In March, Google announced Google Voice, a new addition to the company’s toolbox of technology crafted to improve and simplify the way we manage our phone calls, texts and voicemail.  The concept stems from GrandCentral, bought by Google a few years ago.

The tool enables users to use a single number for all incoming home, work or mobile calls simultaneously.  Did I mention this service is FREE?  Now that I have your attention, while the technology does not seem as impressive as some new media tools, it is most definitely a needed convenience in the busy lives of many.  In addition, those already using the service are grateful, with more time freed up from organizing and synchronizing work and personal connections and scheduling.  Let’s point out the obvious-you could essentially never miss a call.

Initially, the new service was only available to existing GrandCentral clients.  Now, those who email Google to request the service will get back an invite via email for it.  Customers are able to select their own number, and begin controlling their phones…all of them. 

While the innovative service remains free of charge at the moment, it should be interesting to see how the tool affects Google’s mobile strategy in time.  Relayed by Deep Blue Ineractive, your Fort Lauderdale web design and interactive marketing team.

While it remains premature to state victory, Microsoft’s latest attempt at search, Bing, is off to a respectable start.  At a whopping two weeks old, Bing has generated a nice bump in users, possibly thanks to spreading the word about the newly released search engine.

According to comScore.com, Bing’s market share in the U.S. rose from 9.1 to 11.1 percent between June 2nd and June 6th, an impressive figure of its impressions.  It is common for new products and services to see an increase in interest and publicity initially, the trick and goal is to capture that interest and maintain it.  This becomes especially important given the competition for search business between Google, Yahoo and Microsoft, the search business market leaders.  Microsoft has spent much effort and funds promoting Bing on both the internet and television.

Microsoft has succeeded in gaining attention, and is most likely aligning themselves for continued momentum.  Not to mention the fact that Bing must perform on a level to compete with number one search engine, no simple task considering the enormity of Google.  Relayed by Deep Blue Interactive, Florida web design and interactive marketing solutions.

Google has found itself in murky waters over its online advertising practices.  There are companies who are livid about the methods Google allows paid ad placements to operate.  Google defends its practices, citing the effectiveness of competitive trademark usage. 

Geico, American Airlines and other large corporate entities have filed suit against Google regarding the competitive uses of their respective trademarks (those suits were settled).  Brand owners consider the usage abuse of their brands, and say that it confuses customers and increases the cost of doing business.

Google is unphased by the commotion and lawsuits.  In fact, this month, Google spread its policy of permitting anyone to purchase someone else’s trademark as a trigger for an online advertisement to 190 new countries.  Google will also allow limited use of trademarks in the text of some search ads, regardless of if the owner of the trademark objects.

Google maintains that the changes will lead to ads that have more relevance to the user.  An example being that if someone entered “Dell” into a query, not only would the official Dell website appear, but other sites who sell Dell products.

Microsoft and Yahoo allow similar uses of trademarks within the text of their online advertisements, although they do not allow the controversial method of utilizing trademarks as triggers for competitor ads.  Dynamics of trademark usage are up for a unique interpretation on the internet.  Google functions for its users, the ultimate in search technology, if a Google user is searching for a product, they will also be provided with competing products with potentially lower prices.  Relayed by Deep Blue Interactive, your Fort Lauderdale interactive marketing solution.

The Starship Enterprise had tribbles, and we have twitters. In the original Star Trek, tribbles were similar to Gizmo from the Gremlins, furry, adorable, and reproduced in the same rapid and anomalous manner.  The adorable puffs soon became arduous to manage.  Enter Twitter.

The unremitting stream of information bestowed upon us by Twitter is quite comparable to the gremlins and tribbles, in the form of tweets.  The popularity of blogging has hit the microscopic scale, and micro blogging is now filling every available crevice with tidbits of information and constant updates, leaving many feeling overwhelmed. 

The popularity of Twitter has soared, attracting an extensive variety of users, from celebrities like Oprah Winfrey to businesses eager to connect with prospects on a more personal platform.  Twitters numbers are astounding and impressive, during the month of April the site relished an 83% increase in traffic, drawing in an additional 17 million new users (according to ComScore).

Twitter will continue to evolve and improve, striving to attract new users while maintaining current user satisfaction to the best of their ability.  Upwards of 60% of new Twitter newbies stop using it in their first month (according to Neilsen) a figure the company would like to improve.  Twitter is aiming for roots and wings.  Relayed by Deep Blue Interactive, South Florida web design and interactive marketing powerhouse.

The American Library Association, the Association of College and Research Libraries and the Association of Research Libraries have implored that a federal judge to pay special attention to the class-action settlement between Google, authors and publishers in the Google Book Search controversy.

In a court filling the three groups asked Judge Denny Chin of Federal District Court to provide continued oversight of the settlement, as a measure to ensure that the pricing Google charges for subscriptions to its digital library are not too high from lack of competition.  Google Book Search is the only tool of its kind so far, a natural monopoly, and the company has set up alliances.

The groups have also voiced their concern to Judge Chin regarding the privacy of readers of the online books.  Google has repeatedly stated that it will place the privacy of users foremost.  Google, the Author’s Guild and the Association of American Publishers maintain their stance that the deal is beneficial for authors, publishers as well as the public.  Google has assured all parties that Google Book Search will not prevent competition.  Relayed by Deep Blue Interactive, your Florida online marketing resource.