With the Chromebook’s main marketing point being that all of its functionality is based on an Internet connection, be it 3G or WiFi, one of the most worrying problem with Chrome OS is its lack of support for offline applications, for as much as we would like to have WiFi or 3G coverage in every nook and cranny on this planet, in some places the signal would not be worth the hassle. Unfortunately this limited many of Google’s applications, the most affected being Google Docs. However, following many users that saw signs of code being tested, as well as a member of Google Docs’ team stating that you’re going to see offline start to roll out later this summer”, it is clear that this web application will soon be granted offline functionality. The developer also stated that “We’ve been re-implementing offline ...

Now for the big news! Google recently (estimated early 2011) made a change to their search algorithm, and in their results display. If the search engine feels the searcher has 'local intent' they now show a Map on the side of the page and local business listings at the top of the page. (In the vast majority of search results these listings come directly from Google Places listings.) Even if you don't give a location in your search, Google uses IP address (PC/Mac originated search) or geo location (mobile originated) to make the results more relevant. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="432" caption="Google Places Optimisation"][/caption] In the above example, the search is "Lawyer Sandton". You'll notice that before any organic results appear, the user receives a map and the Top 7 location relevant results- termed the '7-PACK'. This example clearly illustrates that a ...

A blog here, a screen name there, an old social-networking profile or two--the more you use the Web for work and play, the easier it is for others to dig up dirt on you. And while you may not worry much about a few errant comments or tags, you'd surprised at how complete a portrait someone can paint of you with a few quick Google queries. To see what this means in real life, we subjected two brave colleagues to the 30-Minute Google Challenge. Armed with our targets' full names and personal email addresses, we set out to dig up as much information as we could: real-world addresses, phone numbers, pictures of them in compromising situations...all that good stuff. What we uncovered might scare you a bit. Even if you're a complete goody two-shoes, it's hard for you to avoid leaving any ...