Win this Samsung Galaxy Tab

Before telling you what hoops you’d have to jump through to get your hands on the Galaxy Tab, for free, let me first let you know what makes it different to other Tablet devices.

1. You do not need to install a special application on your computer just to use the Tab
2. You can expand the size of the Galaxy Tab’s memory using a micro-SD card. You do not have to buy a new one just because you require more space.
3. It takes a normal sized sim card. No need for a Micro-Sim
4. Seeing that it has a sim card, you can actually use it to make a phone call. Can you believe it? A Tablet device that functions as a mobile phone too.
5. With Google Maps Navigation now working 100% in South Africa you can use the Samsung Galaxy Tab as GPS device while driving. Yes, free GPS navigation.
6. The ‘Readers Hub,’ Samsung’s unique e-reading application, provides easy access to a vast digital library – from classical literature to the latest bestsellers and reference materials. It also provides users access to a variety of magazines and newspapers from around the world.

To win yourself a Samsung Galaxy Tab tell me (in the comments) one of the South African newspapers or magazines are available on Reader’s Hub? It took me only one Google search to find the answers. It shouldn’t be that difficult for you. Seeing that the number of South African Magazines & Newspapers will be far less than the competition entries you may also provide one fact about Reader’s Hub as your entry. Competition closes at 23:59 on 21 August 2011. Once you’ve entered feel free to Tweet this and share on Facebook. Good Luck.

Here is a video that explains Readers Hub.

Suppose you have seen a picture on the web and out of curiosity, you need to find other similar or related images as well as relevant information pertaining to that particular picture. Well, in that case it becomes a little complicated. The good news is — Google recently launched a service that lets you search the web by images.

According to google, all you need to do is … Just specify an image, and you’ll find other similar or related images with associated search results from all over the web.

For example, search using a picture of your favourite band and see search results that might include similar images, webpages about the band, and even sites that include the same picture.

There are two ways to search by images.  (1) Searching by entering an image url,  or (2) by uploading an image from your computer.

Simply go to http://images.google.com and follow the below mentioned steps as described by google.

How to enter an image URL

1. On any webpage, right-click an image and select the option to copy it. In most browsers, this option’s name starts with “Copy image,” except Internet Explorer for which you’ll select “Properties” and then copy the URL that’s then displayed.

2. Visit images.google.com, or any Images results page, and click the camera icon in the search box.

3. Paste the copied URL into the search box

4. Click Search

How to upload an image

5. Visit images.google.com, or any Images results page, and click the camera icon in the search box

6. Click the Upload an image link

7. Click Choose File

8. Select the image from your computer

The deep Web is quite different from the surface Web. “Deep Web” sources store their content in searchable databases that only produce results dynamically in response to particular requests.

A very simple view of how traditional search engines work is – search engines create indeces by crawling the web. In order for a web page to be discovered, the page must be static and linked to other pages. As a result, traditional search engines cannot find content in the deep Web, since those pages do not readily exist until they are produced dynamically as the result of a particular search query.

While google remains largely influential because of its market share, many people still percieve that as “Quality” search. When in actual fact, in most cases its not.

However, “Quality” can be subjective. What certain people may perceive as quality, others may feel otherwise.  But, a quality search result does not consist of a long list of website hits, but the “right” list. For example, the search results google returns to searchers is a long list of websites ranked mostly on the basis of popularity, but it does not necessarily provide users the answers users seek. In most cases, Google cannot provide those answers as it is only able to cover the surface Web, while the answers might be found in the deep web — which more often than not, are completely out of Google’s reach.

In conclusion, We would like to know — How influential is Google to your everyday internet search?  Do you percieve that as “Quality” results ? and more importanly,  How do you search internet in pursuit of quality results?

The Umbono program will help transform your vision into a business. Your idea – probably web or mobile deployed – is exciting on many levels: for your future users, potential investors, and for the people on your team building it.

Successful applicants will receive $25k-$50k in seed funding as well as many of the other benefits of being part of the Umbono network.

It looks like all you require is a passionate team and a strong idea to kick things off. You do not even require a business plan. Find out more about Umbono here.

The Program

6 Months

The Umbono program lasts for 6 months—enough time for your team to get your idea formally off the ground or to prepare your existing business for its next round of funding. By the end of the program, you’ll be pitch-ready and have a business plan in place.

Seed Capital

Teams should expect to receive a minimum of $25,000 and a maximum of $50,000. Capital from Angel investors will be exchanged for equity (10%) and will be governed by standard terms of investment (the same terms for each team). Funding will be disbursed around milestones; a customized schedule will be drafted with each team upon program induction, based on your anticipated development schedule. It is up to you to decide how to use the funds.

The Space

We provide the furnished office space and bandwidth for the duration of the program. This is a collaborative space for all Teams in the program, providing a forum for mutual support, idea sharing and tech talks.

Business Skills Training

Umbono Teams will have access to the Bandwidth Barn’s VeloCITI program. This program covers all business topics relevant to an emerging business, from business model definition to market segmentation and pricing strategies. The 10 business modules and 4 additional financial modules are led by external topic experts and business leaders. The sessions will take place on a rolling basis and Teams can participate in all modules or only those areas where they would like to build up more skills specific to the stage of their product development and enterprise.

The Mentor Base

For the duration of the Umbono Program, Teams will have regular access to our extensive network of business and technology experts, many of whom are Googlers. Umbono’s Mentor Base is extensive, so we are confident that we can connect you with an expert for any coaching needs, be it marketing, finance or product development-related. (See our People page for some examples of our mentors). In addition to that, each team will be paired with a Google Power Mentor, someone from our Product Management team, you will be in regular weekly contact with them throughout the 6-month program for hands-on guidance.

Visibility

All great stories need a platform for advertising their success. Association with the Umbono brand and resulting awareness at our networking events, blog posts, and press releases will provide Teams with reach to additional funding.

Google is looking for the brightest, best young scientists from around the world to submit interesting, creative projects that are relevant to the world today.

There is no better time to start developing ideas than when you’re a kid. Here’s your chance. The competition is open to students aged 13 to 18 from around the world working on their own or in a team of two or three. One of the minimum requirements to enter the Google Science fair is that you have a Google Account. Another way for Google to ensure that the smartest people around use their services. Click on the Google Science Fair 2011 video above or here for more info.

This sponsored post was brought to you by Google Science Fair 2011.

The ‘Bieber’ also tops the list of fastest rising people searches this year, with Afrikaans ‘zef’ rapper, Jack Parow, coming in at number three. Music is clearly more important than politics as Parrow is placed ahead of ANC Youth League leader, Julius Malema, who claims the number six spot. Reality TV queen, Kim Kardashian and controversial rap artist, Eminem, are placed seventh and ninth respectively.

Malema also features on the list of fastest rising politician searches at pole position, followed by perennial favourites, Nelson Mandela and President Zuma. Although he’s been keeping a fairly low profile, former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, comes in at number four followed by Western Cape Premier and DA  (Democratic Alliance) leader, Helen Zille. Patricia de Lille, whose party (the Independent Democrats, ID) merged with the DA this year, is placed seventh on the list. She is outranked by Fikile Mbalula, the recently appointed Minister of Sports and Recreation, who fills the number six spot.

The  devastating earthquake in Haiti dominated world headlines earlier this year, as well as Internet news searches. ‘Haiti’ tops the list of  fastest rising news searches for 2010 ,followed by another appearance by Julius Malema, ‘earthquake’, ‘Bafana’ and ‘Nelson Mandela’. Sport still resonates strongly with South Africans, as reflected by ‘soccer’, ‘World Cup’ and ‘Kaizer Chiefs’ featuring on the list.

Our boys, Bafana Bafana, do however claim the number one spot on the list of fastest rising World Cup-related searches, with the Brazilian soccer team coming in second, followed by ‘flags of countries’.  Shakira’s Waka Waka comes in at number five and Paul the late psychic World Cup octopus, fills the number six position – wonder if he saw that coming? The vuvuzela was certainly the rising star of the football tournament ,with the most searches for the instrument originating  from Kwa-Zulu Natal, followed by Gauteng and the Western Cape. Searches focused on pictures of the vuvuzela, mp3 downloads of vuvzela noises and vuvuzela manufacturers.

Web lyric searches also reveal what South Africans have been singing along to during the past twelve months. Lyrics to ‘Airplanes’ the smash hit by B.o.B, featuring Hayley Williams from Paramore and Eminem, seem to be the most popular with South African music lovers, alongside ‘Bedrock’ by Lil’ Wayne and ‘Deuces’ sung by Chris Brown.

With more and more South Africans turning to their phones to browse the Internet it is not surprising that Facebook and MXit top the list of mobile searches, along with song lyrics and games. Interestingly, it seems that mobile users have been looking for ‘love’ in 2010 with the search term appearing in fifth place.

In addition to telling us what people are curious about in South Africa, Google Zeitgeist tools also offer insight into which topics were of  interest across the globe. Top search terms from over fifty countries appear on our Google Zeitgeist webpage,http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/zeitgeist2010/– from political figures in the United States, to news searches in the United Kingdom.

This year’s global fastest rising searches show interest across social networking, technology and pop culture.

Global fastest rising queries, 2010

1. chatroulette
2. ipad
3. justin bieber
4. nicki minaj
5. friv
6. myxer
7. katy perry
8. twitter
9. gamezer
10. facebook

To see more information about Google Zeitgeist across the globe, take a look at the site: http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/zeitgeist2010/

Fastest rising searches, South Africa, 2010

1. justin bieber
2. nicki minaj
3. toptv
4. locnville
5. die antwoord
6. yahoo sign in
7. powerball results
8. news24.com south africa
9. moshi monsters
10. afrihost

Popular searches, South Africa, 2010

1. Facebook
2. Gmail
3. Google
4. Gumtree
5. Jobs
6. Yahoo
7. YouTube
8. Absa
9. Games
10. News

Fastest rising searches, people, South Africa, 2010

1. justin bieber
2. nicki minaj
3. jack parow
4. drake
5. julius malema
6. shakira
7. kim kardashian
8. cristiano ronaldo
9. eminem
10. lil wayne

Fastest rising politician searches, South Africa, 2010

1. Julius Malema
2. Nelson Mandela
3. Jacob Zuma
4. Thabo Mbeki
5. Helen Zille
6. Fikile Mbalula
7. Patricia de Lille
8. Siyabonga Cwele
9. Nathi Mthethwa
10. Siphiwe Nyanda

Fastest rising news searches, South Africa, 2010

1. haiti
2. malema julius
3. earthquake
4. bafana
5. nelson mandela
6. world cup
7. cape town
8. soccer
9. zuma
10. kaizer chiefs

Top mobile searches, South Africa, 2010

1. Facebook
2. Mxit
3. lyrics
4. games
5. love
6. gmail
7. mp3
8. music
9. jobs
10. news

Fastest rising song lyrics searches, South Africa, 2010

1. Airplanes lyrics
2. Bedrock lyrics
3. Deuces lyrics
4. Justin Bieber lyrics
5. Lyrics waka waka
6. not afraid lyrics
7. omg lyrics
8. pyramid lyrics
9. rude boy lyrics
10. stereo love lyrics

Fastest rising World Cup searches, South Africa, 2010

1. Bafana bafana squad
2. brazil soccer team
3. flags of countries
4. park and ride
5. shakira waka waka
6. world cup octopus
7. world cup concert
8. fan parks
9. world cup flags
10. world cup songs

Zeitgeist Explained

Google reveals the internet “Zeitgeist” (German for “the spirit of the times”) through an exploration of the billions of search queries we receive  each year. In addition to the Year-end Zeitgeist, which highlights the top trends of 2010, we also have several tools that give insight into global, regional, past and present search trends. Google Zeitgeist tools can never be used to identify individual users because we rely on anonymized, aggregated counts of how often certain search queries occur over time. These tools are available year-round for you to play with, explore, and learn from: www.google.com/zeitgeist

This guest post was written by Jade Scully. Jade Scully is a copywriter, blogger and online marketing enthusiast who has published her work on a series of online publications and websites including Leeulekker who provide a range of advertising and marketing resources for southern Africans.

Google’s Eric Schmidt recently announced, at the Web 2.0 conference, that Chrome OS will be released “in the next few months”. The launch of Chrome OS will, in all probability, be followed by the release of Chrome OS Devices, and we’ll see this happening sometime next year. Have you tried the Google Chrome Browser yet?

However, up until now Google has been very clear that Chrome OS would be launched in time for Christmas 2010. As a result Schmidt’s statement has caused irate articles to flare up on sites like Mashable.com.

If Schmidt was mistaken, and the operating system will indeed be launched before the end of 2010, it will not have been the first time the Google CEO has made mistaken remarks that have been met with sensationalised coverage online.

Google’s first ever “cloud operating system” is eagerly awaited by millions, and the confusion as to the launch date only succeeds in frustrating those anticipating its arrival.

Chrome OS is a Linux-based, open-source project which aims to build an operating system that provides people with a fast, more secure and simple computing experience. It is designed to work with web applications and so is geared towards those that spend a great deal of time online. The operating system will not be available as a download to run and install. Instead it will only ship on specific hardware from Google’s manufacturing partners. Google initially announced its imminent release in November 2009, saying that the new operating system would be available by the end of 2010.

Now with Schmidt’s brief statement about the release date, it’s unsure how much longer we will have to wait. It appears that either the CEO is mistaken and the release date is still set for 2010, or Google is running a little behind schedule but isn’t ready to admit it.

You can read more about Google’s proposal on their blogspot.

This guest post was written by Jade Scully. Jade Scully is a copywriter, blogger and online marketing enthusiast who has published her work on a series of online publications and websites including Leeulekker who provide a range of advertising and marketing resources for southern Africans.

A few months ago, at a conference in Cape Town, South Africa, Google’s Mobile Product Manager, Robert Hamilton, spoke of the key trends that Google were (and probably still are) tracking in the mobile sphere.

mobile is the future

Imagine being able to take a photo with your mobile camera of a menu written in a foreign language and being able to use Google to translate the words for you as you sit and wait for your drink? This is just one of the apps that Hamilton presented at the conference.

Here are a few other key pointers that he discussed:

1. Mobile Phones: a computer in your pocket

It has the ability of speech, touch and sight and hearing via its speaker, screen and microphone respectively, as well as spatial awareness via its GPS – arguably this makes it one of the most powerful tools ever to be created.

2. Cloud Computing: the mobile world

This enables mobiles to be able to run sophisticated applications that would previously have required way too much processing to actually execute.

3. Voice Dominance: the mobile phone

Google’s Voice Search App (my favourite) allows you to speak out your Google searches and then hear the results read back to you. The impact this will have on visually impaired people is phenomenal. For travel ease, in the future you will be able to speak one language into your phone, and have it translated into another language at the push a button. You could also use your voice to say SMSes out loud and watch the words being automatically typed onto your phone. The potential implications of these functions for disabled people, those who know only one language but want to travel and people who have not had the privilege of a decent education is astounding.

These trends are a tiny indication of the focus that Google is placing on the mobile realm. What’s amazing about their work is that these functions are all geared towards finding solutions to problems that are face by normal, everyday people, just like you and me.

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It looks like many sites are being hit by this zero visit Google Analytics bug. Has this happened to you too?  Let me know in the comments.

G South Africa - Cape Town

The day is also about building community. We’ve scheduled plenty of time for guests to meet other developers, discuss ideas, and share what you’ve been working on.

The day will be divided into two tracks: a green track for junior developers, and a blue track for those with more experience. They’ve also created a special yellow track for university professors and faculty, which will consist of breakout sessions throughout the day.View the full agenda.
Important: Bring your laptop, and be sure to set up your development environment before you come.

Day 2 – 9 November 2010 This day will be aimed at Technology Entrepreneurs & Marketers
Google product demonstrations aimed at tech entrepreneurs and marketers. Our goal is to help spur innovation and business growth in South Africa and across the region. We want to inspire business to make the most of the web and mobile space!

Sessions will help you understand how to:

• Use online tools to create and monetize content
• Market your products and services online and with mobile.
• Improve your online presence with web and mobile technologies
• Use additional online tools to manage your business more effectively

The day will close with an entrepreneur panel where panelists will share their expertise in funding and launching technology ventures. Day-2 Full Agenda.

Book your seat here now before the spaces fill up.