On the one hand, these “Scroogled” items up for sale on Microsoft’s official online store provoke a response of ugh, groan. On the other hand, it’s all, cringe, no, awkward. Either way you go, Microsoft’s attempt to poke fun at its competitor just comes off as a little bit… sad. [More]
Google Says It’s Working On Removing Image Of Man’s Slain Son From Maps
By 11.19.13
Anyone who’s ever used Google Maps has likely searched for their own address, where they grew up or other important spots, just to see what image of the place Google has captured. But unfortunately for a man whose teen son was killed in 2009 in Richmond, Calif., it appears the image of his son’s body is shown at the spot where he was found. [More]
Google Settles Multi-State Safari Ad-Tracking Complaint For $17 Million
By 11.18.13
Apple’s Safari browser has a default setting that blocks websites from setting third-party cookies that can be used to track users’ browsing behavior. But for about nine months in 2011-2012, Google’s DoubleClick ad serving service was able to get around that roadblock in order to provide user-specific ads to people with Apple computers and, more importantly, users of iPhones and iPads. Google has already been hit with a $22.5 million federal penalty, and today it has agreed to settle a multi-state claim for an additional $17 million. [More]
Google Mocks Opacity Of National Security Requests While Feds Try To Hide Court Action From Public
By 11.14.13
For quite some time, Google and other Internet biggies have argued that they should be able to reveal relatively detailed data to the public about user-information requests from federal law enforcement agencies, and specifically those that fall under that black umbrella of national security. In its latest transparency report, Google uses a visual to show its distaste for this opacity. Meanwhile, the federal government is attempting to argue its case for the lack of transparency behind doors closed so tight that even the others involved in the request won’t be privy to what’s said. [More]
Google: Stop Using That Charger That Comes With Your New HP Chromebook 11
By 11.13.13
One of the selling points of the recently released HP Chromebook 11 was that the laptop could be charged using the same micro-USB chargers used for many non-Apple mobile devices. Alas, the chargers supplied with these new Chromebooks can get super-hot (something I can attest to first-hand) so Google and HP from temporarily pulled the computer for sale and told current HP Chromebook 11 owners to use any other UL-approved micro-USB charger to power up their laptops while the companies sort out a resolution with the Consumer Product Safety Commission. [via GigaOm and The Verge] [More]
Google Helpouts Are Live, And Lots Of “Experts” Are Giving Out Free Advice
By 11.5.13
In August, Google announced the creation of Google Helpouts, a live chat service that lets semi-vetted, self-declared experts in any number of fields make themselves available for help, guidance, and tutorials for a price. The service is finally live, and in some categories, there are plenty of people willing to give their advice away for free, along with a number of retailers hoping you’ll come to them for help. [More]
Google Exec To NSA: You Don’t Need To Spy On Everyone To Catch A Few Evil People
By 11.4.13
Last week, it was revealed that the National Security Agency had managed to tap into the private connections between Google’s supposedly secure data centers, effectively giving the agency unfettered access to e-mails, voicemails, and cloud-stored files of all Google users. Not surprisingly, this isn’t sitting well with the people at the Internet giant. [More]
NSA Ticks Off Google & Yahoo With Report Of Snooping On Private Data Centers
By 10.30.13
The latest round of revelations about National Security Agency cyber-snooping includes information that the NSA infiltrated private networks operated by Google and Yahoo. Not surprisingly, these two titans of the Internet are not pleased to find out about the government’s invasive actions. [More]
Google Wants You To Sell Your Friends On Its $1,500 Glass Devices
By 10.29.13
Is it lonely on the top of technology hill, where you sit gazing out over the landscape with your Google Glass perched saucily on your nose, surveying all you see? Instead of selling your friends the devices itself, Google wants you to be the one to convince your pals they also need a pair of $1,500 Google Glass spectacles. So you won’t be lonely! [More]
UN Ads Point Out How Bizarrely Sexist Google Searches Are
By 10.23.13
The auto-complete suggestions on Google searches are often good for a laugh, but they can also provide some measure of insight into the scary collective psyche of the Internet. And a new series of ads from the United Nations uses these auto-complete results in an effort to demonstrate just how pervasive some sexist attitudes are. [More]
Google Gives Itself The Right To Make Money Off Users’ Names & Photos
By 10.11.13
If you’re a Google user, be prepared to possibly have your name, photos, and any comments you might have made using that account used in ads that Google will make money from. The company quietly announced a change to its Terms of Service this morning, giving itself the ability to exploits user profiles in “Shared Endorsements.” [More]
Google Patents Method For Splitting Restaurant Bill & Other Shared Expenses
By 10.7.13
Many of us now have smartphones, and almost all of us know how to use the calculator on these smartphones. Even so, not many of us are pulling out the calculator to itemize restaurant bills at the end of the night. It often ends up with folks splitting things evenly — which can be a hassle if everyone is paying with a card — or one person footing the bill and others promising to settle up, which doesn’t always happen. Google hopes to end this awkwardness with a recently filed patent. [More]
Google Launches Huge Overhaul Of Search Algorithm (Which You Probably Didn’t Notice)
By 9.27.13
Back when the Internet was but a newfangled toy, you might’ve searched for things on Google like, “What is a Google?” But now that searches are more involved (“What is that movie with the guy from that TV show starring Gary Sinise with the talking dolphin and time travel?”) Google says it’s rolled out a massive change in its search algorithm in the last month to handle difficult queries. Not that you necessarily noticed. [More]
This Video Comparison Of Broadband Vs. Google Fiber Isn’t Quite Accurate, But It Is Funny
By 9.26.13
Residents of Provo, UT, will soon be getting access to Google Fiber Internet service, so to illustrate the difference between Gigabit fiberoptic service and typical broadband, the mayor’s office cooked up a funny — if not entirely accurate — video. [More]
Google Is Sorry If Your Mom Accidentally Got A Talk Message Intended For Your New Crush
By 9.26.13
Perhaps you sent a sassy little message to your work crush this morning on Google Talk, the chat application Gmail users employ on iPhones and Android devices. But then your mom is all, “Honey, what’s this about ‘tackling me, gently of course’ the next time you see me?” Google Talk users were up in arms on the Internet this morning, claiming that their chat messages were going to the wrong recipients. [More]
Verizon Doesn’t Know The Difference Between “Can’t” And “Won’t”
By 9.19.13
I can jump off my third-floor balcony, but I won’t because it would just make an absolute mess. The fact that I won’t do it doesn’t negate my ability to do it. This is a distinction that apparently eludes the folks at Verizon Wireless. [More]
Google Loses Appeal Over Street View Cars Snooping On Home Wi-Fi Connections
By 9.11.13
Google lost its appeal in federal court yesterday over whether or not its Street View cars invaded people’s privacy by collecting info through their home Wi-Fi systems as it drove through their neighborhoods. [More]
Google Defends Scanning Users’ Emails Because Humans Aren’t Actually Reading Anything
By 9.5.13
Google’s attorneys are having their say in court documents as part of the months-long battle over whether or not it’s okay for Google to read users’ private emails. The company is defending itself against a class action lawsuit filed in May that alleged the company “unlawfully opens up reads, and acquires the content of people’s private email messages.” [More]
