Instagram takes a serious look at how people use emojis
Emojis are starting to flood Instagram, and the website’s engineers are on a quest to sort out how people are using the yellow-faced emoticons. Apparently, their popularity skyrocketed after Apple released the iOS emoji keyboard and Android got native support. In just a single month after the iOS emojis came out, their usage on the website increased by 10 percent. Now, nearly 50 percent of all captions and comments have an emoji or two. Instagram’s research has also revealed that folks in Finland insert emojis most frequently, with 63 percent of all text posted from the country containing at least one graphic. The US (38 percent) takes the ninth place in that list, after France (50 percent), UK (48 percent), Germany (47 percent), Italy (45 percent), Russia (45 percent), Spain (40 percent) and Japan (39 percent).
And because emojis are serious business, the Facebook-owned company has also deciphered what some of them mean based on words people use with them. While many have rather obvious translations — a laughing face obviously means “lol” and all its other iterations, for instance — it’s amusing to see how users interpret some of the vaguer ones. In addition, Instagram has discovered that people are slowly abandoning written internet slang (“xoxo,” “rofl,” “bae,” so on and so forth) in favor of their emoji counterparts. You can read the whole study on Instagram’s Tumblr page, but note that it’s only the first part. The company promises to explain how it implemented emoji hashtags in the second one — maybe then we can get a detailed explanation of why you can’t search for one eggplant emoji, but you can search for two.
Filed under: Misc, Mobile, Facebook
Source: Instagram
Facebook lets you choose what to share with 3rd party apps
For ages, whenever you’ve wanted to use your Facebook credentials to log into a third party app like Foursquare or Candy Crush, you’ve had to give the app access to any and all data that FB has on you. There’s simply been no way of choosing what information you can share–until now. Facebook announced last year that it would be implementing a new API this spring which allows the user, not the developer, to decide what sorts of private information each app is privy to. Well, that year is up and now whenever you “Log In Using Facebook,” you’ll be redirected to a landing page where you can select which individual data sets you want to share. Only want to tell Groupme your birthday and location? Done. Don’t want to give Untappd access to your contacts? Easy.
There is one problem however: this only solves privacy issues moving forward. The apps that you’ve already shared info with still have all of it tucked away in a server somewhere. Sure, you could go into Facebook settings and remove the app’s access to stop sharing new data with it but the dev still has all of your old data. You could of course always ask the dev directly to delete your data and I’m sure they’ll get right on that. Or you can just take the hit to your online privacy (which, if we’re being honest, you voluntarily gave up when you authorized these apps in the first place) and simply be more vigilant with what data you hand over to gain access to the newest iteration of Angry Birds.
[Image credit: laurentiu iordache / Alamy]
Filed under: Internet, Facebook
Via: Re/Code
Source: Facebook
Join us for an Apple Watch Q&A on Facebook!
If you’re on the fence about getting an Apple Watch (though it’s going to be a while before you can strap on one of your own), you probably have some questions that our detailed review might not answer. We’ve employed our very own Deputy Managing Editor James Trew, who’s been playing with one for about a week to answer your questions in a Facebook Q&A. For the next hour, post a question in the thread below and we’ll answer them!
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Do you have questions about the Apple Watch? Our own Deputy Managing Editor James Trew is here to answer your questions…
Posted by Engadget on Friday, May 1, 2015
Filed under: Apple
Via Voice by Treycent, Inc. The nifty app with loads of promise
One of the most appealing features of android now days is voice controls. Google has been at the forefront of voice commands by being simple and intuitive. One of the drawbacks to voice commands is lack of custom voice commands. Treycent has come up with a solution with an application called Via Voice. the application allows the user to set up custom voice commands to access pictures. This alleviates an issue that plagues many users by having quick access to pictures without having to search the gallery. The interface is simple allowing you to type in a command or speak the command and attach a photo with very little effort. Via Voice also works with your android wear device allowing you to show pictures without reaching for you phone. The application has had a fair share of updates adding capabilities such as posting to Twitter. Just say you command followed by post to Twitter.
Via Voice has a straight forward setup asking to create an account attached to your email. Once you are signed you are ready to set up you custom voice commands. Commands are created using spoken word or manually typing in the command. The photo you choose is attached to a web link allowing the app to pull the photo online with your command. The user can also type the command in loud settings where voice is not recognized. You can also share your voice command with friends through several avenues allowing them to access the photo with voice. The application on the phone works every time. On both the Galaxy S5 and Moto X (2014) I had to choose a photo from Google Photos, Dropbox, or Facebook. So in simple terms the photos must have a link to them somewhere, any photo not synced would not work with the app. This makes sense considering the voice control is attached to a URL. The program also has a website that works in much the same way as on the phone. I was able to type or say a command and the picture was shown in a new tab. The voice control is accurate and I had very little issues as far as operations. On the off chance the voice recognition failed I was able to type the command to perform the action. The issue was mainly in places with an abundant amount of sound which is to be expected with any voice control.
The android wear capabilities with this app show promise but come up short in real world settings. The concept is very intriguing and makes showing a photo to you friends effortless when it works. The watch aspect is a work in process. I have tested this out in various situations with several failures. This could be a flaw in android wear or the app. Android wear is by all accounts not perfect and has had its fair share of issues so to pin this on the app is unfair. One of the most agitating aspects is accessing the app on the watch when it is not active. Having to scroll down to start and select the app is painful and pretty much defeats the purpose of convenience. I would suggest wear mini launcher for this app or any others on your watch. Once the program is open the access is much more convenient with a simple tap. Another noticeable shortfall is that on my Moto 360 the voice search seemed to activate at random. With the LG g watch I did not have that issue but the process itself suffered a considerable lag. I stress these issues could be because of android wear itself or the hardware.
To sum my long experience with Via Voice up it is a very neat feature to have. What would make this a go to app for me is the watch features. To have my watch pull photos to show on the go would be a very valuable tool. As of now though the app is regulated to my phone and is more a novelty than a must have. The concept has promise to make wear devices even more useful and shaves some time off searching your phone in this fast paced mobile world. The execution is lost with the watch by being unreliable and defeats the purpose of a wearable by having to use my phone in many instances. The promise is that even when the watch side was finicky the app was always up showing the correct picture on the phone. The developer has put a lot of time and effort in creating this application and I encourage anyone to give it a try. Custom commands for easy access of photos you want to share with friends and family is really convenient and hopefully the wear side can be ironed out. Via Voice is free on Google Play as well as web access at Treycent.com.
The post Via Voice by Treycent, Inc. The nifty app with loads of promise appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Facebook introduces video calling feature to its messenger app
In a move that appears all set to give a tough competition to services such as Skype, Google Hangouts and FaceTime, Facebook has introduced video calling feature to its messenger app.
It is especially a good news for those who don’t want to download multiple video calling apps on their mobile devices to keep in touch with their Facebook friends because this feature is available on Android as well as iOS phones.
Facebook Messenger app already offers people the ability to make voice calls to friends and loved ones around the world.
“Video calling will expand Messenger’s real-time communication features, enabling the more than 600 million people who use Messenger every month to reach others wherever they are, from anywhere. It’s fast, reliable and high quality,” a press note posted by Facebook read.
The video calling service will first be available to users in Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, Laos, Lithuania, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, the UK, the US and Uruguay. It will be rolling out to other countries in a few months.
In 2011, Facebook was using Skype’s services to let its users make video calls, but with the introduction of its home grown feature, the firm has made it clear that its relations with Microsoft are not all that hunky dory.
Source: Facebook
The post Facebook introduces video calling feature to its messenger app appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Facebook Messenger takes on Skype and Hangouts with video calling feature
Facebook is rolling out a new feature to their Messenger platform to take on the likes of Skype and other video chatting services. You’ll now be able to make video calls to your friends through Messenger, offering a completely platform agnostic way to keep in touch with friends and family.
Sure, Hangouts and Skype both offer easy ways to video chat with people on other operating systems, but it involves swapping usernames and sometimes downloading appropriate apps. Facebook has its foot in the door, as a vast majority of its users have Facebook already installed, and a good chunk of them are using its Messenger service.
Will you be using Facebook Messenger to make video calls, or are you sticking to whatever you’re using now?
source: Facebook
Come comment on this article: Facebook Messenger takes on Skype and Hangouts with video calling feature
Facebook introduces free video calling to Messenger
Facebook has just announced that it’s bringing free video calling to its Messenger application on both Android and iOS. The update, which is rolling out now in the Play Store, will allow you to simply tap the video camera icon on any existing Messenger conversation to instantly connect with your friends and family.
The update is now available in the U.S., the U.K., Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, Laos, Lithuania, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal and Uruguay. Facebook says that more countries will be added in the coming months.
Facebook adding free video calling to Messenger is big news, especially because it now pits them up against other popular video chatting applications like Skype, ooVoo, Tango and many others. Facebook has been introducing many other features to Messenger lately, such as third party app integration, launching Messenger as a standalone website and more.
Be sure to head to the Google Play Store to grab the newest version of Messenger!
Facebook brings video calling to Messenger
Facebook is no stranger to video chat, but it’s been keeping a low profile as of late. Well, it’s no longer content to sit on the sidelines while Skype and Hangouts steal the show — the company has just introduced video calling in Messenger. Whether you’re using Android or iOS, you only need to tap a single button in an existing conversation to start a face-to-face session. The feature is available today in 18 countries (including the UK and the US), so give it a shot if you’re a Facebook fan and would rather not fire up another app just to see who you’re talking to.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Facebook
Source: Facebook Newsroom
Facebook and Google help find Nepal earthquake survivors
The Nepal earthquake has caused an immeasurable amount of tragedy this weekend, but some internet services are offering tools that might provide comfort if you have friends or family in the area. Facebook has rolled out its recently introduced Safety Check feature to tell you if contacts in the area are okay — survivors only have to report in to ease your mind. Google, meanwhile, has revived its longstanding Person Finder to assist you in both locating loved ones and sharing news with others. You’ll want to get in direct contact or reach out an embassy if you’re still concerned about affected locals, but these internet tools could spare you from a lot of uncertainty.
[Image credit: Prakash Mathema/AFP/Getty Images]
Filed under: Internet, Google, Facebook
From garage to campus: a look at the digs of tech’s Big Five
Google, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook and Amazon: These juggernauts are at the forefront of the tech industry. And with that success comes an ever-expanding workforce, and the need for a place to put them. To keep pace with growth, these companies have been making the requisite real-estate deals in order to build physical spaces to match their forward-thinking business approach. Fortunately, their designs are also more environmentally conscious than ever before. With the eyes of the world upon them, they’ve taken the well-being of the Earth, as well as their employees, into account, building innovative work spaces in an attempt to harmonize with the world around them. Below, we take a look at some of the steps these giants of industry have made over the years as they’ve moved from garage operations to vast campuses.
[Image: NBBJ]
Filed under: Misc, HD, Mobile, Alt, Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Facebook
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