Author: Dopstart

A new zero-day vulnerability threatens browser security: learn how and why to update now.

Google Chrome and the new zero-day threat

Recently, Google revealed a dangerous vulnerability in its popular browser Chrome, urging users to update immediately. This flaw, known as a zero-day vulnerability, poses a particularly serious threat as it indicates that someone is not only aware of the issue but is actively exploiting it.

The CVE-2024-5274 vulnerability

The flaw in question, tracked as CVE-2024-5274, involves a “confusion” type error, where the browser’s code does not correctly verify the type of object it is processing. This lack of control can lead to the processing of incorrect data, which malicious actors could exploit to execute harmful code.

Google recently released an update to fix this vulnerability, making it the fourth zero-day resolved this month alone and the eighth since the beginning of 2024.

How to update Google Chrome

Updating Google Chrome is a simple yet essential process to protect your online security. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Click the three dots in the top right corner of the browser window.
2. Go to Help > About Google Chrome.
3. Allow Chrome to check for a new update.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the update.

This update is available across multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux, with the following version numbers: 125.0.6422.112/.113 for Windows and Mac, and 125.0.6422.112 for Linux.

The Essentials app, preinstalled on HP laptops, offers quick access to Google services like Messages, Photos, and Play Games, enhancing the integration between Google and Windows.

Google introduces Essentials on HP laptops

Google is expanding its influence in the Windows sector with the launch of a new application called Essentials. This innovative platform, preinstalled on HP laptops from the Spectre, Envy, Pavilion, OMEN, and Victus series, provides users with quick and easy access to Google services directly from their desktop.

A single hub for all Google services

The Essentials app integrates various Google tools like Messages, Photos, and Play Games into a single interface, along with productivity tools like Sheets, Docs, Drive, and Calendar. With this centralized solution, users can easily manage their daily activities, thereby enhancing their device experience.

Free trial of Google One and future developments

A standout feature of the Essentials app is the offer of a two-month free trial for Google One, which includes 100GB of storage. This opportunity allows users to explore the potential of cloud storage and data synchronization without additional costs. While the app is currently available only on HP laptops, Google plans to extend it to other models and computer manufacturers.

A step towards greater integration between Google and Windows

The introduction of Essentials follows the recent launch of Play Games on Windows, which allowed users to play Android titles on their computers. With support for mouse and keyboard and synchronization across devices, the integration of Essentials marks another step toward simplified and centralized management of Google services within the Windows ecosystem.

What do you think of this new move by Google? Have you tried the Essentials app yet? Share your thoughts by commenting in the form below!

The Internet is a global network that has transformed the world we live in. It has a fascinating history that spans decades of innovation and change.

In this article we will look at what the internet is and explore its history and evolution.

Table of Contents

• What is the Internet?
• Who invented the Internet?
• The TCP/IP protocol and 1983
• The Birth of the World Wide Web: The 1990s
• How does the Internet work?
• Evolution of the Internet in the 21st century

What is the Internet?

The Internet , short for “ Interconnected Networks ”, is a vast telecommunications network made up of computers and devices connected to each other around the world .

This network allows the sharing of information, communication and access to digital resources through standard protocols.

In simpler terms, the Internet can be considered a network of networks , a collection of devices and infrastructures that allow people, companies and institutions to communicate and exchange data around the world.

The Internet was created to facilitate communication and sharing information more efficiently, allowing the transmission of text, images, sounds and data of all kinds through a variety of protocols and technologies.

It is a versatile and open medium that has transformed society and the economy, profoundly influencing people’s daily lives in many ways, including commerce, education, entertainment, research and global connection.

Who invented the Internet?

The birth of the Internet dates back to the 1960s with the ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), a project of the United States Department of Defense .

ARPANET originated as a response to growing US concern about the security of military communications during the Cold War.

ARPANET was developed to create a robust communications network that could survive emergency situations, such as nuclear attacks.

On October 29, 1969, the first message was successfully transmitted between two computers connected to the ARPANET.

This event marks the birth of the network, with the first two nodes located at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and the Stanford Research Institute .

The NCP Protocol: ARPANET used the NCP (Network Control Program) protocol to manage communication between computers. This was the predecessor of the TCP/IP protocol that would later form the basis of the Internet.

Expansion and growth: Throughout the 1970s, ARPANET expanded and involved universities, research laboratories, and military institutions. This growth has led to greater interconnection and the creation of an increasingly robust network.

The TCP/IP protocol and 1983

The next step was the development of the TCP/IP protocol (an acronym for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol ) by Vinton Cerf and Bob Kahn . This protocol allowed different networks to communicate with each other, creating the infrastructure for global interconnection.

In 1983, ARPANET implemented the TCP/IP protocol, marking the official transition to the Internet. From this point on, the number of connected computers and networks grew rapidly.

The Birth of the World Wide Web: The 1990s

The birth of the World Wide Web (WWW or Web) in the 1990s was a revolutionary moment in the history of the Internet, as it made the Internet accessible and usable by a wide audience.

Here is a summary of its creation and impact:

Invention of the World Wide Web: The World Wide Web (www) was invented by Tim Berners-Lee , a British engineer working at CERN in Geneva (European Organization for Nuclear Research) in Switzerland.

In 1989, Berners-Lee proposed the concept of a hypertext– based information management system that would allow scientists to easily access and share research information. His project took the name “WorldWideWeb.”

First Website: The first website ever created was dedicated to the World Wide Web itself and went online in August 1991. It was a rudimentary site that explained what the World Wide Web was and how it worked.

Key protocols and languages: Berners-Lee also developed the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) for creating web pages. These standards are still widely used today for building websites .

First web browser: In 1993, the first web browser called “Mosaic” was created by Marc Andreessen at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois. This browser has helped make the Web more accessible and user-friendly.

Expansion of the Web: In the 1990s, the World Wide Web experienced explosive growth. More and more people and companies have started creating websites, publishing content and accessing information online. The Web has become a platform for commerce, communication, education and entertainment.

Convergence with the Internet: The World Wide Web has become an integral part of the Internet. While the Internet represents the physical infrastructure and computer network, the Web is the interface that allows users to navigate and access resources on the Internet.

The invention of the World Wide Web democratized access to information and made the Internet a more accessible medium for people around the world.

Even today, the internet has revolutionized communication, commerce, education and has opened the way to new opportunities and innovations.

The combination of protocols, languages and web browsers has made the Web a powerful tool for global sharing and collaboration.

How does the Internet work?

The Internet is a true network of networks, a complex system that allows connected computers and devices around the world to communicate with each other and share information.

The functioning of the Internet is based on fundamental principles and protocols.

In summary, the Internet functions as a global network of connected computers and devices that exchange data using standard protocols and communicate via IP addresses.

The network is operated by a series of servers, routers, and Internet service providers that enable communication and access to digital assets around the world.

Here is an overview of how the Internet works:

1. TCP/IP Protocol: The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is the basis of the Internet. This protocol defines how data should be split into packets, addressed and sent between connected devices. TCP/IP is responsible for routing, sending, and receiving data on the Internet.
2. IP Addresses: Every device connected to the Internet has an Internet Protocol (IP) address. IP addresses uniquely identify devices on the network, allowing them to send and receive data. IP addresses can be IPv4 (32 bit) or IPv6 (128 bit) to meet the growing demand for addresses.
3. ISP (Internet Service Provider): ISPs are companies that provide access to the Internet. These companies connect user devices to the Internet through network connections, such as DSL, fiber optics, cable, or mobile networks. ISPs assign IP addresses to user devices when they connect to the Internet.
4. Network of networks: The Internet is a network of networks. Devices around the world are connected to the Internet through a variety of regional, national and international networks. These networks are connected to each other via central servers and exchange data via routers and switches.
5. Server and Client: The Internet works on the basis of the client-server model. Servers are computers or devices that provide services and resources, such as websites, emails, or files. Clients are user computers that request and access these resources using dedicated software such as web browsers or applications.
6. DNS (Domain Name System): DNS is a system that associates domain names (such as www.google.com ) with corresponding IP addresses. When you type a domain name into your browser, DNS translates that name into an IP address so your computer can connect to the desired server.
7. Data packets: Data sent over the Internet is divided into packets. Each packet contains a part of the data, the destination IP address and other information. These packets travel across the network and are then brought together again at the destination device.
8. Routing: IP addresses and network routers are responsible for routing data packets. Each packet is sent along the most efficient path to its destination, passing through various routers and network nodes along the way.
9. Communication Protocols: In addition to TCP/IP, the Internet uses various communication protocols for different purposes. For example, HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is used for transferring web pages, while SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) handles email.
10. Security and Encryption: Security is paramount on the Internet. The use of encryption protocols, such as HTTPS, ensures data is protected during transfer, while firewalls and security software help protect devices from online threats.

Evolution of the Internet in the 21st century

In the 21st century, the Internet has continued to grow and evolve.

The advent of technologies such as Wi-Fi, mobile devices and social networks has made the Internet an integral part of everyday life.

Every aspect of modern society, from education to commerce, communication and entertainment, has been transformed by the ubiquity of the Internet.

Here are some of the major developments and trends that have shaped the evolution of the Internet in the 21st century:

1. Expanding Connection: One of the hallmarks of the 21st century has been the expansion of Internet access around the world. Connectivity has become more accessible thanks to the widespread use of Wi-Fi connections, mobile networks and advanced communications infrastructure.
2. Mobile Devices: Smartphones and tablets have become the primary way of accessing the Internet for many people. The evolution of mobile technologies has made it possible to surf the web, communicate and use apps wherever you are.
3. Social media: Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and many others have changed the way people communicate and share content online. Social media has influenced politics, pop culture, and personal communication.
4. E-commerce: E-commerce has grown significantly, allowing people to purchase products and services online. Large companies like Amazon have revolutionized the online commerce sector.
5. Cloud computing: Cloud computing has made it easier and more convenient to store data, host services and develop applications. This has led to greater flexibility and scalability for businesses
6. Big data: The growing amount of data generated by the Internet has led to the need for advanced tools and techniques for managing, analyzing and using big data. Data analytics has become essential for many companies and industries.
7. Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI has begun to be widely used to improve search, process automation, and personalization of online services. Chatbots, virtual assistants, and machine learning algorithms have become common.
8. Internet of Things (IoT): Internet-connected devices, from smart refrigerators to autonomous cars, have begun to transform daily life and industry.
9. Cyber Security: Increasing dependence on the Internet has led to an increased focus on cybersecurity and privacy protection.
10. 5G networks: The introduction of 5G networks offers faster connections and greater bandwidth capacity, paving the way for new applications and services.
11. Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies: Blockchain technology has led to the emergence of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, revolutionizing the financial sector and introducing new transaction models and smart contracts.
12. Online education and work: Distance education and remote work have become more common, no doubt accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its evolution continues to influence every aspect of modern life and promises further developments and innovations in the coming years.

Waze and Google Maps are two of the most popular navigation apps in the world. Both apps offer directions, maps, and real-time traffic information.

However, there are some key differences between the two apps that can make one a better choice for you than the other. Let’s look at the most important differences below.

Table of Contents

• Waze
  • History of Waze
  • Waze Key Features
• Google Maps
  • History of Google Maps
  • Google Maps Main Features
• Which app is right for you?
  • Choose Waze if you need:
  • Choose Google Maps if you need:

Waze

Waze is designed to be a community-based navigation app. Users can report traffic incidents, traffic, and other road conditions in real time. This allows Waze to provide more accurate and up-to-date directions.

Waze is also a social media app for commuters. Users can interact with each other, share driving tips, and participate in challenges.

History of Waze

Waze’s story is an example of how technology and user collaboration can transform the navigation industry and give drivers a more efficient way to navigate traffic. Its growth and success are largely due to its community-based approach and ability to adapt to the needs of modern drivers.

Here’s an overview of Waze’s history:

1. Founded: Waze was founded in 2008 by Ehud Shabtai, Amir Shinar, and Uri Levine in Israel. The idea behind Waze was to harness the power of the community to create real-time traffic data and maps.
2. Crowdsourcing: Waze’s defining feature is crowdsourcing. Users can contribute traffic information, road accidents, police reports, and other useful information while driving.
3. Collaborative Mapping: Waze encouraged users to share their location information and report missing or outdated roads, intersections, and points of interest on maps.
4. Growth: In the years since its founding, Waze has rapidly gained popularity due to its ability to provide accurate driving directions and real-time traffic information.
5. Acquisition by Google: In 2013, Google acquired Waze for approximately $1.3 billion. However, Waze continues to operate as a standalone application.
6. Development and new features: After its acquisition by Google, Waze has continued to develop and add new features. These include voice directions, speed warnings, traffic incident reports, points of interest, and the ability to plan trips and share them with other users.
7. Active Community: Waze’s user community is extremely active and constantly contributes to improving maps and traffic information. Users can also accumulate points and earn “Badges” for their contributions.
8. Partnerships and Integrations: Waze has partnered with other companies and services, such as Spotify and Uber, to further enhance the user experience.
9. Global Growth: Waze has become a popular app around the world and is used by millions of people for daily navigation.

Waze Key Features

Here are some of its main features:

1. Real-time navigation: Waze provides real-time directions, calculating the fastest routes and offering constant traffic updates.
2. Real-time traffic information: Waze users share real-time traffic information, including traffic accidents, road closures, and delays. This information is used to update routes and suggest alternative routes.
3. Active Community: Waze is built on active user participation. Users can report traffic incidents, incidents, and more, helping to improve traffic information.
4. Custom Voice Alerts: Waze offers customizable voice alerts, allowing users to receive voice instructions based on their preferences. You can even record your own voices for directions.
5. Police and Speed Reports: Waze users can report locations of police checkpoints, surveillance cameras, and speed limits. This information is useful for avoiding fines and surprises down the road.
6. Points of Interest (POI): Waze provides information about points of interest along your route, including gas stations, restaurants, parks, and more.
7. Event Calendar: Users can sync their calendar with Waze, allowing the app to automatically calculate travel time to scheduled appointments.
8. Trip Planning: Waze lets users plan future trips by entering their desired destination and departure time. The app then calculates the best time to leave based on real-time traffic.
9. Real-time location sharing: Users can share their real-time location with friends or family, allowing them to track their route safely.
10. Badges and Rewards: Waze offers a badge and reward system to encourage users to actively contribute to maps and traffic information. Users can earn points and special recognition.
11. Music and Ridesharing App Integration: Waze is integrated with music apps like Spotify and ridesharing services like Uber, allowing users to access these apps directly from the Waze interface.
12. Offline Maps: Users can download offline maps for navigation in areas without an Internet connection.

These features make Waze one of the most popular navigation apps in the world, as it provides real-time information, improves the driving experience, and helps users save time by avoiding traffic and accidents.

Google Maps

Google Maps offers a wider range of features than Waze. In addition to directions and maps, Google Maps also offers information about businesses, walking and cycling routes, and public transit.

Google Maps is also integrated with other Google products, such as Gmail, Calendar, and Photos.

History of Google Maps

The history of Google Maps reflects Google’s ongoing commitment to improving mapping and navigation technology, making the world more accessible and easier to explore for millions of people around the world.

Here’s an overview of the history of Google Maps:

1. Initial Launch (2005): Google Maps was first launched by Google in the year 2005. At the time, it offered basic mapping and map viewing features but did not yet include turn-by-turn navigation.
2. Google Earth (2005): In the same year, Google acquired Keyhole Inc., a company that had developed a three-dimensional mapping software called “EarthViewer 3D”. This acquisition helped solidify the foundation for the future evolution of Google Maps.
3. Google Maps API launched (2005): Google introduced the Google Maps API, which allowed developers to integrate custom maps into their websites and applications.
4. Street View (2007): Google Maps introduced Street View, a feature that allows users to explore 360-degree panoramic views of streets. This made virtual exploration of cities and places more realistic.
5. Navigation (2009): In 2009, Google introduced turn-by-turn navigation to Google Maps, transforming the app from a simple map into a powerful navigation tool.
6. Google Maps for Mobile (2010): The Google Maps application was made available for mobile devices, including cell phones and tablets, making mobile navigation more accessible.
7. Google+ Integration (2011): Google Maps was integrated with Google’s social networking platform, Google+, allowing users to share their locations and schedule meetups.
8. Continuous improvements: Over the years, Google Maps has continued to receive improvements and new features, including real-time traffic information, aerial views, offline maps, 3D maps, and much more.
9. Integration with other Google services: Google Maps has been integrated with other Google services, such as Google Earth, Google Street View and Google Business View, offering an ecosystem of mapping and place visualization services.
10. AI Integration: In recent years, Google has used AI and machine learning to further improve Google Maps, adding features like traffic prediction and restaurant recommendations.
11. Continuous evolution: Google Maps continues to evolve and add new features to improve the user experience, such as AR (augmented reality) maps and real-time location sharing.

Google Maps Main Features

Google Maps is packed with features that make it a powerful tool for navigation, exploration, and travel planning. Here are some of the key features of Google Maps:

1. Turn-by-turn navigation: Google Maps provides turn-by-turn, spoken directions to help you get to your destination. This feature works for both car driving and navigation on foot, bike, and public transit.
2. Real-time traffic view: Google Maps offers real-time traffic information, including delays, congestion, and accidents. This helps you choose the fastest route.
3. Offline Maps: You can download maps of specific areas for offline use, ideal for when you don’t have access to a stable internet connection.
4. Street View: Street View lets you explore 360-degree panoramic views of streets and places. It is useful for getting a detailed view of the places you want to visit.
5. Points of Interest (POI): Google Maps provides detailed information about points of interest such as restaurants, hotels, museums, gas stations and more. You can also read reviews and ratings from other users.
6. Events Calendar: You can sync your calendar with Google Maps to plan trips and get notifications based on upcoming events.
7. Location Sharing: Google Maps lets you share your real-time location with friends or family, making it easier to coordinate during meetings.
8. Search Results: You can search for specific places, businesses, addresses, or types of businesses directly from Google Maps and view results based on location.
9. Public transport integration: Google Maps provides information on bus, train and tram lines, allowing you to plan trips using public transport.
10. 3D Map: Google Maps offers a 3D view of many cities and locations, allowing for a more realistic perspective while navigating.
11. Traffic Forecast: Using historical data, Google Maps provides future traffic forecasts so you can plan your trips ahead.
12. Custom Maps: You can create custom maps with bookmarks, photos, notes, and sharing with other users.
13. Cycling directions: Google Maps offers cycling-specific routes, including trails and bike paths.
14. Road safety: Google Maps provides alerts for speed limits, surveillance cameras, and police checkpoint locations.
15. “Explore” function: This function allows you to discover restaurants, bars, places of interest and activities near your current location.
16. Google Maps Platform: Google offers a Google Maps API that allows developers to integrate custom maps into applications and websites.

These features make Google Maps an extremely versatile application that can be used for a wide range of needs, from simple road navigation to trip planning, discovering places of interest and much more.

Which app is right for you?

Choosing between Google Maps and Waze depends on how you use a navigation app. If you’re a regular commuter, Waze can be a great option. Its community-based directions can help you avoid traffic and get to your destination faster.

If you are looking for a navigation app with more features, Google Maps is the best choice. It offers a wider range of information and customization options.

Tip: Install both apps and use them alternately to see which one you prefer.

Choosing between Waze and Google Maps depends on your specific needs and which features are most important to you. Both are high-quality navigation services offered by Google, but they have some key differences. Here are some considerations to help you decide which one to use:

Choose Waze if you need:

1. Real-Time Traffic Information: If you want extremely detailed, real-time traffic information, Waze is an excellent choice. Waze users actively share data about traffic, accidents, and other issues.
2. Active Community: Waze is built on active user participation. If you want to contribute traffic information or interact with a community of drivers, Waze is a great option.
3. Speed Warnings and Roadblocks: If you want to be notified in real time about speed limits, surveillance cameras, and police checkpoints, Waze offers this feature.
4. Voice Customization: Waze allows for customization of navigation voices, allowing you to record your own voice directions or choose from a variety of voices.

Choose Google Maps if you need:

1. Global Navigation: Google Maps offers wider global coverage and can be used in many parts of the world. It is especially useful for international travel.
2. Offline Maps: If you need offline access to maps and directions, Google Maps offers a very useful offline maps feature.
3. Google Integration: If you use other Google services, such as Google Calendar, Google Photos, and Gmail, Google Maps integration can make it easier to plan your trips and appointments.
4. Businesses and Points of Interest: Google Maps provides detailed information about businesses, points of interest, and reviews. It is useful for discovering new restaurants, hotels and much more.
5. Application Integration: Google Maps is often integrated into other applications and services, such as Uber, Airbnb, and many more. If you use such services, you may prefer Google Maps for its integration.

Also, it is important to note that you can also use both services according to your needs. For example, you can use Waze for real-time traffic and Google Maps for its global coverage and offline maps.

Focus on useful content: Google supports small and independent sites with the latest core update.

Launch of the August 2024 core update

On 15 August, Google announced the distribution of the core of August 2024, and the process was completed approximately one month after it was completed.

This update is not just a routine update, but a direct response to feedback received following the September 2023 Helpful Content Update, which penalized several small publishers.

Google’s New Focus

John Mueller, Google’s Search Advocate, explained that the update aims to improve the quality of search results by highlighting truly useful content, especially from small and independent publishers. This change responds to criticism and a lot of feedback Google received after the March 2024 major update, trying to valorize authentic and relevant content.

Muller wrote:

Today, we launched our August 2024 core update to Google Search. This update is designed to continue our work to improve the quality of our search results by showing more content that people find genuinely useful and less content that feels like it was made just to perform well on Search.

This latest update takes into account the feedback we’ve heard from some creators and others over the past few months. As always, we aim to connect people with a range of high quality sites, including small or independent sites that are creating useful, original content, when relevant to users’ searches. This is an area we’ll continue to address in future updates. This update also aims to better capture improvements that sites may have made, so we can continue to show the best of the web.

We’ve also updated our help page about core updates, which includes more in-depth guidance for those who may see changes after an update.

Updated the guide for publishers

Along with the rollout, Google has updated its Core Updates guide to help websites better understand the changes and improve their online presence. These resources are especially useful for publishers who notice changes in rankings after an update.

What to do if you are affected

For those who are negatively impacted, Google suggests focusing on creating useful content for users, rather than focusing solely on search engine rankings. While there are no specific actions to recover, Google encourages you to follow the updated guide to improve the quality of your site.

Conclusion

For now, seven days after the launch of the rollout, almost “nothing under the sun”.

The SearchEngineLand site reports some ongoing changes in the ranking that are supposedly “repairing” the losses of some sites such as House Fresh and Retro Dodo.

The August 2024 core update represents another step forward for Google in promoting quality content, especially for small publishers.

However, we will have to wait until the end of the rollout scheduled for mid-September to actually understand what is changing.

Stay tuned for further developments and if you have any thoughts or experiences to share about this update, feel free to comment below.

Google is set to enhance the quality of apps available on the Play Store, the application store for Android devices. Starting August 31, many low-quality apps will be removed.

Google to remove low-quality Android apps from Play Store starting August 31

Google is committed to improving the overall quality of the Play Store, the application and content store for Android devices. Beginning August 31, a process of eliminating apps with limited or non-operational functionalities will start, cutting everything that doesn’t meet the new regulations. Several thousand apps could disappear, including some legitimate ones.

Which apps will be removed?

Outdated and no longer updated apps, those with very limited or no functionalities, such as apps with only text or poorly designed and unengaging user interfaces, will be eliminated. Apps that do nothing useful or promise features they fail to deliver will also be removed. Finally, all applications that fail to properly perform their intended functions, crash, or cause stability issues for the device will be considered.

Aim of the new regulations

The idea behind the new Spam and Minimum Functionality Policy is to get rid of low-quality applications once and for all, those that are usually downloaded and immediately deleted or forgotten in memory with various permissions granted for access to personal data.

Impact on legitimate apps

Not only apps developed for illicit purposes, such as scam or user activity monitoring apps, will be removed. Many legitimate software may no longer meet the minimum requirements and be removed from the Play Store. The work to be done will be long and challenging, but the ultimate goal is to clean up the store from low-quality content for a more satisfying and secure user experience.

What do you think of this initiative by Google? Let us know in the comments below.

Notable additions include Indian dialects such as Awadhi and Marwadi, bringing a total of 243 supported languages.

Google has significantly expanded its Google Translate service, adding support for 110 new languages. This update, announced Thursday, represents the largest expansion in the translation tool’s history, which now includes a total of 243 languages.

The contribution of artificial intelligence

The expansion was made possible thanks to Google’s PaLM 2 advanced language model, which used artificial intelligence (AI) to learn new languages, particularly regional and related dialects. Among the new languages ​​supported are the Indian dialects Awadhi and Marwadi.

The 1,000 Languages ​​Initiative

This expansion is part of Google’s ambitious 1,000 languages ​​initiative, announced in November 2022. The goal is to create AI models capable of supporting the 1,000 most spoken languages ​​globally. T he inclusion of these 110 new languages ​​represents a significant milestone in this ongoing project.

Priority to common linguistic varieties

Google has prioritized the inclusion of the most commonly used linguistic varieties. For example, for the Romani language, which has numerous dialects across Europe, the AI ​​model selected the Southern Romani dialect Vlax, as it is widely used online. The availability of textual data for training the AI ​​model also influenced the selection of new languages.

New languages ​​added

Among the most notable additions are Cantonese, one of the most requested languages ​​for Google Translate, and Afar, a tonal language spoken in Djibouti, Eritrea and Ethiopia. A significant portion of the new languages, about a quarter, come from Africa, reflecting Google’s commitment to linguistic diversity and inclusion.

The role of the volunteer community

In a blog post, Google highlighted the role of volunteer community contributions in identifying and adding new languages, particularly in regions with limited digital resources. This expansion highlights Google’s ongoing efforts to break down language barriers and make information accessible to a broader audience.

FAQs

1. How many new languages ​​have been added to Google Translate? Google Translate has added 110 new languages, bringing the total supported languages ​​to 243.

2. What are some of the new languages ​​added? Among the new languages ​​added are Indian dialects such as Awadhi and Marwadi, as well as languages ​​such as Cantonese and Afar.

3. What is Google’s PaLM 2 language model? PaLM 2 is an advanced language model from Google that uses artificial intelligence to learn and support new languages, especially regional and related ones.

4. What is Google’s 1,000 languages ​​initiative? Google’s 1,000 languages ​​initiative, announced in November 2022, aims to create AI models capable of supporting the 1,000 most spoken languages ​​globally.

5. What criteria were used to select the new languages? Google prioritized the most commonly used language varieties and considered the availability of textual data for training the AI ​​model. For example, for the Roma language, the Southern Roma Vlax dialect was chosen.

6. Why do many of the new languages ​​come from Africa? About a quarter of new languages ​​come from Africa, reflecting Google’s commitment to linguistic diversity and inclusion.

7. What is the role of the volunteer community in the linguistic expansion of Google Translate? The volunteer community has contributed significantly to the identification and addition of new languages, especially in regions with limited digital resources.

8. How can I contribute to the linguistic expansion of Google Translate? You can help by suggesting new languages ​​or providing linguistic data through Google’s volunteer programs.

9. Where can I find more information about the expansion of Google Translate? You can find more information on the official Google blog and on the Google Translate support page.

10. Is Google Translate language expansion already available to all users? Yes, the expansion has already been rolled out and the new languages ​​are available to all Google Translate users.