Humanoid robot
Google withdraws the humanoid robot it bought from a Japanese design firm, SCHAFT, from the Pentagon’s DARPA Robotics Challenge so they can work on a commercial version. The robot is 4 feet 11 inches tall and uses a capacitor instead of a battery for power, giving it more strength than other robots.
Burke: Nexus not ending
Dave Burke, Google’s engineering chief, responds to speculation that they intend to replace the Nexus line of products with a rumored line of products called Android Silver:
People have been commenting about Nexus because there is something else and they think that means the end of Nexus. That is the totally wrong conclusion to make…Android Silver is not something that we are commenting on right now.
‘Right to be forgotten’ begins
Google begins processing requests for search result removals because of a European Union court ruling that people have a “right to be forgotten” on the internet. They have over 41,000 requests to remove individually:
This week, we’re starting to take action on the removals requests that we’ve received. This is a new process for us. Each request has to be assessed individually, and we’re working as quickly as possible to get through the queue.
UK Glass regulations
Andrew Paterson, senior technology officer at the Information Commissioner’s Office in the UK, writes in a blog post that businesses using Glass are subject to laws in the country regarding how data is stored and secured:
Organizations must not lose sight of the fact that wearables must still operate in compliance with the law and consumers’ personal information must be looked after.
A Google spokeswoman responds:
The fact that Glass is worn above the eyes and the screen lights up whenever it’s activated clearly signals it’s in use and makes it a fairly lousy surveillance device.
Android smartwatches
0 CommentsThe Android smartwatch, worn by all of the Google I/O presenters, is introduced halfway through the keynote address at the Google I/O conference. LG’s G Watch and Samsung’s Gear Live will be released for sale in Google’s Play Store on June 26, 2014. Android engineering director, David Singleton, demonstrated the voice command feature on the Moto 360 smartwatch by ordering a pizza using the Eat 24 app. The Moto 360 will be available to consumers later this summer.
We have added voice actions for some key areas on the wearable (gadgets) and we’ll be adding more over the coming months
Quickoffice removal
0 CommentsGoogle says it plans to remove Quickoffice, a document editing program it owns, from Google Play and the Apple App Store in the coming weeks. The application has over 10,000,000 downloads on Google Play, but Google says all of its features are available from other Google office applications:
With the integration of Quickoffice into the Google Docs, Sheets and Slides apps, the Quickoffice app will be unpublished from Google Play and the App Store in the coming weeks. Existing users with the app can continue to use it, but no features will be added and new users will not be able to install the app.
Google Domains
Google announces the launch of Google Domains, a by invitation only service that will help small business find, register and manage their domain names. The service is now in the beta testing phase. This new venture puts Google in competition with companies they have partnered with in the past, the largest being GoDaddy.com. The pricing information has not been made public at this time.
Businesses will be able to search, find, purchase and transfer the best domain for their business — whether it’s .com, .biz, .org, or any of the wide range of new domains that are being released to the Web.
Android Auto
Google announces Android Auto, which is a platform that integrates Android phones into the driving experience. Users can use voice commands to get directions, play music, set reminders, and call contacts while driving. The platform is expected be available at the end of 2014.
Android One
Google announces the Android One, a sub-$100 smartphone aimed at India and other developing nations. The phone will have a 4.5 inch display, dual SIM card slots, and an FM radio. Sundar Pichai, head of Google’s Android division, discusses the phone at Google’s I/O conference:
Our goal is to reach the next five billion people in the world. In India and other countries like that, it’s disappointing that less than 10 percent of the population have access to smartphones.
Chromebooks get Android apps
Google announces that they are bringing select Android applications to Chromebooks, starting with Evernote, Vine and Flipboard. Users can nominate their favorite Android applications to be released for Chromebooks.
https://plus.google.com/100585555255542998765/posts/2LR7bd3xPe8
One billion monthly users
Google announces that Android has one billion active users each month. They report that these users send 20 billion text messages and 93 million “selfies” each day.
Glass ignored at I/O
Glass is not mentioned once during Google’s two-and-a-half hour keynote speech at its annual I/O convention. This prompts speculation on social media sites like Twitter that Google wants to phase out Glass. A spokesperson for Google tells TechCrunch:
Glass announced all of our news earlier this week and ahead of I/O so the Chrome and Android announcements could take center stage today and tomorrow.
RAM upgrade
Google announces that Glass will ship with two gigabytes of RAM instead of one. This causes controversy because Explorers with old devices are not offered an upgrade.
https://plus.google.com/111626127367496192147/posts/1tSYsPCCsGf
Google Auto Link
Google introduces Google Auto Link (GAL), an in-car system that will be able to sync with Google Android smartphones. The system will rival Apple’s current Apple Car Play. It is the first product developed under its new partnership with Open Automotive Alliance. The partnership includes Audi, Honda, General Motors, Hyundai and chipmaker NVIDIA Corp . Developers who attend the Google I/O Conference in late June will be able to view the interface and a demonstration.
Pledges $50m to teach girls to code
Google pledges $50 million over the next three years into its Made With Code effort. The Company hopes to connect more girls to CS courses available through Khan Academy or Code academy. Susan Wojcicki, the CEO of YouTube says that less than 1% of high school girls expressed an interest in majoring in computer science.
Coding isn’t just a skill useful for working at a tech company; engineering isn’t just for engineers. Interior design. Medicine. Architecture. Music. No matter what a girl dreams of doing, learning how to code will help her get there.
Donates $100,000
0 CommentsIn a joint project with Code Club and Technology Will Save Us, Google donates $100,000 towards children’s tech education. The funds will allow children to learn the basics of technology and build their own game consoles for just $100. Currently, the program is available only for 900 children. These children will receive assemblly help from Code Club for free. The self-assemble kits are on sale on a first-come, first-served basis.
‘Right to be forgotten’ ruling
0 CommentsGoogle will comply with a European court ruling to remove links to certain online content. The rule protects individuals and requires search providers to remove links that an individual says violates their online privacy. The case was brought by Mario Costeja González, after he failed to remove an old auction listing that adversely affected his name.
Within the first 24 hours of the option being available, 12,000 requests are made. An internal team will review each request, then remove the link from access in the European Union and four other countries. Although the link will not be accessible in the EU, it can still be found in any location through the original Google.com domain.
Google removes ‘Dawn’ app
Google removes the ISIS app ‘Dawn of Glad Tidings’ from the Play store after it is widely reported by media. The app, which posts ISIS-created content including hashtags, links and images over users’ Twitter accounts, has been available for around two months and has been downloaded thousands of times. Google spokesman:
We remove any applications that breach our community guidelines.
First certified partners
Google names its first certified partners for the Glass At Work program. These partners include APX, AugMedix, Crowdoptic, GuidiGO and Wearable Intelligence. The companies will work to integrate Google Glass for business as well as medical uses. APX Labs’ app will provide business professionals with real-time enterprise data. Augmedix will provide medical professionals with a system to make patient visits efficient. Crowdoptic will create an app that will detect broadcast events in various categories. GuidiGo will work with museums and cultural institutions to enhance visitors’ experience. Wearable Intelligence will create an app for various categories including energy, manufacturing and healthcare. The Glass At Work program will allow the companies to co-brand as well as list on the program website.
Hangouts drawing tool
Google Hangouts adds the ability to draw in your chat window. The tool is similar to Microsoft Paint and allows drawings on blank canvas as well as over pictures. The addition is currently only available to Google+ users.