Transcript

Tuesday April 1, 2008

Microsoft Previews Desktop Search Update

Microsoft has released a preview of an update to its Windows desktop search tool that lets users search for files stored anywhere on their PC. The Windows search tool update fixes bugs, experienced by a majority of Microsoft Vista users, and also improves response time for users of the original manufacturer Vista version. For IT professionals, the update improves the performance of indexing information from Microsoft's Exchange Server when it's online, and also extends and improves support for Group Policy settings, according to Microsoft.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,143992-c,utilities/article.html

Google, Mapquest Partner With Garmin GPS Service

Online Mapping Services, Google Maps and AOL’s Mapquest will synch their services with Garmin Global Positioning Devices, allowing people to send Google Map and Mapquest information directly to their Garmin GPS systems. The new feature, called “Send to Garmin” will eliminate the need for drivers to re-type key route information. The Google Maps capability will be rolling out today, while the Mapquest addition will be available some time later in April.

http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9906370-1.html

Google Gets In On April Fools

Various companies, including Internet search giant Google, got in on some of the April fools fun today. Google Australia featured a new service claiming to allow users to search for online content before it has ever been created, essentially providing users the ability to look into the future. Google Gmail announced the launch of a “custom time” feature, which would allow Gmail users to designate the date or time an email would show as having been sent, to eliminate missing important deadlines. Perhaps the largest scale April Fool’s Day spoof, in terms of time taken to create information surrounding it, is the announcement of Virgle, a faux collaboration on an "open-source" Mars expedition between Google and Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic to establish the first permanent human colony on Mars.

http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSPAR14522220080401
http://www.news.com/8301-13577_3-9907571-36.html?tag=nefd.top
http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/pressrel/20080401_virgle.html
http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/04/google-and-virg.html

Pay Per View Funerals Debut

Wesley Music, crematorium services provider, will soon offer a new pay per view service in Britain that will enable those who cannot attend a funeral service the ability to tune in over the Internet. For a $150 charge, morgues will allow password protected access to view a live funeral webcast. For some, the service is a way for those who can’t make it to the funeral to still take part, while others criticize the service as a morbid idea.

http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSL0192261920080401
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/04/01/southampton_crematorium_online_funeral/

[edited by: Vanessa_Zamora at 10:06 pm (utc) on April 1, 2008]