Windows Phone Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

Be sure to register in our forums! Share your opinions, help others, and enter our contests.


Digital Home Thoughts

Loading feed...

Laptop Thoughts

Loading feed...

Android Thoughts

Loading feed...





All posts tagged "google"


Wednesday, August 17, 2011

A Mobility Market Crystal Ball

Posted by Brad Wasson in "Windows Phone Talk" @ 06:00 PM

http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/17/...hifting-mobile/

"In two years, we'll mark the thirtieth anniversary of the first commercially available cellphone -- built by Motorola, incidentally. Given this week's big news from Google, and other big events that we can only presume are yet to come, those two years may also prove to be some of the most interesting yet for the mobile industry."

If you read this site regularly then you likely enjoy tracking the mobility market and smartphone industry. In all of technology could there be more interesting and as fast changing sectors as these? We all tend to speculate these days on RIM's future, Google's moves, and Microsoft's challenges, not to mention the plethora of Android devices that are continually released. The folks over at Engadget must feel much the same. Donald Melanson posted an editorial today, citing statistics from such stalwarts as Gartner and Nielsen regarding the smartphone market. He speculates on what changes we might see in the future. What do you think of Microsoft buying HTC? What about HP getting out of the smartphone business? Where will Dell settle it's focus in the future? There are some juicy statistics and interesting ideas proposed in the editorial, not to mention in the comments from readers. It's a fun piece to peruse, and will stimulate debate for, well, at least another 24 hours or the next major market development, whichever comes first.


Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Microsoft And Nokia Stock Up On Google Play On Motorola?

Posted by Brad Wasson in "Windows Phone Talk" @ 06:30 PM

http://www.wpcentral.com/msft-and-n...rts+(wpcentral)

"While the long term impact of Google's acquisition of Motorola (Googarola?) is still anyone's guess, one short term effect appears be to Microsoft and Nokia's benefit. Microsoft's stock rose 1.63% (up .41 points) and Nokia's stock rose 17.35% (up .93 points) in today's trading activity."

On Monday Microsoft and Nokia made some stock price gains (they fell back slightly today). Whether these gains can be attributed to the Google announcement about their play for Motorola's mobile division is anyone's guess, but it is fun to speculate about the future impact of this development. Wpcentral had some fun with the speculation, as can be viewed by clicking the Read link.


Monday, April 4, 2011

Microsoft-Google About To Spar Over YouTube App For Windows Phone 7?

Posted by Brad Wasson in "Windows Phone Talk" @ 06:30 PM

http://gizmodo.com/#!5788172/micros...windows-phone-7

"Microsoft is getting involved with the European Union's antitrust investigation regarding Google, mostly regarding the lack of information Google provides search engine competitors for indexing YouTube videos. But even more interesting is Microsoft's claim that their app is lacking because Google won't provide the Windows Phone 7 team with the necessary data for the YouTube app that the versions on Android and iOS have."

Ok, here's a little potential mudslinging between industry behemoths to whet your appetite. It seems that Google may have enabled its own Android phones, and the iPhone, to access YouTube metadata in a different way than Microsoft has access to. The net result, reportedly, is a more advanced set of YouTube features for Android and iPhone smarthphones than Microsoft would be able to produce. These features would include the ability to search for video categories, find favorites, see ratings, and more. In short, Windows Phone 7 users would have a less feature-rich experience than at least some other platforms. Is this fair? Is Google playing nice here, or is it protecting it's own intellectual property? Microsoft doesn't think this is very fair and is, in fact, getting involved with the European Union's antitrust investigation regarding Google.


Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Bing Grabs Global Number Two Spot

Posted by Nurhisham Hussein in "Windows Phone News" @ 07:00 PM

http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2...gine-worldwide/

This is worthwhile news, but Bing is still a long way away from challenging Google's search hegemony. After all we're still talking about a 0.5% lead over Yahoo, and far behind Google's near 90% share. Still it's noteworthy that Bing's making such progress, even given Microsoft's advantage in making it the default search engine for IE, and for WP7.


Monday, February 21, 2011

Google Docs Now Supporting Excel, Powerpoint And More

Posted by Nurhisham Hussein in "Windows Phone News" @ 09:00 PM

http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2011/...oogle-docs.html

"The Google Docs Viewer is used by millions of people every day to quickly view PDFs, Microsoft Word documents and PowerPoint presentations online. Not only is viewing files in your browser far more secure than downloading and opening them locally, but it also saves time and doesn't clutter up your hard-drive with unwanted files...Today we're excited to launch support for 12 new file types."

I've never had occasion to use Google Docs - now I'm curious enough to try it out, especially with the new support for PSD and AI files. Including in today's update to Docs is compatibility with:

  • Microsoft Excel (.XLS and .XLSX)
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 / 2010 (.PPTX)
  • Apple Pages (.PAGES)
  • Adobe Illustrator (.AI)
  • Adobe Photoshop (.PSD)
  • Autodesk AutoCad (.DXF)
  • Scalable Vector Graphics (.SVG)
  • PostScript (.EPS, .PS)
  • TrueType (.TTF)
  • XML Paper Specification (.XPS)

That's a pretty strong line-up to add to the file formats already supported.


Monday, November 8, 2010

Don't Like Bing? Google Search App Is In The Marketplace

Posted by Nurhisham Hussein in "Windows Phone Software" @ 06:30 PM

http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/20...ws-phone-7.html

"Searching with Google on your Windows Phone 7 device just got easier. The Google Search app for Windows Phone 7 provides quick and convenient access to a rich set of search results, allowing you to search the web, images, local, news, and more...This initial release of the Google Search app includes several features that help you to search faster - suggestions appear automatically as you type, you can choose to repeat a query from your search history, and your current location is used to provide more relevant results."

Windows Phone 7 incorporates Microsoft's Bing search engine into the OS, but if you prefer the results you get from Google, then this app is for you. You're not going to get the level of integration in the OS that Bing has, but choice is good right?


Thursday, September 2, 2010

Please Welcome Android Thoughts to the Thoughts Media Network

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Thoughts Media Status Updates" @ 02:30 PM

http://www.androidthoughts.com

I'm thrilled to announce the newest member of the Thoughts Media family: Android Thoughts. As you can guess, this site will be covering Android in all it's forms - phones, slates, etc. The site is being led by none other than our very own Jon Westfall; he'll be handling all editorial duties on the site, similar to how Apple Thoughts works. Android has exploded in popularity over the past 12 months, surpassing even the mighty iPhone in terms of daily activations according to some. It made sense to cover Android as part of what we do here at Thoughts Media, but I wanted to find someone who was passionate and interested in all things Android...and that person is Jon Westfall. Please go read his welcome message on the site to find out how Android Thoughts was born - and subscribe to the RSS feed and Twitter stream. And, above all, if you're interested in Android as a platform, contribute, share, comment, and become a part of that new community.


Friday, June 11, 2010

Google's Pac Man Logo Games Causes Hilarious Support Call

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Thoughts Media Off Topic" @ 03:00 PM

http://mashable.com/2010/06/09/goog...n-tech-support/

"Google probably thought it was doing the world a favor when it released its Pac-Man logo that doubled as a playable version of the game. But alas, web users are not as sophisticated as Google anticipated. A legion of Firefox users were perplexed by the design decision and headed over to support to learn how they could fix the "problem." Now we have possible audio evidence - in the form of a tech support call uploaded by YouTube user Mrcoolbrad - highlighting just how confusing this was for parts of the online population."

The video (which is just an audio recording) says it all - very funny stuff. Have a great weekend everyone!


Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Gizmodo: "How a Silly Phone for Teens Reveals Microsoft's Plan for Us All"

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Windows Phone Talk" @ 07:00 AM

http://gizmodo.com/5547676/how-a-si...plan-for-us-all

"Despite its mobile prowess, Apple sucks at the internet. But surprisingly it's Microsoft-not Google-that's best positioned for Our Future in the Cloud. Here's why..."

A well-written, well-researched piece by John Herrman - definitely worth the read. I agree with his general conclusions, and share his feeling that Microsoft is uniquely positioned to pull off some amazing integration...but I've been saying that same thing for several years in a row now. Microsoft seems really slow at pulling together all the pieces - it's a no brainer for Microsoft to leverage the Kin Studio for Windows Phone 7, but the question is, will they do it in time for launch? Or will it take them until Windows Phone 8 to make that happen? The mobile space is all about speed, and that's not something Microsoft excels at. Give the Gizmodo article a read and share your thoughts with me - do you agree that Microsoft has a compelling offering that no one else can match?


Saturday, May 29, 2010

Windows Mobile Gets Some Google Buzz Love

Posted by Nurhisham Hussein in "Windows Phone Software" @ 05:30 PM

http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/20...ailable-on.html

"Back in February, we launched Google Buzz for mobile, a tool to start interesting conversations when you are out and about. One of the most popular ways to access Google Buzz for mobile is through the web application (by going to buzz.google.com in your phone's browser). When Buzz launched, it was only available for devices running Android 2.0+ and iPhone. Not any more! Today we're a releasing an XHTML version of the Buzz website which can be accessed from many other mobile devices, including those running Android pre-2.0, Blackberry, Nokia S60, and Windows Mobile."

Incidentally, the new version also allows access from WebOS devices, which much like Windows Mobile these days seems relegated to an afterthought. Do you use Google Buzz?


Friday, May 28, 2010

Google Buys AdMob, Extends Tentacles of Control Further

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Windows Phone Talk" @ 03:24 PM

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010...ired-admob.html

"Last Friday, we said that mobile advertising was moving fast. So are we! Today, we closed our acquisition of AdMob. Omar Hamoui has built a great team and great products at AdMob and we're thrilled to officially welcome them to Google. We'll now begin the process of bringing our products and teams together in the best way, and building new products and features together. We're working to make this integration happen as fast and as seamlessly as possible. We'll actively keep our clients up-to-date as we bring our businesses together - stay tuned!"

Yesterday, Google officially acquired AdMob, for $750 million dollars - Apple was initially set to acquire AdMob for $600 million, but Google swooped in and out-bid the company from Cupertino. Google is primarily about search and advertising, so this move isn't surprising. So we'll have Google with AdMob, Apple with iAd, and Microsoft and RIM with...nothing. Hrm.


Tuesday, May 18, 2010

New Google Phone Service Whispers Targeted Ads Directly Into Users' Ears

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Windows Phone Talk" @ 02:51 PM

http://www.theonion.com/video/new-g...-ads-dir,17470/

Leave it to The Onion to come up with an utterly brilliant spoof! Ultimately this is the kind of thing that Google wants to see happen though - every experience you have using a Google service and devices (a la Android) is paired with a corresponding ad. Let's hope they never try anything quite this obnoxious though. ;-)


Thursday, April 22, 2010

Google Maps 4.1 Adds Voice Search

Posted by Darius Wey in "Windows Phone Software" @ 10:25 AM

http://www.google.com/mobile/maps/

"We understand that typing on phones isn't as easy or fast as talking into them. As a result, we're big fans of letting you search in Google Maps for mobile in the most natural way possible -- with your voice! Not wanting the BlackBerry and Android folks to have all the fun, today we're happy to announce Search by voice in Google Maps 4.1 on Windows Mobile and Symbian S60 phones. Search by voice lets you easily search for anything by simply speaking your search terms instead of typing them. Just open Google Maps, press your phone's "call" button, and clearly speak your search term like "Park Plaza.""

Google has added voice search to its latest version of Google Maps for Windows Mobile, so instead of typing, you can now speak your places, addresses, businesses, and types of businesses directly to the phone. On top of that, the app features a redesigned settings page where you can configure your voice language (multiple English accents and Mandarin are supported). As always, this is a free update, so head over to the Google Maps for mobile web page and start downloading.


Friday, April 9, 2010

Android-ers Come Forward!

Posted by Jon Westfall in "Windows Phone Competition" @ 05:30 AM

If you promise not to tell anyone, I'll tell you a secret: I use an Android phone. If you're wondering why this is a secret, perhaps if I expand it out, you'll see why: I am a Windows Mobile MVP, who used the platform exclusively for 7 years. I have written for a website focusing on Windows Mobile devices for over 5 years, and I own multiple Windows Mobile Devices. Yet still, I use a Nexus One as my daily driver. See, that's why it's a bit of a secret. And I'm sure you're wondering why I'm telling you this.

Well, I'm not telling you this as a prelude to a "I'm leaving the site" post or a "I've used Android but it sucks compared to WinMo" fanboy post. I use an Android phone because the platform excites me, the same way that Windows Mobile and Windows Phone still excite me, and I believe that by using each platform I can write more informed posts on each side and contribute to both platforms (I also own an iPod Touch, for the same reason). In other words, Win Mo didn't "lose" me, we're just not "exclusive" anymore.

And I'm wondering how many other Thoughts readers may be seeing Android devices on the side (or full time)! If you've gone to the Android side, what do you like or dislike? What do you miss about Windows Mobile? And does Windows Phone 7 tempt you back (as it does me)? Don't be afraid to admit it, android-ers, stand up and be counted!


Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Apple's Spat With Google Getting Ugly

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Windows Phone Competition" @ 11:30 AM

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/t...ml?pagewanted=1

"In the last six months, Apple and Google have jousted over acquisitions, patents, directors, advisers and iPhone applications. Mr. Jobs and Mr. Schmidt have taken shots at each other's companies in the media and in private exchanges with employees."

The New York Times has a very interesting article on the head-butting going on between Apple and Google right now. Frankly, I think the whole thing is a bit silly and is too ego-driven, but on the other hand, the inevitable distraction this will cause both companies gives Microsoft an opportunity to launch a brand new OS that will need some time to grow.


Thursday, March 11, 2010

YouTube 2.4 Released For Windows Mobile

Posted by Ed Hansberry in "Windows Phone Software" @ 07:00 AM

http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/20...le+Mobile+Blog)

"Last March, we launched the YouTube Mobile app for Nokia S60 and Windows Mobile phones. Since then, the application was translated to 12 languages, installed on millions of devices around the world, and has been chosen as a Nokia Ovi Top App of 2009. Today we're excited to announce the release of the latest version of the YouTube Mobile app, version 2.4."

Looks like Google has updated their YouTube app for Windows Mobile, so if viewing video on your phone is a high priority, head over to get the download.

Tags: youtube, google

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Google Analytics Goes Mobile

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Windows Phone Software" @ 12:30 PM

http://www.wmexperts.com/google-ana...-windows-phones

"Synerge Tech Solutions has released Google Analytics Mobile. As the name implies, Google Analytics Mobile allows you to access your web site's Google Analytic's data directly from your Windows Phone. For those not familiar with Google Analytics, it is a program that tracks your website activity ranging from the number of visits to where your site visitors are located (geographic regions)."

Are you an analytics fiend? Always wanting to check your Web site stats, no matter where you are? Then you'll be interested in Google Analytics Mobile from Synerge Tech Solutions. It's a neat concept, if only in that it will allow you to drill down and learn more about your Web site stats when you have some down time (sitting in the dentist's waiting room, etc.).


Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Google Introduces Buzz for Mobile, Updates Maps to 4.0

Posted by Darius Wey in "Windows Phone Software" @ 01:20 AM

http://www.google.com/buzz

"Today we announced Google Buzz, a new product that integrates with your Gmail inbox and makes it easy to start rich conversations about the things you find interesting. Google Buzz lets you share web links, photos, videos, and more with those who are important to you. Rather than simply creating a mobile version of Buzz, we decided to take advantage of the unique features of a mobile device - in particular, location. We go through many experiences when we're on the go, and while there are lots of ways to share these experiences with your friends or even the world, there isn't always an easy way to let your audience know where you are when you post. Your location brings valuable context to the information you share. For example, does "Delicious dinner!" mean you're at a great restaurant, or that you had a wonderful home-cooked meal? Your mobile phone, which is with you almost all the time, can help answer these questions."

By now, you've probably read and heard all there is to know about Google Buzz. In an age where social networking is ubiquitous, you could argue that Google is a little late to the game. After all, Buzz still focuses on the core theme of status, link, photo, and video sharing, and that's nothing other social services haven't already executed. But there are elements in Buzz that help set it apart from the rest. For starters, it's built right into Gmail, so not only is there tight integration with your inbox, you're already connected to your growing list of contacts; in other words, no more finding or importing friends from scratch. It also integrates well with other services, such as Flickr, Twitter, Picasa, Google Talk, and Google Reader, plus thanks to Buzz's open architecture, there should be many more added to the list in the near future. And, of course, there's support for mobiles. Apart from presenting the aforementioned on a small screen, the mobile version of Buzz taps into many unique features of a mobile device, such as location services, so you can easily fetch a list of public buzzes near you, wherever and whenever. Or you can view public buzzes as a layer in the new Google Maps for mobile. Google takes it to the next level by tapping into its map data to use place names over the usual latitude and longitude. Intrigued? Jump the break for a video demo.

So, are there any buzzers in the house? If so, how are you finding it?

Read more...


Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Nuevasync Now Supports Calendar to Category Mapping

Posted by Jon Westfall in "Windows Phone Software" @ 05:00 PM

http://wiki.nuevasync.com/wiki/bin/...arsToCategories

"Windows Mobile/Windows Phone devices at present lack support for multiple calendars. NuevaSync has always allowed syncing of multiple Google calendars to these devices, but all the events were "merged" into the device's single calendar. NuevaSync users with Premium Service can now have the Google calendar for each event appear as a "category" on the device. This means that events from individual Google calendars can be selected for display on the phone. Also events created on the device can be assigned to a specific Google calendar."

One of my few complaints about the Nuevasync synchronization platform (a request actually) was the ability to map multiple Google Calendars to categories on my Windows Phone. Now I can do that with their latest upgrade. Add this to the Remote Wipe functionality I mentioned a few weeks ago, and you have a pretty nice sync solution!


Friday, December 18, 2009

Windows Mobile Losing Market Share

Posted by Nurhisham Hussein in "Windows Phone News" @ 01:00 PM

http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/...the-first-time/

"If our kindergarten skills haven't failed us, then this data shows iPhone usage surpassing the once mighty Windows Mobile OS for the very first time. Unfortunately for Microsoft, Google's Android OS is set to accelerate significantly by the time the February 2010 data rolls in as is WebOS just as soon as Palm can bring its fledgling OS to Verizon's subscriber base."

Well, it was on the cards and had to happen sooner or later - Windows Mobile is now third in terms of actual handsets in consumer hands in the US, with just 7.1 million units compared to Apple's 8.9 million and RIM's 14.9 million. I'll forbear to comment on the obvious implications for Microsoft. Read the original FierceDeveloper scoop here and the press release from comScore here (incidentally, comScore's actual tagline focused more on Android's gains rather than Apple's). The real kickers are some of the supplementary survey questions that were published in the press release - out of the thirteen specifically mentioned handsets most users were planning to purchase, only one was a Windows Mobile device (AT&T Tilt), at just 2% of respondents. The media consumption results are also pretty damning. Where, oh where, is WM7?


Reviews & Articles

Loading feed...

News

Loading feed...

Reviews & Articles

Loading feed...

News

Loading feed...

Reviews & Articles

Loading feed...

News

Loading feed...

Reviews & Articles

Loading feed...

News

Loading feed...

Reviews & Articles

Loading feed...

News

Loading feed...