New Google module gives personal recommendations
Google has released a new module for its personalized homepage. On its own, this is not terrifically exciting news, but the “Interesting Items For You” feature is a reminder of how much information Google actually collects about you, and it illustrates the creative uses to which that data can be put.
The module is straightforward: it [...]
Google Does It Again with the New Google News Archive Search
Once again that crack team of visionaries at Google have strengthened the long arm of their vaunted search engine.
Just released today, the Google News Archive Search will allow users to explore and search through digitized newspaper articles spanning the last 200 years.
Search results include those from both free and subscription-based news outlets.
Sources and partners [...]
Google developing eavesdropping software
The first thing that came out of our mouths when we heard that Google is working on a system that listens to what’s on your TV playing in the background, and then serves you relevant adverts, was “that’s cool, but dangerous”.
The idea appeared in Technology Review citing Peter Norvig, director of research at Google, who [...]
Brazil gives Google two weeks to turn over user data
Brazilian authorities have given Google Brazil 15 days to turn over user information from websites that promote criminal activity, threatening the company with 23,000 dollars in daily fines if they do not comply.
Filed through a district court in Sao Paulo, the judicial order on Thursday noted that Google had so far “unsatisfactorily met” investigators’ data [...]
Google makes novels free to print
Search engine Google plans to offer consumers the chance to download and print classic novels free of charge.
The firm’s book search tool will let people print classics such as Dante’s Inferno or Aesop’s Fables, as well as other books no longer under copyright.
Until now, the service has only let people read such books on-screen.
Google’s book [...]
Google battles Microsoft with new online software tools
Internet giant Google Inc. took the software battle deeper into Microsoft’s territory with a new package of online services for small-business users.
Google said it would offer businesses tailor-made versions of its free email service Gmail, instant messaging, voice calling, shared calendars and basic design, publishing and hosting of websites.
The company is marketing its “Google Apps [...]
Googling Your TV
Prototype software from Google Research could listen to your TV and send back useful information — and ads of course.
Google probably already knows what search terms you use, what Web pages you’re viewing, and what you write about in your e-mail — after all, that’s how it serves up the text ads targeted to the [...]
Google MP3 Player found in GMail
A new GMail feature lets you play MP3 files right inside the GMail interface without having to download the MP3 or open an external media player.
When you receive an audio file as an email attachment, click the play button and Google will play the audio file for you in a popup window. Very neat implementation [...]
Google defends Net neutrality regulations
A Google executive said on Tuesday that entrepreneurs creating new start-ups could be thwarted unless Congress enacts extensive laws imposing Net neutrality regulations on broadband providers.
“I’m not worried so much about Google in this regard,” David Drummond, Google’s general counsel, said at a 90-minute debate organized here by the Progress and Freedom Foundation. “I’m worried [...]
Google could face Brazil lawsuit
Google could face legal action in Brazil for failing to provide details of site users allegedly involved in pornography and crime.
Brazilian prosecutors say that Google’s community website Orkut – popular in Brazil – contains information promoting crime and child pornography.
Federal prosecutors want a judge to order Google in Brazil to disclose users’ information or be [...]
