Google removes 3 popular apps from Play Store

Google has removed three popular apps used by kids from its Play Store periodically when the apps are caught violating its policies.

The International Digital Accountability Council (IDCA) had found that the three apps, identified as Princess Salon, Number Coloring, and Cats & Cosplay, were collecting data of users, who happen to be children in most instances, in violation of the Play Store policies, and that this data was potentially leaking to SDKs of third parties.

"The practices we observed in our research raised serious concerns about data practices within these apps," IDAC president Quentin Palfrey told TechCrunch.

The website also got a response from Google, which told it, “We can confirm that the apps referenced in the report were removed. Whenever we find an app that violates our policies, we take action.”

It is not clear what sort of data the three innocent-looking apps were collecting. But these were the apps used by kids as they claimed to gamify learning. A number of such apps continue to be available on the app stores managed by Google and Apple.

When it comes to the data of children, companies like Apple and Google have more stringent requirements from app developers. The data of children has to be handled more carefully and in many cases, it cannot be passed on to third parties. In fact, so sensitive are the rules governing the use of technology by children in many but not all countries that Google even offers services that are specific to kids, such as YouTube Kids.This is not the first time Google has removed apps from its play store. Earlier, the company removed a number of malicious apps from the Play Store. Check the list below and remove them if you have them on your phone. Source: https://www.daily-bangladesh.com

Read More........→December 29, 2020

Google launches strong encryption for Android messages

Google said Thursday it will be rolling out end-to-end encryption for Android users, making it harder for anyone, including law enforcement, to read the content of messages.

“End-to-end encryption ensures that no one, including Google and third parties, can read the content of your messages as they travel between your phone and the phone of the person you’re messaging,” said Drew Rowny, head of Google product, in announcing the rollout.

Google’s move is part of an upgrade from SMS to the Rich Communication Services (RCS) standard with additional features for images and videos.

It will be available for people communicating using Android-powered devices.

The move brings additional privacy and security to Google’s messaging application, however, law enforcement agencies around the world complained that “strong encryption may enable criminals to hide their tracks”.

Digital rights activists have long supported strong encryption to allow users to avoid snooping by governments and cybercriminals. But some governments have warned the technology could hinder criminal investigations.

End-to-end encryption is already available on some services such as Facebook-owned WhatsApp, but the company has been facing resistance over its plan to bring full encryption to its Messenger app.

Last year, US Attorney General William Barr joined with British and Australian counterparts in urging Facebook to abandon its encryption, claiming the planned court hurt investigations into child exploitation.

Civil liberties groups countered that a lack of encryption or privileged access for law enforcement could hurt privacy and security for all internet users, creating holes that could be exploited by bad actors.Source: AFP, Tech Xplore Source: https://www.daily-bangladesh.com

Read More........→December 29, 2020

Happy Birthday Google

To celebrate its 22nd birthday, Google created a special doodle

It's 22nd birthday of Google today (on Sunday). Though the search engine giant officially debuted on September 8, 1998, it has been celebrating its birthday on September 27. 

To celebrate its 22nd birthday, Google has created a special doodle. 

The doodle features the logo ‘G’ sitting in front of a laptop doing a video call. The birthday celebration video call is with the rest of the letters - OOGLE. There’s also a piece of cake and presents in the Google Doodle. The representation of the Doodle is quite appropriate for the current situation where most people have celebrated and still are through video calls. 

If anyone tap on the Doodle from the Google homepage, it will open to a Search results page for well, Google. People can also share the Google Doodle on Facebook, Twitter and via email. There’s also a copy button for the link so it’s easier to share it anywhere. As with every Doodle, this one too has a page with a short description about the celebration. 

22 years ago in the year 1998, Google was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin when they were both PhD students at Stanford University. “Google”, the word comes from the mathematical term “googol”.

“While walking in the woods of New Jersey, American mathematician Edward Kasner asked his young nephew Milton Sirotta to help him choose a name for a mind-boggling number: a 1 followed by 100 zeros. Milton’s reply? A googol! The term gained widespread visibility 20 years later with its inclusion in a 1940 book Kasner co-authored called “Mathematics and the Imagination,” Google explained in its Doodle page Source: https://www.daily-bangladesh.com/

Read More........→September 30, 2020

20 percent of Google employees don’t want to return to office

World’s best search engine Google gives the opportunity to its employees to work from home due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

At the beginning of the global epidemic, Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, announced that 30 percent of employees would be back in the office by the end of the year. However, as the situation does not improve, he has instructed to work from home until the middle of next year.

A survey was conducted by Google regarding the opening of the office. The results of the survey were published on the ‘Life at Google’ page on Twitter. There, 20 percent of Google employees say they never want to return to the office. 53 percent of employees are interested to return to the office irregularly. And 10 percent of workers want to join the office. Besides, 15 percent of employees want to attend the office if there is an event.

In an interview with Time magazine, Sundar Pichai said employees can come to the office irregularly. However, the decision of the employees will be given prioritized in this regard.

Google says the office will be redesigned to protect employees from coronavirus. The cafeteria will be closed to avoid crowds. Employees must maintain a 6 feet distance while sitting. Source: https://www.daily-bangladesh.com

Read More........→September 30, 2020

Google and GSK invest £540M to create bioelectronic medicines

An early prototype concept for a smart contact lens. This wearable tech would measure glucose levels in tears, using a tiny wireless chip and miniaturised sensor embedded between layers of soft contact lens material. When glucose levels fall below a certain threshold, tiny LED lights will activate themselves to function as a warning system for the wearer. Credit: Google
Google's Verily (formerly Google Life Sciences) has announced a partnership with British pharmaceutical giant, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), to form Galvani Bioelectronics – a new company focused on the research, development and commercialisation of bioelectronic medicines. Verily (owned by Google's parent company, Alphabet) has announced an agreement with GSK to form Galvani Bioelectronics to accelerate the research, development and commercialisation of bioelectronic medicines. GSK will hold a 55% interest in the new jointly owned company and Verily will hold 45%. Galvani Bioelectronics will be headquartered in the UK, with the parent companies contributing existing intellectual property rights and up to £540 million of investment over seven years, subject to successful completion of various discovery and development milestones. Bioelectronic medicine is a relatively new scientific field that aims to tackle a wide range of chronic diseases using miniaturised, implantable devices that can modify electrical signals that pass along nerves in the body, including irregular or altered impulses that occur in many illnesses. GSK has been active in this field since 2012 and believes certain chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes and asthma could potentially be treated using these devices. The agreement to establish Galvani Bioelectronics represents an important next step in GSK's bioelectronics research. It will combine GSK's world class drug discovery and development expertise, and deep understanding of disease biology, with Verily's world-leading technical expertise in the miniaturisation of low power electronics, device development, data analytics and software for clinical applications. The initial work will centre on establishing clinical proofs of principle in metabolic, inflammatory and endocrine disorders, including type 2 diabetes, where substantial evidence already exists in animal models; and developing the associated miniaturised, precision devices.

A chemical chip to control the delivery of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Credit: LiU/Ingemar Franzén

Moncef Slaoui, GSK's Chairman of Global Vaccines, who was instrumental in establishing GSK's investments in the field of bioelectronics, will chair the board of the new company: "Many of the processes of the human body are controlled by electrical signals firing between the nervous system and the body's organs, which become distorted in many chronic diseases," he said. "Bioelectronic medicine's vision is to employ the latest advances in biology and technology to interpret this electrical conversation and to correct the irregular patterns found in disease states, using miniaturised devices attached to individual nerves. If successful, this approach offers the potential for a new therapeutic modality alongside traditional medicines and vaccines."This agreement with Verily to establish Galvani Bioelectronics signals a crucial step forward in GSK's bioelectronics journey, bringing together health and tech to realise a shared vision of miniaturised, precision electrical therapies. Together, we can rapidly accelerate the pace of progress in this exciting field, to develop innovative medicines that truly speak the electrical language of the body." Brian Otis, Verily's Chief Technology Officer, said: "This is an ambitious collaboration, allowing GSK and Verily to combine forces and have a huge impact on an emerging field.Bioelectronic medicine is a new area of therapeutic exploration, and we know that success will require the confluence of deep disease biology expertise and new highly miniaturised technologies. "This partnership provides an opportunity to further Verily's mission by deploying our focused expertise in low power, miniaturised therapeutics and our data analytics engine to potentially address many disease areas with greater precision with the goal of improving outcomes." Since 2012, a dedicated team of scientists at GSK has been researching the potential of bioelectronic medicines. In that time, the company has established a leadership position in the field, creating a global network of around 50 research collaborations and investing $50 million in a dedicated bioelectronics venture capital fund. Through these collaborations and investments, GSK has seen encouraging proof of principles in animal models in a range of diseases. GSK believes the first bioelectronic medicines could be ready for approval within the next decade. Source: http://www.futuretimeline.net/

Read More........→August 23, 2016

Google files patent for wearable medical device

Google has filed a patent application for a wearable medical device, able to use nanoparticles to detect and treat illnesses such as cancer.

For those wishing to protect their health and extend their lifespan, a futuristic medical device may become available in the next several years. Details of this wearable technology – known as a Nanoparticle Phoresis – have been published online by Google, via the World Intellectual Property Organisation. The patent application describes a strap, or band, mounted on the lower arm. Similar in appearance to a wristwatch, it would "automatically modify or destroy one or more targets in the blood that have an adverse health effect." This would be achieved by beaming energy into blood vessels to stimulate cells and molecules, increasing their effectiveness at fighting diseases. It could even be used on synthetic nanoparticles. Millions of these tiny objects would be introduced into the wearer's bloodstream, then activated by magnets in the wristband and directed to specific locations. In addition to its physical treatment abilities, the Nanoparticle Phoresis could generate vast amounts of data – not only helpful to the user, but also to researchers and doctors. It could accept inputs from the wearer regarding his or her health state, such as "feeling cold," "feeling tired," "pollen allergy symptoms today," "stressed," "feeling energetic," etc. According to the patent, these user inputs "may be used to complement any other physiological parameter data that the wearable device may collect and establish effective signal levels for and timing of modification of the target." Analysts forecast that wearable technology will see huge growth in the coming years, with unit sales potentially reaching into the

hundreds of millions. This new device from Google – if successfully developed – could become part of that rapidly evolving ecosystem. Initially aimed at patients who are seriously ill, this product (or its derivatives) could also be offered to mainstream consumers who aren't necessarily in bad health, but wish to monitor and improve their well-being. For those with a needle phobia, injections might be possible using high-pressure jets. Although the patent itself makes no mention of this, we can speculate that such a procedure would eventually be incorporated into a wristwatch form factor. Similar to the "hypospray" on Star Trek, these jets would ensure that the skin is not punctured. High-pressure jet injection was covered on our blog in May 2012. Looking further ahead, the prospects become even more exciting. Bill Maris – who helped form Google Calico – this month stated his belief that humans will live to be many centuries old in the future, while today's cancer treatments will seem "primitive" within just 20 years. His comments echo those of futurist and inventor Ray Kurzweil, also employed at Google and currently involved in AI research for the company. Kurzweil predicts that nanoparticles will be superseded by nanobots – small and compact enough to feature motors, sensors and other tools, allowing them to be controlled with extreme precision directly inside cells. If this idea sounds like science fiction, then consider this: a handheld smartphone today contains more processing power than a room-sized supercomputer of the 1980s. With ongoing advances in miniaturisation, together with new materials such as graphene, the future trend seems inevitable. As humans become ever more dependent on technology, our bodies will gradually begin to incorporate these and similar devices on a permanent basis. Later in the 21st century, the line between man and machine could become blurred. Source: Article

Read More........→February 15, 2016

Doctors use Google Glass to restore blood flow to a patient's blocked right coronary artery

@ flickr.com/photos/com_salud/9100726234/cc-by-2.0 

In the first instance of its kind, doctors have used Google Glass to successfully restore the blood flow of a chronically blocked right coronary artery in a 49-year old patient. Chronic total occlusion, a complete blockage of the coronary artery, at times referred to as the "final frontier in interventional cardiology", represents a major challenge for catheter-based percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) doctors helps doctors with guidance when performing PCI in lesions. Cardiologists from the Institute of Cardiology in Poland were successful in restoring blood flow in the blocked right coronary artery of a male patient assisted by CTA projections on a wearable VR device based on Google Glass, with an optical head-mounted display. The procedure resulted in successful implantation of two drug-eluting stents. the research has been published in Canadian Journal of Cardiology. The physician-operators could clearly visualise the distal coronary vessel in the display of 3D computed tomographic reconstructions in a mobile application equipped with a hands-free voice recognition system and a zoom function. It helped verify of the direction of the guide wire advancement relative to the course of the blocked vessel segment during the procedure. ''This case demonstrates the novel application of wearable devices for display of data sets in the catheterisation lab that can be used for better planning and guidance of interventional procedures,'' said lead investigator Maksymilian P Opolski from the Institute of Cardiology, IANS reported. ''It also provides proof of concept that wearable devices can improve operator comfort and procedure efficiency in interventional cardiology,'' Opolski added. Google Glass, comprises a wearable, hands-free computer incorporating an optical head-mounted display worn by interventional cardiologists in the catheterisation laboratory. The optical head-mounted display captures and shows images and videos as it interacts with the surrounding environment. The display is an instance the virtual reality concept in which the user is supplemented with additional information generated by the device. Source: Article

Read More........→November 22, 2015

New Google tech may prevent specs from falling off

Washington: Do you have to constantly keep pushing your glasses up as they slide down your nose every few minutes while running? A new Google technology may help! A new patent awarded to Google outlines a system built into a wearable device like Google Glass, that uses motors and motion detectors to automatically tighten or loosen the glasses' arms depending on what the wearer is doing. The new glasses would have an actuator - a little motor for controlling movement - in each arm that could bend the arms in or out as needed, rather like the way a bendy straw works. When the glasses detect that their wearer is bobbing up and down at an increased rate - while running, for example - the arms contract to grip the wearer's head, 'Quartz' reported. This could be a massive boon for athletes who choose not to wear their glasses when active, for fear of breaking them. The actuators could also help solve the one-size-fits-all approach that many glasses have to fitting. In case the glasses are too wide for someone's face, the actuators could automatically resize the glasses so that they fit snugly. However, there is no guarantee that Google will be looking to implement this particular patent in Glass. According to a Google spokesperson, some patents turn into products, and some do not. — PTI. Source: Article

Read More........→September 17, 2015

Google launches new mapping and analysis tool for potential solar customers

BY:  PV MAGAZINE STAFF: The tech giant's latest foray into renewable energy involves aggregating information for customers looking to set up a new pv system, complete with shading analysis, financials and information on local installers. Project Sunroof is currently limited to San Francisco, Fresno and Boston. On Monday Google launched Project Sunroof, a new tool to provide information for prospective solar customers. The product utilizes Google Maps' vast data and a host of other resources, in a bid to make the choice to install PV “easy and understandable for anyone”. When an individual interested in installing PV provides his or her address, the program will provide a complete shading analysis, including trees and other obstructions that could lead to complications in output, as well as cloud patterns. The program is currently limited to San Francisco, Fresno and Boston, however Google plans to extend it to the entire nation. The program then asks for information on customer electricity usage, in order to calculate the optimal system size, with an aim towards 100% coverage. The program also provides information on federal, state and utility rebates and incentives, as well as renewable energy credits and net metering. Finally, Project Sunroof provides potential customers with information on solar providers in their region. While Google is offering a sophisticated service, the core components of this concept are not new. For years the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL) has been providing energy production and cost estimates through its PV Watts Tool. Additionally, third-party service provider Sungevity has been providing online estimates that include analysis of roof shading, power output and financial payback; however this service was offered to potential customers, not the general public through an anonymous online process. Source: PV-Magazine

Read More........→August 22, 2015

ISRO to launch Google satellite

The Indian Space Research Organisation will be launching a satellite for Google’s Sky Box Imaging for GPS maps this year from its spaceport at Sriharikota. This will be the first US satellite to be launched by Isro. Google, which has acquired the satellite imaging company Sky Box Imaging, wants to develop precision maps using its own network of 180-odd satellites. The first among them is Sky Sat Gen II. Sky Box had entered into an agreement with Antrix Corporation before its takeover to launch the 120-kg satellite. It will be flown as a co-passenger along with the main payload during one of the satellite launchings this year. According to senior officials involved in space research, Google is keen on making use of Skybox satellites to keep Google Maps closer to real-time, accurate with up-to-date imagery. Google is also keen on using Skybox’s team and technology to help improve Internet access and disaster relief, the areas in which the company has long been interested. Shar director Dr M.Y.S. Prasad said that Sky Box Imaging had approached them to launch one of its satellites and had also informed that they had plans to place 180 micro satellites in orbit. “They may launch experimental satellites before going ahead. Although they want to us to launch a single satellite now, there is potential in future. This is the first US-based satellite being launched by Isro,” Dr Prasad said. Source: The Asian Age

Read More........→March 12, 2015

Google leaks intention to develop modular TVs

Modular display tiles that could be clipped together to create screens of various sizes and shapes have been mooted by Google. The company’s Google X division - a unit that looks at advanced technology concepts and is responsible for the company’s driverless cars, Project Glass (leading to Google Glass) and a drone delivery project - leaked details of the concept to the Wall Street Journal. According to reports Mary Lou Jepsen, who has worked on display technologies before, is leading the project, which is said to involve Samsung and Qualcomm. With details scarce it is not clear how Google intends to create displays that can handle the varying content requirements for different sized or shaped units. The technology giant also says it is looking to create bezel-less screens. This would be a huge development as established display manufacturers have achieved incredibly thin but not non-existent bezels. Contact Details and Archive...Google, Source: InAVate

Read More........→October 08, 2014

Google and SunEdison to develop new solar project on an old oil field

Google recently finalised an investment to install an 82MW solar power plant on top of an old oil and gas field in California. The new installation will be located in California’s Kern County after Google signed a deal with solar company SunEdison. The Regulus solar plant will generate enough energy to power 10,000 homes and will be SunEdison’s largest developed and constructed project in North America. It is expected to begin operating later this year. The site was once the home of 30 oil wells but now there are only five as the oil resources were depleted. The solar project will be funded with the help of Google’s $145 million equity commitment and will bring 650 jobs to Kern County as well as feeding 82MW of clean solar energy into the grid via a 20-year power purchase agreement. Prudential Capital Group also provided financing for the project. The structured financing arrangements were developed, designed and executed by SunEdison which will be responsible for construction of the plant itself. It will consist of over 248,000 SunEdison mono-crystalline solar PV modules. California is committed to increasing the amount of energy it generates from renewable sources. The Kern County project is the latest of 17 renewable energy investments Google has made since 2010, including 5 in California. “We’re continually looking for newer, bigger and better projects that help us create a clean energy future” a company spokesperson said. “The more than $1.5 billion we’ve brought to these projects to date not only helps provide renewable energy to the grid and to the public, but as they perform, they allow us to invest in more renewable energy projects. This cycle makes financial sense for Google and our partners while supporting construction jobs in local communities and clean energy for the planet we share.” Bob Powell, president, North America at SunEdison added that Regulus is a prime example of how the company’s end-to-end approach benefits everyone involved in a solar project. For additional information: Google, SunEdison, Source: Article

Read More........→October 04, 2014

Google Glass hack adds 'mind control' feature - video

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New attachment allows users to take photos and share them online just by thinking about it Are you concerned about what Google knows of you from your searches, clicks and reading patterns? Well, soon the tech company may be able to get inside your mind as well.

A new attachment for Google Glass will allow users to take pictures and share them online just by thinking. The technology, built by a London-based company, uses brain signals to control the wearable device. An EEG (electroencephalography) headband connects with an app built by user experience company This Place which measures electrical activity in the brain. That activity is then converted into instructions that are sent to Google Glass to trigger the device's functions. Dusan Hamlin, This Place's CEO, says that the app, named the MindRDR, could offer a more intuitive way to operate Glass than Google's current voice command and swipe system and could ultimately be used by those suffering from locked-in syndrome or quadriplegia. When a user concentrates, a white line appears in the corner of Google Glass's silicone heads-up display. As they continue to concentrate, the line grows and when it is full, the inbuilt-camera will take a photo. Google does not officially support MindRDR but a spokeswoman told the BBC that "we are always interested in hearing about new applications of Glass and we've already seen some great research from a variety of medical fields from surgery to Parkinson's". This Place researchers believe that MindRDR could offer a more intuitive way of interacting with the device. "We wanted to realise the true potential of Glass by allowing users to control it with their minds," said Hamlin. "Currently, users either have to touch it or use voice commands, which are restrictive for some social situations and for users with disabilities." The technology still has a long way to go, The Independent notes. At present MindRDR is limited to only a small number of functions. Its "lack of nuance" in determining what a user is thinking is one of the many challenges it faces. To combat this, the app's creators have launched MindRDR on the developer community GitHub, so that other programmers around the world can help to improve it. For further concise, balanced comment and analysis on the week's news, try The Week magazine. Subscribe today and get 6 issues completely free., Source: The Week.co.uk

Read More........→July 13, 2014

Kicking off the 2014 Google Science Fair: It’s your turn to change the world

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By Clare Conway, Can you imagine being able to convert one of your passions in an idea that will revolutionize the world? That's what hundreds of teenagers have been doing since the first Google Science Fair in 2011. The students have addressed some of the major challenges, such as a cold medicine , more effective ways to combat cancer , an exoskeletal glove , a flashlight without batteries ,bioplastics made ​​from banana skin and other efficient ways of farming . Now it's time to do it again.Again, we invite students between 13 and 18 years of age to submit their big ideas into fourth annual Google Science Fair, in partnership with Virgin Galactic , Scientific American , LEGO Education and National Geographic . All you need to participate is to be curious and have Internet access. Projects may be submitted until May 12 and the winners will be announced at the final gala to be held at Google headquarters in Mountain
View, California, on September 22. In addition to satisfying your curious mind, your project can also make you take some amazing prizes. The grand prize winner this year will be able to join the team at Virgin Galactic Spaceport America (New Mexico) when they are preparing for space flight and be the first to welcome the astronauts back to Earth; enjoying a 10-day trip to the Galapagos Islands aboard the ship National Geographic Endeavour and a year of free online access to Scientific American for their school.Winners in the age group may choose to enjoy inside the LEGO factory in Billund, Denmark and an amazing experience at a Google office or National Geographic. competition in this year, and give two new awards to honor more talented young scientists:

• The Prize of Computing (Computer Science Award) to an innovative and excellent project grants in the field of computing. 
• Winners of local awards . We will grant awards to participants from different places, they have tried to correct the problem or situation relevant to their community. 

The prize of Scientific American, Science In Action , recognize once again a project that attempts to resolve an environmental, health or resource problem. The winner will enjoy a tutorial of Scientific American of one year and a grant of $ 50,000 to invest in your project. stay informed of the competition in our Google+ page , get inspired with one of our virtual tours and ask questions to accepted scientific in our series of Hangouts live . If you need help starting your project, try our springboard for ideas . What is your passion?, what's your forte? What problems have always dreamed it would solve? It's your chance to change the world. Google Science Fair team. Source: Article, Image

Read More........→February 22, 2014

The Technogym treadmill controlled by Google Glass

Technogym has announced a new bit of fitness equipment for those who like to go running indoors and wear their Google Glass. The niche product, showcasing at CES this week in Las Vegas, will let Glass wearers tap into the specially enhanced treadmill allowing them to see running data on their headset rather than, look down at the huge tablet-like console directly in front of them. But it's not just Google Glass. The Android-based system, dubbed Unity, comes with an API that allows any app for a third party

to connect to the intelligent treadmill, meaning you can get data tapped straight into your favourite app or on to a device you are wearing. "Unity is part of Wellness on the Go, Technogym’s complete experience that allows users to engage and connect with others on any piece of Technogym equipment, anywhere in the world," explains Technogym, living up to its name. "Moreover Unity is the first and only console in the fitness industry that offers users the ability to communicate with their personal trainer or friends via webcam." Unity is already compatible with MapMyFitness, RunKeeper and Withings. No word however on price or when the treadmill will be available in the UK. Source: SAM Daily Times

Read More........→January 08, 2014

Who could be Possible Competitors of Google Glass?

Google is known for setting the trends then be its search engines or YouTube. Early his year Google has launched an amazing product called Google glass. Although this product had its own lacunas but still, this product was well received by the veterans of Silicon Valley. Now towards the end of 2013, Google is ready to launch the updated version of Google glass in which they will be launching upgraded software and some unique applications. When the review came for Google glass most of the users found the following problems with them:

• Very fragile design
• Low battery life
• Lack of cuter stealthier design

It is expected that Google will deal with all these problems in its updated version of Google glass and this product will be very robust however, the price is expected to be just same. So, I was the other day thinking of some small players who already have same product and they are very economical as well. Some of the companies who are manufacturing similar product like Google glass are:

#1Recon jet: This is one of the company which can take Google glass in the boxing ring head on. Their product is available in one third of the cost as compared to Google and they have some amazing features like GPS, social media, weather, maps etc.

#2 Epiphany eyewear: The design of this glass is not as cooler as recon jet but still it is fulfilling the purpose like any other glass would not. This glass is also synchronized very well with all the social platforms specially twitter, Instagram and Facebook. In all honesty, this glass is lacking lots of functions which Google glass is offering.

#3 GlassUp: GlassUp again offers an amazing design and it can be used for e-mails, texting, tweets, Facebook updates etc. This glass makes sure that the user is always connected with the outer world. This glass has taken the concept of augmented reality to the whole new level and it is likely to give tough competition to so many apps available in Google glass. This glass can also be called as- enterprise solution provider.

#4 Vuzix Smart glasses: Now this is not actually a glass because it’s an extension of your smart phone however, it has all the functions which other glasses are offering. The user can use social media apps, use this device as a hands free etc. This device is an edge which is providing a new dimension to augmented reality and mobility.

In the end it can just be said that soon GPS will be replaced by the cool glasses which will not only give us directions while driving but will also do other tasks for the users simultaneously. Source: Article, Image: flickr.com

Read More........→January 03, 2014

Apple, Microsoft and Google: what does 2014 hold in store?

Will Google Glass see the light of day? Will Surface re-surface? A tech lecturer offers his predictions

WITH Microsoft losing controversial CEO Steve Ballmer, Apple launching new iPads and iPhones and the rise of wearable devices all making headlines, it’s been another huge year for technology. But what will 2014 hold? Apple – a larger tablet? The recent changes to Apple’s professional-level laptops (decreasing weight, adding battery life and reducing cost) have created a degree of overlap with their Macbook Air range. Rumours suggest that Apple may prototype a larger tablet, or a new design of ultra-thin laptops running iOS. This larger form factor with an ARM processor could have 20-30 hours battery life and run iPad/iPhone apps, but not traditional Mac OS X applications, which would be a significant change. The Apple Watch is still missing: perhaps they’ve realised the number of 20 to 30-year-olds wearing watches has significantly decreased, so the market is not worth pursuing. Microsoft – time for a redesign? The new Microsoft CEO will inherit a restructured company that must succeed in the mobile and home market under significant competitive pressure. Hopefully the issues with the XBOX ONE launch (some hardware problems and a limited number of games) will be quickly overcome. The Surface tablet is starting to look tired compared to the sleeker, lighter alternatives available, so a redesign towards the end of 2014 looks likely. A reduction in price may also make these more desirable.There is a vast market eager for Office to run on Android and Apple devices. The problem is that this would remove one of the significant reasons for purchasing a Surface. Google – the Samsung threat 2014 will either see Google roll out Glass or abandon it in favour of some lighter, less intrusive technology. Some restaurants and public spaces in America are already placing restrictions on Glass use because of its video-recording facility, an issue which is only likely to become more prominent with an increasing number of similar style devices. In the mobile sector Samsung has become the dominant seller of Android phones with 60 per cent of the market. The issue for Google is that such dominance allows Samsung the ability to control which features they allow through to their customers, which could bring conflict between the two. The recent Jolla phone may demonstrate the ability of alternative app stores to match Google’s offering - what would happen if Samsung decided it was more profitable to switch their customers away from Google? All in all, 2014 will see many things that were hinted at in 2013 become more mainstream or die off. It’s unlikely we’ll all be looking at our smart watches through our Google Glasses. But who knows, this time next year I could be declaring 2014 the Year of the SmartWig. This is an abridged version of an article originally published at The Conversation. The author, Barry Avery, is Principal Lecturer, Informatics and Operations, at Kingston University. Source: The Week UK, Image: flickr.com

Read More........→January 02, 2014

Google buys military company that made robots for Pentagon

Boston Dynamics' robot Big Dog on ice and snow, also demoing its walking gait 

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On Friday Google confirmed that it had completed the purchase of Boston Dynamics, a military grade robotic engineering company that has designed mobile research robots for the Pentagon (VIDEO). Executives at the Internet giant are very cautious about what exactly they plan to do with their robot collection, but Boston Dynamics and its machines can bring significant cachet to Google’s robotic efforts. Boston Dynamics was founded in 1992 by Marc Raibert, a former professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. it has not sold robots commercially, but has pushed the limits of mobile and off-road robotics technology, mostly for Pentagon clients like the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or Darpa. Boston Dynamics specialise in animal kingdom-inspired creations. They are known for being incredibly agile, and have the ability to scale all types of challenging terrains. The company has gained a reputation for machines that walk with an amazing sense of balance and ability to run faster than the fastest humans. It is the eighth robotics company that Google has acquired in the last half-year. Voice of Russia, The New York Times, Mirror. Source: Article

Read More........→December 17, 2013

Docomo turns surfaces interactive with smart glasses

Docomo showed off a Google Glass rival that transforms any surface into a touchscreen at Japan's Ceatec show last week. The company demonstrated a number of applications including manipulation of virtual content on any surface using the 'intelligent-glasses' and a ring sensor. Ceatec ran from October 1 to 5, 2013 at the Makuhari Messe convention center outside Tokyo.

Other uses on show included facial recognition capabilities, which pulled up relevant profile information on the person being viewed and character recognition enabling instant language translation. Technology news site Slashgear reported on the technology showcased at  the mobile industry trade show, posting
the video featured above. The concept builds on existing Docomo developments. At last year’s Ceatec show Docomo demonstrated. glasses that enabled hands-free video calling. Source: InAVate

Read More........→October 13, 2013

Watch a House Go From Flatbed to Fully Built in Less Than a Day

Watch a House Go From Flatbed to Fully Built in Less Than a Day 

By Kelsey Campbell-Dollaghan, Gizmodo, 22 August 2013. If you're familiar with architect Richard Rogers, it's likely through buildings like the Pompidou Centre and the London Shard, where the guts of the structure - from elevators to plumbing - are put on display. But did you know Rogers is also pioneering a new generation of flatpack prefab housing? The 80-year-old architect is the subject of a retrospective at London's Royal Academy this summer, and as part of the expansive show, the Academy is highlighting his work with prefab. In the courtyard of their neoclassical building, curators invited Rogers and his team
to build one of their three-story prefab housing units, which typically take less than 24 hours to construct. The architects explain the advantages on their website: The panels have the advantage of being lightweight, very fire and water retardant, and even earthquake and hurricane proof. A patented jointing system ensures high levels of both acoustic and thermal insulation and the system offers the potential to

reduce energy bills by up to 90%, thereby helping to alleviate fuel poverty, a growing issue in Britain today. The same model - which arrives on the bed of a truck - was used to build Rogers' 2007 housing development, Oxley Woods. That development didn't quite spark a prefab revolution in London. But The Independent reports that as England is wracked by austerity measures, Rogers' courtyard demonstration might give the prefab dream some new fuel. [Guardian], Source: Article

Read More........→August 25, 2013