Google releases migration tool for Google+ circles and connections

In a blog post on his Google+ page, Google+ Product Manager Ronald Ho announced a new tool to transfer circles from one account to another that is now available through Google Takeout. In an overview of the long-requested feature, Google explained the tool would migrate “circle names, circle members, “your circles” settings, and people and pages you’ve blocked or ignored.” However, Google noted there is a 7-day waiting period before a transfer is initiated, and both profiles will have limited functionality until the transfer is complete:

-There’s a 7 day waiting period before your transfer begins.

-To cancel the transfer before it starts, sign in to either account on Google+. Then click Cancel transfer at the bottom of the page. Note that you cannot cancel using a mobile interface.

-If the source or destination accounts are managed by an organization, the account administrator may restrict your ability to transfer your connections and/or use Google+.

-You won’t be able to use this tool with these accounts again for 6 months.

-Once the transfer begins, it cannot be cancelled or undone.

As for limited functionality, both accounts will not be able to share content on Google+ during the transfer—nor can they add, remove, block, or ignore people in circles and elsewhere. Google continued by explaining the result of a transfer once complete:

When the transfer is complete, your circles, blocks, and ignores are copied from the source account to the destination account. Circles in the destination account with the same names are merged. Content from your source account (such as profile information, posts, or comments) is not transferred to the destination account. Similarly, authorship information and Google+ pages that you manage with your source account will not be transferred to the destination account. However, this content, pages, and authorship information still exist in your source account… After the transfer is complete, your source account profile will still exist in your source account. However, it will be replaced with your destination account in other people’s circles.

If you are interested in checking out the new tool, you can do so by clicking “Transfer your Google+ connections to another account” at Google Takeout now.

New York City is turning payphones into Wi-Fi hotspots

Payphones in New York City have largely been made obsolete by the fact that almost everybody’s got a cell phone for staying in touch on-the-go. Luckily for the long-forgotten phones that still dot the city’s streets, they’re about to get a twenty-first-century upgrade.

New York City’s Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications introduced on Wednesday the city’s first payphones-turned-WI-Fi hotspots. They’re free of charge for any nearby New Yorker (or visitor) to use for connecting his smart phone, tablet or laptop to the Internet. Internet services are being provided in cooperation with Van Wagner and Titan.

So far, 10 payphones spread across Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn have become WI-Fi-equipped as part of a pilot program. Other WI-Fi payphones are being planned for The Bronx and Staten Island. In total, New York City has 12,360 payphones that could become hotspots.

In a statement, the city promised that “no personal information will be gathered and no advertising will be presented as part of the pilot program.”

People headed to the payphone hotspot on Broadway and 49th St. to test its connection. The payphone was identifiable by a banner advertising “free WI-Fi here.” Otherwise, nothing distinguished the Wi-Fi payphone from any other unit.

Connecting was easy: They simply selected “NYC-PUBLIC-WIFI” from the list of available networks, and then agreed to the terms and conditions of the service. Standing right beside the payphones, we recorded speeds of 6.08mpbs down and .07mpbs up.

Those aren’t lightning-fast numbers, but for a free and public service, they’re not too shabby — just don’t plan on downloading a full-length movie through a payphone hotspot any time soon. Oh, and don’t cross the street — there, you’ll find only 1.02mbps down and .06mbps up.

City officials hailed the project as a step forward in expanding high-speed Internet access for residents.

“Expanding public access to broadband technology across the five boroughs is it wired or wireless is at the heart of the Bloomberg Administration’s efforts to promote greater digital inclusion for New Yorkers,” said Chief Information and Innovation Officer Rahul N. Merchant. “Today’s announcement does just that, while also allowing us to enhance existing telecommunications infrastructure –- public payphones –- in an innovative way.”

The City is also asking residents to submit ideas regarding the future of the city’s payphones, as the current provider agreements end in late 2014.

“As we begin assessing the future of the payphone in New York City, this pilot should help us gauge public interest in the amenities the next generation of devices might offer,” said Merchant.

New York City also offers free Wi-Fi in public parks and libraries across the city. How else can cities expand Wi-Fi access for their citizens? Share your ideas in the comments below.