Official Google Canada Blog: October 2017

Making search results more local and relevant

Friday, October 27, 2017

When you’re searching on Google, we aim to provide the most useful results for your query. Today, around one in five searches on Google is related to location, so providing locally relevant search results is an essential part of serving you the most accurate information.
In order to provide this optimal experience, your location determines the country service you receive results for
across Google Search and Maps. Historically, these services have been labeled and accessed via
country code top level domain names (ccTLD) such as [google.ng for Nigeria] or [google.com.br for Brazil].
You may also have typed in the relevant ccTLD in your browser.
Today, we’ve updated the way we label country services on the mobile web, the Google app for iOS, and desktop
Search and Maps. Now the choice of country service will no longer be indicated by domain. Instead, by default,
you’ll be served the country service that corresponds to your location. So if you live in Australia, you’ll automatically
receive the country service for Australia, but when you travel to New Zealand, your results will switch automatically
to the country service for New Zealand. Upon return to Australia, you will seamlessly revert back to the Australian
country service.

If for some reason you don't see the right country when you're browsing, you can still go into settings and select
the correct country service you want to receive. Typing the relevant ccTLD in your browser will no longer bring you
to the various country services—this preference should be managed directly in settings. In addition, at the bottom
of the search results page, you can clearly see which country service you are currently using.

It’s important to note that while this update will change the way Google Search and Maps services are labeled, it
won’t affect the way these products work, nor will it change how we handle obligations under national law. This
update will help ensure that you get the most relevant results based on your location and is consistent with how
Google already manages our services across a number of our other platforms, including YouTube, Blogger, Google
Earth and Gmail, among others. We’re confident this change will improve your Search experience, automatically providing you with the most useful information based on your search query and other context, including location.
Evelyn Kao, Product Manager

Chromebooks are at the head of the class in Canada's K-12 schools

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Author: Bram Bout, Director, Google for Education
Summary: Chromebooks are now the top-selling device to schools in Canada.
Around the world, education has undergone a technological revolution. Cloud-connected devices and learning applications are shaping new ways of teaching and learning. Across Canada, school districts are using Chromebooks and G Suite for Education to expand learning opportunities for students from diverse communities and backgrounds. And now, Futuresource has reported that Chromebooks are the number-one-selling educational device for Canadian K12 schools. With this news, Canada joins the U.S., Sweden, and New Zealand, where Chromebooks are also the top devices used in classrooms. Futuresource Associate Director Mike Fisher says that the offering of Chromebooks, combined with productivity tools and a management console for IT staff, means that “a growing number of schools are turning to Google when bringing technology into the classroom.”

Here are a few examples of how districts across Canada are using Google’s educational tools:
Giving schools more choice and flexibility
Toronto District School Board, the largest district in Canada, leaves technology purchases up to individual schools. Chromebook usage has soared across the district to 20,000 devices since the first pilot purchases in early 2015. “Hundreds of schools are purchasing Chromebooks out of local school technology budgets,” says Kevin Bradbeer, the school board’s senior manager of client relations. “We're seeing grassroots decisions to choose this platform over three or four other choices.”
Both students and teachers appreciate the quickness of Chromebooks. Bradbeer says students power up their Chromebooks in seconds, so they can get right to work in class. Canada photo #1.JPG

Students collaborating on Chromebooks at an elementary-junior high school in Edmonton. Affordable devices that bring powerful computing to all students
The Upper Grand School District Board, in Guelph, Ontario, purchased 4,000 Chromebooks in 2013 for special-education students, but found that other students consistently borrowed the Chromebooks to bring into their classrooms. Bill Mackenzie, an Upper Grand information and communication technology consultant says that special-needs students are the “tip of the spear for technology, because if it helps them, it will help everybody.” The district now has 15,000 Chromebooks, about one for every two students, and the number continues to increase. Edmonton Public Schools has nearly 100,000 students. About 25% of students are immigrants or refugees and part of the district’s diverse English Language Learner population. “Equity of access to technology is a challenge, for sure,” says Terry Korte, a supervisor in District Technology. “We try to avoid the fads and stick with the things that make the biggest difference for teachers and their students.” Chromebooks have helped to make that difference in Edmonton since 2012. The large Alberta district now has over 46,000 Chromebooks, which was the school’s catalyst for moving into the cloud and using G Suite for Education. “Our goal is to have technology in the hands of students when and where they need it,” Korte adds.
Easy access to a world of apps and content
From a teacher’s perspective, Chromebooks help students learn more effectively by giving them access to a world of educational content. “Chromebooks are inherently networked, so students can find their own way to learn specific concepts online,” says Lance Pedersen, a computer and technology studies teacher at Alberta’s McNally School.
At Edmonton’s Queen Elizabeth School, educators take advantage of the myriad of learning opportunities that Chromebooks and G Suite for Education provide, whether they’re teaching French or guitar.
Canada photo #2 (1).JPG

Students at an Edmonton elementary-junior high school code with Makey Makey on Chromebooks
These Canadian districts all cite the similar advantages that make Chromebooks and G Suite for Education the top choice for classrooms across the country. “When it comes to cost, performance, and reliability,” Toronto’s Bradbeer says, “Chromebooks really are in the sweet spot of all three.”

The best hardware, software and AI—together

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

introducedWhy Google? outlinedGboardand hardwareHardware, built from the inside out

The Pixel 2 has the best camera of any smartphone, again, along with a gorgeous display and augmented reality capabilities. Pixel owners get unlimited storage for their photos and videos, and an exclusive preview of Google Lens, which uses AI to give you helpful information about the things around you.

Google Home Mini brings the Assistant to more places throughout your home, with a beautiful design that fits anywhere. And Max, which is coming later to Canada, is our biggest and best-sounding Google Home device, powered by the Assistant. And with AI-based Smart Sound, Max has the ability to adapt your audio experience to you—your environment, context, and preferences.

With Pixelbook, we’ve reimagined the laptop as a high-performance Chromebook, with a versatile form factor that works the way you do. It’s the first laptop with the Assistant built in, and the Pixelbook Pen makes the whole experience even smarter.

Our new Pixel Buds combine Google smarts and the best digital sound. You’ll get elegant touch controls that put the Assistant just a tap away, and they’ll even help you communicate in a different language.

The updated Daydream View is the best mobile virtual reality (VR) headset on the market, and the simplest, most comfortable VR experience.

Assistant, everywhere the Google AssistantAvailabilityThe Google Store

Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are available for pre-order today, starting at $899, on The Google Store, Bell, Best Buy Canada, Fido, Freedom Mobile, Koodo, Rogers, The Source, TELUS, Tbooth wireless, Walmart, WIRELESSWAVE, Videotron, and Virgin.

Pixel Buds will be available later this year for $219 on The Google Store and Best Buy Canada.

Pixelbook is available in three configurations starting at $1299, so you can choose the processing power, memory and storage you want. The Pixelbook Pen is $129. Both will be available for pre-order today in Canada, with the exception of Quebec, and on sale at The Google Store and select retailers, including Best Buy Canada. We’re working to bring Pixelbook to Quebec in the future.

Google Home Mini is available for pre-order today for $79 on The Google Store, Best Buy Canada and select retailers.

The new Google Daydream View is available for pre-order today for $139 on The Google Store and select retailers.

Official Canada Blog

Making search results more local and relevant

Chromebooks are at the head of the class in Canada's K-12 schools

The best hardware, software and AI—together

Labels

Archive

Feed