Popular vendor of OS.http://aics-app.sakura.ne.jp/rss_share/201504271430106698867Microsoft, Apple, Google's latest news. Contains official and unofficial news.(ENG)Cochlear releases new Made for iPhone hearing implant after working closely w/ Apple
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/apple-cochlear-hearing-implant/
Thu, 26 Oct 2017 02:21:30 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/nucleus7sound-1500076176653-9-hr.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1500" /></div><p>Apple and Cochlear originally <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/07/26/apple-worked-with-hearing-aid-firms-on-direct-connection-to-iphones-with-free-licensing/">announced their partnership back in July</a>, and today the first product out of that partnership is available. As detailed in a report from <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/technology/a-sound-idea-from-apple-benefits-cochlear-implant-recipients/news-story/386a38f1c9b1a1bc22beff0d5ac1b59d">The Australian</a>, Cochlear has released its Made for iPhone Nucleus 7 Sound Processor in Australia and it will soon come to other countries….</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/apple-cochlear-hearing-implant/#more-505552" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505552&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505552&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Thu, 26 Oct 2017 02:21:30 +00009to5MacGamers get a free night with the Xbox One X in “Xbox Stay n’ Play” hotel
https://www.onmsft.com/news/gamers-get-a-free-night-with-the-xbox-one-x-in-xbox-stay-n-play-hotel
Thu, 26 Oct 2017 01:32:48 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Xbox-Stay-N-Play.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Xbox-Stay-N-Play.jpg 800w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Xbox-Stay-N-Play-250x125.jpg 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Xbox-Stay-N-Play-768x384.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />The Xbox Stay N' Play, a mini-hotel experience, is selling reservations to spend a night with the Xbox One X for free.Thu, 26 Oct 2017 01:32:48 +0000On MSFTPlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is likely getting a physical Xbox One disc release
https://www.onmsft.com/news/playerunknowns-battlegrounds-is-likely-getting-a-physical-xbox-one-disc-release
Thu, 26 Oct 2017 01:29:37 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/pubg-1031x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/pubg-1031x580.jpg 1031w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/pubg-250x141.jpg 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/pubg-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/pubg.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1031px) 100vw, 1031px" />Right now, we only have a strong indication saying that a physical release for PUBG will be coming for Xbox users in the near future.Thu, 26 Oct 2017 01:29:37 +0000On MSFTWalmart working w/ Apple to broaden its Mac rollout, citing lower support costs than PCs
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/walmart-mac-rollout/
Thu, 26 Oct 2017 01:22:46 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/macbook-pro-inset-apple-logo.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1500" /></div><p>At the <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/jamf-pro-10-microsoft-espark/">ongoing Jamf enterprise conference</a>, Walmart teased plans for a broader rollout of the Mac to its employees and retail stores. Speaking at the event, Miles Leacy, Walmart’s ‘technical expert for Apple technologies’ explained that the retail giant is working with Apple and Jamf to expand its rollout of Macs…</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/walmart-mac-rollout/#more-505550" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505550&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505550&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Thu, 26 Oct 2017 01:22:46 +00009to5MacHands-on: CalDigit AV Pro 2 – an external storage solution with a built-in USB 3.0 hub [Video]
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/caldigit-av-pro-2-review-external-storage-usb-3-0-hub-video/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 23:32:05 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/caldigit-av-pro-2-power-light-button.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1600" /></div><p>CalDigit is no stranger when it comes to producing peripherals for the Mac. In particular, the California-based company has concentrated on Apple’s laptops with USB-C and Thunderbolt. The <a href="http://amzn.to/2zOuJr8">CalDigit AV Pro 2</a> is its latest such product: an external storage solution wrapped in a high-grade aluminum enclosure.</p>
<p>CalDigit has merged external storage with a USB 3.0 hub to create a product capable of providing three things of interest to MacBook owners — access to more storage, additional USB ports, and charging up to 30W. Have a look at our video walkthrough as we unbox and go hands-on with the CalDigit AV Pro 2. <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/caldigit-av-pro-2-review-external-storage-usb-3-0-hub-video/#more-505217" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505217&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505217&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Wed, 25 Oct 2017 23:32:05 +00009to5MacLeaked watchOS 4.1 GM release notes suggest no Apple Pay Cash w/ iOS 11.1
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/leaked-watchos-4-1-gm-release-notes-suggest-no-apple-pay-cash-w-ios-11-1/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 22:14:46 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/apple-pay-cash.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1600" /></div><p>Apple is currently in the process of <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/23/apple-releases-ios-11-1-beta-5-to-developers/">beta testing watchOS 4.1, as well iOS 11.1, tvOS 11.1, and macOS 10.13.1</a>. With each release the company provides detailed change logs identifying any bug fixes, feature additions, and known issues. Developer Guilherme Rambo <a href="https://twitter.com/_inside/status/923270923238739968">has now gotten his hands on</a> the release notes for the watchOS 4.1 GM release, which will likely come next week…</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/leaked-watchos-4-1-gm-release-notes-suggest-no-apple-pay-cash-w-ios-11-1/#more-505543" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505543&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505543&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Wed, 25 Oct 2017 22:14:46 +00009to5MacUber’s new credit card rewards you with ride-hailing perks, phone insurance, more
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/uber-credit-card-perks/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 21:01:11 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/uber-card.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1600" /></div><p>Uber, as it continues to <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/09/25/uber-london-ban-petition-appeal/">refocus</a> and <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/04/23/tim-cook-reportedly-threatened-to-remove-uber-from-the-app-store-in-ceo-meeting/">regain</a> customer <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/05/uber-removing-private-ios-api/">trust amid</a> a <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/09/22/uber-banned-from-london/">string</a> of <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/08/29/uber-tracking-riders-five-minutes/">public</a> mishaps, today announced that it is teaming up with British bank Barclays on a branded credit card. The card, which consumers will be able to apply for beginning next month, offers rewards for purchases at restaurants, hotels, and Uber rides, as well as a few other perks…</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/uber-credit-card-perks/#more-505521" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505521&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505521&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Wed, 25 Oct 2017 21:01:11 +00009to5MacCouncil representing Apple & other tech companies says AI could add $13T to global economy by 2025
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/ai-policy-principles-apple-siri/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 20:02:20 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/1mfchivnohw1gpspf2ftoaw.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1600" /></div><p>The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) — of which Apple is a member — today has shared a new document outlining AI Policy Principles for the tech industry, the government, and public-private partnerships, as well as projecting how valuable AI could become in the near future.</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/ai-policy-principles-apple-siri/#more-505458" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505458&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505458&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Wed, 25 Oct 2017 20:02:20 +00009to5MacComparative review: Do you need a GoPro, or will a Yi or Aukey clone do the job?
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/gopro-yi-4k-aukey-ac-lc2-review/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 18:34:18 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/actioncams-03.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1500" /></div><p>If you’re looking to shoot 4K video from a sedate position, your iPhone already has you covered. The latest iPhone 8 and upcoming iPhone X both offer 4K video recording at up to 60fps for buttery-smooth slo-mo. But if you’re looking to ride a mountain bike (or, indeed, a commuter bike on London’s potholed streets), abseil off a building or do anything else adventurous, you probably want a dedicated action cam.</p>
<p>You know a company has really hit the big time once people start using the brand name as a generic name for the product category. Biro and Hoover are the obvious examples from years gone by, but one of the best examples in today’s world is GoPro. Half the time people refer to ‘a GoPro,’ they really mean it as a generic term for a compact action cam …</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/gopro-yi-4k-aukey-ac-lc2-review/#more-502157" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=502157&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=502157&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Wed, 25 Oct 2017 18:34:18 +00009to5MacXbox first video gaming brand to join WiSA, plans integration of hi-def wireless audio
https://www.onmsft.com/news/xbox-first-video-gaming-brand-to-join-wisa-plans-integration-of-hi-def-wireless-audio
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 18:00:48 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Xbox-One-X-E3-2017-1031x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Xbox One X - E3 2017" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Xbox-One-X-E3-2017-1031x580.jpg 1031w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Xbox-One-X-E3-2017-250x141.jpg 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Xbox-One-X-E3-2017-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Xbox-One-X-E3-2017.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1031px) 100vw, 1031px" />Xbox is the first video gaming brand to join WiSA (The Wireless Speaker and Audio) AssociationWed, 25 Oct 2017 18:00:48 +0000On MSFTMicrosoft, GE announce IoT partnership, plan to “go to market together”
https://www.onmsft.com/news/microsoft-ge-announce-iot-partnership-plan-to-go-to-market-together
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:57:59 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/microsoft-logo-1032x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/microsoft-logo-1032x580.jpg 1032w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/microsoft-logo-250x140.jpg 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/microsoft-logo-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1032px) 100vw, 1032px" />Microsoft paired with GE today announced that GE will start using the power of Microsoft Azure to build powerful apps. Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:57:59 +0000On MSFTNew renders imagine iPhone X notch + bezel design coming to MacBook, iMac, iPad, more [Gallery]
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/mac-ipad-bezel-less-notch-renders/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:44:58 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/2270-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1600" /></div><p>The iPhone X <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/apple-homepage-iphone-x/">goes up for pre-order this week</a> with its all-new bezel and notch design, and now a fresh set of renders imagines if Apple brought that same design to its other products. From <a href="https://curved.de/news/curvedlabs-nach-dem-iphone-x-aka-wenn-apple-alles-randlos-machen-wuerde-541810">Curved.de, the renders showcase</a> what the iMac, MacBook Pro, iPad, and Apple Watch could all look like in the future…</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/mac-ipad-bezel-less-notch-renders/#more-505444" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505444&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505444&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:44:58 +00009to5MacHere are the known issues and fixes with Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17025 for PC
https://www.onmsft.com/news/here-are-the-known-issues-and-fixes-with-windows-10-insider-preview-build-17025-for-pc
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:26:56 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/img0_2560x1600-928x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/img0_2560x1600-928x580.jpg 928w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/img0_2560x1600-250x156.jpg 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/img0_2560x1600-768x480.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 928px) 100vw, 928px" />A new build is here, so here are the known issues and fixes with Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17025 for PC.Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:26:56 +0000On MSFTHere’s what’s new in Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17025 for PC
https://www.onmsft.com/news/heres-whats-new-in-windows-10-insider-preview-build-17025-for-pc
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:26:44 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Windows-10-Hello-1-1031x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Windows 10" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Windows-10-Hello-1-1031x580.jpg 1031w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Windows-10-Hello-1-250x141.jpg 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Windows-10-Hello-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Windows-10-Hello-1-e1502805655201.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1031px) 100vw, 1031px" />This new Redstone 4 build brings a couple of improvements to the Settings app, including revamped Ease of Access settings as well as better controls for Startup tasks.Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:26:44 +0000On MSFTMicrosoft releases new Windows 10 Insider RS4 build 17025 for PC, download it now
https://www.onmsft.com/news/microsoft-releases-new-windows-10-insider-rs4-build-17025-for-pc-download-it-now
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:08:37 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171006_183549446_iOS-773x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Windows 10 Logo Generic Featured Image Hero" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171006_183549446_iOS-773x580.jpg 773w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171006_183549446_iOS-220x165.jpg 220w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171006_183549446_iOS-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171006_183549446_iOS-1376x1032.jpg 1376w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171006_183549446_iOS-1044x783.jpg 1044w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171006_183549446_iOS-632x474.jpg 632w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171006_183549446_iOS-536x402.jpg 536w" sizes="(max-width: 773px) 100vw, 773px" />Well we’ve apparently dispensed with the cryptic Twitter images, and somewhat out of the blue Microsoft has just dropped a new Windows 10 Insider build, 17025 for Fast Ring/Skip Ahead (remember they’re on the same track until later in this cycle) Insiders. We’ll give you all the details on the new build, which includes some […]Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:08:37 +0000On MSFTAnnouncing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17025 for PC
http://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/10/25/announcing-windows-10-insider-preview-build-17025-pc/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:01:58 +0000Hello Windows Insiders! Today, we are releasing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17025 for PC to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring and for those who opted in to Skip Ahead. REMINDER: Going forward, we plan to release new builds for RS4 from the RS_PRERELEASE branch to Insiders in the Fast ring and those who […]Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:01:58 +0000Windows BlogWindows Application Driver is no longer in Beta!
http://blogs.windows.com/buildingapps/2017/10/25/windows-application-driver-no-longer-beta/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:00:05 +0000We’re excited to announce the release of Windows Application Driver (WinAppDriver) version 1.0. This 1.0 release is the first WinAppDriver release without the Beta label. This release is a big milestone for the project which was first introduced during Build 2016 and has been growing in adoption. What is WinAppDriver Today, it’s easier than ever […]Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:00:05 +0000Windows BlogG Suite and Freshdesk at your (customer) servicehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/fLQdla2SL2c/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>Managing teams and customer requests across geographies and disciplines can be a challenge, but cloud-based applications like Freshdesk can make it much easier. What’s great about Freshdesk is that it’s a popular customer support and IT helpdesk solution—and, better yet, it integrates with G Suite.</p><p>Together, <a href="https://gsuite.google.com/partner/recommended/">G Suite and Freshdesk</a> help companies manage many customer interactions in one place which helps businesses collaborate and address customer concerns quicker. Win-win. Integrate your favorite Google and G Suite tools like <a href="https://gsuite.google.com/products/gmail/">Gmail</a>, <a href="https://gsuite.google.com/learning-center/products/hangouts/get-started/">Hangouts</a>, <a href="https://gsuite.google.com/products/drive/">Google Drive</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/analytics/#?modal_active=none">Analytics</a> and more, directly into Freshdesk. Check it out.</p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><h2>How Citizens Advice uses G Suite and Freshdesk</h2><p><a href="https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/">Citizens Advice</a> is a network of nearly 300 independent charities in England and Wales. The organization provides free consultation on issues like housing, immigration, and consumer rights, and employs 30,000 staff across 2,700 locations. More than three-quarters of the staff are trained volunteers who work remotely. With so many inquiries per year, it’s imperative that Citizens Advice has the tools to collaborate, analyze and improve customer experience, particularly when bringing together so many independent partners. Plus, the organization requires a solution that can integrate directly with existing IT infrastructure.</p><p>Citizens Advice chose G Suite and Freshdesk to help with this. Says Simon Sheridan, product manager at Citizens Advice, “G Suite and Freshdesk help our teams collaborate and create more value for our customers every day.” The organization uses both tools to:</p><p></p><ul><li>Collaborate with distributed teams. G Suite apps like <a href="https://gsuite.google.com/products/drive/">Drive</a>, <a href="https://gsuite.google.com/products/docs/">Docs</a>, <a href="https://gsuite.google.com/products/sheets/">Sheets</a>, <a href="https://gsuite.google.com/products/slides/">Slides</a> and <a href="https://gsuite.google.com/products/calendar/">Calendar</a> help Citizens Advice organize customer support processes, and to collaborate across distributed teams, including its large network of volunteers.<br/></li><li>Create better support functions for customers. The company uses integrations with G Suite and Freshdesk to mitigate customer support issues quicker. For example, Citizens Advice uses <a href="https://gsuite.google.com/learning-center/products/hangouts/get-started/">Hangouts</a> to resolve customer issues face-to-face.<br/></li><li>Analyze and optimize the customer support process. With tools like <a href="https://freshdesk.com/?utm_source=freshworks&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fw_nav_primary&_ga=2.125270282.161669037.1508162663-1933312303.1508162663">Freshdesk</a> and <a href="https://freshservice.com/?fworks_navbar&_ga=2.125270282.161669037.1508162663-1933312303.1508162663">Freshservice</a> by Freshworks, Citizens Advice is able to analyze and improve the customer support process. The company also monitors and reports on each stage of the customer journey using G Suite tools. <br/></li></ul><p></p><p></p><p>Learn more about how your business can use G Suite and Freshdesk to deliver better customer experiences. <a href="https://freshdesk.com/webinars/google-webinar?utm_source=google-blog-post&utm_medium=google&utm_campaign=webinar">Sign up for this webinar</a> on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 2pm GMT if you’re in Europe, or at 11am PT / 2pm ET if you’re in North America.</p></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~4/fLQdla2SL2c" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:00:00 +0000Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:00:00 +0000The Official Google BlogLatest Windows Insider Webcast is available as VOD… just watch it in Microsoft Edge, mmkay?
https://www.onmsft.com/news/the-october-24th-windows-insider-webcast-is-avaialble-as-vod-but-be-sure-to-watch-in-microsoft-edge
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 16:40:22 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Feedback-Hub-1031x580.png" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Feedback-Hub-1031x580.png 1031w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Feedback-Hub-250x141.png 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Feedback-Hub-768x432.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1031px) 100vw, 1031px" />If you so happened to miss the last Windows Insider Webcast, we'd like to remind you that you can now watch it as Video On Demand on Mixer.Wed, 25 Oct 2017 16:40:22 +0000On MSFTExperiment with updates to Science Journal, now on iOShttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/cTELTVc-p5c/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>When we released the <a href="http://g.co/sciencejournalapp">Science Journal app</a> last year, our goal was to turn Android phones and tablets into scientific tools. Using the app, both kids and adults could measure light, sound, motion and more, right on their devices. But we heard from teachers that it would be even more useful if the app could take notes and make observations for science experiments. So we've redesigned Science Journal as a digital science notebook, and it’s <a href="http://g.co/sciencejournalapp">available today</a> on Android and iOS.</p><p>With this new version of Science Journal, each experiment is a blank page that you can fill with notes and photos as you observe the world around you. Over time, we’ll be adding new note-taking tools to enhance the types of observations you can record. For science lovers who have already used the app, measuring real-world data with sensors remains core to the new Science Journal experience. We've added three new sensors for you to play with along with the ability to take a ”snapshot” of your sensor data at a single moment in time.<br/></p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>And there’s more: our partners, including the <a href="https://www.calacademy.org/">California Academy of Sciences</a>, the <a href="https://nysci.org/">New York Hall of Science</a>, and <a href="https://www.sciencebuddies.org/">Science Buddies</a>, have released more than <a href="http://g.co/ScienceJournalActivities">20 new activities</a> that you can do with the app—try attaching your phone to a spring, or measuring the motion of a bicycle wheel. In the coming months, look forward to additional features and updates. We’re excited about this new chapter in our mission to inspire scientists and makers everywhere. <a href="http://g.co/sciencejournalapp">Download the app today</a> and <a href="https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!forum/sciencejournal">let us know</a> what you think.</p></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~4/cTELTVc-p5c" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Wed, 25 Oct 2017 16:30:00 +0000Wed, 25 Oct 2017 16:30:00 +0000The Official Google Blog9to5Toys Last Call: $150 off 10.5-inch iPad Pro, Apple Watch Series 2 from $229, MacBook/iMac deals, more
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/9to5toys-lunch-break-ipad-pro-apple-watch-macbooks-more/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 16:28:14 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/9to5toys-lunch-break.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1600" /></div><p>Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by <em><strong><a href="http://9to5toys.com/9to5toys-newsletter-signup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter</a></strong></em>. Also, be sure to check us out on: <a href="http://twitter.com/9to5toys">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://9to5toys.com/feed">RSS Feed</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/9to5toyscom/228249133858390">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://plus.google.com/b/105878626736210310777/105878626736210310777/posts" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Google+</a> and <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2013/12/11/safari-push-notifications-are-live-on-all-9to5-sites/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Safari push notifications</a>. <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/9to5toys-lunch-break-ipad-pro-apple-watch-macbooks-more/#more-505425" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505425&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505425&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Wed, 25 Oct 2017 16:28:14 +00009to5MacPlay OG Xbox games online on your Xbox One with this tool
https://www.onmsft.com/news/play-og-xbox-games-online-on-your-xbox-one-with-this-tool
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 16:26:04 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_0676-773x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Xbox Logo Featured Image Hero" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_0676-773x580.jpg 773w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_0676-220x165.jpg 220w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_0676-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 773px) 100vw, 773px" />In a post on Reddit, it appears there is a way to play original Xbox games on the Xbox One using XLink Kai. According to their website, XLink Kai bills itself as a “global gaming network – bringing together XBox, Playstation 2 / 3, Gamecube and PSP users, in one integrated community.” XLink Kai allows […]Wed, 25 Oct 2017 16:26:04 +0000On MSFTsonar: Linting the web forward
http://blogs.windows.com/msedgedev/2017/10/25/introducing-sonar-site-scanner/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 16:00:39 +0000In addition to building a great browser and dependable web platform for Windows, we’re passionate about empowering developers to build great websites. With that goal in mind, we launched modern.IE in 2013 featuring a static scan tool to detect optimizations for old versions of IE, outdated libraries, missing prefixes, and more. The web has moved […]Wed, 25 Oct 2017 16:00:39 +0000Windows BlogNew MMO Skyforge coming to Xbox One in November 2017
https://www.onmsft.com/news/new-mmo-skyforge-coming-to-xbox-one-in-november-2017
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 15:47:17 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/skyforge-1031x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Microsoft, MMORG, Xbox, Vidoe Games" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/skyforge-1031x580.jpg 1031w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/skyforge-250x141.jpg 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/skyforge-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/skyforge.jpg 1440w" sizes="(max-width: 1031px) 100vw, 1031px" />Skyforge is a new Action MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) coming to Xbox One sometime in November 2017. In Skyforge, your role is the guardian of your home planet of Aelion. You must protect Aelion and its people from the relentless onslaught of enemies hell-bent on annihilating your people and destroying Aelion. Take a […]Wed, 25 Oct 2017 15:47:17 +0000On MSFTPoll: Are you still using a Windows Phone?
https://www.onmsft.com/news/poll-are-you-still-using-a-windows-phone
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 15:00:50 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Phone-Store-1031x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Photo of Windows phones lined up in a Microsoft store" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Phone-Store-1031x580.jpg 1031w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Phone-Store-250x141.jpg 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Phone-Store-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1031px) 100vw, 1031px" />Windows Phone has been dying a long slow death, and now hovers in “maintenance mode,” even though Microsoft is releasing a Windows 10 Mobile Fall Creators Update this week, and support is set to continue through 2019, at least. Some of us jumped ship a long time ago, but some of you are hanging on, […]Wed, 25 Oct 2017 15:00:50 +0000On MSFTApple hires Channel 4 TV exec as company reportedly plans Apple Store-friendly original video content
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/apple-bbc-tv-jay-hunt-original-content/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:51:45 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/apple-tv-4k.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1600" /></div><p>Apple’s latest hire to help in its push for original video content is BBC executive Jay Hunt, which is notable as it is the company’s first high-profile broadcasting executive hire outside of the US, <i>Financial Times</i> <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/cf217f08-b926-11e7-8c12-5661783e5589?mhq5j=e5">reports</a>. That news comes today as a separate report details Apple’s reportedly not-so-edgy approach as it shops for content…</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/apple-bbc-tv-jay-hunt-original-content/#more-505407" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505407&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505407&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:51:45 +00009to5MacSway for Windows 10 gets an update with new templates and Featured Sways
https://www.onmsft.com/news/sway-for-windows-10-gets-an-update-with-new-templates-and-featured-sways
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:44:33 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Sway_splash-Copy-1032x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Sway_splash-Copy-1032x580.jpg 1032w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Sway_splash-Copy-250x140.jpg 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Sway_splash-Copy-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1032px) 100vw, 1032px" />Microsoft recently released an update for Sway on Windows 10, and it brings new templates and Featured SwaysWed, 25 Oct 2017 14:44:33 +0000On MSFTJony Ive told Angela Ahrendts ‘Don’t mess with the tables’ as she set about revamping Apple’s retail stores
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/angela-ahrendts-apple-stores/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:40:19 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/sub-buzz-11351-1508893645-1-png.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1500" /></div><p>When <a href="https://9to5mac.com/guides/angela-ahrendts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Angela Ahrendts</a> was head-hunted by Apple to head up its <a href="https://9to5mac.com/guides/apple-store/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">retail operations</a>, she said she was given one constraint on what she could change.</p>
<blockquote><p>“In one of those very early conversations,” Ahrendts recalled, Ive said, ‘Don’t mess with the tables. They’re the same tables we used in our design studio and I love that it goes from the studio to the stores.’ He said, ‘They’re sacred.’”</p></blockquote>
<p>She recounted the instruction in a new profile of her work …</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/angela-ahrendts-apple-stores/#more-505402" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505402&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505402&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:40:19 +00009to5MacWindows 10 Mobile to be supported through December 2019 at least
https://www.onmsft.com/news/windows-10-mobile-to-be-supported-through-december-2019-at-least
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:35:51 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Windows-10-Mobile-808x580.png" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Windows-10-Mobile-808x580.png 808w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Windows-10-Mobile-230x165.png 230w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Windows-10-Mobile-768x552.png 768w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Windows-10-Mobile.png 1512w" sizes="(max-width: 808px) 100vw, 808px" />The Windows 10 Mobile Fall Creators Update, which has just started to roll out to eligible handsets will be supported through December 10, 2019.Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:35:51 +0000On MSFTRonda Rousey to play Assassin’s Creed: Origins on Mixer’s Xbox Live Sessions
https://www.onmsft.com/news/ronda-rousey-to-play-assassins-creed-origins-on-mixers-xbox-live-sessions
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:02:52 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Ronda-Rousey-hero.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Ronda-Rousey-hero.jpg 940w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Ronda-Rousey-hero-250x140.jpg 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Ronda-Rousey-hero-768x431.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" />Microsoft has just announced Ronda Rousey as the next celebrity to take part in Mixer's Xbox Live Sessions.Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:02:52 +0000On MSFTSkype Android app joins WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger in the 1 billion downloads club
https://www.onmsft.com/news/skype-android-app-joins-whatsapp-and-facebook-messenger-in-the-1-billion-downloads-club
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 13:41:41 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/IMG_1677-870x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Skype for Android" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/IMG_1677-870x580.jpg 870w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/IMG_1677-100x66.jpg 100w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/IMG_1677-248x165.jpg 248w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/IMG_1677-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px" />Skype may be far less popular than WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger these days, but the messaging app has finally passed 1 billion downloads on the Google Play Store. Wed, 25 Oct 2017 13:41:41 +0000On MSFTRIP Kinect: Microsoft stops manufacturing the motion sensing Xbox accessory
https://www.onmsft.com/news/rip-kinect-microsoft-stops-manufacturing-the-motion-sensing-xbox-accessory
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 13:23:12 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/kinect3-1031x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/kinect3-1031x580.jpg 1031w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/kinect3-250x141.jpg 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/kinect3-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1031px) 100vw, 1031px" />Despite gamers having a love-hate relationship with the accessory, Kinect is officially dead, as Microsoft has stopped manufacturing the device.Wed, 25 Oct 2017 13:23:12 +0000On MSFTKaspersky Lab says popular dating apps vulnerable to three types of attack
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/dating-app-security/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 13:11:02 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/tinder.png?w=1500" /></div><p>Security researchers at Kaspersky Lab say that a number of popular dating apps are vulnerable to up to three types of attack, potentially revealing anything from user location to full identity and employer …</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/dating-app-security/#more-505387" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505387&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505387&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Wed, 25 Oct 2017 13:11:02 +00009to5MacMicrosoft opens new Mixed Reality Capture studios in San Francisco and London
https://www.onmsft.com/news/microsoft-opens-new-mixed-reality-capture-studios-in-san-francisco-and-london
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 12:37:03 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Microsoft-Mixed-REality-Studios.png" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Microsoft-Mixed-REality-Studios.png 851w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Microsoft-Mixed-REality-Studios-250x140.png 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Microsoft-Mixed-REality-Studios-768x429.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 851px) 100vw, 851px" />Microsoft is expanding its Mixed Reality Capture Studios globally with two new locations in San Francisco and London.Wed, 25 Oct 2017 12:37:03 +0000On MSFTHow comfortable do you feel using a smart lock to allow unattended entry to your home? [Poll]
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/smart-locks-poll/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 12:27:53 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/amazon-key.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1500" /></div><p>Smart locks offer a number of benefits over the traditional key-operated kind. There’s the fact that you are less likely to get locked out if you have multiple methods of entry – key, phone and Watch, for example. Auto-unlocking is also convenient when you are carrying shopping and don’t have any free hands.</p>
<p><a href="https://9to5mac.com/guides/august/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Typical smart locks</a> offer another key benefit: the ability to allow other people entry into your home when you’re not there. For example, if a family member is visiting, and will arrive before you get home from work, you can create a ‘guest pass’ for them that allows them entry.</p>
<p>Today, Amazon has taken that <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/amazon-launches-smart-lock-and-security-cam-system-to-take-in-home-deliveries-for-prime-members-with-iphone-app-alerts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one step further</a> …</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/smart-locks-poll/#more-505380" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505380&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505380&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Wed, 25 Oct 2017 12:27:53 +00009to5MacCisco and Google partner on a new open hybrid cloud solution spanning on-premises environments and Google Cloud Platformhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/7SIE1udQ2Bg/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>Today, we’re <a href="https://newsroom.cisco.com/press-release-content?type=webcontent&articleId=1889168">announcing</a> a new partnership with Cisco to help our customers improve agility and security in a hybrid world with a fully supported, open solution for developing and managing applications on-premises and in Google Cloud.</p><p>Together, we’re working on a complete solution to develop, run, secure and monitor workloads, enabling customers to optimize their existing investments, plan their cloud migration at their own pace and avoid lock-in. Developers will be able to create new applications in the cloud or on-premises consistently using the same tools, runtime and production environment.</p><p>At the heart of this architecture are open source platforms, Kubernetes and <a href="https://istio.io/">Istio</a>. Customers will be able to accelerate on-premises app modernization using a Kubernetes-based container strategy that’s consistent with cloud-native technology. On-premises, Cisco’s hyper-converged platform, <a href="https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/hyperconverged-infrastructure/index.html">Cisco HyperFlex</a>, will provide a cloud-ready solution for Kubernetes and containers, and management tools to enforce security and consumption policies.</p><p>We’re working together to deliver a consistent Kubernetes environment for both on-premises <a href="https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/hyperconverged-infrastructure/index.html">Cisco Private Cloud Infrastructure</a> and Google’s managed Kubernetes service, <a href="https://cloud.google.com/container-engine/">Google Container Engine</a>. This way, you can write once, deploy anywhere and avoid cloud lock-in, with your choice of management, software, hypervisor and operating system. We’ll also provide a cloud service broker to connect on-premises workloads to <a href="https://cloud.google.com/">Google Cloud Platform</a> (GCP) services for machine learning, scalable databases and data warehousing.</p><p>With Istio, an open source, container- and microservice-optimized technology that we <a href="https://cloudplatform.googleblog.com/2017/05/istio-modern-approach-to-developing-and.html">launched</a> with partners earlier this year, developers can use policy-driven controls to scalably connect, help secure, discover and manage services. Istio is an easy way to create a network mesh of deployed services with load balancing, service-to-service authentication and monitoring built in, without requiring any changes to the actual code running the services. Thus, Istio makes it easier for developers to implement new, more portable services, and creates a separate policy-based platform to configure and manage those services centrally.</p><p>This partnership to enhance existing on-premises infrastructure and extend it to the cloud addresses tough operational problems that enterprises have traditionally struggled to solve. It also takes advantage of Cisco’s best-of-breed capabilities, including the ability to extend Cisco’s network and security policies and configurations and monitor application behavior across hybrid cloud environments. Let’s take a look at some of the initial patterns we envision this solution addressing: existing on-premises services, hybrid services and local execution.</p><h2>Existing on-premises services</h2><p>Our work with Cisco enables app developers to build modern services that scale and can extend their customer reach while consuming data locked in existing systems that have not yet made the move to the cloud. This solution will extend the reach of existing on-premises systems with services running on Google Cloud that communicate using modern APIs. Google’s <a href="https://apigee.com/api-management/#/homepage">Apigee API management</a> platform allows developers to quickly and more securely access legacy systems without all the complexity. This approach helps enterprises get up and running in the cloud at their own pace while preserving the value in their existing on-premises investments.</p><p> </p><h2>Hybrid services</h2><p>Customers will be able to use the Cisco Private Cloud Infrastructure to deploy and manage container clusters powered by Kubernetes. Using a GCP service catalog, they'll be able to easily configure their applications to use remote services, without needing detailed knowledge about how those services are created or managed. Istio can be used to provide runtime metrics, operational insights and service dependency graphs across a hybrid environment.</p><p>The benefits for developer teams include:</p><ul><li><p>The ability to discover available Google Cloud services using a local service catalog</p></li><li><p>Auto-authentication from on-premises to Google Cloud services</p></li><li><p>Future-proofing existing on-premises applications to be cloud ready</p></li></ul><h2>Local execution</h2><p>Developers want to roll out changes quickly and build services that are easy to port and move across a hybrid environment. This pattern enables development teams to develop on Container Engine and roll out to production on-premises or vice versa, targeting the right environment for their application’s needs.</p><p>With this pattern, developer teams will get:</p><ul><li><p>A single tool (Cisco Cloud Center) to deploy workloads across the hybrid environment</p></li><li><p>Flexibility to move stateless applications from on-prem to cloud and vice versa </p></li><li><p>A multi-cloud orchestration platform that's natively integrated into the deployment pipeline</p></li><li><p>Reduced application deployment times to hybrid cloud targets </p></li><li><p>A uniform experience for both development and operations teams</p></li></ul><p>As with existing on-premises services, Istio can provide runtime metrics, operational insight and service dependency graphs.</p><h2>Getting started with the Cisco-Google hybrid cloud</h2><p>The joint Cisco-Google Cloud solution will include a number of components (hardware, software and cloud services) that can be tailored to the needs of each customer, purchased together or separately.</p><p>Cisco software components will be licensed on an annual subscription basis including one-, three- and five-year terms. The infrastructure components will be sold on a perpetual basis. Cisco Capital can provide flexible pricing options that fit into any buyer’s specific requirements.</p><p>For Google Cloud services, you can purchase them directly through Google or via authorized resellers. We offer a number of pay-as-you-go models for cloud services, with pricing models described on the <a href="https://cloud.google.com/pricing/">Google Cloud pricing page</a> and the <a href="https://apigee.com/api-management/#/pricing">Apigee pricing page</a>.</p><p>Configurations targeted to specific business needs and developer kits will be available. Cisco’s Technical Assistance Center (TAC) will provide customers with a single source of support. The solution will be available to a limited number of customers during the first part of 2018, with general availability during the second half of the year.</p><p>To learn more about joint Google Cloud/Cisco offerings, connect with us <a href="https://cloud.google.com/contact/">here</a> or reach out to your Cisco or Google Cloud representative. </p></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~4/7SIE1udQ2Bg" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Wed, 25 Oct 2017 12:00:00 +0000Wed, 25 Oct 2017 12:00:00 +0000The Official Google BlogAmazon launches smart lock and security cam system to take in-home deliveries for Prime members, with iPhone app alerts
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/amazon-launches-smart-lock-and-security-cam-system-to-take-in-home-deliveries-for-prime-members-with-iphone-app-alerts/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 11:45:47 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/amazon-cloud-cam.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1383" /></div><p>Amazon has today announced its latest expansion into smart home ecosystem, with a new <a href="http://amzn.to/2zEenAa">Alexa Cloud Cam security camera ($120)</a> and a new <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KCYQGXE?locationCheckInvoked=1">Amazon Key service</a>, which works with some smart locks to allow Amazon couriers to unlock your front door and deliver packages inside your house.</p>
<p>Amazon Key sends a notification to your iPhone that a courier is outside. If you aren’t at home, the Amazon courier will walk in and leave your parcel inside your house. You can use the security cam to keep eyes on the delivery person as they drop off your package.</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/amazon-launches-smart-lock-and-security-cam-system-to-take-in-home-deliveries-for-prime-members-with-iphone-app-alerts/#more-505363" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505363&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505363&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Wed, 25 Oct 2017 11:45:47 +00009to5MaciPhone LCD panel supplier LG Display says demand remains strong
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/iphone-lcd-panel-supplier-lg-display-says-demand-remains-strong/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 11:38:51 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/iphone-81.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1500" /></div><p>LG Display, which makes IPS LCD displays for iPhones, says that demand from its clients remains strong <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/16/iphone-7-outselling-iphone-8/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">despite</a> a <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/19/iphone-8-production-cut-50-claim/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">number</a> of <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/23/iphone-8-sales-cirp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a> of sluggish <a href="https://9to5mac.com/guides/iphone-8/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">iPhone 8</a> sales. The company’s chief financial officer made the comment while announcing an 80% increase in quarterly profits, just ahead of expectations …</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/iphone-lcd-panel-supplier-lg-display-says-demand-remains-strong/#more-505364" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505364&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505364&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Wed, 25 Oct 2017 11:38:51 +00009to5MacTarget adds augmented reality shopping to mobile website, doesn’t (yet) use ARKit
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/target-augmented-reality-shopping/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 10:58:42 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/target1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1000" /></div><p>Target is the latest retailer to offer augmented reality shopping, allowing customers to see how furniture would look in their own homes. It currently offers the feature with 200 items, but says it plans to offer hundreds more by the end of the year and ‘thousands’ of products next year.</p>
<p>The feature works much the same way as <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/09/19/ikea-place-augmented-reality-app-download/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ikea’s app</a>, but doesn’t (yet) take advantage of <a href="https://9to5mac.com/guides/arkit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ARKit</a> …</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/target-augmented-reality-shopping/#more-505360" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505360&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505360&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Wed, 25 Oct 2017 10:58:42 +00009to5MacHitman: Game of the Year Edition announced for Xbox One as new game and upgrade
https://www.onmsft.com/news/hitman-game-of-the-year-edition-announced-for-xbox-one-as-new-game-and-upgrade
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 08:10:01 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/hitmangoty-1031x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Hitman: Game of the Year Edition on Xbox One" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/hitmangoty-1031x580.jpg 1031w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/hitmangoty-250x141.jpg 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/hitmangoty-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1031px) 100vw, 1031px" />IO Interactive today announced a special Game of the Year edition of the popular Hitman which is due for release next month on November 7th. Hitman: Game of the Year Edition will include the base game and the previously release The Complete First Season content plus a new campaign, three new themed Escalation Contracts, and […]Wed, 25 Oct 2017 08:10:01 +0000On MSFTBloomberg: Apple lowered Face ID component specifications to make iPhone X easier to produce
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/bloomberg-face-id-iphone-x-production-quality/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 07:45:46 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/face-id2.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1500" /></div><p><strong>Update</strong>: Apple has issued a statement refuting the claims made in the Bloomberg article. The statement says “Bloomberg’s claim that Apple has reduced the accuracy spec of Face ID is completely false.” Original story below.</p>
<p>The problems with the iPhone X production are very well documented by this point. We have been hearing for months that suppliers were having yield issues with the 3D-sensing components.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-25/inside-apple-s-struggle-to-get-the-iphone-x-to-market-on-time?utm_content=tech&utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&cmpid%3D=socialflow-twitter-tech">Bloomberg reports</a> Apple helped suppliers increase production by lowering the specifications of the components that make up Face ID, which allowed the supply chain to test dot projector modules faster and push out units at a faster rate.</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/bloomberg-face-id-iphone-x-production-quality/#more-505356" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505356&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505356&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Wed, 25 Oct 2017 07:45:46 +00009to5MacOG Xbox’s Ninja Gaiden Black not available on Xbox One in all regions
https://www.onmsft.com/news/og-xboxs-ninja-gaiden-black-not-available-on-xbox-one-in-all-regions
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 07:43:00 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ninjagaidenblack-1031x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Ninja Gaiden Black on Xbox One" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ninjagaidenblack-1031x580.jpg 1031w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ninjagaidenblack-250x141.jpg 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ninjagaidenblack-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1031px) 100vw, 1031px" />While there was a lot of hype surrounding the release of 13 original Xbox video games on the Xbox One yesterday, the launch has also disappointed due to the unfortunate fact that not all of them are available in every Xbox region. One example is Ninja Gaiden Black, one of the most-anticipated games out of […]Wed, 25 Oct 2017 07:43:00 +0000On MSFTMixed Reality Capture Studios now open
http://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/10/25/midnight/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 07:00:14 +0000San Francisco location includes a Mixed Reality Academy to provide community hub for creators and developers to learn, collaborate, and create in mixed realityWed, 25 Oct 2017 07:00:14 +0000Windows BlogNintendo announces Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp coming to iOS next month
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/animal-crossing-for-ios/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 03:46:46 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/screen-shot-2017-10-24-at-11-42-32-pm.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1600" /></div><p><a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/23/nintendo-animal-crossing/">As expected</a>, Nintendo this evening announced <a href="https://ac-pocketcamp.com/en-US/site">that it is bringing Animal Crossing to iOS and Android next month</a>. The game is called Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp and it brings many of the things gamers love about the Animal Crossing franchise to mobile devices, with a few new twists…</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/animal-crossing-for-ios/#more-505333" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505333&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505333&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Wed, 25 Oct 2017 03:46:46 +00009to5MaciPhone X takes over Apple․com ahead of pre-orders
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/apple-homepage-iphone-x/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 03:02:56 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/iphone-x-homepage1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1600" /></div><p>The iPhone X officially <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/iphone-x-in-store-availability/">goes up for pre-order on Friday morning</a> and Apple has dramatically <a href="https://www.apple.com">overhauled its homepage tonight</a> to better showcase the upcoming flagship. Apple.com now features nothing but the iPhone X, with a slew of images and animations touting various features of the device.</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/apple-homepage-iphone-x/#more-505328" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505328&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505328&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Wed, 25 Oct 2017 03:02:56 +00009to5MacBrief hands-on video offers closer look at app switching on iPhone X
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/app-switching-iphone-x-video/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 02:36:47 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/iphone_x_truedepth_sensor.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1600" /></div><p>Earlier today, a <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/iphone-x-closeup-hands-on/">video hit YouTube seemingly showcasing the iPhone X in use on Apple’s campus</a>. Now, a shorter video is making the rounds and it offers a close up look at the app switching process on the iPhone X…</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/app-switching-iphone-x-video/#more-505326" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505326&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505326&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Wed, 25 Oct 2017 02:36:47 +00009to5MacApple acquires New Zealand wireless charging company as it ‘works to create a wireless future’
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/apple-new-zealand-wireless-charging/
Tue, 24 Oct 2017 22:40:32 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/iphone-8-wireless-charging-2.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1600" /></div><p>Just after <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/12/whats-the-best-qi-wireless-charger-for-iphone-8-and-iphone-x/">bringing wireless charging to the iPhone for the first time this year</a>, Apple has acquired Auckland-based wireless charging company PowerbyProxi. While it’s unclear how much Apple paid for the company, it was founded in 2007 as a spin-out from the University of Auckland.</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/apple-new-zealand-wireless-charging/#more-505321" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505321&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505321&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Tue, 24 Oct 2017 22:40:32 +00009to5MacDigital pre-orders for Steven Universe: Save the Light open on Xbox One
https://www.onmsft.com/news/digital-pre-orders-for-steven-universe-save-the-light-open-on-xbox-one
Tue, 24 Oct 2017 22:37:30 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/stevenuniverse-1031x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/stevenuniverse-1031x580.jpg 1031w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/stevenuniverse-250x141.jpg 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/stevenuniverse-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/stevenuniverse.jpg 1440w" sizes="(max-width: 1031px) 100vw, 1031px" />Save the Light promises to be a turn based hybrid RPG, featuring a very endearing art style that stays true to the theme of the series. Tue, 24 Oct 2017 22:37:30 +0000On MSFTGames in the ID@Xbox program have generated $500 million in revenue
https://www.onmsft.com/news/games-in-the-idxbox-program-have-generated-500-million-in-revenue
Tue, 24 Oct 2017 22:36:44 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_0676-773x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Xbox Logo Featured Image Hero" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_0676-773x580.jpg 773w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_0676-220x165.jpg 220w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_0676-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 773px) 100vw, 773px" />The program has been one of the big saving graces of Microsoft's console, after a rocky beginning to the generation.Tue, 24 Oct 2017 22:36:44 +0000On MSFTExclusive ‘On The Record’ Sam Smith documentary coming to Apple Music next month
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/sam-smith-apple-music-documentary/
Tue, 24 Oct 2017 20:54:35 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/sam_smith_trailer.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1280" /></div><p>Apple Music has secured yet another documentary in its growing list of exclusive video content. Joining the likes of <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/05/09/exclusive-harry-styles-documentary-apple-music-may-15/">Harry Styles</a> and <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/10/niall-horan-flicker-apple-music/">Nial Horan</a>, pop artist Sam Smith today announced an Apple Music-exclusive documentary that covers the creation of his sophomore album, “The Thrill Of It All.”</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/sam-smith-apple-music-documentary/#more-505306" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505306&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505306&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Tue, 24 Oct 2017 20:54:35 +00009to5MacMicrosoft and the NFL look to partner once again around charity
https://www.onmsft.com/news/microsoft-and-the-nfl-look-to-partner-once-again-around-charity
Tue, 24 Oct 2017 20:36:24 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/NFLSURFACE-1050x555.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/NFLSURFACE-1050x555.jpg 1050w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/NFLSURFACE-250x132.jpg 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/NFLSURFACE-768x406.jpg 768w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/NFLSURFACE.jpg 1431w" sizes="(max-width: 1050px) 100vw, 1050px" />A new video series has emerged called Create Change that looks to place a spotlight on the positive impact the NFL and Microsoft are having on local communitiesTue, 24 Oct 2017 20:36:24 +0000On MSFTRoundup: Carrier details and tips for preordering iPhone X
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/carrier-tips-preorder-iphone-x/
Tue, 24 Oct 2017 20:00:32 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/iphone_x_gallery1_2017.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1500" /></div><p>While going directly through Apple may be the most popular way to preorder the iPhone X, it’s always good to have options. This week, carriers are sharing more details about preordering Apple’s premium iPhone.
<a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/carrier-tips-preorder-iphone-x/#more-505240" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505240&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505240&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Tue, 24 Oct 2017 20:00:32 +00009to5MaciOS 11’s new ‘App of the Day’ feature can rocket downloads by over 2,000%
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/app-of-the-day-boost-downloads/
Tue, 24 Oct 2017 18:53:17 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/app-of-the-day.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1600" /></div><p>New data is out today from <a href="https://blog.apptopia.com/new-app-stores-app-of-the-day-gets-an-average-download-boost-of-1747">Apptopia</a> on how <a href="https://9to5mac.com/guides/ios-11/">iOS 11</a>‘s App Store and its new app of the day and game of the day features are influencing downloads. With an app of the day feature, the company found a boost in downloads of up to 2,172%, while games saw an increase of up to 963%.</p>
<p> <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/app-of-the-day-boost-downloads/#more-505285" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505285&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505285&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Tue, 24 Oct 2017 18:53:17 +00009to5MacOneNote October Update rolling out to all Windows 10 users with new printing features in tow
https://www.onmsft.com/news/onenote-october-update-rolling-out-to-all-windows-10-users-with-new-printing-features-in-tow
Tue, 24 Oct 2017 18:28:18 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/IMG_2772-870x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="OneNote UWP" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/IMG_2772-870x580.jpg 870w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/IMG_2772-100x66.jpg 100w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/IMG_2772-248x165.jpg 248w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/IMG_2772-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px" />Previously tested with Windows Insiders, this update introduces the ability to print entire sections, notebooks, and more. Tue, 24 Oct 2017 18:28:18 +0000On MSFTUniBeast Hackintosh tool updated for macOS High Sierra
https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/unibeast-hackintosh-tool-updated-high-sierra/
Tue, 24 Oct 2017 17:49:10 +0000<div class="feat-image"><img src="https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/how-to-make-a-hackintosh.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1600" /></div><p>If the upcoming <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/06/05/apple-teases-upcoming-space-gray-imac-pro-the-most-powerful-mac-ever/">iMac Pro</a> or refreshed <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/05/10/interview-what-pros-want-apple-modular-mac-pro-display-specs/">Mac Pro</a> aren’t in your sights, then perhaps you might consider a Hackintosh build? We’ve covered several builds over the years, and found that they provide, by a large margin, the best bang for the buck when it comes to performance.</p>
<p>Today, UniBeast, one of the most popular automated tools for putting together a Hackintosh machine, was <a href="https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/unibeast-8-0-update.230901/">updated to version 8.0 for macOS High Sierra</a>. That means that you can, with relative ease, build a super-fast machine running the latest version of macOS. <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/24/unibeast-hackintosh-tool-updated-high-sierra/#more-505263" class="more-link">more…</a></p><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505263&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=9to5mac.com&blog=22754319&post=505263&subd=9to5mac&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />Tue, 24 Oct 2017 17:49:10 +00009to5MacMicrosoft lays out the roadmap for integrating Skype for Business into Teams
https://www.onmsft.com/news/microsoft-lays-out-the-roadmap-for-integrating-skype-for-business-into-teams
Tue, 24 Oct 2017 17:20:01 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/05A9791-870x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Skype for Business being used" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/05A9791-870x580.jpg 870w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/05A9791-100x66.jpg 100w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/05A9791-248x165.jpg 248w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/05A9791-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px" />Microsoft has laid out a roadmap for the integration of Skype for Business into Microsoft TeamsTue, 24 Oct 2017 17:20:01 +0000On MSFTOriginal Xbox games now available on Xbox One, play them now!
https://www.onmsft.com/news/original-xbox-games-now-available-on-xbox-one-play-them-now
Tue, 24 Oct 2017 17:16:17 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-24-at-19.07.14-950x580.png" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-24-at-19.07.14-950x580.png 950w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-24-at-19.07.14-250x153.png 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-24-at-19.07.14-768x469.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px" />Following the exciting announcement yesterday, you can now play the first selection of original Xbox games on your Xbox One.Tue, 24 Oct 2017 17:16:17 +0000On MSFTAssassin’s Creed: Origins, launching Oct 27th, will get Xbox One X enhancements in November
https://www.onmsft.com/news/assassins-creed-origins-launching-oct-27th-will-get-xbox-one-x-enhancements-in-november
Tue, 24 Oct 2017 17:00:20 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Assassinscreedorigins-1031x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Assassin's Creed, Origins, Xbox, Xbox One, Xbox One X, Xbox One S" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Assassinscreedorigins-1031x580.jpg 1031w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Assassinscreedorigins-250x141.jpg 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Assassinscreedorigins-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1031px) 100vw, 1031px" />This Friday, October 27, marks the release of the latest installment of one of the most successful video game series ever; Assassin’s Creed: Origins. AC: Origins join a number of other Xbox games, including Gears of War 4, that will receive an “Xbox One X enhancement,” receiving its game update sometime in early November 2017, […]Tue, 24 Oct 2017 17:00:20 +0000On MSFTAnalytic reports improvements within Dev Center
http://blogs.windows.com/buildingapps/2017/10/24/analytic-reports-improvements-within-dev-center/
Tue, 24 Oct 2017 17:00:12 +0000As part of our continuous effort to deliver insights to you that help make key business decisions about your apps easier, the Dev Center team is excited to announce a few updates to analytic reports. Review insight categories On your Reviews report, the new Review insights feature uses machine learning to classify new app reviews, including non-English reviews, into one of 12 pre-defined categories. Now you can quickly identify themes and […]Tue, 24 Oct 2017 17:00:12 +0000Windows BlogFamily fun with your Google Assistant on Google Home and phoneshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/srLo92qG7Yk/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>“Ok Google, what can you do for families?”</p><p>Lots! The Google Assistant now has more than 50 new games, activities and stories designed for families with kids. Now you can learn, play and imagine together—available today in the U.S. with the Assistant on Google Home, other smart speakers and eligible phones.</p><p>Monday musical chairs? Tuesday night trivia? Friday family freeze dance (it’s even Halloween-themed!)? Your Assistant has activities to keep everyone entertained. Talking to your Assistant (instead of staring at a screen) is an easy way to be there, in the room, spending time with loved ones. So whether you're at home on a rainy day or on a road trip, your Assistant can help you learn and have fun as a family.</p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>Below are some things you can ask—just start with “Ok Google.” </p><p><b>Learn</b> 📖</p><p></p><ul><li>“Let’s learn”<br/></li><li>"Play space trivia”<br/></li><li>“Talk to Everyday Heroes”<br/></li><li>“Help me with my homework”</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Play</b> 👯 </p><p></p><ul><li>“Let’s play a game”<br/></li><li>“Play Mickey Mouse Adventure”<br/></li><li>“Talk to What’s My Justice League Super Hero?”<br/></li><li>“Play Sports Illustrated Kids Trivia”</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Imagine</b> 🌎</p><p></p><ul><li>“Tell me a story”<br/></li><li>“Tell me the story of The-Not-So-Scaredy cat”<br/></li><li>“Play Strangest Day Ever”<br/></li><li>"Play Jungle Adventure"<br/></li></ul><p></p><p>The <a href="https://store.google.com/product/google_home_mini_family">new activities are rolling out today</a> so you can go on a family adventure together. With their parent's permission, children under 13 can also have their own personalized Google Assistant experience when they log in with their own account, powered by <a href="http://g.co/familylink">Family Link</a>. Family Link helps parents manage their child’s Google Account while they explore. And with Voice Match, your family can train the Assistant to recognize who’s speaking, up to six voices.<br/></p><p>So round up your family and say the magic words— “Ok Google, I want to do something fun” or “Ok Google, Abracadabra”—to unlock a world of fun!</p></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~4/srLo92qG7Yk" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tue, 24 Oct 2017 17:00:00 +0000Tue, 24 Oct 2017 17:00:00 +0000The Official Google BlogDo more from your inbox with Gmail Add-onshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/81Vp_cW-Hlw/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>For many of us, email is mission control—the prompt to generate an invoice, prepare a presentation or follow up on a sales opportunity. With so many to-dos, imagine if you could complete these tasks directly from your inbox without interrupting your workflow.</p><p>We believe email can do more, which is why we’re launching Gmail Add-ons, a new way to work with your favorite business apps directly in Gmail.</p><p></p></div></div>
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<div class="rich-text"><h2>Gmail Add-ons, built for your workflows</h2><p>Rather than toggling between your inbox and other apps, use add-ons to complete actions right from Gmail. With Gmail Add-ons, your inbox can contextually surface your go-to app based on messages you receive to help you get things done faster. And because add-ons work the same across web and Android, you only need to install them once to access them on all of your devices. Click the settings wheel on the top right of your inbox and then “Get add-ons” to get started.</p></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>We made Gmail Add-ons available in <a href="https://www.blog.google/topics/google-cloud/100-announcements-google-cloud-next-17/">developer preview</a> earlier this year, and since then, our partners have built integrations to help businesses connect with customers, track projects, facilitate invoicing and more. Here’s a list of partners that have built Gmail Add-ons you can install today:</p><p></p><ul><li><a href="https://gsuite.google.com/marketplace/app/asana_for_gmail/923474483785"><b>Asana</b></a>: Turn communication with clients, customers and teammates into tasks that can be tracked with your team in Asana, all from your inbox.<br/></li></ul><p></p><p></p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><ul><li><a href="https://gsuite.google.com/marketplace/app/dialpad/1027370902578"><b>Dialpad</b></a>: Message or call colleagues on your device, any time. Automatically view recent communications or save a new contact straight from Gmail. <br/></li><li><b>DocuSign</b> <b>(coming soon)</b>: Sign and execute contracts, agreements and other documents directly in Gmail using the DocuSign add-on.<br/></li><li><a href="https://gsuite.google.com/marketplace/app/hire/61638575980"><b>Hire</b></a>: Add candidates, manage candidate information and upload resumes without leaving Gmail. You can access full job applications from the Hire add-on. </li><li><b><a href="https://gsuite.google.com/marketplace/app/quickbooks_invoicing_for_gmail/1037113878572">Intuit QuickBooks Invoicing</a></b>: Create and send professional invoices directly in Gmail. Let customers pay you online and track invoice status and payments no matter where you are. <br/></li></ul></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p></p><ul><li><a href="https://gsuite.google.com/marketplace/app/prosperworks_crm_gmail_addon/307884588814"><b>ProsperWorks</b></a>: Easily access prospect or customer data, and log activities from calls, demos and meetings. You can also scan related opportunities, tasks and events.<br/></li></ul><p></p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p></p><ul><li><a href="https://gsuite.google.com/marketplace/app/ringcentral_gmail_addon/1084450196814"><b>RingCentral</b></a>: See the online/offline status of RingCentral contacts, review recent call history, make outbound calls (requires RingCentral for Mobile) and view and send SMS messages.<br/></li><li><a href="https://gsuite.google.com/marketplace/app/smartsheet_for_gmail_addon/760724917556"><b>Smartsheet</b></a>: Add email content and desired attachments directly to Smartsheet without leaving Gmail.<br/></li><li><a href="https://gsuite.google.com/marketplace/app/streak/800057673271"><b>Streak</b></a>: Add email threads to deals, view enriched contact info and quickly respond with snippets directly from Gmail with the Streak add-on. <br/></li><li><a href="https://gsuite.google.com/marketplace/app/trello_for_gmail/710372432947"><b>Trello</b></a>: Turn email into actionable tasks in Trello to give your team a shared perspective on the work that needs to be done.<br/></li></ul><p></p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p></p><ul><li><a href="https://gsuite.google.com/marketplace/app/wrike_for_gmail/931326872457"><b>Wrike</b></a>: Create Wrike tasks from emails, view and update task details, and send and receive Wrike task comments.<br/></li></ul><p></p><p></p><p>If you're a developer, you can also easily create add-ons for your app or your organization—write your add-on code once and it will run natively in Gmail on web and Android right away. <a href="https://gsuite-developers.googleblog.com/2017/10/gmail-add-ons-framework-now-available.html">Learn more</a>.</p><h2>Try Gmail Add-ons today</h2><p>Knock out action items the minute they hit your inbox. G Suite and Gmail users can check out the <a href="https://gsuite.google.com/marketplace/category/works-with-gmail">G Suite Marketplace</a> to find and install Gmail Add-ons.<br/></p></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~4/81Vp_cW-Hlw" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tue, 24 Oct 2017 17:00:00 +0000Tue, 24 Oct 2017 17:00:00 +0000The Official Google BlogMicrosoft’s year long court battle results in new boundaries for US government data collection
https://www.onmsft.com/news/microsofts-year-long-court-battle-results-in-new-boundaries-for-us-government-data-collection
Tue, 24 Oct 2017 16:02:50 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/BradSmith2-1050x500.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/BradSmith2-1050x500.jpg 1050w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/BradSmith2-250x119.jpg 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/BradSmith2-768x366.jpg 768w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/BradSmith2.jpg 1273w" sizes="(max-width: 1050px) 100vw, 1050px" />Thanks to these two DOJ recent concessions, Microsoft has decided to drop its lawsuit and look towards Congress and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) to hammer in the final nails to electronic privacy reform. Tue, 24 Oct 2017 16:02:50 +0000On MSFTShocktober is back! Snag deals on frighteningly great games, terrifying movies and more
http://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/10/24/shocktober-back-snag-deals-frighteningly-great-games-terrifying-movies/
Tue, 24 Oct 2017 16:00:30 +0000Halloween is just around the corner, and Microsoft is getting into the spirit with its annual <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/store/collections/ShocktoberHome/pc?OCID=Shock18_BLITZ_windowsblog">Shocktober collection</a> of terrifying games, chilling entertainment and haunting apps on your Windows 10 PC to get you ready!*Tue, 24 Oct 2017 16:00:30 +0000Windows BlogDragon Ball FighterZ release date and details announced
https://www.onmsft.com/news/dragon-ball-fighterz-release-date-and-details-announced
Tue, 24 Oct 2017 15:41:15 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-24-at-17.21.57.png" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-24-at-17.21.57.png 996w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-24-at-17.21.57-250x140.png 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-24-at-17.21.57-768x429.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 996px) 100vw, 996px" />Dragon Ball FigtherZ will launch on Xbox One, Playstation 4 on PC on January 26, and the game is already available to pre-order on the Microsoft Store.Tue, 24 Oct 2017 15:41:15 +0000On MSFTLatest Microsoft “Explanimator” goes out of this world, tackles Blockchain technology
https://www.onmsft.com/news/latest-microsoft-explanimator-goes-out-of-this-world-tackles-blockchain-technology
Tue, 24 Oct 2017 15:26:29 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Blockcgain-1050x575.png" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Blockcgain-1050x575.png 1050w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Blockcgain-250x137.png 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Blockcgain-768x421.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1050px) 100vw, 1050px" />The fifth episode in the series takes viewers to fictional planet of Ming World XT3-12 for an interstellar explanation of how Blockchain technology works.Tue, 24 Oct 2017 15:26:29 +0000On MSFTDelta ditched Microsoft for Apple products because of bag sizes
https://www.onmsft.com/news/delta-ditched-microsoft-for-apple-products-because-of-bag-sizes
Tue, 24 Oct 2017 14:46:35 +0000<img src="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_2567-e1485241434409-1033x580.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Microsoft Logo" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" srcset="https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_2567-e1485241434409-1033x580.jpg 1033w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_2567-e1485241434409-250x140.jpg 250w, https://www.onmsft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_2567-e1485241434409-768x431.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1033px) 100vw, 1033px" />The reason for Delta switching from Microsoft to Apple products has a lot to do with bag sizesTue, 24 Oct 2017 14:46:35 +0000On MSFTMicrosoft launches Create Change campaign with NFL stars and their charitable causes
http://blogs.windows.com/devices/2017/10/24/microsoft-launches-create-change-campaign-with-nfl-stars-and-their-charitable-causes/
Tue, 24 Oct 2017 13:00:17 +0000Video series and Super Bowl contest centered on creating a positive impact in local communities.Tue, 24 Oct 2017 13:00:17 +0000Windows BlogChromebooks are at the head of the class in Canada's K-12 schoolshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/XZ7bR4MhkWc/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>Around the world, education has undergone a technological revolution. Cloud-connected devices and learning applications are shaping new ways of teaching and learning. Across Canada, school districts are using <a href="https://edu.google.com/k-12-solutions/chromebooks/">Chromebooks</a> and <a href="https://edu.google.com/k-12-solutions/g-suite/?modal_active=none">G Suite for Education</a> to expand learning opportunities for students from diverse communities and backgrounds. And now, <a href="https://www.futuresource-consulting.com/Education-Technology-Analysis.html">Futuresource</a> has reported that Chromebooks are the #1 selling educational device for Canadian K12 schools.</p><p>With this news, Canada joins the U.S., Sweden, and New Zealand, where Chromebooks are also the top devices used in classrooms. Futuresource Associate Director Mike Fisher says that the offering of Chromebooks, combined with productivity tools and a management console for IT staff, means that “a growing number of schools are turning to Google when bringing technology into the classroom.”<br/></p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>Here are a few examples of how districts across Canada are using Google’s educational tools:</p><h2>Giving schools more choice and flexibility</h2><p><a href="http://www.tdsb.on.ca/">Toronto District School Board</a>, the largest district in Canada, leaves technology purchases up to individual schools. Chromebook usage has soared across the district to 20,000 devices since the first pilot purchases in early 2015. “Hundreds of schools are purchasing Chromebooks out of local school technology budgets,” says Kevin Bradbeer, the school board’s senior manager of client relations. “We're seeing grassroots decisions to choose this platform over three or four other choices.”</p><p>Both students and teachers appreciate the quickness of Chromebooks. Bradbeer says students power up their Chromebooks in seconds, so they can get right to work in class.</p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><h2>Affordable devices that bring powerful computing to all students</h2><p>The<a href="https://www.ugdsb.ca/"> Upper Grand School District Board</a>, in Guelph, Ontario, purchased 4,000 Chromebooks in 2013 for special-education students, but found that other students consistently borrowed the Chromebooks to bring into their classrooms. Bill Mackenzie, an Upper Grand information and communication technology consultant says that special-needs students are the “tip of the spear for technology, because if it helps them, it will help everybody.” The district now has 15,000 Chromebooks, about one for every two students, and the number continues to increase.<br/></p><p><a href="http://www.epsb.ca/">Edmonton Public Schools</a> has nearly 100,000 students. About 25% of students are immigrants or refugees and part of the district’s diverse English Language Learner population. “Equity of access to technology is a challenge, for sure,” says Terry Korte, a supervisor in District Technology. “We try to avoid the fads and stick with the things that make the biggest difference for teachers and their students.” Chromebooks have helped to make that difference in Edmonton since 2012.<br/></p><p>The large Alberta district now has over 46,000 Chromebooks, which was the school’s catalyst for moving into the cloud and using G Suite for Education. “Our goal is to have technology in the hands of students when and where they need it,” Korte adds.<br/></p></div></div>
<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><h2>Easy access to a world of apps and content</h2><p>From a teacher’s perspective, Chromebooks help students learn more effectively by giving them access to a world of educational content. “Chromebooks are inherently networked, so students can find their own way to learn specific concepts online,” says Lance Pedersen, a computer and technology studies teacher at Alberta’s McNally School.<br/></p><p>At Edmonton’s Queen Elizabeth School, educators take advantage of the myriad of learning opportunities that Chromebooks and G Suite for Education provide, whether they’re teaching French or guitar.<br/></p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>These Canadian districts all cite the similar advantages that make Chromebooks and G Suite for Education the top choice for classrooms across the country. “When it comes to cost, performance, and reliability,” Toronto’s Bradbeer says, “Chromebooks really are in the sweet spot of all three.”</p></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~4/XZ7bR4MhkWc" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tue, 24 Oct 2017 13:00:00 +0000Tue, 24 Oct 2017 13:00:00 +0000The Official Google BlogWindows 10 Tip: Bring your stories to life with the reimagined Photos app
http://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/10/23/windows-10-tip-bring-stories-life-reimagined-photos-app/
Mon, 23 Oct 2017 23:56:58 +0000Did you know that with the <a href="https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/10/17/whats-new-windows-10-fall-creators-update/#DwmKKZwEQ2bdqzFH.97">Windows 10 Fall Creators Update</a>, the reimagined Photos app makes creating and editing videos easy and fun – no editing experience required? Personalize and share your story like never before using your photos, videos, inking, and even 3D effects.Mon, 23 Oct 2017 23:56:58 +0000Windows BlogMixer interactivity now available with the Minecraft 1.2.5 beta
http://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/10/23/mixer-now-available-minecraft-1-2-5-beta/
Mon, 23 Oct 2017 16:15:35 +0000Now available with the Minecraft 1.2.5 beta, you can experience deeply integrated Mixer broadcasting and interactivity.<span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span>Mon, 23 Oct 2017 16:15:35 +0000Windows BlogMicrosoft 365 security and management features available in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
http://blogs.windows.com/business/2017/10/23/microsoft-365-security-management-features-available-windows-10-fall-creators-update/
Mon, 23 Oct 2017 13:00:05 +0000Last week, we shared the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update has begun rolling out to customers and we highlighted some of our favorite features for people who love and use Windows every day. Windows 10 is running on more than 500 million monthly active devices and continues to gain momentum in enterprises, small businesses and […]Mon, 23 Oct 2017 13:00:05 +0000Windows BlogAn easy booking button for businesses on Googlehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/X_kNZStF-wg/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>Since the introduction of <a href="https://www.blog.google/products/maps/reserve-google-summer-bookin-happens-so-fast/">Reserve with Google</a>, fitness, wellness and beauty businesses in the U.S. have been able to let customers book their services through their listing on Google. Customers simply click the blue booking button to set up an appointment, schedule a massage, or reserve a spot in a spin class—all right when they find your business online.</p><br/><p>Now, we're adding a way for business owners to sign up with one of our scheduling partners directly from their Google My Business account and add a booking button to their listing.</p><br/><h2>How bookings can help your business</h2><p>When potential customers search online for the ideal salon or the perfect gym class, they’re trying to decide which one is best for them. Booking buttons can help your business stand out from the crowd. People can book an appointment in under a minute directly through your listing—and you make it easy for them to become customers. And you can quickly track how many bookings you get from your Google My Business dashboard.<br/></p></div></div>
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<div class="rich-text"><p>Businesses across the U.S. have already told us they’re excited about the booking button. For <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=glow+spa+san+francisco&oq=glow+spa+san+fra&gs_l=psy-ab.3.0.0i22i30k1j0i8i13i30k1.25586.30197.0.30974.16.16.0.0.0.0.152.1337.11j3.14.0.dummy_maps_web_fallback...0...1.1.64.psy-ab..2.14.1334...0j35i39k1j0i67k1j0i20i263i264k1j0i20i263k1j0i131k1j0i20i264k1j0i10k1j0i22i10i30k1.0.zrjuOWKQac8">Glow Yoga & Spa</a> in San Francisco, CA, a simple booking process has enhanced the upbeat, customer-focused studio vibe that has kept people coming back. The owners of <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Turner%E2%80%99s+Barber+Shop&oq=Turner%E2%80%99s+Barber+Shop&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i60j0l4.938j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8">Turner’s Barber Shop</a> in Columbus, OH, have been hearing that their customers loved seeing available slots and booking their hair appointments right from Google search. And <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=body+works+nw+lewiston+id&oq=Body+Works+NW&aqs=chrome.3.69i57j69i60j69i59j0l3.2922j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8">Body Works NW</a> in Lewiston, WA, has an easier time managing their calendar when customers can schedule the exact time they want and see which massage therapists are available.</p></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><h2>How it works</h2><b>1. Sign up:</b> First, log in to Google My Business. If you have an account with one of our <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/reserve/partners">supported scheduling providers</a>, your booking button has been automatically added to your Google listing. You can check it out and start tracking your bookings now. If you don’t have an account with a supported provider, you’ll see a button on the main screen asking you to sign up.</div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p><b>2. Choose your booking provider: </b>Enroll with a scheduling provider from our list. Once you've enrolled, your account will be eligible to accept bookings through Google. Check back to see the new booking button on your listing within a few days.</p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p><b>3. Track your bookings: </b>When you check back in with Google My Business, you’ll be able to track all of your bookings coming from Google.</p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>These new features will be rolling out over the next few days in the U.S.—sign in to your account at google.com/business to give them a try. We’ll be adding the booking option in other countries and business categories soon, so stay tuned.</p></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~4/X_kNZStF-wg" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Mon, 23 Oct 2017 07:30:00 +0000Mon, 23 Oct 2017 07:30:00 +0000The Official Google BlogPay with Google and speed through checkouthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/EDPX8AyJY0E/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>If you’ve ever paid for something on your phone or tablet, you know just how frustrating checkout can be. Maybe you had to fill in a bunch of forms. Maybe your session timed out. Maybe you encountered an error and had to start all over again. Back in May, we shared <a href="https://www.blog.google/topics/shopping-payments/whats-next-google-payment-and-loyalty-experiences/">a sneak peek of how paying with Google</a> would help you skip all that. And starting today you can now speed through online checkout on many of your favorite apps and websites with a few quick clicks.</p><h2>Check out quickly with any card in your Google Account</h2><p>When you pay with Google, you can use any of the credit or debit cards you’ve added to your Google Account from products like Google Play, YouTube, Chrome or Android Pay. Google sends the merchant your payment info and shipping address using the information from your account—no typing required. Then, the merchant will handle all the details just like any other purchase.</p><p></p><p>Here’s a look at just how easy it is in the Instacart app.</p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><h2>Pay for takeout, trips, or that new pair of shoes</h2><p>You’ll be able to speed through checkout on your Android device whether you’re shopping in apps like iFood in Brazil, Dice in the U.K., or Kayak in the U.S.—or on the web with Chrome.</p><p>Here’s a look at the some of the popular places you can pay now, with more coming soon:</p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><h2>Calling all developers: Make buying a breeze</h2><p>Got an app or website? Head to our <a href="https://developers.google.com/payments/">developer docs</a> to to learn how to get started with the Google Payment API. You can implement it with just a few lines of code, and it’s free—we don’t charge any transaction fees.</p><p></p><p>We’ve also partnered with an array of payment providers to make integration even simpler. They’ll continue to process all your transactions, so you can keep everything moving smoothly. Don’t see your payment provider on the list yet? We’re adding more partners all the time, so stay tuned.</p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>Paying with Google makes checkout so fast and easy, you can make the most of every moment—whether you’re grabbing a dinner spot or a parking spot. Give it a go!</p></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~4/EDPX8AyJY0E" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Mon, 23 Oct 2017 04:00:00 +0000Mon, 23 Oct 2017 04:00:00 +0000The Official Google BlogFall into autumn with #teampixelhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/h4DeipDz07M/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>With autumn in full swing, we’re taking note of the warmer colors being whisked into our feeds. This week, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/teampixel/?hl=en">#teampixel</a> wonderfully captures fall’s color palette, from burnt siennas to bright oranges. So grab a cup of tea, cozy up to the fire and flip through our favorite fall finds.</p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>You can also join <a href="https://www.instagram.com/verizon/?hl=en">@verizon</a> and #teampixel as we pass along a Google Pixel 2 from coast to coast on Instagram. Check out some of the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bac5KQNgr7x/?hl=en&taken-by=verizon">stunning photos</a> from the trip—in scenic Athens, NY, historic Paris, TX, and delicious Venice, CA.</p><p>Want to get featured on The Keyword and @google? Make sure to tag your photos with #teampixel and you might be next.</p></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~4/h4DeipDz07M" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Fri, 20 Oct 2017 18:30:00 +0000Fri, 20 Oct 2017 18:30:00 +0000The Official Google BlogExpanding access to renewable energy in the EUhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/wqq5uBRdkpw/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>Earlier this year, <a href="https://www.blog.google/topics/google-europe/powering-cleaner-energy-future-europe/">we hosted an event</a> in Brussels that brought business leaders, policy makers and civil society together to discuss ways to ensure EU renewable energy policy meets the changing needs of consumers. Last week, we were back in Brussels to continue the discussion at <a href="http://resource-event.eu/">RE-Source</a>, the largest gathering in the EU to-date of companies committed to buying renewable energy to cover their operations.</p><br/><p>With 14 data centers on four continents and offices in 150 cities around the globe, Google consumes a lot of power. And combating climate change requires the world to transition to a clean energy economy. So we’ve made it a top priority not only to become more energy efficient but also to ensure that the energy we purchase comes from clean sources such as renewables. We have also found that purchasing energy from renewable resources also makes good business sense, for two key reasons:</p><ul><li>The cost to produce and deploy renewable energy technologies like wind and solar has come down precipitously in recent years. In fact, in a growing number of areas, renewable energy is the cheapest form of energy available on the grid.</li><li>For those of us who manage a global power portfolio like many corporations, renewable energy contracts provide financial certainty and protection against fuel-price volatility.</li></ul></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>Google is the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy in the world. To date, we’ve signed contracts to purchase 2.6 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy. In the EU alone, we have signed 669 MW of deals across 8 projects in Sweden, Norway, and The Netherlands and we are on track to <a href="https://www.blog.google/topics/environment/100-percent-renewable-energy/">reach 100% renewable energy</a> for our operations in 2017—a major milestone. You can read more about our global sustainability efforts in the 2017 progress update of Google’s <a href="https://static.googleusercontent.com/media/environment.google/en//pdf/google-2017-environmental-report.pdf">Environmental Report</a>.</p><br/><p>Despite this progress, many barriers to purchasing renewable energy still exist. The challenge ahead is to drive even more renewable purchasing and grow the size of the market. The EU is currently considering a <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/news/commission-proposes-new-rules-consumer-centred-clean-energy-transition">series of directives</a> on clean energy that provide opportunity to remove many of these barriers. We look forward to working with EU policymakers and other stakeholders to ensure these efforts maximize the opportunity to scale renewables across Europe. For us, reaching 100% renewable energy purchasing on a global and annual basis is an important milestone but we’re just getting started. We want to help ensure that all energy consumers have a clear and easy path to choosing renewable sources.</p></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~4/wqq5uBRdkpw" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Fri, 20 Oct 2017 18:00:00 +0000Fri, 20 Oct 2017 18:00:00 +0000The Official Google BlogSay “yes” to HTTPS: Chrome secures the web, one site at a timehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/ucxCLs01cNA/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p><i>Editor’s note: October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and we're celebrating with a series of security announcements this week. See our earlier posts on <a href="https://www.blog.google/topics/safety-security/new-security-protections-tailored-you/">new security protections tailored for you</a>, our new <a href="https://www.blog.google/topics/safety-security/googles-strongest-security-those-who-need-it-most/">Advanced Protection Program</a>, and our <a href="https://www.blog.google/topics/safety-security/fighting-phishing-smarter-protections/">progress fighting phishing</a>.</i><br/></p><p>Security has always been one of Chrome’s core principles—we constantly work to build the most secure web browser to protect our users. <a href="https://www.blog.google/topics/connected-workspaces/2-new-white-papers-examine-enterprise-web-browser-security/">Two recent studies</a> concluded that Chrome was the most secure web browser in multiple aspects of security, with high rates of catching dangerous and deceptive sites, lightning-fast patching of vulnerabilities, and multiple layers of defenses.</p><p>About a year ago, we <a href="https://security.googleblog.com/2016/09/moving-towards-more-secure-web.html">announced</a> that we would begin marking all sites that are not encrypted with HTTPS as “not secure” in Chrome. We wanted to help people understand when the site they're on is not secure, and at the same time, provide motivation to that site's owner to improve the security of their site. We knew this would take some time, and so we started by only marking pages without encryption that collect passwords and credit cards. In the next phase, we <a href="https://blog.chromium.org/2017/04/next-steps-toward-more-connection.html">began</a> showing the “not secure” warning in two additional situations: when people enter data on an HTTP page, and on all HTTP pages visited in Incognito mode. <br/></p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>It’s only been a year, but HTTPS usage has already made some incredible progress. You can see all of this in our public <a href="https://transparencyreport.google.com/https/overview?hl=en">Transparency Report</a>:</p><p><br/></p><ul><li><p>64 percent of Chrome traffic on Android is now protected, up from 42 percent a year ago.</p></li><li><p>Over 75 percent of Chrome traffic on both ChromeOS and Mac is now protected, up from 60 percent on Mac and 67 percent on Chrome OS a year ago</p></li><li><p>71 of the top 100 sites on the web use HTTPS by default, up from 37 a year ago</p></li></ul></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>We’re also excited to see HTTPS usage increasing around the world. For example, we’ve seen HTTPS usage surge recently in Japan; large sites like <a href="https://techblog.rakuten.co.jp/2017/08/23/rakutensjourneytohttps/">Rakuten</a>, <a href="http://techlife.cookpad.com/entry/2017/04/19/190901">Cookpad</a>, <a href="https://developers.cyberagent.co.jp/blog/archives/7743/">Ameblo</a>, and <a href="https://about.yahoo.co.jp/info/aossl/">Yahoo Japan</a> all made major headway towards HTTPS in 2017. Because of this, we’ve seen HTTPS in Japan surge from 31 percent to 55 percent in the last year, measured via Chrome on Windows. We see similar upward trends in other regions—HTTPS is up from 50 percent to 66 percent in Brazil, and 59 percent to 73 percent in the U.S.!</p><br/><h2>Ongoing efforts to bring encryption to everyone</h2><br/><p>To help site owners migrate (or originally create!) their sites on HTTPS, we want to make sure the process is as simple and cheap as possible. Let’s Encrypt is a free and automated certificate authority that makes securing your website cheap and easy. Google Chrome remains a Platinum sponsor of <a href="https://letsencrypt.org/">Let’s Encrypt</a> in 2017, and has committed to continue that support next year. </p><br/><p>Google also recently announced <a href="https://cloudplatform.googleblog.com/2017/09/introducing-managed-SSL-for-Google-App-Engine.html">managed SSL for Google App Engine</a>, and has started securing entire top-level Google domains like .foo and .dev <a href="https://security.googleblog.com/2017/09/broadening-hsts-to-secure-more-of-web.html">by default with HSTS</a>. These advances help make HTTPS automatic and painless, to make sure we’re moving towards a web that’s secure by default.</p><br/>HTTPS is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6DUrH56g14">easier and cheaper</a> than ever before, and it enables both the best performance the web offers and powerful new features that are too sensitive for HTTP. There’s never been a better time to migrate! Developers, check out our <a href="https://developers.google.com/web/fundamentals/security/encrypt-in-transit/why-https?hl=en">set-up guides</a> to get started.<p></p></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~4/ucxCLs01cNA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Fri, 20 Oct 2017 18:00:00 +0000Fri, 20 Oct 2017 18:00:00 +0000The Official Google BlogThe High Five: this week’s trends have a sweet toothhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/dKncwRNyaEk/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>A celebrity baby on the way, a sidelined NBA player, and ice cream for dessert: here’s a look at the week’s top-searched trends, with data from the <a href="https://newslab.withgoogle.com/">Google News Lab</a>. </p><br/><h2>Sing us a lullaby, you’re the Piano Man </h2><p>Search interest in “Billy Joel age” went up nearly 8,000 percent this week after it was announced that the 68-year-old musician and his wife Alexis are expecting a child. Age was top of mind in the other searches as well: people asked “How old is Billy Joel’s wife?” and “How old is Billy Joel’s daughter?” as well as “How many children does Billy Joel have?” </p><br/><h2>I scream, you scream, we all search for the Museum of Ice Cream</h2><p>After it <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/local/article/Ice-Cream-Museum-plastic-sprinkles-litter-trash-SF-12256858.php">it was reported</a> that sprinkles from San Francisco’s <a href="https://www.museumoficecream.com/">Museum of Ice Cream</a> (the interactive, social media-friendly art installation that’s already swept Los Angeles) have been found all around the city, search interest in “Museum of Ice Cream” rose nearly 5,00 percent. People are searching for the scoop: “How much are Museum of Ice Cream tickets?” “Who created the Museum of Ice Cream?” and “How to start something like the Museum of Ice Cream?” (Apparently it takes a lot of sprinkles.) And while we’re dishing out the ice cream trends ... the top-searched types of ice cream this week were “rolled ice cream,” “mochi ice cream,” and “vegan ice cream.” </p><br/><h2>NBA season tips off</h2><p>After Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward fell to the floor with a fractured tibia and dislocated ankle on Wednesday (the first night of the NBA season), people searched: “How long will Gordon Hayward be out?” “How long does a fractured ankle take to heal?” and “How long is Gordon Hayward’s contract with the Celtics?” After the injury, search interest in <a href="https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=now%207-d&geo=US&q=%2Fm%2F0bbtpmy">Gordon Hayward</a> shot up nearly 52,000 percent—making him the most searched NBA player on opening night (followed by LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Steph Curry). </p><br/><h2>Let them eat (10-foot) cake </h2><p>Rapper Gucci Mane had an extravagant wedding this week, and the highlight was a 10-foot-tall $75,000 cake, prompting people to search: “How much was Gucci Mane’s wedding?” “Where was Gucci Mane’s wedding?” and “Who was at Gucci Mane’s wedding?” (Hopefully enough people to eat all that cake.) While the decadent dessert may have raised questions about the rapper’s fortune, interest in “Gucci Mane wedding” was searched <a href="https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=now%207-d&geo=US&q=Gucci%20Mane%20wedding,Gucci%20Mane%20net%20worth">2.5 times more </a>than “Gucci Mane net worth.” </p><br/><h2>I’m feeling spooky</h2><p>In the weeks leading up to Halloween, some have existential questions about the holiday (the top searched question was ”Why do people wear costumes for Halloween?”), while others are focused on finding the perfect costume: “What should I be for Halloween?” “How to make a Halloween costume?” and “What is the most popular Halloween costume?” We’ve got the last <a href="https://blog.google/topics/trends/shields-are-brooms-are-out-years-top-halloween-costume-trends">question covered</a>—Google’s <a href="https://frightgeist.withgoogle.com/">Frightgeist</a> can tell you what people around the country or in your own hometown are searching for this Halloween.</p></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~4/dKncwRNyaEk" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Fri, 20 Oct 2017 17:00:00 +0000Fri, 20 Oct 2017 17:00:00 +0000The Official Google BlogNew Android Management API delivers simple, powerful tools for enterprisehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/Uet1-UxAPjY/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>Managing mobile devices and applications can be a challenge for businesses and partners of all sizes. </p><br/><p>Today, our Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) partners write their own management app in order to enable management of Android devices; we call this a “device policy controller” (DPC) app. A DPC app is essentially an agent deployed by the EMM, with the real value living in the console and back end, which the app communicates with directly. </p><br/><p>Now, with our newest tool, the <a href="https://developers.google.com/android/management/introduction">Android Management API</a>, customers and EMMs can manage devices using a server-side API and eliminate the need to write a management app. The Android Management API takes on this complexity so partners can focus on what’s important to their customers and not worry about the underlying Android framework.</p><br/><p>Now, creating policies for your device fleet is as simple as creating a Google Cloud project and making a couple of REST API calls. The Android Management API is built around policies, rather than discrete transactions; just tell the API how a device should be managed.</p><p> </p>Behind the scenes, Google interprets these policies into a specific set of actions for the target device, and executes those requests using the <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.work.clouddpc&hl=en">Android Device Policy app</a>, a Google-made managing agent. Because we provide the managing agent, developers don’t need to handle nuances of the framework implementation, such as which APIs are available or what bugs need to be worked around on given versions of Android.</div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>We’ve been testing the Android Management API with several early access partners. Mobiltec, which has launched a validated Corporate Owned Single-Use (COSU) solution, found the new API sped up the company’s EMM efforts by easing back on some development needs.</p><br/><p>“Android Management API is a powerful Cloud Platform API that allows us to easily integrate Android EMM functions to cloud4mobile, our EMM tool. With this new management API, we can deliver top-of-market EMM solutions to a wide range of devices,” says Paulo Morandi, senior software architect at Mobiltec. “Since we don't need to develop our own DPC (device policy controller), new features can be added in minutes; just some HTTP requests and you are done.”</p><p> </p><p>The Android Management API is compatible with any device running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or above that has Google Play installed. Designed with the needs of businesses in mind, it doesn't matter if an organization's devices come from one or many manufacturers—this new API provides a consistent way to manage a device.</p><br/><p>Our first set of APIs focus on purpose-built devices use cases, such as digital signage, ticket printing, or kiosks. Over the coming months, our team of engineers will add more features to cover knowledge worker management use cases, and ultimately all <a href="https://developers.google.com/android/work/requirements">Android enterprise solution sets</a>.</p><br/><p>The Android Management API is now available in beta for all partners and developers, whether they are developing EMM software, purpose-built specific applications, or an in-house solution for an organization. </p><br/>Want to try it out? Using Google’s API Explorer, you can <a href="https://developers.google.com/android/management/quickstart">try out the API</a> and provision a device in minutes. All you need is a new or factory reset Android 6.0+ device and a Gmail account. Check out the <a href="https://developers.google.com/android/management/quickstart">Quick Start Guide</a> to discover how quickly things can get up and running. We hope this makes development easier for partners and helps them bring the latest Android features to customers faster.</div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~4/Uet1-UxAPjY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Fri, 20 Oct 2017 16:00:00 +0000Fri, 20 Oct 2017 16:00:00 +0000The Official Google BlogShields are in, brooms are out: this year's top Halloween costume trendshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/3YJ7Shd8rC0/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>What are you dressing up as this year? Every Halloween, people across the United States turn to Google to search for what to wear on the spookiest night of the year. And with our tool <a href="https://frightgeist.withgoogle.com/">Frightgeist</a>, you’ll get a view of Halloween costume trends across the U.S., and you can see the most-searched costumes near you (and avoid those embarrassing Halloween party costume clashes). </p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>This year, the top 10 costume list reflects everything from movie hits like “Wonder Woman” and “It” to the perennial appeal of the (walking) undead.</p><ol><li>Wonder Woman<br/></li><li>Harley Quinn<br/></li><li>Clown<br/></li><li>Unicorn<br/></li><li>Rabbit<br/></li><li>Witch<br/></li><li>Mouse<br/></li><li>Pirate<br/></li><li>Zombie<br/></li><li>Dinosaur</li></ol></div></div>
<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>If the top 10 isn’t enough, you can explore the top 100 costumes across the country: Click on a costume and you can see how it’s trending, where it’s searched, and how it’s changed over time. In the top 100 list, film characters account for a fifth of costume searches, followed by animals at 12 percent and comic book characters at 11 percent. </p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>In 2016 Harley Quinn, inspired by “Suicide Squad,” ruled All Hallows Eve—but this year the Princess of the Amazons has dethroned her. We’re also seeing some new entries to the list—these are new additions to the top 100 list since last Halloween: </p><ol><li>Moana<br/></li><li>IT<br/></li><li>Emoji<br/></li><li>Stranger Things<br/></li><li>Thing 1</li></ol><p>To see what people are searching in your hometown or other cities around the country, click on “Costume Map.” (We see you and your elephants, Casper, WY. But no love for the friendly ghost?)</p><br/></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>Just because a costume is in the top 10 doesn’t mean it will stay there. These are the costumes with the biggest drop in rankings over the last year:</p><br/><p>1. Maleficent</p><p>2. Knight</p><p>3. Frankenstein</p><p>4. Evil Queen</p><p>5. Snow White</p><br/><p>And if you still can’t decide what to wear, you should check out the costume wizard. Set the spookiness and originality settings and see what it comes back with.</p></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~4/3YJ7Shd8rC0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Fri, 20 Oct 2017 15:00:00 +0000Fri, 20 Oct 2017 15:00:00 +0000The Official Google Blog10 things you can do with your new Pixel 2http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/JweXhS2KnxY/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>It’s here! Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL hit shelves today in the U.S. Here’s a few things you can do with your Pixel 2, right out of the box. </p><br/><p><b>1. Transfer your stuff from your old phone in less than 10 minutes</b>—photos, videos, music, contacts, calendar events, apps, messages, and more. Just plug in the the cord and follow the simple instructions on the screen to make the switch. If you need help, there’s a team available 24/7 to talk you through it.</p><br/><p><b>2. Say cheese! </b>Pixel 2 has the highest-rated smartphone camera ever, with a DxOMark Mobile score of 98. Take brilliant photos in any light, and play around with new exposure controls and features like Smartburst, which takes a rapid-fire sequence of shots. Get motion photos with every shot. Pixel 2 also comes with incredible video stabilization, thanks to a combination of both optical and electronic image stabilization.</p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p><b>3. Focus. </b>New portrait mode in the Pixel 2 front and rear cameras gives you crisp, beautiful portraits and selfies with a gorgeous background blur (on both Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL). For more on portrait mode, including some tips for how to take the best portraits, see <a href="https://www.blog.google/products/pixel/focus-portrait-mode-behind-scenes-pixel-2s-camera-features/">this post</a>.</p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p><b>4. Get unlimited storage for all your memories. </b>All Pixel 2 users get free unlimited storage in the highest resolution for all of the photos and videos taken on your Pixel with Google Photos.</p><br/><p><b>5. Search what you see with Google Lens in Google Photos.</b> With this preview, just for Pixel 2 users, you can learn about the world around you and get things done. Save phone numbers and email addresses right to your contacts; learn more about landmarks, artwork, books, movies, music albums, and video games; or copy and share URLs from posters.</p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p><b>6. Just squeeze the sides of your phone, say “Ok Google,” or long press the Home button to call on your Google Assistant</b> for help finding answers and getting things done. The Google Assistant understands you, so you don’t have to edit the text messages you dictate. Ask to play a song on Google Play Music, YouTube Music, or Spotify. Or control your phone by saying “turn on night light, "do not disturb” or "change my ringtone" and your Google Assistant will make it happen—no need to dig into settings. </p><br/><p><b>7. Get big entertainment wherever you go. </b>Pixel 2 comes with a razor-sharp display and dual front-facing stereo speakers for crystal-clear sound. It also delivers high quality audio through the new USB-C headphone port and through the updated, hi-fi Bluetooth support. With Fast Pair, you can quickly and easily set up compatible wireless headphones with just a tap.</p><br/><p><b>8. See the important stuff at a glance. </b>With Always-On-Display, you can see the time and notifications without waking up your phone. </p><br/><p><b>9. Name that tune. </b>On your Always-On-Display, the Now Playing feature will show you song and artist info for music playing around you. This works entirely on the device, so no audio is sent to Google.</p><br/><p><b>10. Play well with others. </b>Pixel is made to work seamlessly with your other Google devices. Say “Ok Google, play recommended videos on the TV” and your Assistant helps you keep watching on Chromecast without missing a beat. Or ask your Assistant on Google Home to “find my phone” to hear it ring and find its last location. We’re adding new features all the time, and as the rest of our hardware family hits stores this fall, your Pixel will work with those too.</p></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~4/JweXhS2KnxY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thu, 19 Oct 2017 17:00:00 +0000Thu, 19 Oct 2017 17:00:00 +0000The Official Google BlogHelping NASA and JPL bring the surface of Mars to your browserhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/Dy2p1oZ_3Yk/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>On August 6, 2012, the Curiosity rover landed on Mars. Ever since, it’s been searching for evidence that Mars has ever been suitable for life. It’s also been photographing the Martian terrain in great detail. Scientists at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab use these photos to create a 3D model of Mars. It’s a one-of-a-kind scientific tool for planning future missions.</p><br/><p>Today, we’re putting that same 3D model into an immersive experience for everyone to explore. We call it Access Mars, and it lets you see what the scientists see. Get a real look at Curiosity’s landing site and other mission sites like Pahrump Hills and Murray Buttes. Plus, JPL will continuously update the data so you can see where Curiosity has just been in the past few days or weeks. All along the way, JPL scientist Katie Stack Morgan will be your guide, explaining key points about the rover, the mission, and some of the early findings.</p><br/><p>The experience is built using <a href="https://experiments.withgoogle.com/webvr">WebVR,</a> a technology that lets you see virtual reality right in your browser, without installing any apps. You can try it on a virtual reality headset, phone, or laptop. </p><br/><p>Check it out at <a href="http://g.co/accessmars">g.co/accessmars</a>.</p><br/>And if you’re an educator, we’ve updated our Mars tour in <a href="https://edu.google.com/expeditions/">Google Expeditions</a> with highlights from this experience. To try it with your class or in <a href="https://www.blog.google/products/google-vr/adventures-abound-explore-google-expeditions-your-own/">self-guided mode</a>, download the Expeditions app from <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.vr.expeditions&hl=en">Google Play</a> or the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/expeditions/id1131711060?mt=8">App Store</a>.<p></p></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~4/Dy2p1oZ_3Yk" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thu, 19 Oct 2017 16:09:00 +0000Thu, 19 Oct 2017 16:09:00 +0000The Official Google BlogDelivering better government services at lower costs with Chromehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/vYESUAWnorI/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p><i><b>Editor’s note:</b> Today’s post comes from Vijay Badal, Director of Application Services of <a href="https://www.dotcomm.org/">DOTComm</a>. Founded in 2003, DOTComm provides centralized IT support and consulting for 70 government agencies in the city of Omaha and Douglas County, NE. DOTComm uses Chrome browser and G Suite to improve employee productivity and mobility and cut IT costs.</i></p><p>At DOTComm, our employees provide technical support for more than 5,000 government workers throughout Omaha and Douglas County. Because these workers are spread across 120 different locations, our employees need access to the tools they need to do their jobs whether they’re in the office or on site with our customers. Several years ago, we realized the legacy systems we were using were getting in the way.</p><p>When employees had to travel to provide technical support for the government agencies we serve, they didn’t have mobile access to important documents, or the ability to share and send files back to the office, such as videos that outlined technical issues. In addition, hardware and licensing were costly, and inflexible productivity applications were making it difficult for employees to collaborate or work from the road. Plus, we needed half a dozen employees just to maintain our infrastructure!</p><p>To solve these challenges, we turned to Chrome and G Suite. Chrome is fast, secure and gives our staff access to thousands of useful extensions. It’s also allowed us to standardize across our desktop and mobile devices. G Suite has helped us cut hardware costs and improve collaboration and mobility. With Chrome and G Suite, we no longer pay thousands of dollars in annual licensing fees, and we’ve reduced the number of people managing infrastructure from six to one, freeing up the other five people to work on different tasks.</p><p>Chrome’s extensions have been big productivity boosters. One extension syncs the staffs’ Google calendars with their Salesforce calendars. Previously, employees had to check two separate apps and cross-reference two separate calendars. Now they only need to check one. Another extension gives staff mobile access to Google Docs and Google Sheets. This means they can work nearly anywhere. When they’re out of the office, or in the field, they can create and share files on any device they need.</p><p>As an IT department, we’re particularly pleased with the security and other IT benefits we get with Google. Chrome has built-in malware and phishing protection, and we use the G Suite admin console to ensure all user downloads are stored on the same network drive so they can be checked for malware. The G Suite admin console lets us control Chrome settings for employees, including adding extensions on whitelists so employees can use them, pushing recommended extensions to users, and rolling out Chrome updates on a scheduled timeframe. That’s made our IT administrators’ lives much easier and has been a huge timesaver. And because we centrally manage the rollout of extensions for new employees, individual city and departments no longer need to have a dedicated IT person working on new hire application orientation. So we save time and money with each new hire.</p><p>Meanwhile, the number of help tickets for IT support has plummeted, from 30 a day to one or two. For example, we no longer have to deal with local archive files, which means our staff spends less time troubleshooting and the government employees we serve don’t waste time wrestling with unfamiliar technology. Productivity has increased as well. For example, City Police, City Fire, and County Health departments all use shared Google Sheets within their individual precincts for shift change management. This allows them to roll over shift changes swiftly and efficiently, without missing any critical ongoing task assignments.</p><p>Chrome browser and G Suite have allowed us to offer more secure and productive IT services to all City of Omaha and Douglas County employees, who are then able to better serve citizens. DOTComm and the City of Omaha were recently honored as one of "Top 10 Cities" by the Center for Digital Government in its Digital Cities Survey 2016, which recognizes cities that use technology to improve citizen services, enhance transparency and encourage citizen engagement. This marked the first time the City of Omaha made the list—but I predict it won’t be the last now that we’re using Chrome browser and G Suite.</p></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~4/vYESUAWnorI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thu, 19 Oct 2017 16:00:00 +0000Thu, 19 Oct 2017 16:00:00 +0000The Official Google BlogGoogle Home Mini has arrived—here’s what you can do with ithttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/JhWL0YFDti0/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>A few weeks ago <a href="https://blog.google/products/home/welcoming-mini-and-max-google-home-family/">we unveiled Google Home Mini</a>, the newest addition to the Google Home family. About the size of a donut, it has all the smarts of the Google Assistant and gives you hands-free help in any room of your house. Starting today, you can grab it online from the <a href="https://store.google.com/product/google_home_mini">Google Store</a> or online or on shelves of <a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/site/google-home-mini-chalk/6082194.p?skuId=6082194">Best Buy</a>, <a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Google-Home-Mini-Chalk/732881809">Walmart</a>, <a href="https://www.target.com/p/google-home-mini/-/A-53045704#lnk=sametab&preselect=52860566">Target</a> and other stores.</p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>Just start with “Hey Google” to get answers from your Google Assistant, tackle your day, enjoy music or TV shows, and control your compatible smart home devices. And with Voice Match, the Assistant can tell your voice from others—up to six people can get personal assistance on each device. <br/></p><p>Here are six fun things you can do with your Mini:</p><ol><li><b>Find my phone:</b> When you lose your phone in the couch cushions, your Assistant can find it for you. “Hey Google, find my phone” will ring your Android phone (even if it’s on silent) or your iPhone.<br/></li><li><b>Set a sleep timer:</b> Fall asleep to the sweet sounds of your favorite music or podcast by saying, “Hey Google, set a sleep timer for 30 minutes.”<br/></li><li><b>Play news by voice on your TV: </b>Stay on top of current events with YouTube news playlists from sources like ABC, Fox and NBC. With a Chromecast-connected TV, you can ask say: “Hey Google, play the news on my TV” or “Ok Google, play sports news on my TV.”<br/></li><li><b>Turn the TV on and off: </b>With Google Home, Chromecast, and a compatible TV you can just say “Hey Google, turn off the TV.”<br/></li><li><b>Enable night mode: </b>In night mode, Mini’s lights dim and the volume lowers so that you you don’t disturb others in your household when it’s late (or early).<br/></li><li><b>Set a default TV or speaker: </b>Choose a Chromecast-connected TV to be your default screen, so you don’t need to mention the device's name in your voice command. When you say “Play yoga videos,” they’ll play on the TV you’ve set as the default. It works the same way for speakers connected to Chromecast Audio—you can designate a group of speakers that cover several rooms (“first floor,” for example) as the default. Then say “Hey Google, play workout playlist” and it will automatically start playing on that group of speakers.<br/></li></ol><p>You can start using these features today with any Google Home or Google Home Mini—and stay tuned for lots more to come!</p></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~4/JhWL0YFDti0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thu, 19 Oct 2017 15:00:00 +0000Thu, 19 Oct 2017 15:00:00 +0000The Official Google BlogFrom paw prints to a digital footprint: a tailor shop attracts new customershttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/PpigjWuIkDI/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>A chubby French Bulldog keeps watch in front of a vintage-looking tailor shop in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood. Meet Bruno, the face of <a href="http://www.villagetailor.com/">Village Tailor and Cleaners</a>. Vince, the shop’s owner, immigrated to the U.S. from Italy when he was just 18 years old, establishing Village Tailor in 1977. Today, his family-run business has grown into three locations and is best known for its skilled leather and suede alterations. Inside the shop, a wall covered in autographed photos of celebrity customers—Celine Dion, Marc Anthony, Elton John, and others—is a testament to the iconic quality of Vince's work.</p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>While Bruno had been doing a wonderful job bringing in passersby, Vince knew he needed a way to stand out from the many tailoring shops in SoHo and reach more customers.</p><br/><p>Vince noticed that most of his customers were walking in with a bag of clothes in one hand, and researching local businesses on their cell phone with the other. So, he decided to get his business online. He saw it as similar to Bruno sitting out front: their online presence could spark curiosity, help them stand out, and invite in new customers.</p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>He set up <a href="https://www.google.com/business/">Village Tailor's Google listing</a>, so that he could edit how his business appears when people find it on Google Search and Maps. He added photos to his listing, posted updates about his skilled alterations, and used Google website builder to create a <a href="http://village-tailor-cleaners.business.site/">free high-quality website</a> from his phone in less than 10 minutes. Now, when he asks new customers how they found his shop, they often mention Google.</p></div></div>
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<div class="rich-text"><p>Having an online presence not only helped Vince reach new customers, but it allowed him to build relationships with his existing customers by responding to reviews. Knowing that people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, reviews are an opportunity to adapt his business to customers’ needs. The results have been great for Village Tailor: within weeks of getting online, Vince noticed they were bringing in on average five more customers per week. After three months, that number increased to 15 per week, representing a 30% revenue increase per year for Vince. <br/></p><p>The store’s early success with Google My Business inspired Vince to try AdWords, advertising to potential customers searching on Google for keywords related to tailoring. Since customers raved about the leather and suede work in Village Tailor’s Google reviews, Vince focused on those services in his online ads which brought in even more revenue. That meant he could hire more tailors and invest in new equipment to keep up with the long lines of customers. Now, while Bruno will always have a place in front of Village Tailor, Google brings in most of their customers. Sorry Bruno!<br/></p></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>Today, Vince’s son Vincent Jr. manages <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Vince's+Village+Cobbler/@40.7262817,-74.0045445,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c2598db7a1f671:0x60dc9f30b8b73770!8m2!3d40.7262817!4d-74.0023558">Vince's Village Cobbler</a>, the shoe repair shop next door. Building on the family business’s tradition of excellent craftsmanship in shoes and leather goods, he continues to develop Village Cobbler's online presence with an e-commerce website that offers shipping all over the U.S. He also plans to find new customers with Google My Business and Google AdWords, just like his father has, to keep the family business growing. </p></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~4/PpigjWuIkDI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thu, 19 Oct 2017 13:00:00 +0000Thu, 19 Oct 2017 13:00:00 +0000The Official Google BlogA focus on portrait mode: behind the scenes with Pixel 2’s camera featureshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/oPNUGRdEISU/<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>This week the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, Google’s newest smartphones, arrive in stores. Both devices come with features like <a href="https://store.google.com/us/product/pixel_2?utm_source=en-ha-na-sem&utm_medium=text&utm_term=USannounce&ds_kid=43700024791423985&utm_content=bkws&utm_campaign=Pixel&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsZHPBRClARIsAC-VMPDo-jB3r96UDsVYQXqGXt0JLnkRKepGZDfwBUMVuUWEzhA06bXVA-AaAi3yEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CNSEle6u9tYCFVWTfgodgSICgw">Now Playing</a>, the Google Assistant, and the best-rated smartphone camera ever, <a href="https://www.dxomark.com/google-pixel-2-reviewed-sets-new-record-smartphone-camera-quality/">according to DXO</a>. </p><br/><p>We designed Pixel 2’s camera by asking how we can make the camera in your Pixel 2 act like SLRs and other big cameras, and we’ve talked before about the tech we use to do that (such as <a href="https://research.googleblog.com/2014/10/hdr-low-light-and-high-dynamic-range.html">HDR+</a>). Today we’re highlighting a new feature for Pixel 2’s camera: portrait mode. </p><br/><p>With portrait mode, you can take pictures of your friends and family (that includes your pets too!) that keep what’s important sharp and in focus, but softly blur out the background. This helps draw your attention to the people in your pictures and keeps you from getting distracted by what’s in the background. This works on both Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, on both the rear- and front-facing cameras.</p></div></div>
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<figcaption class="article-image__caption h-c-page"><div class="rich-text">Pictures <a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOL9dKbOVIa1j29zCUBSqcq2vlr40psJYVVg7byQOGO3G0-jIv_WU_7l-ubR-YdEA/photo/AF1QipNZbP_8K9OCVeWzc8B0aVLtmrVLRX7co4WbTjDS?key=WU92MHFnb05yMEhtQWVlT1h1OFZvOUJuQ2pxbHJn">without</a> (left) and <a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOL9dKbOVIa1j29zCUBSqcq2vlr40psJYVVg7byQOGO3G0-jIv_WU_7l-ubR-YdEA/photo/AF1QipM8Dg23FNoS4FMve6LqLCAj0wdnXt17HwkBcLDu?key=WU92MHFnb05yMEhtQWVlT1h1OFZvOUJuQ2pxbHJn">with</a> (right) portrait mode. Photo by Matt Jones</div></figcaption>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>Technically, blurring out the background like this is an effect called “shallow depth of field.” The big lenses on SLRs can be configured to do this by changing their aperture, but smartphone cameras have fixed, small apertures that produce images where everything is more or less sharp. To create this effect with a smartphone camera, we need to know which parts of the image are far away in order to blur them artificially.</p><br/><p>Normally, to determine what’s far away with a smartphone camera you’d need to use two cameras close to each other, then triangulate the depth of various parts of the scene—just like your eyes work. But on Pixel 2 we’re able to combine computational photography and machine learning to do the same with just one camera.</p></div></div>
<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><h2>How portrait mode works on the Pixel 2</h2><br/><p>Portrait mode starts with <a href="https://research.googleblog.com/2014/10/hdr-low-light-and-high-dynamic-range.html">an HDR+ picture</a> where everything is sharp and high-quality.</p><br/><p>Next, our technology needs to decide which pixels belong to the foreground of the image (a person, or your dog) and which belong to the background. This is called a “segmentation mask” and it’s where machine learning comes in. We trained a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convolutional_neural_network">neural network</a> to look at a picture and understand which pixels are people and which aren’t. Because photos of people may also include things like hats, sunglasses, and ice cream cones, we trained our network on close to a million pictures—including pictures with things like those!</p><br/><p>Just creating two layers—foreground and background, with a hard edge in between them—isn’t quite enough for all pictures you’d want to take; SLRs produce blur that gets stronger with each fraction of an inch further from the thing that’s in sharp focus. To recreate that look with Pixel 2’s rear camera, we use <a href="https://research.googleblog.com/2017/10/portrait-mode-on-pixel-2-and-pixel-2-xl.html">the new Dual Pixel sensor</a> to look through the left and right sides of the camera’s tiny lens at the same time—effectively giving us two cameras for the price of one. Using these two views we compute a depth map: the distance from the camera to each point in the scene. Then we blur the image based on the combination of the depth map and the segmentation mask.</p><br/><p>The result? Portrait mode.</p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>Portrait mode works a little differently on the front-facing camera, where we aren’t able to produce a depth map the same way we do with the more powerful rear-facing camera. For selfies, we just use our segmentation mask, which works particularly well for selfies since they have simpler compositions.</p></div></div>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><h2>When and how to use portrait mode</h2><br/><p>Portrait mode on the Pixel 2 is automatic and easy to use—just choose it from your camera menu then take your picture. You can use it for pictures of your friends, family, and even pets. You can also use it for all kinds of “close-up” shots of objects such flowers, food, or bumblebees (just don’t get stung!) with background blur.</p></div></div>
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<div href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOL9dKbOVIa1j29zCUBSqcq2vlr40psJYVVg7byQOGO3G0-jIv_WU_7l-ubR-YdEA/photo/AF1QipPEHpSHQ_fdlDxSXTGKDk2imZY3NSviT7xOmkX7?key=WU92MHFnb05yMEhtQWVlT1h1OFZvOUJuQ2pxbHJn" rel="external" target="_blank">
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<figcaption class="article-image__caption h-c-page"><div class="rich-text">Close-up picture <a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOL9dKbOVIa1j29zCUBSqcq2vlr40psJYVVg7byQOGO3G0-jIv_WU_7l-ubR-YdEA/photo/AF1QipP1IAYXY7ZreBP0ENOECE1argwNH2ioGm9rXbww?key=WU92MHFnb05yMEhtQWVlT1h1OFZvOUJuQ2pxbHJn">without</a> (left) and <a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOL9dKbOVIa1j29zCUBSqcq2vlr40psJYVVg7byQOGO3G0-jIv_WU_7l-ubR-YdEA/photo/AF1QipNGbLzeqIH1qMPGd4paG4-LLx7cLUGtbZgpxhc_?key=WU92MHFnb05yMEhtQWVlT1h1OFZvOUJuQ2pxbHJn">with</a> (right) portrait mode. Photo by Marc Levoy</div></figcaption>
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<div class="block-paragraph"><div class="rich-text"><p>Here are some tips for how to take great portraits using any camera (and Pixel 2 as well!):</p><br/><ul><li>Stand close enough to your subjects that their head (or head and shoulders) fill the frame.<br/></li><li>For a group shot where you want everyone sharp, place them at the same distance from the camera.<br/></li><li>Put some distance between your subjects and the background.<br/></li><li>For close-up shots, tap to focus to get more control over what’s sharp and what’s blurred. Also, the camera can’t focus on things closer than several inches, so stay at least that far away.</li></ul>To learn more about portrait mode on the Pixel 2, watch this video by by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIbeiddq_CQ&t=6s">Nat & Friends</a>, or geek out with our our in-depth, technical post over on <a href="https://research.googleblog.com/2017/10/portrait-mode-on-pixel-2-and-pixel-2-xl.html">the Research blog</a>.<br/></div></div>
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