Google yesterday announced they have replaced the word “website” with “property” in the AJAX Search API Terms of Service. By doing so, suggesting the API can be used on Android apps. Hmm, just a week ahead of the September 23rd Android Conference.
Google Chrome launched today. And when it comes to a clean interface that is quick and easy to use, this thing blows Firefox 3 (or should I call it Safari) out of the water. They must hire Usability PhDs over there, oh wait they do.
Here’s a screenshot of the browser’s default homepage.
Google Chrome homepage keeps track of the sites you visited.
Of course, as a web developer, I won’t consider a browser as a primary tool unless it has an element inspector such as Firebug. Of course, Google thought of this.
Firebug who?
Google Chrome’s Wiki page lists September 2nd as the beta launch date for Google’s revolutionary new browser. It looks to do what no other browser today can do - serve as a legitimate alternative to a typical desktop OS. This browser is the OS. For more information, refer to the Google Chrome comic.
Attention all tab fanatics! Google has chosen tabs as the browser’s primary navigation tool.
Google Chrome Comic
A personal thanks to Jakob Nielsen and his team at Nielsen Norman Group for making the web a more usable place.
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Interested in a camcorder with a 2x zoom, 60 minute video capacity and a 2 hour battery? Did I mention the video’s max resolution is 640×480? Sounds like something straight out of 1984. Yet, for the thousands who have purchased the Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder and helped make it the hottest video camcorder on the market, the answer is yes! Unlike other camcorders that promise you a camcorder capable of filming the next Oscar winning movie, this camcorder does one thing… it captures web quality video, and it does it better than any other camera. Sure other camcorders will give you a better picture, but this camera’s killer user interface makes it easy enough for any person to use.
Looking like something Apple would design, this camcorder has three primary buttons. Play, Record, and Delete, that’s it. What else do you need?
With its built in usb connector, this camcorder is ready for plug and play. The only thing missing are the messy wires.
Here’s a shot of the front side if your interested.
I’m sure we’ve all struggled from time to time with the usability (or lack thereof) of a Microsoft product. It’s nice to know Bill Gates has the same issues. From the Seattle PI comes this eye-opening email.
Looking to upstage their former employer, former Google employees Anna Patterson and Tom Costello have launched Cuil.com, see Ex-Googlers launch rival search engine on cnn.com. The husband and wife team claim Cuil.com’s search index spans 120 billion web pages or 3x what Google is currently capable of. On this post, I will examine Cuil’s homepage and search engine results page and how they compare to Google in regards to layout and design.
Cuil’s Home page
Google’s design influence is apparent after examining Cuil’s homepage. The minimalist look that drove millions away from search engine layouts of the past (Altavista, Yahoo, MSN) to Google appears to be the starting point of this site’s design. However, it then becomes obvious that Cuil attempts to distance itself from Google by making the background black, adding top margin to the logo, and right aligning the logo with the text field. While doing this, in my opinion, impacting the site’s usability in a negative way. In fact, in my opinion, it resembles a warez search page, a similiarity I’m sure they were not looking for.
Cuil's homepage
Cuil’s Search Engine Results Page
Cuil attempts to further distance itself from Google in its search engine results page. While I applaud their efforts in attempting to revolutionize the display of search engine results pages by using a three column (or 2 column if you choose) layout as opposed to Google’s one column list, the design falls short. As any designer will tell you, attempting to neatly contain dynamic data in a 3 column grid layout is a difficult task. One that does not lend itself to the unknown of search results. That combined with eye tracking tests that suggest that users read from left to right in an F shape suggests a messy experience for the user.
Cuil's search engine results page
As opposed to Google’s proven one column layout for organic results.
So is Cuil.com the next Google? We’ll wait and see. One thing that’s certain, is that Cuil will need to be more like Google in terms of design and user experience if they wish to surpass them.
As promised, the team at Clearleft launched Silverback today. In minutes, I was able to turn my macbook pro into a legitimate usability testing environment. Forget the need for multiple cameras and expensive software or paying a professional to do it. All I needed to do was download the application (free 30 day trial), write up a list of requirements I wanted my subject to perform, and bam I found 5 things to improve on the site.
Thanks to Kimmy for being a good sport.
The wait is over. Clearleft has just announced, via Twitter, their highly anticipated usability testing software Silverback will launch tomorrow.
Better websites to follow.
