Monthly Archives: September 2006

MapQuest introduces draggable maps

Posted on September 29, 2006 by Rakesh Agrawal

MapQuest introduced their take on draggable maps. The maps themselves are nicer than Microsoft’s and Yahoo’s, but not at the same level as Google’s, both in terms of appearance and performance. One big disappointment: If you do a search using … Continue reading →

Posted in aol, maps, microsoft, web 2, web 2.0, yahoo | Comments Off on MapQuest introduces draggable maps

Mobile ESPN heads for the showers

Posted on September 29, 2006 by Rakesh Agrawal

ESPN pulled the plug on its mobile offering yesterday. The service offered an ESPN branded cellphone. This comes as no great surprise. Among Mobile ESPN’s challenges: ESPN is not a telecommunications brand. Limited selection of handsets. Limited range of price … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, mobile, wireless, wireless data | 1 Comment

Finding out whose AIM BuddyLists you are on

Posted on September 28, 2006 by Rakesh Agrawal

When I look through the search logs for this blog, it seems like a lot of people are trying to find a way to figure out whose AIM BuddyList they are on. It can’t be done. Aside from idle curiosity, … Continue reading →

Posted in aol, instant messaging, social networking, web 2.0 | Comments Off on Finding out whose AIM BuddyLists you are on

Reducing the burden of newspapers

Posted on September 28, 2006 by Rakesh Agrawal

I feel guilty every Sunday when I get The Washington Post. The routine is the same. The first thing I do is get rid of the classifieds — six sections of newsprint whose only value to me is the exercise … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, media, newspapers | 4 Comments

Round and round the carousel goes; where your bag isn’t, the airline knows

Posted on September 27, 2006 by Rakesh Agrawal

I hate to check bags. I hate the wait to see if the airline has lost my bag. And the wait to talk to the overworked agents who have to deal with grumpy customers. Because of the idiotic new “security” … Continue reading →

Posted in airlines, terrorism, travel | Comments Off on Round and round the carousel goes; where your bag isn’t, the airline knows

The TSA’s big show moves to the next act

Posted on September 26, 2006 by Rakesh Agrawal

Today brought stories such as “Authorities say easing ban on liquids won’t endanger fliers”. I fully agree, but only because the ban didn’t do anything to make fliers safer in the first place. Another USA Today story talks about airport … Continue reading →

Posted in airlines, terrorism | 3 Comments

Plaxo’s elegant bounce management

Posted on September 26, 2006 by Rakesh Agrawal

I use Plaxo (not to be confused with Paxil) to manage many of my contacts. It’s an online address book that can automatically sync with many PC-based address books. One of the features is the ability to send your contacts … Continue reading →

Posted in contacts, email, web 2.0 | Comments Off on Plaxo’s elegant bounce management

New AOL Search beta

Posted on September 20, 2006 by Rakesh Agrawal

The AOL Search team has been working hard to launch a new search product. A sneak peek is available. The redesign does two big things: Reorganizes the left side, allowing more search results above the fold. Adds a right rail … Continue reading →

Posted in aol, search | 20 Comments

The TSA’s big show – breeding insecurity

Posted on September 17, 2006 by Rakesh Agrawal

I went through security at the airport in Dublin behind someone with a bottle of water. I didn’t even have to take off my shoes. On board the flight to Frankfurt, a Lufthansa flight attendant armed me with a metal … Continue reading →

Posted in airlines, travel | 4 Comments

Watching streaming movies on your cell phone

Posted on September 6, 2006 by Rakesh Agrawal

Sprint announced today that customers can watch streaming movies on their cell phones. I just don’t see this happening. For $4-$6, depending on the movie, you can watch it stream on to your tiny screen and listen on tinny speaker(s). … Continue reading →

Posted in consumer electronics, mobile, wireless, wireless data | 2 Comments