Google publishes detailed maps of North Korea

Google has published detailed maps of North Korea, based on information entered by users via its online Map Maker tool. The maps now include details about the ultra-secretive nation including highways and smaller roads, country borders, parks, schools and features such as an amusement park in Pyongyang, the capital. Most of the areas were blank previously, and the information supplements Google's existing satellite imagery...

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Google embeds indoor Street Views in search results

Google has added indoor Street View results to general searches, allowing you to see if the ambiance of that downtown restaurant matches the online review. Google began mixing indoor business Street Views in search results this week for those companies that have supplied the Google with panoramic interior imagery. The 360-degree tours inside businesses and shops are not actually taken with Google Street View cameras....

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Google adds intelligent voice search to Google TV

Google added intelligent voice search to Google TV Wednesday. Not only can you jump to a channel by saying its name, but the software can also intelligently respond to statements. For example, if you say, "how to tie a bow tie," you will be taken to an instructional video on YouTube explaining how to do that. "Just speak to watch TV shows and movies, start playing a YouTube video, open applications, go to websites,...

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Google access returns to China after brief blocking

Access to Google services in China appeared to return Saturday morning after they were blocked briefly as the country prepares to appoint new leadership. The blocking appeared to last for about 12 hours, with Internet traffic resuming to the sites after 6 a.m. local time, according to Google's Transparency Report, which monitors company's services worldwide. In Beijing, Google was accessible, although loading the sites...

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Most memorable tech industry apologies of 2012: From Apple to Google to Microsoft

Tech vendors have been as bombastic as ever promoting the magical and amazing things their latestsmartphones, cloud computing wares and network gear can do. When things go wrong, they're naturally a little less visible, but plenty of companies have sucked it up and done the right thing this year (perhaps with a little legal prodding here and there) and publicly apologized for minor and major customers inconveniences. Here's...

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