Metaverse
767 articles
The Verge
9h
199
Image Credit: The Verge
Did WhatsApp really need Meta?
- The US Federal Trade Commission is presenting an alternate reality in the antitrust case against Meta, where Instagram and WhatsApp were never acquired and remained competitive with Facebook.
- Meta is arguing that without the acquisition, Instagram and WhatsApp would not have become robust and valuable platforms, claiming that consumers ultimately benefited from the acquisition.
- Meta's defense includes key witness Brian Acton, WhatsApp cofounder, who testified to support the argument that WhatsApp users benefitted from Meta's acquisition.
- The case is unfolding in a Washington, DC, courthouse with Meta building a counternarrative to the FTC's claims about the impact of the Instagram and WhatsApp acquisitions.
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Massivelyop
10h
3
Image Credit: Massivelyop
Overwatch 2 adds Freja to Stadium, launches its Street Fighter collab, and revives an October 2020 patch
- Overwatch 2 releases a mid-season patch with new updates and character tweaks, including the addition of Freja to the Stadium mode.
- The patch features adjustments targeting a specific Reinhardt build, Soldier 76 ability, and item costs to discourage stacking abilities and weapon power.
- In addition, the update introduces a Street Fighter 6 collab event, a mythical weapon skin for Mercy, Overwatch Classic mode with an October 2020 patch, and hero balance tweaks.
- Blizzard hints at upcoming events such as the return of Pride Month, a storybook-themed skin bundle, and more frequent additions to Stadium's playable roster.
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Playstation
11h
333
Image Credit: Playstation
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone Season 4 — full details, live May 29
- In Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone Season 4, Stitch is freed to help crack the Pantheon codenames by Adler and crew on May 29.
- New multiplayer maps like Shutdown and Fugitive, along with modes like Team Elimination and One in the Chamber are introduced in Season 04.
- The Grim Reaper scorestreak makes a comeback, offering heavy explosive damage in the game.
- Zombies mode brings back Grief mode, with new additions like Shatter Blast ammo mod, GobbleGums, and challenges.
- Warzone introduces The Overlook as a new point of interest, with limited-time modes like Clash and Havoc Royale for added gameplay.
- New weapons such as LC10 SMG and FFAR 1 Assault Rifle, attachments, and ranked play are also part of Season 4.
- The Battle Pass offers rewards like the 'Supermax' Stitch Operator Skin and over 110 unlockable items.
- Various store bundles like Tracer Pack: Ink and Smoke are available alongside the launch of Season 04 on May 29.
- Experience the spy action campaign, tactical multiplayer chaos, and zombie survival in Black Ops 6, now available.
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Kotaku
11h
50
Image Credit: Kotaku
Xbox Just Added 50+ Classic Activision Games To Game Pass
- Xbox has added over 50 retro Activision games to Game Pass via a new app called Retro Classics.
- The new app is available for Xbox Game Pass for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and streaming, offering challenges, multiplayer, leaderboards, and achievements.
- Games currently available on Retro Classics app include Kaboom!, Pitfall, River Raid, Grand Prix, Commando, and more, with plans to add more Activision and Blizzard games in the future.
- Xbox's move is seen as a step towards game preservation and backwards compatibility, allowing players to enjoy timeless games on modern devices.
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Massivelyop
12h
245
Image Credit: Massivelyop
Hands-on: Co-op roguelike Lynked Banner of the Spark is ready for launch and more fun than ever
- Lynked: Banner of the Spark is a captivating roguelike RPG with online co-op gameplay, set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans are fighting evil AI alongside good robots.
- The game offers visually appealing, candy-colored graphics reminiscent of Wildstar and introduces unique gameplay elements like a robotic grappling hook called Wyre for interactions and combat.
- Players can enjoy diverse customization options for weapons, combat styles, and base building in the game, resembling elements from titles like Animal Crossing.
- While most roguelikes feature grid-based or repetitive maps, Lynked impresses with dynamic, organic level designs for a fresh gameplay experience.
- Lynked stands out with a variety of unconventional weapons like electric guitars, claws, and hoverboards, providing a refreshing take on combat.
- The game supports multiplayer, allowing seamless co-op experiences with friends, though lacking built-in chat features, and excludes cross-platform play options.
- With a blend of roguelike elements and persistent progression, Lynked strikes a balance between temporary power boosts during runs and lasting changes for character development.
- The game promises an engaging experience, combining exploration, crafting, and character progression akin to MMORPGs, making it a compelling choice for players seeking a new adventure.
- Players are encouraged to experiment with different weapons and gameplay styles, unlocking diverse weapons through quests, fishing, and farming in the game.
- Lynked offers expansion packs for additional content like cosmetics and weapon sets, enhancing the gameplay experience with optional in-game purchases.
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Insider
13h
242
Image Credit: Insider
Meta targets more 'underperformers' in mid-year reviews, internal memo shows
- Meta is instructing managers to rank more employees in the 'Below Expectations' performance rating during mid-year reviews, indicating potential layoffs in the future.
- This move aligns with CEO Mark Zuckerberg's strategy of swiftly removing low-performing employees from the company.
- Managers have been directed to increase the percentage of employees in the lowest performance category, aiming to identify non-critical staff for potential cuts.
- The company's focus on reshaping its workforce and performance management reflects an industry-wide trend in the tech sector to optimize efficiency and drive better outcomes.
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Idownloadblog
14h
18
Image Credit: Idownloadblog
8 new features coming to WhatsApp: AI wallpapers, message summarization, new privacy controls and more
- Meta is testing new features in WhatsApp for iPhone, Android, and Desktop, including AI wallpapers, message summarization, and more.
- AI wallpapers feature will allow users to create unique chat wallpapers, summarizing long chat threads using Meta AI, and other enhancements.
- Other upcoming features include sticker reactions, recent activity updates, privacy controls, redesigned interface in the Windows app, per-chat transcription language, and a new send animation.
- WhatsApp continues to improve with additional features such as activity reports for transparency, star channel updates, recent searches, and more, making it a better messaging platform compared to Apple's offerings.
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Arstechnica
14h
83
Image Credit: Arstechnica
Meta hypes AI friends as social media’s future, but users want real connections
- Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg sees a shift in social media usage towards discovering entertaining content and sharing in private messages rather than connecting with loved ones.
- At the Federal Trade Commission's monopoly trial, Zuckerberg avoided criticism about Meta allegedly buying out rivals Instagram and WhatsApp to lock users into its family of apps.
- Zuckerberg stated that people engage with social media less for personal connections, indicating a change in how users interact with online platforms.
- Meta no longer aims to dominate the personal social networking market where it initially rose to prominence, according to Zuckerberg's testimony.
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Eu-Startups
15h
289
Image Credit: Eu-Startups
German scale-up Flip secures €24.7 million to expand new AI-powered capabilities for deskless workers
- German scale-up Flip secures €24.7 million in Series A extension funding to advance AI capabilities for deskless workers.
- Founded in 2018 inside Porsche, Flip addresses the needs of deskless workers by digitizing touchpoints between employees and organizations.
- With total funding of over €52 million, Flip's platform is used by 500+ companies and aims to enhance efficiency and employee engagement.
- The new investment will support the development of Flip Intelligence, an AI-powered solution for automating various processes within organizations.
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Fb
18h
67
Image Credit: Fb
New Study Shows Open Source AI Is Catalyst for Economic Growth
- A new study by Linux Foundation Research and commissioned by Meta reveals that many organizations prefer open source AI models for being cost effective.
- Open source AI is widely adopted due to its cost efficiency, with two-thirds of organizations finding it cheaper to deploy than proprietary models.
- Smaller businesses benefit from agile, low-cost open source AI, driving innovation and competitiveness in the economy.
- Open source AI is transforming industries like manufacturing and healthcare, offering potential revenue gains and increased workforce development opportunities.
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Insider
18h
228
Image Credit: Insider
Instagram head Adam Mosseri on the 'paradigm shift' from posting in public to sharing in private
- Instagram is shifting towards encouraging private sharing over public posting, according to head Adam Mosseri.
- Mosseri explains that people are sharing more privately due to feeling more comfortable sharing one-on-one than publicly.
- Social media platforms like Instagram use algorithms to curate content as public sharing decreases.
- The focus on private sharing aims to maintain engagement and adapt to changing user behaviors.
- Instagram has integrated messaging features to cater to this shift, aiming for symbiosis between private and public sharing.
- The shift towards private sharing also aligns with Instagram's business strategy, creating a positive feedback loop for monetization.
- Threads, a text-based social network by Instagram, originated from efforts to tap into more public conversations akin to Twitter.
- Mosseri highlights the value of Twitter for public discourse and vibrant communities, influencing the creation of Threads.
- The decision to launch Threads as a separate app was driven by the goal of creating a more valuable product in the social media landscape.
- Threads was conceptualized to leverage Instagram's creator strength and identity while focusing on basic replies and threads.
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Immersivelearning
18h
40
Image Credit: Immersivelearning
Metaverse Fashion: Digital Goods In Virtual Worlds
- Fashion in the Metaverse is a virtual playground where imagination has no limits, and identity is flexible, redefining self-expression and status indicators.
- The virtual world is becoming a genuine fashion industry with people buying high-end virtual outfits to express belonging, identity, and creativity.
- Metaverse fashion designers can explore possibilities beyond physical limitations, creating unique and adaptable virtual clothing.
- Fashion democratization is on the rise, allowing any designer to create, tokenize, and sell digital garments, breaking the monopoly of traditional gatekeepers.
- Virtual ownership plays a significant role in metaverse fashion, with unique digital clothing items possessing scarcity, distinctiveness, and value.
- Sustainability is a key driver for digital fashion as it offers a cleaner alternative with minimal environmental impact compared to traditional fashion.
- Virtual fashion shows in the metaverse are transforming the industry, offering immersive experiences and redefining consumer engagement and participation.
- The future of fashion in the metaverse looks promising with advancements in augmented reality, lifelike wearables, and seamless integration of digital attire across platforms.
- The metaverse-fasion connection is evolving rapidly, promising hybrid fashion systems bridging real and virtual worlds for a powerful and expressive digital identity.
- Fashion in the Metaverse represents a cultural shift where attire is more than pixels—it symbolizes presence, personality, and influence in the digital age.
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Insider
19h
196
Image Credit: Insider
A former Meta manager who beat out 2,000 candidates for his first role shares the 5-step strategy he used to secure the offer
- Keith Anderson secured a role at Meta in 2018 after beating 2,000 other candidates by using a 5-step strategy.
- Feeling drained in his previous tech roles at YouTube and Google, Anderson decided to apply after encountering a job posting at Meta.
- After facing 2,000 candidates, he was invited to an in-person finalist event and used a 'value project' strategy to stand out.
- Anderson initially overcame imposter syndrome by approaching team leaders with curiosity and engaging in meaningful conversations.
- He followed up with a warm message to the recruiter, leading to a formal screening for the role.
- During the phone screening, he gathered intelligence about the company and role to understand the team's goals and pain points.
- To demonstrate his understanding, Anderson created a 'value project' based on a team challenge and presented creative solutions tailored to Meta.
- By making personal connections with the hiring team and being easy to remember, Anderson eventually received a job offer for an instructional designer role at Meta.
- Anderson's strategic approach showcased his problem-solving skills and ability to provide creative solutions, leading to a successful outcome.
- His experience highlighted the importance of thoughtful risk-taking and showing proactive problem-solving abilities to stand out in the tech industry.
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Guardian
22h
347
Image Credit: Guardian
What to do if you can’t get into your Facebook or Instagram account
- If you can't access your Facebook or Instagram account, try resetting your password using the 'Forgot password?' link on the login screen.
- If you no longer have access to the associated email, visit facebook.com/login/identify and follow the instructions to prove your identity and reset your password.
- If your account was hacked, visit facebook.com/hacked or instagram.com/hacked/ on a previously used device and follow the instructions provided.
- After regaining access, change your password to something strong, enable two-step verification, turn on 'unrecognised login' alerts, remove suspicious friends, and consider advanced protection options.
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Analyticsindiamag
23h
63
Image Credit: Analyticsindiamag
Open Source LLMs Pave the Way for Responsible AI in India
- Open-source large language models are being used in India for responsible AI by fine-tuning models on locally relevant datasets.
- Projects in healthcare, agriculture, and education leverage LLMs supported by Meta, offering freedom in model customization.
- Initiatives like oral reading fluency assessments in Gujarat use AI4Bharat's open-source models, combining student data for training.
- Banerjee emphasized post-training on existing pre-trained models for vertical use cases, promoting public domain practices.
- Open source does not inherently eliminate bias; fine-tuning datasets is crucial, with transparency enabling public scrutiny to identify errors.
- Positive bias can be introduced to improve accuracy in AI models, balancing inherent limitations and specific domain requirements.
- Security concerns in social sector organizations focus on PII protection, with ethical governance principles requiring domain-specific guidelines.
- Banerjee advocates for an inter-governmental initiative for AI safety resembling aviation safety, addressing ethical standards in AI development.
- India's emphasis on AI for social good is supported by government collaboration, with open-source AI contributing to solving challenges across various sectors.
- The use of open-source LLMs reflects India's progress in responsible AI, fostering innovation to address critical societal issues effectively.
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