Everything Just About Tecnology

Just ask Google for your flights, reservations, package delivery info and more

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Ever had trouble checking your flight’s status on the go because it 
meant digging through your email for the flight number? Or wanted to 
just quickly see whether your package would arrive on time, without 
having to look up the tracking info first? You’ve told us it would be 
much easier if you could skip the fuss and just ask Google. <br />
<br />
Soon you’ll be able to find this info instantly in Google Search if it’s
 in your Gmail, Google Calendar or Google+. For example, just ask or 
type, “What’s my flight status?” or “When will my package arrive?”<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVjMdUuu2WBZ3j2z2g9wpVvASGwE_gZTWmkHFtV2rpPwxHCWU1s5oCkL9XgSJaW_Ipbfg6orx5ubnOZr5qbljRg3ZzzCsky_-lwoTCexgZSFxOiPuyyjeZpAkOYEDyVYJMcl74KQewVQ/s1600/answers+screens.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVjMdUuu2WBZ3j2z2g9wpVvASGwE_gZTWmkHFtV2rpPwxHCWU1s5oCkL9XgSJaW_Ipbfg6orx5ubnOZr5qbljRg3ZzzCsky_-lwoTCexgZSFxOiPuyyjeZpAkOYEDyVYJMcl74KQewVQ/s400/answers+screens.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
Over the next several days, we’ll be rolling this out to all U.S., 
English-speaking users on desktop, tablet and smartphone, with voice 
search (so you don’t have to type). Here are just a few of the time 
savers that will be available this week, with more to come:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Flights:</b> Ask Google “Is my flight on time?” to get info on your upcoming flights and live status on your current flights.</li>
<li><b>Reservations: </b>Ask for “my reservations” to see your dining 
plans or “my hotel” to get your hotel name and address. With one tap, 
you can get driving or public transit directions straight there, saving 
you lots of steps.</li>
<li><b>Purchases:</b> Ask for “my purchases,” and you’ll get the status 
of your current orders, so you know whether your mom’s birthday present 
will arrive on time.</li>
<li><b>Plans:</b> Ask Google “What are my plans for tomorrow?” to see a 
summary of upcoming flights, hotels, restaurant reservations and 
events—very useful when you’re traveling.</li>
<li><b>Photos:</b> Say “Show me my photos from Thailand” to see the 
photos you uploaded to Google+. You can also ask for “my photos of 
sunsets” if you want to show off the shots you’ve taken over the year; 
Google will try to automatically recognize the type of photo you’re 
asking for.</li>
</ul>
<br />
We’ve been offering this kind of info—flights, reservations, appointments and more—for more than a year in <a href="http://www.google.com/now/">Google Now</a>.
 We’ve gotten great feedback on how convenient it is, especially when 
you’re on the go. Now that it’s in Google Search, you can get it anytime
 you need it.<br />
<br />
This information is just for you—secure, via encrypted connection, and 
visible only to you when you're signed in to Google. Likewise, you can 
also control whether you want the service on or off. Whenever you don’t 
want to see it, simply click the globe icon at the top of the search 
results page to turn it off for that search session. To turn it off 
permanently, visit the "Private results" section in <a href="https://www.google.com/preferences">search settings</a>.<br />
<br />
We hope this makes your day a little easier. Visit our <a href="http://www.google.com/insidesearch/features/myanswers">Inside Search site</a> to learn more about the questions you can ask.<br />
<br />
<span class="byline-author">Posted by Roy Livne, Product Manager</span></div>

Just ask Google for your flights, reservations, package delivery info and more

Ever had trouble checking your flight’s status on the go because it meant digging through your email for the flight number? Or wanted to ...

Join the Hangout Comedy Club where your laugh can help change a life

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The Edinburgh Fringe festival is one of the largest arts festivals in 
the world, where thousands of people descend upon Edinburgh to see 
hundreds of up-and-coming comedians and artists perform in bars, 
basements and venues around the city. <br />
<br />
For those of you who have always wanted to go to the Fringe, now you can
 enjoy great new talent, laugh ‘til your belly hurts and even heckle a 
comedian from the comfort of your own home. This summer, you can be in 
the front row of a live comedy show wherever you are thanks to Google+ 
Hangouts and YouTube. While you’re at it, your laughs can raise money 
for a good cause. <br />
<br />
We’re partnering with the U.K. charity Comic Relief to bring you the 
first online comedy club—the “Hangout Comedy Club.”  We’ve created a 
clever gizmo called the “Laughometer,” which will measure how much you 
enjoy the show and turn your lol’s into an optional donation to Comic 
Relief. They use the funds they raise to tackle the root causes of 
poverty and social injustice. <br />
<br />
To be part of the Hangout Comedy Club, simply join a Google+ Hangout 
hosted by one of our famous comedians, including Katherine Ryan, 
Sanderson Jones and Joey Page. Just like a real comedy club, if you’re 
brave enough, you can join the front row with up to eight others. If 
you’d rather sit out of sight, join a Hangout, add your friends, and 
watch from the safety of the back row.<br />
<br />
The next Hangout is today, Thursday, August 15, 10pm BST with Sanderson 
Jones. Find out who else is starring and get your free seat at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/rednoseday/hangoutcomedyclub">www.youtube.com/user/rednoseday/hangoutcomedyclub</a>. <br />
<br />
So even if you can’t make it to the Fringe, we’ll bring the best new 
talent directly to you—and your laugh could help change a life.<br />
<br />
<span class="byline-author">Posted by Steve Vranakis, Executive Creative Director, Creative Lab London</span></div>

Join the Hangout Comedy Club where your laugh can help change a life

The Edinburgh Fringe festival is one of the largest arts festivals in the world, where thousands of people descend upon Edinburgh to see ...

Learn about the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the Google Cultural Institute

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This August marks the 68th anniversary of the atomic bombings of 
Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II. Working together with
 the <a href="http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/index_e2.html">Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum</a> and the <a href="http://www.city.nagasaki.lg.jp/peace/english/abm/">Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum</a>, we’ve launched seven new online exhibits on the <a href="http://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/">Google Cultural Institute</a> that help tell the story of the two cities and their tragic fate. <br />
<br />
Explore four collections from the <a href="http://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/collection/hiroshima-peace-memorial-museum">Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum</a>
 that illustrate the bombing from different perspectives: a pocketwatch 
stopped at the exact time of the detonation, diaries of young women cut 
off abruptly on August 6, and panoramic photos of the hauntingly barren 
city center days after. While most of the materials document the 
harrowing devastation of the bomb and its aftermath, the gallery 
“Recalling the Lost Neighborhoods” helps archive the old Hiroshima that 
vanished off the map.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUh8PlzSHVUQK4KqKveJw-2MKx3SA5Zg_oyLKmwREh5oCq-FzKmueneyu9i1z7UY3ABetHntjRveSg_iT3DayCyx1Jze9uuLv-h8PU6X6v52UFz6yjDTeUVml-GhSHeQJqlP2KZXDxYo/s1600/1mPNVb88yMHpWHwwLSwANJjzo0G7xEQ_dNs6TAA.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUh8PlzSHVUQK4KqKveJw-2MKx3SA5Zg_oyLKmwREh5oCq-FzKmueneyu9i1z7UY3ABetHntjRveSg_iT3DayCyx1Jze9uuLv-h8PU6X6v52UFz6yjDTeUVml-GhSHeQJqlP2KZXDxYo/s400/1mPNVb88yMHpWHwwLSwANJjzo0G7xEQ_dNs6TAA.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Pocketwatch showing 8:15, the time of the atomic bomb drop (from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum)</i></div>
<br />
The <a href="http://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/collection/nagasaki-atomic-bomb-museum">Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum</a>
 meanwhile curated photos, videos, and drawings in three exhibitions. 
One collection focuses on the famed Urakami Cathedral—the largest 
cathedral in East Asia where 15,000 Japanese Catholics once worshipped. 
The church completely collapsed after the bombing, but thanks to a 
post-war reconstruction effort, the Urakami Cathedral now stands 
triumphant as a symbol of the city’s rebirth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUJVmwRZO1uc-NoWK7xzUYYbCLtuxGAErn67CR8smpbOwZyODvSFm0qMoqSvPNeX-W00EcEEpiULOGPuja-Y9hskTPf1ZhvhFMTBimVDerODv-QoCYKhwO_yBjk7Wl2zrn9Epwr-ViBc/s1600/1oAXCnFnO8k2fzx6EUyvak8U3Z1gJ1kdUW21L.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUJVmwRZO1uc-NoWK7xzUYYbCLtuxGAErn67CR8smpbOwZyODvSFm0qMoqSvPNeX-W00EcEEpiULOGPuja-Y9hskTPf1ZhvhFMTBimVDerODv-QoCYKhwO_yBjk7Wl2zrn9Epwr-ViBc/s400/1oAXCnFnO8k2fzx6EUyvak8U3Z1gJ1kdUW21L.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Urakami Cathedral exhibition (from the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum) </i></div>
<br />
Speaking at an unveiling ceremony for the exhibits in Hiroshima today, 
Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui said, “Through the Google Cultural 
Institute exhibitions, we hope that people around the world would learn 
about the terrible experiences of the <i>Hibakusha</i>, or A-bomb survivors, and wish for peace.” <br />
<br />
The Cultural Institute was created to help preserve the world's history and heritage. Given the average age of the <i>Hibakusha</i> is now past 78, we're honored that our digital exhibit can help keep the memories from both cities alive for the future.<br />
<br />
<span class="byline-author">Posted by Toru Kawamura, New Business Development Senior Manager, Google Japan</span></div>

Learn about the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the Google Cultural Institute

This August marks the 68th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II. Working together with ...

Congratulations to America’s eCities

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I love to discover local gems that help make a community unique. Sometimes those gems can be around the corner—like <a href="http://www.cafeborrone.com/">Cafe Borrone</a>,
 my favorite for Sunday brunch with my family; the food is great and 
even the dog is welcome on their patio. Sometimes I find those great 
places when I am on the road—places like <a href="http://hotdogscoldbeer.com/">Frank</a> in Austin, Texas with their epic sausages or <a href="http://boulevard-coffee.com/">Boulevard Coffee</a> in Ashland, Ore. which has great coffee and friendly people. Some of the best things I discover without even leaving home—like <a href="http://www.casakids.com/">Casa Kids</a>, which designs original children’s furniture from their studio in Brooklyn, N.Y., or <a href="http://www.sticks.com/">Sticks</a> in West Des Moines, Iowa, which sells hand-carved and hand-painted treasures.<br />
<br />
The web helps people everywhere discover the best of what’s around the 
world or around the corner.  Ninety-seven percent of Americans who use 
the Internet—pretty much all of us—look online for local products and 
services. So it should come as no surprise that the impact on businesses
 of being online is huge.  According to a <a href="http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/high_tech_telecoms_internet/internet_matters">McKinsey study</a>,
 small businesses that make use of the web are growing twice as fast as 
those that aren’t on the web. Just as businesses that embrace the web 
grow faster, communities whose businesses embrace the web grow faster as
 well.<br />
<br />
Given the importance of the web in growing our local businesses and our 
local economies, we worked with independent research firm <a href="http://ipsos-na.com/">IPSOS</a> to analyze the <a href="http://ipsos-na.com/knowledge-ideas/media-content-technology/articles/?q=google-ecities-methodology">online strength</a>
 of local businesses in cities and towns across America.  Businesses in 
these communities are embracing the power of the web to find new 
customers, connect with existing ones and fuel their local economies. 
Today we’re introducing the <a href="http://www.google.com/economicimpact/ecities/">eCity Award winners for 2013</a>—the strongest online business communities in each state.<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.google.com/economicimpact/ecities/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplfRlgyOJTK_PNlH3x3znCfpeCebx9_3ky1ZzToq6xHVxeCO5wnXj6-y_XAuqcbybDrBlaEg94BykXoCQt-VyVqFp_MgKA_7AOwO1W_tuPwTM_8Q2UyGvFWUPgkF-3823oUJpHCjwug4/s400/1xRfCfsvr3FzqIkobYoWgc8__3Uy0WnFa2TBDlQ.png" width="400" /></a></div>
We hope these “digital capitals” are an inspiration to cities and 
businesses everywhere of what can be accomplished by embracing the web 
to grow.  <br />
<br />
Congratulations to the 2013 eCities of America. <br />
<br />
<span class="byline-author">Posted by Scott Levitan, Director of Small Business Engagemen</span><br />
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Congratulations to America’s eCities

I love to discover local gems that help make a community unique. Sometimes those gems can be around the corner—like Cafe Borrone , my favo...

HandsOn Tech: Helping nonprofits fight poverty and strengthen communities with technology

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With the right technology in place, nonprofits can do a lot to 
strengthen their communities and solve the world’s problems. They can 
help <a href="http://www.pointsoflight.org/our-partners/partner-spotlight/google/2013">improve family literacy</a>, support veterans as they <a href="http://www.handsonnetwork.org/news-flash-handson-tech-lifts-transition-house">transition out of homelessness</a>, or help communities <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/communities-often-can-find-grants-to-fund-all-kinds-of-projects-692329/">make information more accessible</a>. Unfortunately, nonprofits often lack the resources to fully take advantage of technology to further their causes.<br />
<br />
Two years ago we partnered with <a href="http://www.pointsoflight.org/">Points of Light</a> to address this problem. With the support of the Corporation for National and Community Service, we created <a href="http://www.pointsoflight.org/programs/handson-tech">HandsOn Tech</a>,
 an initiative with a mission to develop the nonprofit sector’s ability 
to use technology to increase community resources and improve outcomes 
for low-income communities and families. <br />
<br />
Fueled by the passion and skills of <a href="http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/choose/vista.asp">AmeriCorps VISTA</a>
 members, HandsOn Tech pairs U.S. nonprofits with individuals who are 
passionate about technology and looking to make a difference. Through 
this program VISTA members and skilled volunteers (including many 
Googlers) deliver training to poverty-focused nonprofits and work 
one-on-one with organizations to create individualized, comprehensive 
tech plans to help them achieve their social missions more efficiently 
and effectively.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYF-wJcFgqQZDineaPs15VxQTioRdEnklZhuCv35_tWCgBAbAoENjvjGXExF8FpPX-v5n1EMIXg4-jKc_qrw3jOpboE8RkGjgZxkl7sxmqVi0U-7isvm9XTMnflZXdkAjIAfU-f61gRBk/s640/IMG_20130531_145012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYF-wJcFgqQZDineaPs15VxQTioRdEnklZhuCv35_tWCgBAbAoENjvjGXExF8FpPX-v5n1EMIXg4-jKc_qrw3jOpboE8RkGjgZxkl7sxmqVi0U-7isvm9XTMnflZXdkAjIAfU-f61gRBk/s400/IMG_20130531_145012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Stephenie Lai, a VISTA with HandsOn 
Tech Atlanta, looks on as skills-based volunteer Jon Whitaker 
demonstrates the new mobile version of the Cherokee Family Violence 
Center’s website to Meg Rogers, Executive Director. Click to see more 
photos.</i></div>
<br />
In the first two years of the program, VISTA members and skills-based 
volunteers have trained more than 7,700 nonprofit organizations in 
communities across the country. For example, VISTAs from a HandsOn Tech 
program in Pittsburgh worked with <a href="http://naomisplace.org/">Naomi’s Place</a>
 (an organization that provides transitional housing and supportive 
services to homeless women) to enhance their website, set up Google 
Apps, and develop a new Facebook page. The program also helps VISTA 
members and volunteers learn new skills. Alex Green, who served as a 
VISTA in Seattle, Wash., told us: "Apart from building awareness and 
ability in the community in terms of IT needs, I have also had the 
opportunity to grow myself as a person in all aspects of my life."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLPzHa0HwEBnWbXVMwqqcOMAhZo93B9us5DRULQid1gs_Tle-XUXZUW91WdlT0JIyXuA37WxH7X3-FAJBiq1J_O9izE5mGQwkFyp5x_0XhiLu96jCtCIAOd6Cdu__daSoHkjiwCTqMXQ/s640/HoTSVCN4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLPzHa0HwEBnWbXVMwqqcOMAhZo93B9us5DRULQid1gs_Tle-XUXZUW91WdlT0JIyXuA37WxH7X3-FAJBiq1J_O9izE5mGQwkFyp5x_0XhiLu96jCtCIAOd6Cdu__daSoHkjiwCTqMXQ/s400/HoTSVCN4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>HandsOn Tech Silicon Valley 
recruited skill-based volunteer Elyse Tager from Constant Contact to 
lead a training on how nonprofits can use social media to communicate 
their mission. Click to see more photos.</i></div>
<br />
HandsOn Tech begins its third year this fall with programs in Atlanta, 
Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh, San Jose, Seattle, Atlanta, Denver, Los 
Angeles, New York City and San Jose. Prior to beginning their service, 
VISTA members come together for a week of training at our campus in 
Mountain View, Calif., where they learn about cloud-based tools from a 
variety of technology companies including the <a href="http://www.google.com/nonprofits/">Google for Nonprofits</a>
 suite that provides nonprofits with access to premium versions of 
Google Apps, Google Earth and YouTube channels as well as free online 
advertising. <br />
<br />
A few openings still exist for VISTA members to begin serving in 
November in select cities. If you’re passionate about technology and 
helping nonprofits fight poverty, you can <a href="http://www.handsonnetwork.org/HandsOn-Tech-VISTA-positions-available">apply</a> to join our team by August 31. <br />
<br />
<span class="byline-author">Posted by Matt Dunne, Head of Community Affairs</span><br />
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</div>

HandsOn Tech: Helping nonprofits fight poverty and strengthen communities with technology

With the right technology in place, nonprofits can do a lot to strengthen their communities and solve the world’s problems. They can help...

Tenth annual Code Jam competition wraps in London

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<i>Scientists at Google Labs have discovered it's not easy to be a great rock drummer. <a href="https://code.google.com/codejam/contest/2437491/dashboard#s=p1">Your task</a> is to devise an algorithm to audition drummers based on the imperfections of their rhythms. </i><br />
<br />
This is the type of challenge that was posed to the finalists of our 
10th annual Code Jam last week. Twenty-four of the world’s best coders 
were flown to London to compete for the title of Code Jam Champion 2013 
and the accompanying $15,000.<br />
<br />
Belarus's Ivan Miatselski, a.k.a. “mystic,” was crowned Champion, 
besting more than 45,000 other registrants and making it through four 
online qualifying rounds before winning the in-person finals. The final 
round was a four-hour, <a href="https://code.google.com/codejam/contest/2437491/dashboard#s=p0">five-problem</a> tour de code. Throughout Code Jam, contestants are allowed to use <a href="http://www.go-hero.net/jam/13/round/0">any programming language</a> and any development environment they like, ranging from C++ to <a href="http://esolangs.org/wiki/Taxi">Taxi</a>.
 And while the finalists are among the among the most talented, we’ve 
yet to see anyone earn a perfect score during the final round.<br />
<br />
Successfully solving the problems involves more than just writing code: 
contestants in this year's finals needed mastery of computational 
geometry, dynamic programming, numerical algorithms and more. Though the
 competition is fierce, Code Jam is also a growing community of skilled 
problem-solvers, engineers and friends from all over the world. Code Jam
 will be back in 2014—join our <a href="https://plus.sandbox.google.com/communities/108868943712030139628">community</a> on Google+ and look for  more news to come.</div>

Tenth annual Code Jam competition wraps in London

Scientists at Google Labs have discovered it's not easy to be a great rock drummer. Your task is to devise an algorithm to audition dr...

Google Now on your iPhone and iPad, with the Google Search app

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Many of us can no longer imagine life without our smartphones. We use 
them for all sorts of things, like getting reminders of important 
calendar appointments (say, a first date), and driving directions to the
 Italian restaurant where your table for two awaits. Today, with the 
launch of Google Now on iPhone and iPad, your smartphone will become 
even smarter.  <br />
<br />
Google Now is about giving you just the right information at just the 
right time. It can show you the day’s weather as you get dressed in the 
morning, or alert you that there’s heavy traffic between you and your 
butterfly-inducing date—so you’d better leave now! It can also share 
news updates on a story you’ve been following, remind you to leave for 
the airport so you can make your flight and <a href="http://google.com/now">much more</a>.
 There’s no digging required: cards appear at the moment you need them 
most—and the more you use Google Now, the more you get out of it.<br />
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Google Now for iPhone and iPad is available as part of the updated 
Google Search app. Together, Google Now and voice search will make your 
day run a little smoother.<br />
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 In addition to the handy cards in Google Now, the Google Search app 
still gives you instant answers to all your questions. Try tapping the 
microphone and speak to your phone—you’ll get quick answers spoken back 
to you. For example, ask Google, “Do I need an umbrella this weekend?” 
and you’ll get the forecast.  Or ask “Who’s in the cast of ‘Oblivion’?” 
to decide if you want to see it. Voice Search is particularly handy on 
the go—try "Show me nearby pizza places" and you'll see a map of 
restaurants around you with directions, phone numbers, ratings and 
hours.<br />
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Google Now on your iPhone and iPad, with the Google Search app

Many of us can no longer imagine life without our smartphones. We use them for all sorts of things, like getting reminders of important c...