Chromebook Gets "OK Google" and Intel's Easy Migration App 35
An anonymous reader points out that Chromebook users just got a couple of early gifts. "Chromebooks have had a good run thus far in their history, and most recently they've had a stellar year of sales – famously beating out Apple's iPad. However, Google is not stopping there, as the company has decided to include and integrate 'OK Google' into their Chromebook tablets. As it turns out, the feature was possible all along with the code that had been included in the operating system, but was hidden well from users' direct line of sight. Intel has also shown a lot of support for Chromebooks, and the company has now released the Easy Migration app that will fittingly migrate data between Windows devices, iOS devices, and Android devices. The only catch is that users will have to be running a Chromebook that hosts an Intel processor. Intel has provided a website to check if your device is compatible, but it will surely be a significant hit for the Chromebook."
Chromebook tablets? (Score:4, Insightful)
What are those? I know about chromebooks and I know about Android tablets.
OK Google? (Score:2)
Internet says it's voice commands, I don't have a smartphone.
Re:OK Google? (Score:5, Interesting)
It means Google has given up, and admitted that they are listening to everything you say.
I'm opening up my chromebook to install a hardware switch on the microphone wire.
(Goes without saying that there is already duct tape over the webcam. )
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Why are you cooking on your phone? Does it run really hot so you use it like a griddle?
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It means Google has given up, and admitted that they are listening to everything you say.
Obviously, it needs to listen so it knows when you say, "OK Google." Also, it's trivially easy to turn off. Lastly, you can clearly see there's no Internet traffic (uploading of audio) unless and until you say, "OK Google."
I'm opening up my chromebook to install a hardware switch on the microphone wire.
Are you doing the same on all your smartphones, tablets, and laptops, too? Or are you just paid to write anti-Google posts? Does it pay well?
(Goes without saying that there is already duct tape over the webcam. )
It goes without saying you're wearing a tinfoil hat to stop government mind control rays from getting into your brain, too.
How you got modded +5
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OK grumpy, I'll speak more literally. Google has all my emails, much of my we browsing, my searches. My photos are backed up to google drive.
Their computers know my appointments. I've opted in to Google Now, so my phone tracks my movements and tells me its a 20 minute drive to that place I looked up on google maps on the PC.
Like a human PA, Google knows more about me than my wife does. It's convenient, but a little scary sometimes.
The always-on microphone is a metaphor for that.
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Re:OK Google? (Score:5, Informative)
samzenpus was too lazy to include a link on "OK Google" and now we'll get dozens of pointless "just fucking search it yourself" replies from people who cannot understand that it would have taken samzenpus about 10 seconds to add a link but instead we'll have dozens and dozens of people wasting minutes searching for something.
The Web is supposed to be links. I know this is Slashdot and we're supposed to be nerds, but not everyone uses the same hardware, the same software or work in the same fields. Some readers are not even in IT. I do no expect authors to put links on really basic terms like "RAM" or "Hard drive" but there's still a minimum of effort that authors need to do.
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It's a voice search tool that seems to work a hell of a lot better than Siri.
Seriously, find a buddy with an iPhone or newer iPad and try it yourself. Do a search on Siri, and then install the Google app and try the same searches. I consistently get better results with Google.
Siri ends up doing a web search on anything but the most basic of questions, so you might as well just cut out the middle man and ask Google directly.
Re: OK Google? (Score:2)
I looked it up. There's no program or app called Ok Google. It's called Google Now. No wonder everyone's confused.
"Google Now" and "OK Google" are different (Score:1)
If you have an appropriate Android device Google Now [google.co.uk] will (apparently) display information based on your current context (e.g. if your phone learns where work and home are it might display information about traffic jams on the route home around the time it believes you will be traveling). You need a logged in Google account to use this feature.
OK Google [google.com] is a way of using your voice to interact with your device (or Chrome web browser). So if I have the appropriate phone and it's been set to listen I can say
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Replying before you get modded into oblivion for bringing facts to the discussion that don't go with the bought-and-paid-for narrative that Google is winning everywhere.
Just saying, someone is going to ding you for posting a story that is pro-Apple from AppleInsider. Never mind that he uses the market research from companies that are constantly fudging the numbers in favor of Apple's competitors to make his point...
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I took a couple of freshman college classes recently(changing major) and I see 3x types of devices in the classroom: 50% Windows Laptops 25% Mac Books 25% Chromebooks
For clarification: that's 0% Apple iPad and 0% Android Tablets.
Cell phones are 50/50 mix of iPhones and Android(usually Samsung).
The only time I ever see iPads in public are people taking awkward photos at tourist hotspots and middle aged business people watching movies on flights. The only time I ever see Android tablets in public are guys wit
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Re:false summary is false (Score:5, Informative)
Re:false summary is false (Score:4, Insightful)
No. The real kicker is the Apple fanboys calling Education an "obscure niche" as soon as someone else gives them a bit of competition.
Even if you take the revised numbers provided by Apple partisans at face value, it still doesn't bode well for Apple. They are seeing stiff competition from a surprise "Dark Horse" product that no one would have ever expected capable of this.
They can try and spin things as much as they like but it won't really change the reality of the situation.
Education has long been thought of as an Apple stronghold which is why anyone cares about this.
This wasn't already on? (Score:3)
Re:This wasn't already on? (Score:4, Informative)
I'd bet you a goodly sum that it's been available in chrome://flags for quite a while now, which is analogous to Firefox's about:config, and is where Google tends to stick features that aren't ready for the general public yet (and sometimes never).
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