Snapchat redesign slows user growth, confirming predictions
Snap Inc. CEO Evan Speigel said the redesign would temporarily disrupt the company -- and that disruption is here with a slowed user growth and a dip in revenue. The company is working to continue optimizing the design, including moving Stories and rebuilding the Android app from the ground up.
From video chat to AR filters, Instagram builds long list of new tools
Tired of typing in that group message? Instagram will soon add video chat to messaging, alongside several upcoming changes announced during the Facebook F8 conference. New brand-designed AR filters, a redesigned Explore tab, easier Stories sharing, and a bully filter for comments are also on the list.
Facebook and cinema firm Red team up to build a more realistic VR camera
Facebook's virtual reality camera prototypes are continuing to move forward -- this time, with the help of cinema camera company Red. The two companies announced a partnership to build a professional, probably expensive VR camera using Facebook's depth sensing and Red's high dynamic range sensors.
Don’t drown your phone for an Instagram — GoPro now has Stories built in
Got a great shot of your day on a GoPro? GoPro is making it easier to share action cam footage to Instagram Stories via integrated sharing, along with tools to convert the video into the "proper" format. The tool allows users to crop for a vertical Story and shorten for easy shares.
Meet Explorest, the photo-scouting app curated by real photographers
Tired of cat photos and selfies when trying photo scouting apps? Explorest is hand-curated by real photographers for pro photos and details. The app shares profit with photographers, Instagrammers, and travelers to create a curated list of photo spots. The app recently expanded to the U.S.
Twitter doubles list of original shows with new deals, renewals from MTV to ESPN
Ready for more Twitter original shows? Twitter today announced a list of more than 30 new deals and renewals for original series and live content, effectively doubling the number of originals from last year. The list spans topics from news to gaming and includes several big brands, like MTV and BuzzFeed.
DxO Labs files for bankruptcy, but will launch Nik Collection update in June
Photography software company and the developer of the DxO One cameras has filed for bankruptcy and is now restructuring. The company says that customers will not be affected -- and shared plans to update the acquired Nik Collection software in June, along with updating PhotoLab.
Twitter sold tweets to the guy who made the Cambridge Analytica app
As Facebook faces privacy criticism, Twitter confirmed that Aleksandr Kogan, the researcher behind the thisisyourdigitallifeapp, accessed Twitter data. Unlike the original Cambridge Analytica scandal, only public tweets were accessed, but Twitter also sold that data through its data licensing program.
Social (Net)Work: Fake news spreads faster than truth, but bots aren’t to blame
A recent MIT study suggests that fake news spreads farther, faster and deeper than the real thing. Don’t point fingers just yet though -- data suggests the bots aren’t to blame.
Social Feed: Challenge Facebook friends with a donation match
In this week's Social Feed, see how Facebook is expanding the platform's fundraising tool (while earning less money with lower fees). Pinterest also sees updates for the visually impaired on the web and apps, while YouTube turns 13 and Facebook begins vetting political advertisers in the U.S.
Photo FOMO: Fujifilm X-H1 sees bug fixes, Premiere Pro gets 360 plug-in
Both the Fujifilm X-H1 and Lightroom Classic CC got bug fixes this week via software updates, while Premiere Pro will soon have a plugin for the Insta360 Pro to speed up immersive edits. In other photo industry news, budget lens company Meike launches an autofocus 85mm and Lex Optical is creating an open source Sony E Mount film camera.
Gnarbox review
In our Gnarbox review, we look at a small, rugged device that lets you back up and edit photos without a computer. The Gnarbox edits anywhere -- but now there's a second generation to consider too.
Pinterest tests ‘a more inclusive’ search, adds a skin tone filter for makeup
Finding the right makeup can depend on skin tone -- so Pinterest is helping Pinners find more custom beauty results by introducing a skin tone filter. The filter includes four skin tone ranges and is only available for specific beauty queries. Pinterest says the platform doesn't store each user's preference.
This camera eliminates the ocean waves so scientists can study coral
Scientists could study coral without the deep sea dive -- if they could see through the ocean waves. Fluid Cam is a camera that eliminates the waves so scientists can through the water to study coral. With the team now building an A.I., Fluid Cam could help offer a quick assessment of coral reef health.
The Rolleiflex returns with a twin-lens instant film camera with modern flair
Mixing vintage inspiration with modern features, the Rolleiflex Instant Kamera is a twin lens camera (complete with the waist viewfinder) that uses instant film. Despite looking like the classic, the camera has a built-in flash and light meter. The camera's Kickstarter campaign was fully funded in only 22 minutes.
With a crazy f/.95, the Meyer Optik Nocturnus 75mm is just begging for blur
Think you've seen some nice background blur? Meyer Optik has just announced the brightest 75mm lens yet with an aperture of just f/0.95, the Nocturnus. But proceed with caution -- photographers will have to nail the focus in all that blur using manual focus, and after paying a rather hefty price.
Despite #deletefacebook, Facebook’s user count (and revenue) keeps growing
Think everyone is leaving Facebook? Think again -- the social media giant is reporting another quarter of growth, both in user counts and revenue. Facebook now has 2.2 billion monthly active users, though the growth is largely in India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, while revenue grew by 49 percent.
Snapchat’s new Snappables Lenses are AR games you play with your face
Ready for Snap's take on games? Snappables are new Snapchat games that use facial expressions, motion, and touch to control the game. The games can be sent as Snaps to challenge friends, or to invite friends to a virtual dance party. The augmented reality games are located inside the app's camera.
Automatic game posts will disappear as Facebook makes more app changes
Facebook is unleashing a second round of new limitations for third-party apps using the platform's API. This time, Facebook is preventing apps from posting to a timeline on a user's behalf, instead of requiring a publish prompt for each post. Changes to the Instagram API are also included in the list.
Senators craft bill to tame social media with privacy requirements
Lawmakers in the U.S. will soon consider a bi-partisan bill that creates several requirements for social media companies in order to protect the data of its users. The bill would require companies to notify users of a privacy breach within three days, along with clearer policies, opt-in requirements and others.
Upload Stories faster — or preview the entire thing — with new Instagram tools
Instagram is now allowing users to add multiple images or videos to Stories in one move. The bulk upload tool allows users to add up to 10 photos or videos, though edits like stickers are still applied individually. The update comes with new location suggestions for location-based stickers.
Twitter’s updated privacy policy sheds light on just what happens to your data
Twitter is aiming to be more transparent about how the platform uses your data, starting with clearer language inside an updated privacy policy. The change was sparked by the the upcoming General Data Protection Regulation laws in Europe, but the new policy applies worldwide, as do the available privacy tools.
In a privacy-motivated move, Instagram finally has a download tool
Instagram finally has a tool to download all your data -- including the photos you posted to the site. The update allows users to download their data without relying on third-party apps. The new tool is likely privacy-motivated, and Facebook has already offered a similar tool for eight years.
Using this A.I.-based healing brush, repairing an image is no biggie
Have an old, damaged portrait with a tear right over the eye, or a recent digital shot with annoying powerlines in the background? Researchers at Nvidia recently developed a tool for repairing an image using A.I. to fill in those missing pixels, a tool that could be a serious boost in some types of edits.
Monkeys cannot own a copyright, judges rule in infamous monkey selfie lawsuit
A Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that monkeys cannot own a copyright in an infamous case over who owned the rights to a selfie snapped by a monkey. The court has ordered PETA to pay the photographer's legal fees over a legal process that has now stemmed more than three years.
Photo FOMO: Get a (lens) grip, Sony a7 III firmware fix, Rylo gains 180 mode
In this week's photo industry news, see what errors Sony is fixing on the a7 III with new firmware. The 360 Rylo Cam also gets a firmware update to add a new 180-degree mode and a Bluetooth remote. And startup Band.it is bringing its lens grips to photographers without the Kickstarter risk.
Social Feed: Pinterest glams up, Facebook tests ‘live’ prerecorded premieres
What are the social networks up to this week? Facebook is launching a slew of new tests, while facing scrutiny for housing discrimination on top of data practices. Pinterest now has prettier profiles for businesses (with more stats). And YouTube addresses creator concerns.
There’s an entire photo studio in your phone with this AR app
Ready to experiment with lights, or pre-visualize that next shoot? Photo Studio AR is an augmented reality app that allows users to place models, lights, and props into any scene using a smartphone camera. The developer, with both Hollywood and Snapchat experience, says the app is for pre-visualizing that next shoot.
Facebook investigating more security vulnerabilities with third-party logins
Be careful where you log in using Facebook credentials -- Princeton researchers recently uncovered vulnerabilities that allowed third-party platforms to access data using scripts after users logged in with their Facebook data on other websites. The group found more than 400 websites with the vulnerable scripts.
Facebook highlights privacy settings you forgot about as new tools roll out
Facebook wants to make sure you haven't forgotten all the permissions you gave the network when you opened your account. Facebook will start prompting users to check their privacy settings. The network is also sharing exactly what Zuckerberg meant when he said GDPR protections would roll out worldwide.
Capture One makes batch editing and presets faster with latest update
Capture One 11.1 speeds up the workflow when using styles or presets, Phase One says. The update enhances a handful of tools while expanding the camera support to eleven new models and another ten lenses. The update is available beginning today, April 19, as a free download for owners of version 11.
You AR what you eat — augmented reality menus are coming to Snapchat
Have your food and eat it too? New augmented reality menus will allow diners to preview a dish using a Snapchat AR Lens before ordering, putting a lifelike model of the food right on the table.
GoPro will turn busted digital cameras into $50 with the Trade-Up program
That old and broken camera could be worth as much as $100. The GoPro Trade-Up recycles old cameras for a $50 to $100 discount on a new flagship GoPro. Unlike earlier programs, the camera can be from any brand and doesn't even have to work to qualify for the program.
JPEG XS will be a faster format for 8K streaming, better VR, and safer drones
The organization behind the JPEG is aiming to create faster streaming without sacrificing quality. JPEG XS is a new file format that offers faster -- but not more -- compression. The file type has the potential to impact a number of technologies, from better live-streams to safer drones.
Facebook’s photo tag suggestions could violate Illinois law — and cost billions
A federal judge has again dismissed Facebook's request to throw out a lawsuit that claims the social network's suggested photo tags tool breaks an Illinois law that prevents storing biometric data without consent. The suit seeks $5,000 for every resident in the system.
Want more AR masks? Snap’s Lens Studio now supports custom face filters
Snapchat now allows creatives to build their own augmented reality face masks using Lens Studio after they have added new face-based templates. The update also brings Giphy integration and a new program that is designed to reward top Lens designers as the program grows beyond 30,000 custom lenses.