Google promises that it will make finding the right thing easier. One example is being able to determine what you really want to find if you make a search for something that can be two different things such as the Taj Mahal. Google says that it will narrow search results for ambiguous terms like Taj Mahal for the monument or the musician with a single click.

The new feature also makes it easier for people to get the best summary of their query along with key facts that people would need for whatever they’re searching for without leaving the page. Google uses example of a search for Marie Curie with a search returning a biography of sorts on the right-hand side of the search results when her name and key facts. It gives you things such as when she was born, died, spouse, children, and her educational background.

The key facts included in that little window were gleaned from Google’s study of the aggregate data that people have been asking for when a search for a specific term. The third thing Knowledge Graph allows is the ability to search more deeply and broadly. For instance, a search for Matt Groening naturally pulls up The Simpsons and key details on the right side of the page where you realize that the names of Marge, Homer and Lisa are those of his parents and his sister. This is an interesting way to give you more details on specific search terms.

Google has started to roll out the Knowledge Graph features to U.S. users, though they haven’t said when the launch will be complete. Check out the video above for more insight into how Knowledge Graph will enhance search results.

This great infographic from PPCBlog gives us tons of info on exactly happens when you launch a Google search query. According to the graphic, Google has 19 data centers in the U.S. alone, and another 17 around the globe. These data centers can be up to 500,000 square feet and cost up to 600 million dollars. The servers themselves are housed in standard shipping containers and can hold up to 1,160 servers each. All in all, I’m sure that if there ever is a Skynet, it will use Google data centers as a base.

Check out the full size graphic to see all the gory details.

[via Presurfer]

All you have to do is enter 7 search terms and choose what kind of search Google will perform for each term – web search, maps, image etc. –, then you pick from a set of soundtracks and that’s it! You can change your search terms and soundtrack before uploading the video to YouTube. Obviously you have to have a YouTube or Google account to be able to upload the video.

In the interest of journalism, I created my own Search Story. I’m not that happy with it, but to my credit I didn’t really have a lot of time to work on the video. Blogging is such a difficult job, you know. I have to like, wake up at 1 in the afternoon, eat, and then sleep some more until about 4pm. Then I go outside for a bit, so my skin won’t forget what sunlight feels like, and then 45 minutes before deadline, my day suddenly becomes action-packed. Intense huh? So, yes, brace yourself for mediocrity:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

You didn’t watch it did you? That’s okay. Go make your own Search Story, and be sure to share the YouTube link with us!

[via TechCrunch]

41,400 results for semen-based recipes. semen-based. recipes. And there’s actually a cookbook about it! I’m just not sure if all of the pictures at autocomplete me are legit, because I tried searching for the some of them and I didn’t see the absurd suggestions. I tried typing this:

Roflcopter right? But that didn’t pop up in my search:

Of course “how to raise a dragon” is absurd in itself, but still. But maybe the suggestions differ per country, in which case the Canadian government should look into this. Their gifted children are at stake. Check out Autocomplete Me and see if you get the same results.

[via Neatorama]

You’ll be able to enter keywords such as “pizza” or “starbucks” and be provided with a list of businesses meeting your search criteria. Simply select a business, and the system will display directions.

The Dash Express GPS is also said to feature improved navigation options over conventional nav systems by combining historical and live traffic data via an Internet connection and providing suggested alternative routes. The Dash Express will be available this Spring only in California, with a nationwide release planned for Fall 2007.

[via Download Squad]