Google rumoured to resurrect Stadia through a new YouTube product

Google shut down its game streaming service Stadia, but it hasn't completely given up on the idea. The Wall Street Journal claims YouTube is testing out a new gaming product called Playables that could leverage the tech behind Stadia so it could bring more revenue to the platform. YouTube may already be a popular destination for video game streaming and user-generated content. But its CEO Neal Mohan wants to expand into the gaming space further as advertising revenue has slowed down. 

Playables will supposedly have simple arcade-style games you can play on the site or app. One of the games is called Stack Bounce, where you use a ball to break a brick wall. YouTube is testing the game out with its employees now. But there is no word on how it will be monetized or when it will be available. A YouTube spokesperson told WSJ that gaming is an area of interest for the company, but it has nothing to announce for now.

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Google Docs gets a polling feature

Photo: Google

Google has recently introduced Smart Canvas features to simplify template creation, document reuse, and YouTube video embedding. Now, it adds a polling feature that can be useful for shared Google Docs. With polls, it might help with making collective decisions more easily. Google allows users to add polls to documents using Smart Chips, a similar feature already available in Google Slides. You can vote by clicking the emoji next to the option you prefer and see the number of votes per option.

The company expects its users to utilize this polling feature to compare ideas, get feedback, and rank ideas based on popularity. And now, you don't have to use alternative apps to poll collaborators. You can already do it within the document you're working on. Google is rolling out the feature gradually, and it's only available for some customers, including Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and Nonprofit-tier Workspace.

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Dreaming of living in a Barbie world? Get ready to book through Airbnb!

It’s a Barbie world, but this summer, it’s Ken’s turn to take hosting for a spin. That’s right in anticipation for what’s set to be the blockbuster film of the summer– Barbie’s Malibu DreamHouse is back by popular demand on Airbnb – with a twist!

While everyone’s favorite doll makes her live-action film debut in BARBIE, Ken is handing over the keys and hosting two, one night stays in the newly renovated and iconic Malibu DreamHouse. Located in sunny Malibu, the perfectly pink oceanfront mansion features panoramic views and serves as the perfect one-of-a-Ken backdrop for Ken’s picture-plastic paradise.  

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Oreo enters the world of Nintendo's Super Mario

In partnership with Nintendo, OREO invites fans to collect character-embossed cookies and save the Mushroom Kingdom! OREO, has teamed up with Nintendo to release limited-edition cookies inspired by the world of Super Mario™ and is sending fans on a mission to help Mario and the other heroes stop Bowser.

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