Meta Introduces New Educational Resources to Boost Engagement on Threads
Photo Credit: Meta
October 21, 2024 (V SOCIAL MEDIA OF HOLLYWOOD) – Meta has announced the launch of new educational resources designed to help users of its platform, Threads, improve engagement and visibility. According to the company, these resources aim to provide users with best practices, data-backed tips, and content examples from successful creators to enhance content creation and drive conversations on the platform.
In the announcement, Meta highlighted several insights already helping users grow their audience. For example, replies account for nearly half of the views on Threads, suggesting that joining conversations can increase reach. Additionally, posting frequently—at least 2 to 5 times per week—has been linked to higher impressions per post, and humorous content has shown to receive more views. According to Meta, combining text with video or images, and posting during weekends, can further boost engagement.
The new resources are available on the Threads website and include detailed advice on how to create more engaging and discoverable content. Topics that generate high levels of replies include TV and movies, fashion, sports, and travel, among others.
"We created Threads because we think everyone has something worth saying, and we want you to be able to create a community around your best ideas and most interesting thoughts," the company stated. Meta plans to continue adding more insights and stories from successful creators in the coming months.
To read the official announcement, click here.
To learn more, visit the official Threads website.
Source: Meta
Meta Unveils Orion: Advanced Augmented Reality Glasses for the Future
Source: Meta
September 25, 2024 (VSNewsNetwork.com) – Meta has introduced Orion, its first augmented reality (AR) glasses, described as the company’s most advanced AR glasses to date. The product, previously codenamed Project Nazare, combines the appearance of regular glasses with immersive augmented reality capabilities.
Orion is designed to offer a blend of physical and digital interaction through features such as holographic displays and integrated artificial intelligence (AI). According to Meta, select employees and external audiences will have access to the Orion prototype, allowing the development team to gather feedback and continue refining the product.
The glasses are intended to allow users to engage with digital experiences without the constraints of a smartphone screen. According to Meta, the AR glasses are equipped with advanced technology, including four cameras for hand tracking and Snap Spatial Engine, which enables interaction with virtual content. The glasses also include transparent lenses, allowing wearers to maintain eye contact and facial expressions while using the device.
In a press release, Meta stated that Orion provides the largest field of view in AR glasses to date, enabling users to view multitasking windows, life-size holograms, and more. The company also explained that the prototype represents significant progress in reducing the size of AR hardware while maintaining performance.
While Orion is not set to be released to consumers, the company notes that it is an important milestone in the development of future AR products. Meta plans to continue optimizing the AR glasses by improving the display quality, reducing the device's size, and scaling production to make it more affordable.
For more information, visit www.meta.com.
Source: Meta
Instagram Launches Teen Accounts with Enhanced Safety Features
Photo Credit: Meta
September 17, 2024 (V SOCIAL MEDIA OF HOLLYWOOD) – Instagram has introduced a new feature called "Teen Accounts" to enhance safety and privacy for teens using the platform. The update aims to provide built-in protections for users under the age of 16, addressing concerns about who teens interact with and the content they see online. The new feature also includes parental oversight, ensuring a safer and more age-appropriate experience for young users.
Instagram Teen Accounts automatically apply privacy settings that limit interactions and content exposure for teens. These protections include private accounts by default, restricted messaging options, and sensitive content controls. Teens will also be able to choose topics of interest for a more personalized and positive experience on the platform. To ensure responsible use, notifications will remind teens to log off after 60 minutes of daily use, and a sleep mode will mute notifications between 10 PM and 7 AM.
Parental involvement is a key aspect of the update. Teens under 16 will need parental permission to modify any of the built-in protections, and parents will have access to additional supervision tools, including setting time limits for daily Instagram use and blocking access during specific times.
Instagram’s Teen Accounts will be implemented within 60 days in regions such as the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia, with plans to expand to the European Union and other Meta platforms in the future.
For more information on Instagram’s Teen Accounts click here.
Soure: Meta
Meta Partners with Sage Geosystems for Pioneering Geothermal Energy Project
Photo Credit: Meta
August 26, 2024 (V SOCIAL MEDIA OF HOLLYWOOD) - Meta has announced a new partnership with Sage Geosystems to expand the use of geothermal energy in the United States. The collaboration will leverage Sage’s proprietary Geopressured Geothermal System (GGS) to provide carbon-free power for Meta’s data centers, marking a significant advancement in the deployment of clean energy technologies.
The announcement was made at the U.S. Department of Energy’s geothermal workshop, where Meta emphasized its commitment to reliable, affordable, and carbon-free power. "We’re excited to partner with Sage on a first-of-its-kind project exploring the use of new, advanced geothermal energy in parts of the country where it has not been possible before," Meta stated in its announcement.
Geothermal energy, traditionally concentrated in regions like Nevada, Utah, and California, will now be explored more widely across the U.S. through Sage’s GGS technology. This system promises to harness geothermal energy from hot dry rock formations, which are more abundant compared to traditional hydrothermal sources. According to Meta, this technology "marks a significant advancement for the clean energy sector, showcasing the ability to harness geothermal energy virtually anywhere."
The first phase of the project is expected to be operational by 2027, with plans to deliver up to 150 MW of new geothermal baseload power to support Meta’s data centers. This initiative is part of Meta’s broader commitment to achieving a zero-carbon economy and advancing renewable energy solutions. To date, the company has contracted more than 12,000 MW in renewable energy projects, making it one of the largest corporate buyers of renewable energy globally.
For more information about Meta, visit Meta’s website.
Source: Meta
Mark Zuckerberg and Daniel Ek Advocate for Open-Source AI in Europe Amid Regulatory Challenges
Mark Zuckerberg, Meta Founder and CEO and Daniel Ek, Spotify Founder and CEO ● Source: Meta
August 27, 2024 (V SOCIAL MEDIA OF HOLLYWOOD) - Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, and Daniel Ek, CEO of Spotify, have expressed concerns about the impact of Europe’s regulatory environment on the development and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The two tech leaders argue that Europe’s complex and inconsistent regulations could hinder its ability to compete globally in AI, particularly in the realm of open-source AI.
In a joint statement, Zuckerberg and Ek highlighted the transformative potential of AI, stating that it could significantly enhance human productivity, accelerate scientific progress, and contribute trillions of dollars to the global economy. However, they caution that the current regulatory landscape in Europe may prevent the continent from fully capitalizing on these opportunities.
"Europe needs a new approach with clearer policies and more consistent enforcement," they stated. They emphasized that open-source AI—where models are publicly released with permissive licenses—could democratize access to AI technologies, preventing power from being concentrated among a few large players and fostering innovation across diverse sectors.
Zuckerberg noted that Meta has open-sourced several AI technologies, including the Llama large language models, which are already being utilized by public institutions and researchers to advance medical research and language preservation. Despite these advancements, he pointed out that the fragmented regulatory environment in Europe is creating significant challenges. "Without urgent changes, European businesses, academics, and others risk missing out on the next wave of technology investment and economic-growth opportunities," he said.
Ek echoed these sentiments, reflecting on Spotify’s experience as one of the few European tech success stories. He stressed the importance of AI in driving Spotify’s growth and expressed concern that Europe’s regulatory approach could stifle the potential of open-source AI to benefit industries such as music and beyond. "A simplified regulatory structure would not only accelerate the growth of open-source AI but also provide crucial support to European developers and the broader creator ecosystem," Ek remarked.
The CEOs also criticized the uneven application of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), arguing that it has led to delays and uncertainty, particularly in how it impacts AI development. Zuckerberg highlighted that Meta has been advised to delay training its AI models on publicly shared content in Europe due to regulatory disagreements, which he argues could leave European AI models lagging behind those from other regions.
In their closing remarks, Zuckerberg and Ek called for Europe to streamline and harmonize its regulations to foster innovation and retain its top AI talent. They warned that without swift action, Europe risks falling behind in the global race for AI leadership. "The one thing Europe doesn’t have, unless it wants to risk falling further behind, is time," they concluded.
Source: Meta
WhatsApp Introduces New AI Tools and Meta Verified for Business Users
SAO PAULO, June 7, 2024 (V SOCIAL MEDIA OF HOLLYWOOD) - WhatsApp has unveiled a suite of new features aimed at enhancing business interactions on the platform. Announced at Conversations, an annual business messaging event held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, these updates are set to transform how businesses and customers connect through WhatsApp.
Key updates include the introduction of AI tools designed to improve customer service, the rollout of Meta Verified for businesses, and enhanced support for larger businesses needing live call capabilities.
WhatsApp is integrating artificial intelligence to streamline customer interactions. The new AI tools are trained to respond to common questions, helping businesses quickly provide answers to customers. This aims to enhance the customer service experience by reducing response times and ensuring that customers can easily find the information they need.
Additionally, these AI tools will assist businesses in creating targeted advertisements on Facebook and Instagram. For example, the AI can remind customers of items left in their cart or offer discounts to encourage purchases they have been considering.
Meta Verified is now being introduced on the WhatsApp Business app in countries including Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Colombia. A Meta Verified badge indicates that a business has registered its information with Meta, providing customers with a verified and trustworthy contact.
Businesses that opt for Meta Verified will benefit from enhanced account support, including protection against impersonation. They will also have the ability to use WhatsApp across multiple devices, facilitating easier management for larger teams.
WhatsApp is expanding its support for larger businesses by introducing a new feature that allows customers to call businesses directly through the app. This feature is currently being tested and will enable users to make live calls for more complex inquiries, such as handling detailed travel arrangements or setting up new bank accounts.
According to WhatsApp, "this update aims to simplify the process for customers who need to speak with a business representative directly, providing a more efficient way to resolve their queries."
These updates reflect WhatsApp's commitment to enhancing the functionality of its platform for business users, making it easier for companies to manage customer interactions and improve service delivery.
Source: Meta