Happy Thanksgiving weekend to our fellow Canucks! How will you be celebrating the holiday and long weekend?
Here’s the scoop: this week, we’re chatting about Google’s newest high-tech gadget, a Halifax cafe’s “screen-free” evenings, new polls in Instagram Stories, and some Friday Fun.
Google’s new earbuds translate 40 languages in real time
Nope, you didn’t read that wrong – this headline sounds straight-up futuristic.
At an event this week, Google announced that their new wireless ear buds can translate 40 spoken languages nearly in real time – or at least, fast enough to hold a conversation. Google Pixel Buds connect wirelessly to Google smartphones and use Google Assistant to make translation possible.
Although during Google’s product demonstration the earbuds flawlessly translated Swedish to English, it’s unclear how well it will perform in the real world, where background noise, differences in accent, verbal stumbles, and so on could confuse the software.
Will you be getting your hands on a pair? They’ll set you back $159 USD.
Halifax cafe’s screen-free evenings causes upset with customers
The Lion and Bright cafe and bar in Halifax (Eden’s hometown) is facing some backlash this week after making the decision to go “screen-free” after 5 p.m.
While the decision was made to encourage patrons to “turn their work off”, relax and socialize, the new initiative is not sitting well with Haligonians.
Well, I know where I won't be going. I can manage my own device usage, be a social human being and engage with people on my own terms.
— Simon Leither (@sleither) October 3, 2017
Guess I'll be crossing them off of the list of places to try for dinner. I get the sentiment, but the approach is missing the mark.
— Jen (@sinsofknowing) October 3, 2017
Since the discussion took to social media, the establishment’s owner has clarified that “screen-free” doesn’t include smartphones or Readers.
Tell us: what’s your stance on the “screen-free” movement?
You can now poll your followers on Instagram Stories
The newest sticker on Instagram Stories will allow you to poll the people who are watching them. Whether you’re trying to plan tomorrow’s outfit or deciding where to go for dinner, you can get feedback using the new two-option poll.
After you’ve shared your poll, friends and followers can immediately start voting and see real-time results. Once someone has voted on your poll, they’ll see which choice is in the lead at any given moment. And if they watch your story again later, they’ll see the latest results.
Facebook is hiring 1,000 people to review ads and monitor targeting
This week Facebook announced that they’re bringing more manpower on board to help remove malicious or false ads on the platform.
It’s been reported that during the 2016 US election, a Russia-linked organization purchased more than 3,000 ads on the platform. While it was previously unclear just how many Americans had seen these ads, Facebook has since announced that an estimated 10 million people in the US saw one ad.
The move follows other Facebook initiatives aimed at reducing false or misleading advertisements, including an investment in machine learning.
Celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving with the Spin Sucks Community
Our friend, Gini Dietrich shares what some of her Canadian community members are thankful for on the eve of Thanksgiving weekend. What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? Leave a message in the comments.
Friday Fun
Julia Roberts acts out her film career with James Corden
