Ah, happy week, when tech giants roll out new products and battle metaphors are unleashed. Earlier this week, Office 365 came out of public beta and was soon after pitted aginst Google Apps. Then Google+ hit the scene, threatening all at once Facebook, Twitter, and Skype.

Numerous opinion pieces around the web have pointed out why the new services will (or won't) be able to kill the reigning service providers. VentureBeat writes that Microsoft's Office 365 will clobber Google Apps because it looks and acts just like the native Office apps (true--preservation of Office document formatting is one of several Office Web Apps advantages over Google Docs and Zoho Docs). Google itself has blogged that there are 365 reasons to use Google Apps over Office 365. Read More...

Google+ Android App

Google+ is like the social network you never knew you wanted, and it's getting high praise. One of the biggest reasons to be interested in Google+ (even if you're like me and feel dragged into social networking) is the awesome Google+ Android app.

The app keeps you up to date with your network contact's updates ("streams") and also lets you manage your profile and circles. It works fairly well in this regard. Clicking the "Stream" button will show you updates from people in your circles; you can add your own update or take/upload a photo from that screen as well. Clicking Circles shows you your lists of extended network contacts and their published contact information, and you can search for/add additional people.

One of the best features of the app, though, is Instant Upload Read More...

This interesting contest requires only a great idea (no programming skills necessary) and for you to be an adult resident within anywhere in the US. A joint initiative of New York City Economic Development Corporation and the New York City Department of Information Technology & Telecommunications, NYC BigApps Ideas is looking for ideas for mobile, web, or desktop apps that could improve the quality of life for New Yorkers as well as tourists and businesses in the Big Apple.

Between now and July 28 5pm EST, submit your answer to the question "I want a NYC App that __" to enter. Public voting will determing the top 25 finalists, who will each win $100, and then an expert panel will choose the top 10 prize winners, who will earn $250 each. Specific categories are recommended, like eating in NYC and NYC politics and civics, but you can choose Other and create your own unique app category.

Whether or not your app idea nets you some extra cash, entering the contest is a fun way to participate in improving New York City. Are you up to Mayor Bloomberg's challenge? Here's the link to the competition again.

Related: New Yorkers, Take the Broadband Speed Test Please

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It's been raining account hacks lately, as you've probably already heard.  If you're wondering whether your login has been compromised by LulzSec on various Sony or other sites or by other hackers elsewhere, Should I Change My Password? will quickly search to see if your password(s) have been compromised. And if so, you should definitely change your passwords elsewhere to be strong and unique for each site.

The site checks your email against a number of databases that have been publicly released, but, do not fear, the site doesn't store your email.

[via Lifehacker]