Google goes fiber

[DarkyAngel]

Google launches Fiber TV, Samsung doubles up on Apple, and eBay goes after the 18-and-under crowd.

Google goes fiber and Samsung doubles up on Apple: Video here

Google has launched a Fiber TV and Internet service in Kansas City, Mo., as part of a beta test. The service provides customers with 1Gbps broadband speed and fiber television that uses an interactive interface. Now while it may not get you all of your favorite channels, Google is trying to show the cable providers of the world that this is how content should be delivered. Google hopes that the technology will spark the interest of other companies who are using older communication mediums. Those who sign up for the service will get 1TB of Google Drive storage, a DVR that can record up to eight shows at once, and hold 500 hours of programming.

It doesn't end there with the Google news. The latest iOS version of Google Earth is upon us and it features an insane level of 3D maps detail for some major cities, though only newer iOS devices will be able to handle the 3D features.

Samsung has doubled up on Apple, selling more than twice the amount of devices during Q2. It's no secret that this can be attributed to Samsung's popular Galaxy S 3 and the calm before the iPhone 5 storm, but it's worth noting that HTC's, Motorola's, and RIM's sales combined just barely exceeded iPhone sales during the same period of time.

Web-to-TV streamer Roku has successfully ended a round of funding, raising $45 million through News Corp. and British Sky Broadcasting. The money will be used to help promote the Roku brand and enter new markets. Of course it's logical to assume that the sources of the funding will influence content available on Roku products, but there's no word yet on how that will play out.

eBay's president of global markets, Devin Wenig, said that the company plans on allowing children under 18 to create accounts and begin participating in certain auctions. Wenig reassured us that eBay wouldn't just be giving teenagers unfettered access to the site -- thankfully -- and will require all such accounts to be approved and monitored by a parent. This model isn't totally unheard of, though: Facebook has been considering giving kids 13 and older access to its social network.

Sursa