Today in social media… 19th April 2017
Apr 19, 2017
Every week it gets to Wednesday, hump day if you will, and we feel a bit of light-hearted digital media news is needed to help motivate you through the rest of the week! So here’s a round-up of all the noteworthy new releases, designs and anything and everything social media related.
Facebook F8, the best bits from today
Image: Originally Found
First up, Facebook is currently holding their annual developer's event, F8, in San Jose to announce design features that may launch in years to come. Here are just a few:
- Augmented Reality - when digital images are placed over the real world, think Pokémon Go. Can this overtake Snapchat and their filters?
- Was anyone else bullied into getting the Facebook messenger app? Well, they want this unwanted app to get bigger in its capabilities, suggesting that whilst talking to friends about a get-together, we will be able to buy tickets to gigs, make reservations and book an Uber without leaving the app itself. Also, heard a song on Spotify that you just have to share? Why not drop it into a conversation on the app? This way the messenger app will enable us to interact with businesses far more easily.
- Oculus VR was brought with the intention that the platform will become more for a social outlet, and not just gaming. Facebook have created a world where you are a cartoon avatar and you can visit friends to: play games, share photos and take ‘selfies.’ Think Skype call, and then some. However, we can’t see this being very accessible to the masses. If you haven’t already got a powerful PC and Oculus Rift, then it could cost upward of £800 to get it going.
- Last but not least, Workplace. Facebook’s retaliation to Slack. A tool to motivate productivity in the office… the direct opposite of Facebook itself. Right now Workplace is free to use, however, this will change at the end of the year to offer a paid-for premium version.
Google Earth Revamp
Image: Originally found
Google Earth has relaunched and it’s had a bit of a makeover, with storytelling and artificial intelligence weaved in. Users are able to search for locations or click on the ‘Voyage’ feature to be taken on journeys involving Nature, Travel or Culture, with interactive stories told by local guides, Sesame Street and Sir David Attenborough. Users are also treated to the ‘Feeling Lucky’ feature, where hidden gems of the world are uncovered; such as Mt. Etna and Japan’s Senami Hot Spring. Why not capture a photo of your travels and send a digital postcard to your friends? Or to @thecreationlab on Twitter, we’d love to see!
This has caused hours of procrastinating in the office, so enjoy!
It’s currently available on Chrome and Android but will be available on IOS later in the year.
Twitter has a dislike button. Need we say anymore?
It’s pretty hard to find and was quietly introduced earlier this year. Hidden under the drop-down menu available on some Tweets (in IOS and Android), between “Copy link to Tweet” and “Unfollow [User]” is “I don’t like this Tweet.”
I don’t like this Tweet. The feature enables Twitter to make your Timeline better suited to you and the type of Tweets you’d rather see. Have you ever found your ‘While you were away...’ section annoying? No? Well that’s because Twitter uses data you provide to help create the perfect timeline, this button just helps with that. Whilst letting out a bit of passive aggressive anger towards the tweet, of course.
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