You Can Now Use Android Apps without Downloading Them

Google – Use Apps without Download

Google is experimenting with tech that enables you to use apps without downloading them. It was Google’s plan of keeping its crown with regards to mobile search. Earlier searching for the Web would be sitting in front of a desktop computer and editing words in the search box at Google.com.

But now, with the enhancement in technology, individual open a smartphones app, instead of going to Google. However Google intends to change it and the Mountain View, California, company desires to extend its search dominance to smartphones by offering an option of using apps without the need of downloading them to your phone.

Should a user search for a product for instance hotel room by utilising Google’s app on a smartphone powered by the company’s Android software, it displays the search results from across the web as usual. However there would also be some details from apps like Hotel Tonight, the San Francisco-based app for booking last minute rooms. If the button is tapped, Google displays the app and the user could book a room, even though the same is not installed on their phone.

Streaming Video to Phone via Internet

For those who have been waiting for a long length of time between tapping `install’ and then able to open an app on the phone, it seems thrilling. The trick is that the company has been streaming a video to your phone via the Internet while the apps run in a computer several miles away.Presently Google is only capable of doing that with nine apps namely Hotel Tonight, Daily Horoscope, My Horoscope, New York Subway, Weather, Visual Anatomy Free, Useful Knots, restaurant finder Gormey and national parks guide Chimani. Lead engineer for Google’s mobile search and app indexing team, Rajan Patel commented that they feel like it is their role to ensure they have answers, in mobile often which are in apps.

This move for consumers would mean cutting out time and the trouble it involves in downloading an app and then installing it on the phone. One could utilise an app without the need of it occupying space on the device.For Google it could be revolution of making mobile app less applicable, keeping the search giant at the top for smartphone users. Though Google’s desktop search engine seems to be the most successful in the world, it is not as unattainable on Smartphones.

Deep Linking Technology

However, this is not the only option Google is making attempts in trying to enhance mobilesearch. Google, in April had altered the way of organizing all websites, ranking those which show better on smartphones and the company had been working in making information from within the apps much more searchable on Google. This technology is known as deep linking.

The company had also informed that it has now over 100 billion links to information from apps. Due to the technology which it had acquired last year from a start-up known as Agawi, Google also has the capability of streaming these apps. Google is not actually giving access to the app, technically.

According to a spokeswoman, it seems like one is in the program, though the company is in fact streaming you a high-resolution video which can be tapped and scrolled just as a normal app. The difference between an installed app and the Google version is that a banner runs through the bottom of the screen which says `App streamed by Google.

Google has mentioned that the new app feature would ultimately come to Apple’s iPhones though has refrained to say when it would come up.

Gmail to Warn When Messages Take Unencrypted Routes

Security of User’s Data Vulnerable

Google has observed that the security of its user’s data has become more vulnerable when they received message sent through a different email provider. There is a possibility that most of the users would now begin to see the alerts coming, in a few months.

Google has plans of ramping up security at its free email service by enabling users to be aware when messages arrive through unencrypted connection which could be susceptible to snooping or tampering. These threats have urged Gmail to work on warning system which could alert users when they tend to receive unencrypted mail.

Elie Bursztein and Nicolas Lidzborski of Gmail security team had mentioned in a blog post this week that these warning would begin to roll out in the coming months and while these threats does not seem to affect Gmail to Gmail communication, they could affect messaging between providers.

This statement came with the result of the study indicating that email encryption has been increasing together with measures to prevent spam and fraud by improved authenticating messages. The good news is that more email providers have been offered email encryption along the board with the majority of them utilising a few type of authentication in order to decrease phishing.

Google/Yahoo/Others – Improve Encryption of Websites/Email

But Google has said that it discovered regions of the Internet wherein email encryption had been secretly thwarted as well as exposed malicious servers that were programmed to hijack Gmail message by providing them false routing information.

Bursztein and Lidzborski had indicated in the post that though this kind of attack seems rare, it was a matter of concern as it would enable attackers to censor or alter messages before they are relayed to the email recipient.

In an attempt to enhance privacy in the midst of concerns with regards to hacking and surveillance, Google, Yahoo together with other online firms has been moving to improve encryption of websites and email. Bloggers have confirmed that, to notify users of possible dangers, they have been developing in-product warnings for Gmail users which would display whenever they receive a message through a non-encrypted connection. The good news is that more email providers are providing email encryption on the board and most of them are using some types of authentication to lessen impersonation and phishing.

Most Providers do not Support STARTTLS

Though Gmail-to-Gmail messages are always encrypted, the company has revealed that around 57% of email that are sent from providers to Gmail is encrypted while 81% of outgoing Gmail to the other provider also. This would be great since unencrypted emails are good targets for the criminals.

Moreover the groups also found malicious DNS servers broadcasting false routing information to email servers on the lookout for Gmail. However simultaneously, these researchers also discovered that there were certain areas of the internet which were preventing message encryption by tampering with requests to start SSL connection.

 Most of providers do not support STARTTLS, which means that any email encrypted by the sender cannot be read when it is received on the other end. The focus of Google in warning Gmail users with regards to unencrypted connection is to caution them to such type of dangers.

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Tensorflow- Smarter Machine Learning, For Everyone

TensorFlow – Faster/Smarter/Flexible

TensorFlow, a faster, smarter and a much more flexible than the earlier system can be adapted easily to latest products and research. Moreover it is also highly accessible machine learning system which can run on an individual smartphone or through thousands of computers in data-centres.

Machine learning is yet in its initial stage and computers presently are unable to do what a 4 year old could do naturally such as knowing the name of an animal on seeing only a few examples. However with Tensorflow, it is a good start.

TensorFlow is utilised for all purpose, from speech recognition in Google app to Smart Reply in Inbox, to search in Google Photos. It has the potentials to build and train neural nets up to five times quicker than the first generation system and hence it could be used in improving the products in a quicker manner.

Deep Learning has had a great influence on computer science, with the possibility of exploring new areas of research and in the creation of incredibly useful products which millions of people tend to use daily. The internal deep learning infrastructure – DistBelief developed in 2011, enabled Googlers to create even bigger neural networks and scale training to thousands of cores in data centres.

Twice as Fast as DistBelief

In 2014, DistBelief has trained the Inception mode which had won Imagenet’s Large Scale Visual Recognition Challenge, driving the experiments in automated image captioning and DeepDream. DistBelief had some limitation though it was very successful and was closely directed to neural networks.

To organise it, was difficult and it was firmly coupled to Google’s internal infrastructure thus making it difficult in sharing research code externally. The open source release of TensorFlow has been publicised, the second-generation machine learning system which has been designed in correcting shortcomings. TensorFlow is flexible, portable, general, easy to use and is a completely open source. On enhancing DistBelief, addition of speed, scalability together with production readiness has been done.

 TechFlow is twice as fast as DistBelief.TensorFlow tends to have all-encompassing built-in support for the purpose of deep learning though it is more general than any computation. One can express as computational glow graph and can compute with TensorFlow.

Any grade based machine learning procedure could profit from TensorFlow’s auto-differentiation and set of first rate optimizers. It tends to get easy in expressing new ideas in TensorFlow through the flexible Python interface.

Open-Sourced TensorFlow – Standalone Library

One can move their idea flawlessly from training the desktop GPU to running on the mobile phone. Moreover you could also get started rapidly with the powerful machine learning tech by utilising the state-of-the-art example model architectures.

However, the most important fact about TensorFlow is that it your own possession. It is an open-sourced TensorFlow as a standalone library associated with tools, tutorials and examples with the Apache 2.0 licence. Hence, the user is free to use TensorFlow at their institution, at any place of work.

TensorFlow has been utilised for all the experiments by deep learning researchers and the engineers tend to use it to permeate Google Search with signals from deep neural networks as well as to power the features of tomorrow. TensorFlow will continue to be used in serving machine learning in products and the research team has been committed in sharing its implementation of available ideas.

Google Aims to Begin Drone Package Deliveries In 2017

Google – Alphabet Inc. – Delivering Packages through Drone

According to the executive in charge of Google’s drone effort, the new holding company for Google, Alphabet Inc. is expected to start delivering packages to consumers through drone somewhere in 2017. The leader for Google’s Project Wing, David Vos, stated that the company is in talks with the Federal Aviation Administration together with other stakeholders with regards to the setting up of an air traffic control system for drones which would be utilising cellular as well as Internet technology in coordinating unmanned aerial vehicle flights at altitudes of below 500 feet.

He informed the audience at an air traffic control convention near Washington that their goal was to have commercial business up and running in 2017. Among the growing number of companies intending to make package delivery by drone a reality are Google and Amazon.com Inc.

However drone deliveries are not expected to take flight till the FAA final rules for commercial drone operation which are predicted early next year. Two years after the research first started, Project Wing had been announced with YouTube video, in August 2014, showing a field test of its most practical prototype in Australia.

New Kinds & Shape of Vehicle As Project Develops

The prototype flown in Australia at 1.5 meters wide and 0.8 meters tall, shares the same design of four propeller quad copter as popular consumer drones. However the company informs that consumers could expect to see new kinds and shapes of vehicle as the project develops.

Project Wings has conducted testing with NASA inside United States. Co-chair of FAA task force, Vos, charged with coming up with drone registry, stated that a system for identifying drone operators as well as keeping UAV away from the other aircraft can be set up within a period of 12 months. He stated that they are much on an operation function with the FAA and working with the small UAV community together with the aviation community in moving things along.

He is of the belief that they can accomplish a lot in the next 3, 6, 12 months and are hoping to get some strong support in making this happen. He narrated that a drone registry which the Obama administration expects to set in place by December 20, would be a leading step to a system which would utilise wireless telecommunications as well as Internet technology comprising of cellphone application in identifying drones and keeping UAV clear of other aircrafts as well as controlled airspace.

Possibility of Controlling Class G

He also said that Google will like to view low altitude `Class G’ airspace stamped out for drones, stating that it would keep UAC free from most of the manned aircraft besides low flying helicopters while permitting drones to fly over highly populated locations.

He added that there seems a lot that can be done in this market space. He informed that the FAA together with the other stakeholders are on the lookout for possibility of controlling Class G airspace through, for profit airspace services providers that would be utilising wireless communication in order to co-ordinate drone flights and link with the air traffic control system for the manned aircraft.

Google Will Now Write Email Replies For You

Google’s Smart Reply – Inbox Email Service

Google has recently announced that its Inbox email service would be capable of composing simple replies for its users starting soon. The `Smart Reply’ function would predict which of the emails could be answered with a short reply and thereafter write and present some probable replies for the user to choose from.

So far the most notable example has been Google’s 6 year old project creating cars which can be driven without human being steering the wheel. Software engineer, Balint Miklos had written in a blog post that for instance when Smart Reply had been tested at Google, a common proposition in the workplace was `I love you’ and due to their feedback, Smart Reply is SFW.

Probably because a machine seems to be a co-opting means of communication which earlier needed effort and emotion from the human brain, the update is for Inbox only and not Gmail. If the user has a Gmail account, they could sign up for Inbox, though they may not have to do so.

A spokeswoman for Google had confirmed to HuffPost that it would only work on Inbox’s iOS and Android app though not the desktop version.

Potential to Compose Replies Automatically – Natural Evolution for Service

Three types of options would be offered as reply prior to it being sent across and the response selected would help Google’s computer to learn which one would work best. Google hopes that its new `smart reply’ choice would be particularly famous when people tend to check their emails on smartphone with smaller, touch-screen keyboards.

 This latest feature is available to all consumers who tend to use the free version of Inbox and the more than 2 million businesses that pay for Google’s suite of application developed for work. Inbox which was initially introduced last year was planned to sort through the email and present it to you in a much more convenient way.

For instance it can identify which of the emails are promotions from companies, or reminders for yourself etc. It’s potential to compose replies automatically is a natural evolution for service which has already proficient at processing the messages.

Built on Two Artificial `Neural Networks’

Google has informed that the feature will be made available on the English language version of its Inbox through Gmail app. The replies, though may be simple, a post from Greg Corrado, senior scientist at Google had explained how the software relates to the machine learning tools which Google has been utilising across several of its services in comprehending and forming natural language sentences.

Smart Reply is said to be built on two artificial `neural networks’ a software which tends to mimics the structure of the human brain which Google has trained to comprehend natural language. Instead of having Google engineers to craft rules on how to reply to the emails, the neural network tends to learn by scanning the contents of thousands of emails.

Smart Reply adopts two neural networks where one is to interpret the meaning of an incoming email and the other to form a reply. Corrado wrote that these systems generalise better and handle completely new inputs more gracefully than brittle; rule based system could ever do. He further added that early test of the software had provided sets of responses which seem to be same to each other and so Smart Reply had to be attuned to offer responses with different semantic intents’.

Google allows you to explore Street View in virtual reality

Street View Mapping Service – Virtual Reality App

An announcement has been made by Google that its famous Street View mapping service is made available as virtual reality app, enabling individuals to discover real world scenes in 3D with the use of Cardboard headset. Google has informed that its virtual reality experience – Google Cardboard is made available in 39 languages to more than 100 countries for Android and iOS.

The developers’ docs is said to be in 10 languages now, to make the experience of virtual reality more worldwide. Google Cardboard which was first released in 2014 is considered to be a virtual reality headset which can be made from scratch with the use of a Smartphone, a pair of clear lenses together with a rubber band and some Velcro and comes at a price of about £10.

Earlier available only for Android phones, Google had launched a software development kit – SDK in May for iOS together with new educational programme known as Expeditions, enabling kids to go on immersive virtual journeys to the bottom of the sea or the surface of Mars with the use of the Cardboard.

Partnered with Toy Maker Mattel - Incorporate Virtual Reality Cardboard Technology

In February, Google has also partnered with toy maker Mattel to incorporate its virtual reality Cardboard technology in the company’s iconic View Master stereoscope, This permitted users to take virtual `field trips’ and discover popular areas, landmarks, planets, nature and much more in a 360° `photospheres’.

The app – New Street virtual reality app that is made available on iOS as well as Android is anticipated to bring the world a bit closer to everyone as per Brandon Wuest, Google software engineer, enabling individuals to locate areas closer to home.

Mr Wuest had mentioned in a blog post that Street View as an introduction is a part of a larger update to the Cardboard SDK, projected to overcome of the issues described by the developers. He said that the update contains major overhaul of the sensor fusion algorithms which tends to integrate the signals from the gyroscope as well as the accelerometer.

These improvements considerably tend to decrease drift, particularly on phones with lower quality sensors. For the past year, virtual reality has been enjoying a recovery, after Oculus VR in 2014 bought by Facebook and Sony, Samsung and HTC had all launched their own headsets.

Virtual Reality – A Mind Blowing Experience

At CCS Insight, analysts envisage that 2.5m virtual as well as augmented reality devices would be sold this year which would rise over 24m in 2018. The company had stated that though gaming is available for virtual reality devices, entertainment, video and user generated content would also be driving adoption.

 Ben Wood, chief of research at CCS Insight had stated the most of the consumer tend to find virtual reality a mind blowing experience, for the first time they make attempt to try it. They are of the belief that it has tremendous potential and is not just about expensive high end devices like the Oculus Rift. For only some few dollars, consumers could dip their toe in the water with an inexpensive cardboard holder for a well-matched Smartphone.

They expect this democratisation of the technology to provide growth not only in affluent, mature markets but in emerging markets as well, where the Smartphone penetration seems stronger than ever.

Google Patent Application is about Head Display with Holograms

Google’s Patent Application for Holograms

Google has filed a patent application regarding holograms and the heading in the application states `Lightguide with several in-coupling holograms for display inhead wearable’. The two inventors named are Evan Richards and John Perreault and the application had been first filed in March 2014. Observer state that this could be linked to hardware platform for Magic Leap’s augmented reality content.

 Josh Constine in TechCrunch commented that `the patent contextualizes Google Inc.chief $542 million funding round for improved reality start-up Magic Leap. In TechCrunch, Constine seems to be asking Google - `when asked about the patent and its significance, he received from Google, a boilerplate no-comment response:

We hold patents on a variety of ideas, some of those ideas later mature into real products or services, and some do not. Prospective product announcement should not necessarily be inferred from our patents’. Jon Mundy had stated in TrustedReviews that the technology discussed in the patent application would overlay computer-generated imagery over the real world, not entirely unlike to Microsoft’s HoloLens.

The patent application reads – Single eye displays are referred as monocular HMDs while double eye displays are considered as binocular HMDs. Some HMDs display only CGI -computer generated image and other types of HMDs are capable of covering CGI overreal world view.

Patent Describes Technology – Several CGI Holograms

The later type of HMD includes come kind of see-through eyepiece and could serve as hardware platform in comprehending augmented reality. With this the viewer’s image of the world is amplified with an overlapping CGI as well as referred to as heads-up display –HUD.

The patent tends to describe technology which would enable several CGI holograms to appear in real world while the user seems to be wearing a see-through smart eyepiece. It would focus on the problem of mapping real world light sources on AR digital substances.

It means holograms, an extremely complicated issue and one which oculus Rift CEO Brendan Iribe stated as a purpose in pursuing VR over AR. The only reference of the field of view is in the list of encounters for headgear though it is expected that Google would be looking into developments on Microsoft’s hard work.

With regards to the uses of AR, Google’s patent states that the `public safety applications comprise of tactical displays of maps and thermal imaging. Other application field consist of transportation, video games,and telecommunications.

Magic Leap – Content Provider for Google Glass

There are sure to be new found applied and leisure applications as the technology evolves, but several of these applications tend to be limited due to the cost, weight, size, field of view and the efficiency of conventional optical system utilised in implementing prevailing HMDsMagic Leap had been very discreet with regards to what hardware its amplified reality software would essentially run on.

Mikhail Avady, StartUp Legal’s founder who had monitored Magic Leap’s latest AR content trademark application, had informed TechCrunch that `they believe Google wants Magic Leap to be the content provider for Google Glass and if they look at the trademark application it shows story and content based trademarks.

 Magic Leap wants to turn the world into a movie theatre and Google want it to be through Glass’.Presently it seems to be all assumption though it could be based on research, patents and investments and hence could be the safest form on which to place your dreams and hopes for the impending of improved reality

Google's Algorithm for Happiness

Mindfulness Skills Enhance Emotional Intelligence

Chade-Meng Tan, one of the company’s first engineering employees in Mountain View, a few years ago, noticed that several of his colleagues were stressed out and unhappy at work. Hence he decided to work on something in connection with it.

 He convinced his superiors to permit him in creating a course which would teach employees mindfulness skills enhance emotional intelligence and promote well-being and he transitioned to the HR department to run it.

With his employer’s approval he named it Search Inside Yourself, a corny name which also was the title of his book with regards to the course’s techniques. At the festival of 2015 SXSW in Austin Texas, Meng taught the scientifically proven secret of happiness in three easy steps.

Step One – Calm your mind

With the introduction of his first piece of advice, Meng led the SXSW audience through a small collective breathing exercise in order to calm the fluffy particles in the snow globes in our skulls. He believes of finding easy options of taking a pause during the course of the day and be aware of one’s breath.

On a lighter note, he states that if it tends to be too hard then just think about nothing for a little bit. His book provides more details, focusing on what mediation is and how to start practising on it, quoting a study of mindfulness training which reduces reported anxiety by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Meng does not seem to be the only one to recommend that meditation and mindfulness is good for mental health.

Matthieu Ricard, the monk, for instance whom the press has named as `the world’s happiest man’, had written a book about himself. There seems to be some evidence that mindfulness could help to fend off negative thoughts and according to a recent review of 209 studies it was found that the practice could help to treat depression, stress and anxiety. It is worth mentioning that handling depression as well as anxiety is not essentially the same as boosting happiness. Meng’s choice of happiness advice seems to have growing scientific acceptance.

Step Two – Log moments of joy

This means saying to oneself while sipping coffee or laugh at a friend’s joke or while purchasing a shirt that `I am having a moment of joy’. When negative things occur in our life throughout the day we simply hold on to them while the good things are more fleeting and momentary.

Meng states that by consciously accepting the good things, we increase our chances and when we reflect on the day’s happenings, we conclude that it was a happy one. The theory of observing positive experiences counterbalances or outweighs negatives, makes instinctive sense. We could relate to the power of single though short-lived event spoiling a whole day but seldom does the opposite seem to be true.

Step Three – Wish other People to be Happy

According to Meng, selfless thoughts are advantageous since we tend to obtain a lot of joy in giving more than in receiving. Meng makes powerful arguments for the - `I think’ self-evident need to pervade your life with compassion but quotes on study on people acting for others, backing his claim that `kindness is a source of happiness’.

Recent research had made attempts in exploring this effect including one by positive psychology researcher Barbara Fredrickson which ended that we require a 3:1 positive-to-negative ratio of thought in order to free our minds from the tar-paper effect of thinking negative. But this study has proved to be debated with some questioning the mathematical claims made in paper.

Google Sends out Invites for September 29 Event

Google’s Invites for Upcoming Event

Google has begun sending invites to media for the upcoming event on September 29 where probably the launch of the next generation Nexus and Chromecast devices will be coming up. There have been rumours and reports stating that the search giant would be launching not one but two Nexus smartphones at the event where both of them would be smartphones.

The two Nexus smartphones would be launched one from LG while the other would be from Huawei. Moreover the reports also indicate that the successor to the Google Chromecast would be launched with quicker Wi-Fi together with added features accompanied with a special music focussed variant of Chromecast known as Chromecast Music.

 This would be with provision for Spotify streaming. The LG Nexus 5X which is referred to be the name of the sub 5 inch screen variant would be featuring a 5.2 inch 1080p IPS LCD display. It is a hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 SoC with 3GB RAM, 16/32FB having an internal storage space together with a 13 megapixels primary camera, a 4 megapixel secondary camera and a 2,700 mAh battery.

Enhanced Wi-Fi/Fast Play

On the other hand, the Huawei Nexus 6P features a 5.7 inch QHD AMOLED display with an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, a 3GB RAM, 32GB on-board storage. These would be accompanied with a 12 megapixel primary camera along with 4K video recording as well as an 8 megapixel front facing camera. The smartphone by Huawei would be named the Nexus 6 comprising of a fingerprint scanner and USB Type-C.

 The Nexus 5 of LG would feature a 5.2 inch display. It would also have a fingerprint scanner which would be under the extended camera and comprise of 3 GB RAM. The two smartphones would be the first set of smartphones which will run the latest Android M – Marshmallow, software.

It is also expected that Google would be unveiling the second breed Chromecast dongle which would be packed with a range of latest features. These would comprise of feeds for the main screen device accompanied with enhanced Wi-Fi together with a new features which has been known as `Fast Play’.

Introducing Chromecast Audio

It is also said that Google has been speculating on introducing Motorola inspired dongle labelled as `Chromecast Audio’that would be permitting a Chromecast device to get plugged directly into any of the speaker through an auxiliary cord. Since the invitation reads `hands-on time’, followed by a presentation, there seems to be possibilities of seeing the two new Nexus smartphones revealed at the event at San Francisco.

Google’s event comes weeks after Apple’s similar events where the tech company had announced new iPhones, iPads as well as new Apple TV together with latest accessories. Earlier this week, Amazon too had unveiled a new line of products which included a $50 tablet as well as a new version of the Fire TV with a potential of streaming device at 4K resolution.

As always Google event will be streamed live on their YouTube channel and for those unable to make it for the event could tune online and view the live event which would be starting on Tuesday, September 29, 9 AM PT.

Google Car: User Interface For Displaying Internal State Of Autonomous Driving System

Google has long been creating news with its driverless car both for good and bad reasons. It has even registered the car and a company under its parent company to ensure a fine streamlined approach for making cars. Its testing with driverless cars has engaged with some unwanted accidents on minor scale, which is helping, in perfecting the vehicle.

The driverless automobile is still far from becoming a reality and it won’t be happening within next few years. Though currently it is in news for the new patent application, which shows that tech giant will be bringing some manual control options in its driverless car.

New manual controls to offer better driving experience

Google team of techs has termed the new addition of the manual controls as ‘arm the chauffer’ in the literal sense. This new feature helps in adding an arm on the steering column, which results in activating the automatic driving mode, and it works vice versa by restoring the manual control.

The transition from automatic to manual and manual to automatic is quite quick and it is almost similar to switching on and off the high beams. There is heightened support, which is quite intuitive in nature if a driver touches the pedal, or steering wheel either suddenly or with force then manual controls are activated by default. In simple words driver will be able to get the controls back in case he or she wishes to make any abrupt changes in the driving by taking some new roads or stopping by at some point.

How beneficial will be this new feature? 

This patented feature will allow a driver to take control of the vehicle back from the autopilot within a matter of few seconds. This feature allows a sublime and quick change between the driverless driving mode and manual drive mode, which is quite similar to the flight’s auto pilot mode.

With autopilot mode activated, one can sit back, relax and catch the wondrous scenes fleeting across the roads during long road trips. The driverless car and driver will work in close relation with the GPS and inbuilt driving assistant for using the driverless car.

This feature will enhance safety levels

The driverless cars being tested by many car manufacturers and Google has shown that it possess better safety records when coupled with humans behind the wheel but on its own it doesn’t that kind of record. This feature addition in Google’s driverless car will help in enhancing the levels of security to a greater extent. Google’s upcoming driverless technology will certainly be boosted by human control and with their experience and judgment in driving.

Does this feature show Google backing away from earlier stance? 

Google has for long taken a stance of developing a completely free from human intervention automatic driving technology which didn’t go well with many people. It should be also noted that laws also forbid to handle controls completely to robots or technology and it might be the reason that Google is now thinking about bringing manual controls in the driverless vehicle.

Google will Fly a Crazy, Plane-like, 84-Foot Wind Turbine Next Month

The tech giant Google has some extraordinary plans, which might seem futuristic and quite far-fetched in reality but still is worth counting. Google has one of its pet project which aims at gathering the wind energy not from the ground from the higher altitudes where wind possesses more power through stronger and reliable blowing. Google has earlier tested the prototypes of its flying wind turbine with capabilities of harnessing energy from the wind in higher altitudes. Now Google will be launching its 84-foot wind turbine next month at SXSW.

Features of Google Wind Turbine

Google turbines are very much different from the general wind turbines, which are usually seen along the US coastline. It is more like planes, which are equipped with eight propellers and tethered to a docking station. Once it is released from the ground it can hover up to 450 meters in the air and it should be noted that this is the altitude at which planes usually starts doing the circles in the sky. The drag helps turning the propellers on this exciting piece of machine into turbines, which has the ability to send back 6+00 kilowatts of energy harnessed from the wind back to the ground.

Google has long been working on the wind turbines and it has even bought a part in the energy company named Makani Power in 2013 for this purpose. It has also made a number of tests with prototypes with a 28 feet wind turbines but it will be flying a more robust 84 feet wind turbine possessing the ability to harness more power easily.

Prior testing helps in boosting confidence

Google has performed extensive testing in the past to ensure the stability and reliability of the wind in the harsher and much challenging environment found at the higher altitudes. Google indulged in performing the tests on its futuristic wind turbines in one of the windiest places in the whole of North America namely Pigeon Pint in Pescerado California.

The challenges faced by the Google tech were quite pressuring and compelling in every manner but they held their ground and ensured that the product offers the most remarkable results regardless of difficulties. At higher altitudes, the speed of wind can easily change by 20 miles per hour within a matter of few seconds and the direction can change by 90 degrees within a second. However, it is worth noting that wind turbines failed to be let down by the wind changes at all and performed in the most efficient and best manner.

Google X’s Astro Teller has also stated while chatting with the media and smaller crowd of tech enthusiasts that they had done all those tests on smaller prototypes. The testing crew was advised by the Larry Page to make sure they get their wind turbines crashes as many five times in order to ensure it offers best solutions for harnessing energy. But luckily Google techs were able to do it without crashing even once.

Google Docs Voice Typing Blocks Swear Words

Google is set to energize its Docs, which is a free Office software available to all the users across the globe completely free of cost. It has unveiled a whole set of new features and functions in the Docs which includes much needed and widely discussed voice dictation technology.

The power of dictation with wise censorship

Google had brought the voice-typing feature at the disposal of all the people by integrating this feature in its Google Docs. Before the advent of this free and very powerful voice typing user had to rely on the third party software and had to shell out thousands of dollars.

Google is revolutionizing the voice typing with its incredible and it is thankfully backed by an inbuilt censorship. This censorship simply states what can and can’t be dictated by using its Google latest software. Swearing words are completely barred from being picked up by the voice-typing feature, which will ensure the respect and essence of the messages and other written materials.

Swearing papers with first letter followed by asterisks

The voice typing technology carefully and intelligently understands the swearing words and simply replaces it with asterisks.

Therefore when a user uses the common swear words then it get replaced by asterisks in this manner, “s***’ and “f***”. Some swear words are spelled in full like “b**ch” and “w***ker” but in order to avoid any chances of offending someone then middle letters had been blanked out with asterisks.

The objection to the swearing words in the Google Docs by first noticed by a blogger who goes by the name of Grethen McCulloch.

Google aims at bringing a formality and ethics in the voice typing

Google had miffed the users and was heavily criticised by the same for censoring the swear words in its Google translate and Android based voce-to-text feature.

This time Google had brought a more refined and much better voice typing technology, which can assist in the wide range of function on its popular Google Docs. Goggles aims at bringing formality and high level of productivity to its users by bringing an advanced new set of tools in Google Docs.

Apart from the much talked voice typing feature Google brought some new research features in the Docs which can help in saving facts, images and quotes along with an explore functions in the Sheets. Google also brought some new interesting templates for the Forms, Sheets, Slides and Docs.

New set of features gets praised and increases productivity

Voice typing has the ability to support over more than 40 languages. A user is just required to click on a microphone button and press on go to activate the voice dictation feature. It will be an added advantage to the users while using the Google Docs, as the Microsoft’s popular Office software doesn’t have the speech recognition.

 Google’s Docs has been gained praise earlier for making it easier for the team members to collaborate and work simultaneously on the documents. The new set of tools and features are expected to make working on documents more fun filled and productive.

Google Unveils New Logo at Turning Point in Company's History

Google Introduced Redesign with Animation

Google is known to be a progressive company and many are aware that it has been tweaking its algorithms on improving its search engine or bring new services to the users. Google has unveiled its new logo and since 1999, has recently introduced the new sans-serif and slightly toned down four colour logo in the biggest redesign. The tech giant states that the new design would be seen all across its products a month after a major restricting of the company gave rise to the company, Alphabet.

Google’s homepage had introduced the redesign with an animation which had wiped the old logo and had drawn the new design. The company had mentioned in a blog post that it had changed a lot over the past 17 years from the range of products to the evolution of their look and fee and today are changing things up once again’.

The company has said that the redesign was meant to reflect the way people interacted with Google products on the various platforms, app as well as devices. Moreover, it not only tells you that one is using Google but also portrays how Google tends to work for you. For instance, latest elements such as a colourful Google mic enables in identifying as well as interacting with Google irrespective of whether one is talking, tapping or typing.

New Logo – A Colourful Typographic Six Letters

In the meanwhile, they are eliminating the little blue `g’ icon with a four colour `G’ which tends to match the logo. The logo is said to have gone through several small changes in its history and the colours have changed. The new logo is still a colourful typographic which tends to feature six simple letters on a plain white page and “Google” has been written in a brand new font.

The 3D letters seemed to have been flattened with an exclamation point that came and went in 1999. The move came up after a month of the major restricting of the company had been unveiled. Google is presently owned by Alphabet, a holding company that was developed by founders – Sergey Brin and Larry Page in order to separate their money making search engine company from the unprofitable `moon shot’ projects such as robot cars, medical research as well as the internet delivering balloons.

Reactions – Positive & Negative

The company had also mentioned in its blog post that this was not the first time that they had changed their look and would probably not be the last though they presume that the latest update would be a great reflection of all the ways Google works across Search, Maps, Gmail, Chrome and several others functions.

Earlier, the company had said that it would restructure its business as a collection of companies under its newly created parent company, Alphabet and the largest subsidiary under the new firm name would be the core Google search as well as advertising business that would continue to house, Android, Maps and YouTube.

The new logo of Google is said to be rather differentiating. Some consider it to be beautiful in its simplicity, is san-serif unlike the old one and is completely two dimensional instead of the drawn to look three dimensional. Others state that it too basic and off-putting.

The Verge states that the reactions to the logo tend to go from positive to negative quickly and so far, reactions have been all over varying from joy to disgust mostly from the same person within a short span of time.

Gmail to Auto-Sync Events to Google Calendar

Google is all set to bring productivity and efficient management of precious time by collaborating its two prominent app in one of kind auto sync crossover. It had brought new feature auto sync the two major apps i.e. Gmail and Google Calendar in order to make personal life, business, travel and event management a breeze. In upcoming days when you receive the Gmail notification for any booking of flight, restaurant, hotel or other event information then its details will be automatically added to the Google Calendar. This crossover will laminate the need of typing or adding those details back in the Calendar as a reminder for later on.

Who will benefit from this crossover? 

People who engage in lot of travel related to work or happen to go on long drives, vacations or just wishes to get better management over these activities will benefit from this new feature. This new feature will get automatically enabled by default for all the people using theses Google Apps regardless of their mobile OS. With this feature Gmail will be able to auto-populate the Google Calendar in a timely fashion with information even related to the delay in the fights, check-in times, flight number and much more. This feature will work efficiently along all the mobile platforms such as Android, iOS and other along with the desktops.

Google has high hopes with this integration

Google is hopeful that this new feature of auto sync will help in providing better ways to the users for saving time and engaging with one another in a productive manner.

Another new feature has been integrated which brings an ability to reuse the old posts. This feature remains enabled by default on both the devices i.e. mobile Calendar and desktop but users can easily turn off or delete the events as per their need. In the educational field this feature can be used to form new announcements by simply tweaking the old posts rather than going through the trouble writing new post from the scratch.

Privacy will be maintained with this new feature

Google had given a huge emphasis upon the privacy and had ensured that the events and plans are broadcasted to the public in any case. The events added in the Calendar from the Gmail will only be made visible to the calendar owner. In the visibility section users can even adjust the visibility criteria along with deleting the unwanted items which might get added to the Calendar.

In order to activate this beneficial program Google Calendar will sent a one-time email notification which will give all the essential details regarding the settings as well the sharing details. Google will be releasing this new feature of auto syncing among the Gmail and Calendar apps by the end of September. This update is expected to bring a new level of productivity among the users and a lot of time will be saved which usually gets wasted in creating events based on the information received via Gmail regarding the work, personal events and tour and programs.

The Clever Design behind Google’s OnHub Router

Google’s Wi-Fi Dubbed `OnHub”

Google has recently unveiled a new Wi-Fi router which has been dubbed `OnHub’ which tends to solve all Wi-Fi related issues and though mobile technology has made great headways in recent years, the routers that are utilised today have not made much improvements. Routers have not been particularly sensational technology, but now Google is making attempts to change it.

OnHub is invented to be easy to set up as well as to manage it with high performance and also to be able to tie together smart home accessories. The device seems like an Amazon Echo, a remarkable cylindrical tower though the two devices are unlike each other. OnHub tends to be purely a router and not a speaker or an option to access Google Now. It will probably be on sale from August 31st at a cost of $199.99.

OnHub has unique features with antenna design, smart software for enhanced performance, an associated app that can make adjusting router settings very simple than tinkering around with confused piece of hardware having blinking lights. OnHub’s main selling point tends to be that it is easy to set up as well as effortless to troubleshoot.

OnHub in the Open - Amazing Impact on Wi-Fi Performance

 

Speaking to Wired Trond Wuellner, Google product manager had explained that keeping OnHub out in the open and not buried on the floor has an amazing impact on the performance of Wi-Fi. It can get connected to iOS and Android phones through what seems like a clean and fashionable app that informs the owners how many devices are connected to the OnHub as well as the type of speeds they are receiving.

Google states that the router’s circular design should enable it to have better penetration through a home, with around 13 antennas inside it, the router can also automatically identify the best channel to broadcast on and comprises of support for 802.11 ac as well as 5GHz Wi-Fi. OnHub was developed in partnership with TP-LINK and according to Wired, it is said that a second router is also developing in partnership with Asus.

Google has promised to bring in new features to the OnHub over a period of time. OnHub is a kind of change from the existing router market wherein one expects most of the home routers to get firmware updates often, installing them needs a lot of effort. OnHub tends to handle it all automatically.

OnHub – Smart Home Hub

 

Presently, it does not seem like the router has any surprising software features, though the way Google conveys about OnHub, seems like there could be some interesting research coming up. Some of the interesting features which Google has are that OnHub tends to support Bluetooth LE and Weave, Google’s new smart home language which would ultimately enable OnHub in serving as a smart home hub.

It is likely that in that case, OnHub will be more in common with Echo. Echo which is a simple device has got Amazon into home which could expand and start offering more service and OnHub would be the same over a period of time. Presently its focus is not clear on what are its intentions of tying the devices together. The device seems to be already sold out on the Google Store though it would be difficult to weight the significance of the fact without the knowledge of how large the initial supply seemed to be.

Android Marshmallow: Google Reveals Name of Android 6.0

Google’s Android Marshmallow

Google has revealed its latest version of its operating system which was earlier known as Android M and will now be called Android Marshmallow. The tech giant usually names its operating systems after sweet treats like Jelly Bean, Lollipop and KitKat featuring in the past and hence there is speculation about what the latest release, earlier known as Android M would be called.

Jamal Eason, Android product manager had written on the Android Developers Blog - `whether you like them straight out of the bag, roasted to a golden brown exterior with a molten centre, or in fluff form, who doesn’t like marshmallows? We definitely like them’.

The announcement coincided with the release of the final developer preview update for Android Marshmallow that comprises of the official Android 6.0 software development kit and developers can also publish their app on the Google Play store for Android Marshmallow. The updated operating system that had been first unveiled at Google 1/O on 28 May 2015 is estimated to be launched to the public by the third quarter of 2015.

New Features - Doze

Google states that the Android Marshmallow is the most powerful release so far wherein the update brings in hundreds of improvements, though several of them are very incremental and will be almost invisible to most of the users.

For instance, new features by the name Doze tends to detect when the device’s motion sensor is inactive and cuts down on the level of background app activity which Google states can double the battery life of the device.

Android Marshmallow also supports a new type of USB connector known as USB-C which charges devices three to five times faster than the present microUSB chargers according to Google. The USB-C charger similar to the Apple’s Lightning connector, can be plugged either way round which will save the user from struggling in the dark in trying to plug in the charging cable.

A new permission system tend to be easy for users in deciding what information the apps on the phone could use by providing them with the opportunity to confirm or deny access in context.

Google Now Personal Assistant

For instance, if one tends to download WhatsApp on Android device, you would be asked for permission for WhatsApp to access the contacts, location, calendar, photos, camera, microphone and much more which could be very intrusive.

 In the case of Android Marshmallow, users will not be requested to grant permission at the time of download. It is only while sending voice memo, for instance that they would be asked to grant access to their microphone. Permission could also be withdrawn to access certain informationthrough a new option in the setting menu.

Owing to Android Marshmallow release, Google would be updating its Google Now personal assistant enabling users to access information anywhere on the device irrespective of what they intend to do. On holding and tapping the home button, user could put up a query without the need of leaving the app they are in and could also use Google Now on Tap in order to locate new apps and in-app content.

The Android Marshmallow update would be bringing in support for Android Pay, Google’s answer to Apple Pay that enables the user to pay for things in stores with the use of Android Smartphone.

Google, Samsung to Issue Monthly Android Security Fixes

Google/Samsung to Release Monthly Security Fixes

Google Inc. as well as Samsung Electronics Co will be releasing monthly security fixes for Android phones due to the increasing target for hackers after the revelation of a bug that was designed to attack the world’s most known mobile operating system.

 This change came up after Joshua Drake, a security researcher exposed Stagefright hacking software which enables attackers to send special multimedia message to Android phone and to get hold of sensitive content even if the message is not opened. Adrian Ludwig, Android security chief had commented at the weeks’ annual Black

Hat security conference in Las Vegas, that `they had realized that there was a need to move faster’. Earlier Google had developed a patch and had distributed it to its own Nexus phones after getting to know about the security flaws but other manufacturers would wait till they wanted to update the software for various reasons before making a fix, exposing several of the over 1 billion Android users to probable hacks as well as scam till the fix. Ludwig has informed that Google has also made other security changes.

Google – Regular Weekly Security Scans of Russian Phones

He had informed Reuters, in an interview that earlier this year, the team had broken out occurrence rate of malicious software by language and the rate of Russian language Androids with possibly harmful programs seems to have spiked suddenly to around 9% in late 2014.

Google had made its weekly security scans of Russian phones more regular and was capable of reducing the problem, close to the global standard. Ludwig had also mentioned that improvements to the recent versions of Android would also limit an attacks’ efficiency in more than nine out of ten phones. However, Drake informed that the attacker could keep on trying till the ploy tends to work.

 He also said that he would be releasing a code for the attack by August 24, and put pressure on the manufacturers in order to get their patches out before then. Ludwig has said that the Nexus phones are being updated with protection and most of the major Android handset makers will be following suit.

Stolen Files – Hacking Team Indicated Key Avenue

Rick Segal, Vice President of Samsung,had agreed that his company could not compel the telecommunication carriers who purchase its devices in bulk to install the fixes and some would probably only do so for higher-end users.

Segal had mentioned in an interview that `if it is your business customers, you will push it’. Samsung is the biggest manufacturer of Android phones. Ludwig also stated that several Android security worries were overblown and added that only about one in 200 Android phones Google could peer into have any possibly harmful applications installed at any point.

Drake had also observed that those figures had excluded some products which included Fire products from Amazon that utilise Android. In the case of Apple’s iPhones, the main security risk comes with apps which have not been downloaded from the official online stores of the two companies

The files stolen from Hacking Team – an Italian Company that sold eavesdropped tools to government agencies across the globe, indicated a key avenue which was intended to convince targets to download legitimate seeming Android as well as iPhone apps from fraud sites

Google's Modular Ara Phone Delayed

Google’s Project Ara Delayed – 2016

Google has delayed its plan in releasing its modular smartphone concept, codenamed `Project Ara’ hardware till sometime in 2016. The Ara team had tweeted a messaging confirming the delay and shift away from plans to test the modular phone project, later this year, in Puerto Rico. However Google had been quick to note that it is in the process of exploring few locations in the US for Ara.

The explanation for the change by Google recommends that the team had been working hard in making Ara a reality. The team had told followers in a sequence of tweets,that `Project Ara is not going anywhere’, but had been set back by `lots of iteration, more than we thought’. Project Ara enables users to swap out as well as upgrade the core components of smartphone namely processor, camera etc. independently instead of replacing the complete device.

It portrayed a dramatic rethinking of the device and those attending the Google I/O were pleased when the working prototype was showed on stage in May by the company. The development of the product seems to be longer than expected but Google had earlier aimed to have between 20 and 30 Ara modules made available for the now scrapped Puerto Rico trial.

Components Can be Added/Taken Away

Project Ara seems to be Google’s interesting efforts in developing a smartphone which comes in bits, which means that certain components could be added or taken away without the requirements of complex alterations to the device. It would also be less costly to replace smashed screens or worn batteries as well as enable others to develop modified hardware for a particular task.

San Francisco based designer Garrett Kinsman while writing on a forum for developers who were interested in working on Project Ara, had said that he felt a sense of overwhelming sadness at the delay. The Project Ara team had announced at the beginning of this year that it would launch the modular smartphones this year in Puerto Rico as a part of its pilot program.

But the team has now confirmed that its phone will not launch till 2016 along with the announcement of pilot market re-route to a few locations in the US instead of Puerto Rico.

DIY Smartphone

The company has not yet revealed any particular location in the US where it intends launching modular phones. In a tweet, it said, `when? 2016’, followed by the hastags yes we are late and Project Ara - #yeswearelate and #ProjectAra.Project Ara further clarifies that the re-routing does not seem to mean that there would be no modular phone launched in Puerto Rico. It stated that `and this is not goodbye Puerto Rico’. The project expects to kick-start an era of do-it-yourself smartphones which Google has been stressing that it is not targeting weeds.

Google had showcased its Spiral 2 modular smartphone prototype in January Project Ara Spiral 2 prototypek had a HD – 720x1280 pixels screen, choice of Nvidia Tegra K1 or Marvel PX1928 processor, 5-megapixel primary camera, battery, Micro-USB port, speaker as well as connectivity options which included Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G. The Spiral 2 prototype comprised of 11 working modules inclusive of 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Receiver with light as well as proximity sensors, USB charger module and a 2x2 battery module. Spiral 3 also tends to feature the electro permanent magnets in the exoskeleton, thereby saving space in the modules.

Google’s Alphabet

Google took the world by surprise when it announced its creation of a new parent named “Alphabet Inc”. Google had made it clear at the announcement that this particular entity is intended to build any products and brands. However many companies having similar name were quite taken aback with this development and viewed it as a potential trademark infringement instance if Google goes further by bringing in products and services under this brand name.

Google founders Page and Brin had cunningly given the name Alphabet to its newly created parent entity, which will specifically house the Google search business along with other smaller holding. Among the smaller holding, the most important ones are Nest, which is a maker of smart thermostats, Calico, which is focused on longevity and a division, which focuses on developing smart contact lenses and driverless cars.

A lot of firms use Alphabet in their names

Alphabet is rather a common name, which finds itself in many derivates and moderations among the companies listed in US and worldwide. Within US there are 103 trademark registered which includes the word Alphabet or in some other variations as per the database with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. These registrations had been done by companies coming from various fields such as computer games, furniture, clothing label, books, toys, children accessories makers and others.

On Wall Street, there is a company which goes by name Alphabet Funds. Another company Alphabet Energy in Hayward, an Alphabet Plumbing in Prescott, an Alphabet Record Company in Austin along with numerous inns, restaurants and preschools using Alphabet in its name with different variations.

Conflicts might arise with Google’s Alphabet

BMW a premier carmaker already has a robust subsidiary car division named Alphabet, which manages the fleet management at BMW. On a good note, it already possesses the premium domain name alphabet.com. There are chances of Google finding itself broiled into trademark infringement by using the same name and providing similar kind of services to the end users. Since Google is not going to offer similar goods and services there is no likelihood of creating confusion among the consumers at the moment.

Larry Page envisions a separate road for Alphabet

During the announcement, Google CEO Larry Page had made it clear that the new parent company namely Alphabet is not intended for creating a big consumer brand with related products rather it will provide the independence in creating and developing their own brands. Regarding the choosing of name Page emphasized that alphabet actively represents a language and it even signifies “core of how we index” in a Google Internet search.

A history getting into troubles

Google had even experienced legal over intellectual property in the past. Google is frequently targeted by the companies, which claim it off aggressively violating their patents. Currently Google is handling a severe copyright battle with the Oracle Corp exclusively over the royalties, which are used in the Java programming language and being used by Google in its Android operating system.

How Google Quietly Revved Up Its Very Own Car Company

Google is all set to surprise the big names in automobile industry by secretly registering its car company way back in 2011. For a long time Google tried to work with big names in the car industry to develop its ambitious self driving cars. At the North American Auto Show, which was held in January, Google announced that they were having serious talks with major car plays such as General Motors, Toyota, Ford, Volkswagen and Daimler.
 
The project lead for the Google’s self driving cars Chris Urmson even went on to say that manufacturing cars is hard and a tedious job which is aptly done by the car manufacturers and it will be wise to find a partnership rather do everything by oneself. Unfortunately, no partnership had come into being till now.

Chris Urmson emerges as Google Auto LLC CEO

The most viable reason of not coming up with any partnership is that Google already had its own Company named Google Auto LLC registered in California. This company is registered as a passenger vehicle manufacturer with both the national and international organization across the world. Google subsidiary as ‘car manufacturer company’ received its license last year as a dignified car maker in California and being headed by no other by than Chris Urmson.

Legal documents brings more insights

All this is revealed by the Guardian had after obtaining legal documents through Public Records Act request in California. Legal documents even show that Google Auto was formed as a limited liability company, which was used initially by the parent company to modify and test its fleet of driverless Lexus SUV’s. Google Auto LLC finds itself mentioned as the sole manufacturer of 23 autonomous Lexus cars registered in California. Interestingly all the vehicles have been involved a number of minor accidents in and around Google’s home town of Mountain View. However, no law suits were filed in these accidents and it is quite common among the large businesses to set up subsidiaries in order to try new and risky projects.

Signs of Google’s rising ambition

Over the years, Google had shown incredible sign in the rise of its driving technology marvels. But nobody had perceived this might have grown with presence of a secret car making company in the veil. Google Auto LLC was in being since 2011 and just last Google appointed Chris Urmson as the manager of the Google Auto which gave him the reigns of company’s daily operations. By the nest day Google took the world by surprise when it announced that it is all set to build 100 prototype self-driving cars right from the scratch. The prototype cars created a sensation when it was said that these cars will not contain any steering wheels, accelerator or brakes.

Google Auto LLC applied even for the VIN codes in order to identify each of its self-driving cars like other car manufacturer. It organized emission testing in California and in order to avoid safety requirements and crash, test it and kept its cars lightweight with low speed capability. All of these activities simply show that Google’s ambition is always to go through research to the end product with doubt.