#Newsfeed: Facebook said to be working on dedicated video chat device; Twitter finally explained why it’s been hiding a key growth metric from investors; Harry Styles helps push Sony Music revenues up 11%
Plus what it’s like being Chance The Rapper’s intern.
Facebook is reportedly working on dedicated video chat hardware, according to a new report by Bloomberg. The device is said to include a notebook-sized display, and is intended to make video chat participants “separated geographically feel like they’re together in the same space”. Combined with the rumoured standalone smart speaker, the move towards hardware marks Facebook’s near-guaranteed expansion into the home.
Read more about this story here.
Since October 2016, Twitter has talked up its daily active user growth without actually disclosing how many users the platform has – something that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission wants to call the company out on. Thanks to correspondence between Twitter and the SEC from early June, we have more colour behind the company’s decision to obfuscate its DAU number: It doesn’t want to be compared to other social networks like Facebook and Snapchat. In response to a SEC question about why Twitter only gives its DAU percentage and not the actual number, the company explained that it thinks “the absolute number of DAUs is less important than the percentage change in DAUs because the key factor is whether engagement is increasing or decreasing on a relative basis.”
Read more about this story here.
A story by ABC News has looked into why people voluntarily promote businesses, in relation to shoutouts on Instagram. “These days, people like to be associated with brands, not just global brands, but local brands,” University of Wollongong professor Katina Michael explained. “People feel they’re getting something back, even if it’s in-kind, which is about building their persona and reputation online, and local organisations can help you do that.”
Read the story in full here.
Sony Music’s earnings are up this quarter, thanks to a boost in streaming and physical sales led particularly by Harry Styles. There was an increase of 57.6 percent on the operating income of the corresponding period last year (now up to US$225.22 million), but it wasn’t all good news – with revenue from digital downloads decreasing by 22.1%.
Read all the stats here.
- Facebook said to be working on dedicated video chat device [via TechCrunch]
- Facebook doesn’t need to be terrible. Most of us just aren’t using it right. [via Grist]
- Facebook introduces new tool to kill off fake news leading up to Kenya elections [via The Next Web]
- Twitter finally explained why it’s been hiding a key growth metric from investors [via Business Insider]
- Twitter Needs to Monitor Trump’s Tweets [via Slate]
- From breakfast to business boon: How Instagram photos have become priceless free publicity [via ABC News]
- How wannabe Instagram influencers use bots to appear popular [via Digiday]
- Sia leaves Sony deal to sign worldwide agreement with Warner’s Atlantic [via Music Business Worldwide]
- Sony puts new Diplo single behind streaming paywall in India [via Music Business Worldwide]
- Pandora lost $407m in the first half of 2017 – and continues to shed listeners [via Music Business Worldwide]
- Harry Styles helps push Sony Music revenues up 11%, as downloads claim just 13% of firm’s sales [via Music Business Worldwide]
- Michael Gudinski interview: Mushroom’s new creative agency + Glastonbury 2017 [via Mediaweek]
- Tomorrowland Issues Statement on Stage Fire at Barcelona Festival [via Billboard]
- With no more income from album sales, a 69-year-old rock legend has to go back on tour [via Quartz]
- Hayley Williams Isn’t the Only Artist With Lyrical Regrets: Lines Katy Perry, Taylor Swift & JAY-Z Would Take Back [via Billboard]
- What it’s Like Being Chance The Rapper’s Intern [via Pigeons & Planes]
- Spotify is angling for its share of podcast listeners [via Quartz]
- Apple returns to growth as cheaper iPads boost sales [via The Verge]
- Google Said to Offer Publishers A New YouTube Deal [via AdAge]
- Earnest acoustic covers recorded in ugly bedrooms will never get old [via The Verge]
- Snapchat is working with college newspapers to produce local Discover Stories [via The Verge]
- VSCO launches its first video editing tool [via TechCrunch]
- Google’s new feature helps you discover more through Image Search [via Digital Trends]
- What Happened When I Replied “Call Me” To Every Email I Got For A Week [via Fast Company]
- TRENDING:
#NAPLAN, #SteveSmith,#FFACup
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