Tag: #google

New in Maps: Inspiration curated with Gemini, enhanced navigation and more

For nearly 20 years, Google Maps has helped people understand and navigate the world — and today, Google is announcing that more than 2 billion users turn to Maps each month because of their fresh, comprehensive map. By using AI to analyze billions of images, alongside data from local partners and our community, we’re able to make over 100 million updates to the map every single day. So whether you’re traveling the world or across town, you’re seeing the most up-to-date information possible.

Read more
From fuel-efficient routes to Immersive View, AI has helped us build new experiences for over a decade. And now, we’re transforming Maps with the power of Gemini models, helping you get answers to complex questions about the world.

Ask Maps for inspiration curated with Gemini
People already turn to Maps to get ideas for places to go and things to do. Now, we’re making it even easier to get inspiration curated with Gemini: all you need to do is ask Maps.
Say a friend is visiting and you need to plan an activity. Just ask Maps for “things to do with friends at night” to get ideas curated with Gemini — like checking out a speakeasy or live music. Find out what people like about a place by reading the helpful review summarized with Gemini — especially convenient when you’re pressed for time. If a place catches your eye and you want to learn more about it, like whether it has outdoor seating or a quiet atmosphere, just ask Maps questions about a place to get relevant answers in a snap.
All of these features are made possible thanks to our Gemini’s powerful creation, reasoning and summarization capabilities — grounded in our trusted data about 250 million places around the world and insights from the Maps community. These features start rolling out in the U.S. on Android and iOS this week. You’ll also see similar experiences in the coming months on Search — including AI-powered review summaries and the option to ask detailed questions about places.
Check out how we’re also helping developers, enterprises, and cities with our mapping technology and Gemini capabilities.

Take the stress out of driving
We’re introducing a major update to make your entire drive easier from start to finish. It’s now simpler to explore along your route before you get on the road — just get directions and tap “add stops.” You’ll see top landmarks, attractions, scenic spots and dining options to help you plan the perfect drive.
Sometimes driving in unfamiliar areas with multiple lanes, forks, and exits can be confusing. To help you anticipate these, our enhanced navigation will show you lanes, crosswalks and road signs clearly on the map. And because no one likes finding out they need to merge at the last minute, we’ll show you exactly which lane you should be in: just follow the blue line in the lane markers while navigating.


We’re also giving you more ways to keep you and your fellow drivers informed. As the winter months approach for many of us, you’ll now be able to see and report weather disruptions along your route — including flooded, unplowed and low-visibility roads.
Lastly, we know your journey isn’t over until you make it to the door of your destination. Now, with updates to arrival guidance, in addition to lighting up your building and entrance, we’ll also show you nearby parking lots and remind you to save your parking so you don’t forget. Once you’re parked, you can get walking directions from your car to the entrance — and even enter Street View or AR walking navigation so you can orient yourself quickly.
The ability to explore along your route, see and report weather disruptions, and our updated arrival guidance start rolling out globally on Android and iOS this week. Enhanced navigation starts rolling out next month on Android and iOS in over 30 metros — with plans to expand to more places over time.
We also have exciting updates coming to Waze, including Conversational Reporting — be sure to check those out, too.

Explore with Immersive View’s biggest update yet
With Immersive View, you can experience what stadiums, parks and routes look like using AI, imagery and computer vision — and even see what the weather and traffic conditions will be like on the day and time you’re planning to visit. Starting this week, Immersive View for places will expand to 150 cities globally, including in places like Brussels, Kyoto and Frankfurt. And we continue to add new categories of places to Immersive View, like college campuses — a great way to take your very own campus tour!
Immersive View for routes is also getting new details. Now, we’ll tell you where to park and highlight if you’ll encounter things like a complex turn along your route so you can be prepared. This update starts rolling out this week on Android and iOS wherever Immersive View for routes is available.
We can’t wait for you to try these updates out. From immersive experiences to inspiration curated with Gemini as well as a new, enhanced driving experience, Google Maps continues to transform how we navigate and explore the world.

Google launches dedicated AI training module for SMEs in Ireland

Widespread adoption of generative AI has the potential to boost Ireland’s GDP by up to €45 billion (8%) in ten years, according to a report conducted by Implement Consulting Group and commissioned by Google. The increase is predominantly driven by a productivity boost to two-thirds of Ireland’s workers. The report is part of a comprehensive study carried out between November 2023 and March 2024 that unveils the transformative economic potential of generative AI in the EU. Several countries, including Ireland, were analysed across the following areas:

 

  1. The economic impact of AI

  2. The impact of AI on jobs

  3. Key sectors benefiting from AI adoption

  4. AI readiness

  5. AI and societal challenges

 

Economic impact

The 8% increase in GDP is largely attributed to a productivity boost to the majority of workers (66%) by augmenting their capabilities and enhancing efficiencies. The calculation takes into account the impact of re-employment of a small share of workers. At its peak, the productivity effect of generative AI in Ireland is estimated to be equivalent to 1.4% of GDP annually. A five-year delay in capturing the benefits of generative AI is estimated to reduce the GDP growth potential from 8% (€40-45 billion) to only 2% (€8-10 billion).

Peter Burke T.D., Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment:

“AI offers the potential to deliver a step change in productivity and growth in business, including for our SMEs. Our goal is for Ireland to be a leader in adoption of human-centric, trustworthy AI, as set out in our National AI Strategy, ‘AI – Here for Good’.

AI technology is clearly an enormous opportunity, and we must act now to seize the opportunity in order to harness AI technology for the good of both our economy and society. I welcome the publication of this research and Google’s engagement to support Ireland’s small businesses.”

Job implications

Most jobs in Ireland (66%) are expected to be assisted by generative AI – automating a limited share of tasks and helping to create content including text, code and images, and collaborating with workers on complex problems. Unlike previous waves of automation that mainly impacted manual workers, generative AI is expected to primarily affect office-based professionals. An estimated 28% of jobs in Ireland are likely to remain largely unaffected by generative AI. These jobs include manual labour, outdoor tasks, such as construction and cleaning, and human-to-human tasks, such as personal care and food services. A small share of jobs (6%) are expected to have over half of their activities exposed to automation by generative AI.

Key sectors benefiting from AI adoption

The complementary role of generative AI means it can boost productivity across all sectors. Due to the vast size of Ireland’s manufacturing sector (45% of Irish GVA), this is the area that holds the largest economic potential, where generative AI is estimated to boost annual productivity growth by 1.2% at peak, representing an increase of €15-16 billion. In contrast to past automation, such as robots, generative AI has the ability to boost productivity in the service sector, and many other countries are expected to see the greatest economic gains there.

AI Readiness

When it comes to AI adoption in Irish enterprises, Ireland is on par with the EU average level of adoption at 8%, but lags behind Northern European frontrunners such as Denmark (15%), Finland (15%), and Belgium (14%). In terms of research and development, Ireland cannot compete with large economies, such as the United States, and will therefore be dependent on EU-wide initiatives. Current gaps suggest that Ireland needs to focus on strengthening AI-related innovation drivers, such as the build-up of AI-related talent and research.

Google has today announced a new AI education training pillar for SMEs in Ireland. ‘Get ahead with AI’ is a module offered as part of You’re the Business, Google’s digital upskilling programme delivered in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices. The resource, available free of charge, provides on-demand training, educational resources, and tools to help SMEs use AI effectively for their businesses. More information is available at g.co/yourethebusiness.

Societal challenges

Generative AI can help us address societal challenges like climate change enabling Ireland to achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Agricultural emissions can be reduced by AI, where machine learning algorithms allow precision farming practices that are more eco-friendly. It can optimise critical resources in the healthcare sector leading to enhanced patient care. AI can also contribute to  a more equitable society – early studies suggest that generative AI can help close the skills gap for those with the lowest skill levels.

Vanessa Hartley, Head of Google Ireland said:

“For the past twenty years, Ireland has been at the forefront of the digital age, embracing new technology and leading innovation in Europe . Today we are at an inflection point and we have an immense opportunity to ensure Ireland remains at the heart of this next transition to AI.

“It is not too late to be early with AI. At Google, we’re approaching this work boldly and responsibly and we are committed to ensuring that Ireland remains a digital frontrunner. Which is why today we are launching a new AI education pillar on You’re The Business  to help SMEs use AI effectively for their businesses. “

Martin H. Thelle, Partner at Implement Consulting Group:

“Ireland should seek to leverage the national presence of multinational tech giants by incentivising partnerships and mentorship programmes between these corporations and SMEs. This can facilitate knowledge transfer, provide access to advanced AI tools and resources as well as encourage the development of AI-based business models in the start-up ecosystem.”

Information on You’re the Business is available at g.co/yourethebusiness.

Google Pixel 8a unboxing walkthrough and first impressions

It is Pixel time of the year and of course the Pixel 8a has dropped in for us to check out and this time around with have a much more lively color which I love by the way in Bay Blue which looks great and stands out in the crowd, and before we go on we have some cases to check out as we always do and a new brand on board which is pretty exciting so stay tuned for that this week..

Out of the box the device stands out immediately and having it in my hands for a few days we will give you our first impressions and later on talk some more on the device, the 8a is a perfect size device dare I say coming from the Pixel 8 pro which I still use and love the 8a is offering more for your money this time around from previous (a) devices and I have seen some say get the Pixel 8 and why bother with this one and could they be right and google shooting themselves in the foot? I do not think so as if it was me sporting the 8 right now I would still go for the 8a.

The Pixel 8a has a better footprint and just looks better, OK I typically have the black versions so slightly biased on that front but the camera bar is smaller it feels better and just looks better and has all the features of the two superior models but nothing is better than a new phone and the pixel a series have always been solid for me and I end up sticking to them until the next version comes out which will be the 9 and have done so for years and as I have said many times I always have a Pixel phone on me but I test phones and try others over the course of the year like I am now but the Pixel always sticks with me, in fact I have just moved on my S24 Ultra because I got bored with it but bought that myself like most other devices and I carry an iPhone 15 pro which is a secondary device for obvious reasons but has to be said it is never a main device with a secondary testing sim inside.

With only a few days testing as mentioned this is just an initial first look and so far the device has been flawless given I would have much more going on my phone than others which in itself is taxing on any device. First thing to notice is the adaptive 120hz refresh rate and again I have been open about this most will not notice but as a seasoned phone reviewer I do and it is a good feature to have, the device is as expected fast and fluid or as some say buttery smooth.

Wireless transfer has got better, Pixel 8a and Pixel 8 Pro – techbuzzireland

The back of the Pixel 8a is finished with a matt finish meaning no smudges which is annoying for some and some have critiqued me before for saying so with products that leave fingerprints everywhere which is fine when most of us sport cases on our phones but not all but it is worth noting anyway and for the record I do often take the case of any phone at home where it safe to do so to get a real feel for a device.

The build quality is excellent with aluminium sides rather than plastic and feels better and more robust than previous A devices and with a 6.1 inch 430 ppi  OLED (actua) display it shines and great for media consumption and has a gorilla glass 3 screen which is fine and you have a screen protector on board.

The Pixel 8a features Magic Editor, Best Take and now Audio Magic Eraser which is ideal for content creators or even just the average user, with the AI features on Pixel devices they have grown in popularity over the years and provide simple to use tools for anyone and the cameras are again great with some samples below for now and we even got to see some of the northern lights for a few minutes which was not expected where I was.

 

Wireless charging (18w) is on board which for me is great but seems to be a bearbug with many folk these days when omitted and if like me with wireless charging docks all over the house and in my car it is a must have and mainly for convenience but as a tech guy I am lucky to be in a position where I have these chargers all over the place and adopted it early.

Overall for the past few days using this device very carefully with no case ( first time to take a phone out with no case but used carefully) I have been impressed so far and with the loads I put on my phones they are by no means used lightly with all the daily tasks I use my phones for with social media emails docs web browsing and other calls with Google meet zoom and teams it has proven again a worthy device so far.

Battery life I can’t comment on just yet as I have not had it long enough to give a good indication vs older models but over the last few days it has been solid enough but not put to the full test due to being off at an event and a wedding plus embargo reasons and not on full view but so far so good and I would not expect anything less, stay tuned for more on the Pixel 8a and case reviews coming this week and then I will be going full on with this device loaded up to the hilt with apps as you will see in the unboxing video below and again now already can say it will be a daily driver until the next model arrives.

Google Pixel 8a – techbuzzireland – jim o brien

10 things to know about the Google Pixel 8a

1 – Pixel 8a Colourful. Powerful. AI- full.

The Pixel 8a, engineered by Google. Take amazing photos with the Pixel Camera. Do more, even faster with Google AI – like fix blurry images, screen calls and learn new things. Top-rated security features help protect your data.1 All at a great price. Pixel 8a is bright and bold, and feels great in your hand. And it’s built to last.

2 – The most durable A- Series phone yet.

Pixel 8a is Google’s most durable A-Series phone yet, with a metal frame and camera bar. With IP67 protection, it can handle water and dust.It has a new scratch-resistant Actua display, and it’s made with recycled aluminium, glass and plastic. And it’s designed with a smooth finish and a matte back cover.

3 – Save time and do more with Google AI.

Pixel with Google AI makes it easy to get things done. Search for something just by circling it – an image or text, even in a video – right from the app that you’re in. Google AI finds it fast. Write messages quickly using your voice with Assistant voice
typing. Send messages in multiple languages with Live Translate And At a Glance shows useful info right when you need it, like travel updates, event tickets and more.

4 – Tensor G3: the same chip as Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.

Google Tensor G3 is the next-gen processor custom-built for Pixel. It’s Google’s fastest, most efficient and secure chip yet – the same chip that’s in Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. It powers Google AI and advanced machine learning for amazing photo and video quality, improved audio on phone calls, speech recognition and security. It makes Pixel 8a fast, efficient and helpful.

5 – Incredible photos and videos with the Pixel Camera.

The Pixel Camera makes photos perfect, every time. It’s easy to take amazing pictures in low light with Night Sight. Thanks to Google AI, you can create perfect group shots with Best Take10 and fix blurry images with Photo Unblur.11 All skin tones
are represented beautifully and accurately with Real Tone photos and videos. And Pixel 8a includes Super Res Zoom for clear close-up portraits from far away.

6 – 7 years of security, OS and Feature Drop updates.

Pixel phones are built to last and get better over time. With your Pixel 8a, you’ll receive the latest OS and security updates for seven years, plus helpful new Feature Drops every few months.12

7 – The highest- rated security features.

With Google Tensor G3 and the certified Titan M2 security chip, all Pixel 8 phones are built with multiple layers of security to help keep your personal info safe.13 And they come with VPN by Google One built in to help protect your online activity no
matter what app or web browser you use. You can also use Face Unlock for more things, like app sign-ins and payments, thanks to Tensor’s advanced machine learning.

8 – Help making calls. And avoiding them.

Phone calls are easier with Pixel Call Assist, a set of features that help with everything from making calls to avoiding them.15 Your Pixel can now detect and filter out even more spam calls.16 If you’re too busy to pick up, Pixel can tell you who’s calling and why. Call Screen on Pixel can now suggest more contextual replies for you, so you can easily respond to unknown callers in a way that fits the situation, without having to take the call yourself.17 And with clear calling, Pixel reduces your caller’s background noise, so that you can hear them more clearly.

9 – Engineered by Google. For all that you do.

Pixel phones, tablets, watches and earbuds are powered by Google AI for personalised help throughout your day.19 So that you can save time, live healthier and get more done. Take stunning photos and videos, and easily edit them. Track your health and fitness with the power of Fitbit. And have peace of mind with Safety Check and Emergency SOS.20

10 – The best of Google, included with Pixel.

Pixel is easy to switch to, and it comes with the best of Google. Pixel 8a includes three months of YouTube Premium (then X per month), three months of Google One and six months of Fitbit Premium to help you get the most out of your new
Pixel. For new eligible users only. Recurring billing. Cancel anytime Google One keeps your photos and files safe with 100 GB of storage and automatic phone backup. And with YouTube Premium, you can enjoy YouTube videos and music without ads, in the background and offline. Give your motivation a healthy boost with six months of Fitbit Premium wellness content, including workouts, mindfulness sessions, healthy recipes and more.

BUY

Unboxing and walkthrough

 

 

 

 

Former Google X tech controller raised €1.1m crowdfunding to speak at ‘speed-funding event’

Tony Foote, who co-founded Foxes Bow Whiskey with Alice Carroll is set to share his investment journey with other fresh businesses looking to grow at and event with Ireland’s top lenders at a speed-funding event next week/February 22.

The Show Me the Money event, at the Republic of Work in South Mall, Cork, being run by small business support platform and membership community Enterprise Nation, will help start-ups and small businesses get access to early-stage seed funding and growth investment.

The event is the penultimate speed-funding session to be held, with previous events in Dublin and Galway attracting hundreds of founders.  It will see small business owners hear from experts on a range of funding solutions from venture to angel investment, crowdfunding to retail banks.

Tony Foote spotted a gap in the market for a modern, contemporary, consumer-facing Irish whiskey brand while he was working as a controller at Google X – Google’s moonshot ‘factory’ in Silicon Valley.

Tony said: “I love whiskey, but whiskey wasn’t speaking to me. Every bottle was marketed based on traditional values, pictures of rolling hills and castles and a sea of black and green bottles. I felt there was an opportunity to give it a fresh perspective and reach a whole new audience.”

After the initial idea in 2020, Tony brought in childhood friend Alice, who was at the time living in Toronto and working for Pernod Ricard. The brand was initially bootstrapped by the founders, and they both left their high-flying jobs in 2021 to work on the business full-time.

In May 2022 they successfully crowdfunded €625,000 on Crowdcube, from a mixture of 400 Angel and individual investors.

Tony said: “Crowdfunding works really well for consumer brands, but the proposition has to be compelling enough to align with people’s ideas and mindset. Crowdfunding can become a massive marketing exercise that creates an army of unofficial brand ambassadors.

“But for anyone considering crowdfunding I would say it’s not a silver bullet –the first campaign was a full-time job for us both for three to four months. If you go in and you know the level of effort it takes, then crowdfunding becomes a great vehicle for investment. But be aware it’s non-stop.”

Very quickly, Foxes Bow Whiskey was stocked domestically in Musgraves and Tesco, and the pair were exporting to Germany, Italy and built valuable accounts in Northern Ireland. But then the opportunity quickly came for them to go into the US – and they had to go back to the funding drawing board.

Tony said: “It was 12 months ahead of schedule if I’m honest. It’s expensive to launch in the US, it’s competitive and money talks.”

They went back to Crowdcube and raised another €500,000, taking their total raised to €1.1m.

Foxes Bow is now stocked in Texas – where there is a population of 40m – including a listing in Texas’ largest liquor store chain – Spec’s Wine & Liquor.

He’s joined at the event by John Stapleton, who has co-founded food industry-challenger brands including New Covent Garden Soup Company and Little Dish.

He now shares his experience and invests and mentors via Redesdale Food & Beverage Fund, which recently invested in Cork-based supermarket-supplier platform start-up Kwayga.

Also speaking will be Evelyn Moynihan, CEO of Kilkenny Group and Nora Irwin, Cork-based founder of sustainable solid fragrance brand Arona.

Enterprise Nation’s quarterly Small Business Barometer found 74% of Irish businesses said they plan to access funding this year. Just over a third (37%) plan to borrow €10,000 or less with one in five (18%) planning to borrow up to €20,000 and another 11 per cent raising up to €30,000.

A fifth (22%) expect to use alternative lending, but the most popular option for investment is still the bank, with a quarter (24%) looking to Ireland’s banking sector for funds. Only seven per cent said they would crowdfund.

The events are part of Access to Finance, a broader nationwide initiative in partnership with SBCI, Sage, BPFI, AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB to support more businesses to improve financial management skills. Since its launch last year, it has already supported just under 2,000 businesses, with 40 per cent of those at the start-up stage.

The event is free, but booking is essential hhttps://www.enterprisenation.com/find-something/show-me-the-money-cork/

Funders available at the event include:

 

Mags Fullen, head of mortgages and business banking at the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), said: “BPFI and our member banks are delighted to support the ‘Show me the Money’ event Cork. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in Irish society, accounting for around 60% of all employment in the economy. According to the CSO, most of these businesses, over 92%, are what we call micro enterprises, employing less than 10 people. It is absolutely vital that we support these small businesses, not only at the start-up phase but also to support them to grow and thrive, and it’s clear that access to appropriate funding plays an important role in this regard.

“Considering there are many different options available, we hope that this event will help business owners by providing a pathway to the information and support they need.”

Suzanne Sweeney, head of strategy, finance and operations at the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), said: “Increasing access to finance, promoting sustainability and enabling small businesses to grow and prosper are our core objectives and define everything we do in the SBCI.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the Irish economy and play a vital role in job creation and innovation. However, they often face difficulties accessing financing due to limited collateral or high-interest rates. Our role is to provide dedicated financial support to Irish businesses by making it easier for them to get the finance they need to grow, innovate and prosper.

“Events, like ‘Show me the Money’ are vital to help businesses understand and demystify the wide range of fundings options available to them.”

Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation, said: “What is the best kind of finance for your business and how do you go about accessing it? Our Show me the Money event in Cork will help busy founders work out exactly that by listening to experts from different areas of finance.

“There are a dazzling array of routes to investment – venture capital investors, angel investors, crowdfunding, banks and alternative lenders.  We’ve got them all in one room so that small businesses can ask questions and learn the best route for themselves.”

The Access to Finance programme continues through to Summer,  with an online library of eLearning materials on how small firms can access funding and grow.

Tech Review – ZAGG Luxe case for the Google Pixel 8 Pro

The ZAGG Luxe case for the Google Pixel 8 Pro is a case for those who want it kept simple does the job and protects their expensive phone and this case does all that and looks well on the device keeping it clean and to the point, the usual cutouts are all there for the device with a raised lip on the front and larger corners giving it the protection required alongside the camera bar protection on the back of the device and hides it quite well not allowing dirt to get trapped in the corners like other cases do.

The back of the case has nice grip too and overall the simple design here is what stands out and the keys are sorted also with tactile buttons that work really well, the device can be placed either face down or rear down and you can still charge you Pixel 8 Pro wirelessly which is great and there is no interruption on any ports including the charging ports which in some cases all cables will not sit in correctly and this has happened with many devices in the past with me having the charge port to thin on the case.

You also get 10ft drop protection which is a standard there days with phone case and the material used is softer and better than harder materials form my past experiences with cases and this absorbs shock better.

Overall this is a good choice of case if you are in the market for one or plan to pick up the Pixel 8 Pro in the near future, check out the full video review below for more.

 

Drop Resistant up to 10ft| 3m: Luxe has been tested and proven to protect your phone from drops up to 10 feet (3 meters).

Antimicrobial Treatment: An antimicrobial agent with properties built in protects your case by inhibiting the growth of odor-causing bacteria and guarding against degradation from microorganisms.

100% Recycled Content : Luxe is made with 100% post-consumer recycled content.

Lightweight, Flexible Design: The lightweight Luxe case fits easily in your pocket and comfortably in your hand.

Limited Lifetime Warranty: ZAGG warrants the product against wear and damage during the lifetime of the device for which the product was purchased.

BUY

Video Review

Tech Review – Ringke Onyx Google Pixel 8 Pro Case and Tempered Glass

The Pixel 8 Pro is one of the devices I am using right now and tend to always have a Pixel in my daily driver routine all year round and having said that having protection is the norm for me as I prefer to have a case on and be protected, I do like the naked feel of a phone but still keep them in good order, We have a few case reviews for several devices from Ringke and screen protection and today we start off with the Onyx case and tempered glass screen protector for the Google Pixel 8 Pro.

In the hand this case offers superb grip and is clean, all ports are accessible and you can also add lanyards or straps if you wish to do so, the keys are very tactile and work well and there is raised corners and lip on the front of the screen,, the camera bar on the rear is also fully protected from edge to edge and raised to keep that glass protected, Ringke also have lens protectors on offer plus much more on their site.

The case is made with TPU which is my preferred option on a case and feels smooth yet grippy all round giving you the best protection along with their screen protectors,not only that you can still wirelessly charge your device without the need to remove the case, check the video below for more.

Google Pixel 8 Pro Screen Protector | Glass

  • 2 Pieces of Glass Screen Protectors (Compatible with Google Pixel 8 Pro)
  • Premium edge-to-edge tempered glass screen protector precisely designed to fit the Pixel 8
  • 9H hardness tempered glass protects the touchscreen from scratches and scuffs
  • Edge-smoothing technology naturally integrates the screen protector into the device without sharp borders
  • Full adhesive design from top to bottom for easy, long-lasting installation without bubbles and lift
  • Case-friendly design. Complete your protection by pairing it with a Ringke case for a guaranteed fit

Buy 

Google Pixel 8 Pro Case – Onyx

 

Features

  • Rugged Back Case Compatible with Google Pixel 8 Pro
  • Made from flexible, long-lasting premium silicone-type TPU for heavy-duty defense
  • Grip enhancing circular emboss sides and sleek button covers provide extra protection
  • Unique matte, granulate texture is anti-skid and anti-fingerprint
  • Attach hand or neck straps with the built-in dual QuikCatch lanyard holes (Strap sold separately)

BUY

Video Review

Google Maps launches Immersive View in Dublin.

Google Maps is expanding Immersive View to new cities and landmarks, introducing a simpler way to navigate, and updating Recents on desktop Google Maps. The great news is this includes Dublin and for those who will now begin their holidays or those who will travel to Dublin should check the latest update out, check out the news below.

In many parts of the world, summer is here  —- which often means time for trip planning and exploration. Today, we’re sharing three new updates from Google Maps to help you make the most of your summer adventures.

Immersive View: rolling out to new cities and available for 500+ landmarks around the 

Earlier this year, we launched Immersive View to transform the way you explore — using AI to fuse together billions of images and create a multidimensional view of the world with trusted information layered on top. Today, we’re starting to roll out Immersive View in four new cities: Amsterdam, Dublin, Florence and Venice — and are expanding it to over 500 iconic landmarks around the world, from Prague Castle to the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Android and iOS.

So if you’re planning a trip to Boston and want to see the historic Faneuil Hall, you can get a jump start on familiarizing yourself with the area before you visit. Just search for it in Google Maps and tap on the first video to virtually soar over the building and find places nearby. With the time slider, you can see what the weather will be like at different times of day and how crowded it will be so you can plan ahead. And where we have data available, you can peek inside of restaurants and cafes to help you decide whether you want to make a reservation — thanks to an advanced AI technique called neural radiance fields, or NeRF — which was developed right here at Google.

Track your trip progress with glanceable directions, which start rolling out this month

While we love the rich details of Immersive View, we also know that sometimes less is more — especially when you’re somewhat familiar with your route and just need to see when the next turn is. That’s why we’re launching glanceable directions in Maps, helping you easily track your trip progress right from your lock screen or route overview.

Once you opt in, just request directions to your destination and get going. You’ll see updated ETAs and where to make your next turn — information that was previously only available in comprehensive navigation mode. And if you decide to take another path, we’ll update your trip automatically. Glanceable directions start rolling out globally this month for walking, cycling and driving modes on Android and iOS.

Stay organized and plan trips with new updates to Recents on desktop 

One of the most difficult parts of planning a trip is keeping track of all the places you want to visit — especially if you’re visiting multiple cities. We built Recents on desktop to help with just that. It automatically organizes places you’ve researched into a handy highlight on the left side of your screen when you open Maps.

Now, with new updates rolling out globally next month, we’ll save places in your Recent highlights even after you close your Google Maps window — so you can take a break from planning and come back to it later without ever losing your progress. You can remove places you’ve viewed, plan multiple trips at once and share a selection of places — like attractions or hotels — with your travel buddy to get their thoughts. Once you know where you want to visit, select three or more destinations, click “directions,” and Maps will even create a custom route that hits all your stops and saves it to your Recents. Who’s up for a summer road trip!

Whether you’re hitting up local gems, a national park or flying halfway around the world, let Google Maps be your ultimate travel companion this year.

Businesses urged to update analytics before June deadline

Carlow-based design studio, Stratticus, is urging businesses to update their Google Analytics before the looming June 30th deadline.

Google has announced that starting on July 1st 2023, the standard Universal Analytics will stop working. This means that businesses using Google Analytics will have to make the switch to GA4 before June 30th to continue measuring their website traffic accurately.

As the deadline for the transition to Google Analytics 4 (GA4) approaches, Stratticus reminds businesses of the potential impact on their website data if they fail to implement the change thoroughly. The Bagenalstown digital studio advises businesses to prioritise this update to avoid losing valuable data and insights.

John Foy, Creative Director and former Carlow IT Lecturer in Digital Marketing explains,

“From July 1st onwards users of Google Analytics will no longer have access to critical historical data which will affect certain aspects of their business like bidding for ads, audiences or conversion data in Google Ads or on third-party integrations like Facebook.

This is a great update from Google with some valuable new features. Having said that, it’s not adequate to simply click on the Google reminder email to update your analytics as there is a high potential of missing integration of key third-party apps like Salesforce, Calendly and Hubspot. The fix is relatively simple however we recommend contacting your website developers or hosting company to ensure that the transition is smooth.”

GA4 offers a more comprehensive approach to website analytics, providing businesses with deeper insights into user behaviour and preferences. This change is part of Google’s ongoing efforts to improve user privacy and data protection.

Stratticus is reminding businesses, particularly eCommerce businesses and those relying on historical data for Pay per Click (PPC) advertising to make the transition to GA4 as soon as possible to avoid any potential disruptions to their analytics data.

By taking action now, Irish businesses can ensure a smooth transition to Google Universal Analytics and capitalise on the benefits of the updated data. For more information on this update and how to ensure your website is ready, contact Stratticus today.

Google is helping more people stay safe with flood forecasting

Today, Google is announcing the expansion of flood forecasting coverage to reach nearly 80 countries, including Ireland among 31 in Europe. With the help of the Flood Hub platform, Google will be displaying flood forecasts which show when and where floods may occur to provide critical information to aid organisations and governments, and inform people at risk, in countries like Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium – issuing forecasts seven days in advance. Read more below to find out more.

Natural disasters, like flooding, are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change, threatening people’s safety and livelihood. It’s estimated that flooding affects more than 250 million people globally each year and causes around $10 billion in economic damages.

As part of our work to use AI to address the climate crisis, today we’re expanding our flood forecasting capabilities to 80 countries. With the addition of 60 new countries across Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and South and Central America, our platform Flood Hub now includes some of the territories with the highest percentages of population exposed to flood risk and experiencing more extreme weather, covering 460 million people globally.

Governments, aid organizations, and individuals can use Flood Hub to take timely action and prepare for riverine floods, seeing locally relevant flood data and forecasts up to 7 days in advance — an increase from last year, when information was only available 48 hours in advance.

Flood Hub’s AI uses diverse, publicly-available data sources, such as weather forecasts and satellite imagery. The technology then combines two models: the Hydrologic Model, which forecasts the amount of water flowing in a river, and the Inundation Model, which predicts what areas are going to be affected and how deep the water will be.

We’re working to expand flood forecasting alerts in Search and Maps to make this information available to people when they need it the most.

Using AI to help people prepare for flooding

In 2018, we kicked-off flood forecasting in India and expanded to Bangladesh to help combat the catastrophic damage from yearly floods. Due to advances in our global AI and machine learning forecasting models, in 2022 we further rolled out our technology to 18 more countries, paving the way for today’s global expansion.

Flood Hub is part of our Crisis Response work to provide people access to trusted information and resources in critical moments — also including wildfires and earthquakes. For over a decade, we have been partnering with front line and emergency workers to develop technology and programs that help keep people safe, informed and out of harm’s way.

In addition, to help support communities that are vulnerable to floods but might not have access to a smartphone or internet, Google.org collaborates with organizations like the Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Indian Red Cross Society and the Inclusion Economics team at Yale University to stand up offline alerting networks of trained, incentivized, and trusted community volunteers to amplify the reach of Flood Hub’s warnings. The most recent results from the team at Yale and local nonprofit Yuganter found that communities with local volunteers were 50% more likely to receive alerts before water reached their area — a factor that can make a life-or-death difference.

As we continue improving our AI-based global models for flood forecasting, we will keep supporting at-risk communities with technology to mitigate the effects of climate change.