The new killer app is a real human

Right now, the greatest repository of how-to information and easy-to-learn knowledge is Google’s YouTube. Want to re-shingle your roof but don’t know how? YouTube has 146,000 videos on the subject.

But now Google has something even better: Live, one-on-one advice, teaching and coaching. Google is part of a larger trend of offering such expert help primarily through mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.

This trend is an unalloyed good. It’s good for people who want help. And it’s even better for the economy. Here’s what’s the expert help trend is all about, and why it’s so great for everybody.

Google Helpouts

Google launched this week a new service called Helpouts, which connect experts to people who need their help and advice. That connection takes place via a live, one-on-one video chat on Google+’s video Hangouts platform.

SOURCE: computerworld.com