Google helps you put together a quick Mother’s Day clip from your Photos library

Thinking about what to get your mom this coming Mother’s Day? Google wants to help you take a trip down memory lane by helping you assemble a short clip celebrating your mom. While it would be better to get her an actual gift, adding this on will be a nice touch. All you need to do is head to this Google Photos’ page and identify your mom as well as you and your siblings (if you have any). The app will then compile your photos and create the video slideshow for you. When it’s done, it can then be saved on your desktop or mobile phone or be shared on social media.

Source: The Next Web

Facebook to close Oculus VR animation studio

Henry | Oculus Story Studio

The award-winning Oculus Story Studio is going to be shuttered by Facebook so it can focus more on supporting third-party creators. The two-year-old unit was behind the short film Henry, which won an Emmy in 2016 for Outstanding Original Interactive Program. But recognition doesn’t seem to be what Facebook wants to focus on. According to Oculus Vice President of Content Jason Rubin, “We’ve been looking at the best way to allocate our resources to create an impact on the ecosystem. After careful consideration, we’ve decided to shift our focus away from internal content creation to support more external production. As part of that shift, we’ll be winding down Story Studio.

Rubin, in a blog post, emphasizes that Oculus isn’t giving up on producing VR film and other creative content for the platform. He says they’ve even invested US$250 million last year on third-party content creators. “We’re going to carve out $50 [million] from that financial commitment to exclusively fund non-gaming, experiential VR content. This money will go directly to artists to help jumpstart the most innovative and groundbreaking VR ideas.

Source: CNET

Facebook brings Instant Games to everyone

Facebook just announced its Messenger-bound games will now be coming to all its users around the world. Instant Games brings no-download games you can play right from your Messenger app and include turn-based games that you can play with your friends. It was first launched in the US last year with titles like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Galaga.

Facebook plans to update this library consistently. “Depending on what device you use and where you are located, there are now up to 50 games titles available on Messenger, with more being introduced almost every week.” This launch brings with it new leaderboards and tournament play modes. The new games are expected to roll out in the coming weeks for both iOS and Android apps.

Source: The Next Web

Chatr brings Talk, Text & Data plans to 10 new markets

Kate Serbin/Unsplash

Outside of the seven current locations the carrier is available on, Chatr is bringing its Talk, Text & Data plans to 10 more locations. It’s coming to Barrie, Halifax, Kelowna, Kingston, Peterborough, Quebec City, Sherbrooke, Victoria, Windsor, and Winnipeg. They join Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Montreal, Southwestern Ontario, Toronto, and Vancouver in the list of zones that have access to all services available to these plans. These services include unlimited Canada-wide Talk, unlimited Canada, US, and international Text, and data with a choice of 3G speed allotment of up to 6GB.