(SPOT.ph)Â Life before the Internet is hard to imagine, especially for those who grew up with the convenience of having (nearly) all the information you need at their fingertips. Judging from the way things are going now, there's no doubt that the digital world will only continue to grow. To enable Filipinos to keep up with the times, Google is launching new products and updates tailored for every Filipino.
Introduced at the first-ever Google for Philippines event held February 13, Google Go is an "all-in-one app" designed for convenient, seamless browsing. Through the help of AI technology, the app aims to help users explore the web "without having to type at all," says Simon Tokumine, Google's Group Product Manager for Search. Of course, there will still be some typing involved, but everything from the search keyword suggestions to the results will be optimized for you. The cool part? You can also have the app read out the text on whatever page you're reading, so it's perfect for people who are always on-the-go. Simply press "play" on any website—you'll be surprised at how natural the voiceover sounds.
With features like Google Streetview and a GPS-like interface, Google Maps makes it easy for anyone to make their way around Metro Manila. Things are about to become even easier with the upcoming Maps update, which will add a Number Coding feature for Filipino motorists. Google Maps will be able to show you alternate routes to your destination so you need not worry even on coding day.Â
Another issue that the company wanted to address was unemployment in the Philippines. According to Stacie Chan, Product Partnership's Manager of Google Asia-Pacific, one of the things that the company has always struggled with was connecting people to the right jobs, which is why they're bringing Jobs on Google Search in the Philippines soon. The built-in job search experience will yield different listings from across the web. Searches will be tailored to show the most relevant ones for each user. Aside from that, Google also took the Philippine's overall job economy into consideration. "We did extensive research to ensure that our job offerings included postings from the biggest Filipino industries, including tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing," Chan says.
Google's initiative for inclusive growth in the Philippines extends to small business owners in the Philippines. Google My Business, introduced in 2015, allows local entrepreneurs to better connect with customers online. This year, Google is partnering with PLDT to help verify businesses so that they can be listed on Maps and Search.
They will also be launching a Youtube channel called "Digiskarteng Pinay," which will feature various content that could help underprivileged women improve their lives. Partnering with non-government organizations, government bodies, brands, and creators including TESDA, Cashalo, and more, the channel will include videos about family nutrition, financial literacy, beauty, fashion, coding, and other technical skills.
Google has also partnered with Smart to set up Google Stations around the Philippines to help connect every Filipino to the Internet. These pockets of spaces will offer unlimited access to public WiFi in heavily-trafficked areas like airports, markets, malls, train stations, universities, and in areas where Internet connection is sparse.
