Another announcement from the Google I/O conference this past week was the unveiling and release of the newest version of Google’s Android mobile operating system, 2.2 or “Froyo.” This in itself wouldn’t be a huge announcement except for the fact that Froyo is expected to be remarkably faster on the same hardware that Android phones already run on, and that it’s supposed to fully support Adobe Flash.

Google has already stepped back a bit from Flash and talked up the benefits of HTML5, but their mantra has always been that their thrust is to be inclusive and support as many technologies as possible as opposed to the ones they prefer, so 2.2 will (and does, as some people have managed to get it running on the Google Nexus One) support full Flash 10.1 video and site navigation.

Additionally, the new OS is supposed to support the ability to update all of your apps simultaneously, be installed over the air so you don’t have to download anything onto a computer to upgrade your phone, improve syncing of music and video from your computer to your device, and even include built-in tethering and WiFi sharing, so your Android phone can become a wireless hotspot for other devices and tether to your laptop for remote internet access.

There’s no firm release date for Froyo yet, but over at the Lifehacker link below you can see some screenshots and links to more information about the upcoming OS, and read a bit more about some of its best features.

[ Lifehacker :: Google Announces Android 2.2 with Flash, Google TV at I/O Conference ]

At the Google I/O conference this past week, Google announced that Google Wave, once touted as a tool that would revolutionize the way we communicate on the Internet, would be available and open to anyone who wanted to use it now, instead of the private beta testers who had been using the service (and let’s be clear, anyone who wanted in pretty much got in thanks to the sheer number of invites that were given out). Google shortly thereafter made Google Wave available to people using Google Apps for their domain as well.

This does beg the question though: is anyone still using Google Wave aside from die-hard Google fans and developers looking for a good way to collaborate? Google Wave was a lot of fanfare and hype, and while I think the tool itself is remarkably useful and still has a world of potential, it simply doesn’t have the user-base or the user-education of the masses for wide adoption.

In the end, it’s not Google’s fault for building a tool that people don’t want to use, it’s Google’s fault for building a tool that people don’t understand can be applicable to the things they want to do, and for not educating them otherwise or integrating Wave features with tools people already know and love, like GMail.

Still, with Google Wave open to the world, maybe Google is making a thrust to try that education, and without the beta tag on it, they may be looking for a way to start rolling in some of Wave’s features into their existing platforms and services. It would be a good idea.

[ PC Mag :: Google Opens Wave to Public, Previews Chrome Web Store ]

Over at Lifehacker I caught glimpse of one of the most interesting posts I’ve seen in a while, especially if you’re running Windows Vista or Windows 7 – some really interesting and useful tips and tricks that the editors there say “everyone should know.” Now, don’t get me wrong – I defintely think they’re useful to know, but I think I’d hesitate to say everyone should know them, especially if they’re not running Windows Vista or Windows 7, or if they’re not running Windows at all.

Even so, it’s all semantics, and the tricks themselves are more than useful and some of them span operating systems; like the ability to undo a move or delete right after you’ve done it so you don’t have to go fishing through the recycle bin or the destination folder looking for your file, or the ability to add items to your Send To menu to make it much more useful. There are also tips to open a command line from any window, or choose to tile or cascade windows on your display for easier viewing and organization.

They’re all useful, and take them as you need them – they’re all good to know how to do, especially for those times when you really wish it were easier to, for example, copy a file to one of your commonly used folders (you can add a “copy to folder” item to the send to menu) for example.

[ Lifehacker :: The Cleverest Geeky Windows Tricks Everyone Should Know ]

So we’ve all heard about how the iPad is “magical,” and how wonderful a device it is from those who own one. Oddly enough, one thing I notice we haven’t heard a lot of are hardware issues with the iPad – Apple is likely paying very close attention to issues, but I haven’t heard of anyone really having to return their iPad for a manufacturer’s issue, no overheating, no random crashes, none of that.

So if you’re like me, you want one. I’m trying to hold out until it’s updated, whenever that may be (some people have speculated that the fact that we haven’t even heard rumors about a next generation or 2nd generation iPad aside from the fact that some people are waiting to buy one means that there are no real plans for one just yet) but my resistance is waning, especially with so many uses and so many amazing apps out there for it.

I got to thinking that if I could make a solid case for one with apps that I’d want to run on it, I might consider buying one. Then this Gizmodo post came along; it’s a little old, but it’s still one of the definitive guides to iPad apps available right now – and there are some really great suggestions in there.

[ Gizmodo :: Gizmodo's Essential iPad Apps ]

Normally the last thing I would want to do is link up a video from Wimp.com (fair warning, much of the site is NSFW) but this LED display is simply too good to pass up. Part of it thrills the DJ in me, part of it thrills the partykid in me, and part of it thrills the geek in me – all of it is incredible, and the music isn’t bad either.

It’s an amazing display, and since LEDs are generally cheap and energy efficient, I’ll bet that amazing display is still more affordable than a full-on traditional light show complete with Intellibeams and rack-mounted lights; and it looks much much better.

The image above is from a still shot of the video – click the link below to see the whole thing!

[ Wimp.com :: Amazing LED Setup at Smack Nightclub ]

This absolutely stunning ring is perfect if you have a geek in your life that can appreciate a little personal flair that a ring like this would add to their wardrobe. Alliteratively, if you want to give the co-geek in the engineering department of your heart a very special gift, this ring will definitely hit the spot, and it’s not horrifically expensive either – at $165, it may be the cheapest but most personal promise/engagement/wedding band you’ve ever bought or seen in your life, but if you and your partner share the same interests (and I hope you do!) it might be the best.

The beauty of the Gear Ring is that it’s stainless steel so it won’t tarnish easily, and the size precision gears that are laid around the band of the ring actually turn in unison with one another, like a perfectly tuned machine! To get the gears to turn, just twist the outer rims and watch the magic happen. From everyday techy geeks to steampunk fans, this very well may be the perfect gift.

[ Kinekt Design :: The Gear Ring ]

I have to admit, this time PC World got it right. While I more than happily see shades of myself in more than one of these categories, I think this probably falls into the “it’s funny because it’s true” category in more than a few places. I’m not a fan of the word “fanboy” because I think it’s been diluted by trolls on the Web who trot it out as first weapon of choice whenever they want to attack someone else (and it eliminates the possibility of fangirls!), but this was pretty good. Click the image above to enjoy at full-size!

[ PC World :: Fanboys: A Field Guide

Google’s known for its remarkable Chrome ads and Web videos, but this one, even though they tell you outright how the video was created, is still a little difficult to swallow. I keep looking at this and thinking these pages must be cached in the browser and what they’re really showing off is render times, not loading times, but I’m more than willing to be wrong about that.

I love Chrome and it really is get-out-of-town fast (especially one slow systems like the one I use at the office), so I’m glad to see Google making sure to point it out to anyone who might happen to see this video.

Here’s what Google said about the making of the video:

These speed tests were filmed at actual web page rendering times. If you’re interested in the technical details, read on!

Equipment used:

- Computer: MacBook Pro laptop with Windows installed
- Monitor – 24″ Asus: We had to replace the standard fluorescent backlight with very large tungsten fixtures to funnel in more light to capture the screen. In addition, we flipped the monitor 180 degrees to eliminate a shadow from the driver board and set the system preferences on the computer to rotate 180 degrees. No special software was used in this process.
- 15Mbps Internet connection.
- Camera: Phantom v640 High Speed Camera at 1920 x 1080, films up to 2700 fps

[ The Google Chrome Blog :: Potato Gun, Lightning, and Sonic Magic: Unconventional Speed Tests for the Browser ]

Over at PC Mag there’s another excellent guide on how to buy something that befuddles most people: digital SLR cameras. Until you’ve had the opportunity to use a digital SLR, you may be just used to point-and-shoots, but once you have, you probably will want one for your very own. When you’re ready to buy though, you’ll be confronted with a dizzying array of models all aimed at semi-professional photographers that may wind up being confusing and difficult to interpret. Thankfully, PC Mag comes to the rescue with a couple of tips:

Shopping for a D-SLR isn’t that much different than shopping for, say, a computer: To zoom in on the right model, first figure out your budget, and then choose the features you need. Entry-level D-SLRs start at around $500 and can go as high as several thousands of dollars when you figure in an expensive lens. (Some D-SLRs come bundled with a lens; others require you to buy the camera body and then choose a lens that you purchase separately.) The good news is we’ve recently seen some incredibly capable, feature-filled D-SLRs that ring up for less than $1,000 with a lens. Sure, these prices are considerably greater than what you’d pay for a pocket shooter, but because models aren’t refreshed as often, D-SLRs don’t get eclipsed by newer, flashier models as quickly as point-and-shoot cameras do. And the picture quality really is worth the extra money you’ll have to spend.

If you’re not sold on D-SLRs at all, head on over to read the top of the article and you’ll understand why you might be interested in one. If you’re already sold, this guide will help you pin down some of the things you’re likely looking for in a new camera.

[ PC Mag :: How to Buy a D-SLR Camera ]