TextFlow already offers the ability to compile, organize, and manage input from others on a particular document, set of documents, etc.  With the recent release of TextFlow for Google Apps, Nordic River has also increased functionality and productivity with the direct integration into Google Docs, Google Wave and more.  But that only scratches the surface of where this Sweden-based company plans on taking TextFlow.

TextFlow’s Origins

The burning question in my mind in the evolution of TextFlow, following the release of it on Google Apps, was…Where does TextFlow fit in to the growing mobile device world? With the changes, rumors, suppositions, and more regarding the iPad and other mobile technology, software and SaaS companies need to consider how to change with the technology.

When asked, Tomer stated it was interesting I should ask that question.  In the early development of TextFlow much of the theoretical beginnings started with an idea originating with Jef Raskin, the early creator of the Mac.  Raskin talks about the idea of a “verbless interface.”  Currently we work (particularly in word processing) in a manner involving a text selection followed by a verb selection (ie: we highlight a portion of text, then choose a verb to apply to it such as bold, underline, etc.)  The idea of the verbless interface removes one step from that process.  This is also a basis for mobile, touchscreen technology like the iPhone.

Now take that and apply it to TextFlow.  TextFlow was designed from the start with the idea of a verbless interface.  Think about the iPhone and the simplicity with which you can navigate, be productive, be social, and much more through the use of the touchscreen and the ideas and concepts which it was designed around.  Now consider TextFlow’s interface and how it functions.  The two almost seem made for each other.

If you haven’t seen TextFlow in action, check out the video here.

What all this means is that Nordic River is already one step ahead of the competition when it comes to being ready for going mobile with something like TextFlow because it was developed with the concepts touchscreen technology and interfacing in mind.  Now it’s just a matter of time before TextFlow is offered as a mobile app.

More to come from Nordic River and TextFlow

Aside from already being in the race for a mobile app, Nordic River has a list of plans for the future of TextFlow (which Tomer has kept us abreast of) that make it easy to see why, in just a short time, they have already taken global notice.

• Additional functionality and compatibility with MS Word and Google Docs such as notes, footnotes, numbered lists, and fields
• New document navigation widgets
• The ability to work within tables fully whereas now there is limited ability to work with tables
  Additional “Whiteboard” functionality in the form of personal notes, suggestions, etc. making TextFlow a veritable digital brainstorming tool as well
• A stand-alone desktop version with seamless integration with the same services offered through the app version as well as the ability to access the app version as well through your browser when mobile or directly through the stand-alone.
• Additional Word integration and functionality including one-click to start Word and a Word plug-in
  The ability to compare and create PDF’s

Considering the recent release on Google Apps, the guys at Nordic River are certainly not sitting on their hands awaiting the next big thing.  They are developing the next big thing.

Additional functionality, extended integration, and the core design structure to move directly into mobile apps without the need for a total overhaul are what is making TextFlow a standard of operation for many companies from the enterprise level on down.  Let’s hope they can keep up the momentum.

A quick thank you to Tomer Shalit of Nordic River for providing the above information on the future of TextFlow and to Adair Ahlers and Brooke McKinney of BlastMedia for facilitating.

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• Nordic River Partners with Box.net to Offer Input Management for Shared Documents (eon.businesswire.com)

According to Scott McMullan, Google Apps Partner Lead for Google Enterprise, “With TextFlow, Nordic River adds a unique tool to the rapidly growing number of innovative solutions available in the Google Apps Marketplace.  Through the Google Apps Marketplace, solutions such as TextFlow are helping us to build a rich ecosystem of integrated apps that work seamlessly with each other. TextFlow is a great example of how users who require professional document review can leverage the benefits of cloud computing and meet more of their business needs. We are happy to offer TextFlow to the millions of Google Apps users who have embraced the cloud.”

Not only does Scott’s statement hold true with the productivity possibilities of TextFlow, it barely scratches the surface.  Nordic River has added some additional functionality to TextFlow using the Google Apps platform.

Features of TextFlow for Google Apps

• Direct Integration with Google Docs – Leverage not only your documents but your collaboration through an easy to use, web-based interface that you are potentially already using in part.
• Still Adobe AIR Based – TextFlow is still AIR based and will run the same way it did before, but will allow for increased productivity with Google Docs integration, no need to email documents (you can share them directly now), and more…all housed in one convenient, lightweight location.

Aside from the above changes, Nordic River previously had also addressed the issues of TextFlow only being able to handle limited length files as well as some issues with Microsoft Word compatibility since its original release in 2009.

It seems that Nordic River is pushing the envelope on document collaboration as well as the concepts behind cloud computing and business productivity.  By creating a SaaS based collaboration tool and then working with Google to make it available through Google Apps and thereby utilize other productivity options already in place, they have set the stage for the future of collaborating.

Check out the video to see TextFlow for Google Apps in action.

I recently read a PDF circulated by Howie Schwartz, Internet Marketing Guru, and came across some fascinating information regarding Google and Bing.  Search engines tend to focus on some key aspects of search to make it faster, more effective, and an overall better experience for users.  Considering this, Howie and his team did some studies comparing current Google, Google Caffeine (Google’s amped up version) and Bing.  The results were staggering.

What do Search Engines Focus On?

As stated before search engines tend to focus attention on certain usability aspects to determine how to proceed with future search engines.  These have almost always been determined by Google but Microsoft and Bing have been attempting to rewrite these.  Let’s see how they measure up.

Search Engines Focus

There are four main areas that search engines tend to focus on listed below:

• Speed – How fast results are returned
• Accuracy -  How accurate are the results compared with search terms
• Relevance – How relevant results are in terms of news, new goings-on, etc.
• Comprehensiveness – Do you get a good amount of accurate, relevant, information or just a smattering of it?

Google, Bing, Yahoo!…Who do I choose?

According to Howie’s results Google originally returned more results in less time than Bing and Google Caffeine returned almost twice as many as Google original in less time.  And Google’s results were much more on target for relevance than Bing on both ends.

Based on this information I decided to dig a little deeper and see who else was researching this topic.  Mashable.com found nearly the same results as Howie did…and the same was found across the web.  I have not bothered with my own tests because I trust the resources I use and saw no point in repeating what has already been proven…just good scientific process.

So Will Microsoft Kill Yahoo! and Make Google Official King?

All of this on top of Microsoft’s recent dealings with Yahoo! have made many an individual skeptical as to where to turn for search.  Some still argue that Bing is better…but much of it relates to image search and honestly how many of us do major image searching?

With Bing’s poor results on search times compared with results returned and their relevancy, it seems almost a given that acquiring Yahoo! will simply kill the only search engine that give Google any real competition.

So Google will remain my search engine of choice and I will continue my SEO efforts accordingly.  It may be the wrong course of action but based on my research if you are doing anything different, your site and your clients sites will suffer greatly in the end.

iWidgets is a newish service I stumbled upon recently. Founded by Peter Yared and Casey Sackett and headquartered in San Francisco, the company offers widget building services on crack. Couple that with advertising services and you have a powerhouse to be reckoned with.

A long list of features makes iWidgets a viable resource for the casual blogger as well as enterprise level business. Easy, painless registration is all it takes to start building your viral future.

Features of iWidgets

• Multimedia Content Adding – Add nearly any type of content from text to video to sound and more
• Tagging Allowed – Add tags to your widgets
• Viral Components – Share and Grab This components allow for viral spreading of your widget campaign
• Google Analytics – Track your widgets with analytics
• Multiple Views – Create multiple views of your widget for a full level user experience
• Monetization and Advertising – Monetize your widgets with ads or advertise your own business (advertising your own ads is not a free service)

Despite Sprout Inc.’s announcement to go fully for profit, they are still a wonderful service and have been rated very highly by a variety of publications and news media. But iWidgets seems to have everything that Sprout Inc. offers in their SproutBuilder and portions of what they offer in their SproutMixer.

iWidgets also seems to push the idea of spreading content and it may have something to do with the fact that their service is still free…maybe the old share and share alike idea. Will they end up charging and potentially harming relationships with existing users? Sprout ran into some issues when they made their announcement.

Regardless whether those at iWidgets decide to start charging for their service or not they have my vote for the widget building service of today. Check out the video below for more.