YouTube collaborates with ABS-CBN in launching Super Stream

MANILA – YouTube has collaborated with ABS-CBN and other media partners to give netizens free access to video content across a variety of genres for a limited time.

Through Super Stream, YouTube users can watch over 300 hours of binge-worthy content including local blockbuster movies, hit shows, romance flicks, historic sports matches, inspiring documentaries and more, the video platform said in a statement.

Super Stream will run from Aug. 30 to Sept. 26.

“Every day, Filipinos go to YouTube to learn, share their passions, or be entertained. As people limit going out to remain well, we want to make staying safe at home better by introducing Super Stream so everyone can access movies, TV shows and more--for free until September 26,” said Gabby Roxas, Marketing Head of Google Philippines.

“Whether it is a box office hit, classic TV show, sports event, or documentary, there is Super Stream content for entertainment needs on top of the YouTube videos from favorite creators,” he added.

For its first week from Aug. 30 to Sept. 5, the following movies from ABS-CBN will be available on YouTube’s Super Stream channel:

    Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros
    The Gift
    Everybody Loves Baby Wendy
    Allergy in Love
    Barbara Reimagined
    Agawan Base
    Mamu and a Mother, Too
    Baka Bukas
    Tisay
    Happyland
    The Reunion
    SPARK
    Apple of My Eye

Meanwhile, daily full episodes of “Pangako Sa’Yo,” “Lovers in Paris,” “All of Me” and “Dolce Amore” will also be available for streaming.

The following digital series cutups and 25-minuter supercut movies will be on the Super Stream channel:

    A Second Chance
    The Unmarried Wife
    All Times Seph Was The Reliable Friend
    All Times Junjun Was The Wise Friend
    Listen To Love: The Four Bad Boys and Me (EP 1, 2 and 3)

Under the variety show genre, netizens can watch “Love Out Loud with Kaorhys” and the first and second episodes of “Hello Stranger Finale FanCon.”

Lastly, the 17th episode of Toni Gonzaga’s “I Feel U” and “We Rise Together’s” 62nd,63rd and 64th episodes will also be available on Super Stream.

Aside from ABS-CBN, YouTube has also collaborated with GMA and TBA Studios for this new project.

news.abs-cbn.com

Google PH sets up 2016 elections channel on YouTube

In the age of social media, millennials, who make up a big chunk of potential voters, are getting their information from non-traditional means.

Recognizing this trend, Google Philippines, together with the National Youth Commission, put up a 2016 Elections channel on YouTube that compiles political news videos from all the major networks. - The World Tonight, ANC, March 17, 2016

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How Google plans to give every Filipino Internet access

MANILA - Google on Tuesday launched the Android One line of affordable smartphones in the Philippines, as it aims to provide easy Internet access to every Filipino.

In an event held in Makati City, the tech giant revealed the entry-level smartphones will be distributed by local partners Cherry Mobile and MyPhone in the next few weeks.

The smartphones -- Cherry One and MyPhone Uno -- will feature the latest version of Android Lollipop, billed as the "fastest, most responsive Android experience ever."

It will also come with the company's new user interface, and additional features to help conserve data and battery life.

"We want to see a future where every single Filipino is introduced to the Internet," said Kenneth Lingan, Google's country manager for the Philippines.

According to the company, there are 44 million Filipinos connected to the Internet. The number is six million shy of half of the country's total population, which breached the 100 million mark last July.

Google also expects that an additional 10 million Filipinos will be able to have first-time access to the Internet in 2015, propelling the country ahead of South Korea in terms of Internet population.

Lingan explained that having the Internet accessible to as many Filipinos as possible would not only benefit overseas Filipino workers and their families, but also have a lasting effect to the country's economy.

For instance, in the agricultural sector, farmers can tap online tools to find information to improve their yields, creating a more efficient workforce.

"Imagine this happening in every sector in our country," Lingan said.

 

'The Android One initiative'

The Philippines is the sixth country to have access to Google's line of affordable smartphones, after India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.

The Android One is an initiative launched by Google in India last September, in an attempt to make smartphones and consequently, Internet access, available to more consumers in developing countries.

It is a "reference platform" that allows device makers and local manufacturers to easily make low-cost smartphones.

Caesar Sengupta, Google Vice President of Product Management, likened the Android One initiative to "your favorite grandmother's recipe" of the local popular dish, pork adobo.

Simply put, he said Google provides the recipe, and their partners choose the ingredients.

"If you're making adobo, you want to pick the right pork. You start with a great recipe, put in the right ingredients, and you will get fantastic results," he added.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

You can now watch YouTube videos offline

MANILA - The world's largest video sharing site YouTube on Thursday launched a new feature in the Philippines, which will allow mobile users in the country to view videos offline.

Available to both iOS and Android devices, the ad-supported feature will let users save videos from the site using either a Wi-Fi connection or their data plans.

The saved videos will then be available for viewing without an Internet connection for the next 48 hours after going offline.

"We want to make sure we are making YouTube as enjoyable as possible for our growing base of mobile users in the Philippines," said YouTube vice president of engineering John Harding in a statement.

"By launching a new offline feature for YouTube today, we hope to help people move past the challenges of data connection, speed and cost to enjoy a smooth, buffer-free version of YouTube," he added.

According to Google Philippines country marketing manager Ryan Morales, the new offline feature will help make video content more affordable and accessible in the country.

"By making these popular videos available for temporary offline viewing, our partners will help fans connect more easily with their favorite content, while also helping bring more viewers to their videos," he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Compostela Valley teen wins Google doodle contest

MANILA - A high school student from Compostela Valley beat tens of thousands of other entries to get his sarimanok-inspired drawing on the homepage of Google Philippines.

Kim Patrick Saren, who studies at Nabunturan National Comprehensive High School, came out on top of the nationwide contest, which saw 51,000 entries from all over the country answer the question: 'What can I do for the Philippines?"

"This is a sarimanok inspired idea. It symbolizes Filipino culture with deep appreciation of hard work and creativity," wrote Saren of his doodle.

"The concept is created to solve problems like traffic, economy, education and basic needs. The key on the tail signifies the solutions to the problems wherein we must fly high with pride and honor," he added.

Saren received a P400,000 educational grant, a P350,000 connectivity grant for his school, and several other prizees ranging from tablets to gift certificates.

Three other winners were picked per age group. Angela Kaitlin Tiu's "Love and Care for the Philippines," Avryll Nartates' "Coral Ripped or Coral Reef?", and Jay Portallo's "Symphony for Peace" won their respective categories.

"Through the competition, we saw the depth of the Filipino youth’s insight, creativity, and innovation. They are very keen on the idea of nation-building," said Ryan Morales, Google Philippines Country Marketing Manager.

"The doodles reflect the aspirations of the nation over pressing issues—from solution to flooding to environment protection to food for the poor, value of education, culture preservation, and global competitiveness," he added.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Paul Walker dominates Google PH 2013 searches

MANILA – The late American actor Paul Walker dominated this year’s online searches in the country, according to Google Philippines.

Walker ranked first in four categories, including top overall searches, in Google Philippines’ “zeitgeist” or collection of search queries for 2013.

The actor, who died in a car crash last November 30, also topped the search engine giant’s list of top news, newsmakers and people for the year.

Several fans, including Filipinos, paid tribute to the actor on various social media sites hours after finding out about his death.

Local personalities who figured prominently in Google Philippines’ zeitgeist this year include actress Neri Naig, who was involved in a sex scandal with singer Chito Miranda; EB Babe member Yosh, who was also part of a leaked sex video with comedian Wally Bayola; beauty queen Ariella Arida, who won third runner-up in the Miss Universe 2013 pageant; Megan Young, the Philippines’ first Miss World 2013 titlist; Freddie Aguilar, the 60-year-old singer who tied the knot with a 16-year-old girl; Krista Miller, who was allegedly in a relationship with actor Cesar Montano, who is married; and Alyssa Quijano, the girlfriend of singer Charice.

“Zeitgeist is a tool in discovering the pulse of the people through searches made on Google. With the growing percentage of population going online, Zeitgeist becomes reflective of the issues and topics we’re interested in. This year’s list speak a lot about our concern for national achievement and progress, while at the same time our curiosity in pop culture issues,” Gail Tan, Google Philippines country communications manager, said in a statement.

Here are some of Google Philippines’ top searches for the year:

Top overall

Paul Walker
Samsung Galaxy S4
Movies 2013
Onehitcf
Camera 360
PAL Express
Neri Naig
Miss Universe 2013
EB Babe Yosh
iPhone 5s

News

Paul Walker death
Miss Universe 2013
Pork barrel
FIBA Asia 2013
Election results 2013
SONA 2013
UAAP Season 76
Typhoon Yolanda
Wimbledon 2013
Nelson Mandela death

Newsmakers

Paul Walker
Cory Monteith
Ariella Arida
Pope Francis
Megan Young
Devina Dediva
Nancy Binay
Janet Napoles
Gilas Pilipinas
Nelson Mandela

People

Paul Walker
Neri Naig
EB Babe Yosh
Cory Monteith
Wally Bayola
Ariella Arida
Kevin Ware
Pope Francis
Chito Miranda
Megan Young

Local celebrities

Neri Naig
EB Babe Yosh
Wally Bayola
Ariella Arida
Chito Miranda
Megan Young
Freddie Aguilar girlfriend
Totoy Brown
Krista Miller
Alyssa Quijano

TV shows

The Voice of the Philippines
Got to Believe
Queen and I
Missing You
Juan dela Cruz
Maria Mercedes
Wowowillie
The Innocent Man
The Heirs
ANTM Cycle 20

Movies

Pacific Rim
Despicable Me 2
World War 2
Insidious 2
Warm Bodies
Beautiful Creatures
After Earth
Silver Linings Playbook
Pitch Perfect
The Croods

Music

Harlem Shake
Gentleman
Titanium
Lord Patawad
Magkabilang Mundo
Gwiyomi
Chinito
Heart Attack
Wrecking Ball
Daylight

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Google PH election page gets hits from over 50 countries

MANILA, Philippines - Google's Philippine elections resource page got hits from over 50 countries since it was launched this month.

The page has been visited by Internet users from as far as Uzbekistan, Rwanda, Finland, and the Netherlands.

"We are proud to see that many Filipinos outside the Philippines are finding the site helpful. The millions of overseas Filipinos, including the 700,000 registered absentee voters abroad, are out of reach of the candidates’ traditional campaign propaganda. Through the site, we are able to make election-related information accessible to them, helping them make their decision come election day," Narciso Reyes, Google Philippines Country Manager, said in a statement.

The page is a collaboration between Google Philippines and broadcast networks such as ABS-CBN and GMA, and other online news portals. Election-related updates from various news sites are collated in one page.

The Google Philippines Elections Page can be accessed at google.com.ph/elections.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Google aims to bring 'the best of the internet' to Pinoys

MANILA – Google recently launched its new unit in Makati, in an effort to “bring the best of the internet” to the Filipino internet user.

Narciso Reyes, country head of Google Philippines, described the move as a major step for the tech giant.

“This is a big step for us because it enables us to be closer to our users, our partners and our advertisers,” he told ANC’s “Inside Business”.

Reyes is tasked to lead a sales and marketing team in the country to further the growth of their services by localizing more of their content to fit the needs of Filipino internet users.

“Google is all about bringing the world’s information readily available and we feel that being on the ground here is a step in the right direction,” he said.

Reyes said there are about 33 million Filipinos online, a number they expect to double by 2016.

He noted that in spite of the doors opened by online transactions, opening an office still has its advantages.

“What we found is that we are able to get more in touch with the local pulse and we are able to bring a better user experience to our users,” he said.

Reyes added the reception of Filipinos has been “tremendous.”

“It’s given us an avenue to be closer to our user base and just the excitement generated by that launch is testament of how exciting it is for us to be here,” he said.

Google has started hiring for the Philippine office, but Reyes did not say how many employees they plan to hire.

“It’s kind of a running number depending on how things stack up and how things progress,” he said.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Google opens office in PH, starts hiring

MANILA, Philippines - Google has finally opened an office in the Philippines with the launch of its new unit in Makati.

The tech giant, in a briefing on Wednesday, said the country is a key market in Southeast Asia amid its growing Internet population.

"The Philippines is a key country in Southeast Asia in terms of its digital economy and tech-savvy population," Julian Persaud, managing director of Google in Southeast Asia, said.

"This new office will allow us to better engage with our local users, partners and advertisers. Over 33 million Filipinos access the Internet regularly... [and this] is set to grow exponentially," Persaud added.

Google's new office will be situated in central Makati, although executives did not say if it will be as innovative as the firm's state-of-the-art centers in the US.

Persaud also declined to say how much the tech company will be investing the Philippines, only saying the company will pour in its "blood and soul" for this venture.

"We're not here for short-term gain. We're here in Manila for the long term," Persaud stressed.

Narciso Reyes, newly-appointed country manager for Google Philippines, said the firm will be working on localizing its products for the Filipinos.

"User journey is tantamount to us... we will be localizing our products more and giving them more information and tools. We want Filipino users to find and access local information relevantly and very quickly," he said.

Reyes also shared Google plans to provide a cost-efficient platform for Philippine businesses wanting to advertise online.

"Our local team will be committed to providing better services to our Filipino users and to helping businesses - large and small - grow locally and globally, contributing to the growth of the Philippine economy," Reyes said.

Google is currently hiring for its Philippine office but executives declined to say how many employees will comprise the new unit.

But Reyes and Persaud said Google is looking for Filipinos who will better give them an insight of current local market as the tech giant is eyeing to tap Philippine advertisers.

 Job postings for Google Philippines will be available at http://www.google.com.ph/jobs/

source: abs-cbnnews.com