San Francisco, United States | AFP | Vanishing message service Snapchat announced Saturday it will launch a line of video-catching sunglasses, a spin on Glass eyewear abandoned by Google more than a year ago. The California-based company, which also announced it is changing its name to Snap Inc., said in …
Read More »140+: Twitter enables longer tweets as part of growth push
Washington, United States | AFP | Twitter announced Monday it was easing its 140-character limit on tweets, in the latest effort to broaden the appeal and boost the user base of the social network. The new policy announced in May and now in effect no longer factors in certain add-ons, …
Read More »Self-driving cars coming sooner than you think
Washington, United States | AFP | The move to self-driving cars is coming faster than most people think, says the head of ridesharing giant Lyft. Within five years, autonomous vehicles will account for the majority of Lyft rides, says co-founder and chief executive John Zimmer. Lyft, which has a partnership …
Read More »Apple’s iPhone 7 launches; sold-out models leave some disappointed
Sydney, Australia | AFP | Apple’s iPhone 7 launch generated trademark queues and brisk sales Friday that defied gloomy expectations, with some enthusiasts left empty-handed after lining up for hours as the company announced certain models had sold out. The new phone comes with an improved camera, no headphone jack, …
Read More »London Fashion Week puts on brave face after Brexit
London, United Kingdom | AFP | London Fashion Week opens on Friday with shows by Burberry, J.W. Anderson and Topshop UNIQUE, with the industry putting on a brave face amid concerns over the impact of Brexit. Many designers wanted to stay in the European Union, and there are fears about …
Read More »Twitter expands video role with streaming TV apps
San Francisco, United States | AFP | Twitter on Wednesday moved deeper into video, announcing a new application that will offer free content on major streaming TV services. The new app for Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Microsoft’s Xbox One will allow anyone with these devices to get content …
Read More »Facebook Messenger allows for direct merchant sales
San Francisco, United States | AFP | Facebook announced Monday a new online payment system that will allow businesses to sell directly to consumers on its Messenger application. “We’re kicking off the beginning of messages with payments that will allow businesses to sell products and services directly to customers in …
Read More »Apple makes splash with waterproof iPhones
San Francisco, United States | AFP | Apple is out to make a splash with new waterproof iPhones, a smartphone game starring Nintendo’s beloved “Mario” and a push on wireless headphones. The iPhone 7 and larger iPhone 7 Plus, with sophisticated camera technology, improved water resistance and other features, were …
Read More »Facebook aims for video-loving teenagers with new app
San Francisco, United States | AFP | Facebook on Friday took direct aim at video-loving adolescents, and Snapchat, with the release of a new iPhone app that allows teens to watch clips about the lives of their classmates. The app, called Lifestage, was released with no fanfare, and is available …
Read More »Ad blockers out-flank Facebook
San Francisco, United States | AFP | Ad blockers on Thursday said they foiled a move by Facebook to sidestep software used to stop marketing messages at social network pages visited on desktop computers. Adblock Plus announced that it is updating its free software with a new filter …
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