APPS
Press release / Bangladeshi users made 3,580 cr. international calls on Imo in 2023
Imo, a messaging and calling app, has reported a significant surge in usage among Bangladeshi users in 2023, with 3,580 crore international calls made over the platform. Bangladesh saw a total of 247.9 billion interactions on Imo in 2023, with each Bangladeshi user communicating approximately 730 times on average, equivalent to about twice a day.
How does TikTok's algorithm work?
The algorithm behind TikTok's content recommendations has once again drawn mainstream attention following the recent US ruling for ByteDance, its Chinese owner, to divest its US assets or risk a nationwide ban of the app. Here is a breakdown of how TikTok's algorithm operates and why it is generating so much discussion recently.
WhatsApp tests offline file sharing and in-app dialing features
Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp is reportedly testing new features for its app, including offline file sharing and an in-app dialer.
US bans TikTok, unless ByteDance sells it
US President Joe Biden signed a new law on Wednesday, potentially leading to a ban on TikTok, the Chinese-owned video streaming app, unless its ownership is sold within a year. This law represents the most significant threat to TikTok's future in the United States and heightens the ongoing tech conflict between the US and China.
Apple removes WhatsApp and Threads from China App Store
Apple announced the removal of Meta Platforms' WhatsApp and Threads from the Chinese App Store on Friday, following directives from the Chinese government citing national security concerns.
Heads up, Meta has seriously entered the AI race
Meta is launching a major update to its Meta AI assistant and its underlying large language model, Llama 3. The Meta AI assistant, first introduced last September, is now being integrated across Meta's core platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp and Messenger. Users can interact with the assistant through search bars, message inboxes and even directly within the Facebook feed. Additionally, a standalone web app for Meta AI has been launched for the first time.
Messenger launches HD photo sharing feature
Meta’s Messenger has recently launched a high-definition (HD) photo sharing option on the platform. While Messenger is known for decreasing photo quality, with the recent update, clear high-definition (HD) photos can be sent in chats.
TikTok launches photo-sharing app to compete against instagram
TikTok, the short-form video platform, is venturing into new territory with the launch of TikTok Notes, a photo-sharing app, as a competitor to Meta’s Instagram. The new app is currently being introduced in Canada and Australia, and is available for download on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Google Photos to launch AI editing tools
Google Photos is set to launch a suite of AI-powered editing tools including Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, and Magic Editor, which will become available to all Google Photos users starting May 15. Users will be able to access these tools for free of cost on a wider range of devices, including Pixel tablets.
Instagram to add AI-powered search feature: report
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, is planning to add a new AI-powered search feature on Instagram, according to a report by the global tech news platform TechCrunch. With this feature, users can initiate conversations with an AI chatbot and enter unique search queries to find photos and reels.
Google working on feature to identify unknown callers: report
Google is reportedly developing a new ‘Lookup’ button that allows users to quickly search phone numbers directly from their recent calls screen, therefore identifying unknown callers. The discovery was first made by an X user named AssembleDebug, who found this upcoming feature in the latest beta version of the Google Phone app, as reported by PiunikaWeb, an India-based tech news platform.
Spotify to let users craft playlists with text prompts
Spotify, the music streaming platform, is releasing its new AI playlists feature into beta. This new functionality allows users to generate custom playlists based on written prompts.
Meet the app and browser extension made for halal internet experience
In an effort to combat cyber miscreants and ensure a safe and halal internet experience, a Turkish startup named Halalz has launched a new app and browser extension named Kahf Guard. This initiative aims to shield users, particularly Muslims, from exposure to inappropriate and morally objectionable online contents such as pornography, gambling, harassment etc.
Google to add fees for premium AI search features: report
Google is planning on introducing fees for premium features on its generative AI-driven search engine, according to a recent report by the Financial Times. The report adds that the traditional search engine would remain free of charge, with ads continuing to appear alongside search results even for subscribers.
With a new look, Facebook wants to be more like TikTok
Facebook is set to launch a vertical-first video player, promising a more uniform design and user experience across various video formats, including Reels, long-form videos, and live videos.
TikTok removes over 75 lakh videos in Bangladesh
TikTok has removed a total of 7,599,349 (over 75 lakh) videos in Bangladesh for violating Community Guidelines in Q4 2023. Comparatively, in Q3 2023, 8,147,484 (over 80 lakh) Bangladeshi videos were removed by TikTok, showing a notable decrease in total videos removed from quarter-to-quarter.
You can now use ChatGPT without signing up
Users can now access the free version of ChatGPT without requiring to sign up via a Google, Microsoft, or Apple account. Instead, the popular AI chatbot can be directly accessed from OpenAI's official website without needing to log in.
Canada school boards sue social media giants for affecting students' mental health
Four Canadian school boards have filed a lawsuit against major social media companies, including Meta Platforms and Snap, seeking damages totalling over $2.96 billion USD. The legal action alleges that the companies' products, designed to foster compulsive usage, have negatively affected students' mental health and learning processes.
