New Media News Every Morning
Google has launched a preview release App Engine, a new tool that allows hosting. The main selling point is that it allows you to run your applications in the very same infrastructure that runs Google applications. It also enables you to build web applications on the same scalable systems that power Google applications.
Originally posted on April 8, 2008 @ 7:48 am
Yahoo!, MySpace, and Google have agreed to form the OpenSocial Foundation to ensure the neutrality and longevity of OpenSocial as an open, community-governed specification for building social applications across the web. Yahoo!’s support of OpenSocial and role as a founding member of the new foundation are landmarks for the rapidly growing specification which will now offer developers the potential to connect with more than 500 million people worldwide.
The OpenSocial Foundation will be an independent non-profit entity with a formal intellectual property and governance framework; related assets will be assigned to the new organization by July 1, 2008. The foundation will provide transparency and operational guidelines around technology, documentation, intellectual property, and other issues related to the evolution of the OpenSocial platform, while also ensuring all stakeholders share influence over its future direction.
Originally posted on March 25, 2008 @ 10:49 am
China is doing what it does best in times of crisis – block Internet access to control the flow of information. News and blogs report China has blocked Google News and YouTube to curb the distribution of video footages covering the violence happening in Tibet these days.
This trick is patterned after Myanmar’s signature move of cutting off Internet access to control information gathered during the last protest against military activities staged by Burmese monks.
Several videos were uploaded at YouTube showing peaceful demonstrations and marching. But there is also a restricted video showing the actual riots and injured bodies during the demonstration in Tibet. Even though this brutal clip is restricted to 18 years old and above, it is the most viewed video with more than 80,000 hits to date.
Originally posted on March 17, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
Well, what exactly do you think Google CEO Eric Schmidt will say when asked about Microsoft – Yahoo deal? A match made in heaven? No way! Of course he will paint a really gloomy picture craftily hidden in powerful words and compelling statistics.
Here’s an example quoted by Conde Nast Portfolio and posted at AHN.
“It’s an unstable condition. But the theoretical issue is the concentration of Microsoft’s resources and its history, combined with the very large share that it would have in certain applications – like instant messaging and email – that could be used essentially to break the internet and diminish choice.”
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the real reason why Google is helping Yahoo! It’s not for profit or any vested interests. I know it’s hard to believe but yes it’s really hard to believe! Microhoo deal is a big threat to Google, maybe not in search but in the mobile Internet. So, it’s very likely Google will do anything in its capacity to thwart that deal.
Originally posted on March 17, 2008 @ 11:23 am
Fresh from completing its DoubleClick acquisition, Google is out with a new product called Ad Manager, a free solution designed to manage online ad sales and network-based inventory. In English, it will help Web publishers more freedom and control over their ads.
The Wall Street Journal reports Ad Manager is Google’s weapon of choice to target publishers with small- to medium-size sales forces. DoubleClick, on the other hand, is aimed at bigger sites. More than that, it will broaden its offerings to include videos, graphical displays, and text ads.
Aside from being free, which is the usual main talking point, Google claims Ad Manager has a very simple and intuitive user interface with simplified tagging and inventory management. Some of its key features include ad targeting, yield optimization, and multiple reporting options.
Currently, there are few sites testing the Ad Manager service and so far garnered some favorable reviews. Despite some speculations that Google will offer DoubleClick for free, a company spokesman said there are immediate plans on this.
Originally posted on March 13, 2008 @ 9:09 am