Google is also working on a globally distributed `now&#x27;: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;research.google.com&#x2F;archive&#x2F;spanner.html" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;research.google.com&#x2F;archive&#x2F;spanner.html</a><p>Of course, they make use of GPS, but also add their own atomic clocks.