Facebook has quietly retired Lifestage, a few weeks short of the teen-focused social network’s first anniversary. The app, launched in August 2016, invited teens — and teens only — to take photos or videos of various things, with categories such as what you “like” and “dislike,” “how I dance” and “my best friends.” But the …
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The battle to build a new generation of virtual and augmented reality experiences is already well underway, and if a new report from International Data Company is correct, the stakes might be higher than you might expect. Spending on virtual and augmented reality could double each year for the next four years, says a new report. Sarah Tew/CNET Worldwide spending …
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Google reportedly offered $30 billion for Snapchat early in 2016. But it looks like Google may have decided to compete with Snapchat instead. The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg are both reporting that Google is on the verge of launching a news service that echoes Snapchat Discover, by creating similar mini-magazines of slides (containing text, photos and videos) that you’d swipe …
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Facebook Stories, the Snapchat-esque short-lived messages, are expanding from the social network’s phone app to your PC, too. The messages let you adorn a photo or short video with graphics, text and styles, but the missives disappear after 24 hours. The Facebook web interface you’ll see when browsing from a laptop or desktop machine now spotlights a few Stories in …
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Snap may finally land a drone of its own. The company behind the ephemeral-messaging app is in acquisition talks with drone maker Zero Zero Robotics, The Information reported Tuesday. Zero Zero Robotics is best known for creating the selfie-centric Hover Camera Passport, a $500 compact, foldable flying camera that sports facial recognition and gesture control features. The company inked a …
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Telegram, popular for its encrypted messaging service (and adorable emojis!), just upped its privacy game for users. The app now lets you send your friends “self-destructing” photos and videos that disappear after a few seconds, the company said in a blog post yesterday. How long it takes for the media to go away depends on how long you set the …
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A long time ago, before Snapchat Spectacles and Microsoft HoloLens, there was Google Glass. Google’s bold vision of headsets wasn’t as futuristic as it seemed back in 2013 — it was more head-mounted display than augmented reality — and its design as a personal device put most people off. Google Glass is back Wired: Google Glass 2.0 Is a Startling …
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Ever wanted to create your very own Snapchat filter for a party or wedding, but didn’t know where to start? Instead of paying someone on Fiverr or Etsy to do it for you, Snapchat’s new tool has filter templates you can create in minutes. You can go through the process on your computer, or use the Snapchat app on your …
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Ready, set, snap. Snapchat’s coming to Formula 1 racing, the companies said Thursday. Starting with the British Grand Prix this weekend, Snapchat users will be able to contribute photos and videos to a larger, public Snapchat Story for Formula 1 Grand Prix races in Abu Dhabi, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and the US. “Snap’s platform is one of the most …
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I still remember my walks to work last July, scanning my neighborhood’s streets for Caterpies and Pidgies. Looking around, phone in hand like a pocket tricorder. Last July, of course, everyone else joined in, too: at Starbucks, in Central Park, at zoos. It was a fad. It’s also a foreshadowing of what’s probably going to happen in mobile, and augmented …
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