List of accessible Google services

On the official Google Blog today, I saw a post that discusses the many services Google offers to clients who have varying accessibility issues -- whether sight or mobility-based. This list shows a little more than a dozen of their various services (hyperlinked to the service itself), then also includes a link at the end to join the accessible Google user group and make your voice heard on various topics.

I love to find companies that go the extra mile on accessibility issues, whether they are located online, or in brick-and-mortar buildings. This is also another reason I love Apple, Inc., as they have always had a team devoted to these very issues as well.

Overview of Our Accessible Services
[via the Official Google Blog]

ARTICLE: David Pogue - iPhone FAQ

David Pogue, technology columnist for the New York Times, took a look at the iPhone in his "Circuits" column yesterday, and today he's back with a really good article that reads as a F.A.Q. for all of us eager users that can't wait to get their mitts on one, and have questions about what our hundreds-of-dollars flying out of our wallets are going to get us.

On the bright side, he mentions that some folks will ultimately say "neat, but, it's missing (fill in the blank)". He notes:

Apple has indicated that it intends to add features through free software updates, so the real, secret answer to some of the “no” answers is actually, “Coming soon.”

Excellent!

Often-Asked iPhone Questions - NYTimes.com

ARTICLE: Apple Lays Down the iPhone Rules

Original article at engadget.com, here. Apple has come out with some rules on purchasing an iPhone, due to launch tomorrow, at Apple Stores and AT&T stores.

Highlights --

• Two iPhones per person, max.
• First come, first served.

There is also a gadget Apple has that will let you look at availability for a particular Apple Store.

Check it out!

Apple Lays Down iPhone Purchase Rules

iPhone Mania: 3 Blogs

The first day of summer is upon us, and you know what that means -- we're just days away from the release of Apple's iPhone! (Wait, what? That's not what it means? Oh. Well, anyway...)

I think it's safe to say that no techie gadget (certainly no cell phone) has ever seen so much anticipation, so much pressure, to be the end-all and be-all of everything cool in this world than the iPhone does at this moment. Yes, it will be released, and there will be those folks that will buy one on the first day, the first minute, the first second that it's available. Heck, there's probably people camped out at Apple Stores right now. So what is it about this gadget? Apple says it's the best iPod they've ever made, that, oh, by the way, happens to also be an internet appliance and, oh yeah, the best phone ever. I'd love to say that I will personally test all these features myself and report here, but it's just a wee too steep for my budget at the moment. But hey, we should be able to play with one at the Apple Store once they become available (at least I hope so.)

However, until it launches, I say enjoy the hype. I know of no other company that inspires such brand loyalty and can whip the fan base into a lather than Apple, Inc can. After its release, there will almost undoubtedly be some bell or whistle that doesn't work exactly as advertised, or was left off completely. But until then, we have the image of a perfect product, and Apple can do no wrong.

Here's some links to sites blogging about the iPhone, courtesy of the gettrio.com newsletter I receive:

iPhoneFreak
theiPhoneBlog
TalkiPhone

Via Engadget: Steve Jobs at D: 2007

Steve Jobs was interviewed by Walt Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal yesterday at the D: All Things Digital Executive Conference. Amongst the topics were the upcoming iPhone release (Steve coyly confirming that it would ship in June, even if it was the last day in June), iPod/iTunes, and AppleTV.

Engadget.com has excellent coverage of the event, with a transcript, on their webpage. I also have here a link to the edited interview. Excellent reading and viewing.

Engadget: Steve Jobs Live from D 2007

Link to Steve Jobs interview

ARTICLE: A Day In The Life Of An Apple Genius

Hopefully, you've had a chance to visit an Apple Store, the real brick-and-mortar stores that sell and show-off Apple technology to its brilliant best. Once in the store, you might notice something called the "Genius Bar" towards the back. What is that, exactly? Do they serve really cool drinks with techie names back there?

Well, actually, the Genius Bar is where you can get expert Apple advice on software or hardware questions or problems. The folks trained to be such experts are called, naturally enough, Apple Geniuses. How did they reach that exalted position? Lots of hard work at the mother ship, my friend.

Read all about it in this behind-the-scenes exclusive interview with two Geniuses (Geniusesses, Genii?) in Mac|Life Magazine, here. And to answer a possible question: No, even considering myself an Apple power user for many years, I don't think I'd make it out of boot camp here. Yeah, they're that good.

Exclusive: A Day in the Life of an Apple Genius
[courtesy of Mac|Life.com]

Videogames: Fabulous at 40

Before all the computer and console games of today, there was a humble beginning, where a videogame called "Pong" ruled. Someone had to come up with the original idea, of course. Someone had to take a look at a relatively new technology (television), now in homes all over the country, and wonder if it would be possible to bring games into those houses, over the TV.

The year was 1967. Ralph Baer was ready to make history.

Read more about the rise of the videogame on 1up.com, here.

Video Games Turn 40

Verizon's Fast Action Hero

(Tip courtesy of SheWhoShallNotBeNamed. OK, we'll call her Nancy) ;)

"Verizon's Fast Action Hero

R/GA's bringing a new kind of heat with
Action Hero, an initiative for Verizon touting the power of the provider's
broadband network. After picking one of three basic action plots (killer bugs,
mad scientist or robots on the loose) you get the opportunity to upload a photo
of your own face, pinpoint the dimensions, and have it made into 3D. After the
upload you direct the action, off the completed project goes—to a group of
servers, where it runs through the modeling program Maya and, in under 24 hours,
returns to you as a completed film. While in the past similar technologies have
been used in video games, this appears to be the first time a dedicated,
customizable 3D effort has appeared on the web in a promotional campaign, and
Verizon doesn't seem reticent to flaunt it—the site took over MySpace for a day
in its launch phase. http://actionhero.verizon.com/ "

Thanks again, Nancy. And yes, you too can be featured on this very blog! Send your finds to the email address on the sidebar to the left.

Microsoft Issues Final Vista iPod Update

Article excerpt courtesy of ipodnn.com. Read the full article here.

Microsoft issues final Vista iPod Update

Microsoft has finally released an update for Windows Vista that fixes the lingering compatibility issues with Apple's iPod. Available first in late March, the final version of the free update is for users worldwide and works with the latest version of Apple iTunes to correct an issue that caused some iPods to become corrupted when ejecting them using Windows Explorer or the "Safely Remove Hardware" function in the System Tray, the company said.

Hey, that reminds me...can't wait for Leopard. ;)

Picnik: Online Photo Editor

A picture-editing website for the rest of us. While I love my Mac, and iPhoto for doing just about anything to my photos after I bring them in from my digital camera, sometimes I'm away from the Mac, and want to manipulate a photo somehow. Picnik (currently in beta) allows you to do some nice editing -- cropping, re-sizing, rotating -- and for now, you can also apply some filtering. I understand that some filters may be available to premium subscribers later, but for now that part is free; the basic editing features will remain free. Finally, once you get the picture the way you like, you can save it back to your computer. Neato! Create a free account, and they'll update you as the site progresses.

Picnik

Tips For Constructing A Tech Resume'

I work at the Help Desk for a university in Ohio, and the student workers at our desk sometimes ask me to look over resumes they are constructing, some for the first time. They are interested in jobs in IT, but are unsure how to construct a useful techie resume. I came across this blog post today from someone in the industry, who looks at tons of these types of resumes all the time. He uses the name Rands, but it's not his real name. As he explains in his 'About' section:

My personal weblog. No, Rands is not my real name. I use my real name as a full time engineering manager of teams that designs phenomenal software. Yeah, that's me in the logo. I hadn't shaved in some time. My hair is longer now.

I've been writing here since April of 2002. I tend to write about four significant pieces a month, but changes depending on shipping schedules. Content varies from thoughts of being an engineering manager in Silicon Valley to writing to Vegas.

He passes on some interesting insights into what he's looking for in a techie resume, such as:

The terrifying reality regarding your resume is that for all the many hours you put into fine-tuning, you've got 30 seconds to make an impression on me. Maybe less.

It's unfair, it's imprecise, and there's a good chance that I make horrible mistakes, but there's a lot more of you than me, and while hiring phenomenal teams is the most important thing I do, I'm balancing that task with the fact that I need to build product and manage the endless stream of people walking into my office.

Lots to learn here, if you're writing your very first resume as a college student, or even if you've been around for a while, and just need to blow the dust off your current resume. Check it out!

Rands in Repose: A Glimpse and a Hook

Collision Detection: Science and More

I came across this blog on the way to something else entirely today. You know how that goes? Of course you do. In essence, that's what this whole blog is about, fun snippets of info I find on the web. But it's even more fun when I find it unintentionally, then I can't tear my eyes away from it until I read a the majority of this new page I'm on.

So it was when I found Clive Thompson's blog. From his intro, he writes on:

[...] science, technology, and culture. This blog collects weird research I'm running into, and musings thereon.

He also writes occasional articles for the New York Times and Wired, amongst others. His writing style is fresh and breezy, and he explains complex science concepts in easy-to-understand language. He recently posted on a medical study of sword-swallowing injuries, and one on a study about how just thinking about losing weight might help the body actually lose weight. Not all of these are original by him -- he finds interesting and unique articles from all around the web. But wow, if it isn't a compelling read. Go check it out yourself.

collision detection: a blog of clive thompson