It’s tough to imagine computers and robots and electrical wiring being racist but a Harvard study has found “significant discrimination” in advertising results depending on the perceived race of the name you search for. Names typically associated with black people produced more ads related to crime. Searches for white names would be harmless. More »
Google had quite the 2012 on iOS as it released its dedicated Google Maps and YouTube applications onto a competing operating system, and were downloaded a ton of times by grateful iOS users. But would you believe five of their applications were ranked in a top ten list for the most-used applications on iOS? Of course you would.
Even though Apple tried to rid itself of Google-related products from iOS, it looks as though their customers absolutely love Google products. A new report from comScore shows just how much as within the top ten list or applications most used in 2012, Google Maps, Google Play, Google Search, Gmail and YouTube were ranked second to sixth place, with the top spot going to Facebook. Pandora Radio, iTunes, Cooliris and Yahoo! Messenger rounded out the top 10.
2012′s most-used applications list speaks volumes to just how popular Google-related products are, even on a competing mobile operating system. We know Apple wants to break itself away from being dependent on Google products, but after the embarrassing fiasco that occurred with Apple Maps, we’re sure Apple knows just how much it needs Google products on iOS.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Doom & Destiny Hitting The Nokia Lumia Platform, NVIDIA Smartphones And Tablets Coming Your Way?, 
Google’s search engine has a turbulent history in China, from search results being censored to temporary shutdowns. The company’s most recent effort to serve mainland China with unfiltered search results met with an untimely end back in early December, Google confirms — a warning previously told mainlanders when the search term they were using had met with issues (read: Chinese government intrusion causing lengthy connection times) for other users. GreatFire discovered that said message no longer popped up when searching for various censored terms on Google Search in China, and while Google’s confirming that fact, it’s unclear what the exact reasoning is. Given the rocky history between Google and China, it seems likely that China responded in turn to Google’s efforts with its own — or as The Guardian puts it, “Google concedes defeat in China censorship battle.” Whether that’s the case or not remains to be seen, but Chinese Google searchers should beware that your experience may result in some unfortunate connection issues from time to time (as much as 90 seconds), per China’s censorship policies.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Google
Via: The Guardian, The Verge
Source: GreatFire
Google voice search is really handy: don’t just take my word for it, go to Google.com on your computer and try it out. Sure, on the computer, it feels silly, but on a mobile device it will fit right in. Google just updated its Google Search app for iOS to include smart voice searching and bring that functionality to the iPhone (it had already been available on Android for a while.) The voice search uses Google’s Knowledge Graph technology to parse commands given in natural speech accurately and efficiently. For instance, a question like “what does the Brooklyn Bridge look like” will point to an image search, kind of like the same query fed to Siri. In the past, Apple has removed apps from the App Store because they “duplicate existing functionality,” but I don’t think they can pull that one on Google.
It’s available for free from the Apple App Store.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Siri dishes out prostitute advice in China no longer, Apple reportedly hires Amazon’s search exec William Stasior to work on Siri,
Google just released an updated version of its Search app for Android devices yesterday, and it’s now (as promised) also delivered a fairly big update to iOS users. That brings with it iPhone 5 compatibility, but the bigger news is the expanded voice search functionality, which promises “faster and significantly improved voice recognition,” with spoken responses à la Google Now provided alongside the search results. Those additions also extend to iPad users in addition to the iPhone and iPod touch — hit the App Store or the link below to take it for a spin yourself.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile, Google
Google Search app for iOS updated with new voice search functionality, iPhone 5 compatibility (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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It’s election season and Google is doing its part to help you “rock the vote.” No, the search kingpin isn’t endorsing a specific candidate, instead it’s doing what it does best — help people search the internet for information. The company’s open source Voter Information Tool is designed to help people research candidates and locate polling places. In an effort to reach the masses, Google is partnering with companies such as Foursquare and AT&T. Election Day can be a chaotic event to say the least. Hopefully this powerful new web-based tool will make things run a little smoother for frantic voters trying to beat the clock.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Google
Google’s Voter Information Tool hopes to make Election Day a little easier originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 06:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Adding to the flurry of Mountain View-born announcements today, Google’s just released an updated version of Search to the Play store. Available for devices running Jelly Bean 4.1 and up, this boost in functionality adds Gmail integration to the prescient Android software, in addition to tracking info related to flights, reservations for hotels and restaurants, scheduled events and even the delivery of packages. The company also bundled in a host of new cards for nearby attractions, movie openings, as well as expanded voice control that’ll allow users to launch applications, check the calendar and set up future meetings. It’s live now, so click on the source below to start your download.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Software, Mobile, Google
Google Search updated with Now improvements, available on Play store for Jelly Bean devices originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
It’s not a finished, Windows 8-tuned Chrome build, but we’ll take it. Much as Google has been catering to iOS users who don’t have its search completely baked into the platform, there’s now a dedicated Google Search app for the Metro-inclined. Ignore the desktop OS foundation; the Windows 8 app is much closer to the touchscreen-oriented mobile version with its oversized search box, service shortcuts, an emphasis on voice recognition and finger-friendly instant previews of the results. Although incorporating Google search on a Surface will undoubtedly rankle Microsoft’s Bing team, the app could be the ticket for many tablet owners who live in Google’s cloud without using its hardware.
Filed under: Tablets, Software, Microsoft, Google
Google delivers search app for Windows 8 with a touch of tablet optimization originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 21:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Long before retail outlets were flooded with Android-powered electronics, Google embarked on its maiden voyage into the world of hardware. Venturing out into uncharted waters, the then only web search company released a glaring yellow box known as the Google Search Appliance. Sticking to its search engine roots, Google’s first piece of enterprise hardware was designed to help its customers perform fast and effective searches of internal networks. While the GSA may not be the search juggernaut’s most noteworthy piece of equipment, it doesn’t mean that the company has abandoned its original vision for the platform.
On Tuesday Google announced its GSA 7 series, which introduces a new user interface, enhanced search tools and the ability to manage larger databases. According to the company, a single rack of its new search appliance can now maintain the equivalent of its web search index in 2000, which is around 1 billion webpages. Not just settling for companies using its office software suite, Google will be targeting large scale organizations with its new GSA. By remembering what brought it to the dance, the search giant appears to be setting the stage to transition from consumer to corporate search kingpin in the coming years. The only foreseeable threat to this enterprise search engine would be Microsoft releasing a corporate Bing Box, but something tells us not to hold our breath waiting for that to happen.
Filed under: Networking, Software, Google
Google goes back to basics, announces GSA 7.0 for all of your enterprise searching needs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 16:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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As Google continues to improve other areas of its broad ecosystem, it’s always great to see that the company hasn’t abandoned its search simplification roots. A spokesperson for the company told us, “we recently added the ability to search within Gmail attachments as part of our ongoing efforts to improve search.” This potential time-saver plays nice with Word docs, PDFs, PPTs and many other file extensions. Currently in its infancy, some of your older attachments may not have been indexed yet, so you might not be able to “share” last year’s term paper with your younger sibling until Google brings the feature up to speed. However, if you’re just looking to locate that recently received Word doc filled with notes from your study buddy, then have at it.
Gmail now searches attachment text, homework hoarders rejoice! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 19:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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