Google’s Latest Self-Driving Car

Google built driverless cars get more public exposure ...
Question is "will the paint job make them more acceptable to humans?"

Google’s Latest Self-Driving Car Prototypes Are Now On Mountain View Streets | TechCrunch:

Microsoft Office on Android

Microsoft rolls out Office products on other platforms ...
Certainly a changed Microsoft these days! There is no stopping this roll out of their products across iOS and Android!

Microsoft rolls out Office access to Android - Gadget Guy Australia:

Dropbox's 400 Million Users

Dropbox good growth in competitive marketplace ...
As a long time Dropbox user, I am pleased to see that it is still giving Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive a run for its money!

Dropbox Now Has More Than 400 Million Registered Users | TechCrunch:

Google launches free music

Now this is good news for music lovers ...
The big question is "when is going to be available in Australia?"

Google launches free music streaming ahead of Apple Music debut | The Verge:

Samsung see thru trucks

Now here's an idea even if a large investment ...
Not sure how long the monitors would last mounted on the openable back doors of a truck. They would need to be well bolted on otherwise they might just take a walk!

Samsung makes big trucks transparent in the name of road safety | The Verge:

Skype For Web (Beta)

Interesting development for Skype ...
Microsoft moves Skype to the browser. It may even make itself fully functional on the Chromebook soon!

Skype For Web Beta Goes Worldwide, Chromebooks Get IM Support | TechCrunch:

Transforming robots

Some interesting photos of current top robots ...
Interesting photos from finals of the DARPA Robotic Challenge.

Transforming robot crowned the winner of DARPA's Robotics Challenge | The Verge:

Microsoft gets tough on Ask

At last, Microsoft judges ASK Toolbar as malware ...
Never understood why company like Oracle would ever stoop so low as to be party to installing the Ask Toolbar when most people regard it as a curse!

Ding dong, the witch is dead: Microsoft AV gets tough on Ask Toolbar | Ars Technica:

New tech won’t let your drive

This is smart technology if it works reliably ...
Hope they have thought of all the ways this could be fooled!

Coming soon: New car tech that won’t let your car start if you’re drunk | Ars Technica:

Microsoft Buys Wunderlist

Microsoft buys up another successful app ...
Since I already use Wunderlist, I am worried that Microsoft will interfere with this excellent product and ruin it - something that has happened before!

Microsoft Purchase Of Wunderlist Confirmed | TechCrunch:

Google self-driving cars

Google now publicly reporting self drive car incidents ...
These self driving cars need to anticipate bad human drivers just like good human drivers do!

Google self-driving car gets rear-ended in 13th accident since 2009 | Ars Technica:

Windows 10 on 9 diverse PCs

First Windows 10 hardware to hit the market ...
Interesting to see how soon we get Windows 10 hardware into the local shops. Should be some good deals on the "out of date" Windows 8.1 hardware!

Microsoft shows 9 diverse PCs that will ship with Windows 10 | TechRadar:

World gets 61 sec minute

Wonder what this will break ...
Caused problems for Qantas last time an adjustment was made - so who will it be this time?

World gets a 61-second minute known as a leap second:

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Dreamliner makes fun take off ...
Shame they did not film the take off from the side rather than the front. Then you would be able to judges just how vertical it really was!

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in near vertical takeoff in Paris Air Show rehearsal:

HDD vs SSD - Differences

Useful article on benefits of SSD versus HDD ...
Solid State Drives (SSDs) are coming down in price and it is only a matter of time before your laptop will be equipped only with an SSD.

Ask GadgetGuy: what’s the difference between HDD and SSD? - Gadget Guy Australia:

Google io2015 Conference

Walk through some Google io2015 announcements ...
A handy reference to some of the more important Google announcements.

io2015 | TechCrunch:

Google's "Hands Free" Pay

Android Pay could wipe out cash ...
This is going to happen sooner or later - just a matter of time!

Google's "Hands Free" will allow you to shop at stores without pulling out your phone | The Verge:

Google Maps offline

Google Maps offline to be even better later this year ...
Turn-by-turn navigation on Google Maps offline would be a huge improvement even if you have to download and save the area map first before leaving home.

Google Maps allows turn-by-turn navigation—offline | Ars Technica:

Google Photos’ Unlimited

Unlimited free storage for your photos ...
Google separates Photos from Google+ and it becomes the best photo storage app around. Unlimited photo and video storage (up to 16 megapixels and 1080p) - what more could you want?

Google Photos’ Unlimited Free Storage Could Clobber Apple’s Expensive iCloud | TechCrunch:

Smart Lock Passwords Mgr

Simplifying log-on for Android Apps ...
This would be a great benefit to thousands of Android app developers.

Google Launches Smart Lock Passwords Manager For Android To Make Signing Into Apps Easier | TechCrunch:

Google's Brillo & Weave

An ambitious plan for the Internet of Things ...
This would be a brilliant framework for all manufacturers to build to.

Google is trying to solve the smart home's biggest problem | The Verge:

Gmail enables “unsend”

A great feature for those 'whoops' moments ... 
Neat feature that allows you to 'undo' a Gmail 'Send' and make some changes before you cause a problem or embarrass yourself!

Gmail enables “unsend” option for all users | Ars Technica:

Google Photos Breaks Free

Leaving Google+ behind to become a great app ...
A huge announcement at the recent Google IO developer conference. Free unlimited storage for your photos (max 16MP) and a great app to manage and view them on tablets and phones!

Google Photos Breaks Free Of Google+, Now Offers Free, Unlimited Storage | TechCrunch:

The Next Billion People

Google getting the Internet to the next billion ...
More offline capabilities and apps that accommodate poor connectivity are ways that Google sees of getting the Internet to the next billion users.

Google’s Quest To Bring The Internet To The Next Billion People | TechCrunch:

Microsoft Crosses Boundaries

Microsoft apps for iOS and Android ...
Microsoft is really crossing boundaries and developing apps for both iOS and Android. Now it is a companion app for Windows 10 including Cortana!

Microsoft To Bring Cortana To iOS And Android With Companion App | TechCrunch:

Smartphones and/or PC

Could this be the merging of Smartphones and PCs ...
Worth a read because it is a very interesting idea. If Microsoft could pull this off then it may it would put itself into a unique position compared to Apple or Google.

How Windows 10 will change smartphones forever | TechRadar:

Acer Chromebook sales

Chromebook sales increase 27% to 7.3 million ...

The education market is taking about 60-70% of all Chromebook sales but sales outside of education are starting to take off. Quote "The majority of Chromebook users are tech-savvy individuals who purchase one as a companion device to their primary notebook or desktop PC," the report indicates. "Others are buying a Chromebook for the household to use as a second low-cost PC alternative."

Acer leads Chromebook sales with growing market | TechRadar:

Shrink Pic Free Software

Automatically shrink pictures as you insert or share ...
This clever piece of software can be installed on a Windows PC and it automatically shrink pictures before inserting or sharing. Works with social networks as well as Gmail.

http://www.onthegosoft.com/shrink_pic.htm

Gmail’s New Login Screens

Google's new Login Screens may have confused a few ...
All part of tightening security even if it does have disadvantages for password managers.

Gmail’s New Login Screens Hints At A Future Beyond Passwords | TechCrunch:

How to make a system image

Not for everyone but interesting to some ...
Step by step process to make a System Image using free software.

How to: take a system image of your computer | TechRadar:

Jetpacks over Dubai

A 'must watch' video - incredible ...
Just wish they had shown how they land! Obviously there is a parachute involved!

Watch two crazy people fly jetpacks over Dubai in 4K | The Verge:

Windows 10 for Ever?

Windows 10 to be the last version of Windows ...
Interesting article about the long term development of Windows without version number!

Why Microsoft is calling Windows 10 'the last version of Windows' | The Verge:

Phablets Becoming the Norm

Phablets become the standard Android tablet ...
Some very interesting statistics of where the smartphone, phablet and tablet sales are moving. Very different distribution between Android and Apple iOS.

Phablets Are Eating Phones And Tablets | TechCrunch:

Windows 10 Clean Installs

Microsoft makes some Windows 10 clarifications ...
The nitty gritty issues are starting to emerge now that we have an official release date for Windows 10. Ability to perform clean installs and long term updating are critical to many intending to upgrade to Windows 10.

Yes, you’ll be able to do clean installs of the free Windows 10 upgrade | Ars Technica:

Microsoft's Windows 10 Pitch

Will Windows 10 be ready for launch July 29 ...
I share the author's concern about Windows 10 being bug-free by the 29th July. I would not be in any hurry to upgrade until others have tested the quality of the initial release!

Microsoft Wraps Its Windows 10 Pitch, Here’s What You Need To Know | TechCrunch:

Windows 10 Limitations

Some Windows 10 losses and limitations ...
This is an interesting summary of what you will lose if you upgrade to Windows 10. Playing DVDs is fairly significant even if a solution is coming later. Also some limitation in various markets for features like Cortana.

Microsoft explains what you’ll lose by upgrading to Windows 10 | The Verge:

Google Privacy & Security

Focusing attention on security and privacy ...
This is a good move, I have explored it all and it looks good. Well worth spending a few minutes to review your security and privacy settings in Google.

Google Centralizes Privacy And Security Controls On New Web Dashboard | TechCrunch:

Windows 10 arrives July 29

Windows 10 release is now official ...
At last we know when to expect Window 10. It is likely that not all components will be released at the same time but the basic Graphical User Interface (GUI) must be in the first release and that is what Windows 8.1 users are hanging out for.

Windows 10 arrives on July 29 for PCs and tablets only | Ars Technica:

Google's Android M Preview

Android's next version - successor to Lollipop ...
Some significant inclusions for Android M along with many refinements and power saving improvements as well. A good read of what is coming down the line for the most popular mobile OS of all.

Google Launches Android M Preview With Fingerprint Scanner Support, Android Pay, Improved Permissions And Battery Life | TechCrunch:

Google's Brillo and Weave

Brillo and Weave to power the Internet of Things ...
Just another example of how many fronts Google is working on at the same time! The Internet of Things is some years off but this sort of architectural work is the foundations.

Google Reveals Plan To Get Android Powering Internet Of Things Devices | TechCrunch:

Android Wear at a Glance

Android Wear makes practical improvements ...
Sustaining information on the screen until it is no longer required seems obvious but that does not mean it would happen! Android Wear is maturing!

Android Wear Puts More Information A Single Glance Away | TechCrunch:

Google Opens Inbox To All

Google's new Inbox now available to all ...
Originally this was by invitation only but it is now open to all. I have tried Inbox but find that it tries to be too clever in grouping things. I will be sticking to the standard Gmail format which I find to be excellent.

Google Opens Inbox To All, Adds Smart Reminders, Trip Bundles, Undo Send And More | TechCrunch:

Gmail Now 900M Active Users

Gmail now probably largest web based email service ...
In 2012 only 425 million whereas 900 million active users now is substantial growth to say the least! The number of users with multiple devices makes Gmail the obvious choice over the outdated POP3 service.

Gmail Now Has 900M Active Users, 75% On Mobile | TechCrunch: