Just Bing It!

Rumor on the street is that Microsoft's new search engine will be called "Bing". When you say it by yourself, it sounds quite awkward. However, when you say it as part of a slogan, it sounds decent. I think this is an attempt to become the "Kleenex" or "Xerox" of the search world.

Ultimately though, the quality of the results will probably be the determining factor.

Google's new Logos - Branding

Google recently rolled out some new logos. You can see them here. As you will probably notice, this is a way to standardize the branding of the Google line of services. This has gotten me to think about branding. Branding is a very interesting topic to me. I often times wonder what the ROI of a well thought out branding strategy is.

I believe that branding is critical for an individual product or service. However, I'm not sure of the value of branding a whole suite of products/services together unless they are strongly related. For instance, I'm not sure there is much relationship between Google code and Google docs (this is just my opinion). This is like Coca-Cola using the Coke logo on Sprite, Barq's, etc. It just seems a bit extreme to me to take branding this far.

What are your thoughts?

Apple NetBook / Tablet

There is a lot of chatter on the interwebz regarding Apple and a Netbook/Tablet. The question I have is why? Is it just because it is Apple? Maybe I'm just blind, but I really wonder how a netbook would meet a need I have. As I type this, I am working on a 13" MacBook and I am listening to tunes through my iPhone. I am a fan of Apple. However, I personally just do not see what need/desire I have that a netbook/tablet would fill.

How about you? Do you have a need/desire that an Apple netbook/tablet would fill?

New Version of Chrome

Google seems to have quietly released a new version of their browser called "Chrome". This new version touts a 30% increase in web page run times. You can read about the release here.

As a web developer, I'm watching Chrome very carefully. Currently, I am not testing against it. But, if it continues to grow, I will be.

Adobe's Quarterly Patch Day

Adobe recently announced a quarterly patch day for some of its products (more info). Does this mean that we will have to update Flash multiple times on the same day (sarcasm)? It seems like everytime I load up my machine I am forced to get a new Flash or AIR upgrade. I think Adobe should take a page from the Silverlight playbook.

Kumo - Will it Work

Word on the street is that Microsoft will previous, maybe even release, a new search engine next week. This new search engine has a codename of "Kumo" which may or may not stick. Personally, I like the "Live" moniker. I just do not think it was well marketed. I think that it should have been marketed as "Live it Live" pronounced as "Liv it LIEV".

Just my two cents.