Posts Tagged ‘Google’

Google Trying To Out Fox Wolfram?

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Earlier this week Google unveiled some changes to its search engine, allowing users to “dig deeper” into results. When I first read this I was obviously reminded of the post I made back at the end of April about Wolfram.

In the main the new tools Google seem to be introducing are meant mainly to help filter out search results more effectively, and thus keep Google ahead of its rivals such as Yahoo and Microsoft’s Live Search. The one application that Google did introduce, which currently is only in its test phase, was Google Squared as mentioned in this post on the Google blog.

From what I can gather it is set to work in a similar way to Wolfram in that it will attempt to provide answers to specific questions, rather than a list of applicable websites/images for a general search term. The main area they differ as advised here is that Wolfram searches for an appropriate answer to a question using its own databases, whilst the new Google tool will attempt to simplify all the information available on the internet, which is an awful lot, into an easy to understand table.

The video below (courtesy of Tech Crunch) shows the current early version of Google Squared in action.

From the description I understand that whilst Wolfram will be trying to provide specific answers to specific questions from its (admittedly limited) database, Google Squared will still be providing a list of applicable results and organising them by various criteria. Providing the answers in a table format it then enables the user to further clarify what exactly they are looking for by filtering the search results by clicking on a column. To me it still seems that although the two engines have their rivalry they are, currently and from what I have read, trying to accomplish two different goals.

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New Web Tool ‘Wolfram’ Could Be “As Important As Google”

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

A new web tool that “could be as important as Google” has been shown off to the public, as reported here by the BBC.

The aim of Wolfram is to directly answer questions rather than displaying a list of ‘relevant’ websites. For example if asked the question “Who was the president of Brazil in 1923?” Wolfram would answer “Artur da Silva Bernardes”.

As well as this, Wolfram will also feature other functions to solve complex mathematical equations, plot scientific figures, or chart natural events. The main advantage is that rather than being merely a ‘Search Engine’ as we are used to, Wolfram will be able to provide answers to direct questions. It works using a technique known as natural language processing, and will allow people to interact with computers in an instinctive way.

Wolfram is currently set to go live here, at some point in May.

Personally I see this as being a great tool for working alongside Google. Wolfram would be great for getting specific answers to specific questions without having to trawl through one or more websites to find the exact piece of information you are looking for. Google will still have its use as a search engine for anything that isn’t a direct question that requires a less specific answer.

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Google Streetview – Here’s Looking At You

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

Last week saw Google launch its Streetview service for several UK cities. Opinion is somewhat divided over the application. Some claim it is an invasion of their privacy with users able to take virtual tours of the cities that have been mapped. Google counter that with image recognition software faces and number plates are blurred, and all the views are what you would see from public thoroughfares.

Several images have been removed by Google including one of a man leaving a sex shop, and another of a man being sick outside a pub. Google have said that “We want this to be a useful tool and it’s people’s right to have their image removed“. I’m obviously not sure exactly why some of the complaints have been levelled, and I don’t really see this as an invasion of privacy myself. It’s a series of static photo’s after all, and they are not updated on any sort of regular basis, so it’s not as if the images can properly be used to survey a property or area, and Google seem more than happy to remove any images they receive complaints about. Here is one particularly amusing take on the whole thing from satirical website The Daily Mash.

One of the more bizarre sights to be seen is this image of a chap dressed as ‘Wally’, of “Where’s Wally” fame.

Of course I have already sought out my flat, and judging by the picture I would estimate that particular set of photo’s was taken at least 9 or 10 months ago, so not exactly an up to date photographic rendering. Unfortunately Gadgets Towers lies just outside the range of Google Streetview, so I can’t show you our magnificent premises.

Tell us what you think about Google Streetview, or any interesting sights you’ve discovered.

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Gadgets Week

Friday, March 20th, 2009

Hi everyone

I hope you’re all having a feel good Friday!

As it’s the end of the week I thought I’d give you a little snippet of what we’ve been liking and talking about this past week at Gadgets Towers.

At the beginning of this week the gadgets team decided to try out all the new Walkers crisps from Onion Bhaji to Builders Breakfast….I myself think its an injustice to the real bacon butty which you just can’t beat on a Saturday morning but never the less it has left the office munching away. We’ll let you know our final verdict shortly.

On Tuesday all the girls were ‘arrghing’ and boys ‘urrghing’ when we were introduced to what we like to call Spike, the bald hedgehog. Shown in this weeks paper, he’s the only hedgehog with no spines…let’s face it all us girls love an sob story don’t we.

I had an action packed Orange Wednesday night. I watched the new movie ‘Watchmen’. Even though my obvious choices would normally be a chick flick or Disney film the movie still had me at the edge of my seat with its dark entertainment of the original comic books.

With this week being sunny and bright, yesterday we started look at all the great new gadgets we’ll be getting for summer. It didn’t take long before we were reminiscing about the toys we had as kids. Some remember the Space Hopper, and some of the…. dare I say it (cough) younger generation remember many a great time had with a Super Soaker! We would love to know what summer toys remind you of the good old days when you actually had time to play in the garden and not just de-weed it.

Finally today we’ve been discussing and having great fun with the new and much talked about Google Street View. Its amazing to think that the Big Brother eye is there to show all at just the click of a mouse! You should check it out.

I’m hoping the nice weather will continue over the weekend, and I’ll be able to sit out and top-up my tan.

What ever you do this weekend…have a good one!

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