POWER TIP
New version of Google Video
This month, we've launched a new version of Google Video. Most of the key features have been redesigned, including the home page, the play page, and the landing frame for third-party videos. You'll also see three different ways to view search results: by list, in a grid, and TV-style. Toggle between these views by clicking on the icons on the top right, just above the search results and next to the results filters. Finally, you can also browse some of the most popular videos from the newly updated home page.
http://video.google.com------------
NEW PRODUCTS & UPDATES
Google Earth 4.3 released
The newest version of Google Earth enables you to see 41 new cities in 3D, including Boston, Tampa, Zurich, Hamburg and Tokyo, along with much faster 3D building rendering, new navigation control down to street level, the ability to view the sun at any time of the day, and more. We've also brought Street View from Maps to Earth and added 12 new languages.
http://earth.google.com Improved traffic conditions on Google Maps
Now, along with current traffic conditions, you can see traffic incidents such as accidents, construction, and road closures in most cities where we have traffic coverage on Google Maps. Also, when you turn on the traffic layer, a new control will pop up so you can change the day and time to see typical traffic conditions, based on historical data.
http://maps.google.com Improved search in Google Docs
There are two new search-related Document list features in Google Docs: Search options brings the tools of advanced search so you can narrow down your search and find the file you're looking for more quickly. And the saved searches feature helps you to save your custom searches, name them, access them in one click from the left pane.
http://docs.google.com Picasa Web Albums goes mobile and offline
Those of you who use Picasa Web Albums can now view your online photos when you're offline on your Windows Mobile touchscreen device. This is the first Google mobile web application that works offline through the magic of Google Gears. So sync your favorite albums, then enjoy Picasa Web Albums slideshows, community pictures, and all other mobile features directly from your Windows Mobile browser -- even without any network connection.
http://www.google.com/mobile/photos------------
MISCELLANY
Design with people in mind
In the last few years it's become a commonplace for businesses to say that they focus on users and talk about 'customer experience' or 'the experience economy' or related notions. This focus may have generated a good bit of jargon, but what lies beneath is a sound principle: the idea that designers and builders - whether of cars, phones, mobile devices, websites - need to pay attention to how real live humans use their item. The image of the designer who "knows best" (among many others, Frank Lloyd Wright required people who bought his houses to stock them with the furniture he built, and nothing else). Fortunately, in many instances today, that kind of thinking is thankfully passe. As for Google, beyond our frequent mentions of focusing on users, we have developed "User Principles" that show a bit more of our thinking in this important area. Among others, they include #8, "Delight the eye without distracting the mind," and #3, "Simplicity is powerful." We encourage you to review the whole list and see what you think is most important in this all too often overly- complex, easily-distracting world we share.
http://www.google.com/corporate/ux.html
Posts
