5 things you missed: Google science fair, n..

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

1. If you could change anything, what would it be? Google wants to know. • Does your kid have an idea that could help improve the world? Google Science Fair 2014 has begun, with online submissions being accepted until May 12.

What is the Google Science Fair? Kids — or teams of kids — aged 13-18, can sign up online and begin working on a project. The top entrant will be rewarded with a 10-day trip to the Galapagos Islands aboard the Endeavor, a ship owned by National Geographic. Other prizes include a $50,000 scholarship and a $10,000 grant for the winner's school.

Here are the rules – now get out there and do science!

Read more: "Google Science Fair 2014 kicks off to find bright young scientists with ideas to change the world" (The Next Web)

2. Fill up your e-book with children's books • Oyster, a subscription e-book service, has launched a children's section, complete with an agreement with Disney. So not only will there be your standard Dick and Jane books, but books about Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, and many other beloved characters can be downloaded.

Sounds like a great way to help win kids over at bedtime.

Read more: "Oyster now offers all-you-can-read children's books, including Disney titles" (Engadget)

3. Verizon latest to come out with bigger, better plan • In the contest to see who can have the most consumer-friendly contract, Verizon is on the verge of offering an upgrade for "More Everything" customers.

The new plans have upgrades across the services board. Share Everything plans are getting a bump — 500 MB and 1 GB plans will each double and 2GB plans will increase to 3GB. Edge customers will also get a price break of $10 for plans on 8 GB or less of data, and $20 for 10 GB or more. To top off the offer, Verizon will provide 25 GB of Verizon Cloud storage space for the price of $0 — free, nothing, whatever you like to call it.

Keep this up, and people will start to think that these big companies care about their customers. Novel, that idea.

Read more: "Verizon 'More Everything' launches tomorrow" (Android Police)

4. Help, my iPhone's home button is broken! • Consider this useful tip at LifeAlert if your iPhone home button is broken.

Here's how you can navigate your iPhone in the case of a home button emergency.

• Go to Settings –> General –> Accessibility

• Scroll down to the Physical & Motor section and select AssistiveTouch

• Turn on AssistiveTouch

There you go! Read more about what options and customizations are available by following the link below.

Read more: "What to do if your iPhone's home button breaks" (Yahoo)

5. Google, call my Mother • With the latest Google Now feature, your Android phone can recognize relationships and lets you address your contacts by more familiar titles: Mom, Dad, Husband, Wife, He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named … titles like that.

It's a nice upgrade, and should help make things easier for Android users. The next challenge is just getting the phone to recognize what you're saying.

Read more: "Google's voice search on Android now lets you set and refer to relationships for your contacts" (The Next Web)

5 things you missed: Google science fair, new Verizon offer, more