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  • Instagram’s New Collabs Feature Allows Users to Co-Author Posts

    Instagram’s New Collabs Feature Allows Users to Co-Author Posts

    Instagram is unveiling a new feature, Collabs, that will allow separate accounts to co-author posts and share resulting likes.

    Co-authoring posts and collaborating on projects is a popular way for social media content creators to build their brand and attract users. Instagram’s new Collabs feature is likely to be a big hit, allowing users to collaborate on posts and Reels, according to The Verge.

    Collabs are accessed via tagging, giving the second account the option to accept or reject the Collab. Once the two accounts are involved in the Collab, views, likes and comments will be shared between the two accounts.

  • WhatsApp Began Rolling Out E2EE Chat Backups Thursday

    WhatsApp Began Rolling Out E2EE Chat Backups Thursday

    WhatsApp started rolling out end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) chat backups on Thursday, fulfilling a promise CEO Mark Zuckerberg made a month ago.

    WhatsApp has offered E2EE for its chats for some time, but cloud backups have not enjoyed the same level of encryption and security. A month ago, Zuckerberg announced the company was adding the feature, and it began rolling out Thursday.

    Zuckerberg announced the rolled in a Facebook post.

    End-to-end encrypted backups for WhatsApp starting to roll out today. Proud of the team for continuing to lead on security for your private conversations.

    According to Engadget, the feature will roll out gradually to ensure reliability for all users.

  • Clubhouse Introduces Music Mode

    Clubhouse Introduces Music Mode

    Clubhouse is targeting musicians with a new feature called “Music Mode.”

    Clubhouse is the audio-first social media platform that took the world by storm. Initially invitation-only, the platform became the place for celebrities and CEOs to give interviews and engage in chats.

    The company is now introducing Music Mode, a feature that should make it more appealing to musicians.

    Clubhouse announced the feature on the company blog:

    “Calling all musicians! Today we’re introducing Music Mode, a new setting that helps you sound your best when performing on Clubhouse. Whether you’re workshopping that new song, playing piano, or hosting a jam session with your friends, Music Mode optimizes Clubhouse to broadcast your music with high quality and great stereo sound. You’ll also be able to use professional audio equipment for your performance, like external USB microphones or mixing boards.”

  • Google TV Expanding Multiple Accounts and Personalization

    Google TV Expanding Multiple Accounts and Personalization

    Google TV is making some major improvements, adding more personalized profiles, suggestions and watchlists.

    Google TV already supported multiple accounts, but the watchlists, suggestions and Google Assistant-based features are linked to the primary profile. According to The Verge, Google is preparing to remedy that, offering a true personalized experience.

    The new features will ensure each profile sees its own watchlist and suggestions, and has its own Google Assistant features.

    Google told The Verge that the new features will begin rolling out next month.

  • Linus Torvalds Releases Linux 5.15-rc5

    Linus Torvalds Releases Linux 5.15-rc5

    Linux creator Linus Torvalds has released the latest release candidate of the operating system kernel, version 5.15-rc5.

    The stable release of Linux 5.15 is expected in next few weeks. According to Torvalds post, things are coming along nicely.

    So things continue to look quite normal, and it looks like the rough patch (hah!) we had early in the release is all behind us.

    Overall, it appears the latest release candidate has relatively minor changes.

    The commit stats look normal for an rc5, and the diffstat is fairly regular too. We had more arch updates than perhaps is common, with almost as many lines of diffs in architecture code as there is in drivers. Admittedly some of that “architecture” code ends up being devicetree updates, so some of it could be attributed to driver code, but that’s not how our source tree is laid out..

    Outside of arch code (x86, powerpc, arm, arm64) and drivers (mainly gpu, networking and usb), we have a smattering of other changes: 9p and ksmbd, core networking, and some perf tooling updates. And misc smaller random stuff.

  • Android October Patch Fixes 41 Vulnerabilities

    Android October Patch Fixes 41 Vulnerabilities

    Google has released its Android October patch, and it fixes some 41 vulnerabilities.

    Google releases security patches for Android on the 5th of every month. According to Bleeping Computer, October’s patch fixes a whopping 41 vulnerabilities, including three critical ones.

    The worst vulnerabilities includes remote code execution, privilege elevation, denial of service and information disclosure.

    Fortunately, it doesn’t appear that any of the vulnerabilities were being actively exploited.

  • Google Pixel 6 Will Come With Five Years of Security Updates

    Google Pixel 6 Will Come With Five Years of Security Updates

    A new leak indicates Google’s upcoming Pixel 6 will include a full five years of security updates.

    Samsung made headlines in February when it announced it would provide four years of security updates for its Galaxy line of devices. Updates have traditionally been an area where Android has played second fiddle to Apple, with the Cupertino company well-known for supporting its iPhones for years.

    Not to be outdone, a new leak indicates Google is planning on one-upping Samsung, providing five years of security updates for the upcoming Pixel 6. Leaker Evan Blass tweeted about it, including screenshots of the leaked pages before they were taken down.

  • Google ‘Pixel Pass’ May be the Company’s Answer to Apple One

    Google ‘Pixel Pass’ May be the Company’s Answer to Apple One

    Google may finally be preparing to unveil its Apple One competitor, a service named “Pixel Pass.”

    Apple One is the Cupertino company’s bundle that offers its popular services together at a discounted price. Customers gain access to Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, Apple Fitness+ and iCloud+.

    Google haș yet to reveal a competitor, but may be on the verge of doing so, according to Engadget. The new service, Pixel Pass, would include a Pixel 6, Google One, YouTube Music/Premium and Play Pass.

    There is no indication how much the service would cost, and it may be US-only at launch, but it could significantly boost Pixel 6 sales, as well as Google’s premium services.

  • Facebook Makes Changes to Address Children’s Safety and Health

    Facebook Makes Changes to Address Children’s Safety and Health

    In the wake of a reports about how much Facebook’s platforms harm children, the company is making changes in an effort to address concerns.

    Whistleblower Frances Haugen came forward to accuse the company of ignoring its own research that demonstrated just how harmful its platforms are to teens. Haugen even managed to copy tens of thousands of pages of Facebook’s research, adding support to her claims.

    In an interview with Dana Bash, Nick Clegg, VP for Global Affairs, said the company is making changes.

    “We are constantly iterating in order to improve our products,” Clegg told Bash on CNN’s State of the Union. “We cannot, with a wave of the wand, make everyone’s life perfect. What we can do is improve our products, so that our products are as safe and as enjoyable to use.”

    It remains to be seen if Facebook’s efforts will be enough to satiate lawmakers…but we wouldn’t be on it.

  • DirecTV Now Offering PBS

    DirecTV Now Offering PBS

    DirecTV has become the second streaming service to offer PBS and its member stations.

    PBS, as well as its member stations, has traditionally been noticeably absent from streaming TV services. Until now, YouTube TV was the only service to offer it, and only since earlier this year.

    PBS and DirecTV have reached an agreement for the latter to offer its customers PBS content, beginning later this year.

    “Entertainment is personal and should serve every member of the household, which is why we’re partnering with PBS to deliver DIRECTV STREAM customers more choice, more control and a more convenient way to access the content they care about most,” said Rob Thun, Chief Content Officer for DIRECTV. 

    “As viewer habits continue to evolve, PBS remains committed to making our award-winning, national and local content available to all Americans across as many platforms as possible. This partnership will allow PBS and our member stations to expand our digital footprint and reach more viewers with content that inspires, educates and entertains,” said Ira Rubenstein, PBS Chief Digital and Marketing Officer.

    The agreement was touted as especially benefits for kids, given PBS’ focus on kid-friendly programming.

    “At PBS KIDS, making our high-quality content accessible to as many children across the country as possible is integral to our mission,” said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Children’s Media and Education, PBS. “As families continue to look to us for more ways to watch, we’re thrilled we can continue building on our offerings with DIRECTV—both on broadcast and digital—to ensure we’re meeting them where they are.”