Archive for the ‘Discussion’ Category

Google has taken over the company Clever Sense, which developed the successful local recommendation app “Alfred”. The startup seems to be over-joyed about the current developments, as seen in a press statement. The team is excited to belong to Google. Through cooperation, the company is one step closer to helping the world around itself. Read the rest of this entry »

So much for the idea that the internet and its social web-communities have led to an anonymous, cyber exchange and the destruction of real social life. Critics, be prepared, because that definitely isn’t the case: social online networks maintain old relationships, according to a Germany-wide survey by the polling firm Aris on behalf of the high-tech union BITKOM.

Two-thirds of all German internet users maintain their friendships online, according to the survey. Last year, BITKOM reported this number at 57 percent. Six out of ten respondents have found old friends using the internet. Especially older people have been using the perks of the social online network. The quarters of users older than 65 said that they maintain old friendships using the internet, and two-thirds have found old friends through the net. This means that the elderly are even ahead of all other age groups, according to BITKOM.

Oh boy…it’s not really that much of a surprise, right? But the outrage is still quite prevalent. At a conference in the USA, IT specialists revealed that iPhones and iPads with UMTS interface save the locations of their users using mobile networks. What really gets the blood boiling is that this data is not encrypted and can be viewed by just about anyone with the help of some special software. Read the rest of this entry »

While Microsoft is worrying about dealing with German data protection agents for its geodata-service Streetside as part of the local search engine Bing Maps, Google’s panorama view service is worrying about much different things. Media reports have reported that the company will be putting a stop to its project Street View in Germany. This isn’t the case, however. The quote from a Google representative was misinterpreted. Read the rest of this entry »

An intense fight has broken out between Google and Microsoft. The search engine giant has accused their competition of taking Google search results and using them on Bing. Microsoft has vehemently denied the accusations and is now claiming that Google is guilty of manipulation through click-fraud.

One allegation after another. Media reports are discussing the possible name-and-shame campaign going on between the two internet giants. Rather than behaving like adults and discussing the issues in a factual manner, the accusations are beginning to sound like childish reactions in the style of “a Roland for an Oliver”. Read the rest of this entry »

The internet was forced to hold its breath for a moment last week. On January 24th, 2011 Anno Domini, Pope Benedict XVI gave social networks his blessing. However, he took the opportunity to warn of misuse.
“As with every other fruit of human ingenuity, the new communications technologies must be placed at the service of the integral good of the individual and of the whole of humanity,” wrote the Pope in his message to believers. “If used wisely, they can contribute to the satisfaction of the desire for meaning, truth and unity which remain the most profound aspirations of each human being.” However, one must be wary of the danger, “such as enclosing oneself in a sort of parallel existence, or excessive exposure to the virtual world.” Read the rest of this entry »

The American check-in and geotagging service Foursquare is working together with the Deutsche Telekom for its start in Germany, and will be integrated into their service, according to the blog Netzwertig. Read the rest of this entry »

Small and midsized establilshments in Germany still haven’t made it into the digital realm – especially in the world of social media. This information is from a study “Middle class and Advertising” from Telegate. Read the rest of this entry »

Check-ins were once the hit when it came to location-based services. But we all know how it works out for hits: even they wear out. Foursquare is now trying to make a comeback with the 2.0 version of their app. They’re bringing a few new ideas in and a lot of disappointments. Read the rest of this entry »

The Frankfurt based TVG Verlag, which publishes the telephone books for Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich, amongst other things, was the only provider in the local search field nominated by the Telekom-portal Softwareload for Software of the Year 2010. Today was the last day that people could cast their vote. The possible prizes have a total worth of 10,000 euro.
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