If you’re a business that’s only reaching out to customers socially via Facebook, it’s time to diversify. In fact, it’s probably well past time, because Instagram is now the engine that’s driving the social media growth train. Fending off user complaints and bad publicity, Facebook growth in 2019 is expected to drop below 20 percent for the first time. Meanwhile, sister site Instagram is booming, with a forecasted growth rate of 60 percent this year, according to Jefferies analysts. Hard Fork? Hard Fork. HARD FORK However, growing an Instagram following can take as much time and effort as keeping a business rolling. Thankfully, services like Postable ($39, 88 percent off from TNW Deals) can help you automate and grow your Instagram account without becoming a massive time-killer. Connect Postable to an unlimited number of Instagram accounts and it’ll start engaging. Postable will start automatically liking relevant posts, following accounts that … [Read more...] about Automate and grow your Instagram account with Postable for just $39
WhatsApp Web adds picture-in-picture video playback for YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook
A year ago, WhatsApp added picture-in-picture video playback in its iOS app. It wasn't until October that the feature made its way to Android in beta, then a few weeks ago, it rolled out to the stable version of the app. Now, it's making the switch from mobile to desktop, as PIP videos have appeared on WhatsApp Web. You need v0.3.2041 of the web app to get PIP videos working. If you're on an older version, you'll have to force clear the page's cache and restart your browser. When it's working, you can click on any video preview to see it open in a floating window above your current conversation. You can move the video around, resize the window or switch to fullscreen, control playback and volume, and open the original URL if needed. The feature should work for videos from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Streamable, but only the first one is functional now. The others throw an error stating "The video can't be played" with a link to open it in a separate tab. It's likely that … [Read more...] about WhatsApp Web adds picture-in-picture video playback for YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook
Facebook wants to unify WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger
WhatsApp and Instagram used to exist as separate companies until Facebook acquired both of them and brought them under the same roof. Facebook, for the most part, kept both apps separate and allowed them to continue operating somewhat independently. This is versus other companies who more often than not fold their acquisitions into their services and products. According to a report from the New York Times, it appears that Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg is seeking some kind of unification across their products and services. This includes Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger, where the CEO is looking to unify their infrastructure. What this means is that while the apps will continue to exist as unique standalone apps, their underlying infrastructure will be the same which according to the report, will allow Facebook to have better control over them and how these apps tie in with the social networking platform. For example one of the ways Zuckerberg wants to unify these apps … [Read more...] about Facebook wants to unify WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger
SFPD investigating ‘swatting’ incident reportedly at Instagram exec’s home
By Annie Vainshtein Published 11:11 am PST, Sunday, January 27, 2019 The San Francisco Police department is investigating what was likely a "swatting" incident to the home of a "high-ranking" Instagram executive early Saturday morning. The San Francisco Police department is investigating what was likely a "swatting" incident to the home of a "high-ranking" Instagram executive early Saturday morning. Photo: Sarah Ravani / Photo: Sarah Ravani / Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Image 1 of 1 The San Francisco Police department is investigating what was likely a "swatting" incident to the home of a "high-ranking" Instagram executive early Saturday morning. The San Francisco Police department is investigating what was likely a "swatting" incident to the home of a "high-ranking" Instagram … [Read more...] about SFPD investigating ‘swatting’ incident reportedly at Instagram exec’s home
WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger integration: What does it means for users?
In these trying times for Facebook, even the smallest steps taken by the world's largest social networking platform draws close inspection. But Mark Zuckerberg has been anything but subtle in taking bold steps to steer his multi-billion-dollar company into the right directions. Now, a report has emerged revealing Facebook CEO's big plans to integrate the social networking sites' messaging services. According to an NYTimes report, Facebook-owned WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger apps will be integrated soon, bringing together three of the biggest messaging apps with a combined user base of over 2.6 billion. But it's worth noting that the plan is still in its nascent stage, expected to be completed by the end of this year or early 2020. The integration of WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger has sparked a debate online with experts questioning how this would affect the security of users' chats. But Zuckerberg has that covered as the Facebook boss has ordered all apps to be end-to-end … [Read more...] about WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger integration: What does it means for users?