Thursday, March 29, 2012

Googland

Googland

[G] Crossing the 50 billion km mark and giving Google Maps for Android a fresh look

Posted: 28 Mar 2012 05:39 PM PDT

Official Google Blog: Crossing the 50 billion km mark and giving Google Maps for Android a fresh look

Every day, millions of people turn to Google Maps for Android for free, voice-guided GPS navigation to guide them to their destination. So far, Navigation on Google Maps for Android has provided 50 billion kilometers of turn-by-turn directions, the equivalent of 130,000 trips to the moon, 334 trips to the sun, 10 trips to Neptune or 0.005 light years! When getting to your destination matters most, Google Maps for Android will get you there:




A new look for Navigation on Android 4.0+ phones
In today's release of Google Maps 6.5 for Android we've redesigned the Navigation home screen in Android 4.0+ to make it easier to enter a new destination or select from recent and favorite locations by swiping left or right.


Left: New Navigation home screen   Right: Navigation in Google Maps for Android


Crisper, faster maps for high pixel density devices
If your device has a high pixel density screen, such as those on Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy S II, Droid Razr and others, you'll now get higher resolution map tiles that take better advantage of the pixels-per-inch on your screen. The result is a crisper, less cluttered map that is easier to read:


Left: Previous style Right:New style in Google Maps 6.5 for Android


Compare our new map on the right to the previous map on the left. The road network is easier to see, less obstructed by labels, and has more color contrast. At more zoomed-in levels, you'll notice a more controlled amount of maps labels to avoid cluttering the map and blocking out street names. The new style also helps maps react faster to panning, zooming and twisting.

You'll start seeing the new style as you navigate around new areas on the map; however, you can see these changes immediately by clearing your cache from the Maps settings.

Pick your preferred public transit mode and route option
Google Maps 6.5 for Android now lets you choose to prioritize a particular transit mode (such as the bus or subway) and route option (like taking the recommended route, one with fewer transfers or one with less walking). Whether you just need to get somewhere as fast as possible, or you want to avoid the risk of a missed connection or you prefer not to tire your legs, you can get the transit directions that best suit you. Transit directions and schedules are available for 475 cities around the world.


To start using Google Maps 6.5 for Android, download the update from Google Play. Learn more about how to use other great features of Google Maps for Android on the redesigned Google Maps YouTube channel that has 12 new videos available today.

Posted by Harlan Hile, Software Engineer

(Cross-posted on the Lat Long blog)
URL: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/crossing-50-billion-km-mark-and-giving.html

[G] Sharing Personalized Dashboards using the Analytics API

Posted: 28 Mar 2012 05:39 PM PDT

Google Analytics Blog: Sharing Personalized Dashboards using the Analytics API

Web agencies often rely on Excel and Word to create analytics reports for clients. It's a manual process that involves a lot of copy and pasting. Yet an agency's main value-add isn't report creation, but analyzing data and providing key findings and recommendations to clients. And while Google Analytics provides the tools to slice and dice the data, many web agencies also want to present clients with personalized reports, complete with the agency's logo. And they want to be able to deliver and share reports without requiring users to log in, especially in large organizations where report distribution can become an onerous administrative process.

DashThis addresses these challenges with dashboards that combine simple automatic reporting with accessibility. Agencies spend less time creating reports and more time analyzing. Using the Google Analytics API, DashThis imports the client's data and updates a set of dashboards with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a specific job function or industry. The agency can also request a set of custom dashboards that meet exact specifications and requirements.

Alerts and warnings can be set to notify managers of changes in KPIs via email. All this is accomplished securely and without requiring the user to log in. There is also a white-label option for additional branding requirements demanded by agencies.


According to Kari Harju, CEO of SalesLion, an SEO and conversion agency in Helsinki, Finland. "Customers do not always understand how to read the results from web analytics products and see a tangible return on their investments. It's hard to show them without time consuming meetings. SalesLion opted for a custom dashboard to meet the needs of their clients. As a result of using DashThis, our clients now have a simple and easy way to understand what's going on with their web properties as it relates to their KPIs". SalesLion eliminated most of the reporting work, leaving more time to analyze, highlight key findings, and make actionable recommendations to clients.


DashThis was built by Trimali Technologies and uses the Google Analytics API. Stéphane Guérin, CEO describes DashThis' experience with the Google Analytics API and the response from customers, "The API is really simple to use but extremely powerful. It allows developers to add even more value on a great tool such as Google Analytics. We've been able to develop strong business relationships with agencies and we're proud to have made a tool that is useful for professionals. By opening the platform, Google Analytics allows smaller companies like ours to flourish in a rich eco-system."


DashThis can be found in the Google Analytics App Gallery and on the DashThis website.
If you're interested in developing solutions for the Google Analytics platform, visit Google Analytics Developers.


Posted by Pete Frisella, Google Analytics API Team
URL: http://analytics.blogspot.com/2012/03/sharing-personalized-dashboards-using.html

[G] Crossing the 50 billion km mark & giving Google Maps for Android a fresh look

Posted: 28 Mar 2012 05:39 PM PDT

Official Google Mobile Blog: Crossing the 50 billion km mark & giving Google Maps for Android a fresh look

(Cross-posted on the Official Google Blog)

Every day, millions of people turn to Google Maps for Android for free, voice-guided GPS navigation to guide them to their destination. So far, Navigation on Google Maps for Android has provided 50 billion kilometers of turn-by-turn directions, the equivalent of 130,000 trips to the moon, 334 trips to the sun, 10 trips to Neptune or 0.005 light years! When getting to your destination matters most, Google Maps for Android will get you there:




A new look for Navigation on Android 4.0+ phones

In today's release of Google Maps 6.5 for Android we've redesigned the Navigation home screen in Android 4.0+ to make it easier to enter a new destination or select from recent and favorite locations by swiping left or right.


Left: New Navigation home screen Right: Navigation in Google Maps for Android


Crisper, faster maps for high pixel density devices

If your device has a high pixel density screen, such as those on Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy S II, Droid Razr and others, you'll now get higher resolution map tiles that take better advantage of the pixels-per-inch on your screen. The result is a crisper, less cluttered map that is easier to read:


Left: Previous style Right:New style in Google Maps 6.5 for Android


Compare our new map on the right to the previous map on the left. The road network is easier to see, less obstructed by labels, and has more color contrast. At more zoomed-in levels, you'll notice a more controlled amount of maps labels to avoid cluttering the map and blocking out street names. The new style also helps maps react faster to panning, zooming, and twisting.

You'll start seeing the new style as you navigate around new areas on the map; however, you can see these changes immediately by clearing your cache from the Maps settings.

Pick your preferred public transit mode and route option

Google Maps 6.5 for Android now lets you choose to prioritize a particular transit mode (such as the bus or subway) and route option (like taking the recommended route, one with fewer transfers or one with less walking). Whether you just need to get somewhere as fast as possible, or you want to avoid the risk of a missed connection or you prefer not to tire your legs, you can get the transit directions that best suit you. Transit directions and schedules are available for 475 cities around the world.




To start using Google Maps 6.5 for Android, download the update from Google Play. Learn more about how to use other great features of Google Maps for Android on the redesigned Google Maps YouTube channel that has 12 new videos available today.

Posted by Harlan Hile, Software Engineer
URL: http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2012/03/crossing-50-billion-km-mark-giving.html

[G] Put your business in fast forward with Google+

Posted: 28 Mar 2012 02:01 PM PDT

Inside AdWords: Put your business in fast forward with Google+

Today, we're thrilled to share with you the story of musician and Google+ breakout star Daria Musk.

We often get asked for examples of how to use Google+ to engage with users. Lighting up Google+ with live concerts, as Daria's done, can seem a song apart from selling wares such as designer laptop cases, hotel rooms or even car insurance -- but the principles of building an engaged Google+ community ring true across industries. Daria's story is a shining example of what working with an active audience can look like.


Be authentic and committed
On March 13, Daria crossed the amazing milestone of having more than one million followers. That means more than one million Google+ users have added Daria to their circles, all in the space of about eight months.

Daria was looking for those listeners when she joined Google+. "I was dreaming maybe there's this wider world that I can sing for," she said. "Maybe my people are out there somewhere."

Through posts and Hangouts, Daria has kept her fans engaged. Keys to success, Daria said, include starting with enthusiasm and authenticity. "Right now if you get on Google+ and you show that you're doing something remarkable, they'll notice you," she said.

Being remarkable, Daria coached, includes being yourself and avoiding canned-message posts. Users can tell if you're trying to make a real connection. Be genuinely excited to connect with them and they'll connect back.

When users do notice you, make sure you commit enough time to connect back. Taking just 10 to 15 minutes to respond to comments can keep the conversation going.

Create a Hangout ritual
When it comes to connecting with Google+ users, Daria's found the perfect vehicle: Hangouts, which allow Google+ users to connect over video chat, in real time, for free. For Daria, that has meant instantaneous global concerts that have included a round-the-world New Year's Eve Hangout and a Hangout on stage at her TEDxTalk -- allowing her to share key moments with her "G+niuses, " her followers.

For a successful Hangout ritual, follow Daria's example and recommendations:
  • Announce the Hangout: Be excited! Hang a virtual poster on your stream and tell users what you'll be doing or discussing.
  • Encourage participants: If you've noticed great comments, invite those users directly to get a lively discussion going.
  • Follow up: After the Hangout, post a summary on your stream. What happened? What was discussed? What will you do with what you learned?

Get inputs -- and inspiration -- from your audience
For Daria, Google+ isn't just a way to promote her music. It's also a way to help shape it. The magic of Hangouts -- including watching a sunrise in Norway from her studio in the United States -- has inspired Daria to create additional "products" – her songs and music -- including tunes such as "+1 Me." She even cut audio from the live Hangouts into her live album, "L+VE." What could you learn from your own customers?

Google+ makes Daria feel like an innovator -- and it's open to anyone. All you have to do is sign up and start engaging. "We're … making our own party," she said, "and everyone's invited."

Join the party today. Create a Google+ page for your business at google.com/+/business.

Posted by Becky Bowman, Account Manager

URL: http://adwords.blogspot.com/2012/03/put-your-business-in-fast-forward-with.html

[G] New research: Organic search results and their impact on search ads

Posted: 28 Mar 2012 02:01 PM PDT

Inside AdWords: New research: Organic search results and their impact on search ads

The Google Research team has a new study out today that examines how organic search results and ranking impact ad impressions and ad clicks. The team analyzed 390 Search Ads Pause studies and found, on average:

  • 81% of ad impressions and 66% of ad clicks occur in the absence of an associated organic result on the first page of search results. All ad clicks in these situations are incremental.
  • On average, for advertisers who appear in the top rank organic slot, 50% of ad clicks are incremental. This means that half of all ad clicks are not replaced by organic clicks when search ads are paused.
  • For advertisers whose organic search results are in the 2nd to 4th position, 81% of ad clicks are incremental. For advertisers appearing in organic position of 5 or lower, 96% of ad clicks are incremental.

The numbers reported here are averages. As always, we encourage advertisers to experiment with their own accounts to determine their individual incrementality rate. This rate should be factored into ROI calculations.

You can read more about it and see the infographic on the Google Research blog here.

Posted by Christina Park, Product Marketing Manager
URL: http://adwords.blogspot.com/2012/03/new-research-organic-search-results-and.html

[G] Helping the right customers find your business with our Help Desk Hangouts On Air Series

Posted: 28 Mar 2012 02:01 PM PDT

Inside AdWords: Helping the right customers find your business with our Help Desk Hangouts On Air Series

Join us every Wednesday at 11am PST on the Google+ Your Business page to learn about the tools that Google offers your business. This week, we're excited to bring current AdWords users a Hangout On Air about using AdWords to introduce your business to new, potential customers. AdWords is an amazing tool to help customers find you, so we want to make sure you make the most of it! We will cover topics around defining advertising goals, effective account structures, important metrics, and useful reports and features to help you get the most out of advertising with us.

Here's how you can participate: Sign into
Google+ and add the Google+ Your Business page to your circles. Post questions ahead of time - just look for the post that we put up every Monday morning soliciting your questions. Then, on Wednesday, navigate to your Stream where you'll be able to view our Hangout live with just one click!

We're excited to see you, answer your questions, and teach you a little about AdWords!


Posted by Courtney Pannell and Dorian Storbeck, Global Online Advertising Associates
URL: http://adwords.blogspot.com/2012/03/helping-right-customers-find-your_27.html

[G] Do You Have What it Takes to be the ‘Next’ great YouTube Vlogger?

Posted: 28 Mar 2012 02:01 PM PDT

YouTube Blog: Do You Have What it Takes to be the 'Next' great YouTube Vlogger?

Vlogging, or video blogging, videos are some of the most popular on YouTube. And rightfully so--they're one of the few types of videos that literally anyone can create: all you have to do is sit in front of camera, share words of wisdom (okay, wisdom not always required), and upload the video. From accounts of political struggle in the Middle East to fan reactions of newly-released music videos to testaments of personal discovery, the intimate act of vlogging can take many shapes and resonate with audiences around the world.



A few weeks ago, we asked YouTube creators what form of content we should tackle as part of our Next Creator program, a development initiative to help promising creators find their voices, improve their skills, and build their audiences. You resoundingly responded with calls for YouTube Next Vlogger.



Starting later today through April 18, applications will be open for sixteen promising vloggers to take part in three months of intimate educational workshops held on Google+ Hangouts. Each vlogger will receive $5,000 worth of video equipment and more than $10,000 worth of promotion on and off YouTube. Participants will also receive mentoring from industry experts, such as iJustine, one of the most successful vloggers and content creators on YouTube!



YouTube creators from Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States can learn more and apply to Next Vlogger on the Creator Hub. If previous Next Creator participants are any indication, the Next Vloggers will be an incredibly talented and engaging group. We can't wait to introduce them to you on April 30, but they need to apply first!



Vlog on!



Austin Lau & Bing Chen, Global YouTube Creator Program Managers, recently watched The Dominic Show's "Dating Tips: Break Ups"


URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/youtube/PKJx/~3/hVLg3InRk5Q/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-be-next.html

[G] Google Apps Vault Brings Information Governance to Google Apps

Posted: 28 Mar 2012 02:01 PM PDT

Official Google Enterprise Blog: Google Apps Vault Brings Information Governance to Google Apps

Posted by Jack Halprin, Head of eDiscovery, Google

Today we're announcing the availability of Google Apps Vault (Vault) for Google Apps for Business customers. Vault is an easy-to-use and cost-effective solution for managing information critical to your business and preserving important data. It can reduce the costs of litigation, regulatory investigation and compliance actions.

Businesses of all sizes need to be prepared for the unexpected. In today's environment, using Vault to manage, archive and preserve your data can help protect your business. Litigation costs can really take a toll on a business when minor lawsuits can run up to many thousands of dollars, and larger lawsuits can cost even more. Significant litigation costs come from having to search and find relevant data, which is also known as electronic discovery (eDiscovery).

E-discovery can be part of virtually any litigation and requires you to search, find and preserve your electronic information such as email. Vault helps protect your business with easy-to-use search so you can quickly find and preserve data to respond to unexpected customer claims, lawsuits or investigations. With an instant-on functionality and availability of your data a few clicks away, Vault provides access to all of your Gmail and on-the-record chats and can provide significant savings to your business over the traditional costs of litigation and eDiscovery.


Additionally, Vault gives Google Apps customers the extended management and information governance capabilities to proactively archive, retain and preserve Gmail and on-the-record chats. With the ability to search and manage data based on terms, dates, senders, recipients and labels, Vault helps you find the information you need, when you need it. Vault gives management, IT, legal and compliance users a systemized, repeatable and defensible platform that will reduce the costs and risks of doing business. With just a few clicks, the business can access a service designed for security and providing auditable access to critical information.

Vault is built on the same modern, 100% web-based architecture as Google Apps. Unlike traditional solutions, it does not require a complex and costly IT environment, and can be deployed in a matter of minutes. Vault brings the security, ease-of-use and reliability of Google Apps to information governance. It can help meet the sophisticated requirements of large organizations and makes these advanced capabilities available to business of all sizes.

Google Apps Vault can be added to your Google Apps account for an additional $5 per user per month starting today, so contact our sales team or a Google Apps reseller if you are interested in signing up for Google Apps and Vault.

We hope that Vault, together with Google Apps, will make a difference to your business and provide the right solution to reducing risk and cost so you can focus on growing your business.

URL: http://googleenterprise.blogspot.com/2012/03/google-apps-vault-brings-information.html

[G] The Go project reaches a major milestone: Go 1

Posted: 28 Mar 2012 10:26 AM PDT

Google Open Source Blog: The Go project reaches a major milestone: Go 1





In November 2009 Google announced the Go project, a new open source programming language. Since then more than 200 outside contributors have made thousands of contributions to the code, tests, and documentation. The open source community has been essential to Go's success.



It is a great pleasure to announce today that the Go project has reached a stable point we are calling Go version 1, or Go 1 for short. Go 1 is the result of months of work refining the specification, improving the implementation, enhancing portability and re-working and adjusting the standards library. Go 1 offers compatibility for future growth: programs written to the Go 1 specification will work dependably for years to come even as Go continues to develop.



The benefits of Go 1 are also available to Google App Engine developers, as Go 1 is now the standard Go runtime on Google App Engine.



Go 1 is a consistent, portable, dependable base upon which to build programs, projects, and businesses. To learn more about Go 1, hear what the gophers have to say at the Go blog. For more information about Go in general, visit golang.org, which has documentation, references, articles, and even an interactive tour of the language.



By Andrew Gerrand, Go Team


URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GoogleOpenSourceBlog/~3/Yl2qixYPJqc/go-project-reaches-major-milestone-go-1.html

[G] Giving you more insight into your Google Account activity

Posted: 28 Mar 2012 10:26 AM PDT

Official Google Blog: Giving you more insight into your Google Account activity

Every day we aim to make technology so simple and intuitive that you stop thinking about it—we want Google to work so well, it just blends into your life. But sometimes it's helpful to step back and take stock of what you're doing online.

Today we're introducing Account Activity, a new feature in your Google Account. If you sign up, each month we'll send you a link to a password-protected report with insights into your signed-in use of Google services.

For example, my most recent Account Activity report told me that I sent 5 percent more email than the previous month and received 3 percent more. An Italian hotel was my top Gmail contact for the month. I conducted 12 percent more Google searches than in the previous month, and my top queries reflected the vacation I was planning: [rome] and [hotel].

Click the image for a larger version

Knowing more about your own account activity also can help you take steps to protect your Google Account. For example, if you notice sign-ins from countries where you haven't been or devices you've never owned, you can change your password immediately and sign up for the extra level of security provided by 2-step verification.

Give Account Activity a try, and tell us what you think by clicking on the "Send feedback" button in the lower right corner of your report. Over the next few months, we plan to incorporate more Google services. Meanwhile, we hope this feature helps you better understand and manage your information on Google.

Posted by Andreas Tuerk, product manager
URL: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/giving-you-more-insight-into-your.html

[G] Join us on our official Google+ AdSense Page

Posted: 28 Mar 2012 10:26 AM PDT

Inside AdSense: Join us on our official Google+ AdSense Page


We've just launched our official AdSense Google+ page, and we're excited to start connecting with you in new ways via Google+.

On our new page, you'll find AdSense updates and tips, and you'll have access to exclusive Hangouts with members of the AdSense team. These live video chat sessions will give you the opportunity to share your product feedback with our Product Managers, ask your questions to our optimization specialists, and get to know many others who work on AdSense. We hope that through these Hangouts on our page, you'll also have the chance to meet other AdSense publishers from around the world to share your experiences and best practices.

Be sure to follow us on Google+ today and join the conversation!

Posted by Arlene Lee - Inside AdSense Team


URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/tuAm/~3/LKbEBWYjQYM/join-us-on-our-official-google-adsense.html

[G] Experience live music that matches your energy with The Switch

Posted: 28 Mar 2012 06:54 AM PDT

YouTube Blog: Experience live music that matches your energy with The Switch

Audiophiles can choose a concert that matches their energy on March 28 at 6pm PT by visiting The Switch, an interactive music experience on YouTube, powered by 5 Gum.



During this intimate music experience, fans can enjoy two simultaneous live-streaming performances, curated by tastemakers La Blogotheque. Givers will bring their energetic sounds, while Theophilus London delivers relaxing grooves. At The Switch, you can pick the music that suits your mood.







The Switch experience continues with specially curated playlists that highlight La Blogotheque's signature Take Away Shows, presented with a visual twist. These performances from stars like Vampire Weekend and emerging artists like My Brightest Diamond are another way to lay back or liven up, and see music in a new light. Check out playlists selected by the artists or build one of your own.



Catch new sounds on YouTube and see where your moods take you on The Switch.



Charles Jang, YouTube marketing programs manager, recently watched "[AZIATIX] "Go" - FULL MV."


URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/youtube/PKJx/~3/sNgtuuVR-QY/experience-live-music-that-matches-your.html
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