http://news.cnet.com/8301-13580_3-10173905-39.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0
The article I chose was an article that discusses Google's new feature that allows people to upload photos onto the Google Maps application on your phone. You can take a picture of a socially tagged location, such as a memorial building or a restaurant, and upload the picture for others to see. This allows you to find this place more easily.
I think this is a great idea on Google's behalf. It allows users to become more interactive with each other. It is almost as if Google is moving in the direction to become a social networking empire. It is getting its users more involved with each other and allowing them to interact.
This new app is also great for those who travel a lot. If you are in a foreign city on business, for example, you dont want to spend time trying to find the place you need to go. So, you look at your find to verify that you are at the right building, and you can see which person posted the picture and see what other pictures they posted also.
The new feature also makes Google grow as a whole. This is just another step in making Google a broader company. It started as searches only, but then it moved to mail, applications, and much more. The Google company is growing and has potential to do very big things in the future.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Microsoft vs. Apple
http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/microsoft-to-open-own-retail-stores/341874
It's a tough fight, and while Microsoft is losing to the big rival Apple. As Apple passes Microsoft in the sale of laptops, Microsoft needs new ways to attract (and keep) customers. People are attracted to the Apple concept because of its user-friendly interface and great customer service. Microsoft has lacked in this department so they have made a move to improve in these factors.
While Microsoft opens stores, it could be a great boost for their reputation and profile. Microsoft users will be much more inclined to go back to Microsoft once they see that they can go in and get help with their problems with the operating system.
I think that this was a big step for the future of Microsoft. Without this, I'm not sure if Microsoft had much of a fighting chance at the rate that the Apple company was growing. The Microsoft company made the first step towards become more like its biggest competior, Apple. Now that they have done this, I think that they now have a good chance to become the number one selling operating system on the market.
It's a tough fight, and while Microsoft is losing to the big rival Apple. As Apple passes Microsoft in the sale of laptops, Microsoft needs new ways to attract (and keep) customers. People are attracted to the Apple concept because of its user-friendly interface and great customer service. Microsoft has lacked in this department so they have made a move to improve in these factors.
While Microsoft opens stores, it could be a great boost for their reputation and profile. Microsoft users will be much more inclined to go back to Microsoft once they see that they can go in and get help with their problems with the operating system.
I think that this was a big step for the future of Microsoft. Without this, I'm not sure if Microsoft had much of a fighting chance at the rate that the Apple company was growing. The Microsoft company made the first step towards become more like its biggest competior, Apple. Now that they have done this, I think that they now have a good chance to become the number one selling operating system on the market.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Find out where your kids are at all times!
http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20090204/ap_on_hi_te/tec_google_people_tracker_6
This article shows how you can find out where your friends and family are at any time through the Google Maps application for you mobile phone. Even though the feature requires you to turn the capability on and off, I still think that it is a serious invasion of privacy.
If someone leaves it on (on accident) after using it or trying it then anyone else can find out where they are. This is a serious threat to people that they may not be aware of. For example, if an adolescent is using it to keep in contact with their parents, and leaves it on while the go play in the park, some type of criminal could come abduct the child or other things of that nature.
On the other hand, it could be beneficial if used in the right context. For example, if your mother has her finding capability turned on, and its her birthday, you can find out where she is and surprise her. Or, if your friend is new to a city ( in this case a campus), you can see where he is and give him directions to your location.
I think the concept behind the new feature to the program is good, but it can easily be used in a bad way.
This article shows how you can find out where your friends and family are at any time through the Google Maps application for you mobile phone. Even though the feature requires you to turn the capability on and off, I still think that it is a serious invasion of privacy.
If someone leaves it on (on accident) after using it or trying it then anyone else can find out where they are. This is a serious threat to people that they may not be aware of. For example, if an adolescent is using it to keep in contact with their parents, and leaves it on while the go play in the park, some type of criminal could come abduct the child or other things of that nature.
On the other hand, it could be beneficial if used in the right context. For example, if your mother has her finding capability turned on, and its her birthday, you can find out where she is and surprise her. Or, if your friend is new to a city ( in this case a campus), you can see where he is and give him directions to your location.
I think the concept behind the new feature to the program is good, but it can easily be used in a bad way.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Google Maps flight Simulator
http://www.programmableweb.com/mashup/google-maps-flight-simulator
This game combines a flight simulator and Google Maps. The program lets you move the plane around the city with the arrow keys. You can change the altitude and where your plane is going. The downside to the game is that you can pick from only 5 cities in the U.S so unless your from a major city, you can't fly around your home town.
This game combines a flight simulator and Google Maps. The program lets you move the plane around the city with the arrow keys. You can change the altitude and where your plane is going. The downside to the game is that you can pick from only 5 cities in the U.S so unless your from a major city, you can't fly around your home town.
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