Google eliminating Google+ signup requirement from YouTube, other services to follow
Over the past few months Google has been consistently dialing back its Google+ integration into many of its other services. It all began with the announcement of the new Google Photos app, where the company would no longer require users to use Google+ to back up their photos and videos. Now these steps are becoming more apparent, as the company announced its next move to take Google+ integration out of more services.
In a blog post earlier today, Google explained that in the next few weeks, you will no longer need a Google+ account to comment, upload or create your own channel on YouTube. You’ll still need a Google account to access these features, though we’re sure most users will welcome this change to the video-sharing service. This change also means that comments you make on YouTube will show up on YouTube alone, not on Google+ like they do currently. This change starts rolling out today, while the removal of the Google+ requirement won’t go live for a few weeks.
In addition to these changes, the YouTube team also says it’s working hard to reduce the number of spam comments on its videos. The rate of dislikes on comments has already dropped by more than 35% across YouTube.
Google notes that YouTube is just the first of its services to receive this change – more will follow in the coming months. How do you feel about the big change? We know many users were upset when the company first rolled out this requirement, but we’d still like to know your thoughts in the comments below.
Apple, Google join White House pledge to fight climate change
Some of the US’ bigger tech firms have already made conspicuous efforts to embrace clean energy and otherwise tackle climate change, but they’re reinforcing that commitment today. Apple, Google and Microsoft are among the 13 corporate giants helping the White House launch the American Business Act on Climate Pledge, which encourages companies to cut pollution and use sustainable resources. The tech industry members aren’t really changing course (they’re already using or moving to 100 percent energy, for example). However, they’re definitely showing how their bread is buttered — they’re “setting an example” for others, and pushing for good results from the climate negotiations in Paris this year. Think of the pledge as both a publicity grab as well as a formal acknowledgment of ongoing work.
[Image credit: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite]
Filed under: Misc, Apple, Microsoft, Google
Source: White House, Google, Microsoft
Google rethinks Google+ and plans changes
Over on its official blog, Google tells that it is planning changes in relation to Google+. The company has divided this into two phases: tightening its focus on the platform itself and removing Google+ integration from its other services.
For the first phase, it is removing features it believes “aren’t essential to an interest-based social experience out of Google+.” Google+ Photos is one such an example. Many of its features already have been moved to Google Photos. In addition, Hangouts and other apps will receive location sharing.
As for the second phase, the company explains that it has heard the criticism of users not wanting their Google+ profile to be their identity for all other services.
The biggest outcry in relation to this potentially came from YouTube users whom, for whatever reasons, did not want to use their real names on that platform. Google gave them the ability to use aliases and nicknames at a later time, but a Google+ page still was associated with that account’s name. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that YouTube will be one of the first products to remove this integration.
Google stresses that the accounts tied to its services will remain unsearchable and cannot be followed.
Lastly, these changes will be released in set stages over the next several months.
Source: Google’s Official Blog
The post Google rethinks Google+ and plans changes appeared first on AndroidGuys.
YouTube will no longer require a Google+ profile to upload, comment, or create a channel
Exciting news from Google+ and YouTube today. A very controversial feature, forcing YouTube accounts to use Google+, will slowly be taken away. Google says they got certain aspects right, but will need to rethink many parts of it. Expect changes within the coming months.
“When we launched Google+, we set out to help people discover, share and connect across Google like they do in real life. While we got certain things right, we made a few choices that, in hindsight, we’ve needed to rethink. So over the next few months, we’re going to be making some important changes.”
Starting today comments made on YouTube will now only be seen on YouTube and will not appear on Google+ and vice-versa.
In a few more weeks, YouTube will almost totally separate from Google+. Users no longer need a Google+ profile to upload, comment, or create a YouTube channel. Existing channels can keep everything the same as it is now or have the option to remove your Google+ profile in the coming months. However do not remove it now or it will delete your entire YouTube channel.
“This one’s further off. In the coming weeks, YouTube will no longer require a Google+ profile when you want to upload, comment, or create a channel. If you’re happy with everything as it is now, then just keep on keepin’ on. If you want to remove your Google+ profile, you’ll be able to do this in the coming months, but do not do it now or you’ll delete your YouTube channel (no bueno).”
In other Google+ news, they are planning to make Google+ more focused and removed features that aren’t essential to your Google+ experience. For example Google+ Photos have been moved into the new Google Photos app instead. Other things like putting location sharing into Hangouts and other apps where it belongs.
Come comment on this article: YouTube will no longer require a Google+ profile to upload, comment, or create a channel
Google pulls YouTube and Google+ apart
After spending a few years plugging Google+ into all of its services — even as users of those services complained — Google is rolling that back. It started by breaking out Photos and Hangouts, and now YouTube is taking a turn by reverting the system that’s been in place since late 2013. In a blog post, we learn that “soon” you will no longer need a Google+ account to upload, comment or create a channel, and even if you’re just a viewer, your comments on YouTube won’t appear on Google+ (or the other way around). YouTube is just one of the first products making this change, so you can expect it to stretch across the rest of Google as well. If you want to ditch your Google+ account now that it’s no longer a requirement, another blog post says it will make doing that easier too (but don’t try it right now — we’ll tell you when).
VP of Photos and Streams Bradley Horowitz says the company will “move some features that aren’t essential to an interest-based social experience out of Google+.” As a hint about what will remain, he points to to the Pinterest-like Google+ Collections. That sounds like a major shift from what he once described a a pillar across the company. The most telling thing about today’s announcement? At this time, there’s no post about it on Google+ pages for Horowitz, Google+ or YouTube.
[Image credit: Shutterstock]
Source: Google Blog, YouTube Blog
Android flaw lets attackers into your phone through MMS videos
If you’re an Android user, you’d better hope that a stranger doesn’t send you a video message in the near future — it might compromise your phone. Security researchers at Zimperium have discovered an exploit that lets attackers take control if they send a malware-laden MMS video. The kicker is that you may not even need to do anything to trigger the payload, depending on your text messaging app of choice. While the stock Messenger app won’t do anything until you see the message, Hangouts’ pre-processing for media attachments could put you at risk before you’re even aware that there’s a message waiting.
Google is already on top of the flaw, and has pushed out a fix to its hardware partners. However, whether or not you’ll get that fix will depend on your phone’s manufacturer. Zimperium tells Forbes that the Nexus 6 and Blackphone are already safe against some of the related flaws (other Nexus devices are likely in a similar boat), but more common third-party phones from Samsung, HTC and others are typically still vulnerable. It’s also unclear as to whether or not these companies will deliver fixes to their relatively recent devices in a timely manner, or at all. Depending on when you got your handset, it might remain exposed.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google
Via: Forbes
Source: NPR
Start the school year on the right foot with a new Chromebook
Believe it or not, Summer is almost over. That means it’s time to get started on getting supplies and everything ready for the school season. In today’s day and age, school supplies aren’t just pens, pencils, and notebooks. Now we have technology to consider, and Google has kept that in mind with a back-to-school sale.
Google is running a back-to-school promotion that takes up to $30 off select Chromebooks for everyone to consider. The three Chromebooks that are on sale directly from Google are:
These devices range from $159.99 all the way up to $319.99, so there are devices for just about every budget. All the mean while, each device offers something a little bit different, while still providing you a great Chrome OS experience.
Google has also cut the price of their Nexus Player, and has taken $20 off the normally priced $99 device. Finally, the Google is offering a special when you purchase two Chromecasts. If you purchase two Chromecasts, you save $15 and get a free Movie Rental from Google Play on the house.
Let us know if you’re ready for school shopping to start, and what devices you are looking to get your school year started on the right foot.
Source: Google Store
The post Start the school year on the right foot with a new Chromebook appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google teams up with Lava Mobiles to launch second-generation Android One smartphone in India
Google has teamed up with Lava Mobiles to launch its second-generation Android One smartphone, the Pixel V1, in India. The handset will be available exclusively from Flipkart in the very near future.
In terms of specifications, the Pixel V1 packs a 5.5-inch display, a 1.3GHz MediaTek MT6582 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable internal memory, an 8-megapxiel rear-facing camera and a 2,650 mAh battery.
The device will ship running the latest build of Android 5.1.1 Lollipop out of the box, and is guaranteed to receive software updates directly from Google for the next two years.
Check it out in the promo video below:
Come comment on this article: Google teams up with Lava Mobiles to launch second-generation Android One smartphone in India
Yelp CEO takes Google to task over mobile app ad issue
Earlier this week Google announced the results of a study they conducted on ads that appear on your screen while using one app trying to get you to buy some other app, ads known as “interstitials.” Most users see them as annoying, a finding confirmed by the Google study. However, Google also found they were highly ineffective and has decided to retire them while asking others to follow suit. This announcement has brought a rebuke from Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman who says Google is being hypocritical and may be trying to flex some monopolistic tendencies.
According to Stoppelman, Google continues to run its own app ads while at the same time shutting down others. This is a double standard that Stoppelman sees as being used to replicate its success offering web search to users to the mobile app market. The Yelp CEO has asked via his Twitter account, “is this about protecting consumers or protecting their search monopoly?”
One should keep in mind that Yelp makes money from mobile app ads, so the company does have a vested interest in seeing them continue to be used. Yelp has also been a vocal critic of Google in the EU and the ongoing antitrust case surrounding Google’s shopping service. The company has no love for Google after the tech giant acquired Yelp competitor Zagat back in 2011.
The study recently completed by Google found that only 9% of users clicked through to check out apps based on the full screen splash ads that pop up. Meanwhile, when ads were presented as small banners on screen, Google found response rates improved by 17%.
source: Jeremy Stoppelman (Twitter)
via: Re/code
Come comment on this article: Yelp CEO takes Google to task over mobile app ad issue
Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 reaches the Google Play Store
Night has come and you are home alone… or at least you think you are. There’s no such thing as a peaceful rest when you are playing the Five Nights at Freddy’s games. The fourth iteration of the series has just been released on the Google Play Store, so get ready to spend all night trying to survive this horrifying nightmare.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 drops you in an house full of unworldly beasts. The main character is a kid, and these monsters are out to hunt you. All you have to defend yourself is a flashlight, which you can flash at their faces to scare them away. Your goal? To survive until 6 AM.
You will need to watch the doors, under the bed, the closet and every corner. They can go anywhere, and if they get close enough it may be too late for you to flash these monsters out of your way. Creepy, right?
These games are good enough to have made it to multiple of our best games lists, including the 13 Best Android Horror Games and 13 Best Android Survival Games, among others. These titles will get you hooked, but they come with a price. You have to pay $2.99 for the game, but it’s very well worth it if you are a horror buff.
Not sure you want to spend that much on this title? You can also download the demo for free. Get a scare or two, and then figure out if you want to go all in. Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 already has a 4.7-star review, with about 900 reviews. We are almost sure you will like it!
Are you downloading Five Nights at Freddy’s 4? Hit the comments and let us know how you like this game!
Buy Five Nights at Freddy’s 4
Download Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 Demo
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