Official Google Australia Blog: February 2018

Anil Sabharwal announced as new engineering site lead of Google Australia

Friday, February 23, 2018

Anil returns to Sydney from Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California, where he led the team that created Google Photos.

Google PhotosDuoRCSProject Fi

Alan has led the engineering team in Australia since 2007, overseeing its growth from just 20 engineers to more than 700 today.

AusOcean

Building robots and future STEM careers with Balga kids

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Google's Sally-Ann Williams (left) with Senator Michaelia Cash (centre-left) and Schools Plus CEO Rosemary Conn (centre-right) get a robotics demonstration from students at Balga Senior High School.

Senator the Honourable Michaelia CashSchools PlusBalga Senior High School

Balga SHS aims to introduce at least two hours' a week of STEM education for its Year Seven students.

Schools Plus

Google, Schools Plus and Balga announced the funding and additional support at an assembly attended by staff and students.

Posted by Sally-Ann Williams, Engineering and Community Outreach Manager, Google Australia

More than just a way to pay: the new Google Pay app arrives Down Under

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Fast, simple checkout. Easy access to rewards and offers. One spot for purchases, passes, and payment methods. All of these are ways we’ve been working to make paying safer and easier for everyone, everywhere. And you can make the most of these features with the new Google Pay app for Android.

The app, which begins rolling out today, is just one part of everything we’ve got planned. We’re currently working on bringing Google Pay to all Google products, so whether you’re shopping on Chrome or with your Assistant, you’ll have a consistent checkout experience using the cards saved to your Google Account. We’re also working with partners online and in stores, so you’ll see Google Pay on sites, in apps, and at your favorite places around the world.

As we continue to expand to even more devices and services, the new app offers an exciting glimpse of what’s to come. Here’s a closer look:

Helpful info while you shop
Google Pay’s new “Home” tab gives you the info you need, right when you need it. See your recent purchases, find nearby stores, and enjoy easy access to rewards.

A new spot for your stuff
The “Cards” tab is an easy way to keep everything you need at checkout organized and at the ready. From credit and debit cards to loyalty programs, offers, and even that stack of gift cards from last year’s birthday, you’ll never miss a chance to save with Google Pay.

A faster way to pay your fare in NSW and overseas
Ferry and light rail trips in Sydney will be faster and smoother than ever for NSW commuters, as you can now use Google Pay to pay for your ticket via your smartphone.You can also use Google Pay on transit when you travel in London (with more cities soon), and stop worrying about your pass once and for all. Now all you need at the turnstile is the device that’s already in your hand.

Google security and encryption
Like all Google products, Google Pay comes with strong security protections at its core to safeguard your account and personal data from security threats. In other words, it’s got your back.

Pay via Wear

Google Pay is now supported on smartwatches running Wear OS in Australia - bringing you effortless payment experiences at-a-glance via your smartwatch.

All your favourite features

Longtime Android Pay fans, fear not: the features you love aren’t going away. You’ll still get all your bank’s perks and protections, plus an extra layer of security, since Google Pay doesn’t share your actual card number when you pay in stores. And those online forms that take forever to fill out? Just choose Google Pay at checkout and pay with a few quick clicks instead. Aussies can pay in-store as well as in-app or online or on your Android phone with a range of merchants, including at ASOS, Deliveroo, JB Hi-Fi, The Iconic and Wish.

How you can enjoy Google Pay today

To use Google Pay you’ll need to download the Google Pay app on Google Play, and have an eligible MasterCard, Visa, American Express or eftpos card from one of more than 50 supported banks and credit unions including ANZ, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Westpac. HSBC and Suncorp recently launched on Google Pay – and more banks are being added all the time (see full list here).

In Australia, for a limited time, we’re also giving eligible new and referring users the opportunity to earn $10 Google Play credit under two introductory promos with Google Pay. Terms and conditions apply (see here) - follow the prompts in-app to opt in.

And if you’re a developer or business owner interested in accepting Google Pay, you’ll find all the tools you need on our developer site — or you can work with Shopify to make integration even easier.

Ready to try the Google Pay app? Get it on Google Play today.
Posted by Gerardo Capiel Product Management Director, Consumer Payments and Varouj Chitilian Engineering Director, Consumer Payments

Promoting pride and respect with artificial intelligence

Monday, February 19, 2018

We launched Project Respect at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair Day.

Project Respect2018 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Googlers Kirstin Sillitoe and Sam Worne help to launch Project Respect.

Perspective

Perspective helps to highlight the possible toxicity of a comment, while you're writing it.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Community Parade Grants

The Google team behind Project Respect.

Project RespectPosted by Kirstin Sillitoe, Google Creative Lab, Sydney

Safer Internet Day: Create, connect and share respect

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Safer Internet DayCreate, connect and share respect: A better internet starts with you invited some of Australia’s most popular YouTubersElly AwesomeSlaiman and KateJayden RodriguesJamieThe Scran LineYouTube’s Community Guidelines

Perspective uses machine learning to try to measure the impact of a comment, and see whether it might be perceived as toxic.

Perspective

YouTube encourages viewers to flag content they feel is inappropriate.

Safe SearchRestricted Mode on YouTubeThe Alannah and Madeline FoundationProject RockitKids HelplineReachOut
Posted by Samantha Yorke, Public Policy and Government Relations Counsel, Google Australia

Back to school with Google for Education

Friday, February 2, 2018

As the 2018 school year kicks off we’re counting down some of last year’s education highlights

Educators were empowered to teach digital skills, with new professional development programs and resources. We awarded 22 Computer Science for High Schools (CS4HS) grants in Australia and 5 CS4HS grants in New Zealand and launched Careers with Code 2017 to every high school in Australia and New Zealand. We also saw 20,000 teachers enroll in the CSER MOOCs.

In New Zealand, we worked with the government to implement the digital technologies curriculum and hosted a ceremony for recent graduates of Manaiakalani Digital Teaching Academy - a program which provides new teachers with a year of teaching and training in a full immersion digital environment.

Online safety is front and centre for students, parents and teachers and we supported partners to develop online wellbeing programs for young people, including Project Rockit TV; a series of short videos addressing issues such as bullying and online behaviour. Kiwi students also had access to an online cyber bullying quiz to gain their digital license with the launch of the program in New Zealand, while the Generation Next seminar series and accompanying YouTube channel provided resources to empower students as ambassadors for mental health and wellbeing within their schools.

Schools told us that they wanted to learn more about Google’s education tools, so we visited classrooms from Bendigo to Rotorua during the Google Reimagining Education with Technology tour across 12 cities. Thousands of educators shared and learned together at Education On Air and EduTECH.

Last but not least, Chromebooks arrived in more classrooms, helping students access learning opportunities and supporting innovative teaching approaches. In New Zealand, Chromebooks were named as the number one selling education device in schools, while in Australia, all secondary students across Canberra Public Schools will receive a Chromebook, starting in Term 1 2018. Globally, more than 25 million students are using Chromebooks and over 30 million teachers and students use Google Classroom.

There goes the school bell!

Posted by Suan Yeo, Head of Education, Google Australia and New Zealand

Australia Blog

Anil Sabharwal announced as new engineering site lead of Google Australia

Building robots and future STEM careers with Balga kids

More than just a way to pay: the new Google Pay app arrives Down Under

Promoting pride and respect with artificial intelligence

Safer Internet Day: Create, connect and share respect

Back to school with Google for Education

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