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Google announced today a new process for Google Apps feature releases. Administrators will now be able to choose between a "Rapid Release" option that pushes new features to users automatically, or a "Scheduled Release" option that gives admins more control over when new features are pushed out. This is an important step forward for Google Apps as it expands into the enterprise. Google Communications Manager Jessica Kositz says, "We expect many SMBs to choose rapid release, and scheduled release to appeal to our larger customers with more complex IT environments." Enterprise admins might not want new features popping up unexpectedly, so giving them more control over how changes are rolled out makes sense. To this end, Google is launching a site called What's New to inform Apps customers of forthcoming features. Admins will be able to use it to decide which new features to deploy and when, giving them the chance to test n...

It used to be that the only time you'd notice a bar code was at a store, maybe when a cashier scanned your groceries. But lately bar codes are showing up in more places around town — and getting more sophisticated. You might have seen one cousin of the traditional bar code: Known as a QR code, this jumble of little squares randomly arranged within a larger square is popping up on everything from bus stop billboards to restaurant windows. If you spot one and snap it with your cell phone camera, the device can show you a website, photo or video related to the advertiser. For example, Google Inc. is giving businesses stickers with QR codes that passers-by can scan. That brings up a link to a mobile version of a Google page where the business can post coupons and information about themselves. Soon the codes could lead to other avenues for connecting with customers in ways businesses can measure and control. That could help them target advertisements to the people who are most likel...

Facebook Privacy issues never seem to end. Did you ever care to know Facebook's new policy will allow Facebook apps to access your personal data. Even the quizzes you take might store your preferences. With the new changes Facebook apps will no longer connect to Facebook servers, but data required for the apps will already be available. According to Joey Tyson's blog's, the changes makes Facebook highly vulnerable to the attackers. He adds that opportunities for behavioral targeting and visitor tracking are increased since developers can now maintain complete archives of profile information. Another significant evidence is provided by ACLU, which launched awareness campaign surrounding the privacy issues of Facebook applications. ACLU reads, Even if your Facebook profile is private, when you take a quiz, an unknown quiz developer could be accessing almost everything in your profile: your religion, sexual orientation, political affiliation, pictures, and groups. Facebook...

The Apple iPad’s stronger signal could throw off others’ wireless connections, Israeli officials said. Photograph: Reuters Israel has banned imports of Apple 's new product, the iPad , amid concerns that its Wi-Fi signals could disrupt other devices. Customs officials said yesterday they have already confiscated about 10 of the lightweight tablet computers since Israel announced the new regulations this week. The ban prevents anyone, even tourists, from bringing iPads into Israel until officials certify that they comply with local transmitter standards. The US federal communications commission allows devices with Wi-Fi capability to broadcast at higher power levels than are allowed in Europe and Israel meaning that the iPad 's stronger signal could throw off others' wireless connections, Israeli officials said.

The Twitter app for BlackBerry phones offers some cool new features   Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones has been released as a publicly available beta. The client has been tested internally by RIM since February, and the general release includes a number of extra features. The client enables BlackBerry users to tailor the way @replies and direct messages are pushed to their device, and new messages are sent in real-time so that users can respond instantly.

Video is one of the important features for any portable computer. Netbook doesn't handle Video that good. Netbook works pretty well with downloaded video files–but for Flash-based video like YouTube or Hulu, there is an issue for full screen HD. iPad doesn't support Flash. But, Netflix apps are loaded very quickly on iPad and the pic is crystal clear. 2. Netbook is not that portable like iPad. iPad is very thin and weighs half of the 10″ Netbook. The power adapter of Netbook looks awkward, but, the power chord of iPad is just like smartphone. 3. You can turn your iPad ON instantaneously without rebooting. But, Netbook has boot time similar to Laptops. 4. Netbooks can't play most of the games. The 3D engine on an iPhone plays games better than most Netbooks, but the gaming experience gets better with ipad. Apple's App Store makes sure that all games are compatible.

Voila! For all Twitter mashups building unique apps for Twitter, the Twitter APIs are key. We got a across a directory of 43 Twitter derived APIs. Of course, there are scores of Twitter API open source examples to look into, but here's a collection to glance through. Developers have been using open source Twitter API for making applications, websites, widgets, and other projects that interact with Twitter. The Twitter API in some part is responsible for the hiking demand for APIs. Evidently, it's a new trend popular with Internet operating systems that will allow "one platform build on another, and another builds on that one an so on. Here's the collection of Twitter based APIs. Programmableweb offers the lists the 43 Twitter-derived APIs

The following are some of the best applications available for iPhone users in accordance with their usefulness.