Google is getting really serious about killing off Gears. The company recently abandoned Gears on Google Docs, making the offline version HTML5 version the only way to use Google Docs while not online. On Tuesday June 1, Google will slay the offline mode of another one of it’s popular web apps.
On June 1, Google Reader will officially be online only, with no more support for Gears. The move brings Google Reader to an updated HTML 5 version, which means it will also stop supporting older browsers. Those using Internet Explorer 6, Firefox 2.0 or lower, Safari 3.0 or lower and Google Chrome 3.0 or below will no long be able to use Google Reader. So this time Google isn’t just taking at Microsoft and it’s browser, but those who just use older browsers in general with the update.
Unlike the Google Docs change earlier, Google Reader will be losing all offline access. According to Google, there were never many people who actually used the offline feature. Google is suggesting that those few users that want offline access use a desktop application that syncs to Google Reader. The are plenty of them available for all platforms, though none will offer the same experience of Google Reader itself.
The update to Reader will allow Google to take more advantage of HTML 5 and CSS 3. There’s no details yet of what those features entail.
FROM GAMERTELL - The company that gave us Mortal Kombat and NBA Jam is no more as creditors pick over the scraps of Midway Games for the final time… MORE »
Last night while on Facebook I noticed my newsfeed, which is usually buzzing, was nearly dead. I’ve got well over 300 friends, run 4 Facebook Fan pages and am a member of countless more so this was decidedly NOT normal. I couldn’t quite figure out what was wrong until a friend told me to check the padlock on my “What’s on your mind” box. Ordinarily its set to “Friends” to allow all of my friends to see my status updates, links, etc. Sure enough it was set to “Only me” turning my wall into a private journal. Nothing I posted could be seen by anyone but me! As this information spread among my friends I discovered many of them had the same thing happen to their profiles. To make matters worse changing the setting back to friends didn’t stick-it went right back to “Only me” This didn’t seem to affect all my friends, only some of us so I have to assume it was a glitch associated with the gradual roll out of the new “simple” privacy tools Facebook has promised. Thankfully today things are working fine again. For awhile there it had me wondering if Facebook was playing a mean prank on us users for being so unhappy with the privacy. “They don’t think things are private enough? We’ll show them private!” Were you affected by this glitch? Post here!
FROM GAMERTELL - Another game amde into a movie? Yep. Does it suck as much as most? Click through to Gamertell’s review of the Disney’ Prince of Persia movie to find out… MORE »
Haven’t caught all of the Gadgetell news this week? Here's your chance to catch up on this week’s top 10 articles!
Top 5 productivity apps for jailbroken iPads ” Images taken by Greg Billetdeaux Your iPad is jailbroken and you have Cydia installed, but now what do you do? Well today, we have the top 5 free productivity apps you can find in the Cydia app store. These…” MORE »
Buy.com sold to Japanese e-commerce site for $250 million ” Rakuten, a company that runs the largest Japanese e-commerce site, has agreed to purchase Buy.com for a quarter of a billion dollars. The purchase was made with the intention of making Rakuten’s marketplace a viable competitor with e-commerce juggernauts eBay and Amazon.…” MORE »
How good is Flash on Android 2.2 (Froyo)? “Be careful what you wish for, says the old saying. That axiom may be proving true based on a new video comparing Android 2.2 running on a Nexus One, a HTC HD2 using Opera and an iPhone 3GS running beta 4.0 software. The result might surprise you.…” MORE »
Is Android advancing too fast? ” Here’s a funny twist: Andy Rubin, head Android engineer resists the idea that fragmentation will harm Google’s Android. Fragmentation is having a lot of different versions of an operating system in use along with a slew of apps that don’t work with all versions of the OS. …” MORE »
Want Android 2.2 on your Nexus One? Try this ” One clever individual managed to find the Android 2.2 Froyo .zip file on Google servers and posted it to the public. If you are running a Google Nexus One “non-rooted stock ERE27 system” then you can simply download…” MORE »
Google’s version of Pacman immortalized ” Following the success and the popular demand of Google’s Pacman, Google has decided to leave it up permanently at www.google.com/pacman. Google originally put it up there to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pacman. The HTML5 version was a…” MORE »
iPhone goes on sale: $97 iPhone 3GS 16GB now at Walmart “Walmart has lowered its price for the iPhone 3GS, presumably in anticipation of a new iPhone that is expected to be announced on June 7. The iPhone 3GS is currently the top of the line model, which Apple says is 2x faster than the device’s predecessor, the…” MORE »
Froyo coming to Droid in ‘the near future’ ” When Froyo updates started rolling out to the public, it was no surprise that the first device supported was the Nexus One (it was Google’s first phone). But now, according to a quote from Slashgear, it seems that the Droid is not…” MORE »
About a week ago, the FTC approved Google’s request to acquire AdMob and today Google announced they have officially acquired AdMob. CEO Omar Hamoui and his team are set to join Google in expanding the AdMob network. AdMob has been integral in bringing prospective advertisers to the mobile department by making text-link-ads practical on a smartphone, especially on the Android and iPhone platforms. It is no surprise that Google wants to capitalize on an ever expanding market and acquiring one of the leading pioneers in such a market is definitely the way to go. Since Google already operates AdSense (an advertising network for websites) it will be interesting to see how they pool together their own resources with AdMob’s resources to increase the mobile advertising experience.
FROM GAMERTELL - Automated kiosk rental service Redbox is slowly but surely working its way into the world of video game rentals, with test markets in a few US cities. MORE »
Remember Buzz? That Google-made social network that lots of people said could put a dent in Twitter, then had all those privacy issues? There are a lot of people who have Buzz, everyone with a Gmail account who didn’t deactivate it does, though not many use it. When it first launched, Buzz mobile was only available to a small selection of smartphones: Android 2.0+ and iPhone.
Now, finally, Google Buzz is available for all major smartphones. This extends use to all Android versions. WebOS, BlackBerry, Symbian S60 and Windows Mobile. The site is done in XHTML, which on a myTouch 3G running Android 1.6 make the site load quickly, though it is not as good looking as the mobile app version. Those running on Android can choose between the XHTML and web app versions. The web apps looks better, and can load all comments on the same page unlike the XHTML version. The XHTML version of the site allow for posting, commenting, and liking posts, so just the basic features. Only in the BlackBerry browser will users be able to enable geolocation and add location to the posts.
Finally being able to post on Buzz on all mobile platforms is a good idea, but it seems a bit late. Buzz isn’t exactly the most popular service out there at the moment especially with all the privacy concerns at the start. Maybe this can help with those diehard users who want to use other smartphones, or those who like Buzz but are stuck on Android phones without on version 1.5 or 1.6. Or, more likely, most people will continue to ignore the service.
Video calling has long been a feature that consumers and cell phone manufacturers have wanted, but could not due to technological limits. Well now, Android has officially brought this feature to you.
Fring is a company founded with the objective of changing the way people communicate. It seems that they have definitely achieved this goal with the Fring Android application. This application works perfectly if used on an Evo because of the bandwidth, and because of the front-facing camera.
This could be a major selling feature not only for the Evo, but for the Android OS. At least until the iPhone 4G comes out.
Another week down, another round of suspicious narcotic usage in the tech world. This week saw everything from seemingly bad choices to moves that will generation zero chances of parole. Let’s get to it:
iPad stealing sales from everything
AT&T turns on WiFi in Times Square
Google Pac-Man rocks the world
Steve Ballmer isn’t doing much
iPad stealing sales This week, the iPad crossed into international waters where folks took to the streets to queue up to purchase one. It seems the iPad has inspired folks to forget purchasing “X”. Our Sue Walsh points out, Netbooks are being passed over in favor of Apple’s tablet: “A new study by Retrevo claims that Apple's wildly popular iPad is hurting netbook sales. The study polled over 1,000 consumers and found that the majority chose an iPad over a netbook or cheap laptop, with 78% on the side of the iPad. “
But it doesn’t stop there. Analysts and industry watchers also suggest the iPad is cutting into sales of: iPods, Nintendo DS, Mac, Windows PCs, and Amazon’s Kindle. But iPad’s influence doesn’t end in the tech world.
The iPad will soon be stealing sales from the likes of Ford, Toyota and Honda. That’s right, cars baby. The 2011 Hyundai Equus will be coming stock with an iPad for the owners manual plus a slew of other features to make the Hyundai experience more encompassing. Hyundai isn’t the only one to latch on, Mercedes is giving car salesman the tablet to keep the customer on the sales floor instead of lame cubicles to crunch some numbers. “Let me IM my boss to see if we can go that low.” Who knows what Apple will do once it owns the car market as well, but iPad dominence doesn’t stop with cars.
What else is iPad stealing sales from: babies. That’s right, teens today would rather snuggle up with an iPad in the back seat than what past generations did in the back seat. Teen pregnancy rates are dropped in the US and we are pretty sure the iPad has a lot to do with this. The combination of big screen gaming, ebook libraries and responsive touchscreen has seemingly displaced adolescent urges. Do you really think it is a coincidence that Apple and abstinence both begin with the letter “a”?
AT&T becomes an enabler to drunken texts from Times Square
Great. In years past, we had a network overload to protect us from those nutjobs that brave a New York winter to see a sparkly ball fall 50 feet at midnight. AT&T is taking away our safety net according to Gadgetell’s Natesh Sood: “A free WiFi hot spot zone has been launched near 7th Avenue between 45th and 47th Street. It is designed to provide an alternative and faster means of transferring data in such a congested area.”
This is a bad move for society in a couple of ways. First, the folks in Times Square on any given day shouldn’t be communicating with outsiders. No one really cares about your photos on the Toys R Us ferris wheel or just how much you saved on theater tickets. Instead, those guys trying to sell me CDs or those folks with the drums, or all those folks in the Swatch store will be now be reaching out via a data connection inflicting their brand of craziness into our lives. They willing chose to go to Times Square - they can’t be all right in the head, right?
Then comes New Years Eve. The huddled frozen masses hoping to catch a glimpse of Dick Clark will now be able to get their texts, emails, Tweets, blog updates and stock suggestions out to you without interference from AT&T.
But there’s more. Now, coffee-haters no longer have to endure the smell of a Starbucks to get free WiFi. Now they can huddle in bike lanes, street islands and behind falafel carts with their laptops banging away on the net. I am sure we’ll be tripping over WiFi squatters all over the city soon.
Is there a way we can pay AT&T to turn off this WiFi?
Google Pac-Man costs us all
From Greg Billetdeaux’s post, “Google originally put it up there to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pacman. The HTML5 version was a replica, full 256-level version of Pacman. It served as the home page of Google and the button "Insert Coin" replaced the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button and activated the game. What's unique about this one, besides the giant Google logo in the middle, is the fact that there is a co-op mode. All you need to do is hit either W,A,S, or D before you hit the "Insert Coin" button and both Pacman and Mrs. Pacman will appear on the screen. It then becomes co-op Pacman, one controlled be the arrows, the other controlled by the WASD form of input.”
Our Robert Nelson brings us the happy news on how much productivity was lost on Google’s Pac-Man, “Google Pac-Man consumed 4,819,352 hours of time” to the tally of “$120,483,800”. That’s a lot of quarters.
I wonder how much this compares to the number of crackheads just wasting time on Google without playing Pac-Man?
Does Steve Ballmer even work at Microsoft anymore?
This week, we were treated into a look inside the reclusive life of Microsoft’s head honcho, Steve Ballmer. Thanks to the miracle of Twitter, we now have a list of things Ballmer will not be doing. Let’s all think of the many things Steve Ballmer could be doing, do you have something in your head? Good, pencils down.
Those of you that had Ballmer riding in the Belmont, sorry. Microsoft confirmed Ballmer will not be “riding at the Belmont”. Yes, the company actually confirmed this.
Did you pick that good old Steve would be mixing it up with the likes of Dallas Cowboy running star Emmit Smith, Lance Bass or Donny Osmund. Seemingly Steve must have just missed the cut on Dancing with the Stars. Micorsoft has confirmed he will not take part in this season’s contest. Rats.
One other tidbit Microsoft let slip: “Ballmer won’t be speaking at the Apple dev conference.” Did you have hopes he’d be on stage yammering on about Visual Studio and how great it will be to develop iPhone/iPad apps? All is not lost, despite what you’ve read.
Read closer. “Ballmer won’t be speaking.” Heck, they didn’t rule out he won’t be there. In fact, they didn’t rule out he won’t be on stage. Perhaps Ballmer will be doing some kind of Penn and Teller gig where his mouth will be taped. Microsoft has told us nothing. He could easily be using a MS KIN to show his presentation. He could mime. He could also just point around a lot, smiling.
Does anything really think Microsoft wouldn’t do all of this, just to mess with us? You do remember that paper clip mascot, right?
FROM APPLETELL - WIRED Magazine for the iPad has finally appeared in the App Store. It had to be rebuilt due to the use of banned Adobe technologies, but it was worth the wait. MORE »
Where this can be classified is unknown but the wow factor is undeniable. Sony announced yesterday that is has developed not only a flexible but rollable OLED display. Through a complex in house process Sony has was able to manufacture an organic semi-conductor material that allows images to be clearly displayed on the material while completely rolled up. We have not see much use of OLED technology in consumer products as the parts and production costs are still quite high but it’s exciting to see what they are capable of.
No more projection screen PowerPoints, unroll your presentation and tack it to the wall. Make any room or any space an impromptu movie theater. Digital posters and imagine the utility advertising companies would get with this type of portable and flexible technology. What we are really trying to say is, we want one.
We all love Firefox and they have given us yet another reason. Firefox has made their first move into the mobile browsing space and have given it a feel good name - Firefox Home. The application is being built exclusively for the iPhone app store and providing users an “on the go” experience. You will be able to access your bookmarks, recent browsing history and pre-set tabs from a most recent browsing session. For your most frequented websites Mozilla has also integrated “Awesome Bar” compatibility. For example, if you check Gadgetell 10 to 12 times a day, we’ll be in your Awesome Bar quick menu.
However there is a catch, the whole system piggybacks on Firefox’s Sync (formerly Weave) add-on that allows users to login and sync all their information across multiple computers running the software. No sync, the Firefox app is assumed to useless. Second, keep in mind the app is not a full functioning browser, non-preloaded pages will not be accessible . So far Opera is the only one to jump that barrier. Either way, as with any app we will be anxious to get our hands on this one and quick to update as additional features are pushed out.
Yes, this is the week in which we here at Gadgetell pimp our social media feeds and we have already mentioned Twitter, so next up is Facebook.
What can we really say here, other than we have had the fan page set up for a long time and have totally neglected it. That could of had something to do with my personal distaste for Facebook, but how things have changed.
Yes, despite all of the recent complaints about Facebook I have still grown to love it and with that I think its about time we publicly announce the Gadgetell page and make it into something special.
The Zune Pass subscription from Microsoft is currently priced at $14.99 per month, and for that you get to download and listen to as many tracks as you like. Plus you also get to download and keep 10 MP3’s for free each and every month. Granted I am a Zune user, but still, that is kind of a good deal.
That said, Microsoft may be looking to make that deal a little better. According to Terry Farrell, who is a Senior Product Manager with Microsoft, "It's definitely a challenging business.”
And for that, users (and potential) users may soon be paying less for a Zune Pass. Though, Farrell did not offer any comment in regards to how much of a price cut.
Crazy rumors as of late, one of which was calling for Steve Ballmer to speak at WWDC 2010, which for those unfamiliar—is an Apple event. In short, Microsoft took to Twitter and broke the good/bad news..
“Steve Ballmer not speaking at Apple Dev Conf. Nor appearing on Dancing with the Stars. Nor riding in the Belmont. Just FYI.”
Point taken, though I am sure many will be upset by the Dancing with the Stars news.
Last night while on Facebook I noticed my newsfeed, which is usually buzzing, was nearly dead. I’ve got well over 300 friends, run 4 Facebook Fan pages and am a member of countless more so this was decidedly NOT normal. I couldn’t quite figure out what was wrong until a friend told me to check the padlock on my “What’s on your mind” box. Ordinarily its set to “Friends” to allow all of my friends to see my status updates, links, etc. Sure enough it was set to “Only me” turning my wall into a private journal. Nothing I posted could be seen by anyone but me! As this information spread among my friends I discovered many of them had the same thing happen to their profiles. To make matters worse changing the setting back to friends didn’t stick-it went right back to “Only me” This didn’t seem to affect all my friends, only some of us so I have to assume it was a glitch associated with the gradual roll out of the new “simple” privacy tools Facebook has promised. Thankfully today things are working fine again. For awhile there it had me wondering if Facebook was playing a mean prank on us users for being so unhappy with the privacy. “They don’t think things are private enough? We’ll show them private!” .jpg){kind=logo}
About a week ago, the FTC approved Google’s request to acquire AdMob and today Google announced they have officially acquired AdMob. CEO Omar Hamoui and his team are set to join Google in expanding the AdMob network. AdMob has been integral in bringing prospective advertisers to the mobile department by making text-link-ads practical on a smartphone, especially on the Android and iPhone platforms. It is no surprise that Google wants to capitalize on an ever expanding market and acquiring one of the leading pioneers in such a market is definitely the way to go. Since Google already operates AdSense (an advertising network for websites) it will be interesting to see how they pool together their own resources with AdMob’s resources to increase the mobile advertising experience. 
Remember Buzz? That Google-made social network that lots of people said could put a dent in Twitter, then had all those privacy issues? There are a lot of people who have Buzz, everyone with a Gmail account who didn’t deactivate it does, though not many use it. When it first launched, Buzz mobile was only available to a small selection of smartphones: Android 2.0+ and iPhone.
Video calling has long been a feature that consumers and cell phone manufacturers have wanted, but could not due to technological limits. Well now, Android has officially brought this feature to you.
We all love Firefox and they have given us yet another reason. Firefox has made their first move into the mobile browsing space and have given it a feel good name - Firefox Home. The application is being built exclusively for the iPhone app store and providing users an “on the go” experience. You will be able to access your bookmarks, recent browsing history and pre-set tabs from a most recent browsing session. For your most frequented websites Mozilla has also integrated “Awesome Bar” compatibility. For example, if you check 
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