Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Googland

Googland

[G] Brazil’s Carnival goes social with Google

Posted: 13 Feb 2012 05:22 PM PST

Official Google Blog: Brazil's Carnival goes social with Google

While you may have heard of Brazil's Carnival (or Carnaval), not everyone will have the chance to fly to Brazil to experience what are arguably the largest annual street festivals (+ music concerts + dance parties + culture fests) in the world.

Every year, Brazilian cities compete to be the country's top Carnival destination: This year, we're bringing you the sights, sounds and energy of Brazilian Carnival directly from the streets of Salvador (Brazil's first capital and one of the oldest cities in the the Americas) through Google+, YouTube and Orkut.

From February 16 to 21—the height of the festival and the peak of Brazil's summer—you'll be able to:
  • Watch the festivities wherever you are in the world on the Carnival YouTube Channel. Starting Thursday, February 16, you'll have access to everything from a live transmission of the streetfest to videos of bands who have traveled to Salvador to host the party. You'll even be able to chat with other YouTube users who are watching the party with you from around the world through a map we've integrated just for the occasion.
  • Chat with bands and watch live interviews on Google+. Chat with some of the Brazilian bands who have joined the festivities in real time by sending questions via Google+ and Orkut. You'll also be able to watch celebrity interviews running live throughout the week on the AoVivo (live) Google+ Page and transmitted simultaneously on YouTube and Orkut.


Even if you didn't have a chance to get a plane ticket to Brazil, there's no reason not to experience the energy of this year's 2012 Carnival. Find out more about how you can be part of the party on +AoVivo, Orkut or on our Carnival YouTube Channel.

Posted by Flavia Simon, head of consumer marketing, Brazil

(Cross-posted from the YouTube blog)
URL: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/brazils-carnival-goes-social-with.html

[G] European Commission clears Motorola deal

Posted: 13 Feb 2012 05:22 PM PST

Official Google Blog: European Commission clears Motorola deal

We're happy that today the European Commission approved our proposed acquisition of Motorola Mobility, which we announced in August. This is an important milestone in the approval process and it moves us closer to closing the deal. We are now just waiting for decisions from a few other jurisdictions before we can close this transaction.

As we outlined in August, the combination of Google and Motorola Mobility will help supercharge Android. It will also enhance competition and offer consumers faster innovation, greater choice and wonderful user experiences.

Posted by Don Harrison, Vice President & Deputy General Counsel

Update February 13, 2012, 2:00pm: The U.S. Department of Justice has also announced that it has closed its investigation of this acquisition.
URL: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/european-commission-clears-motorola.html

[G] Brazil’s Carnival goes social with Google

Posted: 13 Feb 2012 05:22 PM PST

YouTube Blog: Brazil's Carnival goes social with Google

While you may have heard of Brazil's Carnival (or Carnaval), not everyone will have the chance to fly to Brazil to experience what are arguably the largest annual street festivals (+ music concerts + dance parties + culture fests) in the world.



Every year, Brazilian cities compete to be the country's top Carnival destination: This year, we're bringing you the sights, sounds and energy of Brazilian Carnival directly from the streets of Salvador (Brazil's first capital and one of the oldest cities in the the Americas) through Google+, YouTube and Orkut.



From February 16 to 21 — the height of the festival and the peak of Brazil's summer — you'll be able to:


  • Watch the festivities wherever you are in the world on the Carnival YouTube Channel. Starting Thursday, February 16, you'll have access to everything from a live transmission of the streetfest to videos of bands who have traveled to Salvador to host the party. You'll even be able to chat with other YouTube users who are watching the party with you from around the world through a map we've integrated just for the occasion.

  • Chat with bands and watch live interviews on Google+. Chat with some of the Brazilian bands who have joined the festivities in real time by sending questions via Google+ and Orkut. You'll also be able to watch celebrity interviews running live throughout the week on the AoVivo (Live) Google+ Page and transmitted simultaneously on YouTube and Orkut.






Even if you didn't have a chance to get a plane ticket to Brazil, there's no reason not to experience the energy of this year's 2012 Carnival. Find out more about how you can be part of the party on +AoVivo, Orkut or on our Carnival YouTube Channel.



Flavia Simon, head of consumer marketing, Brazil, recently watched "President Obama sings Al Green: Let's Stay Together in 2012."




URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/youtube/PKJx/~3/r9f3SbLYv-k/brazils-carnival-goes-social-with.html

[G] Woo your Valentine with help from YouTube

Posted: 13 Feb 2012 05:22 PM PST

YouTube Blog: Woo your Valentine with help from YouTube

The oldest known Valentine still in existence today is a poem written by a Frenchman, Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was locked away in the Tower of London. On Valentine's Day he sent his wife a rhyming love letter. Written in 1415, this poem now lives in the British Library in London.



The Duke had 25 years in prison to craft poems to make his love swoon, but you have just one day until Valentine's Day to woo the one you love. So look no further than YouTube to find some inspiration.



Find the way into your Valentine's heart through his or her stomach with the help of some of YouTube's cooking channels. From romantic fondue dips to red velvet vegan cupcakes to recipes for raw food hearts, you're sure to find a dish for any loved one's palette.







Whatever your budget, whomever your Valentine, truly great gifts are thoughtful and personal. From an origami bouquet of roses to a sentimental deck of cards to tips for creating a romantic dinner at home, YouTube channels have great gift ideas for you.







Finally, are you thinking about asking someone special an important question this Valentine's Day? The YouTube Slam team cooked up a Valentine's Day Slam of romantic proposals to help you get inspired! Watch the proposals side by side and vote for whichever pulls on your heartstrings or even brings tears to your eyes. And don't forget to check out the top voted proposals.



Happy Valentine's Day!



Jessica Mason, communications associate, recently watched "How to cook a lobster for Valentine's Day!"


URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/youtube/PKJx/~3/O0KX4J81uaI/woo-your-valentine-with-help-from.html

[G] Connect with people and places you love this Valentine’s Day

Posted: 13 Feb 2012 05:22 PM PST

Official Google Blog: Connect with people and places you love this Valentine's Day

A few months ago, we shared an engagement story about a Google engineer who used Google Maps to help coordinate an elaborate proposal to his girlfriend. It served as a great example of how Google Maps can be more than just a handy tool for directions; it can help connect you to the places and people you love.

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, we were once again reminded of the unifying power of maps through our ongoing work with one of America's most famous malls, Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. We recently collaborated with Mall of America to conveniently bring its indoor floor plans and My Location information to Android mobile users. As the largest indoor retail space in the United States—complete with a theme park and aquarium—finding your way around Mall of America can be challenging. So we mapped it, enabling you to quickly and easily see where you are and what's around you from the palm of your hand.

Check out the video below to see how the enormous Mall of America can be scaled down to a romantic setting for two.




Whether it's through a customized scavenger hunt, search results for a local store with the perfect gift or the best directions to get to your date on time, we hope Google Maps helps you navigate your way to a wonderful Valentine's Day.

Posted by David Kim, Product Marketing Manager, Google Maps

(Cross-posted from the Lat Long blog)
URL: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/connect-with-people-and-places-you-love.html
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