Monthly Archives: June 2024

Google this morning announced that its annual Pixel hardware event will be taking place on August 13. This is incredibly early for 2024 with Made by Google usually taking place in October.

Instead of New York City, Made by Google 2024 is taking place at the companys headquarters in Mountain View, California. The first two Made by Google events were held in San Francisco before the East Coast shift.

Google teases Pixel 9 Pro with Android and Gemini focus[Video]

This years keynote starts at 10 a.m. PT, with the invite announcement coming 1.5 months before the actual event. Last year, Google announced the event a month before it took place.

The invite is very telling for highlighting Google AI, Android, and Pixel:

Youre invited to an in-person Made by Google event where well showcase the best of Google AI, Android software and the Pixel portfolio of devices.

In addition to the Pixel 9, we expect two sizes of the Pixel 9 Pro. The rumored XL variant should be the same size as todays Pro, while Google is finally making a smaller flagship. A Pixel 9 Pro Fold is also expected.

Meanwhile, we previously reported on a 41mm and 45mm Pixel Watch 3, with renders confirming how it looks like the first two generations. We also reported on Pixel Buds Pro 2.

Stay tuned to 9to5Google for live coverage of Made by Google 2024.

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Google announces early August 13 event for Pixel 9 and Pixel Watch 3 - 9to5Google

Vertex AI, the Google Cloud development platform that allows companies to build services using Googles machine learning and large language models, is getting new capabilities to help prevent apps and services from pushing inaccurate information. After rolling out general availability for Vertex AIs Grounding with Google Search feature in May which enables models to retrieve live information from the internet Google has now announced that customers will also have the option to improve their services AI results with specialized third-party datasets.

Google says the service will utilize data from providers like Moodys, MSCI, Thomson Reuters, and ZoomInfo and that grounding with third-party datasets will be available in Q3 this year. This is one of several new features that Google is developing to encourage organizations to adopt its enterprise-ready generative AI experiences by reducing how often models spit out misleading or inaccurate information.

Another is high-fidelity mode, which enables organizations to source information for generated outputs from their own corporate datasets instead of Geminis wider knowledge bank. High-fidelity mode is powered by a specialized version of Gemini 1.5 Flash and is available now in preview via Vertex AIs Experiments tool.

Vector Search, which allows users to find images by referencing similar graphics, is also being expanded to support hybrid search. The update is available in public preview and allows those vector-based searches to be paired with text-based keyword searches to improve accuracy. Grounding with Google Search will soon also provide a dynamic retrieval feature that automatically selects if information should be sourced from Geminis established datasets or Google Search for prompts that may require frequently updated resources.

More here:

Google touts enterprise-ready AI with more facts and less make-believe - The Verge

Summary

From the earliest days of computing, computer scientists have recognized the need for the secure transport of information. Early computer protocols like Telnet would broadcast information (like usernames and passwords) across the internet without encryption, making it visible to anyone who wanted to look. Those early protocols were replaced with more secure protocols that rely on public-key encryption to transport data, and a similar public-key encryption is what most websites today rely on to move your information securely between their servers and your browser.

Websites use digital certificates to validate their identity and provide public cryptography keys that your browser can use to establish a secure connection. But, your browser won't trust just any certificate. Instead, your browser has an internal list of trusted certificate issuers (they're usually called root stores, here's Chrome's root store) with which it will automatically establish a secure connection. Today, Google announced that it's kicking at least one certificate issuer off of that list.

Fit, durability, sound quality, and price matter

In a post released today on Google's Security Blog (spotted by 9to5Google), the company singles out the certification authority (CA) Entrust. It doesn't appear that Entrust has done just one thing to get on Google's naughty list, rather it's a pattern of behavior. To get on Google's nice list, CAs have to jump through more than a few hoops, and Google makes clear in its blog post that Entrust has "fallen short" of its expectations. Indeed, Google doesn't mince words when it says Entrust's actions have "eroded confidence in their competence, reliability, and integrity as a publicly-trusted CA Owner." Ouch.

The exile of Entrust from the annals of the elite CAs won't take place immediately. Rather, any Entrust certificate issued after October 31, 2024 will no longer be trusted by Chrome as a matter of course. That isn't to say that Chrome users will lose access to any sites that use certificates issued by Entrust, users will simply need to manually enable trust in Entrust, or wade through a warning screen when visiting a site that uses Entrust's certificates. These changes will affect all Chrome users except for iOS users.

You've probably come across a few certificate warnings on your browser if you've spent any time wandering the web. For the most part it's not a big deal if you go to one of these browser-designated "dangerous" sites, but you should be aware that these sites most likely aren't using encryption to move data between the server and the browser. That means if you use a username or password on one of these unsecured sites, someone could be listening in and taking that information from you. In other words, don't use any personal information on an unsecured site. Having an up-to-date certificate is also a sign of a website that takes itself and its security seriously.

How can an app send messages that only you can decode?

Given that any site using Entrust will now appear as untrustworthy, many big names on the internet are probably scrambling to change their certificate providers. Entrust is currently used by sites such as MoneyGram and the US Department of Energy, but unless Entrust can strike a deal with Google, it's almost a sure thing that they'll be switching providers. It's worth noting that Entrust is currently on Firefox's list of trusted CAs, but given that Chrome controls over 65% of the browser market, Firefox's opinion on Entrust isn't likely to move the needle.

We have reached out to Google, Entrust, and Mozilla for comment on this story and will update if they respond.

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Google Chrome will soon flag several websites for invalid certificates - Android Police

Google is reportedly testing a facial recognition-based security system at one of its offices.

The company is using the technology to spot unauthorized visitors and keep them from entering the office, CNBC reported Wednesday (June 26).

For many years our security team has been testing and implementing new systems and protections to help keep our people and spaces as safe as possible, a Google spokesperson said in the report.

In the companys test of facial recognition technology includes interior security cameras that collect facial data and compare it to images from employee badges to spot any unauthorized visitors, according to the report.

In addition, Googles Security and Resilience Services (GSRS) team will use the data to spot people who are known to pose a security risk, the report said.

People entering the building are not allowed to opt out of the facial screening, per the report. The data is not stored.

The test of this technology comes at a time when Google is adding artificial intelligence (AI) across its product line, and when facial recognition technology has been raising concerns about privacy, according to the report.

Other tech companies have also faced concerns centered on this technology. Amazon, Microsoft and IBM have placed restrictions on the sale of their facial recognition technology to police, and Amazon was once questioned by U.S. senators about its use of AI-equipped cameras in its delivery vans, the report said.

Biometrics like facial recognition offer potential benefits such as enhanced security and streamlined processes but also face complexities and concerns around privacy, data protection and implementation hurdles, PYMNTS reported in April.

Amid concerns about potential societal harms, Big Tech companies are increasingly enforcing guardrails around facial recognition and AI systems.

On the other hand, PYMNTS Intelligence has found that people are getting more used to logging into their favorite apps on their smartphones using facial recognition or their fingerprints.

Nearly half of online shoppers in the U.S. use some type of biometric authentication method for purchasing online, according to Tracking the Digital Payments Takeover: Biometric Authentication in the Age of Mobile, a PYMNTS Intelligence and AWS collaboration.

More here:

Google Testing Facial Recognition-Based Security for Offices - PYMNTS.com

Few concepts have generated as much buzz and speculation in SEO as E-E-A-T.

Short for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness, this framework has been a cornerstone of Googles Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines for years.

But despite its prominence, more clarity about how E-E-A-T relates to Googles ranking algorithms is still needed.

In a recent episode of Googles Search Off The Record podcast, Search Director & Product Manager Elizabeth Tucker addressed this complex topic.

Her comments offer insights into how Google evaluates and ranks content.

One key takeaway from Tuckers discussion of E-E-A-T is that no single ranking signal perfectly aligns with all four elements.

Tucker explained

There is no E-E-A-T ranking signal. But this really is for people to remember its a shorthand, something that should always be a consideration, although, you know, different types of results arguably need different levels of E-E-A-T.

This means that while Googles algorithms do consider factors like expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness when ranking content, there isnt a one-to-one correspondence between E-E-A-T and any specific signal.

However, Tucker did offer an example of how one classic Google ranking signal PageRank aligns with at least one aspect of E-E-A-T.

Tucker said:

PageRank, one of our classic Google ranking signals, probably is sort of along the lines of authoritativeness. I dont know that it really matches up necessarily with some of those other letters in there.

For those unfamiliar, PageRank is an algorithm that measures the importance and authority of a webpage based on the quantity and quality of links pointing to it.

In other words, a page with many high-quality inbound links is seen as more authoritative than one with fewer or lower-quality links.

Tuckers comments suggest that while PageRank may be a good proxy for authoritativeness, it doesnt necessarily capture the other elements of E-E-A-T, like expertise or trustworthiness.

While its clear that E-E-A-T matters, Tuckers comments underscore that its not a silver bullet to ranking well.

Instead of chasing after a mythical E-E-A-T score, websites should create content that demonstrates their expertise and builds user trust.

This means investing in factors like:

By prioritizing these elements, websites can send strong signals to users and search engines about the quality and reliability of their content.

Its worth noting that E-E-A-T isnt a static concept.

Tucker explained in the podcast that Googles understanding of search quality has evolved over the years, and the Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines have grown and changed along with it.

Today, E-E-A-T is just one of the factors that Google considers when evaluating and ranking content.

However, the underlying principles expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness will likely remain key pillars of search quality for the foreseeable future.

Listen to the full podcast episode below:

Featured Image: salarko/Shutterstock

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Google's E-E-A-T & The Myth Of The Perfect Ranking Signal - Search Engine Journal

Key Takeaways

You have one of the best laptops, a great mouse, and all the accessories you need to be productive. However, once you start working, you may find yourself buried deep within the menus and features of your ultimate productivity app. Ive wasted a lot of time on apps like this, and they usually have too much going on. Apps like Notion, Obsidian, and Evernote are great on paper, but they feel like theyre more for people who fuss over productivity.

On the other hand, Im just someone who wants to get things done quickly and efficiently. I dont care how an app looks or how much customization it offers. As long as its cross-platform and helps me stay on top of things, thats all I need. With those simple requirements in mind, heres how I use just a handful of apps to stay on top of my workflow.

To start things off, I want to make it clear that apps like Notion are actually awesome. For managing complex projects with a lot of moving parts, Notion is great as you get a lot of templates, and tools such as Kanban boards to design the perfect workflow.

The problem for me is that spending time on designing a system to be productive seems counterproductive. Id rather just quickly pop into an app, check in on my calendar, tasks, and notes, and get on with my life. An app thats already designed with that sort of efficiency and minimalism in mind is a good choice.

Of course, this is all subjective. Some of you might find my system to be too simple, but it works for me. Ultimately, thats all you need: a system that works for you and doesnt get in the way.

Most of my "productivity system" revolves around TickTick. As the name implies, this is a to-do list and task management app thats easy and simple to use. What I like about this app is the fact that it can be as simple or as powerful as you want. I can quickly add new tasks, setup recurring ones, and add location-specific reminders. Its cross-platform, meaning if I add a task to it from my Windows PC, it will sync it to my iPhone.

Tasks that are set up for next week stay off my mind until a notification eventually reminds me about them. It even has a built-in calendar, so I can quickly check everything I need to do for the week. I also use the subtask and tag features to organize stuff. Other than that, theres also the Kanban board, Timeline view, and the Eisenhower matrix. These advanced features are great for productivity nerds, but I dont use them much.

I find that TickTick is a great alternative to Microsoft To Do. Its more robust with its features, the quick add feature is faster, and I can even import my Google Calendar events. At the end of the day, I simply use it for adding tasks, setting them up as recurring when needed, and crossing them off when Im done. Im also a big fan of the Pomodoro timer, which allows me to track my working hours.

The first step to being more productive and taking charge of your life is setting up a calendar. Just like with tasks, keeping track of events and meetings doesnt need to be complicated. There are a lot of great Calendar apps out there, but Google Calendar works the best. I say this mainly because the app syncs seamlessly with your Gmail, which enables meeting invites to automatically pop up in your calendar.

You can also use filters to remove calendar responses from your Gmail inbox. If you work with people around the world (I do), you can use the World Clock feature to figure out appropriate times for events or meetings. In case your planned meeting is physical, you can add a location to the event so that everyone knows exactly where to go.

The basic functionality of adding events, setting reminders, and having them sync across all my devices (phone, laptop, tablet) is more than enough for me. However, Google Calendar again follows the theme of being more powerful when you need it to be. A simple Google Calendar tips and tricks search will give you dozens of techniques to be more productive. I didnt need most of them, but your mileage may vary.

I know what youre thinking about my app choices for note-taking, but hear me out. Whenever Im researching a topic, I just create a Google Doc with a content outline that covers everything that I want to talk about. I make sure that the outline is fleshed out as much as possible, and this really helps in speeding up the writing process. This is a system that Ive been using long before I ever heard of Notion and Evernote, and I stick to it because it works.

So, whats the deal with Windows Notepad? Some of you might call me archaic, but I like the fact that Notepad is simple and out of the way. I use it whenever Im in a meeting to quickly jot down ideas and discussion points. In Windows 11, the app also supports Dark Mode, which is a must-have for me. It also now auto-saves your sessions. The app is great for quickly jotting things down, and if something is really important, Ill just move it over to Google Docs.

Now, I know some people will disagree with the Notepad choice, and I fully understand that. If you need something thats just as simple but a bit more fleshed out, I recommend checking out Simplenote.

As a writer, much of my life revolves around looking for inspiration. The reading and research process is just as (if not more) important than the actual writing process. To keep things straightforward, I use Feedly, Pocket, and Google Discover. Heres how I use all three of these apps:

Heres the thing: productivity comes from personal habits and discipline, not from feature-rich apps. You should be using these apps to stay on top of things, but theres no reason to obsess and fuss over them to the point where youre sacrificing actual work. Focus on the real goals, find a simple system, stick to it, and live your life to its fullest.

Read the original here:

I'm tired of overwhelming productivity apps, so I created this simple system instead - XDA Developers

L.L. Bean has just added a third shift at its factory in Brunswick, Maine, in an attempt to keep up with demand for its iconic boot.

Orders have quadrupled in the past few years as the boots have become more popular among a younger, more urban crowd.

The company says it saw the trend coming and tried to prepare, but orders outpaced projections. They expect to sell 450,000 pairs of boots in 2014.

People hoping to have the boots in time for Christmas are likely going to be disappointed. The bootsare back ordered through February and even March.

"I've been told it's a good problem to have but I"m disappointed that customers not getting what they want as quickly as they want," said Senior Manufacturing Manager Royce Haines.

Customers like, Mary Clifford, tried to order boots on line, but they were back ordered until January.

"I was very surprised this is what they are known for and at Christmas time you can't get them when you need them," said Clifford.

People who do have boots are trying to capitalize on the shortage and are selling them on Ebay at a much higher cost.

L.L. Bean says it has hired dozens of new boot makers, but it takes up to six months to train someone to make a boot.

The company has also spent a million dollars on new equipment to try and keep pace with demand.

Some customers are having luck at the retail stores. They have a separate inventory, and while sizes are limited, those stores have boots on the shelves.

Go here to read the rest:

DC high school grad wins Doodle for Google contest with art inspired by her family's Sunday dinners - NBC Washington

Facing new competition from startups like Arc, Google announced on Wednesday that its bringing five new features to the Chrome browser on mobile devices, each designed to enhance the search experience. These include new shortcuts for local search results, a refreshed address bar for easier navigation, trending search suggestions, live sports cards for fans, and more personalized search recommendations to cater to users browsing habits. The features will roll out soon for both Android and iOS devices.

Among the new features is Chrome Actions, which helps users more easily perform certain tasks without going to settings. Now the feature is coming to local search results, meaning users will be able to search for a local business and quickly get access to shortcut buttons like Call, Directions, and Reviews.

This is currently available in Chrome on Android devices, and Google will launch an iOS version later this fall.

Google has also enhanced the Chrome address bar for iPads and Android tablets. The new design ensures that users can open the Chrome address bar and still view the web page theyre currently on, making full use of the larger tablet screens for a better browsing experience.

Additionally, the Chrome browser on iOS and Android devices will feature new shortcut suggestions based on past searches. The company explained that if someone types in schedules in Chrome and often clicks on the City Metro website, that website will now appear higher up in the search suggestions whenever the user searches schedules.

Another useful feature is trending searches, which were previously only available on Android devices. Google is finally bringing trending search suggestions to the Chrome address bar on iOS, giving users the ability to see what popular searches are happening across Google Search.

Google also launched live sports cards on its mobile version of Chromes Discover Feed to let users know when their favorite sports team is playing and to provide automatic updates with the latest scores and highlights from recent games. Users can customize the feature by selecting the three-dot menu in the Chrome mobile app.

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Google improves search experience in the Chrome mobile app - TechCrunch

A tree chopped in half by an angry retired couple in a bitter boundary feud has since become an unlikely tourist attraction and even has Google reviews.

Bharat Mistry was left gutted in 2021 when Irene and Graham Lee sliced half the branches off the 16ft fir that had stood outside their homes for for 25 years.

The drastic action came after a year-long dispute between Mr Mistry and the Lees, both in their 70s, in the leafy Sheffield suburb of Waterthorpe.

He said the couple were angered because birds had been nesting in there and damaging their driveway with droppings.

Three years on, locals say rubberneckers still visit the quiet cul-de-sac where houses sell for around 220,000 for a good look at the tree, which is still cut in half.

It has even been tagged as a tourist attraction on Google Maps and visitors have left reviews.

One reviewer who left a three star rating wrote: Interesting tree that was cut in half due to a feud between the two neighbours.

Morning Report and Evening Update: Your source for today's top stories

The story was also over the news and was interesting to visit the location and see the news turn into real life.

Google street view is not updated since 10 years ago, so you can actually see the original tree before it was cut off.

Not worth driving a long distance, but if you were nearby, its worth paying a visit.

Neither the Mistries nor the Lees answered the door to reporters this week.

But neighbours said the pair havent repaired their relationship since the spat sparked global headlines.

One woman, who didnt want to be named said: I just think its funny. I think its been trimmed back again because youd have thought it would have grown back by now.

I think now its like a landmark. You get all the walkers coming round and they all come on the street for a look. They go up to it and take photographs.

Even when houses have gone for sale, theyve used it as a directional tool and said its near that half tree. Its become famous, so they may as well keep it like that now.

Another nearby resident said: Theyre both nice neighbours, I wave to them both.

When it first happened, people would drive into the street and drive past slowly for a good look.

Its worn off a bit now, people are used to it, but you still see people having a nosey.

I think people are just amazed that two neighbours that used to like each other ended up arguing over that and it went that far.

I can understand both he wanted his beautiful tree, which was shaped and well-kept and the other one is aways shining his drive and washing his car.

He puts his car there and the birds went in the tree and its not even his tree.

They both keep their gardens nice, so you can understand both of their standpoints.

But when you go past, they both wave to you, theyre both nice people.

The photograph was anonymously sent into Jeremy Vines Channel 5 tv show in June 2021 and was since turned into memes on social media.

Speaking in 2021, Mr Mistry said he was absolutely distraught when the tree was chopped down.

He told how he and his family watched on in horror as a team of tree surgeons hacked away at their beloved tree.

He said: We pleaded and pleaded with them not to do it, but their mind was made up. That tree was coming down.

I believe he has the right to cut down anything that is overhanging onto his property. But you have to ask, why after 25 years would you do that?

It must have been no more than 3ft onto his land.

It is above head height, the bottom of the branches start at about 8 ft high and we have cut off the branches lower down to be amiable with them.

He can get his car on and off the drive with no issues.

We had asked if we could get it trimmed back and put a net in it so it would stop birds getting in, but there was no compromise with them.

It has been there for 25 years and wed trimmed into a ball shape with agreement with the neighbour and he has been fine about it.

But recently there have been birds in the tree which you would expect at this time of the year.

He started off by putting black bin liners in the tree to stop the birds sitting there.

It is really sad to look at, because the tree has been there for so long and its a really pretty tree.

Weve had a lot of people walking past to look at it, people you can just tell have come out of their way to walk their dog on a different route to have a look.

People have stopped to take pictures, there has been a lot posted on social media.

You think wed probably do the same if it was another house, but it does feel a bit like an invasion of privacy.

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Bizarre half-cut tree from neighbor dispute becomes an unlikely tourist attraction thanks to Google reviews - New York Post

Google Keep might not be the flashiest note-taking app ever created, but it gets the job done with its basic functionality and layout options. It lets you take notes with a widget or in no more than three taps, and it syncs across the web, smartphones, large-screen tablets, and just about anything else that can run a browser.

Its a great tool that's baked into the Google ecosystem, providing an excellent overall experience for those who want an easy-to-use and free app to jot down notes in a hurry. While some might argue its potentially a bit too basic, I'll explain why those arguments arent entirely reasonable. However, there are some valid points that Google should address sooner rather than later.

Earlier this month, my colleage Brady Snyder explained why Google Keep is struggling to keep it together. While I agree with some of his points thoughts, I disagree with the overall argument.

First and foremost, as a heavy Google Keep notes user, I can say that the app covers the fundamentals for me. As I switch between different phones, Keep is one of the best note-taking apps I can always rely on to keep my notes synchronized between devices. Be it my Mac or Windows PC, one of my Android phones, or even my iPhone, its always in sync, enabling me to save text, documents, or even images with ease to re-use on other machines and platforms.

Its closer to a stack of sticky notes than a complete digital notebook

Keeps best feature is that its simple to use. While it doesnt have any much advanced functionality, its easy to use without distractions. Its good enough to jot down anything in a rush, and Im not afraid to admit that I even used it during media briefings when Docs was just an extra tap away. Everything is saved instantly, and the integrations allow me to easily copy and paste it into Docs later, where I can format it to be more presentable.

One of the main arguments for using a different note-taking app comes down to the added functionality. Microsoft OneNote, Evernote, and many other third-party note-taking apps provide more customizable options for making lists, editing text with rich editing tools, the ability to add password-protected notes, and so much more.

As much as I want to defend Keep, theres no denying that its simply too basic in its current form. While it doesnt need much else, it would be nice to have a rich text editing feature that highlights certain parts of our notes with a few simple taps.

Password-protected notes would be another neat feature Id love to see, so they wouldnt freely float around in the app when a friend or family member wants to look at our shopping lists. Of course, you always have the ability to share one specific note with someone, so thats a convenient way to keep things separate.

The fact that Keep retains the most basic tools is both good and bad. Its great because anyone can freely use the app to take advantage of its limited, but essential functionality. However, its limiting because more advanced users are unable to integrate it into their lives as it lacks some non-essential features that would add to the overall experience.

If you've ever looked at the most popular note-taking apps on the Play Store, you probably know that Evernote, Bundle Notes, Fusebase, and a few others all have additional features and ways to get work done. Users can add labels, even more tags, and set how long a certain task takes, among many others.

However, given the simplicity of Google Keep, its clear to me that it doesnt try to compete against these apps and services. Googles notes app isnt meant to take on paid offerings its a simple and quick way to take notes. The fundamentals are covered and work well across devices; by the looks of it, thats enough to retain millions of users.

Thats one of the main reasons I always rely on Keep, as the simple user interface and features dont clutter the app, and it gets the job done beautifully. If I wanted or needed more features, I could use a different service.

For some, paying for additional features, support, and an enhanced experience is a great option. In contrast, the vast majority won't pay and are happy with the simple features that continue to work, as they're integrated to let users make the most of it using different Google services.

So, while Keep isnt perfect by any stretch of the imagination, its good enough for most of us who just need a simple app. For those who want more advanced functionality, downloading a better note-taking app is as easy as downloading one from the Play Store.

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Google Keep's strength lies in its simplicity - Android Police