Net neutrality act

Google going forwrd The message is clear — machines and gadgets are going to get smarter than we ever thought was possible. Jerry Hildenbrand 22 May 2016 34 [ ]/google-io-2016) During the keynote presentation at Google I/O 2016 , about 7,000 developers, enthusiasts and media professionals sat in the partially sun-soaked Shoreline Amphitheater and learned what Google has been working on lately, and what it means for the gadgets and gizmos about to be unleashed on the world. Buried in among the messaging apps, VR headsets and developer tools was a common theme — in 2016, machines are smart. And they're going to get a lot smarter than we're used to — and maybe more than we're comfortable with. Daydream believer We can't dismiss the excitement around Google Daydream VR — the answer to "affordable" consumer virtual reality applications and one of the physical products we're going to be able to buy. And we shouldn't dismiss them! Russell … [Read more...] about Google I/O 2016 recap: Rise of the machines

A face for video Video chat needs to escape its current social limitations, and Duo is the first attempt. Russell Holly 25 May 2016 33 [ ]/google-io-2016) The act of communicating in real time through video hasn't really changed in nearly 20 years. Two devices with the same software initiate a connection, you wait for the video to load, and if you're lucky the connection is good enough for a conversation to happen at a close to real world cadence. The technology surrounding video chat has changed in amazing ways, but the act of starting that conversation and having that conversation remains mostly the same. For years we've been sold on the idea that smartphones with great front-facing cameras would enable the ability to simply pick up your phone and call someone through video, but rarely does that experience go smoothly even between two people who are familiar with how the tech works. VPN Deals: Lifetime license for $16, monthly plans at $1 & … [Read more...] about Duo is Google’s attempt at the most human video chat service ever

Act quickly Jared DiPane 8 Mar 2016 7 Registrations are now open for Google I/O 2016 , and Google isn't taking them on a first come, first serve basis. You'll be able to submit a registration application from March 8 through March 10 at 5 p.m PST, and then Google will randomly select winners. In the past, Google just let people purchase tickets until they were sold out, but it was less than ideal for everyone involved. From Google : The window to submit a registration application will open at 9AM PST on March 8, 2016 and remain open until 5PM PST on March 10, 2016, so you'll have plenty of time to apply. We'll randomly select applicants from among all of the qualified applications once the window closes on March 10, 2016 and notify those selected via email. The order in which registration applications are received has no bearing on the final outcome. Keep in mind, if selected you will need to fork over the $900 ticket fee. Don't worry if you can't … [Read more...] about Google I/O 2016 registrations are now open!

Androidbooks Android apps on Chrome OS are so more than just an interesting sideshow. Alex Dobie 5 May 2016 92 It's looking more and more likely that Android apps will be officially coming to Chrome OS through the Google Play Store, after a brief sighting of an option checkbox and splash page on at least one device. And it's been a long time coming — almost two years in fact, since Google first demonstrated Android apps on a Chromebook at Google I/O 2014. Since then, we've seen the ARC Welder tool released to help developers port and test their apps on Chrome OS, along with a basic version of Google Play Services for the platform. So it's no huge surprise to see signs that Google is about to open up the Play Store, and "over a million apps" to Chromebooks around the world. Indeed, the technical underpinnings of Android are designed to help it run on anything with enough computing power, whether it uses ARM-based hardware (like most smartphones), Intel's … [Read more...] about Android apps on Chromebooks: Google’s shortcut to a full desktop ecosystem

The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously on Thursday to adopt a program that provides emergency discounts of up to $50 per month toward broadband internet service for low-income households. The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program also provides up to $75 per month for households on Native American land and a one-time discount of up to $100 on a tablet or computer for those who qualify. The $3.2 billion for the program was approved by Congress in December as part of a $900 billion coronavirus relief package. The subsidies are available to households that already participate in an internet provider’s low-income or pandemic relief program, subscribers to its Lifeline program, households with children receiving free or reduced-price meals at school, Pell Grant recipients, people on Medicaid or receiving SNAP benefits, and others who have lost their jobs over the past year, the commission said. The FCC still has to set up a program to approve applicants for the program … [Read more...] about FCC authorizes $50 discounts for low-income households’ internet bills