Google’s new ‘multi-search’ attributes hint at AR glasses’ future
Google introduced a new “multi-search” feature in April that provides a way to search the web with both images and text at the same time.
On Monday, during Google’s I/O developer conference, the firm disclosed an expansion to the feature, termed “Multisearch Near Me.”
This feature which comes later in the year will permit Google app users to combine text and images in a single Google Search query to tackle searches that a text search alone struggles with or help with shopping buys.
Google believes that the tech will help users to scan items in the real world. In other words, users can scan real-world items and add “near me” to their query to discover a nearby retail store carrying the item.
This technology or feature makes sense for an AR glasses interface.
Google announced other updates
In other news, Google has announced other updates like new AI models (e.g. LaMDA 2), a new Google Wallet app, ad personalization tools, a new “immersive” mode on Google Maps, Google Cloud updates, Assistant features, and security tools.
Flutter 3 added support for macOS and Linux desktop apps
Flutter 3 has included support for macOS and Linux desktop apps.
They include Android Studio gaining live edits to speed up dev cycles, a Samsung partnership for simpler data sharing between health and fitness apps, plus a new ARCore Geospatial API that’s based on Google Visual Positioning System and Street View images.
This new ARCore Geospatial API allows developers to anchor content through GPS and saves resources by not needing to scan the physical space.
Play Store introduces new features
Play Store has introduced new features like new “ultra-low” price points, prepaid app subscriptions, and better ways of bundling subscriptions and offers.
On its storefront, Google Play included custom product pages and in-app events.
Elon pauses the Twitter deal, why?
People were asking why Elon Musk paused his Twitter deal? Some asked if he was trolling? Looking to renegotiate the share price? Or aiming for an exit.
On Friday, Musk announced he’s pausing the deal to look into details related to the number of spam and fake accounts on the social media app.
The sudden announcement has sent the app’s shares tumbling, making investors question if the Tesla CEO may back out.
The SpaceX mogul disclosed that he wants to ensure that fake accounts “do indeed represent less than 5%” of Twitter’s users, as Twitter has estimated.
Meanwhile, the billionaire later replied to his early tweet. He said, “Still committed to acquisition.”
According to a Reuter post, of the 229 million Twitter users who saw advertising in the first quarter of 2022, less than 5% were fake accounts.
Twitter has earlier declined to comment on the deal concerns. On Friday, its CEO, Parag Agrawal, said that he expects the deal to close.
However, he added, “we need to be prepared for all scenarios and always do what’s right for Twitter.”
In its opinion, Techcrunch, a fintech website, said that Musk can’t really pause the deal over spambots.
According to the website, “Twitter discloses the percentage of spam and bots in its SEC filings. And even if it was more than the 5% Twitter says it is, it can’t possibly be so much more that it would actually threaten the deal going through. Unless Musk just found out that almost all Twitter users are bots.”
For many analysts, regardless of what later happens to the social media app, the company’s real damage is beyond this financial mess.
Users have seen their work demeaned. And advertisers have thought about removing Twitter from their purchases. At the same time, top Twitter executives have also left.
More staff might be fired this week. Twitter staff’s capability to concentrate on their work will be affected by the ongoing deal drama.
What’s more, the CEO, Parag Agrawal disclosed on Friday that the deal won’t stop him from creating the “hard decisions as needed,” referring to cost-cutting, firings, and hiring going on Twitter this week.
Apple restructure its services team
In other news, Apple has revealed it’s restructuring its services team to re-concentrate on more streaming and advertising work.
Peter Stern, the Apple VP of Services, will now focus on books, videos, iCloud, news, Fitness+, and Apple One. And that he doesn’t handle advertising again.
Consequently, an advertising vice president at Apple, Todd Teresi, will report directly to Eddy Cue, the SVP of Services.
Meanwhile, following Apple’s decision to clean up the App Store, a report emerged that there are about 1.5 million abandoned apps on iOS and Android by the first quarter of 2022 that have gone over 2 years without an update.
Google is blocking downloads of paid apps and updates in Russia
Google has started to block downloads of paid apps and updates in Russia from May 5, blaming it on compliance problems.
Photo by Rami Al-zayat on Unsplash