Google Maps gets even more detailed traffic features
Google has updated Maps with more specific traffic alerts just in time to help you dodge Memorial Day traffic nightmares. The app can already route you around closures and other problems using crowdsourced traffic data, but now it’ll give you an explanation for why a detour is recommended with a dismiss-able card. For instance, it’ll let you know whether it’s recommending a route because it’s the fastest option, or because it helps you avoid an incident. Moreover, it’ll now give you a heads up on traffic conditions as soon as you enter your destination, telling you if its smooth sailing ahead or a cluster-you-know-what.
In the same blog post, Google also revealed trends from Memorial Day 2014. It noted that you were most likely to search for a beach or cemetery — not a surprising development on a holiday that honors people who died serving their country. Popular destinations included Carmel, CA, Long Island, NY and Santa Barbara, CA. The new app still isn’t available, but Mountain View said it would arrive before the weekend.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Google
Source: Google
Top government agencies tried to sneak in spyware into users’ devices via the Play Store
New top secret documents leaked from the NSA has revealed how governments from the United States, UK, Canada and Australia have been trying to intercept user data through the Google Play Store and even Samsung’s dedicated app hub for Android.
Known as Op. Irritant Horn, the plan was to sneak spyware into the Play Store, contact devices and intercept data, all in the background without the user being aware. These operations were said to be underway back in 2011 and 2012.
Luckily, the new Play Store protocols ensure that no spyware makes its way through, so current users can use the Play Store without worry. It is said that the UC Browser app was also prone to such surveillance by the government agencies.
This revelation goes to show what the government agencies are willing to do in order to get hold of precious user info. This is a massive privacy scare, but it’s good to know that no such thing is happening right now.
You can find the complete document here.
Source: The Intercept
Via: Android Central
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Google Maps offers up new traffic alerts just in time for the Memorial Day weekend craze
Those of us here in the U.S. are excited for a three day weekend as we celebrate Memorial Day. However, the one downer is traffic. Since this weekend is kind of like the unofficial start of the summer, a lot of people travel to visit family and friends which results in a lot of congestion on the roads.
Finding your way is the easy part if you use Google Maps, but finding the best route with the shortest delay is no easy task. Google Maps already helps with traffic alerts, but a new update might makes things a little easier.
Google Maps will now provide you with the quickest route and an explanation of traffic conditions when you input your destination. Now if you’re on a long trip, those traffic conditions could change from good to worse. You will now get a heads up of any upcoming congestion along with how long you might be stuck in a jam. If it’s not a pretty picture, Maps will offer you alternate routes with an explanation as to why they are recommended.
Google also shared what the top six trending searches were from last year’s Memorial Day. I don’t think there are any surprises here….
source: Google
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YouTube now supports 60 fps live streaming
YouTube blew more than a few minds last October when it rolled out 60 frame-per-second video playback on the site. Gamers especially flocked to the frame rate as it allowed for jutter-free playback of fast-paced titles like Call of Duty or Titanfall. Today, YouTube announced a new feature that is sure to make gamers even happier: 60 fps live streaming which will allow people to broadcast their online exploits in real-time. The new frame rate is still an early preview, mind you, and will only be available on HTML5-compatible browsers. However, YouTube will encode these streams in both 720p60 and 1080p60 formats as well as automatically knock it down to 30FPS for devices that can’t handle full speed.
What’s more, YouTube is also rolling out HTML5 playback which will enable viewers to not only rewind in the middle of a live stream but also play it back at up to double speed in order to catch back up to the broadcast. And for producers, the video-sharing site has collaborated with Elgato and XSplit to ensure that products like Elgato Game Capture, XSplit Broadcaster and XSplit Gamecaster will continue to work with the site.
Google launches Hispanic coding initiative in eight US cities
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s (HHF) president, Jose Antonio Tijerino, thinks that “seeing a latino programmer shouldn’t be akin to seeing a unicorn,” so his group is trying to do something about it. Together with Google, it launched Code as a Second Language (CSL) courses in eight cities, including New York, Las Angeles and Miami. The idea is to introduce students to coding through 1-2 hour sessions, then steer them to the LOFT (Latinos on Fast Track) network for ongoing online instruction. Students who complete that training could later be granted internships and possibly full-time positions with Fortune 500 companies.
Volunteers or teachers learn to train kids on basic coding through a program called CS First. Google and the HHF plan to implement the CSL program in 30 additional LA schools later on, and launch pilot CSL programs at the Mexican consulates in San Jose and Washington, DC. Meanwhile, schools interested in the program can sign up here, and volunteers instructors can enlist at this link. Google also runs the Made with Code program for girls and obviously has some self-interest in developing programmers (as does Apple, which just launched its own initiative). But given that only 1 in 10 US schools teach coding, along with the lack of women and minorities in tech, the efforts are certainly welcome.
[Image credit: Televisa Foundation]
Limited-edition Skrillex Live Case series launched by Google, brings more than protection and art to your device
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Google is always doing something crazy. Often times the things they are working on are hidden in the depth of the Googleplex only to be unveiled when they are good and ready to show it off. A recent collaboration that Google has been involved in has just been announced and boy is it an interesting one. The search giant has partnered up with electronic music sensation Skrillex to bring a series of limited edition cases for the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy Note 4.
The Skrillex Live Case is much more than an artistic shell that depicts the Grammy-winning producers life long fascination with space though. With Google’s help, the Skrillex Live Case brings something pretty outstanding to your device, a button that gives you VIP access to Skrillex content and an a companion live wallpaper. Again, not just your average live wallpaper that shows some crazy colors or light flows. No, the live wallpaper will update over the course of your day depicting stunning images of Earth from the stratosphere. Where it gets a little bit cooler is that the images are being shot with a special designed satellite balloon that Google and Skrillex designed, names after his dog Nanou, and sent up not to long ago.
Another killer bonus to the project is that once the satellite balloon has completed its mission, a lucky fan will be able to actually win the darn thing and it is signed by Skrillex. As for the VIP access to Skrillex content, the buyers of the Skrillex Live Case will be given access to a free OWSLA album from the Play Store. You will also get updates about Skrillex sent directly to your phone. The button that is built into the case launches Skrillex’s music feed on YouTube. The button is customizable too. Meaning you can set it to open your camera, other apps or web links.
The Skrillex Live Case limited edition cases are all individually numbered and are available on the Google Play Store starting today through the end of June for $40. If Skrillex isn’t your style, don’t get all down in the dumps as Google states there are other collaborations already in the works that they can’t wait to tell us about.
Hit the Google Store to check out the cases and an order placed. I am thinking the Lil Planet one would look killer on my Note 4.
Source: Google
The post Limited-edition Skrillex Live Case series launched by Google, brings more than protection and art to your device appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Chrome OS file manager gets new sorting functionality for thumbnail view
Google’s Chrome OS typically sees new functionality hit its dev channel before it makes its way downstream to normal installation, and that’s still the case with the latest feature to the lightweight operating system.
The new feature involves being able to sort files in Chrome OS’s file manager, letting you filter things alphabetically, by size, by type, or by date modified. It’s really partly a bug fix, since Chrome OS has technically always been able to sort files, but up until now you haven’t been able to do that in thumbnail view.
The new sort functionality sits in the overflow menu of the file manager.
If you didn’t use thumbnail views, you may not have even noticed this bug, but rest assured, the fix has been implemented and is on the way.
source: Francois Beaufort
via: OMG Chrome
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Viber’s calling and messaging app launches on Chromebooks
In order for Chrome OS to succeed, Google needs all the support it can get from developers. Hardware companies are certainly doing their part, namely by offering Chromebooks to people at affordable prices. That’s why it’s important when a popular service such as Viber launches on the platform, like today. Now users can start using the app to communicate with friends or family directly from their Chromebook, just as they would on iOS, Android or Windows Phone. Not only can you send text and picture messages, but also make phone and video calls to your contacts. It’s free too, which comes in handy if you’re trying talk to people across different countries.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Google
Source: Chrome Web Store
Google Editions cases come with live wallpapers and a shortcut button
Before you dismiss this as a slow-day news post, hear us out: these aren’t your run-of-the-mill phone cases. These are the first products Google has released under its new Editions project, a series of collaborations with artists to develop limited edition “live cases” for select Android phones. For this batch, Mountain View worked with electronic dance music producer/DJ Skrillex, who designed an outer space-inspired set. Now, here’s the cool part: in keeping with the space theme, the products come with live wallpapers showing images of the Earth from the statosphere during the day and constellations visible from your location at night. The tech giant actually launched a high-altitude balloon named after Skrillex’s dog Nanou to capture images of our planet and didn’t just take images from NASA.
In addition, the cases are built with a shortcut button — it leads to the DJ’s YouTube feed out of the box, but you can reprogram it to launch the camera or any other specific app. The Skrillex Editions cases are now up for sale on Google Store for the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy Note 4. If you own another Android phone, we’re afraid you’re going to have to sit this one out.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google
Source: Official Android Blog
Skrillex-branded “Live Cases” now available from the Google Store for the low price of $40
Are you a fan of famed dubstep artist Skrillex? Do you own an Android device? If so, head on over to the Google Store and check out the new Skrillex-branded “Live Cases” now available for the Nexus 5 and 6, Samsung Galaxy S5 and S6, and Galaxy Note 4. They’re now available for $40 a piece and come in three different designs: Space Shield, Circuit Bae and Lil Planet.
Each case features a customizable shortcut button on the back that gives you one-touch access to any application of your choosing. You can also set it to launch a webpage, similar to how homescreen shortcuts work. All of the cases come with a matching live wallpaper which features ever-changing views of Earth during the day and constellations at night. Purchasing one of these cases will also give you early access to one of Skrillex’s favorite OWSLA artists, along with updates sent straight to your mobile device from Skrillex himself.
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This first round of accessories are part of Google’s new “Editions” case program, so we’ll definitely see more of these pop up in the future. All of them are now available from the Google Store, so if any of this interests you, head to the link below to check them out for yourself. Oh and if you’re interested in seeing how these cases were made, be sure to head here to watch the Skrillex/Google collaboration video.
AIVAnet 