Apple drops Bing search in Siri and Spotlight in favour of Google

Bing is no longer the default search service used by Siri on iOS and Spotlight in macOS. Apple has moved to Google search as the go-to service.

"Switching to Google as the web search provider for Siri, Search within iOS and Spotlight on Mac will allow these services to have a consistent web search experience with the default in Safari,” Apple told TechCrunch in a statement.

This means that if Siri does not have the answer to a user's query, then the system with just pull up Google results. 

Investment firm Bernstein estimates Google currently pays Apple around $3bn for this deal, based on the fact Google paid around $1bn for the same deal in 2014 according to The Telegraph.

Source: TechCrunch

Google purchases HTC's Pixel team for US $1.1 billion

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

After weeks of speculation that Google would purchase HTC's smartphone business, we finally learn that the search giant has bought the Pixel team from HTC for $1.1 billion, while HTC will continue its own smartphone business. 

The team in question was the R&D team behind last year's Pixel and Pixel XL. This means around 2,000 people will move to Google. According to the agreement this grants Google a non-exclusive license for HTC's intellectual property. The deal is expected to be approved and closed by early 2018.

Click to read more ...

Pixel 2 expected to get 'Active Edge' and improved Google Assistant

Fast becoming one of the more anticipated smartphone releases this year, the successor to last year's Google Pixel tandem are still shrouded in mystery even as some marquee features are anticipated come October 4 as per FCC documents. The new Pixel, which we're calling Pixel 2, will be made by HTC and will feature an 'Active Edge' which makes it possible to squeeze the sides of the device to invoke an app or feature (i.e. bring up the camera or, more likely, conjuer up Google Assistant.

Google Assistant, which was one of the key features of last year's Pixel line is also expected to be able to handle more trigger words and, if reports are correct, should have a range of voices to choose from. The Pixel and larger Pixel XL (made by HTC and LG, respectively) are going to ship with Android 8 'Oreo' and should also bring water resistance while omitting the headphone jack. Stay tuned for our coverage of the launch and hands on of the products come October 4.

Source:BGR

Google Trends reveals most searched jokes on International Tell A Joke Day

"Amaze-ing Laughter" sculptures in Vancouver by artist Yue Min Jun. Photo credit: Sonya Davidson

We've learned that August 16th is International Tell A Joke Day and while we're trying to remember a few good punch lines, we've taking to Google Trends to find out what's funny for Canadians. Are Canadians funny? You bet! We love a good laugh and we don't need Google data to know that Canadians have a good sense of humour! Is it because of the unpredictable weather and the change of seasons? Who knows!

Apparently "Tell a Joke Day" has been celebrated worlwide since jokes began. According to daysoftheyear.com that goes wayyyy back to 1900 BC and apparently it was a fart joke.

Click to read more ...