Seven 7 Facebook features that Google+ Lacks!

Google Plus is said to be in testing mode, (might be coz of its unimpressiveness). The search-engine giant might really wants to up the ante in its competition with Facebook, but there are seven features the veteran social network boasts that are not yet offered by the newcomer.

 

Search

Yes, Google is commonly referred to as the search-engine giant (see above), but so far, only other users are searchable within Google Plus, but on Facebook, all public content is searchable.

So, let’s say you want to find reactions to a breaking news story. You can do that on Facebook, while right now, it’s not possible on Google Plus. That’s pretty ironic.

 

Application Programming Interface

Right now, Google Plus does not play well with other applications. For example, foursquare users can have their check-ins automatically appear on Facebook, but there is no way to accomplish this on Google Plus. Google is obviously working on releasing an API, but it’s not there yet.

 

Brand Pages

Moving past the controversy created when Google did not outline its brand page policy for Google Plus, causing companies and organizations to create pages that were subsequently deleted — from a user standpoint, some of the information shared by brands on their Facebook pages is actually of interest and useful. It’s not all, “Please buy our product.” Google must clarify its policies on brand pages sooner, rather than later.

 

Ads

While users probably don’t miss ads on Google Plus at all — especially the targeted ads that appear in the Facebook sidebar, which often focus on one word a user types in a status report, and then deliver ads for products they have zero interest in — revenue is revenue, and Google is missing out on some serious revenue, with Google Plus approaching 20 million users.

Not running ads during the trial period is understandable, and seeing them appear when Google Plus “officially debuts” would not be a surprise. But if they don’t appear when the site moves out of beta, well, that would be interesting.

 

Photo Tagging

Although photo tagging has been known to raise privacy concerns, it is also the most efficient way to let friends and contacts know when they appear in users’ photos. Overall, the interface to download and organize photos in Google Plus is well organized and easy to use, but the lack of tagging is a glaring omission, thus far.

 

Games

It is pretty much a given that Google is working on a gaming platform, and that it will attempt to lure game developers that are unhappy with Facebook’s terms, but it’s not here yet, leaving fans of Farmville, Scrabble, and the like dependent on Facebook, for the time being.

 

Events and Birthdays

As of now, Google Plus does not offer the ability to organize events, while the feature is widely used on Facebook, albeit sometimes not wisely. Events are social, and should be part of a social network. In addition, the percentage of Facebook users who have avoided awkward conversations due to Facebook’s birthday reminders on its homepage must be staggering. Yet not only does Google Plus have no matching feature — birthdays aren’t even part of users’ Google Plus profiles. While this is certainly a minor issue and no reason to quit Google Plus, it’s also an oversight that should be attended to.

Readers: Can you think of any other Facebook features aren’t yet offered by Google Plus?

Changes Social Networking, specially Facebook has brought about in the society.

Although primarily a social networking tool, Facebook has brought changed to all areas of life. A few are highlighted below.

Business
The basic principle of Facebook is communication, which is a vital asset for any business. But it doesn’t have to be limited to text, as companies increasingly use apps, games and video to get their message across. It can also allow for more targeting, as the information people share on their pages can help indicate who is more or less likely to want a particular service or product. Nothing is more effective than the influence of friends however, and once a social circle sees one member liking and using a business, the others are very likely to follow.

Facebook Adds have been used by various organizations and corporate giants. Many biggies have integrated Facebook social plugins in their websites.

Recruiting
Facebook allows companies to give a face (or many faces) to their name. Increasingly they use real images of their workers and work environment on their profile pages, to demonstrate to job seekers what it would really be like as part of the team. This has been particularly popular in Australia and New Zealand where Deloitte have gone as far as live webcam feeds into their offices. Some companies, such as Ernst and Young, even broadcast interviews to provide a demonstration of how the process works.

Relationships
The average length of courtship before marriage is far shorter for couple who meet online than for those who meet offline. This may due to the quick and simple way we access information about people’s interests, tastes and hobbies; what could take weeks of dating to find out now takes minutes of profile perusing. Perhaps this also reflects a shift in attitude from viewing romance as a slow blooming process, to something we want as quickly as simply as everything else we search for online.

Travel
Online service is about more than just the company website. Airlines have been giving special Facebook offers, such as ‘Facebook Friday Fares’ with AirTran, and travel agents promote their latest holidays to their fan list, but apps are the current hot topic as they become all the rage for smart phones and social networks alike. Skyscanner’s flight searcher is a great example of this, allowing Facebook users to look up great prices with no hassle. For example, if you were searching for flight prices for September from the UK to Canada you could

a) Visit a site like Skyscanner/Flights Direct or

b) Visit the Skyscanner flight searcher page and type ‘UK to Canada in September’ and immediately you would get pinged back with a price.

Do we really need a flight search app in Facebook? Of course not. It’s just a nice little gimmick and something that’s ideal for those that don’t want to leave Facebook.

Politics
Political views have never been easier to spread and put into practice than since the advent of Facebook and Twitter. Middle-Eastern uprisings have be coordinated though social media, student protest groups formed and rallied to action, regular marches such as Gay Pride are planned and promoted through groups. In this sense, Facebook is proving that the younger generations are not politically apathetic, and that protest is not a relic of the past.

Many events were organized to support Anna Hazare’s campaign. Other events and groups were formed to raise voice against corruption. Also, during and after attack on Mumbai, voices were raised against terrorism through Facebook status updates.

Rumors
However, Facebook has also supported spreading of rumors. People blindly copy status updates from friends without thinking about the same. People just don’t have time to check the authenticity of a status. Any news that’s posted as a status update must be checked for credibility.

This ‘tact’ has been employed by a few organizations to create rumors about competitors to bring down their market. These Status update also sometimes take the form of SMS and then are circulated via the SMS channels. This is one major side-effect.

Quarter2 2011 pretty Bad for Nokia!

One word defines Nokia's quarter: UGLY!. 

Here's the scorecard:

• Net sales of EUR 9,275M vs EUR 10,003M in Q2 2010;
  
• Operating loss of EUR 487 million vs operating profit EUR 295M;
  
• Reported EPS (diluted) of EUR -0.10 vs EUR 0.06.

Worse still, Smartphone sales are down 32% YoY and 33% QoQ.

For the first time in living memory, according to Asymco's Horace Dediu, Nokia has lost the #1 smartphone maker title--to Apple.

Stock's up though, so there's something the market liked!

It's worth noting that this isn't attributable to Nokia's shift to Microsoft Windows. Nokia hasn't come out with a Windows phone yet. 

But the big argument for Nokia being a survivor was its huge distribution network, particularly outside the US, that would allow it to hold marketshare and push Windows phones. It doesn't seem to be happening. Instead, it seems it's slowly deteriorating, and it's less and less clear that it can be saved.

All in all, painful to watch!

Microsoft displays Windows Phone 'Mango' Phones by Samsung, Acer, Fujitsu, and ZTE.

Microsoft’s annual Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) kicked off on 11th July with a keynote that had CEO Steve Ballmer acknowledging poor sales of the company’s Windows Phone 7 handsets. That may soon change with the upcoming Mango update. The company today gave a sneak peek at WPC of several exciting new handsets on the way. Catch the video after the break.

Corporate VP of the OEM Division at Microsoft, Steve Guggenheimer revealed several new Mango handsets including one from Samsung. that resembles the Galaxy S II Android model.  The phone looks like the Windows Phone sibling of the Galaxy S II. Specifications are still unknown, but some are speculating that it could mirror that of the Android Galaxy. That particular phone features a dual-core processor, 1GB of ram, 4.3 super-AMOLED display, an 8-megapixel front-facing camera, and a slender build. It could be the SGH-i937 that is currently being tested. Guggenheimer said that he was particularly excited about the Samsung device and noted that it was extremely thin and light.



However, no details and exact specifications were revealed during the presentation. Other devices mentioned on stage included Acer’s first Windows Phone, a pink waterproof handset from Fujitsu, and a ZTE handset. This was the first time these yet-to-be released Windows Phone 7 devices were shown actually running the Mango update.

Microsoft hasn’t offered up required specifications for Mango, but it’s widely expected to introduce support for a front-facing camera. Windows Phone 7.5 will release sometime this fall, so expect the second generation of Windows Phone devices to be in tow.

Samsung delivers world’s first virtual desktop monitor with Cisco Universal power-over-ethernet (UPOE) technology

The Samsung NC220 monitor with Cisco UPOE powers and connects individual monitors via the network to a “virtualized” central server that executes all tasks and applications, offering businesses a flexible and convenient cloud computing alternative to the traditional workstation setup.

Samsung designed the NC220 with its new LED BLU technology, which offers bright and clear pictures on an ultra-slim, eco-friendly design—and markedly reduces energy consumption when compared with conventional CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp) monitors. Such innovations have allowed Samsung to remain the undisputed global leader in monitors for 19 straight quarters, according to a recent report from market research firm IDC.

This easy-to-deploy, easy-to-maintain desktop virtualization system reduces IT burden at every step. Software and security updates can be deployed in minutes from a centralized location, eliminating the need to service each individual workstation. Additionally, the Cisco UPOE technology is designed to enable that both data and power can be supplied through a single Ethernet cable, allowing for easier installation and more flexibility when configuring an office space.

“Samsung and Cisco are leading the way in transforming enterprise workspaces,” said Jeong-Hwan Kim, senior vice president of Display Sales & Marketing at Samsung Electronics. “Now every workstation can leverage the power and speed of the company’s centralized server, while reducing energy costs and creating a more beautiful, less cluttered environment.”

Samsung virtual desktop monitor

The addition of Cisco UPOE increases flexibility and choice for businesses by extending network power resiliency, at reduced costs compared to traditional power infrastructure, to an unprecedented range of devices. Cisco UPOE can supply up to 60 watts of power—twice as much as existing power-over-Ethernet technologies, which is currently restricted to 30 watts.

“Cisco UPOE doubles the amount power delivered over the Ethernet to support many more devices, including the Samsung zero client desktop virtualization devices,” said Jeff Reed, vice president of Cisco’s Unified Access Business Unit. “Now the same Ethernet cable that provides network access will power Samsung’s industry leading virtual desktop devices—dramatically simplifying deployment and management of these devices.”

Enterprises can save additional energy by implementing Cisco’s EnergyWise to better manage and monitor the power consumption of IT devices powered and connected to their Cisco network.

Zero client monitors like the Samsung NC220 are server-based monitors for businesses’ cloud computing systems. These products eliminate the need for local CPU, memory and storage at each individual workstation; instead, the monitor is connected via the network to a central server that executes tasks traditionally handled by a desktop PC. Samsung and Cisco have been working togetherto embed the Cisco UPOE on the Samsung NC220 since the two companies entered into an alliance earlier this year.

Google releases new version of Android Market–Now you can Buy Books and Rent Movies!

Google’s Mobile team had been working on to release a new version of Android Market with some new features including purchase of books and rental of movies.  The features are available for Android 2.2 and higher devices. Unfortunately, it has been launched (today) only in USA as of now.

The Google Mobile team claims to have overhauled the Android market to make it it faster, easier, and more fun to discover great apps, movies, and books.

The new Android Market will be rolling out in the coming weeks to Android 2.2 and higher phones around the world. You don’t need to do anything - the update is automatic on supported phones. If you’re in the U.S., you’ll also be able to download the Videos app, rent movies, and buy books once you receive the new Android Market.

In the U.S., you’ll be able to rent thousands of movies, starting at $1.99, right from Android Market on your phone. With the Videos app, available in Android Market, there’s no more waiting for downloads, syncing, or worrying about storage space. Simply sign into Android Market with your Google account, and you can rent movies from anywhere – the web, or your Android phone or tablet – and start watching instantly. You can also download movies to your device so they’re available for viewing when you don’t have an internet connection.

Also in the U.S., you can now purchase books from Android Market on your phone. Like movie rentals, books are linked to your Google account, so they’re instantly available across all of your devices – computer, phone, or tablet – without the need for wires or downloads.

After Google’s + and Infy’s Bubble its Microsoft’s Social Search Network ‘Tulalip’ at www.socl.com

Yes! You read it right. After Google+ and Infy Bubble its Tulalip – A Social Search-Network integrated with Bing by Microsoft Research.

You don’t believe me? Check out www.socl.com

Now, I know what most of you are thinking – ”Oh no! Not another Social Network!!”. Or may be even this – “Its Microsoft remember! Ctrl+C Ctrl+V!”. But did not people doubt when we had the Great Orkut and Facebook was just launched??Well, it was supposed to be a secret project but Microsoft unintentionally/intentionally brought it to limelight.

Microsoft Research’s Experimental Social Search Network Tulalip

 

Fusible first discovered the page sitting at www.socl.com, a domain that MS recently purchased. Known as Tulalip (also the name of a group of Native American tribes near Redmond). The platform also features sign-in buttons for Facebook and Twitter, the latter of which leads to an authorization page explaining that Tulalip is an "experimental app," and that it will be able to "update your profile" and "post tweets for you" (see the screenshot, after the break). It's too early, of course, to say whether or not the service will launch as a direct competitor to Social Search, or if it'll even get off the ground, though Microsoft insists that it didn't mean to tip its hand so early.

From the looks of it, this will likely be a venture into “social search” with Bing running the show. “With Tulalip you can Find what you need and Share what you know easier than ever,” reads the teaser tagline. Notice the capitalization of Find and Share? Yep, I’m pretty sure this will be where search meets share, which is kind of good news since you can’t do a Google search within Google+. Oddly enough, there are Facebook and Twitter log in fields on the teaser page, which leads us to believe that this will be a rather light foray into social networking rather than a heavy-duty Microsoft experience.

 

First Look at Microsoft’s Social Search Network Tulalip

The teaser page has since been pulled, while Microsoft swears it was an accident. It's too early, of course, to say whether or not the service will launch as a direct competitor to Social Search, or if it'll even get off the ground, though Microsoft insists that it didn't mean to tip its hand so early. The Socl.com welcome page now reads: "Socl.com is an internal design project from one of Microsoft's research teams which was mistakenly published to the web. We didn't mean to, honest."

Infosys comes with a Social Network ‘Infy Bubble’ for its employees!

Now that’s interesting! A social network specially for employees. And get what you can submit negative feedback for bosses and peers… obviously personal attacks are not allowed.

They call it ‘Infy Bubble’. Its based on the lines of Facebook. They can share photos and stuff and about their work.

I think its really a great way to strengthen the bonds between colleagues. Infosys had to come up with something as the rate of attrition has been a pressing concern for them.

I will be glad if other companies follow the suite! Personal communicators are not much fun anyway.

Google’s Google’+’ (plus) a ‘-’ (minus) like Wave and Buzz!

NOTE: If you are a hard-core Google Fan, I request you to go to other blogs in which you can find appreciation; in this particular blog-post all you’ll find is Google Bashing.

Google has never fared well in the Social Networks… honestly I am sceptic about its innovations in the area. Apart from the Google Search, there’s hardly any REAL Google product that can be called innovative.

You might think of me as a fool, but you must know that YouTube, Blogger, Google Docs etc were bought by Google! Many of the Gmail features have been bought by them. Honestly I have no problem if they buy and improve, after all I am a Pro-Blogger and I love blogger for its services.

However, their R&D innovations like Buzz and Wave have been trashed somewhere. Orkut is already dead!

They have tried to copy Facebook for long, creating plugins, +1 buttons, comment boxes etc., and now they created a Facebook look-alike. It really isn’t much different than any other basic social networking site. It really doesn’t excite me.

Dear Google, you are really good at creating hypes but you are also known for not being able to live up to your hypes. Please come up with some real innovation!

Hindi transliteration is not working in Blogger!

Google O Google!

I think Google has been too much busy with their Google+ Project these days and they have forgotten that they have other services that require moderation and maintenance.

A few months back they ACCIDENTLY deleted a few Gmail Accounts… and now they have messed up with Blogger’s Hindi Transliteration feature.

The symbol ‘अ’ has disappeared from the Editor and the option for transliteration in the ‘Baisc’ Settings is also not available.

If you go through the link, which is basically a Google Support page you can see that Google promised to solve this Global problem within a week from 7th July. I am still waiting for them to fix it!

Microsoft demands $15 per Android phone from Samsung!

“Android has a patent fee. It’s not like Android’s free. You do have to license patents. HTC’s signed a license with us and you’re going to see license fees clearly for Android as well as for Windows.” – Steve Ballmer, CEO, Microsoft.
 
Yes its true! Microsoft has asked Samsung to pay $15 per Android phone shipped. Confused? I know you are. You are probably wondering how can Microsoft demand money for a Google Product right? You have many questions like these and this blog-post will try to answer some of them.

What makes Microsoft eligible to charge for Android phones?

Microsoft can charge for Android because of the Intellectual Property Rights it has on the technology used in Google’s Mobile Operating System.

The software giant has a wide range of patents used in the mobile platform. And there are countless lines of proprietary code in Android, and any number of ways that code -- or, yes, possibly code from the Android Open Source Project itself -- could infringe on another company's patents.

What is Microsoft’s stand on the matter?

For the past year or so, Microsoft has been saying that it holds patents on technology used in the Android mobile operating system, and has been either suing or signing licensing agreements with phone and computer manufacturers that use Android. It signed a deal with HTC in April 2010, and has sued Motorola over its Droid line and Barnes & Noble over its Nook e-readers.

In October 2010, Microsoft essentially said companies using Android need to pay up or get sued.

Has Microsoft signed patent-licensing deals with other Android makers?

Microsoft has announced a flurry of patent-licensing deals with smaller Android makers, including General Dynamics Itronix, Velocity Micro, Onkyo and – on Tuesday – Wistron. Microsoft said the Wistron deal also includes coverage for devices running Google’s Chrome browser platform.

Is Microsoft going to stop pursuing these licensing agreements?

With so many customers on its Android books, it’s unlikely Microsoft is going to stop pursuing these licensing agreements. The next target is already in its sights, and this is no small fish. Microsoft is reportedly demanding Samsung pays $15 per Android smartphone it ships.

Why target Samsung?

Samsung is the top mobile-phone manufacturer in the United States, with an average market share of 24.8 percent from March to May, comScore said Tuesday

Analysts forecast Samsung, the world’s No.2 handset maker, to have sold about 19 million smartphones in the April-June quarter, with the dominant position running on Android. It is widely expected to emerge as the No.1 smartphone maker, replacing Nokia’s more than 10-year reign.

Samsung’s Galaxy S II, successor to its flagship Galaxy S smartphone, which runs on the Android platform, has sold more than 3 million units since its debut in late April.

Why is Microsoft going for the licensing-agreements?

Google Android’s average U.S. market share among operating systems was 38.1 percent over the same period, the research firm said, followed by Apple’s iOS at 26.6 percent, Research in Motion’s BlackBerry at 24.7 percent, Microsoft’s Windows Mobile and Windows Phone (combined) at 5.8 percent, and HP’s Palm at 2.4 percent.

The move comes as Android phones gain in popularity. Microsoft charges handset makers such as HTC and Samsung to use its Windows mobile software and has tied up with Nokia to challenge Google and Apple Inc in the smartphone market.

When Android started to get picked up by a number of major manufacturers to use in their phones and tablets, we all rightly thought Microsoft would be on its back foot. If it wasn’t for patents the company probably would be, but as it stands, Microsoft is increasingly making more money from the sale of Android devices.

What’s Samsung’s take on the matter?

Samsung hasn’t officially responded  or even agreed to comment on the demand, but it is expected that rather than fight it the company will try and do a deal to lower the price per phone.

What can Samsung do about it?

Samsung can’t really contest this because so many other companies operating in the same markets have signed up for a license. But Samsung does have the advantage of being a desirable hardware partner for Microsoft.

With that in mind we could see some new Windows Phone 7 and Windows 8 devices make it on to the Samsung product list in the near future. In exchange, expect that $15 to come down to $10, or even $5 to match what HTC are thought to pay.

What makes me Happy?


If Samsung really signs with Microsoft for more Windows Phone 7 or 8 devices, it’s quite possible that Samsung’s Software Engineering Lab, Noida will get some project. As of now only HQ covers Windows Phone projects. Since as a Microsoft Student Partner I have delivered sessions on Windows Mobile 6.5 and Windows Phone 7 and also submitted apps, it’ll be like a dream come true to finally work hard-core on Windows Phone!