Welcome to Googleholic - your bi-weekly fix of everything Google!
This edition covers:
- Google reworks Adsense, again... and again
- Blogger users can use Blogger url as OpenID
- Google still bidding for the 700 Mhz spectrum in FCC auction
Much commotion ensued after Google Adsense decided that publishers who send referrals from outside of North America, Latin America, or Japan would be retired. This in addition to announcing that several referral bonuses were to be discontinued made for quite a bit of a storm in the blogosphere. Google, hearing the outcry of the community, quickly made some amendments: as long as the referral is located within North America, Latin America, or Japan, it does not matter where the publisher is located. But still, no more bonuses.
Blogger users can use Blogger url as OpenID
Google's Blogger now apparently serves as an OpenID. If you have a Blogger account, your blog's url is the magic key to the world. If you would like to use it as such, simply go to edit your profile in your Blogger settings, and check "Enable OpenID for blogs." If you want to know more about OpenID before enabling anything, stop by the OpenID site and give the directory of OpenID supported sites a look.
Google still bidding for the 700 Mhz spectrum in FCC auction
214 bidders are to be in the auction on Thursday for the 700 Mhz wireless spectrum, with the big players being Google, Verizon, and AT&T. Since Google petitioned for open access requirements for the spectrum, some of which were granted by the FCC to the dismay of Verizon, a debate has ensued about Google's real intent behind its involvement in the auction. Considering that it will cost Google about $10 billion to win the auction and another $5 billion a year to develop a network, it may be that Google is trying to get something for nothing; even with a losing bid the requirements for open access stand, regardless of who wins the auction.
Also, do not forget:
All your address are belong to Google - Google now allows you to associate non-Gmail accounts with your Google account to streamline invites and sharing for services such as Google Calendar.
