Loving square
I so hope this comes to the UK soon… the integration with your photo, signature and emailing the receipt is a welcome change to the clunkiness of current transactions.
Google launching a fibre network, but what about in the UK?
It’s great to see Google doing this, and if scaled, could be seriously impressive:
Our goal is to experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better and faster for everyone. Here are some specific things that we have in mind:
Next generation apps: We want to see what developers and users can do with ultra high-speeds, whether it’s creating new bandwidth-intensive “killer apps” and services, or other uses we can’t yet imagine.
New deployment techniques: We’ll test new ways to build fiber networks, and to help inform and support deployments elsewhere, we’ll share key lessons learned with the world.
Openness and choice: We’ll operate an “open access” network, giving users the choice of multiple service providers. And consistent with our past advocacy, we’ll manage our network in an open, non-discriminatory and transparent way.
We’re planning to build and test ultra high-speed broadband networks in a small number of trial locations across the United States. We’ll deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today with 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections. We plan to offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.
Ok, the US, but how about in the Uk. I’ve completely given up on the Government realising how important it is for the country to have a NGN, so Google should do the same here.
What do you think? It is SO depressing to think, that with a little vision and focus, the Uk could be in the same position as Japan, Korea, and the Scandinavian countries, which have all had a super-fast fibre network for years.
Loving Google’s Streetview Snowmobile
Well this is excellent 
For those of you who have not experienced a snowmobile, it is a superb experience, with some of these monsters going 60mph+ Top thinking from Google.
Whatever next!?
Google Buzz launches
What do you think? All I can say is that it MUST be better than Goole Wave. I hope they’ve learnt from that disaster.
I like the fact that it is all done from within Gmail, that at least should drive some rapid adoption and testing. What I am a little worried about is yet another added distraction to online life. Exactly what I am trying to cut down this year.
HDLive09 videos starting tomorrow
I’m pleased to say that I’m starting to post the speaker videos from last year’s conference tomorrow over at Hull Digital.
From Rory Cellan-Jones, to Rob Palmer and Jaan Orvet, there will be 9 top videos going up over the week. Please do let your friends and colleagues know, there are some superb talks and loads to learn!
Experience is everything
I don’t get into Hull very often, but when I do it’s nice to grab a coffee or a hot choccy. So, I went into Cafe Nero expecting to hand over some cash and get a hot drink in return.
I didn’t even get to the counter.
The place was a mess. Cups, mugs and food wrappings covering most tables. The floor was unclean. It immediately came across as “we really don’t care about your experience”.
I walked straight out.
A friend was telling Kate about a beauty treatment she recently had at a local hotel. To be blunt. It sucked. No one acknowledged her when she went to reception. 2 people walked straight past. The treatment was amateur, the beauticians colleagues were loudly chatting and clearing up nearby. Will she recommend them?
I don’t think so.
I don’t see many businesses or services really taking any pride in their work, their service. Certainly not around here at the moment. Great experience is not rocket science. In fact, I would go as far to say, I’m having better experiences online with brands and businesses right now. How amazing is that?
What bad experiences have you had recently?
What great experiences have you had?
