Google new launch: Google Realtime

Google has launched Google.com/Realtime as a separate page for its Realtime Search feature that allows users to view latest search results from social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. The company first introduced real-time search results as a part of its general search engine in December 2009. According to Google, the Realtime Search page is rolling out in phases and should be available soon. In the meanwhile, one can use this link to try out the new features right away.
“On the new homepage you will find some great tools to help you refine and understand your results. First, you can use geographic refinements to find updates and news near you, or in a region you specify,” Dylan Casey, product manager, Google, has said. “In addition, we have added a conversations view, making it easy to follow a discussion on the real-time web... We have also added updates content to Google Alerts, making it easy to stay informed about a topic of your choosing.”

Source: AlooTechie

 

Google’s new kind of display ads let advertisers attract more followers to their Twitter accounts

Google is testing out a new kind of display ad that lets advertisers attract more followers to their Twitter accounts. Ads appear in a box with the Twitter bird icon, the advertisers’ latest tweet and a button prompting viewers to follow the advertiser on Twitter, which they can do without having to leave Google. Clicking on any other part of the ad directs the user to the advertiser’s Twitter page.

“To provide more marketing opportunities for our advertisers to reach users in moments that are relevant and useful to them, we are currently testing different ways that allow advertisers to better update their ads in real time,” a Google spokesperson has said, adding, “We are currently in a limited test with a small number of advertisers and publishers.” 

Source: ClickZ via Mashable

Turkey bans Google's Services, Twitter and Friendfeed

The Turkish government has reportedly blocked access to some or all of Google’s services in that country. Turkish citizens on Twitter and other social networks such as FriendFeed have also reported access problems, and have been sharing comments about the blockage using hashtags such as TurkeyCensorGoogle, TurkeyGoogleBan and NoGoogleNoWeb. 

It’s not clear whether this is a deliberate attempt to block all of Google’s websites and services, or whether the latest access restrictions are related to the government’s ongoing attempts to block YouTube. Access to Google’s video service was cut off in 2008 after complaints that videos critical of Mustafa Kamal Ataturk — the founder of modern Turkey — were available on YouTube. Criticism of Turkey, or any “insult to Turkishness,” is a criminal offence in that country, reports GigaOm. 

A Google spokesman has said, “We have received reports that some Google applications are unable to be accessed in Turkey. The difficulty in accessing some Google services in Turkey appears to be linked to the ongoing ban on YouTube. We are working to get our services back up as soon as possible.” 

The telecommunication and communication ministry (TIB), a government body that can control internet accessibility in Turkey are reportedly attempting to block certain IPs (internet protocol addresses) belonging to Google due to ‘legal reason’. ISPs in the country are understood to have told users that they would suffer accessibility problems to Google’s home page in Turkey, websites that use Google Analytics, and use of the Google Toolbar. [Source: National Turk]