‘Ask.com’ – the fourth most used search engine (behind the ranks of ‘Google’, ‘Yahoo!’, and ‘MSN’) – recently unveiled their new design last night at 9 PM PST. Ask.com now incorporates a more “pure” approach to their layout, with a simpler search box similar to that of Google’s. However, in comparison, Ask.com rises above the rest with a vibrant design and a newly introduced feature, “Skins” which allows the a more customized feel to the page (”Timber Brume” pictured below).

In addition, as opposed to other search engines, Ask.com pioneers the rest by allowing preferences such as “Advanced Search” and “Options” to appear in the same window, instead of opening a new page.Search results produced by Ask.com are tailored to the specific type of search the user is doing. For example, music-related searches, such as artist and songs, produce results that can include images to clips of songs. Search results displayed are also accompanied to the right of the screen with information from the wikipedia encyclopedia and the Ask.com dictionary. A new preview function on Ask.com – a pair of binoculars appearing before the website link – allows the user to view the page before he or she clicks on it. Results can also be bookmarked – by clicking the ‘+’ button – for future searches.

Most certainly a great user-interface, both efficient and concise, Ask.com is sure to rise to the top.

Sources
Ask.com
Tech Crunch

First introduced May 29^th 2007, Google presents their latest map feature: “Street View“. In addition to the detail the people at Google present in their maps, users can now use a feature impossible in any two-dimensional map. Google’s “Street View” allows users to “tour ‘streetscapes’ and see 360̊ images; view street level photographs; take virtual walks; pan, rotate and zoom; and find shops, restaurants, parks, hotels and more”.

I also found the following to be worth mentioning: while not at all a new feature, iPod users are able to put a subway map of their choice city in their respective (nano, photo, and video) iPods. City subway maps include: New York, New York; Paris, France; Los Angeles, California, and many more.

This is part one, in a two part article about Joost, this part will be an introduction about Joost. Part two will be a review, or rather a preview since it hasn’t actually been released to the public, I am one of the lucky few who actually has a beta invite.

From the innovators who brought you the peer-to-peer file sharing program Kazaa, and the free peer-to-peer online phone carrier Skype, now introduce Joost™ (pronounced “juiced”), an Internet television application that’s transposed the television industry. Co-founders Janus Friis, 30, and Niklas Zennström, 40, are known for “sticking it to the man” with their programs that put the control back to the people. Joost™ works like an on-demand television, removing all of its negative qualities, one of which being what Friis describes as “televisions being locked in linear time”. Joost™ offers “high-quality full-screen picture, hundreds of full-length shows and easy channel-flipping.” (more…)

Google Maps has just released a new feature: ‘My Maps’. With all the features of Google Maps, you can now create and personalize your own map of the world. To start, you will need an account with Google. Once you begin, you are given the option of making your map ‘private’ or ‘public’. Making your map ‘public’ will give it its own URL, allowing you to share it with other people on the trip, family, friends, or whomever you wish. (more…)

Chambal.com is a website that allows you to compare prices on a variety of different products. The types of products that are available include books and electronics. If you are looking for a good price on a product that falls under these categories then this is a great website. It searches through other websites looking for the best prices on an item. The search results include a good number of websites including Ebay and PriceGrabber. This shows that Chambal uses a lot of web sources to gather the best prices. (more…)

When word got out that LG has released a phone very much similar to that of Apple’s iPhone, one would definitely feel intrigued to check it out and see for themselves how similar the two high-tech gadgets actually are. Including their lack of catchier product names, the two have practically identical features, with their differences lying in the subtle (or not so subtle) details. Both can play music and videos; both are about 12mm thick; both come with the Edge and Bluetooth wireless data technology, a 2-megapixel camera, Internet access to check e-mail, but more notably, the touchscreen capabilities are reminiscent to that of the Blackberry. (more…)