Rumours of Google buying out LG send LG stocks through the roof
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Sometimes rumours are so random that people start to believe them – that was the case today after rumours of Google buying out LG sent LG stocks 14% higher in Korea. This is the first time a rumour like this has ever surfaced, but apparently it was enough for investors to bite – as the rumours goes, Google was allegedly going to buy a 35% stake of LG which equates to about $2.2 billion USD. While it wouldn’t have been a controlling share, Google has already dabbled in ownership of a device manufacturer – Google parted ways with Motorola Mobility last year after a short and bittersweet tenure together – and we can’t say that Google would have been rushing head over heels to get back into it.
So surprising a rumour is it that LG has had to come out and publicly deny these claims, but it can’t be denied that there would be some logic to this kind of deal. Google has worked with LG on multiple occasions to make Nexus handsets, a partnership that is set to go ahead again this year – a closer relationship would only benefit this. On top of this, LG is at the peak of its smartphone game this year with the LG G4, a shoe-in for phone of the year, though LG also has other products such as TVs and home products that Google could be interested in. All the same, this speculation is purely a pipe dream as we’re about as sure as LG that this isn’t going to happen anytime soon.
What do you think about rumours of Google buying out LG? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Korea Herald via Phone Arena
The post Rumours of Google buying out LG send LG stocks through the roof appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Google clarifies the fate of Google+ Photos after announcing its shutdown
Google had announced earlier this week that it will be shutting down Google+ Photos as a way to “ensure everyone has the best photos experience”. After facing backlash from Google+ users, head of Google Photos Anil Sabharwal posted a statement on Google+ to clarify a couple points regarding the announcement.
Google is indeed shutting down the service gradually, however certain aspects of it will still remain. Users will still be able to share, comment and +1 photos and videos as they always have. Their photos will also still be accessible via the Photos tab of the Google+ profile page. The biggest change is found in the private photo management component of Google+, which includes backup, editing, creations, private album management and sharing to other apps. This service will now be handled by Google Photos.
Nail Sabharwal also gave a side note to further explain the decision Google has taken;
“The reality is that maintaining both Google+ Photos (the private photo management component of Google+) and Google Photos poses several challenges. Most notably, it is confusing to users why we have two offerings that virtually do the same thing, and it means our team needs to divide its focus rather than working on building a single, great user experience. “
Google+ Photos will officially shut down on August 1st
Source: Anil Sabharwal (Google+)
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Google Maps shows what it knows about everywhere you’ve (ever) been
Google’s Location History feature keeps track of the places your mobile device has been (if you opt-in and turn it on) and now you can look back through that data with “Your Timeline.” Rolling out on the desktop and Android versions of Google Maps, its gives you an easy-to-navigate look at your comings and goings. It also shows what it recorded about how you made those trips (by plane, train, automobile, bike or even walking — how do you think it remembers where you parked?) and displays the Google Photos you took. This data has always been available on the Location History webpage, but now it’s easier to see. Google says the feature is “private and visible only to you,” and you can delete any segments that you’d rather not have recorded — we can’t wait for the first court case that comes up in — or drop in nicknames for frequently visited spots.
For many, it might be too creepy to see just how much data the search giant has and how complete its record is. But for others who were fans of Latitude, use Location sharing on Google+ or need Foursquare’s help just to remember what we they did last night, it looks like the best-organized way to look back at where you’ve been since Google added those pie charts to Maps 5.3 in 2011. If it’s not showing up on your phone yet, Android Police has v9.12 ready to download and check it out.
Filed under: Software, Mobile, Google
Source: Google Maps Blog
Google clarifies what’s going on with Google+ Photos
Facing a backlash from angry Google+ users (what, both of them?), Anil Sabharwal, the head of Google Photos, released a statement on Tuesday clarifying Monday’s earlier announcement about the fate of Google+ Photos. According to Sabharwal, Google will still effectively “shut down” Google+ Photos in lieu of the company’s new Google Photos service. However, Sabharwal noted that the older service will still allow users to share, comment and +1 photos and videos as they always have. They will also remain on the Google+ service for the foreseeable future and accessible via the Photos tab of the Profile page.
The big change is really happening on the back end. Per Sabharwal, “The private photo management component of Google+, which includes backup, editing, creations, private album management…and sharing to other apps” will be handled by the new service. So, basically, Google+ Photos users be able to continue on with their existing service uninterrupted but the nuts and bolts of what makes it work will be handled by the new app.
[Image Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Source: Google Plus
Google acquires Pixate – mobile app prototyping platform now free
Google’s never-ending shopping spree continues as the company tries to expand its reach anywhere possible. Their latest acquisition has just been announced and developers will be especially fond of it. The Search Giant is now welcoming the Pixate crew and integrating them right into their design team.
The acquisition’s cash amount is yet to be disclosed, but that is not what people are really worrying about. It doesn’t matter how much Pixate costed Google; what matters is how much it will cost you. The good news is Pixate Studio has gone completely free, which is a stunning discount for software that costed hundreds of dollars. We’ll talk more about pricing in a bit, though. For now let’s focus on what’s going on with Google and Pixate.
What is Pixate?
To put it shortly, Pixate Studio is a software that allows developers and designers to see their ideas for mobile apps come to life. It can generate native prototypes for iOS and Android, allowing app makers to experience their interfaces as if they were real.
In addition, the platform makes it a breeze for developers to upload their own layers, as well as adding interaction commands and animations. These projects can then easily be shared with the team so that they may test the design and further improve upon it.
What will happen to Pixate?
Both Google and Pixate assure the design tool will not be dying and is to continue running independently. That is not to say there won’t be changes – there definitely will be. Don’t worry, though. These are all going to benefit the user.
Pricing
Pixate Studio and Cloud were not cheap, but you can always count on Google to make services much more accessible. After all, the Search Giant is all about getting more developers on board, so it only sensible to make it as affordable as possible… and that they did. Pixate Studio is now completely free!
Furthermore, Pixate Cloud has been heavily discounted to $5 a month or $50 a year, per user. For this reason, Pixate will no longer continue to offer cloud services for free. Instead, users have been given a 60-day trial and pricing will be as already stated, once this testing period is over.
In addition, those who have already purchased Pixate Studio will get a $150 credit to be used toward Pixate Cloud. Alternatively, those who purchased it within the last 14 days can get a full refund, if they so choose to.
What will the Pixate team do at Google?
While they are not expressing too much about future plans, Google does state the acquisition adds to their “ongoing effort to develop new design and prototyping tools, including Form 1.3″. Pixate CEO Paul Colton also mentions very little about their role at Mountain View, only mentioning they are “joining the design team”.
Wrapping up
Google continues building bridges so that developers may create the best apps they can. This acquisition is only part of it, but it will prove to be a great tool for app designers. Especially now that it costs nothing! Do we have any developers around here? Go download it now and see how it can improve your work.
Google Drive plug-in distracts you from using Microsoft’s OneDrive with Office
Google wants you to make documents with Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Microsoft wants you to make documents with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Then, when storing those documents or any other files, the two companies are split between Drive and OneDrive. Among the benefits of sticking with one company’s services is how everything works seamlessly. Google, however, wants Microsoft Office users to enjoy the benefits of Drive despite using a competing service.
Starting today, documents made with Office can be opened and edited before being saved silently back to Drive. Google has released a new plug-in for people with Office on Windows devices that allows files to go to and from Drive with ease. Along with background syncing, the plug-in allows users to upload documents that are saved on the computer directly to Drive rather than having to use a separate program or site.
Source: Google
Come comment on this article: Google Drive plug-in distracts you from using Microsoft’s OneDrive with Office
Official plug-in brings Google Drive support to Microsoft Office
Google Drive is a convenient tool many of us take full advantage of. Not only can we store all our files there, but we can also work on text files, spreadsheets and presentations, all from the browser or mobile apps. We know many of you are well invested in Microsoft’s Office software, though. If you prefer to use Office but would rather stick with Google Drive for your cloud services, the Search Giant has a solution that will make your workflow much more seamless.
Aside from being able to open your files with your application of choice (including Office apps) straight from Google Drive, users can now also save files to Google Drive directly from Office. You can now save any changes or even store new documents straight from Microsoft’s software.
The user will see an option to save to “My Drive” when storing any document from the official Microsoft apps. Simply click on the option and you should be ready to go! It’s a simple concept and the plug-in is rather minimal, but it will mean the world if you are a fan of both Google Drive and Microsoft Office apps. These two services operating together can completely change your workflow, and you no longer have to rely on OneDrive.
Interested? The only requirement is that you have Windows. Hopefully an option for Mac users also comes soon. If you qualify, simply head over to Google’s Drive for Office download page and install the plug-in. It takes but a few seconds.
But tell us, guys. Is this something you were hoping for? Will you dump OneDrive now that Google is offering this plug-in?
Could Google’s Pixate acquisition be the start of automated mobile apps?
Google is known for buying smaller companies and the search giant has acquired Pixate in its latest round of purchases, a company that creates tool for developers. Details on the purchase are slim, but Pixate CEO Paul Colton said that this acquisition allows the company offer their tools for free.
“We don’t want to stop there. Our small team at Pixate has some really big ideas, and with the help of Google we’ll be able to bring those ideas to the design community at scale. We’ve become an essential part of the workflow for tens of thousands of designers, and are excited about expanding our mission at Google to reach millions of product teams worldwide.”
Google said in a blog post that acquiring Pixate helps the “ongoing effort to develop new design and prototyping tools.” However, the reasoning behind the acquisition could go even deeper than that.
Pixate is a platform that will let you create prototypes of sophisticated applications that run natively on iOS and Android. It’s a powerful tool specifically for designers, but it could be the beginning of something more.
An automated world
Many web developers, whether front-end or back-end, are still relevant today, but many clients tend to disagree. That’s particularly because of services like SquareSpace, Weebly, drag-and-drop WordPress websites, and others. These services claim to offer exceptional websites at a severely discounted rate:
Click here to view the embedded video.
Drag-and-drop solutions essentially have the business model of “why pay a web developer $1500 when you could get something just as good with our service for less?” That’s where the web development world is headed: automated services that claim to do just as good as a job as a real web developers, even with years of experience.
It’ll eventually bleed over into the field of making mobile apps, too. There are already services that do that–Infinite Monkeys, Appy Pie, Zoho Creator, Salesforce1 Platform, etc. However, they don’t do it particularly well, but that could easily change.
Pixate is an extraordinary tool for designing sophisticated prototypes. And it could easily evolve into something more where a user or developer could create an entire prototype out of it–not just the design.
How long will it be before we see quality services that claim the same things as something like SquareSpace, only for app developers? Could Pixate be part of that plan, especially with Google backing them now?
source: Google, Google Design, Pixate
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Google Drive syncs files directly from Windows Office apps
Google already added tools that help Drive play nice with Office files, and now it’s offering easy access from inside Microsoft’s apps. With a new plug-in, you can open files for Word, Excel and PowerPoint from Drive. When the time comes, you’ll be able to save them in Google’s cloud-based repository, too. It seems simple enough to use, and it’s sure to come in handy for folks who prefer Google’s storage option over Microsoft’s, but still use Office to get work done. For now, the add-on works for Office on Windows machines, and there isn’t any mention of when or if we can expect the same tool to arrive for the productivity suite for Mac.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Google
Source: Google
Google comments on controversial Wassenaar Arrangement
Today, Google expressed its thoughts on the controversial Wassenaar Arrangement. The company stated that “the proposal would make the world less secure.”
Shortly after making the comment above, Google posted an extended response containing all of its concerns about the security impact of the new rules. Neil Martin and Tom Willis, members from the Chrome Security Team, mentioned:
“We believe that these proposed rules, as currently written, would have a significant negative impact on the open security research community. They would also hamper our ability to defend ourselves, our users, and make the web safer. It would be a disastrous outcome if an export regulation intended to make people more secure resulted in billions of users across the globe becoming persistently less secure.”
In addition, Google recently submitted comments to the Department of Commerce demanding specific revisions to the proposed rules, seeking specific carve-outs for bug reporting as well as international development teams. It will be interesting to see how they will respond to these objections and you could expect revisions will be made given the critical comments from Google.
Martin and Willis made the following statement:
“We’re committed to working with BIS [Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security] to make sure that both white hat security researchers’ interests and Google users’ interests are front of mind.”
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