Netflix has a US$100 million fund to provide support for its creators during COVID-19

Photo courtesy of Netflix

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many TV and movie productions have shut down. The necessary move affects services like Netflix, who need a steady stream of shows as well as the productions that rely on Netflix for their livelihoods. That's why the streaming service created a US$100 million fund for the workers in the creative field—from actors to set crews. The majority of the money will be given to the "hardest hit" staffers of its original shows. Around US$15 million of the fund will be given to third-party organizations and non-profits that are helping combat the pandemic (like SAG-AFTRA's COVID-19 Disaster Fund and the Actors Fund Emergency Assistance).

How Netflix plans to divide the amount changes "production by production." The company previously promised two weeks of pay promised to productions that stopped work last week. While it's great for the streaming service to help out, Netflix also needs this for their future. With smaller productions who possibly can't afford the work stoppage, this ensures that they will be able to continue working in the future.

Source: Engadget

Google launches its coronavirus information website

Google finally has a simple website to share information about COVID-19. The company will also provide you with enhanced information cards to offer more info for those who look for terms related to the coronavirus. Information tabs are available for things like symptoms, prevention, and global statistics. Google emphasizes that it's getting information from "authoritative" sources such as the World Health Organization and the US's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The site is currently only available in English, but The Verge quotes a Google spokesperson who said that the website will support Spanish soon. The website also has videos in ASL. It also shows the information on Google's relief efforts as well as some resources to help you cope with this extraordinary situation we find ourselves in.

Google I/O is completely canceled

Google isn't pushing through with its annual Google I/O conference, not even the digital event. With shelter in place requirements imposed on California, the company decided to cancel the event. Google said in a tweet, "Out of concern for the health and safety of our developers, employees, and local communities—and in line with "shelter in place" requirements by the local Bay Area government—we sadly will not be holding an I/O event in any capacity this year."

The wording used in the series of tweets seems to confirm that there won't be a 2020 Google I/O event, so any announcements to be made will either be done later or through developer blogs and community forums. Those who won in the drawing of tickets this year will be automatically be invited for I/O 2021.

Source: Android Police

Google will not release new features to Chrome, Chrome OS to maintain stability

With millions of people adjusting to working from home, including Google's own employees, the company decided it won't be releasing new features to both Chrome and Chrome OS to make sure the software will run without any issues. Chrome's development team also acknowledged in a tweet that its "adjusted work schedules" also influenced the decision to stop releasing upcoming versions of both the browser and its operating system.

The tweet also said, "Our goal is to ensure they continue to be stable, secure, and reliable for anyone who depends on them." They also emphasized that they will prioritize security updates. It makes sense to pause upcoming releases because unforeseen bugs might cause problems that might not be easy to resolve. Users don't need the additional stress these problems might cause.