Google has unveiled artificial intelligence software that books appointments over the phone on behalf of users by conducting voice-based conversations on their behalf. Chief executive Sundar Pichai said that Google Duplex would launch as an “experiment” over the coming weeks. The facility was unveiled at the firm’s annual IO developers conference. Experts have… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Google
The ‘nocebo effect’: Is Googling your symptoms making them worse?
When you feel unwell, could Googling your symptoms make you feel sicker? According to a new study, it might. You have probably heard of the placebo effect: a patient or test subject is given a pill with no medicinal effect, but they end up feeling better because they believed, or were told, that it was… Read more »
Under the hood: How Chrome’s ad filtering works
While most advertising on the web is respectful of user experience, over the years we’ve increasingly heard from our users that some advertising can be particularly intrusive. As we announced last June, Chrome will tackle this issue by removing ads from sites that do not follow the Better Ads Standards. Source: Chromium Blog Date: February 23rd, 2018 Link: https://blog.chromium.org/2018/02/how-chromes-ad-filtering-works.html Discussion… Read more »
Apple, Amazon, Alphabet: The race to a trillion dollars
When it comes to predictions for 2018, most financial analysts agree on one thing: one tech firm is likely to become America’s first ever trillion dollar company. The question is: which one will it be? Source: BBC Technology News Date: February 1st, 2018 Link (includes a 2 min 38 sec video): http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-42901143 Discussion 1) At “$999 – the iPhone… Read more »
Canada’s privacy commissioner proposes right to change inaccurate search engine results
Canada’s privacy commissioner thinks you should have the right to ask that inaccurate, incomplete or outdated information appearing in search engines be either amended or removed — and that under Canadian law, internet companies should have to comply. Source: CBC News Date: January 26th, 2018 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/privacy-commissioner-de-indexing-forgotten-search-results-1.4505425 Discussion 1) Search engines are searching information from websites that they have no control over… Read more »
Google’s Sidewalk Labs signs deal for ‘smart city’ makeover of Toronto’s waterfront
A unit of Google’s parent company, devoted to urban innovation, has signed a deal to map out a new kind of neighbourhood on Toronto’s waterfront that could demonstrate how data-driven technology can improve the quality of city life. On Tuesday, Sidewalk Labs, a division of Alphabet Inc., and the government agency Waterfront Toronto announced a partnership in… Read more »
Google Clips camera: creepy or fun?
Google has revealed a small camera that uses artificial intelligence to recognise individuals, and decides when to record short videos by itself. Source: BBC Technology News Date: October 4th, 2017 Link to video: http://www.bbc.com/news/av/technology-41504748/google-clips-camera-creepy-or-fun Discussion 1) Creepy or fun? And what decides the difference? 2) How might you build a business around this technology?
Google’s Search Changes May Not Level Playing Field
GOOGLE WILL ALLOW rivals to bid on coveted advertising spots that it previously reserved for itself at the top of product search results in Europe, but there are widespread doubts that the move will create meaningful competition. Source: Wired Magazine Date: September 28th, 2017 Link: https://www.wired.com/story/googles-search-changes-wont-really-level-playing-field/ Discussion 1) “Google’s plan to auction space at the top of search results… Read more »
Google signs $1.1bn HTC smartphone deal
The deal marks the latest move by Google to boost its hardware capabilities. “It’s still early days for Google’s hardware business,” the firm’s senior vice-president of hardware Rick Osterloh said in a blog post on Google’s website. Under the deal, Google will acquire a team of people who develop Pixel smartphones for the US company and receive… Read more »
Wake up! Amazon, Google, Apple and Facebook are running our lives
Google Home wakes you up in the morning and later, Google recommends a lunch spot – it even gives you live information on how busy it is. It is partly responsible for your cab home, as Google is an investor in Uber. You checked in with friends on Facebook on that morning commute (you might have also used… Read more »
Leading Titles
Introduction to Information Systems, 3rd Canadian Binder Ready Version Update Edition
R. Kelly Rainer, Casey G. Cegielski, Ingrid Splettstoesser-Hogeterp, Cristobal Sanchez-Rodriguez
ISBN: 978-1-119-13385-8
August 2015, © 2016
CDN $98.95; CDN $114.95