Skip to main content

Next in line for Google fiber testing will have to wait

A few months ago, Google announced that it was beginning to test its new fiber Internet service in a Stanford neighborhood. It also claimed that the lucky locations for additional high-speed Internet testing would be picked by year’s end. Turns out Google’s going to just miss that deadline.

Today, Google offer an update on its fiber project. First of all, it’s got a new leader: Milo Medin is now the VP of Access Services and will be overseeing the progress of the ultra high-speed broadband. And while he assures us via a blog post that everything is moving along according to plan, adding new communities to the beta testing is going to be delayed.

Recommended Videos

Medin reports that the level of interest from hopeful locations was far beyond what Google expected, and that choosing where to implement the project next is taking longer than expected. Over 1,000 communities applied, and they’re going to have to wait a little bit longer to find out the results. Medin also notes that this doesn’t mean the contest is open for new entries, and that the team “simply need[s] more time to decide.” An announcement of some sort should be just around the corner in early 2011.

Medin’s LinkedIn shows that he has some considerable experience in the broadband industry. He was formally the Chairman and CTO of M2Z Networks, a wireless broadband Internet provider and is a member of the California Broadband Task Force, which advises policymakers on the state’s telecommunications progress.

Molly McHugh
Former Social Media/Web Editor
Before coming to Digital Trends, Molly worked as a freelance writer, occasional photographer, and general technical lackey…
Topics
Google’s new Agent will power Mercedes’ next in-car AI assistant
The Mercedes MBUX

Google Cloud released its new Automotive AI Agent on Monday and has named the Mercedes-Benz CLA as the first car model to offer it later this year. The Agent will enable Mercedes' MBUX Virtual Assistant to perform a wider array of conversational functions with the vehicle's passengers.

We got our first look at Mercedes' next generation assistant a year ago, at CES 2024, though the company did not reveal which large language model underpinned its capabilities at the time. This new assistant differs from the existing MBUX that can activate around two dozen in-car commands and provide information sourced from ChatGPT and Bing. While the current generation assistant can be activated by stating "Hey, Mercedes," it functions more like Siri or Google Assistant than ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode, offering static responses rather than conversational replies.

Read more
ChatGPT prototypes its next strike against Google Search: browsers
ChatGPT on a laptop

ChatGPT developer OpenAI may be one step closer to creating a third-party search tool that integrates the chatbot into other websites as primary feature. If the project comes to fruition, OpenAI could target Google as both a search engine and web browser.

A source told The Information the project is a search tool called NLWeb, Natural Language Web, and that it is currently in a prototype phase. OpenAI has showcased the prototype to several potential partners in travel, retail, real estate, and food industries, with Conde Nast, Redfin, Eventbrite, and Priceline being named by brand. The tool would enable ChatGPT search features onto the websites of these brands' products and services.

Read more
Google (probably) made your internet faster
Google Fiber logo on wall

A recent report from Ookla, using Speedtest data, highlights how Google Fiber’s entry into various markets has driven a significant increase in internet speeds across the board. Google Fiber has set a new standard by offering gigabit internet services -- speeds far exceeding what was available from most providers previously.

According to the report, the presence of Google Fiber in a market often prompts competitors to offer faster, more reliable internet to keep up. In areas where Google Fiber operates, both download and upload speeds have surged, benefitting not just Google customers but also those using other ISPs.

Read more