Constantinos Giannoulis

Concerns have been expressed by regulators about dependency on Google’s algorithm for search results and the impact on business, as good intentions of engineers are not enough.

“…we can’t be sure that Google 10 years from now won’t be corrupt…“,

therefore, Google is trying to show how to design a google-friendly website, but keeping its judgments secret; failure to conform will lead to undesired search results and most likely failure; this sounds more like a threat to me if anything else!

“…Google executives say they do all they can to educate website owners about how to design their pages in a way that gives them the best chance of figuring prominently in search results. But they also say they cannot disclose too much of the inner workings of the search engine for fears of helping unscrupulous operators exploit the system...”

(both quotes are from the Financial Times, Monday July 12th 2010)

Apple explains how to hold an iPhone 4 to use the product without any antenna problems, or go pickup add-on bumper blablablabla, wtf? Pretty soon Apple will be releasing a relevant detailed specification manual with figures and everything, touch here, there, then twist and shout and after you stick it up your… you will probably have better reception.

Instructions of use for a product or service is one thing, instructions of use for a faulty expensive product or for a sensitively dependent service is at least problematic (especially when coming from one dominant vendor)…

Automobile manufacturers have shown the good example; when detecting a problem they withdraw parts and cars or repair the damage at their own cost. Of course, gadgets are not equally life-risky, however, this simply not appropriate policy, especially regarding how these two companies promote themselves.

Obviously Blur’s There’s no other way would be the most suitable music bed for their campaigns

I’m kind of a regular at Bagel Street Cafe in Södermalm, Stockholm (I’m actually the mayor of this place ), which obviously means I enjoy their bagels and coffee a lot, let alone their friendly service (enough with the free promotion).

Today I just experienced an unintentional add-on service which could be rooted back in the jukebox era.  They share an open playlist on Spotify where anyone can contribute. What happened was that when I just commented on the music played at the time, the girls at the counter told me they would gladly played anything I had contributed on their shared playlist, and so they did! (They also provide free wifi)

In other words, just how a jukebox used to work,  customers can choose music right on the spot. The best part is that being Spotify based, all you need is a laptop/notebook/.. or phone and you can choose any music you like and added to their playlist (Spotify required of course).

So next time you sit on a cafe check if they have a Spotify playlist, (e.g. Spotisquare is perfect for this) and go ahead add your tunes and I’m pretty sure they’ll gladly play it for you

[thanks Kanella]