All around the world, governments, health authorities and communities are working together to navigate the fast-changing COVID-19 pandemic.

Brands continue to explore ways they can help, with the likes of Apple and Google teaming up to battle COVID-19, as the use of Bluetooth technology is set to help governments and health agencies reduce the spread of the virus, with user privacy and security being central to the design.

Meanwhile, the magic of fantasy and fairy-tale prevails, as the Disney+ roll out has seen more than 50 million users subscribe to the streaming service.

News:

• Facebook introduces Quiet Mode ? More time at home means more time on the phone. Facebook is giving users the option to switch off and give their mind a rest from social media.
• IGTV is getting a makeover ? IGTV has been been redesigned to encourage more people to engage with the long-form video service, putting influencers and creators at the forefront.
• Carry on travelling with Airbnb ✈️ The adventures don’t have to stop. Online Experiences lets you explore events in more than 1,000 cities worldwide right from the comfort of your own home.
• Uber keep its people moving ? People are making less trips, which means less drivers are needed. Uber has created the Work Hub to help drivers find work during this hard time.

Insights:

• Short-form video streaming app Quibi has hit 1.7 billion downloads in its first week, according to the company’s boss Meg Whitman.
• The leading GIF platform GIPHY says that it has seen a 33% increase in usage over the past month in lockdown.
• The analytics firm Chartable released research suggesting that podcast downloads were 10% lower on March 25 than on February 26.
• A video of a lecture about COVID-19 being the result of poisoning caused by 5G has received 640,000 views on YouTube.