These days, online search is synonymous to “Google”. Peers tell each other “to Google” a term or topic when they mean to search it online. Google has definitely played an important role in the life of every human being who is related to internet in some way. There are many other services provided by Google which have made researches and study even easier like Google Books, Google News, Google Scholar, Google Maps and Google Earth. The latter has gained great deal of importance in past few years as it is one-of-its-kind service. People all around the sphere gain help from this service of Google. Apart from information and study purposes, it is also used as entertainment tool e.g. locating your home on the globe, finding out the location of your high school, searching for the international landmarks like Great Wall of China or Pyramids etc.

In this article, I will discuss the usage of Google Earth, along with the detailed history and background of this grand service.

What is Google Earth?

This is a virtual world map that displays geographical information of the globe. You can locate your house and see the place in map form, terrain form, satellite or hybrid.

History of Google Earth:

We cannot give the whole credit of Google Earth to Google, as it was created by another company. This program was originally named EarthViewer 3D which was fashioned by a company called Keyhole, Inc. As EarthViewer 3D, it was released back in 2001. In 2004, the big daddy Google acquired Keyhole Inc. and obviously, the EarthViewer came under Google’s control. In 2005, this product was released once again, but with a new name; Google Earth. This is available for those systems that run on MS Windows 2100 and above, Mac OS X 10.3.9 and above, Linux Kernel 2.4 and later and FreeBSD. As far as using Google Earth on mobile phones is concerned, it is available as free download both for iPhone OS and Android OS form their respective App Markets.

Overview of the Program:

Google Earth allows users to see images of the earth taken via satellites. These satellite images are of varying resolution; varying according to the significance and popularity of areas. Most of the times, land is covered in minimum 15m of resolution, but at popular places like Las Vegas, Melbourne and Cambridge, we find the highest resolution at fifteen cm. Basically, one will only get 2D image for most parts of the world. It is nothing like seeing something in front of you (or 3D), rather it is something like a huge snapshot of cities and colonies. There are but only few places on the earth that can be seen in 3D mode. These are the places which are considered more like the greatest landmarks like Grand Canyon and Mount Everest. With the help of NASA’s Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and collected digital elevation model (DEM) data, Google Earth offers these 3 dimensional images. Though the service was unable to render 3D images of places, but now there are certain places of which 3D images can be viewed. Now, we have Street View option as well as exploring moon is also possible with new version of Google Earth. Google Earth is available in 37 languages, with two version of English and Chinese each.

Features of Google Earth:

Now, let us discuss the nice features of Google Earth.

1. Wikipedia and Panoramio

Back in 2006 December, Google added a new layer to the Google Earth called “Geographical Web”. This included integration with Wikipedia and Panoramio. In 2007, Google acquired Panoramio and in 2010 the Geographic Web Layer was removed. Now, Panoramio layer sits in between the main layers and Wikipedia layer is lying in the “More” layer.

2. Flight simulator

There is a flight simulator feature in the Google Earth where the aircrafts can be controlled via keyboard, mouse or joystick. In the beginning, this was a hidden feature, but now it is not. The featured airplanes include F-16 Fighting Falcon and Cirrus R-22.

3. Google sky

It was introduced in 2007. As the name suggests, this feature enables users to view bodies and stars in the space. Though it offers great experience, Google Sky has tough competitions in form of Microsoft WorldWide Telescope and Stellarium.

4. Google Street View

In year 2008, the Street View was fully and completely integrated into Google Earth. In this mode, viewers are able to view some selected parts of few chosen cities at ground level. A 360 degree panoramic street level image is provided. It began with 5 cities, and now it has expanded to a great number of cities worldwide. The street view shows such photographs that have been taken before via an automobile. While in the Street View mode, these photos can be seen in a variety of sizes and from different angles and directions.

5. Ocean

This feature was added in the Google Earth in 2009. It offers views of oceans and underwater 3D imagery. Information from great oceanographers and scientists is included in this mode.

6. Historical Imagery

This feature allows the users to know about historical development and background of a certain place. If you are a student and working on an assignment regarding historical background of a certain place, this feature of Google Earth is bound to aid you big time.

7. Google Moon

As the name suggests, this feature displays images of our beloved moon. Google introduced Google Moon as a feature of Google Moon in 2009, on 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 mission.

8. Google Mars

This feature displays images of planet Mars as well as 3D topographical exposé. Though good for entertainment purposes, this feature can be best used for research purposes and studies.

Things change and technology keeps on developing. It is an ever growing thing, thus these features do not complete Google Earth. The service will keep on growing and we hope to see new and more exciting features and layers in the upcoming

A joint venture can give Yahoo some required force as it tries to fend off an annoying $42 billion proposal from Microsoft Corp.Some view the latent deal as sheer gamesmanship, chiefly in light of no trust fears that a Google-Yahoo connection would likely hoist.

A search-ad agreement may perhaps set hurdles Microsoft’s struggles but is not likely to disrupt its plan. Yahoo could plainly pull out of the joint venture should it agree to be taken over by Microsoft, people know the matter said.

Still, a Yahoo joint venture with Google is now progressively more likely, the people held. Yahoo and Google described last week they would embark on the first round test to appraise the perceptible of a broader search-ad outsourcing agreement.

Such a deal could add to Yahoo’s ready money by more than $1 billion a year, according to Citigroup Global Markets expert Mark Mahaney.The reason is that Google’s system creates considerably more proceeds for each search inquiry than Yahoo’s does.

The partly cover between Google and Yahoo could make it hard to get a deal past supervisors analysts claim. But the two are investigating ways to deal with potential authoritarian troubles, people know their debate say.Possibilities comprise preventive the joint venture to clear-cut groups of search queries or regions, for example.

An agreement with Google could make it easier for Yahoo to carry out a detach deal it has been planned with Time Warner Inc.’s AOL. Yahoo has been in discussion with Time Warner about merger with AOL. Time Warner would get a pledge of about 20% in the merged body in return.

But Yahoo has yet to place a deal with AOL and while talks between the two continue, Yahoo’s board could risk an uprising by shareholders if it decided that path over a tie-up with Microsoft.

Some giant Yahoo shareholders have said they would greet a Microsoft deal for a price higher than the $31 a share it presented Jan. 31. A decline in Microsoft’s shares has abridged the cash and stock-offer value to $42.1 billion, or $29.26 a share.

Microsoft and Yahoo managers have met on at least two time but unsuccessful to agree on an outline for recognized talks. Microsoft wants Yahoo to give name to its price. But Yahoo has been reluctant to set a maximum and wants Microsoft to raise its original offer before agreeing to talks, almost everyone knows that issue.

This article is the property of http://www.ElegantDirectory.com
Copying and publishing any article from our site is strictly NOT allowed

Google’s conformity to put together its office output applications with Salesforce’s client relationship association software apparently is a big agreement.

But business politics are just a part of the story.This new coalition identifies another indication in the tech industry’s sluggish march in the direction of a future in which now more but in the coming days most–software functions ultimately be located on the Internet.This hasn’t oblivion to Microsoft’s awareness.

Many sources preserve that supporting Salesforce as the new business platform isn’t likely to happen.As an alternative, Microsoft plans to go its own way and we must wait for to notice something out of Microsoft with the lines of what Google did with its app engine.
While addressing monetary analysts last summer, Ozzie presented an idea of a future of profound services where enormous data focuses to fortify a cloud infrastructure services cover on which all of Microsoft’s online services would run.

These are services like unique services, contact lists; this is the cover where social graph of your relationships lives, your presence and meeting, message services.

So whether it’s hosting our Live assistance for individuals or our service-based assistance that are more targeted for projects, or apps that are partners or customers will provide–this proposal will eventually be used by and will help all of the audiences that we as Microsoft serve because each audience is suffering some change that’s applicable to them from software-based solutions to software plus services, or services alone.

“Salesforce costs $700-1,000 per year per consumer, more than 10x Google Apps contribution cost. When Salesforce sells Google again, if it limits itself to its CRM user base, even assuming that it keeps the entire Google Apps contribution cost, it is at best a 10% upgrading. It is almost a loss chief for Salesforce.”

May be In the meantime, though, Google has massive money and can give to test whether Salesforce will give its apps greater inauguration into the business world. (And if the experiment flourishes into a hit, suppose the “Google to buy Salesforce” tale to once more make the rounds.)

This article is the property of http://www.ElegantDirectory.com
Copying and publishing any article from our site is strictly NOT allowed

The survey asked its readers to mention the brand which has a major impact on their lives and also how they alter their behavior and their view regarding the world.

Approximately two thousand students and professionals voted for the Apple brand.The inventor of the Mac computer and iPod has become the favorite brand of people in six categories including most inspiring brand and the one which the people cannot live without.

Image Credit: JEBThe world’s largest software producer, Microsoft was also a winner in this survey.But it received the ambiguous honor as the brand which most readers wanted to argue with, and the one which they most wanted to remake.United States nation brand was dropped into second place.

“Apple obviously attracted the hearts of million customers globally by leading the race in almost all the categories.Others top brands such as Microsoft and the USA nation brand, also lead the race, but considered most in need of a remake,” said Jim Thompson the editor of brand channel.

The economic brand value was not taken in to account, which usually puts Coca-Cola Co’s Coke in first place.One of the most amazing results from the survey was that some of the respondents thought that there was a brand named “green”.The result comes as a result of millions of dollars spent by some of the world’s largest multinational companies to give an image for their product as “eco-friendly“.

While considering Apple, an unknown reader said “there is always a rapid moment and the company does not face any dull situation.The company concentrated in innovating new products and provided a new perspective on what we thought was carved in stone.”

On the other hand, Microsoft had “lost its innovator position and has gradually become a follower,” said another anonymous reader.The other most inspiring brands followed by Apple were Coca-Cola, Google, Nike, and Starbucks, reported the survey.

The rankings were given by the online magazine brandchannel.com which was based on answers from almost 2,000 readers from 107 countries.The survey was conducted online from 24th February to 9thMarch.The new technology of Apple has made the consumers towards this higher opinion.

 This article is the property of http://www.ElegantDirectory.com
Copying and publishing any article from our site is strictly NOT allowed

In explanation filed with the FCC (Federal Communications Commission), Google Inc summarized plans for low-power devices,which make use of local wireless airwaves for accessing the”white space”between TV channels.One of the Google official named the plan as” Wi-Fi on steroids or Wi-Fi 2.0.”"The airwaves can give enormous social and economic gains if efficiently used,”the Internet leader said in its comments.

In the long run this set of Wi-Fi devices might give data transmission speeds up to billions of bits/second,which is far greater than the millions of bits/second to be had on most of the existing broadband networks.People could do things like watching movies on wireless devices and other things,which are at present difficult on slower networks, said Rick Whitt of Google’s Washington telecom and media counsel.The white-space airwaves might become accessible in February 2009,when television broadcasters change to digital signals from analog.Rick Whitt said that he is expecting devices that make use of white-space spectrum to be available by the end of next year.

Google’s Shares rose 6.3 percent to $460.91 accompanied by a sharp increase in U.S. stock markets.

Google foresee the white-space spectrum as a likely place for operating a new class of wireless devices and phones based on Android,software from google,which a number of important equipment manufacturers have planned to use for building Internet-ready phones.

Google said that it stands to gain when people have easy access to Internet.The main business of Google’s is to sell online advertisements while people carry out Web searches.The filing with FCC happens less than 2 weeks after Google rival Microsoft Corp’s co-founder Bill Gates recommended the agency to ease up the white-space spectrum so that it can be employed to expand access of wireless broadband.

Google and Microsoft are among the group of technology companies that includes Intel Corp, Hewlett-Packard Co,Dell Inc and Philips Electronics who has been asking the Federal Communications Commission to permit unlicensed use of white-space spectrum.

Makers of wireless microphones and U.S. broadcasters are opposing the idea, as they fear that the devices could cause interference.The Federal Communications Commission is currently testing equipment to find out whether the white-space spectrum can be used without getting in the way of television broadcasts.

This article is the property of http://www.ElegantDirectory.com
Copying and publishing any article from our site is strictly NOT allowed

Google said taking such kind of images is against its policy and this incident was a mistake.

A message which was sent to the officials of all Defense Department bases and installations around the country ordered not to allow the Google teams to take street-level images inside the facilities.

“We have got information that Google Maps was collecting 360 degree street-level images, including detailed imagery, of the military base in Texas,” said Gary Ross, the spokesman for the US Northern Command, in a press meet.

Air Force Gen. Gene Renuart, chief of the U.S. Northern Command, said he was concerned that allowing the 360-degree, street-level view could provide clear and comprehensive images and thus potential anti social elements may get sensitive information and it may endanger the base personnel.

It’s a big concern because such 360-degree, street-level view can show “where the guards are standing, clearly displays how the barriers go up and down, and it also gives a clear picture of how to get in and out of buildings, and I think that poses a real security problem to our military set up” said Renuart.

Larry Yu, the Google spokesman said a Google crew mistakenly asked for access to a base.

“It is against our policy to request the military bases for the purpose of capturing imagery in Street View and that the incident was a mistake,” he said. Larry also added that when the Pentagon contacted Google, the imagery was taken off from the site within 24 hours.

“Images include 360 degree street-level views of the protected area to include headquarters, access control points, facilities and community areas and barriers,” said the Defense Department.

“We don’t have any problem with Google Earth,” said Ross about another Google website that displays detailed images of buildings at 360-degree views, panoramic maps and satellite images.

“Though it is a very useful tool, there has to be certain limitations.” said Ross

“Google was very thankful for letting them know that we had a concern,” said Google.

According to the message sent by U.S. Northern Command to all Defense Department bases and military installations around the country, Google representatives requested to access Fort Sam Houston and the permission was granted.

This article is the property of http://www.ElegantDirectory.com
Copying and publishing any article from our site is strictly NOT allowed

Press Release: http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080212/20080212005624.html

Maven, located in Massachusetts, sells video-publishing systems and tool sets that allow companies play, distribute and syndicate broadband video. The acquisition will be an upcoming age for the advertising sector, which will be generating more than $4 billion in annually within the next three years.

Hilmi Ozguc, the chief executive of Maven said “Internet video, which was initiated by a group of start-ups, is now on the edge of becoming a big business.” This business raised about $30 million in venture capital since 2002. “Billions of dollars in advertising are at stake.”

Will Richmond, the President of Broadband Directions, said about the deal: “It’s a confirmation of Maven’s tactic of concentrating on the ad-supported part of the broadband market. At a wider level, it’s a confirmation of the broadband video market as a whole. I think it’s an excellent fit for both companies.

The talks between Yahoo and Maven had begun even before Microsoft made its unsolicited $44.6 billion bid for Yahoo.

Maven will be operating as a subsidiary of Yahoo. “I and the entire Maven employees will be working with video engineers and its video hub at Yahoo’s headquarters, in Sunnyvale, California, to improve and assimilate Maven technology. Yahoo is interested to invest in Maven and expand it” said Ozguc, the chief executive of Maven.

Yahoo will be using Maven’s technology not only for its news, entertainment and sports Web sites but it will be also marketing to other companies. Media giants such as Fox News, CBS Sports, Sony BMG, The Financial Times, Hearst and Gannett are using Maven’s technology to broadcast and distribute videos and also for identifying the right moment to show an ad during a video.

“Maven will be concentrating on doing the best, just like now” said Becca Paoletti, the director of Yahoo’s video strategy sales. “We’re going to utilize their technology to enhance our video capabilities and to market other video publishers.”

Adam Barry, the senior vice president for marketing and strategy, a Maven competitor, commented on Yahoo-Maven alliance, that his company was “looking forward to grow as a strong independent company in 2008.”

If Microsoft succeeds in the take over of Yahoo, the Maven technology will be an important tool and asset for Microsoft to catch up with Google in Internet search and online advertising.

The acquisition would help yahoo to market and deliver video ads not only for its own site but also for other companies across the Web. Yahoo has a strategy to offer its ad-selling services to Maven’s media clients.

“We really consider this tie-up with Maven as a great opportunity to produce a healthiest video platform in the sector,” said Hilary Schneider, the executive vice president of the Yahoo.

This article is the property of http://www.ElegantDirectory.com
Copying and publishing any article from our site is strictly NOT allowed

This was also confirmed by the Google’s spokesperson last week. ARM will be displaying its technological compatibility with the ‘Android’ platform which is based on the typical ARM processors.

During this World mobile Congress at Barcelona, there will be many more companies who will also be demonstrating their several types of hardware devices in varying forms that are based on the ‘Android’ platform. Google’s spokesperson however, did not disclose any further details about these displays and their forms.

Last year, in the month of November, Google introduced its ‘Android Software’ with much exposure. Internet pundits and many experts did express their skepticisms and views in against the success of this new software from Google. Most of these experts were of the view that entering in to the mobile operating systems market is not an easy sailing as it looks apparently. It is as tough as the writing new software is, according to them.

Google’s has now made its basic intentions very clear. It intends to use the new ‘Android’ for creating a complete mobile specific platform which will make the web surfing an enjoyable experience for the user. Google wants the same smoothness and painlessness in surfing the internet as it is available with the PC to this mobile platform also. It will facilitate the mobile users up to great extents.

Market analysts expect that the ‘Android’ will be a challenge for the existing mobile platforms. Such major mobile platforms include the Symbian, Microsoft, Linux, Apple and Research In Motion operating systems. These together possess almost 90% of the worldwide market share of the mobile platform.

Another movement is also making waves now days. The open source platforms are presenting new benefits. Some of the popular new open source mobile operating system platforms include T-Mobile, HTC, Motorola, and Qualcomm, and others. These systems have been launched recently only and they are also attracting attention of many vendors across the world. Google also launched its ‘Android’ immediately after the launch of these open source mobile platforms. It has also launches a specific software writing kit that will facilitate the developers to write different applications for Android.

“A La”, the mobile manufacturer did introduce a range of its prototype multifunctional applications in the month of January this year. All these applications were based on the ‘Android’ mobile platform.

HTC, the mobile phone manufacturer also intends to market a device that will be equipped with the ‘Android’ platform. QUALCOMM will also be demonstrating at the ‘Mobile Congress’ selected applications and functionality based on the “Android” on prototype devices.

This article is the property of http://www.ElegantDirectory.com
Copying and publishing any article from our site is strictly NOT allowed

New York (Reuters) – Yahoo Inc. The internet media giant is expected to reject Microsoft’s offer on Monday as undervaluing the business. Yahoo’s shares have fallen, but Yahoo’s websites will remain as the world’s most popular.

The board has spent about a week in reviewing the $31-per-share offer. The Yahoo directors are likely to reject it. Yahoo expects a minimum of $40 – reported by the Wall Street Journal.

“Yahoo can also look other bids or partnerships with Google or Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. to thwart Microsoft”. – says Clayton Moran, analysts from Stanford Group Co.’s.

The Deal Is On the Process

Microsoft may raise its bid, so that it becomes easier for Yahoo co-founder and CEO Jerry Yang to accept it. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer was met by one of the major investor in Yahoo to know if Microsoft would be willing to raise the offer. – reported by the New York Post.

“Microsoft is aware that the Yahoo Inc., doesn’t have any other options and Microsoft wants to wait to get this deal done.” – said Scott Kessler an equity analyst in New York.

“Our company doesn’t comment on speculation”. – said Diana Wong, Yahoo’s spokeswoman.

The Google’s Interest

Yahoo management had talks with Google as an alternative to Microsoft’s bid; Yahoo believes that Microsoft undervalues the company. Jerry Yang the co-founder of Yahoo may look to outsource to Google, but such other options may emerge Microsoft to make a higher offer to win.

Google search engine and Advertising Company has around 75 percent of search revenues, and it continues to grow on the web. “Competition on the web may get undermined with the combination of Microsoft and Yahoo, so the policy makers need to challenge the combination”. – said David Drummond, Google’s chief legal officer.

Google has a 75 percent share of worldwide web search revenue. Yahoo and Microsoft can get around 20 percent of internet searches. – A statement given by Microsoft executives. Google knows the internet market with the combination of Yahoo and Microsoft would create number two competitor for internet search and advertising to Google.

“Google CEO Eric Schmidt contacted Yang for making a partnership”. – reported by the New York Times.

This article is the property of http://www.ElegantDirectory.com
Copying and publishing any article from our site is strictly NOT allowed