Friday, June 4, 2010

Googland

Googland

[G] Help Us Improve Blogger

Posted: 04 Jun 2010 01:24 AM PDT

Blogger Buzz: Help Us Improve Blogger

We're working hard to make Blogger better and need your help. Sign up for a usability study and give us feedback on some exciting new ideas currently in development. These study results will help us better understand your needs and refine our features before they launch.

Interested? Sign up here.
URL: http://buzz.blogger.com/2010/06/help-us-improve-blogger.html

[G] Gmail sweatshirts

Posted: 03 Jun 2010 05:43 PM PDT

Official Gmail Blog: Gmail sweatshirts

Posted by Arielle Reinstein, Product Marketing Manager

When Gmail came out of beta, we embroidered the Gmail logo onto sweatshirts for the team. Any given day in the office, a couple of people are wearing them. When other people asked us where they too could get their very own Gmail sweatshirt, we didn't like replying with "Oh...they're not really available, it was just something we did for the team," so we made them available in the Google Store.

URL: http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/gmail-sweatshirts.html

[G] Make the most of football fever, quicker than stoppage time

Posted: 03 Jun 2010 03:20 PM PDT

Google LatLong: Make the most of football fever, quicker than stoppage time


People all over the world already use Google Maps to search for pubs, bars and restaurants in their local area. And with football's (soccer, to all you Americans) biggest event right around the corner, millions of fans will be looking for the perfect venue to enjoy the tournament. So for all you business owners, this could be the ideal time to create your entry on Google Maps for free or make sure your current entry is still up to date. You can even specially indicate that you'll be showing games at your establishment.


Once you've signed up for this campaign you will get a couple of things to help you stand out more during the games. When people search for places to watch the games we'll highlight businesses that have flagged themselves as viewing locations (both on Google Maps and Google Maps for mobile) and you'll also get a special football badge on your Place Page.

What else can you do to make sure you're ready for football fever? We've provided a quick checklist with stuff you can do:
  • Add additional information people looking for places to watch soccer will appreciate (ie: how many & what size screens you have). Read more here.
  • Let people know which games you are showing and let them know if you have any special football promotions by posting a live update to your Place Page. Read more here.
  • Got lots of satisfied customers post-game? Ask them to add valuable feedback or recommend you on Google Maps. Read more here.
Make sure you join before June 11 to be certain your local football-loving customers can find you in time for their big match. You can learn more on this site: http://www.google.com/showsoccer.

Have fun and may the best team win! I can't wait to find the best place in London to go cheer my team to victory.

Posted by Kenzo Fong Hing, Maps Product Marketing Manager, London
URL: http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2010/06/make-most-of-football-fever-quicker.html

[G] Travel through London's past with Historypin

Posted: 03 Jun 2010 12:25 PM PDT

Google LatLong: Travel through London's past with Historypin


One of the things I love about living in London is trying to read the history of the buildings from their present day appearance - looking for clues about what their purpose might once have been and how society might have looked at an earlier time.

Just the other day I was in a new part of town and I noticed, high up on one of the Victorian facades, the faded painted letters indicating the building's former use as a bookbinder - not something we tend to see on a highstreet anymore.

Of course city landscapes, urban environments and our local streets change all the time, as does the fashion you might see on these streets or the types of cars driving down them. It's fascinating to compare this development which is why we were thrilled when We Are What We Do, the social movement that launched the Anya Hindmarch 'I'm Not A Plastic Bag', approached us to collaborate on their latest creation called Historypin.

Historypin is a digital time machine that provides a new way for the world to see and share history, using Google Maps and Street View.

The site allows users to share images - of streets or buildings, cities or villages - from their personal photo albums, as well as the stories behind them.

It's a really unique use of Street View which means pictures can be dated as well as geo-tagged and then 'pinned' into place on top of modern Street View photography for people to explore over time.

This VE Day parade from 1945 in Leeds, in the North of England, is one really evocative for example:


It's also a great way to get the different generations hanging out together over the family album. The project aims to start millions of new conversations between old and young, motivating older people to share their history while younger people share their digital skills.

I also love this glimpse of 1970's fashion in London and the crazy dodo in a pram (or stroller).

It only just launched in Beta but the result so far is a fascinating snapshot of the changing face of local streets and well known landmarks, providing us all with a new perspective on historic moments.

But this is just the start! Historypin has ambitions to become the world's largest user-generated communal archive of historic images and stories and anyone, anywhere can get involved. Pictures have been provided from individuals as well as various national archives, including such diverse contributors as Selfridges, Marks & Spencer, the Royal Albert Hall and Arsenal FC.

It looks like it's time to grab a cup of tea, dust off the albums in the attic and take a trip down memory lane - then down Street View - with your grandma or grandpa.

Posted by Laura Scott, Google London
URL: http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2010/06/travel-through-londons-past-with.html

[G] Beta Testing News: Try the new Billing tab to get more control and flexibility

Posted: 03 Jun 2010 10:35 AM PDT

Inside AdWords: Beta Testing News: Try the new Billing tab to get more control and flexibility

As part of our ongoing effort to improve our advertising program, we're testing an updated AdWords billing interface that's designed to make the payment process easier and more flexible.

We've just started the testing process with a small group of U.S. advertisers, and we're inviting eligible advertisers to participate so we can incorporate your feedback into the changes we're working on. Although your billing method and form of payment won't change, you'll have access to some snazzy new features. If you already have the new Billing tab, your Billing Summary page will look like this:


If you don't have the updated Billing tab yet, we're giving you the opportunity to upgrade early. Here's what you can expect from your updated Billing tab:
  • Get more control. Choose to initiate a payment on your account at any time and use any form of payment available with your country and currency settings.
  • Make payments directly from your billing summary page. You can do this by clicking the "Make a payment" button.
  • Add multiple forms of payments and switch between them. Add as many forms of payment as you want to your account and switch between using them at any time.
  • Use different business and billing addresses. Your business address doesn't have to match your billing address. Plus, each form of payment can have a different billing address.
  • Get additional support. You will have access to improved help content in the new Billing tab and help center.
In addition, the below changes in terminology will be reflected in your upgraded Billing tab. Keep in mind that despite the name changes, these billing methods will function the same as they did previously.
  • Postpay is now called "automatic payments." We'll automatically charge you only after your ads accrue costs.
  • Prepay is now called "manual payments." You can make payments to your account whenever and in whatever amount you like. Your ad costs draw from those funds.
  • Direct debit is now called "bank account." Your funds will be debited from your bank account.
For more information on the new Billing tab, please visit the FAQ in the AdWords Help Center.

If you're interested in upgrading your Billing tab to the new system, please complete this form. Currently, only U.S. advertisers are eligible, but we'll gradually increase the number of advertisers testing this updated Billing interface in the coming months and make it available to international testers. For eligible accounts, we'll upgrade your Billing tab and send you an email confirmation to let you know that you can start using the new tab right away. However, we're not able to guarantee that all interested advertisers will have their accounts upgraded at this time. Also, please note that if your account is upgraded to the new Billing tab, you won't be able to switch back to the previous billing interface.

Posted by Dan Friedman, Inside AdWords crew
URL: http://adwords.blogspot.com/2010/06/beta-testing-news-try-new-billing-tab.html

[G] Inform, engage and mobilize voters with YouTube and Google Campaign Toolkits

Posted: 03 Jun 2010 10:14 AM PDT

Google Public Policy Blog: Inform, engage and mobilize voters with YouTube and Google Campaign Toolkits

Ginny Hunt, head of public sector programs
(Cross-posted from the YouTube Blog)

It's no secret that any successful 21st century political campaign must have a robust online strategy to succeed. But elected officials and candidates need more than just a website and a YouTube channel to engage voters: from President Obama's YouTube interview to Senator Scott Brown's campaign team's use of Google Docs to Congressman Scott Murphy's "Google blast" ad strategy, we're seeing politicians use more and more of our products and platforms to interact with voters, share information and keep their campaigns organized.

We want to do our part to make sure candidates and campaigns have the tools to stay close to voters, who now expect to hear and see much more from their elected officials than ever before. So today, we're launching YouTube's You Choose 2010 Campaign Toolkit and a new and improved Google Campaign Toolkit. Both help candidates make their organizations more effective and deliver their messages more directly. On YouTube, campaigns will have access to features like a Politician channel (which allows campaigns to brand their channel and upload longer videos), Google Moderator, our free analytics tool YouTube Insight, and information about running paid advertising campaigns—using formats like in-stream ads and Promoted Videos—to reach viewers with political ads, just like on TV. And our Google toolkit demonstrates how Google Apps can keep staff and volunteers connected, how search ads can grow your email list and provides other helpful tools.

We hope campaigns in both national and local contests will use these toolkits to engage and inform voters on important issues in 2010. As access to information online is increasingly important in elections, we're pleased to continue developing useful tools for voters and candidates.
URL: http://googlepublicpolicy.blogspot.com/2010/06/inform-engage-and-mobilize-voters-with.html

[G] Inform, engage and mobilize voters with YouTube and Google Campaign Toolkits

Posted: 03 Jun 2010 08:54 AM PDT

Official Google Blog: Inform, engage and mobilize voters with YouTube and Google Campaign Toolkits

(Cross-posted from the YouTube Blog)

It's no secret that any successful 21st century political campaign must have a robust online strategy to succeed. But elected officials and candidates need more than just a website and a YouTube channel to engage voters: from President Obama's YouTube interview to Senator Scott Brown's campaign team's use of Google Docs to Congressman Scott Murphy's "Google blast" ad strategy, we're seeing politicians use more and more of our products and platforms to interact with voters, share information and keep their campaigns organized.

We want to do our part to make sure candidates and campaigns have the tools to stay close to voters, who now expect to hear and see much more from their elected officials than ever before. So today, we're launching YouTube's You Choose 2010 Campaign Toolkit and a new and improved Google Campaign Toolkit. Both help candidates make their organizations more effective and deliver their messages more directly. On YouTube, campaigns will have access to features like a Politician channel (which allows campaigns to brand their channel and upload longer videos), Google Moderator, our free analytics tool YouTube Insight, and information about running paid advertising campaigns—using formats like in-stream ads and Promoted Videos—to reach viewers with political ads, just like on TV. And our Google toolkit demonstrates how Google Apps can keep staff and volunteers connected, how search ads can grow your email list and provides other helpful tools.

We hope campaigns in both national and local contests will use these toolkits to engage and inform voters on important issues in 2010. As access to information online is increasingly important in elections, we're pleased to continue developing useful tools for voters and candidates.


Posted by Ginny Hunt, head of public sector programs
URL: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/inform-engage-and-mobilize-voters-with.html

[G] Making AdSense for Mobile Applications Work With More Ad Networks

Posted: 03 Jun 2010 08:36 AM PDT

Official Google Mobile Blog: Making AdSense for Mobile Applications Work With More Ad Networks

We're always working to help people grow their mobile business with ads. Today we're making our tools even more flexible by allowing publishers participating in our AdSense for Mobile Applications beta program to use third-party mediators. Mediation lets app developers use multiple ad networks simultaneously - reaching a greater pool of advertisers, and focusing more time on building their apps, and less time managing ad inventory.

AdSense for Mobile Application beta publishers will now be able to manage their ad inventory using third party ad serving mediators, as long as their apps meet these conditions, including:
  • Using the latest version of the AdSense for Mobile Applications SDK
  • Abiding by the AdSense for mobile applications terms and program policies
  • Agreeing to Google's privacy policy
We think this is great news for our AdSense for Mobile Application publishers because it will allow them to easily optimize and fill their ad inventory without implementing individual SDKs from each ad network. We believe this also shows our commitment to develop the mobile advertising ecosystem by ensuring that the most optimal ad is shown to users, and enabling our AdSense partners to earn more regardless of which networks they use.

To learn more about monetizing for mobile, or to learn more about how to apply for the AdSense for Mobile Applications beta program, please visit www.google.com/mobileads/developer.

Posted by Jim Kelm, Product Manager, Google Mobile Ads
URL: http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2010/06/making-adsense-for-mobile-applications.html

[G] Inform, engage and mobilize voters with YouTube and Google Campaign Toolkits

Posted: 03 Jun 2010 08:17 AM PDT

YouTube Blog: Inform, engage and mobilize voters with YouTube and Google Campaign Toolkits

It's no secret that any successful 21st century political campaign must have a robust online strategy to succeed. But elected officials and candidates need more than just a website and a YouTube channel to engage voters: from President Obama's YouTube interview to Senator Scott Brown's campaign team's use of Google Docs to Congressman Scott Murphy's "Google blast" ad strategy, we're seeing politicians use more and more of our products and platforms to interact with voters, share information and keep their campaigns organized.

We want to do our part to make sure candidates and campaigns have the tools to stay close to voters, who now expect to hear and see much more from their elected officials than ever before. So today, we're launching YouTube's You Choose 2010 Campaign Toolkit and a new and improved Google Campaign Toolkit. Both help candidates make their organizations more effective and deliver their messages more directly. On YouTube, campaigns will have access to features like a Politician channel (which allows campaigns to brand their channel and upload longer videos), Google Moderator, our free analytics tool YouTube Insight, and information about running paid advertising campaigns—using formats like in-stream ads and Promoted Videos—to reach viewers with political ads, just like on TV. And our Google toolkit demonstrates how Google Apps can keep staff and volunteers connected, how search ads can grow your email list and provides other helpful tools.

We hope campaigns in both national and local contests will use these toolkits to engage and inform voters on important issues in 2010. As access to information online is increasingly important in elections, we're pleased to continue developing useful tools for voters and candidates.

Ginny Hunt, head of public sector programs, Google, recently watched "We are Better than That!!!!!"


URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/youtube/PKJx/~3/DOiD9IX3Evc/inform-engage-and-mobilize-voters-with.html

[G] Announcing our European Scholarship for Students with Disabilities awardees

Posted: 03 Jun 2010 07:06 AM PDT

Official Google Blog: Announcing our European Scholarship for Students with Disabilities awardees

Creating products, applications and services which benefit millions of users means looking at the world from a variety of perspectives. Envisioning and realizing the next generation of technology requires a diverse pool of creative and motivated engineers from all backgrounds. To that end, we're very pleased to announce the winners of our first annual European Scholarship for Students with Disabilities. This scholarship recognizes outstanding scientific contributions from students with disabilities who are pursuing university degrees in the field of computer science at a university in the European Union, Switzerland or Israel.

Scholarships will be granted for the 2010–2011 academic year, and recipients will be invited to attend an all-expenses-paid retreat at the Googleplex in Zurich in June 2010.

Congratulations to our scholars!

Andrei George Petraru, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iaşi, Romania
Conrad Hochberg, Technische Universität München, Germany
Dave Todd, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland
Fabio De Dominicis, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
Igor Gonopolskiy, Ben Gurion University, Israel
Jordi Sanchez-Riera, INRIA Grenoble Rhône-Alpes, France
Wanda Diaz-Merced, University of Glasgow, Scotland

For complete details, see www.google.com/studentswithdisabilities-europe. To learn more about scholarships, grants and other opportunities for students in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, visit www.google.com/university/emea.

Posted by Eleanor Mulligan, Diversity & Inclusion Programs Manager
URL: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/announcing-our-european-scholarship-for.html
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