Showing posts with label Google. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Google. Show all posts

8.11.12

Amazing Tools by Google

Google is a well-known search engine that keeps incorporating new tools and features from time to time. Let us find out a few of these useful tools or features that help a user in day-to-day activities.

Cooking tool

With Google introducing the tool of Cooking in its search functionality it is now relatively easier to search for the latest recopies. You will be easily able to find relevant searches according to the keywords this way and avoid useless links. You will further be benefited with the search results with various headings that include categorization. For example, recipes for, diabetics, low-carb, low fat, vegetarian and weight watchers, etc. now it becomes relatively easier for you to search accordingly.

Hangout

This is a video chat provided by Google. Utilizing this service a user can engage in simultaneous video chat with at least 10 users instantly. The video chat can also be done through your mobile device, tablet or desktop. You will be able to view the chat friend in a window the moment you start the conversation. In Hangout, you also have the sharing option of collaborating docs and sharing screens. You also have the option of broadcasting your chat on Google+ profile or share it across YouTube instantaneously.

Navigation & Traffic

Google has come up with the latest for Android users; this includes voice navigation that guides a user giving directions. This feature is accessible from Google Maps even users having navigation app on their phone can gain this functionality. Additionally this is not all; a user will also be able to get a clear indication about the traffic information through live updates. This feature is for selected cities along with color-coding that indicates the heavy (red), moderate (yellow) and frees (green). If you are stuck in a jam then you also have the advantage of taking an alternate route suggested via map avoiding traffic.

Moderator

This more like a public forum that enables in seeking answers and starting discussions online. Once you start a thread of discussion online others are allowed to pool in their comments, ideas, views and opinions. You also get the benefit of opinion poll and see if your idea has met with successful number of votes from the readers. All this can be shared via e-mail, Twitter, Google+ and Facebook for initiating better responses.

Map Maker

For all those who love working around Maps and editing geographical information this is the one. By using Google Map Maker, you can easily upload, edit, add and create relevant geographical details in the map. This is applicable to around 200 countries but remember any changes or editing done by you will go to the moderators for approval. After approving your changes, it will be accessible.

Scholar
Scholar is like an online library tool to those who are into academics; a user can easily look for books, content, documents, articles and thesis. If you are looking for a specific document that is available online then you can easily search it out using Scholar.

Web Masters

After creating a website it is essential to get relevant ranking. Other things involve SEO, ranking, site indexing, all this makes it a complicated task. If you are new to all this then it takes more time to get to the favorable spot to be able to shine in the search engine results. Keeping all this in mind WebMaters is creates to help view a detailed report and understand all about Google rankings. Additionally, it helps in accessing the lacks of your website, gives tips and suggestions for improvement in visibility. You also get a detailed report including traffic analysis for free.

Search via SMS

The best thing that Google offers to its users is the ability to utilize numerous applications that too via SMS. If we take for example search, you can easily conduct a web based news search, get the latest info on movies, cricket scores by merely sending an SMS to 9773300000. The results will be received instantly via SMS. Interestingly even if you do not own a Smartphone you can still use this service as it is SMS based and it has nothing to do with data connectivity either. In addition, if you like to receive latest updates then you can register with Google Calendar.

All the above given functionalities are just a few of the amazing tools or features that are introduced by Google for user benefit.

Marigold Henry Montana is a technical expert who deals with various computer related issues. She is capable of handling the software as well as hardware troubleshooting. She advises people on basic upkeep and maintenance of their PC, Laptops, Notebooks and Tablets. She is working as a freelance technology writer and as fulltime online tech support for a well known IT software company. Her aim is to spread the technical know-how to the people all around the globe.


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21.9.12

Tips to Utilize Google Calendar for Scheduling Tasks

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Ever wondered how to make settings in your Google Calendar to enable functionalities that will help you utilize it better? Here are a few tips that will help you gain better control of Google Calendar and create functions that will enhance your experience with it.

Offline Calendar availability

It is not always possible to have access to internet online and so it becomes difficult to view the scheduled events in your Google Calendar. This problem can be solved with an offline availability of Calendar. Chrome users with HTML5 can avail the synch option to view the details of events that are listed in the calendar. These can be easily viewed offline, now you need not connect to the internet to find out the specific date scheduled for a meeting or an event. Chrome has the ability to store the data for offline viewing and has the capability to synchronize it whenever you log in back.

For viewing your offline schedules apply the following steps:

• Open Chrome
• Click Gear icon> Offline> Install Google Calendar> Install from Web Store option
• A new tab will appear with Google Calendar icon
• Go to Google Calendar> Gear icon> Offline
• A green icon will appear with a tick mark to confirm the sync
• The syncing will be indicated by an icon that is spinning
• A tick marked icon is indicative of synched content in Calendar

Suggested Time for scheduling events

The hardest part of creating a schedule meeting is finding the right time for people involved in it. At this time you can utilize the functionality of Suggested Times that comes along with Google Calendar. This feature suggests the time that might be convenient to the people involved in a specific event together.

This is how it is done:

• Add the attendees
• A link appears by the name of Suggested Times
• Click open Suggested Times
• Suggested time for attendees will appear
• Select the best time when all are available
• If in case you are not able to find the suggested time for attendees then search again for the time

How to Dim Insignificant Events

Scheduling each event throughout a day is a habit with some. This serves as a reminder of what activity is scheduled next in line for the day. However, often this habit of scheduling the whole day overshadows the most important events that are listed in the given day. This creates confusion and most likely to miss the event. To avoid all this you can choose to dim the events that are not significant. Using the functionality of Event dimming helps you get the most important update of the day. Following steps can be applied to enable this utility:

• General Tab> Settings> Event Dimming
• A list of events will be given for the day
• Select the events that you want to dim

How to Receive a Daily Agenda

Viewing the events of the day is something that does seem cumbersome to a few. Therefore, to avoid it all you can use the option of obtaining an e-mail to glance it through. This option is called receiving an Agenda; let us find out how it is done:

• Go to drop down calendar menu
• Go to Notifications> Choose how you would like to be notified> Daily Agenda
• When you are done Save

Applying the above given tips to Google Calendar will enable in turning on the full functionality of calendar events, scheduling daily tasks and organizing meetings effectively.

She is a Technology writer who is keen on any new emerging technology updates. She is working with Qresolve as a Technical Support Engineer. Semeli Karen McPherson has been offering online tech support to global customers for issues related to laptops, desktops, Mac and devices including iPods, tablets, iPhones, computer support and more.She caters to the segment of core technology and provides viable solutions to any issues related to technology and software. Her expertise and skills in handling key technology issues is immaculate and quick result bearing. Through her articles and postings she aims to provide knowledge and solutions to common technology issues that a user faces.


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5.3.12

New Application for Google Augmented Reality Glasses Considered

The other day, I was discussing with an acquaintance who was recruiting himself into our think tank about the future of virtual reality, actually augmented reality and blurring of the real world with the virtual online world of social media, social networks, and the global information flow in real time. We talked about Google's R&D Department and their latest augmented reality glasses which were featured not long ago in all the Nerdy Tech blogs and personal technology magazines.

We were discussing all the potential applications, which are non-ending and after brainstorming for what seemed like 5-minutes we came up with about 50 real world applications that are needed and viable right now today. Some already exist such as police tech devices for patrol officers. Anyway, just yesterday I was talking with the Founder of a new system of gambling, no it's not your old typical card counting plan, or some mathematical MIT impossible for most folks to do routine, rather his system was one developed by him for those playing cards in casinos.

In fact, he wrote an interesting eBook on the topic titled; "The Samonte System, Finally, a gambling system that works." Anyway Alan was telling me that his system did not require a genius level IQ or some secret augmented reality computer system. Indeed, originally I asked him if he was referring to a strategic methodology in gambling using mathematics, algorithms, proximities, card counts, and a computerized decision matrix system, and if so, I told him, then I understand the value of it all. Turns out it doesn't require any of that really.

Now then, let's say you don't want to buy his eBook on Amazon's Kindle for $.99 I believe he said it was, let's say you'd rather invest in an augmented reality system you could wear as regular looking glasses and have all that information plugged into your iPad which you wore on your hip. Well, then the system could use an artificial intelligent software system with algorithms to advise you which cards to play and your odds as you go.

You'd look at the card with your glasses as you played and each card played, as you went along, while the augmented reality system would keep track of it all for you. Then you'd have to use your skills as a poker player from there, reading faces, and watching for clues. A system that could do all that might cost you $5,500 and most of that would hardware, which although a little more costly than the $.99 Kindle eBook, but it would be some cool personal tech to own now wouldn't it?

I'd say, if you are interested, then shoot me an email and we can talk, and then challenge that Alan Samonte System to a duel of high-stakes Texas Hold'em. I figure with about $30,000 in software and mathematical development, plus the hardware mentioned above, we would stand a chance of beating Alan at his own game. Please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Future Internet Concepts. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net/


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14.2.12

Using Google Voice To Reduce Your Smartphone Bill

Smartphone agreements are complicated when voice service is in question. You can go overboard plus have a thousand or further extra minutes that won't be necessary to use every month, or minimize your usage and track your minutes at every end of each billing phase to ensure you don't surpass the cap. But if you have a Google Voice app on your Android smartphone, you can cut your voice usage considerably by steering calls through your smartphone's 4G or 3G connection-or, if you can rely on Wi-Fi connections only, you may well eliminate your cell service completely.

What's Google Voice?

Google Voice service has been around since March 2009. It uses Voice over IP, a communications protocol that drives voice and multimedia communications via the Internet. Which means your voice is communicated out over your Internet connection as an alternative over the normal voice network. Generally, your Internet connectivity should handle a minimum of 80Kps both ways to receive high-quality voice signal and with low latency. Fairly much any cable, mobile broadband, or DSL connection nowadays can take care of that.

Google Voice is applicable with any Android phone and accessible by just installing the app, however in that scheme, it will mean you'll still have to use your cellular minutes. So as to receive the calls using your mobile broadband or Wi-Fi connection, and you'll also require another app, Groove IP, to direct calls from landline to your Google's number, which evades the cellular network completely.

How to set up Google Voice

The first step is to sign up for the service. But for Google account holders, open voice.google.com and proceed.

Non-Google account holders will need to create one. Once an account has been created and the necessary required information filled, click to request a new number. Pick the area code and then look for the number you would like. Once a number is chosen, you will be prompted for a PIN to use for authentication purposes.

Subsequently, click the cog at the top right under the Google Voice page and see the options. Go to the Settings and add your landline's phone number by clicking Add a new phone (not your cell number!). You'll receive a call from Google to verify if the number is valid.

After your account is set up; the next step is to access the Android Market to download the Voice app, if you don't have the app already. Setting up is simple: Log in, confirm the similar forwarding number that you previously set up on the Web, and verify 'Use Voice' for all calls (tap the menu button on your smartphone and head to Settings in app, and subsequently into Making Calls). The app can also be set to take care of all your voicemails.

Take into account that sometimes you could run into circumstances where your Internet connection isn't enough to make the call. In such instances, just have your Wi-Fi connection turned off, and Google Voice will prompt you if you'd prefer calling over your normal network instead.

I'm currently working with Merimobiles a web retail shop with obsessive daily featured, coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics. At http://www.merimobiles.com/ we not only feature and retail new gadgets, but we also give comprehensive review on such electronics and how to get the best affordable electronics in the market, find what your pocket can afford at http://www.merimobiles.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_Edwards_Hausner


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30.1.12

Google Chromebook - Introducing Advanced Technology

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Advancements in technology have changed personal computing immensely since the 1980s. In the early days, computers could only be controlled via the keyboard. Now we can interact with a computer with a mouse, graphics pad, touch screen monitor, and even with voice recognition technology. For example, I have been writing this article by speaking into a microphone while the words magically appear in my word processing document.

Years ago, the user had to write his or her programs by hand, using somewhat cryptic codes. Now there are hundreds even thousands of commercially available applications for computer use. Additionally, the computing experience has moved from the office and home office desktop virtually out onto the Internet via telephone, DSL and broadband cable connections. Furthermore, Wi-Fi connections, laptops, netbooks, and tablet PCs allow the user to take computing physically out of the office.

The newly developed Google Chromebooks take computing to an entirely new level. These laptops, manufactured by Samsung and Acer, are powered by an operating system that is based on the Google Chrome browser. The new user will notice a major difference from the moment the notebook is opened. The computer starts booting up immediately and will be ready for use in about 8-10 seconds. Internet connection is made through a Wi-Fi or optional three-G adapter.

The operating system's installation is verified over the Internet every time the computer boots up. This keeps the computer safe from malware and other Internet-based threats, along with other security features. The majority of applications that run on these computers are also web-based and data created on the notebook is stored in the "cloud."

While these Internet-based features are beneficial for the home user, the implications for educational and business use can be phenomenal. IT department intervention is minimized because group policies, permissions, and other network maintenance tasks are accomplished through a web-based interface. Since computer users access their applications over the Internet, there are virtually no software installation issues to repair. Each user works with the programs and apps that are pushed to them.

Because the files are stored on the Internet on secure servers, the safekeeping of the data is enhanced. If the computer is lost, stolen or damaged, the user merely has to obtain another computer to continue their work. The Chromebooks can be used as standalone computers, or as part of a network that contains other, more traditional personal computers.

Advancements in technology have changed personal computing immensely since the 1980s. Google Chromebooks can be used as stand-alone computers and takes computing to the higher level. To learn more about Chromebooks and IT related matters, you can check it out at AccuTech International.


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12.1.12

How to Use Google Chrome Like a Pro

Are you still using Internet Explorer? Wow I sure hope not. But if you are, take time today to update your web browsing experience and skills by installing Google Chrome. Chrome is the fastest and best web browser on the planet (in my humble opinion). There are just things you can do with Chrome that you cannot do with any other web browser. In this article I will focus on how to use Google Chrome by leveraging Chrome shortcuts and the Google Chrome Webstore.

Leveraging keyboard shortcuts is probably the number one activity you can do to save time using the Internet. Most people rarely use Chrome shortcuts. Think about this, every time you reach for the mouse you lose a few seconds. Over time if you add those seconds up over several years that turns out to be a lot of time. I not going to get into the fine details of specific shortcuts. Just Google "Chrome shortcuts" and learn them. Print off the Chrome shortcuts cheat sheet and hang it over your desk. Learn to love Google Chrome keyboard shortcuts and I promise you will improve your productivity.

Have you heard of the Google Chrome Webstore? The Chrome Webstore is basically an app store for your web browser! What is awesome about Chrome is that you can add apps to it to improve and customize your web browser. Sometimes these Chrome apps are also referred to as extensions. For example you can add basic apps like Facebook and YouTube so when you open up a new tab (using keyboard shortcuts of course) there is a Windows-like web browsing interface. Think of them like huge bookmarks that you can access instantly every time you open up a new tab.

More advanced Google Chrome Webstore extensions can be extremely valuable as well. I love SEO for Chrome by marketingabuse.com. This extension allows me to determine site traffic, number of Facebook likes, and number of links for ANY of my competitors or potential partners. Another great extension is the Google Mail Checker. This extension allows me to add a small icon to my browser that alerts me every time I get an email. With one simple click I can immediately go to my Gmail.

AddThis is a terrific marketing app on the Chrome Webstore. It allows you to share any link through literally any network instantly. You can customize the extension so that with one click you can share interesting sites or content. You can share links on Facebook, Twitter, bit.ly and LinkedIn to name a few. The list of options and networks that AddThis supports is massive so check it out and customize it for yourself.

The number of hours the average person spends online continues to grow at an exponential rate. Everyone no matter their profession needs to improve their web browsing skills and knowledge. The great thing about shortcuts and the webstore is that anyone can immediately improve their skills and experience just by learning them. I feel the best way to learn is through video and BusinessPirate.com has a great course on Google Chrome you can check out if you want step-by-step training and instruction. Take some time out of your busy day and dedicate yourself to learning the shortcuts and leveraging the apps Google Chrome has to offer.

Here is the Chrome course from Business Pirate: http://www.businesspirate.com/google-chrome-sales/

Matt A. Smith is the co-founder of http://www.businesspirate.com/. Business Pirate teaches small businesses how to market and sell online through their video courses. He is currently an MBA student at Thunderbird School of Global Management. Matt previously founded Bartab.com.


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20.12.11

Review of Google Currents

Google Currents is a very fast and powerful newsreader application for the iOS and android based phones and tablets. It fetches free and attractive magazine-like news content on your phone for news reading. There are different categories of the magazine editions-

1) Publisher editions- These include some popular publishers namely 500px, Popular Science, Forbes etc which develop a number of articles and other form of content.

2) Google trending editions- Google Current uses the functionality of the Google search engine as well with the help of which it tracks the top five recent happenings from the world in categories such as science, sports, music, movies etc. These entire buzz stories are delivered in the form of articles, videos and images etc.

3) Blogs- You can also veer all your posts from your Google reader to it which will be delivered as a digital magazine on the app.

Where and how to get Google Currents

At present, the application is available on only the U.S. app store or the android stores. It is about 10 MB in size and is free of cost. However, it was announced by Google that the app will be soon available globally.

Interface and functionality

You can log into the application and use it by using your Google account. If you are not having one account already then you will have to make one first in order to avail its services.

The overall interface and the layout is simple making it easy to use, be it in the portrait mode or the landscape mode. When you have signed in, you will see a big image on the top under which there will a headline related to it. The headline will continue to change with regular intervals covering all the current affairs and latest news as a loop structure. Also, you are freely allowed to subscribe to any of the stories.

When you will click on any of the icons, the story will be presented on the screen in detail with a magazine-like layout. There will be text as well as images along with it just like you see in magazines. The newsfeed is divided into six categories to make it easier to catch the specific genre of news you want. However, later you can alter the sources of the news and content too.

Features

Just after you have signed in, the app will automatically update itself and synchronise with the news. However, as good as it sounds, the entire process is in fact a bit slow. It is especially time consuming when it begins to downloading images. However, after the updates have been made, you are certain to enjoy the experience.

You can smoothly share any link from it on your Facebook wall, or tweet about it or can share it on your profiles on any other social networking websites, such Tumbler etc.

Pros

Simple and easy interfaceEasy access to latest news and happeningsEasy login and synchronization with the help of Google account

Cons

Content update and synchronization is quite slowWhen using the application in offline mode, sometimes the images are not available

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