Category Archives: Applications

Posts Related to Smart Phone and Web Applications

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Speed Up Your Site by Optimizing Images With Google Squoosh

In lockstep with its ongoing effort to speed up the web, Google has released a new tool for optimizing images called Squoosh.

Here’s how to get started using Squoosh:

    Squoosh App Screen Cap

  1. Visit the Squoosh website
  2. Drag and drop or upload an image

I tried it with an 8 MB image that was reduced by 93% in size with what seemed like no reduction in image quality.

The screen capture below taken of Squoosh in action was reduced in size by 93% from 1.32 MB to 94.4 kB.

Squooshed Image – 94.4 kB – 93% file size reduction

Squoosh Screen Capture Optimized

Not Squooshed Image – 1.32 MB

Squoosh Screen Capture Not Optimized

Once again, I can’t visibly detect any loss of image quality. Imagine if your whole website had images that loaded 93% faster?

SEO Service

23 Essential Google Tools for Businesses

giconThe below 23 free tools, apps and software downloads are provided by Google to help businesses, marketers and developers with SEO and Digital Advertising efforts.
 
 

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Ad Grants
 
Google Ad Grants
Nonprofit organizations can apply to receive $10,000 per month of AdWords advertising. That’s A LOT of free exposure despite minor campaign limitations.
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AdWords Best Practices
 
AdWords Best Practices
Google’s own best practices guide makes an excellent reference tool when navigating the ever changing AdWords landscape.
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AdWords Keyword Tool
 
Google Keyword Tool
Find out how many people search Google using keywords and phrases related to your business. Research and discover new ideas.

Install Android App
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AdSense
 
Google AdSense
Still one of the easiest ways to monetize your website and/or blog. AdSense displays ads on your website, blog or app.

Dig even deeper – get the Chrome extension.

Install Android App
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Alerts
 
Google Alerts
Create customized alerts and receive email or RSS notification of freshly indexed content that matches or relates to the type of alert set.
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Analytics
 
Google Analytics
A powerful and robust tool that provides valuable insight about your website’s visitors.

Dig even deeper – get the Chrome extension.

Install Android App
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Cloud Print
 
Google Cloud Print
Connects your printers to the cloud enabling control from any web-connected device like your smartphone.
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Correlate
 
Google Correlate
Compare and correlate search patterns with real-world trends. Companion to Google Trends.
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Custom Search Engine
 
Google Custom Search Engine
DIY Site Search. Use Google to power and/or monetize search on one or more of your websites.
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Display Benchmarks
 
AdWords Display Benchmarks
A useful tool designed to compare AdWords display campaigns with the rest of the industry. See how your campaigns stack-up performance wise.
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Domains
 
Google Domains
Register and manage domain names – includes FREE PRIVATE registration and one free domain.
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Mobile-Friendly Test
 
Mobile Friendly Test
Analyze your website to see if it passes Google’s mobile-friendly test. Fear not if your page doesn’t pass, corrective tips are provided.
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My Business
 
Google My Business
Verify and manage your business footprint across Google Search, Maps and Google+. The cornerstone for your business’s presence on Google.

Install Android App
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Primer
 
Google Primer for Android
Quick and easy interactive marketing lessons from Google on your smartphone. Learn about valuable marketing concepts whenever you’ve got a spare 5 minutes.
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Search Console (formerly Google Webmaster Tools)
 
Google Search Console
Connect websites to learn about potential issues that deal with security, indexation, structured data, links and mobile friendliness.
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Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide
 
Google Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide
A 32 page PDF containing general information and guidelines for optimizing websites for search engines.
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Sites
 
Google Sites
Quickly build (one click), manage, share and deploy websites and web pages with ease. Remember Geocities? It’s like that, but a little fancier.
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Structured Data Testing Tool
 
Structured Data Testing Tool
Test your website’s structured data (knowledge graph, ratings, reviews and other markup) to make sure they are formatted correctly.
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Think With Google
 
Think with Google
High quality repository of marketing resources featuring consumer trends, marketing insights, case studies, industry research and creative inspiration.
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Trends
 

View real-time trends and explore past, present and estimated future trends for popular topics, searches and YouTube videos. Plus – embeddable charts!
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Trusted Store
 
Google Trusted Stores
Ecommerce much? Become a Google Trusted Store and get seller ratings displayed in Google Shopping and AdWords.
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Voice
 
Google Voice
Enhance the capabilities of your current phone regardless of carrier with a new number for yourself or business.

Install Android App
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Web Designer
 
Google Web Designer
Professional grade HTML5-based web design software available for free download.
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There are a lot more than 23 Google tools for businesses available. Please comment below with your own favorites!

Earth Sun Horizon

How and Where to Recycle Everything – Happy Earth Day!

It’s time to celebrate our amazing, diverse and truly unique home planet – Earth. Here’s how to give Mother Nature a high five by properly disposing of your old electronic junk (and everything else).

Recycling Protocol

It can be confusing when attempting to determine and decipher recycling protocol for a heaping pile of old computers, parts, periferials, digital cameras, batteries and cell phones that really should be disposed of.

That 9-pin dot matrix metal printer, while still functional and quite possibly capable of surviving being dropped out of an airplane, doesn’t make the best paper weight. Plus, that bag of old cell phones you have laying around isn’t helping your wierdo cred go down.

Earth911.com

The Earth911.com website and smartphone apps make it easy for folks to locate recycling facilities based on what they want to recycle. Simple and Green.

Download links and QR codes for Earth911’s smart phone recycling app are below.

One App to Recycle Them All:


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Track Santa on Your Smartphone with NORAD’s Help

NORAD Santa Tracker Applications

There are multiple ways to track Santa’s night flight, even official Android and iPhone Santa Tracker apps to boot. Links are below…

Website Santa Trackers

NORAD and Bing Maps

Android, iPhone and Windows SmartPhone Santa Trackers

Android App iOS App Windows Phone App

Windows 8 Santa Tracker

Windows 8 App

NORAD Santa Tracker History

NORAD Santa Tracker Infographic
Source: Norad Santa Tracker : The History of NORAD, Google & Santa [Infographic] It is getting closer to Christmas Eve! In light of this special event, enjoy the awesome infographic that covers the history of the NORAD Santa Tracker since 1955.

Follow the official NORAD Santa Tracker on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook

Happy Holidays and Safe Travels!