What Google Did in August
It’s September and the summer has flown past! In August Google made some changes that might have gone unnoticed…
New Search Results Relating to Mental Health
Over the past few years, mental health has got more recognition and is taken more seriously (about time) and there is now a lot of resources people can reach out to for advice and help. On August 23rd, Google announced its partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness and they created a questionnaire that appears within search results on the Google mobile app*, called the PHQ-9, which users can voluntarily take to measure their level of depression. This questionnaire appears when a keyword such as “depression” is searched.
It is for more people to understand their mental health and gain more knowledge on symptoms and treatment, however, this tool is not acting as a tool for diagnosis but more as a tool for knowledge and insight.
*This is only available in search results in the USA, if you think you are suffering from mental health issues, here are some resources in the UK you can reach out to:
Depression Alliance
Charity for sufferers of depression. Has a network of self-help groups.
Website: www.depressionalliance.org
Mental Health Foundation
Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.
Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Men’s Health Forum
24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.
Website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk
Pixel 2 Leaks
Mobile reporter, Evan Blass, tweeted on August 23rd that Google will reveal the Pixel 2 on October 5th. The original Pixel is being sold for £600 in the Google store and the Daydream View (Googles Virtual Reality Headset) is now free when you buy the phone.
Comment below if you want a blog post on the Pixel 2 when it’s revealed! 🙂
Google + Snapchat features = STAMP???
There was a rumour in early 2016 that Google offered to buy Snapchat for $30 billion-wow- but neither company gave an in depth comment on these rumours, apart from a Snapchat representative briefly saying “these rumours are false”.
Google is now reportedly following in the footsteps of Instagram and Facebook and launching their own “Snapchat story” features. The name is alleged to be “Stamp” which is the bi-product of stories (St) and Googles AMP, “Accelerated Mobile Pages”.
Googles version will supposedly be modelled after Snapchat’s discover section and possibly partner with publishers such as the Washington Post, Vox, and Mic. Stamp is reported to not become its own app and these stories will be found under the search bar.
Android Oreo..No, Not the Biscuit
Oreo is a platform that helps you perform tasks with ease and without pausing the tasks you are already doing. Picture in picture lets you check your calendar while staying on a video call, it lets you see two apps at once. Notification dots enable you to see whats new on your apps without having an overwhelming amount of notifications.
It also has Autofill features, that with your permission, remember log in and other information that enable you to log in and fill out forms quicker and supports Android Instant apps, which allows you to use an app without installation. Mind blown.
Other features include updated security and over 60 new emojis to play with.
Loud Website Regulations
Earlier in the summer this year, Google partnered with Coalition For Better Ads to regulate and create stricter guidelines for adverts that automatically play sound when the web page loads. They have taken this concept and allows the user to mute entire pages in Chrome.
At the moment, Chrome can be muted by right clicking on the tab and selecting “Mute Tab” but once the page is closed, the mute option is cancelled. The mute/unmute option will be in the page info drop down list when the update arrives.
Let us know if you want a blog on the new Pixel 2 or any other news!
-UK Business Buddy 🙂
Sources
http://uk.businessinsider.com/google-offered-to-buy-snapchat-for-at-least-30-in-early-2016-insiders-say-2017-8
https://www.blog.google/products/android/android-oreo-superpowers-coming-device-near-you/
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/this-month-in-google-news