Chrome’s ‘OK Google’ voice search rolls out to all
If you wanted to enjoy hands-free Google searching from your desktop, your only option was to install an extension or become an early tester. The downside was that you’d have to accept some additional bugs might come your way. No more — Google has rolled out a Chrome update that integrates the company’s now iconic “OK Google” command directly into the latest version of its browser and in Chrome OS. As long as you’re based in the US or have Chrome set to US English, any time you visit the Google homepage or open a new tab, you can quickly say (or loudly shout, the choice is yours) “OK Google” to perform a search, ask a question or schedule a reminder. As long as you fulfil the geographic requirements (or are happy to tinker with Chrome’s language settings), you should be able to test those voice commands seconds after you update.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Google
Source: Google Chrome (Google+)
DARPA flaunts wearable display with Oculus-like head-tracking
DARPA has long sought a heads-up display to give soldiers situational awareness without distracting them, and it looks like technology has finally caught up to that ambition. It recently unveiled a new ULTRA-Vis prototype at its DARPA Demo Days, saying the breakthrough was a “holographic wave guide” display. Similar to how the Oculus Rift headset works (but not in 3D), it’ll project color images locked to the terrain — even if you move your head — thanks to motion-sensing and GPS systems. For instance, targeting icons will stay fixed on enemy or friendly positions, even tracking targets behind GIs with a 360-degree ring-like display. It’ll also allow soldiers to communicate with each other, their base camp or air support, and play drone video in the display. Like similar projects, the prototype is far from battle-ready, but will function as a test-bed for all of DARPA’s wild ideas until the final design is complete.
[Image credit: Breaking Defense]
Filed under: Wearables
Via: Breaking Defense
Source: DARPA
Yelp will soon let you add video to your reviews
Yelp is about to let you to catch the vibe of your favorite eateries with video as well as pictures, according to Business Insider. Provided that you’re an elite user, you’ll be able to upload 3-12 second clips as early as June, and all users will be able to see such videos next month on the iOS and Android apps too. Yelp said that’ll help reviewers convey the ambiance of or a hangout in a way that regular photos can’t (or emote about it, as in the video below). It’ll also give intrepid food shooters another creative outlet that won’t clog up their friends’ and family’s Instagram feeds.
[Image credit: Business Insider]
Source: Business Insider
Google+ Gets a UI Overhaul! Gmail Updates to 4.8! – App Updates
Happy hump day to you all. Time to see what important apps got an update this past week. Google+ sees a major update that changes the UI for the better. Gmail got a nice little update as weel, so if you don’t have those updates yet, get them on your device by clicking the links below.
Gmail Update
Box update
Google+ update
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LG Shows Us the Circle Case for the LG G3 [Video]
Seems that when an OEM puts out a new flagship, a new kind of flip case comes along with it. LG is about to unveil to us the LG G3 on the 27th, and today, they posted a video showing off their new Circle Case for the LG G3. It is a pretty fancy little flip case, and I think it fits the G3 pretty well. I still think HTC wins the flip case battle with their case they launched with the HTC One M8, but I am digging this one too.
You can perform all sorts of functions when the flip case is close, like play music, view notifications, and take photos. So check out the new video below and let us know what you think about it.
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Engadget Daily: Ads on your thermostat, eBay’s password breach and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours – all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Google ads could be coming to thermostats, refrigerators and car dashboards
A Google filing with the SEC hinted that it’s considered displaying ads on a variety of devices that include “refrigerators, car dashboards, thermostats, glasses, and watches.” The company has since commented on the issue, saying that, “Nest, which we acquired after this filing was made, does not have an ads-based model and has never had any such plans.”
eBay asks all users to change their passwords following cyberattack
eBay looks like it’s the latest company to suffer a security breach after it alerted users that an attack had “compromised a database containing encrypted passwords and other non-financial data.” Change those passwords, stat!
Oculus VR and Palmer Luckey being sued by CTO’s former employer
Zenimax Media, owner of id Software, is suing Oculus VR co-founder Palmer Luckey, alleging that Luckey and Oculus VR stole and misappropriated trade secrets related to virtual reality technology. Oculus VR responded and said this lawsuit has no merit.
Old console, new tricks: Getting the most out of your Xbox 360
If you’re still holding on to your Xbox 360 but feel like it’s getting a bit long in the tooth, don’t fear! Engadget’s own Richard Lawler has a few tips that will ensure you’re getting the most out of your favorite game console.
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LG’s ‘QuickCircle’ G3 case opens a window into your phone
LG hasn’t officially revealed the G3 yet, but its new QuickCircle case gives you a pretty good idea of what the device can do. The QuickCircle, which the South Korean company just announced, features a circular cutout in front so you can access the UI’s lock screen, take pictures, listen to music and even make calls even if you don’t open up the case. It has other things going for it other than its tiny window, as well, such as Qi wireless charging standard compatibility and a Smart Lighting feature that emits a soft glow within the cutout whenever you get a call or a message. Next month, LG’s also releasing an SDK for the case, and if you’re lucky, someone out there has a brilliant idea just waiting to be made.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, LG
Source: LG
Report: Google targeting businesses with subsidized WiFi routers
Google is readying a plan to provide heavily subsidized, commercial grade WiFi routers and equipment to businesses, according to The Information. The idea is to give companies like doctor’s offices and restaurants easy internet access while letting Google mine the data for targeted ads. Insiders say that would also allow such businesses to set up a website and even learn about customers buying habits. That lines up nicely with other rumors about Mountain View’s WiFi plans in Google Fiber cities and public spaces like Starbucks. There’s even talk of an app to let you manage your myriad WiFi connections — so we wouldn’t be surprised to see Google’s master plan soon.
Filed under: Wireless, Internet, Google
Via: Reuters
Source: The Information (subscription)
New Segway Patroller gives mall cops a third wheel
When you think of a Segway, usually a self-balancing, slightly dorky two-wheeled contraption comes to mind, right? Well, forget all that. The company has just committed heresy by launching the SE-3 Patroller, a three-wheeled, front-steering model. It’s targeted exclusively at law-enforcement officers, meter enforcement types and, ahem, security personnel — which make up the company’s most lucrative market by far. It’s highly visible in order to deter crime with headlights, brake lights, sirens, emergency lights and a rather non-functional-looking (but adorable) visor. It also packs rider detection to shut the vehicle off when not occupied and a 4.3-inch data screen. All of that comes in at $12,000 for a vehicle you can’t even sit down on — unlike arch-competitor T3 Motion’s model. Still, there’s very little chance cops’ll tip the thing over, a common Segway blunder that doesn’t exactly shock and awe the bad guys.
Filed under: Transportation
Via: CNET
Source: Segway
Apple Planning Expansion to Seven-Building Sunnyvale Campus
Apple has agreed to lease a new seven-building campus in Sunnyvale, CA, where it could move up to 1,450 employees, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
Image via San Jose Mercury News
In the most recent expansion, Apple intends to occupy a 290,000-square-foot office complex known as Sunnyvale Crossing that is near the corner of Central Expressway and North Wolfe Road. Menlo Park-based Lane Partners bought the complex and then proceeded with a renovation to transform the decades-old buildings into a state-of-the-art office center.
According to city records, Apple is currently only listed as a tenant in one of the buildings, but plans to occupy the six other buildings as well. Additionally, building permit applications have been filed for all seven of the buildings for “interior improvements”, though those must be approved by Sunnyvale’s city planning commission.
The new Sunnyvale campus is yet another part of Apple’s plan for expansion, alongside a new two-building Santa Clara campus that would hold 1,200 employees and Apple’s already iconic Spaceship Campus, which will hold around 14,000 employees and is currently under construction.
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