ICYMI: Street view climbing, a “real” hoverboard and more
Today on In Case You Missed It: Tesla’s teased a prototype car charging station powered by strangers’ footsteps; Lexus released a video of a hoverboard that’s “rideable now,” (psst … it still needs magnets and isn’t as cool as this); and Google used mountain climbing’s most famous men and women to take street view to Yosemite’s El Capitan in this trippy video.
From the cutting room floor: We’re all fans of 3D printing around here and wanted to share the 3D printed animals with Rubik’s Cube-like abilities. If only we had more time!
Let the team at Engadget know about any interesting stories or videos that you stumble across by using the #ICYMI hashtag @engadget or @mskerryd.
Filed under: Displays, Misc, GPS, Transportation, Wearables, Science, Internet, Google
Google’s next data center will be a converted coal plant
Google is constructing another data center in the US, but the location it’s settled on might surprise you. Instead of building a site from scratch, the company has decided to redevelop an old coal power plant in Alabama. The Widows Creek factory in Jackson County is scheduled to close in October due to changing regulations about the storage and monitoring of coal ash. It’s been generating power since 1952 and Google plans to repurpose some of its infrastructure, such as the electric transmission lines, for its new data center. However, it doesn’t want dirty fossil fuels powering its servers. Instead, it’ll be working with local authorities to source new renewable energy projects that can feed into the electrical grid. Like its data center in Finland, which was once an old paper mill, it’s a creative way to adapt a site that has already benefitted from years of investment.
[Image Credit: Tennessee Valley Authority/Flickr]
Via: AP
Source: Google
Interview with Chevrolet: Android Auto plans
Plenty of car manufacturers are supporting the Android Auto revolution, but Chevrolet is one of the very few jumping in with both feet. Meanwhile, other vehicle makers are dipping their toes in and releasing one or two models supporting Google’s new vehicle-focused ecosystem.
At Chevy’s special tech event, we were able to take a look at Chevrolet’s plans for the future of Android Auto and its automotive lines in general. Let’s jump right in, shall we?
Getting Android Auto on a new Chevy car
Chevrolet recently announced they would release over 14 models with Android Auto on board, covering most of their popular vehicles. These 2016 models include the Chevy Cruze, Malibu, Camaro, Silverado, Volt, Suburban, Colorado, Tahoe and even the luxurious Corvette, among others.
We were glad to hear Android Auto won’t exactly be an upgrade, in and of itself. The way it was explained to us is that Android Auto will come with certain tiers of the supported models, but you don’t exactly need to pay extra for it. In short: “if it has a 7-inch or 8-inch screen, it is going to have Android Auto”. The first Corvette carrying an Android Auto system is said to be entering production now, and all other models will be releasing over the summer. In other words, Chevy isn’t wasting any time getting these Android Auto-equipped devices into the hands of consumers.
Safety
Of course, a major concern with entertainment platforms like Android Auto is safety. Thankfully, this is something Google and Chevrolet took very seriously when it came to incorporating the tech into Chevy automobiles. For starters, Android Auto is designed specifically for the driving experience, harnessing the capabilities of on-wheel controls and voice actions, so you won’t be taking your eyes off the road very often.
We were told anything on Android Auto can be done in “less than 2 seconds”. I mean, 1-2 seconds is still quite a bit of time when considering the dangers of the road, but it’s faster than what we are used to so far. Plus we trust that you will be responsible about using your Android Auto features. Ultimately, it is a car-tailored experience, so it’s not like you will be checking your Facebook News Feed or anything of the like.
4G LTE connectivity and prices
We couldn’t forget to touch on data, which is an important factor for all mobile users (so, pretty much everyone). Data can go by so quickly, so we wanted to make this matter clear for our readers.
The representative didn’t tell us too much on the matter, but he did mention plans start at 1 GB for $15, and move up from there. There’s 3 GB plans, 5 GB plans and more. Chevrolet does claim their plans are “very competitive with the market right now”, so you can calculate prices based on that bit of info.
Apple CarPlay vs Android Autoa5rvbxz`
We simply had to drop the bomb on this one. You didn’t think we would leave the premises without asking the question, did you? So – CarPlay vs Android Auto? Here’s what our buddy from Chevy said.
“I have looked at what’s in my pocket, and that’s the superior interface.”
The idea here is that Chevy wants to cater to all customers, and that is why they support both Google’s and Apple’s in-car entertainment platforms. The customer gets to choose, not the car maker. It’s worth noting Android sits on about 80% market share, though it’s hard to say what number of these users will actually end up purchasing a newer Android Auto equipped automobile in the near future.
Wrapping up
Are any of you guys buying a new car soon? If you are going with Chevy, you have plenty of options. Just don’t forget to take a look at our Android Auto review to learn more about the system and how the Hyundai Sonata integrates it. Also be sure to stay to more exciting coverage from our time at the Chevy automotive tech event.
Picasa’s Web Albums work again for some reason
Back in 2013, Picasa users suddenly found themselves being automatically redirected to Google+’s web albums rather than the site they were familiar with. Of course, in light of Google’s subsequent announcement that Google+ Photos would be supplanting the Picasa service as the company’s go-to picture-storage platform, nixing the older Web Albums made sense. Of course, Google once again switched its photo hosting app to just Photos (which doesn’t require a Google+ account) late last month. Now however, fansite Google Operating System reports that the Web Albums page no longer redirects to Google+. What’s more, its search feature appears to work as well (albeit only for your own pictures and videos). So, for now, you can totally go back to using Web Albums if you want. Though given Google’s historically scattershot approach to its photo management sites, who knows how long it’ll stay online this time.
[Image Credit: Web Pix / Alamy]
Google may have helped the privacy cause in hotel ruling from Supreme Court
In a ruling issued by the Supreme Court this week, Los Angeles saw an ordinance overturned in which they sought to give their police force the ability to seize information from hotel registries on demand and without a warrant. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing the majority opinion in the 5-4 ruling, deemed the ordinance unconstitutional and importantly, found the ordinance as written could have been extended to apply to any business, not just hotels. It was on that point that Google had jumped into the case via an amicus brief.
Google’s brief noted that the Los Angeles ordinance would have allowed the City to access information like their users’ Gmail, search history, and other data without any kind of prior judicial review or Google’s input or approval.
The ordinance also would not give a company like Google the opportunity to notify affected customers so that they could file their own objections to such a search. This is a situation that Google found itself in recently when government agencies sought data from WikiLeaks members. In the case of one, Jacob Applebaum, the government had succeeded in restraining Google from providing notice.
source: Re/code
Come comment on this article: Google may have helped the privacy cause in hotel ruling from Supreme Court
Google’s new “Chromebox for meetings” is aimed at large business video conferencing
It was only last year when Google launched Chromebox for meetings, which consists of a Chromebox, camera, speakers, and some other hardware designed for small businesses to be able to video conference. Now Google has launched a brand new Chromebox for meetings bundle aimed at large businesses. The original bundle could handle up to eight people in one room for $999 while the new version can do up to 20 people in one room for $1,999.
Vidya Nagarajan, Senior Product Manager, Chrome for Work said:
Today, we’re expanding to bigger spaces. Chromebox for meetings now supports larger meeting rooms, so groups of up to twenty can seamlessly sync with colleagues around the world and still feel like they’re in the same place. Companies of all sizes, including Whirlpool Corporation, Netflix and Foursquare have tested Chromebox for meetings for the large room and said their users have enjoyed the video quality of the HD meetings.
The new hardware to support larger rooms includes:
-
Pan-tilt-zoom camera: USB-enabled 1080 HD PTZ delivers professional video quality for larger conference spaces.
-
2x microphone and speaker: Capture conversations in longer rooms with an additional mic and speaker.
-
Enhanced dual screen support: Now you can connect two monitors to the PTZ camera and dual microphone and speakers, so your participants can get the richest video conferencing experience.
Source: Google
Come comment on this article: Google’s new “Chromebox for meetings” is aimed at large business video conferencing
Dear Veronica: Super Awkward Grandma on Facebook
I think we all know that family and social media don’t always mix: just because you love them, doesn’t mean you like to hear what they have to say about climate change, gun laws, or whether or not they prefer pie to cake (pie is clearly better, you filthy monsters).
For this week’s episode, we cover awkward familial Facebook requests, how to break into the world of voice-over work with actor Liam O’Brien, and take a look at the latest Google Cardboard offerings. Don’t forget to send me in your questions (especially video ones) to #DearVeronica on Twitter, Facebook, and wherever else hashtags be tagging.
Climb ‘El Capitan’ with Google’s first vertical Street View
Google has taken us to some high places before, but it just gave Street View users a climber’s-eye-view of a sheer cliff for the first time. Amusingly, it chose to kick off the project at Yosemite’s “El Capitan” rock face, which, if you’ll recall, is the name of arch-rival Apple’s latest OS X version. We doubt it was a ‘dig,’ however, since the vertical 3,000 foot formation is the most famous rock climbing site in the US. To get the images, Google partnered with with Lynn Hill (the first person to free-climb El Capitan’s treacherous “Nose”), speed-climbing champ Alex Honnold and Tony Caldwell, who recently conquered the brutal “Dawn Wall.”
After figuring out how to wrangle the cameras up the hill, the group created several different Street View routes. The first one features multi-view images of all the climbers situated on famous spots on the the cliff face. Another shows the entire vertical route of the Nose, after Honnold “pretty much ran 3,000 feet up with photographer partner Brett Lowell.” Other views were taken by Caldwell on the ultra-challenging “Dawn” wall when he was figuring out how to rig Google’s camera equipment.
Finally, the group created the Yosemite Treks page, letting you work your way 3,000 feet up El Capitan’s nose and see the sights along the way. There’s also climbing information and tips about “hand jams” and other info from all the experts. I gave it a spin myself, and the spectacular, vertigo-inducing images are some of the best I’ve seen on Street View. To check it yourself, start here.
Source: Google
Google’s “Vertical Street View” of Yosemite’s El Capitan rock wall is amazing
style=”display:block”
data-ad-client=”ca-pub-8150504804865896″
data-ad-slot=”8461248232″
data-ad-format=”auto”>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();
If you are afraid of heights, this might not be the best thing for you to be looking at. For everyone else, Google has just launched its very first “Vertical Street View”, a virtual tour of one of nature’s most majestic vertical structures, the El Capitan rock formation at the Yosemite National Park. Thanks to the insane climbing abilities of real-life Spider-people Lynn Hill, Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell, we’re able to get a full 360 degree tour of a rock climb that actually happened in January this year.
Honestly, I’m getting dizzy just thinking about it. Google spares no detail in describing just what a feat this is, not for Street View, but for the climbers who got all the images – seriously, some of these rock faces look like they could be roads if they were horizontal. If you’re interested in checking out the epic journey, and learn a bit more about El Capitan and Yosemite, you can see the Vertical Street View here and see Google’s detailing of the whole adventure here. And remember, don’t look down.
What do you think of this Vertical Street View? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Google
The post Google’s “Vertical Street View” of Yosemite’s El Capitan rock wall is amazing appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Google’s Sidewalk Labs takes control of plan to provide free WiFi to New York
A while back Justin wrote an article about the LinkNYC network that plans on replacing up to 10,000 unused payphone kiosks with WiFi outlets. Each WiFi pillar is called a Link, besides free WiFi it would also serve up free charging. The Link WiFi pillars would be funded entirely through advertising, and thus not cost the good citizens of New York a penny in taxes. It sounds good, right?
So good, in fact, that the Google-backed startup, Sidewalk Labs has led a consortium of investors to acquire Titan and Control Group. The two companies had merged to form a new company called Intersection to supervise the roll-out of LinkNYC, before spreading to other cities.
A little background on Sidewalk Labs; it’s a Google start-up that aims to target issues that affect modern cities such as pollution, communications, energy, traffic and the cost of living. The CEO of Sidewalk Labs (and now also Chairman of Intersection), Dan Doctoroff says that it was formed to look at the confluence of the physical and digital world to solve urban problems. As for LinkNYC, while he did say that the technology could suit other cities, he declined to be specific.
Doctoroff said: “By bringing these two industry leaders together, Intersection will help make cities connected places where you can walk down any street and access free ultra high-speed Wi-Fi, find transit and wayfinding information, access information about city services — the possibilities are endless.”
The LinkNYC network is due to begin construction early 2016 throughout New York’s five boroughs. If you live in the Big Apple, are you looking forward to seeing unused payphones replaced by the LinkNYC WiFi pillars? Let us know in the comments.
Full Press Release
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 23, 2015 – New company aims to bring new model for connectivity, municipal services and civic engagement to cities around the world. Control Group and Titan, key members of the team behind LinkNYC, announced today that they will merge and be acquired by a consortium of investors led by Sidewalk Labs.
The new company, named Intersection, combines both companies’ expertise in technology and innovation at the convergence of the digital and physical worlds. LinkNYC, their groundbreaking project in New York City with partners Qualcomm and Comark, will create up to 10,000 communications hubs that provide city residents and visitors with free public gigabit Wi-Fi, access to communications, information and municipal services across the city. Intersection will aim to extend the thinking and approach behind LinkNYC into an array of solutions to help make cities around the world more livable and connected.
Sidewalk CEO Dan Doctoroff will serve as the Chairman of Intersection. Doctoroff said: “By bringing these two industry leaders together, Intersection will help make cities connected places where you can walk down any street and access free ultra high-speed Wi-Fi, find transit and wayfinding information, access information about city services — the possibilities are endless. Titan brings deep understanding partnering with governments and transit authorities, while Control Group has unparalleled expertise in creating digital products and experiences for the physical world. With LinkNYC, Control Group and Titan have shown that by integrating new technologies into existing infrastructure cities can reinvent these assets – providing not just more modern, free services to citizens but even more revenue to cities. As Sidewalk Labs works to scale technology solutions for cities around the world, this is just the first of many urban challenges we will be tackling.”
Control Group is known for its leading-edge public interfaces in mass transit, airports, cultural institutions and retail. Colin O’Donnell, a founding partner of Control Group, said: “The combination of technology and media has always driven innovation on the web. With Intersection, we’re excited to bring the same principles to cities and public spaces to drive civic innovation and create more connected, responsive and vibrant places to live.”
Titan has a significant out-of-home advertising business that generates revenue for cities and municipal authorities, and has operated the New York City public phone booths now being converted under LinkNYC. Don Allman, CEO of Titan, said: “Intersection will allow us to play a pivotal role in helping cities and municipal authorities deliver improved city services and a better customer experience.”
The companies will combine New York City offices to encourage a collaborative environment. Senior management teams from both Titan and Control Group will remain at Intersection. Control Group and Titan will continue to provide their world-class roster of clients with excellent service – across digital strategy, technology, design and out-of-home advertising. Intersection will also provide current and future clients with new urban experience and information products and services that build on the strengths of both companies to create value for citizens, brands and governments and to improve life in cities around the world.
Financial terms of the deal are not disclosed.
About Intersection
Intersection is an urban experience company that combines expertise in technology, user experience and interactive engagement at the convergence of digital and physical worlds to improve life in cities around the world. Intersection is the result of a merger between Control Group and Titan, key members of the team behind LinkNYC, the groundbreaking project to turn payphones into urban information hubs. It is owned by a consortium of investors including Sidewalk Labs. Visit http://www.intersection.com and follow us on Google+, Twitter and Facebook.
About Sidewalk Labs
Sidewalk Labs is an urban innovation company launched by Dan Doctoroff and Google devoted to improving city life for residents, businesses and city governments, in particular by developing and incubating civic technologies.
Come comment on this article: Google’s Sidewalk Labs takes control of plan to provide free WiFi to New York
AIVAnet 