Hasta La Gadget!

Google makes a lot of acquisitions, some of them more important than others. Its latest purchase might skew towards the grander side, as it just bought imaging app developer Nik Software. While the company is known for pro photography apps like Capture NX and its Efex Pro series, the real prize might be Snapseed, Nik’s simpler image tool for desktop and iOS users. Both Nik and Google’s Senior Engineering VP Vic Gundotra are silent on the exact plans, but it doesn’t take much to imagine a parallel between Facebook’s buyout of Instagram and what Google is doing here: there’s no direct, Google-run equivalent to Instagram’s social photo service in Android or for Google+ users, and Nik’s technology might bridge the gap. Whether or not Googlegram becomes a reality, the deal is likely to create waves among photographers of all kinds — including those who’ve never bought a dedicated camera.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile

Google buys Snapseed developer Nik Software, raises the eyebrows of Instagram shutterbugs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Verge  |  Nik Software, Vic Gundotra (Google+)  | Email this | Comments

Google has snapped up Instagram-rival Snapseed, part of the apps and services portfolio of Nik Software, with the team responsible for the photo editing app apparently being integrated into Google+. Terms of the deal have not been announced, but according to insiders it’s Snapseed – currently available for iOS, PC and Mac, and with an Android version in the pipeline too – that was the main target, The Verge reports, rather than the company’s other image processing software.

Google+ already has a reasonably comprehensive photo editing toolkit, added back in October 2011, and the search giant has been tweaking its photo sharing tools since then, including adding a meme-creation wizard earlier this year. It also has a useful auto-upload system tied into the mobile apps, which automatically sends photos and video taken on a user’s smartphone or tablet up to a gallery – initially private – on the social site.

“For nearly 17 years, we’ve been guided by our motto, “photography first”, as we worked to build world class digital image editing tools” Nik Software’s Laurie Rubin wrote in a statement today. “We’ve always aspired to share our passion for photography with everyone, and with Google’s support we hope to be able to help many millions more people create awesome pictures.”

Whether this developer acquisition marks Google’s greater intentions to the mobile photography segment remains to be seen, though it’s worth noting that rivals and Android OEMs alike haven’t been standing still in the segment. Facebook snatched up Instagram for $1bn earlier this year, and Samsung recently announced the Galaxy Camera, an Android-based point-and-shoot which prioritizes instant sharing of newly-shot media.

Google grabs Snapseed for Google+ Instagram retort is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

It only makes sense that Google Map Maker, a tool built around the internet community’s map data, would eventually make it easy to share with that community. As of a low-profile update, Map Maker fans who also have Google+ identities can directly spread their Google Maps changes and reviews among their circles. Naturally, Google sees it as an important collaboration tool: update a shop location or a street, and nearby friends can fill in any missing details. The process is very nearly a one-click affair, so get to spreading the word if the local map is lacking.

Filed under: Internet

Google Map Maker adds Google+ sharing, spurs on communal world building originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Google Maps (Google+), The Next Web  |  Google  | Email this | Comments

With a number of business “going Google,” the massive search company has launched the first set of Google+ features for businesses. With this “initial set” of features now available, Google is letting all Google Apps customers get an early look at them in a “full preview mode.” This preview allows businesses already using Google Apps to try out these Google+ features through the end of 2013 for free, with Google working to improve its offerings during that time.

There are three features Google is focusing on with this initial offering. The first is giving Google+ users the ability to share posts only with the other people in their organization. This means that users can share information with everyone else at their workplace quickly, without the worry that users in their other Google+ circles will see what they’re posting.

The second feature Google is focusing on is Gmail, Calendar and Docs integration with Hangouts. When a video meeting is initiated through Google Hangouts, users have the option of sharing a Google Doc with the rest of the people in the meeting, allowing “colleagues to write or edit a document together from anywhere.” Users can also join a Hangout directly from Gmail, and with today’s roll out, users can add a Hangout to Google Calendar and join the meeting straight from the Calendar entry.

Finally, Google has included a number of administrative features, allowing companies to set defaults for post restrictions for the entire company, or set up restrictions for Hangouts to facilitate private meetings within the company. Google will be rolling out these new features throughout the day, and promises more – including a mobile app – for the coming months. It will also be improving the offered features and adding new ones throughout this preview process. Stay tuned.

[via Google Enterprise Blog]

Google launches new Google+ features for businesses is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

If you’re ready for 2012 Election Day here in the United States, you’re more than likely fooling yourself – that’s why Google has prepared a lovely online voter guide for us all. This guide takes us back to the original presidential nomination convention in 1832 and brings the original sense of democracy back to the common online citizen with a history lesson that eventually leads to your understanding of how to get in on the fun. Google is also providing both the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention with live video streams and social networking so you can stay involved from start to finish.

This Google involvement in the presidential nominations for both of the top two camps as well as the eventual coverage of the final Election Day later this year will have the big G on-the-ground all the way up to your phone. You’ll want to start with the Google Politics and Elections site for up-to-date Google News, YouTube videos and live feeds, and Google+ social networking content on the election process.

Also be sure to see Google’s Live Election Hub for your collection of both national political conventions as well as content between there and the end of the show. You’ll be able to watch debates there as well, and the election night itself will be covered by Google in real time. This interface works from your desktop computer in a web browser of from your mobile device – tablets and smartphone toting a web browser too, that is.

If you’re wondering who you might want to vote for, Google has an Online Voter Guide for you to peruse. There’s a specific place for those of you voting in special situations like military or overseas for whatever reason. This set of sections will lead you straight to information about your different rules and deadlines as well.

Google is also currently in the process of developing new ways for voters to interact with campaigns and the political and public heads between here and final election day. Be sure to stay tuned to SlashGear as well to keep up to day on big drops!

[via Google]

Google live election hub streams DNC and RNC action is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.