Meta opens up VR headset software to third parties — including Lenovo and Microsoft
Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc. is “opening up” its Meta Quest headset operating system to other hardware makers, part of an effort to boost its standing in the nascent augmented reality and virtual reality...
Amazon share price hits record
Amazon.com Inc. joined fellow technology behemoths Meta Platforms Inc., Microsoft Corp., and Nvidia Corp. in setting a fresh record as the e-commerce and cloud computing giant’s shares extended gains.
The stock rose 1.7% to close at $189.05 (R3,543) on Thursday...
No more social media for kids under 14 in Florida
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill prohibiting minors under 14 from having social media accounts, following similar efforts in other states that have been challenged in court.
The Florida law also requires parental permission for 14-...
Twitter co-founder's new social network launched to all users
Bluesky, the decentralised social network that was hatched by former Twitter chief executive officer Jack Dorsey, is expanding its app to all interested users, abandoning an invite-only system that the service used to help regulate...
What R1,000 in biggest tech shares bought at start of 2023 would be worth now
This year has been great for tech stock investors, with the share prices of companies like Nvidia, Meta Platforms, Tesla, and AMD all increasing by more than 100% between 3 January and 26 December 2023.
MyBroadband...
Small win amid losses in lawsuits against social media companies over teen addiction
Minors and parents suing Meta Inc.’s Facebook and other technology giants for the kids’ social media platform addictions won an important ruling advancing their collection of lawsuits in a California court.
A...
WhatsApp getting built-in VPN protection for calls
WhatsApp is adding the ability to disguise a user's IP address in calls, according to a report from WABetaInfo.
The privacy relay option is currently under development for both the WhatsApp beta for Android and iOS apps.
Meta releases Quest 3 and next-generation Ray-Ban smart glasses
Meta Platforms Inc. introduced its latest lineup of head-worn devices, staking fresh claim to the virtual- and augmented-reality industry just ahead of Apple Inc. pushing into the market.
The company officially unveiled the Quest...
Orange gets new ship to help fix undersea cable breaks
French telephone carrier Orange SA christened a new €50 million (R1.01 billion) vessel, the Sophie Germain, strengthening the company’s out-sized role in the business of fixing undersea Internet cables when they break.
The 100-metre-long...
Meta still very unhappy with Canada's online news payment laws
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government released new details of a law that tries to force technology companies to pay news providers, but Meta Platforms Inc. said it would continue to block users in Canada from seeing news...
WhatsApp getting email verification and updated design
WhatsApp will be getting a new lick of paint and the ability to verify your account using an email address.
WhatsApp-focused news website WABetaInfo reported about the in-development features over the past few days.
WhatsApp launches revamped Mac app
Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook) has released a redesigned, native MacOS WhatsApp application that adds the ability to make group video calls.
The app supports eight-person video conferences and audio calls with up to 32 people. Users can also join a group...
WhatsApp working on sending uncompressed photos and videos
WhatsApp is developing a new photo and video sharing setting that will allow users to send their media files in their original quality with less fuss, WABetaInfo reports.
As it stands, WhatsApp users can use a workaround to send...
Threads is now available on the web
Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook) has launched a web version of its X (formerly Twitter) competitor Threads, a sibling of its image-focused sharing platform Instagram.
Instagram boss Adam Mosseri confirmed the rollout in a post on Threads late on Thursday...
Threads web app could launch this week — report
Meta Platforms plans to launch a web version of its Threads early this week, Wall Street Journal reports.
A web-based version of Instagram's Twitter/X rival has been a much-requested feature among users, who have also lamented the lack of other...
WhatsApp rolling out big image quality changes
WhatsApp boss Will Cathcart says the platform is adding the ability to send high-definition photos.
The Facebook-owned messaging platform usually compresses images to save storage space and speed up transfers.
Zuck insists Musk fight won't happen
Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer of Meta Platforms Inc., said it’s “time to move on” from speculation that there will be a cage fight match between him and Elon Musk.
“If Elon ever gets serious about a real date and official event, he knows how to...
WhatsApp multi-account open to testers — passkeys coming soon
WhatsApp has added the ability to use multiple accounts on one smartphone for a limited group of testers using its Android mobile app beta, WABetaInfo reports.
The publication previously reported about the much-requested feature...
Zuck throws cold water on Musk's fight claims
Mark Zuckerberg, head of Facebook owner Meta Platforms Inc., threw cold water on claims by Elon Musk that the two billionaires are working out plans for a cage match in Rome.
“I love this sport and I’ve been ready to fight since the day Elon...
WhatsApp alternatives in 2023
South Africans who distrust WhatsApp owner Meta Platforms or those who simply want to try something new have a myriad of instant messaging (IM) mobile apps to choose from.
With over 2 billion active users by March 2023, WhatsApp is the world's most popular...