Topshop Teams Up With Google For London Fashion Week
February 13th, 2013 by Tech StaffUK high street clothing staple Topshop has teamed up with Google+ for this season’s London Fashion Week. According to The Next Web, the theme for the fashion outlet this time around is to re-imagine the future of the fashion show. While the online activity of the Topshop Google London Fashion Week collaboration will be engaging, the actual event will be taking place at The Tanks at the Tate Modern in London, England.
Those who are not able to snag tickets for the catwalk can naturally tune in online. Not only will the runway be on show, but model profiles, the work of makeup artists, designer fittings and celebrity arrivals will be accessible.
The Topshop Google London Fashion Week collaboration makes fashion accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Topshop has already been setting up for its show on Google+ with content around the making of the event complete with model diaries and product design. Fans of the stream can also try for tickets to see the event and on February 17, exclusive content will be posted along with material onYouTube.
Interestingly this year Topshop Google London Fashion Week collaboration is also adding ‘Model Cam’. It’s pretty much as it sounds. The model diaries provide a narrative of the ‘Road to the runway’ and followers can read up on the experiences of Cara Delevigne, Jourdan Dunn, Rosie Tapner and Ashleigh Good who will be updating their activities from first fittings to the bright lights of the catwalk.
Topshop Google London Fashion Week (Oxford Circus)
A Google+ photo booth has been installed where users can try on outfits and create a moving image on a catwalk which will be uploaded in an interactive digital shop window and appear on the company’s Google+ page. It’s only at Topshop’s flagship store on Oxford street for now, but hopefully the Google+ booth will make it’s way to American locations soon. Until then, enjoy London Fashion Week from the comfort of your laptop or online with live streaming on DivasandDorks.com soon.
Are you looking forward to more fashion being accessible via technology? What brand are you looking forward to connecting with in a unique way online soon?
You Can Panic Now…Gmail Is Down & The Mayans Knew This Was Coming…
December 10th, 2012 by ChristenThey were right about this end of the world thing all along!
… Well, not the December 21st Armeggedon thing, but it’s truly the end of email users world now that Gmail is experiencing a major outage.
Google’s App Status dashboard, which offers the latest on outages and downtime for Google services such as Gmail, currently reports no unusual activity. The last “service disruption” registered by Google was four days ago, according to the dashboard.
Some users report that their Gmail accounts are accessible via mobile devices (i.e. Gmail’s iOS app), though not via Gmail’s website.
So far, there is no tweet from Gmail’s Twitter account acknowledging the outage.
Developing via HuffPostTech
***UPDATE***
12:30PM -Welp! That was quick! Our gmail is working properly right about now. How about yours?
Is Apple & Google Finally Playing Nice? Google Maps App Could Be Coming Back To iPhones Soon!
November 16th, 2012 by Christen
The Google gods & Cupertino chiefs have heard your cries and THEY HAVE SPOKEN. With millions of iPhone users crying foul over the Apple maps debacle, it’s being reported that Google is prepping Google Maps for the iPhone, offering a fix for customers dissatisfied with Apple’s poorly received Maps app, according to a report.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Google is distributing a test version of its mapping app to people outside the company. Google is “putting finishing touches” on the app before it hits the App Store. However, it’s unclear exactly when that will happen. If and when that comes to pass, consumers will have an alternative to Apple’s Maps app, which comes preinstalled with iPhones.
Apple declined to comment on the matter. A Google rep told The WSJ: “We believe Google Maps are the most comprehensive, accurate and easy-to-use maps in the world. Our goal is to make Google Maps available to everyone who wants to use it, regardless of device, browser, or operating system.”
The introduction of Google Maps comes after Apple faced a pr crisis over its Maps app in September. The app, which came preinstalled on the iPhone 5 got poor reviews as users pointed out many inaccuracies. The outcry, exacerbated by the fact that Google Maps was not available on iOS6 or the iPhone 5, led to a rare public apology by CEO Tim Cook, an incident that was said to have prompted the resignation of mobile chief Scott Forstall.
Google’s acquiescence would signal the company’s calculation that promoting its app is more important than hurting its primary competitor in mobile phones. The complicated relationship between Apple and Google has already led to YouTube being withdrawn as a standard app on iOS 6.
Hopefully Apple makes this right for it’s consumers, if not, I’m sure to become a new Android consumer sooner than later.
Google Cancels Event But Announces Nexus: The best of Google, Now in Three Sizes!
October 29th, 2012 by Christen
Google Nexus, now available in small, medium and large!
Although it was postponed, and reported that it would be rescheduled – just moments ago, Google announced that they have decided against rescheduling their launch event today due to Hurricane Sandy and have posted the details that would’ve been shared via their blog instead.
Google has just announced three new Nexus devices … in small, medium and large. And they all run Android 4.2, a new flavor of Jelly Bean—which includes the latest version of Google Now and other great new features. A Nexus device is much more than simply a phone or tablet. It’s being marketing as your connection to the best of Google—all of your stuff and entertainment, everywhere you go with no hassle. Now you have three new Nexus devices, a new improved version of Jelly Bean and more entertainment than ever before—all available in Google Play. The playground is open.
(SMALL) Nexus 4 with Google Now and Photo Sphere
Nexus 4
Nexus 4 is the latest smartphone, developed together with LG. It has a quad-core processor which means it’s super fast, a crisp 4.7″ (320 ppi) display that’s perfect for looking at photos and watching YouTube, and with wireless charging you just set the phone down on a charging surface to power it up, no wires needed. While Nexus 4 is incredibly powerful under the hood, it also features the latest version of Jelly Bean, Android 4.2—the simplest and smartest version of Android yet. Starting with the camera, it’s reinvented the photo experience with Photo Sphere, which lets you capture images that are literally larger than life. Snap shots up, down and in every direction to create stunning 360-degree immersive experiences that you can share on Google+ with friends and family—or you can add your Photo Sphere to Google Maps for the world to see.
Android 4.2 brings other great goodies like Gesture Typing, which lets you glide your finger over the letters you want to type on the keyboard—it makes typing fast, fun and a whole lot simpler. Android 4.2 also adds support for wireless display so you can wirelessly watch movies, YouTube videos and play games right on your Miracast-compatible HDTV.
- Nexus 4: 8GB for $299; 16GB for $349; available unlocked and without a contract on 11/13 on the Google Play store in U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Spain and Canada. The 16GB version will also be available through T-Mobile for $199, with a 2-year contract (check here for more details).
(MEDIUM) Nexus 7: Thin, light and now even more portable
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Nexus 7
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Nexus 7 brings you the best of Google–YouTube, Chrome, Gmail, Maps–and all the great content from Google Play in a slim, portable package that fits perfectly in your hand. To give you more room for all that great content you can now get Nexus 7 with 16GB ($199) or 32GB ($249) of storage. But Google also wanted to make this highly portable tablet even more mobile. So they’ve added HSPA+ mobile data. Nexus 7 is now also available with 32GB and HSPA+ mobile ($299), which can operate on more than 200 GSM providers worldwide, including AT&T in the US.
- Nexus 7: 16GB for $199 and 32GB for $249; available in U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and Japan, and also through our retail partners Gamestop, Office Depot, Office Max, Staples, Walmart.
- Nexus 7 with 32GB and mobile data: $299 and unlocked, on sale 11/13 in the Google Play store in U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Spain and Canada.
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(LARGE) Nexus 10: Powerful and shareable
Nexus 10
Nexus 10 is the ultimate tablet for watching movies or reading magazines. Google partnered with Samsung to create the Nexus 10. Nexus 10 is the highest resolution tablet on the planet at 2560-by-1600 (300ppi), that’s over 4 million pixels right in your hands. It comes with a powerful battery that will get you up to nine hours of video playback and more than 500 hours of standby time. With a set of front-facing stereo speakers, you can watch movies right from your Nexus 10 and they simply sound awesome. But what makes Nexus 10 unique is that it’s the first truly shareable tablet. With Android 4.2, you can add multiple users and switch between them instantly right from the lockscreen.
- Nexus 10: 16GB for $399; 32GB for $499; available on 11/13 in the Google Play Store in U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and Japan.
Google Now—even more useful
We designed Google Now to make life simpler by giving you the right information at just the right time in easy to read cards, before you even ask. And the feedback has been awesome. So today we’re adding more cards that we hope you’ll find useful. Flight information, restaurant reservations, hotel confirmations and shipping details—how often have you found yourself wading through your email to get this information at the last moment? So next time you book a table for dinner, you’ll get a reminder with all the details without ever having to lift a finger. You’ll also get cards for nearby attractions, interesting photo spots, movies times at nearby theaters or concerts by your favorite artists.
Google Play: More entertainment, more countries
New additions to the entertainment hub, Google Play, has been announced too. Additions such as movies and TV shows from Twentieth Century Fox. Earlier this year Google expanded service beyond movie rentals and now you can purchase movies and build a library of your favorites in Google Play. Today they’re bringing movie purchasing to more countries – Canada, the U.K., France, Spain and Australia. Google is also now working with Time, Inc. to bring you even more magazines like InStyle, PEOPLE, TIME and others. And they’ve also partnered with Warner Music Group who will be adding their full music catalog with new songs coming each day. Soon, they’ll be working with all of the major record labels globally, and all the major U.S. magazine publishers, as well as many independent labels, artists and publishers bringing the ultimate in entertainment right to your fingertips.
Could Google Possibly Create An Android Only App?
October 1st, 2012 by ChristenLast week, while on the phone with my sister – I gave her an impromptu tutorial on iOS 6 and the pros and cons on updating her phone. While we both were excited about the VIP email, Do Not Disturb feature and phone call answering/text feature – we both agreed that the Google maps discontinuation on her phone wasn’t worth the hassle of updating her device. Sure, there are other iPhone users that haven’t taken the plunge into iOS 6 and if they’re heavy Google map users then they have good reason. Since it’s clear that Google isn’t in a hurry to release an iPhone app of its’ own – is it safe to say that some sort of app release retaliation is eminemnt?
What if Google released an exclusive Android only app?
We already know that in this day and age of smartphone devices, they’re all running neck to neck in all the top areas including design, technology and over-all user experience and the smartphone you own is strictly based on preference, not performance. Forbes.com questions if an exclusive Google maps app could become Android’s killer app and I think it absolutely could happen. Forbes.com states:
There’s no relief in sight to Apple’s flawed Maps app; to get the full fledged Google Maps, you must be on Android. This has essentially been the approach that Google has taken. Google Maps on Android has gained more and more features than what was on the iPhone. But Google has done this in a subtle manner, without the clear delineation of choice for phone buyers. Instead, Page could take a page from Steve Jobs’ playbook and go “thermonuclear,” as Jobs did against Google’s Android and Adobe’s Flash.
For the gambit to succeed, Google would have to make Google Maps the clear industry standard and continuously extend its lead. It has to be so good that buyers otherwise predisposed to Apple or Microsoft would buy an Android phone instead. That’s a big bet. But with a 6-year head start in mapping and complete control of the hardware and the operating software, it is plausible bet.
With trillions at stake, it might even be a good bet.
What do you think? Do you depend on Google maps strongly? If you’re an iPhone user and Google created an Android-only app, would you make the switch? Why? Sound off below…
Sometimes, Rappers And The Internet Don’t Mix…Just Ask DMX
September 25th, 2012 by Tech Staff
“Computer words are funny. What the f–k is a ‘Google’?”
Sometimes, rappers and the internet just don’t mix…just ask DMX! The opinionated rapper spoke with Power 105.1 – The Breakfast Club and discussed everything under the sun, however when it came to talking about technology and the internet…that’s when things really got funny.
We now live in a day-and-age where everyone and their mother (literally) has a computer. Most homes have multiple desktops, laptops, or notebooks and even kids know how to operate a system. DMX, however, took a trip to New York’s Power 105.1 radio station recently and admitted that he not only hates computers, but he’s never even used google.
Watch how confused he gets when he tried to Google himself on a laptop without a mouse and gets frustrated when the arrow pointer turns into a hand when he scrolls over an icon.
via
The Jury Is Out: Do You Love/Hate The Apple iOS6 Update?
September 20th, 2012 by Tech Staff
If you’ve ever been warned about downloading a new Apple update, and have heard the suggestion to “Wait, until the bugs are worked out.” chances are, you’ve been blessed with great tech advice. With the recent release of Apple iOS6 software update, there have been many praises for several app enhancements but just as the good comes to light, so does the bad. One of the major gripes Apple users are moaning about include the unreliable Apple map app. One notable expression was “Maps takes all the trust Apple has built up among its users over the years — trust that its products just work — and squanders nearly all of it in one go.” – Mashable.com.
New York addresses seem to be completely wrong, turn by turn directions are slightly off and inspite of acquiring three navagation / map companies and having a few years to perfect the iOS map – it’s still #NoBueno.
It’s even been reported that there was a parody account poking fun at the new unreliable app…
(the account has since been removed…)
You can’t expect for Apple to get it right 100% of the time can you? After all, there are some great updates as listed in yesterday’s post – however, some of my favorite discoveries include the new ‘Do Not Disturb” feature, Phone call decline/ automatic text function and a variety of new emoticons added to the animated gallery. My least favorite has to be loosing Google Maps (and transit reliability) and the send read receipts option (this isn’t BBM...).
Have you tried out the new iOS6 update and features? How long did it take to update? Which features did you try first? Which functions do you love?
Still Think That Google+ Isn’t Worth The Effort?
May 31st, 2012 by Tech StaffThink Google+ is a joke? Here’s 20 reasons you might want to reconsider… This infographic highlights other interesting Google+ stats, including that nearly 70% of its members are female. Meanwhile, the top Google+ users on the site based on the number of followers is Britney Spears (2.67 million), Snoop Dogg (2.33 million), Google CEO Larry Page (2.24 million), Ashley Tisdale (2.04 million) and Hugh Jackman (1.96 million) check out a few other good reasons to make the effort on Google+ below…
Bare Necessities Brings Lingerie To A Tablet Near You!
May 8th, 2012 by Tech StaffBare Necessities, the leading online destination for brand name bras and lingerie, today launched two new catalogs without printing a single page. The editions are completely digital and designed specifically for a tablet shopping experience. The catalogs are available today via the free Google Catalogs and Catalog Spree tablet apps for both iPad and Android, and can be viewed on BareNecessities.com as well.
The first new catalog features Bare Necessities’ incredible new swimwear collection, featuring brands such as SPANX, Elomi, Freya, and Fantasie.
The second digital catalog highlights Bare Necessities’ Spring bra and lingerie collection from Wacoal in a rich, sensual experience that is accentuated by being designed for an interactive, tablet environment.
Bare Necessities also launched www.Bareplus.com in February 2012, which features more than 1,200 styles of full figure and plus size bras and lingerie.
“We are excited for the opportunity to use digital technologies to connect with consumers in new and engaging ways,” said Bob Vitale, President of Wacoal America. “Through the digital catalog, Bare Necessities has made our bras and lingerie really come to life for women of all sizes.”
Google Catalogs and Catalog Spree are available free on Apple’s App Store for iPad and on Google Play for Android.
Are You At Risk Of Becoming A Google Slave?
August 15th, 2011 by Christen
IN TODAY’S BREAKING NEWS: Google announced THIS morning that it will acquire Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion. Motorola is one of 39 manufacturers of handsets that use Google’s Android operating system. Buying a hardware company is an unusual move for Google. The acquisition, Google said in a statement, “will enable Google to supercharge the Android ecosystem.”
Now here’s the conspiracy you didn’t know. By now, you’re probably at risk of being sucked into the Google ecosystem. Most of you are already waist-deep within Google’s clutches of power and don’t even know it yet.
Google has been on a mission to divide and conquer since 2001 acquiring major companies that provide the products & services that you use daily — with it’s newest acquisition of Motorola, the Google “monster” is in prime position to control many of your daily activities one moment at a time…
Five Reasons Why You’re At Risk of Becoming a Google Slave?
5. Gmail – If you own a gmail account, use google apps or utilize Google Ad words on your website, GOTCHA! One quick security breach in Google’s products could make your life a living hell! (…and let’s not even talk about the Google+ hype.)
4. SayNow – Originally created to assist the internet deprived people of Egypt (during the 2011 revolution) by allowing phone messages to be tweeted through Twitter’s #Egypt hashtag, now acquired by Google, SayNow has the ability to become a communications lifeline, if (God-forbid) we have a huge internet shutdown or mutiny. Who will we have to look to for help? Google wins again.
3. Blogger – If you use the free blogging platform Blogger, for all of your online blogging needs – then you already know how dependent you are on Google to make sure everything is right – if not, you and your blog are subject to an epic fail!
2. YouTube – Who doesn’t utilize YouTube for a little in-office free time fun or to upload precious family moments or pure ridiculousness? Can you imagine what would happen if YouTube suddenly disappeared? You can’t — and that’s just where Google wants you.
1. Motorola – Can you hear me now? If you’re a Droid user (now controlled by Google) then it totally depends on what Google wants you to hear. Google CEO Larry Page says “Our acquisition of Motorola will increase competition by strengthening Google’s patent portfolio, which will enable us to better protect Android from anti-competitive threats from Microsoft, Apple and other companies.” – (side eyes) it sounds good, only time will tell how this acquisition will affect Droid and the user-experience in the future, just remember – if it goes to crap, you know who to blame.
Google is on a roll to control every aspect of a person’s online & offline life – it’s only a matter of time until the next acquisition could change the way we live in an instant, we’ll just have to wait and see who’s next to come under the Google umbrella and hope that it changes everything for the better and not for the worse.
Which Google product are you dependent on?
Do you think you can walk away from using Google forever?
