Microsoft is launching a TV ad campaign this week to attempt to persuade web users to make the switch from Google to Bing.
After seeing the Bing ad, which attacks the 'information overload' of Google's results, presumably a few Google users will be persuaded to give Bing a try, but will they be impressed enough to stick with it?
Judging by some user testing I've seen, it will take a lot more from Bing to get users to make the switch...
I've been provided with some videos of user testing by whatusersdo.com which show habitual Google users trying out Bing for the first time.
Testers were asked to repeat the last Google search they did on Bing and after this to look for three digital camera retailers. At the end of the test they were asked what, if anything, would make them switch from using Google to Bing.
Tester 1 (Female, 55+)
This user preferred Bing to Google because she could filter out US search results. She had been using Google search via the browser toolbar and has therefore not noticed this option before.
Tester 2 - (Male, 35 - 54)
This user was impressed with the Bing property search results, finding them more relevant, but still would keep Google as their primary search engine.
Another two users tested Bing as well, and while they thought some features of Bing were preferable to Google, such as the maps and the video and image search functions, neither were convinced enough to switch to Google.
Interesting, one tester wouldn't consider switching to Bing anyway because they already use so many Google services like Gmail, Google Docs and Calendars, which shows how effectively Google has tied users into its search engine with a range of features beyond just search.
The search market in the UK could certainly do with some competition and more choice for consumers, and there are some compelling reasons why Google may need to worry about Bing; Microsoft has deep enough pockets to raise awareness, and Bing isn't a bad search engine by any means.
However, as these user tests suggest, it may still struggle to attract more users as, while it is a decent search engine, it isn't different enough, or obviously better than Google, which would it would have to be to convince people to make the switch.
Filed under: Software, Internet Tools
TUAWiCalShare relaunches originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Software, Internet Tools
TUAWiCalShare relaunches originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Verizon promises first 4G handset for next summer, foretells end of unlimited data plans originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Verizon promises first 4G handset for next summer, foretells end of unlimited data plans originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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It’s been a while since I looked at personal dashboard/site building tool ZooLoo, so when I recently had the opportunity to speak with the folks from the company about its new features, and how they have scaled things back to focus on the core product, I jumped at the chance.
When I last wrote about ZooLoo I mentioned how ambitious a product it was, and how that could make it overwhelming, especially for the small business audience it was trying to attract. The new release seem to have addressed a lot of my concerns; quite a bit has been removed from the product and the interface has been spiffed up. Gone are the confusing calendars and tasks, while more emphasis has been placed on social media services, the site creator and a new “Graffiti” microblog feature.
At its core, ZooLoo is still two separate products: a dashboard and a site creator. The private dashboard allows you to create a start page for your browsing experience (similar to iGoogle) but it can also capably work as a front-end or aggregator for your email, Twitter, Facebook and MySpace. Posts and status updates can be added from the dashboard page and each can also selectively be cross-posted to all of these platforms as well.
The dashboard area is functional and does a good job of bringing together the various services that folks are using. It is much cleaner and easier to manage than the prior iteration and the customization options are plentiful for those who want to tweak it to match their mood. Power users who are already hooked on third-party apps may not find the features rich enough, but it performs nicely.
One of my favorite parts of ZooLoo has always been the site creator, and a addition of the new Graffiti microblogging makes the option even more compelling. Working much like Tumblr, a bookmarklet grabs content while you’re out surfing and lets you quickly share it on your Graffiti page. You can link all of this to your own domain, which makes it a compelling option for small business folks and others who want to a site online but who don’t have the technical skills, time, or resources to build it, or deal with hosting and such. It can also move into the next level of sophistication, with some advanced options for theme creation and styling. For the really technical folks who want ultimate control over their site, using a self-hosted CMS would be the better choice, but if you’re looking for a no-fuss solution that you can get out there quickly then Zooloo is worth a try.
In my original look at ZooLoo I was thrilled with its granular permissions system that allowed for the control of sharing and viewing of pages on your site. I’m glad to see that it’s still in place.
Along with the site refresh is a new “choose what you use” pricing model. I particularly like the way add-on options are broken down so you can select only the ones that you need. For example, to remove adverts from your site is a $1.99 per month option. Other add-on options include additional storage, advanced SEO, stats and even the ability to manage your own adverts if you are looking to monetize your site.
I’m still keen on ZooLoo — actually, even more so following these recent changes. While I’ll stick with my stand-alone self hosted site, I’m comfortable recommending it to friends and family who are looking for a simple yet powerful way to manage a web site.
Could ZooLoo’s all-in-one approach work for you?
Just like you buy “applications” from the iTunes store and add them to your iPhone, everyone can now buy readymade “cloud applications” from the Google Apps Marketplace and install them to their Google Apps’ accounts.
Google Apps Marketplace, like the iTunes store, includes a mix of free and paid web applications but there’s one difference – you only pay once for installing an iPhone app but Google Applications are generally subscription based so you pay as you use.
You can explore the Google Apps market at google.com/appsmarketplace. Then watch the video to know how you can easily add “apps” to your own Google Apps account.
If you read the official announcements and the press releases from Google, you’ll get an impression that the Apps Marketplace is primarily for businesses and large companies who have shifted to Google Apps.
That’s true but the Google Apps Marketplace is equally appealing to individuals like you and me who are not businesses but simply use the Standard Edition (free version) of Google Apps to manage their web domains, emails and calendars online.
Let me explain. When you add an application to your Google Apps account (say your install Aviary for editing photos), you can quickly access that app from any other Google service (like Gmail or Google Docs) through the drop-down menu in the Google Bar (see screenshot).
The big advantage here is that when you switch to an app from the Google menu, you can start using that app directly without having to log-in.
If you are logged into one Google service, you are automatically logged into all the other Google Applications that are attached to your Google Apps account. This can be such a time-saver.
Here are some useful applications from the Google Apps Marketplace that have a free version and you can consider them installing to your Google Apps account.
1. ManyMoon – This is an online project management software that is free and will integrate with Google Calendar as well as your Google Docs storage -- see review of ManyMoon.
2. Aviary – This like adding a stripped version of Photoshop to your Google Apps. With Aviary, you can not only created and edit photos online but the app also has an audio editor for recording / editing podcasts and music. Aviary will save your file into a designated Google Docs folder.
3. Offisync – With Offisync, you can edit Google Documents right inside your Microsoft Office programs. It can also save documents from the desktop to your online account right within Office – see review of Offisync.
4. Zoho Projects – This is a more mature web-based project management app for Google Apps that also includes a wiki. Its a premium app but you can create one project for free – see more project management apps.
5. Google Short Links – If you don’t want to use bit.ly or tinyurl.com for shortening URLs, use the Short Links app from Google. It lets you setup your own redirection service on your personal Google Apps domain.
6. Spanning Backup – If you ever wish to backup your Google data (like documents, calendar and contacts) to the cloud, this app will come handy.
7. Time Report – This will add timesheet related features to Google Calendar so you track the time spent on various activities.
8. SlideRocket – Not happy with the presentations module of Google Docs? Try SlideRocket, this is one of the best online presentation apps on the Internet today.
9. Mail Chimp – Gmail has a strict daily sending limit so if you want to send bulk emails from Gmail account, use MailChimp – the service is free for lists up to 500 emails.
10. Survey Monkey – You can use the build-in Google Docs for Surveys but it you want something more personalized and customizable, try Survey Monkey – the basic version is free.
Finally, I’ll leave you with this creative video from Box.net that demonstrates how their service integrates with Google Apps.
The Best Applications for your Google Apps
Originally published at Digital Inspiration by Amit Agarwal.
With software from more than 50 companies
Google has announced a business-oriented cloud software store which it's calling the Google Apps Marketplace. The service allows businesses using its Google Apps software to install plugins that allow them to access cloud-based productivity applications.
Google says that it started the project after businesses clamoured for more cloud-based software that it didn't have the expertise or time to create - "from accounting and project management to travel planning and human resources management". By allowing other companies the ability to serve apps to its customers, Google could satisfy those businesses.
The Google Apps Marketplace (not to be confused with the company's Android App Market) has launched with offerings from more than 50 companies that includes payroll, project management, contextual information and software development functionality. Once installed, they work just like native Google apps and can access calendars, email, documents and contact data.
If you're running Google Apps, then head over to the Marketplace and see if there's anything that takes your fancy.
Tags: Software Google Google Apps Google Apps Marketplace
Businesses get Google Apps Marketplace originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:26:12 +0000
Tonight, Google launched its Google Apps Marketplace, an online storefront for Apps products and services. Here are our notes from the announcement. And of course, the marketplace is launching with a number of pilot partners (50 to be exact). One of those partners happens to be recently launched Socialwok, a product that ads a social layer to Gmail and other Google products. At last year's TechCrunch50 conference, Socialwok made a big splash, winning the award for best demopit startup and launching its enterprise-friendly, FriendFeed-like layer for Google Apps. The web-based application was praised for launching a social network that wrapped around the very unsocial Google Apps. And the startup just launched a gadget to allow users access all the features of Socialwok without leaving Gmail.
Socialwok in the the Google Apps Marketplace allows organizations to use their existing Google Apps accounts to login into Socialwok and create a social network for their domains to share within Google Docs, Google Calendars, Google Spreadsheets and other Google objects in feeds. For example, with the Socialwok Gmail gadget, users can view, post and comment on various feeds in their organization right from Gmail.
Tonight, Google launched its Google Apps Marketplace, an online storefront for Apps products and services. Here are our notes from the announcement. And of course, the marketplace is launching with a number of pilot partners (50 to be exact). One of those partners happens to be recently launched Socialwok, a product that ads a social layer to Gmail and other Google products. At last year’s TechCrunch50 conference, Socialwok made a big splash, winning the award for best demopit startup and launching its enterprise-friendly, FriendFeed-like layer for Google Apps. The web-based application was praised for launching a social network that wrapped around the very unsocial Google Apps. And the startup just launched a gadget to allow users access all the features of Socialwok without leaving Gmail.
Socialwok in the the Google Apps Marketplace allows organizations to use their existing Google Apps accounts to login into Socialwok and create a social network for their domains to share within Google Docs, Google Calendars, Google Spreadsheets and other Google objects in feeds. For example, with the Socialwok Gmail gadget, users can view, post and comment on various feeds in their organization right from Gmail.
Ming Yong, CEO of the company, said that integration with the marketplace was a logical choice because of the growing number of SMBs that are using Google Apps as their productivity suite of choice. Currently Google has more than 2 million businesses using the Google Apps Suite. Over 6,000 domains and tens of thousands of users are using Socialwok. Socialwok’s standard edition on the marketplace will be free but the startup will launch a paid edition in May.
Socialwok, which employs a freemium model, has steadily been adding features and improvements to its application, including releasing a new version of its HTML 5 mobile version for Android and iPhone browsers. And in the process of developing an innocative application, startup managed to catch Google’s eye. Socialwok was chosen as one of the showcase companies for AppEngine technology at this year’s Google IO Developer Sandbox (Socialwok is powered by Google App Engine). And the startup wrote a blog post on Google’s Enterprise Blog about Socialwok.
We’ve continuously written that if Google doesn’t buy the startup, they should at least heavily promoting what they’re doing. And it appears that Google has taken the latter route. For now. There’s no doubt that Socialwok could face the same fate as Google Docs killer and collaboration platform Etherpad or Microsoft Word collaboration plug-in Docverse.
We won’t see electric cars racing through the streets of Paris in June. They’ll be racing through the streets of Barcelona in October instead.
The EMXGP pulled the plug, if you’ll pardon the pun, on racing in the City of Light and pushed back the race date to give teams more time to develop their cars. Mark the new date — Oct. 16 and 17 — on your calendars.
eGrandPrix Spain kicks off a week of activities surrounding sustainable technological development on the road and on the track. The idea is to show that going green doesn’t mean going slow. In addition to the eGrandPrix, there’s the Zero Carbon Transport Conference and the TTXGP electric motorcycle racing series grand finale in Albacete on Oct 23 and 24.
All told we’re looking at a big stage for green racing. More info about the conference, tickets and all the rest expected soon. Stay tuned.
Photo: Tesla Motors
*The best iPhone application for sync with Google Calendar* I've been trying different calendars / ... http://goo.gl/VjA2
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T-Mobile invites us to 'come experience the HTC HD2' on March 16; release on the 24th? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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T-Mobile invites us to 'come experience the HTC HD2' on March 16; release on the 24th? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Once in a while, what happens in Vegas gets liveblogged to the rest of the world. To bring you the thrill and spills of Microsoft’s MIX10 conference next week join Ed Bott, Mary Jo Foley, Kip Kniskern, Benjamin Rubenstein, Paul Thurrott and myself as we’re all in to group liveblog both keynotes where they’re expected to blow the lids off Windows Phone 7 Series and Internet Explorer 9.
Check back on Monday, March 15 9am PST and Tuesday, March 16 9am PST for the first and second keynote respectively to find the liveblog embed. For the organized among us, import this handy iCal file.
Audience participation will be enabled by default so feel free to ask questions and provide your thoughts on the announcements live.
Uh oh, Amazon…hope you’re sitting down for this one. Looks like a survey of future ebook buyers shows everyone’s waiting on the iPad. According to Changewave, specifically 40% of prospective ebookers are marking April 3rd on their calendars. The real bad news, though, is for Barnes and Noble and Sony. At least Amazon claimed 28% of potential future sales. Poor B&N and Sony are only picking up a 6% and 1% share, respectively.
(Image courtesy Investors.com)
So what’s going on with these numbers? Has Apple pre-emptively won the ebook war? Maybe not…let’s put some context into this. … [visit site to read more]
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It's official: Apple will begin selling iPads on Saturday, April 3rd, with pre-orders beginning on March 12. Sales will be done through "selected Authorized Retailers."
Note: this is for the basic Wi-Fi model. The 3G 'Pad is promised for late April, but the House of Jobs doesn't have a date set in concrete yet. This is also for the USA release: elsewhere in the world, both the Wi-Fi and 3G's have the "late April" disclaimer. Also, the Wi-Fi pad can be reserved online, and picked up at your nearest mall's Apple Store.
(Speaking of which: feel free to share any stories/photos of store feeding frenzies you might encounter...)
App availability -- not to mention how many devices are hitting the retail channels on Day One -- are not known at this time.
Mark your calendars for April 3 - that's when you'll be standing in line all day to get your hands on your very own iPad! Apple announced today that the WiFi only-enabled iPad will go on sale April 3 in the US, while the WiFi + 3G models will hit shelves later in the month. However, both models can be preordered beginning on March 12.
If the iPad hype is anything like the first generation iPhone, we should see a line of anxious fans waiting outside Apple Stores to be one of the first to get their hands on their very own tablet. Unfortunately, international customers will have to wait until later in April before they can pick up theirs. The Apple iPad starts at $500 for a 16GB WiFi-only model, while the top of the line 64GB WiFi + 3G edition will set you back $829.
Google takes a lot of heat when one of its applications, especially Gmail, goes down — in fact, last September’s Gmail outage caused some collateral damage, as Twitter struggled under the load of the users flooding to the microblogging site to complain. Justifiably or not, those outages probably make some businesses wary of Google Apps as they wonder whether storing their email, documents, and calendars on Google’s data centers is a little risky. But Senior Product Manager Rajen Sheth just published a blog post laying out the case that Google Apps are actually the best place to store your company’s data.
Now, the basic argument about why it’s actually safer to store data in Google’s data center, rather than on your own machines, is a familiar one. But Sheth’s post highlights a specific feature — the fact that Google performs “synchronous replication” on everything in Apps. In other words, whenever you send an email or change a document, Google writes that information to two different data centers at once. So if there are any data center has problems, Google should be able to switch you over to another one with minimum downtime and data loss. Sheth writes:
Some companies have adopted synchronous replication as well, but it is even more expensive than everything else we’ve mentioned. To backup 25GB of data with synchronous replication a business may easily pay from $150 to $500+ in storage and maintenance costs- and that’s per employee. That doesn’t even include the cost of the applications. The exact price depends on a number of factors such as the number of times the data is replicated and the choice of service provider. At the low end a company might tier the number of times they replicate data, and at the high end they’ll make several copies of the data for everyone. We also replicate all the data multiple times, and the 25GB per employee for Gmail is backed up for free. Plus you get even more disk space for storage-intensive applications like Google Docs, Google Sites and Google Video for business. Other companies may offer cloud computing solutions as well, but don’t assume they backup your data in more than one data center.
Google’s advantage, Sheth says, is the fact that it runs many data centers and has fast connections between them. The goal is that users should never know when a data center is down, because they’ll be switched over seamlessly and instantly. As evidenced by the occasional outages, Google isn’t quite there yet, but Sheth told me, “We’ve made a variety of enhancements in the systems to make them more and more resilient. You can expect that that’s going to be an ongoing thing over time. No system is perfect, but we want to be as close to perfect as we absolutely can be.”
These efforts aren’t a new initiative, and Sheth said they were key to winning over some of Google’s big customers, such as the City of Los Angeles. But smaller companies weren’t necessarily aware of them — hence today’s push to bring give Google’s reliable side a little more attention.
Companies: Google
People: Rajen Sheth
Link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid...
Mark your calendars, and double-check with your calculators! March 14, 2015 (at 9:26.53 AM/PM) will be the most accurate Pi Day in our lifetime.
Are you being buried by a pile of papers and post-it notes? If so, you might want to look into decluttering your life by using technology. From online calendars to universal chargers, check out all of our tips – hopefully, you’ll be able to see your desk again sometime soon!
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The Acer D241H Display+ is a curious new monitor with bonus bits thrown in just announced at CeBIT today. It takes the idea of an instant-on operating system to the next level, using Wi-Fi to jump online even when your computer is turned off. It’s headed to the UK, so read on for the full lowdown on it.
It may not be 3D, but the Acer D241H Display+ has as quirky a sellling point to match Asus. Though a full HD panel you can use for work should you choose, Acer is styling the Acer D241H Display+ as a giant photo frame with net connected widgets too.
The Acer D241H Display+ can connect over Wi-Fi or ethernet while your machine is off to bring you web feeds via widgets including Gmail and Yahoo! mail, RSS and calendars, or check out pictures and video on a USB or SD card through a media player, and you can stick three widgets to the screen at one time.
There’s even a remote control with a sliding QWERTY keyboard to boss the Acer D241H Display+ around from the sofa and tap out messages.
Acer Aspire One 532G Ion 2 netbook: hands-on!
We’re still scratching around for more snaps and UK pricing, but we’ve confirmed that the Acer D241H Display+ ships here in May.
Out May | £TBC | Acer
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