Google takes out plug-in requirement to use Hangouts on Chrome

Annoyed with having to download too many plug-ins to get sites or apps to run? Well, Google is making it at least easy for you to at least use Hangouts on the Chrome browser. Coming in a few weeks, Google’s group video chat service will run instantly on Chrome without the need for any plugins. Those on Chrome Canary or on other developer builds of Chrome have access to the update now. 

Skype gets Cortana integration

We have more voice recognition software news for you today. Microsoft has integrated its own virtual assistant Cortana into Skype on your Windows Phone devices to let users make calls by just asking Cortana. Microsoft said Thursday, “Now you can start Skype video and audio calls by simply asking Cortana something like ‘Skype, get Mom on the screen.” The feature is currently available in the 2.19 update for Skype on Windows Phone 8 and 8.1 in the U.S. The new update also added more language support (from 19 to 51 languages) and improved notifications.

TELUS tells you to #keepitinyourpants for Cellphone Courtesy Month

Think you have the perfect smartphone etiquette? A recent Google Consumer Survey conducted on your fellow Canadians might say otherwise. The TELUS-commissioned survey found a few interesting tidbits about mobile phone use in the country. Around 53.9% of the respondents say whipping out a smartphone on a first date is a big turnoff with 16.5% saying they will leave the date early if their companion can’t keep it in their pants. Nearly half of the respondents (49.6%) also don’t like being interrupted during a conversation by someone suddenly using their phone. However, a lot of users admit (75% of the respondents!) that they use their phones to tune other people out. Not exactly good behaviour we’d say, especially since about 40 percent of people think their smartphone use doesn’t bother other people (but 9 out of 10 Canadians say they are bothered by other people’s smartphone use).

That is why TELUS has started a new campaign for Cellphone Courtesy Month this July. They have a few tips for you mobile phone users out there or you can share your cellphone etiquette confessions on Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #keepitinyourpants or through KeepitinYourPants.ca starting July 1. If you want to read the full data of the survey, you can find it here.

Use ‘Ok Google’ anywhere on your Android smartphone

Google has done what they said they would. You can now trigger voice search anywhere on your Android smartphone with a new Google Search update. This new feature is similar to what you can do with a Moto X but now it is available for all Android phones. Just say “Ok Google” when your screen is on and tell Google Now what to do. You can even activate the feature from the lock screen.

Just head to Google Now and select the menu at the bottom right of the phone and then tap on Settings, then Voice, and then select “Ok Google” Detection. According to Gizmodo, this feature is rolling out phone by phone. We’ve tested it on the Nexus 5 and it seems to be working already. Just be a bit patient if it hasn’t landed on your Android just yet.