Skip to main content
 

Grow with Arcs

2 openings on the Arcs team - one Android-ish, one Cloud-ish. Come work with me and the rest of the Arcs team in SFO...

https://grow.googleplex.com/jobs/e8f3fd1f-59d5-4bfe-9a95-0fb706947891
https://grow.googleplex.com/jobs/bb80a320-2a69-4236-8618-21f5799a8b15
The http://go/arcs is part of the http://go/cerebra team in Google AI. Arcs is an early stage project creating a new open ecosystem for privacy-preserving, AI-first computing. In this vision the user owns their data, software comes to the device and runs on the data locally, and data egress is carefully managed. The user has a Personal Cloud server that acts as a secure, reliable data repository while also acting as another device with greater resources (power, storage, bandwidth, etc.) than the user’s phone.
We develop software across server (TypeScript/JavaScript, Node.js, Docker, GCP, C++), Android (Java, WebView, TypeScript/JavaScript), and desktop/mobile web (TypeScript/JavaScript, CSS). Much of our work is done in the open on GitHub at https://github.com/PolymerLabs/arcs.

 

Bye Bye Bluefin

Today I removed the last remnants of the Google+ mobile basic frontend, aka Bluefin (see http://go/bluefin)

And congratulations to the team for leaving me some traps:

- Removing protos lead to global js compile errors. Turns out that a bunch of random code relied on mobile basic soy_globals.

- To calculate a URL path the following was done:
- Execute a java method.
- ... that instantiates a soy template *places.soy*
- ... that executes {mbPlaceUrl(....) }
- ... which is provided by a soy plugin
- ... that runs some other java code!

Well played, well played indeed.


cc +107239907223614146058 +115243107530846780027 +114418285744011589781 +105287604880515191722 +115114058966008692727 +105016019269323464412


https://j.gifs.com/7aNxzY.gif





 

Emerald Sea Mobile Update

*Emerald Sea Mobile Update* - 2010 Q3

by Punit Soni

- We've come full circle on Location Sharing. +111280803752736822602
- Making phone calls on profiles never happened, and the CallMeMaybe project 5 years later never launched.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17D9uqGEglLfrICSNiYOwKCzHsFmSjZcNNoc7KpJHOk0/edit?_escaped_fr...

 

Mightybell

*Mightybell*: It's Ning for Mobile

About the only thing Recruiters are useful for is notifying me of the latest VC funded startups...

fyi to Steve Hardt

https://mightybell.com/

 

Decentralized Web Summit Trip Report - June 8-9, 2016

It's been a week, so time for a writeup of what went down at DWS. The press below covers some details, but I'm going to talk about the _feels_.

tl;dr - Electric atmosphere, technology on the cusp, very unclear future.

I found out about this too late to attend the first day, but I followed along via the live stream while reading up on the underlying technologies and chatting with attendees using federation features of Slack.

I went in person for day 2 and immediately felt the deja vu. O'Reilly FOOCamp meets early Google I/O meets the original GopherCon. You had wise sages (or as Wendy Hanamura put it _Orignal Gangstas_) working side-by-side with the new blockchain Gangstas. The only thing missing was a game of werewolf.

The breakout sessions were tech heavy but the crowd didn't need their hand held to pull down git repos and run/modify code. Many quick demos were created.

Lightning talks (available online) had thoughtful live questions and were broad enough to cover both the underlying technology and the potential results of applying it to society. I appreciated the inclusivity and diversity.

That said the ghosts of breathless tech conferences past were all there:

*Mobile* No real demos on phones. Many talks started with 'enter this on the command line'. That said most of the p2p systems on display have really good mobile properties: eventual consistency. offline sync, etc.

*UX* Little to no focus on UI/Usability problems. There was some discussion on the "Why PGP failed" talk, and passing references here and there. But very little about how this tech would be better for users.

*Economics* This new tech is competing with dirt-cheap VPS hosts out there and a generation of software designed for centralized client-server. Privacy and long-term effects on the ecosystem are low on users feature list. With the fintech bubble about to pop, who's going to fund the development; let alone the ongoing governance. Will new bitcoin funding models be the solution? Will the incumbents embrace or reject?

*Complexity* writing cryptographic serverless code is difficult and it's easy to make mistakes. libp2p is a good start, but the tooling isn't there yet.

Despite these serious issues this is the most excited I've been about our technology space in a long time. The electricity and optimism about what might emerge from this soup of technologies was palpable. I have hope that people won't want to repeat past mistakes, and that the new stack can achieve some 10x gains. Here's some initial thoughts:

- What if your phone could pull down entire sites for use offline and have deltas propagated when connected?
- How about having all of your physical devices syncing between themselves instead of up and down to the cloud.
- How about a better UI for managing your identity public/private keys?
- What about your OnHub being your persistent home on the network?
- What about being able to archive and 'play back' entire web sites like you would a git repo?
- How about having easy micropayments as a way to break free from our current ad-supported mess?
- How about Android APKs that travel from device to device with the security of knowing that you're running the exact same code as everyone else.

... more to come.

http://spectrum.ieee.org/view-from-the-valley/telecom/internet/the-fathers-of-the-internet-revolutio...

 

Decentralized Web Summit

Attending the Decentralized Web Summit day 2. Hope to see some familiar and new faces.

http://www.decentralizedweb.net/

 

 

Nest Support Kudos

I had a support call last night and it went really well.

Thermostat displayed E24 error code. The diagnostic tool on the web site was well done. I got to the end where a support ticket was opened. Called in and went through diagnosing the faceplate. At the end it wasn't the thermostat, the furnace had a faulty safety sensor that caused the fan to run and cut the voltage to 1v.

Suggestions:
- The clunkiest part of the process was telling the rep my email address. Also the email I entered in the ticket was different than my Nest account email.
- Could we surface the diagnostic tools on the Nest App? Tried on mobile web and it wasn't working well so then I was running between my desktop and the Nest.
- There's a good opportunity to refer to HVAC repair technicians (Nest Pros?). I spent an hour calling around to find someone that would come out at 9pm in the evening. [Of course this is hard in general; Google search really failed here too. Yelp at least had an 'open now' filter on their business listings.]

In any case thanks again for the good support experience - I hope other teams can learn from it.

http://nest.com/e24

 

*wireless only*

annoyance of the day:

wireless in google3 really means mobile...










 

Interviewing PMs

Not sure where to get feedback for this so tossing into the ether...

I've been getting many PM interviews for Technical Hat; I wonder what others think of this line of questioning?

- We have a SMB with 1000 devices and 20 servers
- These machines generate log files (1st question, does candidate know what a log file is?)
- Your product needs to meet the needs of the following users
- Sysadmins need to be able to diagnose problems, do postmortems.
- Auditors need to enforce rules on system usage
- A security team wants to detect intrusions, malware etc.

I then ask the candidate to ask clarifying questions and try to get them to give me any/all of the following through progressive probing:

- Min viable features of the product
- Do they suggest graphs? notifications? email alerts?
- What about user provisioning? Admin features?
- What kind of UI? Web? Mobile? Command line?
- Search?
- A high level technical design showing how the we get from Logs -> UI
- Push vs pull?
- Where/when does parsing happen?
- Technical
- How do you store the data? How do you transform it? Batch?
- What database? How many QPS?
- Redundancy? Failover?
- On site / off site?
- Insights
- Does the candidate understand privacy/security concerns? (Mention wipeout, retention for the auditor use case)

So far I've gotten some decent responses, but most fall into the run reports on files and store those.

For the good candidates we are able to progress to phase II where we design for a multinational fortune 500 scenario.

So WDYT? Good question?

PMs? How do you think you'd do on my question?

 

What's a collection of cards?  Decks!  so obvious it hurts...

Did you test that name Dmitry?


http://techcrunch.com/2015/02/26/mobile-search-david-vs-googliath/


EOF~





 

It's so fast and smooth you might think you're using a native App.

It's so fast and smooth you might think you're using a native App.

Originally shared by Danielle Buckley

Today we’re excited to announce the new and improved Google+ experience for mobile web. We focused on making everything faster, more beautiful, and more intuitive. To check out all the new updates, visit plus.google.com on your phone or tablet’s browser.  

As always, we’d love to hear what you think!  

 

 

My new go-to way to share mobile android screens during meetings.
Many conference rooms have a local input for HDMI and this works great with it.  Tips:

- Enable Settings→Developer Options→Show touches
- Fire up the camera if you need to display a device that's not slimport compatible. (like the 2012 nexus 7)
- Get it from stuff - https://mystuff.corp.google.com/stuff/items/1000


http://shop.slimportdirect.com/products/sp1003






 

*One simple trick that simplifies JS Loading!*

@103532563190745371016 has delved deep into script loading and found that it's better to  just use a regular script tag to load many resources.  The key is to use the async and defer attributes.

It turns out that preload scanners work better than the gobs of script-tag-injecting js code, even on older mobile browsers.

If you're targeting IE9 and above you can also use the _onload_ attribute on your script tag to trigger execution when the script is async loaded.

Work is ongoing to update our docs and existing uses in google3.


https://docs.google.com/a/google.com/document/d/1vOKlHN3VI9nlJYbkCIXSZiP_T9QimGvaoh48qR9BKI8/edit?_e...






 


_"embedded restaurants and taxis"_

This is why I think we need to do more, not less with live content, especially on mobile....

http://ben-evans.com/benedictevans/2014/8/1/app-unbundling-search-and-discovery






 

Install ground-breaking spyware; receive ongoing rewards!

_[from a survey I received from TiVO today]_

We are considering creating a special segment of the TiVo Advisors panel to explore TiVo subscribers' usage of mobile technology and how it relates to your enjoyment of TV and other media.  Everyone who participates in this exclusive segment of the panel will receive ongoing rewards based on actual participation (not a monthly sweepstakes).

This ground-breaking research will help us understand the ways mobile, television, digital, social, and other media are viewed, used, and shared by TiVo subscribers.  Your participation will have a direct impact on how entertainment and information is delivered to consumers today and in the future.

To participate in this exclusive group, you will be required to download and continually run an app on a qualified mobile device (up to three devices per panelist).  The app runs in the background of your device (in other words, you do not have to interact with the app to receive rewards).

Qualified devices include:

Android™ smartphones and tablets that run Android version 4.0 or greater, and are not rooted;
Kindle Fire HD, but not the first generation Kindle Fire;
iPhone® 5, iPads® and iPod touch® devices that run iOS version 5.0 or greater.
Earlier iPhones are not supported at this time.
The app is a small mobile application (about 3.3 megabytes) which is not intended to interfere with your web, app, wireless phone, or battery usage. Once installed, you should never need to re-activate the app.

At this time, we'd like to get your initial thoughts about this idea.  If we choose to proceed, we'll send out more information in the next few months.

 

Why did no one tell me about this?  Would've been so useful for some mobile debugging a little bit ago....

https://xsds.corp.google.com/









 

Needed: Periodic testing for developer sample apps.

I've been importing a number of Google's sample Android apps into Eclipse and/or Android Studio.  It's painful.  If we could periodically download and run these Apps on a fresh Android Studio/Eclipse(/Xcode?) we might save developers a lot of time and catch broken examples sooner.   Automation for bonus points...

Here's just a few things I bumped into:

- GMS changed their APIs between v4.0 and v4.1  Half the things I was trying to do didn't work.
- Most examples have a hard coded compile version which means the import fails unless you've been downloading SDK versions for the past couple years.  Once you figure this out it's an easy fix, but it's still another roadblock.
- Developer Console vs Cloud Console.  'nuff said there..

Here's some of the bits and pieces:

https://code.google.com/p/google-api-java-client/wiki/Android
http://developer.android.com/google/play-services/auth.html
https://developers.google.com/+/quickstart/android
https://developers.google.com/+/mobile/android/getting-started









 

One benefit of missing the shuttle is visiting the West Oakland McDonalds and observing the use of technology. Pretty much the opposite of Google demographics you can find anecdotal societal changes first hand at the WiFi watering hole.

Mobile first. Yes
Bluetooth headsets - more than you'd think.
Parents and kids on ancient wintel laptop.
Multiple IPads with keyboards.

Religious argument ended with "Look it up on YouTube!"



https://plus.google.com/photos/107786897865850743842/albums/5941325952242369169/5941325947220876290?...






 

T-Mobile user with a grandfathered plan?

Install this before you upgrade to KitKat...


https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pdanet#body-content






 

Your investment in authorship continues to pay dividends.

Your investment in authorship continues to pay dividends. Thanks everyone for implementing -- it makes products like this possible.

Originally shared by AJ Kohn

Content Recommendations for Your Mobile Website

When you help someone find a great article on your site, you’re not only making them happier, you’re inspiring deeper engagement and loyalty. That's why today, we're bringing together elements of Google+ and Google Search to suggest the right content from your mobile website, at just the right time.

For example: Forbes visitors can now more easily discover other Forbes articles based on Search Authorship, signals and other articles with lots of Google+ activity (including +1's and shares). In all cases, recommended content is based on the specific page the visitor is viewing, to boost the relevance of recommendations. And they only appear when people tap for more, so as not to interrupt their browsing experience.

Very interesting on a lot of fronts!

     

 

Why are we serving up the refresh images? Are the cache headers set properly?  I've been noticing this too on desktop and mobile.

Photos team -- any idea what's going on here?  @102367365652197389609?


https://plus.google.com/u/0/105307547102248990120/posts/Rh1G5g9npTd?cfem=1&e=-RedirectToSandbox






 

So my Nexus4 order was backordered.

So my Nexus4 order was backordered.  So here's the next best thing.  I was able to get the following since I've been with T-Mobile for over 10 years:

- $199 with $50 mail in rebate.

- Waived the overnight shipping fee of $24.99 (as a credit to my bill)

- You do need a data plan of >$35/month on the line and a 2 year contract extension, however the standard plan comes with 400 text messages so I was able to consolidate a text message bundle with the data bundle and end up at $0 change.

- Retain the rest of my FamilyTime,@Home service and the G1 data plan on the other line.

And it will arrive tomorrow...

 

Will Googlers have an easy way to buy a Nexus 4 on launch day?  Or should I get out my tent and camp at a T-Mobile store?

My Nexus-S using wife really really wants to upgrade.  She even threatened to get an iPhone 5 until I told her that it's not available unlocked...









 

First big test of my UPS configuration, which is doing better than T-Mobile.

First big test of my UPS configuration, which is doing better than T-Mobile. They went offline in 15 minutes. 11k affected and 2h restoration time so I should see auto-shutdown working too.

 

Questions?  Stop by the Google+ developer sandbox or the Google+ history sessions.

Questions?  Stop by the Google+ developer sandbox or the Google+ history sessions.

Originally shared by Ken Norton

One of my favorite Google+ features is Instant Upload. All the pictures I take with my phone appear in a private album online, and from there I can share with my circles (or not). For me it's a great way to remember my favorite moments, and strike up the right conversations with just the right people.

More generally, we think this difference between saving and sharing is really important for communicating online. After all: not every thought that crosses your mind comes out of your mouth :-) Features like Instant Upload give you control over how you save and share your photos. And today -- with an early developer preview of Google+ history -- we're starting to bring this save/share capability to other online activities.

If you’re a developer, you can get started with today’s preview release by visiting http://developers.google.com/+/history/preview/. With just a few lines of code your app can privately save moments (like a listened song, or a visited restaurant) to a user's Google+ history, and from there users can share those moments with others. Think Instant Upload, but for almost anything! In all cases, moments in history include attribution of your app.

To help get the juices flowing, you as a developer will notice your YouTube, +1, Play app purchases, and Instant Upload activity in Google+ history (with Search and Latitude coming soon) -- all for your eyes only, of course.

We're hosting two Google I/O sessions (Thu, June 28 at 11:45am PT and 5:15pm PT) and a codelab (Fri, June 29 at 9am PT), so you can either stop by in person, or tune in with I/O Live. Android and iOS developers can also use the new Google+ platform for mobile -- attend our session (Thu, June 28 at 1:30pm PT) to learn more.

http://developers.google.com/+/history/preview/

 

 

 

Christmas came early for me courtesy of T-Mobile!

Christmas came early for me courtesy of T-Mobile!

They powered up a new cell tower a short way from my house. Now I can finally get rid of my erratic cell-boster, and I have decent coverage throughout the neighborhood (which is challenging given the hills and trees).

 

Welcome to G+

Welcome to G+

Hope you have fun. Our mobile apps are top-notch :)

 

Circles success story #1.

I wanted to tell people about the awesome mobile apps. Normally I'd buzz it and you'd see it in your stream even for people on Emerald Sea that have been using it for a long time.

However... since I have a circle I'm calling "Other Googlers" I just sent it to that circle and didn't waste other folks time. Just like I'm only sharing this keen observation to es-folks..

so cool...









 

Greetings people not native to the Emerald Sea -- Just in case you missed the promo you *must* check out the mobile app. It's amazing!

https://goto.google.com/mobilefishfood

(Also that I'm able to share this with non-es folks speaks to the power of the sharing model!)


https://goto.google.com/mobilefishfood






 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mmmm Lunch 2.0 @ Socializr

Primo Patio catered food and specialties cookies...

 

 

Sfbeta

Saw demos of Loopt, mydogspace.com, datemypet.com and others. I didn't see anyone I knew though.

 

 

Hi5 Winery Trip

Sebastiani winery - wine and cheese pairing, yum!

 

Philz Returnz

Finally a Philz in SOMA. At 4th & Berry good coffee is now convenient to 6A HQ and Mission Bay park. Perfect for morning Dog walks!

 

DaDa

Hi5 happy hour!

Update: The bar is DäDä, at 2nd and Mission.  The sculpture you see below is comprised of a printed circuit boards.

 

Dog Star

That's me and Tommy in an ad for the Hook and Go smart cart in Dwell magazine.

 

37

Another year, another April Fools birthday. This year was better than most, as it included plenty of tech upgrades for the home, a relaxing weekend and filing taxes with an $11 refund. It was all capped off with a splendid meal at Dosa. Highly recommended!

 

 

Yoda Closeup

There is no try, only do....

 

Yoda

At Lucasfilm's campus in the presidio.

 

John Colins

Drinks with hi5 folks.