Google Wave Rolls Out

I received an invite from Google to participate in the preview of Google Wave.  Google Wave will revolutionize the way we communicate on the Web.

Google Wave lets you:

• drag-and-drop to share photos (no more emailing pictures!)
• take polls from your friends
• use Google maps to collaborate an  itinerary  for example
• play games
• chat
• replace email
  • When you email someone, the replies become indented with “>>>” etc. down in the email.  Wave let’s you reply in-line to the messages.  This feature makes it much easier to catch up on a conversation
• use plugins (it’s open to developers to make it better)

That’s just the tip of the iceberg.  Google Wave will soon be open to everyone, and when it is, Wave may be as big as Gmail is today.

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Happy Day – Google Voice is Here

I’ve been on the waiting list for months for the new Google Voice service, and finally received my invitation.

Google Voice revolutionizes the way we think about receiving phone calls. The video below helps explain more:

I love that Google Voice will transcribe messages for me so I don’t have to listen through to the end of a voice mail to find out what it’s all about. I also like that on my Google Android phone (BlackBerry phones can do it too), you can have your outgoing calls register as from your new Google Voice telephone number.

The service is free, and international calls range from 2-19 cents a minute depending on if you’re calling someones land-line or mobile phone.

You can also record telephone calls as they happen or listen in as someone is leaving a voice mail and decide if you want to “pick up” the phone and answer.

With Google Voice you can screen calls, mark calls as spam, and have different incoming phone numbers ring your various phones.

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Just Jumpin’ Around

Well, it took Megan a little while to warm up to the jumping house, but she did, and all the cousins had fun with the jumping house. I was amazed that it fit in the basement.

I took these videos with my G1 Android phone. When I hold the phone for video, I keep forgetting that my hand is covering the microphone, so you can’t hear very well, but it was fun because I can upload the videos straight from my phone to YouTube.

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Cupcake is Here!!!

Well it’s finally here!  Although yummy edible cupcakes are a delight, this isn’t your grandma’s cupcake we’re talking about.

The much anticipated Android version 1.5 also known as “Cupcake” finally reached my phone through the Over the Air (OTA) update.

Android is the operating system that Google developed and is in use for the G1 by T-mobile.  This year is called year of the Android because many carriers will start releasing Android phones.  Think of it as if Apple opened up the iPhone software and let any phone company put it on their phones for free.  That’s what Android is doing.  It’s a cell phone revolution.

Android links to a “Market” or “App Store” from the phone where you can purchase or download for free applications for the phone.

One of the coolest is called SkyMap which lets you see the constellations in the night sky with labels. It’s awesome:

The other day, we used the phone and Google Street view to take a reminiscing tour of the Eiffel Tower. I could hold the phone up, and when I turn, the view on the phone would pan, rotate, etc. according to how I was holding the phone. It’s pretty cool.

I’m developing an application for the phone (not nearly as cool as SkyMap, but it will be useful and fun).

“My Tracks” is another great application for the phone. We’ve used it when out hiking.

A few new features in Android 1.5 Cupcake:

Here are few more videos from the older release of Android, but that still highlight what’s cool about Android:

Using the Map Application to view Traffic Conditions

Using the Window Shade to see New emails, Text messages, calendar events

Customizing the Home Page and Searching for Applications

I also like that the phone lets me create a password to access the phone.  It’s a simple customizable pattern that you use by sliding your finger on the phone.  Just think of all those executives who use a Blackberry and if they leave their phone somewhere have suddenly opened up their entire corporate network, their email, etc.

Everybody loves Cupcakes! This was uploaded using the camcorder on the phone. The upload can go straight to YouTube.

It’s estimated that there will be 12 to 20 new Android based phones released this year, so if you’re on AT&T, Verizon, or other major carriers, you’re chance is coming soon.  It’s been proposed by analysts that in the next few years, Android based phones will outnumber the iPhone which right now has command of the smart phone market.

Go Android!

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YouTube Symphony

Today not only marks Tax Day in the United States, but it also marks the day for the coming together of musicians the world over to play in the YouTube Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.

CNN.com ran a little special about the symphony, and it’s pretty neat, and a great idea by Google, YouTube, and the musician collaborators.

 

It really shows the power of the Internet to bring together people and ideas. A big fan of classical music, I love the idea, and, as mentioned in the CNN.com video, the project shows that classical music is not outdated. It’s alive and inspirational to millions of people.

You can find more videos from the symphony on the Orchestra’s YouTube Channel.

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