Google will soon rank some mobile sites with pop-ups lower in search

Google will soon rank sites with clumsy interstitials ads lower than those which are more responsible, the company announced today.

The change will affect mobile sites, and only those which have ads that take up an entire screen or otherwise block content wholly. Ads that try to trick you into thinking it’s part of the content (like leaving the article header in place with ads below it) are also being pinged.

Some full-screen interstitials won’t be affected. Easily dismissed banners, age verification and login boxes are okay by Google’s standards.

Google is also dropping the ‘mobile-friendly’ label from search results. It found that roughly 85 percent of webpages meet the criteria for mobile, so it’s dropping the search tag entirely.

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LeEco Le 2s will have 8GB RAM, Snapdragon 821, rumors say

Back in June, there were rumors of Chinese giant LeEco working a massive new flagship smartphone, which would be the successor to its budget smartphone Le 2. The Chinese smartphone maker LeEco had released its Le 2 Android smartphone back in April.

 If a new rumor and the leaked images are to be believed, the new device is called Le 2s and will come with 8GB RAM on-board and powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 821 processor. If true, the device will be the first ever smartphone in the world to have that RAM size, according to GSMArena. The handset is also speculated to feature 64GB of on-board storage and a 5.5-inch QHD display. Similar to the Le 2-series, the Le 2s is also expected drop support for 3.5mm audio port, and come with USB Type-C port with CDLA technology instead. However, it is not yet clear that LeEco will offer a microSD card slot or not.

While other details about the smartphone are scarce at the moment, it is likely that the company is expected to launch the Le 2s in China in the first week of September 2016.

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Google’s AI trumps JPEG compression in reducing image file sizes

A group of researchers at Google appear to have taken a leaf out of HBO comedy Silicon Valley’s book for its latest project. The team has developed a way to use neural networks that mimic the workings of the human brain to compress images more efficiently than traditional methods.

The researchers trained an AI system (built using Google’s TensorFlow, which the company open sourced last year) to learn how compression works using 6 million photos for reference. It broke these images into 32 x 32 pixel pieces and selected 100 pieces with the least effective compression to learn from; the idea is that training with these difficult bits would make it a cakewalk to handle the rest of the image.

The AI then predicts how a image would look after it’s compressed and generates that result. In addition to beating standard JPEG compression techniques in reducing file sizes, the neural networks can also decide the best method for compress separate parts of a given picture.

However, the system isn’t perfect; in compressing image files, it can sometimes generate results that don’t look good to the human eye. There isn’t yet a standardized way to test for this. As such, the AI isn’t yet ready for prime-time. But the research team’s progress is certainly impressive, and it’ll be interesting to follow this project in the future.

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Is the HP Chromebook 13 G1 the future of the laptop?

Hewlett-Packard’s Chromebook 13 is the best evidence yet that the Chromebook is here to stay.

Built around Google’s Chrome operating system (OS), Chromebooks are inexpensive laptops that are beginning to challenge the hegemony of Windows and the Mac.

In brief: the Chromebook, for many, can be your only laptop. I can say that with authority because I’m very attached to Windows and Mac machines. Despite that, I have been happily using HP’s Chromebook 13 exclusively for a couple of weeks.

Chromebooks are powerful if you give them time

Jumping to another operating environment is always jarring. There’s no way to avoid the initial gotchas, pitfalls, and frustration. Chrome OS is no different. The flip side is, it can also open your eyes to a better way of doing things.

And Chrome OS could be a better way for lots of consumers looking for an inexpensive platform that is essentially self-repairing, secure, extremely fast, and where all future operating systems are ultimately headed.

Chrome OS is based on Google’s popular Chrome browser. So, if you’ve spent time in the Chrome browser, you’ll have a pretty good idea of what to expect. Chrome OS is presented as a “desktop” -- just like Windows or Mac -- with icons and a settings bar (the latter analogous to the Control Panel in Windows or System Preferences in OS X). But everything takes place in the browser. That gives you access to Google’s excellent office suite, its Pixlr image editor, Google Photos, the Chrome Web Store, Play Music, Play Movies, Google Hangouts, and lots more.

The HP Chromebook 13 G1

The Chromebook 13 G1 is HP’s 2016 high-end Chromebook, starting at $499. Believe or not, that’s pricey for a Chromebook, which often sell in the $199 to $399 range. For $499 you get a lot, though.

For starters, HP includes a 13.3-inch 3,200-by-1800 “QHD+” display. When HP announced the Chromebook 13 G1, I had to do a double-take on the display specs. In short, you won't find a 2016 Windows PC or Mac with that kind of display for anything close to $499. Other specs for the $499 model include an Intel Pentium 4405Y (1.5GHz) processor, 4GB RAM, and 32GB of storage.

While the processor, RAM, and storage specs may seem meager, they’re not. That’s the beauty of a Chromebook— you don’t need a fast processor or a large hard drive. The new 2016 Chromebooks with Intel’s lower-end 6th Generation Pentium or Core M processors are fast. And because the storage takes place in the cloud, 32GB is adequate.

Other notable HP Chromebook 13 specs include a 2.84 pound weight (but it feels lighter because of the good weight distribution), a 0.5-inch thickness (laptops don’t get much thinner than that), and a sturdy aluminum chassis.

The HP Chromebook 13 I’m using goes for just over $800. That extra cost is mostly pegged to the faster Intel 6th Generation M5 processor and 8GB of RAM in my model (instead of 4GB).

Battery life is good. I found the 3-cell, 45Wh battery delivered a long time between charges. What most reviews (which found battery life lacking) miss is that a laptop with a very-high-resolution display, like HP’s Chromebook 13, is never going to last long between charges without a really big battery. But I got more than seven hours doing lots of productivity work, watching a short movie, and the usual social media and Web browsing.

All in all, the HP Chromebook 13 is a high-quality laptop that delivers a lot of bang for the buck and presages a bright future the Chrome OS.

Caveats

The following caveats don’t apply to HP’s Chromebook specifically, but to any Chromebook.

If you’re wedded to Windows and Microsoft Office, the Chromebook probably won’t be a satisfying experience. I’m a heavy Office 365 and OneDrive (Microsoft’s online file hosting service) user. While the Chrome OS gives you access to the online version of Microsoft Office, many of the full Office features are missing. That said, I found that the Google office suite is a powerful replacement and I would be perfectly happy using it full time (as I’ve been doing).

Another thing to keep in mind is, you don’t have access to the range of apps available to Windows and Mac users. In my experience with the Chromebook, however, I always found ways to get things done and almost always found a comparable app online.

Chrome OS Offline: Whether I’m using Windows, Mac, or Chrome OS, I’m always online (as are most people these days). That said, Chromebooks are designed as cloud devices that rely on being connected to the Web. But Chromebooks are much better at working offline now. For example, when I was writing this review in Google Docs, I turned off the Wi-Fi, and Chrome immediately notified me that all changes were being saved offline. 

Finally, the question that always gets asked is, why do I need a Chromebook if I can just run the Chrome browser on my Windows PC or Mac? My response: true, but why not consider a cheap Chromebook that’s fast, secure, manages and updates itself automatically, and has almost none of the clutter and overhead that Windows and macOS have. Besides, the kind of OS that Google is offering is the future of the PC and Mac. Look no further than Apple’s iOS.

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Google’s Android 7.0 Nougat is finally rolling out and the Nexus 5 is not getting it

Yes, as previously reported, the next milestone update for Google’s mobile operating system, Android 7.0 Nougat has finally begun to roll out today. The update that varies in size, is rolling out to supported Android devices as an over-the-air (OTA) update. As with all Google software, it is rolling out in batches, so your Nexus device may not get it right away.

Supported Devices

Talking about supported devices, the new update this time excludes two older devices from Google’s Nexus line up, the Nexus 5 and the 2013 Nexus 7. Owners need not be disappointed though, as Google has plans to support those two devices by means of security patches, although it isn’t clear as for how long the company will support the same.

As for the devices that are receiving the new update, Android 7.0 will be arriving on your Nexus 6, 9, 5X, 6P, the Pixel C tablet and the Nexus Player. Google said in a statement that the OTA update may take “several weeks” to roll out, so as we mentioned earlier, it will take some time till your Nexus smartphone receives the update notification. Post Android 7.0 update Google has also quarterly update roll-outs which would include maintenance releases, so yes, things are about to get pretty interesting.

What’s New?

Coming to what has changed in the final release, there’s good news, not much has. This is however in comparison to the developer beta that we played around with a few months ago. For those upgrading from Android 6.0 to 7.0, there are plenty of changes.

There’s multi-windows display, a built-in files manager, you can even block numbers at the system level. Switching between two apps now also gets easier, all you have to do is double tap the recent app (square navigation icon) button.

No update yet? Fear not!

So what if you cannot see the update notification or simply are too impatient to wait? Well Google already has a few images of the official ROM up on its developer pages, so you can click on the links below to download the official firmware and manually install the update.

Nexus 5X

Nexus 6P

The official image for the older Nexus 6 and other devices are bound to appear soon.

As for updating the manual way, this for users who are familiar with custom ROMs. You will need to push the update via your computer after booting your device into recovery. To push the update from your computer you will need ADB, for those who have already rooted their devices, you probably know the drill.

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Android Nougat: Release date, news and rumors

Update: The Android Nougat release date is happening on August 22, according to the latest reports. It's already out with Developer Preview 5, and we've tested it. Here's a look at the key features in the latest beta version.

Android Nougat is Google's latest update of its phone and tablet operating system - an OS that's been so thoroughly refined that the company is now more than halfway through the alphabet with names, at letter 14 of 26.

You can now download Android Nougat Developer Preview, and test its new features that didn't make the cut in last November's Android 6.0 Marshmallow launch, alongside the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X.

Here's how to install it on your compatible device

First, Samsung mistakenly hinted at the Android 7 number. Within its source code for its MultiWindow SDK 1.3.1. It reads "This version has been released with Android N (7.0) compatibility."

Google didn't confirm this at Google IO, it did finally unveil the version number with one simple sentence on its YouTube video: "On June 30th, 2016 we unwrapped our latest treat, Android 7.0 Nougat."

This confirms our suspicions, but it's clear that, more than ever, Google is to be steering more toward the sweeter name, Android Nougat, and away from version numbers.

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Study says India is third biggest home to tech startups, after US and UK

Competing with countries like the US and UK,  India has risen to be home to the third largest number of technology driven startups in the world, according to a report.

The study, done by Assocham, in association with Thought Arbitrage Research Institute, also revealed that Bengaluru is host to the largest share of technology startups in the country, followed by Delhi NCR and Mumbai, while Hyderabad and Chennai are also quite popular among budding tech entrepreneurs.

“In the technology driven startups, India has moved up to third position with the US occupying the top position with more than 47,000 and the UK with over 4,500. India’s tech startups numbered around 4,200 upto 2015,” the report pointed out.

In terms of total number of startups, comprising both tech and non-tech areas, India again figured among the five largest hosts in the world, along with China (10,000 each). The US occupies the top slot with 83,000 startups.

IT hub Bengaluru is host to 26 percent of domestic tech startups, followed by Delhi NCR (23 percent) and Mumbai (17 percent). In the ‘catching up’ category were Hyderabad (8 percent), Chennai and Pune (6 percent each). Assocham President Sunil Kanoria said,

The disruptive innovation in technology and process is creating newer Indian startups and foreign investors, including some of the well-known venture capital funds, are showing immense interest in these startups.

The awareness that a startup is a vehicle of rapid growth through technological disruption and innovation, has to spread across the economy, the report said. Otherwise, if any small traditional business is treated as a startup, then the ecosystem will never develop properly, it added.

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