Google has agreed to pay $28m (£21.5m) to settle a lawsuit that claimed white and Asian employees were given better pay and career opportunities than workers from other ethnic backgrounds, a law firm representing claimants says. The technology giant confirmed it had "reached a resolution" but rejected the allegations made against it, reports BBC. The case filed in 2021 by former Google employee, Ana Cantu, said workers from Hispanic, Latino, Native American and other backgrounds started on lower salaries and job levels than their white and Asian counterparts. The settlement has been given preliminary approval by Judge Charles Adams of the Santa Clara County Superior Court in California. The case brought by Ms Cantu against Google relied on a leaked internal document, which allegedly showed that employees from some ethnic backgrounds reported lower compensation for similar work. The practice of basing starting pay and job level on prior salaries reinforced historical race and ethnicity-based disparities, according to Ms Cantu's lawyers. The class action lawsuit was filed for at least 6,632 people who were employed by Google between 15 February 2018 and 31 December 2024, according to Reuters news agency. Google Cloud to Acquire Wiz for Enhanced Cybersecurity Cathy Coble, one of the lawyers representing them, praised the "bravery of both the diverse and ally Googlers who self-reported their pay and leaked that data to the media". "Suspected pay inequity is too easily concealed without this kind of collective action from employees," Ms Coble added. The technology giant denied that it had discriminated against any of its employees. "We reached a resolution, but continue to disagree with the allegations that we treated anyone differently, and remain committed to paying, hiring, and levelling all employees fairly," a Google spokesperson told the BBC. Earlier this year, Google joined a growing list of US firms that are abandoning commitments to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their recruitment policies. Meta, Amazon, Pepsi, McDonald's, Walmart and others have also rolled back their DEI programmes. It comes as US President Donald Trump and his allies have regularly attacked DEI policies. Since his return to the White House, Trump has ordered government agencies and their contractors to eliminate such initiatives.

Italian prosecutors said Wednesday they will seek to drop a tax evasion investigation against Google after the tech giant agreed to pay a 326 million euro ($340 million) settlement. Milan prosecutors had opened an investigation against Google for failure to pay taxes on earnings in Italy from 2015-2019. The investigation focused on revenues from the sale of advertising, and cited the presence of servers and other infrastructure in Italy. Mexico awaits new response from Google on dispute over Gulf of Mexico name before filing lawsuit Google acknowledged the settlement in statement, saying it resolves “a tax audit ... without litigation.” Tech giant Google previously paid over $1 billion to French authorities to settle a years long dispute over allegations of tax fraud.

Google says its artificial intelligence chatbot Gemini will deliver up-to-date news from The Associated Press in the tech giant's first such deal with a news publisher. Google announced the deal in a blog post Wednesday, saying that AP “will now deliver a feed of real-time information to help further enhance the usefulness of results displayed in the Gemini app.” AP's chief revenue officer, Kristin Heitmann, said it is part of a longstanding relationship with the search giant “based on working together to provide timely, accurate news and information to global audiences.” "We are pleased Google recognizes the value of AP’s journalism as well as our commitment to nonpartisan reporting, in the development of its generative AI products,” Heitmann said in a written statement. Neither company has disclosed how much Google will pay AP for the content. Google declined further comment on how it would present information from AP’s journalism and whether it would credit the news organization or link back to the original articles. Gemini, formerly known as Bard, has been Google's answer to the demand for generative AI tools that can compose documents, generate images, help program code or perform other work. AP has sought to diversify its revenue stream in recent years and in 2023 signed a deal with OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT, enabling the AI company to license AP's archive of news stories to train future versions of its AI systems. The financial terms of that deal were also not disclosed, but it sparked an increasing number of similar partnerships between OpenAI and news organizations around the world. At the same time, news organizations have expressed concerns about AI companies using their material without permission — or payment — and then unfairly competing with them for advertising revenue that comes when people use a search engine or click on a news website. The New York Times and other outlets have sued OpenAI and other AI companies for copyright infringement and, on Tuesday, presented their arguments before a New York federal judge. Tech companies have argued that freely taking publicly available text from the internet to teach their AI models constitutes a “fair use” under U.S. copyright laws. But faced with legal challenges and a technology that is prone to spouting errors known as hallucinations, AI companies have also sought to license high-quality data sources to improve the performance of their products. Read: Trump adviser says president-elect exploring options to 'preserve' TikTok Publishers are at a disadvantage as tech companies integrate AI-generated summaries of information into an array of online services, but such deals are also beneficial in giving news outlets much-needed revenue and improving the overall quality of information that people are seeing online, said Alex Mahadevan, director of The Poynter Institute’s Mediawise, a digital media literacy initiative.   “You either sign a deal with an AI company and work with them and kind of take what they offer for all of your hard work, all of your articles, all of your data, or you fight, the way that The New York Times and others are trying to do in court,” he said. The AP prides itself on being an unbiased news source and offers news stories, pictures, video, audio and interactive content direct to consumers via the website APNews.com. But the bulk of its business comes from selling its journalism to organizations that use it. The AP has experienced a precipitous loss in revenue from newspaper customers, including losing Gannett and McClatchy -- two of the largest traditional U.S. newspaper publishers -- last year. The AP has increasingly secured other sources of revenue, including philanthropic funding, but is still hurt by the news industry’s overall woes. “The AP has copious amounts of data and text, which are the equivalent of gold in terms of training advanced generative AI models,” said Sarah Kreps, a professor and director of Cornell University's Tech Policy Institute. While such deals might help offset some revenue losses, they also present dangers. Read more: Biden’s semiconductor law to boost US chip output at high cost, says report “By outsourcing their value to tech companies, news outlets may cede control over how their work is used and monetized,” Kreps said by email. “Instead of building stronger, direct relationships with readers, they risk becoming suppliers of raw material for platforms that then commodify and repurpose their journalism.”

In a move aimed at bolstering user security, Google has introduced a trio of innovative features designed to make it increasingly difficult for thieves to access stolen Android devices. These new tools, namely Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock, and Remote Lock, are set to enhance the protection of personal data, providing users with greater peace of mind in the unfortunate event of theft. Theft Detection Lock: An Automatic Safeguard The standout among these features is Theft Detection Lock, which uses machine learning technology to identify suspicious movement patterns indicative of theft. Microsoft Copilot adds ChatGPT-like features If a thief physically snatches a device—whether while the user is walking or cycling—the phone can recognise this sudden movement and promptly lock itself. This intelligent system continuously monitors how the device is handled, with the ability to detect rapid acceleration when it is taken from a user’s hand. In such scenarios, the phone will immediately lock, preventing the thief from accessing apps, data, or personal information. The swift activation of this lock is a significant advantage, as it makes it exceedingly difficult for the thief to use the device further. Offline Device Lock: Further Protection In addition to Theft Detection Lock, Google has also rolled out the Offline Device Lock feature. This safeguard triggers the locking mechanism if the device is disconnected from the internet for an extended period, effectively thwarting any attempts by a thief to disable tracking or remote unlocking features. Remote Lock: An Extra Layer of Security The Remote Lock feature allows users to lock their phones remotely via their phone number, which is particularly beneficial for those unable to access their Google account or "Find My Device" function. This added layer of security ensures users have multiple options for securing their data in the event of theft. Meta unveils cheaper VR headset, AI updates and shows off prototype for holographic AR glasses Gradual Rollout Across the US Currently, these features are being gradually rolled out to users in the United States. Reports indicate that availability varies by device; while some users have gained access to Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock, others, particularly those with certain Pixel models, may only see Remote Lock. The rollout follows beta testing in Brazil earlier this year and is expected to expand to a wider range of Android devices in the near future. Users of devices like the Xiaomi 14T Pro and Google Pixel are likely to benefit from these new security enhancements through upcoming software updates. These innovations represent a significant advancement in safeguarding personal data against the increasing threat of smartphone theft, offering users a crucial sense of security in an unpredictable world.

The age of generative AI started its journey in 2023. Day by day, the features of generative AI like chatbots are being improved to enhance user experience around the world. Google's Bard made waves with its capabilities, but now, a new era dawns with Gemini. This innovative chatbot boasts enhanced intelligence and functionality. Join us as we explore Gemini's features, capabilities, and impact on the future of conversational AI. What Is Google Gemini AI? Google Gemini is the newest and most advanced artificial intelligence made by Google. It understands images, videos, text, and even sounds. What makes Gemini stand out is how it acts almost like a human. Gemini AI is good at understanding information, solving problems, and planning for the future. Gemini has three versions: Pro, Ultra, and Nano. The Pro version has been released already, and the Ultra version will be available next year. It is expected that Gemini will play a crucial role in the latest chatbot technology, pushing the boundaries of what AI can do. Read more: AI Robot Chefs: Automated Cooking Could Redefine Food Industry How to Use the New Chatbot Model of Google Gemini AI is a type of computer system called a neural network. It has been trained using a huge amount of text and code from various sources like books, articles, and code repositories. This training helps the neural network understand the patterns and connections between words and phrases in this data. As a result, Gemini AI can do things like generate text, translate languages, create different types of content, and provide informative answers to questions. How to Use Gemini AI If you have a Google account already, using Gemini is easy. Just go to the website using your internet browser and log in with your Google details. But remember, you need to have a Google account. If you use a Google Workspace account, you might need to switch to your email to try Gemini. Read more: How to Make Money with AI for Beginners and Professionals

Google says it will recalibrate its AI-powered art tool, after it enthusiastically embraced diversity to the point of rewriting history. Gemini bot that generates images based on text prompts, has been churning out illustrations that are as diverse as a United Nations conference, regardless of historical context. Picture this: America’s founding fathers, but not as you know them. Instead, users were surprised to find images populated with a mix of genders and ethnicities, sparking debates about accuracy versus inclusivity. “Gemini’s AI image generation does generate a wide range of people. And that’s generally a good thing because people around the world use it. But it’s missing the mark here,” Jack Krawczyk, senior director for Gemini Experiences, was quoted by BBC. Woke revolution: The latest fad in fashion! This isn’t the first rodeo where AI has tripped over diversity. OpenAI previously faced flak for its Dall-E generator, which seemed to cast CEOs as white men, sparking discussions on stereotypes and bias in AI. This latest AI misadventure comes at a time when Google is eager to showcase its prowess in AI innovation. After the latest version of Gemini was released last week, critics slammed the bot for being overly politically correct, or as some have quipped, “laughably woke”. Debarghya Das, a computer scientist, expressed frustration over Gemini’s reluctance to depict white individuals, highlighting the tool’s overcorrection. Meanwhile, author and humorist Frank J Fleming, known for his work with right-wing PJ Media, shared his disbelief when his request for a Viking image returned results that seemed to prioritize diversity over historical authenticity. Gender Dichotomy: Woketopian Impact on Human Lifestyle The backlash gained traction in conservative circles, adding fuel to ongoing debates about perceived liberal biases in big tech. In response, Krawczyk emphasized Google’s commitment to representation and bias mitigation, promising adjustments to better honour historical context. “Historical contexts have more nuance to them and we will further tune to accommodate that,” he commented on X, encouraging ongoing feedback from users. As Google navigates the tricky waters of AI, representation, and historical fidelity, the saga of Gemini’s diversity-driven missteps serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between technology, culture, and history. The tech giant’s efforts to adjust course highlight the ongoing challenge of balancing inclusivity with accuracy, a journey that continues to evolve based on user feedback and societal expectations. OpenAI CEO warns that 'societal misalignments' could make artificial intelligence dangerous

Google has agreed to settle a $5 billion privacy lawsuit alleging that it spied on people who used the "incognito" mode in its Chrome browser — along with similar "private" modes in other browsers — to track their internet use. Social media companies made over $11 billion in US ad revenue from minors: Harvard study The class-action lawsuit filed in 2020 said Google misled users into believing that it wouldn't track their internet activities while using incognito mode. It argued that Google's advertising technologies and other techniques continued to catalog details of users' site visits and activities despite their use of supposedly "private" browsing. Navigating the Deepfake Dilemma: Understanding and Detecting Digital Deceptions Plaintiffs also charged that Google's activities yielded an "unaccountable trove of information" about users who thought they'd taken steps to protect their privacy. The settlement, reached Thursday, must still be approved by a federal judge. Terms weren't disclosed, but the suit originally sought $5 billion on behalf of users; lawyers for the plaintiffs said they expect to present the court with a final settlement agreement by Feb. 24. Find Bus Routes in Dhaka with 6 Android Apps Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the settlement.

One of the most anticipated Android releases for 2023 has been the Google Pixel 8 lineup. The Pixel series is often considered the best of what Android has to offer since it brings the true stock Android experience. The Pixel 8 Pro was globally released on October 12, 2023. Here’s what’s changed and what’s better in this year’s 8 pro.  Key Features of Google Pixel 8 Pro Design The Pixel 8 Pro is in no way a small phone. At about 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm and 213 g weight, it’s hard to call the 8 Pro a one-handed phone. The classic visor design is carried over from the last generation. This time, the visor has a glossy finish with the glass back having a matte finish. The durable build, flat symmetrical display along with IP68 rating ensures that the 8 Pro has all the standard features of a premium flagship.  Display  Speaking of the display, the 8 Pro features an LTPO OLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate HDR10+ support along with 1600 nits of HBM and 2400 nits of peak brightness. The resolution of the panel stands at 1344 x 2992 pixels with 489 ppi density. The display quality is impeccable as usual. The fluid response along with the minimalist stock android makes it a treat to interact with the display. The flat screen also has been a welcome addition over the 7 Pro’s curved panel.  Read more: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Review: An Incremental Update Nearing Perfection But let’s talk about what most people are excited about, the camera. Pixel phones have forever been known for their camera and post-processing magic. This year, the Pixel 8 Pro takes it a notch further with a higher level of ML and AI integration.  Camera On paper, users will be getting a 50 MP (f/1.7) wide-angle main sensor, a 48 MP (f/2.8) telephoto, and a 48 MP (f/2.0) ultrawide sensor.  Initially, there were some hiccups with the camera but Google has promptly addressed those with a series of software updates. This year, the improvements aren’t really about the picture quality, but rather what the Pixel is capable of in post-processing.  From Magic Eraser, motion capture, and Best Take to completely changing the background using AI, the post-processing feels nothing less than unreal on the 8 Pro.  Beyond that, the pictures themselves are more or less the same as the 7 Pro.  Read more: Honor X8a Review: Is it a value for money smartphone? On the front side 8 pro offers a 10.5MP (f/2.0) selfie shooter. Bothe the front and rear cameras are capable of shooting 4K video footage which is really praiseworthy.

The Google Pixel 7a is the latest addition to the Pixel lineup, released in May 2023; it is already available in the Bangladeshi market from the beginning of June. This mid-range smartphone comes with impressive features, including a 6.1-inch OLED display, a powerful Google Tensor G2 processor, and a 64-megapixel camera. With its high-end specs, the Pixel 7a is a strong contender in the competitive smartphone market. In this review, we will take a closer look at the device's design, performance, camera capabilities, and overall user experience to help you decide if it's the right choice for you. Key Features of Google Pixel 7a Design In a world where all Android phones look similar, you can easily identify a Pixel handset. The Pixel 7a resembles its predecessor, the Pixel 6a. It has a sturdy and durable feel, featuring a metal camera bar and a scratch-resistant display made of "Gorilla Glass 3." Read more: Top 10 Upcoming Smartphones in Bangladesh on June 2023 Weighing about 193.5g the device has dimensions of 5.98 inches by 2.87 inches by 0.35 inches. Pixel 7a is built with an aluminum frame, glass front and plastic back. It also offers IP67 dust/water resistance.  The Pixel 7a is available in various colors: Charcoal, Sea, Snow (white), and Coral (exclusive to the Google Store). These shades are appealing and give off a colorful, futuristic, and refined vibe without appearing flashy or inexpensive.  However, similar to previous Pixel models like the Pixel 6, this new model is somewhat slippery in terms of its design. Therefore, we suggest using a case with a better grip to enhance its handling. Read more: Honor Magic5 Ultimate Review: What’s special about this flagship smartphone? Display The 6.1-inches OLED display on the Pixel 7a doesn't bring a significant change compared to the Pixel 6a. Its resolutions are 1080p by 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio and about 429 ppi density. However, it does offer an important upgrade with a 90Hz refresh rate option in the settings. This aligns it with the refresh rates found on the Pixel 7 and breaks the pattern of Pixel A phones being limited to 60Hz. While this option is disabled by default, enabling it enhances the smoothness of the screen and provides a noticeable improvement, especially for those familiar with high refresh-rate displays. It is a worthwhile upgrade. Apart from the Pixel 7a having a more prominent black border, there isn't a significant distinction in terms of the screen when compared to the Pixel 7. Both screens perform exceptionally well in bright outdoor conditions, delivering sharp detail and vibrant colors. So, most users should not encounter any major problems with this aspect of the phone. Read more: Asus ROG Phone 7 Review: Does it offer value for money? Cameras Google has introduced a new camera module for both front and rear cameras. The Pixel 7a introduces a new 64-megapixel primary camera equipped with a Sony IMX787 sensor. This is the first time an A series phone incorporates a Quad Bayer Type 1/1.73 sensor with a pixel size of 0.8µm. The main camera also features an f/1.9 aperture and optical image stabilization.  Additionally, the phone includes a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera with a 120° field of view and an f/2.2 aperture, utilizing a Sony IMX712 sensor.  As for the front camera, there is a new 13-megapixel sensor with an ultra-wide focal length equivalent to 20mm, which is a fresh addition to the Pixel line. Read more: realme 11 Pro Plus Review: Mid-range phone with flagship features Similar to previous Pixel A series phones, the Pixel 7a does not include a telephoto lens. Instead, it relies on Google's Super Res Zoom technology to enhance cropped photos and prevent pixelation. With Super Res Zoom, you can zoom up to 8x, and there is a convenient 2x shortcut available in the camera app. This is noteworthy because previous Pixel A series phones did not have access to Google's hybrid zoom features.

TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Google, Amazon and other Big Tech companies are facing rising pressure from European authorities as London and Brussels advanced new rules Tuesday to curb the power of digital companies. The U.K. government unveiled draft legislation that would give regulators more power to protect consumers from online scams and fake reviews and boost digital competition. Meanwhile, the European Union was set to release a list of the 19 biggest online platforms and search engines that face extra scrutiny and obligations under the 27-nation bloc's landmark digital rules taking effect later this year. Also Read: TikTok attorney: China can’t get U.S. data under plan The updates help solidify Europe’s reputation as the global leader in efforts to rein in the power of social media companies and other digital platforms. Britain's Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers bill proposes giving watchdogs more teeth to draw down the dominance of tech companies, backed by the threat of fines worth up to 10% of their annual revenue. Under the proposals, online platforms and search engines can be required to give rivals access to their data or be more transparent about how their app stores and marketplaces work. The rules would make it illegal to hire someone to write a fake review or allow the posting of online consumer reviews “without taking reasonable steps" to verify they're genuine. They also would make it easier for consumers get out of online subscriptions. The new rules, which still need go through the legislative process and secure parliamentary approval, would apply only to companies with 25 million pounds in global revenue or 1 billion pounds in U.K. revenue. Also Read: Twitter restores blue tick to high-profile accounts with over 1 million followers Also Tuesday, the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, is set to designate 19 of the biggest online platforms or search engines that will have to take extra steps to clean up illegal content and disinformation and keep users safe online. Violations of the bloc’s new Digital Services Act could result in fines worth up to 6% of a company’s annual global revenue — amounting to billions of dollars — or even a ban on operating in the EU. Google, Twitter, TikTok, Apple, Facebook and Instagram have already disclosed that they have more than 45 million users in Europe, putting them over the bloc's threshold.