Showing posts with label Google. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Google. Show all posts

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Google : Porn Just Got More Difficult To Search For


For years, even the most innocent of Google searches might have pulled up a naughty picture or link. But thanks to a new tweak to Google's search algorithm that seems to have taken effect on Wednesday in the U.S., your Google inquiries are totally SFW -- unless you don't want them to be.
In other words: Google just made it harder to find porn.
Google changed the computer program that spits back links and images when you type in a search phrase, Casey Newton at CNET reports. While sexually explicit material is not completely blocked from the Internet's most popular search portal, users will find it only if they make their searches very specific.
"If you're looking for adult content, you can find it without having to change the default setting -- you just may need to be more explicit in your query if your search terms are potentially ambiguous," a Google rep told CNET.
Previously, a web search for something as simple as, say, a common term for "breast" would have yielded some links to pornographic sites in the very top results. No longer:
not porn
Unsurprisingly, the Reddit community was among the first to notice the change. Redditors experimented with amending words to the above search to finally get pornographic results. Here's what happens with a search for "boob porn":
porn
We'll tell you that the same thing happens with Google Image search. Whereas previously an image search for "boobs" gave pictures of women in various states of undress, now the results only show clothed women.
filter explicit results
Other tech blogs, including The Verge and The Next Web, note that Google's Safe Search feature, which lets users decide if they want searches to include explicit material or not, has been altered, too.
Before the filter on searches could be set "strict," moderate" or be completely turned off. That last option could give users porn results for even the most unoffending searches. But with the change Wednesday, there is now a box labeled "Filter explicit results," which you can click to check or uncheck. Even when left unchecked, images results after typing in "boobs" show no nudity.
If you believe this is censorship on Google's part (the company denies that charge), there are always other search engines you can use. It's just as easy as ever to search for porn on Bing, where its SafeSearch feature can still be turned entirely off. Or you could always try Search.xxx, a recently launched search engine that returns only porn results.

Credit : Huffington Post

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Google launches $249 Chromebook

2:46PM EDT October 18. 2012 - In the midst of its accidental earnings release, and the invitation sent out late Wednesday night to journalists announcing an Android-related press event in New York City on Oct. 29, Google is unleashing a new lower-priced Chromebook computer.
Chromebooks are cloud-based laptops that to date haven't exactly taken the computing market by storm. That could explain the attractive new $249 price, a big drop from the previous $449 entry price for a Wi-Fi only model.

The latest machine is less than 0.8 inches thick, has an 11.6-inch display (1366x768 resolution) that is a bit smaller than before, 2GB of memory, and SSD storage of 16GB. It weighs just over 2.4 pounds, which is lighter than its predecessor, and it houses a Samsung Exynos 5250 processor. Google is claiming more than 6.5 hours of battery life. It has a single USB 3.0 port, a single USB 2.0 port, a combo headphone/mic jack, secure digital memory slot, and an HDMI Port.
For all the specs, Chromebooks are marketed as hassle and virus-free machines that start up in seconds. Google says there are thousands of free apps available for Chromebook. Already preloaded: Search, Gmail, YouTube, and Hangouts. Google can and does regularly update the software.
As before, most everything you do is through Google's own Chrome Web browser and the cloud-based Chrome operating system it is based on. But that also means you're somewhat limited when you are offline.



Google faces another hurdle, the timing of the release. Microsoft is garnering a lot of attention for its upcoming Windows 8 software and the Microsoft-branded Surface tablet that takes advantage of the new operating system. Apple is widely expected to bring out a smaller iPad next week. And then there's Google's own upcoming Android event in which it is rumored to perhaps be unveiling new tablets and smartphones.

Credit : USA Today

Friday, June 1, 2012

Google Applies for More than 50 New Domains Including .LOL and .YouTube


Web Giant Spends Millions in Aim to Aquire .Google, .Docs and Many Others


Last month, Google told Ad Age that it was poised to go on a web-domain buying spree. Today, the company announced in a blog post some of the specific top-level domains it is applying for and the general categories they fall into.
Among the top-level domains (the part of a web address to the right of the dot) Google is applying for are ".google," ".docs,." ".youtube," and ".lol", the blog post said. The company applied for more than 50 top-level domains in total, according to a person close to the situation. Each application carries an $185,000 application fee.
The top-level-domain-application window closed yesterday, a month-and-a-half after the original close date -- ICANN shut down the process for several weeks following an acknowledgement that certain applicants might have been able to see the file names of other applicants' applications. It was another blow to ICANN's credibility, whose process for the rollout of new internet infrastructure has been attacked by trade associations, including the Association of National Advertisers.
ICANN said it received more than 1,900 applications, which would bring in an estimated $350 million in application fees. In its blog post, Google lumps .YouTube into a category of domains meant to "improve user experience."
As for .YouTube, the post says the domain "can increase the ease with which YouTube channels and genres can be identified." Improving content discovery on YouTube is more important than ever for Google considering the millions of dollars YouTube is pouring into original programming.
The example Google gave of domains it is seeking related to its core business was".docs," while ".google" was an example of trademark-related domains. On the other hand, ".lol" is part of a bundle of domain applications that Google thinks "have interesting and creative potential."
A Google spokesperson declined to provide more details on how the four domains would be used or which other top-level domains Google applied for.
ICANN says it will unveil all of the applications June 13. It's not clear when these domains will hit the web. A batch of 500 applications will be looked at first, and it's possible some of those accepted domains could start rolling out next year. 

Credit : Huffington Post

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Rides : Nevada Offers First License for Google Self-Driving Car

Nevada Offers First License for Google Self-Driving Car

Monday, May 7th, Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles approved the nation’s first autonomous vehicle license.
This means that Google’s self-driving cars will be soon seen on the roads of Nevada, a move which came after officials tested the self-driving cars on the highways, in Carson City neighborhoods and on the famous Las Vegas Strip. Last year Nevada was the first in the U.S. to authorize self-driven cars for the state’s roads. A law which went into effect on March 1st this year.
Google’s self-driven cars feature radar sensors, video cameras, lasers and a database of information gathered from cars driven manually. The DMV licensed model is a Toyota Prius which Google modified adding its driver-less technology, which was developed by Stanford professor and Google Vice President Sebastian Thrun. Nevada also takes into consideration to license self-driven vehicle owned by the members of the public. Other states are considering the possibility of approving autonomous cars, among which Google’s home state of California.
“The vast majority of vehicle accidents are due to human error. Through the use of computers, sensors and other systems, an autonomous vehicle is capable of analyzing the driving environment more quickly and operating the vehicle more safely,” California state Senator Alex Padilla said in March when he introduced that state’s autonomous car legislation.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Google Rolls Out New Gmail to All Users




Google has shown quite a bit of its planned revamp for Gmail, but today it is official. Up until now, users could take the new design for a test drive, enabling certain themes in their account settings. Google today announced that a new 'Switch to the new look' button is now available to all users. The search giant also posted a video detailing some of the new features with Gmail's redesign, which some people may have seen when it was accidentally posted last month.
The new Gmail includes streamlined conversations (with profile pictures for contacts); elastic density, which means the spacing between elements on the screen will automatically change based on the kind of display you’re using; new HD themes; improved navigation, including the ability to resize the chat and label areas to your liking; and improved search.
The unveiling of the Gmail redesign comes shortly after Google launched a redesign for Google Reader, which now offers G+ integration. Though changing to the new Gmail is optional for now, we imagine there will come a time when everyone will be switched over with no option of going back. Google has mentioned when (or even if) this might happen, but that tends to be the status quo for redesigns.
You should see a button to switch to the new design on the bottom right of Gmail.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Tech : Google launches Person Finder app following earthquake in Turkey

In the wake of yesterday's devastating earthquake in Turkey, Google has launched a specialized Person Finder to help victims find missing loved ones. First developed in response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Google's Person Finder has since been deployed to several other natural disaster zones, including post-tsunami Japan earlier this year. The idea behind the company's Turkish initiative remains as straightforward as ever: users can enter information on the person they're looking for, or add any details they may have on people who aren't already accounted for. Of course, all submitted records remain available for public search and viewing.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Tech : Confronting Google Search : Racism


Google is the biggest search engine since Alta Vista, probably.  It’s always there to answer your questions.  Maybe not accurately, but  it tries.  And, for the last while, it’s also tried its hand at asking your question before you do as well.  Basically, Google recognizes what you’re typing in and, based on the most common searches using the same words, it offers some suggestions for you.  These suggestions are almost always either borderline insane or offensive.  But they can also be informative, as in the case of modern race relations.  How far has the civil rights movement taken us, anyway?  How much of a divide is there across races?  To the search engine, where we will confront these questions head on and, in the interests of advancing racial harmony, answer them!

 
White people, why do you wear shoes in the house?  This is obviously a cause for concern for people of all races and, frankly, I think it transcends race.  No one should wear shoes in the house.  It’s not proper.  But, for those curious, we asked our resident expert on whiteness (our intern) why white people wear shoes in the house.  The answer, of course, was because an unshod white foot will quickly pick up dirt and debris, marring its porcelain-like veneer and, if caught at an improper angle by one’s social betters or equals, could be mistaken for the dusky foot of a Mulatto.
 
Oh God.  It’s so racist.  Oh man.  OK, we’re trying to keep this open and non-judgmental.  We’re trying to be helpful.  So let’s take this one step at a time.
  1. Everyone loves Red Lobster.  It’s delicious seafood at a reasonable price and anyone who offers you endless shrimp has to be pretty decent.
  2. This is an optical illusion, probably a trick your mind has played on you after noticing how much you want to kiss Kanye West.
  3. Black people say axe when a hatchet just won’t do.

 
Oh, this isn’t much better at all. But hey, kudos to the ignorant for heading to Google in an effort to better understand the world around them, or whatever.  On to the answers and racial harmony!
  1. Asia is a massive continent and includes such countries as Myanmar, Armenia, India, Russia, Syria, Japan, Turkmenistan and Yemen.  All of these people will likely squint when looking at the sun however, in their natural state, they have many different shaped eyes.  Some even have eye patches! Ahoy, Thai pirates!
  2. Have you perhaps confused Asians with Mexican wrestlers?  This is a common mistake.
  3. Ironically, for the same reason Australian’s love it.

Do you feel the racial harmony yet?  It’s like a sunny day in Arizona up in here.  If you have questions about our Latino friends, we can offer some insight.  Insight into your terrible, terrible questions.
  1. Are you sure all Latino men cheat?  Isn’t it more likely that your friend earned all those hotels fair and square and landed on Boardwalk thanks to a lucky roll of the dice and nothing more?
  2. Great thespians such as Benjamin Bratt, Jimmy Smits and Javier Bardem have all played dark roles but don’t be so quick to typecast them. They can all play fun and light characters, too!
  3. Many scholars believe life originated in the Fertile Crescent which, of course, is in Asia.  Isn’t that interesting?
  4. It’s the land of opportunity!
 
I don’t want to get bogged down in stuff that I feel may not be serious.  We all know white people eat mayonnaise.  They also like mayonnaise and they are likely to eat mayonnaise for dinner. However, as we can see, the questions do get more in depth towards the end there with the question regarding what white people smell like.  The answer to that question (tell me if you saw this coming) is power.  Which, interestingly, smells like mayo.
 
Thanks for being so inquisitive, guys.  It’s cool that your questions make me nervous about walking down the street alone and whatnot, and I’d shut my laptop if anyone walked in the room, but that’s cool.  Knowledge isn’t always pretty.  So maybe these questions are a little more horrible than the last round, but that’s OK.  The Klan is online now and they’re a curious, if semi-literate, rabble.  Let’s help them out.
  1. What?
  2. Black people, over many years of trial and error, have developed a system whereby they wash their hair when they shower.
  3. When they wash their hair.  Unless you mean what time of day, in which case you should ask black people on a case by case basis to get an answer.  I like to think most will say in the morning or before bed.
 
Rice was first cultivated in the Yangtze River valley in China.  For a few hundred years, it could only be eaten at special occasions and celebrations.  Then, as cultivation expanded, it became more common and affordable and was enjoyed all the time.  When Marco Polo famously made his trip to the far East he was the first non-Asian permitted to enjoy rice, but he could only eat it under full sun to prove he was not a demon.  After trade routes had been set up with China, this tradition was upheld for a few years until it was discovered demons could eat rice in just about any kind of lighting.  But back to the point, Asians eat rice whenever they like.
 
Sometimes we forget that even white people, historically the holders of all the power, are just as confusing and different to other races as other races are to them.  Poor white people!  But poor you if you don’t understand them, either.  So let’s help with a couple of questions that clearly need answering.
  1. After lunch but before bed.
  2. Same, but generally on Thanksgiving Day.  White people opted to celebrate it on the same day as everyone else back in 1951.
 
Let’s end things on a bit of an existential note, because really, does the essence of a person have a color?  Not to invoke any religious aspect, but for lack of a better word, is your soul black or white?  And, as someone took the time do ask, where do black people go when they die?  For just under $8,000, they can become a 0.5 carat diamond thanks to the good people at LifeGem.  Of course, white people can do that, too.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Rides : Google exec praises "magical software" working in his Mercedes-Benz

vic gundotra mercedes-benz s63 amg



Mercedes-Benz would love for you to consider its technology akin to magical software. When Google senior vice president Vic Gundotra is the one using those words, however, they might hold a bit more weight. The executive for Skynet Google feels that way because of a close-call he had while driving his S-Class.

Traffic had stopped in front of him, but Gundotra didn't notice. His Mercedes did, however, and the electronic nannies brought the car to a complete stop without a lick of input from Vic. He was so impressed with the technology that he decided to write the automaker a letter to thank them for installing the system into its cars.

That thank you comes from a source that understands software, so Mercedes decided to reach out to Gundotra. The Google exec agreed to appear in a commercial for Benz, and he wasn't paid for his participation.
 

Monday, August 15, 2011

Cell Phones : Google acquiring Motorola Mobility

Google acquiring Motorola Mobility
Happy Monday to you, and happy Monday to Motorola Mobility, which Google has announced is about to become its next acquisition. This comes hot on the heels of a $56 million Q2 net loss for Moto -- and CEO Sanjay Jha's less than subtle hints about going fishing for Android-related patent royalties. Now, at a price of $40 per share for a total of about $12.5 billion, Big G will be making Moto a "dedicated Android partner" to "supercharge the Android ecosystem" and "enhance competition in mobile computing."

Larry Page had this to say about the deal:
Motorola Mobility's total commitment to Android has created a natural fit for our two companies. Together, we will create amazing user experiences that supercharge the entire Android ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, partners and developers. I look forward to welcoming Motorolans to our family of Googlers.
What happens next? While this will of course strengthen the ties between hardware and software, Google is pledging to continue offering Android as an open platform -- Moto will license it and others will be able to as ever. Additionally, Google will continue to operate its new toy as a separate business and not morph it into an in-house hardware wing. But, one has to wonder what this means for companies like Samsung, which partnered closely with Google on the Nexus S, and of course HTC, which released the Nexus One and the iconic G1. And then there's the big question: just where does Moto Blur fit into this equation?

Update: More quotes from Android partners after the break.

Peter Chou, CEO, HTC:
We welcome the news of today's acquisition, which demonstrates that Google is deeply committed to defending Android, its partners, and the entire ecosystem.
Bert Nordberg, President & CEO, Sony Ericsson:
I welcome Google's commitment to defending Android and its partners.
Jong-Seok Park, President & CEO, LG:
We welcome Google's commitment to defending Android and its partners.
Press Release

Google to Acquire Motorola Mobility

Combination will Supercharge Android, Enhance Competition, and Offer Wonderful User Experiences


MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. & LIBERTYVILLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) and Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Google will acquire Motorola Mobility for $40.00 per share in cash, or a total of about $12.5 billion, a premium of 63% to the closing price of Motorola Mobility shares on Friday, August 12, 2011. The transaction was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies.

"Motorola Mobility's total commitment to Android has created a natural fit for our two companies. Together, we will create amazing user experiences that supercharge the entire Android ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, partners and developers. I look forward to welcoming Motorolans to our family of Googlers."
The acquisition of Motorola Mobility, a dedicated Android partner, will enable Google to supercharge the Android ecosystem and will enhance competition in mobile computing. Motorola Mobility will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open. Google will run Motorola Mobility as a separate business.

Larry Page, CEO of Google, said, "Motorola Mobility's total commitment to Android has created a natural fit for our two companies. Together, we will create amazing user experiences that supercharge the entire Android ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, partners and developers. I look forward to welcoming Motorolans to our family of Googlers."

Sanjay Jha, CEO of Motorola Mobility, said, "This transaction offers significant value for Motorola Mobility's stockholders and provides compelling new opportunities for our employees, customers, and partners around the world. We have shared a productive partnership with Google to advance the Android platform, and now through this combination we will be able to do even more to innovate and deliver outstanding mobility solutions across our mobile devices and home businesses."

Andy Rubin, Senior Vice President of Mobile at Google, said, "We expect that this combination will enable us to break new ground for the Android ecosystem. However, our vision for Android is unchanged and Google remains firmly committed to Android as an open platform and a vibrant open source community. We will continue to work with all of our valued Android partners to develop and distribute innovative Android-powered devices."

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals in the US, the European Union and other jurisdictions, and the approval of Motorola Mobility's stockholders. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2011 or early 2012.

Webcast Information

Google and Motorola Mobility will hold a conference call with financial analysts to discuss this announcement today at 8:30am ET. The toll-free dial-in number for the call is 877-616-4476 (conference ID: 92149124). The call will also be webcast live at http://investor.shareholder.com/media/eventdetail.cfm?eventid=101369&CompanyID=ABEA-3VZHGF&e=1&mediaKey=A21887C59EBAAC12F1BCF4D43C080953. The webcast version of the conference call will be available through the same link following the conference call.

About Google Inc.

Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.

About Motorola Mobility

Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people's lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as Google, Motorola or management of either company "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "foresees," "forecasts," "estimates" or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements herein that describe the proposed transaction, including its financial impact, and other statements of management's beliefs, intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements. It is uncertain whether any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what impact they will have on the results of operations and financial condition of the combined companies or the price of Google or Motorola stock. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the ability of the parties to consummate the proposed transaction and the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to consummation of the proposed transaction, including the ability to secure regulatory approvals at all or in a timely manner; the ability of Google to successfully integrate Motorola's operations, product lines and technology; the ability of Google to implement its plans, forecasts and other expectations with respect to Motorola's business after the completion of the transaction and realize additional opportunities for growth and innovation; and the other risks and important factors contained and identified in Google's and Motorola's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), such as their respective Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Neither Google nor Motorola undertakes any obligation to update the forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

Motorola intends to file with the SEC a proxy statement in connection with the proposed transaction with Google. The definitive proxy statement will be sent or given to the stockholders of Motorola and will contain important information about the proposed transaction and related matters. SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT CAREFULLY WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. The proxy statement and other relevant materials (when they become available), and any other documents filed by Motorola with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's website, at www.sec.gov. In addition, security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement from Motorola by contacting Investor Relations by mail at Attn: Investor Relations, 600 North U.S. Highway 45, Libertyville, IL 60048.

Participants in the Solicitation

Motorola and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Motorola stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about Motorola's directors and executive officers is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 15, 2011, and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed on February 18, 2011. These documents are available free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and by mail at Attention: Investor Relations, 600 North U.S. Highway 45, Libertyville, IL 60048, or by going to Motorola's Investor Relations page on its corporate website at http://investors.motorola.com. Additional information regarding the interests of participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the transaction will be included in the proxy statement that Motorola intends to file with the SEC.


Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Tech : Google I/O Galaxy Tabs get Google Movies update, VIP treatment

 
Lucky enough to snag one of those coveted white Galaxy Tab 10.1s from Google I/O? If so, tablet life is about to get a little bit sweeter. Google Movies is now an update away, making video rentals from The Goog mere moments from reality on your slate. Don't get your hopes up though... this isn't an update to Android 3.2, nor is it the TouchWiz UX update that will be rolling out at a NYC event later this week. Keep in mind these Google-fied Galaxy Tabs are Wifi-only devices, which typically receive updates like this far later than their 3G brethren -- making this download a bit peculiar. Regardless of its irregularity, those with the limited edition tablet can now catch up on all those Harry Potter flicks on the go, before their jealous pals with the standard model can.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

FTC to Serve Google With Subpoenas in Broad Antitrust Probe

WASHINGTON—The Federal Trade Commission is poised to serve Google Inc. with civil subpoenas, according to people familiar with the matter, signaling the start of a wide-ranging, formal investigation into whether the Internet-search giant has abused its dominance on the Web.
The agency's five-member panel of commissioners is preparing to send its formal demands for information to Google within days, these people said. They said other companies are likely to receive official requests for information about their dealings with Google at a later stage.
Representatives for Google and the FTC declined to comment.

From Google's perspective, the FTC's unfolding antitrust probe is the most serious to date in the U.S., though it won't necessarily lead to any federal allegations of wrongdoing against the company.
Although Google has faced several antitrust probes in recent years, the inquiries, at least in the U.S., have largely been limited to reviews of the company's mergers and acquisitions. The U.S. Justice Department currently is conducting an antitrust review of Google's recent purchase of Internet-advertising company Admeld Inc. for around $400 million, said people familiar with the probe.

The new inquiry, by contrast, will examine fundamental issues relating to Google's core search-advertising business, said people familiar with the matter. The business is the source of most of Google's revenue. The issues include whether Google—which accounts for around two-thirds of Internet searches in the U.S. and more abroad—unfairly channels users to its own growing network of services at the expense of rival providers.

In November, the European Commission, the European Union's executive arm, opened its own formal investigation into allegations by several companies that Google had violated European competition laws. Google denies the allegations.

Many policy watchers think an FTC probe of Google could ultimately be as much of a watershed for antitrust policy as the Justice Department's landmark lawsuit against Microsoft Corp. in the 1990s. The company narrowly managed to survive being broken up, but industry and legal experts credit the suit with checking the company's ability to use its dominance in personal-computer operating systems to control other technology sectors.

Still, Google wouldn't be an easy target for the FTC. Under U.S. antitrust law, it isn't illegal to have a monopoly—only to abuse it. And courts have significantly narrowed the scope of antitrust law in recent years, further raising the bar for the FTC to bring a successful case.

Some companies complain about the way that Google ranks its own services in its "natural" search results or the amount it charges them for placing ads, contending that its market power gives it the ability to determine whether businesses succeed or fail. Foundem.co.uk, one of the companies whose complaints triggered the European probe, claims that Google demoted Foundem's comparative shopping services in its listings and gave premium placement to Google's own product-search results instead.


In the U.S., Google has sparked complaints from travel services like Expedia Inc. and TripAdvisor LLC, local listings services like Yelp, as well as Google's perennial rival, Microsoft. Many of them say Google promotes links to its own websites, starving their sites of vital traffic.
Still other companies contend that Google is abusing its dominance in search advertising to extend its control to other markets, from mobile telephones to online television, publishing and airline travel.
Google has long denied acting in an anticompetitive manner, saying that users can easily navigate to other choices on the Web. Many of the antitrust inquiries, Google says, are sparked by companies that fear their business models will be upended by its entry into their market.

"Given our success and the disruptive nature of our business, it's entirely understandable that we've caused unease among other companies and caught the attention of regulators," wrote two Google executives in a company blog post after the official European probe was launched in November.
Google handles some two-thirds of all U.S. Web searches, according to comScore Inc. In much of Europe, its market share is above 80%.

The FTC's preparations to subpoena Google are the first concrete signal that its commissioners have decided there is enough evidence to move forward with a formal investigation. The FTC's probe is expected to take a year or more to unfold. Though the outcome is uncertain, the agency fought hard with the Justice Department to handle the case, said people familiar with the investigation, and so is thought to be unlikely to walk away without taking any action. The FTC and Justice Department share responsibility for enforcing federal antitrust laws.

The FTC has been making informal inquiries about Google's business practices for several months, the people said. They said Google lawyers have met with FTC officials several times to explain various aspects of their business.

Some technology companies said privately that they have been contacted by the FTC in recent months, as it decided whether to open an investigation.


Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Tech : Google announces Search by Image and Voice Search for desktop, revamped mobile search

Google's done a ton of talking about search at its Inside Search event today, and two of the biggest new developments are on the desktop. It's just announced that Android-style Voice Search is headed to Chrome (with support for English only, initially), and that it will be joined by a new Search by Image feature (also available in Chrome, or Firefox with an extension). To use that latter feature, you simply drag and drop an image or cut and paste an image URL in the search box, and then Google tries its best to recognize it and deliver relevant results -- including identifying the location in an old vacation photo, for instance (though Google notes it isn't doing face recognition). Both features will be rolling out over the next few days.
In other news, Google's announced Instant Pages (also demoed after the break), which promises to speed up browsing by prerendering results when its "confident you're going to click them." It's available in the latest developer version of Chrome today, and will also be included in the next public beta. Lastly, Google took the wraps off a number of revisions to its mobile search offerings, including a new set of icons and enhanced local features when browsing on a phone, as well as some revamped search and image results that have been specifically tailored to tablets -- all of which are also rolling out today.
 
 

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Tech : Google adds Netflix and Hulu support, offline Gmail, Calendar and Docs to Chrome OS 'this summer'

Google's currently in the process of detailing Chrome OS' latest improvements and there are a couple of big 'uns: Netflix and Hulu support right out of the box for the pair of new Chromebooks, one from Samsung and one Acer. An improved file manager has also been added to the upcoming version of Chrome OS, plus offline versions of Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Docs -- all will be available for Chromebook users this summer.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Tech : Fossil Meta Watch wrists-on at Google I/O

Today at Google I/O we got a chance to play with Meta Watch, Fossil's wearable development platform, which allows developers to extend the interfaces of devices and applications to the wrist. Both watches -- one analog / digital with traditional dial plus two small OLED displays, the other digital with a larger memory-in-pixel LCD (a highly reflective, always-on, ultra low-power screen) -- feature Bluetooth for communication, along with a vibration motor, three-axis accelerometer, and ambient light sensor. The devices are built around Texas Instrument's super efficient MSP430TM microcontroller and CC2560 Bluetooth radio and will run seven days on a charge. A set of contacts in the back allow the watches to interface with a debugging clip for charging and JTAG programming. The hardware is paired with an SDK which allows a tablet or smartphone running Android to register button presses and receive sensor data from the watches, and then respond by sending text or triggering the vibration motor. It's also possible to develop custom embedded wearable applications running directly on your wrist, and it'll be up to developers to truly unleash the magical possibilities here.

Speaking of developers, the Meta Watch is currently available to pre-order for $199 (see our source link), with availability pegged for June 30th. Based on what we heard today at Google I/O, the watch is being hawked to devs only, but it's obvious that DIY-minded consumers could buy one as well. For now, just two of the models shown here will be sold, but there's no telling what'll happen once the platform has enough of a backbone to support an influx of consumer buying. The company's not handing out a timeframe as to when it'll be ready for the mass market, but we'd be shocked if it's still floundering around this time next year. Interested in having an early peek? Take a look at our gallery below and our hands-on video after the break.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Tech : Apple brand valued at $153 billion, scoots ahead of Google for first place

What is the world's most valuable consumer-facing brand? If you'd asked the guys behind the BrandZ survey at any point over the last four years, they'd have told you "Google," but in 2011 their answer has changed. Apple is now the hottest property in terms of consumer goodwill, earning an estimated valuation of $153.3 billion and leading a pack that includes the likes of Coca-Cola, BMW, HSBC, and Disney. The tech sector had a very strong year as a whole, with Facebook's brand improving in value by a staggering 246 percent (to $19.1b) and Amazon becoming the world's most valuable retailer (at $37.6b) in spite of having no actual stores. Sadly, there were some downers too, as Nintendo lost 37 percent of its brand worth over the past year, Nokia dropped by 28 percent, and the BlackBerry marque was considered 20 percent less awesome than before.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Social Network : Facebook, Google rumored to be vying for Skype deal

Like two knights jostling for the hand of a fair maiden, both Facebook and Google appear to be courting the graces of Skype. A source close to Facebook recently told Reuters that CEO Mark Zuckerberg is thinking about buying Skype outright, as part of a deal that could be worth $3 to $4 billion. A second source, meanwhile, claimed that both Facebook and Google are more interested in forming a joint venture with the teleconferencing company, which has yet to issue an IPO. With discussions still in a nascent stage, both suitors are playing their cards close to their chests, while Skype, rather coyly, has declined to comment on the speculation. At this point, details are still hazy and rumor-infused, though it's certainly not shocking to hear these kinds of murmurs buzzing around. Skype's been integrating Facebook more deeply into its software for a while now and has gradually branched out to Android, as well (albeit with mixed results). Both Facebook and Google would also stand to benefit from Skype's millions of users and all the targeted advertising potential they'd offer. Until we receive more substantiated reports, however, all discussions of possible unions remain restricted to the realm of conjecture.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Tech : Google adding touchscreen-friendly tweaks to Chrome OS, still has tablets on its mind

When a tablet version of Chrome OS was teased back in February of last year, we found it a legitimately exciting proposition. Now that we have Android's Honeycomb iteration designed specifically for slates, however, we're having to wonder just why Google's still chasing that keyboard-less dream with its web-centric OS. CNET has been doing some snooping in and around the latest iterations of Chrome OS, where it's discovered numerous pieces of circumstantial evidence, such as a new onscreen keyboard, suggesting tablets are still very much on the menu. Chrome OS kicked off life on the development device known as Cr-48 and will resume availability this summer courtesy of Acer and Samsung, though we'd kind of assumed it would stick to notebooks now that Android's making a sincere effort on devices bigger than an EVO. Mountain View has responded to CNET's queries with a pretty inconclusive statement, saying only that "We are engaging in early open-source work for the tablet form factor, but we have nothing new to announce at this time."


Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Tech : Google Search app for iPhone introduces new side-swipe toolbar and other UI tweaks

What you once knew as the Google Mobile App has been rechristened the Google Search app, signifying a renewed focus for Google's primary iOS application. Having formerly served as a multifunctional access point to all of Google's varied web apps, the new software is now geared to serve search needs first, with its other offerings relegated to a secondary "Apps" menu. There's also the addition of a new toolbar, accessible by swiping left to right, and improved fast-app switching support. The ever-present bug fixes and a few more user interface tweaks complete the list of changes. To get your download on, you may exploit either the source link below or the QR code above.
 

Monday, March 14, 2011

Tech : Social Network - Google reportedly to unveil new social network called Circles, likely to launch in May

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Despite reports to the contrary, Google will not launch a new social networking platform called Google Circles at SXSW today, further suggesting that the search giant will launch what we have previously referred to as Google Me in May.
A report by ReadWriteWeb suggested that Google Circles will offer photo, video and message sharing, with the service sharing content with only the “most appropriate of social contacts in their lives, not with all contacts in bulk”. It was thought that it could be unveiled at an event this evening, not necessarily signalling a major public launch but indicating that the product was due to be released.
O’Reilly Media founder Tim O’Reilly seemed to confirm the existence of Google’s new social platform, posting a  tweet that stated:
“I’ve seen google circles, and it looks awesome. Tip of the iceberg too.”
The evidence seemed to be mounting – implying a SXSW launch was imminent – until it was put to a end by AllThingsD, which contacted Google for clarification on the matter. A Google representative told staff writer Liz Gannes that “no such service is launching at SXSW today”, neither confirming or denying whether Google Circles was in development.
On Friday we received word that Google was to launch a new social network from Google I/O in May at the company’s annual developer event. With a March roll-out highly unlikely, it suggests that our sources were correct and Google Me/Google Circles will indeed launch in the coming months.
Now that more information has become available, Google will find it difficult to contain its plans for the new service. Analysts will speculate whether Google Circles can take on Facebook whilst others dig deep to find references to the service on various Google portals.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Tech : Google makes rich richer, poor poorer in search results


If you've been paying attention to the state of search as of late, you'll know that Google's between a proverbial rock and hard place right now. Some individuals and companies claim Mountain View's beloved search engine is losing to the spammers, squatters, scrapers and content farms by failing to weed them from the system -- though you can now do that on your own -- while others say it's squashing the little guy by unfairly downranking competitors in search results. We're not sure if either is truly the case, the company's made a mildly controversial move this week: it's tweaked the search algorithms to "reduce rankings for low-quality sites," and "provide better rankings for high-quality" ones. As ever, Mountain View's not talking about what that change mathematically entails, though it says about 11.8 percent of queries will be affected as a result. In short: some will be happy, some sad, some angry, and many won't notice at all.