hangout

Google+ gives photo lovers what Facebook doesn't

SAN FRANCISCO -- Facebook has been the photo king since 2008, but Google just put the social network on notice.

Changes to the Google+ social network -- announced Wednesday at the Google I/O conference at the Moscone Center West here, and launching Wednesday as well -- include a new interface, some new Hangouts features, and most impressively, a series of automatic filters and hashtags for your photos. "Automatic filters," though, doesn't really do justice to how comprehensive they can be.

"Quite a lot [of the new automation] depends on the Knowledge Graph," said Dave … Read more

What to expect at Google I/O 2013

CNET Update gets ready for a new batch of Google goodies:

Google will announce new products and software updates at its annual Google I/O developers conference, which kicks off Wednesday in San Francisco. Today's Update gets you prepared with a look at what's expected, such as developments around gaming, social and Google Now.

For those hoping to see Android Key Lime Pie, you might have to settle for an update to Jelly Bean with Android 4.3.

It's expected Google will show off new hardware, including an updated Nexus 7 and possibly a new Nexus smartphone. … Read more

CNET to talk Google I/O in a Hangout on Tuesday

Google I/O 2013 kicks off this week, and you've probably got a few questions. What are the next Nexus phone and tablet going to be? Why should we care about Google Now? Is Google+ an atonement -- or punishment -- for Google Wave?

CNET's Eric Franklin, Stephen Shankland, and myself spitballed what we think is coming next from the Googleplex, and why.

The Google+ Hangout lasted around thirty minutes on CNET's Google+ page, and we talked about everything from a Google Watch to hardware to Google+.

Missed it? Don't worry, you can watch the whole … Read more

Google+ adds instant replay, rewind to Hangouts On Air

Google has added a few "highly-requested" features to Hangouts On Air. Live-stream users can now rewind during live broadcasts and playback recordings will be available immediately on YouTube, the company announced Tuesday.

In addition to the rewind and instant replay features, Google promises "higher quality" video and the ability to start live broadcasts without refreshing the page. After you open up a Hangouts On Air page, the video will start playing at the scheduled time.

These new features may mean a longer set up though, Google warned: "For example: the 'Start broadcasting' button may be … Read more

Google adds remote desktop Hangouts to Google+

Some people are simply more tech savvy than their friends and family and often end up offering advice on the ins and outs of computer use. But, this can be difficult when people don't live in the same city.

Google is attempting to help out folks in these situations with a new Google + Hangout feature. The Web giant announced Thursday that it is rolling out a Hangouts remote desktop, which is powered by the same technology as the Chrome Remote Desktop. The feature lets users video chat while troubleshooting.

"Hangouts Remote Desktop lets you help others by controlling … Read more

Who gets the keys to your Facebook account?

CNET Update gives you access:

In this edition of Update:

- Learn a new trick to getting access to your Facebook account when locked out.

- Know what it means when someone with Glass winks at you.

- Get tag-happy with your Instagram photos.

- Take control of someone else's computer with a Google+ Hangout.

- Save money on e-books by walking into a brick-and-mortar Barnes & Noble store.

- Compare your slingshot skills on the new Angry Birds Friends app.

CNET Update delivers the tech news you need in under three minutes. Watch Bridget Carey every afternoon for … Read more

Remote Desktop app lends a hand to Google+

Google has ported Chrome's Remote Desktop app to Google+ Hangouts to simplify the life of the tech support guru, a Google developer said in a Google+ post on Wednesday.

The Hangouts Remote Desktop app lets you offer tech help to friends and family by controlling their computers from afar. Google engineer Daniel Caiafa said that one of the benefits of Hangout Remote Desktop is that it allows you to see and talk with the person you're helping during the remote desktop session because it's being hosted in Hangouts.

The app requires the permission of your friend or … Read more

Amazon could be next Spotify challenger

CNET Update can't be grumpy for GIFs:

The streaming music scene is about to get more interesting. The latest report indicates Amazon is targeting Spotify with its own on-demand music streaming service. We've also heard that Google and Apple are working on similar products.

Other stories featured in Wednesday's tech roundup:

- Google Image search has added filters for finding animated GIFs and other specific file types.

- The Jawbone Up fitness bracelet now has an Android app.

- Websites can now put a "Send to Kindle" button on blog posts and news stories, next … Read more

Candid camera: Google+ adds Capture app to Hangouts

If you got all dolled up or totally dorked out for your Google+ Hangout, you might as well have a good snapshot to remember the video chat session by. Now, instead of awkwardly trying to take a screenshot, you can use a new Google+ Hangout application called Capture to preserve your candid moments.

Announced today, Capture adds a camera button to Google+ Hangouts, the group video chat and broadcast tool that's a part of the search company's social network. A click of the button will capture your view of the Hangout in progress and save the shot to … Read more

State Department unveils Innovation in Arms Control winners

The State Department today unveiled three winners in its inaugural Innovation in Arms Control Challenge, a contest that tasked the public with coming up with new ideas for how to tackle arms control issues around the world.

During a Google Hangout moderated by CNET's Daniel Terdiman, Acting Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller introduced the winners and unveiled their three projects (see video below).

In August, the State Department launched the challenge, asking the public to answer the question, "How Can the Crowd Support Arms Control Transparency Efforts?" The competition was the … Read more