Google

Back in the mid-2000s before we all had smartphones in our pocket capable of recording videos, there was the iconic Flip Video camcorder which was often used for recording videos on the fly. Ahead of its YouTube acquisition, Google was apparently in talks to have its own Flip Video camera produced.

Alphabet reports Q2 2020 revenue of $38.3B

Abner Li Jul 30 2020 - 1:20 pm PT

Alphabet today announced Q2 2020 earnings with $38.3 billion in revenue. These numbers range from April to June, and includes the impact of COVID-19.

Live Blog: Sundar Pichai testifies to Congress on Google’s dominance, antitrust concerns

Abner Li Jul 29 2020 - 10:09 am PT

The House Judiciary’s Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law today is hosting a hearing on “Online Platforms and Market Power.” In addition to the CEOs of Amazon, Apple, and Facebook, Sundar Pichai will be testifying about Google’s Search and advertising dominance, as well as antitrust concerns from Congress. Follow along as we highlight the most interesting questions and answers.

Searches for ‘work-from-home’ jobs surge amid COVID-19, Google offers tip to improve visibility

Ben Schoon Jul 29 2020 - 7:21 am PT

One unfortunate effect of the coronavirus pandemic, especially in the US, has been the loss of employment for millions of people. Given the current circumstances, many are looking for work-from-home jobs, and now Google is trying to improve the visibility of those positions.

Report: Google negotiating to give Assistant, Play Store ‘more prominence’ on Samsung devices

Abner Li Jul 28 2020 - 10:27 pm PT

Next week, Samsung Unpacked is expected to bring a trio of Android-powered devices. A new report this evening reveals that Google is in talks with Samsung to have Assistant and its other services play a bigger role.

Sundar Pichai argues ‘Google’s continued success is not guaranteed’ in opening antitrust statement

Abner Li Jul 28 2020 - 5:51 pm PT

The chief executives of Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, and Facebook tomorrow will appear before Congress to answer questions about their market dominance. Sundar Pichai’s written statement was released this evening, and it provides a high-level overview of Google’s defense against antitrust allegations.

Europe wants Google to pledge that Fitbit data won’t ‘further enhance’ Search

Abner Li Jul 23 2020 - 2:11 pm PT

At the start of this month, it emerged that Europe could approve the sale of Fitbit if Google pledged not to use data for ads. Last week, Google committed to that, but Europe’s regulators reportedly have new demands concerning Fitbit data and Search.

Google says Fitbit deal is ‘about devices, not data’ after committing to EU pledge

Abner Li Jul 13 2020 - 9:03 pm PT

Google today offered a pledge that it would not use Fitbit data for advertising if its acquisition went through. This reportedly addresses a big European demand before approving the Google-Fitbit deal.

Google and Microsoft join forces to improve PWAs on the Play Store

Damien Wilde Jul 13 2020 - 5:06 am PT

It looks as though Microsoft and Google are teaming up to improve the progressive web app (PWA) experience across devices ⁠— including Android.

Google’s Fitbit acquisition facing deeper scrutiny from European regulators over data concerns

Abner Li Jul 2 2020 - 9:49 am PT

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.”

Hands-on with Keen: Is this Google’s AI-powered Pinterest? [Video]

Damien Wilde Jun 19 2020 - 10:30 am PT

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.

Sundar Pichai details Google’s commitment to the Black community and racial equity

Abner Li Jun 17 2020 - 1:09 pm PT

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.

Windows apps are coming to Chrome OS courtesy of Google partnership w/ Parallels

Ben Schoon Jun 16 2020 - 11:07 am PT

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.

Google’s WFH engineering interns focusing on open source projects this summer

Abner Li Jun 12 2020 - 9:44 am PT

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.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Reddit appears to be testing Google and Apple account sign-in

Damien Wilde Jun 12 2020 - 5:10 am PT

Reddit appears to be testing the option for signing into the content aggregator using your Google or Apple account.

Google argues that it provided Sonos with ‘substantial’ development help in countersuit

Abner Li Jun 11 2020 - 1:59 pm PT

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.

Google, Facebook, and Twitter commit to coronavirus misinformation reports per EU request

Ben Schoon Jun 11 2020 - 10:49 am PT

While other events may have started to overshadow the coronavirus pandemic, the virus is still very much a big deal around the globe. Now, in order with a request from the European Union, US tech giants including Google are going to produce regular reports regarding misinformation online about the coronavirus.

Report: State antitrust lawsuit could push for break up of Google’s advertising business

Abner Li Jun 5 2020 - 11:08 am PT

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.

Google Currents for G Suite launching July 6, shutting down Google+ one last time

Abner Li Jun 4 2020 - 8:09 pm PT

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.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Google

Google looking to provide support services for satellite internet providers: job listing

Abner Li Jun 4 2020 - 11:11 am PT

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.

Google

Google reshuffles leadership, one executive now oversees Search/Assistant, Maps, and Ads

Abner Li Jun 4 2020 - 10:02 am PT

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.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Sundar Pichai: Google working on ‘initiatives and product ideas’ that support the Black community

Abner Li Jun 3 2020 - 9:27 am PT

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.

Google

Google faces $5 billion lawsuit over potential Incognito Mode tracking

Damien Wilde Jun 3 2020 - 5:14 am PT

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.

Google expresses ‘support of racial equality, and all those who search for it’

Abner Li May 31 2020 - 12:00 pm PT

This past week has seen widespread protests in cities across the United States. Google today expressed solidarity for this moment in history with a message on the Search homepage. YouTube has a similar display and is encouraging donations.