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5,728 'Google' stories January 2009 - October 2013

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Is Amazon building a ChromeCast-type of TV product called the ‘Firetube’

Seth Weintraub Oct 3 2013 - 5:52 am PT

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We got a tip (Thanks Guy!) that Amazon had trademarked the name ‘Firetube’ in Canada and the US. With all of the news surrounding the Amazon Phone lately – I immediately thought that is a dumb name for a phone.

[tweet https://twitter.com/llsethj/status/385746818480742400]

Seconds later it hit me. Tube=TV. Amazon needs a TV product to counter Apple and Google.

[tweet https://twitter.com/llsethj/status/385748077677936640]

It makes a lot of sense. Amazon has all of this content on the Fire and no way to put it on a TV yet. They have to release some type of Chromecast competitor and quick. There are, of course, rumors of an Amazon TV. Lots of rumors. Bloomberg thinks Fall 2013 is the planned launch window. That’s right now.

Quick thoughts: Will it play from the iOS app? Will it be cheap and cost ~$35 like the ChromeCast? Bundled with Kindle? Will it work with older devices? I’ve reached out to Amazon for a comment.

With the name now public and the holidays approaching, it would be surprising not to see an announcement soon.

Jelly Bean likely to be on majority of Android devices within a week or so

Ben Lovejoy Oct 3 2013 - 4:15 am PT

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The latest Android stats from Google show that Jelly Bean is now installed on 48.6 percent of Android devices, and given current growth rates is likely to break the magic 50 percent barrier within a week or two. Jelly Bean became the most-used version of Android back in July.

The rather less impressive stat is that more than a quarter of devices – 28.5 percent – are still running Gingerbread, which dates back as far as 2010. It’s also worth pointing out that there are couple of fudge-factors in Google’s stats …
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Google acquires gesture-based interface development startup Flutter

Mike Beasley Oct 2 2013 - 4:21 pm PT

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Flutter, the startup that created a gestured-based music controller for iTunes and Spotify, has been acquired by Google according to a splash page on the company’s website. The Flutter app used a computer’s webcam to detect hand gestures for starting, stopping, or switching songs on iOS, OS X, and Windows. Aside from iTunes and Spotify, Flutter is compatible with a variety other apps, including Quicktime Player, Rdio, and even Google Chrome.

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Hulu Plus app adds support for Chromecast for big-screen viewing

Ben Lovejoy Oct 2 2013 - 4:36 am PT

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Google has announced that Hulu has added Chromecast support to its Hulu Plus app, enabling online shows to be viewed on the big screen – something it promised back in July.

Now you can easily enjoy your favorite shows, such as “Modern Family,” “New Girl” and “Parks and Recreation,” on your big-screen TV by casting from Hulu Plus on your mobile phone or tablet. It’s the same intuitive, remote-free experience you’ve come to enjoy with the other Chromecast-supported apps, and is as simple as pressing the Cast button which will now appear in the app …
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Chrome for Android updated with new gestures for quick tab switching & more

Jordan Kahn Oct 1 2013 - 2:47 pm PT

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Google announced some updates for Chrome today on its blog that bring new features for both desktop and Android users. Over the next week users on the desktop will now be able to search Google for images when right-clicking an image in Chrome, but the most notable update comes in the form of new gestures for the Chrome for Android app (pictured above):

The new gestures include:

Swipe horizontally across the top toolbar to quickly switch tabs.
Drag vertically down from the toolbar to enter into the tab switcher view.
Drag down from the menu to open the menu and select the item you want without having to lift your finger.

Google said the updates for Chrome on the desktop and Android will be rolling out in the next few days.

Google Glass already winning praises from firefighters

Seth Weintraub Oct 1 2013 - 12:28 pm PT

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[protected-iframe id=”848de174e335ee9cb9bfb826d6674b89-22427743-13611283″ info=”http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1″ width=”480″ height=”270″]

A Georgia Fire Chief is singing the praises of Google Glass. It isn’t hard to see why a heads up display would be a big benefit to Firefighters but a less Beta product would probably more optimal for bigger rollouts. (which are probably a year out at least).

Still, good for them for being open to trying it.
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European anti-trust case against Google likely to end after fresh proposals

Ben Lovejoy Oct 1 2013 - 4:51 am PT

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The European Union’s long-running anti-trust case against Google, in which the search company was accused of using its dominant position in search to stifle competition, looks set to finally be resolved – though we may have to wait until Spring to learn the details.

Reuters reports that Google has made new proposals, which the EU suggests is likely to lead to a settlement.

Joaquin Almunia told lawmakers in the European Parliament he believed the new offer made it easier to see Google’s rivals when making an internet search.

“We have reached a key moment in this case,” Almunia said.

“Now with the significant improvements on the table I think we have the possibility to work again.

“If our investigation of this improved proposal is satisfactory then we will continue the commitments route and end up with a formal decision next spring,” he said, adding: “I think that the settlement route remains the best choice” …
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Google’s BufferBox self-serve pickup service comes to San Francisco

Jordan Kahn Sep 30 2013 - 9:52 am PT

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After first acquiring the Waterloo, Ontario self-serve package pickup startup Buffer Box last year, Google today announced plans to expand the service. The company has been making its self-serve pick up boxes (pictured above) available for deliveries in the Toronto area close to its home, but today Google announced the BufferBox service is coming to San Francisco for online purchases:

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Google celebrates 15th birthday with new doodle and 1998 homepage

Ben Lovejoy Sep 27 2013 - 4:39 am PT

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As Google turns 15, it is celebrating with an animated doodle and an Easter Egg that takes us back to its birth in 1998. Simply google google in 1998 to see the page as it looked then.

The 1998 page is fully-functional, but the time travel doesn’t last long: any search conducted on the page is carried out using today’s index and with the results returned in today’s design …
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Google plans U.S. road trip to let people try out Glass

Jordan Kahn Sep 26 2013 - 2:59 pm PT

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Google announced today on its Google Glass Google+ page that it will soon be kicking off a road trip with the Google Glass team that will give people around the U.S. the opportunity to try out the wearable firsthand. Google didn’t share many details, but it has already announced the first stop on its tour with registration for a visit to Durham, NC in October now open.

We’ve heard lots of people are interested in experiencing Glass first hand, so we’re taking Glass to cities across the US to give you a chance to do just that… We’re excited to announce that we’ll be kicking off in the Tar Heel State. Come try Glass, chat with the team, and enjoy local snacks and beverages.

Google plans to announce additional dates for its U.S. Glass tour in the near future through its Glass Google+ page.

Facebook Android app now lets you edit posts and comments

Jordan Kahn Sep 26 2013 - 11:43 am PT

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Facebook is rolling out an update to its Android app today that brings a much welcomed new feature with the ability to edit posts and comments after sharing. Previously the only option was to delete and or repost a comment, but now users will be able to tap an arrow on each post and select “Edit post” to quickly make and save changes. You’ll also be able to see a history of changes.

The ability to edit posts and comments is rolling out today for Android and on the web.

The updated Android app also includes a few other new features. A full list of what else is new below:

-Use icons in status updates to express what you’re feeling or doing

-See upcoming events at a glance on your favorite Pages

-Create and share new photo albums from your phone

Report: Google prepping XE10 Glass update to officially enable third-party apps

Jordan Kahn Sep 26 2013 - 10:10 am PT

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According to a new report from Geek.com, Google is preparing an “XE 10” update for Google Glass next month that will officially enable apps from third-party developers. Details in the report are vague, but the site says Google has been working with devs and providing access to sensors, voice commands, and other features that unofficial third-party apps floating around can’t:

Multiple sources have now confirmed to Geek.com that the update offers developers access to the sensors in Glass for use in motion tracking and development. Developers will also be able to create their own voice commands through Glassware, giving the user the ability to launch the app from the “OK Glass” menu if they so choose.

The site says that Google has been working with developers to ensure Glassware apps will be available at launch, and also says Google will have a launch announcement alongside the XE10 update:
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Explore the Large Hadron Collider at CERN with Google Street View

Jordan Kahn Sep 26 2013 - 7:26 am PT

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Google has been adding a ton of new tours and Street View collections for locations around the world in recent months, and today the fruits of a recent trip to map CERN, home of the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva, have been published for all to explore.

We’re delighted that CERN opened its doors to Google Maps Street View allowing anyone, anywhere in the world to take a peek into its laboratories, control centers and its myriad underground tunnels housing cutting-edge experiments. Street View also lets scientists working on the experiments, who may be on the other side of the world, explore the equipment they’re using.

For two full weeks back in 2011, members of our Street View team from Google’s Zurich office worked with our CERN partners to capture this incredible imagery. You can check out the above experiments, like ATLAS, ALICE, CMS, LHCb and the Large Hadron Collider tunnel in Google Maps, as well as collections of other Street View imagery from amazing sites around the world

You can check out the new CERN Street View collection on the Google Maps Views website here.

We’ve previously pointed to a whole bunch of fun Street View tours – the world’s tallest skyscraper, the Eiffel Tower, a Bond villain’s lair, a trek up to the top of Mount Fuji , animal park tours, a look around the inside of Dr Who’s TARDIS, and even a story of an abandoned dog discovered on Google Maps.

Nexus 5 to “match or beat” iPhone 5s graphics performance – preliminary benchmarks

Ben Lovejoy Sep 26 2013 - 6:23 am PT

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The Nexus 5 appears set to match or beat the iPhone 5s in graphics performance, according to benchmark data posted on the the GFXBench website, achieving 23.1 frames per second in a key test.

The GFXBench T-Rex tests are one of the most demanding tests of the graphics performance of a phone, and provide a particularly good guide to how well a handset is likely to fare when paying graphics-intensive games. The just-released iPhone currently tops the T-Rex scores, but one of the four tests appears to show that the Adreno 330 expected to be used in the Nexus 5 will at least equal that performance …
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Google Talk & Hangouts bug sends messages to the wrong recipients – Google investigating

Ben Lovejoy Sep 26 2013 - 4:55 am PT

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Update 2, Sept. 27: Google is reporting that Google Talk issues have now bee resolved for all users.

Update, Sept. 27: Some users are continuing to experience issues with Google Talk services today. Google says it expects “a resolution for all users in the near future.”

TechCrunch alerted us to an issue with Google Talk and Google Hangouts, which is rather alarmingly resulting in some messages being delivered to the wrong recipients.

…
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Google+ adds support for RAW uploads from more than 70 cameras

Chance Miller Sep 25 2013 - 5:01 pm PT

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Over the past several months, Google has been doing a lot to improve the photo-editing and sharing features of Google+, and tonight the company has announced even more enhancements for photographers. For awhile now, Google+ has supported the upload and storage of RAW files from many cameras, but now, the service is being expanded to more than 70 camera models.

Once the file is uploaded, it can be edited in JPEG form as often and as much as needed, while the original file, and edited JPEGS, will remain saved and available for download at anytime.

The full list of supported cameras is below:

– Canon EOS: 100D, 1000D, 1100D, 1D Mark III, 1D Mark IV, 1Ds Mark III, 1Dx, 20D, 30D, 350D, 400D, 40D, 450D, 500D, 50D, 550D, 5D, 5D Mark II, 5D Mark III, 600D, 60D, 650D, 6D, 700D, 7D, M
– Canon Powershot: G12, G1X, S100
– Nikon: 1 J1, 1 J2, 1 J3, 1 S1, 1 V1, 1 V2, Coolpix A, D300, D300s, D3000, D3100, D3200, D4, D40, D40X, D5000, D5100, D5200, D600, D700, D7000, D7100, D800, D800E, D90
– Olympus: OM-D E-M5, PEN EP1, PEN EP2, PEN EP3, PEN EPL3, PEN EPL5
– Panasonic: LUMIX DMC GF1
– Sony: Alpha 700, NEX-5, NEX-5N, NEX-6, NEX-7, NEX-C3, NEX-F3, RX1, RX100, SLT Alpha 55, SLT Alpha 77, SLT Alpha 99

Google Hangouts for Android gets status icons and more

Jordan Kahn Sep 25 2013 - 1:25 pm PT

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Google is rolling out a new version of Google Hangouts today for Android that will bring a couple long requested features to the messaging service. On top of being able to see who is online with new green and grey icons next to contacts, Google is also making it easier to browse contacts and access invites:

– You can see who’s reachable right now on Hangouts. Green icons mean they are, and gray icons mean they aren’t.

– It’s easier to browse your contacts when starting a new Hangout. From top to bottom you’ll now see ‘People you Hangout with’, ‘Suggested People’, and ‘Other Contacts’.

– Hangout invites are now located above your conversations so they’re easier to find.

– Aaaand… you can hide people from the New Hangout screen by pressing on their name for a few seconds and touching ‘Hide contact.’

The update is hitting Google Play in the coming days as version 1.2.

Google Search adds related Google+ content for hashtag queries

Jordan Kahn Sep 25 2013 - 10:52 am PT

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Google is rolling out a new hashtag experience in Google Search today that will see search results for queries with hashtags display related Google+ posts and content from other social networks:

– When you search on Google for a hashtag, say [#AmericasCup] or [#WaterfallWednesday], a set of relevant Google+ posts may appear to the right of regular results.

– You’ll only be able to see posts that have been shared publicly or shared with you.

– If you click on any of these posts you’ll go to Google+, where you’ll see the full set of relevant posts.

– You’ll also see links to search for these hashtags on other social sites.

The new feature will only be available to English users in the US and Canada initially and will go live on Google.com and Google.ca sometime today.

Google rolls out new Gmail for Android app w/ cleaner conversation view and more

Jordan Kahn Sep 25 2013 - 10:39 am PT

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Google announced today that it is rolling a new version of Gmail for Android that introduces a new and improved conversation view, improved multi-select functions, and other improvements.

The cleaner conversation view is pretty self explanatory from the screenshot above, and does a good job of making it easier to see email threads that get grouped together. You can also now tap profile images of senders within the conversation view to select multiple emails in the conversation.

As for the improved multi-select functionality, Google noted that the app also now includes “checkmarks for multiple message selection so you can easily see what messages you are about to move, archive or delete.”

You’ll also now be able to see if Account Sync is disabled directly in your inbox.

The updated Gmail app is available now on Google Play.

YouTube launches Audio Library with more than 150 royalty-free tracks

Jordan Kahn Sep 25 2013 - 8:02 am PT

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YouTube announced today on its YouTube Partners & Creators Blog that is launching a new Audio Library that will provide YouTubers with access royalty-free instrumental audio tracks to use in their YouTube videos and elsewhere. The new Audio Library tool is available via a link in the YouTube video manager and currently provides access to over 150 tracks grouped by genre, instrument, and mood that can be downloaded as 320 Kbps MP3s.

Google also noted that it teamed up with a number of musicians to record the original tracks:

As you can see, this project was a whole lot of fun. We searched far and wide for musicians to create tracks for us and ended up finding co-conspirators in multiple places: an acquaintance down in LA, music houses across the country and a well-known music producer in Brooklyn. And it turns out the latter produced albums for Phish and Sean Lennon. So, we’re basically rock stars now (or we felt like them for awhile).

You can check out the new Audio Library for yourself here. Musicians that are interested in submitting music to be considered for the audio library can do so here. Unfortunately, in exchange for offering up your tunes royalty-free forever, Google does not seem to be crediting artists for their contributions in the Audio Library.
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Google beginning to refund unused Google Offers

Jordan Kahn Sep 25 2013 - 6:49 am PT

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As noted by AllThingsD, Google has just started sending out notifications to customers letting them know that they will soon be receiving refunds for unused Google Offers. Offers, which are available through a standalone mobile app as well as the Google Maps and Google Wallet apps, used to force users to purchase coupons ahead of time, much like a Groupon service. Going forward, however, the Offers will act more like traditional coupons with users refunded the full cost of unused deals.

You’ll also be able an additional $4 if you opt for a Google Play credit:

An email from Google to an AllThingsD colleague this week gave her two options: Receive a refund for the full amount of two unused offers, or receive a Google Play credit for that amount, which never expires, plus an additional $4, which will expire in two years.

“Users can now easily discover and save Google Offers in the Maps app, Search, Wallet, and on sites around the Web, without having to purchase them in advance, so we’re refunding previously purchased offers that we believe haven’t been used,” a Google spokesperson said in an emailed statement to AllThingsD.

YouTube to transition to Google+ powered comments and discussions

Chance Miller Sep 24 2013 - 4:17 pm PT

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As we are all well aware of, YouTube comments are often some of the oddest things on the web, but as announced in a blog post today, Google is finally looking to improve the quality and relevance of comments. On the Official YouTube Blog, the company has announced that starting this week, all comments on channels with the discussion tab will be transitioned to Google+ discussions. All videos on YouTube will receive Google+ comments later this year.

This means that you will now see comments and discussions that are most relevant to you at the top of the page. For example, comments from people you know, follow, or engage with on Google+ will be shown first. This also somewhat enforces a “real name” policy on YouTube.

This also means that you will be able to create a discussion in the comments section of a video, but only with a limited circle of friends from Google+. These discussions and comments will only be visible to who you choose to share them with, not the public.

Comments you care about move to the top: You’ll see posts at the top of the list from the video’s creator, popular personalities, engaged discussions about the video, and people in your Google+ Circles.
Join the conversation publicly or privately: You can choose to start a conversation so that it is seen by everyone on YouTube and Google+, only people in your Circles or just your bestie. Like Gmail, replies are threaded so you can easily follow conversations.
Better ways to moderate comments: You have new tools to review comments before they’re posted, block certain words or save time by auto-approving comments from certain fans. These can help you spend less time moderating, and more time sharing videos and connecting with your fans.

Google+ powered comments will rollout to channel discussion tabs this week and all videos later this year.

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Google apologizes for Gmail delivery issues, explains what happened

Benjamin Mayo Sep 24 2013 - 7:34 am PT

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Google has apologized for Gmail delivery delays experienced by some users yesterday. Google says that whilst most messages were not affected, 29% of messages were delayed by a couple of seconds, with only 1.5% of messages being critically delayed, by as much as two hours. The issue lasted for about 8 hours, starting at around 5:30 am PST.

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Google launches new “Constitute” online tool for searching the world’s constitutions

Jordan Kahn Sep 23 2013 - 8:20 am PT

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0BsJuN0OAs

Google today announced that its Ideas think tank is teaming up with the Comparative Constitutions Project to build a new online tool called “Constitute” that aims to digitize all the world’s constitutions and make them searchable to everyone online.

Constitute enables people to browse and search constitutions via curated and tagged topics, as well as by country and year. The Comparative Constitutions Project cataloged and tagged nearly 350 themes, so people can easily find and compare specific constitutional material. This ranges from the fairly general, such as “Citizenship” and “Foreign Policy,” to the very specific, such as “Suffrage and turnouts” and “Judicial Autonomy and Power.”

Google Ideas Product Manager Sara Sinclair Brody says the company hopes the new tool will help citizens learn more about their own constitutions, but also “arm drafters with a better tool for constitution design and writing.”
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