Here’s another headline to add to the almost never-ending news stories about Google and the Associated Press. But this time, instead of bickering over licensing agreements and the like, the two companies have decided to team up and help student digital journalists. They just announced the AP-Google Journalism and Technology Scholarship, a new national scholarship program “targeted to individual students creating innovative projects that further the ideals of digital journalism.”
Category: Google
Cry Baby
The Enemy of my Enemy...
While the company is still largely beloved by the public, sentiment seems to have turned against them amongst their peers, and even amongst many of the startups around Silicon Valley. While these tensions have been building for months — and even years, in some cases — we’re seeing this on display more clearly than ever now thanks to the patent issue(s).
But why? Why is Google now a villain to many in the industry? I don’t believe it’s because they’re evil, I believe it simply relates to the Plainview quote. Increasingly, Google is trying to do everything. And they have the arrogance to think that they can. And it’s pissing people off.
Android Trojan Records Calls
A new Android trojan has cropped up that records phone calls and related information, according to a blog post by an employee of security company Total Defense. The trojan is triggered when the Android device places or receives a phone call. It saves the audio file and related information to the phone’s microSD card, and includes a configuration file with information on a remote server and settings used by the trojan.
Who is Google’s Product?
Google makes billions of dollars in revenue each fiscal quarter. That money comes about by the same process that all companies use: They sell a product to their customers. Their customers pay money for that product.
Who’s Google’s customer? You? Really? When’s the last time you paid Google for anything?
Advertisers are Google’s customer. What do they sell to advertisers? They sell you. Or, at least, they rent you out, or provide access to you.
How to Delete a Google+ Account
Tired of Google+ already? Here are the steps to delete your account:
- Sign in to Google+ in a desktop browser.
- Click your full name (or email address) in the Google+ bar at the top of the screen.
- Click Account settings.
- Click the Account overview tab.
- Click Delete profile and remove associated social features.
- Confirm your choice.
This is a permeant change, and cannot be undone. If you re-join Google+ in the future, your previously-entered information will not be present.
Half an Hour on Google+
I got an invite to Google+ tonight, and decided to give it a shot.
On paper, Google+ seems a ton better than Facebook. I think the whole Circles thing is pretty genius. The ability to group people and filter content by those groups is something Facebook has been in need of for quite some time.
All that to say, I’m trying to give this new network a shot. Now, it’s important to disclose that I’m not on Facebook and that I don’t trust Google all that much. I don’t like the idea of my data being used to show me ads. (That’s another post.)
Google Launches 180 New Web Fonts
While I’m very happy with Typekit, this collection isn’t too shabby.
Andy Hertzfeld Given Free Reign in Designing Google+
Josh Ong, on the designer of the original Mac and his work at Google:
Hertzfeld admitted to having taken a risk with the design.“It wasn’t a given that anyone would like what I was doing, but they did,” he said.
“I’ve heard in the past that Larry Page he didn’t like animations but that didn’t stop me from putting in a lot of animations in, and Larry told me he loves it,” he continued. “Maybe Apple’s resurgence had a little bit to do with it."
Google+
Google still wants to organize the world’s information. But this time, it’s personal.
Yet another social media network I won’t be joining. Except that maybe I can’t ignore it as much as I want to:
Another twist is that people in your circles don’t have to be members of Google’s social net. If Aunt Mary refuses to opt in, you can include her anyway, and she can still get the pictures you post to the circle via e-mail.
To the Cloud
CNN:
Google fielded 8,888 requests from the United States government last year asking for information on people using its services, the company wrote in a report on Monday. The total number is likely higher because the Google statistics only cover criminal investigations.
On Android Tips
Mobile phones that run Google’s Android operating system come in various shapes, sizes and features, unlike Apple’s iPhones. And while iPhone buyers are limited to AT&T and Verizon service, Android phones are also available from Sprint, T-Mobile and Boost Mobile, where a data plan can cost as little as $35 a month.
But despite the variety of Android phones, and of carriers, there are a lot of useful features common to all.