Mobile menu toggle

Google - page 22

Google’s self-driving minivans are finally here

By

Meet Waymo's self-driving minivan.
Meet Waymo's self-driving minivan.
Photo: Waymo

Waymo offered a first look at its fleet of hybrid Chrysler Pacifica minivans today, showing off vehicles that pack an array of sensors and software that enable autonomous operation.

The self-driving fleet of 100 minivans from Waymo (which is run by Google’s parent company, Alphabet) will hit the streets in early 2017.

You can now use Google Drive to switch from iPhone to Android

By

Google-Drive-iPhone-backup
Backing up your iPhone to Google Drive.
Photo: Google

Google is giving iPhone users yet another easy way to switch to Android.

The latest update to its Google Drive app for iOS brings the ability to backup some of your most important data in just a few taps before migrating it all to a new Android smartphone.

Apple will use drones to make Maps better

By

Apple Maps reservation OpenTable
Drones could be key to improving Apple Maps.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple plans to use a combination of drones, indoor mapping and other smart tech to improve its Apple Maps service, claims a new report.

Employing drones could help Apple catch up with industry leader Google. The search giant has routinely outpaced Apple on mapping technology ever since Cupertino entered the space with its (initially disastrous) Apple Maps in 2012.

Fitbit said to be planning $40 million Pebble acquisition

By

Pebble might be dead, but your watch isn't.
Can Fitbit breathe new life into Pebble?
Photo: Pebble

Fitness band maker Fitbit is said to be in the process of acquiring Pebble, the company that kickstarted the smartwatch generation. Sources say the acquisition will cost between $35 million and $40 million, and will include the entire Pebble portfolio — including its intellectual property.

Google brings stunning Featured Photos screensaver to Mac

By

mac screensaver post image
Featured Photos makes your Mac look even prettier while it's idle.
Photo: Google

Want a stellar screensaver for your Mac? Look no further than the stunning Featured Photos from Google.

It’s the same screensaver that ships on Chromecast, Fiber, and Pixel devices, and it displays a bunch of beautiful images sourced from Google+ that make your Mac look even prettier while it’s idle.

Google Pixel can’t handle iPhone 7 Plus screenshots

By

Google-Pixel-screenshot-bug
How iPhone 7 Plus screenshots appear on Pixel.
Photo: Android Police

A bizarre bug is causing iPhone 7 Plus screenshots to become completely unrecognizable when viewed on the Google Pixel. It means Pixel owners are unable to view grabs received from iPhone-owning friends, and no one knows why.

Google one-ups Apple Music with even longer free trial

By

Screen Shot 2016-11-25 at 15.47.37
Now's the time to try Google Play Music.
Photo: Google

Apple generously gives new Apple Music subscribers a three-month free trial before demanding its monthly fee, and now Google is beating it.

For a limited time, the company is offering four months of free access to Play Music and YouTube Red for new customers.

iPhone camera is the key to Apple’s AR future

By

iPhone 7 iSight camera
The iPhone's camera will be an AR portal.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

A secret team of Apple employees are working on a project that will turn iPhone cameras everywhere into a portal for augmented reality.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has said he’s bullish on the future of AR, and according to a new report the company is working on a total game changer.

Gmail for iOS gets a fancy new look and new features

By

gmail
Gmail gets some much-needed love on iOS.
Photo: Google

Google’s official Gmail app for iOS is finally getting some much-needed love. The latest update brings a “fresh new look” that makes Gmail feel like a real app that Google actually cares about — rather than just an ugly wrapper for a mobile webpage.

Apple’s first AR product may arrive by 2018

By

hololens by microsoft
All Apple has to do is making something that looks less dorky than this.
Photo: Microsoft

Apple’s stalling autonomous car project caused the company to shift its attention to augmented reality, according to analyst Ming Chi Kuo, who says the company is racing ahead of the competition when it comes to AR.

In a new note to investors, the KGI Securities analyst says Apple’s decision to develop a self-driving platform instead of an entire electric car makes sense. The company will use augmented reality to provide an incredible experience, he predicts.

Android security chief insists Google Pixel is just as secure as iPhone

By

Pixel
Android 7.1 Nougat is as strong as iOS.
Photo: Google

Android gets a lot of stick for being insecure, but it’s not always deserved. According to Adrian Ludwig, director of Android security, Google’s new Pixel smartphones running the latest version of Android are just as secure as the iPhone.

iCloud hacker gets 18 months in jail for stealing nudes

By

Hacker who tried to extort Apple for $100k is spared prison
Ryan Collins has been sentenced for his role in "Celebgate."
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

One of the iCloud hackers behind 2014’s “Celebgate” scandal has been sentenced to 18 months in prison. Ryan Collins helped break into celebrity iCloud accounts and steal private photos, which were later published online.

iPhone 7 Plus dominates Google’s Pixel XL in speed test

By

Google Pixel phone family
Pixel XL is sloooooow.
Photo: Google

Google’s new smartphone, the Pixel XL, can’t match the iPhone 7 Plus when it comes real-world speed.

In a new speed test pitting the mighty iPhone 7 Plus against Google’s handset, the Pixel XL gets absolutely stomped, despite having more RAM and the latest SnapDragon 821 processor.

Watch the iPhone 7 kill the Pixel XL:

Apple approached Time Warner about possible acquisition

By

Apple TV might get exclusive TV shows.
Buying Time Warner would be great for Apple TV.
Photo: Apple

AT&T isn’t the only company interested in acquiring HBO’s parent company Time Warner Inc.

Apple executives approached the company about a potential merger a few months ago, according to a new report that claims the iPhone-maker is keeping a close eye on Time Warner’s advanced acquisition talks with AT&T.

Google Pixel review roundup: iPhone’s toughest Android competitor

By

Google Pixel
Google's first phones are a hit.
Photo: Google

Google stepped up its fight against the iPhone with its new Pixel smartphone, but has it found a formula that’s good enough to worry Cupertino?

The Pixel looks pretty at first glance, and it’s the first handset to offer Google’s latest Android 7.1 Nougat software. It also promises a great display, stunning photos, and peak performance. Here’s what the first reviews have to say about it.

Apple hires deep learning expert to make Siri smarter

By

Sorry, Alexa: Siri still the most widespread AI assistant
Sorry, Alexa: Siri still the most widespread AI assistant
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Siri is about to get a lot smarter thank to Carnegie Mellon researcher Russ Salakhutdinov, who announced today that he is joining Apple to lead the company’s artificial intelligence efforts.

Google’s Apple Watch rivals to land in early 2017

By

Photo of two alleged Google Nexus smartwatches
They'll bring the Google Assistant to your wrist.
Photo: Android Police

Google stepped up its fight against the iPhone when it launched its new Pixel smartphones earlier this month, and now it’s preparing to take on Apple Watch, too.

According to the latest whispers, the company will launch its first Android Wear watches — complete with Google Assistant — in early 2017.

Apple vs Samsung patent battle has U.S. Supreme Court confused

By

Samsung
Apple vs Samsung is going all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

U.S. Supreme Court justices appear to be confused over how much Apple’s patented iPhone design should worth.

Lawyers for Apple and Samsung faced off this morning at the nation’s highest court. The two sides argued whether breaking a design patent should be worth most of a product’s profits, or if the thousands of other patents that go into a smartphone should be viewed as equally valuable to the contribution of profits.

Billions of dollars and the future of patent law is at stake in the case that hinges on a law written in 1887. But the justices didn’t give much indication which side they’ll take.
[contextly_auto_sidebar]

Revamped iPads and next-era Apple tech, this week on The CultCast

By

Apple's bold vision of future tech inches closer to reality.
Apple's bold vision of future tech inches closer to reality.
Photo: Apple

This week on The CultCast: Revamped iPads coming this spring; Apple lays the groundwork for the next era of personal technology; how smart homes get hacked; Google’s Pixel phone versus iPhone 7; and we reveal our favorite new iOS and Mac apps!

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. It’s simple to build a website that looks beautiful on any device that visits at Squarespace.com. Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10 percent off.

Google self-driving car crash sends operator to hospital

By

Google is coming for your city.
Google is coming for your city.
Photo: Google

In the future, self-driving cars will make highways and roads safer for everyone. But if Google’s latest report on self-driving car accidents is any indicator, we have a long way to go before our robot overlords will save us.

AirPods point to Apple’s domination of ‘ambient paradigm’

By

x
AirPods may miss Christmas while Apple works out audio problems.
Photo: Apple

The Apple Watch and new AirPods may seam like silly side projects to fans, but some analysts on Wall Street believe the company is using the two new products to lay the groundwork for the next era of personal technology.

While Silicon Valley is obssessed with virtual reality headsets, Apple is obsessed with making gadgetry less visible. UBS analysts Steven Milunovich and Benjamin Wilson told clients that while many firms see a lot of downside for Apple, the company’s “ambient paradigm” could be a huge money maker.

iPhone 7 smashes Pixel in early benchmark tests

By

Google Pixel
It's in talks to buy HTC, maker of the Pixel lineup.
Photo: Google

Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL may pack the fastest smartphone camera, but when it comes to raw processing power the iPhone 7 leaves the new handsets in the dust.

Early benchmarks for the Pixel have already leaked for the device, which was unveiled Tuesday. And according to the tests, Google’s phone can’t even top the performance of the iPhone 6s and iPhone SE.

Google Pixel first impressions: Solid build, fugly back

By

Google Pixel
It's in talks to buy HTC, maker of the Pixel lineup.
Photo: Google

Google’s new Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones are ready to do battle with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus and based on the first hands-on reviews, Apple could learn a few things from the new devices.

Apple’s shadow loomed large during today’s Google event. Exec from the search engine giant threw plenty of shade at the iPhone-maker for its lack of a headphone jack and storage limitations. Even though Google’s new devices look like total iPhone ripoffs the initial reaction has been mostly positive.

We’ll have to test Pixel in the wild before making our final judgement but here are some of the first reactions to the device from people that got to play with it: