Consumer content

'Gone Google' campaign going global

Google claims more than 2 million businesses and 20 million people have switched to Google Apps, a movement the company is touting through its expanding "Gone Google" marketing program.

Google's official blog on Monday put in a plug for the ongoing flow of companies that have adopted its services, including not just Google Apps, but also the Postini spam filtering and Google's Enterprise Search Appliance.

In August, Google asked customers to tweet the benefits of using its online apps and services, and now the company has gathered together those tweets in its GoogleAtWork Twitter page.

Through … Read more

Google Street View goes off-roading

Google's Street View trike is hitting the road throughout the U.S., and the company is seeking your input as to where it will go next.

In the past, Google Maps' Street View has largely restricted your virtual trips to spots accessible by car. But the company's trike, a 250-pound tricycle outfitted with GPS and a camera that looks like a submarine periscope, can virtually take you places you can't drive--anywhere from a school campus to a theme park.

To help its cyclists go where no trike has gone before, Google needs your help in deciding where … Read more

Netflix and Roger Corman to haunt the Internet

Renowned horror filmmaker Roger Corman is going "boo" on the Internet this Halloween.

Corman and online rental company Netflix are joining forces to frighten online audiences with a trilogy of Internet Webisodes charmingly titled "Splatter."

The first episode rises from the grave on October 29, the second appears on November 6, and the third closes the bloody chapter later in November on, of course, Friday the 13th.

But the trilogy is more than just an online scarefest. Using the interactive power of the Net, viewers will be able to vote on the fate of the characters … Read more

Reports: Google to launch online bookstore

Updated 10:00am PST to revise Google percentage through online bookstores.

Watch out Amazon. Google is hitting the online bookstore business.

The search giant announced Thursday at the Frankfurt Book Fair that in the first half of next year it will launch Google Editions, a new service that will deliver e-books to anyone with a Web browser.

Partnering with publishers which whom it already has digital rights deals, Google plans to initially offer about a half-million books through the service, according to press reports from Frankfurt. Readers will be able to purchase the books directly from Google or from online … Read more

Prince Philip: I practically have to make love to my TV

Prince Philip is the tall chap who married the queen of England, enjoys making beautifully inappropriate comments, and feels intimate contact with his television might be necessary in order to make it work.

In a revealing interview, only some of which seems to have appeared on the Buckingham Palace YouTube channel, the prince laid bare his electrical dysfunction, one that many might, secretly or not, actually share.

His interviewer, a rather well spoken chap called Kevin McCloud, brightened up the pages of London's Times newspaper with some of the prince's heartfelt words.

Perhaps the most elegant of the … Read more

Can Technorati's makeover return it to prominence?

Technorati used to be the pinnacle of blog search, an essential tool for every blogger, journalist, and news junkie. The service has since fallen from grace as replacements, such as Google Blog Search, have surfaced. Now, Technorati is completely revamping its site and service for what seems like the hundredth time. This time around, it is making major changes to its famous Top 100/Technorati Authority, as well as improving its search and blog directory. Technorati will also allow bloggers to publish their content directly on Technorati.com, creating a wealth of original content.

One of Technorati's core features … Read more

Samsung delivers Blockbuster, Amazon on-demand video

Samsung announced on Wednesday that on-demand video services from Blockbuster and Amazon are coming to some of its home entertainment products.

Blockbuster OnDemand, which allows people to rent or purchase video content on a one-off basis, is now available on some of Samsung's high-definition TVs, Blu-ray players, and home theater systems.

According to Samsung, the service will be offered on its Series 650 and above LCD and plasma HDTVs, as well as its Series 7000 and above LED HDTVs. Blockbuster OnDemand will be available to owners of the Samsung BD-P1600, BD-P3600, and BD-P4600 Blu-ray players, as well as the … Read more

Concert Vault: Free live recordings on your iPhone

Wolfgang's Vault is an online archive containing hundreds of high-quality concert recordings, mostly from big classic-rock artists like The Who and U2, but with a few newer artists, such as The Walkmen, thrown in as well. (Here's a complete list of performers whose recordings are available on the service.)

Last month, Wolfgang released an updated version of its much-lauded free iPhone application, Concert Vault, which gives you access to these amazing shows directly from your iPhone or iPod Touch.

The update adds a couple minor features, including a list of featured concerts--helpful for keeping track of shows that … Read more

Steve Jobs bests Zuckerberg on teens' fave list

Steve Jobs is a hit with teens--even bigger than Oprah or the Olsen twins.

The Apple co-founder and CEO is the most admired entrepreneur among teenagers, according to the results of a survey released Tuesday by Junior Achievement, an organization that educates students on matters related to future employment.

Of 1,000 teens queried, Jobs garnered 35 percent of the vote, beating out a list of celebrities that included Oprah Winfrey (25 percent), skateboarder Tony Hawk (16 percent), and Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg (10 percent). Rounding out the list were Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen with 7 percent and … Read more

Blockbuster OnDemand lands on TiVo

Broadband-connected TiVo DVR subscribers have access to Blockbuster's long-awaited OnDemand rental service, TiVo announced on Tuesday.

The service is available to owners of TiVo Series2 and TiVo Series3 digital-video recorders (including the TiVo HD and TiVo HD XL).

According to the company, users will be able to stream films ranging from new releases to classics. Users will be charged $2.99 for classic hits and $3.99 for new releases. Blockbuster will be adding more films over the coming weeks, including "select HD titles."

As part of the agreement, Blockbuster will also begin selling TiVo DVRs in &… Read more