Google Mentor Rajeev Motwani Found Fead In Swimming Pool
Rajeev Motwani, 47, a Stanford University professor and mentor to Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, was discovered dead in his swimming pool. The caused of his dead is unclear as a non swimmer, he could have fallen in the pool by accident. At this stage, more will be revealed after the autopsy.
Google Sergey wrote on his blog, “Today, whenever you use a piece of technology, there is a good chance a little bit of Rajeev Motwani is behind it. When Larry and I began to work together on the research that would lead to Google, Rajeev was there to support us and guide us through challenges, both technical and organisational.”
Source: Google founders’ mentor found dead in swimming pool
Google Celebrates 25th Anniversary Tetris
It is not easy to read the Google logo when it is constructed with blocks representing a Tetris game. Google is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Tetris.
Google Chrome 2 Is 30% Faster
Google claims that the latest Chrome 2.0.172.28 runs JavaScript-heavy Web pages about 30% faster than the last stable version of Chrome. Other new features are Improved New Tab Page, Full Screen Mode, Form Autofill, Increased Stability and Increased Speed.
Source: A Speedier Google Chrome for all users
Google Chrome Browser Ad On TV
Google has released a 30-second TV campaign in Japan using YouTube. Now Google is planning to release the Chrome ad on TV for all to see this weekend. The ad campagn was developed in Japan showing the Chrome logo playing pong knocking off 3D blocks which eventually reveal the Chrome browser. There is no mention what it does on the ad, Google didn’t think further explanation is needed.
Google Adds Search To GMail
Google has added the ability to search Google directly within Gmail as a Google Labs experiment. The search box is located on the left of a composing message. Typing search terms in it brings up a window with the results, and the information can be copied into the e-mail message body.
From Google Blog: What’s in the menu depends on what you’re doing in Gmail:
- If you’re reading a message, you can start a reply to the message with the search result as the first thing in your reply.
- If you’re writing a message, you can paste the result, or just the URL into your message.
- If you’re chatting with someone, you can send the result via chat.
- You can also always compose a new message to send the search result.
Google Debuts Similar Images Search
Google has pushed out a very helpful search option which allow you to refine your image search with visual similarity. When you search for images, there is a new similar images link beneath each photo which will let you refine your search. Go to Google Similar Images to check it out. Check out the examples given on that page.
Google To Buy Twitter For $250 Million
Google is in the talks with Twitter to acquire the micro blogging service for $250 million. Facebook failed to buy Twitter last year.
Is this just a rumour? Time will tell.
Secret Google Data Center Finally Revealed
The secret is now out revealing the hardware at the core of its Internet might.
According to CNet report, Google make their own servers and the rest of the info is: each server has its own 12-volt battery to supply power if there’s a problem with the main source of electricity. The company also revealed for the first time that since 2005, its data centers have been composed of standard shipping containers–each with 1,160 servers and a power consumption that can reach 250 kilowatts.
Google Adds Semantic Search
Google has updated their search engine to include semantic search capabilities where the search algorithm will understand relationships between words. The other changes are a better handling of more complex search queries as well as the display of longer snippets in search results.
Google blog has posted some examples of the new semantic search. For example, if you search for [principles of physics], our algorithms understand that “angular momentum,” “special relativity,” “big bang” and “quantum mechanic” are related terms that could help you find what you need. This kind of search feature is available in 37 languages all around the world.
Microsoft is going to buy PowerSet for $100 mil because it will add semantic search to Microsoft Live.
Google GMail Undo Sent Option
Google now let you undo sent just in case you realise you have email it to the wrong person or regret sending it out.
The new Google Unsend feature will run for 5 seconds. There is an option to extend this to 10 seconds. This feature can be turned on in Gmail Labs by going to Settings.
