I know that it is so 1990′s to be taking about browser wars, but a small one has been brewing for the past few years.  This month Google Chrome celebrated its 2nd birthday and it keeps getting better with age.  While Internet Explorer is still the #1 browser being used and Mozilla Fire Fox comes in at #2, Google Chrome is moving up in the rankings.   Earlier this summer Chrome moved past Apple Safari into #3 in the rankings.

When Chrome was first released it did have some compatibility issues.   I even removed it from my computer as I was having difficulty getting things done with it.  But over the past two years it is improved greatly, and it is back on my computer once again and I could not be more pleased.

Chrome is available for PC, MAC, and Linux.  Give it a try I am sure that you will love the experience.  You can download Google Chrome for free here. Then once you have Chrome installed and running take a look at these 10 Killer Google Chrome Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts.

Official Google Blog: App Inventor for Android.

Once again Google one up’s Apple and the iPhone.  Today Google release App Inventor for Android.  This is a free tool that that allows anyone the ability to create Android Apps in a easy manner.  Unlike Apple , Google has decided to make a easy to use GUI interface to allow the masses to create Android Apps.

To sign up and start creating Android Apps go to http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/about/

After over a year of keeping Google Voice closed to people by invitation only, Google Voice is now opened to the public.  Google Voice is a free service offered to help people manage all of their phone numbers.  When you sign up for a Google Voice account you pick a phone number that is the only number that you will ever need.  You then point all of your existing phone numbers (home, office, cell, and any others that you want)  to your Google Voice number. Basically you have one phone number for all of your needs and then you can tell Google Voice how to route your calls.

With Google Voice you can make free calls to anywhere in the US or Canada.  Some of the other features are, Voice mail to email with call transcription, free text messaging, caller screening, call recording and transcription, and a easy to use control panel.  Additionally Google offers a free app for you to install on your smart phone to for easy integration.

For more information and to sign up for a Google Voice account click here.

If you need help setting up your Google Voice account contact us.

New Droid to Debut the Day Before iPhone 4 Hits Stores.

The Apple vs. Google battle is in full swing.  Verizon will be unveiling the latest Android phone one day before iPhone 4 is released.  This news tells me a couple of things.  First, Google and Apple are defiantly trying to take control of the smartphone market and that they have each declared war on each other.  Second, there will be no Verizon iPhone anytime soon.  Finally, I might have to wait one more week before I decide what Droid phone I get to replace my current iPhone.  I was leaning towards the new Sprint EVO, but now I must wait.

This should get real interesting next week.

The Next iPhone Will Probably Debut on June 7.

Looks like lots of questions will be answered on June 7th at Apple’s WWDC about the future of the iPhone.  Besides the release of the newest version, will there be an announcement that Apple has opened up the iPhone to other carriers?  Will AT&T loose its exclusive right to the iPhone?  Will Verizon get the iPhone?  One could only hope.

AppleInsider | Apple to introduce iPhone OS 4.0 on April 8.

The announcement earlier this week that Apple will introduce OS 4.0 for the iPhone came a a bit of a shock to just about everyone.  Come off of the big iPad release last week Apple decided to keep busy and make their big introduction of the newest OS for the iPhone this week.  Perhaps Apple wants to keep the pressure on their new rival Google and their Android OS phones that have been selling like hotcakes?

What features will be added?  Early guesses indicate that there will be full mulit-tasking on the iPhone as well as the ability to print from the phone.  The last major OS upgrade to the OS came in 2009.  However of the features has yet to be released;  iPhone tethering!

I am not too sure if the OS will be immediately available, as it is suppose to ship after the WWDC over the summer with a new iPhone modle as well.

Looking forward to what Steve Jobs and company will show tomorrow.  IF you are a current iPhone issue the best news would be that Verizon will begin to carry the iPhone.

One can only hope…

Nexus One Sales Are Lackluster: Here’s Why.

The Nexus One has not had nearly the same sales as the iPhone or the Motorla Droid.  But is this really the fault of the device or how it is being sold?  I would have to say it is how it is being sold.  You can only get a subsidized Nexus One on T-Mobile.  If you want it on AT&T you have to pay almost $600.

Next you purchase and setup the phone through Google directly.  Since this is Google first attempt at something like this, there are sure to be problems.

The true test of the Nexus One will be how it sells once another carrier can sell it and have it on their network.  Rumor has it that Verizon will begin to carry the Nexus One starting March 23rd. If this in fact is true, there is no reason why sales should not take off.

How #FollowFriday Works.

For those of you still figuring out Twitter and all of the inside secrets, here is some helpful information on Follow Friday and how to participate.  Basically you send out tweet that composes a list of other Twitter users that you currently follow as suggestions for others to follow.

I just sent out my first followfriday tweet:

#followfriday @mashable @ducttape @Infusionsoft @jeffjarvis @robinrobins @transwest

Have a great FollowFriday and a great weekend!

I just started reading What Would Google Do by Jeff Jarvis today and I wanted to share just a little bit of it with everyone. “Do what you do best and link to the rest.”  This is great advice for business’s both small and large.  A lot of times, a business will move away from their core business and try to shift to a different area to either help a current client or to gain a new client.  In some cases the business will find success, but more often than not the experiment will end with poor results.

It is very important that you know what it is that you do best as a business and stick to it.  Keep focused, and improve on what it is that you do best and get better at it!  Next find people or business’s that you can trust and partner (link) with them.  This way you can focus on doing with you do best and you will find that you help your clients even more by referring them to an expert to resolve their issue.  The links that you create will make your company stronger and you will create new new bonds with other exceptional companies.  As Jeff Jarvis states “Links are the new steel…”

I know what it is that we as a company do best.  JEB & Company is a IT Consulting and Managed Services Provider.  While that can cover many areas, I know what our core services are and we work hard everyday to improve on what it is that we offer. However I do know that I will not be able to meet all of our clients needs.  In turn I  am “linked” to several other companies that I can send my send my clients to.  This allows me to focus on on our core business and at the same time help out my client with their needs.

Once I finish the book, I will be sure to post a full review.  So far I am loving it and I am getting lots of great ideas and knowledge from it.

Apple announces special event for January 27 | The Loop.

Is the Apple Tablet coming?  After months of rumors and speculation, it looks like the rumored Apple Tablet might be here.  There is also talk that Apple will announce a now OS for their iPhone v4.0.

I am hoping that they announce that the iPhone will be carried on Verizon.  Check back on Tuesday for the big announcement.