Because we love our readers so much, we’re going to give out 50, and maybe a few more, Google+ invites. To get your invite email me submit the tips field above. In the mean time, check out our notes on the new Facebook killer. For those of you who have it already, what do you think?
Update: Vic says the gate is closed today. However, it will open up again soon. We have your names and will try to get as many people as we can in!
So why does Google+ look so good? It’s simple; it was designed by some who used to work at Apple. Wired’s Steven Levy is reporting that Andy Hertzfeld, one of the designers from the original Macintosh, played an essential role in the design of Google+.
With colorful animations, drag-and-drop magic, and whimsical interface touches, Circles looks more like a classic Apple program than the typically bland Google app. That’s no surprise since the key interface designer was legendary software artist Andy Hertzfeld.
Google+ design really is excellent. It is invite-only at the moment. We’re taking notes in the mean time.
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Check out that fresh navigation bar!
In correspondence with Google’s release of Plus, Google has released a new service called Google Takeout. Google Takeout allows users to take their data out of the cloud from a few of Google’s products. The products so far included in Takeout are Buzz, Contacts and Circles, Picasa Web Albums, and Profile. The data from these sites are put in a small .zip file, and inside you’ll be able to view your data. This service is directly related to Google’s Data Liberation Front. What a nice little tool, Google.
TechCrunch is reporting this morning that Google’s new site WDYL is live, but not officially announced. WDYL stands for What Do You Love, and the one suggestion would be 9to5Google. But for testing’s sake, we’ll give you a pass if you search for something else in this sleek new service.
So what is this lovely new service? WDYL allows users to make one search that will turn up results in all of Google’s products. As you can see below, our search for 9to5Google turned up results in Google News, Picasa, Books, Search, Translate, and many more.
Google hasn’t officially announce WDYL, but the product is out there to use. To give WDYL a try, head to www.wdyl.com. The www. is required in this case, because going to wdyl.com turns up a 404. We should expect to see google announcing this soon.
Google Operating System is reporting that Google is testing five new inbox styles in Gmail, on a select group of users. The new inbox styles include classic, important first, unread first, starred first, and Priority Inbox.
This new feature is most likely to help users get introduced to Priority Inbox. All of these features could be accessed by going to Priority Inbox settings, but Google makes it easier with their first tabs interface inside Gmail. As we all know, Google likes to do these select testings a lot. Today we reported that they’re testing a new black navigation bar on top of their search pages. Are you seeing this new feature in your Gmail?
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAyUNI3_V2c]
Google has announced today that their +1 button is going global. At first Google will begin the roll out on google.co.uk, google.de, google.jp and google.fr, but more sites will be following shortly after.
Google is a service to recommend webpages to your friends. While they’re mainly involved with Google’s Search, the buttons are also incorporated on websites. As you’ll notice, we use it on our site.
Better news: We’ve got it on goog authority that +1 will be taking over for Buzz in our Google Reader accounts very shortly.
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The next Chromebook to run Google’s Chrome OS is the Acer AC700, which will hit shelves this month (4 days left!) for $350 — Acer announced today. The 3G version of this device will not be available when the Wi-Fi version launches, but it will be on its way later this summer. The AC700 is packing Chrome OS, an Atom N570 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of flash storage, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, two USB 2.0 ports, 6-cell battery, and a 4-in-1 memory card reader.
This device will certainly be a great competitor to the Samsung Series 5, a device that we have already unboxed. Stay tuned with 9to5Google for a review of the AC700 when it’s available. Press release after the break.
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Search Engine Land is reporting that Google is testing a new black navigation bar. This doesn’t necessarily mean it’s on its way out anytime soon, but it’s worth a look. You’ll notice that it does bring more attention to the top. But for now, this could just be measly a test.
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Pocketnow has published exclusive pictures of what they say is a Samsung QWERTY slider on its way to Verizon Wireless. As you’ll notice, the device is very similar to the Epic 4G on Sprint. It is not clear yet as to whether this device will have 4G capabilities like the Epic 4G, but we are hopeful. More importantly, we’re wondering if Verizon is going to saddle this thing with Bing like it has its other Samsung (save the Droid Charge) and LG Android devices. If so…pass!
The device has the model number SCH-i405, following Samsung Continuum’s of SCH-i400, reports AndroidSpin. The device has already earned Bluetooth and Wi-Fi certifications, but has not made its way past the FCC. There isn’t any other information as to what’s actually inside the device. For those of you who can’t wait to get your slide on, this device should be hitting stores in a month or two.
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Google Offers hit the web about a month ago in Portland, Oregon. The service is a competitor to sites like Groupon, LivingSocial, and Gilt City – to name a few. These types of services give users deals on products. Business Insider has published a story on why they think Google Offers will succeed, and also provides information about the service. Business Insider has posted three points outlining what Offers offers over its competitors.
“Vastly better payment terms than other deal providers, especially compared to Groupon”
The vastly better payment terms Business Insider is talking about is that Google will give merchants up to 80% of the voucher revenue in four days, and the other 20% will be shared within a 30-90 day range. Google also requires that the service or product be immediately available, while Groupon’s doesn’t.
“Google pays merchants for vouchers that are sold but not used; Groupon doesn’t”
Groupon will only pay merchants for vouchers that are used. Google wants to sweet talk merchants by giving them a split of the revenue for ever voucher sold, even if it’s used or not. This method seems a little more fair.
“Google will eventually “distribute” deals to consumers through many other channels in addition to email, including search ads, display ads, Android phones, Google Wallet and “Places” pages.”
Lastly, it’s obvious that Google has a better channel to promote products. Don’t forget about Google’s widely used ad program (though a Google Spokesperson said this won’t be a factor), Android devices, the new Google wallet , and “Places pages”. Merchants will want a network that can market their product through more channels.
Business Insider also gives a fourth point: a Google salesperson in New York promised SEO benefits to a merchant. Now, what company wouldn’t like that? But.. a Google spokesperson had this to say: “Google Offers has no influence whatsoever on the ranking of Google search results.”
Google Offers is reportedly on its way to San Francisco and New York later this year. The lingering question is will this take off? Leave us your opinion in the comment section below.
The Facebook for Android app has been updated giving users the ability to upload video, see more story types in news feed, and browse Page walls, reports Inside Facebook. In this age, being able to post video is obviously a crucial feature. Users take videos everyday, especially on their smartphone, and want to share them with their friends. Lastly, when users browse to a Facebook Page they can view the Page’s wall to read news and updates.
Facebook for iPhone still has the upper-hand when it comes to features, but these updates are a step in the right direction.
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Google has announced today that schools using Google Apps will see their storage increase from 7GB to 25GB. The 25GB can be used across all Google Apps, including Mail, Docs, and Calendar. This update makes me wish my school was using Google Apps. Yes, that’s right..this applies to both teachers and students. That’s a lot of space, but who really needs that much? New Educational Google Apps accounts will see the storage added automatically and existing users will see it in a few weeks. It’s summer anyways.
Research firm Mashwork has used social data to compose an infographic showing how the Samsung Galaxy S II will outsell the Droid Bionic when their release dates come around. Mashwork used data from 14,838 users, across various social networks, showing that 68% of participants were prospective buyers of the Galaxy S II, while 32% where prospective buyers of the Bionic. Since the study began April 1st, the Galaxy S II has risen 11% over the Bionic. Both of these phones are said to be due out mid-July. When the time comes, which of these two phones are you interested in?
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Unwired View has obtained images of Sharp’s next Android phone codenamed SH8188U. The device is without a QWERTY keyboard, hardware buttons, and is reported to be running Android 2.2. From the back we can conclude that the device will have a 5-megapixel, and does not appear to have a front-facing camera. Other features include HD video recording, WVGA display, Wi-Fi, and 3G. According to a filing with Bluetooth SIG, this sleek little device will be on its way to North America, Europe and Asia very soon. No pricing or date has been announced, but you bet we’ll keep you updated.
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For those of you who use Google Sites to host your website, a new feature is available that allows your site to appear beautifully on the mobile web. Google announced, today, that Google Sites will automatically be rendered for mobile devices. Google will do the following to make your website appear better: align the header layout and top bar, smart handle sidebars, horizontal navigation, and dropdown links. This feature can be activated in the general settings. Besides presenting your site better, Google has also reformatted its own sites.google.com for mobile browsers.
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We wouldn’t blame you pre-paid Android users for lusting after Virgin’s Triumph and its $25/month pre-paid plan. But you might want to switch over to Cricket, after we tell you about this super-phone. PCMag has obtained a hands on with Cricket’s next Android smartphone from Huawei called the Glory. The Glory is an absolute monster packing a 4-inch screen, 1.4-GHz Qualcomm MSM8655T dual-core processor, 8-megapixel camera, and a 1900 mAh battery. All of this hardware greatness comes in at a reasonable price tag too — $300 pre-paid.
Watch out Virgin/Motorola Triumph
Google has updated its Goggles app for Android with support for the Russian language. The software also features a handy Google Maps integration and the little things such as the ability to view your search history on a map or the ability to automatically copy your findings to system clipboard. Since 2009, Google has only supported languages that use Latin characters. The latest update brings support for Cyrillic characters, making the Russian language one of the new options.
The new search history feature is especially useful: It lets you visualize on a world map the places where you’ve been (and searched using the Goggles service). The world map overview of your history is in addition to the standard list view. Lastly, Google wants to make it easier to share our findings by allowing people to opt-in to have their findings automatically added to the clipboard for easy and fast sharing. The update is available on Android Market.
Box has added today the ability to create and edit Google Docs inside of their service. The popular cloud storage solution favored by six million people would previously require folks to create documents at the Google Docs website or using a desktop program before uploading them to the Box cloud. Being Google Docs, other users can also collaborate with you right inside the Box service. Once done, you can share files with your other computers and those you are working with. Check out these new features in a short clip after the break.
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Europeans finally itching to get their hands on a new Chromebook can now take a rest easy. While the U.S. has already been graced with these new devices, our friends across the pond haven’t.
Samsung has announced that the Series 5 will be available in Europe June 24th. The Wi-Fi version will run users €399 (£349 in the UK) and the 3G verison €449 (£399 in the UK). The Series 5 will make its way to UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain, and Italy to begin with, and other countries will follow shortly after. There is no word on when the Acer AC700 will hit. Full release below:
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Yonhap News is reporting that 10 million units of Android smartphones have been sold in South Korea. South Korea’s biggest carrier, SK Telecom Co, has a whopping 6.18 million Android subscribers under its belt. KT Corp. is following second with 2.06 million, and LG Uplus Corp hosts 1.86 million and is following with the third spot. The 10 million Android smartphones makes up for 70% of South Korea’s phone market according to the report. Apple’s iPhone, by comparison, has 2.5 million iPhones in the South Korea market on its dominant carrier. Figures weren’t yet available for SK Telecom.
South Korea is of course the home turf of big Android makers Samsung Electronics Co., LG Electronics Inc. and Pantech Co.
And you thought the US was high with 50%?
Who said Apple has to dominate the tablet market? As of now they are, but that doesn’t mean things can’t change. According to CNet, Apple shipped 4.7 million tablets last quarter. But hot…err warm… on their heels, Samsung has shipped 850,000 units – and that’s without the newly launched Galaxy Tab 10.1. Following a close third, and could even overtake Samsung, Acer shipped 800,000 units that same quarter. This is promising news for a diverse tablet market.
There’s no reason why Apple can’t become a minority player by the end of the year. Just these two companies alone have a third of Apple’s share. There is also Motorola, ASUS, LG, HTC and even the Nook by Barnes and Noble.
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