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All posts tagged "google"


Thursday, June 21, 2012

Google Offers on iPhone, But Only in the US

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 01:00 AM

http://9to5mac.com/2012/06/19/googl...-for-u-s-users/

"Google just announced on the official Google Mobile Blog that it is releasing a Google Offers app for iPhone."

Ugh! Just what I need, another way to spend money with Google. It's not bad enough that I do it on my laptop, now they make it easy to do on my iPhone. I do like the location based offers though, and you can really get some good deals...just saying'. You can download it right now.


Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Apple v. Google

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 11:00 AM

http://online.wsj.com/article_email...NDEwNDQyWj.html

"Since they got together in 2007, the iPhone and Google Maps have seemed like ideal digital bedfellows."

But with the expected release of maps in iOS 6 coming up, it might not be all roses. Interesting article from the Wall Street Journal that combines all we have heard before in one story. Well worth the read, as if rumors are correct, Apple will be dusting it up with Google once iOS 6 hits.


Thursday, April 26, 2012

Google Drive Joins the Cloud Storage Fray

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (OS X)" @ 01:00 AM

http://mashable.com/2012/04/24/google-drive/

"We've heard the rumors for weeks, and seen leaked versions during an Android developer's Google+ Hangout and in one employee presentation. But now Google Drive, Google's 5GB cloud-storage service, is official."

Skydrive, Dropbox, Sugarsync, iCloud and now Google Drive. Plenty of options for you to store your stuff in the cloud, but only 5GB with Google. However it does get you a bump in your Gmail to 25GB. You can read about it on the Google Blog or check out this video on YouTube. And if all these different options are confusing for you, Mashable has set up a handy comparison page to sort through it all.


Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Reader X for iPad, A Different Take on News Readers

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 06:00 AM

http://appadvice.com/appnn/2012/02/...lient-out-there

"If you're looking for a Google Reader client that's rather a little different from the rest of the bunch, consider purchasing and downloading Reader X for iPad ($1.99)."

I kinda like the looks of this, as you can tell right away what you have read and what you haven't based on the colors of the boxes. I have way too many readers now, but I'm tempted to try this one since it's just $1.99 USD in the iTunes Store [affiliate link]


Monday, January 9, 2012

Google Translate Is Now Universal

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 03:00 AM

http://www.tipb.com/2012/01/04/goog...d-ipad-support/

"Google Translate, an app that translates your spoken phrases into other languages for you to hear, has been updated as a universal app for iPhone and iPad."

Awesome that it is now universal. I think it worked perfectly, but since I don't speak the language I translated my spoken word to, I can't confirm it was accurate, which could be hilarious or very scary depending on the outcome.


Monday, December 12, 2011

Google Currents for iPhone, iPad and Android

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 01:00 PM

http://9to5mac.com/2011/12/08/googl...e+Intelligence)

"As we reported over on the sister blog, Google just launched Currents, their Flipboard/Pulse style reader for iPhone and iPad (and I guess Android too)."

You can download it here for iOS, and here for Android, and it works on whatever device you are using, be it a phone or a tablet or iPad. It's an interesting read on how they make it work for all of these devices, and you can read it yourself right here.


Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Google Search for iPad Updated

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 04:00 AM

http://ipadnewshub.com/2011/11/goog...ive-and-visual/

"If you're using the Google Search app for iPad, you'll be glad to know that Google has just pushed a major update to this iPad app, making it more interactive, visual and easier to find what you are searching for."

The cool thing about this is you can do your search, and then go to a result from within the app, using sliding gestures to go back and forth. If I was just looking for information that I might not need to bookmark, this sounds like it would work pretty slick. I'm not sure how much I would use this though, since you can search from Safari too. I guess I'll have to try it out and see what all the fuss is about. What are your thoughts?


Friday, November 18, 2011

Google Music Store and Apple Products

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (OS X)" @ 11:30 AM

http://gigaom.com/apple/using-googl...GigaOM:+Mobile)

"Once the Google Music store in the Android Market went live, I made my first Android Market music purchase."

So how did it work out? Once you read the review you will see that it wasn't all peaches and cream for him as sticking with the Apple ecosystem means all products work and you get the full use of capability. Not so much when you start mixing in products from other companies meant to replace a current Apple product. Although he does say its getting closer to being a similar experience, but it still isn't all there. Which is to be expected to a certain degree I think. I run a mix of sources for my music purchases, such as using Amazon.com for some deals, but I always put the stuff back into iTunes so it all works seamlessly with my devices. What are your experiences? Thoughts?


Friday, September 9, 2011

Google Music Service Via HTML 5 iOS Optimized Web App

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 01:00 PM

http://www.tipb.com/2011/09/09/goog...ne,+iPad,+iPod)

"Google has announced via twitter that it now has an HTML 5 iOS optimized web app for its Google Music service."

This is by invite only so far, but you can access it via http://music.google.com. Works great on all the iOS devices.


Thursday, September 8, 2011

Google Unveils Blogger App, HTML5 Style

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 04:25 PM

http://www.tipb.com/2011/09/08/goog...ne,+iPad,+iPod)

"Google has released an official iPhone app for their blogging platform, Blogger. It supports multiple accounts and location information."

It's available now in the iTunes store, but it isn't a universal, so while it will work on an iPad, you have to do that 2X thing that makes it look funny. Seems like they would want one for the iPad, that seems to be a better platform for blogging but perhaps that is on the future updates list.


Thursday, August 25, 2011

Photovine is Dead

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 10:06 PM

http://appadvice.com/appnn/2011/08/...ther-properties

"Wow, that was quick. Just days after Google released the Photovine app for public use, the company has decided to kill it along with a few of its other iOS properties. This news comes from TechCrunch, which recently broke the story."

Quick indeed, I just got an email saying it was available now. Oh well, not that I need to have another photo sharing site. It was just named as App of the Week in the iTunes store too, hope that isn't becoming a curse like the Madden cover.


Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Tablet Version of Google Search

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 06:30 PM

http://www.electronista.com/article...imizes.content/

"Google has begun testing a new, tablet-oriented version of its search page, reports say. To cope with the limitations of tablets, content has been funneled into a single column. Sidebar options have been moved under the search field, and the "Goooooooooogle" text at the bottom of the site now just shows page numbers from one to 10."

This is only in use for a small percentage of users, randomly chosen from what the article says. However, it does look nice. Very simple and clean. How about you, any thoughts on the new design? And if you are using it, how do you like it?


iPhone Catches up to Android, Gets Google Shopper

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 04:59 PM

http://www.electronista.com/article...offers.support/

"Google picked late afternoon to post a major update to Google Shopper on the iPhone. The revamp brings it up to the Android version and can look for Google Offers based on location, complete with a map to show them and help get directions."

I have several of these types of iOS apps (Groupon, Living Social, etc) on my iPhone, some more handy than others. Now that Google has updated to give you nearby offers, I may have to start using this one too. Now you get a "My Offers" tab where you can keep track of the offers details, such as expiration date and if you have already used them. How about you? What apps do you use frequently or find give you the most value?


Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Google's Schmidt Generates Some Controversy

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "The Competition" @ 04:00 PM

http://www.tuaw.com/2011/07/19/goog...oesnt-innovate/

"Google's Eric Schmidt spoke at a mobile conference in Tokyo and addressed HTC's early loss to Apple in a patent infringement case. Schmidt believes HTC will prevail and is "not too worried about this" case. He also added that Google will "make sure" HTC does not lose this case."

Wonder how they can make sure that HTC does not lose the case other than bribing those involved, or is that what he has planned? Jokes aside, I don't think anything is a sure thing, so I find it humorous when anyone makes bold statements such as this one. The most ridiculous statement though, was when he accused Apple of using lawsuits in place of innovation in order to compete. Keep it classy Eric.


Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Office 365 or Google Apps, Which Will You Use?

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (OS X)" @ 05:13 PM

http://lifehacker.com/5818466/googl...-should-you-use

"Microsoft took the beta label off of Office 365 last week, and many consider the cloud-based productivity suite a potshot at Google and Google Apps."

Interesting comparison, but for the casual user I'm going with Google Apps. I don't have to install anything to use it, and while it might not flow as seamlessly, it works pretty well for the limited stuff that I do. Now if I were a business that required more usage, I'd have to seriously consider Office 365, it matches up fairly well with some advantages over Google Apps, namely screen sharing and white boarding. What are your thoughts?


Wednesday, June 29, 2011

So Which Apps Are Tops in the UK Mobile Market?

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 10:18 AM

http://electricpig.co.uk/2011/06/22...ications-usage/

"Ever wonder which apps drive the UK mobile market? GSMA and comScore have revealed that nearly 8.8 million UK mobile owners used an app that connected to the Internet during April 2011."

And the winner was Google Maps, with 6.4 million unique visitors. The surprise here was at 2nd place, which was Yahoo! Weather that finished with 3.6 million visitors. I would have thought Facebook would have been at least 2nd, but they had 3.5 million finishing in 3rd place. What kind of operating system did they use in the UK to connect? Well, iOS 65% of the time followed far back by Android at 31%. You can read the results yourself right here.


Monday, June 27, 2011

App Store Gets 7-Day Refund Policy...If You Are in Thailand

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 02:00 PM

http://www.cultofmac.com/apple-allo...-stands-defiant

"n an attempt to comply with pro-consumer laws, Apple is going to allow customers who mistakenly purchase an iOS app or get burned by a shoddy one the ability to get a refund within seven days of purchase. Don't get too excited, though: you'll have to live in Taiwan to take advantage of the revised return policy."

This is aggravating, I wish we had the same thing offered to us outside of Thailand. I've purchased several apps that I wish I hadn't and this would be the perfect out. It might also keep a lot of the crap out of the app store. I try to read through the reviews and determine which ones I can trust before purchasing the app, but sometimes the bad ones get through. Even if it were just a one day deal I would be happy. Apple seems to be playing by the rule of law in Thailand but what about Google and their Android Marketplace? No dice so far, they refuse to allow returns.


Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Apple, Google and Maps

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 10:00 PM

http://gigaom.com/apple/why-apple-w...s-anytime-soon/

"Former Google CEO and current Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt said Tuesday that Google recently reached a deal with Apple that will ensure Google search and maps products continue to appear on the iPhone. Speaking at the D9 conference put on by AllThingsD, Schmidt revealed that Google and Apple continue to be good business partners in some regards, even as their rivalry makes working together in other areas harder."

The maps work extremely well on the iPhone, in fact it may be my most used program other than the finance ones, so until they get it working as well, I doubt Apple will split from Google. I can bet that they will eventually since they prefer to do as much in house as possible, and they have even posted job announcements looking for help, but this announcement says to me that Apple isn't quite there with their own mapping system.


Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Google Adds Flight Information to Searches

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (OS X)" @ 02:00 AM

http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/30/...-figure-out-wh/

"Been wishing you could find flight information the same way you would for a bus or train?"

Well your wish has been granted as Google has now added a flight schedule search. All you have to do is type in "flights to/from" and then destination location and Google will get you all the info you need. This also supports ten languages. You can find out more about this new feature at the Google "Inside Search" blog located here. To be fair, you can do the same thing with Bing.


Monday, May 23, 2011

Web Version of Google Maps for iOS and Android Now Available

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 02:00 AM

http://www.electronista.com/article...id.web.version/

"Google wrapped up on Friday with a long-requested version of Google Maps for smartphones. Both Android and iOS users can both track their individual location with the usual Google Maps layers, such as satellite maps and traffic, as well as get directions. Place pages have their own optimizations and tie in properly with the map."

This was released Friday and works anywhere Google Maps exists. On top of that, the one big advantage is the continual updating you get from web versions over apps, which require updates from either Apple or Google. Sign-on to Google and you get access to all your favorite locations, saved maps and landmarks.


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