Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Google's New Crossword-Style Trivia Game Wants Puzzlers to Search]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/a-google-a-day/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/a-google-a-day/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/a-google-a-day/#comments a google a day Fellow puzzle fans, Google has brought us joy. The engine's newest venture, A Google a Day, asks cunning participants not to use the knowledge they have but rather the knowledge they can unearth with Google search to solve riddles. Much like crossword puzzles (possibly your author's favorite pastime), the questions ask the solver to change the way they think. For today's riddle, searching "two presidents signed" automatically gives some good hints -- but the Google Gods seem to want us to rely more on search suggestions rather than our own acquired trivia.

Using agoogleaday.com instead of the regular Google shields you from real-time questions and answers, so your network and top hits won't spoil the fun. Searching down the 'Net's rabbit hole is kind of interesting, but Google really needs a way to track your success. After all, puzzle fiends solve for the glory and the feeling of completion, not the quiet satisfaction of "knowing things." Duh.

SwitchedGoogle's New Crossword-Style Trivia Game Wants Puzzlers to Search originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googlegoogle a daygoogle labsGoogleADayGoogleLabspuzzlepuzzlestoptriviaMon, 11 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Will No Longer Collect Street View Photos in Germany]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/google-will-no-longer-collect-street-view-photos-in-germany/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/google-will-no-longer-collect-street-view-photos-in-germany/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/google-will-no-longer-collect-street-view-photos-in-germany/#commentsGoogle has decided to stop collecting Street View photos in Germany, where regulators have spent much of the past two years railing against the search giant for violating the privacy of German residents. A company spokesman confirmed the decision in a statement sent to the Register, explaining that the images gathered across 20 German cities will remain available online, but reiterating that Google has "no plans to launch new imagery" in the country.

SwitchedGoogle Will No Longer Collect Street View Photos in Germany originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>germanygooglegoogle street viewgoogle street view in germanyGoogleStreetViewGoogleStreetViewInGermanyimagephotospoliticsprivacystreet viewStreetViewtopWebMon, 11 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Russia Won't Ban Gmail or Skype Amid Security Concerns]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/russia-wont-ban-gmail-or-skype-amid-security-concerns/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/russia-wont-ban-gmail-or-skype-amid-security-concerns/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/russia-wont-ban-gmail-or-skype-amid-security-concerns/#commentsIt looks like Russia won't be banning Skype or Gmail, after all. The Kremlin was reportedly considering blocking both services, along with Hotmail, in response to a major cyberattack that crippled the country's most popular blog and an independent news site. Some within the Kremlin had believed the services posed a major threat to national security, but some critics had thought the government may have just been looking for an excuse to tighten its control over the Web -- ahead of December's parliamentary elections and next year's presidential race.

SwitchedRussia Won't Ban Gmail or Skype Amid Security Concerns originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banCyberAttackemailGmailgooglehotmailkremlinpoliticsrussiasecurityskypetopWebMon, 11 Apr 2011 09:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Adding 'Channels' to YouTube, Looking to Compete With TV]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/07/google-youtube-channels-coming-soon/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/07/google-youtube-channels-coming-soon/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/07/google-youtube-channels-coming-soon/#commentsGoogle is looking to make some major changes to YouTube in an attempt to keep up with the expansion in services that allow users to stream content directly to their TVs.

Sources close to the matter told the Wall Street Journal that YouTube is planning to introduce new channels on the site, featuring both professionally produced, original content, as well as content that already exists on the platform. The channels will be highlighted on YouTube's homepage, and will be organized by category. The company is already holding discussions with Hollywood talent agencies about creating new channels, and may end up spending as much as $100 million on the overhaul.

Continue reading Google Adding 'Channels' to YouTube, Looking to Compete With TV

SwitchedGoogle Adding 'Channels' to YouTube, Looking to Compete With TV originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>broadcastchannelgooglegoogle+tvgoogletvhuluNetflixoverhaulstreamingtoptvvideoWebyoutubeyoutube+channelsYoutubeChannelsThu, 07 Apr 2011 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[New Jersey Feds Call Grand Jury Investigation Into Smartphone Apps]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/feds-call-grand-jury-investigation-into-smartphone-ap/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/feds-call-grand-jury-investigation-into-smartphone-ap/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/feds-call-grand-jury-investigation-into-smartphone-ap/#commentsFederal prosecutors in New Jersey have called for a grand jury investigation to determine whether or not smartphone apps have been illegally gathering and spreading users' personal information.

According to the Wall Street Journal, federal authorities are looking into whether or not app manufacturers properly disclosed the kinds of personal information their apps collect from users, and whether or not they provided justification for doing so. Failure to notify and inform consumers about data gathering could constitute a violation of federal law, a source close to the investigation explained.

Continue reading New Jersey Feds Call Grand Jury Investigation Into Smartphone Apps

SwitchedNew Jersey Feds Call Grand Jury Investigation Into Smartphone Apps originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidAppleappsdataFederalInvestigationgoogleGrandJuryiphoneNewJerseypandorapoliticsprivacysmartphonetopTue, 05 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Paying For an Online Reputation: Fair, Or Gaming the System?]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/paying-for-an-online-reputation-fair-or-gaming-the-system/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/paying-for-an-online-reputation-fair-or-gaming-the-system/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/paying-for-an-online-reputation-fair-or-gaming-the-system/#comments For everything we do now -- from scheduling a mover to choosing a restaurant for a first date -- we turn to the Web. Yelp, Twitter, Facebook, Citysearch and even Google immediately pull up reviews and hear what the collective voice of the Internet has to say. In fact, when scheduling a doctor, your author crosschecks what her insurance provides with what the consensus says; negative reviews are a big, fat red flag.

While businesses and providers have always had word-of-mouth reputations, these days, with Google caches and irate Yelpers, negative reviews can leave indelible marks. The New York Times tracks those who have been burned by Google: a man trying to erase his history with his ex-wife online, a doctor targeted by a consumer advocacy site, and a former sex columnist that was targeted by Gawker. Google them, and you'll see all sorts of sordid gossip. That's where companies like Reputation.com or Metal Rabbit Media come in, to erase the past to which the Internet so firmly clings.

Continue reading Paying For an Online Reputation: Fair, Or Gaming the System?

SwitchedPaying For an Online Reputation: Fair, Or Gaming the System? originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googlenew york timesNewYorkTimesonline reputationOnlineReputationreputationsearch engine optimizationsearch enginesSearchEngineOptimizationSearchEnginesseotopwebyelpyelp reviewsYelpReviewsMon, 04 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Book on Google Reveals Details on China, CEO's Political Donations]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/steven-levy-in-the-plex-reveals-china-details/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/steven-levy-in-the-plex-reveals-china-details/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/steven-levy-in-the-plex-reveals-china-details/#commentsIn his new book, 'In the Plex,' tech journalist Steven Levy traces the history of Google and exposes some juicy details about the company along the way.

The New York Times recently reviewed an advanced copy of the book, and highlighted some of its most interesting revelations. Eric Schmidt, for example, reportedly wanted to censor some Google search results in order to hide a political donation he made during his tenure as the company's CEO. His plans were derailed, however, when Google exec Sheryl Sandberg said it was "unacceptable," according to the Times. (Company spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker says Schmidt denies Levy's allegations.)

Continue reading New Book on Google Reveals Details on China, CEO's Political Donations

SwitchedNew Book on Google Reveals Details on China, CEO's Political Donations originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bookbookscensorshipchinaeric schmidtEricSchmidtgooglelarry pageLarryPagepoliticssearchsergey brinSergeyBrinsteven levyStevenLevytopWebMon, 04 Apr 2011 11:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Google's 'Gmail Motion' Prank is Even Less Funny Now That It's Real]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/kinect-makes-gmail-motion-april-fools-prank-a-reality/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/kinect-makes-gmail-motion-april-fools-prank-a-reality/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/kinect-makes-gmail-motion-april-fools-prank-a-reality/#comments
Google's Gmail Motion hoax might not be so far-fetched after all. A group of post-doc students at USC's Institute for Creative Technologies has turned Google's April Fools' joke into reality, using their software engineering skills and Microsoft Kinect motion sensors. They even incorporated the same ridiculous gestures that Google demonstrated in its prank video.

SwitchedGoogle's 'Gmail Motion' Prank is Even Less Funny Now That It's Real originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april foolsAprilFoolsevan sumaEvanSumaGmailgmail motiongmail+motion+prankGmailMotiongmailmotionprankgooglegoogle+gmail+motiongoogle+motiongooglegmailmotiongooglemotionict mxr labsIctMxrLabsis+gmail+motion+realisgmailmotionrealkinectsloowtopuscWebMon, 04 Apr 2011 10:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Eric Schmidt (Slightly) More Popular Than Steve Jobs, Employee Survey Says]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/02/eric-schmidt-slightly-more-popular-than-steve-jobs-employee-s/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/02/eric-schmidt-slightly-more-popular-than-steve-jobs-employee-s/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/02/eric-schmidt-slightly-more-popular-than-steve-jobs-employee-s/#commentsEric Schmidt may no longer be the CEO of Google, but he's still more popular at his office than Steve Jobs is at his. Schmidt finished his Google tenure with an approval rating of 96-percent, according to an employee survey conducted by Glassdoor.com. That score was barely enough to edge out Jobs, who boasts a piddly 95-percent approval rating, down from 98-percent last year. The biggest loser? That would be Yahoo's Carol Bartz, whose rating plummeted by 27 points since last year.

SwitchedEric Schmidt (Slightly) More Popular Than Steve Jobs, Employee Survey Says originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Appleapprovalceoeric schmidtEricSchmidtgoogleSilicon ValleySiliconValleysteve jobsSteveJobssurveytopYahooSat, 02 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[April Fools' Day: The Most Horrible Time of the Year]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/april-fools-day-the-most-horrible-time-of-the-year/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/april-fools-day-the-most-horrible-time-of-the-year/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/april-fools-day-the-most-horrible-time-of-the-year/#comments Google Motion Sadly, April Fools' Day has arrived. Every year on this day, tech companies across the country and the globe spend countless man hours and millions of dollars playing pranks on hapless consumers and frustrated tech journalists. In the past, we've been treated to such delightful jokes as Gmail Paper and every link on YouTube leading to a rickroll. Even NASA got in on the action by announcing it had found water on Mars in 2005, posting a Photoshopped image of a glass of water on the Red Planet. And today the Internet rolled out the prank parade again, trying to outdo last year's shenanigans. Here's a few from around the Web, including a torrent of tomfoolery from Google.

Continue reading April Fools' Day: The Most Horrible Time of the Year

SwitchedApril Fools' Day: The Most Horrible Time of the Year originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april foolsApril Fools DayAprilFoolsAprilFoolsDaygooglehululolzthinkgeektopwebyoutubeFri, 01 Apr 2011 11:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Denies Working on A Freaky Facial Recognition App]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/google-denies-freak-facial-recognition-app/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/google-denies-freak-facial-recognition-app/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/google-denies-freak-facial-recognition-app/#comments cnn vs. google Updated after the break.

Internet intrigue! A CNN story by Mark Milian reported that Google is working on a facial-recognition app that would be deployed in a manner similar to Google Goggles -- snap a picture of someone's face, and it leads back to their Google profile, more or less. We were all about to scream, "GOOGLE TO DESTROY LAST VESTIGES OF PRIVACY (AGAIN)" when suddenly we saw all of the retractions and updates screaming across our feeds: Google says much of the story is falsified.

An email from a Google spokesperson to Time's Techland reads thus:
I left you a voicemail about this, but saw your story based on CNN's speculative and inaccurate piece on a face recognition app and wanted to reach out -- your story is wrong because CNN's story is wrong. In fact, we are NOT "introducing a mobile application" (as the CNN piece claims) and as we've said for over a year, we would NOT add face recognition to any app like Goggles unless there was a strong privacy model in place. A number of items "reported" in the story, such as a potential app connecting phone numbers, email addresses and other information with a person's face, are purely speculative and are inventions of the reporter.

Continue reading Google Denies Working on A Freaky Facial Recognition App

SwitchedGoogle Denies Working on A Freaky Facial Recognition App originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appcnnfacial recognitionFacialRecognitiongooglemark milianMarkMilianmediatopThu, 31 Mar 2011 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Files Antitrust Complaint Against Google in E.U. Court]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/microsoft-files-antitrust-complaint-against-google/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/microsoft-files-antitrust-complaint-against-google/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/microsoft-files-antitrust-complaint-against-google/#comments google sign A decade after fighting a major antitrust lawsuit, Microsoft has filed exactly the same charges against Google. Today, the company will file a formal antitrust complaint with the European Union, joining a collection of small companies that have already made similar charges against the search giant.

Microsoft is hoping that the E.U. will take some action against Google, and perhaps convince regulators in the U.S to do the same. In Europe, several small Internet firms have filed charges against Google, arguing that the company's search engine unfairly favors its own products, thereby hindering competition.

Continue reading Microsoft Files Antitrust Complaint Against Google in E.U. Court

SwitchedMicrosoft Files Antitrust Complaint Against Google in E.U. Court originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingantitrustBingbusinessEuropeanUniongooglelawsuitMicrosoftmoneypoliticssearchtopWebyoutubeThu, 31 Mar 2011 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Google, FTC Reach Settlement on Buzz Privacy Case, John Kerry Wants to Go Further]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/google-buzz-settlement-ftc-john-kerry-wants-more/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/google-buzz-settlement-ftc-john-kerry-wants-more/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/google-buzz-settlement-ftc-john-kerry-wants-more/#commentsGoogle reached a historic settlement with the Federal Trade Commission yesterday, bringing an end to the FTC's investigation into Google Buzz -- the social network that has mired the company in allegations of privacy violations.

Under the settlement, Google will have to implement a "comprehensive privacy program," and will be subject to independent audits for the next two decades. Yesterday's announcement marks the first time that the FTC has targeted a company for violating privacy rules outlined in the U.S.-E.U. Safe Harbor Framework. It's also the first settlement explicitly requiring a firm to create a stronger privacy policy.

Continue reading Google, FTC Reach Settlement on Buzz Privacy Case, John Kerry Wants to Go Further

SwitchedGoogle, FTC Reach Settlement on Buzz Privacy Case, John Kerry Wants to Go Further originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 09:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consumerftcFtcSettlementgoogleGoogleBuzzJohnKerrylawpoliticsprivacysocialnetworkingtopwebThu, 31 Mar 2011 09:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Kansas City Scores High-Speed Google Network]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/kansas-city-scores-high-speed-google-network/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/kansas-city-scores-high-speed-google-network/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/kansas-city-scores-high-speed-google-network/#comments kansas city fiberWe had almost forgotten that Google promised to bring an experimental, super high-speed fiber optic network to one lucky American city way back in February of 2010. Along with its +1 recommendation service, Google also announced today the winner of its gigabit-per-second second network: Kansas City, Kansas. With this city of only 145,000 people, Google is starting small. When the service launches in 2012, we hope that other ISPs will have caught up.

SwitchedKansas City Scores High-Speed Google Network originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googleGoogleFiberForCommunitieskansas cityKansasCitynetworkingtopWed, 30 Mar 2011 15:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Google's New +1 Social Search Button Puts 'Likes' in Your Search]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/googles-new-1-social-search-button-puts-likes-in-your-search/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/googles-new-1-social-search-button-puts-likes-in-your-search/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/googles-new-1-social-search-button-puts-likes-in-your-search/#comments google plus one Adding yet another thing to click as you make your way across the Web, Google has finally launched its long-rumored '+1' recommendation service. (Try it out here.) It seems that Google is augmenting its algorithmically derived search results with your contacts' recommendations. Google's Matt Cutts told AdAge, "When someone recommends something, that's a pretty good indicator of quality." The assumption is that your friends' +1's would help you find, say, the best coffee shops in Austin or top-notch mushroom risotto recipes. While tweets and Facebook "likes" let users respond to your sharing, +1's are simply public votes for any given link you find through Google search.

Launching experimentally today, +1 can only be used on Google's search results pages, but will eventually be accessible from other links. Sites like Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr have proven to be helpful alternatives to search for finding and sharing interesting content, and Google's hybrid approach, with a potential user base of millions, could help improve the quality of search results.

Continue reading Google's New +1 Social Search Button Puts 'Likes' in Your Search

SwitchedGoogle's New +1 Social Search Button Puts 'Likes' in Your Search originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>+1add+google++1+to+youraddgoogle+1toyourgoogleGoogle+1GooglePlusOnenew+googlenewgooglePlusOnesearchsocialnetworkingtopwebWed, 30 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Priority Inbox Algorithm Co-Opted to Make Better Gmail Ads]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/priority-inbox-algorithm-co-opted-to-make-better-gmail-ads/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/priority-inbox-algorithm-co-opted-to-make-better-gmail-ads/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/priority-inbox-algorithm-co-opted-to-make-better-gmail-ads/#commentsGoogle announced today that it'll be instituting some changes to tailor the ads that appear in your inbox to your interests. Using the algorithm set up for Priority Inbox, Google can now better understand what is actually relevant to a user. The company is basically implementing the same technology used to sort your inbox for a more commercial (and probably more profitable) pursuit. For instance, if you get tons of bacn e-mails from travel websites but never read them, maybe travel ads aren't actually such a clever idea.

Even if you never click those ads in Gmail, the change will probably make for a somewhat more pleasant user experience. In my inbox right now there is an ad up for "The Most Authentic Biking & Hiking - Tours Of Italy Since 1989." That would be lovely if I were a 50-year-old millionaire, but frankly it just comes across as cruel.

Continue reading Priority Inbox Algorithm Co-Opted to Make Better Gmail Ads

SwitchedPriority Inbox Algorithm Co-Opted to Make Better Gmail Ads originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingalgorithmbacngmailgoogleinboxPriorityInboxsneakytopWed, 30 Mar 2011 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Talk Guru Takes Us Back to 2001, Resurrects Chat Bots]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/google-talk-guru-takes-us-back-to-2001-resurrects-chat-bots/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/google-talk-guru-takes-us-back-to-2001-resurrects-chat-bots/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/google-talk-guru-takes-us-back-to-2001-resurrects-chat-bots/#commentsGoogle Labs is attempting to resurrect chat bots with Google Talk Guru. The Guru is an automated IM service that can define words, perform basic calculations, translate text, pull in sports scores, perform Google searches, and tell you whether you should be glad or upset that you're stuck in front of a computer. Just send an invite to the Guru to chat with you, and ask away.

SwitchedGoogle Talk Guru Takes Us Back to 2001, Resurrects Chat Bots originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChatBotgoogleGoogleTalkGoogleTalkGurutopwebWed, 30 Mar 2011 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Street View Update Allows Walking Tour of Roman Colosseum]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/google-street-view-comes-to-rome/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/google-street-view-comes-to-rome/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/google-street-view-comes-to-rome/#comments google street view of colosseum As lame as it may be, we occasionally hop on the ol' Google Maps, and meander our ways down scenic city streets from our desks. Paris, New Orleans and Buenos Aires can all be ours, regardless of where we lay our laptops. Thanks to an update from Google, we can now wander off the streets of Rome and into the Colosseum. We'll get some work done next week.

SwitchedGoogle Street View Update Allows Walking Tour of Roman Colosseum originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>architecturecolosseumgoogleGoogleMapshistoryroman colosseumRomanColosseumromeStreetViewtopWed, 30 Mar 2011 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Is Google Recipe Search the Sandra Lee of Online Cooking Resources?]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/is-google-recipe-search-the-sandra-lee-of-online-cooking-resourc/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/is-google-recipe-search-the-sandra-lee-of-online-cooking-resourc/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/is-google-recipe-search-the-sandra-lee-of-online-cooking-resourc/#comments lasagna When Google announced its new recipe search earlier this month, I didn't pay the news much mind. As the resident foodie here, I've got my stable of RSS feeds and recipe databases from which I regularly cull meal ideas. I knew that Google's results, which would be predicated on page views and SEO, probably wouldn't fit my needs. I don't care to read Paula Deen's fried chicken recipe just because it sports the most reviews; I like my own (actually, it's Thomas Keller's) just fine.

But I had the sneaking suspicion that Google's recipe algorithm, like any other recommendation algorithm, would end up reducing the tyranny of choice to a recipe monopoly by a few large sites, and start recommending hapless and distraction-prone new cooks to "semi-homemade"-style dishes à la Sandra Lee (e.g., the Kwanzaa cake, whatever the hell this is). Amanda Hesser, founder of Food 52 and food columnist for the New York Times, is also worried. By trying to make "good" recipes easier to find, Google "inadvertently stepped into the middle of the battle between the quick-and-easy faction and the cooking-matters group," she writes. (Check out her full post here.)

Continue reading Is Google Recipe Search the Sandra Lee of Online Cooking Resources?

SwitchedIs Google Recipe Search the Sandra Lee of Online Cooking Resources? originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AmandaHessercookingfoodfood52googlemetadatarecipesSearchEngineOptimizationseotopwebMon, 28 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Using Google to Dissect Arab Revolutions]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/using-google-to-dissect-arab-revolutions/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/using-google-to-dissect-arab-revolutions/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/using-google-to-dissect-arab-revolutions/#comments egyptian on twitter The revolutions across the Middle East may have ushered in a new era of U.S. intelligence-gathering -- one that could even include Google.

Gabriel Koehler-Derrick, an instructor at West Point, and Joshua Goldstein, from Princeton, recently used Google Trends to analyze the terms that Web users in Egypt searched at the height of the country's recent upheaval. "What we did was a comparison of search terms over time starting from the moment the Internet was plugged back in by the government of Egypt on Jan. 25, and moving forward for a period of about 30 days to see what we could find out," Koehlser-Derrick explained to NPR.

Continue reading Using Google to Dissect Arab Revolutions

SwitchedUsing Google to Dissect Arab Revolutions originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>egyptgoogleGoogleTrendsintelligenceMiddleEastMiddleEastProtestsopensourcepoliticstopTunisiaWebFri, 25 Mar 2011 12:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Testing Google Music Internally, Still Needs Music]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/google-music-tested-internally/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/google-music-tested-internally/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/google-music-tested-internally/#comments
CNET is reporting that employees at Google have begun internally testing Google Music, meaning that the music streaming service could be ready for launch. There is, however, one slight problem: that Google Music needs music. Sources close to the company say that Google is still negotiating with the four major record labels, and that the talks have been delayed primarily because of the complexity of the issue. Google is reportedly pursuing the rights to store users' existing libraries on its cloud servers, but the labels are treading carefully.

SwitchedGoogle Testing Google Music Internally, Still Needs Music originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cloudgooglegoogle musicGoogleMusiclaunchmusicRecordLabelstreamingtopWebFri, 25 Mar 2011 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Artist Paints Murals on N.Y.C. Rooftops for Google Earth Viewing]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/molly-dilworth-paints-rooftops-for-google-earth/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/molly-dilworth-paints-rooftops-for-google-earth/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/molly-dilworth-paints-rooftops-for-google-earth/#comments molly dilworth painting Molly Dilworth wanted to expose her art to a wider audience, so she decided to paint giant murals on three rooftops in New York, in the hopes that people might stumble upon them while browsing Google Earth. The paintings eventually showed up in Google's satellite images, but didn't look quite as vibrant as Dilworth had anticipated -- nor did they reach a very wide audience. The experiment wasn't a complete failure, though. The murals apparently look great up close.

SwitchedArtist Paints Murals on N.Y.C. Rooftops for Google Earth Viewing originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artgoogleGoogleEarthimagesMollyDilworthmuralNewYorkrooftopsatellitetopWebFri, 25 Mar 2011 09:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Time to Turn Those YouTube Accounts Into Google Accounts]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/time-to-turn-those-youtube-accounts-into-google-accounts/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/time-to-turn-those-youtube-accounts-into-google-accounts/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/time-to-turn-those-youtube-accounts-into-google-accounts/#commentsAnyone still using old-school YouTube accounts (created before May 2009) will have to bite the bullet in the coming weeks and transition to a Google account. Understanding that there may be some resistance, Google points out the convenience of a single sign-on system, and touts the added features and improved security that a Google account can provide. So suck it up, holdouts, and link those accounts.

SwitchedTime to Turn Those YouTube Accounts Into Google Accounts originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 07:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googletopwebyoutubeFri, 25 Mar 2011 07:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Launches 'Think Quarterly' Magazine for U.K. Partners and Data Nerds]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/think-quarterly-google-magazine-launches/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/think-quarterly-google-magazine-launches/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/think-quarterly-google-magazine-launches/#comments Think Quarterly Google is getting in on the magazine game. (Sorta.) The company's U.K. arm just published the first issue of Think Quarterly, which the company bills as "breathing space in a busy world... a place to take time out and consider what's happening and why it matters." The 60-page mag was sent to a small selection of Google partners and advertisers in the U.K., but anyone can read it online. The fist issue is all about data, and features an interview with "data superstar" Hans Rosling (who gives a stunning TED talk every six months or so) and a visual history of data capture tools. There is, of course, a decidedly Google-heavy focus, but that doesn't prevent much of the content from being quite interesting (to nerds, at least).

You can read the entire magazine at ThinkQuarterly.co.uk, in either a traditional Web page format or as a full-screen recreation of the dead-tree magazine experience.

SwitchedGoogle Launches 'Think Quarterly' Magazine for U.K. Partners and Data Nerds originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dataDataVisualizationgoogleHansRoslingmagazineThinkQuarterlytopThu, 24 Mar 2011 11:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Democratic Senators Ask Apple to Remove DUI Checkpoint Apps]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/democratic-senators-ask-apple-to-remove-dui-checkpoint-apps/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/democratic-senators-ask-apple-to-remove-dui-checkpoint-apps/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/democratic-senators-ask-apple-to-remove-dui-checkpoint-apps/#commentsA group of Senators is asking Apple to remove from its App Store all apps designed to help drunk drivers avoid checkpoints -- apps that the politicians consider "harmful to public safety."

In a letter, four Senators -- Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Tom Udall (D-NM) -- argued that apps that help drivers avoid speed traps, sobriety checkpoints and police radar pose serious risks to other motorists. "Giving drunk drivers a free tool to evade checkpoints, putting innocent families and children at risk, is a matter of public concern," the Senators wrote in a letter to Apple, Google and BlackBerry manufacturer Research in Motion. "We hope that you will give our request to remove these applications from your store immediate consideration."

Continue reading Democratic Senators Ask Apple to Remove DUI Checkpoint Apps

SwitchedDemocratic Senators Ask Apple to Remove DUI Checkpoint Apps originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AppleappsAppStoreBlackBerryDemocratsdrunkDrunkDrivingduigooglelawPhantomAlertpolicepoliticsRIMtopWed, 23 Mar 2011 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Goes Gaga When the Lady Drops by Mountain View]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/lady-gaga-drops-by-google/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/lady-gaga-drops-by-google/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/lady-gaga-drops-by-google/#comments
If the Google facility were suddenly transported to another dimension, most of the more influential individuals in the Western world would disappear. And, in many ways, The Googleplex was transported the other day -- by the weird and wonderful Lady Gaga, who stopped by for a marathon interview with Google's Marissa Mayer (using fan-voted questions). She talked bullying, her next single and playing Cole Porter. Props to her for volleying the semi-awkward and over-rehearsed geekiness of Mayer. We like Mayer, but would've preferred it if she had not pulled out her own Lady Gaga Halloween photos.

SwitchedGoogle Goes Gaga When the Lady Drops by Mountain View originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiesgooglegoogle+gagagoogle+goes+gagagoogle+lady+gagagooglegagagooglegoesgagagoogleladygagagoogleplexlady+gagaLadyGagaMarissaMayermusicmusicianstopyoutubeWed, 23 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[China Ramps Up Online Censorship, To No One's Surprise]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/china-online-censorship-ramps-up/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/china-online-censorship-ramps-up/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/china-online-censorship-ramps-up/#comments internet cafe in beijing China has always maintained tight control over what its citizens read and write online. But according to the New York Times, the Leviathan of governmental censorship seems to be digging its tentacles even deeper into the lives of mainland Web surfers.

In the wake of the Middle East protests, the Chinese regime has only ratcheted up its surveillance and censorship of electronic communications in an attempt to quell even the slightest hint of anti-government sentiment. On Sunday, Google accused the government of blocking or disrupting its Gmail service within the country, and of blaming the interruption on technical errors. (China, for what it's worth, says Google's claims are "unacceptable.")

Continue reading China Ramps Up Online Censorship, To No One's Surprise

SwitchedChina Ramps Up Online Censorship, To No One's Surprise originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>censorshipchinachineseCommunistgooglemonitoringpoliticsprotestsecuritysurveillancetopWebTue, 22 Mar 2011 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[N.Y. Court Rejects Settlement in Lawsuit Against Google Books]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/n-y-court-rejects-settlement-in-lawsuit-against-google-books/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/n-y-court-rejects-settlement-in-lawsuit-against-google-books/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/n-y-court-rejects-settlement-in-lawsuit-against-google-books/#commentsA New York court has rejected a settlement in a class action lawsuit filed by the Authors Guild against Google Books.

Under the settlement, reached in 2009, Google would be able to digitize and display excerpts from books that are out of print, even if they're still under copyright, or not authorized to be included in Google Books. The agreement quickly raised the ire of many organizations, including Microsoft and the Electronic Frontiers Foundation, who claimed that the deal would hurt industry competition. Last year, the Authors Guild claimed that it chose to settle the suit because it didn't want to repeat the same mistakes that the music industry has made during its long legal war against digital piracy.

Continue reading N.Y. Court Rejects Settlement in Lawsuit Against Google Books

SwitchedN.Y. Court Rejects Settlement in Lawsuit Against Google Books originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>booksclass-actioncopyrightcourtdigital booksDigitalBooksgooglegoogle booksGoogleBooksjudgeslawsuitPublishingsearch enginesSearchEnginessettlementtopWebTue, 22 Mar 2011 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon Launches Appstore for Android, Apple Files Lawsuit]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/amazon-appstore-launches-apple-sues/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/amazon-appstore-launches-apple-sues/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/amazon-appstore-launches-apple-sues/#comments amazon appstore Amazon launched its own Android app store today, despite facing legal challenges from Apple.

The Amazon Appstore will provide a new way for Android users to purchase apps for their mobile and tablet devices, while offering a few features unique to Amazon. Because the online retailer already enjoys a strong consumer base, Amazon will be able to integrate its own marketing and recommendation tools within its Appstore, potentially providing users with more accurate and personalized suggestions.

Continue reading Amazon Launches Appstore for Android, Apple Files Lawsuit

SwitchedAmazon Launches Appstore for Android, Apple Files Lawsuit originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonAmazonAppstoreandroidAndroidAppStoreAppleappsAppStoregoogleJeffBezoslawsuitmobileshoppingsmartphonetopTrademarkTue, 22 Mar 2011 10:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Film Buff Uses Google Maps to Display Set Locations of 2,000 Movies]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/21/edmund-helmer-maps-classic-films-on-google-maps/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/21/edmund-helmer-maps-classic-films-on-google-maps/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/21/edmund-helmer-maps-classic-films-on-google-maps/#comments Edmund Helmer used to spend a lot his time on IMDB, where he would look up the exact filming locations of his favorite movies. One day, though, he decided to cut out the middle man, and created his own custom Google Map, showing more geographical movie information than anyone could ever desire.

Using Google's Fusion Tables data management tool, Helmer created a map showing the precise set locations of the top 2,000 films listed on IMDB, as ranked by the site's users. It might sound like excruciating work, but Helmer's description makes it seem remarkably straightforward. All he had to do was import the geographic data from IMDB, and let Google automatically generate the map. All told, Helmer's map encompasses a total of 9,736 locations, covering 2,001 movies produced within the last 100 years. (For personal reasons, he included 'The Fall' in addition to the top 2,000.)

Continue reading Film Buff Uses Google Maps to Display Set Locations of 2,000 Movies

SwitchedFilm Buff Uses Google Maps to Display Set Locations of 2,000 Movies originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>datafilmgooglegoogle+fusiongoogle+mapsgooglefusionGoogleMapsimdbmapsmoviesSetLocationtopWebMon, 21 Mar 2011 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinese Government Messing With Gmail, Google Says]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/21/china-gmail-glitches-due-to-government-google-says/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/21/china-gmail-glitches-due-to-government-google-says/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/21/china-gmail-glitches-due-to-government-google-says/#comments google in china Having trouble with your Gmail in China? Google politely requests that you blame the government, not the company. For several weeks now, users in China have been complaining about glitches within the popular mail program. When Google's engineers looked into the issues, they discovered that the Chinese government was the source of the problem. "Relating to Google there is no issue on our side... This is a government blockage carefully designed to look like the problem is with Gmail," a Google spokesperson told The Guardian.

Strangely enough, the news comes almost a year to the day after Google announced that it would start redirecting Google.cn users to Hong Kong Google, having discovered that the Chinese government had hacked into a number of human rights activists' accounts. This latest activity comes on the heels of a Chinese Internet crackdown meant to control the information relating to the popular uprisings in the Middle East. Skype, meanwhile, has been blocked since December. With the recent launch of a state-owned search engine, perhaps it's not inconceivable that Google will be the next to go.

SwitchedChinese Government Messing With Gmail, Google Says originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>censorshipchinaChinaGmailChineseGovernmentGmailgooglegoogle.cnhackHumanRightspangusopoliticstopMon, 21 Mar 2011 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[YouTube Launches Person Finder for Japanese Earthquake Victims]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/21/youtube-person-finder-makes-tsunami-victims-identifiable/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/21/youtube-person-finder-makes-tsunami-victims-identifiable/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/21/youtube-person-finder-makes-tsunami-victims-identifiable/#comments With Japan still reeling from the recent tsunami and earthquakes, social media continues to play an invaluable role. The latest comes in the form of the YouTube Person Finder, a channel that aggregates videos posted by disaster victims, and allows them to pass along messages to their loved ones.

Currently, the channel hosts only a few dozen videos taken at shelters and shot by the Japanese station TBS; in the future, though, individuals will be able to upload their own messages. Those looking for loved ones can search by name, hometown or shelter. Like Google's Person Finder, it's a relatively simple creation with potentially massive implications for those involved.

SwitchedYouTube Launches Person Finder for Japanese Earthquake Victims originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googleGooglePersonFinderjapanJapanEarthquakeJapanTsunamiPersonFinderSocialMediaSocialNetworkingtopwebyoutubeYoutubePersonFinderMon, 21 Mar 2011 10:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Microsoft More Ethical Than Google, Facebook or Apple]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/18/report-microsoft-more-ethical-than-google-facebook-or-apple/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/18/report-microsoft-more-ethical-than-google-facebook-or-apple/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/18/report-microsoft-more-ethical-than-google-facebook-or-apple/#commentsMicrosoft may not be worth as much money as Apple, but according to a new think-tank report, it's way more ethically sound. This year, the corporation earned a spot on Ethisphere's list of the 'World's Most Ethical Companies,' beating out Apple, Facebook, and Google. It's certainly a far cry from the late '90s, when Microsoft faced antitrust trials and accusations of corporate tyranny. But the company's "corporate citizenship" campaign may have done a lot to change its image.

SwitchedReport: Microsoft More Ethical Than Google, Facebook or Apple originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ApplebusinesscompaniesethicsfacebookgooglemicrosofttopFri, 18 Mar 2011 09:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Bob Woodward Blames Google For Killing Newspapers]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/17/bob-woodward-blames-google-for-killing-newspapers/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/17/bob-woodward-blames-google-for-killing-newspapers/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/17/bob-woodward-blames-google-for-killing-newspapers/#commentsWelcome back to Let's Play The Blame Game: Celebrity Edition! Earlier this week, Bon Jovi claimed Steve Jobs killed the music business; now Bob Woodward says Eric Schmidt snuffed out newspapers. The Washington Post journalist, made famous by uncovering and breaking the Watergate scandal, told the Poynter Institute that the tombstone of Google's soon-to-be-former CEO should read "I killed newspapers." Newspapers are dead?! Clearly, he hasn't seen this.

SwitchedBob Woodward Blames Google For Killing Newspapers originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob woodwardBobWoodwardgooglemedianewspaperspoyntertopwashington postWashingtonPostwebWoodwardThu, 17 Mar 2011 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Program Helps Nonprofits Reach More Donors, Raise Awareness]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/17/google-for-nonprofits-helps-raise-awareness/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/17/google-for-nonprofits-helps-raise-awareness/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/17/google-for-nonprofits-helps-raise-awareness/#comments google nonprofit Yesterday, Google launched a new program aimed at helping nonprofit organizations reach a wider audience and raise greater awareness for their causes.

Under the Google for Nonprofits program, approved organizations can take advantage of Google's exclusive product offerings. This suite of products includes up to $10,000 per month in advertising on Google AdWords, free or discounted access to Google Apps, and premium access to both Google's mapping tools and YouTube. Participating nonprofits will also be able to use other resources, including new educational videos and case studies that Google has developed.

Continue reading Google Program Helps Nonprofits Reach More Donors, Raise Awareness

SwitchedGoogle Program Helps Nonprofits Reach More Donors, Raise Awareness originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adwordsawarenessdonorgooglegoogle for non-profitsGoogleForNon-profitslaunchNonProfitprogramtopWebThu, 17 Mar 2011 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Lady Gaga to Answer 'WHY RU SO WIERD' And Other Fan Questions for Google]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/lady-gaga-google-fan-questions/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/lady-gaga-google-fan-questions/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/lady-gaga-google-fan-questions/#comments
Want to know Lady Gaga's favorite color, or if she likes a boy? Get ready to grill, because the Lady's taking fangirl and fanboy-submitted questions for Google. Squee!

Submit a video or text question on Gaga's YouTube page, or tweet it with the hashtag #GoogleGoesGaga, until midnight on March 18th. She'll then respond to a selection of them in a YouTube video, probably while wearing a Jeremy Scott-designed burlap sack and holding a jar of dead centipedes. Google dumbly suggests questions like, "Was the meat dress really made of meat?" Uh, no doy, Google. We thought you were good at searches and stuff. The only question we'd ask is: "'Born This Way'? WHY?" (Also, "Can we have some video glasses? XOXO")

SwitchedLady Gaga to Answer 'WHY RU SO WIERD' And Other Fan Questions for Google originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiesgagagoogleLady Gagalady+gaga+newsLadyGagaladygaganewsquestions+for+lady+gagaquestionsforladygagatopyoutubeWed, 16 Mar 2011 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Wave (Kinda) Resurfaces in New Docs Feature]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/google-docs-gets-discussions/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/google-docs-gets-discussions/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/google-docs-gets-discussions/#comments
Remember Google Wave? We don't either. But Google apparently does, and the company isn't quite ready to let go. On its blog today, the company announced a discussion feature that it has added to Google Docs to allow "rapid and seamless discussions, help the right people participate, as well as integrate discussions with email in an intuitive way." In other words, your very precious comments about that TPS report can be saved for posterity. See how it works in the oh-so-humorously illustrated demo above.

SwitchedGoogle Wave (Kinda) Resurfaces in New Docs Feature originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsgooglegoogle docsgoogle waveGoogleDocsGoogleWavetopWed, 16 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Apps Don't Help Blind Students]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/google-apps-dont-help-blind-students/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/google-apps-dont-help-blind-students/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/google-apps-dont-help-blind-students/#commentsThe National Federation of the Blind has asked the Justice Department to investigate several universities' implementation of Google e-mail, documents and calendar services, saying that the apps' inability to link up with text-to-speech programs puts the schools in violation of the Americans with Disabilities act.

The complaint focuses on two schools -- NYU and Northwestern -- but, given the rapid adoption by universities of Google's free suite of tools, the implications are broad.

Continue reading Google Apps Don't Help Blind Students

SwitchedGoogle Apps Don't Help Blind Students originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsblindeducationgoogleGoogle AppsGoogleAppsNational Federation for the BlindNationalFederationForTheBlindnewsmainNorthwesternUniversitynyutopWed, 16 Mar 2011 13:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Explore March Madness Arenas in 3-D with Google Earth]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/google-3d-tours-ncaa-march-madness/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/google-3d-tours-ncaa-march-madness/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/google-3d-tours-ncaa-march-madness/#comments Google 3-D tours of basketball arenas. Tonight's First Four games in Dayton, Ohio, will tip off the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament. Until then, Google has a remedy for March Madness, offering 3-D virtual tours of the tourney's 14 host arenas. You can get a sneak peek, inside and out, at the places in which all the hoop heartbreak and joy will go down. In addition to the 3-D tours, Google has created a map that pinpoints the locations, times and match-ups for every tournament game.

Continue reading Explore March Madness Arenas in 3-D with Google Earth

SwitchedExplore March Madness Arenas in 3-D with Google Earth originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3Dbasketballfinal fourFinalFourgooglegoogle earthgoogle mapsGoogleEarthGoogleMapsmapsmarch madnessMarchMadnessncaaNcaaTournamentsportstopwebTue, 15 Mar 2011 17:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Google to Test Mobile Payment System in NYC, San Francisco]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/google-mobile-payment-system-nyc-san-francisco/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/google-mobile-payment-system-nyc-san-francisco/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/google-mobile-payment-system-nyc-san-francisco/#comments nexus sGoogle has purchased thousands of VeriFone's mobile payment registers, intending to install and test the system in stores in New York and San Francisco, according to Bloomberg. With this system, customers could pay for products with their Nexus S (or other smartphone equipped with a near-field communication chips) rather than using cash or physical credit and debit cards in stores. The anonymous Google source told Bloomberg the mobile payment system should be up and running within four months.

Last year, we reported that AT&T and Verizon would test a mobile payment system, but the technology still hasn't really taken off. If this latest report is true, Google's entrance into the mobile payment arena should be a kick in the butt to other companies that hope to be on the forefront of changing the way we buy stuff. In the end, though, they'll still need customers who are willing to trust in a new technology that has potential security risks. New York and San Francisco are good places to start, but the real test would be expanding beyond those markets.

SwitchedGoogle to Test Mobile Payment System in NYC, San Francisco originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bankingcellphonesgoogleMobilePaymentMobilePaymentsNearFieldCommunicationnfctopTue, 15 Mar 2011 16:07:00 EST