Snapchat introduces its mental health-related feature earlier than expected due to COVID-19

Snap Inc. is hoping to somewhat help during this global COVID-19 pandemic by offering its Here For You feature earlier than its intended release. Announced earlier this year to mark Safer Internet Day, Snapchat's Here For You function is designed to direct users to mental health-related resources. In a company blog post released in February, it was supposed to roll out "in the coming months" to "show safety resources from local experts when Snapchatters search for certain topics, including those related to anxiety, depression, stress, grief, suicidal thoughts, and bullying." 

But with the toll that the novel coronavirus has taken on both our physical and mental health, Snap Inc. has opted to release the feature earlier than its intended April release date. So, Snapchat users who search for the terms "coronavirus" and "COVID-19" should surface important and verified information from partners like "the Ad Council, World Health Organization, the CDC, Crisis Text Line, NHS, and other partners who are creating content on anxiety specifically related to coronavirus." According to an email to Mashable, the feature is expected to roll out next week. 

Google Assistant helps you wash your hands the proper way

Photo by Burst from Pexels

Since one of the most basic ways to help defend against fatal contagions is washing your hands, Google partners with the World Health Organization to help you do it properly. A new Google Assistant command will play an instructional song that follows the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" for 40 seconds. The time is the minimum duration that WHO recommends you wash your hands to remove the germs off your hands.

The command is designed to work with all devices that support Google Assistant. On mobile, it'll even display lyrics, while on smart displays like the Nest Hub, there's a graphic of soap bubbles that appear.

Source: Gizmodo

Rosario Dawson will reportedly play Ahsoka Tano in 'The Mandalorian'

For the first time, we might see Ahsoka Tano in a live-action Star Wars production. Slash Film reported that Rosario Dawson had been cast to play Anakin Skywalker's Jedi padawan apprentice in the second season of the popular Disney+ show The Mandalorian. Ahsoka has so far appeared on animated Star Wars series The Clone Wars and Rebels.

Dave Filoni, who is the co-creator of the animated version of Ahsoka, is a writer, producer, director on The Mandalorian. He will also be returning as a director for season 2. Lucasfilm or Dawson hasn't confirmed the casting yet, but we'll keep you posted on any updates.

Canadian Reviewer Weekly Roundup – 3/15 – 3/21

Apple launches new iPad Pros with improved cameras and trackpad support

'Beastie Boys Story' is coming to Apple TV+ on April 24 

Apple outlines guidelines for COVID-19-related apps on the App Store 

Rogers starts rolling out Android 10 to Samsung Galaxy S9, Note 9 devices 

Airbnb extends its no-charge cancellation policy 

Apple rumoured to release a 5.5-inch, entry-level iPhone 

Steam will hold another 'Game Festival' to give indie titles exposure 

Adobe offers students and schools free temporary access to Creative Cloud 

Apple refreshes MacBook Air with new keyboards, Mac mini now has twice the storage 

SirusXM's Ultra Virtual Audio Festival to broadcast live DJ sets 

Xbox Game Pass Unlimited subscribers get free DLC, in-game perks 

Conan O'Brien plans to broadcast a full-length show using an iPhone, Skype 

Stingray unlocks 30 days of content during COVID-19 

Samsung unveils Galaxy S20+ 5G Olympic Edition 

Google will not release new features to Chrome, Chrome OS to maintain stability 

CBC expands content for kids and families 

F1 will hold a Virtual Grand Prix series to replace canceled races 

Google, YouTube offer new resources for teachers, students at home