See. See! Google Does Good
March 10, 2022
I love art history majors who work in PR and marketing. Some of the ideas are delightful. A good example appears in the “real news” publication Verge. “DeepMind’s New AI Model Helps Decipher, Date, and Locate Ancient Inscriptions” explains:
an AI model created by Alphabet-subsidiary DeepMind … helps not only restore text that is missing from ancient Greek inscriptions but offers suggestions for when the text was written (within a 30-year period) and its possible geographic origins.
See. See! Doing good. Unlocking the mysteries of the past.
The write up explains via an anigif provided by the helpful wizards at Alphabet Google DeepMind how gaps are filled and missing facts conjured by the systems and methods of the Google.
The original text [translation provided by Tibby, the French bulldog in my office responsible for linguistic wonders] noted that the corrected text says:
Stop by the Dimitra Wine Shop. You can find us on Google Maps. Check out our ad on Google Local. (Discount for Google employees.)
The marvels of the new system include:
- Use of synthetic data to fabricate missing data
- Inclusion of references to Google online advertising
- Cross messaging for Google Maps and Google Local.
See. See! Google is doing good. Art history majors working in marketing are the pros everyone can thank for making sense when there are voids.
Stephen E Arnold, March 10, 2022
Google: Defines Excellence for Android Users
March 3, 2022
I read a hoot of a story. “Data Stealing App Found in Google Play Downloaded Thousands of Times.” The idea for branded stores is consistency, compatibility, and trust. No one wants to buy an air fryer that explodes and maims an influencer. Why would one want to download a mobile app which allows a bad actor to seize data or control of one’s mobile device.
The write up reports:
A notorious Android banking trojan designed to steal user data, like passwords and text messages, has been discovered in Google Play and downloaded thousands of times. The TeaBot banking trojan, also known as Anatsa and Toddler, was first observed in May 2021 targeting European banks by stealing two-factor authentication codes sent by text message.
Yep, malware direct from the Google. Let’s rundown those qualities of a branded store:
- Consistency
- Compatibility
- Trust
Check, check, and check.
Ah, Google, are you entering a security drag race against the Softies?
Stephen E Arnold, March 3, 2022
Alphabet Google YouTube and Its Data Moats
March 1, 2022
Owning a monopoly on data or information is not a new concept. Owning secret knowledge is as old as humanity. Think about humans learning the secret of fire, gunpowder, medicine, and nuclear bombs. The concept seems more modern, because of computer technology. This technology only means there is more data to control in a monopoly. Seeking Alpha discusses data monopolies in: “Google Stock Is A Buy On Future Growth, Alphabet Data Moat.”
Alphabet a.k.a. Google started as a search engine that sold advertising space, but now the company is a leader in augmented reality, blockchain, and AI. Alphabet continues to grow and its endeavors yield more data moats for then to control:
“The reason why Alphabet has built several powerful data moats is that the company has become very proficient in identifying high value data, collecting that data, analyzing that data for insights and producing high value products based upon the insights gleaned from the data. The very first high value data that the founders of the company, Sergey Brin and Larry Page discovered was search data. Google established a first mover advantage in search data that grew into such a powerful data moat that even Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is unable to catch up to Google in search. Google still maintains 92.47 percent market share in search as of June 2021. Over time, Alphabet has discovered and built up other high value data sets with some of the most well-known products built upon those data sets being Maps, YouTube, Google Assistant and self-driving cars (Waymo).”
Alphabet continues to grow its data moat through constant research and development, especially in the realms of AI. The company will continue to expand and it could grow a data moat monopoly. If Alphabet does get a data moat the government is supposed to step in and break it up. That might not happen given the world’s current dilemma and how corporations have politicians in their back pockets.
Whitney Grace, March 1, 2022
Google: A New FPGA Standard: Seems Like a Big Move
February 24, 2022
I know from my previous work projects that semiconductor talk makes people go to sleep. Sure, there are some chip heads who salivate when considering X ray etching and the physics of nanometer scale silicon. Take it from me this quite important technical field is less thrilling than the average TikTok video.
Nevertheless, I want to call your attention to “FPGA Interchange Format to Enable Interoperable FPGA Tooling.” The title just screams big win for everyone. Remember the “Don’t be evil thing”? Ho ho ho.
Here’s the passage which snagged my attention:
Those benefits will extend to not only VPR and nextpnr, but to any other closed source tools, or new open source ones that adopt and implement the Interchange format. Having a standard Interchange format at the tooling developers’ disposal lowers the barriers to developing new open source tools in this area. As example use cases, it enables new approaches to partial dynamic reconfiguration and the exploration of different place and route algorithms. [emphasis added’’]
What’s the jargon mean?
Google aims to define the standard. Good news for everyone, right. Perhaps one should ask those who have other ideas about floating point gate array systems and methods?
Nah, let’s not. Let Googzilla graze in green pastures. A standard makes it easy for with it folks to build Googley systems and integrate certain nifty machine learning mechanisms. Deep dive? You get a free snorkel too.
Stephen E Arnold, February 24, 2022
Google Has a Bulldog Biting Its Ankle
February 23, 2022
I told a Googler I was going to give a speech at a conference in London and describe the company as “Googzilla.” The fellow, whom I shall not name because he is now a big time investor type Silicon Valley creation, said, “I love it.” My conversation with the Googler took place before Googzilla bought the dinosaur that graced its Mountain View offices. If you want to see what the beastie looks like with flamingos on its bones, click here. If the link does not resolve, well, use your imagination.
Yep, Googzilla. Now there is a feisty bulldog biting the digital creature on its ankle. No big deal. When dinosaurs stomp around, only other things get crushed, killed, or chomped.
The bulldog is the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Its bite is explained in “Google Says It Doesn’t ‘Sell’ Your Data. Here’s How the Company Shares, Monetizes, and Exploits It.” The bulldog does not recognize “data” as a plural, but what does one expect of bulldogs with law degrees? Strunk & White?
The main point of the write up strikes me as:
Google monetizes user data in myriad ways and talks about it in phrases only Googlers and Xooglers understand.
Why is this important? The article includes some data to illustrate what happens when ethical compasses are exposed to the magnetism of power and money:
Google controls about 62% of mobile browsers, 69% of desktop browsers, and the operating systems on 71% of mobile devices in the world. 92% of internet searches go through Google and 73% of American adults use YouTube. Google runs code on approximately 85% of sites on the Web and inside as many as 94% of apps in the Play store. It collects data about users’ every click, tap, query, and movement from all of those sources and more.
Think about that “and more” when you fire up your Chrome browser and use an Android device. What flourishes in the absence of regulation? Googzilla. And the bulldog biting its ankle.
Stephen E Arnold, February 23, 2022
Google Maps: A Pithy Abstract
February 23, 2022
If you want to see an example of a very interesting précis navigate to this Twitter sequence. Google’s terms of service for Google Maps is very Googley. You can read the stipulations at this link. A tweet thing user using the entity name “pzakrzewski” offers this summary:
Don’t use it.
The “it” is Google Maps.
Never fear pzakrzewski I am not able to figure out [a] how to find a location, [b] locate street view, and [c] go to the Cuba Libre restaurant, once ostracized because the establishment did not play Google local or Google ads.
I agree with the spirit and intent of your excellent distillation of Googley writing.
Stephen E Arnold, February 23, 2022
A Google Dork for Everyone
February 21, 2022
In my lectures about open source intelligence for law enforcement and other government professionals, I mention Google Dorks. I won’t go into detail, but the “dork” is a fancy way of saying a person who is an information professional with a knowledge of specialized commands can get semi-on point results from the online ad outfit. See for example this link. Do Googlers wear T shirts emblazoned with the phrase “Don’t be evil.” I saw such a shirt with the message “Don’t be Google,” but I may have misread.
What’s interesting is that Google Dorking is finding its way into the mainstream of the people who perceive themselves as “experts in online research.” Yep, the expertise is often similar to mastering an automatic teller machine, but that’s possibly a characteristic of our Covid era.
“Google Search Is Dying” has undergone a number of updates. The write up states:
Google still gives decent results for many other categories, especially when it comes to factual information. You might think that Google results are pretty good for you, and you have no idea what I’m talking about. What you don’t realize is that you’ve been self-censoring yourself from searching most of the things you would have wanted to search. You already know subconsciously that Google isn’t going to return a good result.
The punch line is “Google is dying.” Yeah, no kidding. When the wizard from Verity and Yahoo got involved, it was not dying. It was gifted a MOAB (that is the mother of all bombs or a disconnect from a query and stuff like precision and recall).
So what’s the fix?
A Google Dork.
Enter a query and stick “reddit” in the query. The idea is that some entity (bot or humanoid) will have posted more useful, authentic, relevant information on that service. One can be sporty and try wiki at the end of a query as well.
Google Dorking for everyone even the self proclaimed experts in online information search and retrieval! The challenge is that Google advertising is pumping cash, and that plus the bonuses for senior management is what makes Google search the outstanding service it is.
Stephen E Arnold, February 21, 2022
Smart Software and the Cloud, Google, How Is That Working Out?
February 19, 2022
I read “Google Drive Is Flagging Some MacOS Files for Copyright Violation.” The flagging is using Google’s smart software. The copyright violations concern the outfit Google pays a billion or so each year to make Google search the right choice for iPhone users. Yep, the right choice because Google has smart software. Smart software can connect to automated systems which send legal sounding letter which threaten fines and more to alleged offenders.
The write up states:
A disgruntled Reddit user recently reported that a ‘.DS_Store’ file on their Google Drive was flagged by the search giant for violating its copyright infringement policy. Apparently, this isn’t the first time this issue has been encountered as MacOS users also reported experiencing similar problems last month.
This is a small sample and the flagging may have been just some fantasy moment in the metaverse.
I noted this follow on statement:
A similar incident occurred recently when Google Drive accidentally flagged almost empty files containing just a few numbers for violating the company’s copyright infringement files.
Are violators able to call a Googley humanoid to provide input? Sure. Plus Google is working on a fix. A job for an intern? Maybe.
Stephen E Arnold, February 19, 2022
Google Joke: A Googler Walks into a Coffee Shop with a Regulator and…
February 17, 2022
I read an amusing write up called “Google Keeps Android Ad Tool Into At Least 2024, Exploring Other Options.” I think the writer of the article is serious, not crafting a joke for Joe Rogan’s much admired “Man Show” comments. Here is the passage I found semi amusing:
Google said it would give “substantial notice” before axing what is known as AdId. But it will immediately begin seeking feedback on its proposed alternatives, which Google said aim to better protect users’ privacy and curb covert surveillance.
But better than what? What happens if there are technical issues in 2024? A Googler walks into a coffee shop with a regulator and says, “We need more time to better protect users’ privacy and curb covert surveillance.”
The regulator laughs out loud because he was thinking of Apple marginalizing Facebook. Perhaps the Google is delivering some Meta-Aid. Whoops. I meant to type Meta AdID.
Stephen E Arnold, February 17, 2022
Google Minus: Putting Wood Behind Confusion
February 17, 2022
I read “Google+ Is Dead Again, Maybe for Good This Time.” Here in my redoubt in rural Kentucky, the social network thing has not been a thing. We do try to keep track of some of the Googley management decisions.
The write up explains that Google+ was terminated sort of in 2019. Then the article explains that Google Minus became Currents, also a backwater in this here hollow. But here’s the summary of Google management’s ability to create helpful services and serve its customers:
Google said that the introduction of the Spaces group chat app last year negated the need for Currents, so it plans to wind it down starting in 2023. Before it does that, however, it will add new capabilities to Spaces to accommodate some of Currents’ social features… As was the case with Google+, the usage and purpose of Currents was likely unclear to many users. That issue extends to Spaces, as well, unfortunately. As Google described it last year, Spaces is an evolution of Rooms but is a part of Google Chat that’s designed for group messaging, much like Slack. Got it?
Actually, no. I do understand the management acumen behind this modifications. No big time revenue, no wood.
Stephen E Arnold, February 17, 2022
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