Apple Vs Google: The Next 10 Battles To Watch (GOOG, AAPL) —

Apple and Google have been locking horns more and more in the last year.

The two biggest battles are in mobile and advertising. Google released the Nexus One this year. Apple put out the iAd.

Each move is a direct assault on the other's primary business.

These moves are mere preludes to bigger battles that will flare up in the next few months.

Apple and Google are big innovators with deep pockets. We expect the two tech giants to butt heads a bunch.

Here's the next 10 battles between Google and Apple >

See Also:

• Apple Boots Google Off iPhone 4.0
• Googler Rips Apple's New iAd
• Apple's War With Google Heats Up

When Google rolls out its iPad-killer, expect new fireworks

Eric Schmidt is telling friends that Google is building an iPad-killer. When Google actually starts selling its tablet this will be the next huge flare up between the two companies.

When Google unveils a Chrome OS it will be a huge shot at Apple

Google is supposed to deliver a Chrome operating system later this year. It will be different than Android. It will be designed for netbooks. As such, it is a big torpedo coming after Apple's OS.

When Walt Mossberg declares an Android phone better than the iPhone Steve Jobs will be pissed

This one feels inevitable, doesn't it? Apple has one heck of a phone in the iPhone. But that's all it is -- one phone. Android software is being sprayed across so many handsets that eventually one of the handsets will deliver an experience better than the iPhone. When that day comes and Walt Mossberg pens the words "Android has finally delivered a phone that is better than the iPhone," expect steam to come out of Steve Jobs's ears in Cupertino.

Apple's next big move against Google could be dropping Google Maps

In a research note released in late March, Gene Munster wrote that Apple will eventually have its own maps offering. He thinks that surrending maps to Google means giving up location data, one of the key components of a mobile platform. Gene sees Apple acquiring a map data provider like Europa Technologies.

Google could get booted from the iPhone for Bing

There's a lot of chatter that Bing could take the default spot on the iPhone as the search engine in Safari. Most analysts we've read don't think this happens this year, if at all. However, if Apple did go with Microsoft over Google, it would be a huge assault on Google's franchise.

Apple could build its own search engine, providing its biggest threat to Google

An even bigger attack on Google would be Apple building its own search engine. It sounds strange, considering we've heard Apple gets $100 million annually from Google for search, but Gene Munster Piper's Apple analyst says he thinks there's a 70% chance that Apple builds its own search engine in the next five years.

Munster thinks Apple would be able to protect its data. We're very skeptical about Apple doing this. It just seems like too much work to be worth it. However, if Apple did make its own search engine, it would probably destroy what's left of Apple's relationship with Google.

Apple and Google will start stealing important employees from each other

For a long time Apple and Google were reported to have a secret non-poaching pact. Apple wouldn't pluck Google's employees. Google wouldn't go after Apple employees. If that really existed, it's over now. Apple stole away RJ Pittman from Google earlier this year. Eventually one of these companies will pluck someone big.

Apple and Google will battle over the TV set

Google is building an Android-based set-top box software with Intel and Sony, the New York Times reports. Through this, users will be able to do web stuff and watch television. So, you'll be able to see YouTube videos along side cable, for instance. Apple has its own TV offering, Apple TV, which is just a hobby for the company. Despite this, Piper analyst Gene Munster thinks Apple's next big move should be in the television market. If Apple builds its own TVs or steps up its television efforts, this will be another spot where the two companies butt heads.

YouTube's rental service will go live and attempt to crush iTunes

YouTube is working on a rental service for movies and television shows. iTunes already does rentals. When YouTube's service is live, how will the two companies fight each other to get the best terms from studios?

There will be a brutal M&A battle, but we don't what it's going to be...

We've ticked off nine battle we can see coming. Obviously, there will be more that we miss. Our best guess is that it happens in the M&A world. Apple already stole Lala away from Google after Google stole AdMob from Apple. We think there's more battles coming, probably related to cloud computing services on some level. Although, now that Apple is an advertising company, the two could fight for something in that arena.

In case you didn't know what caused this war...

See How Apple's War With Google Heated Up In The First Place >>

Join the conversation about this story »

When it comes to the web browser, one of the important aspects of it is whether or not it is customizable. We all like our own user experience on our own computers, right?  Well, as I wrote in an earlier article, 2 New Reasons Google Chrome May Pull Ahead Of Mozilla Firefox, the way Chrome handles themes is top notch.

We saw how easy it was to find and change browser themes for Chrome without even restarting the browser. This article will show you how easy is to design a custom theme for Google Chrome.

There are several ways to change your browser theme for Chrome, a few of which involve downloading and using editors to make it easier. First, you can make and modify a *.json file using a test editor by following the instructions here - Theme Creation Guide. Doing so may require some previous experience with the *.json file.  Secondly there is a theme editor called “Chromium Theme Creator” which I believe makes edits to the default dll file (short instructions here).

Since Google has come up with the newer way of implementing themes via the extensions system, making handling them easier, I will be going over the third way of designing a Chrome theme via another program called “Chrome CRX Theme Creator.”  You see, themes (or skins) can now be contained and distributed within files with the extension “CRX” and this program makes it possible to easily design the theme and distribute it.

You will need to download and run the Chrome CRX Theme Creator program from this link.

and some sort of image editor such as Photoshop, GIMP or Fireworks.

You see, the CRX program will allow you to assign colors where applicable and to assign images to different areas of the theme.  An image editor will allow you to create those images.  You will also need to keep the previously mentioned link to the Theme Creation Guide open for referencing because it explains what each of the color assignments and the image assignments are and how they will appear.

My advice?  Keep this page open in a different browser, such as Firefox, because you will be restarting Chrome numerous times throughout the design process.

Begin by looking at the theme creation guide in order to see which graphics you’ll have to create and the size requirements.

Look for the heading “Image Elements” and you’ll notice the column containing the recommended size requirements.  Once you see where each image will show when the browser theme is applied to Chrome, go ahead and put your creative juices into action in your chosen image design program (ie. Photoshop).  Make a folder located someplace you will find it later and save all of the images in the one folder.

Once you have the images created the way you want them, go ahead and open the CRX creator.  This is where you will apply the images to the theme.

In my case, once I began applying the images and testing the theme in the browser, I ended up making many changes to the original images I created to get the look I wanted.  To me, that’s OK because it’s all part of the creative process.

Once you apply the images where you want them, notice the “View Theme” button at the bottom of the window.

Make sure Google Chrome is closed and hit that button to get an idea of what the theme will look like.  If Chrome is not closed before hitting the button, the theme you want to test will probably not be applied to the window that will open.

That’s basically the design process for designing a Google Chrome theme.  When you go to change the colors (text, links, etc.) from the left column of the editor :

Apply the same principles, checking things out via the “View Theme” button as you go.  Also notice the “Tint” column off to the right. This applies different tints to different areas of the browser theme.

Instead of having a full understanding of what everything did, I tended to try stuff out and see what happens until I found the theme looking the way I wanted. Once you have everything where you want it, you’re ready to pack the theme into a CRX file.  This is where you hit the “Pack Theme” button.

Fairly self-explanatory, I know.  This will pack the images and color assignments into one file for easy application and distribution of the theme.

As far as distributing your newly created theme goes, you have several options.  There is a handy “Share Theme” button within the CRX creator program.

This will bring you to a page on the chrometheme.chromepub.com site with a form you fill out and it allows you to upload your theme to share there.  Another option you have is sharing it yourself.  I linked to it on my own site.

It is easy for anyone to use your theme on their Chrome browser. All they have to do is click a link and apply the changes.

Tell me, what do you think of the process? Also, have you created a theme for Google Chrome yet?   If so, please share in the comments.

We NEED Your Comments! Please do share your thoughts in article comments!

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Adobe today announced the launch of the latest version of its flagship Creative Suite family of products, CS5. It comprises, among other things, new versions of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Acrobat, Fireworks, Flash and Dreamweaver.

The latest versions of the software have 64-bit support and some neat new productivity-boosting features. In particular, the new content-aware fill available in Photoshop CS5 looks very impressive. Check out this video showing it in action:

The Creative Suite of tools is an impressive collection of professional-grade software, but that quality does come at a price. The top-of-the-range Master Collection, which includes all of the tools in the CS5 family, retails at a hefty $2,599, while the cheapest edition, Design Standard, which includes Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Acrobat, costs $1,299. Tiered upgrade pricing from previous versions of the software is available.

Will you be upgrading to CS5?

Most people still use traditional applications like Powerpoint or Visio for creating diagrams or charting software, which isn’t always a simple task (especially if the designs are complicated or need to look pretty). There’s no shortage of easy-to-use online diagramming and design applications addressing the need, but a tool called Cacoo tries to stand out from the pack with some unique features.

Developed by Japan-based Nulab, the Flash application is entirely browser-based, free and available in English (and Japanese). Cacoo features a library of icons users can drag and drop to create site maps, wireframes, flow charts, network diagrams, mind maps, UML diagrams, and more. Much like with similar tools, Cacoo users can align the design elements to each other, resize, flip and skew them, create their own components from existing ones, upload images to include in the diagrams, and more.

Here’s a sample mind map created with Cacoo (click to enlarge):

But Cacoo’s main selling point is that it allows multiple users to create and edit designs collaboratively and in real-time. Once invited via email, collaborators can view, edit and chat about diagrams while they’re being created. The designs can be exported (as PNGs only at this point) or shared on the web, for example on blogs or wikis. Any changes you make in the original under Cacoo will be reflected in the embedded item automatically and in real-time, which means uploading them again isn’t necessary.

The application was showcased to a broader audience for the first time during TechCrunch Japan’s TokyoCamp demo event that took place few weeks ago. Cacoo competes with similar design tools like Creately, Balsamiq Mockups, Gliffy, Adobe Fireworks or mockingbird. Maker Nulab is currently working on a number of functional enhancements, next to preparing a diagram store for distributing stencils and templates later this year.

More screenshots (click to enlarge):

Have you ever planned what you thought would be a brilliant, jaw-dropping week on your blog?

You pour your heart and soul into an ingenious post (or series) then sit back and wait for the praises to come pouring in.

But instead, you hear from just your usual readers, commenting politely and moving on.

Where are the trumpets? The fireworks? The millions of raving reviews and incoming links?

I know how you feel. And so did the legendary magician and “escapist” Harry Houdini.

Houdini started his career working small sideshows and medicine shows. He would perform one airtight magic trick after another. And what was his audience’s reaction? They would clap politely then move on to the next performer.

Sound familiar? (This may be the part where you start banging your head against the desk.)

Houdini couldn’t understand it either, and considered retiring. Only after meeting showman Martin Beck did he learn the secret to captivating an audience. It is the big trick of showmanship. Are you ready for it?

Houdini learned how to create a build.

Once Houdini learned to build up his performances, he did it masterfully. No longer did he perform a long series of equally impressive tricks.

Instead, he developed one spectacular centerpiece, which mainly revolved around . . . waiting.

Houdini would have himself handcuffed, tied with ropes, locked in a box, and submerged in water.

He invited his audiences to hold their breaths along with him and . . . wait. And wait. And wait.

When he finally made his great escape and emerged panting for breath, people couldn’t stop talking about it. Houdini became one of the most successful and famous performers of his or any other time.

That’s a build.

Can you do what Houdini did? Of course you can. (Not the handcuff thing, the captivating-your-audience thing.) And the best part is, it will probably take less sweat and sinew than what you’re doing now.

Here are the five essential strategies for pulling it off.

1. Talk it up

Let me give you an example.

Let’s say I have two people I want to introduce you to. One is my old roommate from college. The other is my tall, beautiful friend who makes the best Danish pastries and tells the funniest stories about going to public spas in Finland.

Now. Who are you most interested in meeting? My roommate Libbie or my roommate Libbie? Yup. They’re the same person. But with the second intro I talked her up, which got you ready to admire her best qualities.

In copywriting terms, “talking it up” is about using specific detail, focusing on benefits to the reader, and articulating a big idea.

2. Get the rhythm

Have you ever watched the ocean? The way it sucks the tide back before a big wave bursts in?

Remember that rhythm and pull back a little before your next big post. Right before you launch your big event, let things go a little quieter and a little simpler.

A never-ending sequence of hype and fanfare will burn out your audience’s attention. (Think of some of the marketing gurus who never seem to let their “limited-time launch” actually end).

Creating a build for that big post or series means you don’t post every day at the same volume. You set off your bigger posts with some smaller (but still great) ones.

3. Revel in the anticipation

I blog about gifts. Last Father’s Day I decided to nearly kill myself crafting, cooking, and photographing every gift I could humanly manage.

Just like throwing a surprise party, I didn’t say a word until the big day. And everyone cared — a little. I got a nice link or two, but that was it. Once I recovered from the exhaustion, I committed to change.

No longer would I dream up a good idea, then keep it a secret from my readers until the day I shared the whole project on my blog.

For example, when I came up with my next big idea, the idea of testing the post office to see what they would mail in first class, I handled things differently.

I introduced the seedlings of the idea in a post. I brainstormed in another post. Only then did I start actually mailing things and blogging about it.

If you have a really big project (say, the launch of an extraordinary new online community), you might start the anticipation sequence weeks or even months in advance.

People like anticipation. Why do we watch thrillers? Why do we like planning for a vacation? Why do we wait expectantly while Paula Dean’s casserole bakes in the oven?

It’s because people like the build. The build is fun. Don’t leave out the build and spoil all the pleasure.

4. Have a signature thing

Take another lesson from Houdini and focus narrowly on what you do best.

Houdini wasn’t escaping a watery death chamber one week and cliff diving the next. No, he developed his unlock-himself-while-nearly-drowning thing and he stuck with it. Find out what people enjoy that you do, and do that.

Be distinctive. Great artists do it, accomplished actors do it, and so should you. Soon you’ll find other blogs know what to expect from you and give you credit for doing your thing better than anyone else. Readers will know you for it and happily point you to new ideas that you just might like.

5. Give your signature thing a name

Names are important. If people want to talk about your idea, they need it to have a handle.

Houdini billed himself as “The Handcuff King.”

I named my series about mail “13 Ounces or Less.” Clear, descriptive, repeatable, and easy to Google.

The simple act of giving an idea a name solidifies it in your readers’ brains and in search engine results.

Sound easy enough? Trust me, once you try it, you’ll get happy readers and bigger reactions, all with less work on your part.

Don’t be afraid to build. We all like being told we’re part of something big and exciting. It’s a nice break from the less big and exciting parts of our lives.

Happy building!

About the Author Amber Fawson blogs about things like mailing a Frisbee with no envelope, doodling on a cake, printing on post it notes, and making hot chocolate on a stick.

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Writing from the Fab Academy at AS220 Labs, Jenine Bressner shares the technique she uses for getting just the right amount of solder and freeing up one hand:

I demonstrate soldering components onto a step response circuit board that was milled on a Modela CNC router. My technique is informed by my soldering experience in silversmithing.

A soldering video tutorial

More:

• Letters from the Fab Academy, Part 1
• Letters From the Fab Academy, Part 2
• Letters From the Fab Academy, Part 3
• Letters From the Fab Academy, Part 4
• Jenine Bressner Fireworks Earrings
• Jenine Bressner Flameworked Glass at Maker Faire Bay Area

Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Electronics | Digg this!

Fireworks Alternatives on Trial: Acorn, DrawIt, and Opacity —

Comprehensive review and comparison by Jon Hicks of Acorn, DrawIt, and Opacity, in the context of using them as replacements for Fireworks as a tool for creating UI elements.

Every day, millions of tweets are created. These little bursts of information are about anything and everything—they make Twitter a hub for discovering what’s happening right now, anywhere in the world. A recent burst of interest in location sharing applications, games, and services has many Twitter users excited about appending geographic data to some of their tweets.

Not everyone wants to add their current location to a tweet so this feature is off by default and must be activated to use. Check out How To Tweet with Your Location to learn how you can turn it on. People who choose to add this additional layer of context help make Twitter a richer information network for all of us—location data can make tweets more useful.

Let’s say I’m at my office and I hear a loud boom. It sounded serious, so I search Twitter for “boom.” Among the first results could be someone who tweeted “Boom go the fireworks!” This could be anywhere in the world. However, if that person had activated the new tweet location feature then the neighborhood data under the tweet would read, “SoMa.”

Now I know it's just fireworks going off in my neighborhood. Boom! Plus, the word “SoMa” is linked to a Google map so I can explore a bit more. There are many ways location data can be useful when paired with tweets. For more information on how this feature works, be sure to check out our help article, About the Tweet With Your Location Feature.