Tag Archives: Gmail
Inside Chrome 6: Syncing
Posted on 23. Jul, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 
0 Comments
This article on syncing is part of a series of posts that discuss the new features and technology that will come with the official newest release of Chrome browser – Version 6.
When someone thinks about syncing and Google Chrome, it doesn’t come as a surprise that not much comes to mind. But one needs to realize that being able to sync is an important step towards cloud computing. Syncing information from various devices is going to be important going forward, as hardware becomes less of an important element of mobile computing. It should no longer be the device we are using, but the platform by which we use the web. Because of this syncing will become an important, and hopefully transparent element to using Chrome.
Google realizes this, and they have made being able to sync profile information a priority in Chrome so that one can interface their personal data with several devices. One element of this is bookmark sync, whereby one can save a bookmark with their Google Account from one computer and easily transfer it over to a Chrome browser on another device.
Along with this comes extension sync. Since Chrome debuted extensions to offer a rival to Firefox add-ins, the Official Chrome Extensions site has seen over five thousand ways to extend the browser get approved for use. The great thing about Chrome extensions is that they are built using simple web standards – HTML, CSS and JavaScript. While I test many different extensions on a regular basis, take a look at my post about the top non-bloat non-annoying extensions that are useful to life on the web.
If you like using auto-form fills, expect a nice little surprise when Chrome 6 goes stable. That’s because you’re going to have the ability to transfer your information for various forms over to other devices. A useful feature for sure.
One thing I’d like to mention about syncing is security. Many people are concerned about their personal data in the cloud. Google takes this seriously, so here’s hoping that having the ability to transfer information using your Google Account is secure. After the Chinese hacking attacks last year, Google has implemented SSL on services such as Gmail, and they do take privacy with a serious state of mind. They should, since we are relying on them to protect us.
How to Use Chrome Webapps Right Now
Posted on 16. Jul, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 5 Comments
Here are screen-by-screen steps on how to add the Calendar, Docs and Gmail apps to your Chrome browser. This is what this will look like when you are done.
Your tabs for the three will look like this.
Additionally, when you open a new tab, you’ll get a window that looks like this.
1. Download Chrome 6.
Firstly, you need to get the Chrome 6 development build for this to work. Here is a direct link to download it.
2. Add a Command Line Flag to your Chrome Shortcut.
This is easy, just go to your desktop and right click on your Chrome icon. Select Properties. In the Properties window, you’ll need to add a space and then the flag “–enable-apps” at the end of the Target location.
Hit OK.
3. Go into Developer Mode.
Open your shortcut of Chrome (remember, you have to use this one in order for this to work in the future). Navigate in the omnibar to chrome://extensions
Click on Developer Mode over on the far right.
4. Load the Extensions
A developer toolbar will appear; click on Load unpacked extension.
You’ll be asked to select the path of the extensions.
Windows Vista/7
\Users\[profile name]\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\[version]\Resources\
Windows XP
\Documents & Settings\[profile name]\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\[version]\Resources\
You’ll need to open these three up using the Load unpacked extensions button. You’ll then see them in your list of extensions.
Now you have Chrome web apps in your browser, enjoy!Google’s Single Sign on Means More for Chrome
Posted on 15. Jul, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 1 Comments
It’s been talked about for some time already that Google has been testing single sign-on, and this news item is gaining some heat, so here’s what the impact will really mean. More Chrome.
For some people (myself included) I have multiple Gmail accounts: a personal one, another for my site and a few others related to the Google Apps domains of people I work for. Having all this requires me to juggle multiple accounts, and sometimes Google gets a bit confused.
With Google fixing this, now I don’t have to worry as long as they maintain separation between my accounts, like the personal from work documents problem that I have witnessed. Sometimes I’ve seen documents stored in work accounts that are personal, and vice versa.
Overall, it’s a good thing, and meant for one reason: more users having only one browser that they use. Right now, some people use several in order to switch between accounts quickly, and my assumption is that Chrome OS is not going to let you have more than one browser installed since it IS the browser, right?
Gmail Busts Out Rich Text Signatures
Posted on 09. Jul, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 3 Comments
In a post earlier yesterday, the Gmail blog announced the addition of Rich Text Signatures to everyone’s (I think) favorite email client. While this may add a hodgepodge of images in lines of email conversations, as Gmail becomes a defacto email client for not only regular users but also businesses, adding features like this is smart business.
So, things like colored text, backgrounds, linked text and images are now available to adorn on your signature just the way you like it.
Now I can put my logo into my signature, just so people know who I am (yeah right).
It looks like the only option for this right now is to provide a URL for an image’s location. I’m assuming this is because Google doesn’t want to have to load these images from their own server; you want to use a pretty picture you’re going to have to host it yourself.
I can’t wait to get one with a middle finger as the signature. Seriously, some Gmail users have been angry and repressed for not having this feature. Send me one, if you want to make me laugh. I’m trying to write some fun posts over here.
thechromesource Daily: Links for 5/28/10
Posted on 28. May, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 0 Comments
Will Google be able to make billions from its enterprise Apps services within the next four years?
Google Apps Migration has been announced, allowing a smoother transition from Office over to Gmail and Google Calendar.
Computerworld has a interesting article titled, “The Smart Paranoid’s Guide to Using Google”.
As the cloud grows, what will Google do to keep it interconnected worldwide? “We want 100Gbit/s”.
Visual travel guide Ruba, which mixes blogging, photos and maps into a unique social mash-up has been acquired by Google.
thechromesource Daily: Links for 5/26/10
Posted on 26. May, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 0 Comments
Google’s Chrome OS user interface design team developer Glen Murphy talks to Lifehacker Australia in a brief Q&A session.
Early adopters are increasingly making a move from using Firefox to Chrome browser, according to an analysis by ReadWriteWeb.
It seems pretty clear that the Chrome Web Store will have applications that run code using Native Client.
An anonymous CEO from a public company tells Business Insider that Microsoft’s Outlook mail client will never be able to compete with Gmail.
Google VP of Engineering Vic Gundotra talks to TechCrunch about location based services and Google’s plans in the tablet market.
thechromesource Daily: Links for 5/18/10
Posted on 18. May, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 0 Comments
Amazon announced today that they are releasing a Kindle e-reader app for Android.
Google’s YouTube video of its new Feed API v2 with Push shows how real-time feeds can be easily embedded into web pages.
The new Gmail contextual gadgets feature allows Google Apps Marketplace developers the ability to add functionality within e-mail.
General Motors has formally announced its partnership with Google, and a possible Android version of OnStar could appear at Google I/O.
Of course, don’t forget that Google I/O starts tomorrow morning. Here are the resources you need to be in on the action.
Gaming Could be a Possible Growth Area for Google
Posted on 17. May, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 1 Comments
Last week, TechCrunch deftly pointed out that Google is on the hunt for someone to fill the role of Product Management Leader, Games. Currently, Google really does have too much going in the gaming market. It did, however, recently purchase LabPixies which creates widget-like games for the iGoogle portal as well as making games for Apple products, Android systems and social networking sites.
So the gaming arena could in fact be another engine of growth for Google, one that diversifies the company from advertising and its stated goal of profiting from enterprise cloud applications. If they move aggressively in this space, they may find themselves at an advantage when you consider that the console industry is now experiencing an overall decline in sales. More often than ever, multipurpose devices such as the iPad and smartphones allow people more flexibility to play video games without having to pay a lot of money for gaming titles. This is also true when you consider how successful some companies have become offering games on social networks.
Even some internal Google employees have ported a first person game like Quake II to the browser as one of their projects. Games are now capable of being ported over to HTML5 and run in the current generation of browsers, such as the Asteroids port that is available at the Chrome Experiments site.
Even OnLive, which plans on streaming games to your PC or television, will be launching this summer, allowing gamers to play their favorite titles from top publishers in an entirely new way. Although the bandwidth requirements may be quite high, OnLive is dubbing their service as “the future of gaming” which is most likely true.
Bottom line? There is a lot of room for Google to grow in gaming since their footprint right now is nascent. I would not be surprised if they would go with the now-classic free model that is supported by advertising, expertise that a mobile ad company like AdMob can lend to Google’s wealth of knowledge from utilizing AdWords on web sites and Apps like Gmail. That is, if the Federal Trade Comission ever approves the Google-AdMob deal.
Chrome OS Screenshots Highlight Google’s Apps
Posted on 14. May, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 1 Comments
When Chrome OS does finally make it to market, it is obvious that it will highlight the vast array of Google’s service offerings.
You can see from the screenshots that the folks over at TechCrunch recently found that not only will Chrome OS feature browser functionality, but perhaps also another type of window that is being called Panels. Many of them will likely house services such as Google Chat, Voice and Gmail among others. There really is no way around it: one of the reasons that Google is doing this is to increase its visibility with all of the applications and services that have been developed.
I can now see why Google also want to have a business version of their operating system as well. The Google Apps Marketplace would fit nicely into this, allowing for more productivity capabilities than Microsoft on its own is able to offer. Plus, nothing has to be downloaded or configured. It just works, which will save corporate IT departments time and money that could be better allocated to other resources.
The interface design that we are seeing in these screenshots are different from what the current Chrome OS builds have. So while it needs to be polished up a bit, I suspect that some of these Apple-like design concepts will be added on to the final commercial product. At the same time, Chromium project builds will continue to focus only on make sure that the system works, has the right security elements and is compatible with certain hardware standards.
thechromesource Daily: Links for 5/12/10
Posted on 12. May, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 0 Comments
iPad killer on its way? Google and Verizon are reportedly working on an Android tablet to battle Apple’s slate.
Signs are pointing to the fact that Google may be getting more involved in the gaming business over the next few years.
Does Google need to pull the plug on Chrome OS? At least one intrepid blogger seems to think so, complete with five reasons why.
Here is a guide to four features in Gmail that many people do not know exist.
The Google Moderator API has been released, allowing for more collaboration abilities in Wave as well as possible Android apps.
thechromesource Daily: Links for 5/7/10
Posted on 07. May, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 0 Comments
Chrome 6 is coming, a revision posted by Anthony Laforge at the Chromium site says “Update VERSION Major to 6″.
The dev version of Chrome browser has had a stream of updates since yesterday, including many user interface changes.
University of California – Davis has decided to scrap its Gmail system that was being used by employees out of privacy concerns with the system.
Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 9 will not support Windows XP – and that makes some at Google a bit angry.
There is an extension now available called ChromeTouch that allows users to have touch functionality in Chrome browser.
thechromesource Daily: Links for 5/4/10
Posted on 04. May, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 0 Comments
Chrome 5 Beta has been updated; it now has a faster V8 engine, as well as new HTML5 features and overall improved performance.
PC World’s JR Raphael posits that the Google TV project will run a version of Android called Dragonpoint.
The Chromium Blog has a case study posted on how four different development teams created their Chrome Extensions.
Google recently invested $38 million dollars on two wind farms owned by NextEra Energy Resources.
Google’s stock has performed well since it went public, but can it get up to $2,000 per share?
UK Gmail users can rejoice – the @gmail.com domain will soon be available after a legal dispute of the name has been resolved.
