Google launches new search feature for easier long-term research Google is rolling out a new feature in search today that can help make research on a specific topic easier over a long period of time. They’re called activity cards, and as long as you’re logged into your Google account, they’ll let you access your past search history on a specific topic right in the results. (The Verge)
Google Suit Alphabet's board is being sued by shareholders over its approval of Andy Rubin's $90 million payout, which took place amid a cover-up about sexual harassment at the company. Investors claim the board, including Larry Page, Sergey Brin, John Doerr and others, failed in their duties. Bloomberg
Facebook Research Facebook has had to remove an app from Apple's iOS platform that monitors almost all of the user's phone and web activity, in exchange for a $20 monthly gift card. That level of access is not OK under Apple's terms. But it's fine on Android, apparently. The Verge
Google App It wasn't just Facebook abusing the ability to upload in-house apps to Apple's iOS platform (a fact that yesterday forced them to withdraw an app that paid people for deep access to their phones)—turns out Google was also at it. Google's app was called Screenwise Meter, and it yanked it after TechCrunch reported its existence. Will Apple block Google from installing apps in this fashion, as it did Facebook? TechCrunch
Google Censorship Google has reportedly started censoring its search results in Russia, in order to comply with the country's laws. Russia's media regulator, Roskomnadzor, publishes a blacklist of banned websites that cover illegal topics such as drugs and suicide, and that publicize corruption investigations conducted by the opposition. Google has apparently now deleted links to around 70% of the sites on that blacklist. Moscow Times
Google Gaming Fortune reports that Google will next month launch a game-streaming service to rival those from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. As Chris Morris writes: "Google has had a presence in the mobile gaming world, but this project will put it in competition with several key industry players, both in the console space as well as PC gaming stalwarts, such as Steam and the fast-growing Epic Games store." Fortune
Nest Mic Google forgot to tell buyers of its Nest Secure home security and alarm system that the devices had microphones inside them. As a result, customers were surprised to learn this month that they'd soon be able to use Google Assistant with their security camera. Google: "The microphone has never been on, and is only activated when users specifically enable the option. Security systems often use microphones to provide features that rely on sound sensing." Business Insider