Category: TechCrunch

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In Threads’ dwindling engagement, social media’s flawed hypothesis is laid bare

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image via techcrunch.com

Merely weeks after emerging as the apparent heir to address social media’s woes and generating over 100 million users in less than five days, Threads appears to be, well, fraying at the edges already with a recently reported 80% drop in daily active users since launch. The platform — celebrated early on for its “combination of the ridiculous, the lighthearted, and a little cringe” — has quickly become another example of the expeditious cycle by which innovation in social media operates and burns out users.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/08/30/in-threads-dwindling-engagement-social-medias-flawed-hypothesis-is-laid-bare/

Netflix launches a game controller app for playing games on your TV

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image via techcrunch.com

After last fall signaling its intentions to expand into cloud gaming, Netflix today launched a new app that will soon allow subscribers to play games on their TV. The app, dubbed “Netflix Game Controller,” lets you use your phone as a controller after pairing it with your TV in order to play the games available through Netflix’s service.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/08/08/netflix-launches-a-game-controller-app-for-playing-games-on-your-tv/

Mobile website builder Universe launches AI-powered designer

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image via techcrunch.com

Universe’s new tool is similar to one launched by Wix earlier this month, which is called the AI Site Generator. The tool allows users to describe their intent and generate a website complete with a homepage, inner pages and text and images — as well as business-specific sections for events, bookings and more. One of the main ideas behind both companies’ products is to help small and medium-sized businesses launch and maintain websites to drive sales, which can be a challenging process. For context, a 2022 survey by Top Design Firms, a directory for finding creative agencies, found that nearly 27% of small businesses still don’t have a website and that low traffic, followed by adding “advanced” functionalities and cost, are the top challenges they face with their website.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/07/27/mobile-website-builder-universe-launches-ai-powered-designer/

A popular Android app began secretly spying on its users months after it was listed on Google Play

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image via techcrunch.com

Research by ESET found that the Android app, “iRecorder — Screen Recorder,” introduced the malicious code as an app update almost a year after it was first listed on Google Play. The code, according to ESET, allowed the app to stealthily upload a minute of ambient audio from the device’s microphone every 15 minutes, as well as exfiltrate documents, web pages and media files from the user’s phone.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/29/popular-android-app-microphone-spying-google-play/

Sega to acquire Angry Birds-maker Rovio for $775M

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With Rovio under its wing, Sega says it plans to “accelerate the development” of its own existing games, as well as “generate synergies” between Sega and Rovio’s brands. Specifically, it seems that Rovio’s experience in so-called “live service” mobile gaming is what appealed to Sega, which refers games designed to be played more or less indefinitely through regular content updates to keep players interested. Moreover, Sega said that Rovio’s expertise can help it expand Sega’s current and new games in more markets, particularly in Europe and North America.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/17/sega-to-acquire-angry-birds-maker-rovio-for-775m/

Facebook’s latest test brings back in-app messaging

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image via techcrunch.com

Facebook head Tom Alison announced today that the company is testing the ability for users to access their Messenger inbox within the Facebook app. Back in 2016, Facebook removed messaging capabilities from its mobile web application to push people to the Messenger app, in a move that angered many users.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/07/facebooks-latest-test-brings-back-in-app-messaging/

Microsoft ditches Yammer brand and goes all-in on Viva Engage

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image via techcrunch.com

Yammer was initially created out of San Francisco back in 2008, with co-founder David Sacks formally launching the startup at a TechCrunch startup event. The company went on to raise north of $140 million in funding before Microsoft swooped in with its billion-dollar bid four years after its launch.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/02/14/microsoft-ditches-yammer-brand-and-goes-all-in-on-viva-engage/