Google Faculty Research Awards 2017

Posted by Maggie Johnson, Vice President of Education and University Relations, Google


We’ve just completed another round of the Google Faculty Research Awards, our annual open call for proposals on computer science and related topics such as machine learning, machine perception, natural language processing, and quantum computing. Our grants cover tuition for a graduate student and provide both faculty and students the opportunity to work directly with Google researchers and engineers.

This round we received 1033 proposals covering 46 countries and over 360 universities. After expert reviews and committee discussions, we decided to fund 152 projects. The subject areas that received the most support this year were human computer interaction, machine learning, machine perception, and systems. Here are a few observations from this round:

• There was a 17% increase in the total number of proposals received
• There was a 87% increase in the number of proposals from Asia Pacific universities
• Proposals focused on Computational Neuroscience increased 53%
• Proposals focused on Quantum Computing more than doubled this round

Congratulations to the well-deserving recipients of this round’s awards. If you are interested in applying for the next round (September 2018 deadline), please visit our website for more information. You can find award recipients from previous years here.

The 7 Best Microsoft Office Alternatives

Microsoft Office is the undisputed king of office suites, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you. Indeed, we’ve covered several reasons why you shouldn’t buy Microsoft Office, with the most important one being the price.

Other office suites exist, and you’d be surprised how well they compare to Microsoft Office, not to mention that many of them are completely free for personal use.

Before we explore these alternatives, you may want to check out our post on ways to use Microsoft Office without paying for it. But if it’s the software itself that you dislike, or if those free methods aren’t available to you, then read on!

The 3 Best Online Office Suites

1. Google Docs

Google Docs is easily the most popular office suite in the world after Microsoft Office. It can be slightly confusing because “Google Docs” is the name of the word processing app itself, but can also refer to the combined suite of apps: Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides.

The main reason to use Google Docs? It’s just so easy. You don’t need to install anything, you can share files without the recipient installing anything, the interface is dead simple and intuitive, it’s a well-known brand, and everything just plain works.

It’s also semi-compatible with Microsoft Office, able to import DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX files but unable to export. Not ideal, but better than nothing. It also has support for advanced speech-to-text voice typing.

The best aspects of Google Docs:

• Up to 15GB of free storage including Docs, Sheets, and Slides files.
• Track changes and version histories for documents.
• Real-time online collaboration with up to 50 simultaneous users.
• Manage permissions and limit what users can or can’t do in a document.
• Offline editing that auto-syncs as soon as you come online.
• Integration with other Google services, including Gmail and Calendar.
• Use hundreds of free fonts from Google Web Fonts.

Website: Google Docs (Free)

Learn everything you need to know in our simple guide to Google Docs.

2. iWork for iCloud

Here’s something you may not know: while Apple’s iWork suite normally costs $10 per app, you can use Pages, Number, and Keynote for free on the web using iWork for iCloud, which is Apple’s answer to Google Docs and Microsoft Office Online.

iWork for iCloud resembles the desktop version for Mac, and is exactly what you’d expect from Apple: simplistic but pleasing interface, enough flexibility to create whatever kind of files you need, but not many workspace customization options.

It’s the obvious choice if you already use iWork on Mac, as it integrates well and allows you to work on your documents anywhere you go. The only downside is that it relies on iCloud for storage, which is one of the least popular cloud storage solutions.

All you need is an Apple ID to use iWork for iCloud.

The best aspects of iWork for iCloud:

• Up to 5GB of free storage on iCloud.
• Beautiful and simplistic interface that’s easy to navigate.
• Integrates with iWork for Mac, making it a strong option for Mac users.
• Cleanly imports and exports Microsoft Office files.

Website: iWork for iCloud (Free)

3. Zoho Office

My favorite thing about Zoho Office is its interface. On the surface it’s pretty much the same as any other online office suite, but there’s a smooth professionalism to it that can’t really be captured in screenshots alone. It just feels good.

Zoho Office is best for small teams, with interesting features like real-time chatting on documents, collaborative editing, digital signatures, quick document sharing, and more.

One of the cooler niche features in Zoho Writer in particular is the ability to post documents straight to WordPress, making it an effective blog writing tool.

The best aspects of Zoho Office:

• Up to 5GB of free storage through Zoho Docs.
• Up to 25 file version histories for each document.
• Cleanly imports and exports Microsoft Office files.
• Real-time communication with collaborators.
• Two-factor authentication for extra security.
• Extensive customizations of documents, settings, and workspaces.

Website: Zoho Office (Free)

The 4 Best Desktop Office Suites

1. OnlyOffice

OnlyOffice (officially stylized as ONLYOFFICE) is a sleeper hit: not many people have heard of it, but it blows the competition out of the water. It really delivers on its product slogan: “Powerful like Microsoft Office, free like LibreOffice.”

What you’ll love best about OnlyOffice is that it natively uses Microsoft Office formats, which isn’t something that all desktop office suites can boast. The interface is also clean and professional, which is great if you hate the bloat of Microsoft Office, the slow performance of WPS Office, or the frank ugliness of LibreOffice.

Note that OnlyOffice comes in a cloud version—not just the option to access OnlyOffice on the web, but the ability to host OnlyOffice on your own server and provide private access to those on premises.

The best aspects of OnlyOffice:

• Open source and completely free for personal use.
• Simple and professional interface with no distracting elements.
• Cleanly imports and exports Microsoft Office files.
• Ability to self-host for private enterprise internal web access.
• Real-time collaborative editing and sharing of files.

Download: OnlyOffice Desktop (Free)
Download: OnlyOffice Cloud ($120/year)
Download: OnlyOffice Enterprise ($900/server)

2. SoftMaker Office

SoftMaker Office is a commercial office suite that also comes in a free version called SoftMaker FreeOffice. FreeOffice is lightweight but complete, with all the essential features you’d need and expect from a modern office suite.

SoftMaker Office earned its reputation for Microsoft Office compatibility, being the first alternative office suite that could losslessly read and write Microsoft Office formats. For you, this means you can directly open and edit Microsoft Office files without worry.

The interface is nice too. SoftMaker respects user choice, allowing you to pick between a classic look (with toolbars and menus) or a modern look (with a Microsoft-like ribbon). And either way, SoftMaker Office is a joy to use: fast, responsive, and effective.

The best aspects of SoftMaker Office:

• Tabbed interface for editing multiple documents.
• Version history for office files, plus ability to revert to earlier versions.
• Export as EPUB to easily turn documents into ebooks.
• Choose between classic or modern interfaces.
• Portable installation to USB drives so you can use it anywhere.

Download: SoftMaker FreeOffice (Free)
Download: SoftMaker Office Standard ($70)
Download: SoftMaker Office Professional ($100)

If you want to learn more, see our overview of SoftMaker FreeOffice.

3. LibreOffice

Ask five people for a free desktop alternative to Microsoft Office and I’d be willing to bet that all of them say LibreOffice. Not only is it free and open source, but it’s been around for years and works well on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

In January 2018, LibreOffice launched the much-awaited version 6.0, which introduced lots of new features, bug fixes, performance improvements, a new help system that’s easier to navigate, and more.

While LibreOffice technically supports Microsoft Office files, it isn’t perfect yet and you will find that some document aspects break when you save in one app and open in its respective counterpart app. And while LibreOffice Calc is nice, it simply doesn’t live up to the power, flexibility, or speed of Microsoft Excel.

The best aspects of LibreOffice:

• Completely free, open source, and cross-platform.
• Built-in tools for creating complex documents, books, and webpages.
• Download hundreds of publicly available LibreOffice templates.
• Expand functionality with hundreds of LibreOffice extensions.
• On top of Writer, Calc, and Impress, LibreOffice includes other office apps like Draw (diagrams), Base (databases), and Math (advanced formulas).

Download: LibreOffice (Free)

If you decide to use LibreOffice and want to get the most out of it, I highly recommend checking out our article on essential LibreOffice productivity tips.

4. WPS Office

Formerly known as Kingsoft Office, WPS Office is a powerhouse. It comes with everything you need in an office suite, plus some unique features like PDF conversion, PDF merging and splitting, document signatures, document encryption, hundreds of fonts and templates, tabbed document editing, and so much more.

The one huge downside to WPS Office is that the free version is ad-supported: a handful of useful features are gated behind sponsored ads, and you can unlock them for 30 minutes by watching a quick ad. In my experience, this actually feels much better than having banner ads, especially because no features are completely unavailable.

The other big downside is that WPS Office runs a bit laggy on weaker hardware, which is a shame when you’re traveling with an older laptop and the application hangs or just isn’t as smooth as you’d want it to be.

The best aspects of WPS Office:

• Up to 1GB of free storage using WPS Office Cloud.
• Easy sharing of files with others through WPS Office Cloud.
• Document tabs for effortless organization while editing.
• Hundreds of fonts and templates for beautifying your documents.
• Built-in PDF tools, including the ability to save directly as PDF.
• Cleanly imports and exports Microsoft Office files (Professional only).

Download: WPS Office (Free)
Download: WPS Office Premium ($30/year)
Download: WPS Office Professional ($45/year or $80 one-time)

Which Office Suite Is Right for You?

At the end of the day, all of these office suites exist for a reason: different people like different things, and what works well for me may not work well for you.

I use Google Docs because it’s simple, fast, and accessible from anywhere regardless of which device or operating system I’m on. Mac users who need an online suite will love iWork for iCloud, whereas anyone who needs a desktop suite will likely do best with OnlyOffice or SoftMaker Office.

If you end up going with a desktop suite, you’ll probably want to integrate it with some kind of cloud storage service. I personally use Google Drive, but other options exist. Get started with our comparison of the best cloud storage services.

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Google’s simple new app lets you draw white lines

Today, a bunch of app developers showed off their latest AR apps for Google’s augmented reality platform, but Google didn’t stay too still either.

The team at Google released what could be one of its simplest apps ever, it’s called an “experiment,” and with good reason, it’s literally just an app for drawing white lines. “Just a line,” takes the baton from the company’s Tilt Brush virtual reality painting app and strips away every custom tool and setting, leaving you with the ability to annotate the world with digital white lines suspended in space and anchored to reality.

The big difference is a lot more people have ARCore compatible phones than have VR headsets so this is going to be a cool first experience with “3D painting” for a lot of people.

Users hold up their phones and use their fingers to draw lines, the interface relies on a ton of physical movement using the phone itself as the main controller. Users can record videos of their creations and download them after if they want to look at all the pretty lines they made.

You’ll need an ARCore compatible phone to try out the app, you’ll also probably need to manage your expectations for what you’re getting. You can just make lines! That is it.

Download it here.

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Goodbye Google: The 15 Best Alternatives to Search, News, Docs, and More

Had enough of Google and want to switch away from it for good? These are the best alternatives for all the major Google programs and services.

Since its debut in 1997, Google has consistently launched new apps and services that change how we use technology. Most of them are really good too, and so you end up using Google apps by default for several needs.

But all of these free services do cost something: privacy. Google is notorious for collecting and storing data on you. So if you’re concerned about privacy, it’s a good idea to switch from Google services to their best alternatives.

1. Ditch Google Search, Use DuckDuckGo

Duck Duck Go is all about privacy while giving you as good of a search experience as Google does. You actually won’t miss Google Search if you switch, and in fact, you’ll find exclusive DuckDuckGo features that Google doesn’t have. The keyboard shortcuts alone are reason enough to use it.

2. Ditch Gmail, Use Outlook.com

Gmail has long been the best email service you can use, but there has been one good contender since Microsoft revamped Outlook.com.

The new Outlook.com is packed with features and accomplishes almost everything Gmail offers. In fact, some of its unique built-in features are better than what Gmail gives you, like the ability to make alias emails and how it helps you achieve inbox zero.

3. Ditch Google Maps, Use Here WeGo

This is one service where Google is still far ahead of any competitors. Waze, Maps.me, Apple Maps, and other map services do the basics well but aren’t as feature-filled as Google Maps. For now, the best alternative is Here WeGo. The maps are as accurate as Google’s own, and live traffic information is updated as regularly too.

4. Ditch Google Docs, Use Office Online

Google’s Docs, Sheets, and Slides make an excellent productivity suite, but why use those when you can get the original office suite, Microsoft Office, for free? Docs and Word are both as good, but when it comes to Excel Online, Microsoft’s offering is miles ahead of Google. And there are plenty of other reasons to use Office Online, including the fact that it works with Dropbox too.

5. Ditch Google Drive, Use Dropbox

Google Drive gives you more free space than Dropbox, but don’t forget, Dropbox has been doing this for a lot longer than Google has. Plus, it’s a company with only one job: cloud storage. That’s a little more reassuring than someone like Google or Microsoft, who have diverse interests.

6. Ditch Google Alerts, Use Talkwalker Alerts or Mention

Google Alerts is excellent to track any word popping up on a new page on the internet, especially in news. There are two excellent alternatives for this. Talkwalker Alerts is a free service that mimics Google Alerts, and even offers an RSS feed. But if you don’t mind paying, Mention is better at monitoring news as well as social media. In fact, it’s better than Google Alerts.

7. Ditch Google News, Use Yahoo News

Google News doesn’t make news of its own, but aggregates articles from various publications. Ideally, you should switch to a proper news organization to read news that is censorship-free. But if you want a similar experience as Google News, then Yahoo News is the oldest and best alternative news aggregator, while also adding its original articles into the mix.

8. Ditch Google Calendar, Use Fruux

If Microsoft hadn’t bought and shut down Sunrise, that would be the best calendar around today. But now that it’s gone, Fruux is the perfect Google Calendar alternative. It’s cross-platform, works mostly like GCal does, and integrates with other sites and apps too. This actually lets you use a single calendar for events from Outlook, Gmail, Facebook, and other services. Not bad, eh?

9. Ditch Google Translate, Use Microsoft Translator

I never thought I’d see a day where some app is better than Google Translate, but you need to check out Microsoft Translator to believe how good it is. This is one app which you should switch to right now, whether you hate Google or not. And hey, it works really well as an add-on for Microsoft Edge too.

10. Ditch Google Chrome, Use Opera

If you’re still using Google Chrome, you need a reality check. Forget about alternatives like Edge and Firefox, every Chrome user should make the switch to Opera. It’s pretty much like using Chrome, but better, since it comes with several useful built-in features like VPN and battery-saving mode. Plus you can install Chrome extensions on Opera, so you won’t miss out on your favorite add-ons. I switched and I’m never going back.

11. Ditch Google Domains, Use Flame Domain

Google Domains lets you buy and register domains, manage them, add email, and even turn them into short URLs. But you don’t necessarily need Google Domains to do all that. There are plenty of sites which let you do all this, but try out Flame Domain for an interface and experience similar to Google’s. Plus, it works really well with Google Apps.

12. Ditch Google Sites, Use Weebly

You don’t need to be a web developer to make your own page with Google Sites. But there are other (and better) website creators for non-coders, like Weebly. Just check out some of these awesome Weebly web pages to see the possibilities with this free website creator.

13. Ditch FeedBurner, Use FeedBlitz

Since Google bought FeedBurner, the RSS creator for sites, webmasters have been looking for good alternatives. FeedBlitz should be your first stop. It gives you everything FeedBurner does, including automated newsletters and statistics. It’s not free, but you will pay only as much as you use. The pricing is sensible in that it increases only as your subscriber base increases. And importantly, you aren’t charged extra for features like mailings, funnels, and lists. If you absolutely don’t want to pay, then check out these free FeedBurner alternatives.

14. Ditch Google Groups, Use Facebook Groups or Mobilize

Google Groups let you create private discussion groups. It’s the same concept as Facebook Groups or Mobilize, but both these alternatives give you many more features. You will get instant messaging, analytics, event management, and other such abilities that are essential to managing a large group. Unfortunately, to use Google Groups, Facebook Groups, or Mobilize, you need to register for an account on their respective sites. Sigh…

15. Ditch Google Photos, Use Amazon Prime Photos

The new Google Photos is the best photo management app around. Nothing else matches up, but the only one to come close for a regular user is Amazon Prime Photos, which offers similar unlimited photo storage and sharing. All you need is an Amazon Prime account, so it’s not technically free. But hey, why would you not have a Prime account anyway?

Are You Scared of Google?

It’s convenient to use Google for all your needs, but don’t forget, this is a corporation. How much do you really trust it with your data and private information? It’s advisable to diversify your needs across several apps than under one brand.

Are you scared of what Google would do with your data, or do you trust Google to do the right thing?

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Wayfair’s Android app now lets you shop for furniture using augmented reality

AR-enabled shopping is expanding again today. This time, online furniture retailer Wayfair is introducing an augmented reality feature in its mobile app for Android that will allow customers to visualize furniture in their own home ahead of purchase, just by holding up their smartphone.

The feature, called “View in Room 3D,” was previously available on iOS, leveraging Apple’s AR platform ARKit.

Now, Wayfair is taking advantage of Google’s ARCore to offer the same option to Android users.

ARCore, Google’s answer to Apple’s AR platform, was publicly released last month, giving developers a way to integrate AR technology into their Android applications, where they can reach a potential audience of over 100 million Android devices.

Wayfair is not the only shopping site to quickly roll out ARCore support now that it’s available – eBay yesterday launched a feature for sellers that helps them find the right shipping box using AR technology, and promised other AR-enabled features this year. IKEA also just released an Android version of its AR app IKEA Place this week.

Other retailers have been experimenting with AR, as well, including Amazon and Target.

Retailers’ interest in AR is not just because it’s new and trendy – it can help them address the real issue that online shoppers face, when trying to buy furniture from a website, instead of in person.

It’s often difficult for non-designers to really get a sense of what a piece of furniture will look like when placed in the room. Will the new sofa go well with the existing curtains, carpet, and other furniture? Will it fit in the space?

Wayfair’s app helps with those questions, as it projects the furniture or décor in 3D at full-scale, and anchors them to the floor. This lets shoppers see if the object in question fits in the room – without needing to break out their measuring tape. It also helps them get a visual sense of what the room will look like with the new furniture added.

And because the image is in 3D, you can walk around it to see it from different sides – which also helps with consumers’ buying decisions.

“Leveraging augmented reality, the Wayfair app allows shoppers to transform their homes into virtual showrooms, allowing them to see their favorite products up close and at every angle – all in their very own space,” said Steve Conine, co-founder and co-chairman, Wayfair, in statement about the AR feature’s release.

“We knew early on that augmented reality had the potential to completely transform the way people shop for their homes, and as it’s quickly moved toward mainstream adoption, we’re excited to have played an integral role in shaping the experience for millions of shoppers,” he added.

Furniture has been one of the more difficult businesses to transition online, not only because of shipping costs for heavy items, but also because consumers still often want to see the products in real life. They want to touch the fabric, try out a chair’s cushions for comfort, and see the true colors – not just an online photo.

But things are changing, as more commerce shifts online – the channel that’s prefered by millennial shoppers, who are now the largest demographic (37%) of the furniture-buying market.

Wayfair is one of the companies capitalizing on this shift, to the tune of $4.7 billion in net revenue in 2017.

And with the elimination of the furniture showroom, it’s also been quick to jump on new technologies to help its customers better shop, including web-based clipboards, visual search, mobile messaging, and now, AR – all which give it a competitive advantage versus traditional retailers with more static sites.

The company also recently updated the AR feature in the iOS app that lets customers now record a video of the item in AR, instead of just taking a photo. This feature has a Snapchat-like feel, as you just press and hold the record button to make the recording. You can then walk around the furniture in the video, in order to capture it in 3D then share with friends and family.

This feature will arrive in the Android version soon, we understand.

In the meantime, the Wayfair app for Android is available here.

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Google bought Manhattan’s Chelsea Market building for $2.4 billion

Google has just confirmed its long-rumored purchase of Manhattan’s Chelsea Market building for $2.4 billion — all in all not a bad price, given that a one-bedroom on the West Side is going for around $2.3 billon these days (granted, that’s a rough estimate from someone who lives in Queens).

It’s a prime bit of real estate in one of the New York’s hippest areas, and just a couple of blocks away from the company’s current Manhattan headquarters on 111 8th Ave.

Google’s been slowing trickling over into the space already, moving a few of its New York employees over to rented offices. Along with a smattering of Google employees, the 1.2 million-square-foot building also houses Major League Baseball and the Food Network, along with one of Manhattan’s most beloved and heavily trafficked food courts.

The company’s not revealing specifics on its timeframe for moving the whole of its offices into the space, but noted in a post, “With our purchase of the building, we’ve agreed to work together with Jamestown [Properties] to ensure a smooth transition with little or no impact to the community and tenants of the building.”

How that will impact the likes of MLB remains to be seen, but from the sound it, the food hall will remain intact for the time being. Likely Google will keep it mostly as it, given that it’s a big part of both the building and surrounding neighborhood’s appeal. Even if it can’t really compete with Google’s own cafeteria.

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How to Set Up a Kodi Remote Control

So, you have successfully set up Kodi on your favorite device, and now want to kick back and watch some movies. But what if the phone rings or the pizza guy knocks at the door? You’ll need to pause Kodi. But how?

Simply put, you need to set up a Kodi remote control. Perhaps you didn’t have one to start with, or you lost the one that shipped with your dedicated Kodi box. Here’s how to set up a remote with any Kodi media center.

Using Kodi? You Need a Remote Control!

It doesn’t matter what platform you’ve installed Kodi on. You’re going to need a remote control. This might be the device’s native controller, if that suits you best. But if it’s no good for managing Kodi, you might prefer the dedicated mobile app, or even your TV’s remote control.

Whichever option you choose, it all centers on one thing: you need to enable remotes in the Kodi settings screen. Once this is done, you can use:

• A platform-specific remote
• The Kodi mobile app, Kore
• A web browser on any platform
• Your TV’s remote if HDMI-CEC is enabled

Before you can do any of this, however, you’ll probably need to connect a mouse or keyboard to the device. With either connected, you’ll be able to navigate the menus to enable the use of a remote in Kodi.

Getting Started: Enable Remotes in Kodi

Whether you plan to use the Kore app for remotely controlling your Kodi media center, or you have another tool in mind, you cannot proceed without first enabling remotes in the Kodi settings.

Begin by navigating to the Settings cog, found at the top of the left-hand column. Here, select Service Settings & Control, and enable Allow remote control via HTTP. Make a note of the port number 8080, then the username. (Both of these options can be changed; leave the port number alone unless you know what you’re doing.)

Next, click Password, and set a new password. This will be used in conjunction with your username to establish a secure connection from any app-based remotes.

Before you’re done, also ensure that Allow remote control from applications on this system and Allow remote control from applications on other systems are also enabled. To save these settings, simply click the back button on your keyboard, or click your mouse in the top-left corner.

Smartphone App Remotes

Whether you use Android or iOS, you have a massive choice of remotes to choose from. However, the de facto choice is Kore, the remote app provided by the Kodi developers.

Download: Kore for Android
Download: Official Kodi Remote for iOS

The great thing about Kore is that it is so easy to set up. As long as your mobile device is on the same network as your Kodi media center, and you know the IP address, you’re ready to go.

Once the app is installed, just run it, and open the hamburger menu (steps are for Android, but iOS version is similar).

Here, tap the Add Media Center button, then Next. This will prompt Kore to search for a Kodi media center on your network. If the wrong one (or none) is detected, tap Search Again. Otherwise, tap your media center device to configure it manually. This should match what you entered as a username and password in the Settings > Control screen in Kodi.

You should now be able to remotely control your Kodi box from your smartphone!

No Kodi App? Try Your Web Browser

Another option is to use a browser (perhaps on a PC, or a mobile device) to control your Kodi box. If you’ve enabled HTTP in the previous section, this will be possible by browsing to your Kodi box’s IP address. You’ll find this in Settings > System Info > Summary.

This is appended with the port number, which by default is 8080. The URL you enter into your browser should be in the form of:

http://YOUR.IP.ADDRESS.HERE:8080

So, from a PC, you might remotely access your Kodi device via Chrome, or whatever your favorite browser is. Similarly, if you’re using a mobile device that doesn’t have the Kore app, or you don’t have access to your platform’s app store, you’ll be able to remotely control Kodi via HTTP.

Although useful, remote connections over HTTP are slow, so don’t expect great results. It’s usable, but not as good as using a Kodi remote app. In fact, it might be wiser to try a completely different type of remote control.

Control Kodi Remotely Without an App

If you’re using Kodi on a device with its own remote control, you may not need to use an app. For instance, if you installed Kodi on an Amazon Fire Stick, you can control it using the Amazon Fire remote control.

It doesn’t end there, either. Even if you have a dedicated remote for the host device, you might prefer a different one. As your Kodi box is connected to your TV via HDMI, if your TV and media center both support HDMI-CEC (the CEC stands for Consumer Electronics Control), you’ll be able to use the TV remote to control Kodi.

But is HDMI-CEC enabled on your TV? The only way to find out is to head into your TV’s settings. This menu location will, unfortunately, differ depending on the manufacturer, and how HDMI-CEC is named will also differ.

Unfortunately this has been renamed by almost every TV manufacturer, so HDMI-CEC might be known as Bravia Sync (Sony), EasyLink (Philips), SimpLink (LG), etc. ad nauseum. It should be noted, however, that if you have a Hitachi TV, you can simply look for HDMI-CEC.

Once this feature is enabled, your remote control can then be used to operate your Kodi media center. This can be more convenient than an app, so you really should try it out.

Start Watching Kodi With a Remote Control

With more and more people realizing the potential of Kodi, setting up a remote control is an obvious next step for beginners. Because nothing beats lazing on a couch and watching your favorite movies and TV shows without ever having to move a muscle.

And, as we hope we have shown, setting up a Kodi remote control is really quite easy once you know how.

Looking for more Kodi tips? Check out our exhaustive Kodi setup guide for beginners.

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FTC reportedly eyes probe of Facebook over data violations as UK and US pols summon Zuck to testify

The fallout from the story concerning Facebook, Cambridge Analytica, the misuse of personal data and how much Facebook knew about all this, has quickly made its way into the halls of government.

Bloomberg is reporting that the Federal Trade Commission is opening a probe into Facebook and the misuse of personal data, related to a consent decree that was issued in 2011 over the social network’s personal data handling policies.

Also today, Damian Collins, a member of parliament who is the chair of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport select committee in the UK, has issued a request to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to provide oral evidence to the committee. Meanwhile, Mark Warner, the U.S. Senator who is vice chair of the Intelligence Committee, has also requested that Zuckerberg, along with other tech CEOs, testify in order to answer questions about Facebook’s role in “social manipulation” in the 2016 election.

The FTC has not yet responded to our requests for comment, and it has not publicly confirmed if it is probing Facebook. The original decree was made as a settlement to an inquiry at the time into how Facebook — then just a startup but growing wildly fast — “deceived consumers by telling them they could keep their information on Facebook private, and then repeatedly allowing it to be shared and made public,” and it arose specifically in relation to how third-party apps were able to use and access this data. This is key because the original survey that users filled out was, in fact, an app of sorts, linking into Facebook by way of its API.

The idea behind the FTC settlement in 2011 was to ensure that Facebook made its privacy and data handling policies clear to consumers going forward, and to get their “express consent” before information is shared beyond the privacy settings those users established.

Specific details of the 2011 decree included barring Facebook from making misrepresentations about privacy and security of personal information; getting user consent before making change that override privacy preferences; preventing material to be shared after an account was deleted or deactivated; and maintaining a privacy program assessing risks and getting this audited every two years.

The decree also notes that it will terminate 20 years from the date of being issued, but that it will renew for another 20 years each time that the FTC files a complaint over any violations — meaning, if the FTC does file a complaint and is successful in determining the violation, it will prolong Facebook’s own need to report and make clear privacy policies to its users.

Committees call on Zuck to speak for the company.

Warner’s public call for Zuckerberg to speak, delivered earlier this morning by way of a Tweet, was not the first time that the Intel Committee has requested Zuckerberg to testify: it had also invited him to the original hearing in November of last year, where lawyers were sent instead.

It's time for Mr. Zuckerberg and the other CEOs to testify before Congress. The American people deserve answers about social media manipulation in the 2016 election.

— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) March 20, 2018

Meanwhile, Collins’ invitation also comes in the wake of other requests for top Facebook executives, for hearings that the DCMS has held both in London and, just weeks ago, in Washington in an attempt to attract more senior executives to participate.

“The Committtee has repeatedly asked Facebook about how companies acquire and hold on to user data from their site, and in particular about whether data had been taken without their consent,” Collins writes in his letter. “Your officials’ answers have consistently understated this risk, and have been misleading to the Committee. It is now time to hear from a senior Facebook executive with the sufficient authority to give an accurate account of this catastrophic failure of process.”

Indeed, the thinking now seems to be that the increased attention, and the revelations in the media, will now force Facebook’s hand a bit more than before.

The summons to give evidence before the parliamentary committee or Congress are not legally binding, but they are significant for other reasons.

For one, they provide a moment to hear Zuckerberg give live responses to questions as they are presented to him: up to now, a lot of what we’ve heard from the CEO on the subject of Facebook and its position in the wider issue of elections, fake news and the use of social media help achieve certain outcomes, has largely come in the form of long Facebook posts by him, with little in the way of dialogue (which is in itself a little ironic when you consider the whole point of Facebook is supposed to be about engagement).

While there are no direct legal ramifications for testifying, what it does do is provide more evidence for lawmakers. At a time when we have relatively light regulation for social media and how it handles data in the US, this could become a critical moment where we may start to see more calls and efforts to start to regulate this area of digital media more carefully.

A third reason why testifying is notable is because of the optics: for a lot of people who do not understand and care much about the intricacies of how social networks handle their data, this could bring new light to the topic, on both sides of the table. Perhaps especially important for Zuckerberg if he’s truly considering a run for public office sometime in the future, as some have reported.

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8bitdo’s wireless dapter adds flexibility to Xbox, PlayStation and Switch controllers

Game controller compatibility is a labyrinthine nightmare most of the time: Some controllers work with some platforms some of the time, but it’s very hard to keep track of how and when. 8bitdo’s latest accessory adds some simplicity to the mix, enabling use of Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch controllers with Switch, Windows and macOS systems quickly and easily.

Yes, that means you can play your PC or Mac games with your favorite Xbox One X/S or DualShock 3/4 controller, or even use a Joy-Con. It also means that you can use a DualShock controller to play Breath of the Wild on the Switch, ion that’s what you want to do.

The USB dongle also works with Android TV hardware, and with Raspberry Pi-based devices. It supports DualShock 4 vibration and 6-axis motion control on Switch, and it works lag-free for low latency gaming requirements. It’s also a tiny bit smaller than either the dedicated Xbox or PlayStation dedicated PC wireless controller USB adapters (and supports a broader range of platforms).

Oh, and it’s also just $20 from Amazon. I’ve been using it for a couple of weeks now and it performs exactly as advertised. If you’re looking to cut down your controller clutter or just have a strong preference for once design over another, this is definitely a smart buy.

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How to Decide If You Need the New Raspberry Pi 3 B+ Model

Always fancied a Raspberry Pi, but haven’t quite got around to it? Or want to upgrade to the latest model? The release of the Raspberry Pi 3 B+ is the perfect time to jump aboard, and here’s everything you need to know about it.

What’s the Deal With the Raspberry Pi 3 B+?

Released on March 14, 2018 (Pi Day), the Raspberry Pi 3 B+ is the first revision of the Raspberry Pi 3, initially released in 2016. (Two versions of the Raspberry Pi Zero, the W and the WH, have been released since.)

As with previous models, the Raspberry Pi 3 B+ is incredibly affordable.

Offering improved system specs (see below) and additional features, the Raspberry Pi 3 B+ is a must have for enthusiasts.

Shipped alone, the device comes with a short setup guide. All other accessories will need to be bought separately, however, which may increase your outlay.

Raspberry Pi 3 B+ Specifications

If you’re considering upgrading to a Raspberry Pi 3 B+ (or simply fancy one for more Pi-flavored tinkering), it will probably be because of the improved hardware specification.

This time around, the ARMv8-A 64-bit architecture uses a BCM2837B0 SoC (System on a Chip). At the heart of this is a 1.4GHz 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU, with a GPU and 1GB of RAM.

Most other hardware is the same as the previous Raspberry Pi 3, but there are some interesting differences. For instance, the dual-band 802.11ac wireless LAN (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and Bluetooth 4.2 is faster than the previous model.

With faster Ethernet too, wireless and wired network throughput has been increased by around three times. That is pretty impressive. However, keep in mind that all devices connected via USB (including the Ethernet) will share the single port USB bus, limited to a total of 480Mbps.

Under the hood, there is also improved PXE network booting, while anyone using a USB mass storage device will also benefit from better booting. The Pi 3 B+ also boasts improved thermal management, which should offer some new overclocking possibilities. Heatsinks and other cooling will no doubt be required!

Finally, improved PMIC (Power Management IC) improves dynamic voltage scaling, giving the Pi 3 B+ better data and performance control.

First Impressions of the Raspberry Pi 3 B+

Several subtle changes have been made to the Raspberry Pi 3 B+. Most obvious is the heat spreader atop of the SoC, which resembles a small Pentium 4 (or later) CPU. While a heat spreader can be used with heatsink, they’re typically used alongside a system fan.

You’ll probably also notice the metal shield that sits around the improved Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. The reason? Well, it’s been embossed with a Raspberry Pi logo, which we think you’ll agree looks rather fetching.

Also, look out for the new Power over Ethernet (PoE) four pin connector, between the GPIO and USB ports. The purpose of this is to provide power to the Pi (alongside data) from a special Ethernet cable. A new HAT will be available to adapt the 48V from a PoE supply to a more suitable 5V for the Raspberry Pi.

Initial impressions of the Pi 3 B+ are good. So far I’ve only been able to run existing projects rather than start something new. However, it certainly feels faster, especially when accessing over VNC and RDP.

Raspberry Pi 3 B+’s Compatibility With Accessories

Some previous Raspberry Pi upgrades have resulted in compatibility issues, mainly with cases and power supplies. This time around, it looks as though some effort has been made to maintain the previous form factor insofar as USB and other ports are concerned. I’ve successfully installed my own Pi 3 B+ into a case intended for the Pi 3, so this is good news.

As with any Raspberry Pi, you should ensure that you are using a suitable microSD card. These flash memory devices get a lot of punishment from the read/write cycles, so ensuring you have one that is fast, and with good error correction software, is important. Check out our guide for buying the right SD card for details.

Similarly, the right power supply is crucial to your Raspberry Pi’s performance. While many are available, it’s hard not to recommend the official power supply. For reliability, these are perfect.

Upgraded Raspbian Stretch

As a result of this new version of the Raspberry Pi being released, the default operating system, Raspbian Stretch, has also been upgraded. While older Pi models don’t necessarily need this upgrade, it is useful if you’re using an unusual display.

The Appearance Settings screen in Preferences has been revised to offer three sets of defaults, for large, medium, and small screens. This should make it easier to read dialogue boxes and other text on any display. And if this is still a problem, the Pixel Doubling feature (Raspberry Pi Configuration > System) can be used as well. This is particularly useful on extremely high resolution devices such as the MacBook Pro’s Retina display.

Improve Your Existing Projects

More processing power means wider support for the needs of your projects. A wider choice of emulation software becomes available, for instance. Kodi distributions will process video streams quicker. Raspberry Pi’s used in robotics processes, or for programming, will boast superior speeds.

Been using your Raspberry Pi as a game server? The Raspberry Pi 3 B+ can offer superior performance for your online games, such as Minecraft.

Now, there will be some projects that don’t benefit particularly. An FM radio antenna, however, won’t gain any notable boosts; the same can be said for basic photo frame projects. On the other hand, the improved hardware specs will enhance “magic mirror” projects.

What About the Other Raspberry Pis?

As far as we know, the other Pi models are continuing production. The Raspberry Pi Foundation has stated that it will “keep building these models for as long as there’s demand,” noting the importance of the models for industrial customers.

The Raspberry Pi 1 A+, Raspberry Pi 1 B+, Raspberry Pi 2 B, Raspberry Pi 3B, and Raspberry Pi Zero models will be available for some time yet!

Raspberry Pi 3 B+: Superb and Worth the Upgrade

With its improved hardware spec and potential for enhancing existing projects, the Raspberry Pi 3 B+ is superb. In short, unless you’re looking for a smaller, lighter computer (in which case you want a Raspberry Pi Zero), the new Pi 3 B+ is the place to begin.

Just look at the potential as a desktop replacement/thin client, Kodi box, and retro gaming device! With a new version of Raspbian to accompany the new computer, the Raspberry Pi marches on. Want to get started with your Raspberry Pi 3 B+? Check our unofficial Raspberry Pi manual.

Image Credit: Raspberry Pi Foundation

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Insta360 One gets a massive upgrade with FlowState stabilization

One of the better 360-degree cameras out there just got a lot better: The Insta360 One, a standalone 4K 360 camera with a built-in iPhone or Android hardware connector now supports FlowState onboard stabilization. This provides much better automatic stabilization than the Insta360 One supported at launch, and enables a bunch of new editing and formatting features that really improve the value proposition of the $299 gadget.

As you can see above, FlowState allows you to do a lot more with your footage after the fact, including creating smooth pans across footage for exporting to more standard vertical and wide-angle formats (since it’s very rare that people actually watch all that much true 360-degree footage). The changes make Insta360’s device a lot more like the Rylo camera in use, and more suitable for action sports and other adventure-friendly uses.

Users can now add transition points in the mobile app to create dynamic camera angle changes, and also set object or person active tracking. There’s a hyper lapse feature that speeds up time for pulling more action out of even leisurely bike rides, and you can also take over manually to basically direct the experience as if you were shooting it in real time with a traditional video camera, including doing things like zooming.

This update will be pushed out via the updated Insta360 app, and will require a firmware update for existing cameras. It’s a big upgrade for existing users, and a compelling reason to pick this up if you’re looking for something that’s easy to use, compatible with a range of mounts (it has a standard tripod screw mount in its base) and relatively affordable (cheaper than a GoPro Hero 6).

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Google unveils its News Initiative, with tools for subscriptions, security and fighting fake news

Google today announced a multi-pronged News Initiative, which Chief Business Officer Phillipp Schindler described as a way to tie together all the company’s efforts to work with the journalism industry.

Google says the News Initiative is focused on three broad goals — strengthening quality journalism, supporting different business models and empowering newsrooms through technological innovation. It’s also committing to spend $300 million over the next three years on its various journalism-related projects.

At a New York City press event, Schindler told journalists and other industry attendees, “Our mission is inherently tied to your business.” He acknowledged that this might sound like “big company rhetoric.” To put it less diplomatically, news organizations might not view Google or the other big Internet platforms as allies given their dominance of the online ad business and the role they play in spreading misinformation and hoaxes.

However, Schindler said Google has “two clear business incentives” to support high quality journalism.

First, he said Google search “by its very nature depends on the open web and depends on open access to information and that obviously depends on high quality information.” Second, he noted that Google’s DoubleClick ad business is all about splitting revenue with publishers, with $12.6 billion paid out to partners last year.

“The economics are very clear: If you do not grow, we do not grow,” Schindler said.

Again, the initiative sounds like a mix of projects and products old and new, in several different categories. When it comes to strengthening quality journalism, Schindler said Google has already been adjusting its algorithms to highlight “more authoritative sources.” He also announced a partnership with the Harvard Kennedy School’s First Draft to launch something called the Disinfo Lab, which will “use computational tools and journalistic oversight to monitor misinformation during elections.”

And there’s a separate project called MediaWise, a partnership with the Poynter Institute, Stanford University and the Local Media Association to help younger people become savvier in their consumption of digital media.

As for business models, Google is launching Subscribe with Google, which will allow readers to sign up for paid subscriptions from partner publishers with a single click. That also means that as long as readers are signed in to their Google account, they don’t have to deal with paywalls and logins on the news sites that they’ve already subscribed to.

On the tech front, Google pointed to Accelerated Mobile Pages, its open source format for fast-loading story, which it’s expanding with a new story format for image-, video- and animation-heavy content. It’s also launching Outline, an open source tool for newsrooms to give secure Internet access to their journalists by setting up their own VPNs on private servers.

This is a developing story and will be updated as Google’s event unfolds.

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Cleo, the chatbot that wants to replace your banking apps, has stealthily entered the U.S.

With little fuss or fanfare, Cleo, the London-based startup that offers an AI-powered chatbot as a replacement for your banking apps, has begun quietly offering its service to U.S. customers. Just 21 days in, I understand the U.K. fintech is already signing up 1,000 users across the pond per day.

Described as an “alpha version” by the chatbot itself (see screenshot below), the U.S. version sees Cleo add support for 647 banks and counting, a reflection of how fragmented the banking market in the U.S. is. As you’d expect, Cleo keeps the same conversational interface as its U.K. counterpart, albeit with what I’m told is a developing U.S. dialect (and selection of Gifs!). You can ask for and receive insights into your spending across multiple accounts and credit cards, broken down by transaction, category or merchant.

In addition, Cleo also lets you take a number of actions, including some based on the financial data it has gleaned. You can send money to your Facebook Messenger contacts via Cleo, donate to charity, and set spending goals and alerts and other fun financial antics.

The bigger picture is to offer Cleo’s mostly millennial users a more accessible and intelligent way to manage their money, and ultimately become their default financial control centre, including recommending ways to save money and automatically switching to the best value products, whether that be financial or other services such as utilities.

It is a proposition that appears to be resonating with users. In the U.K., Cleo now claims more than 150,000 users, while I understand, following the startup’s stealthy, although tentative, U.S. expansion it is on track for 200,000 users globally. A source tells me the company is also eyeing up further international moves, citing Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Singapore, and South Africa as next up on the road map.

What is fascinating now that we can see Cleo’s global ambitions begin to play out is the potential speed the U.K. startup can move because of the decision not to become a bank in its own right, which would otherwise bring significant capital and regulatory friction, not least in the fragmented U.S. market.

Cleo co-founder Barney Hussey-Yeo has always said that it is better to focus on building a better and smarter UI/UX than re-inventing the current account itself, even if the ultimate goal is somewhat the same. Or, to put it more simply, he argues that “nobody needs to be a bank to replace your banking app“.

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