Hasta La Gadget!

The social masses have spoken and Google’s listened. Starting today, the search giant’s beefing up Google+ profile pages with additional features based on overwhelming feedback to give users more editing control, a flashier presentation and a clearer social outpost. Now, individual profile “cover photos” will display at up to 2,120px by 1,192px and rollout into full widescreen (16:9) view when selected. The ‘About’ section is also seeing a minor revamp, getting a Now-like makeover that breaks down categorical user info into cards for easier modification. And to service the critic deep within us all, Google’s adding in a ‘Local review’ tab alongside those for photos, videos and +1’s so your network of friends can make trusted dinner reservations. These changes are set to take effect “gradually,” so don’t waste your time mashing that refresh button. Or do, if you’re the impatient type.

Filed under: Internet, Google

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Via: The Next Web

Source: Sara McKinley (Google+)

Video chat can be an empowering tool for hard-of-hearing internet citizens for whom sign language is easier than voice. Most chat software doesn’t easily bring an interpreter into the equation, however, which spurred Google into adding a Sign Language Interpreter app for Google+ Hangouts. The web component lets chatters invite an interpreter that stays in the background while they verbalize hand gestures. Google is also helping reduce dependencies on the mouse for those who can’t (or just won’t) use one during chat: there’s now keyboard shortcuts to start or stop chats, disable the camera and other basics that would normally demand a click. Both the interpreter app and shortcuts are available today.

Filed under: Internet, Google

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Via: The Verge

Source: Anna Cavender (Google+)

We know, we know. You were trying to get on with your online social life this morning, but Google+ was nowhere to be found. Looks like the social network is experiencing an outage today — here in the States at least. According to folks in the UK, things are moving a lot more swimmingly on that side of the pond. We’ve reached out to Google for a response. You’ll know more as soon as we do.

Update: Looks like everything’s back in working order. You can quit complaining about it on Facebook now.

Filed under: Google

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It’s not quite as traditional as baseball and apple pie, but you’ve got to start somewhere. Following last year’s success, Google is once again hosting a Presidential Google+ chat days after the State of the Union address, on February 14th at 4:50PM Eastern. The Fireside Hangout will see President Obama answer the most voted-for questions from Americans live, with a seasoned panel joining him for the discussion. It’s arguably one of our better chances at getting answers about policies that we wouldn’t get from a formal speech — as such, those who can put aside nostalgia for old-fashioned Fireside Chats will likely get their fill at the source link.

Filed under: Internet, Google

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Source: Google Official Blog

The Google Science Fair began in 2011 as a way to spur a love of science among teens and, just possibly, spark a few breakthroughs for science as a whole. It’s back for a third year, and there’s big improvements to both the competition’s technology and rewards. The 2013 Fair will have Google+ Hangouts on Air for help and motivation, as well as to introduce us to the 15 finalists during the vote for a public-chosen award in August. The early talks will include Segway pioneer Dean Kamen and sea explorer Fabien Cousteau, among others. Finalists once again get prizes from Google itself, Lego, National Geographic and Scientific American, but there’s extra bonuses this year for the grand prize winner: along with the $50,000 scholarship, Galapagos Islands trip and other individual gifts, the winner’s school will get both $10,000 and a Hangout session with CERN. Young inventors have until the end of April 30th to submit their projects, and we’ll learn about the very cream of the crop on September 23rd.

Filed under: Science, Internet, Google

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Via: Google Official Blog

Source: Google Science Fair