Tech Roundup: Google Shared Endorsements, KitKat and iPad Rumors & More
[A recurring feature on the latest trends in Science & Technology.]
Google revises policy again:
Search giant Google is bringing about a massive change to its terms of service. In a move that can put your +1s, follows and reviews to best use, the revised terms, which go into effect from November 11, 2013, allows the company to brand your aforementioned interactions as "shared endorsements". That simply means a +1 you gave, say for example, for a favorite restaurant of yours will be used, in addition to using your profile name and picture, alongside the ad the restaurant runs with Google so that "your recommendations reach the people you care about".
You can read more about shared endorsements here; and while it remains to be seen if this new policy will spark off privacy concerns, Google has (thankfully) added an opt-out. Meanwhile, Facebook has also done away with a privacy control to hide user profiles in search results. Up until now Facebook let people hide their profiles in search results using the 'Who can look up your timeline by name?' setting, but the social networking site is retiring this feature with almost immediate effect.
Android KitKat and Nexus 5 roundup:
We are once again at that time of the year when Google is probably weeks away from announcing its next pure Android phone. Last year's Nexus 4 saw a muted launch due to hurricane Sandy, but how will things turn out to be this time? The rumored 5-incher smartphone, again in nexus with LG, the Nexus 5 with Android 4.4 is said to be designed with LG G2's hardware in mind (8MP camera, Snapdragon 800 CPU, 2GB of RAM, and a 2,300mAh battery). With such high-end specs, the full focus will undoubtedly be on KitKat, the next version of Android.
Earlier branded as Key Lime Pie, Android 4.4 is said to sport a new launcher with refreshed icon set, a transparent status bar, and an always on listening mode like the Motorola Moto X. The launcher, called Google Experience, is also rumoured to make its way to the Play Store thus allowing customers who end up purchasing non-Google phones enjoy the stock experience as well. In addition, KitKat is expected to bring about an integration of SMS with Hangouts, and merge Gallery and G+ Photos to a single app called Google Photos. The Mountain View based tech giant seems to be in the mood for a big clean up, and if KitKat fulfills all of these, my next phone might as well be the Nexus 5!
Apple iPad roundup:
When Apple promised to double down on secrecy last year, you would think the tech giant would ensure things stayed that way. Unfortunately all their recent offerings have been heavily leaked prior to their announcements, and the upcoming Pad mini 2 and iPad 5 are no exception. Now AllThingsD is reporting that Apple is planning to unveil them at an event on October 22. The new iPad mini is reported to get a Retina Display makeover, while the bigger iPad is said to undergo a major redesign with narrow vertical bezels. The Touch ID fingerprint sensor is also expected to be added to the mix.
In other news:
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| Google's shared endorsements (Image: Google) |
Search giant Google is bringing about a massive change to its terms of service. In a move that can put your +1s, follows and reviews to best use, the revised terms, which go into effect from November 11, 2013, allows the company to brand your aforementioned interactions as "shared endorsements". That simply means a +1 you gave, say for example, for a favorite restaurant of yours will be used, in addition to using your profile name and picture, alongside the ad the restaurant runs with Google so that "your recommendations reach the people you care about".
You can read more about shared endorsements here; and while it remains to be seen if this new policy will spark off privacy concerns, Google has (thankfully) added an opt-out. Meanwhile, Facebook has also done away with a privacy control to hide user profiles in search results. Up until now Facebook let people hide their profiles in search results using the 'Who can look up your timeline by name?' setting, but the social networking site is retiring this feature with almost immediate effect.
Android KitKat and Nexus 5 roundup:
We are once again at that time of the year when Google is probably weeks away from announcing its next pure Android phone. Last year's Nexus 4 saw a muted launch due to hurricane Sandy, but how will things turn out to be this time? The rumored 5-incher smartphone, again in nexus with LG, the Nexus 5 with Android 4.4 is said to be designed with LG G2's hardware in mind (8MP camera, Snapdragon 800 CPU, 2GB of RAM, and a 2,300mAh battery). With such high-end specs, the full focus will undoubtedly be on KitKat, the next version of Android.
Earlier branded as Key Lime Pie, Android 4.4 is said to sport a new launcher with refreshed icon set, a transparent status bar, and an always on listening mode like the Motorola Moto X. The launcher, called Google Experience, is also rumoured to make its way to the Play Store thus allowing customers who end up purchasing non-Google phones enjoy the stock experience as well. In addition, KitKat is expected to bring about an integration of SMS with Hangouts, and merge Gallery and G+ Photos to a single app called Google Photos. The Mountain View based tech giant seems to be in the mood for a big clean up, and if KitKat fulfills all of these, my next phone might as well be the Nexus 5!
Apple iPad roundup:
When Apple promised to double down on secrecy last year, you would think the tech giant would ensure things stayed that way. Unfortunately all their recent offerings have been heavily leaked prior to their announcements, and the upcoming Pad mini 2 and iPad 5 are no exception. Now AllThingsD is reporting that Apple is planning to unveil them at an event on October 22. The new iPad mini is reported to get a Retina Display makeover, while the bigger iPad is said to undergo a major redesign with narrow vertical bezels. The Touch ID fingerprint sensor is also expected to be added to the mix.
In other news:
- Carbyne beats graphene as the strongest material ever.
- Hydrogen bonds are imaged for the very first time.
- Real shape of chromosomes more like O's and not X's, reveals a new 3D model.
- Yahoo! Mail gets its second redesign within an year on its 16th birthday; adds a whopping 1 terabyte of storage for all users (you listening Google?).
- Microsoft gives up on YouTube app for Windows Phone 8; latest update brings up mobile optimized version of the website.
- Samsung and LG in battle for smartphones with curved display screens.
- Apple to bring iPhones to India and other markets on November 1.
- HTC's yet-to-be-released One Max to have fingerprint scanner.
- Microsoft admits that Surface RT naming caused some confusion among consumers.
- Firefox OS 1.1 update adds support for MMS and other performance improvements.
- Google and others let off for circumventing Safari privacy controls; judge sees no harm.
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