Google Play Movies might offer free, ad-supported films soon

Google Play Movies

Google Play Movies might be trying to lure in more people by offering free ad-supported movies that you can stream. XDA found lines of code in version 4.18.37 of the app's Android version that this feature might be in our immediate future. The announcement message included words like "hundreds of movies" that could be available with "just a few ads." 9to5Google speculates it could be similar to Vudu, which is a movie and TV marketplace on its own but also has a rotating library of free, ad-supported content that can be watched.

The lines of code also show the feature asking users to provide birthdates, perhaps to keep children from watching R-rated films. And it seems there will also be a notification when an ad is in progress when the content is being cast to a Chromecast target. There is no timeline when Google might release this feature. But with the COVID-19 pandemic keeping a lot of us at home, now might be the best time for Google to introduce the feature.

Samsung Galaxy S10, Note 10 to get S20's best camera features

Samsung Galaxy S20's Single Take is one of the features coming to the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 series (Samsung)

If you have Samsung Galaxy S10 and Note 10, we have some good news for you. The tech company is bringing the Galaxy S20's new camera features to the previous generation Galaxy handsets. These functions include Single Take, Night Hyperlapse, as well as new gallery and sharing features. Samsung hasn't revealed yet when the rollout will be, but it will be available for select markets "in the coming weeks."

Click to read more ...

YouTube will default videos to standard definition worldwide for a month

With hundreds of millions of people staying at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of people are relying on streaming services to be entertained or to learn things. YouTube hopes to curb the now constant use of internet bandwidth by defaulting videos around the world to standard definition when streaming for a month. You can still watch clips in high definition, but you will need to select it from the settings.

YouTube doesn't think the world will run out of internet bandwidth soon, but Google wanted to take preemptive measures to ensure the network runs smoothly during this crisis. Google said in a statement, "We continue to work closely with governments and network operators around the globe to do our part to minimize stress on the system during this unprecedented situation."

Source: Bloomberg

'Minecraft' offers free educational content

Minecraft

One big challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic is helping children with their schoolwork as over half a billion students are out of school. Minecraft is offering some of its "favorite lessons" from the Education Edition for free. There is a new Education category over at the game's Marketplace, allowing kids to explore the International Space Station or even the inside of the human eye. Minecraft also included 10 worlds from its Marketplace creator community. The free content will be available until June 30. Anyone with Minecraft for Bedrock platforms can find these worlds by launching the game and visiting the in-game store.

Source: Microsoft