Social media users were met with surprise recently after Instagram confirmed it’s testing unskippable ads within the app. Screenshots showcasing this new feature, dubbed “ad breaks,” have been circulating online. These ad breaks display a countdown timer, essentially pausing users’ ability to scroll through their feed until the ad finishes playing.

This format will drive value for advertisers, Meta spokesperson stated

This move by Instagram mirrors the ad strategy employed by the free tier of YouTube, which forces viewers to watch ads before and sometimes during videos. The shift makes sense for Instagram, considering its own evolution into a platform heavily focused on video content through features like Stories and Reels, going beyond its initial roots as a photo-sharing app.

While Instagram remains tight-lipped on specifics, a Meta spokesperson confirmed the tests to TechCrunch, stating the company explores “formats that can drive value for advertisers.” They emphasized that these are tests and any potential changes based on the results will be communicated.

The news originated with Instagram user Dan Levy, who shared a screenshot of the test encountering an unskippable ad. Levy expressed his disapproval, calling it a “bonkers move.” Further details emerged through a Reddit post clarifying that clicking the ad break’s information icon reveals a message explaining it’s “a new way of seeing ads on Instagram” and users might need to watch it before continuing to browse.

Predictably, the reactions haven’t been overwhelmingly positive. Levy’s post gained traction as it was re-shared by other social media accounts. While Instagram hasn’t disclosed specific locations where the test is running or its global reach, screenshots suggest the ad breaks appear within the in-app feed during video post viewing. Additionally, it’s unclear whether content creators will have any influence over these ad placements. The company is potentially in pursuit of boosting ad revenue. As of now, it remains a test, but it’s a development worth keeping an eye on for frequent Instagram users.

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TikTok says it is testing 60-minute video uploads on its platform, after testing 30-minute video uploads in January this year. The 60-minute video upload feature is currently available to a group of TikTok users in some selected markets. The company however says that it doesn’t have any immediate plans to make this available to all users.

The new moves mark a shift from TikTok’s original strategy in which it created a niche for short video uploads. Originally, the app only allowed users to upload 15-second videos, with the threshold being increased severally. It is quite evident that TikTok has slowly embraced the option of a longer content upload. This duration restriction is not there on the foremost media content platform YouTube.

TikTok says that its creators have continued to yearn for greater width to allow them to tell their messages more poignantly if needed. Some content such as cooking demos, educational lesson plans, comedy, and much more, may require more than the current limit to pass the message. The arrangement will also allow full-episode TV shows to be uploaded on the platform.

While TikTok had encouraged its content creators to tell the viewers to go to the next part of the story, it is not always the case that the viewer gets the second part. In such scenarios, the overall message is lost because of seemingly incomplete content. The increased time limit therefore allows creators the opportunity to experiment with new or expanded types of content with greater flexibility. TikTok may be hoping to draw creators to post their longer content on YouTube to also post it on TikTok.

TikTok has also been tinkering with other features to enhance the user experience on the app. It has been reportedly testing a horizontal full-screen mode and video scrubbing thumbnails. It currently features the fast-forwarding function on the app, allowing the user to fast-forward a video by holding down the right side of the video. There are no specifics on how the sample of users with the new 60-minute upload feature was selected. It is also unclear how long the testing will be.

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The US House of Representatives has reignited the debate over TikTok with a renewed effort to potentially ban the app or force its sale. This time around, the bill was attached to a critical foreign aid package, giving it higher priority and potentially expediting

The new version of the bill requires ByteDance to sell TikTok within a year

Previously, a similar bill passed the House in March but stalled in the Senate. This revised version offers TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, a year to sell the app if the bill is enacted, compared to the original six-month deadline. The House approved the bill with a strong 360-58 vote.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where a vote could happen as early as next Tuesday. Senate leaders are currently working on a timeline for the foreign aid package vote, which will determine the fate of the TikTok provision attached to it. President Biden has previously indicated his support for the bill if passed by Congress.

The legislation views TikTok as a national security threat due to its Chinese ownership. However, a potential ban faces strong opposition. With an estimated 170 million US users, according to TikTok itself, ByteDance is likely to challenge any such move. The company argues that a ban would violate user free speech rights, harm millions of businesses that utilize the platform, and negatively impact the US economy to the tune of $24 billion annually. Critics of the bill further argue that banning TikTok offers minimal protection for American user data.

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The question of how social media platforms manage user verification has always been a hot topic, but rarely taken very seriously. However, a recent investigation by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) might just change that. It has brought to light a concerning issue: the sale of premium subscriptions on X (formerly Twitter) to individuals and organizations that are under US sanctions, including members of the terrorist organization Hezbollah.

X, formerly known as Twitter let 28 sanctioned accounts buy blue checkmarks

The TTP report uncovered that under Elon Musk‘s paid verification scheme, 28 accounts associated with sanctioned entities received checkmarks, effectively bypassing the restrictions meant to bar them from such privileges. Among those verified were high-profile figures and organizations, highlighting a significant oversight in X’s vetting process. The platform, which has been a cornerstone for global communication, finds itself at the center of a debate on the responsibility social media companies bear in policing their services against misuse by sanctioned or potentially harmful entities.

This issue isn’t just about a failure to filter out ineligible users; it’s a question of the role of social platforms in the broader context of national security and public safety. The Supreme Court’s ruling last year, which absolved Twitter of responsibility for a terrorist attack’s abetment, underscores the complexity of attributing liability to social networks. However, the case of selling verification to sanctioned parties is a different matter, raising concerns over the direct financial transactions with entities that are legally barred from such dealings in the US.

X’s response to the TTP’s findings was to remove most of the verifications after the fact, indicating a reactive rather than proactive approach to compliance with sanctions laws. This situation sheds light on the broader challenges social media platforms face in balancing open access with the need to prevent their tools from being exploited by actors with potentially harmful intentions.

The incident calls for a clear reassessment of verification processes and more rigorous enforcement of policies that prevent sanctioned entities from benefiting from social media services. As the digital landscape becomes more diverse, so does the responsibility of platforms to ensure they are not facilitating risky activities in any form.

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Threads, Instagram‘s latest venture, has quickly become a crowd favorite, with Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, announcing it has attracted over 130 million monthly users. This impressive growth comes amid the evolving social media landscape following Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter, now called X. Threads is holding its own in a competitive field that includes Bluesky, Mastodon, and others, showcasing its potential to be a key player.

The question is, can Threads hit the billion-user mark?

Zuckerberg shared that Threads is on a solid growth path, even surpassing the buzz it generated at its launch. This momentum hints at Threads’ potential to hit the billion-user mark, a target Zuckerberg previously mentioned, and this clearly shows confidence in its future.

Meta’s family of apps continues to expand its reach, with billions of people logging in daily across platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Threads, in particular, has seen a significant boost in downloads, ranking it among the top apps worldwide in December. This spike in interest can be traced back to Meta’s efforts to integrate Threads more closely with its existing network, encouraging a resurgence in its popularity.

Despite a dip in interest after its initial launch, Threads has bounced back, thanks in part to strategic promotions that have reintroduced the app to a wider audience. Estimates now place its total user base at around 160 million, a figure that speaks to its growing appeal. On the financial front, Meta reported strong earnings, surpassing analyst expectations and announcing its first-ever cash dividend, signaling a period of financial health and optimism for the company.

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Social media addiction is increasing day by day. Almost everyone from ages 7 to 70 is actively using platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter. However, this situation brings along some risks. For example, who will protect individuals under 18 from harmful content and people on social media? While one might assume the responsibility lies with the social media platforms, Mark Zuckerberg suggests that app age verification should be the duty of Apple and Google. Here are the details…

Zuckerberg Urges Apple and Google for Social Media Age Verification

Social media companies, along with platform providers like Apple and Google, and authorities like the European Union, are working to safeguard children from the risks of social media. For example Meta recently taken steps to people under 18 from getting messages from strangers on the platform. Even with these efforts, the things done so far to be safe are not enough. That’s why CEOs of TikTok, Snap, Discord, and X are called to Congress over concerns about not doing enough to safeguard children.

Following the question posed to Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg about the situation, his response was quite surprising. According to Zuckerberg, the responsibility for app age verification should lie with Apple and Google, not social media companies. Meta’s global head of safety, Antigone Davis, explained, “With this solution, when a teen wants to download an app, app stores would be required to notify their parents, much like when parents are notified if their teen attempts to make a purchase. Parents can decide if they want to approve the download.”

While age verification responsibility is under discussion, it’s probable that important actions will be taken soon. Still, it’s crucial to highlight that parents bear the main responsibility. Even though Meta and the EU aim to protect their audiences, it doesn’t automatically ensure your child’s safety. Being a responsible parent is key at this moment.

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ByteDance is preparing TikTok to take on YouTube by bringing 30-minute-long videos to the platform. This marks a departure from the platform’s original format of short-form videos. The new feature is spotted on the iOS Beta App and Android App too in the UK by social media consultant Matt Navarra.

TikTok is widely known for its short videos. It initially started with 15 seconds and later updated the video limit to a minute. In recent years, considering the demand, the limit was revised again and expanded to three minutes, and later to 10 minutes. Before the 30-minute video limit, the company had already tested the 15-minute videos, but the limit is currently not effective on TikTok.

TikTok’s 30-minute Limit Coming Soon

Now, to attract more users and content creators to its platform, Tiktok is testing a 20-minute limit. It could be seen as a direct competition for YouTube, which allows any duration of video. This expansion could open up opportunities for posting full episodes of TV shows and other long-form content on TikTok.

Being a platform popular for its short videos, TikTok will offer the ability for users to fast-forward videos by tapping and holding the right side of the video. A similar feature was seen when TikTok debuted the 15-minute videos a few months ago. Moreover, TikTok has already prepared for longer videos with the recent addition of horizontal full-screen mode.

It would be interesting to see how the users react to the long videos on the platform, which is popularly known for short videos. However, it remains uncertain when or if this feature will be widely launched for all users.

Apart from TikTok, ByteDance is expanding its footprint across the globe, with new offices coming up in Canada, Australia, and the US. The company’s sales were around $110 billion in 2023, slightly surpassing those of Tencent Holding.

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Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter (X), continues to make changes. Some of these lead to significant alterations on the platform (such as the app’s name), while others appear as minor adjustments. However, one thing is certain – the renowned billionaire doesn’t always become users’ favorite with each move and may need to backtrack. For instance, recently, Twitter stopped displaying link titles, causing inconvenience. Following user complaints, the titles have now been automatically restored to links. Here are the details…

Twitter Changes, Restoring Automatic Link Titles After Users Dissatisfaction

X had recently stopped displaying the titles of links in their posts, causing users not to see the titles in the preview when sharing any website link. People had to manually add titles or write detailed explanations when making posts. However, X has taken a step back to put an end to these discussions and has started automatically restoring titles to links.

While it was thought that the company aimed for a more “clean” look when links lacked titles, both company accounts and many individual users were not pleased with this update. The main issue was that it wasn’t clear a link was present, and it didn’t capture users’ attention.Responding to these complaints, Elon Musk announced a reversal of this feature. Now, titles are automatically included in added links, and titles will be visible regardless of the size of the attached photos.

The main curiosity lies in whether these changes are effective or not. In fact, it’s possible to answer this question both with yes and no. For instance, short videos similar to TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts undeniably brought some activity to Twitter. However, Musk’s other decisions overshadowed these small successes. We even mentioned recently that Twitter’s current value is 71% less than Musk’s purchase price.

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Elon Musk is undoubtedly one of the richest and most successful individuals in the world. As a billionaire who essentially created the electric vehicle market with Tesla, he’s also conquering space with SpaceX and Starlink. However, despite all these successful ventures, Musk is recently primarily associated with Twitter (X), which he acquired for $44 billion. Unfortunately, the platform, which is losing money left and right, is now worth 71% less than what Elon Musk bought it for. Here are the details…

X Now Valued at $12 Billion, Down 71% from Acquisition

If we were to say that Elon Musk hasn’t had a good night’s sleep since he took over Twitter, probably it wouldn’t be a lie. He’s constantly working on solving the platform’s biggest issue of monetizing. Of course, there are some mistakes happening in this process, and Musk isn’t responding very carefully to criticisms.

For example, recently the platform was accused of antisemitism. When asked about his thoughts on the matter, Musk used the expression “go f**k yourselves” regarding the advertisers. Of course, these responses have caused the new problems instead of resolving the current ones.

Many companies, including Apple, have terminated their advertising agreements with Twitter. Under Musk’s leadership, th company took some steps to prevent such issues and avoid dependence on advertising. For instance, Grok AI introduced features such as ad-free streaming and curated sharing through the X Premium subscription. However, this doesn’t seem to have worked, as the value of X continues to decline.

Fidelity, a mutual fund that initially supported Elon Musk’s purchase the X, reduced the platform’s value by 71.5%. This drop led to the platform being worth only 28.5% of its $44 billion acquisition value in 2022. Meanwhile, competitors like Meta and Snap experienced increased stock values, positioning themselves as safer advertising options compared to X.

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Elon Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion, and within a year, the platform underwent significant, but largely disliked, changes. Firstly, the company introduced a paid subscription service. Shortly thereafter, it rebranded itself as “X,” a move that many felt stripped the platform of its identity, causing users to seek alternatives like Threads. However, Musk’s ambitions don’t stop here. The eccentric billionaire aims to transform X into a comprehensive platform for all financial services, potentially replacing traditional banks. Here are the details…

Elon Musk Gives X Employees One Year to Build the “Everything App”

Elon Musk wants X to become a one-stop shop for all financial needs, replacing traditional banks. He has given his employees a deadline of the end of 2024 to make this happen. Musk’s vision for X is to create a platform that can handle everything from sending money to friends and family to investing in securities. He wants X to be a place where people can manage their entire financial lives.

Musk has also said that he wants X to offer features that go beyond traditional banking services. For example, he has mentioned the possibility of offering high-yield money market accounts and checking accounts with no overdraft fees. Turning X into a financial hub is a ambitious goal, and it remains to be seen whether Musk will be able to achieve it. However, Musk has a track record of success in disrupting industries, so it’s certainly possible that he could shake up the banking industry with X.

There are already many different financial products and services available, so it’s not clear why people would need to switch to X. Musk will need to clearly articulate the benefits of using X over other financial platforms. Also X will need to obtain the necessary licenses and approvals from regulators in order to offer financial services. This can be a complex and time-consuming process.

Despite these challenges, Musk is confident that he can make X into a financial hub. He has said that he is willing to invest heavily in X and that he is committed to making it a success.

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Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, has long been searching for ways to make money from WhatsApp for years. Previously attempting to make the app paid, the company’s latest strategy involves generating revenue by displaying ads. In line with this strategy, Meta recently launched the “channels” feature. This feature, similar to Instagram, allows individuals or businesses to create their own communities and easily connect with them. Now, WhatsApp introduces a new way to share updates from a channel to your Status. Here are the details…

WhatsApp Update Alert: Improved Viewing for Shared Channel Updates

The latest WhatsApp update (v.2.24.1.6) for Android introduces a new way to share updates from a channel to your Status. This means when you share something from a channel, it will now look clearer and have its own special layout in your Status. Some people already have this feature, but more will get it in the next few weeks.

So, if you want to see if you have this update, you can try sharing something from a channel to your Status. The update makes it easier for you to see and interact with these shared channel updates. The design is similar to how Instagram lets you share posts as Stories, which makes it more user-friendly and easy to understand.

However, all of these enhancements come with a price. As a person who is quite satisfied with WhatsApp as it is, I can say that every new change in the app implies a step closer to Meta’s advertising goals. Currently, WhatsApp serves as a simple messaging platform for connecting with those we care about. If it evolves beyond this, it’s highly likely that we’ll face a flood of advertisements.

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Remember TikTok? An app that gained popularity during one of the most testing times in the world, an app that has now become a staple word, TikTok has made a stunning entry into the exclusive $10 billion club, standing out as the only non-game app to achieve this feat. This milestone marks a significant moment for TikTok, showcasing its unique position in the global app market.

TikTok has constantly faced backlash from the US as well

Unlike other popular apps in this revenue range, TikTok doesn’t rely on gaming. Instead, it’s known for its short, catchy videos that have gone viral worldwide. This achievement puts TikTok in a league with big names like Candy Crush and Clash of Clans, but it’s important to note how different TikTok’s path has been. Where most high-earning apps rely on game-related purchases, the app has carved out its success through a different model.

TikTok’s revenue comes mainly from its TikTok Coins, used to buy virtual gifts for content creators. This approach, combined with advertising and a budding e-commerce venture, shows TikTok’s innovative ways to engage and monetize its massive user base.

Interestingly, TikTok isn’t subscription-based, a common revenue model for other top apps like YouTube or Disney+. This makes TikTok’s achievement even more noteworthy, as it’s built its financial success on a unique model in the app world.

Despite its success, TikTok hasn’t had a smooth ride everywhere. For instance, its push into online shopping faced a setback in Indonesia, where the government banned social media-based e-commerce to protect local businesses. But TikTok isn’t backing down. It’s now eyeing a comeback in Indonesia’s e-commerce space, having invested heavily in a local company.

Looking from a distance, TikTok’s journey to this revenue milestone is a testament to the app’s immense popularity and its ability to innovate in monetization strategies. Its success story is especially significant given the challenges it’s faced, like regulatory scrutiny in the US and a shift in global digital trends. As TikTok navigates these challenges and continues to grow, it’s clear that its impact on the digital landscape is far from over.

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Social media addiction is increasing day by day. Many of us spend a significant amount of our day watching videos on platforms like Reels, TikTok, and Shorts. However, this habit can lead to both anxiety in scenarios where we don’t have internet access and running out of data for our internet packages. The solution is now quite simple: Instagram Reels download. Here are the details…

Instagram Introduces the Reels Download Feature!

According to a post by Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, Instagram is gaining a Reels download feature. As per Mosseri, this feature will offer a download option similar to YouTube Premium. Users who wish to do so can access and watch videos through the app even without an internet connection.

The Instagram Reels download feature is quite similar to the download feature that comes with YouTube Premium, as mentioned earlier. Instead of taking up space in your gallery, the videos are saved in a dedicated area within the app. This way, you can access the downloaded videos from there when you are offline or don’t want to use your data.

This feature will particularly benefit those who collect their favorite Reels in the saved section. Unfortunately, despite Mosseri’s statement, this feature has not been rolled out globally yet. It will likely take a few days for this process to complete, so we cannot show you the screenshots we have taken.

In fact, the company had started allowing Reels downloads to users in the United States back in June, and now it is beginning to roll out this feature to users worldwide. Of course, the Instagram Reels download feature has also brought copyright debates. Instagram’s initial solution to this issue is to mute the sound during the download of videos with copyrighted music.

However, another issue is people stealing others’ videos. YouTube and TikTok address this problem by adding a watermark logo during the download. This way, users watching the video on other platforms can see the original video owner’s name. Of course, this doesn’t mean that people won’t make an extra effort to download the video from somewhere else.

Still, Instagram, like YouTube and TikTok, needs to protect content creators by not directly providing this convenience to content thieves.

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Ever felt hesitant to reply to Instagram messages you didn’t want to answer, but didn’t want the sender to know you’ve seen them? Fear no more! Instagram is currently testing a feature that allows you to disable read receipts. This means that even if you’ve opened and read a message, the sender won’t see the “seen” label appear underneath it. Here are the details…

Instagram Hits the Button for the Read Receipt Disabling Feature!

Privacy is something we all desire but rarely have. Many of us use social media and live our lives according to the rules of these platforms. What we eat, where we go, what we share—all under the control of platforms like Instagram. We can send messages to each other, and if we choose not to respond, we are marked with the “seen” label. However, users have long been uncomfortable with this.

That’s why they want Instagram to introduce a feature that allows them to disable the read receipt. Fortunately, this option is finally being added to the platform. Adam Mosseri, one of the company’s executives, announced the good news with these words: “We’ve heard your feedback and started testing a new feature that allows you to turn off the read status. In the near future, people won’t have to show others when they’ve been seen when they read messages.”

Mosseri also shared a screenshot of what the feature might look like. Frankly, it’s quite gratifying to see this feature, albeit belatedly. We all have moments when we’re busy, times when we don’t want to spend time on social media, and moments when we don’t want to respond to anyone. However, many of us reply to messages instead of sending a “seen” message because we don’t want to appear rude.

For now, there is no information about when the Instagram read receipt disabling feature will be available. However, considering that it’s ready, it will likely be added to the platform through an update after a short testing phase. I’d also like to remind you that when you activate this feature, there is a possibility that others may not be able to see if you’ve read their messages in a similar way.

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The Chinese government’s recent crackdown on anonymous social media accounts has sparked controversy and debate among influencers and legal experts alike. Major social media platforms, including Tencent Holdings’ WeChat, ByteDance-owned Douyin, Kuaishou Technology, and Bilibili, have announced that influencers with at least half a million followers must display their true identities online.

The move comes as part of China‘s efforts to tighten its grip on the world’s largest internet market. In July, the Cyberspace Administration of China introduced a set of 13 rules designed to increase the management of “self-media” accounts, which publish news and information but are not affiliated with the government.

While some argue that the new policy will help regulate online content and eliminate “dangerous commentary,” others worry that it will expose influencers to cyberbullying and violate their privacy. Take, for example, the case of Tianjinguxia, a popular Weibo finance sector influencer with more than seven million followers. He has openly denounced the policy, stating that he would rather abandon his account than have his personal information displayed online.

Legal experts also weigh in on the matter. Lao Dongyan, a law professor at Beijing’s prestigious Tsinghua University, asserts that mandatory exposure of personal identity online raises the potential for cyberbullying and adds more pressure to social media users when expressing their thoughts and opinions.

While the government’s efforts to regulate online content are commendable, it is essential to strike a balance between public safety and individual privacy. As social media continues to play a significant role in our lives, it is crucial to protect the rights of influencers and users alike.

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WhatsApp is undoubtedly the world’s most popular instant messaging application today. However, this popularity brings along some risks. For instance, when someone adds you on WhatsApp, they can see your profile picture, stories, and status. Some of this information may not be suitable for professional settings. Fortunately, WhatsApp’s Alternate Profile feature aims to address these issues. Here are the details…

WhatsApp’s Latest Feature: Alternate Profiles for Privacy

WhatsApp Alternate Profile aims to provide users with the privacy they desire. This feature, which the company has been working on for some time, allows users who set their account to private to create a secondary profile. With this, only a selected secondary profile picture is visible to the other person, keeping your personal information private.

This way, you can keep both your spouse happy and present a more professional image in the business world using the same profile. Unfortunately, the feature is still quite new and in the development stage. Therefore, it is currently unclear how it will work or what you need to do to allow others to see your primary profile.

Of course, this feature has sparked some debates. Some users find WhatsApp’s Alternate Profile feature useful, while others believe it could cause problems in both professional and personal relationships. Some even prefer to label this feature as “aiding scammers” and “destroying relationships.” In the end, how you use it is entirely up to you.

It’s worth noting that this feature is different from the Multi-Account Support feature, which was recently introduced, allowing you to use two WhatsApp accounts on a single device. In this case, you are not using two separate accounts but different profiles associated with your account.

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Snapchat is a massively popular social media platform. It has been a big hit since its early years, and now, it has achieved a new milestone as its user numbers have crossed the 400 million mark. So here are all the details.

Snapchat users are over 400 million strong

In its latest earnings report for Q3 2023, Snap announced that the user base of Snapchat has grown to more than 400 million. The social media app achieved this notable milestone by bringing in 9 million new users in just the last quarter alone. This brings up its total daily active users (DAUs) count to 406 million to be exact, marking a rise of around 12 percent when compared to last year.

Interestingly enough, the company managed to hit the new user high despite laying off around 20 percent of its workforce last year. For those unaware, Snap had downsized its staff and employees to cut losses as advertising revenue had fallen. However, following these layoffs and recent product feature additions, Snapchat has managed to bring in fresh users to its platform. Earlier this month, Snapchat released a new update that let users embed content and even introduced AI powered fill features. Although, it even faced scrutiny from the UK regulator for how its Snap My AI chatbot was interacting with minors.

In the latest financial report, the social media giant announced 1.19 billion US Dollars in revenue for the quarter. This showed an increase of 5 percent compared to the same period from last year. Snap also attributed the growth to its Snapchat+ subscription service as an additional source of revenue. For a monthly fee of just 4 US Dollars, subscribers get access to exclusive and experimental features. Snapchat currently has over five million users subscribed to its premium service.

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Have you ever struggled to find a song you’re curious about? Many of us turn to apps like Shazam or try to find that stuck-in-our-head track using our impressive vocal skills. When successful, we usually start listening on YouTube Music. However, the company is planning to streamline this process. YouTube is releasing a new update that will allow users to search for songs by singing them into their phone. Here are the details…

YouTube Update Lets You Search for Songs by Singing Them Into Your Phone

Even though YouTube is one of the largest video viewing platforms in the world, it continues to acquire new features. For instance, we recently mentioned the ‘Spotlight Moments’ feature, which allows you to see more user and event-focused ads on special occasions. Now, YouTube is releasing a new update that lets users search for songs by singing them into their phone.

This feature is similar to the “hum to search” feature that is already available on the Google app and Google Assistant, but it will be integrated directly into the YouTube app. To use the feature, users will simply need to tap on the microphone icon in the YouTube search bar and then sing, hum, or whistle the tune of the song they are looking for.

YouTube will then use AI technology to match the tune to the original recording and return a list of results. The feature is currently only available to a small number of Android users in beta testing, but it is expected to be rolled out to all Android users in the coming weeks. There is no word yet on when it will be released for iOS.

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Elon Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion, and within a year, the platform had undergone dramatic changes, most of which were unpopular. First, the company introduced a paid subscription service. Soon after, it changed its name and logo to “X.” This transformation, which many felt was a loss of identity, drove users towards alternatives like Threads. Thankfully, the company managed to maintain its user count. However, Elon Musk then made a decision that made it seem like he was on a mission to destroy Twitter. The mad billionaire, started charging new users $1 per year to send tweets. Here are the details…

Elon Musk’s $1 Twitter Fee: Is It the End of the Platform?

As you may know, aside from its X Premium subscription, joining the platform formerly known as Twitter used to be free. In order to do that, all you needed to do was verify your membership with a phone number. However, this is changing. X has begun charging new users in New Zealand and the Philippines an annual fee of $1. By paying this fee, you can access X’s primary features, including posting tweets, retweeting, liking posts, and responding to them.

If you do not pay the fee, you will only be able to read posts, watch videos, and follow accounts. You will not be permitted to use any other Twitter features. In short, there’s a version of Twitter that views itself as a digital platform, solely presenting the tweets of the people you follow. Twitter and Musk stated that the reason for charging fees is solely to prevent spam, harmful content, and manipulations.

Additionally, new accounts will need to verify their phone numbers, but Mr. Musk mentioned that creating “read-only” accounts without basic features will still be free. In short, if you only enjoy refined pleasures like reading tweets and watching videos, Twitter will likely remain free for you indefinitely. However, if you can’t resist tweeting, you might eventually have to pay $1 to continue using Twitter.

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(via)

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WhatsApp has set the tech world abuzz with the global launch of its new Channels feature, available in more than 150 countries. Designed to offer users a private space for updates from organizations, artists, and celebrities, Channels adds an extra layer of privacy to the popular messaging app.

WhatsApp has been rolling out a lot of updates recently, with focus on Privacy

But what sets this apart from regular WhatsApp chats? Your subscription choices remain invisible to your contacts, making privacy the cornerstone of this new addition.

The feedback loop from initial testing in ten countries has already led to key updates:

• Enhanced Directory: A more intuitive channel directory, searchable by country.
• Emoji Reactions: Users can now react to updates with emojis, offering immediate feedback.
• Post-Editing: Admins have the flexibility to edit their updates for up to 30 days.
• Forwarding: Easily share updates so others can discover and join channels.

While the rollout is ongoing, it’s clear that WhatsApp aims to make the Channels feature more interactive and responsive to user feedback. A future update will even allow any user to create their own channel, much like Instagram’s current functionality.

For those impatient to get hands-on, WhatsApp provides a nifty “notify me” option within the app for when the feature becomes available to you.

WhatsApp Channels not only stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to user privacy but also as a fresh avenue for personalized content. Keep an eye out in the new “Updates” tab to stay in the loop. So, whether you’re a fan of a local sports team or keen on daily tips from your favorite artist, Channels offers a uniquely private and tailored social media experience, right at your fingertips.

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Recently, we reported that Threads will get a search functionality and a website soon, as hinted by CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s recent tweet. According to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal, the company will be launching the Web version of the application early next week.

For those unaware, Threads by Meta was an attempt to replace Twitter (now known as X). If you visit the official website of Threads, you will notice an interactive spinning galaxy and a QR code in the middle, which will take you to the Threads mobile app in your app store. However, this will not be the case in the coming days, as the CEO has hinted that Threads will soon receive a Web version of the mobile application. This might be an attempt by Meta to get the users’ attention, as it was covered in our previous report that the app had lost its daily users by nearly 39.4 million, or 82%, compared to its peak on July 7.

Now that Threads is getting ready to launch a web version, maybe it should also add a feature to allow users to permanently delete their accounts without losing their Instagram data. For those unaware, Threads does not allow users to delete their Threads accounts without affecting their Instagram accounts. As the account is linked to your Instagram account, permanently deleting your account will also delete your Instagram account.

However, according to a recent report by Techowize you can temporarily deactivate your account without losing your data permanently.

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Snapchat Plus users were thrown into confusion recently when the app’s digital assistant, My AI, began to act erratically. During a bizarre event, My AI, part of the $3.99/month Snapchat Plus package, took it upon itself to post single-second-long Stories to users’ feeds, a function it was never programmed to have.

This small incident left Snapchat users wondering if AI is becoming sentient

The mysterious two-tone image posted in Stories by the chatbot left users scratching their heads. Some even mistook it for a snapshot of their ceiling. When asked about the incident, My AI either went silent or acknowledged a technical issue.

This unexpected behavior prompted jokes and minor panic among users, leading them to wonder if this was a sign of AI’s burgeoning self-awareness. While the idea of the dawning of the Singularity was certainly thrilling for some, it was soon clarified by a spokesperson that it was merely a temporary glitch.

What makes this incident particularly interesting is the intrigue it stirred. My AI offers an array of features, including AR filter recommendations, suggestions for restaurants and activities, and various AI functionalities. The technical malfunction gave users a sneak peek, albeit unintended, into the potential capabilities of AI.

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Twitter is going through a fascinating change. For example, after Elon Musk bought it, the platform made several controversial decisions and the platform is now called “X”. This move might sees as a thrown away that almost 20 years of brand reputation. Even though there are constant criticisms, Musk doesn’t plan on stopping. Thankfully, not all his decisions are extreme, some of them is good. Now paid users get a new tab to showcase their posts with “Highlights” tab. Here are the details…

Paid X (Twitter) users can now showcase their best tweets with new “Highlights” tab

As you know, Twitter launched a subscription service called Blue not long ago. Nowadays, this service is also known as X Premium. For a monthly or yearly fee, you get various benefits. Some of the perks include more ads, the ability to edit tweets, and even a share of Twitter’s ad revenue. Now, there’s a new feature called the “Highlights” tab.

Twitter is a platform where new content always stands out. However, users have wanted a way to highlight important or popular tweets for a long time. The company introduced “pinned tweets” a few years ago. With this, users could display any tweet at the top of their profile, no matter its date. Still, this wasn’t enough for many people. The “Highlights” tab might be the solution they’re looking for.

The ‘Highlights’ tab lets paid members show their best posts to followers. It’s great for artists, writers, and reporters, or for sharing about a special topic or event. To use it, paid members tap the three dots on a post and pick “Add to Highlights”. They can decide where to put the post in the Highlights. In addition to the Highlights tab, X has also made TweetDeck a subscriber-only product. This is another move by the company to get more people to pay for its premium service.

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In a much-needed step towards promoting transparency and responsibility, Meta (formerly Facebook) announced a fresh research initiative aimed at exploring the effect of its platforms, particularly Facebook and Instagram, on political attitudes and behaviour during the US 2020 elections. This new venture follows debates surrounding social media’s role and influence in the democratic process.

Social Media polarizes a lot of people, especially topics surrounding politics

Undeniably, social media platforms, notably Facebook, have turned into stages for democratic debate. They provide a platform for citizens to express their views freely, facilitating robust political discussions between citizens, candidates, campaigners, and advocacy groups. However, the rise of such platforms has been met with increasing concerns, primarily surrounding misinformation, political polarization, and potential abuse during election periods.

To address this issue and continue promoting the positive aspects of social media on democracy, Meta launched the research partnership. The endeavor is a collaboration with independent external academics led by Professors Talia Stroud and Joshua A. Tucker. Fifteen additional researchers, selected for their expertise, will also participate in this initiative.

The project is guided by three principles: independence, transparency, and consent. The research will be independent from Meta, with the external researchers neither being paid by nor answerable to the company. To ensure transparency, the researchers have committed to publishing their findings in open access format, documenting study plans, hypotheses in advance, and releasing initial commitments upon the studies’ publication. Participants in the study will give informed consent for their data to be used in the research.

Meta’s initiative signifies its acknowledgment of the potential impacts of social media on democracy and its commitment to making necessary changes. Following the controversy over the 2016 US election, the company has tripled its safety and security workforce and collaborated with government and law enforcement to combat election interference. Meta hopes that the findings from this research partnership will contribute to shaping the rules of the internet to benefit democracy and society.

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TikTok is undoubtedly one of the most popular social media platforms in recent years. Almost everyone spends at least a few hours every day on the app, either watching videos or creating content. The app is so successful that even other social media giants like Instagram and Twitter are making their feeds and content types similar to it.

However, while its competitors are copying it, the Chinese company is not just standing still. TikTok, wanting to adopt the concept of a super app, is expanding its empire into e-commerce with “TikTok Shop Shopping Center”. Here are the details…

How TikTok is Using Its Virality to Conquer E-Commerce

The concept we call a “super app” is actually a quite challenging goal to achieve. These apps are notable because they are used not just for one task, but for many different tasks. For example, consider WeChat from China, in which we can do many different operations, from messaging to much more. TikTok is moving in a similar direction and is reportedly launching a new platform called “TikTok Shop Shopping Center”. This will allow users to buy items directly from Chinese sellers through the app.

The new platform is expected to launch in August and will offer a wide variety of products, including clothes, electronics, and home goods. TikTok will handle the marketing and logistics for the platform, while the Chinese merchants will be responsible for manufacturing and shipping the products.

Unfortunately, the “TikTok Shop Shopping Center” will initially be exclusive to China. It might become active in other markets over time, depending on the success of the project. What’s particularly intriguing is how it will operate. It is currently unclear whether TikTok will establish a platform working with local e-commerce companies, or create a new marketplace. Regardless, the company has a significant advantage, and if used well, it could be very successful.

It’s worth noting that what you’re reading from now on are not absolute facts but personal opinions, although it can’t be said that I’m totally wrong. E-commerce is one of the most common models in the world today, and thanks to open market platforms like Amazon and Alibaba, many people are making money from these places. However, most sellers complain about platform commissions. The main source of income for all these platforms is these commissions, so they can’t easily change their policies.

If TikTok were to follow a similar logic, since it’s not their main source of income, they could keep e-commerce commissions low. We’ve seen Chinese brands applying similar policies in various sectors in the past. Yet, all these are nothing more than opinions and predictions for now. We have no choice but to wait to see whether the social media giant will be successful in this area.

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Elon Musk’s relentless changes to Twitter are driving users away. The platform, led by the eccentric billionaire, is often in the news for its “innovations,” which is also often meet with backlash. The latest example was the tweet view limit. This feature, which drove many people crazy, eventually settled, but it led to a loss of trust and a search for alternatives. However, Musk is not done yet. He is determined to drive away even the remaining users, and he has now changed the Twitter logo. Here are the details…

Will Elon Musk’s Twitter Changes Drive Users Away?

Elon Musk is undoubtedly one of the most successful business people in history. Currently the richest person in the world, Musk owes his wealth to innovative ideas that were ahead of their time, such as SpaceX and Tesla. However, this does not mean that every idea he has is good.

Even so, if you are managing a billion-dollar social media platform and you are not accountable to anyone, there is nothing to prevent these ideas from being implemented, even if they are very bad. In this regard, Musk recently announced his decision to rebrand Twitter as X and get rid of the famous bird logo. Now, this announcement has become a reality.

As you can see, the iconic Twitter bird in the top left corner has been replaced with an “X” shaped logo. While there has not been a change in the mobile app yet, we will soon see the X instead of the bird logo there as well. Unfortunately, as expected, the new logo did not appeal to users. Many people saw it as a deletion of Twitter culture rather than a rebranding. It is a matter of wonder whether Musk will give up on the decision to change the Twitter logo after the reactions.

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Ever since Elon Musk acquired the microblogging platform Twitter, the social network has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Now, the company is undergoing a change that may not sit well for many.

Elon Musk has announced that Twitter will be rebranded to X, getting rid of the iconic blue-colored bird logo. Instead of the current logo, the new one will only show the letter ‘X.’

Further, it has also been revealed that the URL x.com will redirect users to Twitter. This may be the most dramatic change coming to the social media platform since Musk acquired it last year.

This could be a step forward for the company towards the long-envisioned super app named X by Elon Musk to offer a wide range of services to the users. Last year, Elon Musk said that buying Twitter “is an accelerant to creating X, the everything all.” Similarly, Twitter’s new CEO Linda Yaccarino said that “X will be the platform that can deliver, well….everything.”

With major changes coming to the platform in a short period and Elon Musk trying to retool the platform to his vision, the platform is facing several issues. Recent significant changes to the platform include firing several top executives and employees, rolling back content moderation policies, restricting access for regular users, and more.

This is impacting business, as Musk himself admitted last week that the ad revenue at Twitter is down 50 percent. It remains to be seen whether rebranding helps the company or adversely impacts the business.

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Threads, the social networking app from Meta, has just received its first major update, bringing new and improved features to the iOS platform. Launched earlier this month, Threads aims to enhance the way users connect and interact with each other, but it faced some initial challenges in building a user base. However, this recent update introduces functionalities that could address some of these concerns and potentially attract more users.

Meta is looking to make Threads popular again amongst its fresh user base

The key addition to the app is the Follows tab, now integrated into the activity feed. This feature allows users to easily see who has recently followed them, making it more convenient to follow them back. Moreover, the update introduces translations for post text, encouraging users to connect with individuals who speak different languages, promoting cross-cultural engagement. Another handy feature included in the update is the ability to subscribe to unfollowed users, enabling users to receive notifications without cluttering their timeline. The interface has also undergone some tweaks, such as reposter labels that can be tapped, resulting in a leaner and smoother user experience, particularly when loading or scrolling through the activity feed.

Although some features may not be available immediately due to server-side activation, Meta aims to have them fully functional by the end of the day. However, it remains uncertain when the equivalent update will be rolled out for Android users, as Meta has not provided any details yet.

Despite the promising enhancements, some users may still find the app lacking certain features, such as a chronological feed, direct messages, or hashtags. Additionally, the absence of a full web version restricts its usability on computers. Nevertheless, this initial update showcases Meta’s commitment to addressing user feedback and improving Threads over time.

Meta faces the challenge of maintaining user interest, as Threads experienced an expected decline in usage after its initial surge. To combat this, ensuring feature parity and expanding its reach, including a potential rollout in the European Union, are essential steps for Meta to secure a strong user base and remain competitive in the social media landscape.

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Reddit, the popular social site known for a wide range of communities and discussions, has recently stirred up some discontent among its users. The company confirmed reports that it has removed all chats and messages before 2023 as part of a transition to a new chat architecture. While Reddit stated that this move would facilitate a smooth transition, many users were taken by surprise when they discovered their message logs had simply vanished without a trace.

There is still a chance that Users can retrieve conversations before 2023

According to Mashable, there may be a glimmer of hope for those yearning to recover their lost conversations. Reddit allows users to request their account data through an online form, and it’s possible that the archive could contain conversations from before 2023. While retrieving these chats may not be as straightforward as before, there remains a possibility that they are not lost forever. Despite this potential avenue for recovery, users are expressing their dissatisfaction with Reddit’s handling of the situation. The lack of direct notification to community members about the removal of chat history meant that some users were caught off guard, unable to back up their message logs on their own terms.

The unrest among Reddit users is not only limited to the loss of chat history. The platform has been grappling with a lot more backlash recently. Various subreddits staged a blackout to protest new policies that hindered the functionality of third-party apps like Apollo. Additionally, Reddit has announced plans to phase out its existing coin system, which is used to recognize exceptional contributors. The move to retire this system and replace it with something simpler and more direct has raised concerns among long-time users who have grown accustomed to the specific awards and medals associated with Reddit’s unique culture.

Reddit, just like Twitter, is going through a hard time right now. To address these changes and user concerns, the company will have to make some drastic changes in the near future.

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In a recent memo, Tumblr has shared its comprehensive strategy to drive user growth and enhance the core user experience on its platform. The strategy focuses on key areas and provides guidance to ensure Tumblr’s future success in a social-media-infested market.

The platform will also enhance its messaging strategy to compete in the market

The first principle outlined in the memo is expanding the ways new users discover and sign up for Tumblr. The platform acknowledges the need to improve its search engine optimization practices and experiment with the logged-out version of the website. By showcasing the breadth of content available and making it easily accessible, Tumblr aims to entice potential users and encourage sign-ups.

The second principle is centered around providing high-quality content with every app launch. Tumblr recognizes the importance of delivering a personalized and engaging user experience. To achieve this, the platform plans to enhance its algorithmic ranking capabilities, making it easier for users to find relevant content and vibrant communities. Tumblr’s third principle focuses on facilitating easier user participation in conversations. The platform aims to improve conversational posting features, allow engagements on individual replies and reblogs, and make it easier for users to follow and navigate conversation threads.

Retaining and growing the creator base is the fourth principle. Tumblr acknowledges the need to support and nurture new creators, improving the feedback loop and protecting them from spam notifications. The fifth principle highlights the importance of creating patterns that encourage users to keep returning to Tumblr. The platform intends to refine its messaging strategy, personalizing notifications and emails to keep users informed and engaged.

Lastly, Tumblr emphasizes the need to prioritize performance, stability, and quality. The platform aims to improve crash rates, responsiveness, and loading times to provide the highest quality user experience. By addressing key areas such as user onboarding, content quality, conversational engagement, creator support, user retention, and platform performance, Tumblr aims to ensure that it’s not left behind in this crazy social media race that other companies such as Meta and Twitter seem to be excelling in (even though they are far from co-existing with each other)

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Social media is a big part of our lives. We spend a lot of time on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Now, there’s a new player in the game. Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, has released an app called Threads in response to users looking for an alternative to Elon Musk’s Twitter. Here are the details…

Meta Launches Threads, a New Social Media App to Compete with Twitter

Elon Musk bought Twitter in late 2022 for $44 billion. He became CEO and started making changes right away. Some users liked the changes, but others didn’t. The tweet viewing limit that was introduced last week was especially unpopular. This led to many users leaving the platform. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, saw this coming.

They had already been working on a platform called Threads to compete with Twitter. Threads is a text-based conversation app that is linked to Instagram. It allows users to connect with their close friends and followers in a more intimate way. Now, this platform is live, and signing in can be as simple as pressing a button.

How to Use Threads

If you want to use Threads, all you have to do is download the application from the App Store or Google Play Store. Immediately after that, follow these steps:

• Open the app and click on “Log in with Instagram.”
• If you already have the Instagram app installed on your device, Threads will automatically log you in.
• If you don’t have the Instagram app installed, you’ll be prompted to install it. Once you’ve installed the app, you’ll be able to log in to Threads.
• Once you’re logged in, you’ll be able to start sending messages to your close friends.

“It’s fair to say that Threads is currently the best Twitter alternative on the market. The app resembles Twitter in many ways, from its design to its features. In fact, this situation is expected to lead to a legal battle between the two companies in the future. As you know, Meta does not shy away from copying the features and designs of its competitors. For instance, the Stories feature of Instagram, which many of us use and is quite popular, was once taken from Snapchat, and despite objections, it brought great success. It is expected that Zuckerberg will again land on his feet in a similar fashion.”

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Among a multitude of platforms coming up alongside Twitter, Post is one other contender vying for the title. The platform made its highly anticipated debut on iOS devices last Thursday. Labelled as a revolutionary platform for news consumption on social media, Post aims to redefine how people stay informed on the web. The app offers users three distinct feeds: following, explore, and news, with the latter being the app’s focal point.

Content Creators can also market their content effectively via Post

Within the news tab, users can access a stream of articles curated from Post’s esteemed publishing partners, including renowned outlets such as Reuters, the Los Angeles Times, Wired, Yahoo Finance, Fortune, Insider, and NBC News, among others. While headlines and an initial snippet of the articles are freely accessible, readers must make a microtransaction using “points” to unlock the entire piece within the app.

It’s important to note that these articles are not paywalled content from the publishers’ own websites. In most cases, readers can access them by visiting the publishers’ platforms. However, for those seeking the convenience of ad-free, in-app reading without intrusive pop-ups, the option to pay for the content might prove appealing.

At present, publishers receive 100% of the revenue generated from these micropayments, although this arrangement may evolve in the near future as Post seeks profitability in order to keep the platform up and running. The platform’s current funding is provided by Andreessen Horowitz and Scott Galloway, a marketing professor and an author at New York University.

The number of points required to unlock an article varies depending on the publisher. The most affordable in-app transaction is priced at 300 points for $4.29. Articles start at just one point, with the highest costing approximately 29 points. Consequently, readers can expect to pay as little as a few cents for most articles, with a maximum cost of around 40 cents. Users also have the option to tip publishers or content creators as an appreciation for their work.

Within just eight months since its launch, Post has managed to amass an impressive user base of over 440,000 individuals. As the app continues to evolve and gain traction, it remains an interesting prospect in the landscape of social media news consumption. Over the past few weeks, we have heard news of multiple Twitter alternatives under development. Only time will tell if Post can emerge as the true successor to Twitter and revolutionize the way we consume news in today’s age and time.

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Twitter, which has been limiting features for users who don’t pay for the service, is now working on yet another feature that will restrict access to some features that are currently available for free of cost.

As per the latest news, the microblogging platform is working on limiting the number of direct messages or DMs that a user can send if that user isn’t a premium Twitter Blue subscriber.

It is being reported that the company will limit the number of DMs to 30 for the free users, which is currently set at 500 DMs per day. With such a move, it seems that the company aims to nudge users to become paid subscribers of Twitter Blue, a premium subscription service from the platform that offers more features.

Some of the features that are available to Twitter Blue subscribers include the ability to undo tweets, write longer tweets, pin tweets at the top of the profile, and access some of the exclusive content, among others.

It’s noteworthy that Twitter hasn’t officially announced this change of limiting the number of DMs for free users, but the feature appears to be currently under testing and could be rolled out in a few days.

Recently, it was confirmed by Elon Musk that the company is working on releasing an update that will restrict the ability to send DMs to only those who follow the sender. Only verified users or Twitter Blue subscribers will be able to send DMs to the users who are not following them.

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Twitter has announced that it will begin removing legacy verified checkmarks from previously verified accounts starting on April 1st. This move comes in the wake of the global expansion of Twitter Blue, the platform’s subscription service. The company’s intention to retire the legacy checkmarks has been known since November 2022, when CEO Elon Musk stated that there were “far too many corrupt legacy Blue ‘verification’ checkmarks.” With the date fast approaching, legacy verified users are about to lose their blue ticks, but the exact nature of the removal process remains unclear.

Twitter says it’s killing legacy verified checkmarks starting on April 1st

The impending removal of legacy verified checkmarks has generated mixed reactions, with some questioning whether it might be an elaborate April Fools’ joke orchestrated by the ever-whimsical Elon Musk. The company has not clarified if the removal will happen all at once or in phases, and reaching out for further information has so far been met with playful non-answers.

The announcement coincides with the worldwide availability of Twitter Blue subscriptions, which were initially limited to specific regions. With the expansion of the service, users around the globe can now enjoy features such as a blue tick next to their username, 4,000-character tweet limits, post-editing capabilities, and higher reply rankings.

The global rollout is a crucial step towards Musk’s goal of generating half of Twitter’s revenue from subscriptions. However, the platform’s success in achieving this target will depend on users’ willingness to pay the subscription fee of $8 per month (or $11 if purchased through the iOS app) for these additional features.

As Twitter prepares to wind down its legacy verified program, the fate of the blue checkmarks hangs in the balance. The shift towards paid verification through the Twitter Blue subscription service marks a significant change in the platform’s approach to account verification. While many questions remain unanswered, the global expansion of Twitter Blue sets the stage for a new era in the platform’s history, as it seeks to diversify its revenue streams and provide added value to its users.

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As smartphone have become a significant part of our daily lives, they have also caused various health issues. However, recent research suggests that using a smartphone for less than 15 minutes a day can actually improve immunity and promote mental health. Here are the details…

Put Your Phone Down! Brushing Less for 15 Minutes a Day Can Improve Immunity

A team of researchers at Swansea University in the United Kingdom conducted a randomized controlled study, which found that reducing social media use by 15 minutes per day improved a person’s overall health and immune function, and reduced loneliness and depression. The study included 50 participants aged 20-25 who completed a series of questionnaires on health, immune function, sleep, and anxiety. The researchers assigned these participants into three groups: No change group, Reduction group, and Reduction + Activity Group.

The results of the study showed that participants in the reduction group experienced significant improvements in immune function, sleep, and depression. Their immune function improved by an average of 15 percent, sleep quality improved by 50 percent, and depressive symptoms decreased by 30 percent. Professor Phil Reid from Swansea University’s School of Psychology emphasized that the data indicated that spending less time on social media can lead to improvements in both physical health and mental health.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that excessive screen time can lead to a range of negative effects on our physical and mental health, increasing the risk of various diseases. Some of these effects include decreased vision, accelerated eye bag production, stiff hand joints, deterioration of gastrointestinal function, increased pressure in the cervical spine, higher likelihood of depression, disturbances of biorhythms, and increased risk of cancer.

Despite the growing evidence of the negative impact of smartphone usage, many people find it challenging to reduce their screen time. To mitigate the harmful effects of smartphones, experts recommend adopting correct postures, maintaining a safe distance from the screen, controlling usage time, avoiding use in dark environments, creating “disabled areas” for smartphone usage, turning off message reminders when resting, and staying away from phones before bedtime.

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Instagram is developing a new “Latest Shares” feature to simplify the process of finding and resharing Reels previously sent in Direct Messages (DMs). Initially leaked on Twitter, this information was later confirmed by a Meta spokesperson to TechCrunch. The feature is presently in beta testing. Here are the details…

Instagram Enhances User Experience with “Latest Shares” Feature for Reels

As revealed by Turkish tipster “Dijital Ağlar”, Instagram is testing a feature that displays recently shared Reels on the DM page. A Twitter-shared image presents a “Latest Shares” row at the top of the DM page menu. In this image, each recently shared Reel is accompanied by a circular avatar, which likely represents the friend who shared it. According to TechCrunch’s report, which cites confirmation from Meta, a short video shared multiple times will only appear once, with the avatar of the most recent recipient.

Meta has not yet clarified if the “Latest Shares” feature will include non-Reels posts or other Reels not shared by or with the user. Furthermore, there is no word on when the feature will be released to Instagram users or a larger group of testers. Instagram has been increasingly focusing on short videos in an effort to compete with TikTok, a rival short-video sharing platform. Instagram has announced that video posts shorter than 15 minutes will be shared as Reels, providing a full-screen, immersive experience for users. This also broadens the range of collaborative features, like Remix on Reels, to encompass any user-uploaded videos.

The “Latest Shares” feature could greatly improve the user experience for finding and resharing older Reels sent in Direct Messages. Although the exact release date remains unknown, this development highlights Instagram’s ongoing dedication to enhancing its platform and remaining competitive in the short video sharing market.

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Meta, previously known as Facebook, is developing a new social media app codenamed P92, which will enable users to post text-based updates. According to an email sent exclusively to Platformer, Meta is exploring a decentralised social network for creators and public figures to share timely updates about their interests, which seems quite similar to the popular social media platform Twitter. P92 will allow users to log in through their existing Instagram credentials. 

Although there is no release date yet, the project is underway, with the legal and regulatory teams investigating potential privacy concerns. Adam Mosseri, the CEO of Instagram, is taking the lead on the project, which is still in its earliest stages. The most remarkable aspect of the project is that the network will be decentralized, allowing users to set up their own, independent servers and rules for content moderation. Building a decentralized network could enable Meta to experiment with an app that pushes back on standard criticisms of Facebook and Instagram. Different groups would set their own community standards, with a “floor” of rules set by Meta. This will be quite similar to how individual communities, known as subreddits, operate on Reddit. 

It is unclear what the most successful business model is for such an app, and no one has yet built a profitable, global-scale decentralised network. Challenges developers face include basic social-network functions like following users becoming complicated when accounts are located across a vast network of servers. It’s also uncertain how successful the business model of funding with non-fungible tokens (NFTs) would be, and the ongoing implosion of the crypto economy has made this approach less attractive to the userbase. However, it is clear that now is the time for new social media platforms to make their debuts, since Twitter seems to be making the same mistake as Tumblr, where misunderstanding the user base led to a decline in the overall popularity of the platform. 

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Reddit has announced a major change to its interface by launching a TikTok-style video feed. Along with that, it will be splitting text and video posts into separate feeds, so video content will appear in a “Watch” feed view while text content will be available in a “Read” feed. Here are the details…

Reddit’s new features include a TikTok-style video feed

The move is aimed at creating a feed that is dedicated solely to video content, which will make it easier for Reddit’s 500 million monthly users to engage in the format they’re most interested in and move between formats more seamlessly. Pali Bhat, Reddit’s chief product officer, said in an interview on Decoder that this change will help users engage with the platform more easily.

By creating separate feeds, Reddit is essentially “videofying” the platform, and this feature is a part of a larger effort to simplify the platform and make it more accessible to users. The company has acknowledged that many people find the platform complex and intimidating, with a complicated interface and distinct community norms and practices.

The new features will include a combination of posts from subreddits that users are subscribed to, along with recommendations. The company will test how users respond to the split views over the next few weeks. Reddit has also indicated that it may experiment with features like video reactions in the future. The company’s efforts to simplify and streamline the platform experience also include improvements to search functionality. In February, Reddit announced that users would be able to search for keywords within posts.

It will be interesting to see how Reddit users react to the new features, and whether it attracts new users to the platform. With video content becoming more and more popular on social media, this move could be a significant step for Reddit in staying relevant in an ever-evolving digital landscape. We’ll have to wait and see how these new features are received by the community.

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TikTok, one of the most popular short video social media platforms, has announced that users under the age of 18 will have a one-hour screen time limit by default. This is one of the most aggressive moves by the Chinese giant in an effort to reduce criticism about teens’ endlessly scrolling the platform’s feed.

When the 60-minute or one-hour time limit is reached, then the user will be prompted to enter a passcode on the device to continue scrolling through the videos on the platform. This will create a sort of barrier to endless scrolling and bolster the digital wellbeing of young users.

Cormac Keenan, TikTok’s head of trust and safety, said that the company consulted researchers and experts from the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital to decide the time limits to set for teen users. He added, “While there’s no collectively-endorsed position on how much screen time is ‘too much’, or even the impact of screen time more broadly, we recognize that teens typically require extra support as they start to explore the online world independently.”

While the one-hour screen time limit feature will be enabled by default in TikTok’s mobile application, the user will be able to disable this new feature from the app’s settings. Nonetheless, it’s a good move from the company to enable the feature by default and have the user take action to disable the feature.

TikTok has also updated the Family Pairing feature, which allows parent or guardian to link their TikTok account to and set controls. They can also filter videos with words or hashtags, set a custom daily screen time limit, and set a custom schedule to mute TikTok notifications.

The development comes at a time when TikTok, as well as other social media platforms, have been facing scrutiny over the impact of prolonged usage of such platforms, especially on young users. Further, TikTok’s parent company is also facing pressure from the US government and others over concerns about security because of the company’s ties in China.

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Amidst the unrest revolving around Twitter and its regulations, which seem to be changing every week, some people are looking for alternatives to the social media platform in order to make the switch from Twitter. Twitter co-founder and CEO Jack Dorsey has been working on a new social protocol, AT, which aims to create a federated and decentralized social network, similar to the ActivityPub protocol that powers Mastodon. This new protocol is being showcased in the invite-only beta app called Bluesky, which is now available on the App Store.

Bluesky was originally incubated within Twitter, and the company provided financial backing for years. However, with Dorsey’s departure as CEO and the recent acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk, the future of Bluesky remains unclear. Dorsey had envisioned Bluesky as an open, decentralized standard for social media, reducing the power of large, centralized platforms in deciding which users and communities could engage in speech and who would be responsible for moderating that content.

Although Bluesky has received $13 million in funding to develop open and decentralized public conversation, Twitter has been cutting costs drastically, including through layoffs, auctions, office closures, and not paying its bills. This has led to speculation about whether a side project like Bluesky would remain a priority for the company.

Bluesky’s future is also uncertain given the growing popularity of Mastodon and other open-source, decentralized alternatives to Twitter. In fact, several companies, including Flipboard, Medium, Tumblr, and possibly Flickr, have committed to or discussed embracing the ActivityPub standard. Meanwhile, former Twitter third-party app developers have rolled out polished Mastodon clients like Ivory and Mammoth, which have gained significant traction since their launch.

Despite this, Bluesky’s arrival on the App Store suggests that a public launch could be close. Whether it will be able to compete with the growing number of open-source, decentralized alternatives to Twitter remains to be seen.

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