google

According to Google, Microsoft asked the search service to remove more than 500,000 links from its results pages because they directed people to sites containing pirated software. The revelations come via Google's "Transparency Index", which lists ... requests from governments and corporations to censor information in its databanks. (Source: blogspot.co.uk ) The figures cover only complaints specifically relating to the Google search index, not to other Google-owned sites, such as YouTube. They also cover only requests made online, rather than through fax or postal mail. During the past month, ... (view more)

Tonido 2.51.0.18312 Tonido is a free software service that makes your devices accessible from any Internet-connected computer, via a web browser. Tonido runs on a wide range of hardware platforms and has low system requirements, making it ideal for ... use in computer systems where hardware resources are in short supply. http://www.tonido.com Google SketchUp 8.0.1436 Here's a software system that lets you redecorate your living room, invent a new piece of furniture, or model your city for Google Earth. There's no limit to what you can draw with SketchUp, a free progam that helps you sketch three- ... (view more)

Google has added to its search results a new feature designed to make the search function act "more human". The feature, called "Knowledge Graph", may make the site behave more like rival Microsoft's Bing. The main aim of Knowledge Graph is to deal ... with the shortcomings of using typical search terms, which frequently denote a range of very different meanings. Google gives the example of a search for 'Taj Mahal.' Someone using this term could be looking for the Indian landmark, a musician, a casino, or a restaurant specializing in Indian food. There's no way to know. At the moment, this search ... (view more)

Google Maps for Android Here's a free piece of software that will help you search Google, as well as your smartphone's apps and contacts. You can either type or speak your inquiry. The software helps you search for local businesses, get turn-by-turn ... directions to any destination via GPS-based navigation, and even get public transit instructions. You can also record and share various time, distance, and elevation statistics that track your travel as you run, bike, or walk. http://www.google.com PilotEdit Lite 5.6.0 PilotEdit is a free, advanced text editing program that can be used to work on ... (view more)

Under investigation for abusing its domination of the search market, Google has floated a new argument: that the way it chooses and arranges its search results qualifies as protected free speech under the U.S. First Amendment. The new approach is ... part of an attempt to stave off government investigations that could seriously hamper Google's ability to operate, as well as its profits and its reputation. The investigation is based upon two related issues: first, that Google has a dominant position in the search engine market, and second, that Google uses this position to support its own ... (view more)

A San Francisco jury has decided that Google did copy Java code when creating its Android system. However, the jury said it couldn't decide if this copying was 'fair use' or not, leading Google to demand a mistrial. The complex case involves Java, a ... computer language used in creating applications that can run on many platforms. The rights to the language currently belong to the software firm Oracle. Google stood accused of directly copying code from Java and using it when creating Android, its operating system for mobile devices like smartphones and tablet computers. Oracle launched a lawsuit ... (view more)

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has hired a high-profile lawyer to work on its antitrust investigation into Google's search activity. The hiring may signal FTC expectations the probe will result in a major court case. The FTC has its own in-house ... legal team, and rarely hires an outside lawyer for such work. It has reportedly happened just twice in the past decade. Ironically, one of the more memorable times the FTC hired outside legal help was in the late 1990s, when the agency took legal action against Microsoft over claims it exploited its dominance of the PC market. The new hire this ... (view more)

A recent report concerning Google's unauthorized collection of data from wireless networks has raised new questions about the company's behavior. Curiously, though, Google itself has released the report. Google had been accused of foul play after ... inadvertently collecting personal data from people's home WiFi networks. The problem stems from the company's vehicles which, busy taking photographs for its Street View maps system, also scanned for local networks. The networks were to be part of a database intended to aid Google's navigational offerings to consumers. A year-long investigation by ... (view more)

Google Drive 1.0 Google Drive is a relatively new, free online service that gives you "cloud" storage for all your Internet-connected devices. Retrieve any file you've stored in the cloud whenever, wherever you want it. The Google system starts with ... 5 GB of storage at no charge. You can pay for more, if and when you want it. Connect with any of your PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android devices. You must register, and provide and email address, then wait a brief period, before using Google Drive for the first time. http://drive.google.com Elpis 0.9.5 Elpis is a free and open source ... (view more)

In a recent blog post, Google gives interested users a glimpse into some of the tools it uses to make sure ads for bogus products and services don't show up on its sites. The company is also trying to direct more attention toward genuine advertisers ... who have proven to be trustworthy and reliable. These revelations came after a company blog post was written by David Baker, who is in charge of the engineering side of Google's advertising business. Google: Three-Pronged Approach Highly Effective Baker's post explained that Google looks for signs of bad advertisements on three levels. (Source: ... (view more)