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Over 3.5 billion people are on social media; Facebook still biggest with teens; Esports on the rise

Jul17
by on July 17, 2019 at 10:35 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Podium


The new Global Digital Statshot report from Hootsuite and We Are Social is packed with all the latest data you need to understand how people are using the internet in July 2019. You’ll find the complete report in the SlideShare embed below, but read on for my summary of this quarter’s essential headlines. Social media users pass 3.5 billion The number of people around the world using social media has just passed the 3.5 billion mark, less than two years after we reported that the number had reached 3 billion. The number of social media users has grown by more…

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CHEAP: Stop reading, start buying — the latest Chromecast is only $25

Jul17
by on July 17, 2019 at 10:26 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Plugged


Welcome to CHEAP, our series about things that are good, but most of all, cheap. CHEAP! I’m a big fan of media streamers. Honestly, I think they’re one of the coolest aspects of modern household technology. Being able to send a YouTube video straight from your phone to a television still feels, well, magical. And while there are plenty of good media streamers out there, for me, one reigns above the rest: the Google Chromecast. We’re currently on the third iteration of the Chromecast and, if you have an older version or want another for a different TV in your…

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PSA: FaceApp can use your uploaded photos and your likeness for “commercial purposes”

Jul17
by on July 17, 2019 at 8:46 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider


FaceApp appears to be having a viral moment, again. The two year old AI-driven photo editor from Russian company Wireless Lab, which rose in popularity for its realistic facial transformations in photos, is back in the spotlight. This time it’s for a new aging feature that allow you to edit a person’s face to make them appear older or younger. Let me introduce you to… young @tim_cook! 😂 pic.twitter.com/3J6qrrZKAY — Kevin Clark (@vernalkick) July 15, 2019 This has recently triggered an #AgeChallenge (also #FaceAppChallenge) on social media, and everyone’s hopping on board. But in this new privacy climate, the app is…

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French government to create ‘ICO white list’ with new regulations

Jul17
by on July 17, 2019 at 8:21 am
Posted In: Around the Web, blockchain, cryptocurrency, Hard Fork


While the world is looking at Facebook’s Libra and its recent senate hearing, France is knuckling down and is set to approve the first wave of cryptocurrency businesses under new legislation. Under the rules, cryptocurrency-related firms will voluntarily abide by a regulatory framework that requires them to pay tax, provide consumer protection, and meet capital requirements, Reuters reports. Authorities will implement regulations later this month. Firms that follow France‘s rules will receive approval from the country’s Financial Markets Authority (AMF), and will effectively be white listed. “We are in talks with three or four candidates for initial coin offerings (ICOs),”…

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Chinese vertical dramas made for phone viewing show the future of mobile video

Jul17
by on July 17, 2019 at 8:08 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider, Insights, world


Mobile video is a big deal, but you don’t need me to tell you that. Big Tech has been fast-moving into the mobile video space for a few years now, and recently a slew of mobile-specific content has arrived. Instagram launched IGTV in 2018, and is pushing creators to explore what’s possible for mobile video. Netflix introduced vertical 30-second previews, and is now experimenting with mobile-first features like vibrating movies. Spotify is releasing vertical music videos. Snap is delivering plenty of premium mobile video content with its Snap Originals, and has more on the way. But compared to traditional videos which have been…

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