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January 20, 2010

Why Bing Belongs on a Blackberry

Today (frankly this week) has been a complete "wash" of tablet and iPhone rumors due to the upcoming Apple announcement on the 27th.  One of the larger rumors being the idea that Bing will weasel itself into the iPhone as mobile Safari's default search engine.  This, as anyone can see from the picture above, has been seen as a negative move and as the night wanes on is seeming more and more true (source: Tech Check).  Here is a (short) list why Bing should remain an app rather than a default on the upcoming iPhone OS.

  1. Bing is all AJAX-ey and slow where Google is simple, sexy and to the point.  Take an iPhone or Android phone and visit www.google.com and www.bing.com and tell me which looks more user friendly?
  2. Bing's search results (web based) are often times very off where Google pops what you need more then 99.1% of the time (disclaimer: this is my experience).
  3. Bing is superior at shopping and image search but when is the last time you did this on your iPhone?
  4. Bing and the way that Ballmer intends you to say it is pure "upspeak."  I don't need Bing thinking everything I say to it is a question.
  5. Bing might have an API but Google is a platform with a robust collection of apps that many people use daily...much like their iPhone.
  6. Rumor has it that Bing will not take a cut from ad clicks which might be true but for how long? Sure Bing isn't seeing a tremendous amount of clicks now but think about every iPod Touch and iPhone?  Ballmer has been known to be a smidgen greedy and underhanded.  Jobs isn't working with Bill these days.
  7. MS has nothing that Apple would want so why create a marriage of convenience now?  Of course, they might have something clever up their sleeve that we have never seen but...really?  Why throw them a bone now?
  8. See that number above? Yeah it reads 190 positive and 1983 negative and it definitely has changed since I took the snapshot.
  9. People will change the search back to Google (hopefully an option) and now Apple isn't making money off clicks (I assume) so why not stay with the platform that is making you "dolla - dolla - bills."
  10. Android is climbing the mobile ladder quickly.  HTC and Motorola have some beautiful handsets in the works.  In addition, the software has seen it's way into the hearts of big time advocates (Leo Laporte, John Gruber, Kevin Rose, Jason Snell, Some guy with a lichen based last name, etc) who are tremendous influencers.  Why make a small blunder that could perhaps cost you a considerable amount of market share?
Yep, a list.  I don't normally pull them because they are SEO link-bait and generally filled with junk; however, I think it was only fitting with this information.  The only unfortunate thing is the rumor mills are still pumping like crazy and we have an entire week before we can turn them off.  Here's to hoping that (with or without Bing) Apple knocks our socks off with their new iPhone OS.  I leave you with Homer Simpson and a smidgen of wisdom.

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Filed under  //   bing   google   iphone   mobile   search  

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January 12, 2010

Your First Nexus Isn't Filled With 3g

Their have been some scathing issues surrounding the release of Google's first flagship phone, the Nexus One.  Granted, and mind your comments I have worked in the IT "help" industry before, most of these connectivity issues are user error and nothing actually wrong with the hardware.  The document above was leaked via Engadget and appears to be a cheat sheet for T-mobile reps when answering questions from nasally Nexus owners.  The best bit seems to be what you can barely see at the end of the image: "Do not schedule a follow up with customers."  Who's head do you think these issues fall on (HTC / Google / T-mobile)?  Since I am such a blind telecom hater, my moolah is on T-mobile.

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Filed under  //   3g   google   htc   networkerror   tmobile  

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December 15, 2009

We Are A Rumor Society

This sentence does not work: "A T-Mobile representative said the company does not comment on rumors or speculation." 

To be quite frank, it looks like a phrase strait out of the AT$T playbook.  We see Apple creating a tremendous amount of buzz (especially for their tablet) and when their rumors "leak," the result is a tremendous amount of sales when the product actually ships.  Google has begun doing this with their Nexus One phone and the web is in hysterics over it.  People are "chomping at the bit" for a chance to bounce 200 dollars off of Google's face and run away with an unlocked gPhones.  The result?  Wake up everyone, this is a rumor, buzz driven economy and don't make me use the word "stupid" because you know I will.

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Filed under  //   ghone   google   rumors   society  

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November 7, 2009

How To Control Gmail Like a Pro

Check your pockets, find that wallet, pull it out and open it up.  Is there a card in there that says that you use Gmail?  If there isn't make sure to put everything down and proceed to fall asleep because you sir (mam?) are behind the times.  Gmail and Google apps are some of the best email clients on the market right now.  Google even offers a sweet solution to that disgusting Microsoft Exchange you have chugging in the back room.  That means you can have Google sync contacts, calendar and mail between any of your precious devices.  This post is aimed at people who actually use Google Apps / Gmail (sorry noobs, you can still stick around though) because we are going to talk about how to control Gmail specifically like a Vi / Vim pro.  Without further ado, here are some exceptionally important shortcuts for controling Gmail strait from the keyboard:

First, look at the picture provided and navigate to settings in Google Mail and make sure the radial button for keyboard shortcuts is initiated.  No need to reboot for things to work all you nervous Microsoft fans.

c (shift + c for a new window) - Opens up the compose window...you know, to write emails.
j or k - cycles through conversations.  Very reminiscent of Vi.
u - Brings you back to the "Inbox" view.
s - Stars a message (who uses this function anyway?)
r (shift + r for a new window) - reply to a message.
esc - removes your cursor from the field of view (a reset of sorts).  Another heavily Vi inspired keystroke.
y - archive message.

If you want something more permenant...like to decorate your cubicle with, here is a Google mail cheat sheet.  Peace!

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Filed under  //   gmail   google   how-tos   keystroke  

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November 2, 2009

Sharing Equals Google Wave Caring

Gina Trapani happens to be one of those rare coding gems that finds themselves on the forefront of everything "Google cool" (or Gool for short).  She also has a splendid blog called Smarterware where she shares her wealth of knowledge with the rest of the known world.  Gina recently released a book tailored to the small amount of folks who seem ______(insert word here: scared, befuddled, lost, anxious, "wetting themselves") over the whole Google Wave thing. 

The book is called The Complete Guide to Google Wave and should be a staple for anyone who has been lucky enough to get an invite.  The kicker is the website is built on Media Wiki which is what Wikipedia is built on allowing you to help Gina and Adam on sections that you feel passionate about.  Go, read, collaborate and be merry.

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Filed under  //   google   how-tos   wave  

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