Daily Tech Bits

RSS Through Google Spreadsheets

Digital Inspiration suggests a way to create a feed reader using Google Spreadsheets. Basically, you create an aggregator, Popurls style, and it constantly updates. You can even publish your aggregator to the web if you want. All you have to do is use RSS feeds as the source for the individual cells.

I can see the attraction of creating an RSS home page with a dozen or so feeds, but I can’t see the point of using it as a reader when you have more than 100 feeds to go through.  Google Reader works well already. Am I missing the point? You decide.

Androids Due By End Of 2008

One day, you’ll be able to do anything on your phone. If you think you’re already there with mobile browsing, playing music and recording video, then think again. Google has been instrumental in the Open Handset Alliance, and has produced a new operating system, called Android for use on the next generation of mobile toys.

Developer Andy Rubin says the system will be open source, so that developers can produce a wide range of devices and applications. He showed the BBC a demo of an Android based handset which can successfully run Google Earth. Google expects that Android enabled handsets will make their first appearance by the end of 2008, signalling a change in the mobile marketplace. More on that story here.

Gmail Playtime

Imagine my surprise when I visited Plurk today and found out that Gmail had some new features. Sign in, click on ’settings’ then ‘labs’ and you get some cool new tools to play with -13 of them to be exact. Quick links, pictures in chat and snazzy new icons are just a few of the goodies on offer. Lifehacker has a detailed review of the whole lot. Enjoy!

In other release news, those who are trying out FF3 but not committing all the way will be happy to hear that Portable Firefox is now at RC2. I can’t wait to make the change as I’ve found FF3 buggier than their previous releases.

Social Networks Get More Open

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep up with updating profiles and statuses on all the social sites, then there’s good news. Hot on the heels of announcements from MySpace and Facebook about new openness in their formerly proprietary platforms, comes an announcement from Google.

Friends Connect, like the other services, will allow users to share data among different sites, and website owners will be able to put social features on their sites with a simple snippet of code. Don’t think that this openness is completely altruistic, though.  Social networks give social profiles, which mean the chance to fine tune ad targeting. Can anyone say Adsense and Adwords?

Google Reader On Your IPhone

Everyone wants a great way to keep track of their feeds. Google Reader is the best one I’ve tried so far, and IPhone users now have a version of Reader designed especially for them. Google says:

This new version is designed to offer many of the same features as the desktop, while making it quick and easy to act on items.

You’lll be able to do all the things you take for granted when using Reader with your usual web browser, and you’ll be able to do them fast.  Check out the full announcement.

User feedback so far indicates that this new version is an improvement, but there are still some features that IPhone users would like to see, such as being able to email items easily or use the zoom function.

Google Profiles

Google is rolling out profiles with personal information on Google products you use. Google Operating System reports that these profiles will e integrated into all Google products so you have one identity across the full range of Google services.

A Google Profile is simply how you represent yourself on Google products — it lets you tell others a bit more about who you are and what you’re all about. You control what goes into your Google Profile, sharing as much (or as little) as you’d like.

Profiles can contain information like nickname, occupation, location, links, photos and a short description. These profiles are public and they are searchable which means people can find you if you use your real name.

Is Google trying to get social?