The latest 'Made by Google' hardware serves to frame innovative software and services

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

There were few surprises in today's 'Made by Google' event. Many of the devices, including the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, Pixel slate 2-in-1 Chromebook and even the new Chromecast, have been outed in various renders, videos and some have been even sold before hand.

The surprises, however, came in the form of software and services which make these devices potential game changers in their specific categories.

The new Pixel 3 smartphones look like mild refinements from last year's duo of impressive devices. This time around they improve on camera hardware as well as feature innovative computational features to ensure the best photo by taking shots even before the shutter is pressed. The new Top Shot feature, which debuts on the Pixels 3, shoot multiple HDR+ shots to ensure you can capture a great image. The new Pixels also promise impressive low-light photography and zoom. Pixel 3 also brings IP68 water and dust resistance.

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Carpool Karaoke returns to the Apple TV app on Oct. 12

Great news for music fans everywhere. Emmy-winning Carpool Karaoke is returning for another star-studded season of sing-along hilarity, and will be available FREE on the Apple TV app starting Friday, Oct. 12 at 1:00pm ET / 10:00am PT. Fans can watch a new episode every Friday on the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV — no subscription required. 

Expect apperances by stars as Jamie Foxx (who appears in the first episode with daughter Corinne Foxx), Tyra Banks, Jason Sudeikis, Miss Piggy, Quincy Jones, Rashida Jones, Matthew McConaughey, Snoop Dogg, Andy Samberg and Weird Al Yankovic. 

The Apple TV app comes pre-installed on every iPhone, iPad and Apple TV, and is the best place to find and watch what you love across TV shows, movies, live sports, and news.

How to watch today's Made by Google event stream

Today is G-Day where Google is expected to unload the latest 'Made by Google' products including the much leaked Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL flagship smartphones, new Chromebooks, a Pixel Slate and a gamut of smart speakers, smart screens and possibly new Pixel Buds, Google Clips or other newfangled accessories.

The proceedings kick off in NYC at 11 AM and you can watch the stream on YouTube as well as follow various #MadeByGoogle commentaries on Twitter. Tune in later today here for all the relevant news for the Canadian market from the event.

Google + for consumers will shut down by August 2019

Google + will not go out with a bang, or even a whimper. The long irrelevant play at creating a social media platform tied to Google services will instead be extinguished with hushed apologies for the recent discovery that Google had allowed a known exploit to exist without notifying its users.

Google + was once a vibrant and alternative to Facebook and Twitter which offered a good place to post and dialogue about various interests and ideas. The service, which was available on the web and then on mobile, lost traction and eventually withered due to poor management and promotion. Google has apparently pivoted it as an enterprise tool, but the consumer service will end next year.

The recent discovery that a three-year old vulnerability was left open by Google has sped up the service's demise. The Wall Street Journal reported that Google knew and kept secret information about the exploit that affected 500,000 user accounts and exposed even private user information.

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