Android O: Everything You Need To Know About Next Android OS

In the world of mobile and related technologies, Apple has already attained much attention from the users. However, Android has also become one of the leading Operating Systems as lots of devices with this OS are available in different designs and specifications. Those, who love using Android phones, may be happy to know that Google has recently revealed some information on Android’s newest version Android O. Obviously, the Smartphone users hope to get lots of thrilling features on the newest edition of Android. They want to have custom icons or fonts, better standard audio system and amazing ways for running games or any other apps.

Google will not officially release Android O version until it organizes I/O seminar in the month of May. However, the possible features that may be found with this model are described here.

Notification system with latest Android edition-

Overloading of notifications is really an issue. That is why Android O is intended to prevent such problem. It will offer notification channel, which is customizable to any user. All the alerts and notifications may be categorized, according to the specific type, for example, message or entertainment news. The users may also get the option- Snooze that is helpful to control these notifications. Styles for massaging and colors for notification backgrounds may also be changed.

Limitations on some activities at the background-

In Nougat version of Android, the users are presented with an opportunity for restricting a number of activities of apps. In case of Android O. this aspect has been improved to a significant level. If some apps are prevented from performing their tasks, then life-span of your Android battery may get increased.

Picture-in-Picture-

If you have used TV version of Android, then this mode is not new to you. Android O will also include it as it is useful to run video.

Control cached file in a better way-

Each app needs some space for storage, especially if it is a cached record. While the space of disk is to be made available, it may remove some data or files from applications.

Incredible gestures-

This is a unique feature that you may enjoy with Android O version. Just draw the alphabet, C on the screen, and you will get the contact list. However, you can see this option in some Chinese Smartphone models, when you may open app by drawing letter onscreen.

When you say Android L, it indicates Lollipop version. And while it is N, you may easily recognize it to be Nougat version. Now, regarding Android O, lots of speculations have been made. Some people guess that it is Oatmeal Cookie, while others think it to be Oreo. However, Google hasn’t announced specific name for Android O version.

But, it is hoped by Google that Android may become the only platform, which is proper in appearance and performance. With new features and limits, Android O version may be a good gift to Android users, who like to have better experience of using their Smartphone.

Howard University Opens a New Campus at the Googleplex

It is an unaltered reality that novice and emerging minds have always exposed top-notched versions of technology that comes up with a lot of dynamism enrapt in it. Previously, almost a decade ago there was hardly any attempt was made in the field of the technology but, one must remember that it is an undenied fact that it is rigorously imperative to reflect that how innovative the working groups of Howard University are, which is generally termed as the Black institution since time immemorial.

It is the time to feel proud of one’s institution that has groomed us to stand at the position where we are. Students who pursued their undergraduates from Howard University in Computer Science, are being recruited by a renowned tech support organization i.e. Googleplex.

The unhindered service that they have received from the students of Howard have enforced them to recruit more employees from Howard West which has now become the central zone of Google to employ extraneous Black Software Engineers from different institutions like the esteemed colleges and Universities. Besides, providing them with thehighest order of perks and pays; they also ensure that the employees are given the best working environment so that they feel at home, though physically far away from it.

Peter Drucker, a consultant at the managerial post said that the only way by which one can predict their future is by creating it, and this is what the students from Howard University is bent proving it. The students are the harbingers of values loaded with diversity and Google has taken the initiative to include diversity in its curriculum.

They are thriving to develop an another version of campus Googleplex that was till now denoted only to the physical space, but now the students on campus can mingle and coordinate with several creative and innovative minds across the universe on this unique platform provided by Googleplex. This initiative to bring the entire world to a single space is sure to churn the whirlwind by enfolding every new aspect of creativity that was undoubtedly not thought before.


The Googleplex program is designed in such a manner that everyone whether a junior or a senior from Howard University pursuing Computer Science will get the opportunity to be a part of it by attending the program for a period of three months, but only for once. An added advantage to all the participants would be that they would be supervised by Senior Google Engineers and Faculty members from Howard University.

They will always be there s instructors so that they can provide their best support to all the emerging talents. The program is said to have been started in summer this year and they are also thinking of incorporating students from other Black Universities who would be the perfect example of best minds travelling across space and geographical boundary. This is a revolutionary initiative taken by Google which would definitely give a proper platform to the fresh and emerging talents.

Google Maps Users Soon Can Broadcast Their Movements to Friends, Family

Google is known for its highly developed features that provide its users wide varieties of features. On March 2017, Google has launched a privacy detector feature, where its users will actually be able to share their movements with their friends and relatives. Google Maps is that very feature that is ensuring this facility to its users. In these days the act of sharing every detail on social networking site with your friends and relatives by posting pictures and videos has become very common.

So, Google by introducing Google maps have taken a step forward in this regard where people can easily share their exact location with whomsoever it concerns.

This feature is already installed on almost every smartphones and there is an update from Google that says this feature will also be available on personal computers. With the help of this enticing tool it will be more easy for people to let others know where they are without having to opt for text or call. This is a very big advantage as any emergency situation can be avoided.

To this Ruth Glenn, executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence has seconded that this application has both positive and negative connotations. All emergency situations can be avoided being easily able to catch up with people. On a humorous note this can create drastic problems for those who are in relationships, married, as they might have to be constant under the supervision of their partner. Even parents can be sure of where their teenage children are putting up by asking them to turn on the application when they are going out. So, this can be really a boon or a curse for different individuals.

Vice President of Google Maps has accepted that they are not the first brand who have tried to create something like this. As several tracking applications are available on different devices. Glympse which is introduced by Microsoft have been offering this facility to their user since a long time. Apple also puts forward an option called find my friends on their iPhones, iPads, and even watches and this is probably why Google is not expecting any criticisms especially from them who do not want their near and dear ones to locate them. A very intelligent tactics Google have used to camouflage themselves to be on the safer side of the table.

It is very simple to use as the users of this Map will just have to activate the location sharing option by pressing a button available near the search bar and then they can select the person from their contact list whom they want to address their location. They will automatically be informed via a text message. If the receiver does not have the Google Maps application downloaded on their phones, then they will get a link through which they can view the location using a browser.

The one who are unwilling to disclose their whereabouts they can make the desired changes in their setting due to which they can determine for how long their location can be traced.

Google Develops Invisible Web Security Captcha Form

Privacy has become a huge concern for the social media platform and large tech firms which deals with horrendous amount of private data. Google has come forward with a noble solution in form of developing such website security checks which isn’t visible enough to be tampered by the hackers. Currently usual internet users had to prove they are human through giving a click on the ‘I am not a robot’ checkbox or checking the pictures on the screen but Google new system will simply make them go away.

A new system of proving you are ‘human’

Currently websites heavily rely on the ‘captcha’ which usually asks users to complete a puzzle displayed on their screen and this captcha is designed in such a way that a computer will struggle to complete it correctly. Captcha came into being to thwart the attempt of the bots from accessing and using the websites. Now Google has developed a system which essentially helps in tracking how users interacts with the website in order to prove that they are human, this will be mean that puzzle are no longer necessary on the website if this system find everything is fine with users activity or behavior.

The puzzles developed by the companies in designing the Captcha has helped them in developing a number of things like Google has utilized it train its artificial intelligence algorithms. An example will help in showing how Google is making its AI smarter with the use of captcha puzzle. If it AI is unable to recognize the house number present in the image by the Streetview car then it will through that image in the Captcha system in order to get human input.

Google set to secure the websites with reCaptcha

Google has long ago introduced that reCaptch system which helped in simplifying the process of making users check certain puzzle in order to prove they are human. Nowadays almost all the websites are relying on it safeguard themselves from hackers and surge of attacks on their servers against the barrage of information feed by scammers. The box utilized for the Captcha helps in monitoring how each person is interacting with it and it then helps computer in understanding the human clicks from the bots.

A example will help in illustrating this fact when an automated script used by the hackers for getting though the captcha then computer notes that it has taken a second to fill up the form and there has been not movement of the mouse at all. All these activities are enough to give it a red flag.

Google has went ahead to improve this system which has done away with the check box as well. Now the system will focus on analyzing the how users has interacted with the other elements on the website which includes the ‘submit form’ button. If this system finds that there has been suspicious activity on the website then it will trigger puzzle on the screen for the user or bot to solve.

FRED: Unconfirmed Change in How Google Ranks Web Pages Is Freaking Some People Out

Google is the most widely used search engine on global level which is utilized by the users to search for almost anything. A better rank in the Google results search page means millions on visitors on the website. In simple words higher the rank the better chances are for businesses to put forward their products and services and at the same time generate more money. Page ranks on the search engine is a thing of great concern for the business as it the only way of getting found online in the most humble fashion.

Why SEO companies matter? 

This is basic reason behind the flourishing of the search engine optimization (SEO) service provider companies. These companies helped business in gaining traffic to their website through fetching better results in the search engines and most importantly on the Google using the White Hat techniques. The experts working at such firms are entrusted with the task of enhancing the online visibility as well as search engine visibility of the businesses which helps in gaining website traffic, attracting leads and increasing the brand awareness which ultimately results in growing the business revenue. Even a slightest change in the Google website ranking algorithm could wreak havoc in the online ranking of the business on global scale.

The update is called FRED

It is being speculated that Google has quietly launched the FRED update which basically focuses on the link quality. Most of the SEO experts relying on the link building practice which help in linking websites to other channels and in return guaranteed a huge surge of traffic to the website. With the FRED update Google is not looking at the number links built by the website but it is also accessing the quality of the links in order to give rank to the website in question. FRED isn’t a major update but it can seriously undermine or enhance the rank of the website of the search in a single go.

Rapid increase and decrease in the ranking is worrisome

Google has formally announced any changes in the website ranking algorithm though SEO communities suspect it has already begun and Google will make everyone aware in upcoming days. A number of SEO experts have stated that they are getting significant volatility and fluctuation in their automated tracking tools which essentially signify that an update has been made in the Google website ranking algorithm. Secondly not just the SEO experts even the webmasters are worried with rapid decline and increase in the website which clear indication that a Google update FRED has been made to the search engine without notice.

Those businesses that rely on the website for lead generation and branding will get to see change in their results within a short while of the change in the website ranking. It is better to talk with SEO consultant and get to the root of the cause which will help in making the necessary in the website to ensure you don’t keep on losing the customers and business with the dramatic change in the website rank.

Top 10 services Google killed off

Google so frequently launches so many products in the market that after introducing the service they forget about it completely and sometimes launches something new that comes out to be corresponding to the latter, giving it a tough competition. Where, the people too forget about the previous services as they get swayed away with the new one considering it to be the best, just because it is a new introduction so it will definitely comprise of some new technologies that might give them some added value. Here, is the list of some common and the most loved services that Google has struck off over the years.

• Google Buzz – This was launched in 2010 and was killed off in 2011. This was a Facebook clone that also attached to your email. Due to the service, you could easily share photos, videos and also links straight away to your contacts or to others as well. It died because it was considered as an unprecedented service and was not specific in terms of its utilization. 
• Picnik – This was a photo editing tool that was available for free in online. Making changes in your photos became easiest with this option as you were not required to different software to adjust the brightness, color, resolution etc. of the photo you intend to upload. 
• Picasa – Google decided to kill these tools in 2016, but it was a very beneficial tool where you can actually make necessary changes in your digital photos without any trouble. 
• Google answers – In 2006, Google struck off Google Answers. They did this to attract payments in lieu of providing better answers. 
• Google Wave – This tool was available between 2010 and 2012 and was killed off for genuine reasons as it lead to certain discrepancies that required an immediate termination and in its place several other features like Google Drive, Dropbox or Office came up that grants a much constructive work. 
• Google Helpouts – This feature enables seekers to get connected with experts and videos that too live. But, it lasted for only 2 years. 
• Google Notebooks –This was called off in 2012. It was an online notebook, where you could store notes and even important video clips provided that you use it with Firefox or Explorer. 
• Google Labs – This feature enabled the common people to use different types of features and apps that too in variety of services, starting from Google Calendar to Google Chrome. Though, the feature no longer exists the spirit of it has still retained its character. 
• iGoogle – This was the personalized startup page of Google. This did a good marketing from 2005-2013, and when it got disappeared not only its users but the entire internet world was effected by it. Here, you could do anything you want. 
• Google Reader – Google Reader was one of the favorite companions of the internet that got lost in 1 July, 2013 and instead of it radio waves has taken the position.

Google Head Confirms Second Generation Pixel Phone

This year might have just have begun but we are already moved by the reports of Google and Apple. Probably this year would bring a dynamic change in the world of cells. Google is trying its best to compete with it’s one of the top rivals –Apple with Second Generation Pixel phone. Well, Apple has always maintained the trend of releasing iPhones each year ever since its inception and now we may see Google just following the same trend. But the catch is whether Google will be able to match up to the expectations of the users and also whether it would take everyone by surprise. The rumours of iPhone 8 have already been spread but now the question lies whether Apple would be able to be deliver those features without any glitches like the 3-D selfie camera which is supposed to map your face.

THE PIXEL 

With the news being confirmed that Google is set to launch the second version of Pixel which can range around 900$. So be prepared to shed a bit more for the wonderfully crafted design of Pixel 2. The previous Pixel boasts of an enormous charging facility and battery backup which is the major concern for the normal consumers. Well, it was able to give seven hours of standby charge when it was charged for just fifteen minutes. Needless to say, the design was superb with the storage capacity of 32 GB or 128 GB. The video calling app like DUO may get a newer look or an upgrade in the Pixel 2. The ALLO app for messaging was a huge success. The design may be a sleek a bit and may use cutting edge technology to beat the likes of Apple in the top smartphone market.

THE FEATURES

With the passage of time, the technology has got more advanced and with more exciting features, it is just icing the cake. The latest report says Google is planning to ditch the headphone jack just like the iPhone 7. It is planning to take over the market in the broader way. Well, this report might not be true as it was an internal Google document and hasn’t been verified still. But within a short span of time, the picture would be clear. The processor for the Pixel 2 would be Snap Dragon. Probably it would be the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC. It is supposed to be water resistant as well as dust resistant.

THE MARKET

Google’s main focus would be on photography just like the predecessors. And for this they have decided to stay premium in the market. Well, we have got to have patience before any final news is confirmed about the product and release date. It is now time to see whether there would be any better feature than the Gorilla glass or not. The display is said to be HD with latest features which will be quite cool when coming to the photography part. The year surely promises to be awesome with respect to the smartphones.

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
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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.