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Google's promotion for Mayer puts location front-and-center

The latest career move by Google's Marissa Mayer demonstrates that location-based services are strategic to Google. And a good thing too, because location services are the Next Big Thing on the Internet. Google has already stumbled...

Is Google wasting its time with self-driving cars?

Google's self-driving car is a wonderful invention. But why is Google messing around with this? Shouldn't it be paying attention to problems with its core business?Google this weekend disclosed its breakthrough work in self-driving...

How will Google make money with self-driving cars?

Google this weekend revealed an amazing technological breakthrough: A car that can drive itself. The revenue possibilities of the invention illustrate the new business realities of the Internet age, where simply selling things seems...

Is Google TV doomed?

Google TV has an attractive set of capabilities, letting you watch video-on-demand, Web video, and surf the Web from your living room TV. But its complexity will keep it from growing beyond a niche product for enthusiasts. Logitech...

Logitech pits Google TV richness against Apple TV simplicity

For a classic showdown between Google and Apple products, take a look at Logitech's new Revue set-top box, which runs Google TV, and compare it to Apple TV. Google fans will like the Logitech unit because it's customizable and has...

Google beefs up Android onscreen typing, acquires BlindType

Google acquired BindType, a company that's making great strides in solving one of the toughest problems in mobile devices: typing on those tiny little screens. The acquisition will help Android phones compete against Apple's iPhones...

Google Android apps leak private data to advertisers

Security researchers released a paper this week showing that Google Android apps leak user locations, phone numbers and other private information to advertisers, without user permission. Researchers from Pennsylvania State...

What's ahead for Gmail Priority Inbox?

A top Gmail designer hinted at some possible upcoming refinements for the service's powerful recent upgrade at a recent presentation in Zurich.Priority Inbox, unveiled by Google about a month ago, is a new way of sorting email. It...

Google's libel defenders miss the point

Bloggers are rushing to Google's defense, saying the French court that convicted the company of libel is clueless and out of touch with technology. But in fact it's Google's defenders who are out of touch. Google was found guilty by...

Google CEO Schmidt sits in Stephen Colbert's hot-seat

Talk show funny man Stephen Colbert introduced Eric Schmidt this way: "My guest tonight is the CEO of Google. At least that's what it said when I looked him up on Bing." Schmidt appeared as a guest on the Colbert Report Tuesday. In...

Does Google have an evil twin?

Google is developing a split personality, with one part that's socially conscious and develops great products, and another that's evil, invading people's privacy and stealing trade secrets, argues a prominent search blogger. But...

Google beefing up its mobile apps

Google plans to update Google Docs in the next few weeks to allow users to edit documents on iPads and Android devices. But the company still has some big holes in its mobile apps line.Right now, you can read Google Docs on the iPad...

Twitter turns up the heat on Facebook, Google

Twitter's overhaul of its home page will be a great benefit to users, and also turn up the competitive heat on both Facebook and Google. By making it easier to share photos and videos, Twitter butts heads with Facebook, because...

The myth of Google Android "openness"

Sure, Google Android phones are open, offering unlimited options for customization. That's why they're better than the closed-off, proprietary, locked-down iPhone. Just ask any Android fan, they'll tell you. But that's just plain...

Second Life should be more iPhone-like, says CEO Philip Rosedale

One of Second Life's biggest problems, says CEO Philip Rosedale, is that it's not enough like an iPhone. From the moment you open the box on an iPhone, it's fun to use, and in playing, you learn how to use it. The whole process is...

Gmail Priority Inbox, 10 days later

Google's Priority Inbox is a great step forward, making managing email a lot easier and more efficient. But there are huge tradeoffs. Gmail Priority Inbox re-orders incoming messages in your inbox so the more important messages are...

8 Google Instant tips and impressions

Google Instant could be a revolution in Internet navigation. Or it could the 21st Century's Microsoft Clippy. Either way, it's fun to play with. Read on to find out how to get more from the latest from the wizards of Mountain View....

Antennagate took big bite from iPhone sales, analysts say

But lack of iPhone support from Verizon is the bigger problem for Apple, according to a phone survey done in downtown Minneapolis by analyst firm Piper Jaffray.The company surveyed 258 cell phone users in Minneapolis to gauge...

"Fast, Easy, Fun" with Second Life founder Philip Rosedale

Second Life founder Philip Rosedale, recently returned as CEO, is faced with the enormous task of rebuilding a battered community and business. I talked with Philip about his plans to turn the service around, which he describes in...

US government throwing free speech under the bus

What do these three, apparently unrelated stories, have in common? American attorneys general pressured Craigslist to block ads for adult services. The US is trying to extend draconian copyright protections worldwide. And politicians...