Guest Post by Sally M : Google Labs is a multivariate testing ground for Google applications before they are formally released to the public. While these applications are still in testing phase, Google allows the public to come to the site to test them out. Of those applications still being tested, the following are the top 5 must-have Google Labs applications.
Because of the interactive nature of the application, most of us would probably think that the program is designed using Flash or maybe Java. None of those technologies are used though. The program uses WebGL, an API based on OpenGL. This means that we need a WebGL supported browser to view Google Body. So, to use the program, this means that we can only use version 4 or higher of Firefox, or version 9 or higher of Chrome.
A lower score means that there is room to improve the page speed. If improvements can be made, the application lists the improvements in terms of three priorities: high, medium, and low priority. The default testing environment for the program is for desktop browsers. Alternatively, web developers can use the application to analyze page speed for mobile devices as well.
Even though laypeople can learn a lot from the program, the application is most valuable for those conducting academic research. The application also allows you to search different collections of books, which are divided into English, French, German, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, and Hebrew. Collectively, there are 5.2 million books that are searched, which, according to Google, are approximately 4% of the books ever published.
The application allows us to search a wide variety of things. For instance, we can take a picture of a landmark, logo, artwork, or a book, and the application will return information related to any of those images. Also, if we take a picture of text in a foreign language, the application can return the translation. However, to run the application, we need to have either an Android OS phone or an iPhone.
The unique presentation of the returned data makes it easy for us to compare the listed items. A search, for example, of endangered species returns a structured listing of related information about the species instead of a page full of links to articles. In fact, this type of organized search result is ideal for anything that may fit into a list.
Best Google Labs Applications
Google Body
Google Body offers us a remarkable 3D model of the human body. The program peels off layers of the body allowing us to view muscles, vital organs, blood vessels, and nerve cells. The 3D control allows us to magnify and rotate the body to view it from almost any perspective. Plus, we can find the location of any part on the body by typing in a search term in the search box or by simply clicking on a body part.Because of the interactive nature of the application, most of us would probably think that the program is designed using Flash or maybe Java. None of those technologies are used though. The program uses WebGL, an API based on OpenGL. This means that we need a WebGL supported browser to view Google Body. So, to use the program, this means that we can only use version 4 or higher of Firefox, or version 9 or higher of Chrome.
Page Speed Online
This Google application analyzes web pages for web developers and then generates suggestions on how to speed up the page load. The suggestions contain a numerical value that represents the Page Speed Score for that page. The maximum value is 100, which means no improvement can be made.A lower score means that there is room to improve the page speed. If improvements can be made, the application lists the improvements in terms of three priorities: high, medium, and low priority. The default testing environment for the program is for desktop browsers. Alternatively, web developers can use the application to analyze page speed for mobile devices as well.
Books Ngram Viewer
For those of us curious about phrases and their appearance in books, this application shows us the percentage that a phrase has appeared in a collection of books over a selected number of years. One of the main uses of the application is to help track cultural trends. With the application, we can use it to note the usage trend of words such as "slavery", which had its peak usage in the mid 1800′s.Even though laypeople can learn a lot from the program, the application is most valuable for those conducting academic research. The application also allows you to search different collections of books, which are divided into English, French, German, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, and Hebrew. Collectively, there are 5.2 million books that are searched, which, according to Google, are approximately 4% of the books ever published.
Google Goggles
With this Google application, we may never have to type text in order to conduct a search again. However, this Google Lab application is designed specifically for smartphones. Once the application is loaded onto a phone, we simply need to take a picture of whatever we want to search and Google Goggles returns information related to the image.The application allows us to search a wide variety of things. For instance, we can take a picture of a landmark, logo, artwork, or a book, and the application will return information related to any of those images. Also, if we take a picture of text in a foreign language, the application can return the translation. However, to run the application, we need to have either an Android OS phone or an iPhone.
Squared Labs
Google Squared Labs is a nifty little application that presents search information in spreadsheet formation, similar to an Excel document. Each column presents unique information related to each returned item. The last column on a row allows us the option to select more columns of data if more information about the item is available.The unique presentation of the returned data makes it easy for us to compare the listed items. A search, for example, of endangered species returns a structured listing of related information about the species instead of a page full of links to articles. In fact, this type of organized search result is ideal for anything that may fit into a list.
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