Open Compute Hardware Hackathon on June 18

by Patrick Batesman - Google+ Profile

images 10 Open Compute Hardware Hackathon on June 18Open Compute is a venture by Facebook to create the next generation of cutting edge hardware. Its goal is to create efficient computing devices at the lowest possible cost by custom designing servers and data centers. The most important part of the project may be that it is open-sourced and shareable with everybody.

With Facebook as its founding father, it’s a no-brainer that Open Compute will somehow leverage the social network to produce results. Because of that, Facebook is seeking out talented hardware designers and specialists for the second Open Compute Hardware Hackathon which will be held on June 18th at the Facebook HQ.

The hackathon is looking for ideas for hardware that applies to scale compute space. The scope of the hackathon also includes the industrial Internet or the Internet of things. With the event starting around noon and ending around midnight, it almost sounds impossible to design hardware from the ground up. Don’t worry as Facebook and Open Compute has teamed up with Upverter and GrabCAD. Upverter allows users to design and build circuits in a web browser and then share them easily while GrabCAD provides tons of CAD files to make sure that everyone isn’t starting from scratch.

Unlike software hackathons, hardware hackathons don’t really expect a finished or polished product as a result. However, the completeness of the design, its applicability to scaled-out computing, and the probability of the hardware attracting funding are all criteria for the selection of the hackathon winner.

As for the prize, entrepreneurs will receive $10,000 toward the development of the idea as well as help from the Open Compute Project foundation into setting up pitches with SKTA Innopartners and other VC firms. The winner will also present their idea at GigaOM’s Structure conference on June 19 in front of an audience of venture capitalists and other infrastructure executives and entrepreneurs.

Hurry and sign up as the participants is limited to only 100 registrants. You’ll need to apply for a spot and upon acceptance, an email will be sent shortly thereafter. Go to this link and apply either as an individual or as a team and be on your way to making a dent on the world of scaled-out computing hardware.

Google Maps Integrates Other Google Services for the Desktop

by Patrick Batesman - Google+ Profile

Google Maps is undoubtedly the go-to app for most of the map-using community, especially those on mobile and on Android smartphones. However, there are some activities that are a bit tiresome to do on mobile. Take, for instance, planning a road trip. You’ll need to pull up info of not only the routes to take but also which spots to visit, which areas to avoid, and where to eat and rest. With this in mind, it seems like the latest version of Google Maps for desktop is covering all of its bases.

The first thing that’s different with the new Google Maps is the interface itself. Instead of a search bar on a side panel, the map itself is the new interface and it is fully interactive. It’s something tried and tested on mobile and it works. It provides the information you need on the map itself with the information pulled again from Google’s Knowledge Graph.

The integration of +1’s and recommendations all pulled from Knowledge Graph brings your map to life. Restaurants you’ve eaten at, starred, or recommended dot the map and even if you search somewhere else, similar places will pop up based on the criteria that you didn’t even know you’ve already given Google.

The power of Knowledge Graph ensures that Google Maps grows as you continue to use it. As it knows your preferences and habits better, it can provide you with fresh places to check out and the best ways to get there.

nyc 3d 01 Google Maps Integrates Other Google Services for the Desktop

The integration of other Google services doesn’t stop there. Google Earth provides richly detailed renderings of the places you’re looking for. It’s useful for looking for a landmark so you don’t get lost in either a concrete jungle or a remote backwater town. Photos from Picasa and Google+ make up Street View, which are static images of a particular road, and Photo Tours, which are 3D renderings of photos submitted by users of famous landmarks and places.

Of course, the main functionality of Google Maps is still there, and it’s better than ever. You can now compare different modes of transportation through it. Check out how long it will take via plane then compare it with travel time via a car road trip.

All of these features truly make for an exciting time with Google Maps. It’s not just a means to find out where you’re going, it’s become a veritable mine of information about places to go and visit.

Facebook Developers Didn’t Get Enough “Droidfood”: Home Doomed from the Start

by Patrick Batesman - Google+ Profile

facebook do you droidfood done Facebook Developers Didn’t Get Enough “Droidfood”: Home Doomed from the StartAndroid users expecting a completely new launcher experience through Facebook Home certainly experienced something new. Unfortunately, they didn’t like it. Facebook Home is drawing heavy flak for its lack of widgets, app folders, and docks.

When Facebook Home was announced, many articles were written about how Facebook tried to steal the mobile market through Android and right under Google’s nose. A month after the release, it seems that Google’s expertise with its own mobile operating system is more valuable than Facebook’s push to slap on pretty pictures from your feed right from the lock screen.

For a launcher, Facebook Home is found severely wanting by most Android users. Interestingly, TechCrunch has developed a theory that this is due to the Home developers’ lack of “droidfood”.

For many years, iPhones had dominated the market and it was almost a reflex that Facebook employees ask for one upon hiring. This has apparently lead to a severe lack of Android-using employees in the Facebook workforce. Facebook’s efforts to sponsor nutrition programs and give out “droidfood” to employees must have been unheeded as evidenced by Facebook Home’s seeming lack of idea of what a true Android launcher should be.

facebook here come the androids 1 Facebook Developers Didn’t Get Enough “Droidfood”: Home Doomed from the StartThe Facebook Home launcher offers Cover Feed, which is admittedly a beautiful way to find out what’s happening on your News Feed. However, it’s missing the capability to host widgets, put your most oft used apps in an easy-to-reach dock, or even at the very least, organize your apps into folders.

For a workforce dominated by non-widget capable iPhone employees, those things wouldn’t be apparent and the naivete seems to have cost Facebook big time.  The majority of Android users just don’t see the appeal of a beautiful cover feed versus the loss of widgets and app docks.

It is apparent that Facebook needs to be even more proactive in making employees actually use the device that they are developing for lest they make misstep after misstep. As for the fate of Facebook Home, it’s time to scale it back a little and make some basic changes to make it more of the launcher that it has promised to be.

Google+ Updates Galore: From Facebook-like Stream to Auto Awesome

by Patrick Batesman - Google+ Profile

Google+ is receiving a whopping 41 updates and features as part of Google’s master plan of smarter and more intuitive social networking. While a brief look of the Google I/O  provides a preview of what Google+ now has to offer, it has actually barely scratched the surface of a social network now teeming with fun surprises round every corner.

The first thing that is evident in the revamped Google+ is that it is now sporting a look where pictures hog the spotlight, similar to Facebook and Pinterest. All of these are highlighted via a multi-column layout wherein the start of Google’s smart computing starts to make itself known. The multi-column layout actually adjusts itself depending on the screen size, orientation, and actual device that you are using so that there will either be one, two, or three columns visible.

The “Related Hashtags” feature automatically adds hashtags that it deems relevant to your posts. Clicking on the hashtag lets you browse content related to that topic easily with a flip of a card reminiscent of Google Now cards.

Meanwhile, a set of powerful photo tools will truly differentiate Google+ from other photo social networks. “Auto Awesome” (yes, it’s really called that) can use a set of similar photos to either create an animated GIF or to stitch them into a single shot with everyone’s best smile.

Auto Backup instantly uploads mobile pictures as soon as they are taken so you can be sure you’ll always have a copy. On the other hand, Auto Enhance is a filter that improves the brightness, contrast, and general overall look of your pictures similar to the auto-correction capabilities found in most photo editing software.

Finally, Auto Highlight helps users create albums easier by using a set of impressive smart computing tools to de-emphasize duplicates, blurry images and poor exposures. Conversely, it will instead center on pictures with the people you care about like your family, landmarks, and other positive attributes.

It is certainly looking that Google+ might be giving top social network competitor Facebook a run for its money. Nevertheless, this recent slew of updates and additional features will certainly make Google+ a livelier and more dnamic place to be. Tell us what you think of these new Google+ updates on the comment box below.

Facebook Phone Gets Axed by AT&T as Home Hobbles Past 1M Downloads

by Patrick Batesman - Google+ Profile

Screen Shot 2013 04 04 at 10.38.15 PM 602x350 300x174 Facebook Phone Gets Axed by AT&T as Home Hobbles Past 1M DownloadsFacebook Home is flopping. There’s no way to get around it anymore or to hide behind excuses of “only limited phones are supported”. It has taken almost a month to reach a million downloads on the Play Store and worse, more than half of the reviews for it gave it just one star which is equivalent to an F. Or an F minus, even, if that exists.

To make matters worse, a report by BGR claims that the HTC First or the “Facebook phone” is running its last discounted-price stretch, after which, the ill-fated phone will be pulled from the shelves. Check out BGR’s statement we’ve copied below to check out the reason why AT&T isn’t happy with the Facebook phone.

Our source at AT&T has confirmed that the HTC First, which is the first smartphone to ship with Facebook Home pre-installed, will soon be discontinued and unsold inventory will be returned to HTC. How much unsold inventory is there? We don’t have an exact figure, but things aren’t looking good. According to our source, AT&T sold fewer than 15,000 units nationwide through last week when the phone’s price was slashed to $0.99.

htc first facebook smartphone 00 300x300 Facebook Phone Gets Axed by AT&T as Home Hobbles Past 1M DownloadsFacebook must be scratching their heads and wondering why a promising app failed. Whether it be from the absence of “droidfood” among the Home developers or the limitation of the supported phones, Facebook has certainly stumbled and fallen hard on the mobile front with Home’s apparent failure.

For a company with a motto of “move fast, break things”, the failure of Home is certainly not a tragedy. It just signifies that Facebook now need to find another way to grab its users’ attention outside of social networking. Home is admirable for a first effort and another push by Facebook on the mobile platform is undoubtedly imminent.

A Look at Google I/O “Awesomeness” (Part 2)

by Patrick Batesman - Google+ Profile

googleio20131 A Look at Google I/O “Awesomeness” (Part 2)

On the previous article, we have taken a look at the smart computing evident in the newest iteration of Google+. We have seen how the new feed works and checked out the “awesomeness” of its photo tools such as Auto Enhance, Highlights, and Auto Awesome. ]

Google Music All Access

This time, we’re in for some more smart computing integration by Google into its existing products. While streaming music services are already plentiful, Google’s All Access still joins the foray with an offering of $9.99 per month  What’s interesting is that you don’t need to set preferences or custom stations to listen. Google will just instantly deliver custom radio stations based on your music interests that are already present in your profile.

Smart Talk for Desktop

Voice search is migrating to the desktop through Google Chrome. While the function is nothing new as Android smartphones already have it, the results are just as impressive as its mobile counterpart. Voice search is one of the perfect examples of just how powerful Google’s smart computing is and just how much information about users it can leverage.

For example, questions with terms such as “near here” or “it” are a piece of cake for voice search. It just already knows where you are right at that moment or what you’re asking for or about in that particular time. It’s like the perfect virtual assistant/seer.

Google Maps & Google Earth Integration

The power of voice search carries over to Google Maps, of course. However, the newest version of Google Maps deserve a special mention as its integration with Google Earth and other Google products make for a truly enriching Maps experience.

Instead of just a boring old map, Google Maps comes alive with restaurant recommendation based from people you know or your own search history. Google Earth integration makes it possible to zoom into beautifully rendered street views of popular tourist destinations and from there, Picasa or Google+ photo integration features beautiful 3D imagery from other Google users.

Conclusion

The previous example of Google Maps really brings home the point that Google is finally moving towards a singular goal. Gone are the offshoots of mobile and photo and search all aiming for different directions. Each and every Google service is now pitching in and doing its part in whatever Google product you may be accessing. All of the information collected from its various sources are now being leveraged into creating a singular unified web experience for users. Pretty exciting stuff, so kudos to Google.

A Look at Google I/O “Awesome-ness” (Part 1)

by Patrick Batesman - Google+ Profile

Google i o 2013 logo header 1 contentfullwidth A Look at Google I/O “Awesome ness” (Part 1)

Google I/O is THE Google event. Kind of like the American Idol finale or the torch run of the Olympics. It’s the one event that any self-respecting tech geek must simply attend. This year, Google announced a lot of interesting new features down the line for its massive corporation, and some of those things are really exciting.

Google+ Knowledge Graph Integration and Hashtags

For instance, Google+ is redesigning itself to be like the spiritual successor of Google Now with touches of influence from Pinterest and Facebook. It will now feature three columns to get more information across to users. What’s more interesting is the flipside of these columns. Behind every update is a Knowledge Graph guided information about that update. For example, a friend vacationing in Egypt posted a picture of him beside the Sphinx. The new Google + cards will then flip over and provide you with additional information about the Sphinx. Neat!

Another cool update is the “Related Hashtags” feature. Unlike Twitter where you have to manually add the hashtags that you want to use. Google+ will now automatically add hashtags to your posts based on it analysis of your post’s content. Clicking on those hashtags will then redirect you to similar posts and discussions.

Google+ Smart Photo Tools

The trend of smart computing continues in the photo tools section of Google+. First on the list is “Auto Enhance”, which is just Google’s fancy name for a feature available on most photo editing software. It reduces noise and other picture artifacts to produce better images.

“Highlights” is the tip of the smart computing iceberg in Google’s array of photo tools. This new feature will check out your photo albums and automatically select what it thinks are the best of the best pictures automatically. The algorithms used here include technology for checking out who your family members are and finding them in your pictures, hints of facial recognition technology so that only smiling and dashing pictures will be highlighted. Everything is once again automatic so users won’t have to do a thing.

“Auto Awesome” (seriously, that’s its name) is the pinnacle of the smart computing capabilities of Google’s photo tools. It is a powerful tool that can create a brand new image from a collection of other images. It analyzes sequences of photos shot in a burst that are similar to one another and Frankensteins them up to become a new image where everyone is smiling and looking gorgeous.

On the second part of this article, you’ll be privy to more of the brand new features that Google has in store. Stay tuned for more news of the latest releases and updates in the tech world.

Facebook 6.1.1 iOS Update Continues to Bring Twitter-like Features

by Patrick Batesman - Google+ Profile

ios1 Facebook 6.1.1 iOS Update Continues to Bring Twitter like Features

Facebook has recently rolled out another edition of its iOS app. Version 6.1.1 of Facebook for iOS enables users to re-share photos of your friends that they have already shared before on their News Feeds. Additionally, users also now have the option to save a friend’s photos, something that was previously only possible through a screenshot.

The screenshot option is worth mentioning because the backlash of comments pointed out that this option is creepy. No one should be saving photos of other persons in their handsets right? The way Facebook sees it, it’s already possible through a screenshot, so they just made the process easier.

Aside from that, the new Photo Viewer updates in the Facebook app can allegedly not only save or share someone else’s photos, but make them your profile picture as well. This deviates from the norm that you need to be at least tagged in a photo first, before you can make it a profile picture. With the new update, it seems that you can make a profile picture out of someone else’s pictures easily, but then again we’re a little unsure. The vaguely worded change log just has the following statement:

Photo viewer button lets you save, share or make profile picture

Anyway, we’ll just update you on that one. Let’s move on to a more interesting new feature which is the addition of group messaging to the Facebook app itself. Take note that this is an update for the Facebook app and not the Messenger app. If this added functionality proves to be a hit, a migration to the Messenger app doesn’t seem too far off.

Lastly, with all these new additions, it’s only logical to assume that the Facebook app will be slow as molasses but actually, it’s a lot faster that it was before. The speed update alone will surely be worth more to the multitudes of Facebook for iOS users who don’t care about picture browsing nor group messaging anyway.

For the latest Facebook for iOS update, you can check out this link to go to the app store. Give it a whirl and tell us on the comment box below which of the new features you like best. Stay tuned for the latest mobile updates from Facebook.

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