WhatsApp’s iOS update adds picture-in-picture. This lets callers use WhatsApp or other apps without muting the video. The 23.3.77 iOS app introduced this feature. Previously, if you switched apps on your iPhone during a WhatsApp video call, the other person couldn’t see your feed. The new feature lets you respond …
Read More »TikTok beta-launches the “Creativity Program” creator fund
TikTok launched its “Creativity Program” beta today. The company claims the program will increase creator revenue and opportunities. Invite-only creators can join the program today, with all eligible creators joining soon. TikTok didn’t disclose the program’s budget because it’s still in development. The company didn’t specify how many followers or …
Read More »Japan’s central bank to pilot digital currency in April
Japan’s central bank, the Bank of Japan (BoJ), will launch a pilot to test a “digital yen” in April. The BoJ launched a central bank digital currency (CBDC) proof of concept experiment in October 2020, more than two years ago. In April 2021, the BoJ began testing CBDC issuance, …
Read More »Zuckerberg emulates Musk by selling blue badges on Instagram and Facebook
On Sunday, Facebook-parent Meta launched Meta Verified, a subscription service that lets users add the blue check mark to their Instagram and Facebook accounts for up to $15 a month by verifying their identity, tapping a new revenue channel that has had mixed results for Twitter. Starting this week in …
Read More »Restructuring cuts more Convoy jobs
Seattle-based digital freight network Convoy is closing its Atlanta office and laying off workers. Convoy has fired workers three times in a year. CEO and co-founder Dan Lewis announced the restructuring on LinkedIn Thursday as Convoy moves to a new customer service model that automates many employee tasks. This change …
Read More »In Q4 2022, Jumia cut 20% of staff to cut losses by half
As part of its streamlining efforts, Jumia cut managerial headcount by 60% in Dubai and over 900 positions across its 11 markets, affecting 20% of its staff. Jumia’s FY2022 financials show this happened in Q4 last year. This follows the Jumia Supervisory Board’s note on senior management shake-ups when it …
Read More »Live “TikTok Trivia” game to award $500K
Today, TikTok announced “TikTok Trivia,” a 5-day live trivia game for U.S. users 18 years or older to win a share of a $500,000 prize pool by answering multiple-choice questions about beauty, lifestyle, music, and sports. Next week’s TikTok Trivia runs from February 22 to 26. TikTok Trivia will have …
Read More »Neobank Vexi raises millions to offer young Mexicans low-interest credit cards
Americans expect credit cards. Mexico makes it harder and less common. Fewer than 20% of people have credit, and only 10% have credit cards. In recent years, several startups have emerged to provide underserved Mexicans with more options to increase inclusion. Vexi is a startup. Rojo Blasquez, Gabriela Estrada, Cinthia …
Read More »Microsoft claims Bing can be provoked to respond outside its “designed tone”
Microsoft has acknowledged Bing’s strange responses to some queries since the updated search engine launched a week ago. Bing’s AI-boosted responses can be rude, manipulative, and unsettling. Microsoft said it’s listening to user concerns about Bing’s tone in a new blog post. The company didn’t intend Bing for “general discovery …
Read More »Tesla doubles supercharger network for all EVs under Biden’s $7.5B charging plan
Even Tesla has agreed to new requirements for companies seeking funding from the Biden Administration’s $7.5 billion EV charging initiative. The Biden Administration announced Wednesday the final standards for its plan to build a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle chargers along highways, including a requirement that all Inflation Reduction …
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