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Google must secretly be pleased as punch. It was only two years ago, prior to the 700MHz wireless spectrum auctions, that it was pleading with the FCC to adopt principles guaranteeing open access for applications, devices, services, and other networks. Now two years later, in a different context and under a different administration, the FCC is pushing for the same principles.

FCC cites "pending FCC proceedings regarding wireless open access (RM-11361) and handset exclusivity (RM-11497). That first proceeding on open access dates back to 2007 when Skype requested that cell phone carriers open up their networks to all applications (see Skype's petition here). Like Google Voice, Skype helps consumers bypass the carriers. The carriers don't like that because that's their erodes their core business and turns them into dumb pipes. But dumb pipes are what we need. They are good for consumers and good for competition because they allow any application and any device, within reason, to flower on the wireless Internet.

The FCC also wants Apple to explain the arbitrariness of its app approval process: 4. Please explain any differences between the Google Voice iPhone application and any Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications that Apple has approved for the iPhone. Are any of the approved VoIP applications allowed to operate on AT&T?s 3G network?5. What other applications have been rejected for use on the iPhone and for what reasons? Is there a list of prohibited applications or of categories of applications that is provided to potential vendors/developers? If so, is this posted on the iTunes website or otherwise disclosed to consumers?6. What are the standards for considering and approving iPhone applications? What is the approval process for such applications (timing, reasons for rejection, appeal process, etc.)? What is the percentage of applications that are rejected? What are the major reasons for rejecting an application?

Why does it take a formal request from a government agency to get Apple (and AT&T) to explain what the rules are to get on the wireless Internet?

Docs: You no longer need desktop publishing applications installed on your computer to type out documents or create spreadsheets, you can do it entirely online with Google.

Notebook: Research can be easier with this Web clipping application from Google.

Desktop: Make it easy to find everything on your desktop with this application from Google.

Ride Finder: Hook up with taxi, limousine and shuttle services through this search tool which uses GPS data from vehicles in 14 US cities.

Transit: Those taking public transportation will appreciate this mapping tool which helps users to plan a trip via the local public transportation options by using Google Maps.

Mars:

Users can see the elevation, infrared data and photos of Mars through the site.

It provides easy access to images from the Hubble telescope through the Space Telescope Science Institute, allowing users to look through planets, stars, galaxies, satellites and more.

Sky: T

uses satellite imagery and mapping technology to allow you to find and see any location in the world through an attractive and easy to use interface.

SketchUp: SketchUp is a simple but effective 3D drawing tool designed for both Macs and PCs that can be a handy tool

Checkout: Designed to simplifying the process of paying for things online,

Web Accelerator: Make webpages load a little faster by making use of this tool. It uses data compression, prefetching of content, and shared cached data to make even slow Internet connections less painful to use.

FeedBurner:

manage a variety of RSS feeds

Web History:

Base: This tool from Google is an online database in which any user can add content– text, images, documents and webpages.

Co-Op: Co-Op allows web developers to feature specialized information in Google searches

App Engine: Developers can build and host websites on Google servers using this tool.

Website Optimizer:

Browser Sync:

Click-to-Call:

Page Creator:

Orkut: This social networking service used to be invitation only, but since 2006 has been open for anyone to join.

Android: Android is an open source mobile phone platform

Send to Phone: Send yourself a message from the Web with this tool.

Shared Stuff: Google offers this free Web page sharing system that allows users to save and share pages they find interesting on the Web with others.

Talk: You may have heard of Google Talk but did you know that it’s not only a chat tool but can be used for VoIP conversations as well?

Dodgeball: This social networking site was created for use on mobile phones

Friend Connect: This new feature offered by Google allows users to easily add social networking functionality to their sites.

GrandCentral: GrandCentral is a VoIP service that allows customers to link several phone numbers.

Sites: Create and collaborate on shared websites with this tool from Google.

Scholar: Google Scholar provides a great way to search through the full text of scholarly literature from all fields and formats.

Patent Search:

allows you to enter a few items of a set into a search query and the site will try to predict other items in the set.

Sets:

Catalogs:

Search by Number:

Accessible Search:

Trends: Get easy to read graphs of Web trends over time with this tool.

Book Search: Formerly known as Google Print,

News Archive Search:

Special Searches:

Google Pack:

Gadgets:

Pinyin IME:

Image Labeler:

Code Search:

Alerts:

Apps:

GOOG-411:

Google Moblizer:

Gears:

Simply Google: This site provides access to all of Google’s specialized searches in one easy-to-use place.

Googlematic: With this helpful tool, you’ll be able to search Google using AIM or MSN Messenge

Cooking With Google:

Babelplex: