News AU: Google Maps agrees to sort its inflated distances in the Queensland Outback. “Google is working to regain the trust of Queenslanders after dozens of outback businesses said the tech giant’s bad estimates was causing tourists to skip the picturesque region.”
Australia
ABC News (Australia): Macquarie Dictionary word of the year goes to ‘me too’, in a year filled with digital uncertainty
ABC News (Australia): Macquarie Dictionary word of the year goes to ‘me too’, in a year filled with digital uncertainty. “Oxford Dictionaries gave us toxic. For the Collins, it was single-use. The American Dialect Society chose tender-age shelter. It’s word of the year season, and the Australian votes are in.”
ABC News (Australia): Google Maps’ ‘incorrect’ outback travel times could be deterring tourists, businesses say
ABC News (Australia): Google Maps’ ‘incorrect’ outback travel times could be deterring tourists, businesses say. “From dinosaurs in Winton and Eromanga to the world’s most remote racing event in Birdsville, it’s understandable why the Queensland Government has dubbed 2019 as the year for outback tourism. But business owners in the state’s south-west say travel times on Google Maps are inaccurate and could deter tourists from making the trip.”
ABC News (Australia): Emergency text and email service hacked, thousands receive warning messages about their personal data
ABC News (Australia): Emergency text and email service hacked, thousands receive warning messages about their personal data. “A hacker has been able to send messages via text, email, and landline to tens of thousands of people across Australia after an emergency warning alert service, used by councils, was hacked.”
India Times: This Guy Took A 15-Minute Shortcut Suggested By Google Maps & Ended Up On A Two-Hour Road Trip
India Times: This Guy Took A 15-Minute Shortcut Suggested By Google Maps & Ended Up On A Two-Hour Road Trip. “If you are someone who loves adventure, just get on Google maps and trust it for giving you some of the most convoluted directions. That’s right, directions on Google maps aren’t always accurate and some of the routes suggested by the app are hilariously wild. This is exactly what happened to one Australian guy who just wanted a 15-minute shortcut to a particular place and the maps ended up taking him on the most scenic two-hour drive of his life.” Fortunately the guy had plenty of supplies and documented his journey with some great pictures.
BBC: Australian police Google Maps blunder ‘missed location of body’
BBC: Australian police Google Maps blunder ‘missed location of body’. “A missing Australian’s body could have been found 18 months earlier if searchers had not relied on incorrect Google Maps data, a coroner has said. Darrell Simon, 46, was last seen in November 2014 at his partner’s house about 80km (50 miles) west of Brisbane.”
SBS News: Database connects kids with culturally diverse children’s books
SBS News: Database connects kids with culturally diverse children’s books. “A new database designed by the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literacy (NCACL) hopes to make it easier for teachers, parents, and readers to find books which celebrate diversity. Users can search for key concepts in the database, including cultural identity, traditions, migration, and language.” The database will launch later in 2019.
