Adcentered

Google Maps Street View Sees All

Less than two years ago, people began to see cars equipped with strange video equipment driving all over the U.S. Google apparently commissioned a fleet of cars for their street view project, which is now live. I decided to give it “test drive” to see what the hype was all about. It turns out that street view gives you just that. A view of the streets from a drivers perspective. I tested it on my street and found it cool, yet creepy. I’m not suggesting in any way that Google has voyeuristic tendencies, but they can get pretty detailed. I was able to see my roommate’s Marilyn Monroe poster on his window. Then I started thinking; there must be hundreds of little surprises waiting to be discovered in the Google street view video universe. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time or the desire to look for them, but if you do find something, let me know.

Voyeurs are not the only who may find this tool useful. This is another great way to explore your city or town without having to put on your shoes. Street view has the potential to revolutionize the real estate industry. I remember a when virtual tours of homes were new and exciting. Now you can check out the neighborhood before you make a formal visit. The technology is still in the early stages but as it develops, I could see existing virtual stores being linked into the equation. I wrote a paper a few years ago about a concept called “Google Maps Retail.” This concept allows people find businesses on Google maps, get directions and then get efficient directions inside the store (using a 3-D planogram) based on a shopping list. This is more than possible now. Who wants to go halves with me on the venture. I’ll put in the first 20 bucks.

The (Anti)Productivity Machine

I finally did it. I ended my contract with Sprint. I am officially an AT&T customer. I am now an iPhone evangelist who practices what he preaches. I have been praising the iPhone since it first came out. I’ve played with one at the Apple store and cautiously admired friends who had them early. I’m not in love with Apple as my enthusiasm might suggest. I use Macs at school and at work, but I have never owned an iPod or any other modern Apple product. I have been looking for a phone/PDA that works the way I do. I finally found it.

Everything about the ownership experience has been interesting. It was easy to set up. It’s fast and easy to use. It allows me to multi task and get the information I need when I need it. Did I mention the phone is a head turner.

There are countless ways to customize the iPhone. It can make you more productive if that’s what the situation calls for. It can also distract you in as many ways as it saves you time. A phone that adapts to your individual needs? There is definitely an “I” in iPhone, but it also helps me work with my team better.

The Apple MacBook Air

MacBook Air is Apple's latest innovation. It is less than an inch thick and features a 13 inch screen and full back lit keyboard. I'm not usually big on superlative marketing, but this is the thinest notebook around. It doesn't have an optical drive, which is why it is so thin. Apple compensated for the lack of optical drive by allowing you to create a wireless connection to another computers drive to load software. It's pretty cool. I really like that they went beyond the superlatives and added some cool thinking into the product. I've seen plenty of products try to be the thinest, flattest, or fastest. None of these things mean much without a little consumer friendly design and innovation to match.

Google & Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal

Google just announced plans to take on the energy crisis. They plan to spend millions in the development of renewable energy that is less expensive than coal. The project is appropriately called, Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal.

The simple goal: To  produce one gigawatt of electrical energy cheaper than one gigawatt of coal.

Google will start with a multi million dollar investment in people.  They plan to hire engineers and energy experts to begin the research process. Google is confident that the problem can be solved in a few years. If Google can create their cheaper gigawatt they will be officially in the energy business. They company is already becoming carbon neutral and they encourage green experimentation at all levels. I believe they will succeed. read more

G's Up Phones Down: Google Phone is Coming

The G-Phone, as it has been called around the blogsphere is creating iPhone-like buzz. Rumors have been flying around the net for months about Google's move into mobile devices.

What makes the G-phone exciting is the open Linux based platform. Open source is truely revolutionizing the digital world. The Widgetization of mobile devices is here. The end result will be truly customizable mobile applications that are in complete sync with the online experience. There is no company on earth better equipped to make the net mobile.

On Monday, November 5th, Google is expected to officially announce the G-Phone and the entourage of partnerships that will make it possible.  HTC, T-Mobile and Verizon are just a few of the possible players. The new phone could be here as early as the first quarter of 2008. Google's stock is already trading over $711 per share.

Google recently made a dent in the directory assistance category with 1-800-GOOG-411, a free automated 411 service. Google has a simple focus. They make it easier to manage information. The G-Phone is in line with their core competency. I predict some growing pains, but ultimately a success. I'd buy the product for historic value alone. Who wouldn't want a first edition G-Phone?

*The G-phone is more of an open source concept than an actual product, but who knows. A Google branded phone is a possibility.

Mind Map 2.0

Who doesn't love a good brain storm? If you work in any collaborative field, you understand the power of brainstorming. Bubbl.us, an online mind mapping site, understands this. They have created an application that lets you create and share your brainstorms with your buddies. Bubbl.us creates the diagrams for you so you don't have to waste valuable ink. The output is good enough for use in presentations. If one of your team mates misses an important session, simply forward the visual to them. If used correctly, bubbl.us could increase your productivity by making it easier to visually document the ideation process. Did I mention that it's free?

Facebook Romance

Microsoft Hacks the Human Brain

Microsoft wants to connect to your brain. In February of this year, they filed a patent on some interesting technology. The company plans to use electroencephalograph (EEG) technology to get inside your brain. Traditionally EEG’s are attached to a person’s head or other body parts to monitor biological signals. The signals are interpreted to determine how subjects react to new stimuli. The problem with measuring EEG data is that it is difficult to extract task oriented data from normal body activity, such as movement.

Microsoft’s patent filing is for a method of filtering EEG information, so that it is easier to determine what information is directly related to computer interaction. They plan to connect subjects to EEG’s and monitor their computer usage. They are interested in how we process information via digital means.

It is difficult to speculate whether Microsoft wants to use the technology to improve the user interface or to create some sort of control unit for your brain. Actually, it is easy to speculate.  They probably want to improve user interaction, but Microsoft brain control is far more controversial and sexy. Will we be able to control our computers via our brains or will Microsoft create a bridge, tapping into our primal urges to browse faster? Only time will tell. (see patent filing)

The Watch Phone

Hyundai's new w-100 watch phone was previewed on Engadget this week.

It comes with a 1.3 mega-pixel camera, touch screen, Bluetooth, and a microSD expansion slot for storing mp3's. This watch/phone has everything you need to stay connected and productive. For some reason, I feel like I've seen this concept before.

Radiohead Inrainbows Online Exclusive

Radiohead's is back with a new album, Inrainbows. The band is challenging the way music is traditionally distributed. They are not working with a label on this album and it is not available on iTunes or on CD at the moment. You can only download it at inrainbows.com. The site is simple, colorful and to the point.  The CD/Box set will be available in December. You can pre-order it  online. What makes this album debut really interesting is the fact that you decide what to pay for the album. There is no set price. You decide what the album is worth. Additionally, the download doesn't come with any rights protection.

The fact that Radiohead has a new album out is a major event to fans. The fact that they released it exclusively online, without a label and asked people to pay what they think it is worth is a major event for the music industry. There's already a lot talk about Inrainbows. There are hundred of blog posts, news articles and PR hits. This is a great to introduce their unique sound to new audiences.

Another cool feature is that when you download the album you must register first. They can gather the data and see who is buying the album anywhere in the world and what they are paying for it. I can only imagine what the data will tell them. Perhaps people in Germany value the album more the the French? The average cost of the album in Australia is $4.00? Who knows? I like the concept a lot and the album is great too.