Google Finally Releases Chrome for Android

Yesterday Google announced their new web browser for Android - Chrome. Google Chrome Beta is only available at the moment for Android devices running 4.0 (Ice-Cream Sandwich), meaning that almost every phone/tablet out there isn't compatible...for the moment. Chrome is still in Beta (as the name suggests) and little is known whether or not Google will release it for lower-gen devices, but I guess anything is possible. It could be that Google is keeping it for 4.0 until they get the bugs out, and then will later launch an update with backwards compatibility.

The late release may be in response to Google’s newest privacy changes aimed at combining all of their apps together for a more streamlined performance. With Google Sync, Chrome for Android will help Android stick to Google’s goal of simplicity. It will be nice to have all of my computer tabs opened on my PC and vice-versa, but can’t help thinking that this is what Google should have done from the start, much like iOS did. Check out the video below for more information, and if you have a 4.0 device (my Razr will get upgraded soon I hope), feel free to send me a review on Facebook or Twitter or in the comments below!

EXOdesk - The First Desk You Have to Plug-In

Chances are we all have one, and chances are it doesn’t need to get plugged into the wall...yet. The desk is an ancient invention that we use today, often with some piece of technology on top. That’s what the EXOdesk aims to change, they took the simple everyday computing tasks you do and put them into your desk.

Using the EXOdesk you can check Facebook, surf the web, and even play angry birds all at the expected cost of $1299. This is thanks to the desk’s 10 point multi-touch display. The desk runs HTML5 apps natively - meaning any future HTML5 apps will be able to run on this handy device - Hello, My Robot Nation! The desk is also capable of being a virtual mouse and keyboard, meaning no more sticky keys or Dusty keyboards. The only issue i see here is the inevitable spilled soda (I don't think this would clean up very easily).

Check out the video below to see the desk in action. And be sure to follow RTE on Facebook and Twitter!

Google's Self Driving Car - Hitting 40 in Parking-lots

For years now DARPA has issued a driver-less car challenge, which colleges and companies across the country have entered. Most contestants never finished the competition because they break or crash midway, which is understandable. But these cars were just on a long dirt road, with no other cars nearby; something completely different than real world driving (not saying what they did wasn’t great). Of course the leading technology company had to get a piece of this, sponsoring some teams like Stanford, but never really entering themselves.

But why wouldn’t Google enter their own team? They clearly have the resources, and the brains to dominate in the competition. Well, apparently they didn’t need a competition to make a driver-less car. And skipped all of the testing in remote areas (publicly at least). Google now has a self driving car that they claim can easily navigate through busy streets by itself. Just give it a destination, and it’ll get you there.

In the video below a Google Prius is driving, with limited sensors (keeping the car from looking odder than it already does). The driver does nothing but make sure the car doesn't malfunction, while the aggressive driving is just to show the cars extreme capabilities (so don’t worry about Terminator cars...yet). Google currently has testers driving these cars on the road, who get paid to sit there essentially. So expect this to catch on quickly, although I doubt it'll go into production for a bit; no one wants to hear that a robotic Prius hit some kid chasing after a ball...then again, no one wants to hear that without the car being robotic.

To find more out check out the NYTimes article HERE.

What do you think Google do next? What do you want them to do? #ilovegoogleless than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyTaylor Niver
RoboTechEd

Google+1 - Combining Friends With Your Searches

Google released their newest social-network feature recently, calling it ‘Google +1’. And although 50% of my posts have to do with Google (yeah I am somewhat obsessive), I think this is one of their neatest ideas yet. G+1 is built into Googles new profile pages, and is a simple way to say “This is a website worth checking out, but not worth tweeting”. It is a little button next to a Google search result, that says +1 (duh). When you click the button it adds an update to the +1 page on your Google profile; so that all of your Google pals can see what you've been searching (Click HERE to see my recent +1s).

But what really is making this +1 feature look promising is its ability to weed out the useless search results. You know, searching ‘RoboTechEd’ and getting your favorite blog instead of some random TV show. Then, when you +1 it, Google will start to catch on that RoboTechEd is an amazing blog, and bump it higher on the search results list. Getting you the results that you are actually looking for!

To sign up for G+1 go HERE, it is still in development stages, but won’t affect your performance (so there’s no reason not to). Also, check the this video for more info, and make sure to +1 RoboTechEd on Google! And Tweet this post so your friends can, and their friends can too! (a guy can dream cant he?)

What do you think of Google +1? Are you testing it? #ilovegoogleless than a minute ago via web   Favorite | Retweet | ReplyTaylor Niver
RoboTechEd