Author: Alvin Wanjala

Fleets is Twitter’s take to jump on the Stories bandwagon. Nearly every social app now has a feature that resembles Snapchat’s stories feature. Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, LinkedIn, and now Twitter. Twitter started rolling out Fleets earlier this week, but not everyone has access to it yet. In a new update, the company said it’s slowing down the rollout to buy more time to fix performance and stability problems. Some Twitter users had already reported performance issues with Fleets immediately after the rollout. Some saw their Twitter app crash, and most reported their fleets lagging. According to the company, if…

The use of video conferencing platforms and apps for remote working like Teams, Asana, and Slack exploded when the pandemic hit. Companies have been busy polishing their platforms that help remote workers collaborate on projects and keep the communication going. Microsoft Teams has also enjoyed a faster adoption rate and currently boasts over 115 million daily users as of today. Microsoft is expanding Teams support for third-party apps to challenge the likes of Zoom and possibly grab more market share. Teams has added support for nearly 20 third-party apps, including Asana, HireVue, Monday.com, Slido, and Teamflect, and the company’s own…

Apple wants to give more money to small App Store developers who make up to $1m per fiscal year in sales(not revenue). From the current 30% so-called Apple Tax, the company will charge small developers half of that – 15% – as commission for sales made across the App Store across iPads, iPhones, and Macs. This is part of the newly announced program called the App Store Small Business Program. In a statement, Apple says the move will ensure small businesses and developers alike “have even more funds to invest in their businesses, expand their workforce and develop new, innovative…

If you were planning to grab the all-new Xbox Series S or X, you might be lucky to find one. Demand for new consoles is high, but the supply is limited. According to Xbox’s Chief Financial Officer, the company is yet to satisfy the huge demand for its new consoles. And it will be the case for at least the next few months. “I think we’ll continue to see supply shortages as we head into the post-holiday quarter, so Microsoft’s Q3, calendar Q1,” said Tim Stuart, speaking at the Jefferies Interactive Entertainment Virtual Conference. In other words, the market will…

The end of the last decade saw regulatory scrutiny over privacy intensify and thus has compelled tech giants like Google and Facebook to allow users to have more control over their data – to some extent. While Google has rolled out several ways to help users manage their data and control what’s being shared, the company has rolled out new features in Gmail that give you more control of your user data. Gmail is set to receive a new setting for smart features and personalization in the coming weeks. When rolled out, users will be able to decide whether their…

OPPO’s Inno day 2020 event is ongoing, and the company has already showcased three previously tipped concepts. The first one is a rolling smartphone. The rolling phone can be expanded to offer more screen in a tablet-sized form factor, a different approach to the folding phones like the Galaxy Fold (can be unfolded to a big form factor). The Oppo X 2021 rolling phone uses an OLED display that measures 6.7-inches. But when expanded, you get more screen real estate. When “rolled out,” Oppo X 2021 offers 7.4-inches of the screen. “The OPPO X 2021 rollable concept handset is the…

In line with changing needs, Samsung has announced a new Smart monitor that combines several aspects of the new normal in one package – working, learning, and consuming entertainment content from home. Its all-new Smart Monitor, called Samsung Smart Monitor, embodies features meant for all three needs, so you don’t have to pick a screen for each. The monitor can be connected with a variety of devices due to the included connectivity options. You can connect Smart Monitor M7 to your Samsung Galaxy phone via Dex. It can also be connected via the two available HDMI 2.0 and USB-C ports(for…

Facebook recently launched disappearing messages on WhatsApp, and a sort of similar thing is now rolling out to its other platforms. Vanish Mode, which was announced by the company after launching integration between Messenger and Instagram. When vanish Mode is activated, sent messages and media files will automatically disappear after they’ve been viewed, and you leave the chat. This is quite a different approach compared to disappearing messages in WhatsApp. Ephemeral WhatsApp Messages are deleted automatically after seven days, independent of whether the recipient views the message or not. Vanish Mode is strikingly similar to a similar feature available on Snapchat…

Instagram has some big changes coming in the latest update. The update emphasizes Facebook’s latest features on the app, Reels, and e-commerce. It aligns with the latest explosion in online shopping and short-video clips resulting from sheltering in place orders. The Reels tab will be where users can easily find short fun videos on Instagram. “we’re rolling out the Reels tab to be a kind of a stage, a place where people can share their creativity with the world and have a chance to break out and find an audience,” Facebook said. The Shopping tab will feature products from different…

Apple’s next version of macOS, Big Sur, is now available to everyone. macOS Big Sur is the company’s first OS to run on its in-house silicon, the M1 chip, that was recently unveiled. As expected, it also supports Intel-based Macs. But those who will enjoy the most of the benefits included in macOS Big Sur will be the ones who buy any of the company’s latest Macs. Either the 13-inch MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, or the new Mac Mini. macOS Big Sur update is huge for Mac owners, which brings a fresh, new design plus enhancements to key apps…