UPDATE: Mozilla will be launching it’s popular open-source browser, Firefox for mobiles! See http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/20681/

There’s no doubt about it: Linux is still not mainstream, despite the many improvements by thousands of open-source contributors across the world. Luckily for us Linux users, this is all going to change with the launch of Google Android!

Here’s the top 5 reasons why:

1) Android looks damn nice compared to other Linux distributions. It’ll appeal to the masses who value asthetics above anything else.

Linux = Command Prompt?

Video of the Google Android UI in action:

2) It won’t break, and no configuration is needed. Cell phone manufacturers will ensure their phones will work with the platform by making the necessary installations and configurations, so consumers don’t have to.

3) It’ll drive down the price of a smartphone, pocket-pc or whatever a cellphone is called these days. Simple – no more licensing fees for crappy operating systems (can you say Windows Mobile?).

4) There are more people carrying cell phones than Internet users. Linux is having a difficult time converting Window users, who most likely have used the OS on their desktops/laptops their entire lives. However, this is not so for cell phones. Many of us are used to different OS on the phone (RIM, Symbian, Windows Mobile etc) so we’re more likely to try out a new OS, which is great considering there are so many cell phone users out there!

There are more cell phone users than Internet users

5) Android Apps are easily accessible without strict rules of which apps are featured on the Android App Market. Everyone is going to go crazy and start pulling their hair out when they discover that there are a plethora of different applications (that are super cheap or FREE) for their phone. They no longer have to stick to the software that comes on their phone. iPhone already offers this kind of an experience, but not all apps are available. For example, you won’t find a single podcaster app for the iPhone since apps like these are rejected and banned for duplicating the functionality of the Podcast section of iTunes. Not so for the Android! So there will bound to be some awesome apps for your phone!

Apple App Store Dictorship

 
Bonus: 6) It’s from Google, so everyone will use it.

Let the spot-light shine on Linux!

Peter Kao

Just found out that you can’t create a Google Group Page with Chrome!

How funny…

Peter Kao

There are few companies out there that has the guts or care to keep a corporate philosophy that focuses on its consumers. Recently, Google proved that it really cared for its users.

Let me start off with an introduction to Google’s newest product, Google Chrome (get it here). It’s a web browser that has Google fans jumping for joy across the world and has even converted some Firefox users. Despite the fact that it’s still in Beta (aren’t most Google products? ex. Gmail) it has been benchmarked by geeks on scriptNode as the fastest browser on the market.

However, after a few hours post to the launch people started complaining about the End-User License Agreement (EULA) for the product. To put into layman terms, the EULA says that all information submitted using the browser belongs to Google. This obviously pissed off some people. It was a sign that Google had gone awry with its “Do No Evil” mantra and turned into the typical faceless corporation that cares little for its followers.

Within a few hours after hearing the complain, Google immediately added a new clause:

“11.1 You retain copyright and any other rights you already hold in Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services.”

Which basically shut everyone up…including myself – I’m using Chrome to type this very entry! And I get to keep ownership of it too

Peter Kao

I was browsing through a fellow UW undergrad’s blog when I stumbled upon his “Endless Google Search”.

The first thing that went through my mind as I was using it was, “Holy shit. This is awesome.” This just comes to prove that opening up API’s is a really good thing for the world. It allows creative programmers such as Paul (his blog here) the tools and resources to building something as ingenious as his “Endless Google Search.”

Basically, Paul used one of Google’s API’s to create his own search tool, one that uses the Google Search Engine but lists the results in such a way that you don’t need to click on any link to see more results. The mod uses AJAX to load search results, which allows you to simply scroll down to view more. This is a great tool if you are doing research!

Check his tool out here

However, as someone mentioned in the comments for the post, the ‘endlessness’ of the page may incur depression in some people…LET THIS BE A WARNING TO THE WEAK-MINDED

- Peter Kao