Google

• [New] Google has now committed to phasing out third-party cookies in Chrome - the world's most popular browser by market share - by 2023, after announcing a delay to its original plans in June. Forbes
• [New] Google's critics and competitors have long complained that Google unfairly uses its dominance to steer local search results to its own offerings, even when that might not be the most helpful result. Wired
• [New] In August, South Korea became the first country to pass a law forcing Apple and Google to open their mobile app stores to alternate payment systems, threatening their grip on the 30% commission they charge developers. Wired
• [New] With Google's help, Dapper Labs hopes to scale NBA Top Shot and other NFT lines running on Flow to billions of users, following the path of other blockchain projects swelling on the backs of centralized cloud hosts. Forbes
• [New] Through the multi-year partnership, Google Cloud will act as a network operator, offering its infrastructure to help Flow scale. Forbes
• [New] Search engine giant Google will not be refused a leadership position in powering the next generation of the world wide web, supercharged by blockchain. Forbes
• [New] Law enforcement could use nearly any pretext to demand that Google and other tech companies provide the name of everyone who visits an abortion provider. Fast Company
• [New] The new cloud region in Toronto marks another key milestone that will propel TELUS' digital leadership by further leveraging the scalability, reliability and cost effectiveness of Google Cloud to support improved customer experience and build stronger, healthier and more sustainable communities. Google Cloud Blog
• [New] In the coming weeks, Google Cloud customers will be able tap data, app, and system integration partners including Climate Engine, Craft, Crux, Project44, SAP, Accenture, Deloitte, Pluto7, and TCS to integrate Supply Chain Pulse and Supply Chain Twin with their existing setups. VentureBeat
• [New] Just Google AI voice synthesis or AI voice deepfakes, and you will see how commonplace the technology is, available from specialist shops that only focus on speech synthesis, like Resemble. The Verge
• [New] Hackers backed by the Chinese government rampaged through Google's networks, exfiltrating data and code while trying to establish backdoors so they could get back in if Google tried to kick them out. Wired
• [New] Google has temporarily locked a number of email accounts belonging to officials of the former Afghan government, following concerns that they might provide a digital paper trail that the new Taliban leaders could use to target people. www.euractiv.com
• [New] The passing of the South Korea Telecommunications Business Act, which will ban app store operators (i.e. Apple and Google) from forcing developers to use their online payment systems. 9to5Mac
• [New] Google only two weeks ago unveiled plans to spend €1bn on cloud infrastructure over 10 years in Germany, and announced a new Google Cloud region in Berlin-Brandenburg, and the soon-to-be completed expansion of its cloud region in Frankfurt that will go live in 2022. ZDNet
• [New] Support and engineering activities that require physical or virtual access to facilities in Germany will be under the supervision of T-Systems and Google Cloud. ZDNet
• [New] Since early last year, Google has blocked new AI features analysing emotions, fearing cultural insensitivity, while Microsoft restricted software mimicking voices and IBM rejected a client request for an advanced facial-recognition system. 2021
• [New] With Google built-in, the Megane E-TECH Electric will feature hands-free help from Google Assistant, positionally precise navigational maps with Google Maps, as well as a rich ecosystem of automotive applications and services on Google Play that are connected and upgradeable. Vehicle Telematics, ADAS, Connected and Autonomous Vehicle
• [New] Innovation platforms such as Apple's iOS or Google's Android provide business opportunities for millions of application developers who innovate on new applications, facilitating the development of apps that they can then distribute globally through app stores. wp-content
• [New] Google has temporarily locked down an unspecified number of Afghan government email accounts, as fears grow over the digital paper trail left by former officials and their international partners. The Hindu BusinessLine
• Google's Android operating system has roughly 85% global share in smartphones and smart devices, so robust antitrust intervention against Google may give Apple an opportunity to gain market share in its most important business. Time
• Since early last year, Google has blocked new AI features analyzing emotions, fearing cultural insensitivity, while Microsoft restricted software mimicking voices and IBM rejected a client request for an advanced facial-recognition system. Reuters
• Appcessori is launching a new mobile device speaker dock, Rayz Rally Pro, that will automatically launch Google Meet for video meetings and provide an enhanced audio experience from mobile devices. New Digital Age

Last updated: 19 September 2021