Every smartphone, be it Android, iOS, or any other OS, can play YouTube videos. But as someone who’s more of a binge-watcher, have you ever thought about the best smartphones to watch YouTube videos. Apparently, there is a list of devices that you can check out that has been released by the video-sharing platform itself.
List of YouTube Certified Smartphones (For The Best Experience)
The YouTube certified devices include a varying range of smartphones from Android OEMs. For the uninitiated, YouTube frequently updates its Device Report page where you can see the latest smartphones that according to the company offer the best-in-class YouTube experience. Of course, there are many feature-packed smartphones that are not on this list.
YouTubeDevices
Specifications
Release
LG Wing
6.8-inch (1080p), Snapdragon 765G
Oct 2020
OnePlus Nord
6.4-inch (1080p), Snapdragon 765G
Aug 2020
Motorola One Fusion+
6.5-inch (1080p), Snapdragon 730
Jun 2020
Motorola Edge+
6.7-inch (1080p), Snapdragon 865
Apr 2020
Motorola Edge
6.7-inch (1080p), Snapdragon 765
Apr 2020
OnePlus 8 Pro
6.8-inch (1440p), Snapdragon 865
Apr 2020
OnePlus 8
6.5-inch (1080p), Snapdragon 865
Apr 2020
Oppo Find X2 Pro
6.7-inch (1080p), Snapdragon 865
Mar 2020
LG V60 ThinQ 5G
6.8-inch (1080p), Snapdragon 855
Feb 2020
LG G8X ThinQ
6.4-inch (1080p), Snapdragon 855
Nov 2019
Google Pixel 4XL
6.0-inch (1440p), Snapdragon 855
Oct 2019
Google Pixel 4
5.7-inch (1080p), Snapdragon 855
Oct 2019
OnePlus 7T
6.5-inch (1080p), Snapdragon 855+
Sep 2019
Asus ROG Phone II
6.6-inch (1080p), Snapdragon 855+
Sep 2019
OnePlus 7 Pro
6.7-inch (1440p), Snapdragon 855
Jun 2019
OnePlus 7
6.4-inch (1080p), Snapdragon 855
Jun 2019
LG V50 ThinQ
6.4-inch (1440p), Snapdragon 855
May 2019
Google Pixel 3a XL
6.0-inch (1080p), Snapdragon 670
May 2019
Google Pixel 3a
5.6-inch (1080p), Snapdragon 670
May 2019
LG G8 ThinQ
6.1-inch (1440p), Snapdragon 855
Apr 2019
Huawei P30 Pro
6.5-inch (1080p), HiSilicon Kirin 980
Mar 2019
Huawei P30
6.1-inch (1080p), HiSilicon Kirin 980
Mar 2019
Samsung Galaxy S10+
6.4-inch (1440p), SD855/Exynos 9820
Mar 2019
Samsung Galaxy S10
6.1-inch (1080p), SD855/Exynos 9820
Mar 2019
Samsung Galaxy S10e
5.8-inch (1080p), SD855/Exynos 9820
Mar 2019
Huawei Honor View20
6.4-inch (1080p), HiSilicon 980
Jan 2019
The official list of YouTube Signature Devices further goes on to include smartphones launched in 2017, you can check out the names if you have an older device.
One surprising thing to note here is that there isn’t a single iPhone model in the list of best smartphones to watch YouTube, despite the fact that Apple smartphones provide a top-notch video experience with HDR and sound quality. Also, while the list populates Android devices, the company chose not to include the 2020 Samsung flagship Galaxy S20 series.
How does YouTube decide which smartphones to pick?
The video-sharing platform has provided brief details on what factors it considers while picking smartphones for its signature devices list. The following factors are taken into consideration for best smartphones to watch YouTube videos.
Support High Dynamic Range: The device should support HDR content so it displays better contrast and realistic colors. Common HDR formats include HDR10+ and Dolby Vision which we usually find on smartphones.
Play 360 videos: Thanks to tons of affordable 360-capable cameras like GoPro Max and Insta360, YouTube is home to a lot of videos that give a 360-degree 3D view of the surroundings. These videos are a treat to VR users and users can interact with them as well. Hence, a certified device should be able to play them.
High FPS and 4K decoding: The picture quality we are getting these days is improving as we speak. You can find many YouTube videos shot in 4K60fps or even 8K. These videos are smoother than what you see when running a 30fps video. Hence, the device should pack powerful SoC that can handle 4K decoding without any pain.
DRM Performance: With the ever-increasing content on YouTube, the need to protect the rights of the copyright holders has also increased. So, YouTube checks whether the device it’s picking comes equipped with necessary DRM technologies to prevent unauthorized use, copy, and distribution of the video content.
Anyway, these were the best smartphone to watch YouTube videos which would enhance your bingewatching experience. We’ll update this list once the 2021 smartphones popup on the device report page.
Torrent sites have facilitated the peer-to-peer sharing of large files on the internet, and with the advent of several torrent sites, it has become easy to download movies, software, apps, and games from the internet. However, some of the best torrent sites have been blocked by government agencies and ISPs because of the copyrighted content circulated through them. This has hit popular torrent sites like The Pirate Bay, Kickass Torrents, and Extratorrent. 1337x is also one of the top torrent sites that have taken a hit due to government agencies’ strict scrutiny. It has been blocked in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia by ISPs, and authorities.
Many alternatives like 1337.to have emerged that you can use to unblock 1337x. You can still use 1337x proxy sites and mirror sites to access the website even if it’s geo-blocked. There are several 1337x alternatives and other torrent sites for downloading files via torrent.
If you’re facing any issue, here’s a list of 1337x proxy sites you can use. The below mentioned 1337x proxy sites have been hand-curated and were working at the time of writing.
Disclaimer: The torrent sites mentioned in this article are just for an informational purpose. We don’t support using them to download copyright-protected content.
There are several 1337x mirror sites that you can access when you cannot reach the original 1337x website. We have compiled this list of mirror sites to help you unblock 1337x if it is restricted in your area by your ISP.
If the above mentioned 1337x proxy sites and mirror sites aren’t working for you, don’t lose hope. We have compiled a list of 1337x torrent alternatives that contain some of the best torrent sites for downloading movies, games, apps, and software. These 1337x alternatives are readily accessible on the internet, or you can use a VPN to access them for torrenting.
The Pirate bay needs no introduction. It is a popular torrent site that you can use for downloading files via Peer-to-Peer technology. The website has a vast collection of torrents from a variety of genres including audio, video, applications, games, and others. If The Pirate Bay is down in your region, we have also compiled a list of Pirate Bay Proxy sites you can use.
Kickass torrent is one of the most popular torrent sites globally that has suffered its fair share of scrutiny from law enforcement agencies. However, the torrent site fans have, time and again, managed to come up with a working domain of Kickass Torrent. Despite all their efforts, if you cannot visit the website, here are some Kickass proxy sites and mirror sites you can refer to.
In the list of websites that have suffered at the hands of cops and law agencies, ExtraTorrent also makes an appearance. You can use this alternative if 1337x proxy sites are not working or down for some reason. The torrent site has a vast collection of torrent files from different genres. Moreover, the user-friendly interface is another reason behind its popularity in the torrent world.
4. Rarbg – Torrent site to use when 1337x.to isn’t working
Rarbg torrent search engine is quite popular amongst torrent enthusiasts for its easy to access the website and the huge number of torrents available on the website with a good number of leechers and seeders. We recommend you to use this 1337x torrent alternative when the above-mentioned websites aren’t accessible due to any reason.
If you used 1337x for movies and now you cannot access it due to any unknown reason, here’s an alternative you’d like. YTS Movies is a top-rated torrent website. In fact, this website has a dedicated section where you can watch trailers of the latest Hollywood movies. YTS is the perfect 1337x torrent alternative for movie buffs.
FAQs on 1337x
1. How do I download from 1337x?
To download from 1337x, simply visit the website, search the torrent file you want to download, and click on the download button. You can use our mentioned 1337x proxy sites if you aren’t able to connect to the website.
2. How do I unblock 1337x?
To unblock 1337x, you use the proxy sites and 1337x mirror sites if the original torrent website is blocked in your country. Alternatively, you can use visit 1337x alternatives that we have mentioned above.
3. How do I download movies from 1337x?
Most of the movies on 1337x are pirated copies, and therefore, we do not recommend downloading movies from 1337x for your own safety.
Canonical, the company behind the most popular Ubuntu operating system, is already preparing for the next Ubuntu 21.04 “Hirsute Hippo,” which is scheduled to be released on April 22, 2021.
Meanwhile, after Ubuntu Core 18 was released in 2019, Canonical has now made its Ubuntu Core 20 for IoT generally available to the public.
Ubuntu Core 20 is a minimal and containerized version of the Ubuntu 20.04 ‘Focal Fossa’ LTS specifically designed for IoT devices and embedded systems.
It aims to secure Linux for IoT by providing features such as secure boot, full disk encryption, and secure device recovery.
Unlike the regular Ubuntu release, which uses the traditional Debian package system, this Ubuntu Core almost relies entirely on the universal package management system called snap, developed by Canonical.
For better security and avoid damage from any compromised application, all snaps on Ubuntu Core devices are strictly confined and isolated.
Speaking of the latest Ubuntu Core 20, it comes with several security updates and important new features.
For instance, it has added secure boot by default with hardware-backed full disk encryption to protect the privacy and guarantee confidentiality from physical attackers.
Among the other enhancements, this is what Ubuntu Core 20 has included:
New recovery and reinstall mode
Recovery mode menu and chooser
Raspberry Pi support (both ARMv7 and ARM v8)
Initial MAAS and cloud-init support
If you want to learn more about Ubuntu Core, you can read the official documentation or register for the webinar scheduled for 24 February 2021.
Lastly, if you want to get your hands on Ubuntu Core 20, download the images available here for x86_64 and ARM hardware with ten years of support.
Back 4 Blood from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is an upcoming survival horror game. Turtle Rock Studios, the developer who gave us Left 4 Dead, announced the game during The Game Awards 2020. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity is on the brink of extinction.
Players who love multiplayer zombie games are desperately waiting for any information on Back 4 Blood. That’s why, in this post, we’ve mentioned some important Back 4 Blood details, including its release date. So, without any further ado, let’s get started.
Back 4 Blood Release Date
During The Game Awards 2020, Turtle Rock Studios announced the Back 4 Blood release date, June 22, 2021. So, players will get to play the survival horror game this year during summer.
Platforms
Warner Bros. Interactive Studios’ Back 4 Blood will release for Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S.
Back 4 Blood Crossplay
Officially, there’s no confirmation from the developers on Back 4 Blood crossplay. However, on the game’s official Discord channel, there is a mention of cross-platform support.
So, it’s safe to say that cross-platform play is happening; although, we still don’t know which platforms would support Back 4 Blood crossplay.
Back 4 Blood Story
In Back 4 Blood, humanity is almost wiped out by the Devil Worm parasite. However, our four main characters are somehow immune from the virus. The few remaining humans formed a group, “The Cleaners,” who wants to get rid of the infected, known as “The Ridders.”
The four main characters have different personalities and fighting styles. Each character carries a distinct weapon to go against the Ridders and survive the Zombie apocalypse.
Gameplay
Back 4 Blood lets players level up in the game with 3 friends in the co-op environment. Also, if friends aren’t available, players can choose to play with 3 AI teammates. Similar to Left 4 Dead, Back 4 Blood will feature giant zombies with some deadly abilities. So, teamwork will be essential in the game to win against the infected.
What’s truly impressive about Back 4 Blood is the Card system. Apparently, before starting a match with your friends, you can choose different cards to fill the 15-card deck. Each card will give certain benefits during the match, like stamina boost, quick healing, etc. Similarly, there are a variety of perks you get through the card system.
Other than that, the card system also decides what players will face during the match. The Game Director will choose “Corruption” cards, which will decide types of zombies, weather conditions, etc.
Back 4 Blood Alpha
If you’re planning on downloading Back 4 Blood Closed Alpha, then you’re out of luck. The Back 4 Blood PC Alpha testing registration was open from December 17, 2020-December 21, 2020. Right now, there is no word as to when the Alpha testing will open again. However, we’ll update this post as soon as we hear something on Back 4 Blood Alpha testing.
Pre-Order
The release date for Back 4 Blood is just a few months away. However, you can pre-order Back 4 Blood by visiting the game’s official website right now.
That’s the complete Back 4 Blood news roundup for you. We’ll update the article if there is some new information on the development or release date of Back 4 Blood.
Despite being a global disaster, 2020 was one of the greatest years for the gaming industry. More people got into gaming because of being stuck home during coronavirus lockdown. Also, several popular titles such as The Last of Us Part 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 came out this year. However, as we are getting close to leaving behind 2020, gaming enthusiasts are already excited about the upcoming video games in 2021.
Multiple awaited video game titles are scheduled for release in 2021, and it is hard to keep track of all of them. That is why we have listed down the 11 best upcoming video games of 2021 that you should be excited about. So, without any further ado, let’s get started.
Best Upcoming Video Games In 2021
S.No
Upcoming Video Games 2021
Release Date
1
Far Cry 6
TBA (2021)
2
Gotham Knights
TBA (2021)
3
God Of War Ragnarok
TBA (2021)
4
Prince Of Persia: Sands Of Time Remake
March 18, 2021
5
Hitman 3
January 20, 2021
6
Horizon Forbidden West
TBA(2021)
7
Ratchet And Clank: A Rift Apart
TBA(2021)
8
Halo Infinite
TBA (2021)
9
Lord Of The Rings: Gollum
TBA(2021)
10
Resident Evil 8: Village
TBA (2021)
11
Back 4 Blood
June 22, 2021
1. Far Cry 6
Ubisoft Toronto’s Far Cry 6 is definitely one of the best upcoming video games of 2021. As suggested by the name, the first-person shooter is the sixth installment of the fan-favorite Far Cry series.
The major highlight of Far Cry 6 is that the actor, Giancarlo Esposito, will take the role of a fascist dictator in the video game. For those who don’t know, Giancarlo Esposito is the same actor who did the role of Gus Fring in the Breaking Bad TV series.
The action-adventure video game was originally set to release on February 18, 2021. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the developers said that Far Cry 6 would be delayed. Nevertheless, you can still expect it to release in 2021.
Platforms: Windows, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia Release Date: February 18, 2021 (Delayed)
2. Gotham Knights
The action role-playing game, Gotham Knights, is another big video game title set to release in 2021. The game is under development by WB Games Montreal, the same studio that gave us Batman: Arkham Origins.
The story of Gotham Knights is set after the death of Batman and James Gordon. With them gone, Gotham’s criminals are stronger than ever. That is why Batman’s allies, Robin, Red Hood, Batgirl, and Nightwing, comes together to protect Batman’s beloved city from chaos.
WB Games released the first story and gameplay trailer of Gotham Knights in August 2020 during DC fandom. Instantly, it became one of the most-awaited upcoming video games of 2021.
Platforms: Windows, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S Release Date: TBA (2021)
3. God Of War Ragnarok
Santa Monica Studio’s ‘God Of War Ragnarok‘ is one of the most awaited upcoming games for 2021. The studio announced the sequel for 2018’s God Of War in September 2020. Since then, players are eager to continue the story of Kratos and Atreus.
God of War Ragnarok will be exclusive to PlayStation 5, and as of now, there’s no word if the game will be available for PS4.
After a long wait, God Of War Ragnarok is confirmed to release in 2021. However, right now, there is no exact release date for the game.
Platforms: PS5 Release Date: TBA (2021)
4. Prince Of Persia: Sands Of Time Remake
Ubisoft’s Prince of Persia video game franchise was loved by millions of players worldwide. With the introduction of Assassin’s Creed, Ubisoft said its goodbye to Prince of Persia. However, a few months back, in the second Ubisoft Forward event, the French video game developer surprised everyone by announcing the Prince of Persia: Sands Of Time Remake.
Ubisoft Mumbai is developing the remake of the beloved Prince of Persia game, and it is set to release in 2021. What’s more, is that the developers are building the game from the ground up; from voice acting to combat, everything is being remastered from scratch. So, you could see why it is one of the most awaited upcoming video games of 2021.
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC Release Date: March 18, 2021
5. Hitman 3
The third and final installment of the World of Assassination Trilogy, Hitman 3 is set to release on January 20, 2021.
After the events of Hitman 1 and 2, Agent 47 will go on the most dangerous mission of his entire life. Interestingly, Agent 47 will carry out several dangerous assassinations around the globe. So, players will get to explore different countries in Hitman 3, and as confirmed by IQ Interactive, Agent 47’s journey will start from Dubai.
So, if you’re wondering which upcoming video games you should look forward to in 2021, Hitman 3 is definitely one of them.
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows, Stadia, Nintendo Switch Release Date: January 20, 2021
6. Horizon Forbidden West
The sequel of Horizon Zero Dawn, Horizon Forbidden West, will continue the story of Aloy. Our favorite huntress of the Nora tribe will go on a quest to stop a mysterious plague in a machine dominated world.
Guerrilla Games and Sony Interactive Entertainment plans to release Horizon Forbidden West in 2021 exclusively for PS4 and PS4. The upcoming role-playing game is one of the most awaited games of 2021. The first game was an incredible success and received remarkable reviews from both players and critics. That is why players around the world are desperate to play the sequel of the game.
Platforms: PS4, PS5 Release Date: TBA(2021)
7. Ratchet And Clank: A Rift Apart
Ratchet And Clank’s second installment, A Rift Apart, is scheduled to release in 2021 exclusively for PS5. In the upcoming third-person shooter, we’ll see Ratchet and Clank traveling through different dimensions to stop an evil villain.
In Ratchet and Clank: A Rift Apart, you’ll see different gadgets, new amazing worlds, and some dangerous and beautiful creatures. So, if you’re planning to play some amazing upcoming video games in 2021, then Ratchet and Clank: A Rift Apart should be on your wish list; that if you are a console player.
Platforms: PS5 Release Date: TBA(2021)
8. Halo Infinite
Halo Infinite, the sixth major installment in the Halo series, is set after Halo 5: Guardians. After delaying it multiple times, 343 Industries now plans to release the game in late 2021. However, the exact release date is yet to be announced.
Halo is one of the most popular first-person shooter games, which is exclusive to Microsoft’s Xbox. That is why Xbox enthusiasts are desperate to try out Halo Infinite in 2021. In the upcoming video games in 2021, you’ll play as Master Chief, who is on a journey to save the human race and defeat the mercenary group, The Banished.
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Windows Release Date: TBA (2021)
9. Lord Of The Rings: Gollum
Rejoice, Lord of the Rings fans, because the upcoming video game based on Gollum is scheduled to release in 2021. Developed by Daedalic Entertainment, the action-adventure video game is based on the worldwide popular Lord of the Rings books.
As the game’s description suggests, there are several stories about Gollum that haven’t been explored yet. So, in the upcoming 2021 video game, you’ll witness the entire journey of Gollum. Of course, the video game will allow players to make their own in-game decisions; however, every decision will impact the personality of Gollum in the long-run.
Platforms: PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Windows, PS5, Xbox Series X/S Release Date: TBA(2021)
10. Resident Evil 8: Village
Resident Evil VIII is the eighth major entry in the survival horror video game franchise by CAPCOM.
The story of Resident Evil: Village is set a few years after Resident Evil 7’s events. Ethan Winters finally found moved on to his new life along with his wife. However, because of Chris Redfield, Ethan is dragged into other messy situations involving ugly and dangerous monsters. For those of you who don’t know, Chris Redfield was a popular character in previous Resident Evil games, so it is exciting to make a comeback in the upcoming Resident Evil game.
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows Release Date: TBA (2021)
11. Back 4 Blood
If you’re a fan of multiplayer survival horror games, you should be excited about Back 4 Blood.
Coming from Turtle Rock Studios, the same studio that gave us Left 4 Dead, Back 4 Blood is a multiplayer zombie game. In the game, you have to survive the zombie apocalypse with 3 other players. In case you’re short of friends, you can move forward in the game with 3 AI teammates.
Back 4 Blood is scheduled to release on June 22, 2021. So, it’s one of the best upcoming games in 2021 that you should definitely look forward to playing this summer.
Platforms: PS5, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows Release Date: June 22, 2021
Do Try These Upcoming Video Games In 2021
That’s it; these are the 11 best upcoming video games in 2021 that you should look forward to next year. Of course, there are multiple other amazing titles scheduled to release throughout 2021. So, we’ll keep updating the list in the future by including more upcoming popular video game titles of 2021.
Delayed Video Games Release
Hogwarts Legacy (Delayed To 2022)
Avalanche’s Hogwarts Legacy was set to release in 2021 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Windows, PS4, and Xbox One. However, recently, the studio pushed back the upcoming harry potter game’s release date to 2022.
Set in the 1800s, Hogwarts Legacy will take you on an incredible journey of wizards. Of course, by now, you must have realized that Hogwarts Legacy’s story is set before the events of Harry Potter.
Hogwarts Legacy will let you explore an open-world, where you can attend classes to learn new magical spells. The role-playing aspect of the game will allow players to build their own legacy in the world of wizards. You could say that the massive world of Hogwarts Legacy makes it one of the best upcoming video games.
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Windows, PS4, and Xbox One Release Date: TBA(2022)
Today, OnePlus is rolling out its last Android 10 stable update for OnePlus 7, OnePlus 7 Pro, OnePlus 7T, and OnePlus 7T Pro.
The update will be rolled out in a staged manner and will be gradually available to all the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7T series owners. After this stable update, the next stable update will bring Android 11 to OnePlus 7 and 7T series.
Interestingly, the company has already rolled out the OxygenOS 11 (Android 11) update for the OnePlus 7 and 7T series via Open Beta updates. Here are the new features you’ll get with the Android 11 update for OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7T series.
OxygenOS 11 Open Beta 1 (Android 11) Update For OnePlus 7, 7T Series Changelog
System
Update to OxygenOS 11 version
Fresh new UI visual design brings you a more comfortable experience with various optimizations of details
Optimize the stability of some third-party applications and improve the experience
Camera
Updated the camera UI and optimized some of the function paths to offer more convenient operation
Newly added HEVC codec to reduce video storage size seamlessly, capture and shoot more without compromising on quality
Newly added access to a third-party app to share the picture by pressing and holding it in preview
Newly added the quick access to recording mode by pressing and holding the shutter button and by sliding the button, you can easily zoom in or zoom out
Newly added the playback display in Time-lapse mode to show the actual filming time
Ambient Display
Newly added Insight clock style, a joint creation with Parsons School of Design. It will change according to the phone usage data ( To set: Settings > Customization > Clock Style)
Newly added Canvas feature that can automatically draw a wireframe picture based on a lock screen photo on your phone（Path：Settings-Customization-Wallpaper-Canvas-Choose photo preview and it can be generated automatically）
Always-On-Display feature is under internal test and will be released in subsequent versions. In this build, you can use the “Ambient Display” by picking up your phone or tapping the screen, it can be turned on in the Settings.
Dark Mode
Added the shortcut key for Dark Mode, pull down the quick setting to enable.
Supporting automatically turn on feature & customize time range. path: Settings – Display – Dark Mode – Turn on automatically – Automatically enable from sunset to sunrise / Custom time range
Shelf
Newly shelf interface design, the interface is clearer
Added weather widget, animation effect smarter
Gallery
Supporting Story function, automatically form weekly videos with photos and video in storage
Optimize the loading speed of the gallery, and the image preview is faster.
How To Install OxygenOS 11 (Android 11) On OnePlus 7, 7T Series?
If you own an OnePlus 7, OnePlus 7 Pro, OnePlus 7T, or 7T Pro and you want to experience Android 11 features before a stable update arrives for your device, here’s how you can update it:
Note: that this method to get Android 11 for OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7T series won’t wipe your data but we would advise you to take a backup of your data before installing the new update.
Go to the file manager and copy the downloaded firmware to the phone’s storage/root directory.
Go to Settings> System> System Updates
Tap on the gear icon in the top right corner and choose the Local upgrade option from there.
Next, choose the Android 11 firmware that you downloaded in the first step and tap on upgrade.
Once the update procedure is complete, tap on restart and your OnePlus smartphone will be updated to Android 11.
Please note that this is a beta update and you might face issues like increased battery consumption, slower app loading speed, improper display brightness levels, and more. We recommend that you try this update on your secondary device and not your daily driver to avoid any issues.
Black History Month is being marked by everyone in their own unique ways. Big tech companies also found innovative ways to celebrate. From adding special identifiers on maps to dedicated app store sections, here’s how big tech is celebrating Black History Month 2021.
Big Tech And Black History Month
Companies like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft have introduced special programs, features, games, and products to spread awareness on Black History Month 2021.
Google
Starting with Google, the company has so far provided over $30 million in loans and grants to black-owned businesses affected by COVID-19 in the U.S.
The Grow With Google digital coaching program has also mentored over 58,000 black and Latino small business owners via digital workshops. The program is now expanded to over 20 cities in the U.S. and has conducted more than 1,000 digital skills workshops.
The company has made it more convenient for shoppers to search for black-owned businesses on the platform. You can now find a ‘black-owned’ identifier on Google shopping results in the U.S. Google says that the interest in black-owned businesses has increased 600% between 2019 and 2020.
Apple
Image: Apple
The Cupertino tech giant is also enthusiastically taking part in black history month. Apple has made dedicated sections throughout the App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple News, Apple Books, and Apple Podcasts. These sections highlight the contributions of black artists throughout February.
Apple also introduced the Apple Watch Series 6 Black Unity Collection, which has a special band and laser engraving. The inside of the steel pin on the watch strap has “Truth. Power. Solidarity” laser-engraved on it. The back crystal of the watch also has “Black Unity” laser-etched on it.
Other initiatives by the company include a dedicated show portraying black creators on Today At Apple, and highlighting the works of over 30 black photographers commissioned by Apple.
Microsoft
Microsoft Minecraft gallery with Martin Luther King. Image by Microsoft
One of the most immersive Black History Month 2021 celebrations can be seen at Microsoft. The company has created a special demo in Minecraft education edition to educate children and youngsters about black history.
You can access the Minecraft gallery about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and learn about his life and contributions. You can also learn about different identities and how they shape people and the world. There’s a dedicated ‘Good Trouble’ demo, where you can see the American civil rights activists in action or join activists in the Black Lives Matter plaza.
Amazon
Amazon has announced that it has doubled the representation of black directors and senior leadership between 2020 and 2021. In 2021 as well, Amazon has announced plans to double it again by 2022.
Also Try: You can learn more about black history month from your Amazon Echo speaker. Say “Alexa, open Black History facts.”
The Amazon Black Employee Network has also established scholarships for employees that want to pursue higher education in computer science or supply chain-related studies. The recipients will get $5,000 per year for four years toward college tuition and guidance from the black employee network.
You can also find amplified shopping results on Amazon and curated playlists on Amazon Music, supporting black creators. The company is also donating books and logistics worth $1,00,000 via non-profit organizations in some parts of the U.S.
You May Also Want To Know
What Is Black History Month?
Black History Month was started in 1915 by Harvard historian Carter G. Woodson, and Minister Jesse E. Moorland. They founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH).
Now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the organization started Black History Week, which has now evolved into Black History Month.
Why Is Black History Month In February?
It was Carter G. Woodson's idea to mark February as Black History Month. It is so because Feb 1 is National Freedom Day in the U.S., Feb 12 is Abraham Lincoln's birthday, and Feb 14 is Frederick Douglass' birthday.
Douglas escaped slavery and worked towards abolishing it. Abraham Lincoln also worked to abolish slavery in the U.S. So the Black History Month is celebrated in February to mark all these dates.
What Is Black History Month Theme 2021?
The theme for Black History Month 2021 is Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.
How To Celebrate Black History Month?
If you're a business, looking for a way to celebrate Black History Month, you can check out the NAACP guidelines. Big tech celebrating Black History Month is another opportunity for you to learn more about African-American culture.
Big Tech Celebrating Black History Month
Image: Google
Rounding up, the big tech has participated in celebrating Black History Month 2021 in its own ways. Big tech’s celebration also means it is more convenient for people to learn black history, culture, and better understand it.
Learning more about African-American history and literature, the future generations are less likely to commit the mistakes of the past and build a better, more inclusive world.
