An updated version of Google Maps for desktop is in the works and it managed to leak out before its official release, most probably at the Google I/O keynote today. The updated Maps was live for a short time and was pulled down later.

Among the list of new features is a map that adapts to your searches. The map learns from your past searches and provides a custom map for you based on your search history, highlighting places you might be interested in. The more you use, the better the suggestions will be. Read more »

It seems Spotify is going to have some tough competition soon. According to The Verge, Google is all set to unveil its own music streaming service today at the Google I/O event.

According to their sources, Google has already signed deals with two of the biggest music labels in the industry, Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment. Google had also reportedly struck a deal with Warner Music Group earlier this year. This means that they have sizable content to kick off the service. Read more »

In its continuing quest to streamline its online services, Google brought three of its most popular goodies under the same roof. In its official Gmail blog, the search giant announced that, beginning over the next couple of weeks, Gmail, Google Drive, and Google+ will merge into the same 15GB pool of shared cloud storage.

The move by Google, allows users to allocate their available storage any way they like between the three services. An updated Google Drive storage page will be updated to show the usage of the storage space. Read more »

In an important update to the Translate service today, Google has reached the 70 language milestone by adding 5 more: Bosnian, Cebuano, Hmong, Javanese, Marathi.

Google estimates that more than 183 million people around the world speak the five languages combined, so the update is actually quite important. Read more »

Thanks to a couple of screenshots that leak-focused Google Operating System blog got hold of, we can now take a glimpse of what the redesigned Maps service will looks like.

The Maps design refresh is in line with Google’s new design language that we first saw in Google Now. Evidently, the left sidebar is now gone and is replaced with cards that show different pieces of information and navigation options. Read more »

Viber has just been outed for Windows and Mac PC’s, bringing the popular cross-platform VoIP service to desktops.

If you’re looking for an alternative to Skype, Viber now gives users the ability to place calls not only to other mobile users, but also to desktops. Read more »

Adobe announced a major change to its range of Creative Suite of applications, which consists of Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver and Premier Pro. Starting with the next update for these applications, which will be released on June 17, these applications will be classified under the Creative Cloud brand.

But that’s not all. Adobe is also shifting to a subscription model for its apps, which means instead of paying full price for them upfront, you will now have to pay either a yearly or monthly fee for using them. Read more »

After announcing the service last month and releasing an app for Android, Google has now released a web app for Google Chrome.

The Chrome Google Keep app can be downloaded from the Chrome Web Store and works like any other Chrome app. Once installed you will see the icon on your homepage and clicking it will launch the Keep pop up window. From here you can create new notes and manage existing ones. Read more »

Facebook has a launched a new password security option called Trusted Contacts. The latest security option allows you to select few of your trusted friends, who will help you retrieve the password if you are unable to access your Facebook account.

If you set up the Trusted Contacts option in your account, the selected friends will be provided with security codes, which will allow you to access your profile in case you are locked out of your account. Read more »

Microsoft has successfully completed its Hotmail to Outlook upgrade. The company has managed to move 150 petabytes of email data in just over 6 weeks.

Microsoft’s email service currently consists of more than 400 million active accounts. Along with the upgrade, the service also comes with new features, which include SMTP send and improved SkyDrive integration. Read more »

Google finally delivered its Google Now service to iOS. First there was a leaked video then Erik Schmidt vaguely told people to ask Apple when to expect Google Now on iOS. And yet here we are – using it on iOS already.

Coming from an Android device you’ll immediately recognize Google Now. The design scheme is left unchanged with simplistic UI elements, clean tile-like cards of information, the font, etc. but there is also an unmistakable iOS feel to the app which users might appreciate. Read more »

Verizon has officially announced that it will be providing cloud storage services for its customers. The service is going to be called Verizon Cloud and will allow you to backup music, documents, texts, call logs, pictures and videos on the cloud.

Verizon offers 500 MB of free storage space for its users, which can be upgraded to 25 GB package at a cost of $3 per month or to 75 GB for $5.99 a month. The pro package includes 125 GB of storage and costs you $10 a month. Read more »

Microsoft has finally integrated its Skype service with the recently updated Outlook.com website. This will allow users to make video calls from the website without having to install the client on their computers.

To enable this functionality, you will first have to install a plugin for your browser. After that, it works pretty much the same as Skype does on your desktop client. You can hover over your contact names and use the video call option to initiate a Skype call right within the browser. You can make voice as well as video calls or just send messages. Read more »

Google Now is now available on iOS as a free update for the popular Google Search app. The iOS app recognizes voice and actually looks hotter than its Android peer (the cards have a nice CoverFlow-like view), but can’t quite match the functionality of the Google OS version.

For example you can’t interact with the iOS – you can’t invoke a call or a navigation route, you can’t setup an alarm, do a text a message or a note, etc. Also, Google Now on iOS doesn’t speak. Read more »

Google is proposing an agreement to the European Commission which will have it provide search results from rivals like Bing and Yahoo! more prominently.

This is in light of a preliminary conclusion made by the Commission that several of Google’s business practices could be in violation of the EU’s antitrust rules. Read more »