Author: Carla Mouton

Instagram is pumping. After rolling out new parental features and feed control, Instagram is now working on features that allow you to respond to stories via a voice message or share posts via QR Code. Developer Alessandro Paluzzi tweeted over the weekend that Instagram is working on adding voice notes to its Story responses. Paluzzi shared a screenshot of the app to his Twitter account, which showed a new ‘gram feature. In the same message box, users can type to send a response to other people’s stories. You’ll spot a microphone icon that shows that the social media platform might improve…

China arranged for Matrix star Keanu Reeves to disappear off all Chinese video streaming platforms after the actor was involved in a Tibet-related concert organised by a non-profit founded at the behest of the Dalai Lama. They don’t particularly like the Dalai Lama much. Reeves’ acclaimed films such as The Matrix, Speed, and John Wick were among the nineteen movies taken down from Tencent Video. Maybe seeing the newest Matrix contributed to these actions, but we’re pretty sure it’s the whole Tibet/concert thing. WeChat, the WhatsApp and Telegram of China, still shows material from Reeves’ films such as The Matrix.…

Meta rolled out two new features for Instagram called Favorites and Following for managing your feed. This comes a week after introducing parental supervision controls for the social media platform. Instagram calls this a filtering feature, not those filters, another type of filter. Info filters. The Following feature shows you posts from the users you follow in normal chronological order in which the posts were shared. The Favorites feature shows you the latest posts from a list of curated accounts you choose. For example; friends, family, brands you love, and your favourite creators. Where do Favourites and Following cross paths? Well,…

A new interactive feature is joining Zoom’s other digital experiences for home offices or boardrooms. The company is going full Snapchat with new animal avatars joining Zoom’s virtual backgrounds, filters, and immersive scenes. The avatar replaces the caller’s appearance with a virtual animal. Picture the filters in Snapchat that mirror your facial expressions and movements. The avatars are only available in animal form at the moment, but the company says to watch out for updates in future. Animal Avatars Zoom says its tech detects faces on-device when the avatar effect is applied. It also doesn’t use facial recognition, so it’s got…

You can find several Wordle spinoffs around at the moment. Basically, Adverswordle turns Worldle’s world upside down by having players pick a word and grade the computer’s guesses. But there is a catch though. You can still lose. If you ever wanted to be Jigsaw of “Do you want to play a game?” fame, this Wordle-spinoff is definitely for you. Especially since you’re playing against AI and not a real person. It makes the activity far less creepy. Quizmaster, not competitor Adverswordle reverses roles by putting the AI in the player’s shoes. Rather than being put on the spot for…

Certain Facebook users received an email from Meta recently explaining that they must enable Facebook Protect or be locked out of their Facebook accounts. And well, now they are. But here is the thing. The email seemed incredibly spam-worthy. Facepalm or Facebook The email started off with this statement, “Your account requires advanced security from Facebook Protect.” The email then warns users to turn on Facebook Protect by 17 March 2022. Failure to do so would result in being locked out. Users could turn on the feature by simply clicking on the link in the email. But… clicking an urgent…

It’s been forever since Formula One fans got their last F1 Sunday fix. It’s finally time for the tremors to stop. F1 screeches off this weekend at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. Loads of South Africans bailed on their DSTV subscriptions due to Covid 19. F1 fans in the know have turned to F1 TV Pro. The streaming service gives subscribers access to Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, and Porche Supercup live streams. Also expect a few extras; like onboard cameras, live streams, etc. Hack for free F1 race An F1 TV Pro subscription costs about R75/m ($5).…

Meta revealed in 2021 that it had partnered with sunglasses brand, Ray-Ban, to create the ultimate smart-glasses called ‘Ray-Ban Stories’. From this month on, the glasses will be available in more European countries and come with new features. A big one is being able to record up to 60-second videos instead of only 30 seconds. The story behind it Ray-Ban Stories may look classy, but they pack some high-end tech too. Like the dual integrated 5MP cameras along with a three-microphone array, for those days when your hands are just too full to capture photos or videos. All pics and…

Meta has started rolling out parental supervision tools for Instagram. The company last year promised users tools that would allow parents and guardians to be more involved in their teens’ social media experience. We’re sure the teens are super-pumped by this news. Big Instagram Brother  Meta has faced pressure to ensure the safety of children online. It suspended plans for a version of the app designed for kids after former Facebook employee and whistleblower, Frances Haugen, reported that Meta knew Instagram could have harmful effects on teenagers. In response, Meta has built the Family Center.  The Family Center is…

Jaguar has partnered up with generator manufacturer Pramac, to develop a new Off Grid Battery Energy Storage System (ESS) from second-hand I-Pace batteries. Off Grid Battery Energy Storage System (ESS) is a fancy way of saying a portable energy storage unit. Pramac will use lithium-ion cells from Jaguar I-Pace batteries. These batteries will be sourced from cars previously used as prototype and engineering test vehicles. Advanced engineering This new Off Grid Battery Energy Storage System will do exactly what it says 0n the tin, supply zero-emission power where access to energy supply is limited or unavailable. The first unit has…