Google has launched it new service which looks to combine TV and the internet. With the use of a special TV set or a normal television plugged into a Google box you can now access content from the web in the comfort of your living room; viewing things like YouTube videos, live streamed content and web pages.

Google TV is a ‘natural extension of the web’ combining two of the most commonly used medium into one mighty content based interface.

Whilst the idea makes a lot of sense there have been a number of similar initiative in the past that have proved unsuccessful so it’s definitely worth holding off on this before opening up your wallet for another technology spend.

You’ve probably all heard of link building and will have been told many times how important it is. Do you know, however, why we link build? Do you want to know? Well read on.

When you put a search query into Google it does 2 things. Firstly it sorts all of the pages relating to the search query into order of relevancy. Clearly there are likely to be any number of web pages that are equally as relevant to each other. The next thing that Google then does is to sort the relevant pages into order of authority, which is where link building comes in. In super simplistic terms if 2 pages are equally relevant, the one with the greater link profile will appear higher in the search results.

So, thats why we do it!

Published in the Telegraph on the 13th May, the below article highlights the importance of the internet - particularly in the retail sector. Comet reported sales across the group fell by 1.2pc whilst sales over the internet soared by 23.8pc.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/7716123/Poor-weather-cast-shadow-over-Comet.html

Latest results from UK Online Measurement Company (UKOM) show a marked increase in time spent on the internet. According to the report British web users now spend 65% more time on the internet than 3 years ago. So Surfing now accounts for over ‘22 hours per month’ online.

A considerable amount of this time goes to social networking, like Facebook, Twitter and Bebo, or blogs (like this one).

Social Networking sites, and in particular Facebook, are achieving notable successes. In fact, Facebook has now secured an impressive 7.2% of all time spent online in the UK, compared to 6.5% 3 years ago.

• Social networks/blogs – 22.7%
• Email – 7.2%
• Gaming – 6.9%
• Instant Messaging – 4.9%
• Classified/Auctions – 4.7%
• Portals – 4%
• Search 4%
• Software info/products – 3.4%
• News – 2.8%
• Adult – 2.7% 

Source UKOM

If you’ve ever wondered wanted to know how PayPal returns data to you from a transaction (and we have) then look no further than this blog courtesy of the PayPal X Developer Network.

This explains the POST, PDT and IPN return types. Ok, so not the most interesting night time reading but someone needs to know this kind of stuff.

In other news Google has bought BumpTop; the software that turns your flat desktop into a 3D interactive space. I’ve tried the software and whilst it did impress visually it did not make sense, to me at least, on a desktop machine where you have a keyboard and mouse. However I can completely see the benefits on a touch based piece of hardware, like the iPad. Are Google about to impress with some new mobile device that makes use of this technology? or maybe their own large iPad style device? Only time will tell.

I was emailed a link this morning to view an online mountain biking magazine. I’m sure it would have been great, however, I couldn’t view it. All I was presented with was a blank screen. The magazine was built entirely in Adobe Flash (formerly Macromedia Flash). And I was trying to view it on my iPad (see previous blog!). Now, Adobe and Apple are in a dispute as to the security of Flash Apps and running on the Apple mobile platform (iPhone, iPad, iPod - this list goes on). Surely, with the proliferation of mobile Apple devices and the resent huge uptake of the iPad in the US, Flash must be on the downward side of the curve?

This aside, if any of our clients approached us to create an online magazine, the first thing we would take a look at would be accessibility - as we would see this as intrinsic to the establishing and growing readership. So, the last thing we would look at would be Flash - especially for the whole magazine.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m a fan of Flash. It’s changed and increase the way we view video online (YouTube) and when used effectively, there is no substitute - until HTML 5 arrives that is.

So, if there were only 14hrs to save the Earth, then I’d go with good old reliable and accessible HTML.

PS. Even more frustrating is that as it currently stands, I can’t use BBC iPlayer on my iPad either!

We took delivery last week of our very own Apple iPad. Freshly imported from the US along with a US iTunes account and a $100 gift voucher for lots of sparkly new iPad Apps.

And the verdict is…
…what a fabulous bit of kit. It’s important to understand that the iPad will disappoint if you don’t understand what it’s for. If you want a quick, small and fairly light device for browsing the web, sending and receiving email and most other thing you do when at home, then the iPad may be for you. If you want a business machine, it certainly won’t replace your laptop - unless you only use it for resting your pen and note pad on.

The actual iPad itself is a lovely looking piece of kit. Typically Apple, the materials and construction are second to none. The screen is vibrant and the resolution on HD movie stunning. And, personally, I don’t have any issues with the touch keyboard and size.

The Apps selection is limited at the moment and running iPhone apps on it simply doubles the size of the App - which is a bit rubbish from what I’ve seen so far.

The Safari browser is currently detected as a mobile browser, which is a little frustrating. I have a big screen and don’t want to be served iPhone site versions. No doubt, developers will catch on - this one has

Main Benefits/positive points so far:
Immediate on button - no boot up time
Long battery time
Lovely screen/display
Very quick
Keynote on the go is effective - but importantly not the full version
Works great with Bluetooth headphones (Sennheiser mm450)
Excellent video/movies
oh - and looks cool in Starbucks (but you may get mugged for it)

Main faults/frustrations so far:
Massive finger print issue
Easy to drop (like a big bar of soap)
No Flash - but maybe that’s not such a bad thing!
Sites recognise the iPad Safari as a mobile browser
Limited Apps at the moment - but increasing daily
Won’t charge from your USB as not powerful enough. Needs mains.

I’ll update further over time.