Results tagged “google” from The Daily Nugget

Google lays off 300 from DoubleClick making this the first job cuts in Google history.  Google had acquired DoubleClick last month, so this could just be a way of reducing overlapping functions.  Either way, its a reduction in force and a clear sign that the economic downturn is hitting everyone.

Google announced that it was entering the mobile phone market by offering a software stack to work on new cellular phone devices that will be out in 2008. The new software will allow users to get Internet ads without being tethered to their computer. Analysts are already saying that the software is a threat to Microsoft, RIM, Palm and Symbian, even though the software and its features are unknown. Whatever.

I don't think people are going to want a cell phone that pummels them with ads, no matter how nice the interface or browser on the phone. The reason why Google is doing so well thus far is that ads in search (adwords) and pages (adsense) are relatively unobtrusive. Based on the amount of screen real estate most people have, ads are a pretty small portion of the screen. However, as the screen shrinks to cell phone size, that is no longer be the case. Nobody is going to want an ad supported phone.

However, that isn't going to stop analysts from blindly talking up Google and its prospects. Sheep.

Google announced today that they will give $20 million to the first person or group to put a robotic lander on the moon, take a spin across the lunar landscape, and beam back visuals, with minimal or no government assistance. You can win up to $5 million more for extras like traversing great distances, visiting historic landing sites, and surviving the lunar night. If you land safely but fail to rove you will get a $5 million consolation prize. Check out the details of the Google X Prize and start building your robot.

Google Maps Street View has had everyone in the blogosphere talking about invasion of privacy even though the photos were all taken from a public street. Of course, Google fails to mention that the photos were taken with a 500mm zoom lens, but what the hell. I don't think it's that big of a deal, but I wasn't caught with my hand in my pants scratching my balls when the Google truck passed by.

Before you make your own decision Mark Morford's column on the subject is a must read, here's an excerpt:

Ah, Google, you great wicked benevolent super-cool vaguely disturbing Big Brother überbitch mega-company, quietly taking over the entire goddamn Net universe and most of the terrestrial world, too, one cool but simultaneously unnerving innovation at a time.

Do no evil they say, but everyone recently seems to be convinced otherwise. Ironically, just search "google street view" in Google News to get the latest in pissed off columns and news stories.

The new Google Maps Street View feature is crazy cool! Check it out!

Yet another article to make you feel jealous of Google millionaires.

In Beta, now you can Google the entire U.S. Patent and Trademark Office archives.

Google announced today that it will buy YouTube for for $1.65 billion.

Free Google WiFi in San Francisco hasn't happened yet, but apparently free Google WiFi in Mountain View, its hometown, may happen much much sooner. Google has spent a measly $1 million of its $10 billion stash on the project to give free WiFi at DSL speeds to the netizens of Mountain View. Let's not all hold our breath for the San Francisco WiFi network, since it may never happen.

Google is called ?? (goo-guh, song of the grain) in China. Link.

In a recent Fortune article, Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's CEO was asked if he had an iPod. Here's his looney answer:

"No, I do not. Nor do my children. My children--in many dimensions they're as poorly behaved as many other children, but at least on this dimension I've got my kids brainwashed: You don't use Google, and you don't use an iPod."

I guess being the son or daughter of one of the richest men in the U.S. has its drawbacks. You do have to submit yourself to being brainwashed. Do you think he does it himself, or do he have a brainwashing staff? Either way, how bummed are these kids?

I just recently upgraded to the Motorola RAZR V3 phone and wanted to see some cool color apps on it when I stumbled on Google Local for Mobile. Google Local is the official name for Google Maps. I just tried it and it is simply awesome. I know this is old news for many, but if you have a color phone and have not tried this application, you are missing out. Just type in "google.com/glm" into your phone's browser to download the application. Check it out.

At the behest of Gavin Newsom, the mayor of San Francisco, Google Inc. submitted a 100-page proposal to blanket the city of San Francisco with free WiFi Internet service so that "anyone in San Francisco could connect to the Internet." Many believe that this is a way for Google to use a real market as a test bed for new WiFi, and maybe WiMAX, initiatives and test location-based technology to improve its popular search services. Some industry experts doubt if Google has the telecom expertise to pull off a wireless service offering, but with $7 billion in cash they could certainly find the expertise in a hurry if needed. Regardless of Google's intentions, having free WiFi in the city would be great and having free WiMAX would be even better. Stay tuned to see if the proposal moves forward.

No relation to a celestial sea-person, but it seems that Google has taken its maps to a new level. Every lunar landing is mapped. However, I was hard-pressed to find a Waffle House or Super Wal-mart.

I know, I know. Google has a mappy feature with satellite views and all that jazz, but I wanted a map of the USA I could print out. So I searched for 'printable maps' and BAM! First link was National Geographic's Xpeditions Atlas site. Exactly what I needed. Not only was a US map available, but a map for just about any place on Earth was there. Pretty sweet. Then I searched for 'high paying jobs with little responsibility'. Not as successful...

That's right. You're getting the news here even before Slashdot. Google's Gmail has been down at least since 11:55 AM PST. As of this posting it's still down. I'm tempted to drive over to Google headquarters right now to complain!

"Server Error: The server encountered a temporary error and could not complete your request. Please try again in 30 seconds. "

Is 30 MINUTES a temporary error?

UPDATE (1:40PM): It's back up now... *grumble* *grumble*

Yes, it's sad that I can't live without email for an hour or two.

Obviously, the peeps at Google have nothing better to do with their free email system. I don't know if the Gmail users out there noticed, but if you open your Spam folder and look below the Google search box at the top of the page, you'll see a link to a spam recipe. To the right of the recipe are arrows you can use to navigate through the selections. Among the yummies you can create: Spam Swiss Pie, Cricket's Spam Quiche, and Spam Vegetable Strudel. My fave, Spicy Spam Kabobs. Looks delicioso!

EDIT: I just discovered Gmail gives you recycling tips when you open your Trash folder. Sweet.

Judd at TechnoTaste created a Google Maps plugin for Firefox. Now you can use the search bar in Firefox to find places anywhere on the planet. Need some Cuban food in Pembroke Pines? I recommend Padrino's. They have an all you can eat lunch buffet. Tasty. And the next time I'm in San Fran, I need to stop by Sun's Cafe. They claim to be a Korean Teriyaki House. ??? Via The Open Source Weblog.

Via the Google Blog, the world's most popular search engine now has an operator that will help you find movie-related info in a jiffy. Looking for a movie about rings and elves. Try [movie: rings elves]. How about a Steve McQueen flick? Try [movie: Steve McQueen]. Heck, maybe you want show times for a film in your area. [movie: Las Vegas, NV] should do the trick. I said it before. I'll say it again. Google. Cool like the other side of the pillow. And I thought the [define] operator was sweet.

Often Fabe and I talk about how cool Google is. Did you know that Google posts it top search terms on a web site for all to see? So anyone can find out that they love Brad Pitt in the UK, futbol is the most searched sport in Spain, and that Hilary Duff was Canada's most popular actress in January. That's pretty sweet. If you want to see more, just visit Google Zeitgeist. It's hot.

I just installed Google's Toolbar 3 Beta and let me just say, it's amazing! The coolest of the new features and one that I will use regularly in posting on this blog is the Spell Check. Spell Check allows you to spell check data that you type into any form! This means no more typing out large blog posts in MS Word prior to copying them into the Movable Type forms for publishing.

The AutoLink feature is cool too. It automatically links addresses on any page to the Google Maps service. Additionally, it can link package tracking numbers to delivery status, U.S. vehicle VIN numbers to vehicle history, and publication ISBN numbers to Amazon.com listings. They obviously have a deal with Amazon for the ISBN numbers. However, it's pretty funny that if you go to Barnes and Noble and click on an ISBN on their site it takes you to the book listing at Amazon. BN isn't going to like that shit, I am sure that cease and desist notices are flying as we speak.

Lastly, the Word Translator can translate single English words into other languages, but not foreign words into English. Or at least not yet! Once it translates reciprocally it will be more useful to me. However, I am sure this is very helpful for foreign Toolbar users. It is clear that Google will take over the world--I am just glad to be around to see it.

Experts are speculating that Google will go public with their Gmail service soon. Probably has something to do with the 50 invitations Gmail users received to give to friends and family. Honestly, I don't know that many people. If anyone wants a Gmail account, leave a comment. Remember to say 'Please'.

Looking for a place to eat? Google can help. Say your looking for a Korean restaurant in Nashville. Just visit Google, click on the Local link, and throw in the appropriate keywords (korean, nashville, tn). Voila! You're eating good!

Now if you are interested in a good Korean place in Nashville, I recommend Arirang on West End. They cook your food on grills in front of you. The kalbi and bulgogi are awesome!

What's this about a Google browser? I don't know how they got this by me. I mean, I'm a big Google fan. I can talk about how pimp Google is all day, f'sho! Somehow, those Internet gangstas got one passed me. Today the rumors for a Google browser grew when the Mountain View, California company straight jacked Firefox's lead programmer. This news had me high like Marion Berry with a crack pipe because I dig Firefox like I dig Google. They both be supa fly! Of course, news of this sort doesn't totally surprise me because I have no doubt that Google can hire anybody they want. What are they worth now? A googillion dollars? They could roll up into any company strapped with pocket protectors and red Swingline staplers and nerdjack anyone they wanted. Why? Because Google is a bad-ass mother fucker! Sort of like Samuel L. Jackson except it can do Boolean searches.

Okay, I've contained myself long enough. This is my fourth day out at Google and I just have to comment on the cafeteria. Like Butthead used to say, "It is the coolest thing I've ever seen!" The menu is outstanding and the price? Free. That's right, after you load up on food there isn't a cash register in sight. It's amazing.

And if that isn't enough, they just don't serve lunch, they serve dinner too. Not that you'd be hungry in between. Each building has snack areas that are filled with every possible beverage and snack. It's like having a high-end Whole Foods-like snack area with everything from potato chips to granola to fresh fruit. And to drink, they have everything from water and soda to Naked Juices to Starbuck Frappuccinos. Again, it's all free.

Instead of posting on Monster, they have their own standardized test. Brilliant!

Google's Desktop Search Beta. Once it indexes your hard drive, you can search for anything on your computer using Google's UI. It even indexes your messages in Outlook so that you can find that message your boss sent three weeks ago. Having tooled around with it for an hour or so, I must say that it's one of the best, most useful pieces of software I've installed on my computer behind Star Wars Galaxies and Firefox.

This weekend, I had to answer a support call for the Broward County Supervisor of Elections Call Center hosted at my University. For some reason (actually 2), the call center couldn't connect to the SOE network in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. After pulling a Fabian and rescuing the call center, I had a chance to chat with one of SOE's technicians. He asked me if I used Google's new email service, Gmail. I told him that I didn't have an account. He said, "Want one?" What? Hell, yes! So he sent me an invite and I was on my way.

Well, this morning, Google informed me that I had six invitations to give to my peeps. So I hooked up the girlfriend. Then I handed some accounts out to my boys, including one Fabian Gonzalez. Let me just say that Gmail is hot. There are some quirks since it is still in beta, but I love the way it handles email. Messages are grouped by 'conversations' rather than date. It has a killer autocomplete feature. It's also mad simple. What else could you want from a FREE email program?

Google just launched a beta of its new Froogle service, just in time for the holidays. It is an online product search engine that finds the cheapest online prices for you. I think c|net had something like this a while back. Anyway, the good news is that it is a sweet service. The bad news is that the Canon 1Ds digital SLR is still selling for $8k. I'll be waiting a long time for that one to come down.

Newsweek just ran this story on Google detailing how it is changing our culture. People are using the search engine to research everything under the sun--from corporate due diligence and tracking down con men to women doing background searches on prospective dates. I've googled almost everyone I know at least once, just for fun. I've been preaching the praises of Google for several years and it's nice to know that the rest of the world is finally catching up.