Google Fights Online Trolls With New Tool Perspective

In the past couple of years the internet has turned into an ugly place which is filled with name calling, harassment and in some extreme cases with threats of violence. The extent of the online violence or trolling or abusive barrage is so much that half of the internet users in United States have stated that they had experience such intimidation.

Almost a third of those users has confirmed that they restraint themselves from posting anything online simply out of fear. This data has been generated by a non-profit Data & Society Research Institute and a gruesome has fact has emerged from this study which points that the young women and women of colour are targeted specifically by the trolls.

Google is coming up with a noble solution for this by releasing an artificial intelligence tool named Perspective. Perspective is designed to scan the online content and define its ‘toxicity’ purely based on user’s ratings.

How Perspective works?

Perspective works in a simple and dignified fashion wherein a user can feed an online comment board eight into the Perspective to understand it toxicity level based on the user’s responses. This score will help the users in deciding whether they should participate in the conversation or to stay away from it. This tool will be a boon for the publishing houses as they will be able to monitor their site’s comments boards in a more effective manner.

Quick scan of ugly words on Perspective

Perspective support rating for specific words and phrases as well wherein a quick scan is conducted and results are shown to the user. Perspective has thrown an insightful report based on a quick scan of the ugly words. This report has shown that the words with n-letter has toxicity of 82 percent, k--- which is a derogatory word for the Jewish person had toxicity of 39 percent while c--- which is a slur for Chinese origin person had toxicity of 32 percent. When phrases like ‘you are a’ is thrown at Perspective then the toxicity score goes up wildly.

The future applications of Perspective

The use of Perspective is free and open for everyone and it is up to the publishers whether they wish to showcase the results to public or not. Currently the online publishers rely on the crowdsourcing methods in which readers are required to flag the offensive language in the comments to the human moderators. Perspective can even be utilised by the website owners in cleaning up the language on their sites.

Some have suggested that Perspective can lead towards censoring the free speech in the long run. In a response Google has stated that this tool has been designed to flag the ‘low hanging fruit’ which can be later on adjudged by the human moderators whether it should be removed or not.

Google attempt towards fighting the troll and abusive content in the online arena is very similar to the efforts of Twitter and some other non-profit organisations.

Google Will Let Gmail Users Receive 50 Megabyte Attachments

File sharing is a breeze for the users but sharing large files is still a headache for most of the users. A number of cloud sharing services has emerged in the recent past like the Microsoft One Drive, Google Drive and Dropbox which allows us to share large files with other across the globe with ease. But when someone tries to send a large file through email and most importantly through Gmail then get to a roadblock. However Google has finally decided to do something about this problem by increasing the cap on the email attachment size.

Rom this week onwards Google will users to send up to 50 MB files in the emails. Google had also released a statement wherein it stated that Google Drive will remain the penultimate mode of sharing large for its users but in order to fulfill the need of sending large files even on the mail they had decided to bump up the size allotted for email attachments. Now the entire Gmail user will get a chance to receive up to 50 MB directly to their email account with no frills attached.

Gmail Malware attack report

Quite recently Google has brought a malware report which essentially offers a breakdown of the Gmail users receiving spam content. This report has revealed that the users from the real estate sector happen to be the prime target of the emails filled with malicious content and links.

Google has failed to explain why most of the businesses from the real estate background have been the target of the spammers. But the Boston division of the FBI has also released a similar warning in the month of December where it stated that surge has been seen in the business email compromise emerging in the real estate sector. The frequent targets were the real estate agents for the fraudsters and the spammers.

Google report also revealed that the science related firms from the EU region and more specifically Germany has received 9.6 times higher number of phishing emails against US counterparts. The numbers shown in the report reveals that spammers have generally targeted the firms in the entertainment, IT and housing sectors.

Google decision of increasing the cap on the email attachment for Gmail will not just help the users but it will also make it easier to send large files with malicious content.

There is a hitch

Google doesn’t want its users to go on the spree of sending large files on the email therefore it has not done away with the existing 25 MB cap on its outgoing messages in the Gmail. Gmail or Google users can always make use of the Google Drive to share large files with others but the new size limit will come to all the G Suite editions in upcoming three days which will help Gmail users in receiving oversized files like the spreadsheets, videos or any kind of attachments from other email providers.

Now Google Android Can Compete With iMessage

The modern age is filled with so much advancement in the text messaging with the popularity of the social media platforms and core messaging apps that the conventional SMS text messaging has simply gone down the drain. But Apple has been great at enhancing the inbuilt messaging system on its device with bringing quirky updates to the iMessage. Google is expected to roll out support for the Rich Communication Service or RCS which will bring a slew of standard features to the SMS texting for the Android devices. In order to bring about this massive change on the Android platform Google has partnered with more the 27 wireless operators and device makers all across the world.

The mature age of modern day texting

Years after its release text messaging is still one of the most widely used service on the mobile devices on global scale. During the feature phone ear users were restricted to only 160 characters and no extraordinary feature at all. But with the advancement in technology and devices has bought a large number of functionalities, features and powerful attributes to the conventional messaging and texting culture. Currently we have highly sophisticated mechanism which allows users to know whether their text has been read or some is replying to them as well as people can easily leave or join group messages.

Google is late but not obsolete

Google has similar technology in its arsenal which is called RCS but for long it has stopped itself from developing a direct rival to the Apple’s iMessage. But finally Google has decided to come up with its own messaging app for the Android platform and it will be known as Android Messages which is simple and smart name choice. The announcement made by the Google showcases the powerful appeal of the Android platform among the carriers and phone makers who had readily agreed to support the Android Messages on making it the default messaging app on Android.

Features to lookout for in RCS

Android Messages or RCS will bring a large number of enhanced features like high resolution photo sharing, group chatting and read receipts of messages. A number of mobile carriers have come into complete support of the Android Messages which included Globe, Orange, Deutsche, Telenor, Rogers, Sprint and many more. When it comes to manufacturers Google has brought on board Sony, LG, Motorola and ZTE, they will be embedding this technology right into their upcoming range of phones or even making it preloaded on the devices to increase its reach.

For many Android users this might not appear to be great news but it is in many ways. For years users have to rely on the third party messaging apps like Facebook’s Messenger, WhatsApp, Apple’s iMessage and many more. But with Android Messages users will get an inbuilt high performing messaging platform right in their new Smartphone without the need of downloading and installing a third party messaging app.

Google Patents Crumpling Car Safety System

Google is known for its expertise in every field. It provides various kinds of information over varying subjects within a flick of seconds, because of its efficiency people from all age groups belonging to several different fields are aware of this dynamic search engine called Google; which is worldwide famous. Google have come up with a technology that can control a car’s system so that the risk of car crash can be avoided to a greater extent.

Google has come up with a system that grants the car to get crumpled up from before so that the risk of car crash can be reduced. It has suggested several ways to build up panels on the car’s circumference so even if a crash takes place unexpectedly neither the passengers, nor the pedestrian or any other object is harmed.

They are planning to develop a technology that will enable the panels to get coupled with the help of sensor data that will easily detect the object that is approaching the car and will take immediate measures, so eventually the crash can be avoided. This possibility was seconded by AA, retorting on the fact that several manufacturers of car are on the run to develop ways that will minimize the intensity of injuries even if the crash takes place.

Some details have been provided by the US granters on the different ways to fit in panels related to bodywork on the cars. A section of bumber wings is to be fixed to the cars that can be broken down with the help of actuators on the chassis of the Google Car. Automatically before the impact the actuators on the car’s chassis would give a signal, leading to the breaking down of pins that would enable the panel to halt back.

An alternative was also suggested where the panels would be fixed to the hinges or to the grooves, so the panel could be pulled immediately when it comes in contact with an object. A further note is added to this accident prone car where a control system would be infused to the cars that can run even without drivers.

If any of the parts of the car move out of the way then the force by which the car will collide to the other object that may be reduced, this will in turn reduce the serious damage of life, car and other objects. Henceforth, if this development is seriously carved out then the consequences would always bear a positive connotation.

The data sensors available in the car will check out the size and the weight of the object that is approaching the car and will accordingly take measures so that the crash can be avoided and if not avoided then the risk of injuries can be reduced. This is a very big hike that is being provided by Google that will ensure more safety on roads. The car holders will no longer have to worry for their life’s or their car’s well being.

5 Reasons Why Moto G5 is Worth the Wait

Since the time Motorola has fallen in the hand of Chinese smartphone giant Lenovo Motorola is opting for competitive pricing, more incredible specs but at the same time keeping up with its core design and tradition. Despite of being thrown into among some of the more popular and high performing brands like Sony, HTC and Samsung but Motorola has come unscathed as one of the most trusted brand in the world.

Motorola G4 was a mid-ranger which kick right punches last year and remained competitive in the onslaught of multiple offering from varied brand at the same price points. Motorola has set high hopes with its next generation of the Moto G5 which will help in gaining commendable traction in the next few months before market starts saturating with similar offerings. Motorola will be launching this smartphone at the MWC in Barcelona on 26th February. Here are five key points which showcases that waiting for G5 will be the eight choice for the interested buyers.

Moto G5 high performing hardware

Moto G5 will feature Snapdragon 625 processor clocked at 2.0 GHz and this will help Moto in giving direct competition to the Xiaomi’s popular Redmi Note 4. Moto G5 will come with 2GB RAM but no confirmation has been made about 3GB and 4GB variant so far.

Moto G5 bright and lively display for consumers

Motorola has opted for Samsung successful and vibrant AMOLED panels for this particular smartphone. The last Moto G4 Plus came with the usual IPS panel but we are likely to get AMOLED screen for Moto G5 Plus. Quite incidentally a number of OEMs are opting for Samsung OLED screens instead of usual LCD or IPS panels due to ability to bring a captivating smartphone display experience for the end users. Lenovo went with Super AMOLED display for its mid end P2 smartphone so it is being speculated that Motorola will also opt for the same in G5 Plus. It might also happen that Motorola simply goes with the IPS panel in order to remain competitive by keeping the price down.

Metal unibody design is here to stay in Moto G5

Motorola is opting for all metal finish for the G5 line up. This is a great boost for the its flagship smartphone which till last year shipped with the plastic design but new metal deign brings a premium feel and elegance to the smartphone.

Turbo charge will be there in Moto G5

On battery side Motorola will be bringing a 2800 mAh and 3000 mAh on Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus respectively. Both of these smartphone will come with Turbo Charging support which happens to be Lenovo’s home grown fast charging technology allowing users to charge their device within a short time. The best thing about Mto G5 range is that Lenovo is willing to ship these devices with a bundled Turbo charger.
Camera upgrade is worth talking about

Moto G5 will come with a 12/13 MP rapid focus camera at the rear with Sony IMX362 sensor and complimented with f/1.2 aperture and PDAF while a 5 MP camera will be set for selfies.

Google Is Making AI That Can Make More AI

It is extremely touch to get a good artificial intelligence going on across the devices or on a single device. The tier tech companies from the Silicon Valley namely Google, Microsoft and Apple have spent millions of dollars and years of research to develop their own proprietary AI for their range of devices. Within a short time their distinct AI has become an integral part of their overall device user experience. This has been result of continuous monitoring, tweaking and further development of the AI to enhance its potential and to work at their best. Now Google AI research lab has stated that it is currently building a new AI software which possess the ability to develop more of its kin i.e. AI. In short AI is set to make more AI in future will be much cheaper and easier affair than today.

A smart enough AI to develop more AI

Google has stated that for AI to become capable of developing AI is a extremely delicate and complex process which does require higher level of human intervention. Google has hired a number of experts of experts to develop or discover such tools which has the potential of developing more AI in future. Secondly Google is trying to reduce cost incurred at the development of the AI by building a smart enough Ai to do the job. In future educational institutions and corporation will be able to hire AI builder to develop their own Ai for exclusive purposes.

Is science fiction turning into reality? 

We already have a rich science fiction literature and movie galore which showcases how AI will eventually take over the world and decides to kill the humanity. This scenario is more commonly own as the Skynet catastrophe based on the Terminator series evil AI. When machines are allowed to develop their offspring that are smarter than the earlier iteration then it is certainly a major reason to worry. In similar fashion AI will work on its own to develop Ai and it will keep learning things related to development on its own without any human assistance. This will bring up a situation where in humans wouldn’t be able to understand the minute working details of the AI by looking at its performance and this will create a trouble for the AI trainers. Eventually AI will overcome as a powerful entity which wouldn’t require human at all to discover new territories.

This might appear to be too dark to digest given the fact that Google wouldn’t let the AI run rogue at any given time. Google has built it contingency plans to avoid any such miserable situations by ensuring that Ai doesn’t get the chance to disable its own killswitches at any given point of time. Furthermore Google has clarified that its AI charged with the task of developing more AI isn’t capable of competing against the human engineers which ensure that dark futuristic Skynet isn’t in making at all.

Ref:

Fast Reinforcement Learning via Slow Reinforcement Learning

Learning to Optimize

Google Placed Its Own Ads First, Study Claims

Google search engine is the most widely favored search option for millions of users across the varied devices and platforms. With its immense success over the years Google started offering paid advertisements to the individuals and businesses to rank better in the search engine results and gain more business and clients through diverting users to their websites. It might seem a noble thing to do but Google has been found to plunder top ad slots for its own products. A study conducted by the Wall Street Journal showcases that Google’s own products accounts for 91% of the top results on the search results page.

Google advertisement scheme is fabricated

One of the popular advertising data firms named SemRush has conducted a thorough analysis of Google advertising scheme by carefully analyzing over 25000 pages. It undertook the research in the popular search terms like speakers, laptops, smoke detectors and watches on Google and analyzed 1000 results. It was found that Google own products across the categories found themselves in the top of the results. Google already has a dedicated marketing policies ensures that its products doesn’t interfere with the carefully design online system and this was stated by one of the official spokesperson.

Google does away with the studies

Google has clarified that the studies is baseless as it has a auction system for determining how much price will be paid by the advertisers for featuring in the Google search page results. This system not just governs other advertisers on its platform but it also work on Google’s ads as well. In short Google has tried to away with all the allegations on its popular search engine by ensuring that its ads are on the same page as other advertisers ads but sadly that isn’t the case.

A report as stated earlier released by the Wall Street Journal carefully points out the for the search term ‘laptop’ in more than 1000 searches on its platform has resulted in offering Google ChromeBook as the top choice. In similar fashion Google favored the Android smartwatch as much as 98% in the searches for the search term ‘watches’ thereby fail to mention the popular and expensive Apple Watch. Thirdly searches conducted on the search term ‘smoke detector’ positioned Nest as numerouno as it is a Google’s own alarm product.

Google is wading through rough waters

This isn’t the first time Google has been accused of placing its own ads above the competitors and other advertisers. Last year Google had to deal with an unwanted controversy with its search platform when European Commission accused it of abusing its dominant position in the internet shopping arenas.

It also mentioned that Google was proactively being using its platform for restricted competition by placing its own ads in the top tier. Google has always maintained that the advertising auctions done on its search platform is run by the algorithm which doesn’t indulge in making decision on any particular advertiser or Google’s behalf at all.

Gmail phishing: Latest Cyber Attack

Email phishing isn’t going to be dead anytime soon. Scammer, cyber attackers and hackers are getting smarter with each passing day and they are evolving new ways of convincing people that their mails are true. A new kind of sophisticated phishing technique has been in vogue wherein hackers compose highly convincing emails for the target users. In this technique past messages and attachments of the target users are analyzed before composing such mails which breathes of originality and normality and urges users to click to divulge their critical information.

The Gmail-phishing trend

This particular trend of phishing has been uncovered by Mark Mauder, the CEO of WordPress’s security plugin is called Wordfence. In this particular kind of evolved phishing attack hacker first sends across an email which appears to the user as a normal mail containing a PDF which possess a similar file name as seen earlier by the user.

Another gruesome thing about this PDF is that it carefully contains a disguised image which when clicked by the users launches a new tab will appears just like official Gmail log-in page. In is extremely tough for a normal users to find the minute details which reveals it isn’t the real Gmail sign in page. This can only be found by closing looking at the address bar revealing a script running right there.

So real, so convincing

As stated earlier it is extremely difficult for anyone to find flaws in the webpage design which results in targeted user entering their log-in details without any second thought. Once a user has entered the details then it can be used by the hackers to gain access to account for stealing the data or simply forward one mail to other recipients from the very same mail. In one such incident hackers has successfully hoodwinked an athlete believing their mail and link to be the true Gmail sign-up page.

Thereby they used his accounts log-in details to similar mails to other athletes in the team and within a short whole team’s emails and data were compromised. Hackers don’t waste much time after getting the log-in details. They use target users email account to send out multiple mails with user’s actual subject lines to other people in the contact list.

How to protect yourself from such phishing attack

There are some smart ways to outwit the hackers and stay safe from such attacks. One should always check upon the address of opening links when clicked on any kind of email. In this case the legitimate Gmail page has ‘https://’ address while the phishing attacks links possess ‘data:text/html.https://’. This clearly shows the given link brings the fake url of the Gmail’s sign-up page and it is also too long in nature. The best way to secure your Gmail account is to enable the two form authorization on Gmail wherein users has to insert not just their id and password but they also have to enter a passcode sent to their mobile device to enter their email account.

Google Confirms End of Internet Drone Project

In the past five years internet penetration has boomed all across the globe due to rise in the cost effective technology and equipment. In a bid to empower users with internet connectivity Google has designed a project wherein drones will be used to offer internet. However Google has terminated its ambitious internet drone project named Titan after gradually running it for last three years. Google has specifically designed these drones to beam internet to the users in the remote and rural areas. This project had a number of similarities with its Loon project wherein aim was to bring internet connectivity through hot air balloons.

Technical difficulties cited as the reason

Google cited two major reasons for pulling the plugs from its drones program. The droned used in the Titan in order to provide internet were solar powered devices and it has run into a wide variety of technical difficulties which seriously limited the potential of the Titan. Another reason was to bring necessary funding to enlarge scope and technological expertise for the success of the Titan. Google finally confirmed just a few days ago that it has officially shut down the Titan program in the early 2016 which came as surprise for most of the technology experts but its demise was not mourned to a great extent.

The quick history of the Titan Program

Google X division was responsible for the Titan Program and it was brought this division’s control during 2015. This division performed the exploration of the high altitude areas with unmanned aerial vehicles in order to provide the internet access within few weeks of getting Titan at hand. Over the a year of research has shown that the economics related to the use of drones and technical feasibility associated with Project Titan was still high and it offers the best solution at the given time to connect remote and rural areas in the simplest fashion.

The rise and fall of Titan

In the beginning of the 2014 Titan Aerospace was acquired by Google to develop drones and necessary technology for providing internet through it. This was done specifically to counter the attempts from Facebook to provide internet through unmanned aerial vehicles. During the early days Google has famously stated that atmospheric satellites will be right instrument in bringing internet to millions of people round the globe.

These drones will be extremely during disaster relief and it will play a vital solving a number of major problems such as deforestation and other environmental damage. Soon after the test flights in 2015 Titan started facing a large number technical of difficulties along with funding issues which eventually derailed the project within a year.

Google X division has released a statement wherein it officially confirmed the demise of Titan and the reassignment of various staffs to its different part of business which includes Project Loon and Wing. In similar fashion Facebook ambitious attempt at beaming internet from the drones took a backseat when its drones ran into various technical difficulties.

Waymo: Detroit Auto Show Reveals a Google Designed Self Driving Van

Google has been developing Waymo a self driving vehicle for quite some time and it isn’t secret as a number of reports about its testing have emerged in the past. However we have been for a long time to see this vehicle in live action finally that moment arrived at the Detroit Auto Show. This edition of Detroit Auto Show was filled with a slew of sport utility vehicles, flashy and sleek deans and robust pickup vehicles. But Google unveiled an odd-looking and quite classic minivan Waymo which has the self driving capability infused in it. This particular minivan has been designed and manufactured by Google which comes with its indigenously developed autonomous driving capability.

Google shift its self driving vehicle development under new business

Just a month ago Google’s parent company Alphabet has did away with the driverless car project to a new business company. Now the self driving vehicles developed by the Google will be made under Waymo but it will still have the Google branding on it. The point of creating a whole new company to cater to the self driving vehicle segment is that it will help in commercializing the vehicle in short period without much needless scruples of gaining authorization. The first minivan showcased by the Google Waymo is simply the first vehicle in series of vehicles which will launch in upcoming years.

An elegant old design with modern driving capabilities

Tesla and BMW has shown futuristic autonomous vehicle in the past and they are going to make their way in the market by 2020. On other hand Google has gone with a traditional and conventional design model with it minivan but it is equipped with Google’s indigenously developed self driving capabilities. This Waymo minivan makes use of self-driving sensors and advanced vision system which has been exclusively developed for this vehicle. Google has partnered with Fiat Chrystler to manufacturer the van which showcases the collaboration between a true automobile maker and tech firm at its best.

As stated earlier Google isn’t the only one which is keen on developing safe, reliable and robust self driving vehicles. Some of the established automakers like General Motors and Ford Motors are also aggressively working towards developing their own self-driving vehicle and both of these has showcased plan of having a manufacturing unit in Michigan in upcoming months
.
Google plans to turn every mainstream vehicle into autonomous vehicle

However Google has some other plans for itself driving technology. It is gearing up to offer ready made packages of its self-driving equipment which can be easily integrated to any kind of mainstream vehicle to turn it into an autonomous vehicle.

An official from Google has stressed upon the fact that Google has invested a huge sum in developing all the self-driving sensors in-house which allows it to add new functionalities and to remodel it to work with other vehicles with ease. Google self-driving technology has one important goal at its core which is to bring full autonomy to the vehicles without undermining the safety quotient of the vehicle.

Google Says New Version of Google Voice Coming Soon

Seeing as how 2016 saw various new administrations from Google, including Duo and Allo, it's anything but difficult to disregard the old yet helpful Google Voice application. Since its reconciliation with Hangouts in late 2014, the Google Voice application hasn't seen any noteworthy overhauls. Nonetheless, Google uncovered recently that you might just observe a shiny new form of the application this year with a new update and modification.

About-

Google Voice is a helpful application that offers call sending and phone message administrations, voice and test informing, and universal call application. A lot of individuals still utilize it yet Google hasn't precisely made the experience charming. Some new applications have prevailed to some degree by concentrating on versatile clients – a region where Google Voice has fallen behind, having not redesigned its android applications and iOS since the main portion of a year ago. Google has essentially left Voice to sit and gather tidy, dismissing it as it doesn't exist. What these new elements involve stays indistinct, yet hopefully the holdup is justified, despite all the trouble.

Google's fairly maturing VoIP calling administration, Google Voice, is get ready to reveal a huge overhaul, the organization has affirmed. A few Google Voice clients this week detailed seeing a redesigned interface touting "the new Google Voice" on the web adaptation of the administration, alongside a connection that would give them a chance to give it a shot. Plainly, the message was posted too soon in light of the fact that the update didn't come through when the connection was clicked.

Update features-

Be that as it may, its reality has been an empowering sign for Google Voice clients, a number of whom have felt as though the administration has been surrendered for Google's numerous more current endeavors in the interchanges space, including Hangouts, and all the more as of late, informing applications like Allo and Duo. Google didn't share any further points of interest on its arrangements, however, a redesign to Voice is long past due. Its versatile applications were last upgraded in the second quarter of 2016, and still, after all, that, the redesigns included only 'bug fixes'.

The overhaul will probably involve a modified UI particularly for its desktop form, which still games the plan dialect of the old Gmail. It is likewise anticipated that would arrive with fabrication that will be firmly incorporated with Hangouts, and additionally, other related Google informing administrations, for example, Google Allo and Duo. Put something aside for the advertisement, Google has not discharged any official proclamation about the approaching Voice overhaul. Knowing the organization, nonetheless, we can expect a point by point log of new components particularly if the upgrade ends up being colossal.

Google's procedure as to its correspondences applications has been muddled, so it will enthusiasm to perceive what the new Google Voice involves. The organization has various correspondence items, which appear to be in a consistent condition of flux. The organization expressed the move did not flag the finish of Hangouts, but rather would basically be accessible as a discretionary application. Be that as it may, Hangouts' destiny is significantly more unverifiable after Google uncovered a week ago that it would close down its Hangouts API by means of an upgrade in the Hangouts site.

Google Confirms Two More Smartwatch Launches, Android Wear 2.0

Smartwatches have come and gone within just a few years of existence. It might appear to be illogical statement as a number of tech firms are continuously building up their Smartwatch portfolio with each year but on the sales front it has gone down drastically. The last major launch was that of Apple Watch which didn’t much change over the last year’s version. However Google is all set to reimaging the market with launch not one but two different swatches in the first quarter of 2017 and these devices will feature the support for upcoming Android Wear 2.0 OS.

Google to take competitors head-on

Google has confirmed that it will be launching its two new flagship Smartwatches next quarter which will be first of devices to feature next generation Android Wear 2.0 software. At the moment Google is riding at the successful launch and adoption of its Pixel series Smartphones which were loved both by the consumers and critics alike. Pixel devices are giving stiff competition to the Apple iPhone 7 which failed to attract the interest of the consumers due to minor changes in terms of design and features and subsequently failed to get thumbs up from major tech critics and fan forums.

Pixel devices are also reigning supreme in the Android market by bringing challenge right to the Samsung which is reeling from the backlash of its earlier device failure. Moving into the Smartwatch segment is a calculate move by the Google to establish itself as a major player and bring back the public interest the in the wrist based computing devices. Google isn’t developing the Smartwatch on its own rather it has a silent third party at that job.

Bringing consumer attention back to Smartwatch

The launch of Smartwatch was confirmed by none other than Jeff Chang, product manager at Google in an interview with The Verge. Chang has also stated that the new range of Smartwatches from Google is being manufactured by a particular company which has also developed a number of Android Wear devices in the past. This gives a direct wink at the OEMs such as Sony, Motorola and Huawei. Google over the years has been able to forge great relations with a number of hardware partners which has given it insight into the types of consumers and preferences. Jeff further states that Google is stay long in the products category whichever it forays into like a marathon.

Support for Android 2.0 is an added advantage

None of other Android Wear device is set to feature the support for the Android Wear 2.0 when it will be launch next year. Furthermore it is worth noting that Google has not brought any new software iteration for the Android Wear devices since March 2014. Google upcoming ‘Smartwatches’ will feature the latest software, thereby enhancing the features and potential of the devices. The best thing about Android wear 2.0 software is that it will bring support for the new Google Assistant voice controlled service which was first seen in the Pixel and Pixel XL devices.

Google Lets Developers Build “Conversation Actions” for Google Home

Google - A household name for the millions of internet users and recognized as one of the most important and useful search engine, which allows people to explore the world with ease and comfort. The massive growth in the science and the technology division have paved the way for the computer and the internet, which have changed the entire social structure and the idea, lifestyle and livelihood of people.

Today, it is quite tough to identify a single item or issue that is not having the touches of digital technology, therefore, the importance of the regular developments of the search engines are considered as a mandatory issue, which helps in obtaining smooth and powerful search results. With an intention to provide useful supports for its users, Google tries their best to develop their service, with new options and access, which are of high quality and relevance.

It can be noted that Google has recently announced that all types of developers, apart from its members of the private preview line up, can start the bringing of their respective services and applications to the very prominent Google Assistant, which will be starting with the all-important “conversation actions” of the Google Home.

This particularly allows the developer in creating backward and forward conversations with users all the way through the Assistant and the individual user can simply initiate these useful conversations just by using the phrase, such as; “Ok Google, Speak to Martha.”

This particular Assistant runs inside the app, like Allo Chat, it is also available on various pixel phones. Google has already made the commitment that it is planning to bring unique actions to these other important “Assistant surfaces” in the near future, although when exactly this will happen, it is still quite unclear.

To provide excellent support for those developers, who intend to build the newly formed Conversation Actions be getting started; Google has been teaming up with some partners, such as; APIAP, DashBot, GupShup, Voice Lab, Notify IO, Assist, Spoken Layer and Witlingo etc. for better assistance.

Google also allowed a very small number of associates / partners in enabling their respective app on the very popular Google Home. It may also be noted that these integrations will have to roll out within a short while, as early as, by next couple of days.

This is worth mentioning that Google made their platform more accessible and of low friction means for the user that helps in getting their voice-enabled services, with a very simple command so that the user can invoke these novel actions and that is also, without any enabling of a specific skill, such as; required on Alexa.

Google will take the final call or control over facilitating of actions on the Google Home. Google also said that they will make possible of deeper integrations across the verticals in their upcoming releases and also provide required support for the booking and purchase, but the time of availability of these assistances is still remaining a very big question.

How to Get Google Assistant on Any Android Marshmallow Smartphone in 9 Steps

Latest/Advanced Google Assistant – Messaging App Allo

The latest and advanced Google Assistant is said to be an essential element of the messaging app Allo, of the company together with the flagship Pixel and Pixel XL smartphone which runs on Android 7.1 Nougat. Being limited to Pixel launcher on the new smartphones of Google, one is unable to officially replace Google Now with Google Assistant on Android smartphone.

However due to a mighty Android developer known as Max Rumpf, one small hack can allow you to obtain Google Assistant running on any Android 6.0 Marshmallow based smartphone currently. It tends to utilise Xposed framework together with an app known as AndroidN-ify in order to work the hack. The process is said to function on rooted devices running on Android open-source project ROMS. To get Google Assistant on your Android Marshmallow smartphone the following steps can be taken:

The Nine Steps

1.  You can download the Xposed framework flashable file and APK. Drop these files in the root directory or in a new folder on microSD card or internal storage. Then turn off the smartphone, reboot for recovery and flash the zip installer.  
2. With the smartphone on, utilise file manager in locating the Xposed APK file and install the same. The user may need to check `Unknown Sources in Settings’ followed by Security in order to install the APK file. 
3.  The AndroidN-ifty APK file is to be downloaded and installed and then begins the real game. The user needs to be careful and follow the instructions. 
4.  On opening the Xposed app, tap on the modules and check the AndroidN-ify box. 
5.  Open Root Explorer and find out if the system has been mounted as R/W (read or write) and tap on System then press and hold `build prop’. Then utilise the three dots menu button towards the right area in order to open in text editor. 
6.  Thereafter search for a line known as ro.product.model and this model number would be the name of your device such as the Galaxy S7, OnePlus 3, and LG G5 etc. You may need to create a file if there is no such file like ro.product.model=Pixel XL. Here OS has been faked presuming that the device is Pixel XL. 
7.  When this is done, go to the last line, creating a new one which reads - `ro.opa.eligible_device_true’ and then save it. Here OS is allowed to know that the device is qualified for Google Assistant.
8.  On rebooting the device, confirm if the new model number has been accepted and to get to know this you could go to Settings > About Phone. 
9.  Ensure that you have the updated Google App beta installed. The go to Settings > Apps > Google App > Storage > clear All Data.

Google Assistant – New Pixel Phone

When all this is accomplished, open Google App and setup Google Assistant and when it is setup, you could invoke it on holding the `Home’ button for a couple of seconds or by saying `OK Google’. The new intelligent conversational virtual assistant – Google Assistant is only available officially for new Pixel phone. But with some tweaking one could get it together with all Assistant’s great search and chat features on any Android Marshmallow or higher.

Google Announced Winners of Material Design Awards 2016

Google Announced Winners = Material Designs 2016

A design system tends to come to make waves when it is utilised in creating meaningful experiences.Google had introduced the Material Design showcasing applications which had embraced and embodied the design principles of Android much better than the others.

At Google I/O 2016, the app Robinhood had won the Google Play Award for the Best Use of Material Design. The winners of the Awards for Material Designs 2016 have been announced by Google last year, which had been dedicated at recognising the `best-in-class’ achievements for utilising material design for apps.Classifications of the award tend to focus specific aspects of Material Design which have been utilised in the creation of the apps that are inclined to satisfy users and express the brand suitably.

The five winners had been honoured on October 27 at the SPAN LA conference which represented the finest application of aspects of Material Design. The awards had been cut down into categories which focus on how developers could create apps that are not only great for use but also tends to express their brand on utilising the application design guidelines offered by Google. Asana had won the Brand Infusion award- Team Tasks & Projects.

Goal Completion Animations

According to Google, Asana makes the teamwork productive as well as collaborative by providing short together with often repeatedly interactions to `make efficiency feel rewarding’. Fabulous – Motivate Me, had won the Charming Engagement award wherein the app tends to feature charming illustration style in creating an impression on the users.

Google has noticed that the state transition with pleasing goal completion animations tends to keep up the motivation. C Channel received the Creative Navigation award and the app is said to organise content in a series of tabs which has the tendency of navigating through swiping. Google informs that the state that the app `neatly balances a blend of studio-created and user-submitted videos related to fashion, food and much more.

But it is only available in Japanese and Thai.The Expressive Layouts award was won by Kitchen Stories app and the app had been distinguished for its capability of creative effective together with scanning of layouts with ease for recipes on various kinds of screens and sizes.

Winning Apps – Taken Up Design Language to Great Heights

Moreover, it also tends to minimise the number of times user tend to have to touch the screen and is beneficial if the user seems to have untidy fingers while cooking. Airbnb was awarded for Focused Efficiency wherein Google informed that the app is `able to sidestep the appearance of complexity, thereby making the overall experience comfortable.

But it also observed that efficiency does not come at the cost of the visual appeal of the app. The award winning apps have taken up the design language to great heights and also deserves the honours and awards they have been provided. The Material Design Contest follows Google-hosted app contest – the Indie Games Festival which had wrapped up in September. This envisaged three game developers awarded tickets to I/O 2017 developer conference of Google, a Tango Development kit together with a Razer Forge TV bundle.

Amplify Your Mood with the New Google Home

Say hello to the new smart speaker from the tech-giant, the “Google Home” which is listed under the “Made by Google” product line up. Priced at around $129, the Google Home is a direct competition to the Amazon Echo which has been in the market for a while. So does it have what it takes to be the new favorite? Here’s a quick review of the latest Google Home!

Hardware Specifications: 

Standing at 5.62 inches or 143 mm tall and 3.79 inches or 96 mm in diameter and weighing at around 480 grams, it has a cylindrical shape with 4 LEDs on the top of the device programmed to indicate battery life. The upper surface is also equipped with a capacitive touch panel which allows play/pause music, adjusting volume or opening up the Google assistant. Powered by the same ARM processor and WIFI module present on the Chromecast, it is a pretty compact device that turns your residence into a Smart Home. The base comes with an interchangeable cover with various colors like carbon, copper, snow, marine, mango and violet.

Know Your Companion: 

Google Home seamlessly controls home devices and products like Nest Thermostat, Philips, IFTTT and SmartThings. It also behaves like a Chromecast and using voice commands it can stream audio and video to compatible devices. So if you feel lazy, you can just ask the device to adjust the room temperature or play your favorite TV show for you from your bed! It is rumored that Netflix is working on adding voice commands to their apps and soon Google Home will support it.

The Google assistant supports YouTube, Pandora, Google Play Music, IHeart Radio and Tunein. It comes with a feature viz. “My Day” which lets the assistant access information about the daily schedule of the user. Before heading out of the door you may ask “Ok Google, How’s the weather?” and it will say it loud for you. Consider a situation that you may have more than one speaker in your home; Google clarified that the devices comes with a dual microphone set up and the one which hears the voice best will wake up.

It is context aware which makes it far easier to talk to. Conversations with the device seem a lot easier compared to Amazon’s Echo. However it can access information from only one Google account. This may considered as a minute drawback as nowadays everyone has more than one personal account. Hope it gets fixed soon.

The Final Verdict 

So should you buy it? If you are out in the market for a portable speaker then the Google Home is definitely a wise choice. It has great quality sound output and a compact design. It excels in what it is meant to do i.e. provide a seamless interconnection between devices and play quality music. Yes, it doesn’t come cheap but it delivers for the price point. There are alternatives in the market but a product from a tech-giant like Google is always preferable.

Microsoft Attacks Google's Windows Hack Alert

Google leaves Microsoft red faced by revealing a potent security flaw found right in its popular Windows operating system. Google has published a report which gives insight and remarkable details into the security flaw which has yet to be fixed by the Microsoft. It should be noted that Google has already given a deadline of seven days to Microsoft for fixing up the flaw but Microsoft simply failed to play by the rules. Google has stated that it was necessary to reveal the flaw to public as it was being actively abused. Microsoft reiterated by stating that alert which only ends up in causing more harm because it will still need more time come with a suitable security patch.

The flaw revealed by Google

Google has revealed a major flaw in the file named Win32k.sys which is utilized by the Microsoft’s Windows operating system to display graphics. Any kind of alteration or moderation to this file can create havoc for the users which leaves the display system is jeopardy. Deleting or altering this file results in system errors with the notorious blue screen of death. This has been known by all the major security experts and operating system users as well as technicians but the flaw revealed by Google brings showcase a vulnerability which can utilized by the hackers for their own personal gains.

Google has quite frankly laid down the roadmap for any hacker to exploit this vulnerability through using a ‘security sandbox escape. This simply means that if a hackers gets acess of any Windows operating system the he will get the ability to alter other computer function sin order to cause more problems for the end users.

Why Google chose to reveal the vulnerability? 

Google has a policy which has been active since 2013 and it states that Google will offer 60 days to the developers to fix up the flaw identified by it, only in the case if no one making active use of the flaw. But if it’s found that the vulnerability is being utilized by hackers or other then Google will offer just 7 days before making the flaw public.

Similarly Google has given seven days to the Microsoft to come up with a fix for this vulnerability but they failed to do so. Microsoft has stated in its defense that it isn’t feasible to come with right solution and fixing parameter with an imposing aggressive timeline. It has also been stated by Google that users can safeguard themselves from this flaw through limiting the exposure by the using the Chrome which is not effectively exposed to the vulnerability.

Tech community is divided in this debacle

Cyber security experts are left scratching their whether the decision taken by Google is right or wrong given the fact that revealing the flaw will still require a security patch from Microsoft and Microsoft requires time to develop it. A security expert has stated that bringing flaw public without knowing who are the attackers and targets can aggravate the situation further.

Getting Robots to Teach Each Other New Skills

Google – Robots Utilising Shared Experiences

Robots have not got hold of human intelligence still but the researchers of Google have shown how they have been progressing in utilising downloadable intelligence. Just envisage if you could be better at some skill by not just learning and practising but by accessing the brains of another to tap directly in their experiences.

That would be science fiction for human, but in the case of AI powered robotics, it could be a possibility to shortcut training times by having robots to share their experiences. Recently, Google had demonstrated this with its grasping robotic arms.

James Kuffner, former head of robotics of Google had created a term for this kind of skills acquisition, six years back, naming it `cloud robotics’. It recognises the effect of distributed sensors and processing supported by data centres and quicker networks.

 Presently Knuffer, the CTO of the Toyota Research Institute where his focus lies on cloud robotics in bringing about reality domestic helper robots. UK artificial intelligence lab, Google Research, Deep Mind together with Google X continues to discover cloud robotics in quickening general purpose skills acquisition in robots. In many demonstration video that were recently published, Google has portrayed robots utilising shared experiences to learn quickly how to move objects and open doors.

Robots – Own Copy of Neural Network

Out of the three multi-robot approaches which the researchers have been utilising is reinforcement learning, or trial and error together with deep neural networks which is the same approach that DeepMind is using in training its AI, is being skilled at Atari video games and Chinese board game Go.

Every robot tends to have its own copy of neural network which assists it to decide the ideal action in opening the door. Google has constructed data quite quickly with the addition of interference. Recording the robots actions, behaviours and concluding outcome is done by a central serve, which utilises those experiences in order to build an improved neural network which assists the robots enhancing the task.

As portrayed in two videos by Google, after a training of 20 minutes the robotics arms fumbled around for the handle though ultimately managed to open the door. But in the span of three hours, the robots could reach for the handle with ease, twist it and then pull to open the door.

Google Training Robots to Construct Mental Models 

Another system which they have been exploring could be helpful for robots to follow commands in moving objects around the home and it is here that Google has been training its robots to construct mental models on how things tend to move in response to definite actions by building experience of where pixels turn out on a screen after a certain action is done.

The robots tends to share their experiences of nudging different object surrounding a table, assisting them forecast what could happen should they tend to take a specific course of action. The researchers are ultimately exploring methods for the robots to study from humans. Google’s researchers directed robots to the doors and exhibited how to open them. These actions had been encoded in deep neural network which tends to transform camera images to robot actions.

Google DayDream

Google Daydream View handset

Daydream View handset has been revealed by Google together with various apps and games which can be utilised on your Daydream-ready phone. Google had also announced that the new Pixel as well as Pixel XL smartphone would be the first handsets to be Google Daydream ready.

These are said to be the best phones to purchase if one would prefer to use Daydream when the headset is launched. Google Daydream is said to be the latest effort of bringing VR to mobile devices by Google and is very much different than Google Cardboard.

 Unlike the earlier somewhat disposable VR headset of Google that had been focused in getting people in the VR door with low cost and low smartphone proficiency requirements, Daydream tends to have more tough vision which seems to have its sight set on offering higher-quality experiences to Android Nougat users.

Daydream would be bringing more exciting as well as absorbing VR experiences to users who seem unable to afford a HTC Vive or Oculus Rift. It is likely to be on sale in November in the US priced at $79 though there is no information on when it would be released in the UK or Australia.

ZTE VR – Android Nougat/VR Maintenance Software Update

Google has also claimed that Samsung, Asus, Alcatel, LG, HTC, Xiaomi and ZTE will be manufacturing phones which would be `Daydream ready’. Besides these, Huawei has also confirmed that it would be making Daydream-ready phone together with headsets and controllers.

The first smartphone, the ZTE Axon 7, has been announced to be Google Daydream compatible together with its own VR headset – the ZTE VR which requires Android Nougat as well as necessary VR maintenance software update of Google to pull it off. This would be coming in the Android Nougat 7.1 update.

Google Daydream will be running apps as well games download from Play Store thus making it simple in locating experiences in utilising the headset. Towards the end of 2016, as per Google, there would more than 50 apps and games made available to the users on the platform.

In the forthcoming months, HBO, Netflix and Hulu would be having Daydream ready apps. The New York Times would be launching an app for its VR videos also.

Clickable Touch Pad

When the platform is launched, Google would be making its own apps compatible with the Daydream platform comprising of Play Movies, Photos, YouTube and Maps. Announcement had also been done by Unity and Epic on the development support for Daydream from the gaming point of things.

The Daydream View headset portrayed by Google is said to be one choice for Google Daydream VR which enables the companies to take a hold on the tech that would probably result in various looking headsets. Limited information regarding its controller resembling a Wii remote have been provided by Google.

It shares some common physical qualities for the modern TV touch remote of Apple. It will be featuring a clickable touch pad, towards its top which will bring native touchscreen like gestures to the virtual world. Then there is an app button which tends to put your apps in view and finally the home button takes you back to the home screen of Google Daydream.

Google Reveals Pixel Phone

Google’s New Smartphone Under Pixel Brand

Alphabet’s Google is likely to reveal the new smartphones at an event held on Tuesday which is said to be the latest attempt by the company to sell consumers on Google patented device as well as to test Apple AAPL 0.43% at the high end of the market. Analysts have predicted that the San Francisco product launch would be showcasing the other hardware initiatives of Google GOOGL 0.30% comprising of voice-controlled speaker system known as Home with a view to contest Amazon.com’s AMZN – 0.32% Echo device together with a virtual reality headset.

The most enthusiastically awaited smartphone released under the Pixel brand will be replacing the Nexus line. Though most of the vendors besides Apple tend to use Google’s Android operating system, the company has been toying with several methods in building its own hardware without isolating the manufacturers. Since 2010, Google has sold Nexus phones though the devices have attained little power in the market controlled by Samsung Electronic SSNLF 24.00%. The analysts are of the opinion that the uninspiring sales is due to poor distribution since the phone are not naturally available through the network carrier which most of the U.S. network consumers tend to depend on.

Google – End-to-End Experience

Google had also owned the Motorola smartphone business temporarily before selling it to the Lenovo Group.Google had to struggle to make a distinction with its devices since its mobile software had been made available very extensively according to analyst Jan Dawson of Jackdaw Research.

He added that Google wanted to have this end-to-end experience though it was not clear that people really wanted that. The cost of the new Pixel phone is likely to be over $6000, which makes them at the high end of the market where Apple is said to be the prominent competitor.

Dawson seems to be more optimistic regarding the Home device which was unveiled at the developer conference of the company this year that tends to work with home entertainment systems, responding to voice commands. The device is said to signify a significant move in an escalating battle with Google and the other tech giants in launching the dominant `digital assistant’.

Alexa/Siri – Competing for Control

Alexa, Google Assistant of Amazon and Siri of Apply have been competing for control since most of the individuals tend to search the web making online purchases through voice commands that could ultimately replace keyboards as well as touch screens as the main means of monitoring digital devices. Though Amazon had been the first to market, Google could take over most of the sales in the nascent category, as per Dawson.

However with smartphones, the distribution could be a challenge.He also added that Amazon had the benefit of being capable of putting this on the home page of the biggest e-commerce site in the world. Ben Bajarin analyst of Creative Strategies stated that he too anticipates Google to discuss its virtual reality headset, Daydream at the event.

He also commented that the company would also disclose plans of combining its Chrome operating system for laptops as well as its Android mobile software thereby assist developers in building more devices.