Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Google Finally Upgrades Feedburner


From Mashable.com

Believe it or not, Google hasn’t forgotten about Feedburner. The RSS feed service has received an experimental new interface that better matches Google Analytics and looks like it might actually integrate into other Google AdSense and Webmaster tools.

The interface doesn’t work for every component of Feedburner — if you need to access feed management or change certain settings, you can continue to use the old interface. The new interface — which is accessible via feedburner.google.com/gfb/ — shows real-time stats for clicks, views and podcast downloads from across your feeds.

This is really powerful, especially if you use the Feedburner Socialize service to auto-ping Twitter when you publish a post. This can let you track how users are referred and what RSS clients are being used to access feeds.

The stats take a lot of the information that used to be spread across multiple panels and put it into one interface. You can also view the last two hours of activity for a feed to see different waves of traffic and click-throughs.

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Google Now Accounts for 6.4% of Internet Traffic



From Mashable.com

The Internet is growing fast, but Google is growing even faster. According to online security company Arbor Networks, Google now represents an average 6.4% of all Internet traffic.

This is a new record for Google, as it gained more than 1% of all Internet traffic share since January. Now, only one global ISP handles more traffic, and a lot of that traffic is – unsurprisingly – Google’s traffic.

The number is even more incredible if you consider that Internet traffic is growing at a staggering 40% to 45% each year, and Google is still gaining market share.

However, Google’s share may be even bigger, possibly up to 8% to 12%, if you account for traffic offloaded by Google Global Cache deployments, Arbor Networks’ Craig Labovitz claims.

So far, Google’s revenue seems to be keeping up with its traffic; we wonder which one will grow faster?

Google.com

Friday, October 22, 2010

ABC, CBS and NBC blocking website access on Google TV



The big three broadcasting companies have blocked the web-based version of their shows from Google TV. Although some websites are optimized for Google TV the big three networks, which air some of the most popular shows, will not be joining in.

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Thursday, October 21, 2010

Google squashes hundreds of bugs with Chrome Version 7



Google has really been hitting the gas when it comes to releasing major new updates for its Chrome browser, but even we’re somewhat surprised to see version 7 shoot down the pipeline. The update — available on PC, Mac and Linux — boasts hundreds of bug fixes and a new, even faster HTML5 parser. Just don’t expect any revolutionary new features.

What’s new? As mentioned, hundreds of bugs have been squashed, although the developer’s bug repositories are still flooded with hundreds more. Chrome is still one of the stablest browsers out there, though, and version 7 increases Chrome’s lead over the competition.

There are a few new features creeping in, like support for the HTML5 API, which allows sites and web apps to read local files. There’s also the ability for Chrome 7 to upload complete folders from your computer, which should be handy for emailing lots of files through GMail… well, when GMail updates itself to support the feature.

On the OS X side of things, you’ll see some new AppleScript support creep through, which will allow you to script repetitive actions through Automator.

This isn’t a showy release full of obvious new features like hardware acceleration or the forthcoming “Tabpose” system Google’s been promising, but it’s a solid release of the best browser out there for my money. If you’re already using Chrome, you should grab and install the update automatically as soon as you close and reopen your browser

Google Chrome 7 download

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Full Page Previews Showing Up in Google Search Results


Google has apparently begun testing full page previews in its search results.

Both Blogstorm and TheNextWeb have captured screenshots of the new feature, which allows you to view a miniature version of a page before you click on it. If you have the preview tool enabled, simply hold your mouse over a link to see it in action. Google even highlights sections of the page where the text you’ve searched for is mentioned.

The company has displayed a renewed interest in improving its core search product lately, having rolled out Google Instant, a feature that pulls up search results as you type, just last month. Google has released further improvements to the product since then, including keyboard navigation.

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Thursday, October 14, 2010

Google Announces Third Quarter 2010 Financial Results

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – October 14, 2010 - Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.

investor.google.com

"Google had an excellent quarter," said Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google. "Our core business grew very well, and our newer businesses -- particularly display and mobile -- continued to show significant momentum. Going forward, we remain committed to aggressive investment in both our people and our products as we pursue an innovation agenda."

Q3 Financial Summary

Google reported revenues of $7.29 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, an increase of 23% compared to the third quarter of 2009. Google reports its revenues, consistent with GAAP, on a gross basis without deducting traffic acquisition costs (TAC). In the third quarter of 2010, TAC totaled $1.81 billion, or 26% of advertising revenues.

Google reports operating income, operating margin, net income, and earnings per share (EPS) on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis. The non-GAAP measures, as well as free cash flow, an alternative non-GAAP measure of liquidity, are described below and are reconciled to the corresponding GAAP measures in the accompanying financial tables.

GAAP operating income in the third quarter of 2010 was $2.55 billion, or 35% of revenues. This compares to GAAP operating income of $2.07 billion, or 35% of revenues, in the third quarter of 2009. Non-GAAP operating income in the third quarter of 2010 was $2.93 billion, or 40% of revenues. This compares to non-GAAP operating income of $2.39 billion, or 40% of revenues, in the third quarter of 2009.
GAAP net income in the third quarter of 2010 was $2.17 billion, compared to $1.64 billion in the third quarter of 2009. Non-GAAP net income in the third quarter of 2010 was $2.46 billion, compared to $1.88 billion in the third quarter of 2009.
GAAP EPS in the third quarter of 2010 was $6.72 on 322 million diluted shares outstanding, compared to $5.13 in the third quarter of 2009 on 320 million diluted shares outstanding. Non-GAAP EPS in the third quarter of 2010 was $7.64, compared to $5.89 in the third quarter of 2009.
Non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP operating margin exclude the expenses related to stock-based compensation (SBC). Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS exclude the expenses related to SBC and the related tax benefits. In the third quarter of 2010, the charge related to SBC was $380 million, compared to $318 million in the third quarter of 2009. The tax benefit related to SBC was $85 million in the third quarter of 2010 and $73 million in the third quarter of 2009.
Q3 Financial Highlights

Revenues – Google reported revenues of $7.29 billion in the third quarter of 2010, representing a 23% increase over third quarter 2009 revenues of $5.94 billion. Google reports its revenues, consistent with GAAP, on a gross basis without deducting TAC.

Google Sites Revenues - Google-owned sites generated revenues of $4.83 billion, or 67% of total revenues, in the third quarter of 2010. This represents a 22% increase over third quarter 2009 revenues of $3.96 billion.

Google Network Revenues - Google’s partner sites generated revenues, through AdSense programs, of $2.20 billion, or 30% of total revenues, in the third quarter of 2010. This represents a 22% increase from third quarter 2009 network revenues of $1.80 billion.

International Revenues - Revenues from outside of the United States totaled $3.77 billion, representing 52% of total revenues in the third quarter of 2010, compared to 52% in the second quarter of 2010 and 53% in the third quarter of 2009. Excluding gains related to our foreign exchange risk management program, had foreign exchange rates remained constant from the second quarter of 2010 through the third quarter of 2010, our revenues in the third quarter of 2010 would have been $9 million lower. Excluding gains related to our foreign exchange risk management program, had foreign exchange rates remained constant from the third quarter of 2009 through the third quarter of 2010, our revenues in the third quarter of 2010 would have been $169 million higher.

Revenues from the United Kingdom totaled $840 million, representing 12% of revenues in the third quarter of 2010, compared to 13% in the third quarter of 2009.
In the third quarter of 2010, we recognized a benefit of $89 million to revenues through our foreign exchange risk management program, compared to $39 million in the third quarter of 2009.
Paid Clicks – Aggregate paid clicks, which include clicks related to ads served on Google sites and the sites of our AdSense partners, increased approximately 16% over the third quarter of 2009 and increased approximately 4% over the second quarter of 2010.

Cost-Per-Click – Average cost-per-click, which includes clicks related to ads served on Google sites and the sites of our AdSense partners, increased approximately 3% over the third quarter of 2009 and increased approximately 2% over the second quarter of 2010.

TAC - Traffic Acquisition Costs, the portion of revenues shared with Google’s partners, increased to $1.81 billion in the third quarter of 2010, compared to TAC of $1.56 billion in the third quarter of 2009. TAC as a percentage of advertising revenues was 26% in the third quarter of 2010, compared to 27% in the third quarter of 2009.

The majority of TAC is related to amounts ultimately paid to our AdSense partners, which totaled $1.52 billion in the third quarter of 2010. TAC also includes amounts ultimately paid to certain distribution partners and others who direct traffic to our website, which totaled $285 million in the third quarter of 2010.

Other Cost of Revenues - Other cost of revenues, which is comprised primarily of data center operational expenses, amortization of intangible assets, content acquisition costs as well as credit card processing charges, increased to $747 million, or 10% of revenues, in the third quarter of 2010, compared to $667 million, or 11% of revenues, in the third quarter of 2009.

Operating Expenses - Operating expenses, other than cost of revenues, were $2.19 billion in the third quarter of 2010, or 30% of revenues, compared to $1.64 billion in the third quarter of 2009, or 28% of revenues.

Stock-Based Compensation (SBC) – In the third quarter of 2010, the total charge related to SBC was $380 million, compared to $318 million in the third quarter of 2009.

We currently estimate SBC charges for grants to employees prior to October 1, 2010 to be approximately $1.4 billion for 2010. This estimate does not include expenses to be recognized related to employee stock awards that are granted after September 30, 2010 or non-employee stock awards that have been or may be granted.

Operating Income - GAAP operating income in the third quarter of 2010 was $2.55 billion, or 35% of revenues. This compares to GAAP operating income of $2.07 billion, or 35% of revenues, in the third quarter of 2009. Non-GAAP operating income in the third quarter of 2010 was $2.93 billion, or 40% of revenues. This compares to non-GAAP operating income of $2.39 billion, or 40% of revenues, in the third quarter of 2009.

Interest and Other Income (Expense), Net – Interest and other income (expense), net increased to an income of $167 million in the third quarter of 2010, compared to an expense of $7 million in the third quarter of 2009.

Income Taxes – Our effective tax rate was 20% for the third quarter of 2010.

Net Income – GAAP net income in the third quarter of 2010 was $2.17 billion, compared to $1.64 billion in the third quarter of 2009. Non-GAAP net income was $2.46 billion in the third quarter of 2010, compared to $1.88 billion in the third quarter of 2009. GAAP EPS in the third quarter of 2010 was $6.72 on 322 million diluted shares outstanding, compared to $5.13 in the third quarter of 2009 on 320 million diluted shares outstanding. Non-GAAP EPS in the third quarter of 2010 was $7.64, compared to $5.89 in the third quarter of 2009.

Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures – Net cash provided by operating activities in the third quarter of 2010 totaled $2.89 billion, compared to $2.73 billion in the third quarter of 2009. In the third quarter of 2010, capital expenditures were $757 million, the majority of which was related to IT infrastructure investments, including data centers, servers, and networking equipment. Free cash flow, an alternative non-GAAP measure of liquidity, is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. In the third quarter of 2010, free cash flow was $2.13 billion.

We expect to continue to make significant capital expenditures.

A reconciliation of free cash flow to net cash provided by operating activities, the GAAP measure of liquidity, is included at the end of this release.

Cash – As of September 30, 2010, cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were $33.4 billion.

Headcount – On a worldwide basis, Google employed 23,331 full-time employees as of September 30, 2010, up from 21,805 full-time employees as of June 30, 2010.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

HOW TO: Manage Your Presence on Google Maps

Did you know you can use Google Maps() to promote your business? Many of the features that you might normally associate with Yelp() are actually included in what Google() calls Place Pages. And since they’re integrated tightly with the hugely popular Google Maps, you won’t want to ignore them.

Even if Google already lists you, you’ll want to claim your page and make sure all the information is accurate. Either creating a Place Page for your business or acquiring its existing one is easy if you know how to do it.

Below is an introduction to using Google’s provided tools to incentivize would-be customers or clients to stop by. It will get you started with managing your presence on Google Maps, but for the deeper cuts you might eventually want to refer to Google’s vast guide to Google Places.

Read more below

HOW TO: Manage Your Presence on Google Maps

Google Invests in Mammoth Offshore Wind Farm

Google Invests in Mammoth Offshore Wind Farm

Economy - Google Plans Alternative Inflation Index Using Web Data - CNBC

Economy - Google Plans Alternative Inflation Index Using Web Data - CNBC

Google Could Own the Road in Eight Years


Autonomous vehicles safely cruising down the highway might have been a lofty pipe dream in years past, but Google seems to be inching closer to a viable and marketable self-driving car.

According to the New York Times, secret trial runs of the robot automobiles have already been conducted with very positive results. So positive, in fact, the tests are now done publicly.

The camera and sensor-equipped Toyota Prius used by Google engineers followed a route programmed into its GPS navigation system. Since the GPS system knows the speed limit of the roads, the car was able to keep within the law. In this particular journey, the AI-car merged into traffic on Highway 101, drove through Silicon Valley, and showed exceptional driving skill -- stopping at red lights, pausing at stop signs, and addressing obstacles and other vehicles quickly and appropriately.

At all times, a driver sits behind the wheel in case an emergency intervention is necessary. By touching a red button, the steering wheel, or the brake pedal, the car is immediately under the driver's control. For the session that New York Times writer John Markoff was present, he noticed the driver needed to only do this twice -- when a bicyclist ran a red light and when a car ahead stopped to pull into a parking space. But Markoff noted "the car seemed likely to have prevented an accident itself."

The ramifications of streets filled with self-driving cars are countless. More vehicles can occupy the road given their instantaneous response time. Fuel consumption will decline by eliminating aggressive drivers and allowing lighter vehicles to prevail. Morning commutes could come with some extra shut-eye. Drunk driving arrests and injuries will sharply decline, as will texting-related mishaps. Cars can drop passengers off at the door of a bar, then spend the next hour looking for a spot on their own. Then they could be summoned via an iPhone app like Michael Knight's wristwatch. And should the need occur, autos can be delivered from one residence to another.

But as of now, state laws demand that a driver be present and alert at all times. So depending on the technology's progression -- and there's a lot of work that still needs to be done -- it could take much longer for a fully dependable autonomous car to evolve out of one that drives while you watch.

The wait will be agonizing for both models, but according to Dr. Sebastian Thrun of Stanford's Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, optimistic predictions place the robot car's deployment at around eight years away.

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Monday, October 4, 2010

Google I/O 2010: Google TV Keynote - Introducing Google TV



Click Below

Google TV

Google TV

Google TV
http://www.google.com/tv/

Watch
Google TV is coming to a living room near you.
Watch the Google TV announcement.

Learn
Learn about the partners we're working with.
Visit Sony, Logitech, Intel, and DISH Network.

Develop
Optimize your web apps for Google TV.
Android SDK coming soon. Learn more.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Google WebP Photo Formatting


Google is pushing for the future of photo formatting to be done in WebP, leaving JPEG in the dust.
WebP (pronounced weppy) has been under development by Google and reduces file sizes by 40 percent compared to JPEGs. That means faster downloads from websites and less strain on networks.

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