Google's Chrome browser has 1 billion monthly users on Android and iOS

Google's Chrome mobile browser has broken the 1 billion monthly user threshold and is the latest segment of Google's ecosystem to enjoy mass appeal. Chrome on iOS and Android now joins Google Maps, YouTube, Gmail and Google Play as billion monthly user properties.

Chrome has been around on the desktop now for eight years. It released Chrome version 50 for Windows, Mac and Linux last week, and updated Chrome for iOS to version 50 yesterday. While it isn't know what the exact split of Android vs. iOS users is, Android likely has the lions share of numbers simply because it is the dominant mobile OS as well as having Chrome as the default browser on devices.

Other fun facts, Google revealed that Chrome now loads 771 billion pages each month, its auto-complete search feature helped users avoid typing 500 billion characters. Google'estimates this feature has saved 186,528 years of typing.

Source: Google via ZDNet

Google Search might soon include live TV listings

Today, I’m excited to announce that, coming soon, Google Search will have live TV listings. So now when you’re looking for The Big Bang Theory, we’ll not only show you the apps and sites where you can find the latest episode, but also show which channel you can turn your tv to later in the evening or week to catch it live.

Looks like Google Search will help solve one of the most infuriating things about live TV, which is how hard it is to sometimes find what you want to watch. Turning Google Search into an intelligent, high-tech and localized TV Guide, will enable viewers to find the shows they want on cable and live TV, apps and streaming services they subscribe to. Ther's no indication of when the feature will be enabled and if it will be made available outside of the USA, but it definitely holds promise as one of the features users will rely on a daily basis.

A feature like this could be the tip of the iceberg if enabled on devices like Chromecast or Nexus Player which can now act as conduits for searching and playing back a lot of this content on demand, which could be the revolution that set top boxes have been waiting for.

Source:Google via Android Authority

BMO launches “Next Big Idea in Fintech” with the DMZ at Ryerson University

Around the world, financial services technology is evolving rapidly and the pace of change is accelerating.  Canada has become a leading source of new ideas, and BMO Financial Group wants to ensure that the next big idea gets the support it needs to make it a reality and benefit Canadian consumers.

 BMO today announced a partnership with the DMZ at Ryerson University that will help identify those innovative minds that will create these new technologies, and then provide support to their start-up enterprises.

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Netflix to feature more content in eye-popping HDR

Netflix is currently getting competition from various Canadian and US services who are trying to cash in on the streaming company's success. As a result, Netflix needs to find new ways to be able to offer subscribers a premium experience (so they can entice them to pay for higher tiers of service). One way Netflix is moving the needle is by offering more content in HDR format. HDR, as it applies to photos and video, means high dynamic range, greater color saturation and levels of detail which, depending on the TV you are using, can dramatically enhance the picture and image of the video you are watching.

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