Meta
Instagram to let users add songs to photo carousels
According to Meta Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the tool is already available in a "few countries with more to come." Instagram already allows users tag songs to individual photos but now, they will be able to add their favourite songs to the photo carousel as they swipe through the photo collection. Zuckerberg also said that the Instagram is testing a new way to add music to Notes.
Meta introduces improved avatars with new body shapes, hair, clothing
The company also announced that over one billion avatars have been created across its platforms. "Today we're announcing some improvements to Meta Avatars that will help freshen up your look just in time for spring. We're adding a handful of new avatar body shapes to help you better express yourself -- especially if expressing yourself means dancing along to 'Hips Don't Lie'," Meta said in a blogpost on Thursday.
FB, Insta to soon mandate checkout experience on Shops
"Beginning April 24 of next year, Shops without checkout on Facebook and Instagram enabled will no longer be accessible," Meta said in a blogpost on Thursday. This means that the shops that direct people to an e-commerce site to complete a purchase, rather than allowing people to make a purchase directly through Facebook.
WhatsApp rolling out 'reply with message' feature within call notifications
The company said that it will be rolling out the feature to even more people over the coming days. According to WABetaInfo, this feature will allow users to easily decline an incoming call and send a message to the caller at the same time.
Time spent on Instagram up 24% thanks to AI-driven Reels: Zuckerberg
Reels continues to grow quickly on both Facebook and Instagram. Reels also continue to become more social with people resharing Reels more than 2 billion times every day, doubling over the last six months. Reels are also increasing overall app engagement and we believe that we're gaining share in short-form video too.
Users can now use their WhatsApp account on multiple phones
Users can now link their phone as one of up to four additional devices. This update has started rolling out to users globally and will be available to everyone in the coming weeks, the company said. "A feature highly requested by users, now you can link your phone as one of up to four additional devices, the same as when you link with WhatsApp on web browsers, tablets and desktops. Each linked phone connects to WhatsApp independently, ensuring that your personal messages, media.
I packed my whole life in 5 suitcases: Sacked Meta worker
Carolina Rayo, a content designer at Instagram in the US, who worked for 10 months, was one of the employees who lost her job in the latest round of job cuts. Impacted by the layoff, Rayo took to LinkedIn, where she shared her ordeal, saying: "Alright, here's the badge post you never want to write, but let's rip the bandaid to make it as quick and painless as possible: Today, I was one of the many impacted by the Meta layoffs".
Meta lays off most staffer dedicated to combating misinformation
According to 'Command Line' by The Verge's Alex Heath, the majority of the team responsible for combating fake news across Facebook and Instagram has been sacked. "The team size was about 50 people," the report said. A company spokesperson was quoted as saying that the remaining team members are being integrated into trust and safety teams.
Instagram bio can now include up to five links
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Tuesday announced the new feature in a post on his Instagram channel, saying, "the feature has been a top request among creators", reports The Verge. With the new feature, users can now add links by editing their profile in the mobile app, where they can give them titles and reorder how they'll appear.
Meta to slash around 4K high-skilled jobs this week: Report
This week's layoffs could be in the range of 4,000 jobs, according to a report in Vox, citing sources. In March, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the company would cut 10,000 jobs in the coming months. In an internal memo seen by The Washington Post, Meta said that "the company will begin notifying employees on its technical teams.
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