WhatsApp ‘Carts’ could seriously harm e-commerce start-ups
WhatsApp’s new in-app feature ‘Carts’ is set to make online shopping easier for its 2 billion user base. Small e-commerce start-ups are real concerned. Just in time for the holiday season, WhatsApp has this week announced plans to roll out a new in-app shopping feature called Carts which allows buyers...
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Facebook pledges $10m to its ‘Black Gaming Creators Program’
Facebook will invest $10m USD over the next two years to help black streamers make it big by offering funding, mentorship, and training opportunities. Facebook has just announced the launch of its ‘Black Gaming Creators Program’ in lieu of supporting black streamers going full-time with content creation on its platform. You...
Students to race remote control cars on the moon in 2021
Two teams of high-school students are creating remote control cars to race on the moon. No, this isn’t Mario Kart. In the new year, a few lucky high-school students will get the chance to try their hand at automotive engineering alongside Frank Stephenson, the motor genius behind the design of...
Students are up in arms against anti-cheating surveillance tech
As colleges continue to rely on ‘anti-cheating’ exam monitoring tech in lockdown, pupils claim they’re being treated more like criminals than students. If you’re something of a nervy student you’ll know that settling down and feeling comfortable plays a big part in overcoming the whole exam process. The quicker you’re...
Snapchat boosts creative toolset with Spotlight and Voisey
2020 has become a good year to make a buck in the creative industry, and Snapchat is using the current landscape to forge a strong comeback in the social media arena. Social distancing regulations imposed by Covid-19 continue to usher in a burgeoning DIY culture, and Snapchat is taking full...
NASA launches new satellite to monitor rising sea levels
NASA’s new ocean satellite is set to completely revolutionise the way we collect data on sea levels and the impact of climate change. It sounds crazy to say now, but when NASA first began its research on rising sea levels in the 1990s, scientists were unsure whether or not climate...
Twitter strives for inclusivity with new stories feature ‘Fleets’
Twitter is encouraging people back on its platform with timed, disappearing tweets called ‘Fleets.’ It’s hard to stay relevant if you don’t roll with the times - and Twitter appears to have finally realised it may be lagging behind the competition. The platform has always been the place to go for minute-by-minute topical conversation and reactionary public opinion, but as links between poor mental health and social media usage continue to...
Snapchat’s new astrology update fosters Gen Z lockdown connections
All is written in the stars, and as of Thursday, also on Snapchat. Whether you’re a horoscope devotee who believes destiny is written in the stars, or just looking for an excuse to break the ice with a crush in lockdown, Snapchat has developed a full-fledged astrology feature to serve your needs. On cloudy nights, there’s always 4G. Launching on Thursday, users will now see a purple icon when tapping on...
Noveto’s ‘sound beaming’ technology emits audio straight to your ears
Noveto’s futuristic device is beaming audio media straight to people’s heads without the need for headphones. For some, I’d imagine the second round of Covid-19 lockdowns is akin to a peaceful meditation retreat, but for larger families it’s likely a daily cacophony of noise. As someone firmly in the latter bracket, I’d suggest a snug pair of headphones and perhaps a sturdy door lock as a quick and obvious solution. But...
How AI-based app WYSA is helping Gen Z’s mental health
Offering pragmatic solutions to mental health struggles, WYSA is using AI chat algorithms and questionnaires to tailor emotional support for Gen Z users. It seems AI is everywhere these days. Whether it’s used to help artists create paintings from scratch, or to quicken disaster response times via satellites, we’re finding more innovative ways to use algorithms and automated systems every day. You can now add mental health support to...
