Technology Apps

Facebook, Instagram down for thousands of users, Downdetector shows

WhatsApp, Meta's messaging application, was also down for more than 12,000 users, according to Downdetector.com

Amazon targets paid reviews on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram via shoppers

Before announcing the rule, the FTC notified 700 companies, including Amazon, Facebook and Google, about its plans to curb a scourge that has become more prevalent in recent years

So you are thinking of leaving X for Bluesky. How does it work?

The apps look and feel similar. Here is how to use Bluesky and what you might miss from X

Google Maps to add lane guidance feature for better navigation clarity

Additionally, the app will now include reminders for parking locations and offer walking directions to the entrances of buildings, according to The Verge

Jio financial services unveils new app packed with features and upgrades

On the savings front, the digital savings account from Jio Payments Bank Ltd (JPBL), which can be opened digitally in 5 minutes, offers a secure bank account with biometric authentication

US Judge orders Google to list rival apps stores to its Play Store

Provided the ruling survives the appeals process, Google will almost certainly take a revenue hit, said Emarketer analyst Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf

X valued at 80 per cent less since Elon Musk's acquisition, says Fidelity

X is currently worth around $9.4 billion, a fraction of the price Elon Musk paid to acquire the company

Spurned by social media, publishers now chase readers on WhatsApp

And some publishers are cautious about getting too enamored by Channels, Meta, which is also the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has a long and complicated history with news organisations

Ukraine bans Telegram app on state-issued devices due to Russian threat

During a meeting Ukraine's security forces agreed that Telegram is actively used by Russia for cyberattacks, phishing, spreading malware, establishing user locations and calibrating missile strikes

52 of 53 top apps in India use 'dark patterns', says ASCI study

The report said that ethical design alternatives and choice architecture in apps should be introduced to bring down such cases

Truecaller introduces AI Call Scanner feature on Android app: How it works

AI Call Scanner is built into the Truecaller Android app, is part of the premium subscription and being rolled out in the US first, followed by India and other markets, said the company in press note

Microsoft brings Copilot AI chatbot to Telegram for Android, iOS, and more

Microsoft's Copilot AI chatbot on Telegram is available in beta with restrictions on certain functions and works only on text prompts

YouTube Music gets 'hum to search' feature on Android: Here's how it works

With "hum to search" feature on YouTube Music, users can hum, sing or play any vocal and find nearest matches on YouTube Music

Soon, WhatsApp could let you generate profile pictures with Meta AI: Report

Reportedly, WhatsApp is incorporating AI across several features but all of them are currently in testing phase and not generally available

Google Pay gets three new features including buy now and pay later: Details

Google said the new features on its payment platform, Google Pay, will enhance users online shopping experience and can be utilised at the checkout

Soon, WhatsApp could let you clear all unread chats in one go: Details here

Reportedly, WhatsApp is testing a new option that will allow users to clear their unread message count whenever they open the app

Twitter has officially moved over to 'X' domain, confirms Elon Musk

Elon Musk rebranded Twitter to X in July 2023. However, Twitter domain remained in service since switching domain has not been as easy going as the logo switch

WhatsApp gets a design makeover with new colour palette, icons, and more

Now rolling out to Android and iOS platforms, the WhatsApp redesign features more neutral colours and features rounded in-app icons and illustrations

WhatsApp set to release new audio call bar feature: Here's how it works

Users will be able to easily mute or end the call directly, removing the need to navigate back to the call screen

WhatsApp: Banned in China, Meta's messaging app now working for some users

Users of the Meta Platforms Inc. service in Beijing and Shanghai, who normally employ workarounds like a virtual private network to get on the service, are using it normally