The problem with Google+

There’s a dilemma inherent in using any new social network in a market already saturated with social networks.  Unless all existing social networks are integrated into some massive conglomerate, there is no way to effectively replace one with another one.  For example, much as I hate Facebook, I still go there.  Why?  Because I have… Continue reading The problem with Google+

Why are Google Apps users treated like second-class netizens?

Original photo by Neil D'Cruze

Hey Google.  Remember me? I was there when you launched Gmail.  I got one of those first beta invites a couple of weeks after you launched the platform.  I immediately dropped my Hotmail account and switched everything over from a crazy [email protected] (at the time it was fibonacci_jazz), to a more professional sounding address using… Continue reading Why are Google Apps users treated like second-class netizens?

Google Music: The revolution you’ve been waiting for is (still) not here yet

A month or so back, Google announced its new plan to take over the world: Google Music.  No one was really sure what it did, but it was made by Google and it had something to do with music, so it had to be good right?  Oh, and there was something in there about syncing… Continue reading Google Music: The revolution you’ve been waiting for is (still) not here yet

RockMelt isn’t all that hot

I somehow missed the hype machine for the new social browser, RockMelt.  So, when @LastPass tweeted that it worked with RockMelt, my ears perked up.  RockMelt? WTF is that? RockMelt is a new kind of browser, or so the introductory video told me, one that combines your social web with your browsing experience.  We’ve met such browsers… Continue reading RockMelt isn’t all that hot

Going Google-less – A Week Without Google

A week ago on my blog, I posted my pledge to go one week without Google.  It was inspired, in part, by the Google/Verizon proposal for the future of high speed and wireless internet that was devised in closed-door meetings, in secret, while the same discussions were being had with the FCC and other major… (read more)

Google America

If you were to take a poll today of approval ratings for Barack Obama, I can guarantee that the number of supporters in this country of our President is far surpassed by the number of people who use Google services on a daily basis. How did this happen?  How did we become so complacent?  How… Continue reading Google America

Don’t be Google: A battle-cry for Net Neutrality

By now you should have heard about the closed-door talks that Google isn’t having with Verizon that absolutely wouldn’t destroy Net Neutrality as we’ve known it (and Google has argued for it) for the last several years. Here’s the rundown: The New York Times published an article that Google and Verizon were nearing an agreement… Continue reading Don’t be Google: A battle-cry for Net Neutrality

Buh-bye to Wave

In a long line of “wow that’s not really a surprise at all”‘s, Google has dropped (or is dropping, or is no longer actively developing at any rate) Wave. Cause of death: lack of user adoption. In a blog post today, Google announced that, while they still think Wave is awesome, everyone else didn’t immediately… Continue reading Buh-bye to Wave