Brightkite or Buzz?

Google announces a new product that integrates with Gmail inbox that will allow you to start conversations about things that you find interesting. Google Buzz is about location more than anything, sharing information about your day to day online is considered to be richer if there is a location tagged to the post. The idea is that your description will have more weight if the reader has an idea of your whereabouts. Buzz will let you share links, photos, and videos throughout your social network.

Google Buzz on your mobile phone (Information Provided by Google Mobile Blog):

• Buzz.google.com: A web app that provides access to Buzz from your iPhone or Android phone's browser.
• Buzz on Google Maps for mobile: The new Buzz layer allows you to see buzz near you or anywhere on the map. You can post public buzz directly from the layer, and even attach a photo from your phone. Also, try visiting a mobile Place Page to read recent comments or to post buzz about that place. You can access Place Pages from the web app as well, by tapping on the place name in any location-tagged post.
• Buzz Shortcut from Google.com: You will see the buzz icon in the top right corner of the google.com homepage. Just tap on the icon to trigger the posting box.
• Voice Shortcut: The voice shortcut, which is available in the quick search widget on Android and in Google Mobile App on iPhone, allows you to post buzz without typing anything. Just say 'post buzz,' followed by whatever you'd like to post.

Google Buzz at first glance seems kind of exciting and might be useful. Unfortunately, this is not some new social media idea, Brightkite.com has been implementing the same concept for a long time. Who knows, maybe Google's version will be superior? It seems like Google is focused on so many projects right now it's hard to believe they can manage providing a solid product. What are your thoughts, Brightkite or Buzz?


Below are screen shots of Google Buzz and Brightkite, look familiar?

How Does Google Maps Show Traffic Data?

Ever wonder how Google Maps can generate traffic data? It's quite simple how it works.

When you turn on 'My Location' on your mobile phone, it sends data which includes your location and speed to Google's headquarters which then provides accurate traffic data on Google Maps. With the amount of people using Google Maps now, it also provides the traffic on local streets (major streets that is).

Google Maps for Mobile is free. The website is compatible with Android, BlackBerry, Java enabled phones, Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Symbian S60, and of course the iPhone.

Twitter in Plain English

http://twitter.com/webconsuls
http://twitter.com/judyhelfand
http://twitter.com/darinrmcclure
http://twitter.com/lisamcclure
http://twitter.com/malikms
http://twitter.com/keithhansen09

Do you follow us?

How to Make Your Blog Mobile

Google Tutor has posted a fantastic post on how to instantly make a mobile phone version of any feed using Google Reader.

All you need to do is add a feed URL to the end of this line :

http://www.google.com/reader/m/view/feed/[feed_address]

So for instance Our blog's mobile feed would be :
http://www.google.com/reader/m/view/feed/http://webconsuls.com/blog/atom.xml

You could add, Click Here For Mobile Version of Our blog, and link it to the url you create.

Your Blog is Mobile!