Google

Google Reader’s creator reflects

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“When they replaced sharing with +1 on Google Reader, it was clear that this day was going to come,” he said. Wetherell, 43, is amazed that Reader has lasted this long. Even before the project saw the light of the day, Google executives were unsure about the service and it was through sheer perseverance that it squeaked out into the market. At one point, the management team threatened to cancel the project even before it saw the light of the day, if there was a delay.

Nice article from Om Malik.

Google removes ad blocking software from its store

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According to several sources, Google has started sending notifications to developers with ad-blocking software in the Google Play Store regarding these apps’ removal. Players like AdBlock, AdAway, AdFree and more are being whisked away.

Anyone surprised? Google will let all the Malware in the world in the store, but not ad blocking software.

Google Reader to shut down July 1

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We launched Google Reader in 2005 in an effort to make it easy for people to discover and keep tabs on their favorite websites. While the product has a loyal following, over the years usage has declined. So, on July 1, 2013, we will retire Google Reader. Users and developers interested in RSS alternatives can export their data, including their subscriptions, with Google Takeout over the course of the next four months.

One of Google’s most useful products. Gone.

Google admits it infringed MPEG H.264 patents

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Almost three years after Google released its WebM video encoding technology as a “free” and open alternative to the existing H.264 backed by Apple and others, it has admitted its position was wrong and that it would pay to license the patents WebM infringes.

Google got away with stealing Java code, so I guess it thought why not steal some video codecs too.

Google Oops

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Notice anything wrong with the Chromebook? Look closer.

Oh Google.

Don’t be evil Google

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How is it that Google feels its entitled to steal elements of Java and get away with it. No matter how you look at it, that’s an asshole move.

Moron

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A few years ago, consumers needed to touch and feel devices, but these days they can often get the information they need to make a purchase decision by talking to friends and reading reviews.

“They don’t have to go in the store and feel it anymore,” Rubin said, during a roundtable with reporters at Mobile World Congress on Tuesday.

That’s absolutely true. Nobody goes to Apple retail stores to get some time with the new products, nobody at all. Those stores are basically empty all the time. Rubin is TOTALLY right.

Moron.

Chromebook Pixel first thoughts

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Om Malik:

I surfed through a few websites — and clicked on a lot of ads, unintentionally. I used Google Maps and Google Photos and used touch to experience them. I am guessing that there is a growing number of people who want touch on their laptops — I simply use the iPad for all things cloud.

That said, I have some reservations about the device and its positioning. It is hard to pay $1,299 for a device when I can get a better-equipped MacBook Air, which despite its age is a lot more flexible and expandable. Pichai said that he wanted to focus on the high end of the market because they want power users, early adopters and developers to embrace this platform.

Om has a lot of good points in his article — it’s definitely worth a read. I especially like that he argues with Google about it.

Google sued for snooping on Apple users

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Apple customers in Britain have begun to seek compensation after the search giant bypassed security settings on their iPhones and Mac computers, allowing it to track their browsing habits.

Don’t be evil Google.

Fuck off Google

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Steven Levy talking to Google CEO Larry Page: Wired: Steve Jobs felt competitive enough to claim that he was willing to “go to thermonuclear war” on Android. Page: How well is that working? Android is a stolen product and you … Continued

Google will not make Windows apps

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Speaking to V3, the firm’s product management director at Google Apps, Clay Bavor, said that due to what it sees as a lack of interest from its clients on the systems, it is holding back on any work at present.

“We have no plans to build out Windows apps. We are very careful about where we invest and will go where the users are but they are not on Windows Phone or Windows 8,” he said.

And the shots go back and forth.

Oopsie

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Arik Hesseldahl got to the bottom of rumors that Google bought ICOA Wireless:

But people within the company say that contrary to a press release posted on PR Web, Google has not bought ICOA, a Rhode Island-based player in public Wi-Fi Networks.

It fooled a lot of people this morning. Good job Arik.

The cost of a click

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Horace Dediu:

The bottom line is that an individual click is not as valuable as it used to be. Would a larger volume of mobile usage be a reason? Google won’t say.

With operating margins falling, Google must be very concerned.

Google, Dish may launch wireless service

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Dish has been in talks with several companies, including Google. While everything is in the early stages, it would be very interesting if Google did move ahead with this plan given its relationship with existing carriers.

Here is a Google Cache link of the WSJ article.

Put up or shut up Google

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John Kirk with a message for Eric Schmidt:

The proof is in the profits. If you don’t the have profits, you don’t have the proof. And if you don’t have the proof, then please, just stop talking.

Schmidt also said that the majority of TVs would have Google in them by now too. How’s that working out for you Schmidt?

Eric Schmidt is such a scumbag

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The Android-Apple platform fight is the defining contest. Here’s why: Apple has thousands of developers building for it. Google’s platform, Android, is even larger.

Schmidt steals whatever he can from Apple while sitting on the company’s board and then slithers like a slug.

Google passes Microsoft in market value

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Google rose 1 percent to $761.78 at the close in New York, gaining a market capitalization of about $249.9 billion. Microsoft, the world’s biggest software maker, fell less than 1 percent to $29.49, for a valuation of $247.2 billion.

I bet Microsoft never thought this would happen.

Google strong-arms Acer

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Alibaba said that Acer “was notified by Google that if the product runs Aliyun OS, Google will terminate its Android- related cooperation and other technology licensing with our partner….We regret Google’s action.”

Stay classy Google.

Apple, Google meet to discuss patents

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Eric Slivka for Mac Rumors:

Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Larry Page have been participating in active discussions to address patent issues relating to the two companies, “keeping the lines of communication open” as patent battles between Apple on one side and Google and its Android hardware partners on the other side continue to rage.

I would love to be in that room.

Thermonuclear

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I’ve seen a number of comments around the Internet about how Apple didn’t exactly go “Thermonuclear” in its win against Samsung. There’s an important point to remember — Steve Jobs wasn’t talking about Samsung, he was talking about Google. […]