Search engine giant Google has dished out the stand-alone version of its popular Gmail email client for the Android mobile phone OS, already available for download from the Android Market.

Initially, Gmail came integrated with the Android OS and used to get updates every time Google released a new Android version.

However, as a stand-alone app, Gmail on Android will be able to get key functionality updates more frequently than before. With the release of the new Gmail app, Google has also added Priority Inbox.

In a blog post made on the official Google Mobile blog, the company informed that the new Gmail for Android application will be able to run only on Android 2.2 Froyo or better.

Simon Arscott, a member of the Gmail for Android team, explained in the blog post that “As you scroll through a conversation, your most important message actions will now stick to the top of the screen, one click away, no matter how long the email is.”

Originally published on ITProPortal.com

Google Inc. is negotiating with big Hollywood film production houses for a YouTube pay-per-view service which would feature the latest blockbuster Hollywood flicks.

Right after Google announced the addition of a new section, Movies, on its popular video streaming service YouTube, the search engine giant is now said to be in talks with big movie production houses to offer their hit films as a paying service and a concerted effort to monetise YouTube.

“Google and YouTube are a global phenomenon with a hell of a lot of eyeballs – more than any cable or satellite service. They’ve talked about how many people they could steer to this . . . it’s a huge number.” a representative of Google told Financial Times.

The service, which will be first launched in the USA, has induced enthusiasm in the entire industry, as international studios have been seeking an appropriate escape from the dwindling DVD venture, that has been on a gradual decline over the years.

Google will be facing stiff competition from the likes of Netflix and Hulu, both of which are proposing slightly different solutions to the issue of consuming content online.

Originally published on ITProPortal.com

Search engine giant Google has extended its content licensing deal with The Associated Press to continue publishing articles on its Google News service.

The deal comes after months of negotiation between the two sides on revenue sharing and will ensure that Googlers continue to read AP content on the platform.

In a blogpost, Josh Cohen, a senior business product manager at Google, wrote that “We look forward to future collaborations, including on ways Google and AP can work together to create a better user experience and new revenue opportunities.”

Meanwhile, the terms of the deal were not disclosed and both did not elaborate on the revenue sharing policies of the new deal.

AP, which started hosting news content on Google back in 2007, said that the renewed partnership will allow them to come up with new ways to improve content discovery and distribution for users.

Other news providers that host content on Google News include Agence France-Presse, UK Press Association and the Canadian Press.

Search engine giant Google has celebrated the birthday of popular British author Mary Shelley in its own special way, by dedicating a Doodle to Frankenstein’s creator.

Google Doodle has creatively designed Google logos which are displayed to represent notable occasions from time to time, including quite a few for Sci-Fi authors like HG Wells.

However, Mary Shelley’s doodle has been dubbed as the creepiest Google Doodle ever, with the traditional multicoloured Google logo replaced by an image of a worn-down room containing a series of scary looking paintings and a shadow of a ghostly figure.

Once the users placed their cursors on the image, a banner announcing Mary Shelley’s 213th birthday appears.

Shelley – who died at the age of 53 after long suffering from a brain tumour – is considered to be one of the earliest pioneers of Gothic, Romantic and Sci-Fi fiction style of writing.

Born in 1797, she is the author of the 1818 novel “Frankenstein”, which depicts the story of a scientist who creates a mechanical monster in the image of man.

Originally published on ITProPortal.com

The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has ordered a second anti-trust inquiry into Google’s plan to take over web-based travel services technology ITA Software.

The inquiry. which is to be conducted by the US federal authorities, is regarding the projected market consolidation and displacement of other related businesses, small and big, following Google’s announcement to integrate travel services directly into its search results page, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

“We know that closer scrutiny has been one consequence of Google’s success, and we said that we wouldn’t be surprised if there were a regulatory review before the deal closes,” said Andrew Silverman, a Google senior product manager in a blog post.

Started by computer researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, ITA Software provides technology for airline reservation system, and has a headcount of more than 500 employees.

The deal, which will allow Google to enable its users search for flights, find fare within their budget and block tickets, is expected to impose a serious threat to other online travel experts such as Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz.

Originally published on ITProPortal.com

Google’s Street View is used by 34 per cent of Brits to spy on celebrities, a new survey conducted by the Central Scotland Joinery has revealed.

The Central Scotland Joinery revealed that Playboy boss Hugh Hefner’s mansion, Apple CEO Steve Job’s home and the Beckham’s Beckingham Palace are among the celebrity residences most spied on by Brits with the White House topping the list with 19 per cent Brits searching for it on Street View.

Around 23 per cent of Brits looking for the Playboy Mansion admitted to looking for a glimpse of a Playboy Bunny.

Almost 16 per cent of Britons used Google Street View service to spy on their ex’s house, while 47 per cent were used the service to look-up their childhood homes.

Jamie Haston, managing director of Central Scotland Joinery, said in a statement: “I wasn’t too surprised to discover that 19 per cent of the people we asked have had a nose at the White House, it is beautiful building. However, I don’t encourage people ‘stalking’ celebrities via Google. No one wants to end up in court after all!”

Originally published on ITProPortal.com