Android search update lets you pick video on-demand providers in Google Now
Little software updates sometimes make a big difference. Google has rolled out an update to Android’s search app that’s currently listed as a simple bug fix, yet introduces a deluge of new features for Google Now. You can now choose specific TV and video on demand providers for viewing recommendations, and you’ll see Airbnb reservations. There also won’t be many excuses for being late after this upgrade — Android Police readers note that the app introduces both simpler alarm controls as well as helpful tools for getting to an appointment on time. Google has even seen fit to officially rename the Nexus 5′s home screen interface, calling it the Google Now Launcher. The new search hasn’t been pushed to everyone just yet, but we’d expect it to reach many Android users in the near future.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google
Via: Android Police
Source: Google Play
Google urges artists to get coding for Digital Revolution exhibit in London
Google is hardly new to the art scene. But its latest project, a partnership with Barbican (home of the London Symphony Orchestra), actually has it helping curate an exhibit of what it calls DevArt — interactive installations built around technology. The internet giant wants artists to “give life to code, letting it spill from the screen and onto the canvas.” That means everything from Kinects to typewriters are game (and we’re confident there will be a healthy amount of the former) so long as the creator puts their considerable developer talents to work building something unique and beautiful. A handful of artists have already been commissioned to contribute, but Google is opening up submissions to the public. Wannabe developer artists can head to devart.withgoogle.com to pitch their project. The winner will receive a Google-funded budget of £25,000 to realize their vision, which will ultimately be shown at the Barbican, where millions of tourists and art lovers will see their creations.
The commissioned artists, Karsten Schmidt, Zach Lieberman, and duo Varvara Guljajeva and Mar Canet, will be documenting the birth of their new works. So, if you’re in need of inspiration ahead of the March 28th deadline, you can follow along as these four delve into their own creative processes. In the meantime we’ll be taking bets on how many Arduinos make it into the final exhibit. (I’m guessing 37.)
Source: Official Google Blog
Chrome apps may soon run without any trace of the web browser
Chrome web apps may behave like native software at times, but they still require some form of the Chrome browser to run — even if it’s just a basic process. They may not need that component for much longer, though. The Next Web has discovered a batch of experimental code for an “App Shell” that would include only those Chrome elements that are absolutely necessary. In theory, you’d get lightweight, browser-independent web apps that still have the advantages of native code. The company isn’t saying whether or not its new technology will reach the public. Given Google’s efforts to package web apps for mobile without requiring Chrome, however, it wouldn’t be surprising if App Shell gets a formal release.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Google
Via: The Next Web
Source: Chromium Code Reviews
Long-time Google employee Susan Wojcicki is the new head of YouTube
Introducing the new head of YouTube: Susan Wojcicki, former SVP of ads and commerce at Google, who boasts some serious connections in the tech sphere. Mountain View has confirmed the news, and the outgoing YouTube head Salar Kamangar will reportedly work on other projects within the company.
Truly, few Google employees can claim roots as legendary as Wojcicki’s; she was hire number 16, who famously rented her garage in Menlo Park to founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page. Oh, and it just so happens that her sister, 23andme founder Anne Wojcicki, was married to Brin until late last year. Sound like a soap opera story line? Maybe so, but Susan’s new role at YouTube could help strengthen the video service’s ad revenue strategy. In an email statement shared with Re/code, Google CEO Larry Page said:
Salar and the whole YouTube team have built something amazing. YouTube is a billion person global community curating videos for every possibility. Anyone uploading their creative content can reach the whole world and even make money. Like Salar, Susan has a healthy disregard for the impossible and is excited about improving YouTube in ways that people will love.
“Improving YouTube” will likely entail new ad formats — possibly some that move away from the TrueView in-stream commercials you’re used to skipping after five seconds. With the TrueView model, advertisers only pay when their spots are viewed. YouTube reportedly brought in $5.6 billion in ad revenue last year, and Wojcicki will no doubt be focused on pushing up those numbers.
Source: Re/code
Toshiba Chromebook arrives in the US and UK, slightly pricier than expected
Back at CES, Toshiba told us that its new Chromebook would be shipping on February 16th. It appears, though, the company has decided to make it available ahead of time, as the 13-inch Chrome OS laptop is now up for grabs in the US and UK. In a small twist, however, Toshiba is listing the Haswell-powered Chromebook for $300 on its website, a small bump over the $279 price it was announced with earlier this year. That said, retailers like Adorama and Amazon do have it for around $280, so you could still enjoy that lower price after all. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, Amazon’s selling the Toshiba Chromebook for £249, with shipments expected to begin February 10th.
Filed under: Misc, Laptops, Google
Via: Android Community
Source: Toshiba
Google will escape fines in EU antitrust case by promoting rival services
Google has finally reached a settlement in its long-running dispute with the European Commission over the way that it displays search results. From now on, it must give equal visibility to rivals like Bing and Yahoo when it shows ads for its own products and services, like hotel reservations or customer ratings. The EU has been probing Google for over three years now about its practices, and recently said that it would need to substantially improve its offer, and fast, or face a fine of up to $5 billion. Up until now, Google’s competitors accused it of burying their ads in its search results, and a recent offer to display them in a shaded box was roundly rejected. An “objective” method will now determine how Google must display those services, and once that happens, it’ll need to comply for at least five years.
Filed under: Internet, Software
Source: Europa.eu
Rdio support for Google Chromecast is in the works
Now that Google has finally opened up the Chromecast SDK to developers, we can expect a whole lot of different applications to start being friendly with the $35 dongle. With this in mind, Rdio, via the RdioHelp Twitter account, let it be known that its dev team is already working to offer native support for Google’s Chromecast. As it stands, Rdio subscribers do have the ability to stream music by casting a Chrome tab on the web, though this would indicate that a solution compatible with the service’s mobile apps is on the way. The tweet doesn’t mention any details about when Rdio for Chromecast could be available — but, hey, at least we know it’s coming.
@journeydan Our team is already working on developing support for Chromecast. Stay tuned!
– Rdio Support (@RdioHelp) February 4, 2014
Filed under: Internet, Software, HD
Source: Twitter (RdioHelp)
Red Nexus 5 officially in the Google Play Store
There have been more than enough rumors regarding the release of the Nexus 5 in bright red. Well, it’s officially official, beginning today in the Google Play Store.
There isn’t much more to say here. Just that there is a bright red color option for the Nexus 5. It’s the same price as the others, and the same storage options are available.
The only thing that gets me is that they chose a bright pink wallpaper to put on the bright red Nexus. Weird. But I guess that’s why I don’t work for Google.
Get the bright red Nexus 5 here!
The post Red Nexus 5 officially in the Google Play Store appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google Wallet for iOS update adds loyalty card scans and merchant notifications
Last week, loyalty card scanning was added to the Android version of Google Wallet, but today the iOS faithful can get in on the action. An update allows you to add all of those pesky rewards cards that clutter the ol’ billfold and ditch the unsightly key ring tags. Just like the previous release, you’ll just need to scan the barcode of each card and the app will automatically populate your account info. If you’ll recall, credit card snapshots were enabled on the iPhone change purse last month for adding a full range of payment options. In addition to the new frequent buyer functionality, Wallet will also notify you when you’re strolling past a merchant that matches one of those saved memberships. You know, just in case you’re having trouble finding the nearest GameStop.
Filed under: Software, Mobile, Google
Via: 9to5Mac
Source: iTunes
The red Nexus 5 is now on sale at Google Play
Well, that didn’t take long. We saw leaked snapshots of the Nexus 5 in red last week, and now the scarlet-hued handset has made its proper debut over at Google Play. As of right now, both the 16GB and 32GB versions are available with their usual $349 and $399 price tags. You can expect identical specs to the existing black and white models with the only difference being a new coat of Bright Red paint.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google
Via: Droid Life
Source: Google Play
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