ReelSmart.com » Google http://www.reelsmart.com Video, Technology, Digital LifeStyle, Macintosh Tips, and Opinions Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:43:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Google TV is Introduced http://www.reelsmart.com/2010/05/20/google-tv-is-introduced/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2010/05/20/google-tv-is-introduced/#comments Thu, 20 May 2010 17:37:32 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=6034 http://www.reelsmart.com/2010/05/20/google-tv-is-introduced/feed/ 0 Google Voice HowTo Videos Released http://www.reelsmart.com/2010/02/19/google-voice-howto-videos-released/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2010/02/19/google-voice-howto-videos-released/#comments Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:02:06 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=5920 Google Voice is an incredibly useful service that is sometimes misunderstood. First off it is NOT a VoIP service (yet). Although, after the Google purchase of Gizmo5 it may be soon. What Google Voice really does is "front-end" your communications and make them much more manageable. Google has just released some really nice videos explaining some of the high points of this free service. See all of the videos after the jump.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2010/02/19/google-voice-howto-videos-released/feed/ 0 Google Voice Back on the iPhone http://www.reelsmart.com/2010/01/26/google-voice-back-on-the-iphone/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2010/01/26/google-voice-back-on-the-iphone/#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:50:28 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=5870 http://www.reelsmart.com/2010/01/26/google-voice-back-on-the-iphone/feed/ 0 Google Public DNS Arrives http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/12/03/google-public-dns-arrives/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/12/03/google-public-dns-arrives/#comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:08:47 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=5838 Google Public DNS, a new service that lets consumers use Google as their DNS service provider. The benefits to users? Faster and more stable browsing and security against malware sites. The benefit to Google – tons more data, and some potential revenue. I have been a long time user of OpenDNS. No surprise Open DNS has already made a statement about Google becoming a potential competitor. To try it out Google Public DNS:
  • Configure your network settings to use the IP addresses 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as your DNS servers.
  • Read our configuration instructions.
]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/12/03/google-public-dns-arrives/feed/ 0 Mailplane Hits 2.1 Gmail Mac Users Rejoice http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/11/19/mailplane-hits-2-1-gmail-mac-users-rejoice/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/11/19/mailplane-hits-2-1-gmail-mac-users-rejoice/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:16:50 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=5814 Mailplane is an interesting application that brings Gmail to your Mac desktop. Sure you can access Gmail using Apple Mail, Thunderbird or Entourage if you want a desktop app. But Mailplane brings the best Gmail experience to the desktop and adds some very useful features. I just bought a Family license for Mailplane. I scrapped using Gmail inside of Fluid. I basically got tired of logging in and out of several Gmail accounts daily using my browser. Mailplane allows unlimited Gmail accounts. The additional features of Mailplane that allows multiple signatures, instant emailing of screen snaps, automatically optimized photos for email, text snippets, drag and drop attachments, Growl support, Gmail keyboard shortcuts, easy download of attachments, offline support for Gmail and more. I have looked at Mailplane before, but the updated Snow Leopard support sold me. I am now using it on all my Macs with for Gmail accounts I need to access. Mailplane single user license $24.95, (2.1 upgrade is free to all Mailplane 2.0 users) that allows installing on any Mac you personally own. The Family license is $39.95 and allows up to five (5) family members living in the same household to use Mailplane on their Macs. There is a free 30-day trial available so you can try it out.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/11/19/mailplane-hits-2-1-gmail-mac-users-rejoice/feed/ 0 Google Intros ChromeOS Today http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/11/19/google-intros-chromeos-today/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/11/19/google-intros-chromeos-today/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:58:31 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=5812 What is Google Chrome OS? is the world of computing as Google sees it using their upcoming ChromeOS. jkOnTheRun blog has more on the Google developer and press event that happened today. As much as I like this, I am not willing to give up ALL my desktop apps just yet. Might be great having a second computer running ChromeOS.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/11/19/google-intros-chromeos-today/feed/ 0 Google Acquires Gizmo5 http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/11/13/google-acquires-gizmo5/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/11/13/google-acquires-gizmo5/#comments Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:22:53 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=5796 From GoogleVoice Blog: Today we're pleased to announce we've acquired Gizmo5, a company that provides Internet-based calling software for mobile phones and computers. While we don't have any specific features to announce right now, Gizmo5's engineers will be joining the Google Voice team to continue improving the Google Voice and Gizmo5 experience. Current Gizmo5 users will still be able to use the service, though we will be suspending new signups for the time being, and existing users will no longer be able to sign up for a call-in number. We've acquired a number of small companies over the past five years, and the people and technology that have come to Google from other places have contributed in many ways, large and small, to all kinds of Google products. Since the GrandCentral team joined Google in 2007, they've done incredible things with Google's technology and resources to launch and improve Google Voice. We welcome the Gizmo5 team to Google and look forward to working together to bringing more useful features to Google Voice. Well maybe GoogleVoice will now become a full featured VoIP app!]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/11/13/google-acquires-gizmo5/feed/ 0 Google Dashboard http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/11/07/google-dashboard/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/11/07/google-dashboard/#comments Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:50:01 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=5787 http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/11/07/google-dashboard/feed/ 0 Android 2.0 Looks Hot http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/10/28/android-2-0-looks-hot/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/10/28/android-2-0-looks-hot/#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:22:45 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=5771 http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/10/28/android-2-0-looks-hot/feed/ 0 Google Navigation Is Game Changer http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/10/28/google-navigation-is-game-changer/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/10/28/google-navigation-is-game-changer/#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:19:36 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=5769 navigation app from Google will also end up on the iPhone as well. Microsoft, Windows Mobile standing still is NOT an option!]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/10/28/google-navigation-is-game-changer/feed/ 0 Google ChromeOS Preview Video http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/09/24/google-chromeos-preview-video/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/09/24/google-chromeos-preview-video/#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:37:55 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=5718 http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/09/24/google-chromeos-preview-video/feed/ 0 Did Apple Just Lie to The FCC? Maybe? http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/09/19/did-apple-just-lie-to-the-fcc-maybe/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/09/19/did-apple-just-lie-to-the-fcc-maybe/#comments Sat, 19 Sep 2009 15:39:23 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=5706 released a copy of the letter they sent to the FCC in regard to the Google Voice fiasco with previously unpublished information. In the prior version of the letter some information was redacted. The new information shows that Apple's and Google's answer to the FCC differs greatly - someone is lying. Here's the skinny: Apple: “Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it.” Google: “Apple representatives informed Google that the Google Voice application was rejected because Apple believed the application duplicated the core dialer functionality of the iPhone” However, Apple is standing firm, and even today told the press that they haven’t rejected the Google Voice application, despite what Google says. What else can Apple do? Tell the FCC and all iPhone users, that they don't like competition and are protecting their partner AT&T against Google's phone innovations? Sure would have been better if Apple took the high road here. Trying to make the argument that we have not rejected the official Google Voice app - we just have not accepted it yet, while REMOVING three third party Google Voice apps that were in the App Store for months is quite weak! TechCrunch claims that Google may release proof in the form of a screen shot of Apple's formal rejection!]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/09/19/did-apple-just-lie-to-the-fcc-maybe/feed/ 0 Apple Answers The FCC – My Take http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/08/21/apple-answers-the-fcc/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/08/21/apple-answers-the-fcc/#comments Sat, 22 Aug 2009 01:48:07 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=5609 website. Short answer is they are claiming they acted alone in rejecting and removal of the Google Voice apps. Brave? Maybe. Stupid? Maybe. Will iPhone owners like their reasons? Maybe, time will tell? BUT this Apple fan and iPhone owner is NOT at all satisfied with their answers. I will take what I feel is the important parts one-by-one. Apple claims "the App Store provides a frictionless distribution network that levels the playing field for individual and large developers of mobile applications." I think the word "frictionless" is so leading, that all I could do was laugh! All I have seen with so many developers was FRICTION! Is this Apple being funny? Apple: Apple works with network providers around the world so that iPhone users have access to a cellular network. In the United States, we struck a groundbreaking deal with AT&T in 2006 that gives Apple the freedom to decide which software to make available for the iPhone. This was an industry first. ReelSmart: The ONLY industry first was the CONTROL that Apple holds with ONE App Store the ONLY source for iPhone apps. Software and apps were being created for years for smartphones and sold all over the place before Apple was ever in the mobile phone business. Nokia, RIM, Palm and Windows Mobile all had various app stores run by third parties without the same restrictions that Apple is now touting. I do not really see the great benefit to iPhone owners. Using the word FREEDOM here, is really a joke. Apple has the FREEDOM to CONTROL what apps you can buy and use! Wow, I feel excited now. Kind of sounds like I might soon have the FREEDOM of allowing the government to CONTROL my health insurance. Remember when you had the FREEDOM to have any color Model T or Western Electric telephone as long is it was BLACK? Now that is FREEDOM we ALL can love. What at does the deal with AT&T have to do with this? The exclusive deal with AT&T did not give Apple the FREEDOM to CONTROL your iPhone, their software restricting only "signed" code and the App Store does that. Question 1. Why did Apple reject the Google Voice application for iPhone and remove related third-party applications from its App Store? In addition to Google Voice, which related third-party applications were removed or have been rejected? Please provide the specific name of each application and the contact information for the developer. Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it. The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone’s distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone’s core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail. Apple spent a lot of time and effort developing this distinct and innovative way to seamlessly deliver core functionality of the iPhone. For example, on an iPhone, the “Phone” icon that is always shown at the bottom of the Home Screen launches Apple’s mobile telephone application, providing access to Favorites, Recents, Contacts, a Keypad, and Visual Voicemail. The Google Voice application replaces Apple’s Visual Voicemail by routing calls through a separate Google Voice telephone number that stores any voicemail, preventing voicemail from being stored on the iPhone, i.e., disabling Apple’s Visual Voicemail. Similarly, SMS text messages are managed through the Google hub—replacing the iPhone’s text messaging feature. In addition, the iPhone user’s entire Contacts database is transferred to Google’s servers, and we have yet to obtain any assurances from Google that this data will only be used in appropriate ways. These factors present several new issues and questions to us that we are still pondering at this time. The following applications also fall into this category - GVDialer / GVDialer Lite, VoiceCentral and GV Mobile / GV Mobile Free. We are continuing to study the Google Voice application and its potential impact on the iPhone user experience. Google is of course free to provide Google Voice on the iPhone as a web application through Apple’s Safari browser, just as they do for desktop PCs, or to provide its “Google-branded” user experience on other phones, including Android-based phones, and let consumers make their choices. ReelSmart: OK, now I get it, the Google Voice was NOT rejected, it is just NOT approved! REALLY? They are "continuing to study the Google Voice application" to see how much heat they can take from iPhone users and the government, most likely. There are hundreds of apps being sold in the App Store that "alter the iPhone’s distinctive user experience" so this is just total nonsense. Making the case that most ANY app installed would "alter the experience of the iPhone." I just reviewed nine turn-by-turn GPS apps, most all of them change the naive experience of the iPhone Map app and use a completely different UI, totally unlike the iPhone's. Apple is also pretending that they care about your safety here: "In addition, the iPhone user's entire Contacts database is transferred to Google's servers, and we have yet to obtain any assurances from Google that this data will only be used in appropriate ways." REALLY, I don't think so. Many apps use the same iPhone contacts the same basic way so this is a crock. Sure Google WILL create a web app and it is wonderful to know that Apple is OK with that since they have no control. Just like AT&T has no control over RIM and Windows Mobile phones when it comes to SlingPlayer and Google Voice apps. Most all the VoIP apps that are on the iPhone use the keypad and the contacts. Google Voice does not at all disable the iPhone's visual voicemail. It just has a voicemail as part of its service like Skype has. As far as SMS it is clear that Apple is protecting AT&T here. AOL, BeeJive, IM+, Text Free all bypass or alter the iPhone's SMS. These are all available in the App Store. Shouldn't iPhone users have the choice of the way their iPhone works when they PAY and download an app? Apple seems to want to say they have approved so many apps, so it is OK to reject and remove apps without notice that they deem competes with them or their partners. Leaving their own customers who paid for these apps and depend on them. If iPhone customers complains loud enough, Apple's answer is to refund the price of the app, that actually costs them nothing as the developer has to pay for the refund. The same developer that slaved building an app that was sold to a satisfied customer and had the rug pulled out from them without notice for no reason created by them. Apple: AT&T’s customer Terms of Service, which, for example, prohibit an AT&T customer from using AT&T’s cellular service to redirect a TV signal to an iPhone. From time to time, AT&T has expressed concerns regarding network efficiency and potential network congestion associated with certain applications, and Apple takes such concerns into consideration. ReelSmart: AT&T has changed is "terms of service" so many times it is not funny. Just before SlingPlayer was to be released they changed their "terms of service" adding the provision for "redirect a TV signal" which was accompanied with many complaints by their customers. AT&T claimed it was posted in error - a week later it was back. This is why SlingPlayer Mobile was rejected until it was made to work over WiFi ONLY. Qik was also not allowed to stream video. Meanwhile, MLB.com At Bat for the iPhone streams EVERY major league baseball game over 3G on AT&T's network. PLUS, SlingPlayer Mobile and Qik which is available on Blackberry and Windows Mobile on AT&Ts network stream TV over 3G daily! Also Apple has been playing around with Akamai streaming live events on the iPhone. Question 4. Please explain any differences between the Google Voice iPhone application and any Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications that Apple has approved for the iPhone. Are any of the approved VoIP applications allowed to operate on AT&T’s 3G network? Apple does not know if there is a VoIP element in the way the Google Voice application routes calls and messages, and whether VoIP technology is used over the 3G network by the application. Apple has approved numerous standard VoIP applications (such as Skype, Nimbuzz and iCall) for use over WiFi, but not over AT&T’s 3G network. ReelSmart: Gee, they claim in question 1 that they are studying it. Three Google Voice third party apps were removed after being approved and sold in the App Store for months and even with several updates approved. Google CEO Eric Schmidt was on the Apple board for years and just recently stepped down. Apple has some of the best engineers in the industry. Are we to believe that "Apple does not know if there is a VoIP element in the way the Google Voice application routes calls and messages, and whether VoIP technology is used over the 3G network by the application." Are you kidding? Really? Seems that this would not be hard to determine. Google Voice uses cell minutes and is NOT even a VoIP app. When using Google Voice to "call" some one it rings your iPhone and then rings the person you are calling. Apple goes on to explain the approval process and why apps are rejected for software bugs and objectionable content like porn, etc. All very noble, but hardly explains why any Google Voice apps were rejected or removed as it contains none of this content or reasons. The only crime the Google Voice apps have committed was being thought to compete with Apple and AT&T. I will point out that Gmail still does not have push mail on the iPhone. I have to wonder why? Apple simply does not want to make it easy or seamless for iPhone users to use Google’s phone service. PERIOD. Apple's approach here will probably not be very popular with the most technically aware users (like the ones who read this blog), but the masses they are counting on for their continued success will for the most part be oblivious to their stance. I am sure some will read this and think Apple owns the iPhone, owns the SDK developers use and the App Store. Sure this is true, but think - Apple owns the Macintosh, so it can control every app I can buy? I bet few would agree with that statement. I do not see how this level of control that I believe is being abused, is going to help the iPhone platform in the long run. The competing mobile platforms will have and some already have these innovative apps, EVEN on he same carrier. Apple seems to be its own worse enemy here. Personally, I will jailbreak ALL my iPhones. In the future I will be seriously considering OTHER smartphone platforms. Only time will tell if the government can or will break up this nonsense. They already have made statements that show they are against "exclusive" agreements. So we will have to wait to see what will happen next. Both AT&T and Apple's response deny any wrongdoing, with AT&T denies any involvement at all, which seems like nonsense to any sensible person. Apple seems to want to allow AT&T cover and take the blame. Probably because AT&T would have more problems with the FCC, then Apple would. For the third piece of the puzzle see Google's response to the FCC available on TechCrunch. Gizmodo points out, the most interesting in AT&T's statement is regarding VoIP. It seems like Apple could actually allow Skype over 3G, if it wanted to (though AT&T would really prefer all VoIP apps run over Wi-Fi), and they agreed when the iPhone contract was first forged that Apple wouldn't make its own VoIP app, meaning a video iChat probably ain't in the cards for a long time: AT&T Statement: "AT&T and Apple agreed that Apple would not take affirmative steps to enable an iPhone to use AT&T's wireless service (including 2G, 3G and Wi-Fi) to make VoIP calls without first obtaining AT&T's consent. AT&T and Apple also agreed, however, that if a third party enables an iPhone to make VoIP calls using AT&T's wireless service, Apple would have no obligation to take action against that third party." See AT&T full statement [PDF]. Apple does give us a very small peek through their secret process into the App Store review process: There are ONLY 40 full-time reviewers for the thousands of apps submitted, and at least two of them must review each app. Apps that look like they have an issue are escalated to an executive review board that meets "weekly." Even with these self inflicted constraints, Apple says 95 percent of apps make it through the review process within 2 weeks (probably the fart apps) - 20 percent of them are rejected. And incredibly they've reviewed over 200,000 apps and updates. Apple: "We receive about 8,500 new applications and updates every week, and roughly 20% of them are not approved as originally submitted. In little more than a year, we have reviewed more than 200,000 applications and updates." 8,500 per week with ONLY 40 reviewers works out to 212 apps per reviewer per week — about 40 per day OR 5 per hour for a 8 solid hour day! Sounds impossible to even look at them at this rate. The next time one of my Microsoft loving friends tell me Apple is too controlling I will not defend or disagree. Not even Microsoft abused their control like this! The best is that this tactic could in the long run, backfire big time. ]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/08/21/apple-answers-the-fcc/feed/ 0 AT&T and Apple Answer FCC: One Lies the Other Swears To It http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/08/21/att-and-apple-answer-fcc-one-lies-the-other-swears-to-it/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/08/21/att-and-apple-answer-fcc-one-lies-the-other-swears-to-it/#comments Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:26:32 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=5606 Engadget got there hands on a AT&T response to the FCC investigation of the disappearing Google Voice apps from the iPhone. In a letter to the FCC, AT&T claims "had no role in any decision by Apple to not accept the Google Voice application." So it appears that AT&T not only has thrown Apple under the bus, they backed over them. This will not end AT&T's involvement in App store approval shenanigans entirely, since the letter also says "AT&T has had discussions with Apple regarding only a handful of applications that have been submitted to Apple for review where, as described below, there were concerns that the application might create significant network congestion." Not only did that result in CBS and MobiTV killing the Final Four app's ability to stream video over 3G, it also explains what happened to SlingPlayer Mobile. This while all iPhone users are STILL waiting for AT&T to get us MMS and a tethering plan! Apple has also answered the FCC with claiming Apple acted alone in these decisions. "Apple is acting alone and has not consulted with AT&T about whether or not to approve the Google Voice application. No contractual conditions or non-contractual understandings with AT&T have been a factor in Apple’s decision-making process in this matter." More: "Apple alone makes the final decisions to approve or not approve iPhone applications. There is a provision in Apple’s agreement with AT&T that obligates Apple not to include functionality in any Apple phone that enables a customer to use AT&T’s cellular network service to originate or terminate a VoIP session without obtaining AT&T’s permission. Apple honors this obligation, in addition to respecting AT&T’s customer Terms of Service, which, for example, prohibit an AT&T customer from using AT&T’s cellular service to redirect a TV signal to an iPhone. From time to time, AT&T has expressed concerns regarding network efficiency and potential network congestion associated with certain applications, and Apple takes such concerns into consideration." So it appears Apple plans to take on ALL the criticism themselves, OK then. Let the fun begin... It seems that both Apple and AT&T are full of crap in their answers. AT&T claims they knew nothing and Apple swears they are STILL studying it! Absolute, BULLSHIT in my opinion. There are so many ridiculous things in Apple's answers, I will do a separate post on it taking them one-by-one!]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/08/21/att-and-apple-answer-fcc-one-lies-the-other-swears-to-it/feed/ 0 Going Google Campaign Begins http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/08/03/going-google-campaign-begins/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/08/03/going-google-campaign-begins/#comments Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:08:13 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=5491 Join over 1.75 million businesses that have gone Google. Each day, thousands of companies are going Google by switching to Google Apps -- a web-based suite of messaging and collaboration applications. It's all hosted by Google, and designed with security and reliability in mind, saving your company the frustrations and hassles of managing traditional IT solutions yourself. Find out how others have switched from Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes to Google Apps. Learn more about the businesses that have gone Google... Microsoft of course is advertising Bing, its search site that competes with Google and has signed a deal with Yahoo. Should get interesting.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/08/03/going-google-campaign-begins/feed/ 0 Google’s Eric Schmidt Resigns from Apple Board http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/08/03/googles-eric-schmidt-resigns-from-apple-board/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/08/03/googles-eric-schmidt-resigns-from-apple-board/#comments Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:58:58 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=5488 "Eric has been an excellent Board member for Apple, investing his valuable time, talent, passion and wisdom to help make Apple successful," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "Unfortunately, as Google enters more of Apple's core businesses, with Android and now Chrome OS, Eric's effectiveness as an Apple Board member will be significantly diminished, since he will have to recuse himself from even larger portions of our meetings due to potential conflicts of interest. Therefore, we have mutually decided that now is the right time for Eric to resign his position on Apple's Board." Apple rejected the Google-developed Voice application from the iPhone App Store increasing tensions between the companies. Apple also began pulling third-party Voice applications. As a result, Apple and Google, along with AT&T, are currently the subjects of an investigation by the Federal Communications Commission.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/08/03/googles-eric-schmidt-resigns-from-apple-board/feed/ 0 AT&T STILL Throwing Apple Under the Bus? http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/08/01/att-still-throwing-apple-under-the-bus/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/08/01/att-still-throwing-apple-under-the-bus/#comments Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:29:38 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=5457 MobileCrunch blog, they have received an e-mail from AT&T responding to their questions on the report of the FCC letter sent to Apple, AT&T and Google regarding Google Voice apps being rejected and removed from the App Store.
The response may show us the way AT&T plans on handling the FCC inquiry: AT&T does not manage or approve applications for the App Store. We have received the letter and will, of course, respond to it.
I am still waiting for replies from my emails to Apple and AT&T. Sure seems like AT&T is STILL throwing Apple under the bus as I stated a few days ago. To my limited vision, AT&T's hands are all over the rejection of Google Voice official app and removals of GV Mobile and VoiceCentral that were being sold in the App Store for months. Should be interesting to see if Apple executives want to continue to take the heat from customers, developers and the government for not allowing innovative apps on the iPhone while they are available on competing mobile platforms. Can Apple stand there are watch the bad PR, the loss of some customers, the loss of developers and tries to explain itself to the government that is already after the for the exclusive deal they have with AT&T? Maybe Apple needs to grow a pair?]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/08/01/att-still-throwing-apple-under-the-bus/feed/ 0 FCC Questioning Apple and AT&T About Google Voice Rejection http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/07/31/fcc-questioning-apple-and-att-about-google-voice-rejection/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/07/31/fcc-questioning-apple-and-att-about-google-voice-rejection/#comments Sat, 01 Aug 2009 03:43:45 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=5450 several sources, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission has written letters to Apple, AT&T and Google (see letters after the jump) questioning the rejection of Google Voice and related applications from the iPhone App Store. Nobody actually knows who is to blame — AT&T has hinted that it was ultimately Apple’s decision, and Apple continues to remain very quiet on the rejection and removals. The letter sent Friday to Apple, the FCC is asking the company why Google Voice was rejected, which related applications have been rejected along with it, and what role AT&T may have played in the decision. It also asked what the difference is between Google Voice and other VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) software that has been approved for the iPhone. More broadly the agency asked Apple what other applications have been rejected for the phone and why. Apple’s process for approving or rejecting applications for the iPhone has drawn wide criticism for being murky and unpredictable. Google Voice is a VoIP service that lets users set up one phone number and have it ring on all of their phones at once, and control which phones ring at which times of the day or week, among other things. GV Mobile, VoiceCentral the were removed and the official Google Voice app that was rejected are not VoIP apps, they use cell minutes to make calls. However, they compete with AT&T by allowing SMS message (as do many other apps in the App Store) and cheap long distance (as several other services and apps for the iPhone). Google Voice recently opened up its service to the general public and allows for your phone number to be "ported" over. See the letters after the jump.
FCC Letter to Apple: July 31, 2009 Catherine A. Novelli, Vice President Worldwide Government Affairs Apple Inc. 901 15th Street, NW, Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20005 RE: Google Voice and related iPhone applications Dear Ms. Novelli: Recent press reports indicate that Apple has declined to approve the Google Voice application for the iPhone and has removed related (and previously approved) third-party applications from the iPhone App Store. In light of pending FCC proceedings regarding wireless open access (RM-11361) and handset exclusivity (RM-11497), we are interested in a more complete understanding of this situation. To that end, please provide answers to the following questions by close of business on Friday, August 21, 2009. 1. Why did Apple reject the Google Voice application for iPhone and remove related third-party applications from its App Store? In addition to Google Voice, which related third-party applications were removed or have been rejected? Please provide the specific name of each application and the contact information for the developer. 2. Did Apple act alone, or in consultation with AT&T, in deciding to reject the Google Voice application and related applications? If the latter, please describe the communications between Apple and AT&T in connection with the decision to reject Google Voice. Are there any contractual conditions or non-contractual understandings with AT&T that affected Apple’s decision in this matter? 3. Does AT&T have any role in the approval of iPhone applications generally (or in certain cases)? If so, under what circumstances, and what role does it play? What roles are specified in the contractual provisions between Apple and AT&T (or any non-contractual understandings) regarding the consideration of particular iPhone applications? 4. Please explain any differences between the Google Voice iPhone application and any Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications that Apple has approved for the iPhone. Are any of the approved VoIP applications allowed to operate on AT&T’s 3G network? 5. What other applications have been rejected for use on the iPhone and for what reasons? Is there a list of prohibited applications or of categories of applications that is provided to potential vendors/developers? If so, is this posted on the iTunes website or otherwise disclosed to consumers? 6. What are the standards for considering and approving iPhone applications? What is the approval process for such applications (timing, reasons for rejection, appeal process, etc.)? What is the percentage of applications that are rejected? What are the major reasons for rejecting an application? Request for Confidential Treatment. If Apple requests that any information or documents responsive to this letter be treated in a confidential manner, it shall submit, along with all responsive information and documents, a statement in accordance with section 0.459 of the Commission’s rules. 47 C.F.R. § 0.459. Requests for confidential treatment must comply with the requirements of section 0.459, including the standards of specificity mandated by section 0.459(b). Accordingly, “blanket” requests for confidentiality of a large set of documents are unacceptable. Pursuant to section 0.459(c), the Bureau will not consider requests that do not comply with the requirements of section 0.459. Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation. Sincerely, James D. Schlichting Acting Chief Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Federal Communications Commission
FCC Letter to Google: July 31, 2009 Richard S. Whitt, Esq. Washington Telecom and Media Counsel Google Inc. 1101 New York Avenue, NW, Second Floor Washington, DC 20005 RE: Apple’s Rejection of the Google Voice for iPhone Application Dear Mr. Whitt: Recent press reports indicate that Apple has declined to approve the Google Voice application for the iPhone and has removed related (and previously approved) third-party applications from the iPhone App Store. In light of pending FCC proceedings regarding wireless open access (RM-11361) and handset exclusivity (RM-11497), we are interested in a more complete understanding of this situation. To that end, please provide answers to the following questions by close of business on Friday, August 21, 2009. 1. Please provide a description of the proposed Google Voice application for iPhone. What are the key features, and how does it operate (over a voice or data network, etc.)? 2. What explanation was given (if any) for Apple’s rejection of the Google Voice application (and for any other Google applications for iPhone that have been rejected, such as Google Latitude)? Please describe any communications between Google and AT&T or Apple on this topic and a summary of any meetings or discussion. 3. Has Apple approved any Google applications for the Apple App Store? If so, what services do they provide, and, in Google’s opinion, are they similar to any Apple/AT&T-provided applications? 4. Does Google have any other proposed applications pending with Apple, and if so, what services do they provide? 5. Are there other mechanisms by which an iPhone user will be able to access either some or all of the features of Google Voice? If so, please explain how and to what extent iPhone users can utilize Google Voice despite the fact that it is not available through Apple’s App Store. 6. Please provide a description of the standards for considering and approving applications with respect to Google’s Android platform. What is the approval process for such applications (timing, reasons for rejection, appeal process, etc.)? What is the percentage of applications that are rejected? What are the major reasons for rejecting an application? Request for Confidential Treatment. If Google requests that any information or documents responsive to this letter be treated in a confidential manner, it shall submit, along with all responsive information and documents, a statement in accordance with section 0.459 of the Commission’s rules. 47 C.F.R. § 0.459. Requests for confidential treatment must comply with the requirements of section 0.459, including the standards of specificity mandated by section 0.459(b). Accordingly, “blanket” requests for confidentiality of a large set of documents are unacceptable. Pursuant to section 0.459(c), the Bureau will not consider requests that do not comply with the requirements of section 0.459. Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation. Sincerely, James D. Schlichting Acting Chief Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Federal Communications Commission
FCC Letter to AT&T: July 31, 2009 James W. Cicconi Senior Executive Vice President-External and Legislative Affairs AT&T Services, Inc. 1120 20th Street, NW, Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20036 RE: Apple’s Rejection of the Google Voice for iPhone Application Dear Mr. Cicconi: Recent press reports indicate that Apple has declined to approve the Google Voice application for the iPhone and has removed related (and previously approved) third-party applications from the iPhone App Store. In light of pending FCC proceedings regarding wireless open access (RM-11361) and handset exclusivity (RM-11497), we are interested in a more complete understanding of this situation. To that end, please provide answers to the following questions by close of business on Friday, August 21, 2009. 1. What role, if any, did AT&T play in Apple’s consideration of the Google Voice and related applications? What role, if any, does AT&T play in consideration of iPhone applications generally? What roles are specified in the contractual provisions between Apple and AT&T (or in any non-contractual understanding between the companies) regarding the consideration of particular iPhone applications? 2. Did Apple consult with AT&T in the process of deciding to reject the Google Voice application? If so, please describe any communications between AT&T and Apple or Google on this topic, including the parties involved and a summary of any meetings or discussions. 3. Please explain AT&T’s understanding of any differences between the Google Voice iPhone application and any Voice over Internet Protocol applications that are currently used on the AT&T network, either via the iPhone or via handsets other than the iPhone. 4. To AT&T’s knowledge, what other applications have been rejected for use on the iPhone? Which of these applications were designed to operate on AT&T’s 3G network? What was AT&T’s role in considering whether such applications would be approved or rejected? 5. Please detail any conditions included in AT&T’s agreements or contracts with Apple for the iPhone related to the certification of applications or any particular application’s ability to use AT&T’s 3G network. 6. Are there any terms in AT&T’s customer agreements that limit customer usage of certain third-party applications? If so, please indicate how consumers are informed of such limitations and whether such limitations are posted on the iTunes website as well. In general, what is AT&T’s role in certifying applications on devices that run over AT&T’s 3G network? What, if any, applications require AT&T’s approval to be added to a device? Are there any differences between AT&T’s treatment of the iPhone and other devices used on its 3G network? 7. Please list the services/applications that AT&T provides for the iPhone, and whether there any similar, competing iPhone applications offered by other providers in Apple’s App Store. 8. Do any devices that operate on AT&T’s network allow use of the Google Voice application? Do any devices that operate on AT&T’s network allow use of other applications that have been rejected for the iPhone? 9. Please explain whether, on AT&T’s network, consumers’ access to and usage of Google Voice is disabled on the iPhone but permitted on other handsets, including Research in Motion’s BlackBerry devices. Request for Confidential Treatment. If AT&T requests that any information or documents responsive to this letter be treated in a confidential manner, it shall submit, along with all responsive information and documents, a statement in accordance with section 0.459 of the Commission’s rules. 47 C.F.R. § 0.459. Requests for confidential treatment must comply with the requirements of section 0.459, including the standards of specificity mandated by section 0.459(b). Accordingly, “blanket” requests for confidentiality of a large set of documents are unacceptable. Pursuant to section 0.459(c), the Bureau will not consider requests that do not comply with the requirements of section 0.459. Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation. Sincerely, James D. Schlichting Acting Chief Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Federal Communications Commission
The Dow Jones newswire report notes that this is part of the FCC’s ongoing investigation into wireless handsets and their exclusive deals with carriers. Years ago Google CEO Eric Schmidt sent a letter to the FCC, urging adoption of open standards that would gives users the freedom to use whichever applications they’d like on their wireless devices, on whichever network they preferred. It is becoming quite clear just how badly this is needed. Google Voice offers innovation to telephony space. Apple and AT&T are doing what they can do to block it to protect their own cash flow. Looks like the government may not allow this anymore. This should get quite interesting. Stay tuned. ]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/07/31/fcc-questioning-apple-and-att-about-google-voice-rejection/feed/ 0 GV Mobile Pulled from App Store UPDATED http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/07/27/gv-mobile-pulled-from-app-store/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/07/27/gv-mobile-pulled-from-app-store/#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:45:51 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=5370 From the developer Sean Kovacs: Richard Chipman from Apple just called - he told me they’re removing GV Mobile from the App Store due to it duplicating features that the iPhone comes with (Dialer, SMS, etc). He didn’t actually specify which features, although I assume the whole app in general. He wouldn’t send a confirmation email either - too scared I would post it. I’ll see what I can do to get it back up there gang… This was a very useful app for people with Google Voice accounts. My only guess is that Google may be bringing its own app to the iPhone. Who knows. The reason stated above seems nuts as the app has been in the App Store for months! Even if Google did have its own app, it should not be pulled as competition is a great thing. Apple claiming "duplicating features that the iPhone comes with (Dialer, SMS, etc.)" is bull as that would mean apps like Skype, Truphone, Fring, etc would also be "duplicating features that the iPhone comes with." GV Mobile is NOT even a VoIP applications as it is only a front-end to Google Voice. This practice has got to stop Apple! Really!!!]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/07/27/gv-mobile-pulled-from-app-store/feed/ 7 Google Exposes the Chrome OS http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/07/08/google-exposes-the-chrome-os/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/07/08/google-exposes-the-chrome-os/#comments Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:27:43 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=5195 Google has announced its working on a lightweight operating system that will initially be targeted at netbooks. Google's Chrome OS will be available for consumers in the second half of 2010 and will run on both x86 as well as ARM chips. Google Chrome OS is a new project, separate from Android. Google Chrome is a new windowing system running on top of a Linux kernel. It will be open source and Google is asking for help from the open source community. Can Google do more damage to Microsoft's market share than Linux distros have? Maybe? I think I just heard a chair crashing into a wall in Redmond!]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/07/08/google-exposes-the-chrome-os/feed/ 0 Gmail Adds Importing from AOL, Yahoo, Hotmail, Others http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/05/14/gmail-adds-importing-from-aol-yahoo-hotmail-others/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/05/14/gmail-adds-importing-from-aol-yahoo-hotmail-others/#comments Thu, 14 May 2009 13:36:34 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=4615 TrueSwitch. Now importing contacts and mail from AOL, Yahoo, Hotmail, MSN, NetZero, Earthlink, Cox, Comcast, Worldnet, Verizon, Sprint and dozens of others is fast and easy. This will be available only on new accounts at first with support for existing accounts being added over the next thirty days or so.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/05/14/gmail-adds-importing-from-aol-yahoo-hotmail-others/feed/ 0 Google Voice Comes to the iPhone Twice http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/04/28/google-voice-comes-to-the-iphone-twice/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/04/28/google-voice-comes-to-the-iphone-twice/#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:19:34 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=4585 GV Mobile and VoiceCentral are now both available in the App Store selling for $2.99. Both apps look great and have a similar feature set. With either of these iPhone apps you can fetch Google Voice voicemail, send SMS, or dial numbers using your Google Voice account.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/04/28/google-voice-comes-to-the-iphone-twice/feed/ 0 Google Voice Access May Be Coming to iPhone http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/04/07/google-voice-access-may-be-coming-to-iphone/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/04/07/google-voice-access-may-be-coming-to-iphone/#comments Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:49:24 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=4506 No word on cost or when this app might be available yet (if ever), so do not get too excited! GV Mobile would allows users of Google Voice to:
  • dial numbers (domestic for free and international at a variable rate) via the iPhone’s address book or typing in on the keypad
  • send SMS messages
  • retrieve and delete recent call history
  • playback and delete voicemails
  • take calls from different phones other than your iPhone
  • add, delete, enable, or disable the phones that Google Voice forwards calls to
You must already have a Google Voice account in order for this application to work. Grand Central users that have converted their account to Google Voice will also be able to use this.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/04/07/google-voice-access-may-be-coming-to-iphone/feed/ 2 Google Docs Adds Collaborative Drawing Feature http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/03/26/google-docs-adds-collaborative-drawing-feature/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/03/26/google-docs-adds-collaborative-drawing-feature/#comments Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:23:51 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=4372 http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/03/26/google-docs-adds-collaborative-drawing-feature/feed/ 0 GrandCentral to Become Google Voice http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/03/12/grandcentral-to-become-google-voice/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/03/12/grandcentral-to-become-google-voice/#comments Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:40:11 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=4281 GrandCentral acquired in July 2007. As a GrandCentral user this looks like it will be a great tool. With Google Voice people can pick a new phone number. When others call, Google can ring all the actual phones a person uses and handle voice mail allowing them to screen their calls, and listen to voice mail over the web. Google Voice will add speech-to-text technology to transcribe voice mail, making it possible to search for particular words. Gmail's contacts will be used to instruct Google Voice how to treat various callers. And Google Voice will be able to send and receive SMS text messages and set up conference calls. This services is expected to remain free. Existing GrandCentral users should get the option to upgrade Thursday, and Google plans to offer it to the public after "a number of weeks," said Craig Walker, product manager of real-time communications and head of Google Voice. New features include:
  • You can use your GrandCentral number to send and receive SMS messages, and have them forwarded to your current wireless phone. You can send messages from the mobile or from the phone.
  • Make phone calls using the web or your mobile/landline phone.
  • You can get transcripts for voicemails left on Google Voice. These transcripts, based on internal Google technology currently being used by GOOG-411 service, can be sent to you via SMS.
  • Create conference calls by dragging phone numbers onto existing calls. This will be useful for small businesses and web workers.
  • Free calls to all U.S. numbers. You can make international calls but that will cost you, depending on the country you are dialing.
Note: Google Voice won’t allow you to take your GrandCentral address book with you, since the new system uses Google Contacts. See the Google Voice Features page for more videos and information. Read more on Webware.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/03/12/grandcentral-to-become-google-voice/feed/ 3 Getting Safari 4 Beta and Google Gears Working http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/03/05/getting-safari-4-beta-and-google-gears-working/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/03/05/getting-safari-4-beta-and-google-gears-working/#comments Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:46:35 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=4209 here. After this is complete re-install Google Gears here. Now quit your Safari 4 and relaunch. Gears should now be working with Safari 4 for Gmail, Gcal, Google Reader and WordPress. This worked for me.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/03/05/getting-safari-4-beta-and-google-gears-working/feed/ 0 Google Brings Basic Spreadsheet Editing to Mobile Phones http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/02/13/google-brings-basic-spreadsheet-editing-to-mobile-phones/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/02/13/google-brings-basic-spreadsheet-editing-to-mobile-phones/#comments Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:21:37 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=4039 announced List View for spreadsheets. You can now quickly view, edit, sort, and filter your spreadsheets on a variety of mobile devices including Android-powered devices like the T-Mobile G1, the iPhone and iPod touch, and the Nokia S60.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/02/13/google-brings-basic-spreadsheet-editing-to-mobile-phones/feed/ 0 Google Sync for your iPhone – UPDATED http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/02/09/google-sync-for-your-iphone/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/02/09/google-sync-for-your-iphone/#comments Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:43:12 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=3998 Google Sync will bring your Google account to your iPhone. Synchronize the built-in calendar and contacts on your iPhone with your Google account. Get Google Calendar events and view multiple Calendars in different colors. Synchronize your Contacts with Google. Have changes pushed directly to your phone. Does MobileMe have some competition from Google? Looks like it. Features:
  • Synchronize your contacts. Get your Google contacts quickly and easily to your iPhone. With Sync, you can have access to your address book at anytime and place that you need it.
  • Get calendar alerts. Using your iPhone's native calendar, you can now access multiple Google calendars, and be alerted for upcoming appointments with sound or vibration.
  • Always in sync. Your calendar and contacts stay synchronized whether you access them from your iPhone or from your computer. Add or edit contacts or calendar entries right on your device or on your Google account on the web.
Important! Google Sync uses the Microsoft© Exchange ActiveSync© protocol. When setting up a new Exchange ActiveSync account on your iPhone, all existing Contacts and Calendar events will be removed from your phone. Please make sure to back up any important data before you set up Google Sync. NOTE: You cannot use the sync capability if you already synchronize with an Exchange account, as there can be only one ActiveSync config on the iPhone or iPod touch at any time. Setting up sync with Google will also nuke your local contacts and calendar on the device, so back up before you try this. UPDATE: Google has licensed Microsoft's ActiveSync protocol for sharing information between a server and mobile phone. It works with a range of phones including Windows Mobile phones, Apple's iPhone, RIM's BlackBerry, and phones from Nokia and Sony Ericsson. ]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/02/09/google-sync-for-your-iphone/feed/ 1 DataViz To Announce Office for iPhone and Android at MWC http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/02/06/dataviz-to-announce-office-for-iphone-and-android-at-mwc/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/02/06/dataviz-to-announce-office-for-iphone-and-android-at-mwc/#comments Sat, 07 Feb 2009 02:42:00 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=3967 Documents To Go for the iPhone and Android as well as RoadSync for Android at the Mobile World Congress 2009 running in Barcelona February 16 - 19. DataViz will be exhibiting at the event. DataViz started talking about Office support for the iPhone last Fall and set up a website to keep users informed when it would be available. Documents To Go allows mobile users to edit Microsoft Office documents on the go. This is the same product used by many RIM Blackberry users and touted as helping Blackberry be a "real" business tool. Soon this should be readily available on the iPhone and Android phones.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/02/06/dataviz-to-announce-office-for-iphone-and-android-at-mwc/feed/ 0 Google Brings 1.5 Million Books to iPhone and Android Phones http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/02/06/google-brings-15-million-books-to-iphone-and-android-phones/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/02/06/google-brings-15-million-books-to-iphone-and-android-phones/#comments Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:51:09 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=3954 http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/02/06/google-brings-15-million-books-to-iphone-and-android-phones/feed/ 0 Google Adds Latitude to Google Maps http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/02/04/google-adds-latitude-to-google-maps/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/02/04/google-adds-latitude-to-google-maps/#comments Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:30:15 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=3920 Latitude is a new feature for Google Maps on your mobile device. It's also an iGoogle gadget on your computer. Once you've opted in to Latitude, you can see the approximate location of your friends and loved ones who have decided to share their location with you. So now you can do things like see if your spouse is stuck in traffic on the way home from work, notice that a buddy is in town for the weekend, or take comfort in knowing that a loved one's flight landed safely, despite bad weather.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/02/04/google-adds-latitude-to-google-maps/feed/ 2 Google Earth 5 Beta Now Available http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/02/02/google-earth-5-beta-now-available/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/02/02/google-earth-5-beta-now-available/#comments Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:50:34 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=3915 here. Google Earth 5.0 (beta) is available for PC, Mac or Linux users.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/02/02/google-earth-5-beta-now-available/feed/ 1 Offline Gmail is Arriving http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/01/28/offline-gmail-is-arriving/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/01/28/offline-gmail-is-arriving/#comments Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:50:45 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=3879 going offline, in the good way using Google Gears. This will be an optional feature that will show up in your Gmail Settings -> Labs (if is not there yet it will be soon). Once enabled Google Gears will be downloaded to your computer and synchronize a local cache of your mail whenever you’re connected to the Internet. It will just hold on to sent message until a connection is detected. ]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/01/28/offline-gmail-is-arriving/feed/ 0 Last.fm Comes To Android Platform http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/01/23/lastfm-comes-to-android-platform/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/01/23/lastfm-comes-to-android-platform/#comments Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:05:15 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=3683 Last.fm has launched an official, feature-rich application for the Android platform that enables users to stream radio stations, get up-to-date concert information and also offers the ability to track users’ listening habits based on their Last.fm profile.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/01/23/lastfm-comes-to-android-platform/feed/ 0 Google Brings Picasa to the Mac http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/01/05/google-brings-picasa-to-the-mac/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/01/05/google-brings-picasa-to-the-mac/#comments Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:15:54 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/?p=3409 public beta of Picasa 3 to the Mac. Picasa requires any Intel-based Mac using Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger or higher.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2009/01/05/google-brings-picasa-to-the-mac/feed/ 0 Updated Google Mobile App for iPhone to Add Voice Search http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/11/15/updated-google-mobile-app-for-iphone-to-add-voice-search/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/11/15/updated-google-mobile-app-for-iphone-to-add-voice-search/#comments Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:10:16 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/11/15/updated-google-mobile-app-fir-iphone-to-add-voice-search/ More at the NY Times.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/11/15/updated-google-mobile-app-for-iphone-to-add-voice-search/feed/ 0 Google Gears Comes to Safari http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/09/16/google-gears-comes-to-safari/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/09/16/google-gears-comes-to-safari/#comments Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:43:58 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/09/16/google-gears-comes-to-safari/ Google Gears for Safari, its open source browser extension that adds support for local data storage and helps web application developers manage resources to make web applications work offline. Gears-enabled sites include Google Docs, WordPress, and Zoho Office. Google Gears for Safari requires Safari 3.1.1 with Mac OS X 10.4.11 or Mac OS X 10.5.3 and up.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/09/16/google-gears-comes-to-safari/feed/ 0 Google Chrome – New Browser http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/09/02/google-chrome-new-browser/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/09/02/google-chrome-new-browser/#comments Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:06:50 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/09/02/google-chrome-new-browser/ Google's Chrome will be available for Windows only at first with other platforms to follow. It will be interesting to see if it can gain any significant marketshare.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/09/02/google-chrome-new-browser/feed/ 0 Apple Passes Google in Market Value http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/08/13/apple-passes-google-in-market-value/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/08/13/apple-passes-google-in-market-value/#comments Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:24:35 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/08/13/apple-passes-google-in-market-value/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/08/13/apple-passes-google-in-market-value/feed/ 0 Google Translate Comes to iPhone and iPod touch http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/08/08/google-translate-comes-to-iphone-and-ipod-touch/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/08/08/google-translate-comes-to-iphone-and-ipod-touch/#comments Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:34:32 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/08/08/google-translate-comes-to-iphone-and-ipod-touch/ translate.google.com.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/08/08/google-translate-comes-to-iphone-and-ipod-touch/feed/ 0 Google Pushing Higher to Almost 70 Percent in Search http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/07/16/google-pushing-higher-to-almost-70-percent-in-search/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/07/16/google-pushing-higher-to-almost-70-percent-in-search/#comments Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:46:58 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/07/16/google-pushing-higher-to-almost-70-percent-in-search/ Google pushes towards 70 percent of all U.S. searches; Yahoo, Microsoft push towards zero percent take a look.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/07/16/google-pushing-higher-to-almost-70-percent-in-search/feed/ 0 Google Docs Now Supports PDFs http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/06/23/google-docs-now-supports-pdfs/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/06/23/google-docs-now-supports-pdfs/#comments Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:36:04 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/06/23/google-docs-now-supports-pdfs/ Google Docs and store them online.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/06/23/google-docs-now-supports-pdfs/feed/ 0 Google Demos Android Mobile Phone Software http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/28/google-demos-android-mobile-phone-software/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/28/google-demos-android-mobile-phone-software/#comments Wed, 28 May 2008 21:21:43 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/28/google-demos-android-mobile-phone-software/ Google I/O conference in San Francisco. See videos and pics.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/28/google-demos-android-mobile-phone-software/feed/ 0 Sync Google Contacts Added to 10.5.3 http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/28/sync-google-contacts-added-to-1053/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/28/sync-google-contacts-added-to-1053/#comments Wed, 28 May 2008 20:53:58 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/28/sync-google-contacts-added-to-1053/ Google Blog, the Address Book application in Mac OS X 10.5.3 now lets iPhone users sync their Address Book with Google Contacts. I have confirmed this. Easy setup. This brings your Google contacts to the iPhone and iPod. You have had the ability to sync Yahoo with the Address Book for some time.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/28/sync-google-contacts-added-to-1053/feed/ 0 The Earth Coming to iPhone http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/27/the-earth-coming-to-iphone/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/27/the-earth-coming-to-iphone/#comments Tue, 27 May 2008 14:49:56 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/27/the-earth-coming-to-iphone/ Earthscape was demoed on an iPhone at 2008 Where 2.0. Looks cool. Maybe coming to your iPhone soon.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/27/the-earth-coming-to-iphone/feed/ 0 Will Bribery Help Microsoft in Search? http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/22/will-bribery-help-microsoft-in-search/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/22/will-bribery-help-microsoft-in-search/#comments Thu, 22 May 2008 22:58:15 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/22/will-bribery-help-microsoft-in-search/ planning on offering money just to use their search. Sounds like the 1990's all over again with the folks from Redmond trying to "buy" their way into a market. Well hell it worked before. This time things are a little different. Microsoft, the company with a disputable 90 percent of the desktop, has single digits in search. They have been chasing the search leader Google for years without much success. In fact, the April search numbers are out from comScore, the guys that track this sort stuff, showing Google again extending their lead in the U.S. Google search grabbed a record-high 61.6 percent of the U.S. market in April, up from 59.8 percent in March while Yahoo, Microsoft, AOL, and Ask all dipped lower. The numbers stack up in U.S. search like this for April: The numbers stack up in U.S. search like this for April:
  • Google 61.6 percent
  • Yahoo! 20.4 percent
  • Microsoft 9.1 percent
  • AOL 4.6 percent
  • Ask 4.7 percent
The numbers in Europe favors Google even more with Google pushing close to 80 percent of searches. Microsoft's search technology has been horrendous with promises year after year of it being better than Google. All the wasted time has now got Microsoft chasing a verb. Even if Microsoft gets control of Yahoo they would still lag way behind Google. If they convert Yahoo to their own technology, they may lose engineering talent from Yahoo and all they really bought was some web traffic that may not stay. Microsoft's recently announced "cash back" plan shows their innovation plan may be failing, so spending dollars to get at least some footing in the market is the gimmick. Even Microsoft does not have that much money. More important do they have the time? I think not. This week Time Warner announced another split after the AOL merger fiasco. They are now shedding Time Warner Cable. This shows how big mergers where corporate culture is so different rarely works. Microsoft should spend more time listening to the old Smith-Barney ads. Remember? “We make money the old-fashioned way. We EARN it” (Smith Barney). ]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/22/will-bribery-help-microsoft-in-search/feed/ 0 Google Releases New Reader for iPhone & iPod Touch http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/13/google-releases-new-reader-for-iphone-ipod-touch/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/13/google-releases-new-reader-for-iphone-ipod-touch/#comments Tue, 13 May 2008 17:08:36 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/13/google-releases-new-reader-for-iphone-ipod-touch/ http://google.com/reader/i/ or when you are just in Google Reader on your iPhone or iPod touch (it will default to the classic view) go to the very bottom and choose the “Mobile” view.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/13/google-releases-new-reader-for-iphone-ipod-touch/feed/ 0 Microsoft Takes their Ball and Goes Home? Yahoo Deal Withdrawn http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/03/microsoft-takes-their-ball-and-goes-home-yahoo-deal-withdrawn/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/03/microsoft-takes-their-ball-and-goes-home-yahoo-deal-withdrawn/#comments Sun, 04 May 2008 02:11:16 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/03/microsoft-takes-their-ball-and-goes-home-yahoo-deal-withdrawn/ kill the Microsoft deal, he has been successful. His strategy to hold out for a lot more money and making deals to outsource paid search to Microsoft's nemesis, Google seemed to have worked, at least for now. Steve Ballmer has taken his ball and is going home. Ballmer also says he is ruling out a direct offer to Yahoo shareholders saying a direct proxy battle is not worth it. This has me asking, what next?]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/03/microsoft-takes-their-ball-and-goes-home-yahoo-deal-withdrawn/feed/ 0 Google News Optimized for iPhone and iPod touch http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/02/google-news-optimized-for-iphone-and-ipod-touch/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/02/google-news-optimized-for-iphone-and-ipod-touch/#comments Fri, 02 May 2008 15:13:29 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/02/google-news-optimized-for-iphone-and-ipod-touch/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/05/02/google-news-optimized-for-iphone-and-ipod-touch/feed/ 0 Microsoft-Yahoo Bid Becoming Turning Hostile http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/04/05/microsoft-yahoo-bid-becoming-turning-hostile/ http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/04/05/microsoft-yahoo-bid-becoming-turning-hostile/#comments Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:19:13 +0000 Stephen Antonucci http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/04/05/microsoft-yahoo-bid-becoming-turning-hostile/ If we have not concluded an agreement within the next three weeks, we will be compelled to take our case directly to your shareholders, including the initiation of a proxy contest to elect an alternative slate of directors for the Yahoo! board.... It is unfortunate that by choosing not to enter into substantive negotiations with us, you have failed to give due consideration to a transaction that has tremendous benefits for Yahoo!'s shareholders and employees... A hostile takeover of Yahoo will be ugly. While things in Google-land are not too shabby with the recent A-OK from the EU, on the Double-Click acquisition, Google's search share rising, the "win" of its will on the 700 MHz spectrum auction without spending for a license and Andriod making headlines. I still think a Microsoft-Yahoo merge is a bad idea for both companies and will NOT help stop the freight train that is Google.]]> http://www.reelsmart.com/2008/04/05/microsoft-yahoo-bid-becoming-turning-hostile/feed/ 0