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Google’s Play Store becomes the victim of Antitrust Lawsuit filed by the Multiple States.

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It is not new that many nations have targeted big multinational companies like Google and Facebook earlier for their exceptional market power. Google has become the main target of many states this time for the offensive revolt against Big Tech. On 7th July, attorney generals from thirty-six states and the District of Columbia filed an antitrust lawsuit which targets Google’s Play Store. This is the fourth major antitrust lawsuit that the US government officials have charged Goggle with in the past ten months. The US states are targeting Play Store this time which is the power hub of any Android device in order to download applications.

Google’s Play Store
Image source: www.deccanherald.com

The Antitrust Lawsuit

The complaint launched against Google constitutes 144 pages and it was filed late on Wednesday. All the nations have filed the lawsuit together in a Northern California federal court against Google. Several attacks on a large tech conglomerate like Google will begin to form a stale relationship between the US nations and the company and most of the time common people become the victim of such battles. People are immensely dependent on the services and products provided by Google’s Play Store and any disruption of these services would cause a huge loss for the Android users and more.

Also, the lawsuit filed against Google also comes as a backdrop of proposed laws in Congress curated in a way that will either break up or undermine the massive power of the company (The Indian Express). Though the antitrust lawsuit of yesterday has been filed against Google, the target here is every giant tech company like Google, Apple, Amazon and Facebook that holds unfathomable power in the market. Each of these four companies have built a trillion-dollar market due to the huge popularity of their services and a huge fraction of the population using it.

Reason for Filing Lawsuit

The recent lawsuit resembles the one filed by Epic, mobile game maker voicing against both Google and Apple. Epic raised the concern about the control that Google exerts on the Play Store. It mentioned that Google collects commission for up to 30 percent for digital transactions taking place in these apps that are run on Android and installed by the users. And, these Android users accounts for almost 80 percent of the total smartphone market. Epic has filed against both Apple and Google but the trial with Google is still awaiting.

The commission charged by Google is similar to the terms of Apple but Google also allows its customers to download applications from other sites apart from Play Store. But, Apple users can strictly install apps only from its store and no other outlets. But, the lawsuit filed yesterday specifically mentions that it seems like Google’s android software is an open operating system but in real life it doesn’t allow customers with much choices.

Allegations Against Google’s Play Store

The complaint says that over the years Google has deployed many tactics to create unhealthy competition. Google made sure that it distributes more than 90 percent app on these Android devices which according to the nations is an illegal monopoly. The government officials says that it is hurting the developers of these apps who have less resources to innovate. Sean Reyes, Utah Attorney General has said that Google’s monopoly is creating a havoc in the marketplace as it is harming small businesses and consumers.

In response to all these allegations Google didn’t instantly respond to a request for a lawsuit. But, Google has been targeted by multiple nations in the past one year and it is defending itself confidently in each case. The concerns have grown against the dominant power of its search engine as well as its digital network that generates more than $100 billion revenue for Alphabet Inc. Previously in response to how small businesses were getting affected by 30 percent commission cut, Google reduced it to 15 percent for the first $1 million revenue. But, even after doing so the situation didn’t cool down and several nations are still trying to dilute the power of these four biggest companies.

Google

Security Changes in Google will Disrupt Old Links of Drive and YouTube.

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Public links to an untold number of Google Drive items will soon cease to work. Google is changing the ways in which link sharing is handled on both services in the name of increased security, and even if active users are allowed to choose from the switch, abandoned files and videos on unused or inactive accounts can simply go unnoticed.

Security Changes in YouTube Links

Because shared links are now part of a newer system, Google says security is increased. The newer links on YouTube would appear to be harder to guess or access for anyone without explicit access. The newer links also have the effect of connecting more activity to specific accounts and requiring viewers to connect to a user profile that allows access to be tracked and included.

On YouTube, any publicly available videos, but labeled “Unlisted,” will have an effect. As described in a 5-minute video and blog post by YouTube, any unlisted videos uploaded before 2017 will be changed to a private one on July 23, 2017. The way private video works now, killing any old links or embedding, as well as limiting sharing to up to 50 people — all of whom require a Google account to view it. As a reminder, you and the people you choose can only view private videos. Once these videos are made privately on July 23rd, any previously used link will no longer function as Unlisted.

Google
Image Source: blog.youtube

To retain your unlisted videos in their unlisted state, you should fill out this form by 23 July 2021 before 2017. YouTube recommends that you choose to avoid this amendment when you treat your unlisted videos such as public videos (for example, they are embedded or shared on third-party websites). If you opt-out, your current connections will continue to work as they currently do, but they will not benefit from the security update.

Using YouTube, you can make your Unlisted video uploaded before 2017 as “Public.” The older videos can be re-uploaded under the new system to take advantage of the security update. Data, like views or comments, related to the original upload, will not be transmitted. Each video that is embedded using the old link must also be updated to the new video URL.

As a reminder, the Unlisted feature will not be removed. It is still possible to upload new videos as Unlisted. Only videos uploaded prior to January 1, 2017, will be affected by this update. YouTube creators can go back through their older Unlisted videos and select the privacy setting that is best for them.

Security Changes in Google Drive Links

The same change is happening for Google Drive, as announced on the Workspace Updates blog earlier today. Now a link will contain a resource key that determines who accesses or does not receive access to cloud-stored files. You’ll continue to have access to the file if you’ve already accessed it (presumably when you log into your Google account) and have “direct access.”

It is a little more complicated if you use a workspace Google account managed by your employer, school, or other company. The IT/administrator department can decide either to opt-out completely, to update anyone without an opt-out, or to upgrade and enable individual users to remove the update.

Administrators can use the Alert Center to see how much your organization affects users, folders, shared drives, and files. Search a warning with the topic “Drive security update.” Admins should decide how their organization will be asked to update their security before 23 July 2021. Admins can choose how their organization uses the security update at Admin Console Apps > Google Workspace > Drive and Docs > Sharing settings > Security update for links.

If the administrator does not choose to update the security, end-users with impacted files, starting July 26, 2021, with their impacted files, will receive an e-mail notification. End-users have to decide how to update their files by September 13, if their administration permits it.

Users not included in Google Workspace receive a notification on their affected files from Google Drive from July 26, 2021, and are able to remove the security update. The new files are subject to the above-mentioned conditions. These users are expected to decide how to apply the update to their files until September 13, 2021.

Issues with type=domain or type=anyone Drive API permission that are affected by Link=true(v2) or allowFileDiscovery = false(v3) In addition to the item ID, a resource key for accessing these items is now required.

Taxation System

Taxes Might Elevate for Tech Giants like Apple and Google as G7 Nations reach Landmark Deal.

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Taxes might increase for multinational conglomerates like Apple, Amazon, and Google as many nations are looking at it as a way to cope up with the post-economic crisis of COVID-19. Large advanced economies like the United States, Britain, and others have reached a landmark deal last weekend which will lead to higher global taxation of these huge tech giants. In total, seven large economies have agreed upon this new minimum global corporate rate of at least 15 percent and also to pay more tax in the markets where they operate in terms of selling products.

The new global tax system has been revised in accordance with the global digital situation and taking in consideration the post-pandemic crisis. Rishi Sunak, British Finance Minister, made a comment that the G7 finance ministers have landed its conclusion to reform the global tax system thus making it fit for the global digital age. Janet Yellen, US Treasury Secretary, said that “significant, unprecedented commitment, would end the race to the bottom of the global taxation system (Gadgets 360).

Global Taxation System

Many new amendments have been made in the new form of the global taxation system as it promises to end the national digital services taxes levied by many European countries including Britain. According to the United States, this service tax was biased and exclusively targeted the US-based tech giants. All the other measures and the final agreements are not yet decided. A meeting of the G20 will be held next month in Venice which will include many emerging economies to discuss more terms about this new rule. Rishi Sunak has said that the entire process is completed and this is just the first step.

Taxation System
Image Source: newsbreak.com

Apart from the elevation in the tax rate, a few other major concerns will also be expressed in the upcoming days. The ministers of these nations have decided that the tech giants should clearly lay out their environmental impact in a direct and standard way. This will help the potential and new investors to decide if they want to invest in a particular company or not. This is one of the key goals for Britain and it will also increase the transparency between a company and the investors.

The big tech companies are always targeted by governments as they dominate the market and yet pay a little tax as compared to their annual revenue. It’s been quite a long time that economically superior nations have tried to raise more revenue from Apple, Google, Amazon, etc.

Nations supporting this new Taxation System

With support from the US government, the Biden administration has proposed the minimum global corporation tax rate of 15 percent, above the level in countries like Ireland and below the lowest level in G7 (Gadgets 360). Both Germany and France have agreed to this agreement but the French Finance Minister has said that he would fight for a higher global corporate tax rate and that’s a “starting point.”

The path to the final agreement will not be very smooth as the tech giants won’t agree to pay a very high rate of tax easily. These multinational companies have a huge market in every continent especially Europe, America, and Asia. So, both the high-end corporations and the government have to find a way to co-exist peacefully.

The German finance minister has added that these tech giants won’t be able to get rid of paying high tax anymore by booking their profits in the lowest-tax countries. Ireland has a tax rate of 12.5 percent and its finance minister said that the global deals before coming to a final decision should consider the scenario of smaller nations as well. Sunak further added, though the deal is advantageous for the nation’s economy, it is uncertain how much money Britain would raise.

It is yet to decide exactly which companies will fall under this new rule as till now the agreement only mentions large multinational enterprises. But, the main companies on the list are Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Apple.

Pixel Buds A-Series

Google Launches Pixel Buds A-Series; Much Cheaper than the Previous Ones.

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Going wireless is the current passion for every other technology company today. Starting from mobile phones to gaming consoles and earphones, everything has gone wireless. The earphone industry has taken off quite rapidly in the past few years, as from JBL to Apple, you get a variety of hands-free earphones and headphones at a different price range. Google, too, has its series of truly wireless earphones, i.e., Pixel Buds, and now, it has brought another series of the same i.e. Pixel Buds A-Series.

Google has launched a new pair of Pixel Buds under the series name Pixel Buds A-Series, having a similar design to Google’s original Pixel Buds, but at a much cheaper price. Though there have already been many speculations about these Pixel Buds through some leaks, the company has revealed much more than that today, through its official launch announcement.

Pixel Buds A-Series Features

Though the Pixel Buds A-Series has been priced at a lower price, i.e., $99, the company hasn’t compromised on the quality of the product. The earbuds come with 12mm dynamic drivers, and the user can still control it through the hands-free “Hey Google” voice commands. Though the Pixel buds do not possess the noise cancellation feature, the quality is still as good as the original pixel buds.

The earbuds come with the Bass Boost feature (providing a powerful bass), captivated touch sensors (to make calls, pause-play music), a motion-detecting accelerometer, beamforming mics, as well as a single IR proximity sensor (to detect if the buds are fitted in the ears properly or not). Also, the new Pixel Buds possess the adaptive sound feature, such that it balances the volume according to the surrounding. Like the standard Pixel buds, it is also rated IPX4 for water and sweat resistance and also supports Bluetooth 5.0 for connectivity.

Pixel Buds A-Series
Image Source: blog.google

Talking about the usage, Google has claimed that the Pixel Buds come with a battery life of five hours and 24 hours counting recharges in the case. The buds also provide three hours of listening time on a mere 15-minutes quick charging. The charging case of the buds comes with USB Type-C charging and also features the hall-effect sensor to detect if the charging case is opened.

Coming to the design of the A-Series Pixel Buds, these are similar looking to the original Pixel Buds, except, the size of the integrated ear hooks has been reduced a little. Also, the company has softened these hooks to make them more comfortable to wear. Apart from that, Google has also done some good work on improving the new Pixel Buds by targeting the connectivity and audio cutouts issue raised by the older customers of Pixel Buds.

Price and Availability

Google, this time, has worked on bringing a much cheaper pair of earbuds for its customers, as the standard Google Pixel Buds cost $179 for a pair, whereas the newly launched A-series buds are available for $99. The cheaper price of the earbuds has also lead to the reduction of some of the features, such as noise cancellation, but still, the sound quality is similar to the original earbuds by Google.

Google has just launched the A-series Pixel Buds and has made them available for pre-orders in the United States and Canada. The Two countries will also be able to get them in the market starting from June 17. The company has not made any announcements on when the new A-series Pixel Buds will hit the global market.

Android 12

Google Android 12 Developer Preview Reveals the Features and Release Date of the OS.

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Google has already shared the two versions of the Android 12 developer previews, and its third version is also on the way. The developer preview is nothing but a sneak peek at the new features that a software possesses before its actual release. The previous developer previews and other leaks of Android 12 have already given us much-needed information about the OS. The latest leaks and rumors have disclosed some more features and also the date of Android 12’s final release.

Talking About the Features of Android 12

Since the TVs have also become smarter, with the new updated OS, Google has improved the Android 12 OS features for the smart TVs. Apart from that, the company has also made sure that the OS works better on tablets and foldable phones as well. Google has worked on the video and image quality for the new OS, as now it will be possible for the users to save data through image compression and better copy and paste features.

Google has also better the game on screenshot capturing as earlier all the smartphone could only take the whole screen screenshot, but the new improved screenshot feature on Android 12 allows the user to capture a manually selected area on the screen. According to the reports, the screenshot capture may include a markup menu as well, which may allow the users to add annotations and emojis to the screenshots.

Android 12
Image Source: fonearena.com

The split-screen feature has also been improved in the new Android OS 12, as now the users can run two apps in pair through a double-tap on the screen, simultaneously. This very feature has been improved, most likely for foldable smartphones.

Google had already introduced the double tap on the back feature in the Android 11 beta. The feature was to access the Google Assistant by tapping twice on the back of the phone. But it failed to impress the audience. The same feature has been introduced in the Android 12 OS, but this time, the users are allowed to set the sensitivity level of the tap, so that no other action takes place on the tapping. The double-tap feature will also allow the users to access the notification, take a screenshot, pause/resume media playback, and open recent apps, etc.

The new Android 12 OS will also include the theme option in it. The users will be able to apply a particular color as a theme for their smartphones. The app developers can also take advantage of this feature by allowing their apps to incorporate color themes into their apps. The notification panel will also get a whole new opaque background and the looks for the lock screen media player have also been changed a bit. Another new feature of the Android 12 OS will also let the users adjust or reduce on-screen contrast.

Security Feature

The company has also improved the security features for smartphones in the upcoming Android OS. There will be an option to allow or block the use of a camera and microphone on the various apps. The OS will also alert the users if any app is using the content from the clipboard of the phone. The OS will also include the facility to share the wi-fi passwords with nearby smartphones through QR code scanning.

Android 12
Image Source: xda-developers.com

Devices to Get Android 12 and Release Date

Though most of the latest Android smartphones will get access to the new Android 12, the names given by the company that will come with Android 12 includes Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, and Pixel 5, Samsung Galaxy S21 and OnePlus 9, etc.

Google has already released the second developer preview version of Android 12 and is organizing the Google IO 2021 event from May 18 to May 20, where the company is said to release the first public beta version of the OS. Reportedly, the company is going to have the final launch of the OS in September this year.

Google Search

New tools get added in Google Search for improving online learning facilities especially in Maths and Science

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Online learning has witnessed a new escalating demand from students, teachers, and parents especially with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. To unleash all the potential of E-Learning and providing students with the best learning resources, Google has revealed some new features for Google Search. The company will be adding five new tools in Google Search for enhancing online learning quality through the same. Currently, Google is working to provide better answers for STEM concepts, complex equations, representing 3D graphics of chemical molecules, etc. This will help both students and teachers to teach and understand the concepts of science and mathematics in a much better way.

Since the classes are conducted online for both school and college students, the teachers can use these tools to enhance their presentations and study modules. Google has added these new five features as a part of the company’s L.E.A.R.N initiative. Currently, the added features will be available in the English language only but in the future, other languages are expected to be added. The Google Search will have educational overviews, examples, practice problems, learning resources from many websites, and more. So, let’s have a look at the new features for Google Search.

Abundant resources for STEM concepts.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) concepts are specifically focussed on newly added features in Google Search. A student or a teacher or any individual can find many useful examples, videos, and overviews to learn any STEM concept they want to. Science and maths are two very crucial subjects and with the right foundation basis, students can have a lot of choices in their future. With the advent of e-learning, we can access study materials from anywhere and Google is making the journey easier and much interesting.

Google Search
Image Source: learndigital.withgoogle.com

Practice, Practice, and Practice

After learning, they can also practice a set of questions to evaluate themselves. This will especially help the students who are preparing for some entrance exam like NEET or JEE. They can solve plenty of problems in Physics, Chemistry, and Maths. Google will also provide learning resources from top learning websites like Byju’s, Chegg, Education Quizzes, Gradeup, Toppr, Careers360, Vedantu, OpenStax, etc. One can also search a specific topic of any subject to find related problems and resources. So, the learning resources are unlimited for whoever wants to take a step forward and enhance their skills.

Implementation of Augmented Reality (AG)

What can be better if a student can have a lab-like experience from their home? Practical lessons are always much more exciting than theory classes and that’s the reason why we used to wait for our practical days in school. Google with the help of AG will show 3D views of several models covering the chemistry, biology, and physics concept. From the simple 3D view of a double bond to a 3D view of the human skeleton, everything is feasible via Google Search. After you search a topic in Google, an option will come “View in 3D” and then you can visualize by clicking on it.

Solving mathematics problems

While some of us find mathematics as a cakewalk, many of us really struggled or still struggle while solving mathematics problems. Google Search can now provide you a step-by-step solution to a math problem. You can go on the search bar and type the equation or you can click a picture using Lens in the Google App. Google Search is working to add more variety of mathematics problems in the search as it has established partnerships with Symbolab, Mathway, etc. These explanations will be provided in 70 different languages. This feature is of great advantage to parents as they can help their kids solve complex math problems after they get a better hold of them.

Navigating Complex Questions

Apart from helping you find resources for understanding the basic concepts of STEM subjects, Google Search is also working to advance the search. In the upcoming weeks, the company claims that it can also provide you solutions to complex questions and not just any STEM concepts. For example, you type an entire question of organic chemistry in the search bar and the tool will show you the related concept to that question as well.