July 2015 Summaries

Security is a critical concern for anyone publishing online content, as hacking incidents have significantly increased, with Google reporting a 180% rise in hacked sites over the past year. Google Webmasters has initiated a #NoHacked campaign to educate users on protecting their websites from cyber threats, offering insights into hacking strategies and practical tips for site security. The campaign emphasizes creating strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, keeping software updated, and understanding hosting provider security policies. It also advises using Google tools like Search Console and Google Alerts to monitor potential hacking activities. Additionally, Google encourages participation in discussions and hangouts to further enhance security knowledge and practices.

Application Default Credentials (ADC) is a feature introduced by Google Cloud to simplify the use of OAuth2 for authorization in applications running on Google Compute Engine instances, aiming to eliminate the complexities traditionally associated with OAuth2, such as the need for specialized knowledge and extensive boilerplate code. ADC facilitates easier access to Google Cloud Platform services like Google Cloud Storage and Google BigQuery by allowing developers to use a single line of authorization code, thus streamlining the process of making initial API calls. Underlying this simplicity is the use of 2-legged versus 3-legged OAuth flows, the gcloud CLI for credential management during development, and service accounts that provide built-in trust for applications running on Google App Engine or Google Compute Engine. ADC is available for multiple programming languages including Java, Python, Node.js, Ruby, and Go, with libraries for PHP and .Net under development.

Chromecast has significantly enhanced user engagement and monetization for various app developers by integrating Google Cast functionality into their apps, as demonstrated by several success stories. Comedy Central's cast-enabled app resulted in a 50% increase in video viewership and 1.5 times more visits among Chromecast users compared to typical app users. Ubisoft's Just Dance Now game experienced a 2.5 times higher monetization rate through Chromecast, with players engaging more frequently and for longer periods. Fitnet, a fitness app, saw a 35% improvement in user engagement metrics, thanks to the seamless integration of Chromecast technology, which allowed users to follow workout videos on larger screens. Haystack TV, a personal news channel, doubled its average weekly viewing time with one-third of its users opting to watch content via Chromecast, highlighting the shift towards over-the-top services. These examples illustrate how Chromecast is transforming app experiences by offering users the convenience of viewing content on larger screens while driving increased visits, engagement, and revenue for developers.

Nearby is a proximity API developed for iOS and Android devices that enables seamless communication and information sharing between devices and beacons using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and inaudible sound. Unlike traditional methods requiring multiple steps for data exchange, Nearby facilitates direct interaction similar to real-world communication. It has been integrated into various products like Chromecast Guest Mode, Google Play Games, and Google Tone, and with the release of Google Play services 7.8, it is now accessible to all developers on devices running Gingerbread and higher. Nearby does not require a Google Account and prompts users with a permission dialog upon first use. Several partners have harnessed Nearby's capabilities to create innovative applications, such as Edjing Pro for DJ tracklist sharing, Trello for streamlined board sharing, Pocket Casts for podcast discovery, and Trulia for collaborative house hunting.

Eddystone is an open and extensible Bluetooth low energy (BLE) beacon format developed by Google to provide precise location and contextual cues within apps, supporting multiple platforms like Android and iOS. It addresses real-life use cases with features such as Ephemeral Identifiers for privacy and security, and offers two APIs—Nearby API for finding and communicating with nearby devices and Proximity Beacon API for associating semantic location data with beacons. Eddystone's frame formats allow beacon manufacturers to support various platforms with a single hardware, and it includes tools for businesses to manage beacon fleets effectively. Google is integrating Eddystone into its products, like Google Maps and the Physical Web project, to enhance user experiences with real-time transit notifications and contextual information. The initiative encourages collaboration with app developers and beacon manufacturers to advance the technology.

Material Design Lite (MDL), introduced by Google in 2015, aims to bring material design aesthetics to websites using standard web technologies like CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. As a lightweight and framework-agnostic tool, MDL simplifies the integration of material design elements into web projects, offering a minimal code footprint and easy installation. It complements Polymer's Paper elements by providing material design styling without deep dependencies, making it versatile for various front-end setups. MDL includes a variety of components such as buttons, text fields, and responsive grids, and is compatible with modern browsers, gracefully degrading in older ones. Available for download via CDN, npm, or Bower, MDL supports content-heavy sites and offers responsive templates, encouraging developers to create visually appealing and modern websites while adhering to material design guidelines. Feedback from users is encouraged to help evolve both MDL and the material design specification for the web.

The integration of Google Cast Remote Display APIs with Processing for Android allows developers to showcase advanced graphics and interactive exhibitions on both mobile devices and Cast-enabled TVs, enhancing the visual experience of Processing apps. By modifying the Processing for Android Mode source code and using tools like Ant and Gradle, developers can extend the capabilities of Processing sketches to support remote display on Google Cast devices. This involves adjusting the PApplet class to accommodate the GLSurfaceView for rendering and ensuring compatibility with the Google Cast Design Checklist. The implementation includes a PresentationService class that manages the remote display session, allowing users to interact with graphics through touch gestures on mobile devices while displaying the content on a larger screen. Developers are encouraged to build upon the provided project framework to create visually compelling apps that leverage the capabilities of mobile device hardware and Google Cast technology.