The future of news reporting is undoubtedly digital, but what’s the best way to tell stories in this brave new world. In The US, theKnight News Challengehas been funding innovative journalism projects for five years, and now a similar project is launching in Europe, backed by a $2.7 million grant from Google. TheIPI News Innovation Contestwill be run by Vienna-based International Press Institute and aims to,in Google’s words, “find and fund breakthrough ideas that will have a lasting impact on the future of digital news in communities across Europe, the Middle East and Africa....

Google has added alinkon its homepage to promote the fact that theNexus Sis free with contract today at Best Buy, reportsSearch Engine Land. The notice is presented just below the search box and links to Google’s homepage for the Nexus S, with images of the phone with AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile logos, showing that the flagship device is now available on all three carriers. While the ad on the homepage states ‘Nexus S, a pure Google experience....

If you think passwords provide enough security for your accounts, you’d be wrong. It’s important to protect your accounts with additional security measures like two-factor authentication (2FA), which allows you to use an app or a device for verification. Google already provides you an option to use hardware security keys, authenticator apps, prompts on your other devices with Google apps, and SMS-based verification codes as valid 2FA alternatives. While this security setting has been optional, the Big G is turning it on for users automatically....

Some would say Google Glass was just ahead of its time. While Glass is no longer sold to everyday consumers (it lives on in anenterprise version), it was in many ways was the public’s first introduction to mixed reality experiences. And while Google has stayed quiet on AR (and VR) devices for a few years, it appears the company is preparing to jump back into the fray in a big way....

Google MENA has just announced its latest initiative named,Ebda’, which literally meansBeginin Arabic. The initiative, launched in partnership with Egyptian businesses,InnoventuresandScience Age Society, will give one Egyptian entrepreneur the chance to get their startup off the ground, with the help of a $200,000 seed investment from Google. In addition to financial support, Google, Innoventures and Science Age Society will be travelling all over the country, looking for Egypt’s talent, and will mentor and coach the young entrepreneurs throughout the process, until they select one winner....