Fabulous Spellos Brothers

Google Instant

Hi Gang...

What amazes me these days is the sheer speed in the rate of change in technology.  From apps to social networks to everything else, it's all changing in an instant.  So now, so is Google, as they begin to roll out Google Instant (this will be made available over the next few days, but click on the link to try it out.

Instead of describing it, here's a short video which shows it in action (ok, it's a little self serving, but it is their video.

What do you think?  Worthwhile, or won't make a difference in your searches?

Jim

Gmail Priority Inbox

Hi Gang...

In the next week, Gmail will be rolling out a feature known as Priority Inbox, allowing you to (and gmail) to bring to the top of your inbox the most important messages & threads.  How does it work (other than by magic)?.  Here's a video from Google to give you the overview.

You should start seeing it in the next few days (I saw it this morning) at the top right of your screen (with the words Beta - Priority Inbox).  I'm using it...and will let you know more about it in a bit.

Jim

Create Your Own Apps for Android

Hi Gang...

Just was reading about Google's App Inventor for Android, an open source tool that allows anyone (including, and perhaps especially, non-programmers) to create an app for the Android phone (hey, do those iPhoney folks let you do this?).  You'll need to sign up and get an account, but once you do, you (or your students) are on the way to creating way cool stuff.

Here's a short video showing a basic app created in no time.  

Ya never know where that next killer app may come from.  Maybe it'll be you.

Jim

What's that cool tool(bar) at the bottom of my blog page?

Hi Gang...

It's the Wibiya toolbar, allowing easy social sharing and social media access via this blog (I'm trying to get it to work on my website, but am having a bit more trouble).  I saw it first on another site, did some checking, and voila, here it is.

Best thing about it...it's free.  And easy (at least on the blog...I'll get the website bottom toolbar working).

Jim

Google TV - Really?

Hi Gang...

Yep, really.  When you think about it, we've been moving in this convergence direction for a while.  But this may be the next huge step.  Check out the video from their Official blog.

I like it.

Jim

Me and Mona

Hi Gang...

You go to a beautiful destination (in this case, the San Juan Islands in Washington) for a few days of relaxation, and the last thing you expect to see is, well, her.

A camel named Mona, who lives on Friday Harbour.  It's a long story as to how she got there, but here's a link to give you all the details.  

Mona is extremely friendly (as the picture indicates).  Loves people (and apples).  She'll probably live till 55 or 60 years old.  She has an alpaca for a companion (strictly platonic, as the story we heard about the male alpaca trying to make the moves on Mona has made the alpaca a bit tentative around the camel).

Who knew how friendly a camel could be?   If you ever go back there, say hi to Mona for me.

Jim

Sometimes, The World is Just Strange

Hi Gang...

Storytime, folks.  This one's about music and, well, how the universe sometimes is just so connected. No videos, or cool tech tools to share...just a story about what happened this weekend (I'll try to keep it brief).

Went to see the Allman Brothers Band in NYC on Saturday night (great show, natch).  They were playing at the United Palace Theater in Washington Heights, where I was born.  The theater, which was the old Loews' Theater on 175th Street, is where my Mom took me and Peter to see A Hard Days' Night, when it was released in 1964.  It became a revival church for many years, and now it is the site of some rock 'n roll concerts.

Driving to the show, I was talking with my friend about the old neighborhood, how it changed, how we saw A Hard Days' Night there, etc.  You know, memory lane sort of stuff.  I wasn't that old when we moved (7), so my memories of my time there is spotty (how much of your life when you were 4 or 5 do you remember).  The Beatles' movie, however, was one crystal clear point in time.

So, as we're driving to the theater (with XM Radio on, of course), we turn the corner and I see the theater for the first time in years.  And, at that split second, comes the opening chord (G suspended... I am a musician after all) on the radio to A Hard Day's Night.

The chill went very, very deep down my spine.  Sometimes, the world is just strange.

Jim

Do You Swype?

Hi there...

Android fans, if you can, you should download the Swype beta for the 'droid.  Swype is a new way of typing on your smart phone.  Instead of tapping on a keyboard, you, well, you swype your fingers across it.  Wanna see?  Here's a short video from MobileCrunch which shows it off.

I got mine a few weeks ago.  It is way cool...and way'er easier...can I really conjugate way that way?  No way, eh, you say?  Ok, I'll stop now.

Jim

Have You Heard the "Buzz"?

Hi Gang...

Ok, quick true or false question.   Buzz, Wave and Chrome are the leading characters in the next Toy Story movie?

Well, that one's a false (though it sounds like it's true).  Instead, these three Google tools are some of their forays into social media & open source.

Today, Google Buzz is released.  Integrated into your Gmail account (nothing to download), it creates a social media app within your Gmail.   Seems cool (also seems in a way similar to Wave, but there are clear differences).  Allows you to have both public and private conversations, insert links, video, well, lots of stuff you can do with the usual suspects.  How about just watching a video about it?

Think it's cool & a winner?  Or just one more player in an already crowded field?   Let me know.

Jim

Managing Your Google - The Dashboard

Hi Gang...

I'm not sure why I wasn't aware of this until recently, but if you use Google and any of its way cool tools (gmail, iGoogle, Alerts, Reader, etc.), and you want to know info is associated with your account, check out the Google Dashboard.  You can use this to manage this information, change privacy settings, and just know how you've used these services.  All you have to do is log in with your Google account, and all the info is at your fingertips.

While I do have a lot of faith in Google, it's always good to know that you can manage your privacy to some extent.

Jim