EarthClicks

Its extremely impressive how far Google has come with its technology advancements; whether it's Project Glass, Google Fiber or the Google Driverless Cars. None of these new technologies are available to the general population yet, but it will certainly change the way we live our lives, whenever they get launched.

One technology that was launched years ago but still blows out my mind is Google Earth. As with all other Google products, this masterpiece has improved in features and performance, year over year. The cool addition of 3D buildings and 3D terrain maps on iOS/Android version of the Google Earth App has impressed one and all. It has given each one of us wings to fly to any part of the world and witness the spectacular views made by man and nature.

This app on my iPhone gave me the idea to use the Google Earth App and recreate the scenes depicted in the pictures that I have clicked over so many years. Here's the first such creation of mine of the Twin Peaks. Let's call them EarthClicks.

Orkut Applications - Facebook Beware!!

Orkut just recently launched a suite of Applications which the members can add to their profiles and interact with others - just like Facebook. There were always news (rumors?) about Google developing an application platform for its social networking site - Orkut. They are already up with about 18 desi and non-desi applications. Here they are:

You can add applications links on the left navigation page of your Orkut Profile (again, just like Facebook) which will take your visitors to the respective application.

There are quite good numbers of applications already and within days I see the Application Directory being swarmed by various new apps built by developers worldwide. The ones that I have already explored (and added!) are Music iLike and myHangman.

Music iLike, it seems, has various free MP3 directories and Video libraries from which you can search and handpick your favourite videos and songs. Not just this, if you think of yourself as a Music Buff, you can take the Music Challenge and boast off your scores to friends.

There is one game that I like a lot - Hangman and Orkut's version is called myHangman. This is a flash based app and you can guess Movie Names, Cities, etc.

I shall try out some more of them. Will keep you all posted...

What if Google Sky was launched a Century later

Google recently launched another mind-boggling yet completely-useless-to-common-man tool called Google Sky. Here's a snapshot:


What if this product was launched a century later? There would have been just one minute change in the UI which would have made it really useful in that age:

Recursion explained using Orkut [PIC]

This master-piece of mine, can not just help me get nominated for the "Most Jobless Guy on Earth" but might eventually win me the credit! But what else to do, when you have forgotten your work laptop at your friend's place and are eagerly waiting for him to get it for you?

New Orkut Interface - See my homepage

Orkut.com - the social networking site has come up with its new skin. See the above screen-shot of my homepage. It surely looks cool !!!

Google Bug - Result Count

A Google Bug (thats a rare phrase, I bet) on its search page! Look at the image above. It was noticed when a friend of mine was trying to search "clean guitarists" (God knows why?).

Google launches My Maps

Online search giant Google today added an extra feature to Google Maps to simplify the creation of maps mash-ups so users can quickly share the results.

My Maps, based on the concept of "create and share", will democratise map making in a profound way, Carl Sjogreen, Google ANZ senior product manager, said. A mash-up is a Web site or application that combines content from a variety of sources into an integrated experience.

Users, once logged-in, can embed videos from YouTube, text, photos or anything from a Web page, as well as draw lines or shapes and mark locations with icons to personalise their map. It's the first time that Google has offered such functionality -- including customised map drawing tools and links to other Internet content -- within Google Maps.

Once a map has been created users can share the map with family and friends, or make it available to anyone trawling the World Wide Web by making it public.

Sjogreen believes My Maps is easier to use compared to existing mash up sites already using Google Maps API (application programming interface) which offer similar experiences -- customised maps with rich embedded content.

The ability to search My Maps is not yet available, however, Sjogreen said the capability will be added in two to four weeks. Google is currently developing algorithms to rank the most relevant maps in a search query.

My Maps is available in 10 countries and can be accessed at http://maps.google.com.