A new way to unify app and website measurement in Google Analytics

Get help from the Google Assistant on your DISH Hopper

Surfing through the list of TV shows or movies for a night at home is often time consuming. You can try typing out titles from the on screen keyboard, but that can be equally frustrating. Now, the DISH Hopper family of receivers can help you find content faster with the Google Assistant, which can be accessed with the new DISH voice remote.

With the DISH voice remote and the Google Assistant, you can use your voice to search for content based on channel, title, actor or genre. Plus you'll get all the usual help from the Assistant.

Here are a few things you can do:

Enjoy entertainment

Use the Google Assistant to play, pause, fast forward, rewind and search for content across DISH’s library of live TV and on-demand content, plus your favorite movies, shows, and YouTube videos. Just press the mic button on the voice remote and say, “Show me sci-fi movies,” “Change the channel to Food Network,” or “Turn on closed captions.” 

Control your home

Press the mic button on your voice remote and ask your Assistant to adjust the temperature, lighting, and other smart home devices connected in your home. Give these a try: “Dim the living room lights” or “Set the thermostat to 72 degrees.”

Manage tasks

Ask your Assistant “Tell me about my day” to see your calendar, ask “how's traffic to work” before you head out the door, or “add popcorn to the shopping list” to prep for your  next movie night. 

Get answers

Ask your Assistant questions and see the answers on your TV screen with DISH. Get answers related to what you're watching, favorite shows, characters, and actors. You can also get information on local businesses, flight details, and game scores. For example, “What pizzerias near me are open now?” or “What’s the score of the baseball game?” 

DISH customers with a voice remote and a broadband-connected Hopper (all generations), Joey (all models) or Wally can access the Google Assistant once they receive the software update. New customers and existing DISH customers without a voice remote can visit mydish.com/voice-remote to check their eligibility for the new voice remote at no extra cost. 

From the comfort of your own couch, you now have all the capabilities of the Google Assistant right from the remote control. 

by via The Keyword

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8 tips for a stress-free summer road trip

Growing up, I always looked forward to summer and the road trips I’d take with family and friends. It didn’t matter if we were trekking from Chicago to Florida or taking a scenic journey to camp at Boulder Lake in Wisconsin. We’d always make a summer jams soundtrack (on cassette), pack the car full of snacks, and stick our heads out the window to feel the cool breeze. 

These days, road trips feature my wife and son, as we explore all that California has to offer, but those old habits have remained the same.

For many people like myself, road trips will always will be quintessential part of summer. If you’re planning to hit the road for an adventure of your own, here are eight ways the Google Assistant can help you safely get things done when you’re behind the wheel (or in the back seat):

1. Check the weather at your destination by saying “Hey Google, what’s the weather like in Yellowstone this weekend?”

2. "Hey Google, how's traffic to downtown Charlotte?" will give you the quickest route to your destination.

3. Give your friends an update on your arrival time by saying, “Hey Google, share my ETA with Ari.” 

4. Stay in touch while you’re on the road by asking, “Hey Google, call Dad.” 

5. “Hey Google, find the nearest gas station” will help you when you need to make a pit stop. Or ask your Assistant, “Hey Google, where’s the nearest coffee shop?” when you need to get your caffeine fix. 

6. Avoid boredom with a podcast or audiobook while you're driving through remote locations. Just say, “Hey Google, play Planet Money.”

7. Play, pause or skip through your favorite songs from services like YouTube Music, Pandora, and Spotify. 

8. Send text messages with your voice so you can keep your eyes on the road. Just ask the Assistant, “Hey Google, send a text to Jake” or “Hey Google, read my messages.”

And it’s really easy to get started. You can access the Assistant in a variety of places, whether you’re using Google Maps for Android and iOS, Waze for Android, Android Auto, or through the new car accessory, Anker Roav Bolt. Later this year, we’re introducing the Assistant’s new driving mode, a voice-forward dashboard for Android that brings your most relevant activities—like navigation, messaging, calling, and media—front and center. 

Bonus tip: When you get home from your trip, you can always pull up specific pictures from your journey from Google Photos by asking the Assistant on your Smart Display. Give it a go by saying, “Hey Google, show me my pictures from Yosemite.”

Buckle up and and remember to take plenty of pictures of your trip!

by via The Keyword

Students changing the world—this year’s Science Fair winners

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For individuals with paralysis, Google Nest gives help at home

Editor’s note: Today's post comes from Garrison Redd, who shares how his Google Home Mini helped him regain independence, and how it can improve the lives of people living with paralysis.

It’s been nearly 20 years since my life changed—that’s two decades of learning to navigate life in a wheelchair. There are many obstacles for people living with paralysis, so I have to find creative ways to get things done. While I’m more independent than most, there have been times when I couldn’t join my friends for a drink because the bar had steep steps. Or I’ve been on a date where there wasn’t space between tables so everyone had to get up and cause a commotion. 

But some of the greatest challenges and hurdles I face are at home. When you’re paralyzed, your home goes from being a place of comfort and security to a reminder of what you’ve lost. Light switches and thermostats are usually too high up on the wall and, if my phone falls on the floor, I may not be able to call a friend or family member if I need help. These may seem like simple annoyances but, to members of the paralysis community, they reinforce the lack of control and limitations we often face.

This changed when the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and Google Nest started a project to understand how technology can benefit people living with paralysis. Google Nest is providing up to 100,000 Google Home Minis to help them. I’ve been using mine for a few months, and it’s helped me control my environment, gain more independence, and have a little fun—all with my voice. 

If you’re not familiar with Mini, it’s a small and mighty smart speaker that gives you help when you need it. The first thing I did was connect Mini to my Nest Thermostat (the one that’s a tad too high). "Hey Google, turn down the thermostat" is especially useful these days in the summer heat. I’m training for the 2020 Paralympic Games as a powerlifter for Team USA, so I use my Mini to set alarms, manage my training schedule, and even make grocery lists. Music is a huge motivator for me, and with Mini, I listen to Spotify playlists and get pumped up before a workout. 

I can have fun with my Mini, too. I’ve tried my hand at trivia by saying, “Hey Google, let’s play lucky trivia.” I’ve dropped a beat with “Hey Google, beat box,” and I enjoy listening to my Google Play audiobooks. And, on a serious note, I know that if I need help but cannot reach my phone, I can use my Mini to call my mom or cousin using only my voice. 

29 years ago today, the Americans with Disabilities Act passed landmark legislation making public spaces more accessible for everyone. Unfortunately, the world isn’t flat and there are still many obstacles for people living with paralysis. I'm hopeful that Google Nest can help more people make their homes that much easier to navigate, just as it has for me. 

Individuals living with paralysis and their caregivers can sign up to get a little help around the home with a Google Home Mini—here’s how you can find out if you’re eligible. If you’d like to help through a donation, you can ask your Assistant, “Hey Google, donate to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.” Through your voice, you can offer a little bit of help that will go a long way. 

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Android Enterprise earns key security certifications

Data security and privacy are critical aspects to any enterprise mobility effort. With Android Enterprise, we’ve built features that give IT teams flexible tools and policies to keep corporate and personal data secure.

These efforts were recently validated by the ISO 27001 certification. This means that Android Enterprise information security practices and procedures for Android Management API, zero-touch enrollment and managed Google Play meet strict industry standards for security and privacy. 

Sound privacy, data security, organizational policy and practices are essential to gaining user trust. The ISO 27001 certification and SOC 2 and 3 reports confirm Google’s information security practices so that IT admins, users and other stakeholders have confidence about Android Enterprise security practices.

Granted by the International Organization for Standardization, ISO 27001 outlines the requirements for an information security management system. It specifies best practices and details a list of security controls regarding information risk management.

The SOC 2 and 3 reports are based on American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Trust Services principles and criteria. To earn this, auditors assess an organization’s information systems relevant to security, availability, processing integrity and confidentiality or privacy.

To earn these certifications, an independent assessor performed a thorough audit to ensure compatibility with the established principles. The entire methodology of documentation and procedures for data management are reviewed during such audits, and must be made available for regular compliance review.

Android is invested in a wide range of protections and management tools to help companies secure their data. This external validation, together with our ongoing efforts, is a testament to how Android Enterprise meets the highest privacy and security needs of today’s businesses.

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EDU tips in a flash

As a seventh grade teacher, I quickly learned that every second counts—both while teaching in the classroom and when collaborating with other teachers. That’s a big part of why we developed EDU in 90, Google for Education’s video series.  We heard from educators that they needed an easy way to keep track of product news and to learn from their peers.  

Over the past four seasons, we’ve examined everything from Classroom to accessibility features to robotics tools for Chromebooks.  And along the way, we’ve explored your creative ideas for using Google tools in the classroom—like Bingo with Google Earth and Blogger for school-wide announcements.  

Today, we’re back with our fifth season of EDU in 90, and sharing the latest G Suite for Education news. Based on your feedback, we’ll upcoming episodes will focus on topics like the Chromebook App Hub, how schools use Google Drive, and computer science resources.  

Be sure to subscribe to the Google for Education YouTube channel and check out our series playlist to catch up on past episodes.  

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10 things you didn’t know you could do with Chromecast

Like any 6-year-old, Chromecast may look small, but it packs a punch. In the last six years, it’s brought TV shows, movies, and more to millions of homes. And this thumb-drive-sized device has come a long way: there’s Chromecast Ultra, which lets you stream up to 4K, and you can talk to your Google Assistant and Google Nest speakers to put something on the screen. Read on for ten of our favorite tips and tricks for using Chromecast.

1. You can now watch Amazon Prime Video.Amazon Prime Video is now a streaming partner so if you have Chromecast and Prime, you can access the Amazon Originals you know and love, like “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “The Boys.”
   
2. Make it personal. Change your Chromecast’s name using the Google Home app. Here’s one idea: “Hey Google, turn on binge box.” And if you have a preferred TV in your home, you can set it as your default in the Google Home app. 
   
3. Plan as a group.Browsing restaurant menus or flight prices (or anything really) on your phone and want to let the whole room chime in? Mirror your Android phone or tablet’s screen.
   
4. Binge watch without lifting a finger. With a voice-activated device such as Google Home Mini connected to Chromecast, you can ask the Google Assistant to cast your favorite shows and movies from apps you love, like Netflix, HBO NOW, YouTube TV and thousands more compatible apps to your TV (a subscription may be required).
   
5. Conquer your stagefright. Practice your presentation skills at home by casting through Google Slides. Just click the "Present" option in the top-right corner of your presentation, select "Present on another screen," and pick your Chromecast.
   
6. View your home movies easily.Watch videos and slideshows you’ve made in Google Photos. Either cast directly from the Google Photos app, or using a Google Nest speaker you can ask Google for specific content. For example, say “Hey Google, show my 2018 summer vacation video on my TV.” 
   
7. Try Ambient Mode. When you’re not using your Chromecast, it can still keep you entertained. Your TV can display content from your favorite albums in Google Photos, social networks, and other services and apps, or enjoy the art gallery while your device is idle. 
   
8. Start a dance party. Group together Google Nest and Chromecast devices and speakers to listen to music throughout your home. Your favorite music from Chromecast-enabled apps like Google Play Music, Spotify, and Tidal are instantly available to stream. (Subscriptions may be required.)
   
9. Supercharge your connection. If your Wi-Fi signal isn’t strong near your TV, use a Chromecast ethernet adapter to connect your Chromecast directly to your router, creating a fast and reliable connection.
   
10. Set up a custom routine for your next premiere party. In the Google Home app you can create a custom routine incorporating a movie or TV show and compatible smart home products, like lights. Just last weekend I said, “Hey Google, let’s go to Monterey” to dim the lights and put on the season finale of “Big Little Lies.”

Just in time to catch a midweek movie, go forth and stream on.

by via The Keyword

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Turn up the bass with Android TV soundbars

The new JBL LINK BAR is the super bass you’ve been waiting for. With Android TV now available on soundbars, you can turn your TV into a smart TV and get the legendary sound quality of a JBL speaker.

Say my name, say “Hey Google”

The Google Assistant on Android TV is your trusted companion to help you easily control your TV, media and entertainment as well as connected devices in your home. With mics built into the soundbar itself, you don’t need to fish your remote out of the couch crevices—instead, just say “Hey Google.” Even when your TV is off, the Assistant on the soundbar remains available to play music, set a timer, answer questions and turn the TV back on. Conveniently switch to other devices like your gaming console, by asking the Assistant to switch the HDMI input.

Your Assistant is there for you when you have questions about what's on TV–like how tall an athlete is or when a movie was made–or if you want to get information–like how’s the traffic to a destination or what’s the weather.

Google’s gonna play, play, play, play, play

Never be bored again. With Android TV, you have access to 500,000+ shows and movies, live sports and news, or your favorite music across 5,000+ apps and games. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, check out Google Play for more.

In addition, Android TV soundbars come with Chromecast built in. This allows you to instantly stream, cast and view additional content, such as movies, shows, videos and photos from your phone on the big screen for everyone to enjoy.

You’ve got the whole world in Android TV’s hands

There’s only one cord connecting your soundbar to your TV, making the setup simple and the device the central hub with HDMI inputs. Conveniently switch between HDMI inputs to take advantage of premium sound quality while you watch live cable TV or embark on a quest on your gaming console. To access your favorite tunes, flicks and games on Android TV, just press the Home button at any point in time (whether your TV is on or off).

With Android TV, your soundbar has all the capabilities you know and love, from the Google Assistant to Google Play and Chromecast, as well as serves as a central control center for all your smart home devices and connected consoles. Enjoy the all-in-one Android TV soundbar experience today. 

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Design the ideal ad experience with native ads from Google AdMob

Native is the newest ad format supported by Google AdMob. It offers the most flexible design and placement to help developers create the ideal ad experience for your app users. Today native ads have come out of beta and are now available for all developers. 

As the name suggests, native ads allow you to design an ad experience that feels like a natural part of your app. You can customize the look and feel of native ads the way you’d design your app content.

Publishers who have implemented native ads during the beta phase have seen great results. For example, Cleveni, a South Korea-based mobile app publisher specializing in utility apps, saw 4 times revenue growth with native ads. 

With careful design, implementation and testing, native ads can feel like a natural part of the app experience. This seamless integration can lead to revenue growth by means of increased ad density and better user retention while also clearly noting that it’s a promotional unit.

Native ads allow unlimited flexibility—you can design any ad layout imaginable as long as it meets the AdMob native ads policies. We highly encourage you to explore the design freedom with this ad format and use A/B tests with different creatives to maximize engagement and revenue. 

Getting started

There are two ways to get started with native ads in AdMob: 

1. For a quick and easy start, use the native ads templates (Android, iOS). Simply use the code as-is, or modify it to better match the look and feel of your app. 
2. For more advanced users,  you can go straight to the native ads advanced section (Android, iOS). This option allows you to create native ads from scratch.

With the flexibility of native ads also comes many questions you need to think through. For example, what should my ad look like? How similar should it look to actual app content? Where should I place it? The AdMob native ads playbook provides best practices and examples to help you design and implement a successful native ads strategy. 

As with all advertising experiences, there are some important policies and guidelines put in place to help ensure a good experience for users. Please be sure to read through the AdMob native ads policy compliance checklist, and pay close attention to the restrictions around ad size and the usage of MediaView.

We hope native ads can help you unlock more revenue growth for your app and will continue to improve this new ad format. 

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Get the scoop: The ice cream America is searching for

Nothing says summer like the jingle of an ice cream truck—and cooling off with a (quickly melting) tasty treat. But these days, Americans aren’t just settling for chocolate and vanilla.  To celebrate National Ice Cream Day on July 21, we’ve rounded up this year’s top trending ice cream-related searches across the U.S.—and found more people are looking to experience new flavors, types, forms and even temperatures. 

Global treats    

This year, searches for ice cream have moved away from your typical neighborhood ice cream truck and gone international. Searches for Mexican ice cream have gone up, thanks to people looking to have a taste of the raw milk, hand-churned, wooden-barrelled, sweet and spicy creation. Japan’s creations are also trending, with chewy and colorful mochi sparking interest, along with “fish ice cream,” or taiyaki, fish-shaped cakes that make tasty ice cream cones. And the Italian classic, gelato, has U.S. searchers craving its dense, silky texture. 

Gym worthy

“Keto ice cream” has reached the dessert menu, with people searching for options that cut out carbs. Similarly, Americans are searching for “protein ice cream,” which boosts protein levels by using milk protein concentrate or whey protein. Others who aren’t so diet conscious are searching for fried ice cream. After breading, the scoop is quickly deep-fried to create a crispy shell around it. It’s served warm from the outside, but with a cold, sweet heart.

Unconventionally frosty   

Chocolate, vanilla and strawberry are still ice cream royalty when it comes to searches. But they have some competition. Filipino Ube ice cream has warmed up to Americans with its intense purple color. And green ice cream, like matcha and avocado varieties, has also seen searches grow this year. Snow ice cream is also a big thing this year, and you won’t believe its main ingredient: actual snow!

In case you need a little push to decide what to order, here’s the full list of trending searches on this tasty topic:  

Top trending ice cream types in 2019 in the U.S: 

1. Snow ice cream

2. Keto ice cream

3. Mexican ice cream

4. Ice cream bars

5. Fish ice cream

6. Mochi ice cream

7. Gelato

8. Ice cream sundae

9. Fried ice cream

10. Protein ice cream

Top trending ice cream flavors in 2019 in the U.S.: 

1. Strawberry ice cream

2. Ube ice cream

3. Chocolate ice cream

4. Coffee ice cream

5. Vanilla ice cream

6. Oreo ice cream

7. Mango ice cream

8. Coconut ice cream

9. Matcha ice cream

10. Avocado ice cream

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Protecting private browsing in Chrome

Chrome’s Incognito Mode is based on the principle that you should have the choice to browse the web privately. At the end of July, Chrome will remedy a loophole that has allowed sites to detect people who are browsing in Incognito Mode. This will affect some publishers who have used the loophole to deter metered paywall circumvention, so we’d like to explain the background and context of the change.

Private browsing principles

People choose to browse the web privately for many reasons. Some wish to protect their privacy on shared or borrowed devices, or to exclude certain activities from their browsing histories. In situations such as political oppression or domestic abuse, people may have important safety reasons for concealing their web activity and their use of private browsing features.

We want you to be able to access the web privately, with the assurance that your choice to do so is private as well. These principles are consistent with emerging web standards for private browsing modes. 

Closing the FileSystem API loophole

Today, some sites use an unintended loophole to detect when people are browsing in Incognito Mode. Chrome’s FileSystem API is disabled in Incognito Mode to avoid leaving traces of activity on someone’s device. Sites can check for the availability of the FileSystem API and, if they receive an error message, determine that a private session is occurring and give the user a different experience.  

With the release of Chrome 76 scheduled for July 30, the behavior of the FileSystem API will be modified to remedy this method of Incognito Mode detection. Chrome will likewise work to remedy any other current or future means of Incognito Mode detection.

Publisher impact and strategies

The change will affect sites that use the FileSystem API to intercept Incognito Mode sessions and require people to log in or switch to normal browsing mode, on the assumption that these individuals are attempting to circumvent metered paywalls. 

Unlike hard paywalls or registration walls, which require people to log in to view any content, meters offer a number of free articles before you must log in. This model is inherently porous, as it relies on a site’s ability to track the number of free articles someone has viewed, typically using cookies. Private browsing modes are one of several tactics people use to manage their cookies and thereby "reset" the meter count.

Sites that wish to deter meter circumvention have options such as reducing the number of free articles someone can view before logging in, requiring free registration to view any content, or hardening their paywalls. Other sites offer more generous meters as a way to develop affinity among potential subscribers, recognizing some people will always look for workarounds.  We suggest publishers monitor the effect of the FileSystem API change before taking reactive measures since any impact on user behavior may be different than expected and any change in meter strategy will impact all users, not just those using Incognito Mode.

Our News teams support sites with meter strategies and recognize the goal of reducing meter circumvention, however any approach based on private browsing detection undermines the principles of Incognito Mode. We remain open to exploring solutions that are consistent with user trust and private browsing principles.

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A moonlit tribute to a moon landing icon

The Compass Experiment is navigating local news in Ohio

I fell in love with journalism while growing up in Ohio, and later while in college at Kent State University. As a student, I tried—and failed—to get an internship at a nearby newspaper I admired, the Youngstown Vindicator. 

But now, 150 years after it started, The Vindicator is closing on August 31. That will leave Youngstown, Ohio, and a larger region of about 500,000 people, without a daily newspaper. The timing of such a loss couldn’t be worse for Youngstown, which has suffered through a tremendous economic downturn over the last 40 years.  

While the area may be struggling financially, Youngstown has a distinct identity and a strong sense of community, which is why we want to help build a path forward for local news. Today, McClatchy announced Youngstown will be the location of The Compass Experiment’s first local news operation, due to launch this fall. 

Compass is a local news lab founded in partnership between McClatchy and Google, and part of the Google News Initiative’s Local Experiments Project. Over the next three years, we will launch and operate three digital-only news operations in small to mid-sized U.S. communities that have limited sources of local, independent journalism. The goal is to not only support the dissemination of news in these communities, but also make the local operations financially self-sustaining, through experimentation with a variety of revenue models. We will also document and share what we've learned with the broader news community, with the intention of creating successful models that can be replicated elsewhere. 

Over the past few weeks, the Compass team has been talking to journalists, community leaders and businesses in the Youngstown area about the area’s news needs. We have found many allies eager to help bring this to life.  

The locations of the remaining Compass sites have not been decided yet. Each site will be independently built and may launch with different platforms and revenue models. All three sites will be 100 percent owned and operated by McClatchy, which has sole editorial control over content. 

In the search for ideal Compass sites, McClatchy has put considerable effort into identifying local markets ripe for innovation in local news. Compass consulted with Penelope Muse Abernathy, the Knight Chair in Journalism and Digital Media Economics at the University of North Carolina and author of a 2018 study on the loss of local journalism in the United States, in analyzing potential communities for the first local digital news sites.  

We at McClatchy are looking forward to continuing our close collaboration with Google as we embark on this next important step. Over the course of the next three years, we will be sharing our successes, failures and what we’ve learned to the media industry at large.  

Compass is currently hiring editorial and business staff from the area to begin work on the Youngstown operation, as well as positions on its central team. In the meantime, please follow along on our Medium page as we develop our Youngstown news operation.

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More information about our processes to safeguard speech data

We’re focused on building products that work for everyone, and as part of this, we invest significant resources to ensure that our speech technology works for a wide variety of languages, accents and dialects. This enables products like the Google Assistant to understand your request, whether you’re speaking English or Hindi. 

As part of our work to develop speech technology for more languages, we partner with language experts around the world who understand the nuances and accents of a specific language. These language experts review and transcribe a small set of queries to help us better understand those languages. This is a critical part of the process of building speech technology, and is necessary to creating products like the Google Assistant. 

We just learned that one of these language reviewers has violated our data security policies by leaking confidential Dutch audio data. Our Security and Privacy Response teams have been activated on this issue, are investigating, and we will take action. We are conducting a full review of our safeguards in this space to prevent misconduct like this from happening again.

We apply a wide range of safeguards to protect user privacy throughout the entire review process. Language experts only review around 0.2 percent of all audio snippets. Audio snippets are not associated with user accounts as part of the review process, and reviewers are directed not to transcribe background conversations or other noises, and only to transcribe snippets that are directed to Google. 

The Google Assistant only sends audio to Google after your device detects that you’re interacting with the Assistant—for example, by saying “Hey Google” or by physically triggering the Google Assistant. A clear indicator (such as the flashing dots on top of a Google Home or an on-screen indicator on your Android device) will activate any time the device is communicating with Google in order to fulfill your request. Rarely, devices that have the Google Assistant built in may experience what we call a “false accept.” This means that there was some noise or words in the background that our software interpreted to be the hotword (like “Ok Google”). We have a number of protections in place to prevent false accepts from occurring in your home.  

Building products for everyone is a core part of our DNA at Google. We hold ourselves to high standards of privacy and security in product development, and hold our partners to these same standards. We also provide you with tools to manage and control the data stored in your account. You can turn off storing audio data to your Google account completely, or choose to auto-delete data after every 3 months or 18 months. We’re always working to improve how we explain our settings and privacy practices to people, and will be reviewing opportunities to further clarify how data is used to improve speech technology. Visit your account to review or change your settings, and view (and, if you choose, delete) all the activity that's stored with your account.

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OEMConfig supports enterprise device features

Android’s flexibility helps device manufacturers build diverse form factors with useful features to address a variety of business needs. But consistently delivering hardware options to organizations can be difficult because enterprise mobility management (EMM) providers often struggle to quickly support management for all these capabilities.   

To solve this problem, we’re launching OEMConfig, a new Android standard that enables device makers to create custom device features that can be immediately and universally supported by EMMs. Instead of integrating enterprise APIs from each OEM to support their custom features such as control of barcode scanners or enabling extra security features, EMMs can easily use an OEM-built application that configures all of the unique capabilities of a device. 

OEMConfig utilizes a feature in Android Enterprise called managed configurations, which allows developers to provide built-in support for the configuration of apps. With OEMConfig, EMMs can support all of a device manufacturer’s diverse set of controls without any incremental development work on their end.

Earlier this year, Samsung declared early support for a preview version of OEMConfig, publishing a Knox Service Plugin (KSP) app that enabled EMMs to support Knox Platform for Enterprise features. Since then, we’ve built out the final pieces of architecture to make it even more useful for customers and EMM partners. These include:

• An enhanced schema with four-level nesting, to present complex policies to IT admins in a structured format

• An update broadcast to instantly inform OEMs when policies have changed

• A feedback channel to confirm the result of policies applied on the device

OEMConfig will continue to unlock more enterprise capabilities for business customers in a consistent manner, helping organizations move faster and go further in achieving their business goals. We’re excited to see what our customers will be able to do when they harness all the flexibility and innovation our ecosystem provides. 

More information for OEMConfig can be found here.

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Mariate Arnal wants everyone in Mexico to get online

When you enter Mariate Arnal’s office, you can feel the energy. Her whiteboard always has a work-in-progress idea, her agenda is fully packed and new folders, papers and documents show up on her desk at all times. Despite her daily tasks as managing director of Google Mexico, her energy always stays high, so much so that she walks up and down the office stairs every day. 

Mariate describes herself as restless and passionate. She studied to become an engineer, and enjoyed math and questioned how things worked since she was a little girl. Born in Venezuela and a recent Mexican citizen, she is constantly examining how to make things better, not only inside the office, but also outside it, brainstorming how to make an impact and solve the problems the country has.

She has a challenging mission: creating two different strategies for one single country. “Mexico has a very Dickensian quality: it’s a country of two tales,” she says. “You have the technologically advanced Mexico, and the left behind Mexico.”

With the first edition of Google for Mexico happening this July, it was the perfect time to sit down with Mariate for the She Word and learn about her the challenges of her role and her vision for empowering women with technology. 

Make digital access inclusive. 

Mexico has a population of over 119 million people, 63 percent of which is online. “Mexico is a top 10 market for core Google products such as YouTube, Chrome, Search and Gmail,” she says. “However, the thing we need to focus on is how to bring in the rest of the people who aren’t yet online. And to do so we need to have a different approach.” An important challenge to get the remaining 37 percent of Mexicans online is that connectivity is quite expensive, so Mariate pushes Google to design products for a country where data is very costly.

Learn from other countries. 

There are 11 countries that will account for a significant share of the next billion new internet users in the world, and Mexico is one of them. Each Next Billion User (NBU) country launches different Google products, but Mariate believes it’s important to examine what other countries are doing about issues that are similar to Mexico’s. 

Mariate considers Google Pay’s launch in India a great example, since both countries have very low levels of bank usage. Another example is the investment on the Indonesian startup GO-JEK, which addresses technology issues many of these countries have, like a lack of affordable connectivity. “Despite the differences each market may have, we can learn a lot from each other, take in the best experiences and explore new opportunities in our country,” Mariate said. 

Become a helping hand for small businesses.   

Building digital skills is essential to close the gap between the tech-savvy and the yet-to-be-connected parts of Mexico. That’s clear when you look at small businesses, and how many of them have yet to take advantage of digital solutions like online shopping. “Small and medium sized businesses are the backbone of the country’s economy,” Mariate says.  “However, most of them are not betting on online opportunities.” There are over 5 million small and medium businesses in Mexico, which represent more than 50 percent of the country’s GDP. Many of those businesses don’t know how to bring themselves online, and those who do invest less than one percent of their budget in digital marketing. 

Mariate thinks trainings like the ones Grow With Google offers can help small business owners learn more about the importance of digital skills and how to use them for their businesses. She also believes that products like Google My Business can keep growing to solve wide-ranging problems, from helping customers discover businesses to allowing customers to make transactions, such as shopping or making a reservation.   

Open up more opportunities for women. 

In an industry that’s majority male and in a country with a large gender gap, Mariate is an advocate for women both at Google and across Mexico. Most recently, she was on a panel at the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society, one of the most influential global events focused on inclusion and women’s empowerment. 

During the panel, the main topic was to discuss what’s next for women in business, and the current challenges that prevent them from reaching  leadership positions. “What many companies are still not realizing is that it’s not just bringing women into the organizations, but working on a true inclusion,” Mariate said during the panel. “If they don’t include women, they are just going to leave.” 

In the office, she’s an executive sponsor of Women@Google, the company’s largest employee resource group, which is focused on women’s inclusion and empowerment. There, she has recently helped create alliances with nonprofits so that Googlers can help unprivileged girls have access to STEM classes. 

In many communities in Mexico, women are the breadwinners. But half of them have a very limited education, so they turn to the informal economy to support their families. Mariate, as a fighter for gender equality, wants to help women join the formal economy. “As a woman, when you are close to technology you can make a leap in every sense,” she says. “Technology can also give you more economic opportunities.”

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How Google for Nonprofits helps Thrive DC prevent homelessness

When Thrive DC opens its doors for breakfast at 8am every morning, 200 people walk in. They come for a hearty meal, to do laundry, take a shower, but also to attend job skills training, receive substance abuse counseling, or get back on their feet after incarceration. With 16 percent of the population in DC living in poverty, Thrive DC represents much more than a homeless services organization—it’s a new start.

To meet the needs of the people who rely on their services, Thrive DC needs to act fast and efficiently. Its staff of 16 people supports more than 2,000 clients every year. The key to its success is a productive team, a structured volunteer management system, and an efficient fundraising strategy. Watch the video to learn how Thrive DC uses Google for Nonprofits to get the work done faster and spend more time serving the community. Visit google.com/nonprofits to learn more about the program.

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Prime Video is on Chromecast and Android TV, plus YouTube on Fire TV

It’s Prime time to sit back, relax and watch TV. Starting today, you can watch Amazon Prime Video on Chromecast and Android TV devices, giving Prime members unlimited access to their favorite Amazon Originals, films and more. Meanwhile, you can also now access the official YouTube app on select Amazon Fire TV devices.

Your favorite Prime Video content on Chromecast and Android TV

With Amazon Prime Video on Chromecast and Android TV, you can watch Amazon Originals like “Fleabag” and “Guava Island” on your existing device. 

Chromecast and Chromecast built-in users have access to over 2,000 apps for content and games, and starting today, you can cast content straight from the Prime Video app to your TV. You’ll need the latest Prime Video app and Android 5.0 or higher or iOS 10.1 or higher on your phone or tablet to receive the update. And Chromecast Ultra users get access to 4,000 titles included with Prime at no additional cost.

In addition to the select Android TV devices that currently have Prime Video, many more Android TV smart TVs, set-top boxes and streaming devices will also soon have Prime Video, with rollout starting today. You can download Prime Video by clicking the app icon directly from your home screen or in Google Play. 

Tune in to YouTube on Amazon Fire TV devices

Starting today, the official YouTube app on Amazon Fire TV is available worldwide on Fire TV Stick (2nd Gen), Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Cube, Fire TV Stick Basic Edition, and Toshiba, Insignia, Element, and Westinghouse Fire TV Edition smart TVs. With the YouTube app, you can access music videos, your favorite creators, movies, shows, news and more. Additional device support will roll out in the coming months, and YouTube TV and YouTube Kids will launch later this year. YouTube is now available on more than 1 billion living room devices, from smart TVs to gaming consoles and streaming media sticks, according to Strategy Analytics. 

Now more than ever, there are many ways to tune into the videos, shows and movies you love on the devices you use every day.

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Table Stakes Europe, a program to help local journalism thrive

Editor’s note: As part of the Google News Initiative, we work with news publishing partners across the world on efforts to help the industry thrive in the digital age. The following post comes from one of our partners Vincent Peyregne, CEO of WAN-IFRA.

Trust, democracy and civic engagement often take root within communities and neighborhoods. Local news plays a critical role in this process, and high quality and financially sustainable local journalism is indispensable for local communities to thrive.

Yet, unlike global news brands, local and regional newspapers don’t have—and can’t realistically grow—audiences beyond the geographies in which they operate, which makes it challenging to keep up with the changing nature of digital journalism. 

WAN-IFRA and the Google News Initiative are joining forces to launch Table Stakes Europe, a program to help local and regional newspapers find new ways to build local audiences, prosper in a digital world and perform their crucial role in society. Started in 2015 in the U.S., our vision with Table Stakes is to show how local changes make a global impact

Table Stakes Europe will build upon the proven Table Stakes approach, plus coaching methodologies that have helped dozens of local news organizations in the U.S.  improve their audience and digital capabilities and results. The Program is designed to help small and medium local and regional newspapers in Europe transform their business, increase consumer-based revenue, and build digital capabilities.

The program will begin in October 2019, and run for 10 to 12 months. We expect at least 10 small and medium local and regional news enterprises to participate from a variety of countries and backgrounds. Small and medium local and regional newspaper organizations can apply to the program by September 1st.

WAN-IFRA and the Google News Initiative are excited about bringing this opportunity to local news organizations in Europe and are looking forward to sharing the lessons and best practices with the industry at large throughout and at the end of the program.

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Cloud Covered: What was new in Google Cloud in June

Summer’s here, but that's not the only big thing that arrived this month: We welcomed new partners and have new data technology-related updates to share. Read on for noteworthy Cloud updates in June.

Google will acquire Looker.
We announced our intent to acquire Looker, a company that offers business intelligence, data application, and embedded analytics software. These kinds of tools are important for modern businesses, so they can use all the data they have available to make decisions, and see visualizations of data with graphics and charts. Looker will help extend the analytics tools we already have at Google Cloud. It will let users at businesses define which metrics to use across different sources of data, so everyone can see the same information. Plus, Looker will bring strong analytics technology that can be embedded into other applications that a business is using.

A cloud data warehouse partner came on board.
Yes, data analytics is a big topic at Google Cloud these days. If you think about your own data use—photos and music, for example—you can start to get an idea of how much data exists for businesses. They want to analyze that data to understand more about what’s important to their business—but the sheer volume of data makes it challenging. Cloud data warehouses help to store, manage, and analyze all that data to find useful information. This month, we announced a partnership with data warehouse provider Snowflake, which will give people another way to bring in a wider variety of data sources to Google Cloud, then use and analyze all that data.

School’s out, but the learning never stops.
We announced a new Google Cloud certification challenge in June: Study, take an exam, get certified within 12 weeks, and you’ll get a $100 Google Store voucher. These certifications are becoming more important as employers recognize how important cloud skills are to their businesses, and there are different levels of certifications based on experience level. Plus, we announced some new Qwiklabs quests—self-paced labs designed to educate cloud developers. The quests help developers understand what metrics can be observed using Kubernetes technology and how to use it securely to deploy containers in real life.

Cloud-native is an important new concept.
“Cloud-native” means that systems that provide business users with the tools they need, like email, applications and more, have been designed from scratch to best take advantage of the unique capabilities of the cloud. This is different from moving existing technology systems to the cloud without making a lot of changes to the way they’re set up, sometimes known as “lift and shift.” We shared how building cloud-native systems is different from traditional approaches, and how businesses should plan with those differences in mind.

G Suite added even more security controls.
With the help of machine learning, Gmail already blocks up to 99.9 percentof spam, phishing and malware from ever reaching your inbox. This month, we added even more features in Gmail to further protect businesses, including a security sandbox, which lets IT teams analyze email attachments that might be malicious, and sophisticated machine learning to protect emails from malware and phishing. Check out this post to learn more about other G Suite happenings.

Blockchain and cloud can work together.
Blockchain is a technology usually associated with cryptocurrency, but it can also be used to make applications more secure. This post about building applications that use both cloud and blockchain explains how to get the most out of blockchain’s capabilities and the efficiency of cloud. Using this combination of cloud and blockchain can help make transactions private, and enable more accurate predictions.

That’s a wrap for June. To find more stories, visit the Google Cloud blog.

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Three mindsets to navigate ambiguity as the world changes

Consider medieval maps. Back then, the world didn’t know what existed beyond the horizon. Would you drop off the edge of the earth? Did unknown sea creatures lurk in these uncharted lands?  When faced with the unknown, most people resort to fear; mapmakers depicted fearsome sea creatures on the outskirts of the world. But it’s only when you steer the proverbial ship past the edge of what is known that you uncover all that could be. 

Today, advances in technology, like self-driving cars and computers we can converse with, catapult us to the edge of the map—the line between the known and unknown. Innovators need to be able to solve for problems of tomorrow, and navigate all the ambiguity that comes along with that. To thrive on this edge, we have to stay curious, empathize with different perspectives and experiment with solutions.  

Embrace a curious mindset  

Approach the unknown with curiosity rather than fear. The wildest questions can create the biggest opportunities. A phrase I embrace to shift myself into a mindset of curiosity is “What if…” 

Take voice-powered assistants for example. Just recently, millions of people started having conversations with their devices, completely changing how they interact with technology. Initially, there was some uncertainty. People questioned things like the utility, the security and the effectiveness of voice-powered technology. However, if you lean into curiosity and consider new possibilities, rather than pitfalls, then you can work through pending challenges more effectively. For example, you might ask: What if we had an assistant that could help us with everyday tasks? What if people no longer had to type to interact with technology? What if you could have a natural conversation with your computer? What if we had the capability of 10 assistants at our fingertips? This phrase can help spark optimism and fuel innovation.

Take multiple perspectives 

Once you’ve embraced a curious mindset, it’s time to start solving. Great solutions require empathy, or a walk in someone else’s shoes. I’ve found that the fastest track to empathy is to focus on the user. 

I recently taught a Stanford University class on inclusive product design. The class was made up of Stanford students, Googlers and students from the School of the Blind in Fremont, CA. Inclusive design demands that designers use the diversity of their users to challenge what’s possible, so to give all of the students a better understanding of the challenges they might solve for, we took part in a blindfolded breakfast. While it was no substitute for truly understanding the challenges of impaired vision, it helped to shift the perspective for students who had never experienced impaired vision and gave them an opportunity to empathize with the people they were designing for. Similarly, having a diversity of backgrounds, ability, upbringings and more on your team helps you to collectively see multiple perspectives. 

Another tool that helps you look at problems from new angles is what we call the “Why-How Ladder.” For example, you might begin with a problem statement like “How might we help more girls pursue STEM careers?”, and then ask “Why is that important?” This question helps you think about the bigger picture. Conversely, the question “How might we accomplish that?” helps to narrow the scope of the problem. 

The road to success is paved with experimentation

Once you start to see the challenges as possibilities, you can get into the process of experimenting. More than a decade ago, I was teaching English to a group of six-year-old children in Shanghai. I found myself staring at a room of 45 kids who did not speak English, and I did not speak Chinese. But I knew that if I got it wrong on the first attempt, I could just try a new tactic. So I started experimenting with ways to teach the kids a whole new language. After a few fumbles, we started singing songs, reciting the alphabet and drawing pictures to share simple personal stories. In order to take action and thrive in this scenario, I had to be fearless in taking action—even if that action resulted in a failed attempt. Failing is all about getting feedback early on. 

The world is changing faster than ever before, and innovation is inherently ambiguous—we simply don’t know what the future is going to look like. But with these three mindsets you can navigate the waters of ambiguity and steer past the horizon of what is known to what is next. 

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How Google volunteers gave me the confidence to get hired

Editor’s note: Every June, Google.org hosts a month-long campaign called GoogleServe to empower Googlers to volunteer in their communities around the world. This year, more than 27,000 Googlers participated in GoogleServe, and Googlers have volunteered over 350,00 hours since the campaign first began in 2007. Today we hear from Brian Evans, a past attendee at one of our GoogleServe & Goodwill resume and interview prep events. 

In June 2018, I was just out of prison. I was looking for a job, but I had a criminal record hanging over my head. I did my time in the eyes of the state and had served my sentence, but others don’t always see it that way. Employers often have a bias against people like me. I needed work, but wasn’t getting it.  

I found Goodwill NOW, a program that works with people who have criminal histories to help them find full-time employment. People with the program suggested I sign up for a GoogleServe event, where Googlers were going to help with resume building and interview practice. 

I remember walking into the event. I was really nervous. I didn’t think it was a group I could fit in with—a bunch of highly educated people who had tech jobs with Google. But my perspective changed soon after I arrived. They started the event with an “ice breaker” where we were invited to simply get to know each other. I asked things like where they were from, what they do in their free time, what they care about. It made them human and relatable. After the ice breaker it didn’t feel as intimidating. It just felt like a bunch of people in a room, with more commonalities than we all knew at the start. 

Then we got to work. We sat down with Googlers and learned about what they were looking for in a resume. Many of us didn’t have a college education and feel that it really sets us back, but the volunteers were able to help us break down our experience and highlight what things stood out to them. Your resume is your first impression, so it really helped to have someone coach us on how to make it stronger and highlight what they found interesting about us. 

Next, we did mock interviews. We pretended as if we were going in to interview at Google. We learned about the handshake, how to make eye contact and how to make a good first impression. We learned about the kinds of questions we should be prepared to answer and what kinds of questions we should be prepared to ask. Before the clinic I didn’t know how important it was to ask the interviewer questions, too. 

After the clinic, I felt inspired. So I signed up for school and studied peer mentorship and criminal justice. Goodwill was impressed by my education pursuit and they invited me to apply to be a resource room coordinator. Before getting the job I had to interview with the VP of Goodwill. Never in my life have I been put in front of someone with so much power. Then I remembered what a Google volunteer said: “Just find a way to relate to your interviewer; find something in common.” 

They hired me. Since then, I’ve been promoted twice in one year and I’m now the lead peer mentor. This year, I helped to organize the same GoogleServe event that helped me when I was looking for a job. 

We can all succeed if we have ambition. I didn’t have schooling and lots of Googlers do, but the most inspiring thing a Google volunteer told me is that I had a chance. I believed them and put one foot in front of the other, made it through school and went into the interview with confidence. And here I am.

by via The Keyword

Google volunteers gave me the confidence to get hired

Editor’s note: Every June, Google.org hosts—a month-long campaign called GoogleServe to empower Googlers to volunteer in their communities around the world. This year more than 27,000 Googlers participated in GoogleServe, and Googlers have volunteered a total of X hours since the event first began in 2007. Today we hear from Brian Evans, a past attendee at one of our GoogleServe & Goodwill resume and interview prep events. 

In June 2018, I was just out of prison. I was looking for a job, but I had a criminal record hanging over my head. I did my time in the eyes of the state and had served my sentence, but others don’t always see it that way. Employers often have a bias against people like me. I needed work, but wasn’t getting it.  

I found Goodwill NOW, a program that works with people who have criminal histories to help them find full-time employment. People with the program suggested I sign up for a GoogleServe event, where Googlers were going to help with resume building and interview practice. 

I remember walking into the event. I was really nervous. I didn’t think it was a group I could fit in with—a bunch of highly educated people who had tech jobs with Google. But my perspective changed soon after I arrived. They started the event with an “ice breaker” where we were invited to simply get to know each other. I asked things like where they were from, what they do in their free time, what they care about. It made them human and relatable. After the ice breaker it didn’t feel as intimidating. It just felt like a bunch of people in a room, with more commonalities than we all knew at the start. 

Then we got to work. We sat down with Googlers and learned about what they were looking for in a resume. Many of us didn’t have a college education and feel that it really sets us back, but the volunteers were able to help us break down our experience and highlight what things stood out to them. Your resume is your first impression, so it really helped to have someone coach us on how to make it stronger and highlight what they found interesting about us. 

Next, we did mock interviews. We pretended as if we were going in to interview at Google. We learned about the handshake, how to make eye contact and how to make a good first impression. We learned about the kinds of questions we should be prepared to answer and what kinds of questions we should be prepared to ask. Before the clinic I didn’t know how important it was to ask the interviewer questions, too. 

After the clinic, I felt inspired. So I signed up for school and studied peer mentorship and criminal justice. Goodwill was impressed by my education pursuit and they invited me to apply to be a resource room coordinator. Before getting the job I had to interview with the VP of Goodwill. Never in my life have I been put in front of someone with so much power. Then I remembered what a Google volunteer said: “Just find a way to relate to your interviewer; find something in common.” 

They hired me. Since then, I’ve been promoted twice in one year and I’m now the lead peer mentor. This year, I helped to organize the same GoogleServe event that helped me when I was looking for a job. 

We can all succeed if we have ambition. I didn’t have schooling and lots of Googlers do, but the most inspiring thing a Google volunteer told me is that I had a chance. I believed them and put one foot in front of the other, made it through school and went into the interview with confidence. And here I am.

by via The Keyword

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Breaking ground in Nevada

I’m a fourth generation Nevadan on both sides of my family. Even though Google is headquartered in California, my work has brought me back to my home state of Nevada far more than I expected. And recently we’ve been getting to know Nevadans in all corners of the state. Last year, I had the chance to kick off Grow with Google in Reno where we held in-person digital skills trainings for hundreds of Nevadans. And last week, our team returned to host more workshops in East Las Vegas and Carson City. Today, I’m back home in Nevada once more to break ground on our newest data center and Google Cloud region. 

Google is growing at a faster rate outside of the Bay Area than in it—and earlier this year, our CEO Sundar Pichai announced that Google will invest $13 billion to expand data centers and offices across the United States. Recently, we released plans for expansions in two new offices in Michigan, our data centers in Oklahoma and Texas, and now one in Henderson, Nevada. The new data center facility is a $600 million dollar investment, and will create a number of new jobs in the state. Together with our new cloud region, we’re investing to better support our users and our Cloud customers in Nevada.

Data centers power your searches, store your photos, documents and emails, and help you find the fastest route to your destination. They play a vital role in our global operations—and the communities they’re a part of. And it’s our responsibility to be a helpful presence in those communities by creating opportunities for our neighbors to succeed. In addition to the data center groundbreaking, we’re kicking off a $1 million Google.org Impact Challenge in Nevada. Nonprofits from any part of Nevada can submit their biggest and boldest ideas to create economic opportunities for their communities. A panel of judges will select the top five submissions from local nonprofits, who will each be awarded $175,000 to make their idea a reality. From there, the public will vote to select one of the five to be the “People’s Choice” winner and receive an additional $125,000. 

Nevada holds a special place in my heart, and I’m proud to bring the Google.org Impact Challenge to my home state. As we break ground on our newest data center, we’re not only investing in a facility in Nevada, we are investing in Nevadans in all corners of the state. 

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Next steps for enterprises transitioning to modern Android management solutions

Android Enterprise is the modern solution for managing devices that employees use for work, so that they can have flexibility while remaining productive. Android Q will be an important milestone for organizations transitioning from Device Admin-based management to Android Enterprise’s advanced management features, such as separation of work and personal data through the work profile, quicker enrollment, and tools like managed Google Play.

What’s changing in Android Q

When the final release of Android Q is available, the following APIs that were marked as deprecated in Android Pie will be removed entirely: password enforcement, disable camera and disable keyguard. 

The exact impact will vary for devices depending upon which Android API level the Device Policy Controller (DPC) targets. Here are some details:

• On devices targeting Android Q, both admins and users won’t be able to use the features tied to the removed APIs.

• On devices targeting Android 9 Pie, affected APIs will show in the device logs, although users won’t see any specific notifications.

• On devices that run Oreo or below, there will be no impact. 

How to prepare

We have several resources to help organizations make this transition as smooth as possible. The Android Enterprise Migration Bluebook is a guide for IT managers who want detailed steps and best practices for moving from a legacy Device Admin deployment to Android Enterprise. This walkthrough video also outlines many of these key concepts for this transition. We also recommend reaching out to your organization’s EMM provider for additional guidance on migration.

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Have a laugh with the Assistant this International Joke Day