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Video-sharing goes to work

It was a mere three years ago that YouTube streamed its first video, forever changing the way we share experiences with people regardless of time and distance. At home, equipped with ubiquitous technology like a digital camcorder, a computer webcam or even a mobile phone, we can easily create video clips and share them with our friends and family. Technology is no longer a barrier on either end. All you need is a browser and a fast Internet connection. The same has not been true for this rich form of information-sharing in the office. Companies readily recognize the power of video as a medium for communication and collaboration, for reaching out to employees in remote offices and for knowledge transfer. Unfortunately, there hasn't been an easy way to distribute video content to an increasingly distributed workforce. Custom video sharing solutions have been prohibitively resource-intensive for businesses, and public video sharing sites don't give businesses the right level of security and privacy for internal-only content. Enter Google Video for businesses, available today as part of Google Apps Premier Edition. Imagine YouTube's ease of sharing and watching videos, but in a secure, private environment made for content like internal corporate announcements, team member status updates, employee training materials and informal information-sharing. Videos can be easily shared with everyone in the company or with specific individuals. People can comment on, rate and tag videos that they watch, bringing even more useful information to subsequent viewers. When we started using Google Video for business inside Google, we were surprised at how quickly Googlers in 20+ countries took to the app. Many of our most popular internal videos were created of their own accord by individuals and teams for sharing with colleagues, a testament to how video has taken horizontal collaboration to the next level. Watch this to learn how we've been using video inside Google: <object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iWzwLGJ0BIo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iWzwLGJ0BIo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> You can learn more about video sharing and other innovative collaboration apps for businesses at <a href="http://www.google.com/apps/collaboration" title="www.google.com/apps/collaboration">www.google.com/apps/collaboration</a>. And stay tuned for info about Google Video for schools and universities. It'll be available as part of Google Apps Education Edition on September 8. <object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iWzwLGJ0BIo&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></object> Posted by Pavni Diwanji, Engineering Director

Video-sharing goes to work

It was a mere three years ago that YouTube streamed its first video, forever changing the way we share experiences with people regardless of...

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A fresh take on the browser

At Google, we have a saying: “launch early and iterate.” While this approach is usually limited to our engineers, it apparently applies to our mailroom as well! As you may have read in the blogosphere, we hit "send" a bit early on a comic book introducing our new open source browser, Google Chrome. As we believe in access to information for everyone, we've now made the comic publicly available -- you can find it <a href="http://www.google.com/googlebooks/chrome/index.html">here</a>. We will be launching the beta version of Google Chrome tomorrow in more than 100 countries. So why are we launching Google Chrome? Because we believe we can add value for users and, at the same time, help drive innovation on the web. All of us at Google spend much of our time working inside a browser. We search, chat, email and collaborate in a browser. And in our spare time, we shop, bank, read news and keep in touch with friends -- all using a browser. Because we spend so much time online, we began seriously thinking about what kind of browser could exist if we started from scratch and built on the best elements out there. We realized that the web had evolved from mainly simple text pages to rich, interactive applications and that we needed to completely rethink the browser. What we really needed was not just a browser, but also a modern platform for web pages and applications, and that's what we set out to build. On the surface, we designed a browser window that is streamlined and simple. To most people, it isn't the browser that matters. It's only a tool to run the important stuff -- the pages, sites and applications that make up the web. Like the classic Google homepage, Google Chrome is clean and fast. It gets out of your way and gets you where you want to go. Under the hood, we were able to build the foundation of a browser that runs today's complex web applications much better. By keeping each tab in an isolated "sandbox", we were able to prevent one tab from crashing another and provide improved protection from rogue sites. We improved speed and responsiveness across the board. We also built a more powerful JavaScript engine, V8, to power the next generation of web applications that aren't even possible in today's browsers. This is just the beginning -- Google Chrome is far from done. We're releasing this beta for Windows to start the broader discussion and hear from you as quickly as possible. We're hard at work building versions for Mac and Linux too, and will continue to make it even faster and more robust. We owe a great debt to many open source projects, and we're committed to continuing on their path. We've used components from Apple's WebKit and Mozilla's Firefox, among others -- and in that spirit, we are making all of our code open source as well. We hope to collaborate with the entire community to help drive the web forward. The web gets better with more options and innovation. Google Chrome is another option, and we hope it contributes to making the web even better. So check in again tomorrow to try Google Chrome for yourself. We'll post an update here as soon as it's ready. Update @ 3:30 PM: We've added a link to our <a href="http://www.google.com/googlebooks/chrome/index.html">comic book</a> explaining Google Chrome. Posted by Sundar Pichai, VP Product Management, and Linus Upson, Engineering Director

A fresh take on the browser

At Google, we have a saying: “launch early and iterate.” While this approach is usually limited to our engineers, it apparently applies to ...

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Information on Gustav

As Hurricane Gustav bears down on the Gulf Coast, we've assembled some resources to keep people informed and, we hope, out of harm's way. These include: <ul><li>Google meta-page to help recovery efforts and tracking: <a href="http://www.google.com/gustav_sept08.html" target="_blank">google.com/gustav_sept08.html</a></li><li>Latest <a href="http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=hurricane+gustav&btnG=Search+News" target="_blank">Gustav reports on Google News</a> Special content in the <a href="http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2008/08/tracking-hurricane-gustav-in-google.html" target="_blank">Google Earth Weather folder</a> (track Gustav's progress and forecast, see the latest advisories from the National Hurricane Center, view Louisiana Live webcams)</li><li>More info on <a title="our LatLong blog" href="http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2008/08/tracking-hurricane-gustav-in-google.html" id="j94k">our LatLong blog</a> (we'll continue to post additional info here) </li></ul>Our thoughts are again with Gulf-region families as they struggle against the forces of nature. Posted by Kate Hurowitz, Google Blog team

Information on Gustav

As Hurricane Gustav bears down on the Gulf Coast, we've assembled some resources to keep people informed and, we hope, out of harm's...

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Introducing the winners of the Android Developer Challenge I

Less than a year ago, we <a title="announced" href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/11/calling-all-developers-10m-android.html" id="e418">announced</a> the Android Developer Challenge, a two-part contest for developers to design engaging, innovative mobile applications for Android to<span class="on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"> the tune of $10 million total in awards. Since the kickoff of the first part of the contest (ADC I) last November, we've been eagerly waiting to see what these brilliant minds would come up with. The first round of ADC I closed earlier this year, awarding the top 50 entrants with $25,000 each. Today marks the closing of the second and final round of ADC I, in which 10 winners will receive $275,000 and 10 semi-finalists will be awarded $100,000. We'd like to wish a hearty congrats to all the award recipients! Visit the <a href="http://android-developers.blogspot.com/">Android Developers blog</a> to read more about the finalists' projects, and check back for updates on ADC II. Posted by Eric Chu, Android Mobile Platform

Introducing the winners of the Android Developer Challenge I

Less than a year ago, we announced the Android Developer Challenge, a two-part contest for developers to design engaging, innovative mobile...

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Empowering users to map their worlds

In countries like India, great maps and comprehensive local data are hard to come by. And traditional mapping approaches are stretched to the limit in such environments, where infrastructure and local businesses are evolving at a furious pace. This need inspired us in Google India to design and build <a href="http://mapmaker.google.com/" id="pj__6" target="_blank">Google Map Maker</a>, which enables users everywhere over to create rich, deep maps and fresh local data. People can mark their favorite spots in their cities and hometowns, add features such as roads, parks, and buildings, tag small businesses to help users find them, and collaborate to map neighborhoods of interest. This product is motivated by the spirit of information democracy, where people can create information that are moderated and consumed by their peers. Today, we are bringing home this innovation by launching Google Map Maker in India, which has already been deployed in <a title="57 other countries" target="_blank" href="http://www.google.com/mapmaker/mapfiles/s/launched.html" id="s548">57 other countries</a>. <object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DjoXsot4Xao&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DjoXsot4Xao&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> We hope Google Map Maker will result in rich local data which will benefit Google users both on the web and on mobile. The creation of base maps where there were previously none will encourage many mashups, mapplets and other cool applications that make use of this data. We're also excited to see Google Map Maker create a new breed of local map experts who bring their passion for their neighborhoods and communities into the online world, adding to local commerce, tourism and investment. I will leave you with a map of IIT Bombay, the alma mater to many of us in Google India. When I spent a few hours mapping IIT Bombay -- the place I lived in, the school I went to, and the streets I played on, it turned out to be a surprisingly satisfying experience that reconnected me to a place that is home to many of my memories. We hope you will find the Google Map Maker experience as fun and fulfilling as we do. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPF-igSAvUcbxEj2oqKWKMUsVAMzixWozjj3Aj4VafTPd1fBEs1D8cjqfH_D_JwNfKHE6zaonV-w6GEULSzdijn6y4APYqDl6Nuc2C8xZPm4Fe-8E20tdWE6tmy1IDPR7G0SYNmAUDYLys/s1600-h/IIT.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239577004463933522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPF-igSAvUcbxEj2oqKWKMUsVAMzixWozjj3Aj4VafTPd1fBEs1D8cjqfH_D_JwNfKHE6zaonV-w6GEULSzdijn6y4APYqDl6Nuc2C8xZPm4Fe-8E20tdWE6tmy1IDPR7G0SYNmAUDYLys/s320/IIT.gif" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a> Posted by Lalitesh Katragadda, Software Engineer and creator, Google Map Maker

Empowering users to map their worlds

In countries like India, great maps and comprehensive local data are hard to come by. And traditional mapping approaches are stretched to th...

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Non-profit gives itself a Google makeover

Back in May, <a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/google-for-non-profits.html">we introduced</a> a site called <a href="http://www.google.com/nonprofits/" id="eqgq">Google for Non-Profits</a>, to showcase the tools organizations can use to raise funds and collaborate easily and efficiently. These tools, we hoped, would enable non-profits to focus less on creaky email systems or lost documents -- and more on their missions. For at least one non-profit, this was old news. Months before we unveiled our non-profit site, Marianne Clauw, who chairs <a href="http://www.casawashtenaw.org/" id="wfim">CASA Washtenaw</a>, an organization pairing volunteers with children in the local court system -- learned about Google products through an employee in our Ann Arbor office. With a website that she now compares to a "dusty storefront" and data sitting in a "scarily unsecure, un-backed up" state, she remembers, "I could see right away that we needed to switch to Google services." Clauw and her colleague Ferlie Yruma used Google Page Creator (now <a title="Sites" href="https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=jotspot&passive=true&continue=http%3A%2F%2Fsites.google.com%2Fsite%2Fsites%2F" id="mhia">Google Sites</a>) to develop a shiny new website, complete with a <a title="YouTube" href="http://www.google.com/nonprofits/youtubetutorial.html" id="rz8q">YouTube</a> video, a Google <a title="Calendar" href="http://www.google.com/nonprofits/calendartutorial.html" id="zfvi">Calendar</a> that reflects real-time updates, and a <a title="Checkout" href="http://www.google.com/nonprofits/checkouttutorial.html" id="jo43">Checkout</a> button allowing users to donate with a few clicks of a mouse. They applied and earned a <a title="Google Grant" href="http://www.google.com/nonprofits/grantstutorial.html" id="te.n">Google Grant</a> to run free <a title="AdWords" href="http://adwords.google.com/" id="x92l">AdWords</a> advertising. As volunteer applications and donations trickled in, they began using <a title="Gmail" href="http://www.google.com/nonprofits/gmailtutorial.html" id="exmp">Gmail</a> and <a title="Docs" href="http://www.google.com/nonprofits/docstutorial.html" id="ct6y">Docs</a> to streamline the way they worked internally. Here's what they have to say about the experience: <object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/C2BWwrFHhos&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/C2BWwrFHhos&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> "Non-profits are not competitive by nature,” observes Clauw. “But we live in a competitive landscape: for donors, for volunteers, for grants. What we've done with Google is a major step in being competitive.” When CASA Washtenaw competes at a high level, Washtenaw County kids win. And for this non-profit, that's the biggest prize of all. Posted by Eileen Duffy, AdWords Associate

Non-profit gives itself a Google makeover

Back in May, we introduced a site called Google for Non-Profits , to showcase the tools organizations can use to raise funds and collabora...

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Strengthening the study of computer science

At a time when more and more digital technologies are becoming indispensable to millions of people, the field of computer science (CS) is in trouble. Enrollment and retention of CS students, particularly those historically underrepresented in the field (women, African-Americans, Native-Americans, and Hispanics) has declined sharply. According to the <a href="http://www.cra.org/CRN/articles/march08/jvegso_enrollments.html">Computing Research Association</a>, CS enrollment in the U.S. was at its peak in 2000, with 15,958 undergrads. By 2006, enrollment declined by roughly half: 7,798 undergrads. And enrollment among already-underrepresented groups has dropped even more sharply. We hope to address this problem (and potential shortage) with a variety of programs beyond our <a href="http://www.google.com/jobs/scholarships">scholarship initiatives</a>. Recently, our educational outreach group, University Programs, and Diversity and Talent Inclusion teams joined forces to create the Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI). This special institute included an interactive and collaborative CS curriculum, as well as a living-learning residential experience for student networking. We chose 17 college sophomores, all aspiring computer scientists, to attend the all-expenses-paid CSSI in Mountain View from August 3–15. Our goals for the institute: <ul><li>To enrich the skills of students early in their CS studies (or at risk of leaving the major) in an effort to increase the pipeline into the CS major and boost retention</li><li>To provide a social and professional network for underrepresented (women, Hispanic, African-American, and/or Native-American) technology students </li><li>To empower students, giving them the tools, motivation and confidence to continue with CS studies</li><li>To show students daily life at Google and the amazing applications of CS that occur here</li></ul>The CSSI faculty was comprised of Google engineers and our educational outreach group. We paired students with Google "buddies" - engineers with whom they can develop a long-term advising relationship. Students heard from professionals from across the technology industry and academia about the many things they can do with a CS degree. Students worked in teams to build a completely interactive <a id="o77z35" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0">Web 2.0</a> website, keeping in mind both practical programming skills and the theory behind it. We plan to keep in touch with these students across their college careers, and to encourage future participants to complete their CS work and join the community of computer scientists. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhnoHg2FaoZepc46IaawcwvY1nTYq8KescMIZH779dP_E_v9z_q4lbBYee_IcI8Vqji6g8rmrlt-kuJOD187p8Su2w4McVL7dELQbseRU8lzK44J6pQzREMvz6xYyYhdOVACz2-VJvSso/s1600-h/CSSI_students.GIF"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239270400723708802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhnoHg2FaoZepc46IaawcwvY1nTYq8KescMIZH779dP_E_v9z_q4lbBYee_IcI8Vqji6g8rmrlt-kuJOD187p8Su2w4McVL7dELQbseRU8lzK44J6pQzREMvz6xYyYhdOVACz2-VJvSso/s320/CSSI_students.GIF" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a> Posted by Rebecca Selvenis, University Programs Specialist

Strengthening the study of computer science

At a time when more and more digital technologies are becoming indispensable to millions of people, the field of computer science (CS) is in...

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