Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Googland

Googland

[G] Map of the Week: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG with Google Maps API

Posted: 11 Apr 2012 03:03 AM PDT

Google Lat Long: Map of the Week: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG with Google Maps API


(Cross-posted on the Google Geo Developers blog)

Map of the Week: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG with Google Maps API
Why we like it: This Google Maps API implementation really speaks to the versatility of the API and breadth of the Google Maps API developer ecosystem! From small personal projects to exciting start-ups and high-performance cars, the Google Maps API can be used by everyone.

As you would expect, this top of the line Mercedes-Benz is loaded with all the bells and whistles. The vehicle's integrated navigation system will be enhanced in certain regions by a fully functional JavaScript Maps API v3 implementation using Styled Maps, Google Places API, Places Autocomplete API, traffic layer, and the Panoramio layer as an Android App for the AMG Performance Media option. This provides the user with a familiar Google Maps interface in addition to the onboard maps from the navigation system.


(Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing Coupe at the O'Reilly Where Conference - April 2012)

For night time driving the SLS AMG takes advantage of Styled Maps to create a map that's easier to view in low-light situations and does not impede a driver's night vision.


Chances are, if you're driving this around all day, you're going to get very hungry. That's where the Places API integration with Places Autocomplete API comes in handy. Drivers can enter in what they're looking for it, be it Thai food or pizza and the vehicle will return a list of nearby places along with address, distance, and rating.


Once the Places API has helped you decide what to eat and where you need to go, you can view the destination in Google Street View. In the image below, the system is displaying Street View imagery directly in front of the hotel in San Francisco where the vehicle was located for the 2012 O'Reilly Where Conference. From there you can enter directions that are displayed on a Google Map along with the option to display current traffic.


The engineers at Daimler have done an amazing job of taking Google Maps and combining it with one of the most-loved automobiles. There are many different types of developers in the Google Maps API ecosystem and great implementations like this remind us that the possibilities are almost endless!

Posted by Carlos Cuesta, Google Maps API Product Marketing Manager
URL: http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2012/04/map-of-week-mercedes-benz-sls-amg-with.html

[G] All your tabs, accessible everywhere

Posted: 11 Apr 2012 03:03 AM PDT

Google Chrome Blog: All your tabs, accessible everywhere

Imagine you've looked up directions to a cool new restaurant on your home computer. Later, when you're leaving work, you realize you can't quite remember how to get there. If only you could quickly pull up the same directions on your office computer with one click!

Well, with the latest Chrome Beta, you can. When you're signed in to Chrome, the tabs you have open on one device are available on all your other devices—just click the "Other devices" menu on the New Tab page.


With a click, you can find and open the tab with your directions and be on your way. The tab's back and forward navigation history is also included, so you can pick up browsing right where you left off. If you use Chrome for Android Beta, the tab will also be available on your phone, right there in your pocket when you hit the road.

We'll be gradually rolling out the "Other devices" menu to Beta channel users over the coming week. To give it a try, download the latest Chrome Beta and sign in to Chrome. Happy browsing!

Posted by Nicolas Zea and Patrick Dubroy, Software Engineers and Tab Teleportation Technicians
URL: http://chrome.blogspot.com/2012/04/all-your-tabs-accessible-everywhere.html

[G] Real time quotes from Canada and Taiwan

Posted: 10 Apr 2012 03:51 PM PDT

Google Finance Blog: Real time quotes from Canada and Taiwan

Posted by Mark Schmit, Engineer

Here at Google, we get excited by bringing our users relevant information at blazing speeds. So, why would we want to make users wait 15 minutes to see what trades are being made?

Instead, we're continuing to expand our real-time coverage and are very pleased to announce the launch of two more real-time exchanges:

  • Taiwan Stock Exchange (TPE)
  • Canadian National Stock Exchange (CNSX)

As always, though, we won't just rest on these laurels. We're eyeing more opportunities down the road, and are eager to bring you more information, so check back soon.

Happy searching,
The Google Finance Team
URL: http://googlefinanceblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/real-time-quotes-from-canada-and-taiwan.html

[G] A Universal Language for Video Ads

Posted: 10 Apr 2012 03:51 PM PDT

DoubleClick Publisher Blog: A Universal Language for Video Ads


Like many New Yorkers, I can't imagine life in this city without the subway - it's essential to how the city operates, creates millions in economic value, and even features great mariachi bands. But the subway wasn't always this efficient. In the early 1900s, there were multiple subway systems, with different size train cars, running on different track configurations - even one propelled by air! Today, after the unification of these subway systems, everything works seamlessly together.


So what does the subway system have to do with video advertising? Well, the two dominant video advertising guidelines -- VAST and VPAID -- are like the unified transportation system for video advertising. VAST and VPAID define a common language that unifies the diversity of the video advertising industry: Flash and HTML video players, ad networks and exchanges, mobile devices and connected TVs, 30 second spots and interactive overlays.

At Google, we've been longtime supporters of video advertising standards. We're happy to announce our support for the latest set of guidelines announced at the IAB's Digital Video Marketplace Event today. This means that we'll be implementing VAST 3.0, VPAID 2.0 and VMAP 1.0 across our video advertising products. Together, these three guidelines strengthen the video advertising infrastructure already adopted by most participants in the video ecosystem. The Video Suite also adds support for skippable ads, podding, in-ads privacy notices and ad sequencing, while offering greater clarity around compliance and mobile scenarios.

What benefits can you expect from VAST 3.0, VPAID 2.0 and VMAP 1.0? 





  • If you're a publisher, interoperability will improve and you'll be able to accept a wider set of video ad formats with less technical work. The new error codes will also help with troubleshooting of third party served ads.

  • If you're an advertiser, the Video Suite allows you to create more engaging brand stories that reach a wider audience across all devices. You'll be able to take greater advantage of skippable ads, which offer new pricing models focused on performance.

  • If you're a vendor, the technical details of these specs really matter, and we've provided much more clarity around the compliance requirements for video players and ad servers.




So much has changed in the online video space in just ten years, that we thought we'd take a trip down memory line with this infographic:








Click through for the full infographic






As an industry, we've started to take VAST and VPAID for granted, much like New Yorkers and their subway system. That's a good thing, because it means they've become an essential part of powering our economy.



Posted by Payam Shodjai, Product Manager, Publisher Video
URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DoubleclickPublisherBlog/~3/iKF1NE9R_9M/universal-language-for-video-ads.html

[G] Siblings on YouTube: Cooler than a polar bear's toenails

Posted: 10 Apr 2012 12:16 PM PDT

YouTube Blog: Siblings on YouTube: Cooler than a polar bear's toenails

Imagine a world where Charlie did not have his brother Harry's finger to gnaw on. Or picture a world where twin babies did not have one another to chat with. Well that is what this world would be like without siblings.



Today is National Siblings Day in the United States, a whole day set aside to appreciate, honor, and cherish your brothers and sisters (even if they do occasionally bite your finger). We decided to recognize this special day by sharing some great sibling teams working together on their YouTube Channels.



Brothers John and Hank Green, also known as the Vlogbrothers have been vlogging together for five years. Their brotherly bond runs so deep they've even recently launched another Channel together, Crash Course, with fun and interesting biology and history videos.








Nashville natives, and sisters, Elle and Blair Fowler began uploading simple makeup tutorials and haul videos from their bedrooms years ago. Hundreds of millions of views later this sister team is working together even more closely on a new YouTube Channel u look haute and are even hosting a reality series together, training the next generation of beauty vloggers.








Sister and brother Rebecca and Max Lando teamed up to help food lovers feed themselves in a gourmet way while on a budget. Their Channel, Working Class Foodies (part of Hungry Nation), is full of recipes and great food ideas from holiday ideas to great burger tricks.








So, if you're lucky enough to have one...or even a few, let your siblings know how much you appreciate them today by sharing a video or even making one together.



Jessica Mason, communications associate, recently watched "TEDxAsheville - Jeff Kluger - The hidden power of siblings."


URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/youtube/PKJx/~3/Mpv1P0t2MeA/siblings-on-youtube-cooler-than-polar.html

[G] Edmonton is the first major Canadian city to pick Google Apps

Posted: 10 Apr 2012 12:16 PM PDT

Official Google Enterprise Blog: Edmonton is the first major Canadian city to pick Google Apps

Posted by by Michael Lock, VP Google Enterprise

Earlier in 2012, I became a United States citizen, more than 14 years after moving to the U.S. from my native Canada. Don't get me wrong, I'll continue to root for Team Canada when it comes to hockey and Canada will always have a special place in my heart. That's why I'm particularly proud that the City of Edmonton announced today its plans to move 9,000 city employees to Google Apps. In keeping with its reputation as a forward-thinking local government, Edmonton will become the first major Canadian city to go Google.

Edmonton, the capital city of the province of Alberta, is the northernmost North American city with a metropolitan population over one million. Its decision to move to Google Apps for email, calendar and other collaboration tools supports Edmonton's strategic plan, which calls for "finding new ways to become even more collaborative, open, responsive and innovative."

Google Apps will provide a unified communications platform for all municipal employees, bringing email to roughly 3,000 "deskless" city employees for the first time while providing additional tools to help all employees work together. As a result, the City of Edmonton's employees will have a more inclusive, collaborative work environment while giving the city more value for its technology investments.

While Edmonton may be the first city in Canada to go Google, it's in great company with other city governments in North America─like Pittsburgh, Orlando and Zapopan, Mexico─that have already made the move. And personally, I'm grateful to Edmonton for giving me a good reason to visit Canada later this year to check on their progress!

URL: http://googleenterprise.blogspot.com/2012/04/edmonton-is-first-major-canadian-city.html
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