Capture and share VR photos with Cardboard Camera, now on iOS

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Whether you’re hiking on the Olympic Peninsula or attending your cousin’s wedding, go beyond the flat photo or selfie. 

With Cardboard Camera—now available on iOS as well as Android—you can capture 3D 360-degree virtual reality photos. Just like Google Cardboard, it works with the phone you already have with you. VR photos taken with Cardboard Camera are three-dimensional panoramas that can transport you right back to the moment. Near things look near and far things look far. You can look around to explore the image in all directions, and even hear sound recorded while you took the photo to hear the moment exactly as it happened. To capture a VR photo, hold your phone vertically, tap record, then turn around as though you’re taking a panorama.

Bugaboo Spire in B.C., Canada captured by Googler Adam Dickinson Starting today, you can also share your VR photos with friends and family on both iPhone and Android devices. Select multiple photos to create a virtual photo album, tap the share icon, and Cardboard Camera will generate a link (like this) that can be emailed, messaged, or posted in apps and on the web. With a VR viewer like Google Cardboard, your friends can relive those moments as if they were there.

From rock concerts to real estate to mountaintop vistas, more than 5 million moments have been captured with Cardboard Camera on Android. 

Share your VR photos with the #CardboardCamera hashtag—we can’t wait to see the world through your lens.

Google launches #LovePhilippines campaign to show love for the Filipinos

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Google Philippines launches today its year-long social media campaign called #LovePhilippines in time for National Heroes Day to inspire Filipinos to discover more about the country and our culture and fuel their love for the Philippines.

Google Philippines will post #LovePhilippines content on their social media channels to put a spotlight on the heritage of the Filipinos. The posts will include, but are not limited to, moments of triumph in history, interesting stories behind acclaimed Filipinos and their achievements, trivia on uniquely Filipino norms, and a quick tour of hidden gems in the country using different Google products like Search, Street View, YouTube, and materials from Google Cultural Institute. 

The campaign kicks off with a post featuring a unique pinoy dessert that was Jose Rizal's favorite, minatamis na santol. Apart from learning something new about our national hero, Filipinos will also get to prepare the treat by watching a YouTube video tutorial.

The campaign aims to encourage Filipinos to share with pride the positive things about our country on social media and introduce the wonderful aspects of the Philippines and its people to non-Filipinos so they can appreciate the culture more.

As part of Google’s commitment to equip Filipinos with information that are relevant to their lives, Google put together the campaign to show netizens that there are easily accessible materials online that they can use to boost the morale of fellow Filipinos and inspire others to take pride on the many remarkable characteristics of the Philippines.

“We hear things said about the Philippines or the Filipinos, but there are plenty of beautiful facts about us that are easily searchable online. We want to bring out these information so that people will be inspired to show the world that the Philippines is a fast developing country with a rich history and colorful culture. Filipinos are innately inspiring, and we look forward to spreading more love for the Philippines in the days to come,” said Gail Tan, Google Philippines Head of Communications and Public Affairs. 

You can follow Google Philippines on Google+, Facebook and Twitter to +1 or Like, reshare or retweet #LovePhilippines posts.

Globe Telecom changes landscape of PH entertainment with Globe Studios, Globe Live, new content partnerships and broadband plans

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Globe Telecom recently unveiled the bold move to become a full-fledged lifestyle and entertainment company. Last June 24, 2016, announced that Globe is poised to change the landscape of Philippine entertainment with the launch of Globe Studios, Globe Live, new global content partnerships and new roster of broadband plans for a complete and immersive entertainment and digital lifestyle experience.

Globe Telecom, the country’s number one mobile brand, is changing the landscape of Philippine entertainment with the creation of Globe Studios and Globe Live which are designed to produce original shows, live events, and engaging world-class content that are fit for today’s discerning customers. 

Globe also reveals the line-up of its new international content partners and improved broadband plans for a complete and immersive entertainment lifestyle.

Nowadays, dramas and movies are no longer confined to television and cinema as they can already be shared through social media via mobile phones. Globe Studios recognizes this and thus, brings the next generation of entertainment to mobile with original video productions from top film directors such as Erik Matti, Paul Soriano, Quark Henares, Dan Villegas, Sigrid Bernardo, Joyce Bernal, and Lav Diaz. Globe Studios is backed by local and Asian media houses such as Viva Films, Reality Entertainment, Quantum Films, Spring Films and Astro of Malaysia.

“Consumption of mobile entertainment has grown exponentially over the past years. Today, customers no longer wait for their favorite shows on their TV screens. Instead, they dictate what they want to watch when and where they want to. With Globe Studios, we will now produce our own clips, series and even movies. Backed up with the biggest director partners and entertainment companies in the industry, we are set to show what customers want today,” said Albert de Larrazabal, Globe Chief Commercial Officer.

On the other hand, due to the rising clamor towards personalization, another challenge is how to deliver the most engaging and creative events that will satisfy customers. Globe Live responds to this demand by leveraging on Globe Telecom’s wide experience in the live events industry to elevate production quality and at the same time, tap the wide distribution coverage of Globe to promote and assemble events that are of international size and quality.

“The caliber of events will forever change with Globe Live. We can now produce shows and events that are world-class, unique to customers and more accessible. Our years of experience in the industry added with our edge as a telco company will bring perfect partnerships to bring wonderful events to our customers,” said Joe Caliro, head of Globe Live and Globe Retail and Transformation Management.

Globe Live’s first foray in the theatrical scene is the staging of Green Day’s American Idiot, a Philippine production of the hit Broadway musical. Produced together with 9 Works Theatrical, American Idiot will be held at the new Globe Iconic Store in Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig which features two massive Times Square-like LED walls in a unique outdoor setup to accommodate thousands of people. American Idiot is composed of a star-studded talent roster headlined by Basti Artadi of Wolfgang, Miggy Chavez of Chicosci, former Rivermaya vocalists Jason Fernandez and Norby David, and veteran thespian Nel Gomez. The show is set to run from June 24 until July 10, 2016.

New Content Partners

On top of original productions, Globe continues to tie up with international entertainment companies to add to its existing content providers such as Spotify, HOOQ and NBA.

Globe is proud to announce that it is the first mobile and broadband Philippine partner of the foremost video streaming service Netflix which boasts of over 81 million members in over 190 countries who are enjoying more than 125 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any internet-connected screen. Netflix will be available to Globe customers via their mobile or broadband service.

With the recent launch of Disney Mobile, Disney and Globe complete the entertainment experience with the launch of the Disney Channel Apps - Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Disney Junior. The number 1 TV network for kids and families in the Philippines is now available for as a video streaming service that offers more than 100 video-on-demand (VOD) full episodes and live streaming of Disney Channels. Designed specifically for kids to watch their favorite Disney entertainment anytime and anywhere, the Disney Channels Apps will provide hours of fun in a safe and kid-friendly digital environment that will immerse viewers in Disney’s magical world of storytelling and characters.

The world of sports is also enhanced with the Sports Illustrated App, featuring the latest in-depth exclusive news coverage, and live American sports programming of basketball, the NFL, NHL, ESports and much more. Additional content from SI sites FanSided and SI Kids targets millennials and younger mobile demographics. As one of the most established and respected sports media brands in the world, Sports Illustrated TV channels reach an estimated 29 million homes across 12 Asian markets .

Soon, Malaysian media powerhouse Astro will also give Filipino gaming fans access to eGG Network or Every Good Game, Southeast Asia’s first dedicated 24/7 e-Sports network. E-Sports fans will be able to watch tournaments like League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter Strike: Global Offensive, and many more via Globe. Globe and Astro are working on more exciting surprises to give gaming fans a wonderful experience.

Dialing up the fun for Globe customers is Cartoon Network, this year’s current number 5 channel across all genres in the Philippines. Apps created by the Turner-owned brand will soon be available including an upgraded and authenticated version of Cartoon Network Watch and Play and Cartoon Network Anything. They both host a stack of engaging content from well-loved cartoons such as Adventure Time, The Amazing World of Gumball, Ben 10, The Powerpuff Girls, and We Bare Bears. For the first time in PH, a live stream of the channel will be exclusively available to a non-TV audience. The apps also offer a selection of awesome video clips and interactive games and activities to keep the whole family entertained. 

Moreover, the popular singing app Sing! by Smule, brings the love of Pinoys for Karaoke with more than 500,000 songs to choose from. It also allows users to record a video duet with their favorite artists like Jessie J and Jason Derulo and share it with a global audience.

“Our new roster of content partners will bring out the best of Philippine digital lifestyle. We are providing world-class entertainment apps right at their fingertips to enjoy anytime and anywhere. This will change once again how Filipinos will be entertained using their mobile and at-home broadband devices,” said Dan Horan, Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business.

New customizable plans from Globe Broadband

Globe Broadband now brings customizable plans where families can create their own packages to bring Wonderful into their homes: 

a) POWER-UP with internet speeds and data allowance options; 

b) ENJOY their internet through exclusive devices and access to the world’s greatest movies, TV shows, concerts, games & songs; 

c) and EXTEND the fun with boosters that further improve the overall experience in the home. 

“Further to our commitment to provide ultra-fast internet in 2M households over 20,000 barangays in 2020, we are transforming the way Broadband is enjoyed in the Filipino home. More than just delivering connectivity, we are giving customers more compelling reasons to enjoy their internet at home,” said Martha Sazon, Globe Senior Vice President for Broadband Business.

“Today, we are launching pre-bundled packages which we believe will be popular to many customers, and they can mix and match from there. This makes the selection process not only easy, but enjoyable for the Filipino family. With our new plans, our customers will be in full control, much better than any offering in the market today.”

Globe Broadband has also collaborated with leading technology and device partners to complete the package: Samsung and TCL for smart HD TVs; Bose (speakers) and Harman Kardon (headphones); Google Chromecast (streaming device) and Sony Playstation (gaming console); and Airties (WiFi mesh), Belkin and Giraffe (security cameras). All these, for an affordable additional fee on top of the monthly bill, over 24 months.

Sazon adds, “In Globe, we don’t just sell plans, but deliver a complete experience. We want to help families discover more wonders in their homes by being able to watch exclusive movies, TV shows and enjoy concert-like experiences; listen to millions of songs and play games for endless hours, as they want. That’s why we only partner with the world’s best in content – Disney, Spotify, NBA and now, Netflix. I am excited that Globe Broadband is now poised to transform the market landscape with this great value proposition. Change is definitely on its way.”

With all these, Globe welcomes the Filipino family to come Home to Wonderful.

Google launches doodle to celebrate Independence Day

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Manila, Philippines - June 12, 2016: Google Philippines joins the country as it celebrates 118 years of independence, with a special one-day only doodle on the Google.com.ph homepage. This year’s Independence Day doodle features the classic Filipino roadtrip showcasing a festively-designed multicolored jeepney filled with a mix of family and friends prepared for an adventure ahead.

The seventh Independence Day Google doodle is inspired by Filipinos’ love for adventure and pride for their country. The Philippines is home to thousands of tourist destinations, which they like to enjoy with their family and friends. The doodle reflects the importance of the family for every Filipino and their passion for discovering the beauty of their nation.

Clicking on the Google doodle will lead visitors to more information about the history of Philippine independence.

“Doodle” is the name used for decorative changes made to the Google logo to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, pioneers, and scientists. Doodles make searches even more fun as we learn new things with each new design.

This fun activity began in 2000 when Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin asked their intern Dennis Hwang to create a doodle for Bastille Day. It was so well-received that Hwang was promoted to chief doodler and doodles began showing up more regularly. Through the years, doodlers have created over 2,000 doodles that brighten the Google homepage and bring smiles to readers all over the world.

PhilDev’s IDEA Global Entrepreneurship Symposium: Building an entrepreneurial mindset and culture

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Students, teachers, entrepreneurs identify challenges and opportunities in promoting technopreneurship

UNLEASHING IDEAS : Participants of PhilDev’s third IDEA Symposium exchange ideas in one of the ‘unconference’ sessions hosted by Google and the Filipino Googlers Network. Unlike a typical conference where the agenda and speakers are pre-determined, unconferences let participants decide on the agenda and flow of the discussions.

Can technopreneurship become an integral part of Filipino communities? The question was at the core of the discussion among the students, teachers, startups, and government leaders gathered inone of the“unconference” sessions facilitated by Google and the Filipino Googlers Network (FGN) at the third IDEA Global Entrepreneurship Symposium held recently at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

Google Philippines country manager Ken Lingan

As the name implies, unconferences go against the typical conference format, which often start with a pre-determined agenda and set of speakers.Instead, the meeting begins with participants answering a single question. Each answer then serves as a topic for discussion in separate breakout sessions, where participants can join and contribute their ideas. At the end of the sessions, representatives from each breakout group share the highlights of their respective discussions to the rest of the unconference participants.

“Ideas are the soul of every innovation that has made an impact on people’s lives. By providing people with an avenue that encourages the healthy exchange of ideas, we help engender positive change in society. Unconferences have the power to nurture creative solutions to pressing social problems. That’s why we partnered with Google and the FGN in the recent Symposium to help us create that kind of space to bring out the best from our country’s brightest minds.” --- Dado Banatao, chair of the Philippine Development Foundation (PhilDev).

Since 2014, PhilDev and the United States Agency for International Aid (USAID) have been organizing the IDEA Symposium to encourage young scientists and engineers to become entrepreneurs. At the Symposium, members of the academe, industry leaders, startup entrepreneurs, policy makers, and aspiring scientists and engineers discuss how innovation, quality education, and science-based entrepreneurship can lead to inclusive growth.

Teaching students to become entrepreneurs

The unconference session on technopreneurship highlighted the importance of quality education and the role of the academe in pushing students to start their own innovative businesses. During the discussion, students and professors alike emphasized the need to include more technopreneurship units in the curricula of different academic programs, such as business administration and engineering. Some participants also suggested that more schools should offer technopreneurship as a track in their academic programs.

It was also noted that schools should be the first institutions to foster innovation by adopting technology, which students can use to develop new solutions to existing problems. But beyond having adequate facilities and equipment, teachers must be able to act as mentors to provide aspiring technopreneurs with quality education, the participants pointed out. Unconference participants further agreed that studying abroad will enable young technopreneurs to tap into their skills and talents.

Special focus was given to social media and its ability to enhance learning and build communities through crowd sourcing and information sharing, while also encouraging the development of apps that address various problems.

Much-needed government support

Government was also identified as having a key role in supporting aspiring technopreneurs through better budget allocation for schools, the provision of entrepreneurship capital, and the establishment of systems that attract investors for startups. Local Government Units were also called upon to build workspaces where students, entrepreneurs, potential clients, and government leaders can identify, discuss,and solve urgent problems in the community.

“Collaboration between all sectors is key in institutionalizing support for technopreneurship. If technopreneurs can receive the right amount of support, they can reach their full potential, and deliver the kind of impact that leads to inclusive growth,” Banatao said.

Building a safer web, for everyone

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Last February 9, the world celebrated the Safer Internet Day. This is the moment when all technology companies, nonprofit organizations, security firms, and people around the world to focus on online safety, together.

Google, marking this occasion, rolled out new tools and reminders to help people protect themselves from online danger. For your perusal, please see this blogpost written by Gerhard Eschelbeck, VP, Security and Privacy at Google.

Building a safer web, for everyone

Today is Safer Internet Day, a moment for technology companies, nonprofit organizations, security firms, and people around the world to focus on online safety, together. To mark the occasion, we’re rolling out new tools, and some useful reminders, to help protect you from online dangers of all stripes—phishing, malware, and other threats to your personal information.

1. Keeping security settings simple

The Security Checkup is a quick way to control the security settings for your Google Account. You can add a recovery phone number so we can help if you’re ever locked out of your account, strengthen your password settings, see which devices are connected to your account, and more. If you complete the Security Checkup by February 11, you’ll also get 2GB of extra Google Drive storage, which can be used across Google Drive, Gmail, and Photos.

Safer Internet Day is a great time to do it, but you can—and should!—take a Security Checkup on a regular basis. Start your Security Checkup by visiting My Account.

2. Informing Gmail users about potentially unsafe messages

If you and your Grandpa both use Gmail to exchange messages, your connections are encrypted and authenticated. That means no peering eyes can read those emails as they zoom across the web, and you can be confident that the message from your Grandpa in size 48 font (with no punctuation and a few misspellings) is really from him!

However, as our Safer Email Transparency Report explains, these things are not always true when Gmail interacts with other mail services. Today, we’re introducing changes in Gmail on the web to let people know when a received message was not encrypted, if you’re composing a message to a recipient whose email service doesn’t support TLS encryption, or when the sender’s domain couldn’t be authenticated.

Here’s the notice you’ll see in Gmail before you send a message to a service that doesn’t support TLS encryption. You’ll also see the broken lock icon if you receive a message that was sent without TLS encryption.

If you receive a message that can’t be authenticated, you’ll see a question mark where you might otherwise see a profile photo or logo:

For more information, check out the Gmail and Google for Work blogs.

3. Protecting you from bad apps

Dangerous apps that phish and steal your personal information, or hold your phone hostage and make you pay to unlock it, have no place on your smartphone—or any device, for that matter.

Google Play helps protect your Android device by rejecting bad apps that don’t comply with our Play policies. It also conducts more than 200 million daily security scans of devices, in tandem with our Safe Browsing system, for any signs of trouble. Last year, bad apps were installed on fewer than 0.13% of Android devices that install apps only from Google Play.

Learn more about these, and other Android security features — like app sandboxing, monthly security updates for Nexus and other devices, and our Security Rewards Program—in new research we’ve made public on our Android blog.

4. Busting bad advertising practices 

Malicious advertising “botnets” try to send phony visitors to websites to make money from online ads. Botnets threaten the businesses of honest advertisers and publishers, and because they’re often made up of devices infected with malware, they put users in harm’s way too. 

We've worked to keep botnets out of our ads systems, cutting them out of advertising revenue, and making it harder to make money from distributing malware and Unwanted Software. Now, as part of our effort to fight bad ads online, we’re reinforcing our existing botnet defenses by automatically filtering traffic from three of the top ad fraud botnets, comprising more than 500,000 infected user machines. Learn more about this update on the Doubleclick blog.

5. Moving the security conversation forward 

Recent events—Edward Snowden’s disclosures, the Sony Hack, the current conversation around encryption, and more—have made online safety a truly mainstream issue. This is reflected both in news headlines, and popular culture: “Mr. Robot,” a TV series about hacking and cybersecurity, just won a Golden Globe for Best Drama, and @SecuriTay, a popular security commentator, is named after Taylor Swift. 

But despite this shift, security remains a complex topic that lends itself to lively debates between experts...that are often unintelligible to just about everyone else. We need to simplify the way we talk about online security to enable everyone to understand its importance and participate in this conversation.

To that end, we’re teaming up with Medium to host a virtual roundtable about online security, present and future. Moderated by journalist and security researcher Kevin Poulsen, this project aims to present fresh perspectives about online security in a time when our attention is increasingly ruled by the devices we carry with us constantly. We hope you’ll tune in and check it out.

Online security and safety are being discussed more often, and with more urgency, than ever before. We hope you’ll take a few minutes today to learn how Google protects your data and how we can work toward a safer web, for everyone.

Written by Gerhard Eschelbeck, VP, Security and Privacy, Google

Celebrating Iloilo’s heritage online with Google; Iloilo heritage joins Google Cultural Institute collection

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Google has collaborated with the University of the Philippines Western Visayas to launch Iloilo’s rich collection of heritage structures on Google Cultural Institute, an online platform that helps to make the world’s culture accessible and available to anyone. The collection shows off Iloilo’s rich cultural backdrop, dating back from the pre-colonial period up to the 20th century.

“This collection is set to make Iloilo join the growing list of historic cities featured on the Cultural Institute. It highlights the significance and importance of preserving culture, history and heritage among the Filipinos,” said Joyce Christine Colon, University Research Associate II of UP Visayas.

The exhibits describe Iloilo’s transformation into one of the leading provinces in the country. With the Cultural Institute, viewers can zoom in to appreciate the unique details and diverse influences on the architecture of religious landmarks such as the Miagao Church, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Jaro Cathedral, and the Molo Church. The Cultural Institute also makes it possible to view structures such as the Miagao Church over time, by enabling users to place old and new photographs side by side. 

A comparison of Miag-ao Church then and today

On the left: Miagao Church (undated) and on the right: Miagao Church (2015), both from the CWVS Collection, University of the Philippines - Center for West Visayan Studies

Iloilo’s prosperity resulting from the textile and sugar export trades can be seen in its grandiose ancestral homes, and in the construction of a number of public buildings also featured on the Cultural Institute. Prime examples include Iloilo’s first City Hall and the Baluarte Elementary School, the first public school in the Philippines established in 1905. 

The history of Iloilo’s City Hall, which was later donated to the University of the Philippines and declared a National Historical Landmark, can also be traced in a special exhibit. Old photographs and documents tell the story behind its transition from city hall, to a garrison during World War II, to a university. 

Another exhibit on the River Esplanade also puts the spotlight on the importance of Iloilo River in history and the government’s bid to protect it and promote environmental consciousness among Ilonggos.

“The Philippines has such a rich culture to be proud of. Every city and every province has something to show off and the Cultural Institute aims to make all these available to everyone in a format most accessible to them ---- digital. This is our effort to educate and inspire future generations,” said Dennis Dizon, Google Cultural Institute Program Manager.

Google celebrates Buwan ng Wika with Translate-a-thon

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Philippines kicked-off a month-long nationwide translation campaign called Love Your Language with it’s first translate-a-thon to improve the quality of Filipino and Cebuano translations online.

In celebration of Buwan ng Wika, Google invites every Filipino including translators, language lovers, and culture enthusiasts to contribute to the Google Translate Community to help bridge language barriers and bring the Filipino and Cebuano languages and cultures better representation online to share with the rest of the world.

"The Google Translate Community is a platform for Filipinos to express their national pride and love for our local language through their contributions," said Gail Tan, Google Philippines Head of Communications and Public Affairs. "Through this dedicated community effort, we believe that the Filipinos can build a web that truly works for them as they make Filipino and Cebuano languages better understood and appreciated online by both native and non-native speakers.”

Throughout August, Google is holding a series of Love Your Language translate-a-thons across the country through several community-led and campus-led events in Bacolod, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Dagupan, Davao, General Santos, Guimaras, Halsema, Iligan, Iloilo, La Union, Los Banos, Makati City, Pangasinan, Quezon City, and Zamboanga.

Individuals and organizations who want to help translate as part of Love Your Language in the Philippines can get more information and register at https://sites.google.com/site/loveyourlanguagephilippines/ or https://goo.gl/HPwI3Z. 

Participants are encouraged to share their Google Translate Community anecdotes through their social media channels using hashtags #LoveYourLanguagePH or #GoogleTranslatePH.

Love Your Language Campaign

Love Your Language is Google's way of empowering the communities to build high quality translations online for their languages using the Google Translate Community Tool so that native and non-native speakers can appreciate the language better.

Love Your Language in the Philippines  is NOT a contest.

Google is encouraging Filipinos to help improve the translation of Filipino and Cebuano languages online at their own leisure. But Google will recognize the top contributors in the country at the end of the month because their effort will surely bring better representation to these languages online, and they want to honor them for that.

Everone can be anywhere in the world. If you want your contribution to count towards the submissions coming from the Philippines, sign up here. Otherwise, you can use the Google Translate Community Tool without registering.

You have to sign in using a Gmail account to use the Google Translate Community Tool.  If you don't have a Gmail account, you can sign up for one here. 

Google advises to use only one account when you sign in to the translate tool so they can attribute the right measurement to your contribution. Google discourages the use of one Gmail account by multiple people for online security reasons.

Feel free to translate Filipino and Cebuano if you're knowledge of them. Your contribution count will be the total number of submissions coming from your Gmail account regardless of language. 

All the submissions made from your Gmail account from August 1, 2015, 12:00 am to August 31, 2015, 11:59 pm will be counted towards your total contribution, whether it's under Translate or Validate, Filipino or Cebuano.

Everyone can keep translating beyond August to continue improving Filipino and Cebuano on the web. But Google will only measure the contribution by organizations and individuals until August 31, 2015 as part of this month-long program. 

For more information, visit the Love Your Language site.

How to use Google Translate Community Too

Once you are a a registered participant (FORM), you may access the Google Translate Community tool at https://translate.google.com/community from your computer or mobile devices. Using the tool is very easy:

Step 1: Sign in with your Gmail. 

Step 2: Click on the bar lines at the left and then click on Languages. You may choose English, Filipino and Cebuano. You can also change your settings, check your badges and your stats from here 

Step 3: Select the translation you want to work on. 

Step 4: Translate or Validate. Have fun! 

(There is no English-Cebuano Validation yet. This feature will appear once we have enough English-Cebuano Translations to validate.)

Google Translate 

Today, websites, documents, emails and even instant messages can be translated into 90 different languages -- including Filipino and Cebuano-- instantaneously and for free through Google Translate.

Launched in 2006, Google Translate has become one of Google's most popular and useful products, processing a billion of translations a day. 92% of Translate's 500 million users are outside the USA. It currently supports text inputs in 90 languages and spoken translations in 42 languages. In its conversation mode, Translate can recognize a language being spoken and provide translation between the two languages for 32 languages. It can also recognize and translate text in an image in 36 languages through its Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology

Google Translate learns from the available material on the web and gets smarter as it receives more inputs.

Google Translate Community is a free feature on Google Translate that allows language enthusiasts to help improve the translation quality. This helps Google Translate to have quality translated words in 90 languages as well as help Google in launching new supported languages. 

With the new Google Translate Community tool, people can directly contribute in helping improve the representation, accuracy and understanding of their language online. Using this tool, people can generate new translations as well as to rate and compare existing translated words and phrases. 

Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.

Google calls on Pinoys for lyrics for new OFW song

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Google Philippines is set to launch a special song with five well-known local bands and musicians for the Filipino modern-day heroes, the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The song is meant to recognize and celebrate close to 12 million OFWs and aims to reconnect them with the things they miss back home through music. And every Filipino can be part of this special project because the lyrics will be crowdsourced from millions of Filipinos here and abroad.

Google is working with Sponge Cola, ItchyWorms and Kjwan, band vocalist Ebe Dancel and YouTube star Mikey Bustos, who will be putting melody to the lyrics and will be recording the song together. The song will be released on September 1 exclusively on YouTube, just in time for the National Heroes’ Day.

“Wherever we go, we see how the Filipino spirit comes to life whenever there’s music. The song and the lyrics will hopefully touch their hearts and remind them that wherever they are, we remember them,” shares Ebe, popular singer and songwriter who rose to fame as frontman of pop rock band Sugar Free. 

“In our effort to make the lives of Filipinos easier, we strive to provide Filipino families ways to stay connected wherever in the world they may be,” says Ryan Morales, Google Philippines country marketing manager. “This is why we thought of creating this song to deliver the fond memories of our overseas Filipinos across the miles through music and technology. We are inviting every Filipino to join in the fun by contributing lyrics to the song.” 

This initiative is part of Google Philippines’ “Balikbayan” campaign which aims to reconnect overseas Filipinos with their families and friends and help them sustain and enrich their relationships despite physical barriers.

Aside from being dedicated to OFWs, every submission to the song will also amount to a Php1 donation made on behalf of the collaborators to the Blas Ople Policy Center & Training Institute. These donations will be used to build halfway houses for victims of human trafficking.

To submit lyrics, simply go to https://goo.gl/vRkjUK or post using #GoogleMissKoNa on Google+, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. 

Those living abroad can share what they miss most about the Philippines while those living in the country can share what they miss most about their distant loved ones.

Google Apps for Work for SMEs now available via PLDT SME Nation

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Google Philippines Country Manager Ken Lingan talks about digital solutions for small businesses during the launch of PLDT SME Nation’s Small Business Month.

In this digital age of borderless work spaces and online marketplaces, an efficient system of collaboration is crucial for SMEs (small to medium enterprises) to thrive.

To help SMEs improve operational efficiencies, enhance productivity and consequently, improve revenues, PLDT SME Nation, through ePLDT subsidiary IPC®, an Internet data center and cloud services company, now offersGoogle Apps for Work to the Philippine SMEs, which account for about 90% of all local businesses.

Google Apps for Work is a collaboration suite packed with cost-saving, productivity and efficiency promoting tools that will enable co-workers to effectively work together from anywhere. The applications are categorized according to functionality—Communicate, Collaborate, Manage and Store.

Under Communicate, featured applications include Gmail, Hangouts, Calendar and Google+. For Collaborate, applications included are Sheets, Forms, Docs, Slides and Sites. For storage, SMEs can take advantage of Google Drive, and for management purposes, Google Admin and Vault.

“When it comes to web-based products and applications, Google is known for reliability and innovation,” PLDT First Vice President and Head of SME Business Kat Luna-Abelarde said. “We look forward to being able to offer their industry-leading products and applications to our local SMEs. With IPC® and PLDT, SMEs can be assured of reliable and 24/7 customer support together with Google’s best-in-class products.”

Because Google Apps for Work is web- or Internet-based, it can help SMEs, whether with 10 or 10,000 employees, reduce operational costs including maintenance and capital investments. In fact, studies have shown that shifting from on-site to web-based applications can contribute to up to 85 percent worth of energy savings.

For budding businesses, Google Apps for Work can aid companies in establishing their unique brand. It allows SMEs to integrate their domain name in their e-mail addresses, hosted by Google’s network. For start-ups, an official e-mail domain goes a long way in reinforcing credibility among potential and existing clients.

This suite of collaboration application can also help improve coordination and communication among work mates particularly when they are out of office. For instance, co-workers can conduct meetings remotely using Google Hangouts and jointly review documents using Google Sheets or Google Docs.

Additionally, SMEs can use Google Apps for Work’s Admin and Vault applications to enhance data security and management especially of sensitive information. This is particularly helpful for easily managing office devices and configuring security settings so data stays safe. In cases of resigning employees, Vault can be used to manage, retain, search and export e-mail and on-the-record chats.

Alberto added, “Google Apps for Work is a convenient and cost-efficient way to harness the benefits of today’s rapidly advancing technology. With our reliable and powerful network infrastructures, SMEs can overcome the barriers that eventually lead to low productivity.”

SMEs can choose between two packages — the basic Google Apps for Work , priced at US$50 annually per user, and Google Drive for Work, at US$120 annually per user, which has all the inclusions of Google Apps for Work but is powered up by unlimited storage. Both packages come with mobility devices, such as tablets and pocket WiFi devices, as add-ons. PLDT subscribers also have the advantage of being able to upgrade to hardware and connectivity bundles to supplement work place tools.

To find out more about Google Apps for Work, log on to ipc.ph.

Teens train as Web Rangers to keep the Internet a safe place

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L-R: Ryan Morales, Google PH Country Marketing Manager; Gail Tan, Google PH Head of Communication and Public Affairs; Alex Long, Google Asia Pacific for Public Policy and Government Relations; Commissioner Earl Saavedra, National Youth Commission; Helena Lersch, Google Asia Pacific for Public Policy and Government Relations

Today, more than fifty Filipino teenagers gathered to train as Web Rangers in a workshop designed by Google Philippines to help them effectively utilize their creativity and social influence to promote a more responsible use of the Internet.

Google Philippines, in partnership with the National Youth Commission, aims to equip the youth to develop effective campaigns that will help address cyber concerns in a positive way and keep the Internet a safe place.

The participants will learn from a series of talks by creative and industry veterans, including Google country marketing manager, Ryan Morales; Trese writer, Budjette Tan; DM9-Digit managing director and Unbox founder, Carlo Ople; and DM9JaymeSyfu Chairmom and chief creative officer, Merlee Jayme. The topics will cover creativity and technology, superhero characters, Internet etiquette, and developing campaign ideas. NYC Commissioner Earl Saavedra will also deliver a keynote address to underscore the vital role that the youth play in influencing their peers to have better online behavior.

The Web Rangers will be divided into teams and be given three weeks to come up with their campaign. The group with the most impressive campaign will get a chance to visit a Google office in Asia to present to Google executives. Awarding will be on August 20.

The Web Rangers brainstorm to create the big idea for their online positivity campaign.

“Cyber threats and cyberbullying can have a negative impact in the lives of teenagers especially if they think they have no one to talk to about it. That’s why we created the Web Rangers program to train a group of teens who can be a positive influence online,” said Gail Tan, Google Philippines Head of Communications and Public Affairs.

Google Philippines created five Web Ranger roles that teens can identify with: The Transmitter, who shares positive content; The Guardian, who is vigilant against cyber threats; The Frontliner, who takes a stand against cyberbullying; The Uplifter, who is a source of positivity for the depressed; and The Creator, who creates inspiring and empowering creative content.

Visit: Web Rangers launched to help Pinoy teens promote Internet safety

Google honors the Philippine Flag on Independence Day

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Philippine's Independence Day, the national holiday commemorating the Philippines’ declaration of independence from Spanish colonial rule.

This year 2015, as commemorate the Philippines’ 117th year of independence, Google joins the country in celebrating this national holiday with a special doodle on the Google.com.ph homepage. 

This year’s Independence Day doodle depicts the Philippine Flag, with the sun and three stars standing for one “O” of the company’s logo. The letters also make use of the colors of the flag.

Google.com.ph homepage has featured the Independence Day Doodle for the six years. The inspiration came from the pride and honor Filipinos have over their national identity and history, often symbolized by the flag. 

Clicking on the doodle will lead visitors to more information about the history of Philippine independence.

A “doodle” is the name used for the decorative changes made to the Google logo to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, scientists, and leaders. Doodles make search even more fun and we learn new things with each new design. 

Doodles have long been a part of Google's history. The first one was created when founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin asked Google’s chief doodler (then intern) Dennis Hwang to design a logo for the 4th of July in 2000. Today’s doodle is one of the thousands of illustrations made for Google homepages around the world. 

Web Rangers launched to help Pinoy teens promote Internet safety

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Google searches for online heroes who can help keep a safe web

The Internet is an excellent medium to connect with people, but it also comes with risks for abuse. A lot of teens spend hours online, which exposes them to threats, mean messages, nasty rumors, and other forms of cyberbullying.

To foster a safer way to use the Internet, Google partnered with the National Youth Commission to launch Web Rangers, a program designed to engage the help of teenagers, ages 14 to 18, to sustain a safer online environment for their peers. 

Interested youth can sign up at the Web Rangers website (http://webrangers.ph), from which 50 will be selected to become Web Rangers, a group of teens who will take action in the fight against the misuse and abuse of the Internet by creating their own meaningful campaigns to promote responsible Internet use.

Google and the National Youth Commission will hold a Web Rangers workshop in April to train them to make the most out of their creativity and social influence to encourage their peers to have better online behavior and keep each other safe online. 

The Web Rangers will be given enough time to produce their own campaigns, which can come in the form of educational videos, lesson plans, songs and apps, but the sky's the limit as long as the message is effectively delivered. The most creative and impactful teen campaign will have a chance to visit a Google office in Asia to present their campaign to Google executives. The winners will be announced in May.

“Cyberbullying is a serious issue that we shouldn't gloss over. A lot of teens are affected by it, or know someone who is bullied online. More often than not, they're not sure how to protect themselves,” said Gail Tan, Google Philippines Head of Communications and Public Affairs. “We're hoping that the Web Rangers will be a way by which we can teach our kids to help themselves and their peers address cyber threats in a positive and inspiring way.”

The website presents five Web Ranger roles that teens can identify with: The Creator, who creates inspiring online content; the Frontliner, who takes a stand to protect the bullied; the Guardian, who is vigilant against those who bring threats online; the Transmitter, who shares and passes on positive content to others; and the Uplifter, who readily “likes” and “+1s” positive posts. Any teen who signs up will have a corresponding Web Ranger profile.

Before its launch here in the Philippines, the Web Rangers program has been successfully executed in other countries including New Zealand, Israel and India.

Register to become a Web Ranger on http://webrangers.ph