Chrome, more than just a browser
We should have seen it coming, the rise of Google has resulted in Docs, Calendar, GMail, Picasa and Orkut amongst many others. Wave is on the way too. But then they announced Chrome OS. It just makes perfect sense for Google to take their portfolio of applications and turn it into an operating system, and perhaps only they can take on Microsoft.They even had the audacity to take a dig at Microsoft:
“We are completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don’t have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates.
“It should just work,” said Google. from BBC News
They intend to work WITH other companies instead of against them. For example, Google will be working alongside Adobe in efforts to integrate Flash and Air as much as possible. Microsoft decide that they need to develop their own ‘Flash imitation’ called Silverlight. We need De Facto standards, not rivalries.
Microsoft are the biggest name in the industry but Google are snapping at their heels because they collaborate with so many other companies. Apple will survive because of it’s cult following. The rest of Silicon Valley had better help Google because it’s in their best interests.
It may take a good decade but finally there is a realistic threat to the monopoly that is Microsoft.
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Tech
by
Andrew Smallwood
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iPhone, therefore ical
I am trying to vary my blog posts but 3 days into owning the holy grail of current technology, I felt compelled to post about the iPhone again. But, this isn’t an ordinary post! For those that find it, it can serve as a tutorial on how to receive push calendar combining iCal and gCal. There is an added twist as well!I’ve used girlfriend for the duration of this explanation, please alter accordingly1 – The SituationI lead a pretty hectic life if you include work, freelance work, mates, girlfriend, family, girlfriends mates (in no particular order). I do not own a diary, the iPhone was going to be the answer to my prayers. A diary at the touch of a button, great!My problem is that when my girlfriend tells me she’s arranged a date for the diary, it goes in one ear and out the other. Although, I swear that sometimes she never tells me and just assumes that I know (but that’s neither here nor there).The solution, my girlfriend can update my calendar from her iPhone or the Internet and it will wirelessly update on my Mac, on the Internet and my iPhone, no wires attached! You may say it’s easy, but you may also have a MobileMe account, or you may have paid for BusySync or NuevaSync etc… If you are like me and you’ve already shelved out enough money on the phone itself, I’d rather do things as cheaply as possible – or free. Believe me, this is going to stop a lot of arguements and my grey hair growth may slow down as a result.Solution:
- Sign up for Google Calendar (I’m sure you already have).
- In iCal, add your gCal account in preferences using CalDav – View tutorial (you can now read and write from iCal – gCal, test by refreshing)
- Set up CalDav in your iPhone – View Tutorial – (you can now read/write from your iPhone – iCal & gCal, test by refreshing)
- Share your google calendar with your girlfriend. Give her read/write privileges (under settings)
- Download the Google Apps App for iPhone on your girlfriend’s phone
- Log in to Google Calendar (gCal) scroll down and click settings, you may need to deselect>save>exit, reselect>save>exit the shared calendar in order to make it visible in the browser window
- Test it, your girfriend should be able to edit something in the shared Google Calendar (on iPhone/Internet). This should update in your iCal (Mac), gCal (internet), iCal (iPhone).
- Ta da! No more arguments, well, no more arguments about arranging your life.
- A nice touch from the lovely people at Google is that if your girlfriend edits something that you’ve already input, you’ll be sent an update email! How nice!
Issues:I haven’t gone to the trouble to find out how to totally share iCals from iPhone > Internet > iPhone because I don’t need to. My girlfriend still uses an old fashioned filofax but she can keep me updated wirelessly.I haven’t found out how to share and update multiple calendars so I’m just going to use one.I’ve trawled the web looking for a free answer to this so when it happened, I thought it was too good to be true, I’ll update you if there are any bugs because I can’t believe that I’ve solved this problem. Alternatively, let me know if this is easy and Ive just been looking in the wrong place! I look forward to your feedback (as long as it’s constructive).
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Gadgets, Tech
by
Andrew Smallwood
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Death to Vodafone, long live iPhone
Today was the day, the day that I’ve been waiting for. I finally got my hands on an iPhone. I had been desperate to get one as soon as they came out but could never commit to an 18 or 24 month contract. Now, after returning from travelling, the need for information on the move has got too much. I need my email, I need 24/7 internet access albeit via 3G, I need Google Maps at the tip of my finger!To be honest, the iPhone would have made travelling the world that little bit easier but they don’t travel well and it would have cost a bomb to keep it running whilst on a budget. Now, after perusing the market, I nearly purchased a Google phone, but the Google support for iPhone is still outstanding thanks to Eric Schmidt.Having bugged the staff of Carphone Warehouse and O2 for the past week, being rejected over and over again, I finally managed to beat the rush. Even in sleepy old Ipswich, I was third in the queue and when I left some twenty minutes later, there were 9 people waiting to be seen. The shop only had 2 members of staff who were already kissing goodbye to their lunch breaks! Damn that Jonathan Ives!En route home, I nearly crashed into a taxi whilst dreaming about the afternoon’s festivities. When I used to get phones ‘back in the day’, I looked forward to setting it up and really getting to know the interface. Not so with the new iPhone, especially for Mac users. I plugged it in, it uploaded my contacts, calendars, emails, songs, videos and photos with a few clicks and I was up and running.Right, now what’s this app store all about.
Filed under:
Gadgets, Tech
by
Andrew Smallwood
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