io

Google Glass apps: Striving for the familiar (hands-on)

To hear the news today, yes indeed, Google Glass has a number of new apps available for it: Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, CNN, Evernote, and even Elle Magazine join The New York Times, Path, Google+, Gmail, and Google Now, starting today.

But, what does that mean? For those who haven't worn Glass (and that's most people), hearing "apps" suggests standalone ecosystems, like iPhone or Android apps. Actually, that's not what they are at all.

As far as Facebook and Twitter on Glass go, there isn't really all that much to it: the Glass apps (or &… Read more

How Google slurps in Street View data -- not just from streets

SAN FRANCISCO -- By now Street View is a routine part of online mapping. But people might not be so familiar with how Google actually gets the data for its 360-degree panoramic views of the world.

Street View imagery launched in 2007 with photos taken by cameras perched on cars. That's still the mainstay of the project, but there's much more to it now, and Google was showing off its methods at its Google I/O 2013 developer show here this week.

Exhibits included not just a car, but also a snowmobile, tricycle, backpack, trolley, and self-propelled underwater … Read more

Microsoft's nasty, nasty anti-Google ad magically appears

Please play a game with me.

Who dislikes whom more? Google or Microsoft?

I only ask because at Wednesday's I/O conference Google's chief preacher, Larry Page, bemoaned what he believes is Microsoft's reluctance to do what Google wants.

No, he didn't quite phrase it like that. It was more berating Redmond for allegedly milking Google for its own profits.

Yes, just like Google milks you.

For its part, Microsoft has spent quite some time claiming that Google is, in fact, Scroogle -- a company that is either Scrooge or screwing you or perhaps even both.… Read more

Google e-mails money; Hangouts with ponies

CNET Update geeks out:

In this episode of Update:

- Learn how to send money through Gmail using Google Wallet, and RSVP to events without ever opening your e-mail invite.

- Become a Google Hangout app master and know the secrets to sending your Bronies some ponies.

- Beam yourself to Bing to be transported to the Star Trek universe, and brush up on your Klingon while there. Qapla'!

CNET Update delivers the tech news you need in under three minutes. Watch Bridget Carey every afternoon for a breakdown of the big stories, hot devices, new apps, and what's … Read more

Caption this: Google's giant I/O robot hand

It's Google I/O 2013 time, and that means revamped Maps, subscription music, Glass apps, and giant robotic arms!

At a Google I/O fete Wednesday night in San Francisco, partygoers took in sights including a shirtless Billy Idol, an electronic dance floor, and multiple robots roaming the joint.

One of the most rockin' robots had to be this giant hydraulic hand that picked up and crushed 55-gallon drums.… Read more

Glass to get streaming video, official development kit

SAN FRANCISCO--Google's got video streaming and a development kit for Glass in the works, the company confirmed on Thursday in front of an overflow crowd at Google I/O 2013.

In addition to those features, Timothy Jordan, a senior developer advocate for Project Glass, said that offline support and media access will also be coming to Glass. Jordan did not reveal a release date for the improvements, only saying that they would all be "coming soon" to the wearable Internet-connected headset.

Google, he said, wants to hear from developers about what they want in the Glass Development … Read more

SMS integration coming to Google+ Hangouts

This week at Google I/O, Google announced it's beefing up Google+ Hangouts by introducing a one-on-one chat feature, access to chat history, and a standalone app. But how about adding some real red meat, like say, SMS integration?

Never fear, hardcore messaging carnivores -- it's on the way.

So says Dori Storbeck, community manager for Google+ Hangouts & Chat, responding to a question on her Google+ page:… Read more

With Ground Truth, Google marries virtual world with the real

SAN FRANCISCO--Google Maps began as roads and satellite photos. Now, through a project called Ground Truth, it's becoming an ever more sophisticated virtual mirror of the real world.

But how? Google engineers described their methods Wednesday at the Google I/O show, describing how they've moved from licensing satellite photos to building 3D version of the world that can be updated in minutes.

The answer might surprise close Google watchers accustomed to the company's heavily automated, algorithmic, computer-centric way of doing things. There's plenty of that, but it also takes lots of elbow grease, said Michael … Read more

At Google I/O, Larry Page preaches a tech fantasia

SAN FRANCISCO -- Larry Page spoke softly from the stage at the Moscone Center West on Wednesday morning, but the carrot he dangled in front of developers was accompanied by the big stick he brandished against his competition.

Page let his company do the heavy lifting of going after rivals with major product updates. Changes to Google+ aimed aggressive shots at Facebook and Skype. An overhaul to Google Maps pushed it far beyond what the nearest competition from Bing can bring. Meanwhile, the new streaming music service Google Music All Access served up scorching features that could undermine the very … Read more

Google I/O partygoers get robots, Billy Idol concert

SAN FRANCISCO--Parties can say a lot about the companies that hold them.

So it was with Google I/O Wednesday night at the Moscone Center West here. Classic rocker Billy Idol was the headliner, jumping around the stage shirtless, and a profanity-prone DJ caught some attention afterward, but the audience paid just about as much attention to the multitude of robot exhibits.

There were robots you could train to pick up jars, robot bartenders, life-size Rock-em Sock-em robots in a boxing ring, and remote-control robots people could ride around on.

Best of all was a giant hydraulic arm that would … Read more