TECH CRUNCH - Genealogy company MyHeritage has introduced its new mobile app, Reimagine, which leverages AI to facilitate the preservation of family memories. The app allows users to import printed photos from albums and provides tools to improve their resolution, fix scratches and creases, restore color in black & white photos, and animate faces. Reimagine combines existing technology, such as MyHeritage's "Deep Nostalgia" feature, with new photo-editing tools designed specifically for preserving old photos.
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MyHeritage Launches Reimagine App, Using AI to Preserve and Enhance Old Photos
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China Intensifies Social Media Crackdown, Deleting Posts and Accounts
GIZMODO - China's internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), has recently conducted a heightened crackdown on social media, deleting 1.4M posts and deactivating ~67K accounts. The CAC claims these actions were taken to combat misinformation and harmful content, but critics argue it is a form of political censorship. The crackdown targeted users on various platforms who shared news information not approved by the state, leading to the removal of accounts spreading fake news and impersonating businesses and institutions.
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Bangladesh Seeks Google and Facebook Data Centers to Boost Bandwidth Usage
DHAKA TRIBUNE - The Bangladeshi government plans to approach Google and Facebook to establish data centers in the country. Currently, Bangladesh imports bandwidth from India, which provides benefits at a lower cost compared to submarine cables. By attracting tech giants, the government aims to increase the utilization of submarine cables for bandwidth.
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Slick: Bridging the Gap in Personalized Social Connections
INC42 - Slick, a social media app founded by Archit Nanda and Rachit Bansal, aims to bring personalized connections and positive interactions back to social media. Launched in Nov 2022, the app allows users to anonymously compliment their friends. It has gained popularity, with 700K MAUs and 250K DAUs. Slick monetizes through microtransactions and may introduce a subscription model in the future. The app has raised $2.1M in funding and is focusing on user experience and attracting more users.
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Twitter Launches New $5K Per Month Data Access Plan
GIZ CHINA - Twitter announced a new subscription plan called API Pro, priced at $5K per month, targeting startups. This plan offers developers 1M retrieved tweets, 300K posted tweets, real-time filtered streams, complete archive search, and additional features. However, the high price is a barrier for many startups, and the $100 base plan is too limited.
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Snapchat Explores 'Dreams' Element as Generative AI Advances in Social Apps
SOCIAL MEDIA TODAY - Snapchat is testing a new feature called 'Dreams' that allows users to place their likenesses into generated realms using generative AI. While social media platforms integrate generative AI elements, the practical applications are not as extensive as anticipated. The current offerings include AI chatbots, visual creation tools, and background-altering options.
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Newborn Town: Chinese App Factory Expands Globally With Social Media and Dating Apps
SCMP - Newborn Town, a Chinese app factory, is making strides in the Southeast Asian market by developing multiple social media and dating apps. Despite increasing political scrutiny, Newborn Town has managed to embed its smaller apps into user lifestyles across various regions. The company is now expanding its focus to more mature markets like the US and Japan. The company owns a range of social media apps and has reported strong revenue growth.
by Tracy Qu
See full article at SCMP
This post also appears on OnlinePersonalsWatch
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Letterboxd: the Go-To Social Network for Film Lovers
THE WRAP - Letterboxd, a social network for film lovers, experienced significant growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. As theaters closed and people turned to movies for comfort, Letterboxd became a hub for thoughtful critique and discussion. Its user base grew from 1.3M to 6.5M during lockdown. Now, with 9M members, it serves as a film diary where users can log movies they watch, rate and review them, and connect with friends and followers. The platform has attracted attention of distributors and filmmakers who use it for marketing and insights. It has also partnered with film festivals and leveraged its data for decision-making.
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Bluesky Launches Alternative Feeds With Custom Algorithms
9TOMAC - Bluesky introduced alternative feeds with custom algorithms. Called "My Feeds," this feature allows users to pin different timelines for specific content, similar to Twitter lists. There are default feeds like What's Hot, Popular With Friends, Bluesky Team, and a Classic version of What's Hot. Users can also search for more feeds based on their interests. Unlike other social networks, Bluesky lets users choose what they want to see.
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Twitter Spaces Team Reduced to 3 After DeSantis' Tech Fiasco Announcement
WION - The Twitter Spaces team, responsible for live audio conversations on the platform, has been reduced to only 3 individuals after technical issues during a recent event featuring Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The team lacks the necessary knowledge and expertise due to previous staff reductions. The Spaces session experienced multiple crashes, disrupting the announcement and frustrating the large audience.
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YouTube Stories Are Shutting Down Jun 26 as Company Focuses on Shorts
TECH CRUNCH - YouTube announced that it will be shutting down YouTube Stories on Jun 26. The decision comes as YouTube aims to focus on other areas such as Shorts, Community posts, live videos, and long-form content. YouTube will notify creators through various channels about the shutdown, and existing Stories will remain live for 7 days after the shutdown date.
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TikTok Tests Chatbot Tako for AI-Powered Conversations
BLOOMBERG - TikTok is testing a chatbot called Tako, which can answer questions and engage in conversations with users. The feature is aimed at enhancing search and discovery on the platform. Tako is currently being tested by a small number of employees and provides recommendations based on users' interests. However, user data entered into Tako is collected and shared with third-party service providers.
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WhatsApp Is Working on Introducing Usernames to the App
TECH CRUNCH - WhatsApp is reportedly working on introducing usernames as an alternative to phone numbers for user identities. The latest beta version of the app includes a visible username section on the Profile page. WhatsApp has not provided details on how users will choose usernames or addressed the issue of premium usernames.
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Instagram Continues to Be Platform of Choice for APAC Influencers
CAMPAIGN ASIA - Emplifi's "Asia Pacific: State of Influencer Marketing Report" highlights key trends in influencer marketing. Instagram remains the dominant platform, with 90% of influencers active, but TikTok is gaining traction. Twitter and Pinterest have limited appeal for influencers. Sponsored content peaks before the festive holidays but has decreased slightly due to budget cuts.
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