Monthly Archives: November 2013

‘OK Google’ Chrome Extension For Hands Free Voice Search on Desktop

Google has released a chrome extension that brings the voice-activated “Ok Google” command to the browser. When installed, it allows those on the desktop to speak their commands to the browser using the “OK Google” hotword.

The extension also supports reminders, so you can say “Ok Google, set a timer for 30 minutes.” Once installed, you’ll have to give Chrome permission to access your computer’s microphone. Then, a “Say OK Google” notice will appear in the Google.com search bar. When it recognizes your voice, a red microphone will appear and Google will type what you say before giving you an answer. The extension is explicitly labeled as a beta, but it seems to work well.

You need to be on the Google search page for it to work, and it won’t read out all your answers — so its functionality is limited.

For those who are worried about Google listening to all your conversations, the default setting will stop listening for “OK Google” commands after five minutes, which the search giant says saves battery life. A shaded microphone means that it’s listening; the outline of a microphone means that it’s not.

Google Wallet Card Now Available to Order

While the NFC-based Google Wallet payment system may have not taken off, Google is taking another swing at things with a physical Google wallet card, basically fills the same role as the Google wallet app tried to do previously acting as a prepaid debit card that pulls funds out of any connected account.

If you’re in the U.S and have the option to get a Google wallet card, you’ll be prompted in the Google wallet app or on the Google wallet website, where you’ll then have to verify your identity and request the card. Verifying your identity is as simple as giving your name, address, birth date and social security number, but Google already had the necessary information from previous purchases for us to order with two clicks.

Google-Wallet-Card

The card will arrive in 10-12 days according to Google, and you’ll be ready to activate it and set it up for payments thereafter.

The Wallet card will let you pay for items at any retailer, even those that don’t have the little NFC kiosks Wallet has thus far relied upon. The charge should be relayed to your Wallet account just like you had used an NFC phone. It’s unclear if that’s just the Wallet balance, or if cards are included too. This fits nicely with Google’s strategy of uncoupling the NFC payments in KitKat from the hardware secure element. Google is really making Wallet easier to use on multiple fronts.

Google Helpouts-Get A Help From Experts Via Video

Google has officially announced the launch of Google helpouts after several months, it’s a new offering that people and businesses can use to make money via live social video.

Google said on its blog that its goal with Helpouts is simply to “Help people help each other.” Helpouts can open a new brand new revenue stream for the Mountain View, Calif.-based search company.

Helpouts

Five ways Google can make money of its new Helpout service.

  • Charge Experts

Google allows now experts to set a price for their help. When Google tested this service, it took a 20% cut of the paid Helpouts as a platform fee. It should also be noted that Google will not charge medical professionals for health care Helpouts.

  • Charges Brand

You can get help from individuals or from brands you already know and trust. Google could promote these Helpouts in search results, similar to how advertising works in Google Maps, it will be another tool Google can add to its ever-growing portfolio of marketing services.

  • Bring More small Businesses to Google Service

It will give small businesses a chance to market their expertise for free or cheap and maybe generate a few extra dollars for the company. For Google, it’s another way to get more small businesses involved in its lucrative advertising platform.

  • Traffic from About.Com and WikiHow

Google search is the number one destination for people to answer a question or get help. With Helpouts Google can keep this traffic for itself, as well as the advertising revenue that the traffic generates.

  • More users on Google Plus

Google continues to push its Google plus social network by requiring users to sign up in order to use other services. Gmail accounts, YouTube and Hangouts are all tied to Google plus platforms and Helpouts are no different. Google Helpouts appears to be a service that benefits everyone involved, including users, small businesses, big companies and of course Google.

The beauty of Helpouts is its simplicity and it is a wonderful simple idea, using a webcam to show someone how to do something seems blindingly obvious-but this is the first time it has really been implemented in such a way as to be accessible and workable.