Author: Carla Mouton

WhatsApp is working on a feature permitting the creation of orders within chats with customers, reports WABetaInfo. Business account users may soon encounter an ‘Orders’ chat shortcut in WhatsApp. The still-in-the-works feature is limited to business accounts taking part in the WhatsApp Desktop beta. It will expand to WhatsApp’s Android and iOS betas in due time. After that, it may or may not roll out into general use. Create Order The shortcut for “Create Order” will be available in the Chat section. The new ‘Create Order’ section pops up when users tap on the shortcut, allowing them to add items…

With load shedding stage 4 in the works, effective work could use a bit of an assist. Gmail has developed a new feature that lets users check and send emails effectively while offline. Now you can do what you need to do without having internet access — which is very possible in these dark times. If you encounter a problem with the following steps on your Workspace account, you can ask your admin to help you change the settings. The error will look as follows: In this case, it’s in their hands. If you’re still working on your own, though,…

Instagram is testing new ways for (especially) youngsters to verify their age on the social media platform. The change will “[allow] us to provide age-appropriate experiences” said Instagram in a blog post. It partly involves artificial intelligence (AI), and also a few trust exercises. Of a sort. The AI scan The AI part requires users to take a video selfie, which Instagram then shares with a partner company, Yoti. “Yoti’s technology estimates your age based on your facial features and shares that estimate with us. Meta and Yoti then delete the image. The technology cannot recognise your identity — only…

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took to Facebook on Tuesday, 21 June, to share several new monetisation tools that Meta is putting into place for creators on Instagram and Facebook. Creators on Meta won’t have to share a cut of their revenue either. Until 2024, at any rate. Zuck explained that the platform was “…rolling out more ways for creators to make money on Facebook and Instagram — and sharing updates that will help creators build for the metaverse. We’re heading towards a future where more people can do creative work they enjoy, and I want platforms like ours to play…

If your dream has been to dress up your metaverse avatar in fancy designer clothes, you’re in for a treat (and we feel a little sorry for you). Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced on Friday, 17 June, that the company is launching a digital designer clothing store called the “Meta Avatars Store.” Very original. Blue Steel The new virtual store is launching on Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. The store will have digital outfits from Balenciaga, Prada, and Thom Browne, with more options on the way. Meta has not revealed any pricing information for these digital outfits, but if the…

WhatsApp users can finally transfer their app data from an Android device to an iOS device. The popular Meta-owned messaging app announced a new feature that allows users to transfer their WhatsApp data; including chat history, profile photos, groups, media files, etc. The company has released the feature on the beta channel, but the full release should be available within the month. iPhone –> Android – Android –> iPhone Last year, the company came up with a feature that allowed users to transfer their data from an iOS device to an Android device. The Android to iOS data transfer feature…

Instagram is trying to direct teens away from harmful content. The platform is adding the new in-app ‘nudges’ after it announced the feature last year. This comes hot on the heels of TikTok’s new digital wellbeing notifications feature. The notifications on Instagram are reportedly designed to help minimise the adverse mental health affects overuse of the platform can have on younger users. Nudge nudge The nudges come in two forms, with the main one being an entirely new notification designed to redirect users away from potentially harmful topics. And we’re not talking about overly zealous ex-boyfriends. Teenagers in certain countries…

Google has updated Maps with toll-tracking data that’ll add up toll prices to show you the quickest or cheapest route. This won’t be doing much to help you with the petrol price, though. The feature is available for users in the US, India, Japan, and Indonesia; with updates for more countries on the way. Previously, Google Maps used to just show you if a particular route has tolls. This is still the case in SA, at least for now. The company did say more countries will follow but it didn’t mention when that’ll be or which countries the feature will…

The problem with buying shoes online? Figuring how out how it fits before hitting ‘order’. That’s about to change. Amazon Fashion is stepping into augmented reality (AR) via its Amazon Shopping iOS app. Called, Virtual Try-On for Shoes, it allows customers to see how a pair of shoes will look on their feet. Full of sole Amazon customers can now virtually test-drive shoes from popular brands including New Balance, Adidas, Reebok, Puma, Saucony, Lacoste, Asics, and Superga. It just requires the right app and a pair of feet. Amazon supplies one, you supply the other. The app is simple to…

TikTok is releasing more tools to help people limit their screen time. This follows users and parents complaining about all the time kids are spending on the dopamine-giving app, according to Engadget. Screen time squashed TikTok users now have a second way of limiting their screen time, according to a blog post by TikTok. The Screen Time Limits feature lets users access a Digital Wellbeing mode and set a strict Screen Time Management time of either 40, 60, 90, or 120 minutes. If you’ve set it to an hour per day, you’ll be notified and only a pin number will…