The Muppets Rock Out In New Google Hangouts

There are a ton of potential uses for Google Plus Hangouts, and Google is doing something relatively big to help highlight them--they're putting out another TV commercial. I think I can count on one hand (maybe just a couple fingers) the number of times Google has bothered to advertise on television, so it's something to pay attention to anytime they do.

This time they're promoting Google Plus by way of highlighting the benefits of Hangouts, the group video chat service within Google Plus. And while I've spent plenty of time on this site singing the praises of Google Hangouts for business uses, Google wants to remind you there are plenty of everyday uses for friends and family as well.

Google Hangouts TV Commercial, Starring The Muppets

This is incredibly smart advertising for a number of reasons:

1. Google Plus needs to court the "common user" if they're ever going to make a serious run at Facebook. right now, they've added an impressive number of users in just half a year, but most of those users are from the "early adopter" or "tech savvy" crowd.

Google knows that the everyday user is where it's at, so by highlighting how fun Hangouts can be with your friends, they're making the product instantly more accessible.

2. Muppets are hot right now. You might have heard they put a new Muppet movie out. It did incredibly well at the box office, and critics and fans alike were thrilled. They're about as hot as they've ever been. Any brand that rides the wave of a cultural icon or hot topic is smart... the built-in interest in The Muppets will help the commercial grab attention on television and online.

3. Google doesn't do television advertising lightly, and typically has good timing. The first TV commercial I remember was the Super Bowl spot (Parisian Love). Why the Super Bowl? Because everyone's watching. And it's smart timing to release the Muppets commercial now as well, as families gather for Christmas and televisions will be on in houses all over the world.

4. The ad walks the fine line between product demonstration and straight-up entertainment, and ends up being both. We're smiling and laughing at the antics of the Muppets, but we may not even realize that we're also learning how easy Google Plus Hangouts is to use.

The people behind The Muppets must be big Queen fans, as this makes the second song by the band that the Muppets have "covered" after Bohemian Rhapsody.

Happy holidays Google doodle plays jingle bells for Christmas

It's time for Christmas and Google has come up with an interactive doodle on the eve of Christmas, playing the celebration tune of 'jingle Bells'. Making the 'Happy Holidays' Google doodle musical and interactive, Google wishes us Merry Christmas, bringing us in a festive mood.

The happy holidays doodle has six glowing buttons. Each button plays a sound from the musical notes of 'jingle bells', when we click on it. Once we click on all the six buttons, it shows a button with a musical note. When we click on this musical note button, it plays 'jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way'.

This year's Google happy holidays doodle is made up of lit up holiday symbols - snowflake, Santa Claus, bell, snowman, candle and a gift box - on background. The Google logo appears as a faint outline behind the holiday icons.

Google has been wishing its users with a pre-Christmas doodle for the last 10 years. In 2010 Google has put up a doodle of interactive portraits of holiday scenes from around the world. Before 2010, Google used multiple doodles for the holiday season.

Google recently announced the revamp of its Doodle site (www.google.com/doodles) which houses all Google doodles since the very first back in 1998.

By our estimates Google has put up as many as 259 doodles on its home page in 2011 commemorating different events of importance across the world. Some of the doodles are limited to Google's country specific home pages while others are appear globally.

Google products dominate Google+ most shared pages list

Google+ brand pages tracked

According to statistics tracker, Zoomsphere, in the six weeks since Google+ launched pages for brands and allowed companies into the social network, many have quite successfully garnered a wide following with much of the top 10 most followed list comprised of celebrities like Justin Bieber and Eminem, but looking at which pages have been most shared by Google+ users, a very different picture emerges.

Fully 7 of the top 10 most shared Google+ Pages are about Google products from number one Android with 10,142 shares to Gmail at 5,620 shares. Although the share counts are nowhere near as high as follower counts, following isn’t as publicly an endorsement as sharing a link to a Google+ Page on your own Google+ profile.

Top 10 most shared Google+ Pages

1. Android* – 10,142 shares
2. Earth – 7,969 shares
3. YouTube* – 7,210 shares
4. Google Creative Sandbox* – 5,869 shares
5. Android Police* – 5,707 shares
6. Gmail* – 5,620 shares
7. Google+* – 5,276 shares
8. JeepersMedia Fail Toys – 4,754 shares
9. NASA – 3,584 shares
10. Google+ Your Business* – 2,906 shares

*All Pages that relate to a Google-owned product.

Why so much sharing about Google?

When Twitter launched, although it was common to talk about what you were eating for breakfast, a massive number of early adopters were trying to figure out how to use the service not only for fun but for their business and were forming a culture based on how collectively it was decided the culture should be, in spite of what the founders envisioned.

The same goes of Google+, many people are sharing information about the social network and its sister products. If Apple launched a social network tomorrow, most of the chatter would be about how to use the network, how the network should be used, and about Apple products, ultimately, like minds attract.

The atmosphere of what is shared will change dramatically as Google+ goes mainstream, but as the culture is still developing itself, much talk on Google+ is about Google+ or products related.

Google+ interest on the wane, say search statistics

When Google put out its annual zeitgeist list, it bragged that "Google+" was the No. 2 fastest-growing search term of the year. But that label may be a bit deceiving.

As TechCrunch's Erick Schonfeld points out, it's no surprise that "Google+" was such a popular search term in 2011. It didn't even exist prior to this year and people wanted to know what it's about. "On a percentage basis the growth in the number of searches for the term was astronomical," explains Schonfeld.

But that's not where the story ends, folks. You see, apparently searches for "Google+" aren't as common as they used to be at this point.

By using the Google Insights for Search tool — a feature which allows people to track search trends and patterns — it is possible to see (in the chart above) that after an initial spike around the social network's launch and small bumps around other announcements, searches for the term "Google+" started dropping.

When you look at the embedded chart to the right, the picture becomes far more clear: Rival social networks such as Facebook and Twitter command far more ongoing interest in Google's own search engine, and that's in the U.S. alone, where Google+ has had more reach.

And according to Schonfeld, this is a problem:

Searches are an indication of pure intent. People search for what they intend to do. [...] If fewer and fewer people are searching for “Google+”, it makes you wonder if anyone is actually using it. Remember, just because Google+ has tens of millions of registered users, that doesn’t mean those people ever came back after Google made them click to register. 

Google Plus comparison with Facebook

With the launch of Google’s social networking site; Google+ critics have started to compare it with Facebook. Comparison between both these websites is usual, because Google plus has evolved a lot of excitement in its initial stage.

Now, many people are seeing Google plus as a big threat to Facebook, which can snatch the social networking crown from Facebook. On the opposite side, some people think that it’s not going to be easy for Google plus to beat Facebook. In this regard, we will try finding answers to some of the questions that would help us solve this myth:

Can Google+ attract the masses from Facebook?

Most of the Google+ critiques are of the opinion that it is practically a straight replica of Facebook. On the discovery side, it seems an impressive effort. But, it appears just a little too difficult for Google plus to attract users from Facebook, because they are relatively happy with the ongoing services. Many of the Facebook users have concerns regarding privacy. If Google plus manages to cover the missing pieces, then for sure, it can attract users from Facebook too.

Are the Google circles better than the Facebook groups? 

On Facebook, if you would like to be friends with anyone, you just need to send them a friend request and it’s up to them to accept or reject. People are quite used to it. On the other hand, in your Google+ account, anyone can add you into their circles without even taking permission from you. This is something very odd and annoying. That’s the area where Google+ needs to improve. And, if it does improve, it would definitely be a step ahead of Facebook.

Google+ Hangouts are better or Facebook group Video Chat?

Facebook’s video chat only lets you to have one-to-one calls, whereas, Google+ Hangouts allow you to have video chats with maximum 10 people at once. Although, Google plus has a plus point over here, but yet, it doesn’t mean that all users will leave Facebook and have their hands on with Google+ accounts for the sake of video conference calling only.

The vast majority of chat is one-to-one nowadays. Just think about how many times you make phone calls in a week. Now, think about how many times you have conference calls in one week. You have the answer with you.

Can Google+ plus really beat Facebook?

It seems difficult, but not impossible. In 2006, nobody actually thought of Facebook as knocking out MySpace. So, ruling out Google plus as being contender for the next big social networking blockbuster would be useless. However, Google+ really has to come up with solutions that some of other social networks have failed to offer.

Facebook has already received the flair for social networking, while Google+ is just striving for it. Since the beginning, Facebook has it roots in social networking. Google is already into many other things like search, advertising, music, mobile phones, and many others. Google plus could merely be another addition to that list. What do you think about it?

Google+ adds circle volume slider; updates notifications, photos and pages

Google rolled out a few major improvements to its social networking site G+. The new updates include a more illustrated notification bar, Some of these were on nearly everyone’s wishlist... and some we hope will be welcome surprises. These features will be rolling out over the next couple of days, and we hope you’ll find them useful this holiday season and beyond,” says Google in its blog post.

One of the new updates allows users to control the volume of the main news feed. The update lets users manage the flow of feeds into the “circles”. Google has incorporated fine-grained controls that will enable users to “graphic-equalise” and fine-tune the stream. With a slider, users can manage how posts from a particular circle should be featured into the main stream. The volume feature seems similar to Facebook's subscribe feature which allows users to adjust volume of posts from a certain user into the main news feed. Check out a video demo of how the new volume slider works:

Watch YouTube Video

Another major update includes a more detailed Google notification bar. The polished notification bar comes with improvements too, including the ability to see the +1’s and shares your posts have received since you last checked.

Google has also rolled out updates to the newly launched Google+ Pages. As many as 50 named managers can be delegated for administrators for a Google+ Page. Also, a new notification flow has been added to ensure that managers are aware of the activities taking place on a page.

Google+ Update: Making Improvements to Pages

Google Let it Snow; New Easter Egg Leaves a Winter Wonderland

Go ahead and google let it snow. You know how, open up google's search page and type in, let it snow without any quotation marks.

What may seem to be normal search results will eventually be whited out by virtual snow! How cool? Just for fun and a little extra holiday spirit Google has what they call a new Easter Egg, making December and the winter a little more enjoyable.

If your screen becomes too white, just click the blue rectangle shaped button for defrost, and your screen will seem to virtually defrost, while the snowflakes keep falling in the background. Like the white out effect? Click your mouse then hold it down to erase areas of snow without deleting it all.

Another fun term to google is Hanukkah. Along the top of the search results will apppear....well just try it! You will like it, whether Jewish or not!

With recent success behind Google+ and popular Google Doodles, looks like the internet search engine can be a lot of fun. Reminding us to enjoy the holidays, Gmail is even giving out free calls from Santa! No strings attached.

Whether Christian, Jewish or Muslim everyone can enjoy a little snow as long as we do not have to shovel! Just google let it snow and enjoy the tranquil site of falling snowflakes without the mess.

Google CEO's inner circle: Meet the L Team

The most powerful group at Google Inc used to be known simply as "The OC," short for operating committee. Now, it goes by a more telling name: "L Team," short for Larry's Team.

The change is more than a mere rebranding after Google co-founder Larry Page became chief executive nine months ago, reclaiming a title he last held in 2001. Page has moved quickly to remake the company in his image, and this influential group is responsible for plotting strategic priorities, such as social networking and mobile computing.

In the revamping of the group earlier this year, Page swapped out several of the executives who previously had seats at the table and brought in managers spearheading key initiatives.

Among the new members of Page's cabinet are social networking head Vic Gundotra, Android mobile chief Andy Rubin and YouTube head Salar Kamangar, according to people familiar with the matter.

Page meets regularly with the team, which also includes Google's top finance and legal executives and is now internally called the L Team, to discuss, evaluate and approve their plans, from acquisitions to new products.

"All major decisions flow through that group," said one of the people, speaking anonymously because of the confidential nature of the topic.

The new team was appointed around the time that Page took over as CEO and reorganized the company's management structure. In addition to placing directors of key product groups under his direct supervision, and giving those groups more leeway to operate autonomously, Page transformed the operating committee into the L Team, a move not reported until now.

A Google representative declined to comment on the changes Page made to the team. The company also declined to make executives available for interviews.

The revamp is part of Page's efforts to make the world's No. 1 Web search engine more nimble and competitive amid a shifting technology landscape in which Google is increasingly battling heavyweights like Apple Inc and Facebook.

To make room for his new advisers, Page chose to remove some well-known and powerful executives from the inner circle instead of expanding it, according to the sources.

They said the executives who have left the group include Marissa Mayer, the head of Google's local, maps and location services business; Rachel Whetstone, its London-based global communications and public affairs chief; and Shona Brown, who previously oversaw business operations and now heads the company's philanthropic arm.

Mayer's membership within the group was particularly short-lived. The former head of Google's flagship search product and user experience was appointed to the operating committee in October 2010, roughly around the time she was assigned a new job overseeing Google's local business.

But she and other executives Page moved out of his inner circle were not completely sidelined, the sources said. Mayer still has a "huge job," said another person familiar with the matter. Whetsone was promoted to senior vice president in April.

The changes to the group reflect the shifting influence within Google's top ranks, said first source, who added that changes were natural with a new CEO in place.

"I think Larry was thoughtful about how he approached this, and I don't know of too many bruised egos. Some change is expected to happen when the power center shifts," the source said.

Page did retain some members of the original "OC," including finance chief Patrick Pichette, Chief Business Officer Nikesh Arora and Chief Legal Officer David Drummond.

It was unclear if Eric Schmidt, who ended his 10-year stint as CEO to become Google's executive chairman, and co-founder Sergey Brin have formal roles on the L Team.

Schmidt is often traveling as part of his new role, while Brin focuses on advanced research projects that are less directly related to the day-to-day business.

Founded by Page and Brin in 1998, Google has grown into a corporate behemoth, with roughly $29 billion in revenue last year and nearly $43 billion in cash and securities on its balance sheet as of the end of September.

While Google has dominated Internet searching for a decade, the company has struggled to find its footing in social networking, with Facebook, Twitter and other start-ups stealing Web traffic and engineering talent.

Under Page's watch, Google has launched its most ambitious challenge to Facebook's social networking dominance with the Google+ social network.

In August, Google said it would acquire mobile phone company Motorola Mobility Inc  for $12.5 billion, a deal that allows Google to add hardware capabilities to its Android smartphone software.

At the same time, Page has pruned the company's sprawling portfolio of products, eliminating projects involving green energy and health among others, even as headcount has swelled to more than 31,000 employees.

"More wood behind fewer arrows" is how Page described his approach, when speaking to analysts on a conference call this summer.

"Focus and prioritization are crucial given our amazing opportunities," he said, noting that Google had substantially increased its "velocity and execution" with its new management structure.

Chrome 15 beats out Internet Explorer 8 in global popularity

While Microsoft, Mozilla and Google continue to compete for market share in regards to browser usage, a popular version of Chrome just knocked Microsoft's IE8 out of first place.

According to Ireland-based, research firm StatCounter, Google’s Chrome 15 has overtaken Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 8 in global browser usage during the final week of November 2011. While IE8 is still the champ in the United States, Chrome’s popularity globally is attributed to increased usage while at home on the weekends as well as growth within the workplace during the week. The last time that a browser version took over the top spot was during early 2010 when Internet Explorer 8 knocked off IE7 from the number one position. In the United States, Internet Explorer 8 holds approximately 10 percent more market share than Google Chrome 15.

This announcement comes of the heels of the release of Google Chrome 16 which rolled out yesterday. Chrome 16 brings the ability to print to a Cloud Print-ready printer into Chrome as well as support for multiple profiles on a single PC. The latter is useful for households that utilize a shared computer and want to access bookmarks tied to an account as well as other personalized settings. Since Google uses silent, automatic updating of browsers, the vast majority of Chrome browsers will be upgraded within the next two weeks without any specific user interaction. However, it’s likely that Chrome 16 will retake the top spot after all Chrome browsers across the world are upgraded

Earlier today, Microsoft announced that the company would adopt a similar tactic during early 2012 to upgrade old versions of Internet Explorer. Depending on the version of Windows, Internet Explorer will be upgraded via the Windows Update function. Mozilla also moved to copy Google earlier this year when deciding to convert to a quicker release schedule for future versions of the Firefox browser. Statcounter also declared Chrome to be the number two browser in the world behind the combined versions of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, thus knocking Firefox to the third position.

Google Unfurls Facial Recognition

Summary : Google+ is going to know your friends better than you do. Or at least it will be able to pick them out of a crowd.

Google social networking site Google+ has launched "Find My Face," a feature that recognizes your friends' faces in photos and suggests you "tag" them to put the photo on their Google+ page.

Facial recognition is not new in general, nor on websites. Facebook introduced the same feature this year. But because Google on Dec. 8 made its feature opt-in only, it hasn't received the backlash that Facebook did.

"Google's maybe trying to ride on the negative sentiment around how (Facebook) treated privacy," said Brian Blau, an analyst with research firm Gartner.

When Facebook introduced its "suggested tags" in June, it made it automatic unless users opted out. Users had to manually change their settings to avoid it. That was a mistake, Blau says, because having a computer recognize your face is "very scary" for some people.

"Facial recognition technology is very personal and intimate and it touches everybody who has an opportunity to stand in front of a camera," Blau said.

Privacy organizations criticized Facebook, but they've been quiet about Google+'s new feature. Facebook executives weren't immediately available to comment.

The Electronic Privacy Information Center, a Washington advocacy group, and a few partners entered a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission within a week of Facebook launching its facial-recognition feature. The FTC — by coincidence, also on Dec. 8 — heard about four hours of informational testimony.

"There's got to be transparency around how the products work — meaningful, relevant choices that give users control and security," Google's product counsel, Benjamin Petrosky, told the FTC.

Google set up two safeguards with its facial-recognition feature: First, a user must opt in to the service. Second, they get to OK tags before they're made public, says Eitan Bencuya, a Google spokesman.

Finding A Tough Balance

For Facebook and Google, which both rely heavily on selling ads based on user data, it's tough to find a balance between collecting data and offering security and privacy, Blau says.

"Today, Google is a little different (than Facebook)," Blau said. "Google today says, at least publicly, they take a different approach, that you can tell what's happening with their data."

For pro-privacy groups, the problem with facial recognition software is that it stores a lot of information about users' physical appearance. In order to "recognize" someone's photo, an algorithm looks at facial features, potentially dissecting everything from the distance between eyes to length of chin.