Facebook took another step toward becoming its own web universe when it launched a search engine for shared content. This move challenges the future relevance of search engines like Google, as well as review sites such as Yelp and Foursquare.
The aim of ?graph search? is to assist the Facebook community in finding information more easily about what other Facebook users have shared on the network. It uses the indexed information generated within the Facebook universe to generate search information. It will allow people to find others by their interests, location or career. So if you like water skiing you can find other people that live nearby that also like water skiing, which will in turn allow you to make new connections with other people who share similar interests with you. Alternatively you can search for people nearby who like Chinese food and see what restaurants they have ?liked,? and read their comments.
This graph search engine is designed to give Facebook users the ability to sort information by topics and interests with the added advantage of keeping its users within the Facebook community instead of sending them to search engines or review sites for the information they seek. "Graph Search is designed to take a precise query and return to you the answer, not link to other places where you might get the answer," Mark Zuckerberg explained, highlighting some of the issues of a typical Web search.
Graph Search (beta) version rolls out Tuesday on a limited basis to users. This version will be able to handle queries based on people, photos, places and interests.
It is anticipated that results will be displayed based on importance, so a restaurant with more likes could possibly show up toward the top of the list that is generated by the search. Check-ins could also have an impact on where a place is positioned on the list, emphasizing the importance and need for businesses to be actively involved on Facebook and ensuring that their Page is relevant, engaging and up-to-date.
Facebook also partners with Microsoft's Bing social search engine to fill in some of the gaps where Graph Search cannot supply the information. Facebook does stress that Graph Search is not a web search, but this can be seen as the first step in that direction, because when the product is fully operational it will give many Facebook users an incentive to stay within the Facebook community instead of spending time on other social media and search sites.
jim rome ufc on fox 2 weigh ins convulsions john tyler chuck elisabeth hasselbeck fran drescher
FitStar, a fitness app startup backed by Floodgate and Google Ventures that uses the iPad to transform home video workouts, just announced its first creation. In it, Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez becomes a user’s personal trainer, leading them through about 60 different video exercises. The idea is that the iPad is much better suited toward helping people achieve their fitness goals. Unlike DVDs and videos, which are passive, the iPad can respond to a person’s changes in their workout habits. It can send reminders or offer custom combinations of exercises to meet their goals. Arriving this spring, the new FitStar app tracks a person’s progress through about 60 exercises in a regime that Gonzalez helped design. If they get lazy and slack off for three weeks, the app will start a person at a slightly easier level than where they left off. “I want people to feel like I’m really there with them and going through the workout with them,” Gonzalez said in an interview. “I’ll put in one liners and I try to keep it light and fun. I’ll say things like, ‘Hey, I haven’t seen you in awhile, but that’s OK. We’re going to go through this together.’” It also collects information about their age, weight and personal goals — whether those involve just staying in shape or training for a triathlon. The exercises don’t require any fancy equipment and can be done at home. It’s mostly your body weight that’s necessary. Gonzalez said he spent about two days filming all of the different exercises for the workout. “I was exhausted,” he said. “This workout — it can be for a beginner, or it can be for an expert.” The app also includes basic social features that let users share achievements with friends, so they stay engaged and maybe a bit competitive with workout buddies. It’s the first app built on FitStar’s platform, and the company will offer products down the line that appeal to different demographics and have other routines. FitStar is pursuing the freemium model that has been proven to work really successfully among mobile app developers. The Tony Gonzalez app is free, but the company will charge for premium content down the line. They add that this should be a fraction of the cost of most fitness DVDs without specifying further pricing details. FitStar was founded by former AOL and Digg executive Mike
Google's Jeff Dean
hemselves into. Unfortunately scientific studies that have been carried out bear this attitude correct out.
