Courier: Microsoft's Secret Tablet Project

Gizmodo has a piece on Microsoft's latest secret project, the Courier. While everyone is waiting for Apple to produce a tablet to be used with their latest OS Microsoft has been working with third party developers and consultants to produce something very different from what we have seen in the past.

The Courier has two 7 inch screens side by side that are capable of multitouch and pen input. It seems to be using an interface similar to that of the Microsoft surface. There is no physical keyboard. All signs point to this being a real device that is in a late prototype stage.

This thing looks pretty cool in my opinion. I await further details and most importantly, pricing information. You can read more about it and see a concept video by following this link to Gizmodo's site.

Traffic On Google Maps Gets Personal

Google has upgraded their traffic reporting service within Google Maps to include real time data from real people stuck in the rat race. If you have Google Maps open on your iPhone or Andriod device your heading and speed can be sent to big Google Maps brother. It aggregates this data from little minions all around the US and is supposedly is very effective. It even collects data on secondary roads so you can settle the age old debate of whether or not to take the back roads. Google calls this crowdsourcing. I thank those who are gracious enough to give up their privacy for my benefit. Check out the entry on Google's official blog explaining the feature in detail.

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/bright-side-of-sitting-in-traffic.html

Here is more information from Consumerist about the secondary road information.

http://consumerist.com/5346170/google-aims-to-answer-the-question-but-if-i-get-off-the-highway-wont-it-just-be-worse

Google-AT&T-Apple fight over Net calls draws FCC interest

It appears Google has apparently "Apple'd it up" in regards to the Skype application on Andriod. According to this article from USA today Skype's full blown application has been denied on the Andriod platform. Users are made to use Skype Lite which essentially connects the call via the traditional phone network and soaks up cell minutes. I don't have an Andriod device to test this with but it's an insteresting position for Google to take during the Google/Apple/AT&T battle.

"Android users get Skype Lite, a watered-down version of the original that routes calls over traditional phone networks — not the Internet. As a result, long-distance calls are still cheap or free, but cellphone minutes are gobbled up every time a Skype Lite call is made."

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2009-08-20-google-internet-calls-apple_N.htm

WSJ: Why AT&T Killed Google Voice

Andy Kessler of the Wall Street Journal has an excellent summary and commentary on recent events between Google and Apple. I agree with most of his views. It's time to change the way we think about communications (basically there is no such thing as voice, cable tv, text messages, etc because it's all just data) rather than try to cling on to the old way of doing things.

It is a very good read (i.e. did you know text messages cost $5,000 per megabyte?). Check it out here.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052970204683204574358552882901262.html

Blind Search - Which Search Engine Do You Really Prefer

The biggest problem when polling people about their favorite search engine is preconceived notions about their effectiveness. You think Google is the best because that's all you have ever used and you generally don't like Microsoft. Alternatively you love Yahoo Search since it's your portal page to everything else you use (mail, stocks, weather, news, etc). You don't really give other search engines a chance since you stick with what you know.

I stumbled upon this cool project by a Microsoft employee (but supposedly not affiliated with any sort of Microsoft research). Essentially you type in a search query and it goes out and searches Google, Bing and Yahoo. The results are displayed in three unmarked columns and you select which one has the most relevant results. The results may surprise you...

Check it out at http://www.blindsearch.fejus.com.