Google appears to have a growing public relations nightmare on its hands with poor after sales service, response times for support and even their application developers feel left out in the cold. The Google forums are filling up with common questions that would be answered by any traditional phone retailer and early indications show that the direct model is not always best. Maybe the Google Nexus One has actually failed customer service already?
HTC doesn't have the resources and does not appear to be prepared to service the volume of consumer questions focused around the OS and network features nor should it be required to do all Google's support work. T-Mobile one of the early partners to the process also does not appear to have trained its support staff in the slight technical differences between Android 2.0 and Android 2.1 which is running on the Nexus One.
Google may have to rethink its traditionally thin technical support channels if they are serious about expanding the Nexus One and make it a true competitor to the Apple iPhone.
Jan 10, 2010
Gmail is the same on Nexus One
So they have allowed email or Facebook messages to be sent using the quick contact badge but this is fairly similar to the iPhone's current capabilities. So not really setting the world on fire with that feature.
The voice input is kinda cool but as a traveler I would prefer text-to-voice reader for my emails. I'm still not sold on the ability of Google to correctly translate voice to text. It is a gimmick that fails to work correctly on Google Voice so why would it work on a mobile?
A test based on Google Voice which likely uses the same technology platform, transcribed a contacts name "Cyrus" as "Sarah" and the sound made when they hangup the call as "Just"... If this was an email I was sending from a soundproof room with no background noise it might have been transcribed better?
Voice to text is not suitable most of the time you are out in public using a mobile, that is why people type messages they are discrete and have to be accurate. I would be interested to see how badly Google Android Voice-to-Text fails as they are selling this product internationally and their current iPhone offerings fail with anything but the most western US accents.
Jan 9, 2010
Google Click-to-Call targets ReachLocal
The Google AdWords team sent out a email notification today to advertisers about a new feature coming soon for AdWords advertisers running campaigns on high end mobile devices such as iPhone, Nexus One and Palm OS. The new AdWords click-to-call feature seems to be closely related to existing offerings by AdMob which Google purchased recently for $750 million but seems to be a direct move on ReachLocal's offering.The ongoing demand for click-to-call technology meant that this product has been a long time coming and will be likely welcomed with open arms by advertisers. It may upset some phone number tracking services such as Yodel or ReachLocal who use campaign numbers to track campaign results.
While the offering is great it will be interesting how pay-per-lead services adjust their pricing model as the pay-per-phone service offered is vastly cheaper. While it is only currently available on high end mobile devices, utilising Google Voice can enable small business to run localised campaigns without expensive Toll numbers.
The other advantage is that you do not become dependent on ongoing use of Toll numbers if you can use your existing number with Google voice.
Jan 7, 2010
CNET CES conversations powered by ECHO
A big congratulations goes out to the team at JS-KIT who have beaten many established players to be the technology CNET use Echo to power their CES conversations.
The 2010 International CES event is the tech event of the year. CES produced by Consumer Electronics Association the premier trade association who represent more than 2,000 corporate members. These members are involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of various consumer electronic products.
Echo is one of the fastest growing conversation platforms that allow real-time conversation and a truly dynamic and interactive online experience for your users. To read more about the Echo Conversation platform and get in touch with the JS-Kit team check out their about echo section.
Looks like the team is doing very well and continue to strive ahead with successful partnerships and ongoing improvements to their conversation technology platform. Another great point about their platform its the data portability focus that was grown from Chris Saad's involvement in APLM.
Jan 6, 2010
Kindle starts 2010 with International Kindle DX
Amazon moves on from it's very successful Kindle Xmas with an expanded offering for its international customers. During the lead upto Christmas many consumers considering the purchase of the international feel they have been given a limited range with the single Kindle 6 inch as the US consumers had the choice between the standard Kindle and the Kindle DX.
Forbes announced that Amazon has announced support that includes the larger Kindle DX, which offers a number of improved features over the standard international Kindle.
Increased storage with an extra 2,000 possible books. One of the items that makes the device more like a tablet is that it is Wi-Fi enabled and offers auto-rotation of the display. The larger Kindle DX device does carry at 52% higher price for the device.
So as the battle to win over more consumers to the Kindle before Apple launches its iSlate which will seek to compete as it offers a more dynamic and full featured experience similar to the the Time Magazine, Conde Nast and even Bonnie tablet prototypes.
There are already a number of tablet style products available on the market which do not have the issues of conflict of interest and can be suitable for multiple content providers. It is likely that consumers may have to accept having multiple devices that do specific tasks for atleast the next few years as content providers and hardware manufactures fight out to win your hearts and minds.
Forbes announced that Amazon has announced support that includes the larger Kindle DX, which offers a number of improved features over the standard international Kindle.
Increased storage with an extra 2,000 possible books. One of the items that makes the device more like a tablet is that it is Wi-Fi enabled and offers auto-rotation of the display. The larger Kindle DX device does carry at 52% higher price for the device.
So as the battle to win over more consumers to the Kindle before Apple launches its iSlate which will seek to compete as it offers a more dynamic and full featured experience similar to the the Time Magazine, Conde Nast and even Bonnie tablet prototypes.
There are already a number of tablet style products available on the market which do not have the issues of conflict of interest and can be suitable for multiple content providers. It is likely that consumers may have to accept having multiple devices that do specific tasks for atleast the next few years as content providers and hardware manufactures fight out to win your hearts and minds.
Google Nexus blocks Australian purchases
With the roll out of the new Google Nexus android mobile phone, it is likely to shift how consumers interact with Google services such as Google Maps, Google Voice and Gmail. The question is how is going changing its approach to forcing geospecific rules to restrict consumers in particular countries from accessing its services. The Official Google Blog has a post on how they are trying to have a new approach to buying a mobile phone but Google falls flat.
Cnet points out that Australia has been left of the list of APAC countries who will be able to purchase the Nexus One device even as Google talks about how their new approach will benefit users everywhere... expect countries such as Australia. It is strange that with the importance that Google has on growing its Asia-Pacific audience that it would leave out countries such as Australia & New Zealand.
The current batch of countries that can order the Google Nexus One device are:
Engadget provided one of the earliest and most detailed review of the new Nexus One as part of CES 2010, and the initial reviews seem to indicate that the current Android OS on the Nexus One could have had more updates. To read more about the Nexus One Review done by Engadget.
Cnet points out that Australia has been left of the list of APAC countries who will be able to purchase the Nexus One device even as Google talks about how their new approach will benefit users everywhere... expect countries such as Australia. It is strange that with the importance that Google has on growing its Asia-Pacific audience that it would leave out countries such as Australia & New Zealand.
The current batch of countries that can order the Google Nexus One device are:
- Singapore
- Hong Kong
- Britain
- United States
Engadget provided one of the earliest and most detailed review of the new Nexus One as part of CES 2010, and the initial reviews seem to indicate that the current Android OS on the Nexus One could have had more updates. To read more about the Nexus One Review done by Engadget.
Dec 28, 2009
Its a Kindle Xmas
This Christmas showed that finally Amazon has figured out the perfect product as its Kindle e-Book was the most gifted item ever and as a new Kindle owner I understand why. The device is amazing, easy to use and the ease that I can now get the latest newspapers and magazines makes it an information junkies perfect gift.
On the the peak day of 14th December 2009, Amazon received around 110 items ordered per second, and at no time did I see any hiccups or downtime. From an e-commerece solution Amazon appears to have got everything in place, including the simplified Kindle store. According to their press release around 99% of items were ordered in time to meet holiday deadlines, and my Kindle was received within days of ordering.
The international version while slightly smaller than the new Kindle DX still makes the device a great size to match paperbacks but large enough that it feels like its not going to break. The readability on the device as is the complimentary wireless 3G connection which is used to deliver subscriptions and buy books online.
The lack of diagrams and images included in newspapers does make it faster loading, but does reduce the value of the some of the stories and hopefully Australia will still have some local papers available in the Kindle store.
The only downside is that it appears much of the websites listed on the device for the basic web browser have been disabled except for Wikipedia. It would have been better to to have removed these bookmarks and I would have never know, but knowing that these have been removed does offer a small let down for such a great product.
So I suggest that if you haven't already got a Amazon Kindle, I suggest giving it a go and you will be in love.
On the the peak day of 14th December 2009, Amazon received around 110 items ordered per second, and at no time did I see any hiccups or downtime. From an e-commerece solution Amazon appears to have got everything in place, including the simplified Kindle store. According to their press release around 99% of items were ordered in time to meet holiday deadlines, and my Kindle was received within days of ordering.
The international version while slightly smaller than the new Kindle DX still makes the device a great size to match paperbacks but large enough that it feels like its not going to break. The readability on the device as is the complimentary wireless 3G connection which is used to deliver subscriptions and buy books online.
The lack of diagrams and images included in newspapers does make it faster loading, but does reduce the value of the some of the stories and hopefully Australia will still have some local papers available in the Kindle store.
The only downside is that it appears much of the websites listed on the device for the basic web browser have been disabled except for Wikipedia. It would have been better to to have removed these bookmarks and I would have never know, but knowing that these have been removed does offer a small let down for such a great product.
So I suggest that if you haven't already got a Amazon Kindle, I suggest giving it a go and you will be in love.
Blogs for Print
One of the growing trends is to profit from successful blogs by turning the previous posts into a book. One of the best marketed products is Blog2Print who is now buying ad space on the blogger pop-up that is shown when a new post is made.
They are powered by SharedBook and offer the service to Blogger, Typepad and Wordpress hosted blogs. It is a very interesting way to quickly transfer your blog into a published book with just a couple of clicks, by selecting your cover, posts to include, images and comments. To capture the fast growing segment of e-books they also offer a pdf version which should allow blog authors to capture both sections of the market.
The trend towards bloggers making money by selling their successful posts is growing and is not limited to articles and now includes popular images and cartoons. The observer lists several recent blogs that have been printed by large publishing houses.
Some of the recent publications include:
Pets who want to kill themselves
"Unnecessary quotation marks"
This is why you are fat
Postcards from Yo Mamma
Stuff white people like
Look at this fucking hampster
If you are thinking of writing a book based on your blog or thinking of starting a blog to supplement your income we suggest some of these amazon books might be useful. Problogger is one of the leading internet publishers who has expanded his blog to offer a jobs for bloggers section, which might be a great place to start.
They are powered by SharedBook and offer the service to Blogger, Typepad and Wordpress hosted blogs. It is a very interesting way to quickly transfer your blog into a published book with just a couple of clicks, by selecting your cover, posts to include, images and comments. To capture the fast growing segment of e-books they also offer a pdf version which should allow blog authors to capture both sections of the market.
The trend towards bloggers making money by selling their successful posts is growing and is not limited to articles and now includes popular images and cartoons. The observer lists several recent blogs that have been printed by large publishing houses.
Some of the recent publications include:
Pets who want to kill themselves
"Unnecessary quotation marks"
This is why you are fat
Postcards from Yo Mamma
Stuff white people like
Look at this fucking hampster
If you are thinking of writing a book based on your blog or thinking of starting a blog to supplement your income we suggest some of these amazon books might be useful. Problogger is one of the leading internet publishers who has expanded his blog to offer a jobs for bloggers section, which might be a great place to start.
Google Checkout in 2010
Google has announced continued support for members of its Google Grants program by offering free donation processing until 2011. It would have been a great Christmas gift if they extended this offer to all non-profits who can continue to process donations according to Google Checkout's standard fee structure.
Their checkout team did a very interesting experiment about suggested donation amounts. Their conclusion after testing 4 options: blank, $20, $50, $100.
The conclusion was that leaving the suggested donation blank resulted in the greatest donations and the total amount collected. It is all possible to test this with your own website using Google Analytics & Website Optimiser.
Their checkout team did a very interesting experiment about suggested donation amounts. Their conclusion after testing 4 options: blank, $20, $50, $100.
The conclusion was that leaving the suggested donation blank resulted in the greatest donations and the total amount collected. It is all possible to test this with your own website using Google Analytics & Website Optimiser.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
