting it up, and you will magically begin receiving checks for all the content you have been syndicating for free all these years.

August 14th, 2008

First Android phone on September 17th?

Posted by Garett Rogers @ 10:26 pm

Categories: Google, Google Phone

Tags: Google Inc., High Tech Computer Corp., Phone, T-Mobile, Data Plan, Telecom & Utilities, 3G, Branding, Cellular Phones, Consumer Electronics

The Android project has been filled with rumor and speculation — and it continues. It sounds like the first handsets featuring Google Android will be available on September 17th for existing T-Mobile customers. There is no official word that confirms or denies this, but apparently the sources are credible.

The first “Android phone” exists. It’s a HTC phone and it appears to already be in the “first series” phase as it is being distributed now among selected employees/managers at HTC, T-Mobile and 3rd parties. Various organizational activities, including marketing and training of employees, have started. — Venture Beat

If true, the price sounds a bit scary — $150 if you pick it up during the presale (that’s the September 17th launch), or $399 otherwise (sometime in October). If the price isn’t enough to scare you, it sounds like the data plan will be more expensive than current ones available through T-Mobile currently too.

Being 3G enabled, the HTC manufactured G1 will unfortunately require its own data plan from T-mobile, which we expect to be more expensive then current data plans. Interestingly enough (maybe not so much knowing Google) users will be required to have a Google Gmail account for the phone to work.

It’s going to be a battle of brands — Google vs. Apple. Which company can leverage their brand to influence buyers? My guess is that Apple will take the cake, but Google has surprised me before. What do you think?

August 13th, 2008

Google adds two new features to Gmail for Google Apps

Posted by Garett Rogers @ 5:39 pm

Categories: Gmail, Google Apps

Tags: Google Inc., Google Apps, Google Gmail, Gmail Feature, E-mail Providers, Cloud Computing, E-mail, Internet, Online Communications, Garett Rogers

Only a couple days after “the outage”, Google has responded with a couple new Gmail features that I’m sure some users will be happy about. Before we get to the new features, I should mention that Google has apologized for the inconvenience caused by a problem with the “contacts system” in Gmail.

We heard loud and clear today how much people care about their Gmail accounts. We followed all the emails to our support team and user group, we fielded phone calls from Google Apps customers and friends, and we saw the many Twitter posts. (We also heard from plenty of Googlers, who use Gmail for company email.) We never take for granted the commitment we’ve made to running an email service that you can count on.

The new Gmail features are small, but address two important issues — usability and security.

When users are used to other mail clients, there is one feature in Gmail that gets on your nerves — that is, you can’t select contacts while composing your message. You used to be expected to know someone’s name or email address, then begin typing it to get a list of users. Now, you can simply click on the “To:” to bring up your contact list, like in most other mail applications.

The second feature is important for security. Administrators can now enforce the usage of SSL, which can keep all traffic going to and coming from Gmail completely private, and basically invisible to anybody trying to sniff your packets.

What do you think of these new features?

August 11th, 2008

Gmail locks out users for an hour

Posted by Garett Rogers @ 4:44 pm

Categories: Gmail

Tags: Google Inc., Google Gmail, Customer Service, Gmail Team, E-mail Providers, Cloud Computing, Product Marketing, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Internet, Marketing

Today, Gmail went down for a “subset of users” (but from what I can tell it seems like it was everyone). When trying to log in, users were greeted with an uber descriptive error message “Temporary Error (502)”. The outage lasted for an hour, and according to the support group, the problem has now been resolved.

The Gmail team is currently aware of a subset of users being affected
by the 502 error on login. Our engineers are looking into the issue
and we will provide updates here as they become available.

…

[1 hour later]
Update - engineers have pinpointed the issue causing the 502 errors
and it looks as if users should start to regain normal functioning of
their account. Thanks for being patient while we worked to sort out
this problem.

This type of thing is what I am referring to when I complain about Google’s technical support. If this was truly limited to a “subset” of users, and it happened to be affecting the Google Apps account your business uses to provide email to employees, what good is a simple user group?

As a person who used to administer a Google Apps account with hundreds of users (but have since moved to MS Exchange), I can tell you that this type of thing does happen, and it’s impossible to explain what’s going on to users. This type of thing ultimately makes both end-users and administrators unhappy, and therefore it’s an impossible model to sustain. The answer is a simple, provide real customer service. Here’s how I propose Google deals with this important customer service problem.