Google

Back in November, Google announced that it was acquiring Fitbit and that the deal would close sometime in 2020. The purchase was immediately scrutinized amid mounting criticism of Big Tech, and the European Union could now be “gearing up for an extended investigation and may block the transaction.”

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Google is back in the social network game thanks to the Area 120-developed Keen — a Pinterest-like app that utilizes AI to create interest boards.

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At the start of this month, Sundar Pichai said that Google wants to “develop initiatives and product ideas that support long-term solutions” that help the Black community. The CEO today detailed what Google will do internally and externally to achieve racial equity.

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The biggest complaint for many regarding Google’s Chrome OS platform has been app support, but that’s apparently changing in the near future. Thanks to an official partnership between Google and Parallels, full apps from Windows are coming to Chrome OS.

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Due to COVID-19, office work today is limited to essential personnel that might require tools and equipment only available in-house. Given the impact to student interns, Google’s “plan B” to continue the program this summer is focused on WFH open source projects.
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Earlier this year, Sonos sued Google alleging patent infringement related to smart speakers. In a countersuit, Google is alleging that it contributed “substantial Google engineering resources” to help Sonos in the past.

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For the past several months, both the Department of Justice and state attorneys general have been readying antitrust investigations into Google. A new report today says that the US states are looking to break up Google’s ad division.

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While Google+, the social network, was shut down on April 2, 2019, a G Suite version for enterprise communication still exists. Google Currents was announced as a rebrand just after the consumer deprecation last year and is now set to launch on July 6.
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Within Alphabet, there are currently three products that directly provide internet service to end-users: Google Fi, Google Fiber, and Loon. According to a new job posting, Google looks to be getting into the business of supporting satellite internet providers.

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Google today announced several high-profile executive leadership changes that affect Search and Assistant, education, and engineering. Sundar Pichai announced the plans today in an email to employees.
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On Sunday, the Google and YouTube homepages featured messages in “support for racial equality in solidarity with the Black community.” CEO Sundar Pichai today addressed employees about ongoing and future efforts to help.

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Google is staring down the barrel of a $5 billion lawsuit over claims that the tech firm collected user data even when Incognito Mode was used.

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Social distancing is an effective way to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, and now Google is offering a new tool that uses AR to help you enforce it.

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The Arizona state Attorney General Mark Brnovich is suing Google over claims that the tech firm collected Android user location data even though location and digital tracking were disabled.

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Earlier this month, Sundar Pichai laid out how Googlers would slowly return to the office over the course of 2020, but that most employees would continue working from home. A more detailed road map for Google office reopening was provided today, while measures for those working from home were also announced.

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Google’s initiative to bring RCS to every Android user has been a slow process, but it’s expanded quite a lot, even just in the past few months. Today, T-Mobile has announced a partnership with Google to bring RCS to every Android user on T-Mobile and Metro.

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Tech companies are well-positioned to work from home, with Mark Zuckerberg this week announcing a permanent remote shift for Facebook. Those plans were praised by some and debated by others. In another interview this week, Alphabet/Google CEO Sundar Pichai shared his outlook for work at Google.

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