Google Instant Search Availble On-The-Go

Google Instant search comes to iPhone and Android mobile devices

Google Instant, a search feature desktop users have enjoyed since Sept., is now available in beta form on iOS 4 and Android 2.2 Froyo devices. Google searchers can point their mobile browser to www.google.com to turn on the Google Instant to let Google instantly present the first predicted search results. Users expecting Google Instant access from the search function integrated into the operating system will be disappointed.

“With Google Instant on mobile, we’re pushing the limits of mobile browsers and wireless networks. You will probably notice a big improvement in speed when you search thanks to a new AJAX and HTML5 implementation for mobile that dynamically updates the page with new results and eliminates the need to load a new page for each query,” posted by Google Software Engineer Steve Kanefsky, on the Official Google Blog.

Unfortunately, Google Instant only supports English for users in the U.S. Nevertheless, Google promises support for additional countries and languages in the future.

As with Google Instant on desktops, words Google deemed naughty are blacklisted on your iOS 4 and Android devices too.

Google Invested $3 Million in Cree LED Lightbulbs

Google's investing in bright ideas.
Dean Kamen, the man best known for Segway, was at TEDMED 2010 talking about all sorts of cool things.

The one that's closest to being here today is a new LED lightbulb that features lighting technology created by Cree, and produces 450 lumens from a power draw of just 7 watts. It'll retail for $25 and be sold door-to-door through Kamen's FIRST youth program.
Several hundred thousand of these bulbs are already produced, thanks to Google's support of a $3 million investment. It's not quite the Google Lightbulb, but now we know the search giant wants to help you find your stuff with better lighting.

Google Staff Can Get Laundry Done for Them

Google was just named the number one place to work in America, and really, is it any wonder when they have people cleaning employees' apartments and doing laundry?

Between 20 percent time projects, fantastic cafeterias and scooters to get around the building, it's easy to see why the work environment at Google is envied by many. And, if you thought you were green with envy before, how about we turn you into a green-eyed monster with this next one? Google has teamed up with TaskRabbit, an online service that brokers odd jobs in selected major cities around the country, to do employees' chores outside the office. Tasks they'll do range from assembling IKEA furniture, doing your laundry and walking your dog. Having someone do your odd jobs couldn't be easier. You just pick a task and state how much you're willing to pay to have it done. Then, one of TaskRabbits 'runners' accepts the job, and you pay once they're finished. Easy-peasy!
However handy this service may be for individuals, Gawker reports that Google is using it in a whole new way: as a perk for employees. Yes, the search giant is apparently awarding staff TaskRabbit credits. Founder Leah Busque spoke to Gawker and while she didn't go into details (such as how much Google is paying for jobs), she did confirm that they have a partnership with Google to provide staff with this perk and said Google isn't alone in offering this service to employees.
"We are working with other companies to roll out the deal to their employees as well," Busque told Gawker. "The perks are obvious - employees get the extra help they need and some work life balance, while companies get happy and loyal employees that are more focused on their work (without the stresses of the 'little' stuff)."
And I thought I had it good because working from home means I can do laundry at lunch. Guess I'll just have to console myself by napping at lunchtime instead.