This week there was lots of google news, some Microsoft news, DuckDuckGO usage grows 50%, President Trump signed the Music Modernization Act and, Facebook is making a Portal.

Google News

Made By Google 2018

This week Google held their annual Made By Google event. They announced a new Pixel phone, the Pixel Stand (a wireless charger), the Pixel Slate (a Chrome tablet), and the Google Home Hub smart display. For more info read my full article.

Google+

Early in the week, Google announced that in March they discovered a security flaw in a Google+ API that exposed 3rd party developers who had permission to public user profile data since 2015. The bug though gave developers access to all profile data even private data.

Later on Monday Google announced that they are sunsetting Google+ after that flaw. Google+ will come to it final bitter end in 10 months. The G Suite version will still bu running.

Microsoft

On Monday Microsoft annouced Project xCloud. xCloud is the xbox game streaming service. It won’t only work on Xbox and PCs, it will also work on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. The public trials will start next year.

This week microsoft also appoligized for and fixed the bug in last weeks Windaws 10 update that caused certain users to lose data after running the update. If you experienced that bug call Microsoft @ 1 800 Microsoft.

Other News

Music Modernization Act

On Friday, President Trump sgned the Music Modernization Act. The act modernizes music copyright in ways that would compensate aritsts better for streaming. The act also gives better credit to ther people involved in the productionn like the producer.

Facebook Portal

Facebook also made a hardware announcment. They announced their smart display, the Faxebook Portal.  It will be available in an 10-inch and the Portal+ is 15-inch.

“Portal and Portal+ are available now for pre-order in the US – from Facebook at portal.facebook.com, as well as Amazon and Best Buy – and will begin shipping in November. You can bring Portal home for $199 USD and Portal+ for $349 USD. You can also receive $100 USD off any two devices — this means a bundle of two Portal devices will be priced at $298 USD”

Facebook Newsroom