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Skype: Android 3G Calling Now Included

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Android users have one less reason to gripe about Skype as the VoIP king has given the green light for 3G calling upon their Android app.

And to show there are no hard feelings, tucked into this morning’s update is “Calling over your 3G connection is available worldwide – now including the US.”  This opens up 3G calling to everyone, not just Verizon customers like we’ve seen so far. (Android Central)

Previously Skype only allowed WiFi calling for their Android devices which was odd seeing as their official iPhone app could make 3G phone calls as well as WiFi.

Surprisingly Skype did not update any their corporate blogs highlighting this new ability, although they did note the change upon Android Market.

With the inclusion of 3G calling upon Android Market,  it looks like Skype is ending their practice of playing carrier favorites with users (although the Android app is still lacking when compared to its iOS brother).

Note: Unfortunately video calling over 3G isn’t listed as a feature for Android (is video calling even available for Android?), although hopefully the company will add that feature soon (so yours truly can video chat with his Droid loving relatives).

Originally posted on April 20, 2011 @ 12:53 pm

Google Maps Giving Up Rights Germany?

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The search engine giant has apparently thrown in the towel as far as Street View in Germany is concerned.

Despite the recent German court ruling that declared photography from streets legal in Germany, Google has stopped Street View photography there and says it has “no plans to launch new imagery on Street View in Germany.” (Search Engine Land)

Despite securing the right to legally photograph streets, Google decided once again that it’s better to appease the governments than to anger them to the determent of Street View fans everywhere.

For those of you fearing that Street View will disappear, the search engine giant will maintain Street View for 20 German cities (although with updates being suspended those images will eventually become stale).

Even though abandoning Street View will put Google at a disadvantage (as other companies are planning on launching similar services), it may help bolster their image as well as help them build favor with German politicans.

Google will still roam the roads in order to verify the accuracy of streets within Germany, although I wouldn’t be surprised if Google restarts this project again in the future when Street View isn’t as controversial.

Originally posted on April 11, 2011 @ 12:00 pm

Google Vs DOJ: Who’s Lying About Google Apps?

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The rhetoric between Google and the Department of Justice is heating up after the DOJ accused the search engine giant publicaly lying about Google Apps receiving FISMA (or Federal Information Security Management Act) certification.

Not surprisingly, Microsoft has joined the fray by declaring that their nemesis is evil, and portraying their foe as untrustworthy by linking to documents (from the DOJ) proving that Google did not in fact receive FISMA certification.

Google has not yet responded to the accusations via press release or their corporate blogs, but they are maintaining the fact that they did receive FISMA certification and its the DOJ who’s in error.

So who is right? Not surprisingly the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

According to the GSA, Google’s Google Apps Premier received FISMA certification on July 21, 2010. However, Google intends to offer Google Apps for Government as a more restrictive version of its product and, Google is currently in the process of finishing its application for FISMA certification for itsGoogle Apps for Government. See Attachment 3. To be clear, in the view of GSA, the agencythat certified Google‟s Google Apps Premier, Google does not have FISMA certification for its Google Apps for Government. (DOJ Brief, pg. 13, note: PDF document)

Apparently Google did receive FISMA certification for a Google Apps Premier, then decided to create a more secure version which is not FISMA certified.

Although I do sympathize with Google here (who has become the Feds favorite whipping boy as of late), the DOJ and Microsoft is (for now) correct that Google is misleading the public by claiming something it doesn’t have.

Google needs to either pull all references regarding FISMA or offer more evidence, as the last thing the company wants is to be seen as “evil” in the public eye.

Originally posted on April 12, 2011 @ 12:09 pm