YouTube is a powerful force for positivity, inclusion, diversity, respect and love. However, we know that unfortunately, there are people who use Internet platforms including YouTube as a means to spread negativity and hate.
Our YouTube creators have long known the power of video to express themselves, encourage new perspectives, and inspire solidarity—think about online movements such as the It Gets Better Project, which brought support and global attention to the importance of tolerance.
A few months ago in London, we announced the launch of YouTube Creators for Change, a global initiative to empower creators to act as role models and as forces for positive social change. From combating hate speech, to countering xenophobia and extremism, to simply making the case for greater tolerance and empathy toward others, these creators are helping generate positive social change with their global fan bases.

Didgeridoo player Jeremy Donovan, who also sat on a panel session at the YouTube creators bootcamp.

Today, at the YouTube Pop-up Space Sydney, we launched the Australian chapter of YouTube Creators for Change. Global Creator for Change ambassador Natalie Tran, along with emerging YouTube star Jake Bley and Kosta Lucas from People Against Violent Extremism, participated in a bootcamp for social influencers from across Australia focusing on how to create videos responding to racism, extremism, violence, anti-refugee sentiment, and homophobia.

YouTube stars Natalie Tran and Jake Bley on a panel discussion with YouTube's Kristen Bowen.

We also announced a partnership with the Foundation for Young Australians and Vice to encourage Australians to use digital platforms to promote diversity and inclusivity and address issues relating to hate speech. To support and amplify ambassadors and emerging creators alike, we are committing US$1m globally in equipment and production grants as part of the Creators for Change program. Our efforts don’t stop here — we’ll also continue working with NGOs, schools, and media companies around the world to launch more local programs as part of Creators for Change. We recently introduced a program in France that brought together more than 700 participants who created 140 videos under the theme of fraternité.

In Germany, YouTube creators joined forces under #NichtEgal, a movement dedicated to unite Germans in countering online hate. And you can be a part of this movement right here in Australia with #ShareGood — we look forward to seeing your videos and posts to inspire solidarity and understanding. We hope these new programs and resources will continue making YouTube a place where anyone can have a voice and where anyone can use the power of video to help generate positive social change.
Samantha Yorke, Public Policy and Government Relations Counsel, Australia and New Zealand, recently watched Superwog’s Uber vs Taxi

YouTube creators in Australia punch above their weight in terms of talent: with more than 30 homegrown channels that boast over a million subscribers, Australian creators are some of the most popular creative forces in the world. Some of today’s biggest superstars, like Troye Sivan, went from vlogging in his bedroom on his laptop in Perth to performing around the world promoting his Billboard-topping album.

For creators looking to bust out of their bedrooms and onto the world stage, we’ve got good news for you. From November 2 to 6, we’ll be hosting Australia’s first ever YouTube Pop-up Space in association with the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS) in the Entertainment Quarter of Fox Studios.

Over the course of five days, creators will be able to shoot in multiple professional studios, with access to all the latest audiovisual and editing equipment to produce original and innovative digital video content for their own YouTube channels.



Rising Aussie creators such as Tom Thum, Wengie, Jayden Rodrigues, and SketchShe will be shooting new original content in the Space. Some creators will even be shooting in collaboration with others for the first time.



YouTube and AFTRS will be holding a variety of events and production workshops for creators, such as networking events, a business-building workshop, and a hands-on deep dive on Virtual Reality/360 videos.

On November 3, we’ll be kicking off the Australian YouTube Creators for Change program, featuring sessions with creators including Natalie Tran and Superwog, and a bootcamp to help creators promote awareness, tolerance, and empathy among their YouTube communities.

We’re especially pleased to be working with a renowned institution like AFTRS to discover and foster the next generation of Aussie talent.

Unfortunately slots for shoots are already full up, but you can follow the action on social media at #YouTubeSpaceSYD and stay informed of the latest news about activities and events. If you’re a budding YouTube creator, you can find more YouTube creator resources at youtube.com/creators and learn more about the YouTube Spaces across the world at youtube.com/space.

Posted by Felicity McVay, Head of YouTube Content Partnerships, Australia and New Zealand, who recently watched Primitive Technology’s Spear Thrower.

How many people around Australia are experiencing homelessness or are at risk and looking for help - whether it’s food or shelter, health services or counseling support?
That’s a question the people at Infoxchange asked back in January when they launched Ask Izzy, a free mobile website that connects people who are homeless or at risk with over 350,000 services nation-wide.
Ask Izzy was built using funds and support from Google, through the Google Impact Challenge, as well as REA Group and News Corporation Australia. Its designers included people who have lived through being homeless, and the frontline workers who support them.

Google Australia & New Zealand managing director Jason Pellegrino, Infoxchange chief executive David Spriggs and Google.org director Jacquelline Fuller.

The free mobile site provides crucial information for people in need, whether it’s counselling or legal advice, or even just to a meal and shelter for the night.
When Ask Izzy launched Infoxchange chief executive David Spriggs predicted it might have 100,000 users over a two-year period; instead it reached that number in two months, and to date it has enabled more than 200,000 anonymous searches for support. One of the comments from an early user was it had taken him two years on the street to work out what he could find out using Ask Izzy in minutes.

Launching Ask Izzy in January, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Lucy Turnbull spoke with people who consulted on the design of Ask Izzy.

The next step for Ask Izzy is to create a new open data platform that will discover exactly what support services people in need are searching for, and where. Google's charitable arm, Google.org, last week pledged another $500,000 in funding to Infoxchange to help build the platform. The data will help to inform service providers and policymakers so they can tailor services to specific communities.
But it goes beyond just data - with a detailed view of supply and demand across the country, Australia can begin to make systemic changes that will hopefully result in better outcomes for vulnerable people in our community.
Further, the open-data approach will foster innovation and encourage other organisations to become involved. Research from the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute shows that there is a mismatch between the supply and demand of services, but we’ve never had the right tool to address this. Ask Izzy is that tool. The Ask Izzy open data platform will be launched in 2017 and will be publicly available.
Alan Noble, director of engineering, Google Australia

Earlier this month we announced 10 finalists in the Google Impact Challenge — Aussie not-for-profits with great ideas for using technology to solve a problem and make an impact.

Today at Google in Sydney, these organisations pitched their ideas to our panel of judges for the chance to each receive a $750,000 grant and support from Google. Congratulations to the three winners:

• The George Institute for Global Health with a SMS-based support service to help people with chronic diseases lead healthier lives. 
• Center for Eye Research Australia with an eyesight self-assessment system for Australians in remote areas. 
• Hello Sunday Morning with a personalised support app to help people with alcohol problems.

We also invited Australians to vote for the project they thought would have the biggest impact and more than 250,000 people voted online, making it the highest number of votes per-capita for any Google Impact Challenge around the world! The result of voting was so close this year we decided to award two winners of the people's choice, each will recieve $750,000. Congratulations to: 

At Google we’re always asking ourselves the question: What’s next?

Today, in partnership with Refraction Media, we’re helping to provide inspiration to students across Australia through the Careers with Code guide to show them what’s next in the future world of work and study and how to get there.

Computational thinking and computer science are necessary skills to prepare students for the jobs of today and tomorrow - from health to sustainability, agriculture to fashion.

At Google we talk about “Computer Science (CS) + X” as a driver of innovation and creativity, where X is the problem you are trying to solve, your passion or any other discipline.

You’ll find CS + X in every industry, creating breakthrough innovations like smart contact lenses to monitor blood glucose in real time alerts to your phone.

Throughout this guide you’ll find individuals from every walk of life combining CS + X to innovate and bring creative solutions to the world. People like Dr Cheryl McCarthy combining CS + Agriculture to design automated weed control systems and spot spray them, Bel Teh combining CS + Fashion at startup Shoes of Prey a global startup from Australia, and Olivier Salvado combining CS + Health to develop technology that can detect Alzheimer's up to 30 years before symptoms appear and help manage the disease.

Sofie Claridge, 14, and Crystal D'mello, 15, of Kapiti College's Girls' Coding Club with wearable tech at the launch of Careers with Code in New Zealand.

Careers with Code, a magazine, digital e-zine and website, shows high school students the wide variety of careers that computer science can lead to. We encourage you to share this resource with the widest possible audience of students, teachers and parents - it’s not just for the tech, science or maths classes!

Help us start the conversation about the careers of the future with your community, and inspire the next generation to change the world.

Posted by Sally-Ann Williams, Engineering Community and Outreach Manager, Google

Everyone has a story about a teacher who changed the course of their lives. Teachers play an important role in preparing young people for the world and an understanding of technology, and how this can integrate into learning, is a big part of this.

So on 3 December, we are saying thank you to this group of amazing professionals with Education on Air: a free, online, around-the-clock global conference for teachers to share and learn from educators around the world. This year, we’re kicking off in Australia.

Did you know that highly digitally engaged small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) are 1.5 times more likely to be growing revenue, 7 times more likely to be exporting, 8 times more likely to be creating jobs and 14 times more likely to be innovating, than those businesses with low levels of digital engagement?

This is a huge opportunity for SMBs across Australia.

New research from Deloitte suggests Australian SMBs have much to gain from boosting their digital skills but with the daily demands of managing a business and technology changing so rapidly, more than 90 per cent of SMBs are not taking full advantage of today’s digital tools.



The research identified inadequate digital skills as a barrier to making the most of the web. We believe everyone should have access to the digital skills they need for their business to thrive, that’s why we’re launching The Digital Garage: a free, online training platform to help SMBs learn the digital skills they need to make the most of the web.
Whether it’s a business that sells trampolines, greeting cards, guitars, or diving tours, The Digital Garage can help SMBs to build the digital skills they need to achieve their business goals.

The Digital Garage includes 90 training modules covering everything from search engine optimisation to social media to video and mobile marketing, to help SMBs find and engage with new customers from their suburb, around Australia or even overseas.

Small businesses make a major contribution to Australia, both through economic activity and employment, so thriving SMBs mean stronger economic growth and a boost for local communities.

Every day Australian businesses are embracing the digital opportunity. We hope The Digital Garage will help them to harness these digital tools to grow and thrive online.

Posted by John Ball, Head of Google Marketing Solutions Australia

[Cross-posted from the global blog]

We love virtual reality. Unlike any other technology or screen, VR can make you feel like you're somewhere else. Without a ticket, you can get front row seats at Coachella and visit a world-renowned museum to see extinct animals come back to life. You can take field trips to almost anywhere and capture vivid moments you can revisit anytime. It’s transporting.

At I/O this May, we announced Daydream, our platform for high-quality mobile VR. Our goal for Daydream is to simplify the complexity behind virtual reality. It should be mobile so you can easily carry it with you, and it should be friendly and accessible so everyone can enjoy using it.

We’ve been working with developers, smartphone companies and content creators to make the dream a reality — and now, we’re excited to share updates across the three key elements of Daydream: smartphones, headsets and VR experiences.

Pixel, the first Daydream-ready phones
With Daydream, you simply pop a Daydream-ready phone in the headset to start exploring. Powered by Android 7.0 Nougat, Daydream-ready phones are built with high-resolution displays, powerful mobile processors and high-fidelity sensors—all tuned to support great VR experiences. Google’s newest Pixel and Pixel XL are the first Daydream-ready phones, and there are a lot more on the way from leading Android smartphone makers.

Daydream View, the first Daydream-ready headset and controller
Today, we’re announcing Daydream View. Designed and developed by Google, it’s the first Daydream-ready headset and controller.


Daydream View is: 

• Comfortable. Inspired by the clothes we enjoy wearing, the headset is made with soft, breathable fabric and is designed to fit over eyeglasses. 
• Easy to use. Just drop in your Daydream-ready phone and you’ll be ready to go. The phone and headset have an auto-alignment system so you don’t have to worry about cables or connectors. A big part of what makes Daydream View special is the Daydream controller. This small yet powerful controller lets you interact with the virtual world the same way you do in the real world. It points where you point, and is packed with sensors to understand your movements and gestures. You can swing it like a bat or wave it like a wand. And it’s so precise that you can draw with it. The controller slides right inside the headset when not in use, so you don’t have to worry about losing it in your bag or between couch cushions.

• Yours. Daydream View is designed with choice in mind. The headset fits phones big or small, so it’ll work with any Daydream-ready phone you choose. And just like your clothes, the headset comes in different colours. Slate will be available first in Australia followed by Snow and Crimson later on — so you can choose the colour that matches your style. 

Incredible experiences 
From the universe of YouTube videos to a magical world where you can cast spells and levitate objects, there is a wide range of experiences coming to Daydream.

The best of Google 
We’ve bought your favourites into VR. With YouTube, you can watch the entire library of videos on a virtual big screen and experience VR videos from creators like Buzzfeed, PrankvsPrank, Meredith Foster, CollegeHumor, Tastemade, UnboxTherapy and VSauce2. Use Street View to see curated tours of over 150 of the world’s most amazing places like the Pyramids and the Taj Mahal. You can also search Street View to explore everywhere else. With Play Movies, you can watch shows and films on your own personal big-screen. And Google Photos displays your 360° captures in a whole new way.

Don’t just see the world, experience it.
Swim with a school of dolphins, stand at the edge of a volcano and even visit Pluto. With Daydream View, you can teleport from virtually anywhere to pretty much everywhere. These apps will be coming to Daydream: NYT VR, WSJ VR, Guardian VR.  

Your personal cinema 
You can always get the best seat in the house with Daydream View. Experience sports, live events and more in full 360° panoramic view. Plus, now you can watch top shows and movies, distraction-free, on your own virtual big screen. These apps will be coming to Daydream: Netflix, MLB.  

Get in the game
Go from the sidelines to the center of action. Feel the adrenaline rush as you speed down the racetrack. Bowl a strike with a swing of your arm. Cast a spell with your own magic wand. The Daydream controller transforms with your imagination. These games will be coming to Daydream: Fantastic Beasts, Wonderglade, Mekorama, Gunjack 2, Need for Speed, LEGO BrickHeadz, Action Bowling and dozens more titles.

All of this is just the beginning of our work with Daydream. In the coming months, we’ll be launching with more apps and partners, and over the coming years, we’ll continue our goal of bringing high-quality, mobile VR to everyone. 

Posted by Clay Bavor, VP Virtual Reality 

Daydream View arrives this November and will be available for $119 RRP at the Google Store and from Telstra and JB Hi-Fi. Sign up on the Google Store to get notified when Daydream View becomes available.

[Cross-posted from the global blog]

Today, we announced for the first time a family of products that brings people the best of Google through hardware and software made by Google. We're excited that the lineup features the first phone made by Google inside and out — Pixel.

For those of you who have followed Google closely, that name may sound familiar to you because we've used the Pixel name in the past for consumer hardware products that represented an overall premium Google experience. Many of you may also be familiar with the Nexus program. Since 2010, we’ve partnered closely with mobile handset partners around the world to bring you the best of Android. Through Nexus, the goal was to work with these various partners to push the boundaries of what’s possible with a smartphone. We’ve now decided to take the next step and provide our take on the best Google experience, by bringing hardware and software design together under one roof.


Pixel, Phone by Google
With Pixel, we obsessed over every detail, from the industrial design to the user experience. We carefully sculpted the surfaces of the phone, and rounded the edges to make it easy to grip. We used 2.5D Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4 on the front display and back glass to accent the aerospace grade aluminum body. The glass on the back also features Pixel Imprint, our fingerprint sensor, which is placed on the back of the phone where your finger expects it. You can even swipe it to access your notifications. And no matter what you’re using your phone for, you’ll need a battery that lasts all day and charges fast — up to seven hours in 15 minutes [1].
Meet your Google Assistant
Pixel is the first phone with the Google Assistant built in. With your Assistant, you can have a natural conversation with Google to find answers or get things done on the go. Say "Ok Google" or touch and hold the Home button and your Assistant is ready to help. Ask it for a brief update on your day or to play a video on YouTube. Look up traffic on the way home from work or when the nearest pharmacy closes. You can even say “show me my camping photos with Andrew” and it'll instantly display the photos you're looking for. Your Assistant can also offer help with what’s on-screen in any app. So if your friend texts you to meet up at a new restaurant, you can just say “navigate there”.

The best smartphone camera. Ever.
The Pixel camera is not only the best smartphone camera we’ve ever made, DxOMark Mobile gave the phone the highest rating they’ve ever given to a smartphone camera [2]. Our DxOMark Mobile score of 89 is a great example of what’s possible when great hardware meets great software. Pixel puts cutting-edge computational photography in an ultra-fast and easy-to-use camera.

Pixel has a 12.3MP camera, featuring an f/2.0 aperture and big 1.55 micron pixels to capture lots and lots of light. Our team of photography gurus and image processing experts have spent the last year designing and tirelessly optimizing our entire camera stack.

Pixel’s camera lets you take stunning photos in low light, bright light or any light. Catch action shots as they happen with Smartburst, which takes a rapid-fire sequence of shots and automatically selects the best one. Use Lens Blur to achieve shallow depth of field and bokeh effects, making your subject pop. You can capture dramatic landscapes or make faces glow with new exposure controls.


And as a special bonus for Pixel owners, we’re including free unlimited online storage for original quality photos and videos taken on your Pixel at full resolution in Google Photos [3].

More to love
Pixel ships with the newest Android operating system, 7.1 Nougat. Phones will get software and security updates as soon as they’re available, directly from Google. We’ve also made the update process easier. When a new update is available, it can download and install in the background — no more waiting around for your phone to update. 

The Pixel also comes with Google Duo and Allo pre-installed so you can video call and text with all your friends, whether they’re on Android or iOS.

Make it yours
Pixel comes in two sizes, 5” or 5.5”, and two colours: Very Silver and Quite Black. Whichever one you choose, you can also customize it with our new Live Cases or silicone and clear cases coming soon to Australia.

Posted by Brian Rakowski, VP, Product Management

Pixel is available for pre-order today in Australia starting at $1,079 RRP. In Australia, we are teaming up with Telstra as our exclusive telco partner to make Pixel available nationwide at all Telstra stores and JB Hi-Fi stores. 

[1] Battery use statistics are approximate and represent a mixed use of talk, standby, web browsing, and other features, according to an average user profile as defined by Google. Uses that involve an active display or data usage will use battery more quickly, actual results may vary. Charging rates are based on use of the included USB Type-C 18W charger.
[2] DxOMark Mobile tests performed by DxO Labs. Camera results based on Sept. 2016. DxOMark Mobile is a registered trademark of DxO Labs.
[3] Disclaimer: Requires Google Account. Data rates may apply.