Bloggle

Gmail more secure than ever (and better UI on iPhone)

Gmail now more secure than ever

The Official Gmail blog announced yesterday that it is now easier than ever to use https with your Gmail. Https is always used when you sign into Gmail in order to encrypt your username and password info. But once you are logged into Gmail https isn't used because it can slow your session down.

But now, it is possible to turn https on all the time when you are using Gmail...

Today, we're making it even easier for you to use https to protect your mail every time you access it. We've added an option to Settings to always use https. If you don't regularly log in via unencrypted wireless connections at coffee shops or airports or college dorms, then you might not need this additional layer of security. But if you want to always use https, then this setting makes it super easy. Whenever you forget to type https://mail.google.com, we'll add the https for you.

And in other news...Gmail for iPhone looks better than ever

Until yesterday only people viewing Gmail in US English on their iPhone got the *best* UI experience. Now that amazing experience comes to 17 other languages. Now when you view Gmail in these languages they will fully use the magic of AJAX to bring address autocomplete, mail pre-fetching (what?) and a smoother UI to your iPhone. The Google Mobile blog writes...

This version of Gmail for iPhone also includes performance and reliability enhancements including faster loading and better support for reading your email in both portrait and landscape modes. These improvements have also been rolled out in US English, as well as for Google Apps  email users.

To try it just visit Gmail.com in Safari and switch to your preferred language.

Google Knol launches. Woot.

Today after months of testing, Google Knol launched. Apparently we're to call it Knol though (not Google Knol). Interesting the page lacks a Google logo and even has the phrase 'Who needs a search engine? CTRL+F' on it.

Interesting line for Google to take don't you think?

Like Wikipedia, Knol allows anyone to create a page about any topic, however new pages are set to use 'moderated collaboration' meaning that any revisions and additions must be approved by the page author before they are published.

There can even be multiple pages about the same topic. The Official Google Blog says:

The key principle behind Knol is authorship. Every knol will have an author (or group of authors) who put their name behind their content. It's their knol, their voice, their opinion. We expect that there will be multiple knols on the same subject, and we think that is good.

I think that is probably bad.

For more on the ins and outs of how Knol works and what it means for Google, head over to Search Engine Land or TechCrunch.

Google Reader now shows the original page? - Actually no

This may be old news. But its new to me and that, loyal reader, is what counts.

So I noticed just now that clicking a post title in Google Reader brings up the post in its original format. New? I don't know. Do you? I've contacted someone to find out what they. We await their reply!

If it's new (and to be honest I don't care that much) it is a truly great addition. It works very smoothly and quickly and I for one salute the developers who have made this change whether today or months ago.

Jim's update: In an astonishing twist, Dave has made a complete fool of himself because it turns out that this functionality is due to a Greasemonkey script that he amazingly posted about a few days ago. And no, this really wasn't a ploy to bring up that post again..it was a terrible and ridiculous error. Would have been clever though wouldn't it?

Why not subscribe for more hilarious mistakes?

Google Maps launches walking directions

I was informed via a post over at Search Engine Roundtable that Google Maps now has walking directions!

It seems that a few weeks ago there were signs that this was happening for a few users, but I see it now and I assume everyone else does too, since I never get into any of these betas.

Remember: be careful when walking in unfamiliar areas.

What's new in iGoogle 2.0? Check out this review!

For a while we've know that Google were testing a new version of iGoogle. It had been available to a select number of users and developers.

But yesterday, the Google Operating System blog posted a way that everyone can have the new iGoogle page TODAY. I've got a full review but first details on how you can start using iGoogle 2.0 today.

// How can I start using iGoogle 2.0? //

From the Google Operating System blog:

Quick tip to access the new iGoogle:
- go to google.com/ig
- paste this in the address bar:
javascript:_dlsetp('v2=1');
- to go back to the old version, paste in the address bar:
javascript:_dlsetp('v2=0');

Full review after the jump!

100 reasons why you should love Google

Photo by Erin MC Hammer

Everyone loves Google (mostly). If you don't here are 100 reasons why you should!

Nearly all are links (Wiki, Google, Google blogs etc). If you enjoy please digg it and share. Thanks to Ross who helped me compile this.

1. 20% time
2. PigeonRank
3. PageRank
4. Gmail
5. Google blogs
6. Google Earth
7. StreetView
8. iGoogle
9. Docs
10. I'm feeling lucky
11. Notebook
12. Free beer @ Googleplex
13. Free Ben & Jerry's @ Googleplex - Trust me on this one.
14. Free food @ Googleplex
15. Summer of code
16. Labs
17. Trends
18. Maps
19. Alerts
20. Google Reader
21. Google Toolbar
22. Matt Cutts (<3)
23. Matt Cutt's blog (<3<3)
24. YouTube
25. Google Web Toolkit
26. Analytics
27. Android
28. The 700MHz auction
29. Lively
30. Language tools
31. Gphone rumours/drama
32. Google Cache
33. Translate this page
34. Feedburner
35. Google Talk 

 

5 Greasemonkey scripts you should be using

Just a week ago (12th June) Greasemonkey Version 0.8 was released to the world and made available at addons.mozilla.org. This latest version brings with it full compatibility with Firefox 3.0. It's a while since I've checked out many Greasemonkey scripts so I thought I'd write a post about what Greasemonkey is and how you can use it with Google. So first...

What is Greasemonkey?

For the uninitiated...from the Greasemonkey blog:

"Greasemonkey is a Firefox extension that allows you to customize the way webpages look and function. Hundreds of scripts are already available for free. And if you're the tinkerer sort, you can also write your own."

How can I use Greasemonkey?

You need to visit addons.mozilla.org, download it, install it, restart Firefox and you're ready to go.

Why do I want it?

Here comes the good part. Coming up are 5 top Greasemonkey scripts that will improve the look, feel and usability of sites all things Google...(All taken from userscripts.org including quotes).

(1) Google Reader: Show Feed Favicons

Not happy that Google Reader shows only the dull RSS icon for your favourite feeds? 1-0 to Greasemonkey...this script brings your favourite icons to Google Reader.

"Automatically decorates the Google Reader subscription list with icons corresponding to the website from which each feed originates. This replicates an effect currently available in other feed-readers such as Bloglines."

(2) Google Account Multi-Login

If you use a shared computer and you get frustrated at having to log back in to your Google account after someone else has used it....or if you just have more than one Google account (or an alias?), then this Greasemonkey script will let you quickly change from one account to the other. Just install the script and at the top right of your screen there will be a drop down box where you can add users. Go here for further instructions and a video.

(3) Better Gmail

'Better Gmail' is a combination of lots of useful Greasemonkey scripts for Gmail, made by LifeHacker and is without doubt one of the best extensions you can get. Better Gmail works only with the latest version of Gmail. If for some reason you still love the old one, you'll need Better Gmail 2.

Once you've installed the extension, go to 'Tools' to turn select the 'Better Gmail' option and enable it. There are so many features, and you can read more about them here, but some of my favourites include showing how many unread emails on the tab in Firefox so you can see at glance how many are unread; highlighting emails as you roll over them; hide your spam count; hide labels on your sidebar and the ability to use different skins.

(4) Google Reader Preview

This script adds a 'preview' button to Google Reader posts that allows you to view the real article (as it looks on the website) in Google Reader. That means you can view comments without leaving Google Reader.

(5) Google Adsense Ads Remover

"Removes Google AdSense from all web pages. It also removes toolbar ad and desktop search ad too."

This script seems to work really well. It has been reported not to work on some sites...but some is better than none!

I hope that shows you the value of Greasemonkey and how powerful it can be - it can make your Google browsing experience far better. If you liked this post please digg it, share it or comment - especially if you know any better scripts?

Precipiate is Google Desktop Search for Mac

Photo by Weimiweim

Precipiate is a new Spotlight plug in from Google for Mac. It is effectively the equivalent of Google Desktop Search...but for Mac.

Upon downloading and opening the file, which you find here, Precipitate opens as a preference pane and installs into your System Preferences. The plug in allows you to make your Google Bookmarks and Google Docs searchable from your desktop and just requires your Google Account information to start up.

"Precipitate works by creating files on your machine that are imported by Spotlight, then periodically checking in with the server and updating the local files to reflect any changes."

Seems pretty handy, especially if you use Google Docs a lot!

Google Fridges go into meltdown

Summer is here. Temperatures are rising. The last thing you need is for your Google Fridge to break...

So imagine my horror when I read over at Search Engine Roundtable:

"Back in April of 2006, Google began sending out Google Fridges to some of their larger advertisers as a thank you.  Well, I am now seeing reports via WebmasterWorld that those fridges are beginning to break."

Apparently, other people are reporting similar fridge problems.

I'm disappointed that Google haven't ever given me a Google Fridge. The best I got was a t-shirt, travel mug and, surprisingly, some lip balm.

What's your BEST Google freebie?

Daily Mail removes article slamming Google?

Earlier I posted about The Daily Mail's story branding Google StreetView 'almost criminal'. Whilst its too late to pull this ridiculous story from their newspaper (since they have already been printed) it seems that The Daily Mail might have removed this story from their website! (See picture opposite).

A quick search on Google brings up 4 links to the article - 2 on The Daily Mail website and 2 on the This is London website. However clicking on any of these links brings a 404 error. Strange?

In addition the removed story has been posted on Digg with a copy of the text with the following caption:

"mailonsunday.co.uk — This article has been removed from the main sites, probably because the author rather libelously suggests that Google is responsible for cold calling. And its all rubbish."

I've contacted the original Digg poster to find out who he is. He talks sense! Is he right? I'm not sure of the legalities of these things but the article certainly was VERY strong. The mystery continues...