This video shows the evolution of Google search and how key events have impacted the product roadmap.

What's really interesting is that one of the main events which led to greater search enhancements was the 9/11 tragedy. At that time news was not being crawled frequently enough, so when users were searching "New York Twin Towers" they were getting month old content. This lead to the development of enhanced google search for news.

Users expectations also increased, they expected Google to find information across the web regardless of file type e.g. they wanted it all, it had to be relevant and they wanted to receive the information quickly.

For those QR code haters out there...they don't seem to be extinct just yet.

eBay is launching a pop up store in London's West End in time for Xmas.

The store will feature the top 200 bestselling items which will be available for purchase via scanning the QR code displayed on the product.

The purchased items will them be delivered to the customer's address. 

This concept has been trialled in New York previously but apparently the London store is in a much better location. The timing with Xmas will also be crucial to the success of the concept store.

For more information check out this article on Power Retail:

http://www.powerretail.com.au/news/ebay-opens-qr-code-store-on-london-high-street/

Personally, I would probably just purchase online and avoid the Xmas rush. But I expect they will pick up a large number of untended purchases from passersby. 

The QR technology was no doubt seen at the right technology to reach a broad audience at the time. However as more smartphones come out with NFC (Near Field Communications) implemented I would expect to see similar concepts launched using this technology (with greater take-up).

NFC takes away all the complexity that has been frustrating with QR codes:

• NFC is built in to the mobile (similar to Bluetooth) so no application downloads.
• Immediate connection to the target brand - no passwords, no pairing, no waiting.

Banks are already all over this technology to enable contactless payments. An example of this is the Visa PayWave.

In the context of mobile, as more devices come out with NFC included new marketing and sales opportunities will present themselves.

According to CeBit 1 in 6 mobile phone users will have NFC enabled handsets by 2014. http://www.cebit.com.au/news/technology/nfc-payment-technology-boom-by-2014 

In other QR news, my workmate just told me that the brocollini he purchased from his local Woolworths contained a QR code. Mixing QR and veges sounds like an over the top stirfry to me.

Google + Pages has landed….but what is the right strategy for your brand or business when considering setting up a branded page?

We have been throwing ideas around the office today on how it could be used.

This led me to review some examples of early adopters:

Toyota is using their page to showcase new vehicle’s, share innovative technology ideas and get thoughts and experiences from customers: https://plus.google.com/109401964142949249458#109401964142949249458/posts

Pepsi has launched their page around their connection to music “Where there’s music, there’s Pepsi”. This also ties into their X Factor sponsorship: https://plus.google.com/111883881632877146615#111883881632877146615/posts

Save the Children is using it as another medium to spread their messages and campaigns: https://plus.google.com/101046956874219339437#101046956874219339437/posts

Burberry have done something slightly different with their header and implemented animated GIFs which is simple but effective: https://plus.google.com/110651620964477160777#110651620964477160777/posts

This led to the idea that brands could use it to promote current campaign messaging and regularly update the header depending on which campaign they were running.

The Muppets let you join Kermit and Miss Piggy for a Google Hangout! https://plus.google.com/118177189004466545044#118177189004466545044/posts

This got us thinking about using it for customer service or webinars with “experts” from your business.

I am keen to see how Google + Pages stacks up to the Facebook “timeline” for brand pages which is no doubt just around the corner. Google’s approach to content discovery is a new take on social sharing for business and is a key point of difference.

I thought this paragraph from Fast Company summed up what Google + Pages needs to offer to allow it to be successful with marketers:

…If marketers can reach beyond the page. In a world of Facebook marketers shackled to EdgeRank, Google should focus on reach and relevance, enabling +Page marketers to reach far beyond their page, fans and circles and into the Google network, allowing wonderful things to happen. Think about "One Click Video Seeding": allowing marketers to "buy up" on video posts, reaching directly into YouTube and Display Network placements. Or think about Google enabling the idea of YouTube Publishers on Google+, allowing marketers to tap into the right influencers and to watch the impact of social sharing through Google+ Ripples. Or better yet, Google+ providing marketers with the ability to align their page content with the right SEO keywords, also with a "buy up" SEM option. This strategy has endless possibilities if it's considered.

Source: http://www.fastcompany.com/1793579/google-pages-for-businesses-do-or-die?partner=homepage_newsletter

Before diving in I would recommend reading this article on the 5 things you should know before setting up a page for your business:

http://www.computerworlduk.com/in-depth/it-business/3317238/google-plus-pages...

I just got sent this image captured today in Sydney... I assume this is just a case of faithful dog minding the driver's seat for his owner. But he looks suspiciously at home and I wonder if he is either:

a) actually driving

b) at least has his paws outstretched to reach the pedals

Google has finally launched some of its extended Voice features in Australia.

You can access the advanced features through your Gmail account, which basically now allow you to make landline and mobile calls. 

An article from NBC wrote that Skype would not be competing with Google Voice on price which means Google will be the cheaper of the two.

Google dropped its rates and expanded to 150 global destinations. 

Skype on the other hand is going for a quality message, announcing that discounting rates would lower Skype’s overall call quality. 

Source:http://googlevoiceblog.blogspot.com/

@grantprice_au just showed me this awesome campaign for Jell-O Pudding.

It basically scans tweets from across the USA...and analyses the “smiley’s” :-) vs. the “frowny's” :-(. If there is more “frowny's" than “smiley’s” his face becomes sad and they give away from Jell-O Pudding!

Check it out: http://jellopuddingface.com/

Google is slowly making its presence known in the daily deal market announcing today its purchase of The Dealmap for an undisclosed sum.

Power Retail reported:

The news this week is that The Dealmap was sold at an undisclosed price to Google. A blog post from the company says: “Google provides the ideal platform to help us accelerate our growth and fulfil our mission. We’re passionate about helping people save money while having great local experiences, and in Google we’ve found the perfect partner that shares this passion, as well as our vision and strategy.

Google has tried to make headway into daily deals before. They attempted to purchase Groupon last year for $6 billion, but were turned down. They then launched Google Offers in May this year, which I haven't heard much about.

The acquisition of The Dealmap means they can be more aggressive in this space. Let's hope they can provide a more superior experience to get us all to switch.

I have recently been suffering from daily deal overload.

Don't get me wrong, I still love a bargain. But I don't know which site I am meant to look at on a daily basis.

Thankfully a colleague recently showed me Grouped which brings deals from all of the sites together into one website/ newsletter.

But this now opens up a whole lot more purchasing opportunities...and dealings with companies that may be less reputable.

I had this experience this week. 

A deal came through "Grouped" from "JigoCity" for house cleaning with a local company.

I snapped it up.

I then called the company, going by the name Freedom House Cleaning, multiple times, leaving multiple messages to make my booking.

I was almost about to start ranting and raving when I got an email from JigoCity which highlighted I was not the only one experiencing issues. Apparently multiple people got in touch and they are now crediting everyone with "JigoCity- JigoPoints" to the value of the cleaning ($39) and I can still redeem the voucher as well (if Freedom Cleaning ever answer my call).

The response from JigoCity was swift and commendable.

But it does leave me wondering about the quality of companies getting deals approved and what the vetting process actually is. Has anyone else had a dodgy experience?

The Fantastic Flying Books Of Morris Lessmore iPad App Teaser from Moonbot Studios on Vimeo