05/25, 6:07pm
Letter to US AG claims Google lied to investigators, DOJ
Representative Frank Pallone Jr (D-NJ), and John Barrow (D-GA) are pushing the Department of Justice to reopen the completed investigation of Google's Street View and Wi-Fi data harvesting while mapping America's streets. Pallone stated "In light of the FCC report on Google Wi-Spy -- which revealed Google intentionally collected personal information from Americans—I urge the Department of Justice to re-evaluate the Google Wi-Spy incident." The FCC and DoJ report on the incident found no laws were broken by Google during the mapping, despite Pallone's interpretation of the investigation that the data gathering was a “deliberate, software-design decision."
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05/25, 2:42pm
720p video taken with Project Glass shows off capabilities
The first video taken with Google's Project Glass wearable computing device has shown up on the Internet. The video is part of a collection of media, all produced with Project Glass, that was posted to a Google+ Photography Conference album. The 15-second clip, in a manner somewhat reminiscent of a first-person video game, shows Project Glass' view as the wearer jumps and somersaults on a trampoline.
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05/25, 7:32am
Apple tipped to include Baidu search in iOS for China
A report from China’s Sina Tech has tipped that Apple will integrate Baidu as a search engine in iOS for the Chinese iPhone. Baidu is the leading search engine in China with a massive 83.6 percent share of the market. The pairing is seen as mutually beneficial with Baidu gaining exposure on the smartphone platform with the most active on China’s mobile web, while its inclusion will be an additional selling point for the iPhone in China.
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05/25, 5:33am
Google picks more former webOS team members
Google is said to have hired the core employees of the webOS Enyo HTML 5 development project team. According to The Verge, the team members were hired individually by Google, but will regroup as a team when they start work with the search giant. Enyo is an HTML5-based application framework for webOS and plays an integral part in HP’s plans to open-source the mobile OS. HP has since issued as statement saying that the staff departures will not impact its planned late 2012 release schedule for Open webOS.
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05/24, 8:28pm
Copyright takedown requests reach 250k pre week
Google has shed more light on URL takedown requests that it receives from various companies reacting to alleged copyright violations. The search giant has broadened its transparency reports to visualize trends, highlighting the surge in takedown notices. More than 1.2 million takedown requests were processed just last month, issued from thousands of copyright owners and reporting organizations.
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05/24, 4:40pm
Options for monthly and annual subscriptions now within Android apps
Google has introduced in-app subscriptions to its Play store, according to the a post on the company's official Android developers blog. From today, App developers can use in-app billing to sell monthly or annual subscriptions from within the app itself. The addition brings Google's app portal in line with the Apple App Store in offering recurring billing to its customers and developers, with all subscriptions being auto-renewing by default.
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05/24, 4:37pm
Search giant hopes to reach 20,000 disadvantaged students
Google is working with British charity Teach First to provide teachers and computing equipment to disadvantaged communities. The search giant will donate funding to support 100 teachers, with the aim of increasing student exposure to the basics of computer science. As the BBC reports, the program will make use of the Raspberry Pi, a tiny, low-cost computer that plugs directly into a display's HDMI input.
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05/24, 12:12pm
Latest Google+ Android update brings Mobile Hotspots, more
Google has just began offering the latest version of its Google+ app for Android, version 2.6 (free, Google Play). The update includes a refreshed user interface and a better integration with the Hangout video chat feature. Dubbed Mobile Hangouts, video chats with up to nine friend can now be initiated while users are on the move.
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05/24, 6:55am
The rumored Google tablet to start shipping soon
Google’s first foray into the hotly contested tablet market is set to reach user’s hands sometime in July. According to Digitimes, the first Google co-branded Android tablet will start shipping out of ASUS’ factories from next month, with an initial volume expected to be around 600,000 units. Originally rumored for a May release, the tablet was said to have been pushed back in order to trim the entry-price by adjusting its specifications so it can tackle the Amazon Kindle Fire head-on at $199.
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05/23, 8:02pm
Industrial design buy signifies Google commitment to hardware manufacturing
In a move that signals a greater commitment to hardware design and manufacture, Google has purchased industrial design firm Mike and Maaike. Mike and Maaike is a studio that worked on the first Google Nexus phone, and the purchase seems to indicate a greater focus for Google on hardware design in the wake of its acquisition of Motorola Mobility.
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05/23, 4:10pm
Legal battle centers around copyright issues
A jury at the US District Court of Northern California has determined that Google has not infringed on six claims contained in two Oracle patents. The unanimous decision is viewed as a partial win for the search giant, however the company still faces potential damages in an earlier verdict that focused on copyright violations for a number of Java APIs.
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05/23, 1:10pm
iPhone interface gets speed, interface overhauls
Google has released a major update of its Search app for iOS, v2.0.0. The iPhone side of the title has been overhauled, gaining "major" speed improvements and a redesigned interface. This includes auto fullscreen, which hides controls when scrolling down, and reveals them again when scrolling up. A special fullscreen mode is used during image search.
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05/22, 9:19pm
Small form factor computer runs Google's Chrome OS
Images of Samsung's forthcoming Chromebox desktop appeared briefly on the Internet today, as retailer TigerDirect posted a video featuring the device. The video has since been taken down, but it confirmed details Samsung had previously released when it revealed the device in January. The desktop computer, similar in its form factor to Apple's Mac mini, will be one of the first desktop PCs to run Google's Chrome operating system.
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05/22, 6:18pm
Second year in top spot for iPhone maker
Apple has maintained its lead over other companies in the Millward Brown 2012 Brandz study. This marks the second year at the top for Apple, increasing their brand value from $153 billion to $182 billion, while previous branding leader Google slips behind IBM to third place. The study covers brand value as a perceptual worth independent from any financial undertakings, instead of market capitalization as typically used by financial analysts.
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05/22, 10:28am
Deal proceeds despite regulator, competitor concerns
Google has announced that its proposed acquisition of Motorola Mobility has been closed, following necessary approvals from the US Department of Justice, European Union and other international agencies. Current Motorola Mobility CEO Sanjay Jha will continue to help complete the transition, however he will step down as chief executive as Google veteran Dennis Woodside takes the leadership role.
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05/21, 8:23pm
AZ, FL, HI, OK have similar legislation planned
California Senate Bill 1298 unanimously passed the California State Senate today outlining performance and safety requirements for autonomous, or driverless, vehicles on the California roads system. California Highway Patrol would have the responsibility to evaluate the operation of unmanned vehicles. Google, a sponsor of the bill, has tested driverless cars in California in the past.
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05/21, 7:01pm
Voyager Mobile launches after 'malicious attack'
Following a delay of nearly a week after repeated denial of service attacks, low-cost Sprint reseller Voyager Mobile has launched in 22 states. Voyager provides Sprint's 3G and WiMAX network for $39 a month, contract free. Alternatively, a $19/month unlimited-talk plan is available.
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05/21, 6:00pm
Android.Opfake reemerges, now pushing fake free apps
Symantec has discovered a novel implementation of the Android.Opfake malware, one that takes users through a fraudulent app-download process before charging them for what was initially billed as a free app. The malware is notable because it actually directs users through the Google Play app store in the process of defrauding them of money.
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05/21, 2:57pm
Search giant asked to address issues
European Union antitrust regulators have threatened Google with fines and a formal antitrust lawsuit if the search giant does not move to resolve lingering concerns. European Commission vice president JoaquAn Alumnia has found evidence of anticompetitive wrongdoing, however regulators are enabling the company to make a "commitment decision" as an alternative to litigation and a potential fine.
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05/18, 6:26pm
Google patent application suggests ring-based control to Project Glass
Google has applied for a patent on an input system that relies on a finger ring to control for technology such as Project Glass. The application, made public by the USPTO on Tuesday, describes a “wearable marker for passive interaction” in the form of a ring, artificial fingernails or other wearable items that could interact with a head-mounted display, following another recent application for the glasses design.
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05/18, 3:04pm
Would continue global R&D expansion
Apple is one of several parties in talks with Russia's Skolkovo technology park about possible research and development facilities there, according to local publication Izvestia. Other interested companies are said to include Google and Facebook; agreements are reportedly already in place for firms such as Microsoft, IBM, General Electric, and Cisco. Skolkovo's organizers are said to be aiming at making the park a Russian equivalent of Silicon Valley.
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05/17, 10:06am
Samsung Cares Android app brings information, troubleshooting abilities
Samsung has just released a new Android app called Cares (Google Play) that aims to improve the customer service experience. It will allow users to check out FAQs, How-To guides, tutorial videos, and troubleshoot issues with their Android 2.1 and newer Samsung devices. Not all devices are covered, however.
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05/16, 6:57pm
Users can share ideas of things to do
Google has finally brought its Schemer service to the iOS platform as a native app (free, App Store). Schemer for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch enables users to participate in the activity-recommendation network, which allows users to post things to do and organize activities with other users.
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05/16, 5:42pm
Users can quickly filter results
Google has introduced a new search feature, "Knowledge Graph," that aims to enhance search results in several ways. For search queries that may bring ambiguous results, users can now click on their intended subject and view the correct results. The company uses "Taj Mahal" as an example, as users may be searching for the musician, the mausoleum in India, or a local business using the same name.
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05/16, 3:51pm
Project Glass to be higher in field of view according to Google
Google has admitted that its Project Glass wearable display interface currently does not resemble what is shown in the demo video. The admission comes the same day the search giant patents the design of the Project Glass prototypes, showing what a prescription variant would look like.
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05/16, 2:00pm
Asymco analyst puts Google's Android earnings at $2.75 per device
An analyst at Asymco has posted an analysis of Google's revenues from its Android operating system, estimating that Android nets Google approximately $2.75 in ad sales per device every year. The figure is dwarfed in comparison to Apple's take from iOS devices.
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05/15, 11:10pm
Phase two of trial complete, damages could start Wednesday
The same California jury that couldn't decide on the "fair use" aspects of the Google versus Oracle is now debating Oracle's patent claims. Oracle began this suit in 2010, claiming that Android infringes on its Java patents. Google says that it has not infringed and furthermore, Oracle can't copyright certain parts of Java, an open source language. Closing arguments were made today in phase two of the three-phase, multi-year trial.
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05/15, 9:53pm
New tool integrates search without leaving doc
Google slipped a new feature into its Google Docs online productivity suite today, adding the ability to conduct Google searches within the document. In addition to making it easier to search for additional information, the new tool incorporates a number of other features, streamlining the construction of a research document. This marks the second major feature addition to Google Docs in as many weeks.
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05/15, 6:31pm
Search giant attempts to downplay Motorola buyout
Google is reportedly preparing to shift its Android strategy away from exclusive partnerships that have resulted in the existing Nexus-branded devices. The search giant is said to be embracing multiple hardware makers that will simultaneously develop different devices powered by the next major Android release, referred to as Jelly Bean, unnamed sources have told The Wall Street Journal (sub. required).
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05/15, 3:25pm
Desktop browser connects with Android Chrome beta
Google has announced that Chrome 19 is now available as a stable build, enabling users to try out the new features that were announced early last month. The latest overhaul to the company's browser broadens sync capabilities between devices and platforms. Users can open multiple tabs on the desktop browser, then pick up their Android 4.0 phone and access the same content from the mobile Chrome beta.
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05/15, 12:07pm
Macquarie sees new browser wars imminent
Google is likely to launch a version of its Chrome browser for Apple's iOS line of devices in the coming months, according to analysts at Macquarie Capital. Macquarie sees the iOS Chrome launch as the opening salvo in a new round of Browser Wars, the likes of which the Internet hasn't seen since the late 1990s.
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05/14, 8:05pm
New TVs feature dual-core chipset, 3D, Google UI
LG is showing off its new line of G2 Google TV models in New York this week. The smart TVs feature redesigned user interfaces and beefed-up internals to make for a smoother Web-browsing and television experience. The new sets feature LG's new L9 dual-core chipset, which is based on ARM architecture, and a quad-core GPU.
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05/14, 7:50pm
Noser engineers had Oracle install, copied freely
Oracle and Google continued the debate over how to proceed with the ongoing Java patent infringement suit. During the discussion and filing with the Judge William Alsup, Oracle presented a document summarizing why it is entitled to Google's profits from the case -- "super shady" contractors from Noser in Google's Android team. Google disputes the relevance of the filing.
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05/12, 6:31pm
Google sets sights on chat, social sharing service
Google is rumored to be considering an acquisition of chat and social sharing service Meebo. Details are scarce, but sources tell AllThingsD that the deal is in the works, and Meebo could see a significant payday. Meebo was founded in 2005 as a Web-based instant message client, duplicating the functionality of AIM, Yahoo IM, and similar offerings.
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05/11, 8:15pm
Trial continues, damages phase may start next week
It appears the Google versus Oracle legal skirmish regarding Java patentability is beginning to wind down. At the beginning of today's hearings, Judge William Alsup granted Oracle's request for a judgement as a matter of law (JMOL) in regards to eight files copied directly into Android from Oracle's code base, and awarded an additional copyright infringement to Oracle. The matters of "fair use" and willful violation have yet to be decided.
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05/11, 6:40pm
LinkedIn triumphant, Apple climbs; First Solar, Google gone
On May 7, Forbes published its annual list of the top 25 fastest-growing technology companies. Drawn from a pool of more than 5,000 publicly-traded technology companies, listees must have a sales growth of 10 percent or more for each of the last three fiscal years, a minimum revenue of $150 million, and a minimum market value of $500 million. Six companies have gained place on the list, or held steady. There are 15 new entries in the top 25.
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05/10, 10:10pm
If needed, Oracle wants retrial limited to 'fair use'
Multiple decisions have been made by Judge William Alsup today in the ongoing Oracle versus Google copyright infringement case. To start the day, the judge told Oracle that by statute, the most it could expect is $150,000 for the nine duplicated lines of rangeCheck. More recently, Oracle filed a brief with the court requesting that any retrial be limited to the one issue the jury couldn't agree on -- "fair use."
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05/10, 8:50pm
Google working on native Game Center app
Google may be planning to roll out an app similar to Apple's Game Center app, a source has told Business Insider. The source contends that Google views such an app as essential to increasing Google's importance in the mobile gaming sphere. Apple's Game Center allows iPhone gamers to maintain a constant username applicable across all Game Center-connected games. The app also includes leaderboards and automatic matching for competitive games.
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05/09, 7:45pm
Oracle wants judge to rule on 'fair use' as a matter of law
[Update: judge denies Oracle motion, reduces Google liability] As expected, Google has petitioned Judge William Alsop for a mistrial following the jury's refusal to rule on a crucial matter in phase one of its trial versus Oracle. Near-simultaneously, Oracle filed its response to suggest that the judge rule on the "fair use" question that the jury couldn't agree on. Neither Google nor Oracle has responded to its counterpart's filing with the court.
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05/09, 6:56pm
Google+ gets stylish redesign
Today, Google released an update for its Google+ iOS app (free, App Store). The update amounts to a considerable makeover for the social networking app, bringing crisper fonts, larger profile pics, and a revamped home screen.
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05/08, 3:47pm
Google+ gets deeper integration with Gmail
Google has just detailed a new update to Gmail and its Google+ social network. From their Gmail web client, users can now respond to Google+ notifications in real time. They can comment, share and +1 items as soon as they get them, while responses from others also instantly appear in Gmail as part of the notification.
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05/08, 3:12pm
Google says AT&T CEO doesn't understand Android updates
A little war of words appears to be brewing between Google and AT&T, with representatives from each company pointing the finger at the other over the seemingly haphazard manner in which Android phones receive OS updates. In response to AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson's recent statements blaming Google for the slow update pace, Google has fired back, telling 9to5 Google that perhaps Stephenson doesn't fully understand the nature of the update process.
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05/07, 6:00pm
No decision on fair use, trial continues
The jury assigned to the Oracle versus Google lawsuit has returned a partial verdict. On the matter of API copyright infringement, Google has been found to have violated the sequence, structure, and organization of 37 Java API copyrights. However, whether or not the infringement was fair use remains to be decided, as the jury was unable to break through a previously reported impasse on the matter. Judge Alsop is not waiting for motions from either side, and is immediately moving forward with the next phase, the patent phase, of the trial.
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05/06, 5:10pm
Large losses by Android group taken in FY2010
Judge William Alsup unexpectedly read portions from a previously-sealed Googledocument during a Thursday compensation hearing, a part of the company's ongoing legal battle with Oracle. While not disclosing specific figures, Alsup revealed that Google's Android mobile platform lost money in every quarter of 2010. Google does not release financial information about Android.
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05/04, 8:23pm
Judge urges Oracle vs Google jury to reconvene
The jury in the Oracle vs. Google lawsuit has reached a partial verdict on three of four questions that they were required to consider as part of the copyright liability phase of the trial. The foreman said that a minority of the jury felt that more time would be helpful in reaching agreement on all four questions. Judge Alsup pointed out that the jurors did not need to reach a unanimous agreement on the fourth question, but the foreman told the Judge the impasse was on one of the three questions (embedded below) that required full agreement.
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05/04, 6:19pm
Insider alleges Google may be fined millions by FTC
Google may be facing a fine potentially greater than $10 million for bypassing Safari privacy controls, according to an insider. The unnamed source, speaking to Bloomberg, alleged that Google is negotiating with the Federal Trade Commission over the actual value of the fine, which would be levied due to Google's violation of a consent degree signed last year.
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05/04, 10:41am
Timeframe for resolution remains unclear
European Union officials have reaffirmed their commitment to an ongoing Google antitrust investigation, however regulators have hinted that the probe may take much longer to complete. In a statement provided to , EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia admitted that "we are not there yet."
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05/04, 10:00am
Realtime coverage now available for every story
Google has revamped its Google News portal with several new features, expanding Google+ integration and adding realtime coverage. The US edition now allows users to participate in Google+ discussions directly from the News homepage and the new realtime coverage pages, while the main page offers larger images.
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05/03, 10:35pm
20 hours of deliberation, no decision
After 20 hours of deliberations spread over four days, the jury responsible for the Google versus Oracle Java court battle has so far failed to reach a decision. A question posed to Judge William Alsup posed more questions as to the timely resolution of the trial -- a note passed to the judge by the jury asked what would happen if they couldn't reach a unanimous decision.
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05/03, 7:50pm
Google seeks to remove two groups from book-scanning suit
Search engine giant Google is seeking to have the Authors Guild and the American Society of Media Photographers removed from a half-decade-long lawsuit. In a process that began in February, Google attorney Daralyn Durie informed Judge Denny Chin in Manhattan federal court that authors and photographers would have better individual results on their own. Joanne Zack, the Authors Guild lawyer for the case, contested Google's claim. Judge Chin did not rule today on Google's petition.
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