U.S. government orders Google and Apple to identify users of a gun scope app
The U.S. Department of Justice has ordered Google and Apple to turn over personal data of users of a gun scope app. The app, Obsidian 4, is used to remotely operate rifle scopes and is made by by American Technologies Network Corp (ATN), a manufacturing company that specializes in thermal rifle scopes.
Apple attacks Google for ‘stoking fear’ over iPhone exploit
Apple has published a blog post defending itself against Google's recent report detailing a massive zero day security flaw that allowed hackers to gain access to messages, photos, emails, and more. According to Apple, despite Google's claims, the flaw was only operational for two months.
GM going full Google with new infotainment systems launching in 2021
General Motors will start using Android-based infotainment systems in 2021. Future GM cars will have built-in Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play App Store. General Motors follows Volvo and Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi in inviting Google onto its cars' dashboards.
Android 10 is here, but how many devices did Android 9.0 Pie reach?
While Android 10 is the latest version of Google's mobile operating system, we're more interested in how Android 9.0 Pie, the last version of Android, has done. According to stats from May 2019, it's been a disappointing time for Pie, which had only reached just over a tenth of all active Android devices.
The Emporio Armani Smartwatch 3 is classy, but costs as much as an Apple Watch
Emporio Armani has announced a new smartwatch called the Smartwatch 3 -- and it offers a range of features, including the ability to take and make phone calls from your iPhone. The device also offers Google's Wear OS operating system, a heart rate monitor, and more.
The Diesel On Axial might be the most unique-looking Wear OS smartwatch to date
Diesel has announced a new smartwatch called the Diesel On Axial. The watch features a Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor, plenty of storage, a heart rate monitor, and more. It also offers a new feature that allows users to make and take phone calls from both Android phones and iPhones.
Stick with Android One, Motorola. Your phones are better for it
The Motorola One Zoom is the first Motorola One phone that's not in the Android One program. It's a step in the wrong direction for all parties, as it means you won't get 3 years of security updates and 2 years of version upgrades. But if you voice your concern loud enough, Motorola might change its mind.
Google’s Ambient Mode turns phone screens into Assistant-powered smart displays
Google's Ambient Mode turns select smartphones and tablets into Assistant-powered smart displays, with an interface resembling the one on the Nest Hub. The feature is limited to the Nokia 6.2 and the Nokia 7.2, along with new tablets from Lenovo, but it's unclear if it will make its way to other devices.
LG might be going head-to-head against Amazon with its next smart speaker
Covering digital technology is sometimes a Sherlock Holmes game, since we just discovered that a Dutch venue managed to dig up some new patents filed by LG just ahead of the IFA 2019 technology show in Berlin that indicates the company might launch a bunch of new smart speakers this week.
Android 10: All the new features in the latest version of Google’s mobile OS
After months of beta testing, Android 10 is finally here, bringing with it a ton of great new features. From the new dark mode to a new set of gesture controls, Android 10 radically changes the Android experience. Here's everything to expect from Google's latest mobile operating system.
Android 10 is finally here, and it’s rolling out to Google’s Pixel phones now
After months of beta testing, Google is finally rolling out the final version of Android 10. The new operating system brings a new systemwide dark theme, as well as improved Smart Replies, gesture navigation controls, and more. It's rolling out to Google Pixel phones now, with more devices expected soon.
Google sunsets yet another service, this time it’s Hire
Google will shutter Hire next year. The web app — part of G Suite — is designed to help with tasks such as posting job openings to multiple recruitment sites, collaborating with hiring teams, finding new employees, and setting up interviews, thereby enabling firms to keep tabs on all of their recruitment processes.
Trade war forces Google to move number of factories from China
Google is moving many of its factories out of China, according to a report from Nikkei. The ongoing China-U.S. trade war seems to be a strong reason behind the move, but the growing labor costs in China are also a key factor. The Pixel 3a factory is reportedly the first to be moved to Vietnam.
You can now combine transit with ridesharing and biking in Google Maps
Google has announced a new feature for Google Maps that will allow users to combine transit directions with ridesharing and biking. The new Mixed Modes feature is rolling out to customers in 30 countries in the next few weeks, and more countries will be added in the near future.
First-gen Chromecast still secure, but new features from Google are unlikely
Google's first-gen Chromecast is now 6 years old and it appears that it is beginning to near the end of its life. A report indicates that the HDMI streaming dongle will no longer be getting new versions of the Chrome browser that powers its feature set, though Google has committed to doing security updates for now.
Chinese search engine Baidu surpasses Google as 2nd-largest smart speaker vendor
Chinese company Baidu has jumped ahead of Google in terms of the number of smart speakers sold, according to a recent report from the research firm Canalys. Baidu has seen a year-on-year growth of 3,700% and continues to dominate the domestic smart speaker market in China.
Your Nest products will still work with Wink, but at the cost of new features
In previous months, Google had said Nest and Wink integrations would no longer work beyond August 31. They've since amended this declaration and will allow integrations to remain, but customers can't access new features like single-account control. Users will receive security updates, however.
Google Photos now lets you search for text in your images
Google Photos is getting a major update that allows users to essentially search for text in images. The update leverages Google Lens' OCR tech, and means that you could take photos of documents, and then copy that text to be used in other apps and services. The feature is now rolling out.
YouTube disables 210 channels spreading misinformation about Hong Kong protests
YouTube has disabled 210 accounts believed to be working in tandem to spread misinformation about the ongoing protests in Hong Kong, Google announced Thursday. The move comes days after Facebook and Twitter removed hundreds of accounts from their platforms that were focused on discrediting the protests.
Google to increase privacy online via its new Privacy Sandbox initiative
Google has announced a new initiative in which it will address online privacy concerns while also supporting the use of advertising by publishers to produce revenue. Referred to as a Privacy Sandbox, the initiative includes plans to block fingerprinting and develop new web standards.
Casio’s newest PRO TREK smartwatch finally adds heart rate monitoring
Casio just announced the PRO TREK WSD-F21HR, the company's first smartwatch with a heart rate monitor. The $500 Google WearOS watch has tools for tracking runs, cycles, and climbs via GPS, altimeter, and barometer measuring activity and outdoor conditions, as well as logging trails for future treks.
Google cuts the sugar out of Android with a simplified name and fresh logo
After 10 years of dessert-named operating system updates, Google is finally retiring the naming structure for Android OS. Android Q will now be known as Android 10, and next year's update will be Android 11, and so on. The Android logo is also getting a makeover after five years.
Gmail’s A.I. grammar and spell-checker will save you from embarrassing emails
Nothing is more embarrassing than sending an important email, only to realize that is had been littered with grammar errors. Well, Google is now out to help. The company announced that it's Gmail email service now sports smarter spell-check and automatic detection of grammar issues.
Google was sharing Android user location data with carriers worldwide
Google quietly ended a service providing cell carriers with location data from customers. The “Mobile Network Insight Service” gave data on connection speeds and integrity using a map showing data from Android users on any carrier. Data was aggregated and anonymous, and carrier names weren't disclosed.
1.5% of Chrome users’ passwords are known to be compromised, according to Google
1.5% of passwords used in Chrome are unsafe and have been released in data breaches, according to new information from Google. In February, the Chrome browser introduced a feature that checks whether users' passwords are secure. Now, Google has released eye-opening stats gathered from Password Checkup.
Best alternatives to Google’s preinstalled Android apps
Want to get away from Google's preinstalled Android apps? Usually, Google apps like Google Maps, Gmail, and so on, are central to the Android experience -- but they don't necessarily have to be. Here are the best alternatives to the preinstalled apps that come with your phone.
How to navigate with the AR mode in Google Maps to find your way
Got turned around? Not sure which direction to head? Google Maps now has an augmented reality (AR) mode that lets you use your phone's camera to find which way to go. It was initially exclusive to Google's Pixel phones first, but it's now available on other Android phones -- even iPhones.
Google’s fun AR walking directions are ready for your Android phone and iPhone
The augmented reality walking directions feature in Google Maps is about to be made available on more devices. Google has announced its Live View AR walking mode will come to Android phones that support ARCore, and iPhone models that support ARKit this week. Here's what you need to know, and which phones support it.
Google Images’ new side panel makes it a whole lot easier to use
Google Images has launched a new side panel for desktop that keeps a selected image in place when you scroll up and down. The new feature makes it much easier to compare other images when you're searching for a particular product, or looking for the best picture of a bear-like Chow-Chow.
5 questions we want answered at the Stadia Connect event at Gamescom
Google will be hosting another presentation for its upcoming game-streaming service Stadia on August 19 at Gamescom. These are the questions we want answered during the presentation, including info on cross-play, social features, and additional mobile platform support.
President Trump attacks Google and says he’s watching the company ‘very closely’
In a series of tweets on Tuesday morning, President Donald Trump claimed without evidence that Google has an anti-conservative bias and accused the company of trying to ensure he loses the 2020 presidential election. Trump said he would be "watching Google very closely."
Google to use recycled materials in all Made by Google products by 2022
Google wants to be a little more environmentally conscious. The company has announced that it will use recycled materials in all Made by Google products by 2022. In fact, the company has already started using recycled materials in products like the Chromecast and Google Home.
Apple contractors will no longer be able to listen to your Siri recordings
Last week, it was revealed that Apple uses human contractors to review Siri recordings, contractors that often end up hearing everything from drug deals to sexual encounters as a result. Now Apple says it has suspended the use of those contractors and is reviewing the program
Google wants to profit on search engine choice. The EU is keeping a close eye
As a part of the European Union's antitrust case against Google, which has cost the company more than $5 billion in fines, the company must provide alternative search and web browser options to Android users. The company is now accepting bids for the honor from competing search engines.