Tech Trends

Eight Google Tips You’ll Use Every Day

Google: simple, flexible and evolving.

Few words are both nouns and verbs. Google is one of these. Before you say next say, “Let me google that," take a moment before you mindlessly type into the search box. You don’t even have to spell what you’re looking for correctly or completely. Just start typing. This begs the question, “Is Google making us stupid?”  Or smarter? Here are eight tips for Google you’ll use every day. Curious about a particular word? No need to google Webster’s. Just type “define:” and the word. Google provides possible terms. Let’s say you type “define: volcano.” Without even clicking the spyglass, the page fills with results. The first one is a phonetic spelling and a helpful audio clip of the word spoken. The part of speech and definition follow with …

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Google Gains Patents and More with Motorola Mobility Purchase

Flip Phone to RAZR to Google

Growing up, I knew Motorola for its television sets. From those dark ages, Motorola pursued mobile phones as well as cable modems and video boxes. It developed two iconic mobile phones. First the flip phone in the mid-1990s; then the RAZR. It also treated the public to several memorable commercials on both products. Who could resist the sleek, thin RAZR? Google cleared the final hurdle in its pursuit of a merger with Motorola Mobility. Trading commissions nationally and internationally were required to approve the merger, which began almost a year ago. The last country, the People’s Republic of China, approved it on May 19. By May 22, the $12.5 billion merger’s worldwide regulatory review was complete. The stated plan is for Motorola to …

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Computer Privacy and Security—It's All Up To You

You may have to change your outlook.

You may have missed it, but in mid-March Facebook announced that it was updating its “Statements of Rights and Responsibilities.” It had a one-week comment period to discuss proposed changes. While many of the policy updates were minor, perhaps the biggest change was the wholesale change in the language it used to describe its policies. All references to “Privacy Policy” are now changing to “Data Use Policy.” As your English teacher surely tried to emphasize, words matter. Facebook will continue to have “Privacy Settings” but the change from Privacy Policy to Data Use Policy reemphasizes that they use your data as part of the user agreement. You use their product, they use your data. You can adjust how much data they use, but they are not …

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Google Changes Its Privacy Policies

Take the time to understand what Google knows about you and how they will use that information

As of March 1, you will need to agree with Google's new privacy policies in order to use their services (Gmail, Calendar, YouTube, Google+ and much more) with the exception of Google Books, Google Wallet and Google Chrome. They say it's to unify more than 70 privacy policies across their product lines and to streamline the user experience. No Opting Out In many ways, this change allows you to learn more about what Google knows about you. Consider this: Google can see the content of your emails if you use Gmail, where you like to visit if you use Google Maps, if you have enabled GPS information on your Android phone, or your precise location throughout the day. The price for such excellent services is to allow our information to be analyzed…

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Tech Trends

Are You Ready for Smart Television?

Consumer Electronics Show predicts yes

I admit it.  Despite my fondness for Renaissance sculpture, Johann Sebastian Bach’s music, and Gothic architecture, there’s an entirely different set of interests lurking. Televised football games, contests for ballroom dancing, and of course some reality shows too weird to mention snag my time and attention. I suspect I’m not alone. While the content of television shows arguably isn’t improving, the devices we use to watch them are changing.  Last week’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas highlighted new television technologies, which have become viable options for use in our homes.  Television manufacturers are on the lookout for ways to increase sales. New features could boost the number of units sold and prices. 3D technology…

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Tech Trends

Is Google+ for You?

New Year, New Social Network

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and now Google+. Let’s be honest. Initially it is fun to find people you’ve lost contact with during the crush of daily life. One of you sends a request. The other accepts. You share “since we last spoke” and they reciprocate. Good memories. Good times. Then what? There is something powerful about social networks and the connectedness they provide. Google+ launched June 28, 2011 and six months later had an estimated user base of 62 million, according to Google+ Users Estimated at 62 Million. Google has assembled the pieces needed to be the major force in content marketing in 2012. It is poised to be a significant competitor to Facebook. Real life happens wherever you are. Google+ is available as a website and …

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Susan Larson

8:25 pm on Wednesday, January 11, 2012

I believe I know this Bob, and you've made me laugh again! Thanks for commenting.   more ›