Google's going retail with a new online store as well as a physical pop-up store

Google has taken the wraps off a new online store to sell its various wares as well as a store-within-a-store in the UK. The new online store seems to have replaced the Google Play Devices section and now features various Nexus products and accessories as well as some Nest connected home sensors and whatever recent Android Wear smartwatches are available. Google supposedly outed the store when it announced the new Chromebook Pixel 2 but as I went to the Buy Now link on the Pixel's page I got a 404 Error page.

As for the store within a store, it will be housed within London's Currys PC World and will allow guests to sample Android and Chrome products as well as various technologies. This is an interesting move by Google, perhaps one that will grow into more pop-up locations and eventually full-fledged retail destinations like what Apple and Microsoft now have, who knows. 

Nokia's HERE maps app now available on iOS again

After having been pulled 15-months ago despite being made available on other mobile operating systems, Apple's HERE maps application is now available on iOS again. Featuring downloadable city maps, interior maps and turn-by-turn directions, offline caching, traffic information, public transit data and more, HERE maps is one of the more popular free navigation services around.

Completely overhauled, the HERE maps for iOS features free mapping data for offline use from 100 countries. Most notably the US, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Canada, Australia and Brazil. This is a real money saver for travelers who need to get around in a new city but don't want to burn through data or get hit with exorbitant roaming fees. Want to check out HERE maps, have a look see HERE.

Rdio becomes official music sponsor for the 2015 JUNO Awards

Helping to celebrate the best of Canadian music, Rdio is now the official music sponsor for the 2015 JUNO Awards. The music streaming service will provide curated stations and playlists for the nominees and winners for this year’s JUNO Awards. Also, top Canadian artists like Hedley (Dave Rosin), Sam Roberts, LIGHTS, and Dallas Green of You+Me also have playlists specially curated for Rdio. The service will be integrated fully into the 2015 JUNO Awards app. Those who get the app on Android or iOS will see previews of the songs on the app and will be connected directly to Rdio to listen to the full tracks.

You can check out 2015 JUNO Award stations at Rdio’s site or right from JUNO Awards website.

Twitter issues outright ban for revenge porn

Twitter now expressly prohibits users from posting revenge porn and other non-consensual intimate photos on its service. The social network has been under pressure to address harassment and abuse rampant on their platform. It’s a good thing they’ve set actual changes on their terms of service. We’re hoping the application is swift.

According to Twitter, “You may not post intimate photos or videos that were taken or distributed without the subject’s consent.” Violating this policy could get your account locked.

Source: The Verge