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)
California’s new self-driving car regulations prohibit falling asleep at the wheel
California is fine with car makers test-driving autonomous vehicles on its roadways, but the DMV now has some rules on exactly how. Under new regulations, drivers (or riders as the case may be) will need to be official testers on a manufacturer’s payroll and go through a special training program to get a yearlong permit. They’ll also have to remain attentive behind the wheel — so no napping on the way to work yet — and notify the DMV if they’re in an accident or have to override the car’s manual controls for any reason. When it comes to cars, it’s not a free-for-all. Manufacturers will need to apply for a permit for each individual vehicle, and cars are required to have at least five million dollars worth of liability insurance.
Autonomous vehicles aren’t exactly new to California. They’ve been legal in the state since 2012, and Google has already started testing cars in its hometown of Mountain View. The new regulations created by the DMV are designed to put a few boundaries on that testing. While they’ve already been adopted, applications for the program won’t be accepted until July 1st, with the regulations officially going into effect September 14th.
[Image credit: Flickr/Stanford Center for Internet and Society]
Filed under: Transportation, Google
Via: Ars Technica
Source: CA DMV
Virtual weed farms and the sticky state of Apple’s App Store restrictions
I was just about to tell you about Weed Firm, an insanely addictive app that tasks you with building a marijuana empire from your house in the suburbs, but I feel a little bad about gushing… because it’s no longer available to download. Yes, it’s been pulled from the App Store. (It’s also been removed from Google Play, but for unrelated reasons.) As recently as yesterday, the free app held the number two position on the charts in Apple’s store, and it’s almost guaranteed that it disappeared due to concerns about illegal or otherwise “controversial” content. (Apple’s famously mum about the reasons behind booting certain apps.)
Even though the Weed Firm app includes a disclaimer about not encouraging illegal activities, the fact is you’re growing Purple Haze, smoking up customers, paying off crooked cops and probably loving every minute of it. It seemed a bit strange that Apple — not to mention Google — approved the app in the first place, but considering how many weed-related apps are still available for download through Apple, it’s a bit odd that it’s now gone.
According to a statement released by Manitoba Games, the studio behind Weed Firm, the game may have been pulled because of its material — combined with the fact that it became so successful so quickly:
“We guess the problem was that the game was just too good and got to number one in All Categories, since there are certainly a great number of weed-based apps still available, as well as games promoting other so-called illegal activities such as shooting people, crashing cars and throwing birds at buildings.”
Throwing birds at buildings might not be exactly the same as growing and selling a drug that’s illegal in most countries, but you get the point. While we’ll likely never know exactly why Apple pulled the plug, it’s worth noting that other apps have never even made it into the App Store despite containing no illegal content. HappyPlayTime, which teaches women about their bodies via an anthropomorphized cartoon vulva, was recently rejected, even though racier apps are available for download.
Tina Gong, who created HappyPlayTime, said that she would focus on developing a web-based version of the app instead. And the makers of Weed Firm may do the same; while explaining that content may need to be adjusted to meet the App Store’s standards, the devs also talk about taking the game elsewhere:
“As for the other platforms, we will endeavor to make it as censorship-free as possible while assigning the highest maturity rating to the game. We do not want kids playing Weed Firm, but we firmly believe that adults should have a choice to do whatever the hell they want as long as they are not hurting anybody in the process.”
Like it or not, the App Store is Apple’s to regulate, so while these titles may seem fairly innocuous, you may have to start looking elsewhere to get your fix. Manitoba Games says Weed Firm should be back on Google Play pending a change in publisher, but iPhone users may be going through withdrawals for a bit longer. Of course, you always have the option of sideloading apps provided you can find the .APK files online. And now’s a better time than ever to back up the apps you’ve been lucky enough to snag while they’re still available.
Filed under: Software, Apple, Google
Source: Manitoba Games
Motorola contest pegs the price of a Moto 360 smartwatch at $249
If you’ve been at all interested in Motorola’s Moto 360, the biggest question has likely been the price: how much will that swanky circular smartwatch set you back? Not that much, if you believe the company’s rules for a watch face design contest. The legal details set the average retail value of a Moto 360 at $249; that’s as much as a relatively posh smartwatch like the Pebble Steel, but less than the $300 you’d pay for tech-laden wristwear like the Gear 2. Before you start budgeting for a timepiece, though, remember that this still isn’t official. While Motorola’s figure gives at least some idea of what to expect, we wouldn’t rule out a higher price tag when the Moto 360 reaches store shelves.
Filed under: Wearables, Google, Lenovo
Via: Droid-Life
Source: Motorola (Google Drive)
Next Android looking to change navigation buttons
The next version of Android, whether it be 4.5 or 5.0, is possibly looking to change up the look of the interface a lot more than the subtle changes from Ice Cream Sandwich to Jelly Bean to KitKat. We’ve already seen the leaks of their redesigned stock icons, code named “moonshine”, and now we’re seeing a different navigation bar
The typical home button has been replaced with a Google logo, providing evidence that Google is looking to integrate their services even further into Android, like they have with KitKat’s Google Now Launcher. The multitasking logo is a bit different as well, and the only reason I can think of why is because of possibly how Google is going to list your recent apps menu. We’ve heard rumors before that Google is looking to change the Android UI completely, so perhaps multitasking will be a whole different thing in the next Android.
While I am a fan of Google changing up Android and integrating Google Now more, I’m not sure how I like the idea of having the Google logo as my home button. However it’s too soon to tell what they really have in store for us so I will be my judgment at bay.
source: techit.co.il
The post Next Android looking to change navigation buttons appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google jumps over Apple and becomes the most valuable brand
Google became the most valuable brand in the world by leaping over Apple, at least according to Millward Brown’s 2014 100 Top BrandZ report. According to them Google had a 40% increase in value and is now valued at nearly $158.9 billion. Google Glass (which is in open beta now) certainly had something to do with that revenue bump.
Apple is not worth approximately $147.9 billion and according to Millward Brown they had a decrease of 20%, unlike Google. This could change when the iWatch and the larger iPhone hit the market though, considering they didn’t already, that might have something to do with the decrease in value.
In the 3rd place is IBM valued at $107,5 billion with a decrease in value of 4%, 4th is Microsoft $90.1 billion and an increase of 29%, and so on. You can check the rest of top 10 most valuable brands on the image above.
VIA: PhoneArena
SOURCE: Millward Brown
The post Google jumps over Apple and becomes the most valuable brand appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google ads could be coming to thermostats, refrigerators and car dashboards
Targeted ads have popped up in Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds as well as inside mobile apps and more. That said, it shouldn’t really be a surprise that Google has seemingly explored the possibilities of beaming those advertising bits to some rather unique places. In a letter to the Securities and Exchange commission concerning mobile revenue disclosure, the folks in Mountain View said flashing ads and services on “refrigerators, car dashboards, thermostats, glasses, and watches” is quite plausible. This isn’t a huge leap as many items on that list are powered by Android to some degree, and Google nabbing up Nest back in January locks down the remainder. Audi, Honda and other auto makers have ported the mobile OS into vehicles, Android Wear is set to sort smartwatches and we’ve being seeing smart friges and ovens at CES for years now. And of course, Google Glass. So when you’re AC craps out in the heat summer, perhaps that learning thermostat will show you the best local HVAC contractor in the near future.
Via: Wall Street Journal
Source: SEC
Google Chrome gets a few features in a new update
Yet another version of Google’s Chrome browser has reached a stable release. Version 35.0.1916.122 of Google Chrome should be available in Google Play store, if you can’t download it immediately you will be able shortly considering Google has started the rollout.
This new update adds support for some multi-windows devices, which at least sound like a support for devices that sport a multi-windows feature, such as Samsung Galaxy S5 and Note 3. Other features include an undo button for closed tabs and a full screen video playback with subtitles and HTML5 controls.
Full changelog:
- Undo Tab Close
- Fullscreen video with Subtitles and HTML5 controls
- Support for some multi-window devices
- Bug fixes
SOURCE: Google
The post Google Chrome gets a few features in a new update appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google makes your photos even Awesome(r) with new Android GIF and collage tools
It’s great that Google+ can now automatically make photo albums, but if animated GIFs and collages are more your jam, then this news will sound loads better. Google+ Photos for Android just got updated with a bunch of new features, including two more Auto Awesome tools that you can use to manually create animated images and collages of any pictures in your album. Unlike the social networks’ old GIF maker, the new features let you choose the photos you want to include instead of automatically grouping related shots. In case you’ve already got latest G+ app update, just click the new plus (+) option to find these tools and to flood your friends with GIFs of your beloved pet.
Source: Google+ Photos
Chrome OS gets better organized with latest update
The Chromebook revolution is here and, naturally, Google is doing everything it can so that these devices keep improving even as time goes on. As such, the search giant today revealed some new things rolling out to Chrome OS laptops and desktops, including support for folders within the launcher and the ability to use hands-free voice commands (aka “OK, Google”) in English. What’s more, this new version of the OS, released through the Chrome stable channel, brings back the minimize button, with Google stating that it listened to your feedback and knew you really wanted the feature to be part of the window controls. Unfortunately, not all Chrome OS devices will get this — namely, the ASUS Chromebox and Samsung Series 3 Chromebox. Google didn’t say whether the update will ever come to the omitted Chromeboxes, but we’ll let you know if anything changes.
Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Software, Google
Via: Android Central
Source: Google
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