Tag Archives: google news

Google Announces Improved Mobile Search Experience

Last Updated On August 13th, 2014Mobile Marketing, , , , , , , ,

AndroidjellybeanAccording to Search Engine Land, Google recently announced its improved Google search user interface, a Siri-like female voice that will read you search results and Google Now, an application that takes your calendar, location and other data inputs and gives you information it thinks you can use.

Google’s response to Apple’s Siri: Google recently announced its improved voice search including a female assistant that reads certain categories of search results out loud. This new assistant was presented as an extension of voice search.

Google Now: To access Google Now, you will be able to touch the search box to get information based on your current location, the time of day and your Google calendar. This could include information on the local businesses around you, sports scores and train/bus schedules; anything Google thinks you may be interested in at that current time based on the information it can gather about you.

These updates will be part of Jelly Bean, the new update for Android which will be available to the public in mid-July. Have you started your mobile marketing campaign? Check out Local Splash’s mobile marketing services here.

Google Product Update: What’s New with Analytics?

Last Updated On August 13th, 2014Search Engine News, , , , , , , , ,

GoogleanalyticsmobileWe just received our Monthly Product Update from Google Analytics and thought it would be a great idea to share what’s new with our readers. This month, Google is focusing on integrating more mobile tools into Analytics. There’s a new Analytics App that allows users to view their Analytics account from their mobile phones as well as a new tool to measure the success of your Mobile Apps.

Google Analytics App for Android: This app allows you to access the same accounts you can from your desktop browser on your mobile phone. Now you can check out your Analytics reports on-the-go.

Mobile App Analytics: This new tools allows mobile developers and marketers to measure metrics such as new/active users, engagement metrics such as visitor flow, loyalty and app crashes and outcome metrics such as goal conversions and in-app purchases. This tool will help mobile developers create better apps that their customers will respond to.

Intelligence Alerts: These alerts are now in your Google Analytics dashboard. Gone are the days you must click on the Intelligence tab or check your email to see your alerts.

Browser Size Analysis: Find out what your users are actually seeing “above the fold” on your website with this new tool. This will allow you to tweak the design of your homepage to ensure your customers are seeing the most important aspects of the page.

Google’s New Driverless Vehicle Could Help Make the Roads Safer

Last Updated On August 13th, 2014Search Engine News, , , , , , ,

Google driverless vehicleGoogle, the global technology pioneer, is turning fiction into reality once again. This can be recently seen with “Autonomous Vehicles,” better known as driverless vehicles.

Since their announcement in 2010, Google has been hard at work perfecting this innovative automobile, a Toyota Prius which, according to Google, utilizes “video cameras, radar sensors and a laser range finder to ‘see’ other traffic as well as detailed maps.” This generously goes beyond the currently marketed ‘self-park’ cars such as the Lexus LS 460.

CNN covered a demonstration of this new vehicle’s performance with its test participant being a blind man sitting at the wheel of the car. While the car performed a series of everyday navigations, the man jokingly displayed his arms in the air saying, “Look, Ma– no hands!” as the Prius drove itself down a highway and even into a Del Taco drive-through.

This automotive creation is not just for boasting rights. Google is striving to make the roads safe and cars more efficient in today’s society. According to Google’s official blog, the self-driving vehicle project will “try to help prevent traffic accidents, free up people’s time and reduce carbon emissions.”

With 1.2 million annual deaths due to road accidents, the safety of the citizens are at risk each day. Factoring out the human driver from this number could have the potential to significantly reduce this number, giving both passengers and pedestrians peace of mind.

Google is “optimistic about technology’s ability to advance society.” This would also include the benefit of more efficient and attainable car sharing with the concept of the “highway trains of tomorrow.” Just imagine all the productive ways you could spend your valuable time!

Even with Google still in its experimental stages, it can seem as though the futuristic ‘Jetson’s’ lifestyle is little more than a generation away. But for now, Google is steering us towards the future– literally.

See video coverage of the Google demonstration here.

Check out Google’s 2010 driverless car announcement here.