Now that the Federal Communications Commission has said Google didn’t do anything wrong while accidentally collecting data with its Street View cars (besides impeding the investigation), privacy watchdogs are pressing for further probes into the company. [More]
FCC Fines Google, Says It Was Deliberately Impeding Street View Investigation
By 4.16.12
The Federal Communications Commission is going after Google, even though they’ve officially cleared the company of charges that it had collected WiFi data illegally with its Street View Cars. While they didn’t do that on purpose, the FCC says Google was deliberately obstructing the investigation into those charges. [More]
Google's Photos Of New Glasses Prove They Really Are Fans Of LeVar Burton
By 4.4.12
We just knew Google was aiming for a Geordi La Forge eyewear revolution when rumors first started flying about their new hi-tech glasses, and now there are pictures to prove it. Fans of LeVar Burton’s character from Star Trek: Next Generation will now be much closer to realizing their dreams with the ocular gadgetry. [More]
A Million People Download Instagram For Android & Annoy All Their iPhone Friends
By 4.4.12
Just the other day, you might’ve been enviously watching your roommate flip through his Instagram pictures on his iPhone, shooting your Android sullen glances for its Instagram deficiency. But then, then there was yesterday –¬†when one million downloads of Instagram for Android went flying through space and into eager hands. [More]
There Are Now 500 Paramount Movies Available To Rent On YouTube
By 4.4.12
We’re not saying any of our fair readers have ever watched a two-hour movie in a series of 10-minute parts that shouldnt’ve have been posted to YouTube, but now there are even more options — YouTube will be adding around 500 Paramount films for rental on the site to its current lineup. All in one piece! [More]
Google's Helpful Self-Driving Car Brings Blind Passenger To Taco Bell
By 3.29.12
If Google is handing out cars to take people to get chalupas, sign us up. While testing the company’s new self-driving vehicle, Google had the Toyota Prius navigate city streets to take its blind “driver” to Taco Bell, as seen in a video of the test. [More]
Google's New Privacy Policy Leads To At Least Four Class-Action Lawsuits
By 3.26.12
Google’s new privacy policies, which allow the company to combine user data across all its various products (Google, Gmail, YouTube, Google+), have only been in effect for a few weeks, but they have already resulted in at least four class-action suits from consumers. [More]
Shouldn't I Be Able To Delete Unwanted Apps Off My Own Darn Phone?
By 3.22.12
The last time I looked something up in the Yellow Pages was back in the pre-Google era as part of a youthful prank calling spree, although I’m sure I used it to keep a door open at some point in the last eight years. And now I’m stuck with an unwanted Yellow Pages app that came on my Android phone. It can’t be deleted, along with a stupid Blockbuster app and other useless things I do not want. [More]
Worst Company In America Round One: Google Vs. Apple
By 3.19.12
Here we are at the final match of Round One in the Worst Company In America 2012 Tournament. And while you can argue whether or not we’ve saved the best for last, these two competitors are certainly two of the biggest. [More]
FBI Begs Google For Help Unlocking Alleged Pimp's Android Phone
By 3.15.12
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has a few tricks up its sleeve when it comes to figuring out crime stuff. But in one case, either the FBI is unwilling or unable to unlock an Android phone belonging to an alleged pimp they’re investigating, prompting them to ask Google for help. [More]
Here It Is, Your Lineup For Worst Company In America 2012!
By 3.12.12
Welcome to Consumerist’s 7th Annual Worst Company In America tournament, where the businesses you nominated face off for a title that none of them will publicly admit to wanting — but which all of them try their hardest to earn. So it’s time to fill in the brackets and start another office pool. That is, unless you work at one of the 32 companies competing in the tournament. [More]
Survey Says We're Not Okay With Search Engines Collecting Personal Data
By 3.9.12
As companies like Google and Facebook fall under scrutiny for their online privacy policies, Americans are getting uncomfortable with the the fact that using a search engines could turn over their personal data for collection and targeted advertising. [More]
Android Market Morphing Into New "Google Play" Next Week
By 3.6.12
When Android Market suddenly disappears from your smartphone next week as you’re trying to download War and Peace or that app that lets you play bird calls to confuse your local avians (does that exist? I hope so), don’t freak out — it’s simply turning into Google Play. [More]
When You Pay Google For A Service, Don't Expect Any Actual Help
By 3.1.12
What Justin wanted to do is pretty simple. He wanted to take his Google Voice number and port it to his new Sprint phone. This is a thing that you can do with Google Voice, if you pay. But as early purchasers of the Nexus One and other people who have issues with Google have learned, Google will happily accept your money, but doesn’t like to deal with actual icky customers. Their default customer support option–posting on a forum and hoping someone with power notices–isn’t cutting it for Justin anymore, since he’s having problems with text messages on his ported number. [More]
Reminder: Turn Off Your Google Web History Today
By 3.1.12
Starting today, Google’s new unified privacy policy kicks in, meaning that your web browsing history can be tracked and shared been other Google products like Google+ and YouTube. So if that strikes you as a bit invasive, there’s an easy way to turn it off. [More]
Is YouTube's Content ID System Leading To False Copyright Claims?
By 2.27.12
We’ve heard the stories about people’s YouTube videos being tagged for copyright violations because someone in the background is playing a song that’s recognizable to some automated system that scans online videos. But certainly no one can come after you for the barely audible sound of birds, right? [More]
Google Files Applications To Offer TV Service In Kansas City
By 2.23.12
Google has been using the Kansas City area as a place to test out its high-speed internet service and now it looks like the internet giant may be ready to try its hand at offering TV service to customers. [More]
Privacy Concerns Prompt Google To Promise A "Do-Not-Track" Browser Button
By 2.23.12
Concerned about a constant tail from Google as you browse about the wide world web? Many consumers don’t like being followed and their Internet history subsequently being used to target them with ads, prompting Google to vow it will embed a “do-not-track” button in its browser. [More]
