Google Cloud Platform News

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  Titan M makes Pixel 3 our most secure phone yet
  pixel safety and security • • sorangutan  

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  Security has always been a top priority for Pixel, spanning both the hardware and software of our devices. This includes monthly security updates and yearly OS updates, so Pixel always has the most secure version of Android, as well as Google Play Protect to help safeguard your phone from malware. Last year on Pixel 2, we also included a dedicated tamper-resistant hardware security module to protect your lock screen and strengthen disk encryption.

  This year, with Pixel 3, we’re advancing our investment in secure hardware with Titan M, an enterprise-grade security chip custom built for Pixel 3 to secure your most sensitive on-device data and operating system. With Titan M, we took the best features from the Titan chip used in Google Cloud data centers and tailored it for mobile.
  

  

  
  
  

  Here are a few ways Titan M protects your phone.

  Security in the Bootloader
  

  First, to protect Android from outside tampering, we’ve integrated Titan M into Verified Boot, our secure boot process.

  Titan M helps the bootloader—the program that validates and loads Android when the phone turns on—make sure that you’re running the right version of Android. Specifically, Titan M stores the last known safe Android version and prevents “bad actors” from moving your device back to run on an older, potentially vulnerable, version of Android behind your back. Titan M also prevents attackers running in Android attempting to unlock the bootloader.
  

  Lock Screen Protection & Disk Encryption On-Device
  

  Pixel 3 also uses Titan M to verify your lock screen passcode. It makes the process of guessing multiple  password combinations harder by limiting the amount of logon attempts, making it difficult for bad actors to unlock your phone. Only upon successful verification of your passcode will Titan M allow for decryption.

  In addition, the secure flash and fully independent computation of Titan M makes it harder for an attacker to tamper with this process to gain the secrets to decrypt your data.
  

  Secure Transactions in Third-Party Apps
  

  Third, Titan M is used not only to protect Android and its functionality, but also to protect third-party apps and secure sensitive transactions. With Android 9, apps can now take advantage of StrongBox KeyStore APIs to generate and store their private keys in Titan M. The Google Pay team is actively testing out these new APIs to secure transactions.

  For apps that rely on user interaction to confirm a transaction, Titan M also enables Android 9 Protected Confirmation, an API for protecting the most security-critical operations. As more processes come online and go mobile—like e-voting, and P2P money transfers—these APIs can help to ensure that the user (not malware) has confirmed the transaction. Pixel 3 is the first device to ship with this protection.
  

  Insider Attack Resistance
  

  Last, but not least, to prevent tampering, Titan M is built with insider attack resistance. The firmware on Titan M will never be updated unless you have entered your passcode, meaning bad actors cannot bypass your lock screen to update the firmware to a malicious version.

  With the Pixel 3, we’ve increased our investment in security and put industry-leading hardware features into the device, so you can rest assured that your security and privacy are well protected. In the coming months, the security community will be able to audit Titan through its open-source firmware. In the meantime, you can test out Titan M and all of the smarts Pixel 3 brings, when it goes on sale on Thursday, October 18 in the U.S.
  

  
  
  https://www.blog.google/products/pixel/titan-m-makes-pixel-3-our-most-secure-phone-yet/
• 

  Tru Biz: A conversation with Deaf artist Jessica Flores about sign language, stickers, and more
  • sorangutan  

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  Gboard, Google’s on-screen keyboard, is a tool that helps people communicate exactly the way they want on a mobile device. Gboard supports over 400 languages, thousands of emoji and stickers, and an endless number of GIFs.

  
  

  Part of helping people communicate is making sure Gboard is accessible for all people, and the languages they speak. One language not supported by Gboard, however, is American Sign Language. ASL isn’t a written language, so it’s not suited for a typical keyboard. However, ASL is one of the most expressive languages, and similar to other languages, has its own slang and regional variations. This makes it perfect for a visual communication format like stickers.

  
  We collaborated with Jessica Flores, a Deaf artist, advocate and popular YouTube creator, to design a series of animated stickers for Gboard that feature ASL. We talked to Jessica about her background, her experience creating the stickers, and how she hopes people might use them.

  Ryan: How did you get started doing YouTube videos?

  
  

  Jessica: I started my YouTube channel about two years ago. At the time, I was working at a coffee shop, and a lot of the customers would ask me the same questions about my hearing loss over and over again, which I totally don’t mind. But once I started noticing this, I began to wonder if there was a way I could educate a much larger audience, instead of just one person at a time.

  
  

  Ryan: What feedback have you received from other Deaf or Hard of Hearing people on your work?

  
  

  Jessica: I grew up being the only Deaf person I really knew, so I felt very alone and isolated. When I started my YouTube channel years later, I thought there was only going to be a few people who could relate to my content, but boy, was I wrong! I get messages and comments all the time from both Deaf and Hard of Hearing adults and kids telling me they can relate to my videos. Whenever I get these messages, it’s hands down, one of the best feelings in the world.

  
  

  Ryan: How do you typically use expressions like stickers/GIFs/emoji? What do you like/dislike about this experience?

  
  

  Jessica: I use stickers, emojis, and GIFs really often. Some might tell you, too often or, more-than-one-normally-should often. (Insert wide eye, straight big smile emoji here)

  
  

  Personally, a text message just doesn’t allow me to fully express what I am trying to say, or how I am feeling. I probably feel this way because I am a very animated person. Whenever I sign or talk, I feel like I always need to use all of my facial expressions and body language to express what I am trying to say. Even if it is just something simple like, “Hey can you pass the salt?” it ends up being very animated.

  
  

  Ryan: What was your vision for these stickers? How did the end product compare to your vision?

  
  

  Jessica: At the beginning of the project, I had no idea what direction these stickers were going to go in. I thought for sure the stickers would feature one character signing all the words.

  
  

  But after looking at all of our sketches, I realized I wanted a sticker set that would help spread Deaf awareness and expose American Sign Language to more people, even just a little bit. I knew that if we designed a character for the stickers who signed, only those who knew ASL would know what the signs meant, and those who didn’t know ASL might end up ignoring the set completely.

  
  

  We settled on the perfect solution: making the words become the characters. Now, if you know ASL, you will understand the whole set, as well as the slang. And if you don’t know ASL you will still be able to follow along with most of the signs their meanings.

  

  Ryan: Were there any challenges you encountered as an artist creating the stickers?

  
  

  Jessica: A lot of people don’t realize that, in sign language, a simple change in facial expression or body language can change a sign’s meaning completely. Just like how a tone of someone’s voice will allow you to figure out if they are mad at you, or if they’re asking you a question.

  
  

  So when I had a word like “No”, I had to think about what kind of “No” I wanted to sign. Did I want it to be a sad “no”, a happy “no”, a sarcastic “no”? Then, if I picked sad, I had to ask myself, “How sad is it? Is it so sad it’s crying or is it just bummed out sad?” There are so many ways to sign and say “no” that it was hard to pick just one.

  
  

  Ryan: How do you hope people will use them?

  
  

  Jessica: I hope it will inspire people to start learning basic ASL or the other many different types of sign language: Mexican Sign Language, British Sign Language, Filipino Sign Language, etc.

  
  

  My other hope is that the set will encourage people to start learning about Deaf/Hard of Hearing history, community, and culture. People still have a lot to learn about Deaf people. And the faster we can all learn about each other, the faster we can work towards making the world more accessible for one another.

  
  

  
  
  https://www.blog.google/outreach-initiatives/accessibility/tru-biz-conversation-deaf-artist-jessica-flores-about-sign-language-stickers-and-more/
• 

  Schools in London give new life to old computers
  education chromebooks • • sorangutan  

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  Replacing aging computers with new devices can be a strain on school budgets, which means that schools often find themselves with out-of-date hardware sitting in cupboards, collecting dust. However, there’s a way to give old devices new life—by replacing their current operating system with one that’s easy to use, manage and is ready for the cloud.

  
  

  We’re partnering with London Grid for Learning, a nonprofit organization focused on improving schools’ access to technology and Neverware (creator of the CloudReady operating system), to help schools across London extend the life of their old devices. LGfL has committed to purchasing CloudReady licenses for over 85 percent of London’s schools so they can transform their slow, older hardware into fast, nimble devices that run just like Chromebooks. As CloudReady is based on Google’s Chromium OS, it perfectly complements a cloud-first digital approach, such as using G Suite for Education.

  At Connaught School for Girls in East London, pupils and teachers were struggling to use old and slow machines, especially once the school started integrating more digital tools, including Google Classroom. Tight budgets hindered replacement of the devices. The school saw Neverware as a budget-friendly way to revive its old laptops for the Google Classroom adoption, without purchasing a fleet of new devices or paying for laptop disposal.
  

  

  The results were transformative as the students started using the devices more. ‘’In the last academic year, the devices were booked four times. Now the laptops are booked 21 out of 25 periods per week, creating better access to IT for our students,’’ Silk says. “The beauty of Neverware is that it just works and your older devices are no longer a liability; they can be an asset again.”   

  
  

  Given current budgetary pressures and compliance demands, it’s more important than ever to find practical solutions that increase secure, affordable access to technology in schools. By partnering with London Grid for Learning and Neverware, Google for Education is improving access to education technology in London schools, whilst also contributing to the sustainability of older technology. If you are an LGfL school, visit go.neverware.com/LGfL to learn how you can use CloudReady by Neverware to refresh your underperforming or underutilised devices. All other schools in the UK can check out CloudReady directly at their website.

  
  
  https://www.blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/schools-london-give-new-life-old-computers/
• 

  Pixel 3 and on-device AI: Putting superpowers in your pocket
  pixel • • sorangutan  

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  Last week we announced Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL, our latest smartphones that combine the best of Google’s AI, software, and hardware to deliver radically helpful experiences. AI is a key ingredient in Pixel that unlocks new, useful capabilities, dramatically changing how we interact with our phones and the world around us.

  But what exactly is AI?

  Artificial intelligence (AI) is a fancy term for all the technology that lets our devices learn by example and act a bit smarter, from understanding written or spoken language to recognizing people and objects in images. AI is built by “training” machine learning models—a computer learns patterns from lots of example data, and uses these patterns to generate predictions. We’ve built one of the most secure and robust cloud infrastructures for processing this data to make our products smarter. Today, AI helps with everything from filtering spam emails in Gmail to getting answers on Google Search.

  

  Machine learned models in the cloud are a secure way to make Google products smarter over time.

  Bringing the best AI experiences to Pixel 3 involved some re-thinking from the ground up. Our phones are powerful computers with multiple sensors which enable new helpful and secure experiences when data is processed on your device. These AI-powered features can work offline and don’t require a network connection. And they can keep data on device, private to you. With Pixel 3, we complement our traditional approach to AI, where machine learning and data processing is done in the cloud, with reliable, accessible AI on device, when you’re on the go.

  

  The most powerful machine learning models can now run directly on your Pixel to power fast experiences which work even when you’re offline.

  Benefits of on-device AI

  We’ve been working to miniaturize AI models to bring the power of machine learning and computing in the cloud directly to your Pixel. With on-device AI, new kinds of experiences become possible—that are lightning fast, are more battery efficient, and keep data on your device. We piloted this technology last year with Now Playing, bringing automatic music recognition to Pixel 2. This year, your Phone app and camera both use on-device AI to give you new superpowers, allowing you to interact more seamlessly with the world around you.

  

  On-device AI works without having to go back to a server and consumes less of your battery life

  Take Call Screen, a new feature in the Phone app, initially launching in English in the U.S., where the Google Assistant helps you screen calls, including from unknown or unrecognized numbers. Anytime you receive an incoming call, just tap the “Screen Call” button and on-device speech recognition is used to transcribe the conversation from the caller (who is calling? why they are calling?) so you can decide whether to pick up, hang up, or mark as spam and block. Because everything happens on your device, neither the audio nor transcript from a screened call is sent to anyone other than you.

  

  Call Screen uses on-device speech recognition to transcribe the caller’s responses in real time, without sending audio or transcripts off your phone.

  This year’s Pixel camera helps you capture great moments and do more with what you see by building on-device AI right into your viewfinder. New low-power vision models can recognize facial expressions, objects, and text without having to send images off your device. Photobooth Mode is powered by an image scoring model that analyzes facial expressions and photo quality in real time. This will automatically capture smiles and funny faces so you can take selfies without having to reach for the shutter button. Top Shot uses the same kind of image analysis to suggest great, candid moments from a motion photo—recommending alternative shots in HDR+. 

  Playground creates an intelligent AR experience by using AI models to recommend Playmoji, stickers, and captions so that you can express yourself based on the scene you’re in. And without having to take a photo at all, image recognition lets you act on info from the world around you—surfacing Google Lens suggestions to call phone numbers or show website addresses—right from your camera.

  Pixel 3 is just the beginning. We want to empower people with new AI-driven abilities. With our advances in on-device AI, we can develop new, helpful experiences that run right on your phone and are fast, efficient, and private to you.

  
  
  https://www.blog.google/products/pixel/pixel-3-and-device-ai-putting-superpowers-your-pocket/
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  Complying with the EC’s Android decision
  • sorangutan  

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  In July, in our response to the European Commission’s competition decision against Android, we said that rapid innovation, wide choice and falling prices are classic hallmarks of robust competition, and that Android has enabled all of them. We believe that Android has created more choice, not less. That’s why last week we filed our appeal of the Commission’s decision at the General Court of the European Union.

  At the same time, we’ve been working on how to comply with the decision. We have now informed the European Commission of the changes we will make while the appeal is pending.

  First, we’re updating the compatibility agreements with mobile device makers that set out how Android is used to develop smartphones and tablets. Going forward, Android partners wishing to distribute Google apps may also build non-compatible, or forked, smartphones and tablets for the European Economic Area (EEA).

  Second, device manufacturers will be able to license the Google mobile application suite separately from the Google Search App or the Chrome browser. Since the pre-installation of Google Search and Chrome together with our other apps helped us fund the development and free distribution of Android, we will introduce a new paid licensing agreement for smartphones and tablets shipped into the EEA. Android will remain free and open source.

  Third, we will offer separate licenses to the Google Search app and to Chrome.

  We’ll also offer new commercial agreements to partners for the non-exclusive pre-installation and placement of Google Search and Chrome. As before, competing apps may be pre-installed alongside ours.

  These new licensing options will come into effect on October 29, 2018, for all new smartphones and tablets launched in the EEA. We’ll be working closely with our Android partners in the coming weeks and months to transition to the new agreements. And of course, we remain deeply committed to continued innovation for the Android ecosystem.
  

  
  
  https://www.blog.google/around-the-globe/google-europe/complying-ecs-android-decision/
• 

  When Octoberitis spooks your students, we’re here to help
  education g suite chromebooks classroom • • sorangutan  

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  It's October. Pencils—once sharp and eager to write in August—are starting to dull. Students are gazing out the window, and it's not just because of the falling leaves—this happens every October, when the newness of the new school year has worn off.

  To fight this Octoberitis, some educators get students moving by doing a gravity experiment in the stairwell, or role play activities during history. While you’re experimenting in the classroom, we’ll be launching new tools to help you keep the learning spark alive, and make the longer days feel shorter.

  And want to know something that’s made our October a bit brighter? We’re excited to announce that over 40 million students and educators are now using Google Classroom, and 30 million are using Chromebooks, on top of 80 million using G Suite for Education globally.

  Bring the outside world into the classroom

  Back when we learned with just pen and paper, math class and functions could seem dull. But now, augmented reality can add another dimension to your lesson. With the latest update to the Acer Chromebook Tab 10, it became the first ChromeOS device to support ARCore, Google’s platform for building augmented reality experiences. Developers can build AR experiences for classrooms, like GeoGebra, an interactive geometry, algebra, statistics and calculus app. Students can toggle between 2D screens and AR in the 3D app as teachers guide them in exploring math in new ways.

  Using the Acer Chromebook Tab 10, educators can bring everything from a skeleton to the solar system into the classroom with the help of Expeditions AR. With content from partners like Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Oxford University Press, the world comes to you when you can drop the works of Van Gogh into the middle of your Art History lesson, or a great Kapok tree when studying the rainforest. To unlock the power of AR, ask your IT administrator to enable these Android apps, and make sure your tablets are upgraded to the latest operating system.

  To conduct a science experiment, the only equipment you’ll need is a Chromebook. Students can complete more than 40 science labs which map to high school biology, chemistry, and physics standards with Labster Chromebook labs. These online labs allow schools to offer unlimited lab practice time without needing to buy any extra equipment. Not only that, but these labs can also be assigned and graded with the Classroom integration, and teachers can track how students are progressing. To get labs at your school, visit labster.com/chromebooklabs.

  Collaborate to reach every learner

  You spend hours planning and customizing lessons to engage every learner in your class, but it can be difficult for students to follow along in rigorous and fast paced learning environments. To support students and faculty who are deaf or hard of hearing, we built closed captions in Google Slides (only available on Chrome web browsers), which uses ML to turn on automated closed captioning when presenting. Captions are currently available for U.S. English language only, but stay tuned as we explore adding more languages. Learn more about accessibility features in G Suite and ChromeOS.

  

  We’ve launched new Docs updates to make writing a paper in MLA format a smoother process. You can already set left and right indentations via a dialog box and setting hanging indents. Now, students and faculty can also adjust the margins of headers and footers, and use a vertical ruler to adjust placement of table rows and header and footer margins.

  Educators can also give feedback to students in Classroom or Course Kit, our free toolkit that allows instructors to use G Suite within their existing LMS. Using the new grading tool, educators can leverage the comment bank to give feedback on Docs and PDFs. Use G Suite for Education but have a different LMS? Request access  to the Course Kit beta today.

  

  Jamboard - the collaborative whiteboard app - can also help shake things up. We’re bringing the jam to the web

  https://gsuiteupdates.googleblog.com/2018/09/new-ways-to-create-edit-and-share-your-Jams.html

  , where anyone can create and collaborate on jams from individual Chromebooks, no Jamboard hardware required. And with the new View Only mode, teachers can share jam sessions from their lessons that day while restricting edit access. Have a BYOD policy, or enabling Device Off Hours? Jamboard on the web is an easy solution for collaboration.

  If you’re interested in trying out a Jamboard device in your classroom, you can apply for the new Jamboard Learning Space Transformation program. Continental U.S. based G Suite for Education customers can submit a proposal on how you’ll transform your learning space with Jamboard today.

  

  Hopefully these new features and product tips are the antidote you need to the Octoberitis that’s bound to hit your classrooms. If not, you have Halloween to look forward to...

  Be sure to follow along on Google for Education’s Twitter and Facebook pages. We love hearing from you, so please share your tips for the best October yet.

  
  
  https://www.blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/when-octoberitis-spooks-your-students/
• 

  Explore product search trends with Shopping Insights
  google ads shopping ads • • sorangutan  

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  With the world of commerce at their fingertips, consumers are more curious, more demanding and more impatient than ever before. As a result, retailers have to anticipate customers’ needs in order to provide the products they’re looking for and plan marketing strategies. In a recent study, we learned that 84 percent of Americans are shopping in any given 48-hour period, in up to six different categories.¹ Whether they’re looking up designer sneakers or DSLR cameras, Google is the first place they go to discover a new brand or product.²

  
  

  Starting today, a new version of our Shopping Insights tool can help you uncover which products and brands are popular, trending up or down, and how these insights vary by regions in the U.S. This new version includes data for more than 55,000 products and 45,000 brands—significantly increasing coverage over the previous version—as well as nearly 5,000 categories. It’s a free tool, available to everyone, that can help you follow trends in your categories.

  
  

  In addition to more data, we’ve also added several key features to help you inform your strategies.

  
  

  Compare the popularity of a brand within searches for a category
  

  Nearly nine out of 10 smartphone users are not absolutely certain of the brand they want to buy when they begin looking for information online.³ That’s a huge number of consumers looking to uncover new brands and products. With this new feature, retailers can track the relative popularity of various brands within a category and adjust their strategies accordingly.

  
  

  For example, the most-searched backpack brands of last 12 months were JanSport, Fjällräven and The North Face, classic brands that have been around for at least 50 years. Searches for the category and all three brands peaked during back-to-school season in 2018, and saw slight growth during the holiday season.

  

  Example: Relative search volume for top backpack brands, Oct 2017 - Oct, 2018

  But if you reset your time range in Shopping Insights to the holiday season in 2017 (see below), you’ll find that a very different brand was popular in search. MCM, a luxury brand that specializes in “street luxe”–a fashion trend popular among millennial shoppers–was the most-searched brand when consumers were shopping for backpacks. It continued to grow in December, even when searches for other brands were tailing off, peaking on December 25. In fact, MCM was also the only luxury brand in the top 10. By tracking this data weekly, marketers can optimize their tactics in season, and respond to changing consumer preferences within different categories.

  

  Example: Relative search volume for top backpack brands, Nov 1 - Dec 31, 2017

  You can also use Shopping Insights to understand the relative importance of brands within different categories, and how consumers search for products. In the example above, while MCM was the most searched brand, the top three brands were only mentioned in ~8 percent of the queries. This means most users were searching using keywords that described the category and characteristics of the products they were looking for, rather than specific brands.

  
  In contrast, for video game consoles, the top three brands were mentioned in ~90 percent of the queries. Whether shoppers are searching for specific products, using broader shopping queries or brands, knowing this information will help you adjust your marketing strategy. Showcase Shopping ads, for example, can help retailers tap into consumer demand in such categories.

  Example: Shopping searches and top brands in Backpacks category, Nov 1 - Dec 31, 2017

  Subscribe to personalized reports with weekly and monthly trends
  

  You can now create up to 10 weekly and monthly email reports for the products and categories you want to follow, so you don’t miss current or future trends. We’ll send you additional data on popular, growing and trending products and brands. For example, in our monthly category reports, we determine which products are trending up or down by removing noise and seasonality effects from the product’s search volume. In weekly reports, you can see which products grew the most in the previous week, as well as any outliers.

  

  Example: Monthly report about trends in Backpacks, September, 2018

  

  Example: Weekly highlights report for Backpacks, Sep 30 - Oct 06, 2018

  Getting started with Shopping Insights

  
  The Shopping Insights Tool is available on desktop and mobile in the U.S. Start exploring the data and subscribe for free reports on Shopping Insights today.

  
  

  
  

  ---

  1. Google/Ipsos, “Shopping Tracker,” Oct - Dec 2017, Online survey, US, n=3,613 online Americans 13+ who shopped in the past two days.

  2. Google/Ipsos, “Shopping Tracker”,April - June 2018, Online survey, US, n=2703 adults 18+ who shopped in the past two days

  3. Google / Ipsos Connect, Jan. 2018, Playbook Omnibus 2018, n=1,604 US online smartphone users, A18+

  
  

  
  
  https://www.blog.google/products/ads/new-shopping-insights/
• 

  Get charged up with Google Maps
  • sorangutan  

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  We built Google Maps to help people get where they need to go no matter what mode of transportation they use. Our newest feature brings helpful information about electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to the Map, so you can be confident that your car will be charged and ready for your ride, wherever you’re headed. Here’s how it works:

  A quick search for keywords like “ev charging” or “EV charging stations" will display the nearest supported stations. To help you make a quick decision about which station to use, we’ll show you information about the business where the station is located, the types of ports available, charging speeds, and how many ports there are. You’ll also see information about the station from drivers, including photos, ratings, reviews and questions.
  

  

  In addition, businesses that have charging stations will now feature a link to information about the chargers.

  
  

  

  Google Maps now supports charging stations around the world, including:

  
  

  Global: Tesla, Chargepoint

  US:SemaConnect, EVgo, Blink

  UK:Chargemaster, Pod Point

  AU & NZ: Chargefox

  
  

  The ability to search for electric vehicle charging stations starts rolling out today on Android and iOS, with desktop launching in the coming weeks. To get started on mobile, update your Google Maps app from the App Store or Play Store today.

  
  
  https://www.blog.google/products/maps/get-charged-google-maps/
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  Reach YouTube users on connected TVs with new TV screen device category
  • sorangutan  

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  On average, users watch over 180 million hours of YouTube on TV screens every day¹. We know that marketers want in on this shift in viewing behavior, so we’ve been hard at work building a rich YouTube experience for set-top boxes, gaming consoles, streaming devices like Chromecasts and smart TVs of all stripes.

  
  Today we’re launching the TV screens device type to make it easy for you to find engaged, valuable audiences while they are watching YouTube on that original device purpose-built for watching video: the TV. The TV screens device type joins computers, mobile phones and tablets in Google Ads (formerly AdWords) and Display & Video 360 (formerly DBM), meaning you can tailor your campaigns for connected TVs – for example, by using a different creative or setting a specific device bid adjustment. You can also see reporting for ads that run on TV screens to help you determine the impact of these ads within your overall mix.

  We’ve already seen that people react positively to ads on the TV screen – based on Ipsos Lab Experiments, YouTube ads shown on TV drove a significant lift in ad recall and purchase intent, with an average lift of 47 percent and 35 percent respectively². And customers like Pixability are voicing their excitement for the feature:

  “Consumers are cutting the cord and this is a tremendous opportunity for advertisers to reach their audiences in the living room with digital video. With the launch of TV Screens device targeting and measurement on YouTube, our customers are better able to understand how their audiences are watching TV screens, and connect with those audiences as they're engaged in leaned-back viewing.” – David George, CEO, Pixability

  Start reaching users on devices that stream TV content – such as smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming devices like Chromecast – today. To learn how, click here.
  

  _{1 Google Internal Data, Global, June 2018. Based on 7 day average for TV watchtime}
  

  _{2 Google/Ipsos Lab Experiment, US, March 2018 (32 ads, 800 US residents 18-64 y/o)}
  

  
  
  https://www.blog.google/products/marketingplatform/360/reach-youtube-users-connected-tvs-new-tv-screen-device-category/
• 

  The Applied Computing Series gets college students into computer science
  education • • sorangutan  

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  What do fighting wildfires, searching for dogs in photos and using portrait mode on your phone have in common? Data science and machine learning. Experts across a range of businesses and industries are using data to give machines the ability to “learn” and complete tasks.

  
  

  But as the field of data science is rapidly growing, workforce projections show that there isn’t enough new talent to meet increasing demand for these roles, especially in machine learning. Given the nationwide scarcity of computer science faculty, we’ve been thinking about how to give students a hands-on computer science education, without CS PHD educators.

  
  

  At a handful of colleges across the country, we’re piloting the Applied Computing Series (ACS): two college-level introductory computer science and data science courses and a machine learning intensive. The Series will help students understand how to use the best available tools to manipulate and understand data and then solve critical business problems.

  

  Students at Bay Path University learning Python programming as part of our first ACS cohort of universities.

  
  

  The machine learning intensive is meant for students who have already taken introductory computer science classes and who want to pursue more advanced coursework. The intensive will ultimately prepare them for opportunities as data engineers, technical program managers, or data analysts in industries ranging from healthcare to insurance to entertainment and media. Through partnerships with colleges and universities, we provide industry-relevant content and projects; and colleges and universities provide experienced faculty to lead in-class project work and provide coaching for students.

  
  

  The Applied Computing courses are currently available to students at eight colleges and universities: Adrian College, Agnes Scott College, Bay Path University, Heidelberg University, Holy Names University, Lasell College, SUNY Buffalo State, and Sweet Briar College. If you’re a university and want to apply to be a site for the Applied Computing courses in the fall of 2019, find out more on our website.

  
  The machine learning intensive will start in February 2019 at Mills College and again during the summer session at Agnes Scott College, Bay Path University, Heidelberg University and Scripps College and is open for applications from all U.S. students. If you’re a student who has already completed college-level computer and/or data science coursework and want to apply for the machine learning intensive, learn more at our website.
  
  https://www.blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/announcing-applied-computing-series/
• 

  Helping shoppers buy effortlessly from Best Buy, Nike, and Sephora over the holidays
  • sorangutan  

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  Today, 76% of U.S. holiday shoppers over 18 use three or more channels.¹ At the same time, they expect their experiences to be fast, frictionless, and personalized wherever they are, on whatever device they use. A recent study shows that Google is the first place US shoppers go to discover or find a new brand or product. With Shopping Actions, they can move seamlessly from browsing to buying with a universal cart that works across Search, the Google Assistant, and Google Express whether they’re on mobile, desktop or even a Google Home device.

  
  Today, we’re announcing new Shopping Actions partnerships with Nike, Best Buy, and Sephora, enabling shoppers to search and shop effortlessly for tens of thousands of products ahead of this holiday season.

  Best Buy gives customers even more ways to shop
  

  Best Buy knows that when it comes to buying tech, it’s important that customers can shop how, when and where they want. With Shopping Actions, Best Buy’s products are now available on Google Express. Shoppers can use their voice to ask the Google Assistant to check store hours, order status, or even place an order. 

  "We’re committed to enriching lives with technology, and part of that means giving people the tools they need to research and buy in stores, online and at home. This partnership let’s our customers explore the latest tech in a whole new way."

  -Allison Peterson, President of E-commerce, Best Buy

  
  

  Nike serves athletes wherever they shop

  As the first brand from the Footwear and Apparel industry to join Shopping Actions, Nike makes it easy for shoppers to discover and buy from a rich online assortment. Whether they are shopping through Search or with their voice on the Google Assistant, later this month shoppers will be able to find and buy Nike products directly on Google’s platforms.
  

  "We’re excited to partner with Google and together deliver premium Nike content and inspiring experiences to consumers. We’ll enable frictionless discovery and purchase of Nike products across Google’s ecosystem and elevate the consumer experience with direct access to Nike products and additional benefits when they add their NikePlus membership at checkout."
  

  - Eric Wood, VP of Digital Partnerships, Nike

  
  

  Sephora leads the way in seamless omnichannel experiences

  Sephora is passionate about seamless shopping. Across their award-winning App, website, and 400+ stores, Sephora constantly innovates to offer a connected, smart and fast shopping experience. With 1 out of 3 last-minute shoppers saying they choose where to buy gifts based on how soon they can get them, Sephora saw a perfect fit with Shopping Actions.² Sephora clients can now buy across Google’s properties and earn valuable Beauty Insider points with each purchase as part of Sephora’s robust loyalty program -- with overnight delivery to almost anywhere in the US.

  Get started
  

  Nike, Best Buy, and Sephora join hundreds of other merchants already taking part in the program, a 7x increase since we first launched the program. It's easier than ever to join Google Shopping Actions, thanks to integrations with e-commerce solution partners including ChannelAdvisor, CommerceHub, Feedonomics, and Zentail. Even more are coming soon.
  

  However big or small your business, Shopping Actions can help you reach more customers faster and easier. Learn more: fill out our interest form.
  

  
  

  ^{1. Google/Ipsos, U.S., Omnichannel Holiday Study, Holiday shoppers 18+ who shopped in previous 48 hours, n=5944, Nov. 2017–Jan. 2018.}

  ^{2. Google/Ipsos, U.S., Omnichannel Holiday Study, Holiday shoppers 18+ who were last minute shoppers n=1121, Nov. 2017–Jan. 2018.}

  
  

  
  
  https://www.blog.google/products/ads/shopping-actions-best-buy-nike-sephora/
• 

  PolicyPal: a mobile-first assurance on insurance
  google in asia asias entrepreneurs • • sorangutan  

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  Val Yap is the founder and CEO of PolicyPal, a digital insurance broker that lets people buy, understand and organize their insurance on their mobile phones. She’s also a graduate from Start on Android, a program that helps developers perfect their apps with technical support and other perks from Google before launching on Google Play.

  
  

  Why did you establish PolicyPal?

  In 2013, I was working in London when my mother was diagnosed with cancer. I left my job, packed my bags, and moved back to Singapore to be with her. Relocating and seeing my strong mother stricken with illness was stressful. The daily grind of dealing with medical appointments and bills made things worse, especially when her insurance claim for her treatment was rejected.

  
  

  Thankfully, my mother recovered. But we unexpectedly lost my father to a heart attack later that year. We knew he had insurance, but we had no idea what. Even as we were grieving, I had to visit different insurance companies to check. That whole year was a nightmare for my family.

  
  

  Coping with my father’s passing and my mother’s illness, the last thing I wanted to do was go through insurance policies. But we needed that information and there was no other choice. If we had easier access and better understanding of our coverage, this tough time for our family would have been a bit easier to bear.

  
  

  We’re sorry to hear about that. How did you go about solving similar problems for others?

  Many of us have insurance, but we just pay the premiums and forget about it. When an emergency strikes, we’re scrambling to understand how we’re covered. I started PolicyPal as a digital folder for people to organize and retrieve their policies quickly and painlessly. You just need to take a photo of the insurance document, and PolicyPal stores a digital copy in your mobile phone. It also analyzes your insurance policies and recommends how to fill gaps in your coverage.

  
  

  As we learned more about the problems faced in the insurance industry, we expanded our product offerings. We set up PALNetwork, an ecosystem which leverages blockchain technology to automate underwriting and claims processing, and empower partners to customize new financial products. We are also the first provider in Singapore to provide insurance for people holding cryptocurrency assets.

  

  How did the Start on Android program help you in launching your app?

  With the support and help from Start on Android, we received valuable feedback ahead of time from the community, helping us improve our app’s performance and user experience. We even managed to acquire and retain some early users through the program, which gave us a fantastic head start when it launched.

  
  

  What are your plans for the future?

  We’re focusing our efforts on serving people in more countries in Asia. I think insurance technology will develop very differently in this region from mature markets like the U.S. or Europe. People in emerging Asia will leapfrog from being unbanked and uninsured to getting insurance through novel solutions, for example, mobile apps instead of agents. We’re looking at expanding beyond Singapore to countries like Indonesia and Thailand.

  
  

  You’re a female startup founder. What advice do you have for other aspiring women entrepreneurs in tech?

  Find a mentor. Working with female mentors has been a game-changer for me. We go through experiences that men don’t and it’s essential that you build friendships with people who can empathize.

  
  

  My second piece of advice applies to all genders! Don’t enter a sector just because it’s fashionable. Think about what problems you want to solve first and who you’re solving for. Go deep into your mission and make sure you feel it’s something you’re still going to be excited by in 10 years.

  
  
  https://www.blog.google/around-the-globe/google-asia/policypal/
• 

  15 ways your Assistant can coach you through the MLB Postseason
  • sorangutan  

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  More than 2,400 regular season Major League Baseball games are in the books and we're down to just four teams. The National League Championship Series and American League Championship Series are just getting underway—here are 15 ways the Google Assistant can help make sure you don’t miss a minute of the action. Batter up.

  To stay on top of MLB history, scores, schedules, and standings, start with
  “Hey Google …”

  1. “When does the World Series start?”

  2. “When did Fenway Park open?”

  3. “Who was the ALCS MVP in 2017?”

  4. “When do the Astros and Red Sox play next?”

  5. “Did the Dodgers win?”

  6. “What’s Minute Maid Park’s capacity?”

  7. “How are the Red Sox doing?

  8. "Who do the Brewers play next?"

  9. "Tell me about the Houston Astros"
  
  10. “Who's the pitcher for the Dodgers?”
  
  Do your own personal warm up before the game
  

  11. Make sure you’re ready for whatever the weather may bring. Before heading to the game, ask “Hey Google, what’s the weather like at Dodger Stadium?”

  12. Didn’t score tickets but want to watch the game with fellow fans? Simply say “Hey Google, find the nearest sports bar.”
  
  When you're cheering from your couch instead of the stands
  

  13. Set a reminder so you don’t miss a second of the game. Say “Hey Google, remind me to turn on the game when I get home.”

  14. Hosting a watch party at your place? Whip up ballpark-worthy snacks for all of your friends to enjoy. Try asking, “Hey Google, what are some dip recipes?”

  15. Fact: Baseball and loaded nachos are a match made in heaven. Throw them in the oven and when they’re done, broadcast a message to the Google Homes throughout your house to let your guests know when it’s time to dig in… and enjoy the Postseason!

  
  
  https://www.blog.google/products/assistant/15-ways-your-assistant-can-coach-you-through-mlb-postseason/
• 

  Fortnite fever and verified Vermonsters: Frightgeist Halloween trends for 2018
  • sorangutan  

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  We’re a little bit more than a fortnight away from Halloween 2018, so it’s time to head to Search for costume inspiration. This year’s Frightgeist—brought to you by Google Trends—shows what’s brewing in the costume cauldron near you and in other hot spots across the country.

  

  The top searched costumes for 2018 are a not-so-macabre mix of Halloween classics (where my witches at?) and contemporary looks the kiddos will go crazy for. Here’s your top ten, just a click away from Google Images ideas to bring each of these to life (or back from the dead):
  
  

  1. Fortnite

  2. Spider-Man

  3. Unicorn

  4. Dinosaur

  5. Witch

  6. Harley Quinn

  7. Superhero

  8. Pirate

  9. Rabbit

  10. Princess

  

  As you can see, Fortnite fever has swept the country-- so much that it’s a top search costume in a whopping 43 states. Here are seven states that stand apart and the costumes that are capturing people’s attention--look forward to some Utahcorns and Vermonsters in your neighborhood this year:
  
  

  • Alaska: Mermaid

  • Arkansas: Dinosaur

  • Idaho: Unicorn

  • Oregon: Dinosaur

  • South Dakota: Spiderman

  • Utah: Unicorn

  • Vermont: Monster

  This year’s top spot is occupied by a new-to-Frightgeist costume trend. Here are other additions to the top 100 for 2018, in order of popularity:

  14. The Incredibles

  23. Black Panther (Wakanda forever!)

  44. Nun

  59. Vampirina

  70. 1970s (what a coincidence!)

  Not all costumes have the staying power of pirates and princesses. Here are a few of the looks that fell from the top 100 for this year’s list:
  
  

  1. Princess Leia

  2. Daenarys Targaryen

  3. Darth Vader

  4. Minions

  5. Emoji

  If this sampling of scary isn’t what you had in mind to land your perfect Halloween look, head to the Costume Wizard fright now and amp up the spookiness or uniqueness to find the ghoulish get-up you desire.

  
  

  Have a gourd time this Halloween!

  
  
  https://www.blog.google/products/search/frightgeist-halloween-trends-2018/
• 

  #IMakeApps: Using robotics to make apps for people with hearing difficulties
  • sorangutan  

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  Editor’s note: To celebrate the hard work, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of app makers around the world, we’re featuring founders, product managers, designers and developers from around the world. We’ll showcase their passions and also hear about what they do when they step away from their computers. Meet our next app maker, Mateo Salvatto, an Argentinian robotics champion and founder of ¡Háblalo!, an app that helps people with hearing difficulties to communicate verbally and handle daily life with greater ease. Check out more #IMakeApps stories on g.co/play/imakeapps.

  

  How did you get into robotics?

  When I was 15, I first started my specialization in Electronics at ORT Argentina. I started attending the Robotics club meetings and fell in love with it. I knew I wanted to become a member of the club as soon as I saw it, so I started learning from the older students and built my first robot. My favorite part of building robots is when they make their first turn. There is no other feeling like building something for six months and watching it move as you told it to!

  When and why did you decide to start teaching robotics to others?

  Everything I have achieved was because of Yoda, my first robot. I’m certain it’s very important to learn robotics because of everything it teaches you. It’s not only coding and electronics but also a way of thinking through problems and understanding of the importance of working with others.

  Why did you create ¡Háblalo!?

  My mother is a teacher for deaf people so I grew up around people with this disability. When I finished high school I realized I could use what I had learnt to develop something for them. The passion I put into robotics helped me develop ¡Háblalo!. When I won the international robotics championship at 17, I realized I could use everything I had learned to make great things and that’s when I decided to develop something to help people with disabilities. That’s how ¡Háblalo! was born.
  

  What has been your experience with Android & Google Play?

  ¡Háblalo! wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the Android community and the ease and speed to publish and update your developments in the Play Store. I learned to code apps thanks to the forums of the community and our presence in the Play Store has gotten us to where we are! The possibility of publishing our own product out there for everyone is huge. I love working with apps for Android because of that. I originally published ¡Háblalo! for my friends to use but then people in India, US, Morocco and more started using it. That is the great power and reach of the Android community.

  
  
  https://www.blog.google/products/google-play/imakeapps-using-robotics-make-apps-people-hearing-disabilities/
• 

  #IMakeApps: Using robotics to help people who are hard of hearing
  • sorangutan  

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  Editor’s note: To celebrate the hard work, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of app makers around the world, we’re featuring founders, product managers, designers and developers from around the world. We’ll showcase their passions and also hear about what they do when they step away from their computers. Meet our next app maker, Mateo Salvatto, an Argentinian robotics champion and founder of ¡Háblalo!, an app that helps people with hearing difficulties to communicate verbally and handle daily life with greater ease. Check out more #IMakeApps stories on g.co/play/imakeapps.

  

  How did you get into robotics?

  When I was 15, I first started my specialization in Electronics at ORT Argentina. I started attending the Robotics club meetings and fell in love with it. I knew I wanted to become a member of the club as soon as I saw it, so I started learning from the older students and built my first robot. My favorite part of building robots is when they make their first turn. There is no other feeling like building something for six months and watching it move as you told it to!

  When and why did you decide to start teaching robotics to others?

  Everything I have achieved was because of Yoda, my first robot. I’m certain it’s very important to learn robotics because of everything it teaches you. It’s not only coding and electronics but also a way of thinking through problems and understanding of the importance of working with others.

  Why did you create ¡Háblalo!?

  My mother is a teacher for deaf people. When I finished high school I realized I could use what I had learnt to develop something for them. The passion I put into robotics helped me develop ¡Háblalo!. When I won the international robotics championship at 17, I realized I could use everything I had learned to make great things and that’s when I decided to develop something to help people with disabilities. That’s how ¡Háblalo! was born.
  

  What has been your experience with Android & Google Play?

  ¡Háblalo! wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the Android community and the ease and speed to publish and update your developments in the Play Store. I learned to code apps thanks to the forums of the community and our presence in the Play Store has gotten us to where we are! The possibility of publishing our own product out there for everyone is huge. I love working with apps for Android because of that. I originally published ¡Háblalo! for my friends to use but then people in India, US, Morocco and more started using it. That is the great power and reach of the Android community.

  
  
  https://www.blog.google/products/google-play/imakeapps-using-robotics-make-apps-people-hearing-difficulties/
• 

  Empowering first responders in local fire departments
  • sorangutan  

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  Firefighters are on the front lines everyday protecting our communities and acting as first responders in emergencies. To support these heroes, Nest and the Leary Firefighters Foundation have teamed up for the third time to award two $25,000 worth of new technology and equipment to fire departments in need.

  
  

  To qualify for the grant, fire departments had to be nominated by members of their community. This year, we saw over 14,000 deserving nominations and ultimately chose the Hobart, Indiana and Dunkrik, Maryland Departments for their dedication and service. These local first responders don’t have access to the newest lifesaving tools that their counterparts in big cities might have. And since no two communities are the same, no two fire departments have the same needs. That’s why we ask them what they need to serve their neighbors faster and even more effectively. The Hobart FD elected to use their grant for tablets to help them communicate more quickly, and the Dunkirk FD is using their grant for thermal imaging tools that will help them detect hot spots and avoid tragedy.

  The Nest + Leary Firefighters Foundation Grant: Year 3

  It’s especially exciting to announce our support for these fire departments during Fire Safety Week, which serves as a helpful reminder that we all need the right tools to keep ourselves, our families, and our homes safe. Nest Protect, our smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, is one of those tools. Nest Protects talk to each other, so if your basement Protect alarm goes off, all your other Nest Protects will tell you there is a smoke or carbon monoxide problem in the basement. It can be your first line of defense so that you don’t have to call the fire department.

  
  

  But for those times when you do need to call for help, we are grateful for the hard work and vigilance of our local firefighters.

  
  
  https://www.blog.google/products/home/empowering-first-responders-local-fire-departments/
• 

  Engineers are girls: the Googler behind “Ara the Star Engineer”
  • sorangutan  

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  Editor’s note: Today, on International Day of the Girl, we’re sharing the story of Komal Singh, a Googler who was inspired by her own young daughter to write a children’s book focused on engineering, called “Ara the Star Engineer.”

  Elisabeth: Tell us about what you do at Google.

  Komal: I’m a program manager on the Ads Infrastructure team, based out of Waterloo, Canada. I act as the glue between various engineering teams to ensure we’re designing and building systems cohesively for the world.
  

  

  Komal and her daughter, Araiya

  What inspired you to write “Ara the Star Engineer?”

  One day I was working from home, and my daughter was with me while I was on a video call. She asked me about the various people on the call, so I pointed at the screen and said, “That’s Alex, that’s Kurt, that’s Eric, that’s Mike.” She responded, “Oh, engineers are boys.” I was shocked (and really bummed) by her reaction, so that same day, I wrote the first proposal for the book.

  Without giving away too much, what’s the story about? 

  Ara is a six-year-old girl who wants to count all the stars in the sky but doesn’t know how. She has a sidekick droid named DeeDee, and they go to DeeDee’s birth land, the Innovation Plex. There, they meet real life female engineers from Google, all from diverse backgrounds (in the book, we call them sheroes). In the end, they learn about an algorithm of success: courage, creativity, coding and collaboration.

  I love Ara already. Is there a story behind her name?

  It’s a palindrome, just like her favorite expression, “aha!” It was also inspired by Ada Lovelace (considered to be the mother of computing) and my own daughter’s name, Araiya.

  
  

  Had you ever dabbled in children’s books before?

  It was totally new to me. The original script took me about two months (and then I iterated with the sheroes for another couple of months) but it’s very different now. In an early version, there was an alchemist who gave Ara four stones that represented the four c’s: code, courage, creativity and collaboration. But we realized that was passive, we wanted Ara to have a more active role and discover those things on her own.

  • AraExpressions.png

    Here’s a behind the scenes look at how the book’s illustrations (by Ipek Konak) were done. This is a mood board of Ara.

  • DeeDeeEvolution.png

    Evolution of DeeDee, so hard to finalize one!

  • EvolutionOfCodingPods.png

    Coding pods coming to life.

  Why is this story important?

  Women make up half of the world’s population but only 15-20 percent of women are in the tech workforce. If we don’t have representation across the board, we’re not going to solve problems or design products for the world. Girls are naturally technically minded and good problem solvers, but we don’t encourage them in that direction because of our implicit biases. I want this book to propel girls in the direction of exploring coding and engineering—maybe the young girls who read this book will be the next generation of innovators and inventors!

  The book features prominent Googlers—what was their reaction to this idea?

  Marian Croak, Diane Tang, Kripa Krishnan and Parisa Tabriz are all well-known in their fields, and it was important for me to show leaders of diverse backgrounds. When I sent the women the proposal, two replied back within an hour. They wanted to be a part of a project inspiring girls in tech.

  

  The sheroes

  While writing the book, did you ever question yourself or lose your nerve to do this?

  There were many times when I almost gave up. I was pregnant with my second child when I was writing the book, had to jump through many hoops to get this book done, and did it all as first time writer. When I felt like giving up, my sister-in-law said, “You’re a techie, a mother and a person of color—if you don’t write this book, who else would?” It reminded me that I had to find the courage to live the message of the book I was writing.

  Do you think the book can have an impact on adults, too?

  A lot of people who helped me with "beta user testing" of the book—my husband, friends and publishing team said they learned about coding from it. Though the book is technically geared toward 5 to 9 year olds, I think could actually be for ages 5 to 99. It has an upbeat message of chasing your dreams, taking risks, and collaborating with people—we can apply all of that to our day-to-day lives.

  What were your favorite books as a kid?

  My all-time favorites are “The Alchemist,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “The Little Prince.” And I think they all subconsciously inspired Ara’s journey in some way.

  What’s next for you and Ara?

  Right now, I just want to soak in everything that’s happening with the book. If I were to write another one, I’d love to explain concepts—like computational numbers and artificial intelligence— to kids. Anyone want to collaborate on that? :)

  
  

  
  
  https://www.blog.google/inside-google/googlers/ara-star-engineer/
• 

  Everything to know about the Google Assistant on our new family of hardware
  • sorangutan  

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  Earlier this week, we introduced a new lineup of devices—with the Google Assistant built in—to help you get things done at home, at work, or on the go throughout your day.

  But let’s take a step back. So far this year, we’ve introduced a number of ways to have a more natural conversation with Google. For example, you’re able to speak two languages interchangeably with the Assistant on smart speakers and phones, and Continued Conversation lets you go back and forth with the Assistant without repeating “Hey Google” between questions. Plus, the Assistant works with every major connected device brand in the U.S. for your home, from dishwashers and dryers to AC units and locks.

  Here’s a look at all of the exciting new Assistant features and devices coming to you over the next few weeks:

  Smart Displays

  • Google Home Hub joins our lineup of Smart Displays, which already includes the JBL Link View and Lenovo Smart Display, with another offering from LG later this year.

  • Major updates to your Smart Display: Previewed at our recent Made by Google event, these new features will roll out to the entire family of Smart Displays over the next few weeks:

  • With multi-room audio, you can add your Smart Display to a speaker group and play music throughout the house.

  • With Live Albums from Google Photos, your Ambient Mode will always show off the best photos of your favorite people and pets without you having to curate them. It will also make sure to pick your best photos, so that receipts, screenshots, duplicates, and blurry or sensitive photos will not appear on your Smart Display.

  • With Nest Hello Doorbell, your Smart Display will now show who is at the door when someone rings, and allows you to send quick responses.

  • With Home View, you can see and control all of your smart home devices in a single dashboard by swiping down from the top edge of your Smart Display.

  • Your Google Assistant can now also control many popular media and entertainment devices, including TVs (Hisense, Philips, Sharp,Sony, Vizio, Xiaomi), set top boxes (Dish, Foxtel, nVidia Shield, Sling, Vodafone), speakers (Denon), smart remotes (Logitech Harmony) with many more coming soon from Caavo, LG, Panasonic, Roku®, Telus, and Telstra. Enjoy universal controls to power devices on and off, adjust playback/volume, and browse a visual channel guide—all by touch or by voice on your Smart Display.

  Phones

  • Screen callsand block spam:When you get an incoming call from an unknown caller, just tap “Screen call” to let the Google Assistant help out. You'll see a transcript of the caller's responses in real-time. This feature is coming to Pixel 3 this month and to Pixel 1 and 2 in November.

  • Book reservations at more restaurants:Later this year, Pixel users in New York, Atlanta, Phoenix and the San Francisco Bay Area will be the first to experiment with a new Google Assistant feature, powered by Duplex technology, which handles booking a restaurant reservation over the phone on your behalf.

  • A visual snapshotof your day:Available across all smartphones, you’ll soon be able to see event recommendations, pull up your recent notes and lists and get important reminders from the visual overview. Just tap on the icon in the top right corner of the screen after you’ve activated your Google Assistant or swipe up.  

  • Take advantage of the Assistant in the lockscreen: After opting-in through your Assistant settings, the Assistant can respond to queries like “Hey Google, what’s next on my calendar?” without unlocking your Pixel 3 each time.

  New accessories to enjoy the Assistant

  The Pixel 3 comes with Pixel USB-C Earbuds optimized for the Google Assistant, so you can ask to play your favorite playlist while on a run, without looking at your phone. Just press and hold the dedicated button to talk to the Google Assistant.  

  We also introduced Pixel Stand, which brings a contextually relevant Google Assistant experience to your phone. When you dock your phone, the display UI adjusts so that it’s easily glanceable from across the room. It gives you quick access to the Google Assistant, so you can get a rundown of your day, see the traffic for your commute, listen to your favorite podcast or cast a show to your TV.

  Better manage your time and activities on devices

  Our new phones, smart speakers and Smart Displays come with Digital Wellbeing built in to give youthe tools that help you and your family balance your time and activities on these devices.

  If you have a Smart Display or a speaker with the Google Assistant built in, open the Google Home app on your phone. Soon, you’ll see a “Filters” setting that will allow you to easily manage your kids’ digital activities and a new “Downtime” feature to create a schedule that will block the device between certain hours. Pixel 3 and other phones will also be getting Digital Wellbeing features— you’ll be able to ask the Assistant to “Set wind down for 10pm” and the Google Assistant will gently transition your display to a grayscale screen. Or, you can ask "How much time have I spent on my phone today" to keep track of your time spent on the phone.

  So that’s what’s new with the Assistant! We’re continuing to make it more helpful, fun and available on new devices—whether you’re at home, on the go or somewhere in between.

  
  

  
  
  https://www.blog.google/products/assistant/everything-know-about-google-assistant-our-new-family-hardware/
• 

  Laura Allen, leveling the playing field with more accessible technology
  accessibility googlers the she word • • sorangutan  

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  Editor's note: The She Word is a Keyword series all about dynamic and creative women at Google. 

  In honor of National Disability Awareness Month in the U.S., we’re talking to Laura Allen, a program manager for Chrome accessibility. Laura shares how technology changed everything for her, and how she is working to level the playing field for everyone with more accessible technology.

  How do you explain your job at a dinner party?

  I help make Chrome and Chrome OS more accessible to everyone, including our users with disabilities.

  How does that show up in Google products?

  I work alongside product managers, designers and engineers to integrate accessibility into our processes and develop assistive technologies like magnification options, Braille support and dictation in Chromebooks.

  

  How has technology been a force for good in your life?

  I have a rare visual condition that caused me to lose central vision in both of my eyes right before I started high school. All of a sudden, I couldn’t read textbooks, see the classroom board or recognize my friends’ faces in the hallway.

  After school my family would read my classwork out loud to me, and my dad would teach me math. It was the definition of dependence, but at that time, there was no other way. Eventually we started stripping the pages out of textbooks and scanning them, so I could use text-to-speech software to do my classwork. The process was messy, but it changed everything for me. It was then that I realized the true value of technology and how it could pivot the trajectory of someone’s life.  

  What advice do you have for women starting out in their careers?

  Pay attention to what makes you tick. Take note of what makes you excited, then try to add more of that to your life. Initially, I worked in sales at Google and focused on accessibility as a 20 percent project. Working on accessibility filled me up with a different kind of energy that I hadn’t experienced before. I had to listen to those signals to get to where I am today, and I’m so thankful to be here.

  What motivates you in your career?

  I was so lucky to have my family to help me overcome those initial hurdles and navigate the world of assistive technology to regain my independence, but not everyone has that kind of support system. We can’t leave the opportunity for success and fulfillment up to chance. I see technology as a great equalizer—if we can improve access to the world’s information and build with accessibility in mind, then we will be that much closer to creating a truly level playing field for all.

  

  Photo of Laura talking with young students in a classroom at the California School for the Blind

  What’s one habit that makes you successful?

  
  

  I write down what I want to create space for each week, then I block time on my calendar to dedicate to those things whether it’s something I want to research or an old friend I want to reconnect with.

  
  

  Who has been a strong female influence in your life?

  
  

  This might be sappy, but I have to say my mom. She has always led by example and focused on the positive. She is a physical therapist for newborns and young children with developmental disabilities. The level of impact that she has had in her life is truly unbelievable. I always think of her dedication to people as individuals, and the amount of heart she puts into her work.

  
  
  https://www.blog.google/inside-google/googlers/she-word/laura-allen-leveling-playing-field-more-accessible-technology/