EU fines Google a whopping $2.7 billion for skewing shopping search results

The EU doesn't suffer fools lightly and usually hits companies with strict fines and sanctions for engaging in anti-competitive and monopolistic practices.

The largest fine to date was 2.42bn euros ($2.7bn; £2.1bn)  charged to Google by the European Commission after it ruled the company had abused its power by promoting its own shopping comparison service at the top of search results.

"What Google has done is illegal under EU antitrust rules," declared Margrethe Vestager, the European Union's Competition Commissioner. "It has denied other companies the chance to compete on their merits and to innovate, and most importantly it has denied European consumers the benefits of competition, genuine choice and innovation."

So, shady practices by companies that get the pass in other countries are met with serious repercussions in the EU. Microsoft was fined US $ 794 million in 2004 for its antitrust case and Apple was dinged for $14.5 billion just last year for back taxes. Google's 2.7 billion dollar fine is the biggest.

Google plans to appeal. "We respectfully disagree with the conclusions announced today. We will review the Commission's decision in detail as we consider an appeal, and we look forward to continuing to make our case."

Source: BBC.com

iOS 11 Public Beta is now available for download

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The biggest Apple iOS update, specially for iPads, is now available as a public beta ahead of the expected Fall release. Previously only available for developers since WWDC 2017, iOS 11 can be installed on compatible iOS devices today. Head over to beta.apple.com and sign up with your Apple ID. Note that as with most beta software things may not always work and there will be bugs.

Apple strongly reccomends backing up devices and that beta testers use secondary iPhones and iPads so as not to experience problems that could affect your data. Note, too, that few of your apps will work as expected since devs still need to tweak them for iOS 11.

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Review: Google Home

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Google Home is Google’s smart speaker which connects via WiFi (or, even better, via Google WiFi) to Google’s smart assistant in the cloud. Designed to be connected at home, Google home uses voice as the primary means of control. It is available in Canada from Best Buy and online from Google.

For $ 179.00, Canadians can get their hands on Google Home, a voice-activated smart speaker, powered by the Google Assistant in English and French.

This diminutive speaker has a rather charming zen-like design. Some say it looks like an aromatherapy gadget, which is fine since it is created to sort of blend in to your home. I Installed Google Home in my kitchen/breakfast nook area and it is ideal for query and control situations when I have my hands full from preparing food or washing dishes.

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Canada's 150th anniversary, EventMobi commits 150 company days for volunteer experiences

Canadian technology startup EventMobi, the global leader in conference and meetings technology, is launching a new program, 150 Days of Action, which kicks off July 1^st – Canada's milestone anniversary, to provide employees with meaningful opportunities to give back to their communities. As part of the program, EventMobi will offer and incent employees to contribute to a total of 150 company days dedicated to volunteer work of their choice.

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