Google Hosted App vs. Gmail
I switched over to Gmail from Yahoo Mail years ago and I moved to a Google Hosted App soon after. I have been using it for quite some time but I am thinking it may be time to switch back to Gmail.
- Both are pretty much the same technology and interface
- To use Google Reader I need to use my Gmail Google Account
- I can’t import my contacts into any web service since most only offer Gmail/YMail/Hotmail options
- Gmail gets new features before Hosted
- Hosted is handy to create sub-accounts for my domain but I don’t tend to use this
Granted, I don’t know of any way to merge my two accounts and it’s always a pain to have archives floating in different places. Something to look into.
Tech Logo Evolution
A great post from Neatorama on the evolution of some tech companies logos, with an interesting history of them. As you can see by the image, Apple is included, as is Google, IBM, and others.
Rumor has it that the bite on the Apple logo was a nod to Alan Turing, the father of modern computer science who committed suicide by eating a cyanide-laced apple. Janoff, however, said in an interview that though he was mindful of the “byte/bite” pun (Apple’s slogan back then: “Byte into an Apple”), he designed the logo as such to “prevent the apple from looking like a cherry tomato.” (Source)
In 1998, supposedly at the insistence of Jobs, who had just returned to the company, Apple replaced the rainbow logo (”the most expensive bloody logo ever designed” said Apple President Mike Scott) with a modern-looking, monochrome logo.
Thanks to TechCrunch.
MSFT To Buy YHOO
It’s not surprising that someone bought Yahoo, they are in a mess and are in desperate need of it… but Microsoft? Wow. It makes sense for them to combine to fight Google but I’m still shocked, mostly because of what both MS and Yahoo used to be in search and how they have dropped off the radar.
Got the news first from Fred. Stories on Marketwatch and WSJ.
Google Docs Presentations
Finally Google Docs is complete and now includes Presentations, and covers all the major apps of MS Office.
I tested it out with a PPT file and it uploaded great, and allows for centralized sharing and collaborating.
A pitchy video:
Google Reader Search
Looks like Google Reader has finally added search, a long overdue feature. Always surprised me that a Google product didn’t have search. Now if I only knew when it will show for me…
Thanks to Matt.
[Update] 5 minutes after my post it is now included.
gPhone
As mentioned on CrunchGear, looks like Google’s gPhone has been “confirmed” for Q1 2008.
With its own Google maps, integration with Gmail and gCal, as well as Google Talk. Should be interesting if its data only and no voice plan.
Doubloogle
As a follow-up to my DoubleSoft post, looks like Google beat out Microsoft for Doubleclick. Looks like Real Media Open AdStream just got a bigger competitor. You have to wonder how serious Microsoft is about getting back in the game. It’s not like they don’t have a sizable war chest, but I guess it comes down to their ability to make money on a deal, and I’m sure Google has a higher threshold.
I am not concerned yet over the size of Google. I have not seen the predatory practices that I saw from Microsoft, that created my great dislike for their monopoly. More power to Google and Apple.
Hoboken Sealevel
So with all the global warming talk, Flood Maps makes it interesting to play around with sea level changes to see what impact a rise would have.
Above is Hoboken with a 1 meter sea level rise, based on NASA data. Not too much of a change except a few spots to the north filling up. But at 5 meters Hoboken is an island.
Hoboken with 5 meters of sea rise:
Hoboken with 10 meters of sea rise:
Personalized Google Themes
I wasn’t going to post on this, since I didn’t see it as too big a deal. Google just added a few Themes to their Personalized Google page.
At first blush I was thinking it was a nice touch, a little bit of eye candy, so I added the Beach Theme to my IG page. But I could notice subtle changes in the header graphic and couldn’t put my finger on them until I actually paid attention.
The graphic changes based on what time of day it is!
Classic Google, a nice understated effect that adds to the enjoyment of a webpage. I just think this is a nice nifty touch.
I would suggest a change though
- Set time based on users timezone - looks to be Pacific time right now
Google Goes In-Game
Google yesterday bought Adscape Media, a company that does in-game advertising. Double Fusion is the big player in the space. More on Adscape on Gamasutra. Vallywag puts the price at $23 million.
Our technology, which has been in development for the past four years, allows Adscape Media to provide publishers the added benefit of more than just today’s static and dynamic in-game advertising. Adscape Media’s technology also provides an interactive element – a “gateway” – that provides publishers a variety of new outlets for additional revenue streams above and beyond those currently being used in games today, while at the same time providing advertisers with a unique, customizable approach to reaching gamers in an engaging way.
Gotta love the press release… chuck full of not much information.
