Google Android Flapette
September 27, 2009
Android Guys published Google Responds Cyanogate 09 and caught my attention. The goslings have been enmeshed in a Google development project, and we have not paid much attention to Android. Android Guys do. This story contained an interesting comment about confusion regarding certain open source issues. Android Guys point out that Android is open source with some constraints. What are those restraints? Well, that is one of the sort of clear Google points. Best bet is to not wrap Google’s apps into one own Android code.
Stephen Arnold, September 27, 2009
Mobile News Aggregation
September 23, 2009
I wrote an essay about the impending implosion of CNN. The problem with traditional media boils down to cost control. Technology along won’t keep these water logged outfits afloat. With demographics working against those 45 years of age and above, the shift from desktop computers to portable devices creates opportunities for some and the specter of greater marginalization for others. I saw a glimpse of the future when I looked at Broadersheet’s iPhone application. You can read about the service in “Broadersheet Launching “Intelligent News Aggregator” iPhone App”. The app combines real time content with more “traditional” RSS content. The operative words for me are “intelligent”” and “iPhone”. More information is available on the Broadersheet Web site. Software that learns and delivers information germane to my interests on a mobile device is not completely new, of course. The Broadsheet approach adds “time” options and a function that lets me add comments to stories. This is not convergence; the application makes clear the more genetic approach of blending DNA from related software functions.
Stephen Arnold, September23, 2009
Interpreting the Microsoft Song about Mobile Search
September 17, 2009
I learned that Bing.com has almost 11 percent of the Web search market. That’s good. Competition in Web search can be useful. I spent some time looking at Hakia’s librarian-intermediated search results, Devilfinder.com (an interesting search engine from an individual in southern California), and a wheelbarrow full of European search systems. There are a couple of quite useful search systems and quite a few that a heavy on glitz and weak in usefulness to me. Armed with these recent experiences, I read The Register’s article “Microsoft Targets Google’s Mobile Dream with Bing”. The writing was clear, and I assume the message I carried away was close to what Microsoft’s Charles Songhurst intended. I read:
Microsoft had internalized a lot of what Google has been saying” in recent years on mobile search being worth more than PC-based search.
My interpretation was: Microsoft is studying Google and, where possible, trying to think like Google to beat Google.
I also noted:
He [Songhurst] noted Microsoft wants to get the search algorithms right for each market before promoting Bing locally. A key component of the Microsoft deal to buy Yahoo! is that Bing drives search in the markets served by Yahoo! during the next 10 years, which will give Microsoft time to build and tune the Bing algorithms to improve searches and returns.
My interpretation was: Microsoft is focusing on algorithms just like Google. Furthermore, the time line for Microsoft and search is 10 years. The push will conclude in 2019.
I have been documenting Google’s changes in public search such as the nifty “ig” (individualized Google) functions. I also try to mention the enterprise innovations that I think are important in that sector such as the WAC attack; that is, Wave, Android, and Chrome with Google Apps along for the joy ride.
The challenge Microsoft has is that emulating Google and learning from Google is not what is needed. The task is to leap frog Google. Google’s core technology is over 11 years old and Microsoft is focusing on that collections of innovations. One cannot shoot a goose (heaven forbid) with a shotgun by aiming directly at the fowl. One must shoot where the goose will be when the pellets arrive to kill the beastie. Microsoft is shooting at the Google, not where the Google is going. The 10 year time line is two Soviet five year plans. Didn’t work in the USSR. Won’t work at MSFT in my opinion.
Aardvark Help Engine for the iPhone
September 16, 2009
The iPhone continues to add bells and whistles, and a new app for search is pretty interesting. It’s called Aardvark, and it’s a “help engine.” You can post a question from your phone and get a live answer from any of your social networks, like Facebook Connect, Twitter, etc. It works like an IM. You post, and Aardvark detects your location, looks for someone to answer the question, and notifies you of the results. You can also make yourself available to answer questions. See details at http://blog.vark.com/?p=188. You can download it at http://tinyurl.com/ng74m7.
Jessica Bratcher, September 16, 2009
Is Google Building a Star Trek Communicator?
September 14, 2009
The Google is assembling pieces of technology to perform some useful cross language functions. I recall seeing a Star Trek episode in which the Priceline pitchman or the pointy-eared wizard used a device to translate alien speech into Hollywood English. The question this patent application triggered in my mind was, “Is Google building a Star Trek communicator?” Read “Voice Recognition Grammar Selection Based on Context” (US20090228281) and see what you make of this description.
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes receiving geographical information derived from a non-verbal user action associated with a first computing device. The non-verbal user action implies an interest of a user in a geographic location. The method also includes identifying a grammar associated with the geographic location using the derived geographical information and outputting a grammar indicator for use in selecting the identified grammar for voice recognition processing of vocal input from the user.
I think this is science fiction. Well, maybe only science semi-fiction.
Stephen Arnold, September 14, 2009
Pigeons versus Kentucky Broadband
September 13, 2009
A happy quack to the caller today who alerted me to this news flash from Tom’s Hardware. Of course, living near a mine run off pond discourages the phone and cable companies from putting high speed anything in my dank hollow. The story’s headline is enticing: “Pigeon Found to be Faster Than Broadband”. I enjoyed this comment:
ISP Telom said that it couldn’t be held responsible for the slow transfer speeds to the IT company, as it has helped to advise the company in possible improvements, but thus far none have been accepted.
I heard from my local ISP that its system was really fast. Never mind that my Verizon WAN card times out when I try to access my mail via the ISP’s Web interface. “Works for us,” the company wrote. Yep, carrier pigeons. Also in Kentucky.
Stephen Arnold, September 13, 2009
Bing 2.0 Means Goodbye Google?
September 12, 2009
I read a post about how wonderful SharePoint 10 will be for * everyone *. Sounded like Tiny Tim because there were zero facts. Mary Jo Foley’s write up had some but I was not convinced. With Google and Facebook and Twitter snagging wizards, Microsoft has to pay a lot for semi-wizards. When semi-wizards tell me that Bing 2.0 means “goodbye Google”, I don’t assign that a high probability. You may, of course, and you may love SharePoint. Good for you. You can read Ms. Foley’s backhand praise volley in “Microsoft’s Bing 2.0: Coming this Fall (Maybe Even Next Week)” and judge for yourself. Don’t let the addled goose’s reality medicine dissuade you. The hopeful comment in my opinion was this statement with a Twitter source:
“BING 2.0 terrific !! watch out guys ! Bing + Silverlight in maps = amazing !! goodbye Google”.
As I documented in my CENDI talk about next generation data management, duplicating what Google has will not close the gap between Microsoft and Google. Just my opinion because doing what Google has done is not good enough. Just as recycling Fast ESP will not be good enough for the type of information access that users require in the aftermath of the financial bloodbath.
Stephen Arnold, September 12, 2009
Another Google Financial Services Baby Step
September 10, 2009
I learned from Internet.com’s “Google to Add Android Payment Options” an interesting factoid:
The news of additional payment options comes on the heels of criticism from some developers who voiced concern over having Checkout — which has yet to become widely adopted — as the sole option for payment processing, as well as frustration over Google’s 24-hour buy-and-try return policy.
How much will Google’s “additional payment options” add to Google’s fledgling and somewhat sparse line up of financial functions? Is Google becoming more responsive to inputs from non Googlers? A little addition here and a little addition there may add up to something. I estimate 18 to 24 months for the picture to gain clarity.
Stephen Arnold, September 10, 2009
App Store Query by Third Party, but for How Long
September 3, 2009
I find the search function in iTunes pretty bad. I know that some of my readers are Macaholics, but the iTunes’s search system is useless. But if I thought the the iPhone / iTouch App Store finding methods are in my opinion even less functional. You can try the new App Store search engine Uquery.com. I ran some tests and found it more suitable to my search needs. Type a query and the system drops down a list of suggested search phrases. I don’t use this feature, but I know from my research that some users love the training wheels. I ran one of my test queries for card games. Here’s the result list, and I want to say that I was pleased with the useful touches like price clustering and the right hand rail’s list of recent applications.
My question, “Will Apple cut this service off at the knees?” An outfit that nukes Google Voice is one that can move in unexpected directions.
Stephen Arnold, September 3, 2009
Android App Store Disappoints Humans
September 2, 2009
Short honk: I use a mobile phone as a phone. Sure, I check email, but I am not a 20 something with nimble thumbs and keen vision. I did find TechCrunch’s “Top Developer Reveals Android Market’s Meager Sales” revelatory. Not only is the market small and the interface clunky, a “top developer” could make more money as a Wal*Mart greeter than a seller of Android software. For me, the most interesting comment in Jason Kincaid’s write up was:
Hall also writes that the rumored
Android market size of $5 million a month (which still pales in comparison to the App Store’s) is likely an overestimate.
Androids are supposed to dream of electric sheep, not dream of being sheared, then rendered for their hooves. Do I smell failure near the Android processing center?
Stephen Arnold, September 2, 2009
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