Google has added a new feature in GMail that is said by many to be a Facebook/Twitter killer – which I highly doubt. Called the Google Buzz, its a new way to start “conversations about things you find interesting,” and you will be able to post status updates, videos and photos (essentially, like Facebook).
Topic: Google
Google brings out tablet UI concept
A rumoured Google competitor to the weirdly named device called the iPad from Apple might be on its way. According to Neowin, Google might partner up with HTC (again) to produce a Google tablet, which would complement its Chrome OS. However, the OS might be able to have different user interfaces on the different size of screen. According to the website, the UI would be stretched out the full screen and would feature tabs. The size would most likely be between 5-inch to 10-inch.
Chinese Newspaper: Uncensored Internet “attempt to impose” values
A Chinese Newspaper has written a critical editorial about Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about her speech about the freedom to access information on the Internet. The newspaper, the Global Times, labelled her speech as a “disguised attempt to impose its values on other cultures in the name of democracy”.
Nokia makes navigation free on its GPS devices
Nokia has announced that it will make all GPS-enabled Nokia devices allowed to access for free its Ovi Maps service – including turn-by-turn navigation and city guides -to over 74 countries in 46 languages. Previously, Nokia has limited basic map navigation for those using it for free, and turn-by-turn navigation and city guides were additional extras.
Bing could replace Google as Safari default search
Apple is currently in talks with rival Microsoft to replace Google with Bing as its default search engine on the iPhone, according to two sources talking to BusinessWeek. The deal could also see a small dent to Google’s profits from mobile search, as it currently makes money from showing advertising. However, in order for Microsoft to take over from Google, as BusinessWeek notes, it would have to give Apple more money than what Google pays.
TG Podcast: Ep. 1 – We’re Back…
And we’re back with something new. Thanks to Stewart, we are getting back into the podcast game, though we are going to do this monthly. Yeah, I know, a monthly podcast. Basically that would mean that we would basically catch you up with an entire month’s worth of news in a 30 or so minute show, and thanks to Stewart’s wonderful (or infamous) editing skills, we did just that.
Google China employees given holiday, networks tested
After publicly announcing that it may rethink its China strategy after an attempted breach of its servers and stopping censoring content from its search results, Google has given all of its employees based in China a holiday as the company steps up its security of its networks.
Nexus One sells 20K in first week
Analytics firm Flurry has said that the Nexus One has sold around 20,000 in its first week. However, compared to the iPhone 3GS first week sales, it is relatively minor – the 3GS sold 80 times that numbers. As well, the myTouch 3G outsold it by 3 times that number, while the Droid outsold it by more than 12 times. In actual numbers, the 3GS sold more than 1.6 million, the myTouch sold 60,000 and the Droid sold 250,000.
Android bug in Motorola Droid lets you bypass locking system
A bug in the Android OS version 2.0.1 can allow unauthorised access to your phone, bypassing the locking mechanism on the Motorola Droid (or Milestone in Europe and Australia), with a simple phone call to the device.
Vodafone Australia confirms Nexus One is coming
Vodafone Hutchison Australia has told ZDNet that it will sell the Google Nexus One phone “sometime [in] 2010″. This comes hot off the heels of Google’s announcement two days ago that Vodafone will be responsible in selling the phone in Europe.
Google reveals the Nexus One
You knew it was coming – all the leaks and blog posts from all over the blogosphere – but now it has been confirmed and unveiled. Google has now made a mobile phone. Called the Nexus One, it is a HTC-produced phone that will run on Android 2.1 and will be sold by Google on its website, or by T-Mobile in the US. Verizon Wireless, another US carrier, along with Vodafone in Europe will sell the phone in the “near future”.
Motorola to launch two new Android phones?
RUMOUR MILL: Got to love the rumours before CES 2010. Motorola may be planning to bring out two new phones during the conference, according to one analyst from Global Equities Research. Both phones are said to be running Android, with one having an OLED screen and a physical keyboard, and that will be heading over to AT&T. The other phone will also have an OLED screen, but have a soft keyboard and will go to Verizon – following on the success of its Droid phone.
Facebook COO to join Disney Board of Directors
Disney has nominated Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer for the largest social networking site Facebook, to become part of its Board of Directors as an independent board member.
“Sheryl has been at the forefront of a technological revolution that’s opened up a world of new possibilities for consumers and which has greatly affected the way we do business. Her unique insight, born of great practical experience, will be of considerable value to Disney’s shareholders,” President and CEO Robert Iger said in a press statement.
French court fines Google for digitising books
The Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris, the court of responsible for handling large claims, has found Google guilty for putting the books online as part of its Google Books Search service after a legal challenge by the major French publishers and authors.
VEVO is accessible in Australia – just don’t get your hopes up yet
Guess what! Australia can now officially access VEVO.com! That would be great news, but there is a downside. While you can access the pages, you will not be able to play any of the content – mainly because of rights restrictions (meaning those living in Canada, US or Japan are allowed to view the videos).