Google Photos is seeing stars (and hearts) with new social reactions
Google will soon look a bit more social with two new reactions. One, the heart, is designed for viewing friends photos, while the other, a star is to help you find your own favorite images later. The first update is slated for roll out this week, the company shared on Twitter today.
Qualcomm joins Facebook’s Terragraph Project to bring fast Wi-Fi to U.S. cities
Facebook and Qualcomm are teaming up to bring fast Wi-Fi to cities around the U.S. For at least two years, the social media giant has been attempting to create a multinode wireless system focused on bringing high-speed internet connectivity to dense urban areas. It's called the Terragraph Project.
Owners of Mugshots.com charged with extortion and other crimes
The owners of Mugshots.com have been arrested and charged with money laundering, extortion, and identity theft. Some are hopeful that this will mark the beginning of the end for Mugshots and similar sites.
Snapchat has undone its controversial redesign for a majority of iOS users
Snapchat is listening to users and making changes in response to complaints on the new design. Snapchat was previously testing moving friends' Stories into the Discover tab, but still separated from subscriptions and suggested Stories. Now, that test has become more permanent for a majority of iOS users.
You’ll never read Facebook’s new data policy, so we did it for you
Facebook’s new data policy is 4,200 words you’re never going read, but the company has become a little more transparent about how they track users and non-users as they click on different pages and use other apps. Here’s everything you need to know.
Instagram finally (sort of) gets that share button in the form of stickers
Gotta share that gem you spotted in your Instagram feed? Now you can, but in Stories. The Instagram share sticker allows users to share feed posts to other users' Stories as a sticker. The shared posts can be customized. And for the users that don't want their photos shared, there's an opt-out option.
Facebook wants to spot political misinformation as it happens
Can Facebook move from reacting to election abuse to squashing political misinformation as it happens? The platform wants to, and a partnership with the Atlantic Council is one more step on that journey. The organization will help spot misinformation trends for real-time insights.
Facebook Stories grows up, adds new options, from audio to archiving
Facebook is focusing on the full-screen Stories sharing format with a trio of new features coming to the app. The update is slated to bring audio posts, along with options to archive, and an option to shoot now and save later. The tools are first rolling out in India, but are expected to see a wider rollout.
You’re not hearing things: Viral Laurel vs. Yanny debate is an audio brain teaser
What do you hear -- Laurel, or Yanny? In a debate that's closing in on the iconic blue-gold dress scale, a robotic recording has internet users divided. So is it Laurel or Yanny, and why are people hearing different things from the same audio file? We got the dish on the robotic recording that originated on Reddit.
Addicted to Instagram? The app may soon tell you about it
Lose track of time when you're on Instagram? Well, you may soon have a way to learn more about precisely how long you spend on the app. Code discovered inside the Instagram app reveals an as-yet unreleased "usage insights" feature that will show Instagrammers the amount of "time spent" on the app.
Facebook removed 583 million fake accounts in the first quarter of 2018
Facebook's vice president of product management, Guy Rosen, revealed that Facebook disabled around 583 million fake accounts in the first three months of 2018 alone. For context, that's about a quarter of the social network's entire user base. The company is also coming down hard on third-party apps.
Messenger speeds up reporting with tools to flag harassment, impersonation
Facebook Messenger now allows users to report abuse that violates Community Guidelines inside the app with a few taps. The update brings tools previously only available on the web to the mobile apps. Facebook also recently launched a new tool to help teenagers navigate Facebook and Messenger.
WhatsApp’s latest update brings more order and control to group chats
WhatsApp is rolling out new tools for group chats. A new shortcut button helps recap mentions and replies, while the group's new description displays info for new members. The update also includes changes to administration tools and tweaks to what happens after a member leaves the group.
Smart home automation is now one of Yelp’s fastest-growing categories
With quadruple the number of searches for "smart home," home automation is one of Yelp's fastest growing categories for Home and Local. Yelp recently shared just how many new business listings the category is responsible for, with the most growth coming to the cities with the healthiest economies.
Snapchatters, how do you like the sound of unskippable video ads?
Snapchat has started testing unskippable six-second video ads, beginning with slots for movies, tech gadgets, and drinks. Current data shows that most users skip through the app's video ads, which is bad news for brands as well as Snapchat, as it's still looking for ways to turn a profit.
Facebook suspends 200 apps following audit as Cambridge Analytica scandal grows
Facebook is sharing several changes to how third-party apps access data as the platform ups the estimate of users impacted by Cambridge Analytica. As a result of an app audit begun on March 21, Facebook has now banned 200 apps from its platform, and will continue to audit thousands more.
Less than 10 percent of Twitter users questioned fake news, study suggests
A new study from the University of Buffalo suggests less than ten percent of the users that interact with a rumor question the Tweet's accuracy. The study looked at 20,000 tweets on fake news surrounding the Bostom Marathon bombings and Hurricane Sandy. A majority of those that responded helped spread the tweet.
World domination, phase two: Facebook ponders its own cryptocurrency
After forming an internal team dedicated to blockchain technologies, Facebook is reportedly jumping into cryptocurrency with both feet. Anonymous sources close to Facebook report the social media giant is considering the release of its own virtual token for electronic payments.
Nintendo’s Miitomo app shuts down two years after its launch
Nintendo has shut down Miitomo, its debut smartphone app that launched two years ago. The company released the final winners of its "Miifoto" contest, which paid tribute to the social app. Miitomo was one of Nintendo's first attempts at a dedicated smartphone experience and was followed by Super Mario Run.
Facebook confirms it’s making a big move with many of its executives
Facebook's leadership structure looks a bit different now -- but even users that don't care about the who's who of Facebook could see the effects as the company creates teams for privacy tools and blockchain technology. The change creates three divisions for Facebook, each with a number of different teams.
Selfie snappers, forget trying to take a picture with a bear
In case you hadn't realized, it's really not a good idea to take a selfie with a bear. With your back turned as you edge ever closer to this glorious yet potentially dangerous creature, there's no telling what might happen — as one unfortunate man in India discovered last week.
8×10 app lets you sell your Instagrams as framed fine art in a few finger taps
Want your Instagrams to live in more than just pixels, but don't want to tackle the task of actually printing them? 8x10 is a new app that allows Instagrammers to sell their work as fine art prints without dealing with the sales, printing, and shipping. With the app, artists create signed, limited edition print runs.
Hootsuite’s new tools add posting and scheduling to Pinterest
Pinterest just joined Hootsuite's growing list of partner integrations. The move allows Hoosuite users to post or schedule Pins, along with adding new boards, thanks to a partnership with the social media platform. Paid users can also access Pinterest analytics from Hootsuite.
Like that food photo? Book a table — or tickets — without leaving Instagram
Instagrammers can now book tickets or reserve a table without leaving the social network. A new tool allows businesses to add third-party booking tools to the profile page, creating a shortcut when users spot a photo they want to see in real life. The booking tool comes alongside new Direct Messages for businesses.
YouTube helps creatives tackle tough topics, from hate speech to extremism
YouTube Creators for Change has announced the 2018 list of creatives. The program will help YouTube creators create content that addresses topics like hate speech, extremism, and xenophobia. So who's getting YouTube funding, mentorship and support? Here's the full list of the creators in the program.
Miss the big play? Facebook will now let you rewind live videos
Tune out during a livestream and miss the big moment? No biggie -- Facebook will now let you rewind Live videos during the stream, even before it ends. The change is one of three Live features launched this week that are focused on simplifying broadcasts for both streamers and viewers.
How influential are you? Skorr uses A.I. to measure and improve social reach
Think you need to be a big brand to see how much reach your post had? Skorr is a new app designed for monitoring social media performance for both individuals and small businesses. Using both data and A.I., the app also offers tips for improvement and ways to challenge friends to a social influence contest.
Facebook labels you as a liberal or conservative — here’s how to turn it off
As you click around Facebook, the social media network tracks whether your views are liberal, conservative, or somewhere in between, as well as your political party. Find that level of tracking creepy? There's an option to remove both labels inside the settings. Here's how.
Facebook opens A.I. research labs in Seattle and Pittsburgh
Facebook has opened two new A.I. research labs in Seattle and Pittsburgh. The company has hired professors from local universities which some worry could make it harder to train new researchers. Facebook says that is working to ensure a symbiotic relationship.
Don’t hold your breath for Vine 2 — it’s on hold indefinitely, co-founder says
If you're waiting for the second iteration of Vine, the short-form video app, don't hold your breath. As per an announcement from the app's co-founder Dom Hofmann, Vine 2 has been placed on hold for "an indefinite amount of time." Community forums will be kept up, but we could be kept waiting awhile.
British watchdog group orders Cambridge Analytica to hand over data
As the fallout of data firm Cambridge Analytica continues, a U.K. data privacy watchdog group has ordered that the company cede all of the personal information it collected from an American professor back to him, noting that even non-British citizens can seek and obtain data held by a British firm.
Social Feed: Facebook asks for hate speech help; YouTuber in jail for fake news
In this week's Social Feed, Facebook tests a new feature asking users to help spot hate speech, even on photos of puppies. Following a new fake news law in Malaysia, a YouTuber faces a month in jail for sharing inaccurate data. Facebook is also getting new metrics for video creators.
Facebook’s very, very sorry, and it has absolutely no intention to change
Facebook’s F8 developer conference saw the company and its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, discuss new features like Dating and Clear History. While lip service was given to issues like data security and privacy, few good solutions were offered. That should be no surprise given Facebook’s history with Cambridge Analytica, and many others.
Instagram begins trials on in-app payments to help you insta-pay
Instagram is moving tentatively toward offering its community a more integrated shopping experience with the limited launch of a new in-app payments platform. The new feature lets you enter your payments details directly into the app, paving the way for a more seamless, and faster, shopping experience.