CNET: Facebook launches Tuned, a messaging app for couples. “Facebook has released a new app for couples to share a private space online, ‘even when you’re apart.’ Tuned allows couples to share photos, notes, cards, voice memos, music from Spotify and even their moods. There’s also a daily diary feature.”
messaging
TechCrunch: Facebook Messenger ditches Discover, demotes chat bots
TechCrunch: Facebook Messenger ditches Discover, demotes chat bots. “Chat bots were central to Facebook Messenger’s strategy three years ago. Now they’re being hidden from view in the app along with games and businesses. Facebook Messenger is now removing the Discover tab as it focuses on speed and simplicity instead of broad utility like China’s WeChat.”
Lifehacker: Facebook’s Messenger Kids App Now Has More Parental Controls
Lifehacker: Facebook’s Messenger Kids App Now Has More Parental Controls. “Facebook has announced the launch of some new tools in its Parent Dashboard that should make it easier to monitor your child’s chat history, remove and report inappropriate images or videos, and log them out remotely.”
CNET: You soon will be able to Instagram DM from the web
CNET: You soon will be able to Instagram DM from the web. “After years of limiting direct messages to its mobile apps, Instagram is finally opening up. On Tuesday the Facebook-owned site announced that it is in the process of testing direct messaging from its website, giving those who want to message friends on the platform from a computer a new way to do so.”
BGR: Sadly, you now need a Facebook account to start using Facebook Messenger
BGR: Sadly, you now need a Facebook account to start using Facebook Messenger. “A few years ago, Facebook made it possible for new Messenger users to start talking to their friends and family without registering for Facebook. That was actually a great way to stay off Facebook for anyone not happy with the intrusiveness of the world’s biggest social network, without giving up one of the best things about Facebook. Going forward, however, new Facebook Messenger users will have to register for a Facebook account to actually use the chat service.”
The Next Web: FTC might put the brakes on Facebook’s plans to merge messaging apps
The Next Web: FTC might put the brakes on Facebook’s plans to merge messaging apps. “A new report suggests the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) might file an injunction against Facebook, to keep it from integrating its messaging apps together. Doing so might make it harder to break up the company — which the FTC is reportedly considering.”
9to5 Google: Latest Google Messages beta rolling out ‘Verified SMS’ to cut down on SMS spam
9to5 Google: Latest Google Messages beta rolling out ‘Verified SMS’ to cut down on SMS spam. “The latest Google Messages beta is now rolling out ‘Verified SMS’ which is aimed at protecting you from unwanted spam text messages or potential phishing attempts.”
CNET: Instagram could soon let you send direct messages on desktop
CNET: Instagram could soon let you send direct messages on desktop. “You may soon be able to use Instagram Direct to ping one or more people on desktop. Tipster Jane Manchun Wong tweeted about the rumored feature on Tuesday, along with screenshots of what Direct for desktop could look like.” Jane Wong strikes again!
The Next Web: Instagram spins out Threads, its version of Messenger
The Next Web: Instagram spins out Threads, its version of Messenger. “Instagram today revealed it’s launching Threads, an Instagram spin-off app specifically for private messages between friends — similar to Facebook’s Messenger. Whether it’ll actually last as long as Messenger has remains to be seen.”
Fossbytes: Google Researcher Finds Nasty iMessage Bug That ‘Bricks’ iPhone
Fossbytes: Google Researcher Finds Nasty iMessage Bug That ‘Bricks’ iPhone. “There are different character combinations that can render an iPhone useless. While Apple has been quick to fix such bugs, this time a Google researcher found a nasty one that ‘bricks’ Apple phones.”
BBC: How apps power Hong Kong’s ‘leaderless’ protests
BBC: How apps power Hong Kong’s ‘leaderless’ protests. “In a tiny room on the edge of a nondescript building complex sits an unlikely participant in Hong Kong’s protest movement. Behind his laptop computer, Tony (not his real name) monitors scores of groups on private messaging app Telegram and online forums. Organisers say volunteers like Tony are running hundreds of Telegram groups that are powering Hong Kong’s protest turned civil disobedience campaign. They claim that more than two million people have taken to the streets in recent weeks to express opposition to a controversial extradition law.”
PSA: Twitter Isn’t Notifying People If You DM Their Tweets (New York Magazine)
New York Magazine: PSA: Twitter Isn’t Notifying People If You DM Their Tweets. “There are several circumstances under which Twitter will send you a notification: If you get a new follower. If your tweet is getting attention in the form of retweets and likes. If you receive a direct message. There is one circumstance under which Twitter will not — I said will not — notify you: If somebody sends one of your tweets to somebody else in a DM.”
Make SMS Useful Again: 7 Services That Use SMS Messages Cleverly (MakeUseOf)
MakeUseOf: Make SMS Useful Again: 7 Services That Use SMS Messages Cleverly. “Thanks to instant messaging apps, you probably don’t use plain old SMS on your phone too often. Messengers like WhatsApp and Telegram are faster, more reliable, and have tons of other modern features SMS lacks. But SMS is around to stay on your phone and despite what you may think, it has a lot to offer. We’ve rounded up several cool services that make good use of SMS.”
KnowTechie: Instagram is shutting down its dedicated Direct messaging app you probably forgot about
KnowTechie: Instagram is shutting down its dedicated Direct messaging app you probably forgot about. “If you’re one of the many people who rely on Instagram’s standalone app for direct messages, we have some bad news – the company is shutting it down in the coming month. This was first spotted by social media consultant Matt Navarra who confirmed the upcoming closure on Twitter.”
Business Insider: How to delete all of your Facebook messages at once, using a Google Chrome browser extension
Business Insider: How to delete all of your Facebook messages at once, using a Google Chrome browser extension. “Facebook’s Messenger app is particularly handy, allowing for instant and private messaging with your contacts and other users you may not yet be connected to. But how do you get rid of all those messages when you’re no longer in need of them?”
