Google domain

Google domain registration services now available to all in the US

If you want to register a domain but would rather not use a service like GoDaddy, Google has just opened up their domain registration services to everyone in the United States via a public beta. Previously, the service was only available to a select group of testers via a closed beta, which launched in June last year.

Pricing is fairly typical, starting at $12 per month. Google will provide you with the domain name alongside private registration, support for up to 100 subdomains, domain forwarding and email forwarding to Gmail.

Google has teamed up with a number of companies to help you create websites using your newly acquired domain, including popular website builders and hosts Squarespace, Weebly and Wix. Using these services will cost extra, but will make it easy for you to build a website from the ground up. Blogger is also supported, allowing you to link a new domain and an existing blog with ease.

During the closed beta, Google collected a bunch of useful information that allowed them to improve the service for all users. Search and suggestion services have been tweaked, 60 new domain endings have been added, the dashboard has been simplified, and there's now the ability to browse website template themes and compare the aforementioned building services.

Google domain registration services are only available for those in the United States at this stage. If you're in another country and interested in using Google Domains, you can sign up to receive a notification for when it's ready in your area.

Firefox

Firefox 35 includes streamlined Hello video chat, MP4 support on Mac, easier social network sharing

Version 35 of Mozilla’s Firefox web browser is now available for download. Arriving roughly five weeks after its predecessor, the latest iteration includes a handful of noteworthy features in addition to the usual gamut of minor updates and behind-the-scenes fixes.

Firefox Hello, Mozilla’s WebRTC-based real-time video and audio calling service, has been streamlined a bit. Previously, users had to simply wait idly for the person on the other end to connect to the call. In Firefox 35, a small window opens showing a self view until the invited person joins and in the meantime, the caller can perform other tasks like surfing the web

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It’s a small change but any way to add productivity is welcomed in my book.

Another time-saver is the ability to create multiple conversations and save them for later use which makes it easier to reconnect with people you talk to on a regular basis without having to create a new link each time. All of this can be done without having to create an account or forfeit any user information.

Elsewhere, Firefox 35 enables desktop users to access the Firefox Marketplace, built-in support for MP4 playback on Mac OS X (Snow Leopard and newer) and makes it easier to share web content on social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, LinkedIn and Google+. Mozilla has also fixed nine security-related issues in the new release according to its securities advisories page.

Firefox 35 is available for Windows, Mac and Linux.

Google Translate

Google Translate updated with Word Lens integration, improved real-time conversation translation

Confirming reports that emerged earlier this week, Google has updated its Translate app for both Android and iOS, bringing features such as instant translation with Word Lens and improved real-time conversation translation.

The updated app has made it even easier to navigate a foreign language by letting you instantly translate text using your camera. All you have to do is to just point your camera at a sign or text and you’ll see the translated text overlaid on your screen.

This instant translation should come in handy while navigating foreign-language street signs, or deciding what to order off a restaurant menu in a different language. The best part is that it works even if you don't have an Internet or data connection.

The feature currently works for translation from English to and from French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish, although the company is working to add more languages.

Aside from this, Google has also tweaked the real-time conversation translation feature to make the conversation flow faster and more naturally. "When talking with someone in an unfamiliar language, conversations can... get... realllllllly... sloowwww," the Mountain View, California-based company said in a blog post.

Simply tap the mic to start speaking in a selected language, then tap the mic again, and the app will automatically recognize the language being spoken. You just have to do this once for each speaker, which means that for the rest of the conversation, you won’t need to tap the mic again.

Head over to Google Play or the App Store to download the latest version of the app. The update is gradually rolling out so it may take a few days before it reaches everyone.