Google Maps- call long distance for free

Official Google Blog explains the working of Google Maps

“Click to call in Google Maps  —  Last week, I was trying to buy blue lightbulbs for a party at my house, and I ended up calling ten different stores before I found one that carried them.  Now with the new calling feature on Google Maps, I can do this quickly and easily, and never have to lift a finger to dial.”

I used this service twice and find it pretty useful. I do not have long distance facility in my office but wanted to check some flight information from Bradley. I opened Google Maps and searched ‘Bradley Airport’ destination – ‘Hartford, Ct’ in businesses. Maps not only showed me the details but also connected my phone to the information desk. Second time, Maps connected me to a car repair shop. This is an awesome service.

Thanks Google!

Rohit Aggarwal 

Sitemap – Google, Yahoo, Microsoft come together

Live Search blog has the details: 

“Microsoft, Google, Yahoo! Unite to Support Sitemaps  —  Today, we are excited to announce that Google, Microsoft and Yahoo! are coming together in support of the SiteMaps protocol.  The goal of this effort is to improve search results for customers around the world. ”

See what Danny Sullivan of Search Engine watch has to say:

“Search Engines Unite On Unified Sitemaps System  —  In alphabetical order, Google, Microsoft and Yahoo have agreed to all support a unified system of submitting web pages through feeds to their crawlers.  Called Sitemaps, taking its name from the precursor system that Google launched last year …”

By the way, a word to Danny- I like what he writes, but his blog looks cluttered (No offense intended).

 Yahoo! Search blog says:

“Yahoo, Google and Microsoft join forces (really !!) behind Sitemaps  —  The best part about to-do lists is when you get to cross something off, and today we can cross one more from the list of feedback we have collected from webmasters.  You have asked us to support a single format for submission …  “

TechCrunch says:

“Google, Yahoo and Microsoft Agree to Standard Sitemaps Protocol  —  In an encouraging act of collaboration, Google, Yahoo and Microsoft announced tonight that they will all begin using the same Sitemaps protocol to index sites around the web.  Now based at Sitemaps.org … ”

 via Techmeme

Rohit Aggarwal

Non-newtonian fluid video

A pool filled with Non-Newtonian Fluid. Couple of guys are walking, running, jumping, and drowning in a pool filled with some kind of fluid.

Click here for the video. Enjoy

This is so cool if true. I could not understand the language (probably Chinese).

Rohit Aggarwal

Vista releases to manufacturing (RTM)

Windows Vista team blog breaks this news:

“Great news!  Today we’re announcing the release to manufacturing (RTM) of Windows Vista. Yes, you read it right — development of Windows Vista is complete. Want proof?  Watch this video and hear it from Jim Allchin himself.”

Rohit Aggarwal