Google Buys BumpTop
Bumptop is a freeform desktop application that break out of the usual ways you might expect an operating system to behave. Rather than your standard windows and icons setup, you have something that behaves a lot more similar to a desktop in real life. The difference here is that you get advanced tools that make interacting with and organizing your stuff much easier. Its unclear at this point exactly why Google bought Bumptop. Maybe we will see some fancy new functionality on an upcoming Android release. As far as the Bumptop software in it’s current form, you have to download it by the end of today, May 7th, or you may not have another chance to play with it.
via TNW
Apple Has Sold Over 1 Million iPads
Just 28 days after it’s introduction on April 3rd, Apple has already sold 1 million iPads. This is as of May 3rd. I’m still not sure all the hype surrounding the iPad was worth it, but the things are selling like hotcakes and are causing ripples in the tech community as companies scramble to make sure their products are supported.
via Apple.com
Ning Will Stay Free for Educators
Millions of users were outraged when Ning recently announced that it would no longer be free. You can’t really be mad at them as they are actually making the majority of their revenue and even generating most of their traffic from the users that actually pay. Shortly after the announcement, while many searched for alternatives, a petition went up pushing for Ning to keep the service free for educators and their students. 1100 people signed it and it looks like Ning was listening. For everyone else, premium plans are as low as $2.95/month or $20/year, so all is not totally lost.
via NYT
Google Redesigns for the Spring
This isn’t something that happens very often. Google has made slight changes to their search results page, adding a sidebar that gives you quick access to features that help refine your searches. Not a major change for you average site, but Google keeps things so sparse that this is close to a complete redesign.
Today’s metamorphosis responds to the increasing richness of the web and the increasing power of search — revealing search tools on the left and updating the visual look and feel throughout.
details at the Google Blog
FCC Makes Moves on Net Neutrality
After losing a case against Comcast regarding it’s practices towards net neutrality, the FCC has not given up. They still plan to push a new agenda regarding regulations for broadband companies. The question is what that agenda will be and how it will affect consumers and ISP’s. The FCC didn’t fail with Comcast because nobody wants regulations, they just picked the wrong way to go about it. This is why they’ve come up with a new way.
details at Engadget