Tag - Facebook
Facebook enables 360 photo uploads, videos added to comments
Facebook has introduced two changes to the way users of the social network can share items visually, both in still images and in video. It is possible for users to submit their own 360-degree photographs for viewing on the site, as well as through mobile apps, and while it has allowed users to upload their own videos for a while, it is now allowing for comments on posts and status updates to also include video clips for the first time.
Facebook kills Notify app, begins migrating functions into other apps
Facebook is shuttering one of its apps, just seven months after the social network launched it on iOS. Users of Facebook Notify, an app that provides notifications of news headlines from various sources on specific topics, are being informed the app is no longer supported, but that aspects will continue to live on in the future as Facebook is "transitioning parts" into other apps and services operated by the tech giant.
UT apartments force Facebook contract on tenants, rage ensues
A Salt Lake City, UT apartment complex is forcing a "Facebook Addendum" on its tenants. The addition to existing leases requires the renters to friend the apartment complex within five days. Failure to do so is considered a breach of the rental agreement by the complex. Additionally, the contract addendum includes a release allowing the property owners to post pictures of the tenants and any visitors to the complex without additional permissions, and at any time, for any reason.
Page, Zuckerberg, Cook top Adweek's 'Power List'
The second annual "Power List" from trade magazine Adweek has listed Google and Alphabet founder Larry Page, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Apple CEO Tim Cook as its top three choices based on "the profiles and results of global corporate titans, taking into account such criteria as company value, revenue and revenue growth, market performance, consumer reach and affinity, their standing among rivals, the number of employees overseen, key acquisitions and partnerships, industry accolades and media buzz."
Brazil bans WhatsApp for 72 hours for not complying with court order
A court in Brazil has ordered for WhatsApp to be blocked on the country's carriers for a 72-hour period, as part of an ongoing dispute between the country and the Facebook-owned service over encryption. Judge Marcel Montalvao of Sergipe made the demand to carriers after WhatsApp failed to provide chat logs that could help law enforcement in a drug-related investigation, with the service claiming it does not have the capability of seeing the messages in their unencrypted form.
Facebook allegedly working on camera app to boost photo sharing
Facebook could be looking to push its users towards creating more image and video content for the social network, by creating a new camera app, according to reports. A group with Facebook called the "friend-sharing" team has allegedly created a prototype app that opens to the camera directly, so users can quickly take a photograph and upload it to the social network, or stream video to other users using Facebook Live, with as little effort as possible.
Facebook Live video streaming plans include open source 360 camera
Facebook's bid to expand its video offerings involves the creation of its own 360-degree camera, among the announcements made at the company's keynote for the F8 conference. The Surround 360 uses an odd dual cone shape with a total of 17 cameras, though rather than taking the approach of producing the device itself, the social network is instead making the design open source, effectively allowing anyone to make their own version.
Google reportedly considering Swift language support in Android
Swift, the programming language typically associated with iOS and OS X app development, may soon find a greater role within Android. A report claims Google is looking into potentially making Swift a "first class" language for Android, effectively making it easier for app developers to use the language to create software for the platform. The same report also suggests other major entities are looking to expand their usage of Swift on their respective technology platforms.
Pointers: Schedule Facebook posts, including links
Last weekend, a friend asked us to help out with promoting her project on Facebook. She was going to be away but she needed several updates posted, and of course we recommended various tools for setting that up in advance. Only, she could already do that, what she couldn't so readily do is this: wait until an entry went live on her Wordpress site and then post a link to it on Facebook.
WhatsApp end-to-end encryption rolls out, metadata still collected
Facebook updated its WhatsApp messaging service earlier this week to enable end-to-end encryption for all communications on the platform, protecting text-based messages, VoIP calls, and other items sent between users. Even though the extra security is likely to be welcomed by the majority of users, it appears that law enforcement agencies will still be able to gain access to some metadata relating to messages and calls, if not the content of the messages themselves.
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Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit
Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj
Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket
The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]
Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera
Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94
Apple employees testing wheelchair features
New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa
SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards
SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If
Apple's third-quarter results due July 26
Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm
Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users
Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE
