Articles about Google

Take a browse through an app store and you will find that there is no shortage of VPN tools to choose from. But which can you trust?

One of the reasons for using a VPN in the first place is to help keep data safe -- but some tools leak information in ways that run completely counter to this. So how do you know which one you should be using? Google has come up with a new way to help guide users towards the safest options,

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In an unexpected yet exciting move, Google has released the source code for the Pebble smartwatch operating system on GitHub. This release is a big deal for the Pebble faithful, especially the Rebble community, which has worked tirelessly to keep these iconic wearables functional since Pebble closed up shop back in 2016.

Pebble’s story is one of innovation and community. The brand shot to fame through its record-breaking Kickstarter campaigns, with its first project becoming the most-funded on the platform at the time. Its follow-up, Pebble Time, also smashed records and still holds the spot as the second-most-funded Kickstarter project ever.

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One of Donald Trump’s first pledges after being sworn in as the 47th president of the USA was to rename both the Gulf of Mexico and Denali. This was very quickly acted upon when he signed a slew of executive orders -- something the White House described as “honoring American greatness”.

Seen variously as controversial, symbolic, patriotic, confrontational and more, the changes of the names have sparked global debate. One question that has been raised a lot over the last week has been whether the likes of Apple Maps and Google Maps will implement the changes as well -- although not globally.

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Theft of mobile devices is a crime that is not going away any time soon. Phones are now completely central to so many aspects of life, and the theft (or loss) is about much more than the monetary value of the device itself. There is great potential for a thief to gain access to a wealth of information via a stolen phone.

This is why the security of mobile devices is so important, and it is why Google is taking steps to limit the impact of theft. A new feature that is starting to roll out is Identity Check, which requires the use of biometric authentication whenever your device is in an unknown or untrusted location. The company is also harnessing the power of artificial intelligence for good, using AI-powered tools to detect thefts.

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You can’t have failed to notice that certain searches on Google now display AI-generated summaries, known as "AI Overviews," at the top of search results.

If you ask Google a question, such as “What is Bigfoot?” you will see an instant answer explaining that it is a “legendary, hairy, ape-like creature said to live in the forests of North America, especially in the Pacific Northwest.” That overview will also provide additional information about its size, appearance, location, and other names.

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While it has its fans, Bing trails behind Google in user numbers and in other areas. The search engine wars of recent years have major echoes of the battle of the browsers of yesteryear, and the latest development sees Microsoft adopting rather underhand tactics.

For many people, Bing has been set as the default search engine, but this doesn’t mean that it is what users want. Currently, if you perform a search for the term “Google” using Bing, you’ll find that the results page has been given a very, very Google-like makeover -- seemingly in a bid to fool people into thinking they are already using Google.

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We’ve reached that point of the year. Spotify Wrapped has happened, and now it’s time for endless ‘year in review’ and ‘best of 2024’ outpourings. Not wanting to miss out, Google has revealed the top trending searches of 2024.

The very nature of listing the top trends is that they are popular, and therefore predictable. As such, the appearance of searches relating to the US election was to be expected, as was people looking up the meaning of “demure”. So what else does Google have to share with us?

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For all of the focus on AI, for many people, the future lives in quantum computing. Google is among those who agree, and the company has just unveiled its latest advancements in the field -- its quantum chip, Willow. Like quantum physics and quantum mechanics, the numbers and concepts involved in quantum computing are extraordinarily difficult to imagine.

Revealing its advancements, Google says that its quantum chip took less than five minutes to perform tasks that would take even the fastest supercomputers 10 septillion years. Providing some sense of perspective, Google points out that this is “a number that vastly exceeds the age of the Universe”. So what is it that makes Willow so special -- and so fast?

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Microsoft could be hit with over £1 billion ($1.27 billion) in charges if a huge class action case brought against the firm by UK businesses succeeds.

The case centers around Windows Server, with Microsoft being accused of overcharging customers for the software. The licensing terms of the associated Azure, the lawsuit says, mean that users are channelled towards using Microsoft’s cloud offering because it pushes up the prices of services from rivals like Google and Amazon.

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The US Department of Justice has put forward proposals designed to break Google’s monopoly over online searches. Included in the DOJ’s proposals is the recommendation that Google sell off its Chrome web browser.

Other proposals include putting blocks in place that would stop the tech giant from entering into contracts with companies that result in Google being the default search engine on various platforms. Google has lashed out at the proposals saying that they go too far and would cause harm to customers and innovation.

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The nature of modern-day politics means that parties of all colors, all leanings, spend millions on advertising -- it is something that was painfully apparent during the run-up to the US presidential election. Technology firms and social media platforms are under a lot of pressure to take steps to prevent election interference, and to increase transparency.

This is something that has been playing out in Europe with regulation on Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising (TTPA) due to come into force in the EU. With concerns about the, “operational challenges and legal uncertainties” this could lead to, Google has announced that it will not only will stop serving political advertising in the European Union, but will do so before the TTPA comes into force.

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There are few web browsers that could be described as lightweight and speedy, and Chrome certainly has a lot to do to earn these labels. However, having already done quite a bit to improve the experience in its browser, Google has now further enhanced Chrome’s performance Controls.

Two key features -- Performance Detection and Memory Saver -- have been improved to reduce memory usage, accelerate browsing, and generally make Chrome feel less sluggish.

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Google has announced sweeping changes to the look and feel of the web-based version of Google Calendar.

The headline change is the introduction of a much-requested dark mode option, but there is much more. Google Calendar on the web is being given an interface refresh to bring it in line with Google Material Design 3 and there is a focus on accessibility.

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Google has signed an agreement to purchase nuclear energy from small modular reactors (SMRs) developed by Kairos Power. This deal aims to support the growing energy demands in the U.S., particularly as AI technology continues to expand. Kairos Power plans to bring its first reactor online by 2030, with additional reactors deployed by 2035. The goal is to provide up to 500 megawatts of carbon-free electricity to U.S. grids.

The agreement focuses on the need for reliable, round-the-clock power to complement renewable sources like wind and solar. Google sees SMRs as a valuable addition to its clean energy portfolio, which is critical for powering its global operations and data centers. These modular reactors have been designed to be smaller, more efficient, and faster to deploy than traditional nuclear plants, with simplified designs that aim to improve safety and reduce construction timelines.

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Google is pushing back against a court decision that forces it to make changes to Android and Google Play, based on Epic Games’ demands. The tech giant argues that these changes could mess with user privacy, make it harder for developers to get their apps noticed, and ultimately hurt competition. While these adjustments might seem like a win for Epic, Google says they could have some serious consequences for American consumers, developers, and smartphone makers.

Google points out that this whole situation doesn’t make sense when compared with another court’s ruling that shot down similar claims Epic made against Apple. The company highlights that, unlike iOS, Android has always been an open platform, letting users pick from multiple app stores and even sideload apps. Google says it’s going to appeal this decision and ask the courts to pause these Epic-led changes while the appeal is in progress.

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