What is Google TV?

The exact form Google TV will take can be relatively difficult to determine given the currently hazy hardware details. However, we do know something about the intricacies of the Google TV software and how exactly it will change your television.

Google TV essentially integrates applications and the internet directly into your television. It brings basic elements such as search or web browsing and goes as far as combining both web and TV simultaneously.
The most important element of Google TV is its search bar. Essentially it brings together all the information, programs, internet, and media surrounding whatever you search for. So programs currently or soon to be shown will appear alongside imdb or Google search results as well as any media or recordings you might have. The search bar negates the need for a TV guide as well and helps to enrich any programs you might be interested in by offering related websites and other online info.
Internet connected applications will also form a central part of Google TV. Much of what can be found on the Android operating system will be translated across to Google TV. Applications like Twitter and Amazon will be the first to appear on the hardware with the Android market eventually arriving on the platform early next year. Google also plans to make use of both the iPhone and Android powered handsets to act as a remote for Google TV. Voice search will allow you to use your mobile handsets microphone for input, creating search results by simply speaking into your phone.
A full web browser is also included in the Google TV package, meaning much of your surfing can be done on the television. The browser is Flash Player 10.1 compatible so video websites or slideshows on Flickr will be viewable. Television programs can be viewed simultaneously as picture-in-picture whenever the browser or applications are run.
Similarly to Apple's AirTunes, any content or web pages you are viewing on your phone can be pushed to Google TV and shown on your television screen via 'Fling'.
YouTube also play a key part in Google TV. A service called YouTube Leanback allows you to create channels quickly and easily and then play content without pressing any buttons. It means that YouTube essentially becomes another television channel providing HD content permanently streaming from the site. Similarly, broadcast television can be formed into playlists, with recordings made directly from the Google TV search bar. A queue of programs can be formed out of all different elements of video on the web as well as television recordings and then watched at any time.
Finally Google has created a customisable home page for the Google TV which can contain anything from applications to television channels. It is the first thing you see when Google TV is turned on and enables you to get to personalised content very quickly.
Google recently announced partnerships with Napster, Vevo and Pandora, all of which will provide a large amount of content for Google TV. Amazon Video on Demand and Netflix are also involved with Google TV and should help to further bolster the amount of content already available through the web and tv.
Currently there is relatively little information in terms of Google TV hardware. Sony's Google TV remote did make an appearance on an American television show recently, with technology website Engadget running screen-grabs of it. Similarly the Logitech Revue, another piece of Google TV, has begun appearing online. Both feature full QWERTY keyboards and complex controls with which to interact with Google TV.
The Logitech Revue was formally unveiled at an event in San Francisco this week. It will be one of the first pieces of Google TV hardware available alongside offerings from Sony.
Google TV is currently set to launch in the US, but no announcements have been made towards dates for launch in the UK or outside of the states.

Google stays strong as Yahoo slips in search market

Computerworld - Google had a good month in September, with its search share gaining and rivals Yahoo and Microsoft Bing taking a hit.

Google, the dominant search leader, grabbed 72.15% of all U.S. searches in the four weeks ending Oct. 2, according to Hitwise, an online traffic monitor. That's up slightly from 71.59% in August.
Microsoft Bing, which is Google's biggest rival, didn't have such a great month in September, though.
Hitwise reported Friday that Bing-powered search sites handled 23.64% of U.S. searches for the month, with Yahoo grabbing 13.54% and Bing itself pulling in 10.10%. Bing-powered search sites are down 2% overall, while Yahoo is down 5%. Bing itself went up 2%.
Microsoft and Yahoo announced in August that Bing is fueling Yahoo search results in the U.S. and Canada. The search integration came more than a year after both companies announced they were joining forces to better take on Google -- since neither company had made any headway on its own.
The latest Hitwise report shows that Yahoo suffered after integration, while Bing saw only a small bump.
"It's a pretty small slip and only based on a month's worth of data," said Dan Olds, an analyst at Gabriel Consulting Group. "I'm sure that these aren't the results that Bing marketers are looking for... but the holiday season might be key for them. Search engines receive a real workout with all of the holiday shopping, travel planning and the like. It will be interesting to see how Bing fares over the next three months or so."

DISH TV Network partners with Logitech to offer Google TV

The DISH TV Network and Logitech has announced a new venture this week to offer the Logitech Revue with Google TV to subscribers of the DISH network in the United States. Google TV will be integrated with the programming of the TV network to provide users a seamless entertainment package.
The service would offer customers with search features from the Internet to DVR content and the Video On Demand service by DISH.
“We are excited about our exclusive partnership with Logitech to bring the rich entertainment capabilities of Google TV through Logitech to our customers,” said Ira Bahr, chief marketing officer of the DISH TV Network.
“We are delighted to be working with DISH Network to offer consumers what we believe is a transformational TV experience,” said Greg Rhine, VP and general manager of Logitech America.
The Logitech Revue with Google TV comes with a companion box and a keyboard for users that have an HDMI-ready television and set-top box.
It will be commercially available to both existing and future DISH TV Network clients by the end of this month.

B2B SEO is key to reaching prospective clients

Firms looking to reach local clients should consider boosting their B2B search engine optimization, as new research indicates many searchers start with broad keywords.

According to a new report from 15miles, which polled individuals looking for local companies, 45 percent of internet users don't have specific businesses in mind as they conduct internet searches. Instead, they start off with keyword queries to guide their browsing.

This means that if prospective clients are looking for a product or service, they are open to purchasing it from whichever sites appear first on the search engine. By leveraging B2B search engine optimization, firms stand a greater chance of reaching these potential partners, which could result in more sales and leads.
B2B firms looking to target mobile prospects may have better success using a variety of channels. The survey found that on-the-go Americans use a broader range of platforms, including search engines, business directories and social networks.
While clients may not have specific businesses in mind, they are often looking for specific products and services. A recent report from Performics indicates that 89 percent of internet users will modify their searches to find the products they are looking for, while another 89 percent would try their search on a different portal.

SEO works for BBC

SEO works for BBC


Published on October 5, 2010 by Last Click News
Search engine optimization (SEO) and cost-efficient marketing campaigns have allowed BBC to cut its annual marketing budget by more than £4 million, according to statistics from The Guardian.

BBC spent around £1.4m on digital display ads and more than £220,000 on paid search marketing last year.

With a £93 million budget last year, the news firm said that it spent minimal amounts for its online advertising.

BBC said that its main digital marketing campaign consists of SEO, Twitter feeds, and display marketing messages. These campaigns all hope to redirect users to their site.

The employment of the SEO campaign has allowed consumers of all ages to interact with the site. While working on a minimal budget, the SEO campaign has managed to maximize traffic numbers for BBC.

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