Roger Kemp's Net » Google

Google+, more thoughts

Roger — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 19:23:33 +0000

I was hoping Google+ would be rolling out more features by now, but they haven’t. If they really want to become a viable social platform they need to add some essential functionality, and add it sooner, rather than later. Here are a couple of things I hope they add:

Integration with Google Apps
If my company or organization is going to use Google+ as their Social Platform of choice, we’d like to have full integration with Calendar and Docs. Share files and events, as well as tasks would be essential to coordinate and plan on a Social Platform
Groups
Right now it’s only followers and following. You can’t really organize a group of people (department, suppliers, clients, hobby group, etc.) and have real two way communication between members of those groups. Circles is only good for broadcasting and commenting on those broadcasts, not for real group communication, let alone set up events or meetings. Messages will get lost in the stream, people I’m following don’t know what circle of mine they’re in and I’m not even sure they’re following me and if so, have me in the same circle. Sure you can filter your stream to that particular circle, but I have no way of knowing if the rest of the people in my group do the same thing and see my posts.
Events
If I’d like to plan an event and invite people I’d like those people to know about it and be able to RSVP. Right now, that’s impossible on Google+. This should go hand in hand with the Google Apps integration.
Google+ Business and Organization Profiles
I thought this would have been the first new feature to be implemented fairly quickly, I guess I was wrong. It would be nice if this too would become a feature integrated with Apps. If you have your domain running under Google Apps (gMail, Calendar and Docs) it would be nice to control your Plus Profile from there as well.

Google has everything in house to make Google+ the best and most fully featured Social Platform for organizations and businesses, but it seems they don’t see what’s right under their noses. Or maybe I’m just too impatient.

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Google+ first impressions

Roger — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 09:53:57 +0000

Was invited for Google+ this morning and decided to check it out right away. First impression? Seems like Google finally got their act together in the UI and graphic design department. Wow, does everything look clean.

Second impression? Wishing Google+ was working with Google Apps already. In my opinion it would be the killer social enterprise app when combined with Calendar, Documents and various other apps. Through circles you can keep track of and share info with different departments, clients and suppliers (and friends and family of course). For now only through streams (which is essentially Twitter on steroids, because it’s private and public microblogging allowing real interaction/conversations) but when Google Apps is integrated, also by using your Calendar and Document apps, sharing tasks, appointments and docs with your circles. Plus all the other apps in the app marketplace. + indeed!

Same goes of course for video and photos sharing, which is already implemented and in a very nice way. For photos you can use Picasa and videos can be youtube links, uploads from your laptop/desktop or your phone. Too bad there isn’t an iPhone app yet, only Android at the moment.

So I don’t see Google+ as a direct Facebook competitor (i.e. Facebook killer), but more of a Social Enterprise solution. We do need Google Apps integration for that though, but Google’s working on that. Once that’s implemented, watch out Microsoft Sharepoint, Podio, SocialText, Cubetree, et al…

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Motorola gadget consolidation

Roger — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 08:38:24 +0000

Never tought I’d see this coming from Motorola, but Engadget has a nice little hands-on piece, showing the Motorola Atrix 4G, HD multimedia dock, and laptop dock. This is coming close to what I refer to as gadget consolidation (they, Engadget refer to it as Continues Client). They have several options, both hradware and software based. I see it as a hardware based solution, where one device will act as PC / TV / Phone / Media Center / PA etc. And Motorola is heading in the right direction. I think Apple is heading in that direction as well, but they are taking their time, ironing out the kinks to make it perfect, both on the front end (hardware and software) as the back end (infrastructure, media). And that last part is I think where Motorola is lacking (no real app or media distribution platform), while the front-end isn’t really a given yet either… Wonder what Google thinks of their implementation…

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Google everywhere – The Google Car

Roger — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 15:51:53 +0000

Google controling your TV, your phone, your tablet and now also your car. The news of the Google car isn’t that surprising to me. I’ve been thinking about the idea of a computer driven networked car for a long time. Especially since I’ve been back in the Netherlands, which seems to grind to a halt every day during rush hour. A network of computer driven cars and networked road systems, constantly aware of all traffic would make traffic jams seem so quant. Each car would know where it and all the other cars are going (navigation systems where the first step towards this system), at what speed, and what the traffic up ahead is going to do. Merging, exiting, making turns, passing will all be known way ahead of time by all participating traffic and the network will calculate the best speed and timing of all actions to get you to your destination in the most efficient way, not only for you, but also for all the other networked travelers.

Traffic jams will be a thing of the past, as will most traffic accidents. The benefits are obvious. And with a gradual introduction, even the most staunch American driver might relinquish control over his or her vehicle.

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Nexus One launched

Roger — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:11:17 +0000

Google launched it’s first Google branded phone today, the Nexus One. It looks like a great product and should be the start of the next generation of smart phones. One feature that I can see setting this phone apart from other smart phones is its voice feature (see video below). They’ve implemented this very nicely and it should be a valuable addition to making this and future smartphones a truly smart and multifunctional tool. As always, I’m looking forward to Apple’s answer at the end of the month (the iSlate?) and their next generation iPhone later this year.

More Nexus One Videos
Nexus One Official Site

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Google Chrome Extensions Gallery is now live

Roger — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:42:53 +0000

Right after releasing the Google Chrome browser for the OS X platform, Google opened the doors to the Browser’s Extension Gallery. Too bad us Mac users can’t use these extensions yet. For you windows users, have a look and see if there’s something useful you can add to your browsing experience. It’s another step in the direction of the Browser as OS.

Google Chrome Extensions

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Google Chrome for Mac is out (Beta)

Roger — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:37:25 +0000

Google finally released its (beta) Mac version of the Chrome browser. It’s still lacking some features that can be found in the Windows version, like the extensions. But you should be able to use it without too many problems. But remember, it’s Beta.

Download Google Chrome for Mac (Beta)

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Google adding new capabilities to mobile search

Roger — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:15:59 +0000

TechCrunch reports from Google’s News Event, held today in Mountainview, CA. Some interesting new capabilities are added to their mobile search platform. It all combines well with my earlier thought about gadget consolidation. Google will be adding more voice, location and sight functionality to it’s mobile search apps. For a complete rundown of these new features, head on over to TechCrunch. I wonder what Apple is working on in this area, or if they’ll let Google run the search and suggestion apps on their phones? Nah…

Google rethinks search on the go (TechCrunch)

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