How STEM tools on Chromebooks turn students into makers and inventors
June 27th, 2017
Editor’s note: Over the last year, we’ve introduced new ways for students to develop important future skills with Chromebook tools, including active listening and creativity. Yesterday at ISTE we announced our latest bundles in this series, curated in collaboration with educators. In this post, we dive into the STEM tools on Chromebooks bundle, designed to…
The European Commission decision on online shopping: the other side of the story
June 27th, 2017
When you shop online, you want to find the products you’re looking for quickly and easily. And advertisers want to promote those same products. That’s why Google shows shopping ads, connecting our users with thousands of advertisers, large and small, in ways that are useful for both. We believe the European Commission’s online shopping decision…
Anki’s new coding app uses Scratch Blocks to help anyone program their Cozmo robot
June 26th, 2017
Today Anki, a consumer robotics and artificial intelligence company, announced Cozmo Code Lab, a simple and intuitive visual programming language that allows Cozmo owners to easily program their robot. Code Lab for Cozmo is based on Scratch Blocks, making it the first toy built for kids with the platform. Anki previously released a Python SDK…
Helping journalists deepen their digital skills on their own time
June 26th, 2017
It’s become increasingly important for journalists to deepen their digital skills for reporting, but finding dedicated time to invest in learning can be a challenge. To address that challenge, the News Lab has launched a series of advanced online learning programs focused on helping journalists quickly develop skills across key disciplines in digital journalism—on their…
Harry Potter casts his spell on Google Earth
June 26th, 2017
Twenty years ago today, Harry Potter began his journey from a closet on Privet Drive to the castle at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and—Alohomora!—he unlocked the imaginations of Muggles everywhere. Conjured up by author J.K. Rowling, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” (called “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in the U.S.) has sold…
Updates from ISTE: new tools to empower our future explorers and digital citizens
June 26th, 2017
Editor’s note: This week our Google for Education team will be joining thousands of educators at the annual ISTE conference in San Antonio. Follow along here and on Twitter for the latest news and updates. Technology is transforming how students learn and the skills they need to succeed. Today at the ISTE (International Society for…
The High Five: sun’s out, man buns out
June 23rd, 2017
Winter and summer. George and Amal. Barbie and Ken. These classic duos were among the top searches from this week. Changing of the seasons This Wednesday was summer solstice in the northern hemisphere—which means in other parts of the world, winter is coming. The cities searching the most for “first day of summer” are in…
Libraries across the U.S. are Ready to Code
June 23rd, 2017
Editor’s Note: Alan Inouye leads public policy for the American Library Association, and today he tells us about a new partnership with Google that will equip librarians to offer coding programs for kids in their communities Emily Zorea is not a computer scientist. She’s a Youth Services Librarian at the Brewer Public Library in Richland…
As G Suite gains traction in the enterprise, G Suite’s Gmail and consumer Gmail to more closely align
June 23rd, 2017
Google’s G Suite business is gaining enormous traction among enterprise users. G Suite usage has more than doubled in the past year among large business customers. Today, there are more than 3 million paying companies that use G Suite. G Suite’s Gmail is already not used as input for ads personalization, and Google has…
Celebrating businesses giving back this Ramadan
June 23rd, 2017
In the heart of Istanbul, where I was born and raised, is the Hagia Sophia, a breathtakingly beautiful monument with a storied history. Over the centuries it has been a cathedral, a mosque, and a museum. When you stand inside, you see Arabic calligraphy alongside Christian relics. From afar you see its minarets surrounding a…