Google opens the first Canadian Google Cloud Platform region in Montreal

Looking to serve Canadian businesses better, Google launches the first Canada-based Google Cloud Platform region in Montreal. What this’ll bring to the local businesses includes faster services, particularly related to machine learning and analyzing information, and also to keep sensitive data within the country. Google says in the blog post that it’ll allow them to “deliver lower latency for customers in adjacent geographic areas, increased scalability, and more disaster recovery options.” Google boasts of a diverse set of customers that make use of its services, such as mobile gaming studios and other traditional enterprises. And it hopes this opens new business for them in the country.

Facebook rolls out ‘Messenger Day’ to users worldwide

The Snapchat stories clone from Facebook first debuted in Poland around September last year. Now, it looks like Facebook’s Messenger Day is ready to go live for all users around the world. According to the social network, it is now live for all Android and iOS users around the world. If you’ve used either Snapchat or Instagram’s own stories feature, you know how this works. You can use the built in camera of Facebook Messenger to take photos that you can add graphics and text to so you can show how your day went. These posts will be live for 24 hours before these disappear. Having yet another Facebook service copy Snapchat shows how prevalent images are for communicating these days. Even the New York Times wrote about how big role Snapchat and images play in communicating with others are.

Source: The Verge

Google gets into the original podcast game

Following in the footsteps of Apple and Spotify, Google now has its own audio podcast. Called City Soundtracks, it focuses on conversations between musical acts as they delve into the places, moments, and songs that influence both their work and lives. It’s hosted by West Wing Weekly’s Hrishikesh Hirway. There are currently three episodes of the “pod” with one focusing on Grammy-nominated R&B artist Kehlani, another on “Queen of Bounce” Big Freedia, and the third is a tour of Austin’s music culture with Britt Daniel and Jim Eno. It isn’t known yet what Google plans for this podcast or if we can expect more new original content from them but having exclusive content is one way to differentiate themselves from the competition. City Soundtracks is available on iTunes and Google Play Music.

Source: The Next Web

Facebook now has a dedicated virtual reality app

Facebook is now stepping further into the virtual reality realm and muddying up a bit the separation between Facebook and Oculus. Oculus Video used to be the go-to app for Gear VR users who wanted to engage with Facebook videos. Now, with Facebook 360, that might change. The new app will be Facebook’s hub for 360-degree videos and photos. The social network claims there will be over a million videos and 25 million 360-degree photos to date and that’ll make for a robust start to the app. It currently only works for the Gear VR headset and can be downloaded on the Oculus Store.

Facebook 360 will have four main feeds, including the Explore, Following, Saved, and Timeline tab. Explore gives you a look at the popular content on the platform from different media companies and creators. Following shows you content created by your friends. Saved shows you the 360-degree content you’ve seen online and might have wanted to see while using the headset. And Timeline shows your own 360-degree photos and videos. You’ll be able to react to content, save, and share as well in the app. But Facebook promises there will be more social features coming up in the future.

Source: TechCrunch