Social Media
Social Media
Tumblr bans nudity to create ‘a safe place for creative expression’
Tumblr will soon no longer allow images with adult content. The company says the change is one that's designed to help more creators feel comfortable sharing on the platform, but admits the change won't happen overnight.
Social Media
Hangouts isn’t being hung out to dry in 2020, Google says
According to a report, Google may shut down Google Hangouts by 2020. While Hangouts was once Google's top-tier messaging app, the app has since been neglected in favor of Android Messages.
Social Media
Ride the rails and share your stories with Amtrak’s new social media residency
Amtrak is looking for travel fans with a knack for telling stories on social media. The new Amtrak social media residency program wants amateur travelers to share photos, video, and written content from aboard long-distance trips.
Social Media
Hotel chain offers an Instagram ‘sitter’ who will post photos for you
If the pressure to post stunning Instagram photos is ruining your vacations, then how about hiring a local Instagram influencer to do the job for you while you go off and enjoy yourself? Well, such a service now exists.
Social Media
Survey of teens says social media lets them connect with friends and get support
A survey of teenagers shows the ways that social media sites can be beneficial to them, like feeling more connected to their friends, the ability to interact with different people, and as a venue to get support when they are struggling.
Social Media
Instagram’s new Close Friends List lets you decide who should see your Story
Have a story to share, but don't want to send it to everyone? Instagram now offers a close friends list that will allow users to share stories with only the users included on that list.
Social Media
Like them or not, YouTube Stories just expanded to more channels
YouTube Stories are exiting testing -- beginning today, the feature will be available to channels with more than 10,000 subscribers. The launch also comes with a new comment tool and updates based on test feedback.
Mobile
Restaurant chain offers families free meals if they hand over their phones
A restaurant chain is offering families free meals if they surrender their smartphones upon arrival. The idea came about after a survey suggested many kids were fed up with their parents being on their phones the whole time.
News
Facebook’s local news tool just went live in 400 cities, alerts could be next
Facebook now has a section dedicated to local news in more than 400 cities -- and the next test is for Local Alerts. Called Today In, the local news feature aggregates news as well as events, school announcements, and group discussions.
Social Media
Code suggests Facebook is working on a comment keyword mute tool
Reverse engineering the Facebook app has uncovered a potential feature that would allow users to mute specific keywords on comments. The feature hasn't yet been confirmed but could be an option Facebook is testing for personal profiles.
Mobile
Google Maps makes reviews more useful with hashtag support
In its latest grab from the world of social media, Google Maps now supports hashtags in reviews for businesses. The feature currently works for Android only, though the hashtags can be added to old reviews as well as new ones.
Mobile
Luxury resort bans smartphones from poolside so guests can ‘truly relax’
A luxury resort in Bali has banned guests from taking gadgets to the poolside so they can "truly relax" and enjoy the moment. Yes, it means no smartphones, no social media, no selfies, no messaging, no web surfing, and no music.
Social Media
Instagram is about to start fiddling around with your profile page
Whether or not you like the look of your profile page, Instagram is going to begin testing various new designs in the coming weeks to make it "easier and cleaner to use." It's already posted a few ideas about what to expect.
Mobile
Flex your thumbs (and your brain) with these fun texting games
Gaming consoles keep getting more advanced, but you can still have fun with the good old fashioned Latin alphabet. Here are our picks for the best texting games, so you can make the most fun out of that limited data plan or basic cell…
Social Media
LinkedIn finally gets around to launching its own version of Stories
Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter — among others — have all launched their own versions of Snapchat Stories, so it was only a matter of time before professional social networking platform LinkedIn followed suit.
Social Media
Facebook removes one-click comment test after users call the tool ‘dystopian’
A faster way to comment on posts sounds innocent enough, but when a Facebook test of the feature appeared on a story about a shooting, users weren't happy. The tool attempted to suggest one-click comments.
Social Media
Time alerts put the brakes on Facebook consumption, are rolling out now
Just how much time do you spend scrolling through the Facebook feed? Facebook will now tell you. The new features also include daily alerts that tell users when they've spent too much time on the social network.
Photography
Dual cameras for Spectacles 3? Report suggests Snap-designed glasses with AR
Despite underselling the first generation, Snap Inc. isn't done with camera glasses yet. According to a recent report, the company is rumored to be working on another Snap Spectacles with dual cameras for augmented reality features.