Google

Google launches YouTube Kids in the App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 23, 2015

The Internet giant Google on Monday announced its dedicated YouTube application for kids. Dubbed YouTube Kids, the app is now available for the iPhone and iPad as a free download from the App Store.

Billed as “the first Google product built from the ground up with little ones in mind,” it's been designed as a safe place for kids to experience YouTube content deemed “kid-appropriate” such as family focused clips.

Because it's focused on children, the software includes a set of options that help parents control the experience for their kids.

Google planning to show better Apple Pay competitor in May

Jake Smith ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Google is working to revamp its Google Wallet service available for Android devices, after the growth of Apple Pay in its early days, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. The Journal lays out the search giant's plans, including word that it's working to unveil a new version of Google Wallet in late May at the Google I/O developer conference.

Google releases Inbox app for iPad

Jake Smith ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Google has released an iPad version of its Inbox app, its new service that allows “a completely different type of inbox”. The app strives to surface the most relevant stuff that often gets buried and forgotten due to an avalanche of unwanted emails we get bombarded with.

Google Play Music updated with Material Design, iPad support and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Google today pushed out an update for its Play Music iOS client, bringing the app to the odd version number of 2.0.3828. The update is rather significant in that it brings about proper support for the iPad, as well as new Material Design UI for the iPhone.

In the changelog Google says that it has heard users "loud and clear, and now Google Play Music has an official iPad app." It looks very similar to the redesigned iPhone app, sporting Google's new Material Design aesthetic, but with larger UI elements.

Google quietly removes Sparrow email client from App Store and Mac App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

It's the end of the road for the beloved Sparrow email client as Google quietly pulled the free iPhone and Mac download from the App Store and Mac App Store, TechCrunch reported Tuesday.

The Internet giant snapped up the French startup, its apps and technology back in July of 2012, much to the dismay of the Apple community, for a reported $25 million.

Existing users who have downloaded Sparrow to their Mac through the Mac App Store, and have a copy of Sparrow for iOS in desktop iTunes, can continue using the app and should be able to install it on their other devices.

The app's been fully removed from iTunes servers and is no longer available for re-download through the Purchased tab of the App Store and Mac App Store. The Mac edition is still available directly from Sparrow’s own web site.

Google I/O 2015 announced: May 28-29 in San Francisco’s Moscone West

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 10, 2015

Google I/O, the search giant's annual conference for developers akin to Apple's WWDC, is due this year May 28-29 in San Francisco's Moscone Center West.

Sundar Pichai, Google's Vice President of Android, Chrome and Google Apps, announced in a post over at Google+ that registration will open on March 17, 2015 at 9am PDT.

A Google account is required to apply for your seat and only one registration application per person is allowed. However, there's no need to rush because you'll have plenty of time to submit your registration application.

Check your Google Account security and get 2 GB of permanent Drive storage bump

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 10, 2015

Today is the Safer Internet Day. In joining the Internet to celebrate the occasion, the search giant Google today announced an initiative that invites you to run a 30-second check on your Google Account in exchange for an additional two gigabytes of extra Google Drive storage.

As a quick reminder, Google Drive offers fifteen gigabytes of free storage to share across Google Drive, Gmail and Google+ Photos, or thirty gigs per account if you use Google Apps at work or school.

So, if you spare two minutes of your precious time and complete a simple security checkup on your Google Account by next Tuesday, February 17, Google will treat you to an additional 2 GB of Drive storage by the month's end for a total of 17 GB of storage allowance.

Google Maps turns 10!

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 9, 2015

Yesterday marked the tenth anniversary of Google Maps, arguably the best consumer mapping application in the world.

Maps first started as a C++ program designed by two Danish brothers Lars and Jens Eilstrup Rasmussen at the Sydney-based company Where 2 Technologies.

After pitching their idea for a web-based version to Google management, the search giant in its never-ending pursuit of new revenue sources snapped up the young startup in October 2004.

Under Google's stewardship and the oversight of current Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, who in 2005 became Vice President of Search Products and User Experience at Google, the project quickly transformed from a relatively unimpressive desktop program into a full-blown web service.

Since its inception, Google Maps has been praised by critics and haters alike for its accuracy, coverage and the rapid pace of development resulting in new feature additions on a regular basis. It's been imitated by both Yahoo and Microsoft, and later by Apple, but none of these technology giants has come close to touching Google Maps.

Why Google Glass as we know it is dead

Jake Smith ∙ February 6, 2015

Nick Bilton of the New York Times is out with a fantastic piece detailing why Google Glass as we know it has been killed off by the Mountain View based company. Born out of the futuristic Google X lab, the headset was not only plagued by problems, but it was receiving attention from the mass-market that Google just wasn't ready for.

YouTube experimenting with multi-angle video feature, try it out yourself

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 4, 2015

YouTube has begun experimenting with a cool new feature that lets you switch between different camera angles while the video is playing, TechCrunch reported Wednesday.

It couldn't be easier: a multi-angle video presents you with a series of thumbnails, each representing a dedicated video stream from a particular angle. Clicking on any thumbnail switches you to that camera instantly, during playback.

For the first time since 2012, Apple sells more phones in US than Android

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 4, 2015

Wednesday, TechCrunch relayed a new survey by market research firm Kantar Worldpanel which underscores a small victory in Apple's global rivalry with Android as the company overtook Android vendors in terms of units shipped in the United States during the last three months of 2014.

Driven by the introduction of its larger-screened iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Apple took a 47.7 percent share of the U.S. smartphone market. Android grabbed a 47.6 percent share and Windows Phone accounted for just 3.8 percent of smartphone sales.

Google Earth Pro goes free, a $399 per year saving

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

The Internet giant Google announced over the weekend that the Google Earth Pro desktop application is now available at no cost. A business-oriented upgrade to Google Earth, Google Earth Pro used to command an annual subscription fee of $399 so this is a significant development.

It has more features than the standard edition of Google Pro, including map-making tools and add-on software such as movie making, GIS data importer, advanced printing modules, radius and area measurements and more.