Google G1 unlocked

One of the major problems people had with the iPhone was that it was going to be offered exclusively with AT&T. Once the phone was released, the race was on to see who would be the first to have the phone unlocked and working on a network of their choice.

The same is true about the G1. While people were less vocal about the need to unlock the G1, offering a handset tethered to any specific network is going to be a pain for people who want the device but don’t want to switch networks.

Unlocking the first generation iPhone was easier than many people expected and the same could be said for the G1. It seems the folks over at Unlock-TMobileG1.com have managed to unlock HTC’s G1, available exclusively on T-Mobile. Unfortunately, the opportunist site is keeping schtum on exactly what you need to do to get your hands on the unlocking code needed for your handset and instead is offering to sell G1 owners the unlocking code for $23.99 a piece.

After placing an order (you’ll need to supply Unlock-TmobileG1 with your handset’s IMEI code) you will receive an eight-digit unlock code for your device. Video proof on YouTube shows that it actually works and judging from the abundance of 5-Star feedback from the site, it’s not just a hoax to scam you out of $24.

Google offers OpenID

Google announced last night that it will become a single sign-on provider using OpenID solutions. This will allow Google users to login with their Google account information when signing up for new accounts on other sites.

Microsoft and Yahoo have both adopted the same strategy, using OpenID, and now Google has jumped on the bandwagon in a bid to offer its users a better "value" for their accounts. Google's API is based on the OpenID 2.0 protocol and is designed to be embedded by third party web services.

OpenID is a free framework that eliminates the need for multiple usernames across different websites. If you have a Microsoft Live Mail account, a Yahoo account, or a Google account, you can log in with those same credentials on other websites like AOL, MySpace, Plaxo, Zoho or Buxfer, without having to create a new account on any of these sites.

Yahoo and Microsoft, and now Google, are only using OpenID for login information, which means that accounts with these services are not transferable. You won't be able to use your Windows Live account to access services on Yahoo's site or vice-versa, same as you won't be able to use your Yahoo ID to start using Picasa without opening a separate Google account. The full OpenID solution will be only used for third-party sites.

You also shouldn't expect to see the OpenID logo anytime soon when you sign in to your Gmail, Hotmail of Yahoo Mail account. Even though major web service providers are adopting this technology, Yahoo and Google went for the option of promoting their own brand, bypassing the OpenID title. Users will be given the option to "Sign in with a Google Account" or to "Sign in with a Yahoo! ID" on other websites such as Plaxo or Zoho.

With support from the web's big names, like Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, AOL and MySpace, OpenID is poised to see a large-scale adoption. However, this is only the first step toward a truly unified and portable web. Contacts are the the next big thing that I'd love to see transcend various service providers. Maybe one day we'll be able to transfer our e-mail accounts the same way we do our phone numbers when we change networks.

LinkedIn introduces apps from Google

LinkedIn followed today in the footsteps of other social networks in opening an applications platform that lets the business social site's 30 million users share presentation files, blog posts and reading lists.

Launch partners for LinkedIn's Intelligent Applications platform include Amazon, Google, Six Apart, Wordpress and lesser known startups, such as Box.net, Huddle, SlideShare and TripIt. LinkedIn also launched its own Company Buzz application, which allows workers to see Twitter tweets associated with their company.

The corporate social network's integration with Google Presentations lets workers embed presentations from Google or Microsoft PowerPoint on their profiles. SlideShare Presentations offers a similar service.

Huddle Workspaces from Huddle.net gives users project and collaboration tools in an online workspace. Box.net lets users add its Files application to manage all of their files online. WordPress and Blog Link from Six Apart lets users link their blogs to profiles.

The more frivolous Reading List by Amazon lets colleagues share books they're reading with other LinkedIn members, while the MyTravel app from TripIt lets users see where and when others in their LinkedIn network are traveling for business trips.

Why LinkedIn is launching with two blogging apps and two presentations apps is curious, but the smart money is that the network wants to provide users more choice.

LinkedIn's app platform launch comes at an interesting time for social networking apps platforms. Many programmers have declared the Facebook Platform dead since the implementation in July of more rigid standards that effectively shut down spammy apps. The prevailing sentiment seems to be: If it isn't easy as pie any more to ping friends with a new app, why bother?

But LinkedIn's apps platform is a different animal because it offers trusted applications to help business workers connect, communicate and share information. These apps have been vetted by millions of users, so LinkedIn expects employees will trust using them in a work context.

Whether or not LinkedIn's apps platform succeeds will let the world know whether applications development for social networks needs a rest, and perhaps a new approach.

To install an application on LinkedIn, users can go to the LinkedIn apps directory and click "add application." Users can then customize their applications.

Google Streetview available in Spain

It's available from Google the new 'StreetView' mapping for Spain. Spain is the second country in Europe where Google StreetView offers its service for the cities of Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona and Seville where you can see high quality images taken at 360 º, from both Google Maps and Google Earth services and their corresponding mobile versions.

Although 100% of the cities is not covered, it provides the core of these and the intention is to continue expanding the service to cover the main urban areas. In a second phase, Google wants to cover other cities, both in Spain and other countries, although no dates are confirmed.

'Street View' is beneficial to many users, but also to many businesses. Google has submitted three examples. The first, Fotocasa is a real estate portal where you can see how customers are able to see from their computers the houses they want to buy or rent, equipment in the area, and so on.

Another example is focused to the leisure industry, so Google has taken the entertainment guide 'online' LaNetro. A user can get an idea of the distance between the bar at which he stayed with his friends and the bus to calculate the distance.

EsMadrid, dedicated to the promotion of the capital, is the third of the examples of applications of 'Street View' for businesses. In this case, one can 'tour' virtual places to meet and engage all from the same site.

After "several months of work," Spain is set to the fifth country to get the service 'Street View', after the United States, Australia, Japan and France.

Google Earth for iPhone

Today, the dream to carry the Earth to your pocket becomes true, with the availability of Google Earth for iPhone and iPod touch. With just a swipe of your finger you can fly from New York to Paris, or anywhere else. It brings all the power of Google Earth to the palm of your hand, including all of the same global imagery and 3D terrain. You can even browse any of our 8 million Panoramio photos or read Wikipedia articles.

With Google Earth for iPhone, you can:

• Tilt your iPhone to adjust your view to see mountainous terrain
• View the Panoramio layer and browse the millions of geo-located photos from around the world
• View geo-located Wikipedia articles
• Use the 'Location' feature to fly to your current location
• Search for cities, places and business around the globe with Google Local Search

It's available today in 18 languages and 22 countries in the iTunes App Store.