Tag: google

  • Google Sues US CSFB Over Alleged Government Overreach

    Google Sues US CSFB Over Alleged Government Overreach

    Google is taking legal action against a ruling from the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that allows the bureau to “conduct examinations on a periodic basis” to check if Google is following consumer financial regulations.

    Allegations Against Google

    The consumer finance regulator has focused on Google Pay and Google Pay Balance. According to a report published by Engadget, the CFPB stated there was “reasonable cause to determine that Google has engaged in conduct posing risks to consumers.”

    It pointed out two main concerns: one related to “allegedly erroneous transactions have posed risks to consumers,” and the other about the “prevention of fraudulent and unauthorized transactions,” which the CFPB claims also posed “risks to consumers.”

    Changes in Google Pay Services

    The CFPB noted that the Google Pay App was “discontinued” in February 2024, and that the Google Pay Balance platform was “available for limited purposes.” However, this was not sufficient to stop the “designation of Google for supervision, although it may affect whether the CFPB decides to conduct an examination.”

    In its lawsuit, Google contended that “a product that no longer exists is incapable of posing such risk.” A spokesperson for the company shared a statement with TechCrunch, saying, “This is a clear case of government overreach involving Google Pay peer-to-peer payments, which never raised risks and is no longer provided in the U.S., and we are challenging it in court.”

    Conclusion

    The ongoing legal dispute highlights the tension between tech companies and regulatory agencies. As the situation develops, it will be crucial to see how both sides present their arguments and what the outcome will be.

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  • Google Pixel 9a Leak Reveals iPhone 8 Plus-Style Camera Design

    Google Pixel 9a Leak Reveals iPhone 8 Plus-Style Camera Design

    Google launched the Pixel 9 series in August this year, with plans to add a budget-friendly entry-level model. In September, a leaked CAD render gave us a glimpse of what the smartphone might look like, and now, we have some actual photos of the device.

    Design Confirmation

    The real-life images seem to confirm the accuracy of the CAD render leak. The pictures reveal a rear camera design that is quite different from recent Pixel A-series phones. Notably, the leaked Pixel 9a photo does not feature a camera bar on the back. Instead, it showcases a redesigned camera housing reminiscent of the rear camera setup found on the iPhone 8 Plus.

    Camera Specifications

    This oval-shaped area on the back holds two sensors. According to earlier leaks, the main sensor should be a 48 MP Sony IMX787 sensor, which is also present in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The secondary camera is rumored to be a 13 MP ultrawide lens.

    Front Design and Features

    The leaked images also reveal the front aspect of the phone, which doesn’t seem to differ much from the previous Pixel 8a. The bezels appear somewhat thick compared to newer mid-range devices, and the front camera remains in the same location as its predecessor.

    One of the images includes the IMEI number, and when searched in an IMEI database, it indicates that this belongs to a Google device with the model number GTF7P. This does not look like a codename, suggesting that the Pixel 9a seen in the images could be a prototype.

    Expected Specs

    In addition, recent leaks have indicated that the Pixel 9a will come equipped with a 6.3-inch Actua display, slightly larger than its predecessor. It’s also anticipated to have a 5,000 mAh battery supporting 18 W charging, 8 GB of RAM, and storage options of up to 256 GB. Like the other models in the lineup, it will run on the Tensor G4 chip (128 GB Pixel 9 currently priced at $637.98 on Amazon).

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  • Google Launches PaliGemma 2 Vision-Language Models

    Google Launches PaliGemma 2 Vision-Language Models

    Google has revealed the successor to its visual-language model PaliGemma, which was introduced in May 2024. The new version, PaliGemma 2, comes in a range of sizes, featuring parameter counts from 3 billion to 28 billion, and resolution options that go up to 896px.

    Advanced Performance Features

    According to the company, this model showcases “top-tier performance in recognizing chemical formulas, musical scores, spatial reasoning, and generating reports from chest X-rays.”

    Enhanced Captioning Abilities

    Additionally, it boasts long captioning functionality, offering “thorough, contextually relevant captions for images that go beyond basic object recognition to include descriptions of actions, emotions, and the overall story of the scene.”

    Accessible and Flexible Options

    The new models are designed to be a “drop-in replacement” across various sizes without the need for “significant code changes.” Pre-trained versions can be found on platforms like Hugging Face and Kaggle, available for free to anyone interested in testing them. It also provides support for several frameworks like Hugging Face Transformers, Keras, PyTorch, JAX, and Gemma.cpp.

    Google emphasizes that PaliGemma 2’s “adaptability makes it easy to fine-tune for particular tasks and datasets, allowing you to customize its functions to meet your specific requirements.”

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  • Canada Takes Legal Action Against Google for Online Ad Practices

    The Competition Bureau of Canada has started legal proceedings against Google, alleging that the tech giant has been engaging in anti-competitive practices within the online advertising technology market. This action follows an investigation that began in 2016. In an official announcement, the Bureau revealed that it has submitted an application to the Competition Tribunal to tackle what it calls Google’s misuse of its significant power in the digital advertising sector.

    Focus of the Investigation

    The inquiry centers on Google’s actions in the advertising technology domain, where it stands as the leading provider of services that help facilitate the buying and selling of online advertisements. The Bureau claims that Google’s behavior negatively impacts competition by forcing publishers, advertisers, and others in the market to rely exclusively on its own advertising technology suite.

    Concerns Over Ad Tech Stack

    This advertising technology suite, referred to as the ad tech stack, comprises tools designed for the automated transactions of online ads. The Bureau asserts that Google’s approach has effectively obstructed other competitors from entering the market or competing fairly, which distorts the competitive landscape and leads to higher costs, reduced options, and less innovation in online advertising.

    The agency has accused the American firm of employing numerous anti-competitive strategies, such as unlawfully bundling its ad tech products to strengthen its market power. This includes providing preferential access to ad space via its own tools, underpricing competitors through negative margins, and enforcing restrictive conditions that limit publishers’ ability to utilize rival ad technology effectively.

    Seeking Remedies for Competition

    To tackle these issues, the Bureau is requesting multiple remedies in its application to the Competition Tribunal. Among its requests, the Bureau is urging Google to divest two of its vital ad tech products to revive competition in the sector. Additionally, the Bureau is pursuing financial penalties to promote adherence to Canada’s competition laws and a court ruling to stop Google from continuing its alleged anti-competitive behaviors. The Competition Tribunal will ultimately decide on these requests and evaluate the application in time.

    The Bureau has been examining Google’s actions since at least 2016, when it first expressed concerns regarding anti-competitive practices associated with online search and advertising. This scrutiny is occurring amid heightened global attention on Big Tech firms, as regulators in various countries investigate whether dominant companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon are engaging in actions that hurt consumers and inhibit competition.

    Source: Link

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  • Android to Auto-Login Apps on New Phones Soon

    Android to Auto-Login Apps on New Phones Soon

    Android’s backup and restore features are getting a significant upgrade that will soon let apps keep you signed in when switching to a new Android device. The upcoming "Restore Credentials" feature aims to make transitioning to a new Android phone as easy as it is when moving to an iPhone.

    How It Functions

    So, how does this work? Google explains that with Restore Credentials, app developers can create a “restore key” that is saved locally on your device and in the cloud (if Google Backup is turned on). When you set up a new Android phone and opt to restore apps and data, these keys travel to the new device, allowing you to be automatically logged into your app accounts on the first launch. Moreover, if developers invest a bit more effort, apps can start sending notifications and operate as if they’re still on the old device—even before you actually open them on your new phone.

    The Significance

    While this might not seem earth-shattering, anyone who has upgraded their Android phone and dealt with the tedious data restoration process will understand how frustrating it can be to manually log into each application. Google has laid down the necessary groundwork, but it will be up to individual app developers to integrate this feature into their applications and ensure the success of this initiative. It might be unrealistic to expect every single app on the Play Store to adopt seamless login migration, but there’s hope that many popular apps will leverage this change to provide a smooth onboarding process for users transitioning to a new Android device.

    Easy Background Setup

    The most exciting aspect is that you won’t need to configure anything or tinker with device settings to take advantage of this upgrade—it will all occur behind the scenes. However, you will need to be patient for your favorite app developers to implement support for Restore Credentials in their applications. Additionally, ensure your device is running Android 9 or later.

    Source: Link

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  • Australian Social Media Bill: Google and Meta Call for Delay

    Australian Social Media Bill: Google and Meta Call for Delay

    Google and Meta are suggesting that the Australian government should delay passing the new social media bill until a trial on the proposed age-verification systems is completed. This bill, which has generated a lot of debate, is backed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and aims to enforce a strict prohibition on social media use for individuals under 16.

    Age Verification Concerns

    To enforce this, the government is looking at an age-verification system that could involve biometrics or checking government-issued identification. Many people are unhappy with this proposal, believing it gives the government too much control over access and forces them to share personal identification with social media platforms.

    Rushed Legislation

    As reported by Reuters, the bill was introduced in parliament last week and public feedback was requested for just one day. Independent lawmakers have criticized the government for pushing this bill through parliament too quickly, raising concerns about the lack of thorough discussion.

    Responsibilities of Social Media Platforms

    The legislation also requires social media companies to establish an age-verification system by the end of the year or face significant fines. In their responses to the bill, Google and Meta have called on the government to conduct a trial of the age-verification systems prior to implementation.

    Meta stated in its response, "Without these results, neither the industry nor Australians will grasp the extent or nature of age assurance demanded by the bill, nor the consequences of these actions on Australians." The company also pointed out that, in its current state, "the bill lacks consistency and effectiveness."

    Source: Link

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  • US Justice Department Seeks Google Divestiture of Chrome, Android

    US Justice Department Seeks Google Divestiture of Chrome, Android

    The US Government submitted a final proposal on November 20, 2024, in the ongoing Google anti-monopoly case, which is being overseen by the US Justice Department. They are urging the district judge to compel Google to sell off Chrome and possibly Android to address the monopoly that Google holds in the search engine industry.

    Background of the Case

    This recent filing follows the district judge’s ruling on August 5, 2024, which confirmed that Google has indeed operated as a monopoly in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. This law is designed to prevent unfair monopolies and ensure that fair competition can thrive in the market.

    Proposed Actions

    Among the suggested measures, Google is required to divest the Chrome web browser, which currently reigns as the most widely used browser. Without Chrome steering users towards Google search by default, users could more easily select their preferred search engines. Furthermore, Google will not be permitted to set its other products to default to Google search, and a fund will be established to inform the public about this case and their options for search engines.

    Google is also required to provide access to its search engine data to third parties for a minimal fee, while offering its user and advertising data for free for ten years. This aims to create a fairer environment in the search engine market. Advertisers on Google will receive more comprehensive insights into ad performance, costs, and enhanced control over keyword matching. Moreover, Google is prohibited from compensating other corporations for preferential treatment of its search engine, such as the substantial payments made to Apple to ensure Google search is the default on iPhones.

    Future Implications

    If these measures are deemed insufficient, the proposal even includes the possibility of forcing Google to sell off Android, a significant source of user data and Google searches due to its vast user network.

    Federal anti-monopoly cases can span many years or even decades, often involving appeals, but the judge anticipates reaching a conclusion in 2025.

    Case No. 1:20-cv-03010-APM filing on 11/20/2024 at Court Listener, Case No. 1:20-cv-03010-APM filing on 08/05/2024 at Thomson Reuters.

    Source: Link,Link

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  • Google Pixel Laptop Rumors: High-End Android Device Leaks

    Google Pixel Laptop Rumors: High-End Android Device Leaks

    Google’s Pixel smartphone line has grown over the years, becoming comparable to Apple and Samsung’s yearly iPhone and Galaxy launches. On the other hand, Google’s laptop sector has been left behind, becoming almost insignificant. In fact, the last Pixel laptop was released in the same year as the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL.

    New Developments on the Horizon

    Recently, Android Headlines has reported that they received news suggesting Google might be making a comeback in the laptop arena with a fresh device. Sadly, the website hasn’t shared when we can expect to see this new product officially launched. Instead, they’ve dropped a few clues about what’s in the works.

    Reports say that Google’s higher-ups have given the green light for this project, and now a dedicated team of Googlers is working on it. According to Android Headlines, an internal email that was leaked mentions the project being called ‘Snowy’, which has led to comparisons with the Dell XPS 14 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (currently priced at $875 on Amazon), among other premium compact laptops.

    A Shift in Operating System?

    Interestingly, it seems that the upcoming Google Pixel laptop might operate on Android rather than ChromeOS. For more details about this potential shift towards a unified Android desktop experience, check out our previous article.

    Android Authority and Android Headlines have both been in the loop about these developments.

    Source: Link,Link

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  • Google Pixel Tablet 2 Launches with Hardware Upgrades and Keyboard

    Google Pixel Tablet 2 Launches with Hardware Upgrades and Keyboard

    New information has emerged regarding Google’s upcoming Pixel Tablet 2, coming from a well-known source. Mishaal Rahman has detailed the expected hardware improvements that Google may reveal, alongside some accessories that will accompany the tablet.

    Design Tweaks

    According to Rahman’s article on Android Authority, recent prototypes show a design that is similar to the current Pixel Tablet (curr. $393.34 on Amazon). However, the new version is expected to feature slimmer display bezels and modified placements for the camera and physical buttons. Notably, both the front and back cameras are rumored to have enhanced sensors, improving upon the 8 MP and 1/4-inch sensors that are in the original Pixel Tablet.

    Performance Enhancements

    Rahman also indicates that the Pixel Tablet 2 could come equipped with either the Tensor G4 or Tensor G5 chipsets. Even if it ends up with the G4, the new tablet may perform about 30% faster compared to its predecessor. Additionally, users can anticipate receiving software updates for up to seven years, a move that aligns with Google’s commitment to long-term device support.

    Accessory Options

    In addition to improved performance, the tablet will feature external monitor output and several first-party accessories that were not available with the original Pixel Tablet. Rahman mentions that the new tablet will likely come with a detachable keyboard and stylus, which were previously speculated for the first version. It’s still unclear if the Pixel Tablet 2 will include a detachable smart home dock, similar to what was offered with the original model.

    Source: Link,Link

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  • Google Gemini Standalone App Found on App Store

    Google Gemini Standalone App Found on App Store

    Google’s Gemini AI assistant might be getting its own app in the App Store soon. A Reddit user named "lostshenanigans" managed to download the app while in the Philippines and shared some screenshots in a post.

    App Availability Issues

    Other users attempting to download the app on iOS faced a message saying, "The app is currently not available in your country or region." This new app lets users add Gemini to their home screen for quicker access. Right now, Google only offers Gemini through its main Google app, which means users have to manually switch to the assistant by clicking on a special tab.

    Features of the Gemini App

    According to a report by Google9to5, the listing for the app in the Philippines also mentions a feature called Gemini Live. This feature allows users to have voice conversations with the assistant. Users can ask it to retrieve relevant information from connected services or apps. For instance, you can request it to show meeting details from an email in your account. This functionality isn’t available in the Google app and would need a standalone Gemini app for Android users.

    Recent Integrations

    Recently, Google has added Gemini to Maps, Earth, and Waze, introducing new tools for urban planning, Smart Search with contextual results, enhanced route exploration, and more.

    9to5Google reported this update on Reddit.

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