technology

In an extremely shocking report, is it now clear that Facebook has topped Google as the most visited site of 2010. This is very shocking to beat Google because it is a search engine, and many people visit it to search up their topics almost everyday. Is it possible that social networking has topped the #1 search engine?


In 2010, Facebook has accumulated some 8.93% of the site visits online, but Google only accumulated 7.19% followed by the leading video viewing site Youtube with 3.52%. So if you do combine Youtube and Google, the percentage does beat Facebook.

In 2009, Facebook has only reached third place on the top sites visited charts, but it was assumed that Facebook did try to move up one place this year, but many didn't expect to hit the top of the charts. In other news, Facebook has also been the most searched for in phrases or terms. Will Facebook still be the most visited in 2011?
Above is a picture of sites that were top visited over 2009 and 2010. So, what do you think? [TheNextWeb]

The extremely popular VLC Media Player is now coming to Android! VLC Media Player is an open source program that has almost every codec built in so that no other codec pack will be needed to play other media formats. VLC Media Player is famously used because even if your media file is damaged, you can still play what is detected.


VLC Media Player has already been brought to the iPad on September 20, 2010 and was later brought to the iPhone and iPod a month later. The main issue about releasing VLC for Android was becuase Google's NDK only allowed it to be in Java coding. Now that Google has changed its NDK, developers can now use their original coding to develop Android apps. With most VLC Libraries already ported to Android, there is still a problem of how the app will word on the Android. How will the user interact with it? Where will everything be placed? Will it be similar to the iOS app of VLC? Stay tuned and find out! [The Next Web]

Google's Nexus S has got some news today. As most of you know, Nexus S is now available at BestBuy, so in case you are one of the early adopters of this phone, you may ask yourself, “how to root the Nexus S?”


For those who don't know, unlocking Nexus S bootloader will allow you to go into custom recovery mode so you can install custom ROMs like Cyanogen Mod etc. The steps are pretty easy but you need to have the basic Android fastboot knowledge. Just follow the step by step guide below to unlock your new Nexus S bootloader.

STEP 1: Shutdown your Nexus S.

STEP 2: Hold down the Volume Up key then hold the Power key.

STEP 3: Now your device'll get in Standard Recovery Mode.

STEP 4: Now ppen command prompt or Terminal (depending on what OS you’re using, this is on your computer) then type “fastboot devices”. This will tell you if your phone is connected via USB or not.

STEP 5: Type “fastboot oem unlock” if you're connected.

STEP 6: Almost done, now use Volume keys to select ‘yes, unlock bootloader’ then use power button to select option and your new bootloader will be unlocked now !

For now, there is no custom recovery image yet and obviously no custom ROMs but they'll be out very soon. [via AndroidCenteral]

Google Nexus S is available today for purchase in US at BestBuy stores. Google Nexus S is a major smartphone designed by the folks (Google) in Mountain View, California, and manufactured by Samsung, Nexus S is the first phone powered by the recently released Android 2.3 Gingerbread. It is also the first Android phone with built-in support for NFC. So how about comparing it with Apple's iPhone 4 in a video comparison?


Both devices are put head to head in a 5 round smackdown, with 1 clear winner. The categories through the tests are, Speed, Text Entry, Screen, Browser, and Extras. Watch the video embedded below and tell us your thoughts in the comment section below:
[via TechnoBuffalo]

Couple of days back, Google announced their new eBook app release of Google Books. This app allows you to read eBooks off your iOS device just the same as Apple's iBooks. It also lets you buy books from a store. So whats the difference between iBooks and Google Books? Which is the better one?


Even though Google Books has been a new app that has just been released, it lacks the graphics and animation interface in the app. For instance, in iBooks, the animation makes it seem as if a bookstore is behind those shelves of books you bought. In Google Books, it directs you to a safari page where you can buy books.

Even though the animation in Google Books is lacking, it's programming is very well done. Google is said to have the the greatest collecions of books.
Another thing about Google Books is that feature of unlimited storage in a digital cloud. This allows you to save all your eBooks onto Google Account. What's good about this is that you can read all your books online from the app without downloading them. You an also read them online from Google's book site.

The one major thing about Google Books is iTunes syncing. For now, iBooks is the only app that can seamlessly sync into iTunes, but it lacks reading iTunes.
In conclusion, Google Books seems like the better option here if you're on the go and if you rarely ever sync with iTunes. Google Books provides so many features, but if you're that type of person who likes to stick with iTunes and also have a nice interface to deal with, stick to iBooks. Google Books should probably release some updates in the near future. Besides, it's only their first release.

Google has announced its first Chrome OS laptop called the Cr-48! This laptop is currently unbranded and will be distributed through its Chrome OS Pilot Program. This is sort of a public beta, but Googe is most likely interested in businesses which will provide feedback back to Google and comment on it's quality. There doesnt seem to be a way to pay for one now though.


The current specs for this laptop are:

• 12.1-inch screen.
• Full size keyboard.
• Oversized clickpad.
• Qualcomm Gobi 3G chip for Verizon data in the US, your carrier of choice internationally.
• 802.11n dual-band WiFi.
• 8+ hours of active use.
• 8+ days of standby.
• Webcam.
• Flash storage.

The Chrome OS is basically just web applications that were aimed for simplicity
and it doesn't seem to have any function keys, but a full row of Apple-Keyboard style actions. The capslock key has been replaced with a search button. This laptop is assuming to be not that big of a deal yet because it hasn't even been branded yet, but it will improve. Even though it is still in beta stages, is is currently being worked on. Although people might think this laptop isn't that great, I say it's pure awesomeness.

Google today has announced the long waited Nexus S along with their new Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The new version of Android brings some new amazing features as rich multimedia — including support for VP8 and WebM video and new audio effects, support for front-facing cameras, SIP/VoIP and Near Field Communication (NFC), Enhancements for game developers, including new sensor types, Faster, more intuitive text input, one-touch word select and copy / paste, improved power management, control over applications, and new ways of communicating, and organizing.


Android 2.3 Gingerbread should be rolling out for Nexus One users. We will update the post with official OTA download link as soon as it is available for public.

The Nexus S is really the Android phone you've been waiting for since it comes with lots of specs, clean installation of Android OS, microUSB, Bluetooth, a really big battery, high camera resolution (5 mpx), and more and more! Here's all the features & specs of the new Nexus S Android phone.

SPECS & FEATURES
Connectivity

• Quad-band GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900
• Tri-band HSPA: 900, 2100, 1700
• HSPA type: HSDPA (7.2Mbps) HSUPA (5.76Mbps)
• Wi-Fi 802.11 n/b/g
• Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
• Near Field Communication (NFC)
• Assisted GPS (A-GPS)
• microUSB 2.0

Display

• 4.0" WVGA (480x800)
• Contour Display with curved glass screen
• Super AMOLED
• 235 ppi
• Capacitive touch sensor
• Anti-fingerprint display coating

Size and weight

• 63mm x 123.9mm x 10.88mm
• 129g

Hardware

• Haptic feedback vibration
• Three-axis gyroscope
• Accelerometer
• Digital compass
• Proximity sensor
• Light sensor

Processor and memory

• 1GHz Cortex A8 (Hummingbird) processor
• 16GB iNAND flash memory

Cameras and multimedia

• Back-facing: 5 megapixels (2560x1920)
• 720 x 480 video resolution
• H.264, H.263 MPEG4 video recording
• Auto focus
• Flash
• Front-facing: VGA (640x480)
• 3.5mm, 4-conductor headset jack
• (stereo audio plus microphone)
• Earpiece and microphone
• Software noise-cancellation

Battery

• Talk time up to 6.7 hours on 3G
• (14 hours on 2G)
• Standby time up to 17.8 days on 3G
• (29.7 days on 2G)
• 1500 mAH Lithum Ion

Software

• Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
• Android Market
• Calendar
• Gmail
• Google Earth
• Google Maps with Navigation
• Google Search
• Google Talk
• Google Voice
• Voice Actions
• YouTube

VIDEOS
Also take a look at the videos below showing the phone in action along with the new version of Android:


PRICES & AVAILABILITY
According to the official Google Blog, Nexus S will be available after December 16 for purchase online or at Best Buy stores in the U.S, at the Carphone Warehouse or Best Buy retail stores in the U.K.

In U.S.The phone will be available unlocked for $529 or with a T-Mobile two-year contract service for $199. In U.K., at £35 with contract, and £549 for the unlocked one.

For first time, Google is losing the war as users spend more time on Facebook. According to fresh data from comScore, users on the web spend more time on Facebook than Google, at the same time, Yahoo has begun to slide from the top to the bottom. As said, "If Google wasn't already scared of Facebook, this ought to do the trick."


At first, Yahoo was the first for lots of months, but this month, the changes are happening. The time spend on site don't mean the traffic, there's a big difference, of course, according to Alexa (some people considering it useless), Google is #1 in the number of users who enter the site, but according to today's chart Google is #2 in the time spent on site for the first time. This referring to how successful is Facebook, companies will try and try to buy Facebook. [via BusinessInsider]

You may also like:

• Facebook Testing New “Subscribe To” User Feature
• How to Suck at Facebook? [Funny Gallery]
• Microsoft Co-founder Sues Apple, Google and Facebook

Youtube now is the 3rd most visited website on the Internet! Today, Youtube surpassed Yahoo for the 3rd spot on most visited sites on Alexa. Of course, #1 is Google and #2 is Facebook but now Youtube has a great chance to get from Facebook and take the #2 spot.


If you are interested to know the first 10 most visited sites in the web, you can navigate to this direct link on Alexa which lists the first 20 sites! [via TNW]

You have always dreamed by iPhodroid for Windows! Finally, it's coming soon, Sergio Mclfy, the developer of iPhodroid has confirmed that he has managed to install iPhodroid on Windows and get it working! He posted that he scheduled to release it next week, will he really release it and next week? from his quotes,

Finally I see clear trough the window! Yeah, it's right, iPhoDroid hits the chance for Microsoft users to get a taste of the desirable Android Project. And on my schedule it's for next week. It will be in 1SHOT; 99% to be, at least from my head calculator. So, tell your friend because I need to get this intention more strong than never. Windows platform always was my main target, believe me. And now that time just arrived...Keep tuned, mate. I know we will have so many fun ;-)

iPhodroid R13 1Shot was released last week to Install Froyo Android 2.2 on iPhone 3G / 2G with 1-Click Install but for Mac, and as you noticed above it's coming next week for windows so stay tuned!
Update 1:iPhodroid for Windows has been released check this post.

You have also to check out how to install Android on iPhone 3G using iPhoDroid R13 on windows [full step by step guide here]

For the first time, Google has released its Revenue Share breakdown for Adsense, They are sharing the revenue shares for "AdSense for content" and "AdSense for search.". For Adsense for Content, They pay 68% of the revenue that they collect from Advertisers for Publishers, and for AdSense for Search they pay 51%.



Here's the significant part in Google's Post about "AdSense for content"

AdSense for content publishers, who make up the vast majority of our AdSense publishers, earn a 68% revenue share worldwide. This means we pay 68% of the revenue that we collect from advertisers for AdSense for content ads that appear on your sites. The remaining portion that we keep reflects Google's costs for our continued investment in AdSense — including the development of new technologies, products and features that help maximize the earnings you generate from these ads. It also reflects the costs we incur in building products and features that enable our AdWords advertisers to serve ads on our AdSense partner sites. Since launching AdSense for content in 2003, this revenue share has never changed.

And about "AdSense for search"

We pay our AdSense for search partners a 51% revenue share, worldwide, for the search ads that appear through their implementations. As with AdSense for content, the proportion of revenue that we keep reflects our costs, including the significant expense, research and development involved in building and enhancing our core search and AdWords technologies. The AdSense for search revenue share has remained the same since 2005, when we increased it.