Google’s latest add on to Google maps is called Latitude.  Latitude allows users to share their location with friends via their cell phones.  Google recently ended its Dodgeball service, which allowed cell users to share current location information via text by virtually any phone.

With Latitude being an add-on to Google Maps, it relies on the Google Maps ‘My Location’ feature, which uses the signals from nearby cell phone towers to configure a user’s position.  What this translates to is that the mobile version of Latitude can only be used with smartphones, such as Apple’s iPhone, Research in Motion’s BlackBerry and other devices capable of running off of Microsoft’s Windows Mobile or Google’s own Android operating system.

The Latitude add-on does more than simply broadcast a user’s location.  With Latitude, users have the ability to text, chat or update their status messages.  According to Google, the mobile version will be available in 27 countries.

The feature’s mobile use being restricted to a smartphone is not viewed by Google as a limitation, perhaps because there are already 50 million Americans using smartphones.  The add-on has the potential to provide peace of mind to parents and others around the world who are concerned about the whereabouts or safety of their loved ones.  A parent could check from a PC to ensure their child is where they say they are, and that they are safe. 

As technology breaks barriers, privacy is a key concern.  This add-on is completely opt-in, as with any type of location-based social networking system or service.  Brought to you by Deep Blue Interactive, your Fort Lauderdale web design and interactive marketing firm.

Row 44 is a company who makes technology that allows people to have internet and phone access on airplanes.  As early as this month, Southwest and Alaska Airlines are scheduled to begin testing a handful of aircraft using the Row 44 technology.  If things proceed as planned, the North American customers of those airlines could be surfing, searching and emailing in the air in as little as 18 months.  Row 44 aims to transform travel downtime in the air into revenue.  Estimated cost of the service is tentatively set to be $6 for handheld devices and $8 for laptops for passengers of domestic flights.

In efforts to showcase the technology to potential investors and media Row 44 flew a test plane to Las Vegas, a 1950s era Grumman former seaplane with blue wings and a yellow tail.  The company utilizes satellites for the technology, while competitor Aircell uses cellular towers.  Aircell is working with Virgin America and American Airlines in trials that have begun recently.

The airways are the last space that is not connected to the World Wide Web.  The airways are also a space where travelers can become rather bored, and utilize the wireless technology to perform searches that have the potential to result in more revenue for online marketers.  With search expanding to every crevice of our lives, it is nearly impossible to entertain a successful business without the presence of a skilled interactive marketing and web design firm.  Contact Deep Blue Interactive today for your free website analysis and learn how you can increase your bottom line profits through online positioning.

Search has become embedded in our routines, and is continually expanding to simplify the process of locating information, products and services.  Recently at the consumer electronics show, the topic of search stole the show-as it becomes integrated into nearly every device connected to the internet.

New search strategies include a Ford F150 model that allows contractors to check service manuals by browsing the web from an in-dash computer.  There are also new televisions being introduced by Samsung, LG and others that allow viewers to watch movies from internet sites and Netflix.  

Smart phones enable users to search for anything they encounter during their busy day, at the touch of a button.  Palm Pre phone aims to make it easy to call your friends by looking up their phone numbers via social networking site Facebook.  Howard Stringer, chief executive of Sony projects that within two years 90 percent of all Sony products will connect to the internet.

Television is becoming a web browser, evolving into a user controlled environment, rather than a broadcasting platform.  It is speculated that television will include web browsers such as Firefox, Internet Explorer and Chrome within a relatively short period. 

With search being integrated into an increasing number of products, it is vital that your website appear in the top search engine results in order to generate leads and expand your clientele base.  When you are ready to drive new business to your website through search engine optimization, contact Deep Blue Interactive.  Deep Blue Interactive is your Fort Lauderdale SEO friendly web design and interactive marketing firm, working diligently to ensure the success of their clients through search results placement.

The world of search is changing at a constant speed, and the way we live our lives is changing along with it.  A recent example of this is the beloved television company TiVo.  TiVo first wowed the world when it empowered us to skip through commercials and set up a queue of programs we wanted to watch, when we wanted to watch them.  No longer was the world a slave to television, but quite the opposite.

TiVo continues with its innovative ways, setting the standard as the next-generation television company its latest ad campaign showcases the idea that “channel surfing is dead”.  The youth-oriented ads are designed to promote TiVo’s new search feature.  The search feature is in TiVo Series 3 and TiVo HD boxes and uses the overall popularity of shows to help users locate the programs they are searching.  For example, if a user enters the letters PR into the redesigned TiVo search box, the sitcom Prison Break will likely show up first.  In the older TiVo, due to alphabetic order, older programming was likely to show up in the list first.

TiVo’s new search feature also integrates internet content added to its HD boxes.  This way, YouTube clips of Prison Break and episodes of it on Amazon Video on Demand are included into the search results.  TiVo is making “channel surfing” a thing of the past and saving precious recreational time for its users. 

The world of search is constantly evolving to create a better platform for all users to easily navigate the contents of the world.  To learn more about the world of search and search engine optimization (SEO) strategies in the business realm, contact Deep Blue Interactive, your Fort Lauderdale interactive marketing and web design firm.

Recently a shareholder with 1.5 percent of Yahoo Inc., Ivory Investment Management LP, has suggested the company sell its search business to Microsoft, suggesting the business venture has the potential to double the value of Yahoo.  Ivory Investment proposed via letter to Yahoo’s board that revising plans to sell the search business to Microsoft. 

Microsoft had offered previously to purchase Yahoo at $33 a share, which Yahoo rejected.  Yahoo shares were trading less than half that recently.  Rumors are circulating on both sides, with some saying Microsoft has no longer has a vested interest in purchasing Yahoo, and some theorizing that a deal of some nature is in the works.

One thing is clear, with 21.4 million shares of Yahoo; Ivory Investments has an interest in the future of Yahoo.  The business plan proposed by Ivory Investments suggests that Yahoo retain 80 percent of the advertising revenue generated through its search business, possibly increasing earnings by more than $500 million per year (pre EBITDA).  Not to mention that both companies stand to save approximately $800 million simply by combining their search operations, therefore cutting duplicate costs.

What will come of the suggestion made by Ivory Investment remains to be seen.  Deep Blue Interactive, your Fort Lauderdale interactive marketing and web design firm will continue to follow the progress of the story.