Today we kicked off #ghc14 at our Google booth (#716) at the career fair. Hundreds of attendees stopped by to see our driverless car, try out fun technology like Cardboard and Glass, and learn more about our roles and opportunities.
Wednesday 8 October 2014
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GOOGLE CROME
With the latest Chrome OS release, we’re welcoming a new set of Android apps to enjoy on your Chromebook, including:
Cloudmagic, an email app that connects a host of services in one unified inbox: goo.gl/gwJjDT
Podcast Addict, a place to keep track of all your audio and video podcasts: goo.gl/gEDxe1
Onefootball, to stay up to date with live scores and the latest soccer news: goo.gl/6Ry9I9
Want to see more Android apps on Chromebooks? Nominate them at chromebook.com/newapps
Google News & Weather app is now available in the App Store.
Google asks U.S. Supreme Court to decide Oracle copyright fight
A Google search page is reflected in sunglasses in this
photo illustration taken in Brussels May 30, 2014.
Google Inc has asked the U.S. Supreme
Court to wade into contentious litigation against Oracle
Corp, arguing that the high court must act to protect
innovation in high tech.
Google's request, filed on Monday, seeks to overturn an
appeals court ruling that found Oracle could copyright
parts of the Java programming language, which Google
used to design its Android smartphone operating
system.
Representatives for Oracle and Google could not
immediately comment on Wednesday.
Google's Android is the world's best-selling smartphone
platform. Oracle sued Google in 2010, claiming that
Google had improperly incorporated parts of Java into
Android. Oracle is seeking roughly $1 billion on its
copyright claims.
The case examined whether computer language that
connects programs - known as application
programming interfaces, or APIs - can be copyrighted.
At trial, Oracle said Google's Android trampled on its
rights to the structure of 37 Java APIs.
A San Francisco federal judge had decided that Oracle
could not claim copyright protection on parts of Java,
but earlier this year the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Federal Circuit in Washington disagreed.
In its filing this week, Google said the company would
never been able to innovate had the Federal Circuit's
reasoning been in place when the company was
formed.
"Early computer companies could have blocked vast
amounts of technological development by claiming 95-
year copyright monopolies over the basic building
blocks of computer design and programming," Google
wrote.
The case in the Supreme Court is Google Inc vs. Oracle
America Inc., 14-410.
HTC RE is not a GoPro killer, it is a new camera category
It is rare for a smartphone company to branch off into
a completely new vertical. But HTC is doing just this
with its new RE camera, what the company internally
calls a “remarkable little camera”.
While everyone is tempted to start calling this simple,
uncomplicated handheld camera a rival for the GoPro,
which has almost acquired cult status across most of
the globe, HTC Corporation CEO Peter Chou doesn’t
agree. “We are very different, we are mobile, we don’t
need a PC and we are cloud based… we are for
everybody,” Chou told IndianExpress.com during an
interaction on the sidelines of the launch in New York.
And this is going to be the USP of the RE. The camera
for the everyone. To start with, this camera has just
two buttons — one to shoot and another to initiate slow
motion. The camera does not have a power button as it
switches on when you hold it in your hand.
RELATED
HTC RE Action Camera, HTC Desire EYE With Two 13-MP
Clickers Launched
HTC Launches One E8, Desire 616, Calls India Strategic
Market
HTC One M8's 'special Price' Could Have Samsung,
Apple Worried
Review: HTC Desire 501 & Desire 601
Shifting Focus: HTC One Sheds Megapixels To Improve
Picture Quality
HTC USA head Jaon Mackenzie says this shape is ideal
to grip, but then you can attach it to a whole lot of
places from your arm to the front of a bicycle. A single
press on the main buttons gets you a 16MP still image,
while a long press starts Full HD (1080p) video
recording. Things couldn’t be more simpler.
But then this is a device for the mobile generation. It
does not need to be tethered to a PC at any time and
can be controlled by an app. HTC has launched the app
for all Android devices with version 4.3 upwards and
even iOS. A clear indication that it is taking this
camera very seriously.
The camera does not come with internal storage, so the
app lets you save images and videos to the cloud. You
can also add an SD card of up to 128GB.
Perched on a bottle top, the HTC RE records a conversation
with Chia-Lin Chang, HTC’s President of Global Sales and
Chief Financial Officer
HTC RE has a distinct price advantage too, given that it
is priced at $199 in the US. You also don’t need to
spend much on accessories as it is already waterproof.
The RE will become available in India by November
and we estimate it to be priced between Rs 15,000 and
Rs 20,000. HTC might try and go a bit below this price
point. Consider that with the starting price of around
Rs 30,000 for an older GoPro model. HTC really has a
chance to create a mark for itself in this category.
HTC launches Desire Eye smartphone, new camera
Taiwan-based HTC on Wednesday unveiled
its newest smartphone with high-resolution cameras on
both sides to appeal to people who take "selfie" pictures.
The HTC Desire Eye, unveiled at a New York event,
includes 13-megapixel cameras on both the front and
back.
"Desire Eye is fully equipped for those who love to take
great photos, videos and selfies," an HTC statement said.
The new phone will be sold in the United States through
AT&T. HTC also launched an oddly shaped camera
which departs from the box shape, designed instead with
a round periscope-like appearance, which can fit in one's
hand.
HTC said the camera's design featured a sensor which
automatically activated the device whenever it was
picked up, eliminating the need for a power button.
HTC said it plans to introduce live streaming with the
camera through Google-owned YouTube in the near
future.
HTC said last week it swung to a profit in the third quarter,
but revenue continued to decline owing to sluggish sales
amid strong competition from low-priced Chinese models.
HTC reported a net profit of $21 million in July-September,
with revenue down 11 percent year-over-year.
In the 2013 third quarter, HTC swung to its first net loss of
since listing in 2002, as it fell out of the world's top 10
vendors and has been struggling to increase its foothold in
the highly competitive smartphone market.
Facebook reportedly testing new app that lets you chat anonymously
Facebook reportedly has a new anonymous app in
the works. In a few weeks, it will let users participate
in online discussions under a pseudonym.
After Facebook's unsuccessful attempts at knocking
off the anonymity crown of apps such as Snapchat
and Secret, the social network is making another
stab at letting users share more information
anonymously with a new standalone app it is
apparently working on.
The New York Times cites two sources with
knowledge of Facebook plans who say that Facebook
is veering off from its long-standing strategy of
pushing for real user identities and will launch a new
app in the coming weeks that will let users use
pseudonyms to participate in discussions about
subjects "which they may not be comfortable
connecting to their real names." It's not clear if the
app will allow users to be anonymous only to other
users or if the anonymity will extend to Facebook
itself.
Josh Miller, who owned the startup online
discussions app Branch which was acquired by
Facebook for $15 million, is reportedly the product
manager leading the team behind Facebook's new
anonymous app. The team, the sources say, has
been working on the new product for an entire year
and will roll out what seems to be a discussion
board organized for people with certain interests.
"They were taking a vertical, like parenting or
photography, and trying to get people excited about
them in discussion boards with community leaders
-- like old-school Internet forums as opposed to
community-driven pages," says one source cited by
Business Insider.
Sources say the app could be potentially useful for
Facebook's planned online support communities for
users with common medical problems, though it will
also likely be used beyond health communities. A
Facebook spokesperson says the company does not
comment on rumors or speculation.
The report comes amid a backlash by users of the
drag and bigger LGBT community, which recently
became the target of Facebook's crackdown on users
who prefer to use their stage names instead of their
legal names. But Facebook has loosened up on its
real names policy, with Chris Cox, Facebook's chief
product officer, apologizing to the drag performers
for "the hardship that we've put you through."
Until recently, Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg had
been adamantly against anonymity and was once
heard saying that "having two identities for yourself
is an example of a lack of integrity." But the
Facebook founder has had a change of heart, not
likely due to altruistic purposes but because of the
growing popularity of anonymous apps that have
been encroaching on Facebook's user base.
"I don't know if the balance has swung too far, but I
definitely think we're at the point where we don't
need to keep on only doing real-identity things," he
says in an interview with Bloomberg. "If you're
always under the pressure of real identity, I think that
is somewhat of a burden."
Google Play services 6.1
This time it's all about the latest release of Google Play Services, 6.1! Check it out. Learn about what's new in Google Play services 6.1 Google Play services 6.1 adds Enhanced Ecommerce analytics support from Google Tag Manager and offers new improvements to the Google Drive Android API. With this release, we're also including a refresh of the Google Fit developer preview, so that you can test your fitness apps0 on any Android device.
Sony launches MDR-XB950BT wireless headphones at Rs 12,990
Sony India has launched a Bluetooth and
NFC-enabled wireless headphone MDR-XB950BT at Rs
12,990.
Sony says the MDR-XB950BT headphones offers sound
output with with extra bass with a frequency response up
to 28,000Hz.
MDR-XB950BT headphones have a 40mm dynamic driver
unit delivers powerful sound while keeping the bass level
high with its Electro Bass Booster that accentuates lows
to club-like levels, as per Sony's claims. With a charge of
4 hours, the headphone delivers music for up to 20 hours
at a go.
The headphones comes with NFC that offers a one-touch
connection with smartphones. Further, it also features a
built-in microphone, enabling users to also take calls and
chat hands-free.
MDR-XB950BT headphones sport a slim, swivel folding
style allowing for storage in a bag, briefcase or backpack.
They sport a new acoustic design and pressure relieving
earpads. The headband-style headphones are constructed
with metal and have comfortable fitted head-band.
As a limited period special offer, Sony is also offering a
premium leather carrying case with MDR-XB950BT
headphones.
BlackBerry shows how Indians 'see' cell phones
Indian handset users see their smartphones as devices that
enable higher productivity at work and enhance
communications and collaboration with colleagues, a study
by Canadian handset maker BlackBerry said.
The global study, commissioned by BlackBerry and
conducted by research firm GfK, also added that
smartphones provide more flexibility to users and helps in
simplifying their lives.
"Indian users perceived smartphones as enablers of
productivity by saving time, enhancing communication and
collaboration with colleagues, providing more flexibility and
simplifying their lives," the study said.
The study covered over 9,500 participants in 10 countries
working at companies ranging from SOHO to SMB to
enterprise. Participants represented a cross-section of
users across various smartphone brands. Globally, the
study findings revealed that smartphone users value
features and functionality that enable them to be more in
control, deliver greater impact and attain increased
success. The study found that 67 per cent of business
smartphone users indicated they are always looking to
improve their productivity, while 69 per cent are constantly
looking for new ways to get things done as efficiently as
possible.
When it comes to completing tasks, 'just doing' is no longer
enough -� 65 per cent of business smartphone users say
it is important to have a 'substantial impact' on the
outcome of their work and to gain a greater sense of
achievement in what they do, it added.
Two thirds of survey respondents agreed that smartphones
gave them the flexibility to work when and where they want
� enabling work outside the confines of the nine to five
workday and the traditional office space and empowering
workers to gain control over their own productivity.
Smartphones can free up time as well. One-third of
respondents said smartphones save them more than five
hours over an average working week.
The study revealed BlackBerry users to be more motivated
by achievement and personal rewards compared to users
on competing smartphone platforms.
BlackBerry users were 43 per cent more likely than other
users to agree that one of their motivations to be productive
is to make a mark in their company and society, it said.
BlackBerry end-users are 27 per cent more likely to place
importance in being productive to have a better and more
balanced work and personal life than competitor end-users,
it added.
Sensing the high demand, Apple to ramp up iPhone 6 Plus production
Sensing the high demand of 'iPhone 6 Plus', Apple Inc has
reportedly tweaked the production of next generation
iPhones to meet the upcoming demand for iPhone 6.
Though the new strategy is not expected to affect the
supplies immediately but is anticipated to take care of forth
coming crisis and will be visible with time. According to
the report, suppliers noticed that the iPhone 6 Plus's
supply is not meeting its demand and the pace of
production had to be increased.
The shipment of the big screened iPhone in international
market is expected to be 3-4 million less than what was
being expected initially.
The new iPhones have witnessed a stupendous response.
Within 24 hours of pre-orders opening, Apple received an
order for as many as 4 million units. So far the new
iPhones have been launched only in 30 countries- ten
countries were covered in the first phase of sales while
twenty other countries in the second round of sales. The
new devices are likely to make an entry in the Indian and
Chinese market, that account for Apple's substantial
business, on October 17. iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus China
bookings had reportedly crossed the 2 million units in the
initial 6 hours.
Oracle warns customers on Shellshock bug
Oracle warned customers on Friday that more than 30 products are vulnerable to the Shellshock bug, including its high-end Exadata computer systems.
Oracle said it has only prepared fixes to address the Shellshock vulnerability in two products, the Oracle Linux and Solaris operating systems.
Oracle said it has only prepared fixes to address the Shellshock vulnerability in two products, the Oracle Linux and Solaris operating systems.
Microsoft to set up three data centers in India
Microsoft has announced that it will offer commercial cloud services — Azure and Office 365 from local data centers in India by end of 2015.
According to the Redmond giant, the move is expected to accelerate public and hybrid cloud adoption in the country and organizations will benefit from data sovereignty, lower latency and geo redundancy with availability of local infrastructure. It will compete in the estimated $2 trillion domestic market opportunity with rivals like Google and IBM.
Microsoft will set up 3 data centers in three cities in India by the end of 2015. The company did not disclose the investment but said that the initial footprint will be high.
Making the announcement, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said," Microsoft is deeply committed to helping people and organisations thrive in our mobile-first and cloud-first world — that's why we are proud to offer our commercial cloud services through data centers in India."
According to the Redmond giant, the move is expected to accelerate public and hybrid cloud adoption in the country and organizations will benefit from data sovereignty, lower latency and geo redundancy with availability of local infrastructure. It will compete in the estimated $2 trillion domestic market opportunity with rivals like Google and IBM.
Microsoft will set up 3 data centers in three cities in India by the end of 2015. The company did not disclose the investment but said that the initial footprint will be high.
Making the announcement, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said," Microsoft is deeply committed to helping people and organisations thrive in our mobile-first and cloud-first world — that's why we are proud to offer our commercial cloud services through data centers in India."
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