A naukri.com initiative
Metaverse News
The Verge
1M
89
Image Credit: The Verge
Threads adds more ads
- Meta is opening up ads on Threads to “all eligible advertisers globally”.
- The company plans to test ads in more than 30 countries, including the US.
- Users will see a 'Sponsored' label next to the account username on the ad posts.
- Meta aims to generate revenue to support the running of Threads, a free service.
Read Full Article
5 Likes
TechDigest
1M
430
Image Credit: TechDigest
EU hits Apple and Meta with fines of €700 million under Digital Markets Act
- The European Union has fined Apple and Meta a total of €700 million for allegedly breaching Digital Markets Act (DMA) rules.
- Apple has been fined €500 million for its App Store policies, while Meta has been fined €200 million for its data consent model.
- The European Commission found that Apple failed to comply with DMA obligations, while Meta's consent or pay system did not offer a genuine free choice for users.
- Both companies have criticized the fines, with Apple stating it is being unfairly targeted and Meta accusing the EU of attempting to handicap successful American businesses.
Read Full Article
25 Likes
Insider
1M
210
Image Credit: Insider
The Big Tech vs. Europe war just ratcheted up. But Trump is also taking on Big Tech.
- The European Union has fined Apple and Meta a combined $800 million for violating antitrust laws.
- Apple and Meta position the judgments as attacks on their businesses and hope for negotiation with Trump.
- The Trump administration is causing its own challenges for Big Tech through tariffs and antitrust actions.
- It remains unclear how the Trump administration's actions will ultimately impact Big Tech companies.
Read Full Article
12 Likes
TechCrunch
1M
135
Image Credit: TechCrunch
EU fines Apple, Meta millions for breaching tech competition rules
- The European Union has fined Apple €500 million and Meta €200 million for allegedly breaching the bloc’s Digital Markets Act.
- Apple is accused of failure to comply with the obligation to allow app developers to inform customers of alternative ways to buy digital products.
- Meta (previously Facebook) must stop requiring users on Instagram and Facebook to agree to personalized ads or be forced to pay for a subscription.
- Both Apple and Meta said they would appeal the EU's decisions.
Read Full Article
8 Likes
VentureBeat
1M
98
Image Credit: VentureBeat
USC Ganek Immersive Studio to unveil student showcase
- USC School of Cinematic Arts’ Ganek Immersive Studio is set to showcase student projects at its annual Immersive Showcase on April 24.
- The Studio, established in 2022, focuses on immersive storytelling and world building supported by cutting-edge technology.
- Projects at the Showcase range from cinematic productions to real-time tools integrating AI and machine learning.
- Students create immersive experiences using tools like Pixar's Universal Scene Description and Houdini Engine for digital assets.
- The Showcase aims to highlight students' innovative narratives and blend of traditional storytelling with technology.
- The Studio, funded by a donation from David and Danielle Ganek, nurtures projects with commercial potential.
- Projects at the Showcase include a variety of VR, XR, AR, and A.I. experiences like 'A Larger Living Space' and 'In The Wake of the Whale'.
- The Studio's focus on real-time pipeline development includes projects like 'Phosphorescence' set on Jupiter’s moon Ganymede.
- Students at the Studio engage in creating narrative-driven immersive content using advanced technologies.
- Professor Jordan Halsey guides students in using tools for 3D production and encourages exploration of groundbreaking technologies.
Read Full Article
5 Likes
Guardian
1M
264
Image Credit: Guardian
EU fines Apple and Meta for breaching fair competition rules
- The European Commission has fined Apple €500m (£429m) and Meta €200m for breaking rules on fair competition and user choice, in the first penalties issued under one of the EU’s landmark internet laws.
- The commission fined Apple €500m for restricting app developers from distributing apps outside the company’s App Store. It said app developers could not fully benefit from alternative channels, so consumers could not discover cheaper offers. The commission ordered the company to remove the restrictions within 60 days or risk penalty fines.
- Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, was fined €200m over its “consent or pay model” introduced in November 2023, which was an attempt to comply with EU data privacy rules. The commission said this approach was not compliant with the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA), arguing that users should be able to get a Facebook or Instagram equivalent to the personalised ad service, but based on less of their data.
- EU officials have rejected claims from the Trump administration that tech regulation is being used as a weapon against successful US companies. Meta is expected to appeal to the European court of justice.
Read Full Article
15 Likes
The Verge
1M
403
Image Credit: The Verge
Apple and Meta hit with the EU’s first DMA antitrust fines
- Apple and Meta have been fined by the European Union under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) for antitrust violations, with Apple facing a penalty of €500 million and Meta being fined €200 million.
- The companies were found to have engaged in practices that limited user choice, such as Apple's App Store restrictions and Meta's 'pay or consent' ad model.
- Both companies have 60 days to comply with the ruling or face additional fines, as per the European Commission's decision.
- The DMA aims to promote competition in digital markets in the EU, with designated 'gatekeepers' like Apple and Meta required to adhere to specific rules.
- Apple's violation related to App Store restrictions on promotion of pricing or alternative distribution channels by developers, while Meta's violation involved forcing users to pay to remove ads.
- Apple has been directed to remove restrictions on developers linking to other payment services, while Meta has made changes to reduce the visibility of ads for users who do not pay for subscriptions.
- The companies have criticized the Commission's decisions, with Apple highlighting increased risks for users and Meta raising concerns about European standards unfairly targeting American businesses.
- The fines imposed on Apple and Meta are significant but fall below the maximum penalties based on their earnings, signaling a potential shift in the EU's approach to regulating Big Tech.
- The EU has also investigated Google's parent company Alphabet for potential antitrust violations, particularly related to favoritism in Search rankings and anti-steering practices in app marketplaces.
- These developments reflect ongoing tensions between European regulators and US tech companies, with previous fines imposed on Apple and Meta for various antitrust issues.
- The regulatory landscape in the tech industry is evolving, with the EU focusing on enforcement and compliance rather than solely issuing substantial fines.
Read Full Article
24 Likes
Insider
1M
300
Image Credit: Insider
Roblox CEO says he wants to protect your kids — but you're going to need to pitch in, too.
- Roblox CEO David Baszucki faces the challenge of policing a user-generated content platform predominantly used by children under 13.
- The platform is popular, with around 85 million daily visitors, 40% of whom are under 13.
- Concerns about child safety and inappropriate content on Roblox have been raised due to its open nature.
- Roblox's valuation at $40 billion is tied to the appeal it holds for older teens and adults.
- Baszucki emphasizes Roblox's efforts in monitoring safety and maintaining civility on the platform.
- The CEO acknowledges the responsibility of both the company and parents in ensuring a safe online environment for children.
- Roblox utilizes AI systems and human oversight to filter text and images for child protection.
- Parents acknowledge the benefit of Roblox for connecting kids with friends, especially during the pandemic.
- Baszucki stresses the importance of creating a safe and positive platform for users of all ages.
- Roblox is working on age-appropriate chat features to protect adolescents and maintain a respectful online environment.
Read Full Article
18 Likes
Insider
1M
224
Image Credit: Insider
Instagram's new feature finally shows your friends what a weird little gremlin you are
- Instagram's new feature 'Blend' allows users to view each other's Instagram Reels feeds, fostering conversation and connection.
- By sharing Reels feeds, users get insights into each other's interests and personalities based on their algorithm-curated content.
- Blend encourages engagement within DMs, where a significant amount of Instagram activity takes place.
- The feature aims to boost Reels sharing and interactions in a time when people are less focused on posting to their grids.
- Instagram's CEO has highlighted the importance of DMs and sharing Reels as a growing trend on the platform.
- Blend serves various purposes, from connecting friends with similar interests to showcasing unique algorithm-curated content.
- Users can initiate a Blend by tapping the smiley icon in DMs, allowing mutual viewing and commenting on Reels.
- The feature caters to different types of DM interactions, especially those involving sharing amusing or entertaining Reel content.
- Instagram's shift towards personalized feeds reflects a new form of self-expression through algorithmic content preferences.
- The phenomenon of 'mythical Reel pulls' reveals a fascination with unique, unexpected, and sometimes cringe-worthy content on Instagram.
Read Full Article
13 Likes
Pymnts
1M
851
Image Credit: Pymnts
AWS, Microsoft Slow Down Data Center Deployments
- AWS and Microsoft are pausing or slowing down the development of data centers.
- AWS has paused discussions on colocated data centers abroad, while Microsoft is slowing or pausing some early-stage projects.
- The change in data center plans by AWS and Microsoft is attributed to routine capacity management and refinement of cloud capacity based on demand.
- Other major data center owners like Meta, Google, Oracle, and Nvidia remain active in data center construction.
Read Full Article
20 Likes
The Verge
1M
17.5k
Image Credit: The Verge
Instagram co-founder: Zuckerberg saw us as a ‘threat’ to Facebook
- Co-founder Kevin Systrom testifies that Mark Zuckerberg withheld critical resources from Instagram and constrained its growth to avoid harming Facebook's engagement.
- Systrom stated that despite the constraints, Instagram has achieved 'skyrocketing growth' and has generated significant revenue.
- He also predicted that Instagram would have probably succeeded on its own without Facebook's help.
- Testifying in the Federal Trade Commission's lawsuit, Systrom remained confident about Instagram's success.
Read Full Article
20 Likes
TechCrunch
1M
219
Image Credit: TechCrunch
Meta’s Oversight Board seeks details on the company’s new hate speech policies
- Meta's Oversight Board has responded to the company's new hate speech policies.
- The Board has called on Meta to provide more information about its rules and assess the impact on vulnerable user groups.
- They have issued recommendations to Meta, including measuring the effectiveness of the new community notes system and improving enforcement of harassment policies.
- The Board can shape fact-checking policies and hopes to have a channel to reshape Meta's content moderation.
Read Full Article
13 Likes
Siliconangle
1M
2
Image Credit: Siliconangle
Instagram co-founder supports FTC’s case in landmark Meta monopoly trial
- Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom testified in the Meta Platforms Inc. antitrust trial.
- Systrom supported the FTC's contention that Mark Zuckerberg bought Instagram as a threat.
- He stated that Zuckerberg did not allocate enough resources to Instagram after its acquisition.
- Systrom's testimony strengthens the FTC's case against Meta and its push to break up tech giants.
Read Full Article
Like
Massivelyop
1M
94
Overwatch 2 opens the Stadium, adds a new hero, and brings hero bans to competitive in Season 16 today
- A new season has launched in Overwatch 2, introducing Stadium mode and the new hero Freja.
- Stadium mode offers unique mechanics and playstyle, with an accompanying Stadium Initiation event.
- The new hero, Freja, is a DPS hero with a crossbow and disruptive abilities.
- Competitive play now includes hero bans, allowing strategic decisions before matches.
Read Full Article
5 Likes
Rockpapershotgun
1M
13
Image Credit: Rockpapershotgun
Overwatch 2 season 16 is here, bringing in its new mode Stadium and the ability to say no, you can't play as Mercy
- Overwatch 2 season 16 introduces new mode Stadium and hero bans feature
- Hero bans allow both sides to vote to ban up to four heroes from play
- Stadium is a new third-person mode with locked hero selection
- New hero, Freja, is introduced along with new skins for various characters
Read Full Article
Like
For uninterrupted reading, download the app