Educause Conference and Google Glass

I had the opportunity to attend the Educause meeting in Orlando this week and try Google Glass.  I can see the opportunity that the feature brings to education and nursing.  I would need to have it mounted on my glasses frame or wear contact lenses.  The Google rep helped me to use the features (he could see what I could see).  I simply swiped down on the side of the frames to change screens.  The voice command was not good because of the very loud background noise. As you can see from the picture below that the frames were slightly tilted - would need some adjustment.  You can adjust the camera on the frame, though.  There are exciting possibilities for use of Google Glass in higher education. 

Streaming Video from Your Mobile Device to a HDTV Television

Chromecast was released by Google last summer to compute with Apple TV and Roku.  The cost is only $35.  Yesterday, Hulu Plus, a free app for Android and iOS was released.  For more information, check out the Google blog at http://googleblog.blogspot.com/

The video about the device is embedded below.

Google Labs

Google has created Google Labs where users can experiment with different settings.  The term "labs" is fitting because the features provide a test ground for users and developers. Like most of my colleagues, my work schedule has little free time, so I missed the notification that was posted on April 19th.

I found the labs function when adding dates to Google calendar this morning.  For example, I am able to add attachments to a Google calendar event.  That feature will be wonderful for meeting agendas!

There are several "labs" available.  For example, there is a gmail lab at 

 https://support.google.com/mail/answer/29418?hl=en 

Information about calendar labs is at http://support.google.com/a/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1187241

Hope this information is helpful to everyone. 

Google Docs Sharing Issue

A couple of Google docs sharing advertisements prompted me to reflect on an issue that I experienced Wednesday.  Flor and I were working on writing a manuscript we plan to submit for publication.  I had created a Google word processing document from Word, which we were both editing.  The Google doc was in my Google Drive folder.

All of a sudden, I could not edit.  What happened is that my key presses were typing the wrong letters. We were sitting side-by-side, so she could see what was happening.  We had used Google sharing a few years ago.  The problems at that time related to the time lag.  Time lag was not a problem this time.  The inability to type correct letters was.  I need to "Google" the issue to explore further.

Google Gmail Settings

Linda asked a question about gmail, which prompted me to explore the settings.  I was pleasantly surprised to see options available that I have not noticed before.

One is the ability to include a picture with your emails.  Another is the ability to use lots of stars colors. Some of the other changes in the new gmail look are outlined in the video  below.

Gmail and Google Drive

I was reading an article about Gmail and Google Drive that shared interesting information about how users can now share LARGE files using Google Drive.  If you use the combination, the attached file size limit is 10 GB!  The standard file limit for attachments with gmail is 25 MB.  Of course, to use the feature, you have to have a Google Drive account.

There was just one thing that confused me and that was the graphic showing Google Drive as a choice in gmail (see below) because it was not a visible choice with my gmail compose window.

With a little detective work, I realized that the Google Drive icon does not appear until you mouse over the plus sign (+) to the right of the paperclip icon (see below).

I am using the new gmail "look" that allows you to have many small compose menus open simultaneously.  Take a few moments to explore some of the new gmail options, if you have not already done so.

Google Maps and the Apple App Store

Just yesterday, I wrote a blog about using Apple Maps and Siri. I noted that Apple maps directions did have an error for a Georgia highway.  Today, MacWorld reported that Google Maps is back in the Apple App store as of yesterday.  Sure enough - it is there! 

Apparently, Apple has recognized the problem with the Apple Maps software. The Apple Maps issues are not a problem for me when I am using the app in places where I know how to navigate without the app, but it has the potential of causing significant problems if you are going to an unknown place. 

New Gmail App for iPhone and iPad

A Google blog posted yesterday discussed a new Gmail app for the iPhone and iPad. Yes, an app! I had not even considered using an app for mail as gmail is one of my email accounts set up using Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars.  The screen shots of the Gmail app looked very nice, so I downloaded the app to the iPad.  The Gmail app provides a very nice simple and colorful view of email, which is very different from the regular email app.  You may find it worth exploring, too.To read more and see some of the screenshots, go to
http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-gmail-app-for-iphone-and-ipad.html

Google Drive Update - Share Files Up to 10GB in Size

A few weeks ago, I noted that Google Drive, which was released in April 2012, is an app (similar to Dropbox) for desktop (Mac & Microsoft Windows) and mobile devices.  According to a Google blog post yesterday, Google now provides the ability to upload files up to 10 GB in size! That places a whole new facet for sharing.  For more information, read the blog at http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/gmail-and-drive-new-way-to-send-files.html

If I am interpreting the information correctly, the recipients would need to have a gmail address.  Notice that Microsoft recently announced changes to SkyDrive.  With resources such as Google Drive, SkyDrive, and Dropbox, it means is that we have more choices for sharing files and syncing  them with the cloud.   Enjoy!

Creating Sparklines with Google Drive Spreadsheets

In my spare time over the last few days, I have been working on my eBook about data analysis apps.  I discovered that Google Drive Spreadsheet allow users to create Sparklines!  Sparklines allow us to visualize trends within a single spreadsheet cell.  For example, you could show a trend for hemaglobin A1C, blood sugars, any blood chemistry value, or body temperature changes.  There is a great video on the topic by Google Gooru on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDB_TKcHh_0&feature=player_embeddedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDB_TKcHh_0&feature=player_embedded

Genealogy

Interesting - one of my hobbies, other than cooking, writing, research, (used to be sewing) and teaching (that could also be noted as my profession :-), is genealogy.  The challenging point for me is my grandmother's Finnish/Swedish family members on my mother's side of the family.  I have made good progress tracing the family using Google translate of Finnish and Swedish websites back to the 1600's.  I do not have verification of all of the family relationships, but have some confidence with the data.  I am very fortunate to have contact with a Finnish cousin who speaks and reads four languages, thanks to the Internet.  Google Chrome has been very helpful identifying websites written in other languages and offering to help translate them. Hopefully, Wayne and I will have an opportunity to visit Finland and meet some our my Finnish cousins.  I am very fortunate to have had a grandmother who sparked the genealogy quest with the help of one of her cousins in the 1960's. In contrast, my father said the no one talked about ancestors for his family.  As a result, I have dead ends at about 1800 with that research.

Google Crisis Map - Hurricane Sandy

Google is working to assist with victims of Hurricane Sandy with Google Crisis Maps.  The link is at
http://google.org/crisismap/2012-sandy

For example the map includes the ability to view:  It is amazing how much technology has improved since Hurricane Katrina.  My friend, Deb, is one of the hurricane victims.  She has been able to communicate with us on Facebook about the effects of the storm using her iPad with its long battery life. Of course she has no electricity on Staten Island, or shingles on her roof.  She said that several houses in her neighborhood had been flattened. According to the news, there were several deaths on Staten Island from the storm.  The Google Crisis Map shows:

• Power Outages
• Emergency shelters
• Traffic conditions

 I read where two hospitals had to evacuate all of their patients.  One of the hospitals lost its emergency backup generators.  I look forward to hearing more about the situations and disaster recovery efforts. 

Fortunately, we have only had constant wind gusts from the storm here in Georgia.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the millions of storm victims.  

The Google Trekker for Google Maps

When reading the Google Blogspot this morning, I recognized "The Trekker."  OMG!  Just last week, when I was driving home I saw what appeared to be a large helmet on a post on top of  a car.  It was so unusual that I drove closer - wondering if it could be a bicycle on top of the car with a large red helmet on top.  But then - the vehicle turned left and I could clearly see that it was not a bicycle, but a post.  When reading the Google Blogspot this morning about taking pictures of the Grand Canyon for Google maps - there is was!  I had followed a car with a Google Trekker mounted on top. 

Google Drive - an Updated Version of Google Docs

As you probably know, Google Docs is now Google Drive.  If you are using the Chrome web browser, you can get Google Docs, Spreadsheet, and Presentation from the Chrome Web Store.  When you open a new Chrome tab, the apps will appear.  That means you can access your Google Drive with a single mouse click.  I added the three apps, but Presentation is not visible (Chrome told me that I had added it).  That is not really a problem, because when you open a new Google Doc, you still have a choice of the document type.

Another new feature is that Google Drive is a free app for the Android and Apple iOS devices. So, similar to Evernote, you can easily access any of the documents in Google Drive from your mobile devices.

We discussed Google office apps in the 4th edition of the Informatics and Nursing textbook.  That information is a bit dated now. The short video below provides an overview on Google Drive.

Google Hangouts for Video Chat

While at the Sloan C/MERLOT conference last week, one of the sessions was on Google Hangouts.  Google Hangouts allows up to 9 people to participate in video chat.  I have used Skype for video chat for many years but I have not tried Google Hangouts.  You have to have a Google Plus account (which I have) to participate.  Jane Moore, the Teacher's Ed editor for MERLOT said that their editorial board is now meeting using Hangouts.

Read more in the article, Google Upgrades Gmail Video Chat with Hangouts, at http://www.macworld.com/article/1167948/google_upgrades_gmail_video_chat_with_hangouts.html

To learn how, read Make Google Handouts Your New Meeting Room at http://www.macworld.com/article/1166883/make_google_hangouts_your_new_meeting_room.html#lsrc.mod_rel or view the video below from MacWorld.

Use Google Handwrite for Searches

Google recently added yet another way to search.  In addition to voice command and typing, users can also write on the tablet or smartphone.  The Google blog at http://googleblog.blogspot.com/ has the details.  It took me several tries to get the feature to work.  The feature did not work with Safari, so I had to download Chrome for the iPad (should work on the iPhone and Android devices, too).

The video below shows how it works.

The End of iGoogle

Read an article that summarizes my feelings about the end of iGoogle at http://www.macworld.com/article/1167572/lamenting_the_end_of_igoogle.html this morning.  iGoogle is equivalent to my personalized newspaper.  It has my calendar, email, Flickr photos, and more.  It is my homepage.  Of course, Google wants me to use the Chrome web browser while I generally use Firefox.  Firefox is used by 44% of the readers of this blog, but Chrome is used by only 10%.  Maybe that is Google's strategy - to get more people using their web browser.

Hmmm.... going to have to rethink my preferences for a homepage on the laptop.  It really is not an issue for the iPad or iPhone but it is for a desktop or laptop computer.  Google is nudging me out of my comfort zone. 

Blog Translate Gadget Added

Over 1/3 of my blog audience are readers from countries around the world.  It is really amazing. Examples include Russia, Philippines, Germany, UK, France, Greece, and India.  To make it easier for the worldwide audience to use my blog, I have added a translate gadget.  Scroll down to the bottom of the blog to access the translator.  I hope that you find it to be helpful.

Google Drive - Another Free Cloud Storage App

Google Drive is another free cloud file website. Google Drive is available for:

• PC and Mac
• iPhone and iPad (coming soon)
• Android devices

Google Drive provides 5GB for files. You can read more about the website at https://drive.google.com/start#home

3-D Modeling and SketchUp

While exploring some of the websites for the iBooks Author widgets - I rediscovered Google SketchUp software.  The free download allows users to create 3-D objects.  There are several tutorials to guide those of us who are new users.  3-D objects are one of the seven standard widgets in iBooks Author.

To view some of the amazing 3-D objects that others have created, go to 3-D Gallery at http://sketchup.google.com/community/gallery.html

The drawings are so amazing and would be applicable to my son's discipline of structural engineering.  Most of the drawings relate to buildings and structures. Right now, I cannot see any application to nursing or the health sciences.