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Google TV hit by poor sales – Delayed UK launch

By Cheryl | Posted in Entertainment, Google, News, Retail, Twitter at 12 | December 21, 2010 – 1:04 pm

After all the talk and much awaited launch, Google TV has been hit with poor sales and major setbacks with television networks in the US.

The company has been unable to meet their targets and many shops have been forced to announce discounts on the product. During the Black Holiday Friday weekend in the US, some stores took as much as $200 off the price tag.

Sony are one company that has been considerably effected by bad sales as they try to improve their failing Bravo TV range by launching a brand new set integrated with Google TV. Now, like many other retailers, the
company is being forced to sell the TV at discounted prices.

So what has caused the poor sales after such a promising release?

A lot of people in the industry have put the lack of sales down to many TV networks blocking Google from playing content on the device. Two of America’s biggest networks ABC and CBS have stopped their content streaming on the Google TV with Fox and NBC looking ready to follow suit.

When the device was first released, Google said they wanted to combine TV with the internet to create the ultimate entertainment experience, so why don’t networks want their shows being made available?

I believe it all comes down to advertising. Prime-time TV shows stream four minutes of ads per hour compared to 16 minutes on a standard TV. For subscription channels such as HBO, which doesn’t show adverts, having their content streamed is no problem.

The issue many feel is that Google are unwilling to pay for TV shows, therefore networks are unwilling to co-operate.

The Google TV release for the UK was originally slated for January but with the troubles it’s been having the company have kept quiet about when it will finally hit our market.

The Gadget Timeline…

By Jemma | Posted in Fact Friday, Gadgets, Gaming, Google, Mobile | December 17, 2010 – 12:59 pm

Gadgets have been around forever, even over ten years ago there were exciting new Toys to play with.

In our Fact Friday this week we are doing a Doc Brown and going back in time to see the gadgets that have moulded our society of today.

Playstation 1 – 1995

It was released September 29 1995 and was a massive hit, with games like Crash Bandicoot and street Fighter.

Digital Cameras – 1995

Everyone owns a digital camera of some sort and it all started back in 1995. It is said that

Eastman Kodak invented the first ever digital camera and the technology has just grown from there.

Windows 95

Design and planning started for this three years previous to the actual release date. It was said that Windows 95 was released with the single “Start Me Up” (Rolling Stones) on it and Microsoft paid them between $8-$14 million dollars for the privilege.

DVD 1996

DVD was a massive change from VHS and it took a while for people to adapt to the huge improvements, like being able to watch a film again without having to rewind it! Toshiba and JVC are the two known companies who made the first generation of DVD players and are as popular today as they were back then.

Flat screen 1998

Even though these are now the most popular, must have necessity in our living room they have been round quite a while. They were a lot more expensive back in 1998 thus not as popular as today.

Google 1998

The one and only Google.com, this is one of the (if not the most popular) site on the web. With about 320 million hits a day this has become the search engine of the century and I don’t think things are about to change any time soon.

Nokia 3210 1999

The infamous Nokia 3210 was extremely popular and was the beginning of a revolution when it came to mobile phones. It was one of the first mobiles to hide the big awkward antenna and have a choice of three games. Everyone loves a game of good old snake!

Apple iPod 2001

This was an amazing gadget which could hold up to 1,000 songs and was very small and compact in form. You could automatically download songs off iTunes onto this tiny 6.5 ounce design.

Sky+ 2001

Sky plus has been a revelation and when it first came out back in 2001 everyone was wowed at the fact that you can record programmes and watch them at any time you want. For us busy folk this was perfect!

Facebook 2004

Social Networking site of the past six years, Facebook is forever growing in users and popularity. Even with the competitor Twitter, Facebook is still going strong.

Apple iPhone 2007

2007 brought the unveiling of the iPhone, it was known as a widescreen iPod but turned out to be much more. It came with wifi, camera, visual voicemail, email and web browsing. It was extremely popular and sought after and still is today.

Apple iPad – 2010

This year came the sensation that is the  Apple iPad. Basically like a hand held computer, this gadget has sold over two million and the number is only increasing.

So there is a look back at technology over the past 15 years. I personally used to be a fan of the Playstation 1 – couldn’t beat a bit of Crash Bandicoot on a Saturday night!

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Ever feel like you’re being watched? Google admits to trespassing on a US couple via Street View

By Nicola | Posted in Google, News, Twitter at 12 | December 7, 2010 – 12:59 pm

How many of us logged onto Google the day it launched Street View to look at our very own homes?

Even though we had seen them all before (!), there was something very interesting in being able to view the place where you live online while you were at work.

For those of you who don’t know, back on May 25, 2007, millions of people checked out the new service that allowed people to look at panoramic views from various positions along many streets in the world. With the use of specially adapted cars and now even bikes, users could zoom in and out and even clearly see the number on a front door.

However, three years later and the Internet giant has had its wrist slapped after taking a piccie of a US couple’s home.

Aaron and Christine Boring, who live in Pittsburg, first sued two years ago after claiming that the photograph was taken on a private road, thus trespassing. The case eventually got resolved this week.

And do you want to know what the fine was for Google for performing such an action?

ONE DOLLAR.

Yes, that is the grand sum of 64p in damages.

A Google spokeswoman told the couple’s local newspaper, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, that the resolution is limited to the Pennsylvania case and that they won’t stop taking photos. Naughty ey?

However, Mr and Mrs Boring’s lawyer said that Google has “conceded liability as an intentional trespasser.”

This case poses the question to whether Google Street View is a fun site to go online or a way of letting people become a bit too nosey…

Ready for take off: Google satellite service will launch in 2013

By Nicola | Posted in Google, Internet, Twitter at 12 | December 2, 2010 – 12:59 pm

A Google-backed satellite venture that could help to provide the internet to developing countries is set to launch its services in 2013 after securing a staggering $1.2bn of funding.

The strategy will see eight ‘cost effective’ satellites launched after the company behind it, O3b, finalised $770m of debt financing and $410m of equity investments last week.

O3b, which stands for the “other three billion” people in the world who don’t have regular access to broadband internet, say the satellites provide much needed connections between mobile operators’ base stations, located in emerging markets, and the web.

Mark Rigolle, O3b’s chief executive and SES’s former finance director, said that they company had already signed deals worth between $500m and $600m. In an interview, he added: “We want to connect the unconnected and we are looking forward to be able to start doing that in 2013.”

O3b is planning to enable broadband connections for consumers and businesses in more than 150 countries including in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

“I am delighted to welcome an innovative newcomer to the ICT market, especially one whose strategy offers the potential to extend broadband connectivity to millions more people worldwide,” said Dr Hamadoun Touré, secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union, the UN agency for Information and Communications (ICTs) Technologies.

“The company’s plan to have services available by 2013 mean this solution could also play a significant role in harnessing ICTs to help meet the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the target date of 2015,” he added.

Everything you need to know about Google Docs…

By Nicola | Posted in Twitter at 12 | November 30, 2010 – 12:59 pm

Since 2006, Google has been building on a new service called Google Docs.

Google Docs is a free service enabling users to create, edit and share documents over the web including word processor, spreadsheet, presentation and forms, in real-time.

The service allows for 1GB data storage for free, with higher storage options available for a price.

What does it work on?
Google Docs supports all popular browsers including Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari.

On the go
Mobile Google Docs allows users to access their documents via their mobile browser, although it’s not without its limitations. Users are able to view and edit documents and spreadsheets but cannot view PDF or presentation files.

Google Cloud Connect
The majority of people use Microsoft Office meaning the introduction of a connection between Google Docs and the popular Microsoft product will be welcomed. This connection is a huge step for Google but they are unfortunately unable to currently offer this service for Macs at the moment.

What files can you use?
Google Docs accepts most popular file formats, including DOC, XLS, ODT, ODS, RTF, CSV, PPT

How does it work?
An email can be sent to friends or colleagues inviting them to share, access and edit documents immediately.

Users are able to add notes and images, with a complete document history available, allowing you to see who edited a document and when.

The user is in control of what the users can view and edit with the built in sharing settings.

Pricing
Free storage up to 1GB and $0.25/GB for additional storage. Files type including .PDF, .DOC, .JPG, etc count towards storage limit, Google Docs formats don’t use any of your allotted storage up.

Top Ten random things you didn’t know about Google

By Jemma | Posted in Fact Friday | November 26, 2010 – 1:04 pm

Millions of people around the world use Google on a daily basis. Fact.

But have you ever wondered what the weird and wonderful facts are about Google? Well look no further here we have the answers!

1.Google has a Company Dinosaur

At the Googleplex there is a humongous T-Rex skeleton nick named ‘Stan’, that isn’t all though , there is also a few other things lurking in the Google ground’s such as- a large lego man, pink flamingos and even Google coloured Phoneboxes!

2. Google rents goats

Yes you heard us right, Google actually rents goats. They rent goats from a Company called California grazing not for any other reason except just to keep the Google HQ weed less.

3.Google’s First Tweet

The tweet read “I’m 01100110 01100101 01100101 01101100 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01101100 01110101 01100011 01101011 01111001 00001010.” This is the popular phrase from the Google Homepage “I’m feeling lucky” (written in Binary).

4. The first Google Doodle

The first Doodle was back in 1998, it was a burning man designed by the Google guys. It was added to the homepage to let users know they were out of the office and couldn’t fix technical issues. Clever or what!

5. Before Google, there was backrub

Back in 1996, graduate students Larry Page and Sergey Brin worked on a research project to understand the link structure of the World Wide Web. So they brought out Back rub which soon turned into “the Google search Engine” that we know and love today.

6. A 15 Year Old worked for Google

His name was Tom Vendetta and he was a New Jersey Student, he has the record for the youngest Google employee. His job was to work on Security flaws on Gmail, alright for a 15 year old Aye!

7. Google Hoaxes!

Every year Google celebrates the 1st of April by playing multiple pranks online, the most common being in 2007 with TiSP (Toilet internet Server Provider), it basically fooled people into thinking they could get a free broadband line through there sewage pipes via the toilet. Ha! Good one!

8. Google name

There is an actual person (well child) named after Google, his name is Oliver Google Kai and he is from Lebanon. He is around 5 years Old now and his father Walid Elias Kai has set up a Website for his Son.

9. Google spends $73 Million on employee meals a year

At Google’s California headquarters (the Googleplex) employees are welcome to at least two free meals a day from 11 different gourmet cafeterias. Lucky or what!

10. Google’s first dog

In 1999, a Leonberger breed named Yoshka came to work with Google’s first VP of Engineering Urs Hölzle and became the companys “first dog. They are really kind and gentle dogs which makes them rubbish guard dogs!

So that was the Top Ten Random Facts on Google, I think you’ll agree that they were very interesting (if I don’t say so myself!)

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Google TV – Your world in one

By Cheryl | Posted in Google, Twitter at 12 | September 30, 2010 – 12:09 pm

GoogleTVWhat are the main things in life that people can’t live without? Television, internet, mobile phones, holidays, alcohol. Ok, ok, for the sake of this blog the first two are the most important!

Google have recently announced Google TV, which aims to cut out the divide between television and internet and put them in to a singular entertainment device.

It is becoming more common for people to watch their favourite programs on the internet, as popular ‘catch up’ players are now streamed across the web. I see missing EastEnders as a good thing, some people don’t (we can’t all be perfect eh?).

In Google’s own words, they want ‘the best of TV and the best of web in one seamless experience’.

The idea of Google TV is for you to be capable of switching between your TV and the internet with the press of a button. A search function is available for you to look for your favourite programs, movies and YouTube videos and access them immediately.

This technology will eventually end up being integrated in to televisions, and Google are currently talking with Sony, Logitech and Intel about such a possibility. By the sounds of things, this could be an extremely popular service as people look to combine all their favourite gadgets in to one simple device.

For all those techies out there, as the system is built on open platforms such as Android and Google Chrome, developers can build web and Android apps specifically for the TV experience.

Google TV will have a lot of competition in the market, the most notable being AppleTV, so how will it fare? As Android is an established brand it shouldn’t have too many problems fitting in, plus the possibility of a cheaper sale price than their competitors wouldn’t hurt sales.

So…how much will it cost?

As Google TV is not out until next year the price is currently unavailable, but there is talk of an a starting estimate price of around £150.

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Fact Friday – How many visits does it take?

By Jemma | Posted in Fact Friday, Internet, website | August 20, 2010 – 2:27 pm

globeEver wondered how your favourite websites fare in the world wide web, and what it takes for a website to reach the top ranking?

The amount of visitors that popular websites receive each month is enormous, let’s take a look at how big the numbers are…

1. Facebook – 540,000,000
2. Youtube – 490,000,000
3. Yahoo – 450,000,000
4. Live.com – 370,000,000
5. Wikipedia – 310,000,000
6. Msn.com – 280,000,000
7. Microsoft.com – 210,000,000
8. Baidu.com – 170,000,000
9. qq.com – 130,000,000
10. Mozilla.com – 130,000,000

To see the difference between 10 and 100 just look at Dell.com, which is the 100th site on the list with 21,000,000 visitors.

How do you get there?
To get into the Top 1000 sites you would need at least 4.1 million visits per month, with 7.4million for the Top 500 websites visits.

To reach the Top 100 you would have to achieve 22 million visits a month, and to be number 1 (the tip top of the list), you would need a massive 540 million visits. Should be easy, right?

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World’s most expensive websites

By Jemma | Posted in Internet, website | August 19, 2010 – 11:34 am

websiteThe world’s most expensive website is Google.com (as if you didn’t know) and is valued at a huge $29,474,299,422.

The Google search engine receives about a billion search requests per day and the name ‘Google’ was actually an accident, a spelling mistake made by the original founders who thought they were going for ‘Googol’.

In second place is Yahoo.com which estimated value is $18,551,630,085. Yahoo first appeared in the Internet in 1994 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.

David Filo and Jerry Yang found Yahoo in a campus trailer in February as a way to keep track of their personal interests on the internet. The site started out as “Jerry and David’s Guide to the World Wide Web.”

Amazon.com is next and valued at $11,501,285,068. Unlike Google and Yahoo, Amazon is a shopping site that sells anything from clothes to electronics. It is America’s largest online retailer with nearly three times the internet sales revenue of the runner up, Staples Inc, as of January 2010.

Fourth is Myspace.com, valued at $7,122,577,773; Google paid $900 million to be MySpace’s search provider. The company currently employs around 1,000 employees, after laying off 30 percent of its workforce in June 2009.

Ebay.com, valued at $5,622,551,932, comes in fifth. The online auction and shopping website was founded in 1995 and now has over 14 million active users. The first ever item listed on Ebay was a broken laser pen and the most expensive purchase is a Jet.

The facts…

1. Google – $29,474,299,422
2. Yahoo – $18,551,630,085
3. Amazon – $11,501,285,068
4. Myspace – $7,122,577,773
5. Ebay – $5,622,551,932

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Search Engine Optimisation

By Cheryl | Posted in SEO, website | August 18, 2010 – 11:46 am

SEOWant to be noticed? Tired of being left at the bottom of the pile? No, this isn’t an advert for a dating agency; this is about getting your website to the top of the list.

What is Search Engine Optimisation?
SEO is the process of using keywords to improve the visibility of your website on search engines, such as Google, which use ‘web crawlers’ that browse through the web to provide up-to-date information. Using the keywords contained in meta tags, websites are put in order of relevance and website placements are defined.

The use of SEO is a lot more strict than it used to be, it was common for people to “abuse” the system by adding random keywords all over their website so they would be picked up by a search engine.

Some people used the invisibility trick; this is when keywords are made the same colour as the background or are changed to a small font

How does it work?

Meta tags
You can use the meta tags within your HTML to add the keywords which are relevant to your business.

Cross Linking
Links can have an effect on your ranking and having links to other websites can push you up and may improve your visibility.

Keywords within text
Using relevant keywords within your website text will tend to increase traffic.

Do we offer this service? Of course we do! Many companies charge extra for this, but we believe it should be included in the work we do. So when we build your website, we SEO it up!

http://www.quadronation.com/pr/content.php

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