Man spürt die macht von Google 
Gerüchte, wonach Google ein eigenes Zahlungssystem plant, erhalten neue Nahrung.
Schon seit einigen Monaten wird immer wieder behauptet, die Suchmaschine plane ein entsprechendes Angebot. Zuletzt berichtete das Wall Street Journal im Juni unter Berufung auf einen namentlich nicht genannten Mitarbeiter eines “führenden Online-Handels”, dass Google entsprechende Pläne hege (vgl.: “Google plant Zahlungssystem?”. Der Manager behauptete, man befinde sich in Diskussionen mit der Suchmaschine, bei denen es um ein Paypal sehr ähnliches System gehe. (more…)
For years and years we’ve been wondering why the market for WiFi VPNs was so small. By now, most people should know that WiFi isn’t the most secure connection, but that a VPN can encrypt and protect most of your data. In fact, for a while, it seemed like the only player in the space was HotSpotVPN — who offered a service for $9/month. I use it (and am using it right now, in fact), but it’s always seemed like a space that could use some more entrants. A few months ago, JiWire got into the act as well, but it still seemed pretty small time. Now, apparently, that market is going to be shaken up. Someone who prefers to remain anonymous just pointed out that Google is now offering what appears to be their own wireless VPN offering. (more…)
Just this morning I was telling an acquaintance that part of La Vide Bloga is that you’ve got to remain on high alert at all times, lest a company or topic that you cover deliver unexpected products or news. Google, especially. A long-awaited Google-branded RSS reader is out, and it’s called Google Reader. Using an Ajax-scrubbed tagging interface with sliding panels and a space-age look (this must be how the HAL9000 read its feeds), Google Reader is a pleasure to look at. Early testing reveals problems, notably an upsettingly slow delivery of click results and unresolved complications importing OPML files from other newsreaders. the interactive tour doesn’t work. Search is predictably center stage, and Google seems to provide as-good-or-better results than Bloglines in early testing, though it fails to separate blog matches from entry matches. (more…)
Viele reden mit, wenn es darum geht, wie die Ergebnis-Seiten von Google aussehen sollen: Werbekunden, und chinesische Zensurbehörden zum Beispiel, oder eine Bundesprüfstelle. Aber die Maschine versucht dennoch, sich als ganz neutrales Werkzeug darzustellen, das einfach nur das Internet abbildet. Jetzt gibt es sogar Google-Lobbyisten, die mit diesem Märchen (more…)
Auto-save – Seems to save what you’re working on every minute or two. Not as you type like one would think.
Export contacts – Not syncing like some had hoped, but it’s a great first step.
More ways to access your Gmail account – There’s now a link from the Toolbar, your personalized Google homepage will show new messages and you can search for messages even when you’re offline using Google Desktop.