DigitalOutbox

DigitalOutbox

By DigitalOutboxTechnology
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DigitalOutbox episodes

  • DigitalOutbox Episode 165

    DigitalOutbox Episode 165


    DigitalOutbox Episode 165 - Xbox One, Tumblr and Flickr

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    0:40 - Xbox One

    30:38 - Yahoo buys Tumblr

    34:06 - Flickr Refresh

    38:57 - Twitter launch two factor authentication via SMS

    39:40 - Emma Way suspended over cyclist tweet

    42:50 - Vodafone delays 4G superfast mobile internet launch until September

    44:19 - Youtube is 8 years old

    47:28 - An Honor for the Creator of the GIF

    Picks


    Ian

    Impossible Road

    - £1.49

    - iPhone/ipad

    - Tough but enjoyable game

    - If you like Super Hexagon, you will love this

    0 min
  • DigitalOutbox Episode 164

    DigitalOutbox Episode 164


    DigitalOutbox Episode 164 - Google I/O

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    1:45 - Google I/O

    - Just one keynote this year....that lasted for 3 ½ hours

    - Notable absence - no new hardware. Unlike previous years there were no hardware announcement, but all attendees did get a Chromebook Pixel. There was however plenty of new software and services (but nothing on Google TV and no new version of Android). Key announcements...

    - Google: 900 million Android activations to date, 48 billion app downloads

    - Google announces Play game services, Android's cross-platform answer to Game Center


    - The platform will support cloud saves, thereby allowing users to save their progress or game state and pick it up on a separate device, as well as achievements and leaderboards using Google+.

    - API will enable both turn-based and real-time multiplayer

    - Google Play game services will be supported for titles on Android, iOS and the Web - truly cross platform

    - Google Play services updated with new location, Google+ sign-in, and cloud messaging APIs


    - 3 new location API’s including Geofencing and Activity Recognition API that will help users track their physical activity

    - Android Studio


    - It’s an IDE based on IntelliJ.

    - This tool has more options for Android Development, making the process faster and more productive. A “live layout” was shown that renders your app as you’re editing in realtime.

    - Tools to support beta testing and language translations

    - Google takes on Spotify with Google Play Music All Access subscription service


    - web and mobile interfaces feature millions of songs you can play instantly, recommendations, charts and playlists, and instant radio stations. The Spotify competitor launches today in the US for $9.99 a month, comes with a free trial month, and sign-ups before June 30th get it for $7.99.

    - Everything from your Google Music locker is automatically pulled into Google Play Music All Access. Beneath the content you own, everything else an artist has ao All Access is automatically listed and plays at a tap. More countries will get Google Play Music All Access soon.

    - Google redesigning Play apps and Play Store on the web


    - Google turns the Samsung Galaxy S4 into a Nexus phone, coming June 26th for $649

    - Unlocked

    - Vanilla Android - no Samsung crapware added

    - Should get quick updates of new Android releases

    - Google takes on Apple in schools with Google Play for Education


    - Play store for education - currently trialling now

    - Google+ completely redesigned with new cards-based interface


    - 41 new features

    - Multi column stream (Like Facebook or Pinterest)

    - Auto tag posts

    - New features for hangouts and photos

    - Photos

    - automatically enhance the tonal distribution in an image, soften skin, sharpen certain parts of an image and remove noise – and all of those computations happen in the cloud.

    - system can now analyze your images and kick out blurry photos, duplicates, images with bad exposure (which it will try to fix). It can also recognize good images with certain landmarks, for example, and detect faces and see if people are smiling and/or of those people are in your Google+ circles. It will also try to make some decision based on aesthetics. What used to take hours of work, Gundotra said, now happens automatically in the cloud and take seconds.

    - Now that Google offers everybody 15GB of free storage, users an also upload 15GB worth of full-size images to Google+ Photos. In addition, the autobackup feature provides unlimited storage space for photos at sized under 2048px.

    - “Awesome” – can automatically detect when an image is part of a series and stitch it together in one image or an animated GIF. “If we detect that you took a series of photos, in burst mode or otherwise, we can stitch them together,” Gundotra told us. To recognize these images, the system does a bit of analysis to make sure the background hasn’t moved.

    - This is about more than animated GIFs, though. This new feature – which Google calls “auto awesome” – can also automatically create a group photo from a series of photos and pick the one where everybody is smiling. It can stitch together landscape photos to create panoramas and create HDR images from a series of photos where it detects bracketed exposures. All of this happens extremely fast, too, thanks to the power of Google’s data centers.

    - Google unveils Hangouts: a unified messaging system for Android, iOS, and Chrome


    - replaces the numerous Google services that currently help you have real-time conversations with other users, such as Google Talk, Google Voice and Google+ Hangouts.

    - It will launch on most major platforms later today, including iOS, Android and the Web. (iOS works well, Android - doesn’t support Nexus 7)

    - Conversations can either be one-on-one or in larger groups; the new Hangouts app can do both.

    - As with many other apps, such as WhatsApp or even iMessage, conversations support multimedia content, including high-resolution photographs.

    - Video chats as well

    - Text, emoji, photos, video, see who’s typing, read receipts

    - The service’s Google+ integration is one of the best features in the entire product: every photo that you or a friend posts is automatically saved in a private, shared album on Google+.

    - One flaw - doesn’t bring in SMS, so not fully unified - Google confirm that SMS is coming soon

    - Google adds button-free voice search in Chrome: just say 'OK Google'


    - You should, according to Google, be able to ask it when your upcoming flight is, and where your package might be in transit.

    - Search getting a lot smarter - improving knowledge graph

    - Making claims that search is only starting - next generation search coming....end of search as we know it

    - Google Now updated to include voice reminders, emails, and public transit data


    - new cards include a location-based Reminder feature, public transit travel times, and information about books, music, TV shows and video games that might be of timely interest to users.

    - Reminder feature is based on time, people and location and can be set with simple voice commands using natural language processing. It’s like the geofenced Reminders that are used by Apple in iOS, but looks to be arguably more useful since it ties into the Google Now knowledge graph. Reminders takes Now further by giving users a way to actively set and retrieve content, which should help prove its worth among users who weren’t getting much out of the automated results previously being generated by the engine.

    - Google Wallet comes to Gmail


    - Google announced two important features regarding Google Wallet. The first is integration with Gmail so you can pay by sending an email. The second is the launch of the Google Wallet Instant Buy Android API, which lets developers integrate payment features into apps for selling physical goods and services.

    - The first feature, which is rolling out “over the coming months” to all US Gmail users over 18 years old, means you can send money to whoever you want directly from Gmail. Recipients don’t need to have a Gmail address: any email will do. Google lets you send money for free as long as your bank account is linked to Google Wallet or using your Google Wallet Balance. There are “low fees,” however if you are sending money using your linked credit or debit card.

    - Google redesigns Maps for mobile - Android, iOS incl iPad version coming this summer


    - New look for Android, based on iOS

    - iPad coming soon

    - new floating search box is the highlight of the main map view, and it incorporates a new suggestion engine that will help you find relevant places nearby and more.

    - new version of maps will also have live traffic incident reporting and re-routing.

    - Google Maps integrates Google Earth and Street View in completely redesigned interface


    - new version of Google Maps is heavily customized for every user, with knowledge about a user contributing to discovery of new places using the same data as Google Now.

    - new service collates imagery from Google Earth, Google’s Street View and special projects including its space and underwater imaging. Instead of having to bounce around between products, you’ll now be able to get all of that in one place

    - new overhead view, which is also rendered in 3D using WebGL, like Google Earth:

    - Flight search and place reviews are now integrated fully into Google Maps, giving you the ability to search for directions including flights in one go. Reviews and ratings can be culled from top reviewers or your Google+ circles.

    - Larry Page then came on stage, said a few statements (slammed Oracle - in it for the money, then went into a 45 minute Q&A. Most was fairly interesting but there was one bizarre statement..


    - Google CEO Larry Page is holding a rare Q&A session with attendees of today's Google I/O keynote, and he's been offering up some pretty unfiltered answers. In response to a question about reducing negativity and focusing on changing the world, Page noted that "the pace of change is increasing" and said that "we haven't adapted systems to deal with that." Specifically, he said that "not all change is good" and said that we need to build "mechanisms to allow experimentation." That's when his response got really interesting. "There are many exciting things you could do that are illegal or not allowed by regulation," Page said. "And that's good, we don't want to change the world. But maybe we can set aside a part of the world." He likened this potential free-experimentation zone to Burning Man and said that we need "some safe places where we can try things and not have to deploy to the entire world." Google is already well-known for coming up with some pretty interesting ideas — the idea of seeing what Page could come up with in this lawless beta-test country is simultaneously exciting and a bit terrifying.

    - Also, this - Every story I read about Google is ‘us versus some other company’ or some stupid thing, and I just don’t find that very interesting. We should be building great things that don’t exist. Being negative isn’t how we make progress. Most important things are not zero sum, there is a lot of opportunity out there.


    - A few hours later they put out a cease and desist on Microsoft

    - Following Google's demands for Microsoft to remove its Windows Phone YouTube app, Microsoft has responded saying it's happy to include advertising. Google sent a cease and desist letter to Microsoft recently, with concerns that the Windows Phone YouTube app does not display ads. "We’d be more than happy to include advertising but need Google to provide us access to the necessary APIs," says a Microsoft spokesperson.

    - Microsoft appears to want to rectify the situation, noting Google CEO Larry Page's comments at I/O today. "In light of Larry Page’s comments today calling for more interoperability and less negativity, we look forward to solving this matter together for our mutual customers." Microsoft recently released an update for its Windows Phone YouTube application to support sign-in, downloads, and a full YouTube experience. The application has been available for just over a week, but Google has demanded that it be removed by May 22nd for violating its YouTube API rules.

    32:52 - 50 Billion Downloads

    34:10 - YouTube launches its paid subscription channels with select partners

    37:05 - Google Unifies Its Free And Paid Storage Options

    38:40 - Google completes the feedback loop

    40:20 - Lulzsec hacker group handed jail sentences

    40:58 - BlackBerry bringing BBM to Android and iOS this summer

    43:51 - Nokia unveils the Lumia 925

    46:18 - HTC First to be discontinued

    47:25 - Windows Keeps Getting Better

    47:57 - Players force EA to drop online pass for used games

    49:35 - GT6 for PS3

    52:29 - Chris Hadfield - the astronaut's best tweets, photos and videos

    0 min
  • DigitalOutbox Episode 163

    DigitalOutbox Episode 163


    DigitalOutbox Episode 163 - Adobe MAX and Windows Blue

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    1:17 - Windows Blue

    3:33 - Microsofts Gates iPad Users Really Just Want a Surface

    8:22 - Google's decision to recognize Palestine could undermine peace efforts, Israel says

    10:47 - Flipboard Brings Personalized Magazines To Android

    14:18 - Adobe MAX

    21:45 - Project Mighty smart stylus and Napoleon ruler

    25:20 - BT offers free Premier League football in BSkyB battle

    27:50 - EA confirms 10 percent of staff laid off in major restructuring

    29:38 - 100 websites Capturing the digital universe

    Picks


    Ian

    OneTab

    - Whenever you find yourself with too many tabs, click the OneTab icon to convert all of your tabs into a list. When you need to access the tabs again, you can either restore them individually or all at once.

    - When your tabs are in the OneTab list, you will save up to 95% of memory because you will have reduced the number of tabs open in Google Chrome.

    Chris


    GeoGuessr

    - Random streetview, guess the location, answer shown and points awarded

    - Easy but fun....and smart

    0 min
  • DigitalOutbox Episode 162

    DigitalOutbox Episode 162


    DigitalOutbox Episode 162 - Google Now hits iOS and shady Path

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    3:05 - Google Now comes to iOS

    6:48 - Monotype deal helps Google's fonts escape the Web

    8:52 - Google adds remote desktop to Hangouts, lets users simultaneously video chat and troubleshoot

    10:28 - Microsoft launch Skype for Outlook.com

    12:09 - Digg Owner Betaworks Buys Instapaper To Go Big On Social Reading And Discovery

    16:11 - Path texts user's entire address book at 6am

    20:17 - BlackBerry Q10 is fastest-selling ever at Selfridges as corporates snap it up

    23:18 - Games Company Releases Version For Pirates That Forces Them To Fail Constantly, Irony Lost On Pirates

    0 min
  • DigitalOutbox Episode 161

    DigitalOutbox Episode 161


    DigitalOutbox Episode 161 - Apple Doomed, Twitter Hacks and Long Live Clegg.

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    1:38 - Microsoft introduces two step authentication for its user accounts

    2:42 - Dow drops 100 points over a tweet

    5:44 - Apple is doomed

    10:15 - The Bearer of BadNews

    12:46 - Google offers clearer search labels after EU probe

    15:57 - Nick Clegg kills off Tory hopes of swift deal on revised 'snooper's charter'

    18:10 - Virgin adds 21 new channels to its TV Anywhere service, confirms an Android app for later this year

    19:14 - First UK 4G service EE reaches 318,000 LTE customers 5 months after launch

    20:26 - Samsung S4 Reviews

    22:51 - Nintendo posts annual loss of $366m for 2012, as its 3.45m Wii U sales fall short of 4m target

    24:23 - Microsoft to unveil next Xbox at event on May 21st at its Redmond campus

    26:51 - Apple auction the most exclusive cup of coffee

    Picks


    Ian

    iPlayer Radio for Android

    - Great Android app - not just an iOS port

    - All the BBC radio stations and all the BBC podcasts too and on-demand content from the last 7 days

    - Marks tracks as favourites as you listen, share them too

    - Links to Radioplayer app so you can listen to the BBC’s competition. How civil.

    0 min
  • DigitalOutbox Episode 160

    DigitalOutbox Episode 160


    DigitalOutbox Episode 160 - Twitter music, Google Glass and 5 Picks. 5!!!!

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    Shownotes


    1:48 - Twitter Music

    6:16 - Google Glass No advertising allowed, developers told

    12:27 - Leap Motion Controller Tech To Be Embedded In, And Bundled With, Future HP Devices

    15:43 - O2 Refresh

    19:43 - Wordpress website targeted by hackers

    22:39 - Guardian launches platform for user-generated content

    27:07 - Ev Williams acquires long-form journalism project Matter

    30:26 - LinkedIn buys Pulse

    33:26 - Gov.uk wins Design of the Year award

    Picks


    Chris

    PointerPointer

    - Just try it

    Google Remote Desktop

    - Why have I not heard about this yet!!

    - Brilliant in browser VNC type solution for any computer you set up through Chrome App Store and your Google ID.

    Ian


    Instashare

    - Airdrop for iOS

    - Run client on Mac, run app on iOS device

    - Easily share files - it just works

    - Free, IAP for £0.69p to remove adverts

    Macheist

    - Macheist Bundle

    - 8 apps for $10

    - xScope, Clarify, Path Finder, Fantastical + Totals, iStopMotion, Clean My Mac, Little Inferno

    - Bargain

    Yahoo Weather

    - iOS

    - Free

    - A really slick free weather client, which integrates with Flickr

    - Finally making use of Flickr elsewhere in Yahoo software

    - App animations are sweet too

    0 min
  • DigitalOutbox Episode 159

    DigitalOutbox Episode 159


    DigitalOutbox Episode 159 - Google Store, HTC One and Facebook celebs

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    1:33 - Mayor Pumps $33M Into London Startups With New MMC London Fund

    4:30 - HMV branches sold to Hilco, saving 141 branches

    6:31 - LulzSec hacktivists plead guilty to cyber-attacks on NHS, Sony and NI

    8:14 - Google store updates

    11:22 - 4G mobile broadband speeds 'doubling', says EE

    14:32 - HTC - Great One reviews, poor profits

    18:06 - Samsung unveils 6.3in Galaxy Mega smartphone

    21:48 - Facebook starts charging users up to £11 to contact celebrities

    23:41 - Apple Pulls App Discovery App 'AppGratis' From App Store

    28:05 - Googles New Inactive Account Manager Gives You Control Over Your Digital Afterlife

    0 min
  • DigitalOutbox Episode 158

    DigitalOutbox Episode 158


    DigitalOutbox Episode 158 - Facebook Home, Browser Forks and So Long Lucasarts

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    1:29 - Facebooks New Home

    8:28 - Google Forks WebKit And Launches Blink

    13:05 - Mozilla and Samsung Collaborate on Next Generation Web Browser Engine

    17:01 - Dropbox Now in Yahoo! Mail

    18:36 - Amazon buys Goodreads

    21:06 - Lodsys returns

    23:52 - Disney closes Lucasarts

    27:10 - British Library to archive one billion UK web pages by year's end

    30:12 - Tory MP accidentally tweets porn site instead of news

    31:21 - Rumours

    Picks


    Chris

    Kerbal Space Program

    - Available on Steam. It’s still in Beta and is certainly rough round the edges but is an amazing Space Sandbox game - where you’re pretty much left to start up your own space program from scratch.

    - Build rockets, send manned missions into space, to the mun, try and get everyone back safely!

    - Nicely characterized but extremely technical

    - Thanks to Paul for the pick.

    0 min
  • DigitalOutbox Episode 157

    DigitalOutbox Episode 157


    DigitalOutbox Episode 157 - Yahoo buys a teen and Updates

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    1:21 - Apple introduces 2 step verification

    4:54 - Global internet slows after biggest attack in history

    8:52 - Yahoo spends millions on UK teen Nick D'Aloisio's Summly app

    14:03 - Facebook launches free calling for iOS users in UK


    " rel="noopener noreferrer">17:43 - Google announces open source patent pledge, won't sue 'unless first attacked'

    19:59 - Blockbuster UK sold to investment firm, half its stores to close

    21:03 - Jessops Returns

    23:21 - Telegraph extends paywall to UK readers

    26:24 - Flipboard - Now You Can Publish Your Own 'Magazine'

    30:07 - U.K's First 4G Network Reaches Half The Population Five Months After Launch

    30:47 - Google gives Nexus 4 obvious design tweaks to keep it from falling off your desk

    Picks


    Ian

    Forecast.io

    - Hyperlocal forecasts for the UK

    - Web app

    - Shows now, next hour, next 24 hours and the week ahead

    - Nice map view

    - Supports multiple locations, toggle C or F

    - Install on iOS or Android for great mobile view

    - Also has a time machine for locations

    0 min
  • DigitalOutbox Episode 156

    DigitalOutbox Episode 156


    DigitalOutbox Episode 156 - Samsung Galaxy S4, Mailbox and Google Keep

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    0:44 - Samsung Launch Galaxy S4

    8:45 - Dropbox buys Mailbox

    12:51 - Build collaborative apps with Google Drive Realtime API

    14:06 - Google Keep

    16:12 - Feedly picks up 500,000 new users

    19:33 - Three gobbles up large slice of EE mobile phone spectrum for free

    22:00 - Press regulation deal sparks fears of high libel fines for bloggers

    27:13 - Kevin Lynch Joining Apple To Become VP Of Technology

    34:04 - Internet pioneers are first winners of £1m engineering prize

    Picks


    Ian

    Alfred 2

    - Free, powerpack costs $15

    - Superb launcher for Mac

    - Workflows are like a supercharged version of the original extension support. Create one workflow that encompasses a number of steps and scripts

    - Much improved theme support

    41 min

About DigitalOutbox

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DigitalOutbox is a weekly podcast on computing, gadgets and gaming with a distinctly UK voice. Join us each week as we wander through the week's news and discuss topic's relevant to the everyday user.