GeekSugar

5 Facts on Google's New Privacy Policy

Kelly Schwarze — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:35:35 PST

In a policy revision announced this week, Google will be instituting one blanket privacy policy across their many web products with the reasoning that they're building a streamlined user experience. The data from your activity and habits on one Google-owned site will be stored in their servers and shared across all their sites. The legal speak details for Google's new Terms of Service are available on their website, but we've broken down what you need to know and how the changes affect your digital life below.

When logged into any Google product account, the personal information provided will be shared among all of Google's products. Searches and text provided in Google Search may pop back up in YouTube as recommended videos or Gmail as targeted ads.
Those ads across Google services will be more finely targeted than ever, thanks to your activity across the company's network of products, after all the servers see your most visited websites on Chrome and your recurring destinations on Maps. If personalized ads aren't for you, the function can be turned off with the Ads Preference Manager.
Google says your data privacy is secure. They will not sell your personal information or share it without permission, unless with a valid court order.
Google social search elements are still happening. When applicable, Google+ personal results will continue to appear in a search query, with the thinking that a friend's recommendation or recent article share on the social network ties closer to what you're scouring the Internet for.
The Google products policy change goes into effect March 1.

Tell us your feelings on the Internet giant's changes in the comments and watch Google's video explanation of the new policy after the break.

Google Adds Interior Business Photos to Street View

Kelly Schwarze — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:46:17 PDT

In the latest enhancement of the Street View, Google is moving off the street and has started rolling out interior pictures of businesses. You'll not only be able to see the inside of a new boutique in your city, but the service can also be used by restaurants to highlight their best dishes.

Businesses in 37 cities and six countries, including the US, can apply to have the Google team take interior shots of their shops, though it's not guaranteed they'll be chosen for this new project. The inside sneak peek is even accessible via the business's local listings page in Google Search. No need to worry if you're accidentally caught in a store at the time they're taking the photo, as Google says it will keep privacy concerns at bay by blurring the faces of anyone captured in the images.

Do you think these interior pictures on Street View will catch on among local businesses?

Geek Shot: Augmented Reality

Kelly Schwarze — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 08:39:49 PDT

The work of Berlin-based artist Aram Bartholl examines the blurred lines between our physical lives and encroaching digital borders. His public art series, Map uses the familiar red destination marker from Google Maps to question how technology dictates the center of the city and how it then directs citizens' real lives.

Aram took further inspiration in creating a near 20-foot high scale model from how when in Google Maps' satellite mode, the red marker seems to actually be a part of the city rather than just the animated map. Map has appeared in cities in Germany, Poland, and Taiwan.

Download Google Maps For Android Offline Use

GeekSugar — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 07:15:59 PDT

The latest Google Maps update for Android smartphones is set to be our Summer traveling savior. Google Maps can now be downloaded for offline viewing, perfect for those times when a phone loses a data signal or while abroad and without a foreign data plan.

While you still have a WiFi connection, look up the Google Places page of your desired location (Empire State Building, Eiffel Tower, etc.), click "More" for the menu and then select "Download map area." A 10-mile radius map of the selected location will download to your mobile device. While the map will give you all the basics like landmark and street names when offline, an Internet connection is necessary for searching for directions within the map. Still, it's an invaluable resource when exploring new cities this Summer.

A Modern Twist on a Royal Wedding: 6 Geeky Facts About William and Kate's Nuptials

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:31:47 PDT

The royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton is fast approaching, and while some traditions remain steadfast, there are a few modern and tech-savvy twists. Learn all about them here!

Keep Up With the Royal Wedding at Home For Under $5

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 04:20:53 PDT

You could be trekking all the way across the globe (and dropping some serious cash) to witness the spectacle that is the royal wedding, but the good news is you don't have to travel to jolly old England to get in on the action. Thanks to technology and a few livestream options, you can watch the entire thing unfold right from your couch and for a lot less money. Check out these apps, sites, and tools that will let you in on a little royal wedding fun at home.

Tour Westminster Abbey - A new iOS and Android app ($4.50) lets you tour a virtual replica of Westminster Abbey, where William and Kate will be saying their vows. Also included in the app are points of interest, so you can stop and take a look from all angles. Who needs an invite?
Get updates on Twitter - There may be a rule against cell phone use during the ceremony, but you'll still be able to get up to the minute updates about the royal wedding on the official Clarence House Twitter page.
Watch it live - You have three solid options for watching the royal wedding live online, so even if you don't have cable, you'll be covered.
See the royal procession route in 3D - No need to battle the crowds after the ceremony, just check out the sights on Google Earth instead! Taking you on a virtual 3D tour of the postwedding parade, you'll see sights like Big Ben, Parliament, and Buckingham Palace, where the reception will be taking place.

How Google Is Helping Japan Earthquake Victims, and How You Can Help, Too

Kristen Hawley — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 04:10:16 PDT

The Internet has collectively been helping Japan since the moments after the massive earthquake that struck nearly two weeks ago. One of the major players, Google, has laid out the best ways to help in a recent blog post. Here's a quick rundown:

An official crisis response page aggregates all of Google's efforts; check it out for the latest news.
Google's person finder has gone beyond its original inception to accommodate all users: those with smartphones and those without.
Attempted real-time updates to Google Maps show the destruction in Japan and also detail passable roads and shelter locations.
Google Translate supports English-Japanese and 55 other language translations.
Google's official crisis response page details the best ways to donate to relief efforts. You can also donate via Facebook or Twitter, or even pick up one of these cool t-shirts for relief.

Avoid Traffic With Google's Latest Maps Update For Android

Kristen Hawley — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:45:44 PST

If you're on the go, using a smartphone to navigate a road trip or long drive puts you at a serious advantage. There are plenty of apps to track traffic and apps to help you on a road trip. Now, the latest update to Google Maps for Android will navigate you around traffic, finding the fastest route from point A to point B.

Previously, the app found the fastest route based on distance and expected traffic but didn't take real-time traffic into consideration, which could lead to a whole lot of frustration and wasted time if you hit an unexpected backup. Now, historical and real-time traffic results are both considered when displaying a route. According to Google, 35 million miles are guided by Google Maps Navigation every day, so this latest change could equal hours saved by drivers.

Starting today, Google Maps will automatically default to this new "fastest route" but will continue to offer alternate options, too.

Google Street View Goes Off-Road

Kristen Hawley — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 04:20:41 PST

Google Street View has taken us through our own neighborhoods, down Olympic ski slopes, and even inside art museums. Now, it's taking us where cars can't go using the Trike, a bicycle outfitted with street view equipment to pedal around areas where cars can't go.

The Trike has been collecting data since 2009, and Google recently introduced the new images to street view. Castles, gardens, parks, even Stonehenge are included, giving users a close view of places they may never have the opportunity to see in person. Off-road locations on Google Maps are designated by the same blue outline that designates Street View on streets.

Send a Personalized Evalentine With Google Maps

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:40:18 PST

The big day is here, and if you're finding yourself short on time to pick up a mushy stock card from the drug store, you could send a sweet and personalized evalentine to your love to remind them of a special location you both share instead. Thanks to Google Maps, it's super easy to Map Your Valentine.

Just enter your valentine's email address, a location (some ideas may be where you met, where you went on your first date, where he proposed, etc.), and a message to seal the deal. Google will deliver a cute heart-shaped evalentine with your location and message (like you see here). Somehow, you can always count on Google to be on top of the holidays.