Google is branching out in the wearable technology market with the release of a software development kit which will allow developers to create wearable devices, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, using the Android operating system.
Have a phone, have a KitKat
It was widely expected that Google’s new Android mobile operating system would be called Key Lime Pie, following the tradition of oddball names (Gingerbread, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean etc) but it has now been announced that the next version will be called…KitKat.
Google versus Microsoft in Seattle
A trial involving Microsoft and Google’s Motorola unit has begun in the USA and could clear up a common topic of contention in recent patent battles. The firms dispute how much should be paid for a licence to use innovations necessary to be able to offer industry standard technologies, known as Frand-type patents.
Google+ hits 90 million members
Larry Page, Google’s chief executive, announced that Google+ now has 90 million members, although no mention was made of how many of these are actually active on a regular basis. Since launch, more than one million Google+ Pages have been created and in excess of 3.4 billion Fphotos have been shared on the site. Facebook, which is 800 million members-strong, …
Google+ goes public
After two-and-a-half months of ‘invitation only’ testing, the Google+ social network is being opened up for anyone to join. Google+ has been praised for several innovative features including its multi person ‘hangouts’ video chat and the ability to group contacts in various ‘circles’, such as friends, relatives, business contacts etc.
Searching for posts in Google+
For those who are having a go with Google Plus, one of the early problems is being able to find people or, perhaps more importantly, posts or topics of interest so you can find interesting people to follow. Fortunately, this is a very easy thing to overcome, especially if you are using the Chrome browser.
Games on Google+
The new Google+ social network has now added a host of games, including Angry Birds, for those who find the time to play games. Still got some invites for Google+ if anyone needs one, just send your email address and an invite will wing its way to you almost immediately.
Effort to urge people to drop old browsers
Google has announced it is phasing out support for older browsers as from August 1st, with those using IE7, Safari 3, Firefox 3.5 and their predecessors to view Gmail, Google Calendar, Talk, Docs and Sites losing some functions.
Apple overtakes Google
Apple has ended Google’s four-year reign as the world’s most valuable brand according to global brands agency Millward Brown. The Apple brand is now worth $153 billion, almost half Apple’s market capitalisation. Last year, Apple overtook Microsoft to become the world’s most valuable technology company. Of the top 10 brands in the report, six were technology and telecoms companies: Google …
Role reversal
In what is being seen as a sort of role reversal, software giant Microsoft is taking an anti-competition complaint against search giant Google to the European Commission. The software maker claims that Google used its dominant position in the search market to restrict the growth of Microsoft services. In 2003, an EC ruling determined that Microsoft had unfairly advantaged its …