Gmail Involved in Email Showdown

gmailAlthough there have been claims for years that the end of email is imminent, it would seem that it is actually a mode of communication that will continue to last throughout the next few decades. That topic aside, there are many people who wonder which company provides the best free email service. Gmail is obviously one of the most popular options, but most would consider that there is still competition from options such as Yahoo!, Outlook, AOL, Mail.com, and Hushmail. For this reason, some people would consider it difficult to determine which option may be the best.

Generally speaking, if someone isn’t using Gmail, then they’re likely to be using Outlook instead. People tend to choose email providers based on their own needs, whether they are using their email address for personal matters, business matters, or both. For this reason, even though Gmail and Outlook may have the highest competition, a lot Buy Viagra of their users may not even be using these providers platforms to their full potential. Gmail is the most preferential, however, because it provides a wide array of different functions and options, such as faxing directly from the users email account.

As email continues to be a long lasting form of communication, there is going to be a more obvious showdown between email providers. Gmail is going to likely take center stage during this showdown since Google works almost endlessly to ensure that the company provides the strongest products and platforms for its users. As time progresses, it’s very possible that some email providers will become less popular or even almost non-existent in terms of competition. If Google continues to evolve Gmail to include more reliable features and make the email experience more convenient for its users, it will have no problem maintaining a lead in the industry, even if Outlook remains as competition.

Security Leader Metasploit DNS Registrar Hacked by Fax

faxmachineexploitedKDMS Team, a pro-Palestinian group of hackers, recently hacked the website of leading net security firm, Metasploit. The group carried out the attack using a fax machine. The hack itself was based on a DNS redirect, which occurs when an attacker changes the records used to tell web browsers what server is located behind the related web address. In the case of the Metasploit hack, the redirect was accomplished by faxing a faked redirect request to Metasploit’s registrar, Register.com. Metasploit’s parent company, Rapid7, has already stated that it is investigating the situation and has also released apologies for the service disruption.

After the hijack, another hacker known as somewhat new presence on Twitter, it seemed very suspicious that it would know and follow accounts that have not been active for such a long period of time. Th3 J35ter also claims to have identified the actual identities of the people within the KDMS team, including a Facebook page of one of the members.

The Metasploit hack is a prime example of various exploits that are possible via the use of fax technology, though commonly not targeted. Under most hacking scenarios, any exploits and attacks that are used are generally not achieved by use of fax because hackers tend to target other types of technology and code due to their mainstream usage and popularity. However, the Metasploit hack is also a clear reminder that exploits can be achieved, even with the use of fax, and that this is one technology that continues to be relevant on a precautionary level.

Google Involved in J2 Globals Online Fax Monopoly?

faxonlineJ2 Global Communications, a company known mainly for internet fax services, has often been associated with pushing the boundaries of what is usually acceptable in the online market. However, now their business practices have recently begun to gain more attention and may have the potential to pull down Google’s reputation as well. In order to create an illusion of choice for potential consumers, J2 Global has operated under numerous names, including SmartFax.com, Fax.com, RapidFax.com, eFax.com, MyFax.com, and MetroFax.com. As a result, they effectively manage to control around 90% of the internet fax market. The company screens everything as if it was actually separate companies and then sets varying prices as it sees suitable.

Google becomes involved by the amount of internet traffic that is brought to J2’s websites based on their search engine. Whenever someone searches for “online faxing” via Google, most of the results that they are provided with come from J2 companies and websites. Technically, these practices are prohibited by Google AdWords ‘double serving policy’ which states that multiple ads that are provided by accounts owned by the same corporate entity are not allowed when they are caused by the same keyword. Simply searching “online faxing” reveals that this policy is obviously in violation.

Although most people wouldn’t consider this to be a huge issue, the fact of the matter is that Google has built most of its reputation on providing reliable search results; and they did this long before they started releasing innovative technology and products. It is not directly obvious if Google is aware of the practices being used by J2 Global Communications or if they have yet to realize that the majority of their results are provided by companies providing the illusion of choice. However, most would agree that Google has a responsibility to focus on allowing a fair market to its users.

Google Glass Apps Reveal Analytics, Faxes Instantly

googleglassA Wichita mobile and web developer has found a new functionality for Google Glass; the ability to fax. Although Chad Smith develops apps on a regular basis, he claims that he found some particular humor in developing an app for Google Glass that would allow individuals to fax more easily from the device. He uses it regularly at work. Smith initially believed Glass to be quite limited and viewed it as a high-end camera, driving him to develop apps that would make the device more useful and provide it with more functionality.

In regards to faxing, Smith uses a virtual fax number that allows him to receive a document from his doctor’s office. He can then read each page of the fax by using Google Glass or he can choose to take a picture of the documents with the device and then send them to another fax number, making the faxing experience far more convenient and efficient than it would be normally. However, Smith has also developed many other apps that allow him to improve the efficiency and experience that he has while using Google Glass.

One app allows him to check some of the most important statistics associated with Google Analytics, such as the amount of page views or visitors per day. This can be crucial since he needs to review data for clients sites on a regular basis while he is in meetings. An app for Google AdSense allows for Smith to check the amount of income that has been earned from ads being featured on clients websites. Additionally, an app developed for Whois Lookup ensures that he is able to check whether domain names are available and whether or not they can be purchased immediately; a function that is very important to many clients that he meets with for work. For many, it’s just another example that the sky is truly the limit when dealing with the functionalities of Google Glass.

Google’s Nexus 5 Phone Already a Success

nexus5Although it has just been announced recently, Google’s Nexus 5 phone is already seeming to start off as a hit success among many loyal Google users and smartphone users alike. Unlocked versions of the phone are available at $349 for 16 GB or$399 for 32 GB. Individuals who are seeking to have a 2-year contract with T-Mobile or Sprint can get the phone for $49.55. The phone works with all GSM carriers around the world. Most are considering that the Nexus 5 is one of the most affordable smartphones offered to date with innovative features and Google’s latest technology.

The phone features a 4.95 inch 1080p touch screen and comes loaded with the new Android 4.4 KitKat operating system. It is the first Google phone to include this newly released operating system and there are a lot of people who are hopeful that it will solve the common fragmentation issues that have become common with each release. Nexus 5 supports high-speed LTE and also includes an 8 MP rear facing camera that features an HDR+ setting. In comparison to the Nexus 4, Nexus 5 is lighter but touts a slightly longer length.

The new KitKat operating system makes this phone far more efficient in comparison to previous models. There is an amazing voice search feature which allows users to search from any home screen by simply saying “OK Google.” Users can also make a phone call, get directions, or launch apps via the use of the voice search. Google claims that there’s a talk time of around 17 hours, 300 hours standby time, and up to 7 hours of Internet use with LTE. They also plan on releasing a wireless charger for the phone in the future. Overall, Nexus 5 is easily a reliable phone that should make a strong impression on smartphone users.

Google Reveals Latest Nexus 5 Phone

googlenexusGoogle recently revealed the new Nexus 5 smartphone this Thursday. The release marks Google’s determination to make the competition more challenging for Apple’s iPhone, especially in some of the latest emerging markets.

The new Nexus 5 device features a 5-inch display and Google Now, which is the company’s own personal assistant technology. It has also has a strong integration of Google search and many of the company’s other tools that have come to the market. Nexus 5 was developed with LG and features a new camera that minimizes the hand movements known to cause blurring in images. The software used for the camera also assists users with taking better photos in difficult situations, such as fast-moving subjects or low light.

The device is available in white or black. It costs $349 for a 16GB unlocked version and $399 for 32 GB. That’s cheaper than most of Apple’s recent iPhones. In example, the iPhone 5c, which HGH is considered to be the cheaper out of the two newest iPhones, costs $549 for a 16GB version that comes without a wireless contract. As a result, Google is marketing the Nexus 5 as cutting edge technology that’s available at an actually affordable price. This price difference is very important in developing markets that are continuing to grow at a faster rate.

One of Google’s major goals for the upcoming year is to get the Android mobile operating system into the hands of another billion users. Earlier this year, Google announced that it had achieved its one billionth Android activation. The company already leads based on the amount of units that have been shipped. However, a spokesman for the company has said that Google wants to get to a point where the number of people using Android and Google products is so large, developers would have no choice except to develop for Android first.

River Thames to Join Google Street View

googlestreetview
For the first time ever, 360 degree views will be able to appear on Google Street View. It will join other well-known and hard to capture sites around the world, such as the Grand Canyon and the South Pole. The River Thames is the first river in Europe and the UK to be mapped with Google’s Street View technology. It provides a 360-degree panoramic view to people around the world via the use of the popular tool, Google Maps. The announcement has already gained the attention of many Google Map users on a worldwide scale.

This announcement arrives after the Port of London Authority approached Google to map the river to offer a new perspective to Internet users throughout the globe. Being able to achieve this unique 360 degree view provides internet users with a more realistic image of what the River Thames is actually like from a 1st person perspective. In comparison to some of the traditional photos that have been provided of the River Thames in the past, Google Street View will show users exactly what this famed area looks like, making it ideal for those who are curious or even as an educational tool.

To achieve the 360 degree view, Google UK sent its Trekker camera down the river. The Trekker camera is a 40 pound backpack which features a 15-angle lens camera that is able to take 360-degree photographs every 2.5 seconds down the river. The camera was attached to the PLA’s hydrographic surveying vessel, Yantlet. It traveled almost 30 miles up the river and back from Woolwich to Richmond in order to ensure that it was able to capture every angle possible of the beautiful River Thames. Google first used the technology of the Trekker camera to capture the images of the Grand Canyon and then started capturing the canal network throughout the UK.