2013

App-controlled robot bartender debuts at Google I/O

It won't console you as you drown your sorrows in alcohol, but MIT's Makr Shakr robotic bartender can make exactly the drink you're looking for before you've even arrived at the bar.

MIT's Senseable City Lab teamed up with Coca-Cola and Bacardi Rum to bring Makr Shakr to Google I/O, which starts Wednesday in San Francisco. The system allows barflies and frazzled developers alike to personalize their cocktail recipe of choice via a smartphone app, or to choose a libation created by another user, creating a crowdsourced drink menu.… Read more

Google promises speedup with new Go 1.1 language

Google released Go 1.1 Monday, promising faster software for programmers who use the language.

"We have made optimizations in the compiler and linker, garbage collector, goroutine scheduler, map implementation, and parts of the standard library," said Andrew Gerrand in a blog post. "It is likely that your Go code will run noticeably faster when built with Go 1.1."

Google made the announcement just before the Google I/O show in San Francisco. The company plans to detail Go at the developer-oriented conference, including a session on writing Go programs on Google App Engine, a … Read more

BlackBerry Messenger expands to Android, iOS

ORLANDO, Fla. -- More news rolled out of BlackBerry Live 2013 today, including the company's plans to offer BlackBerry Messenger to Android and iOS devices.

The BBM platform will hit these products by summer, but best of all, the service will be offered as a free download. The BlackBerry CEO sounded very excited about the move, a first for the service. He said, "It's a statement of confidence. We are confident time is right for BBM to be independent."

Those are bold words indeed and certainly a great tactic to lure users back to BBM. The … Read more

BlackBerry Q5 handset becomes reality at BlackBerry Live

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Here at BlackBerry Live 2013, the long-rumored BlackBerry Q5 handset became legitimate. The midrange device will sport a design reminiscent of the old Curve models but use materials less pricey than what's in the current Q10 flagship.

That means the BlackBerry Q5 boasts a full QWERTY keyboard but won't sport the premium keys you'll find on the Q10. Instead, the Q5's buttons are flatter and more bubbly, not chiseled typing surfaces expertly angled for message-punching perfection.

Indeed, when I was able to spend some time with the Q5 after BlackBerry Live's keynote … Read more

BB 10.1 and Skype come to BlackBerry Z10

ORLANDO, Fla.--At BlackBerry Live 2013, the phone maker announced that it would roll out BB10.1 software to its Z10 handset. The upgrade will also include access to the Skype video chat application.

BlackBerry also handed out the Z10 device to attendees here at the BlackBerry Live show so many folks no doubt will be able to enjoy the fresh infusion of software. Stay tuned as he get hands on with our upgraded Z10.

The 11 Google Glass improvements we hope Google I/O delivers

Last year, Google I/O -- Google's annual event for the developer community -- treated us to skydiving, arena-cycling Google Glass wearers, and a whole crazy landscape of wearable tech. This year, Glass is finally in the hands of thousands of developers, tech journalists, and other early adopters, but as we head back to another Google I/O, there's a lot about Glass that's yet to be discovered.

The present of Google Glass is intriguing, embryonic, and very bare-bones. Here's what I hope we see in the near future, starting this week.

Apps, apps, apps There … 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

Google's Nexus Q revival said to be a no-show at I/O

Google's media streaming ball, the Nexus Q, won't be getting an update or a re-debut at this year's annual Google I/O, according to a new report.

Citing sources, All Things D says the $299 spherical device, which was first shown off at last year's I/O and scrapped just a month later, will be absent from the proceedings. That's despite a pledge from Google last year to reintroduce the product after retooling it.

Google did not respond to a request for comment. We will update this story if we get a response.

The Nexus … 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

Microsoft touts Office 365 buyers that dumped Google Apps

There are a lot of businesses that pay for office suites, but two days before the Google I/O show, Microsoft spotlighted three that picked its Office 365 after trying Google Apps.

Google got a head start with Google Apps, the online service that includes Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. But Microsoft has a massive customer base using its old-school Office products who are natural candidates for moving to Microsoft's online suite.

Three customers -- Sensia Halsovard, Sepco III, and Arysta LifeScience -- all picked Office 365 "after having deployed or piloted Google Apps," Microsoft touted Monday. … Read more