Google Maps is pretty useful. For me, it has totally replaced MapQuest for all map related inquiries. The only other map application that matched it and in some cases surpassed it was Microsoft’s own efforts. Well here’s a pawn move in Google’s favor. Their new Street View feature enables mappers to view any location at street level from live pictures. You can move up and down a street and even rotate your view. Currently Street View is only available in NYC, Miami, Las Vegas, Denver and San Francisco. As awesome as Street View is, Google needs to take it a step further and integrate GPS. Com’on Google!
We’ve all been there, out late, lost in such a panic we’re desperate enough to dial those three dreaded numbers. There’s a reason that number makes roughly $7 billion a year, because everyone sucks at planning and we’re forced to call the only service we can rely on for help, 411.
But it looks Google is out to once again save us all, even though other guys with less catchy names have been at it for a little while now. By dialing the magic number (1-800-4664-411) you’ll be prompted with a pretty well rounded automated information center, sans any real lifeforms. If that’s still too much to swallow, watch this:
So far so good, let’s all say a little prayer and hope this is the end of the 411 empire as we know it. Google, we heart you.
Viacom came out guns blazing on Tuesday in their public battle with YouTube and its parent company, Google, by filing suit in federal court for copyright infringement. While they haven’t taken to street justice just yet, they are looking to hand YouTube a serious civil beat down. According to the complaint, Viacom is seeking some stiff penalties, including possible actual damages of at least one billion dollars (cue Dr. Evil laugh now). The mega company, which owns Paramount, Dreamworks and several cable stations, is evidently slightly miffed that its copyright protected content continues to pop up on YouTube, despite last month’s demand that over 100,000 pirated clips be removed from the site.
YouTube and Google aren’t just dropping trou and waiting to be spanked though. Google’s attorney claims that YouTube is protected by a safe harbor provision in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DCMA). The key will be whether YouTube knowingly profits on the posting of pirated content. If the case actual reaches a court, the resulting decision could determine whether a Web site is responsible for keeping pirated content off its pages without notice from the copyright holder.
In the meantime, it remains to be seen if other companies will follow Viacom into the legal arena. Will YouTube go the way of the dodo?
The video-sharing Web site (and sometimes cesspool) YouTube began airing content from the British Broadcasting Corp. on Friday, after signing a deal with the company. The move makes the BBC the first major international broadcaster to ink a licensing deal with the site. You can’t watch full episodes of your favorite quirky British television shows quite yet though, as the BBC is only providing three clip channels. However, you can still watch everyone’s favorite boxing matchup: man versus kangaroo.
Analysts see the move as a step in the right direction for YouTube, as licensing content appears necessary to keep the recently purchased site going strong. The video entertainment company continues to be plagued by complaints over copyright issues. The now Google-owned company took a hit recently when Viacom demanded the site pull over 100,000 video clips, because they inked a deal with new YouTube competitor, Joost.
Google Maps has been updated to include traffic information for certain US cities. If you click on the “Traffic” button in the upper right hand side of the Maps interface you will be given traffic information if it is available where you are browsing. As the above screenshot shows, most major US cities are covered. Great if you live in a major US city, but not great if like me, you don’t.
Hit the jump to take a closer look at the feature.
In a typical imperialist Google move the company has released a premium version of its office suite of programs. They perform the basic functions used in office work including emailing, word processing, spreadsheet management and instant messaging.
The premium suite costs $50 dollars per worker per year as opposed to Microsoft Office which costs at least $500. A free version exists with advertisements and 2 gb of email storage instead of the 10 gb found in the premium version. The price as well as Google’s name strength gives this product set a fighting chance. The biggest possible drawback is the storage of company information on Google’s servers as opposed to servers privately owned by the company.
Now here’s some nice news to wake up to for all you jerks without friends. Apparently you don’t need a friend invite anymore to get the best email in the world, Gmail! Just go here and sign up and you’ll be all set to bask in your free 2 GBs of online storage.
The scandalous rascals that are 20th Century Fox’s lawyers slapped Youtube with a subpoena today. A user by the account name of ECOtotal posted episodes of The Simpsons and 24 before they were released in the states. In a very MPAA, RIAA and even AA move they’re demanding for the user’s information. We all saw this coming.
The current owners of Youtube, Google, will have to either give up the goods or make a stand. Giving in to Fox could possibly lead to a backlash from the online community but not doing so means facing a major studio in the courts. What’s an internet giant to do? Hit the link for the originall iTWire article.
