Google Offers Free Calls Home From Gmail for American Troops

Google is aware of how valuable our service men and ladies are, and the way onerous it's to be off from home on long tours of duty. the corporate is giving back where it will, by providing free calls at intervals Gmail to the states for individuals with a sound .mil email address. it'd not seem to be a lot of, however you'd perceive when obtaining your 1st cellular phone bill with roaming charges from the jap mountains of Afghanistan. to require advantage all you have got to try and do is add your military address to your Google account and click on a link within the verification email and you are smart to travel.



There are two easy steps to enable free calling from Gmail (detailed instructions):

• Add your valid .mil email address to your Google Account
• Click on the Call phone link at the top of the Gmail chat roster and install the voice and video Gmail plugin if you haven’t already.

And don’t forget that for friends and family at home in the U.S., calling troops abroad is as little as $.02/minute.

Similar to free calling within the U.S., free calling to the U.S. for sehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifrvice members will be available for at least the rest of 2011.

Google recognize and appreciate the sacrifices U.S. troops make when they serve abroad, and we’re proud to help make it a little bit easier for them to stay connected and hear a familiar voice.


Source: Free calls home from Gmail for all U.S. service members

The 50 Best Websites of 2011

The 50 Best Websites of 2011 Full List

Music & Video

• 8tracks
• HBO GO
• Howcast
• My Damn Channel
• Turntable.fm

Family & Kids

• CafeMom
• Dear Photograph
• Poptropica
• Proust
• Wonderopolis

Sports

• Bleacher Report
• Grantland
• Jayski's Silly Season Site
• Onion Sports Network
• SB Nation

News & Info

• Big Think
• GetHuman
• Instapaper
• ScienceDaily
• Techmeme

Financial & Productivity

• DuckDuckGo
• Evernote
• Join.me
• Kickstarter
• LearnVest

Shopping & Travel

• Airbnb
• Gogobot
• Hipmunk
• Polyvore
• Retrevo

Health & Fitness

• CalorieKing
• HealthGrades
• MapMyRun
• Summer Tomato
• Zen Habits

Social Media

• Google+
• Klout
• Pinterest
• Quora
• Storify

Games

• The Escapist
• Giant Bomb
• OnLive
• Touch Arcade
• Retrocade

Education

• Freerice
• Khan Academy
• Open Yale Courses
• Smarthistory
• Starfall

Gmail Wll Soon Be Displaying Recent Google+ Posts

Google+ is beginning to create little appearances on different Google services. Googler Mark Striebeck has announced that Gmail can soon be displaying recent Google+ posts from those you are in email conversations with.

The New Gmail Feature

While users haven't however reported seeing the Google+ post widget in Gmail, Striebeck has announced that the interior Google version of Gmail (an setting known as "Unicorn") is currently showing the expanded widget. He provided this screenshot:


These recent Google+ posts are integrated with the "People" widget that was introduced in could. That widget normally shows basic data of these you are in a very Gmail conversation with. Previously, this was restricted to a outline of recently exchanged messages, shared calendar things and docs, recent Buzz posts, and also the choice to begin a Gmail chat with or create a decision to the user. The re-creation looks to switch the thrill post phase with a Google+.

Google+ Spreading Across the Google Frontier

Striebeck calls this "a 1st, small step"; it's doubtless we'll see far more integration between Gmail and Google+ within the future. Additionally, we're beginning to see alittle Google+ presence on different platforms, as well as the YouTube sharing button and Google Profiles.

Google is assured enough in its social web site that, simply 2 months once its initial launch, the platform is being integrated publicly. However, that confidence alone isn't enough to administer a lot of reassurance to those who've paid shut attention to Google's social history. After all, Buzz received similar attention within the weeks once its unleash, however has since been nearly entirely abandoned by each Google and users.

Facebook Launched Similar Features of Google+?

Facebook has launched a group of latest privacy choices that provide users larger management over tags and post visibility. The new controls appear to be an endeavor to match the foremost praised options of Google+.

Facebook's New options

Facebook's post saying the changes outlines plenty of extras, however they will be summed up as follows:

• Users can currently be given the chance to review and approve tags before those tags are created public or the images/posts themselves seem on their user profile.
• Users will currently alter the privacy settings of any given post even when the post has been revealed.
• It's currently doable to tag users who you are not friends with; those users can then be able to approve or deny those tags. you'll additionally add geo-location tags to any post.
• many privacy controls, together with sharing settings and also the choice to "view profile as," are moved to a lot of visible locations.

Facebook additionally specified that the sharing menu "will be expanding over time to incorporate smaller teams of individuals you'll need to share with, like co-workers, Friend Lists you have created, and teams you are a member of."

Matching Google+

Facebook Google

Unsurprisingly, several of those options were seen as makes an attempt to mimic Google+. Bradley Horowitz, Google Product VP for and, was interviewed constant day these options were initially released. Horowitz referred to as the new settings "familiar," however additionally stated that those at Google were excited to envision Facebook creating decisions that benefited users.

Google+ was noted by comScore because the fastest growing web site of all time, thus it isn't onerous to envision Facebook's motivation for matching distinctive options of their new competitor.

In addition to the announced changes that are thus like Google+ Circles, Facebook recently announced a Skype partnership for video chatting (similar to Google+ Hangouts) and also the acquisition of a mobile group-messaging service (similar to Google+ Huddle).

You Know what is Cool? A Trillion Pageviews

Despite the introduction of and, Facebook continues to be faring well, having lost no notable chunk of its user-base since Plus's late-June unharness. Facebook additionally saw 162 million U.S. visits in July compared to a hundred and sixty million in June and 157 million in might. Meanwhile, all Google properties combined reached 182 million U.S. visits in July.

Meanwhile, Facebook hit one trillion pageviews in June and 870 million distinctive guests, in step with information from Google's DoubleClick ad network. That works out to one,150 pageviews per visitor (a pageview includes actions together with visiting profiles, each photo clicked on, games, etc.). coming back in second was YouTube, with 790 million uniques and a hundred billion page views.

SEO Technology Company Adds Google +1 Tracking to SEO Platform

Conductor, an SEO technology and intelligence company, has added Google +1 social analytics tracking to its suite. The inclusion of Google +1 tracking reflects a high demand from webmasters for Google's new social platform and its connected tools.

Conductor's Social Analytics

The newly updated version of Conductor's social tracking (Conductor Searchlight) includes Facebook likes, shares, and clicks; Twitter mentions; LinkedIn shares; and Google +1s. Users may make the most of the platform to look at the social success of competitors.

"Social media promoting has become one in every of the foremost talked concerning sides of natural search promoting, with many business studies citing correlation between social indicators and prime rankings," stated Seth Besmertnik, CEO of Conductor. The inclusion of +1 is efficacious in understanding each the potential organic search ranking impact of +1s and a booming interest within the new platform.

It's expected that Google +1 are going to be integrated into different social tracking platforms, whereas each Conductor and different similar firms are continuing to delve deeper into tracking each social feedback and its correlation to organic ranking.

The Growing Demand for Google +1

Search Engine Watch talked with Rob Rozicki, Director of Product promoting at Conductor, to examine what insights the company's early-stage tracking might lend to the present state of Google plus and therefore the +1 button. in keeping with Rozicki, social is obtaining significantly a lot of attention currently than it did a year or 2 ago.

"In all of our discussions with customers, social could be a topic," he said. "Most CMOs and most search engine marketers bring it up as a part of interest."

Webmasters are among the primary to actually get into Google +1; the button itself gained major popularity right out of the gate. in keeping with HubSpot, there is sensible reason for webmasters to follow this trend: sites with the +1 button received over 3 times the maximum amount exposure on the Google and network.

It's a bet on a current horse when it involves Google's social baby. However, since Google Plus has already set the world's record for being the fastest growing web site, it isn't a nasty bet.

"It's positively the first days" for Google +1, Rozicki said. "We're not seeing the volumes of +1s that we tend to are in Facebook Likes or Twitter shares." However, "there's enough buzz and Google has enough clout that we're assured that [...] we're planning to see several a lot of Google +1 likes within the future."

The doubtless barrier, in keeping with Rozicki, boils right down to the age of the button.

"People are not understanding +1 simply nevertheless," he said. However, as individuals begin to trust the button and see what they will get out of it, the worth for users is probably going to select up. Webmasters are currently making an attempt to organize for what several read as an inevitable boom within the popularity of the Google +1 button and therefore the young social network it's hooked up to.

Google +1 and social activity is additionally trackable with new reports in Google Webmaster Tools and Google Analytics

Source: SEO Technology Company Adds Google +1 Tracking to SEO Platform

Google Social Networking Google Plus Launches Gaming Channel

Google Plus Launches Gaming Channel

Ever since the launch of Google Plus, the search giant has been trying to convince the world that Facebook is old news. One of the ways it's attempting to do this? By showing off how it's able to do all the things Facebook was able to do, albeit with a cleaner, more minimalist interface. With the rise of "Farmville," gaming has become a big part of Facebook, and, starting today, it's now a big part of Google Plus. Gaming, I mean...not "Farmville." Yet.

Google Plus Games is a free service available to anyone with a Google Plus account. At present, there are 16 games, many of which have already made a splash on Facebook. Familiar titles like "Bejeweled Blitz" and "Zynga Poker" are joined by the Google Plus-compatible versions of "Angry Birds" and "Diamond Dash."



As with Facebook, users need to grant games access to their profiles before playing them. This usually amounts to giving those games access to friends lists, but automatic updates on profile pages can be deactivated if you'd rather not constantly bug your friends with the success of your digital moon base.

"Angry Birds" takes social a step further, introducing a new series of levels called Teamwork. Having more friends playing "Angry Birds" through Google Plus will allow you to unlock more levels. The game also tracks the total number of stars your friends have earned, as a means of unlocking even more content.

It'll be interesting to see just how far Google is going to go with its gaming initiatives. Right now it seems like it's more following the pack than blazing its own trail, but that could change drastically as Google Plus Games matures.

Randi Zuckerberg Leaves Facebook for RToZ Media

Facebook Director of Marketing Randi Zuckerberg, the sister of founder Mark Zuckerberg, has decided to leave Facebook to start her own company.

Randi Zuckerberg Social Media Firm Name As RtoZMedia and website address is http://www.rtozmedia.com/. Follow her @ http://twitter.com/#!/R2ZMedia

Randi Said, “My goal is to launch my own innovative programming and work with media companies to develop their programming in new and more social ways,” Zuckerberg wrote. “In attacking this challenge, Facebook will clearly be a central element in all of my projects. I plan to demonstrate that anyone can do groundbreaking media work on the platform.”

Zuckerberg’s first child was born several months ago, and she has been on maternity leave from Facebook. While we can imagine that starting your own company while raising a young infant is quite a juggling act in itself, we’re sure the pace will be somewhat easier on the family’s schedule.

Here is the letter and also a video I did with her last year when Zuckerberg was covering the Golden Globes in Beverly Hills for Facebook early last year.

8/3/11

Dear Sheryl and Elliot:

I've decided my time at Facebook is coming to a close.


When I think about the projects I'm most proud of during my six years at the company, they all have one thing in common –they revolve around the intersection of traditional media & social technology:

• the ABC News/Facebook Presidential Primary Debate in 2008 (first network televised debate to include social media)
• the CNN/Facebook Inauguration Partnership in 2009 (fueled a multi-billion dollar industry
around live streaming)
• The ABC/Facebook Live Election Night Coverage in 2010 (received an Emmy Nomination)
• The Davos/Facebook partnership which made The World Economic Forum accessible to millions of people
• The launch of Facebook Live, culminating less than a year later in a Town Hall with President Obama in 2011.

I have spent my years at Facebook pouring my heart and soul into innovating and pushing the media industry forward by introducing new concepts around live, social, participatory viewing that the media industry has since adopted. We have made incredible progress, but there is still much to be done and other ways I can affect change. Now is the perfect time for me to move outside of Facebook to build a company focused on the exciting trends underway in the media industry.


I'm proud of what I've done here and the people I have had the chance to work with. But I know I'll be able to do just as much or more for Facebook once I'm on the outside. My goal is to launch my own innovative programming and work with media companies to develop their programming in new, and more social ways. In attacking this challenge, Facebook will clearly be a central element in all of my projects. I plan to demonstrate that ANYONE can do groundbreaking media work on the platform. And to the extent it makes sense for you, I'd be happy to advise Facebook on media projects, “Facebook Live” or other initiatives if it is desired.


As I end this chapter of my career, know that I leave with a deep love for Facebook and I value the experiences I have had here immensely. Be assured I will continue to be a strong, vocal evangelist for the most incredible social platform ever created. I am thankful for the strong mentorship, guidance, and support, which is empowering me to follow my dreams and show that you don’t have to be an engineer to be a hacker.

Thanks for everything. If you need to reach me email at my new company is best, Randi@RtoZMedia.com.

Randi

Source: Randi Zuckerberg Leaves Facebook to Start New Social Media Firm

How to Delete Google+ or Google Plus Account Without Deleting Gmail Account?

Google Plus or Google+ is that the latest social network from Google when Buzz. Orkut is additionally owned by Google however due to diminishing popularity of Orkut worldwide compared to Facebook, Google has stated one thing terribly new and radical referred to as the Google Plus. however if you don’t wish to use the Google+ anymore otherwise you wish to urge rid of your Google+ account and need to get rid of your Google+ Account we'll share a guide with you here. Most users are worried if they delete the Google plus account they'll accidentally delete their Google account, Google Reader, Gmail and alternative Google accounts furthermore. Well it's going to happen if you mistakenly delete your complete Google account. to stop this error, we'll guide you thru a secure procedure which is able to permit you to delete solely Google+ account while not deleting alternative Google accounts related to your Google or Gmail id.

How To take away Google+ and Account while not Deleting Gmail Account

There is a secure method of deleting Google Plus account that deletes solely the Google+ and not alternative Google services. Follow this tutorial fastidiously step by step:

Step 1: Click on Settings icon on the top right of the Google Plus screen when you are logged in and click on “Google+ Settings”

Step 2: Click on the Account Overview Link in the left pane and the click on the link towards the bottom of this page which says “Delete profile and social features – Delete Profile and associated social features”


Step 3: On next scree, select the option which says “Delete Google+ Content” [IMPORTANT]. Then click the check box at the bottom of the page which says “I understand that deleting the service can’t be undone and data I delete can’t be restored.”. Then click the button which says “Remove Selected Services”. This is it.

Google’s Plus Account Deletion Threats

The release of Google+ meant of ton of things, however among them was a willingness on Google’s half to push users out into public. Most notably, Google has told users that their profile will either be public or deleted. Google is currently poised to wipe out the remaining non-public profiles.

Google’s Plus Deletion Threats

Not long once Google+ was initially released, Google set that there wasn’t abundant of a purpose in non-public profiles. That included Google profiles that were imported over and retained their previous privacy settings. Since Google+ is supposed to assist folks connect, the flexibility to seek out folks was vital.

Users who log into a personal profile can currently be given the choice to either delete the profile or build it public. However, creating the profile public solely needs that you just share your name. Everything else are often kept sealed. And, despite its threats, Google hasn’t nevertheless booted any non-public profiles.