The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Google

  • Banky W’s wedding, Anambra election dominate Google search

    Banky W’s wedding, Anambra election dominate Google search

    Popular Nigerian singer/songwriter, Oluwabankole Wellington, a.k.a Banky W, and actress Adesua Etomi’s wedding dominated the internet search engine Google this week.

    Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Anglophone West Africa, made this known in a dispatch to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

    He said that the Anambra state governorship election also top the chat of the search engine.

    “The highly anticipated wedding of Nigeria’s favourite couple, R&B singer, Bankole Wellington and Nollywood actress, Adesua Etomi was held on Sunday.

    “The couple, who announced their engagement shortly after co-starring in the Wedding Party movie, also held their court wedding on Monday.

    “The video of the court wedding went viral as soon as it was posted on social media by the happy couple.

    “Fans and friends have since taken to Google to search for more photos from the couple’s traditional wedding,’’ Kola-Ogunlade said.

    The Google manager said that Governor Willie Obiano, this week, was declared the winner of the Gubernatorial Election held in Anambra State.

    IPAC, Buhari Congratulates Obiano

    He added that in his acceptance speech, Obiano thanked the citizens of Anambra State for voting despite several instances of election manipulation and over-voting cited by the election officers.

    Kola-Ogunlade said that this led to the cancellation of results in several units.

    Well-wishers also raced to Google to search for more details about the election results.

    Also, the reported death of the former Vice President Alex Ekwueme who died in the early hours of Sunday in a London clinic became a trending topic.

    “The sad news was confirmed by his family in a statement. This followed his family debunking news of his death two weeks earlier.

    “Fans and well wishers raced to Google to confirm the sad news,’’ he said.

    Kola-Ogunlade said that the news of the resignation of the Zimbabwean leader, Robert Mugabe also trended on google.

    “Mid last-week, in what was referred to as a “bloodless transition”, Mugabe was removed from office and placed under house arrest.

    “After almost a week of uncertainty, the 93-year old dictator resigned on Tuesday after nearly four decades in power.

    “His resignation letter was read out at a joint session of the Zimbabwean Parliament in Harare and as celebration continues in Zimbabwe, Nigerians took to Google to confirm Mugabe’s resignation,’’ he said.

    Early this week, news broke of Cyntoia Brown, a 29-year-old victim of sex trafficking, who had been sentenced to life in prison in Nashville, Tennessee,’’ the Google manager said.

    He added that she was sentenced for shooting her abuser after being forced into prostitution at the age of 16.

    “Brown, who has already served nearly 13 years in prison, will be eligible for parole after serving 51 years behind bars.

    “This sentence has drawn outrage from celebrities such as Kim Kardashian West and Rihanna, who has began a social media protest with the Free Cyntoia Brown.

    “Nigerians raced to Google to read more about Brown’s story, making her name a top trending search term,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that Google Trends launched in May, 2006, allows one to see how popular, search terms and its demography have been over time on Google.

  • Google collects Android users’ locations even when devices are disabled

    Google collects Android users’ locations even when devices are disabled

    Google admits to collecting Android users’ locations even when devices are disabled, a Quartz investigation reported on Thursday.

    “It seems quite intrusive for Google to be collecting such information that is only relevant to carrier networks when there are no SIM card or enabled services,’’ Matthew Hickey, a security expert and researcher, told media in London.

    Since the beginning of 2017, Android phones have been collecting the addresses of nearby cellular towers and sending the data to Google’s system, according to a Google spokesperson.

    Read: Turning Android smartphone into desktop PC

    Therefore Google has access to data about individuals’ locations and movements, even when their phones are turned off or disconnected from the Internet, which violates the privacy of smartphone users.

    The spokesperson said the collected data was never used or stored and promised that by the end of November, Android phones would no longer send cellular tower location data to Google.

     

    Read Also: Five new things you can do with Google

  • AFRIMA, Nigeria / Argentina match dominate Google search

    AFRIMA, Nigeria / Argentina match dominate Google search

    Sunday’s All African Music Award ( AFRIMA ) and the Nigeria/Argentina football match dominated searches on the internet search engine, Google, this week.

    Google’s Spokesman, Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, made this known in a dispatch on Thursday in Lagos.

    “Fans celebrated Nigeria’s  4-2 win against Argentina at the FIFA 2018 World Cup grade one friendly match held in Krasnodar, Russia, on Tuesday.

    “The win takes Super Eagle’s Senior Coach, Gernot Rohr’s impressive record to seven wins, three draws and a defeat since he took charge of the team in September 2016.

    “Excited fans raced to Google to search for more details about the match,’’ he said.

    The Google manager noted that, in the world of entertainment, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly called Wizkid, won three awards at the 2017 AFRIMA held in Lagos.

    He added that the pop star took home the awards for Artiste of the Year for his song “Come Closer’’, Song of the Year for the same song, and Best Male Artiste in Western Africa.

    He said that excited fans raced to Google to get more information about the awards.

    Kola-Ogunlade added that Nigerian singing sensation, Augustine Miles Kelechi, popularly known with his stage name, Tekno, had released a new single entitled “Mama”.

    “The Afro-pop singer featured Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (Wizkid) in the single.

    “The two, who were reportedly at loggerheads over some social media comments, have put aside their differences to make good music.

    “Fans of both singers went on Google to get more information about the new single,’’ he said.

    He said that the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics ( ASUP ) planned nationwide strike due to the Federal Government’s inability to fulfill an outstanding agreement with the union, also got attention online.

    “Concerned students raced to Google to read more about the impending strike,’’ he said.

    Kola-Ogunlade said that the reported removal of the Zimbabwean Leader, Robert Mugabe, from office in what was called a “bloodless transition,” got people’s attention online.

    “This brings an end to President Mugabe’s 37-year rule of the Republic of Zimbabwe. Concerned Africans raced to Google to get updates about the situation,’’ he said.

    Google Trends launched in May, 2006, allows one to see how popular search terms and their demography have been overtime on Google.

    NAN

  • Google maps save Nigerians time, ₦190billion

    Google maps save Nigerians time, ₦190billion

    Maps and Street View from Google, American multinational technology company, is positively impacting geospatial services in Nigeria, a report has revealed.

    Launching the report conducted by a research group, Alpha Beta, on the economic impact of geospatial services in Nigeria, Google noted that its tools like Maps and Street view are making positive economic contributions around the globe to employment, emergency responses and time management.

    The report reveals that digital maps reduce travel time in Nigeria by an average of 8%, saving some ₦190 billion (US $748 million) based on local wages. Similarly, among Nigerians, digital maps are valued at ₦22,131.00 annually – translating into ₦1781 billion per year for all users.

    At the launch in Abuja, Titi Akinsanmi, Google Policy and Government Relations Manager said: “We worked with Alpha Beta to support a study that quantifies the economic impact of the geospatial technology, looking at the benefits and value geospatial technology brings to consumers, businesses and society.

    “Digital Maps have become powerful tools for policymakers to ensure the safety of their citizens, and for companies and consumers to save time and money when managing their daily affairs. And their benefits are far bigger than people may think. We discovered that geospatial services not only make life easier — by helping people turn their intentions of finding a place into actions of getting there – but also support the global economy by creating tangible benefits for businesses and consumers.”

    According to the report, about 86% of the online population in Nigeria use digital maps and geo-enabled apps for various reasons but, most especially for education and social networking. The report also shows that geospatial services could have a significant productivity impact in sectors that can grow the Gross Domestic Product in the country. At the launch of the report in Abuja, Google also shared its journey of Maps in Nigeria. The company has worked with Nigerians since 2012 to add thousands of roads, landmarks, and businesses throughout the country to Maps.

    In 2013, Google introduced Turn-by-Turn navigation in Nigeria for users using Google Maps for Mobile
    In 2014 Real-Time Transit information on the LAGBUS was launched to help people in Lagos access bus times on BRT routes.
    In 2015 real-time traffic updates was introduced, as a way to help people better navigate busy traffic conditions.
    In July 2017 Google announced the launch of Street View in Nigeria making imagery of about 10,000 kilometers of roads in Lagos available to people in Nigeria and around the world.

    Speaking at the launch, Titi Akinsanmi, Google Policy and Government Relations Manager said, “We worked with AlphaBeta to support a study that quantifies the economic impact of the geospatial technology, looking at the benefits and value geospatial technology brings to consumers, businesses, and society.

    “Digital Maps have become powerful tools for policymakers to ensure the safety of their citizens, and for companies and consumers to save time and money when managing their daily affairs. And their benefits are far bigger than people may think. We discovered that geospatial services not only make life easier — by helping people turn their intentions of finding a place into actions of getting there – but also support the global economy by creating tangible benefits for businesses and consumers,” she says.

    Each month, more than 1 billion people use Google Maps to find, discover and explore their world. Nearly one-third of all mobile searches are related to location, and location-related mobile searches are growing by 50% faster than all mobile searches.

  • Review of Freetel ice 2, most affordable smartphone

    Review of Freetel ice 2, most affordable smartphone

    The Freetel Ice 2 is undeniably a low budget smartphone that is able to give the feels of a high-end smartphone without attracting public glare to it due to its plastic chassis.

    Running on Android 7.0 (Nougat) revolution with a 4.0-inch IPS display that packs a quad-core processor and 1GB RAM, the device may favourably compete and probably beat your alternative smartphone with its multi-user function.

    On this feature, up to four users can have an account on the device at a time as well as a guest account which gives the owner a large space for privacy. Every user, like on the computer, can set up personal security, download desired Apps, etcetera. However, the owner has the right to uninstall any App.

    Interestingly for example, as the owner, you permit users or the guest permissions to make calls. Which means you can hand the device over easily to that friend who likes to use people’s airtime, knowing that you are covered.

    The Freetel Ice 2 is one device that aims to break the barrier of economic reasons for not enjoying the smartphone life. In Nigeria, it sells for about #13,000 which is equivalent to the price of some Java phones. It can also split screen being an Android 7.0 (Nougat) device.

    With the meagre 2MP rear camera available, Freetel Ice 2 can produce passable images. Meanwhile, with a better light, it can give even better results. It has LED flash and autofocus, too. And the VGA (0.3MP) front camera produces selfies that are better than known.

    The device has a 8GB Storage, which is expandable up to 32GB memory card, 3G Internet and a 1350 mAh Battery which keeps you going all day. It offers dual micro SIM card slots. You get Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with Wi-Fi Direct and hotspot for wireless connectivity.

    That the device is a low budget phone with impressive features means users should be careful not to demand even more than it can already offer. It is available across leading online stores in Nigeria.

  • 272 birthday of Ex-Nigerian slave Olaudah Equiano dominates Google search

    272 birthday of Ex-Nigerian slave Olaudah Equiano dominates Google search

    The engaging story of Olaudah Equiano, the Igbo slave man, who played a leading role in the abolition of slave trade after becoming free 270 years ago, dominated searches on Google this week.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoting Google’s spokesman Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, reports that hundreds of Nigerians took to the internet search engine to know more about Equiano.

    Kola-Ogunlade said that apart from the Equiano narrative, international sports and celebrity news also dominated Google searches.

    “Equiano’s autobiography: ‘The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano’, played a crucial role in alerting the 18th-century slave traders to end the suffering endured by slaves.

    “Google celebrated Equiano’s achievement with a Google Doodle, which made Nigerian users to race to Google to read more about the history behind the Doodle.”

    The spokesman said that in the world of sports, the newly transferred English player, Jadon Sancho, was reported to have displayed some impressive moves that helped secure a win for his club.

    Kola-Ogunlade recalled that the march ended  2-0 between Borussia Dortmund and Apoel Nicosia at the ongoing UEFA Youth League in India on Oct. 17.

    He said that Sancho, who was a former Manchester City youth player, had been recalled by Dortmund from England’s ongoing Under-17.

    “Excited fans raced to Google to search for more details about the ongoing UEFA Youth League matches,’’ the spokesman said.

    The manager said further that the British actress and Game of Thrones, star Sophie Turner, was reported to be engaged to singer Joe Jonas.

    He said that the couple announced their engagement on October 15 via Instagram by posting the picture of Sophie’s engagement.

    “Excited fans raced to Google search for photos of the ring and read more about the couple.

    “Fans have expressed disappointment at Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to Watford last Saturday at Vicarage Road, Watford,’’ Kola-Ogunlade said.

    He said the loss put the club nine points behind Manchester City in the ongoing Premier League.

    According to him, displeased fans raced to Google to search for more information about the match.

    Google Trends launched in May 2006, allows one to see how popular, search terms and its demography have been over time on Google.

  • Google celebrates 272th birthday of Nigerian slave

    Google celebrates 272th birthday of Nigerian slave

    Today, Google celebrates the 272nd birthday of Olaudah Equiano, a freed slave of Igbo extraction in Nigeria, who supported the British movement to end the slave trade

    Popularly known in his lifetime as Gustavus Vassa, Olaudah was enslaved as a child.

    After his freedom, his autobiography, which was published in 1789, helped in the creation of the Slave Trade Act 1807 which ended the African slave trade for Britain and its colonies

    Equiano was a prominent Nigerian Writer, Activist and a trader who died on 31 March 1979. Although his gravesite is unknown till today. Equiano’s death was recognized in American as well as British newspapers.

    Google celebrates Slave Equiano
    Nigerian Slave Equiano

    He gave the world one of its first accounts of the trade from a victim’s perspective.

    Equiano formed an Anti-slave movement in 1780s that shed light on the tragic life of slaves, he settled in London, where in the 1780s he became involved in the abolitionist movement.

    The movement to end the slave trade had been particularly strong among Quakers, but the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade was founded in 1787 as a non-denominational group, with Anglican members, in order to directly influence the.

    At the time, Quakers were prohibited from being elected as MPs. Equiano had become a Methodist, having been influenced by George Whitefield’s evangelism in the New World.

    Equiano had a stressful life; he had suffered suicidal thoughts before he became a Protestant Christian and found peace in his faith.

    After settling in London, Equiano married an English woman named Susannah Cullen in 1792 and they had two daughters.

    Plaques commemorating his life have been placed at buildings where he lived in London. Since the late 20th century, when his autobiography was published in a new edition, he has been increasingly studied by a range of scholars, including many from his homeland.

  • New things you can do with Google

    Google specifically builds its platforms and products to be globally relevant. Users in Nigeria also have access to these products, which will help them access information with ease. Here are five cool things you can do with Google that you probably didn’t know about.

    • Chat or send SMS in any language…including in Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa

    Like most Nigerians, then you probably have a grandma, uncle or family member that prefers to read messages in Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa. Google translate has now made it easy to communicate in any languages and more?

    The next time you need to type a message on SMS, Whatsapp or any other messaging app, simply click on the Google logo on your keyboard, and click on the translate icon and let Gboard do the translation for you.

    Gboard is a new keyboard from Google for your Android or iPhone and it has all the things you would expect from a great keyboard — GIFs, emojis, and Glide Typing — plus Google Search built in. No more app switching; just search and send, right from your keyboard.

    • Find information on Health Conditions

    Remember the last time you searched on Google for health information? Maybe a co-worker shook your hand and later found out she had pink eye, so you looked up “pink eye” to see whether it’s contagious.

    Or maybe you were worried about a loved one down with malaria. By simply typing in ‘Malaria’, Google will show display health panels with information on malaria symptoms and treatments. Google has health knowledge panels available for over 800 common diseases and ailments. This is now accessible to Nigerians and Google has partnered with the University of Ibadan to ensure that answers are reviewed by Nigerian doctors.

    • Get a list and times for movies showing at the cinema near you

    When it’s Friday and you want to spend the evening watching a movie with that special someone, the challenge is you don’t know what movies are showing at the cinema. No problem. Just ask Google. How? Just type ‘what movies are showing at the Ikeja mall’ into Google, and Google will give a list of movies showing at Ikeja mall, plus the times those movies are showing.

  • Five new things you can do with Google

    Five new things you can do with Google

    Google specifically builds its platforms and products to be globally relevant. Users in Nigeria also have access to these products, which will help them access information with ease. Here are 5 cool things you can do with Google that you probably didn’t know about.

    1. Chat or send SMS in any language…including in Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa

    If you are like most Nigerians, then you probably have a grandma, uncle or family member that prefers to read messages in either Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa. Did you know that Google can help you communicate with them in these languages and more? The next time you need to type a message on SMS, Whatsapp or any other messaging app, simply click on the Google  logo on your keyboard, and click on the translate icon and let Gboard do the translation for you.

    Gboard is a new keyboard from Google for your Android or iPhone and It has all the things you would expect from a great keyboard — GIFs, emojis, and Glide Typing — plus Google Search built in. No more app switching; just search and send, right from your keyboard.

    If Gboard isn’t installed on your phone, you can download it from the Apple store or the Android Play store.

    1. Find information on Health Conditions

    Remember the last time you searched on Google for health information? Maybe a co-worker shook your hand and later found out she had pink eye, so you looked up “pink eye” to see whether it’s contagious. Or maybe you were worried about a loved one down with malaria. By simply typing in ‘Malaria’, Google will show you health panels with information on malaria symptoms and treatments. Google has health knowledge panels available for over 800 common diseases and ailments. This is now accessible to Nigerians and Google has partnered with the University of Ibadan to ensure that answers are reviewed by Nigerian doctors.

    1. Get a list and times for movies showing at the cinema near you

    When it’s Friday and you want to spend the evening watching a movie with that special someone. Challenge is you don’t know what movies are showing at the cinema. No problem. Just ask Google. How? Just type ‘what movies are showing at the Ikeja mall’ into Google, and Google will give a list of movies showing at Ikeja mall, plus the times those movies are showing. And if you are in Ikeja, simple check for the movies showing at the cinema close to you. It works the same way. But hey, don’t take my word for it, try it out yourself!

    1. Find information on Nollywood movies

    Interested in finding out information about that Nollywood movies? No problem with that. Make Google do the selection for you, type the name of the ‘nollywood movie into search and let Google give you all the information, including the actors. Easy peasy!

     

    1. Get more details on what your favourite musician, movie or sport star is up to

    With Posts on Google, entertainers and businesses can share visible updates directly to Google. This means you get your favourite star’s live update alongside your search results when you Google them.

    Google announced the availability of Google Posts in Nigeria at Google for Nigeria, on 27 July.

    Posts makes it possible for musicians, entertainers and other public figures to share updates, images and videos directly on Google, for people to see while they explore on the web. Nigeria is the third country where we’ve made this feature available and some of the country’s popular musicians are already using it.

    Posts has been available for limited use since January 2016, initially only for US Presidents, then for some businesses, and, from March 2017, for all businesses that use Google My Business (except hotels & B&Bs), public figures, celebrities and things like movies, museums and sports teams. It is available in the US, Brazil and Nigeria.

    Google Posts allow businesses and individuals to create posts that show up in the knowledge panel on Google Search and Google Maps. So, for example, if you search for the Nigerian music star Bez, you may see something like the image attached beneath this subheader.

    NOTE: Posts expire after a week, unless they are event-based, in which case they expire after the event date.

  • Google announces introduction of five more products

    Google announces introduction of five more products

    Google has announced introduction of  five additional products that would enable internet users to access information with ease.

    Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Anglophone West Africa, made this known in an interactive session with some internet users including journalists in Lagos on Friday.

    Kola-Ogunlade listed the products to include Gboard, Health Knowledge Panel, Movie Showtime, entertainment Archive and Google Post.

    He advised internet users to take advantage of the products for more relevance.

    According to him, Google built its platforms and products to be globally relevant.

    He said that Google introduced Gboard in July to enable sending of messages in dialects including Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa.

    He described Gboard as a new keyboard from Google for Android or iPhone.

    “If you are like most Nigerians, then you probably have a grandma, uncle or family member that prefers to read messages in Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa.

    “The next time you need to type a message on SMS, Whatsapp or any other messaging app, simply click on the Google ‘G’ logo on your keyboard and click on translation and let Gboard do the translation for you.

    “No more app switching; just search and send, right from your keyboard. If Gboard is not installed on your phone, you can download it from the Apple store or the Android play store,” he said.

    According to the manager, Google introduced the health knowledge panel in the realisation that 20 per cent of searches on it are health-related.

    He said that the panel covers up to 800 health conditions.

    “You may be worried about a loved one down with malaria. By simply typing ‘Malaria’, Google will show you a health panel with information on malaria symptoms and treatments.

    “Google’s health knowledge panels is now accessible to Nigerians and Google has partnered with the University of Ibadan to ensure that answers are reviewed by Nigerian doctors,” he said.

    Kola-Ogunlade said that the Google Movie Showtime would enable an internet user to get a list and times for movies showing at a nearby cinema.

    “Just type ‘whatmovies are showing at the Ikeja Mall’ into Google, and Google will give a list of movies showing at Ikeja Mall plus the time those movies are showing,” he said.

    He added that Google was archiving and getting Nollywood films so that local contents would  show on the Google search.

    “Simply type the name of the ‘Nollywood movie into search and let Google give you all the information, including the actors,” he said.

    According to the manager, Google Post will get more details of what a favourite musician, movie or sports star is up to.

    “With Posts on Google, entertainers and businesses can share visible updates directly to Google.

    “This means you get your favourite star’s live update alongside your search results when you Google them.

    He said that Google announced the availability of Google Posts in Nigeria at Google for Nigeria on July 27, noting that Nigeria was the third country where the feature was made available.

    “Some of the country’s popular musicians are already using it. Posts had been available for limited use since January 2016.

    “Google Posts allow businesses and individuals to create posts that show up in the knowledge panel on Google Search and Google Maps.

    “Posts expire after a week, unless they are event-based, in which case, they expire after the event date,” he said.