Tag - Google

Google reportedly gearing up to produce own smartphone this year
Google is allegedly working on producing a new smartphone it will produce itself, according to a report, with the first release potentially arriving at the end of this year. Rather than relying on a third-party manufacturer to actually produce the devices, a report claims Google is intending to go into hardware production itself, giving it increased control over the overall experience consumers will get to have with the mobile device, instead of just the software that the existing Nexus device range uses.

Google TensorFlow AI comes to iOS in latest update
Google has made its artificial intelligence platform available to iOS developers for the first time via GitHub as an open source project, reports cnet. Google calls the TensorFlow AI "neural network software," as the way it processes data is loosely based on the way human brain cells process information. The same software was recently responsible for beating the world's top Go player, and can become clever enough over time to learn how to respond to your email automatically.

Founder Tony Fadell leaving Nest, to advise Alphabet chief
Nest founder and former Apple executive Tony Fadell, who championed the iPod before starting home-automation company Nest is leaving his CEO role at the company, which is now owned by Alphabet (formerly Google). In a statement, Fadell claims he began discussions with Google about his "next endeavor" last year, and will move into an advisory role to Alphabet CEO Larry Page, turning over the keys at Nest to former Motorola Home and Charter cable executive Marwan Fawaz.

Google launches its own limited 'Find My iPhone' service
Google has taken to its official blog to announce the introduction of a new Google account feature it calls "Find Your Phone." If a user loses his or her iPhone or Android device or has it stolen, the feature allows users to take steps to secure their Google account in the first instance by signing out of remotely, something that works for both iPhone and Android users. In order to locate an iPhone, however, the service redirects iPhone users to Apple's iCloud-based "Find My iPhone" service.

Google wins against Oracle in Java API copyright lawsuit
Oracle has lost its lawsuit against Google, after a jury declared Android's use of 37 APIs for Java were considered "fair use." Following after three days of deliberation by jurors, the two-week trial ends in failure for Oracle, which was hoping to collect as much as $9 billion from the search giant over the potential API copyright infringement if the jury sided with the company, though there is still the chance Oracle will appeal the decision.

One More Thing episode 40: IO, IO, it's off to work we go
Not that you would, but you could shut up co-presenters Malcolm Owen and William Gallagher by just clicking cancel or maybe a close box, perhaps choosing Quit or any other way you've got of stopping your podcast app playing. It has always been thus, it will always remain this so long as the stars are in the heavens and you are in control of your own computer. Except now.

Page, Zuckerberg, Cook top Adweek's 'Power List'
The second annual "Power List" from trade magazine Adweek has listed Google and Alphabet founder Larry Page, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Apple CEO Tim Cook as its top three choices based on "the profiles and results of global corporate titans, taking into account such criteria as company value, revenue and revenue growth, market performance, consumer reach and affinity, their standing among rivals, the number of employees overseen, key acquisitions and partnerships, industry accolades and media buzz."

Google, Oracle present closing arguments over $9B Java lawsuit
Oracle and Google laid out their closing arguments to the jury yesterday, in the latest lawsuit between the two companies over Google's use of Java in Android. Google maintained the use of Java APIs was transformative and counts as "fair use" for copyright purposes, while Oracle managed to sum up its entire argument into one short sentence, telling the jury "You don't take people's property and use it without permission."

Google Allo, Duo text and video communications apps due this summer
At today's Google I/O conference, the search engine giant revealed a pair of upcoming communications apps. The first, Allo, is a Google-assisted text chat application, combined with Google's new information engine. The second is Duo -- Google's interpretation of person-to-person video calls, designed by some of the pioneers from WebRTC.

Google turns Voice Search into Assistant, reveals Home device
Google is altering the way it performs voice search queries to take on Siri and other competitors, becoming more conversational and assistant-like, with the upgraded Google Voice Search renamed Google Assistant. At the same time, it is attempting to fend off dedicated assistant devices, like the Amazon Echo and Alexa, confirming the rumors by announcing Google Home, a similar network-connected speaker device the company expects to ship later this year.
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Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit
Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj

Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket

The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]
Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera
Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94

Apple employees testing wheelchair features
New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa

SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards
SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If

Apple's third-quarter results due July 26
Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm

Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users
Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE
