Google buys YouTube! But what does this mean for Google Video?

Google has brought YouTube for a reported $1.65 billion. Ouch that's a lot. What's more this makes this the biggest buy by Google in its 8 years in existence. But is the money worth it? Let's consider. Google already has its own Google Video service offering much the same package. Google's existing AdSense for Video plans could feasibly turn YouTube into a comfortable cash cow with little difficulty. However this begs the inevitable question: what is to become of Google Video itself? YouTube has proved much more popular than Google's original offering. Google has a choice: it can either run the two sites in tangent or use YouTube's technology to revive Video. In fact the wisest move would be to simply shift the content of Google Video into YouTube and abolish Google Video itself. You Tube is wildly popular and nobody's going to care if someone whacks a Google badge on it. But is Google willing to part with Video? After looking at the situation I'd say yes. Google wouldn't have bought YouTube if it had any real plans for Google Video. Personally I think it's sayonara Google Video and hello Google YouTube. The only question that remains is whether YouTube will maintain the same level of popularity under the Google flag and whether existing Video users can be bothered to switch to the new service (YouTube). Google needs to tread carefully but if it plays its cards right then it's looking at a fat pile of profit. Whether this is a good thing for amateur video fans is another matter. Will the amateur flourish still survive under the new YouTube? Or will a change in owner bring a change in perspective? Some figures and image purloined from Mashable. Thanks to Pete Cashmore. You have a fantastic blog on the go.

Panasonic are making a 103 inch plasma screen TV!

Yes you heard right. Panasonic are making a Television with 30 foot square of viewing space. The reason? God only knows. It will have a 3000:1 contrast ratio and and push over 2 million pixels progressively. Yes its gratuitous. Who will buy it? Every product has a target audience. If Panasonic has it sights on a group of people then they must be an odd group of people. Imagine it. You've just bought a gazillion pound TV and you have it delivered. As you wave off the delivery truck a horrible thought stops you . Where am I going to put it? Its not exactly ideal for the average living room. But somehow I don't think Panasonic are aiming this TV at the average living room. I think Panasonic's target audience have gold wheels on their limosines. Via Engadget

RankQuest Toolbar will put your site ranking sky-high!

This excellent tool from RankQuest adds a toolbar to your browser. It gives you quick access to over 20 tools.

With a click you can validate your HTML, clean your code and even check your site's loading speed on different connection speeds. It's very well integrated and offers some great tools.

It won't necessary put you up the top of Google but it will definitely increase your chances.

iFeedreaders offers excellent 'Subscribe to Feed' graphics

If you own a blog I bet you've salivated over the fancy graphics used by some fantastically popular sites to advertise their feeds. Well I do. Or used to. Just check out the orange icons above. Until I discovered iFeedreaders. This excellent site offers you the tools to create your own super-fancy graphic to link to your feed. I've added two buttons today to my blog. They work like a treat. But iFeedreaders has an ace up its sleeve that improves the service even further. When someone clicks the Subscribe button on your blog/site it leads them to a special page where they are presented with chicklets for every subscription service possible. The Bookmark button leads them to a page where they can add your site to any Bookmark service including Digg and Del.icio.us. It really is magic and the wizardry is complimented by the beauty of the graphics. Looks gorgeous, is incredibly functional, does everything you want. What are you waiting for? Social BookmarkBlinkListdel.icio.usDigg itFurlma.gnoliaNetvouzRawSugarShadowsSimpySpurlYahoo MyWeb

Create Social Bookmark Links

The 10 Best Firefox Extensions Ever

Firefox is heavily customisable but it takes a lot of time to search for the best of the add-on crop. Here's the definitive top 10 list of extensions for Firefox. 1. Gmail Manager- This ultra-efficient email notifier is a must for any Gmail user. Not only does it let you check for new mail it also lets you manage multiple accounts and view account information from your status bar. 2. IE Tab- Using Firefox's built-in Internet Explorer engine, this lets you view a tab in an Internet Explorer rendered view. It's very handy for web developers who want to preview their changes in another browser while still using Firefox. I must say Firefox does a much better job of rendering! Still it pays to cater for the majority. 3. Google Toolbar for Firefox- A bit of an obvious choice but the speed of search and wealth of features make it a tantalising offer. The spellcheck is brilliant, the subscribe button inspired and the package refined. Everyone should have it. 4. Fasterfox- Not everyone will understand the science behind the wizardry but get this; this will make Firefox much faster. If speed is of the essence then get Fasterfox now. 5. Tab Mix Plus- One of the most popular and worth its due. It adds a number of features to tabs that should have come already and improves your browsing considerably. The Session Manager also lets you save your work form later. Excellent features in a neat package. 6. Greasemonkey- Who can resist the cute monkey icon on their status bar? This excellent script manager lets you download scripts that alter your favourite websites for the better. It adds javascript to the site code when you visit giving you features like a bigger Blogger post screen etc. Only the savvy can get the concept but everyone should give it a go. 7. Colorful Tabs- This extension does one thing: makes your tabs multi-coloured. A different colour is applied to each tab allowing you to pick betweeen them with ease. While it's simple it's one of my favourite add-ons. 8. Web Search Pro- This solves a multitude of problems with Firefox's search box. It lets you add many extra searches and delete and order them as you please. Very useful for power searching.Scrapbook 9. Scrapbook- Like bookmarks but loads better. It introduces a great sidebar that makes ordering and organising bookmarks a breeze. You can save text clippings and even search through your saved bookmarks. It also includes a page editor so you can edit your saved copy of a web page. 10. Answers - Hold down Alt and click on a word for an instant definition. This is far more useful than it sounds as each definition pops up beside the word in a yellow speech bubble. The information is top-notch and the extension is well integrated. These are only the pick of the crop and I use many more than these. Look out for future lists as I trawl through the web in my ever expanding browsing machine. The one they call Firefox...

iPod navigation beats Creative hands down

I have two friends; one with an iPod, the other with a Creative Zen Photo. Both of them let me have a play with their players and I could see immediately the attraction of the iPod.

I did everything possible to try and find my way through the Creative menu but to no avail. I cursed, swivelled, shouted and fiddled and I still couldn't find a darn thing I was looking for.

The iPod was a stark contrast. A click and a touch here and it shot through menus like greased lightning. It really was a joy to use. I did however nearly deafen my friend when I used the swivel wheel during his listening!

What I will say is this: the iPod is smooth and polished but when Creative solves the navigation problem they will be seriously challenging Apple. For now the iPod breezes into the lead on ease of use alone.

Newspapers offer print-friendly downloadable papers

The Daily Telegraph has announced a download-and-print version of its popular daily newspaper. It includes a news, business, TV listings, sport and puzzles page and is, in essence, a condensed form of the actual paper.

It's an interesting idea and one that will help spark interest in newspaper content amid the blog culture of the modern internet. But unilke previous ideas this one seems like a winner. After all I'd rather have something to read in my hand if I'm scanning a newspaper. It is much more eye-friendly and easy to download for anyone. You can even download and print only the bits you're interested in.

It really is a printable alternative to a feed-reader and a great idea for quick read content.

Visit telegraph.co.uk/pm to download todays edition. Downloads are available between 4pm and 9pm.

The Guardian also offers a download edition.