Do you need an AI chatbot to hold a conversation? Instagram seems to think so. As the world rapidly experiments with developments in AI technology, the platform is reportedly working on a chatbot for its users.

According to Alessandro Paluzzi, a reverse engineer who usually digs up future plans for popular apps, Instagram is working on the AI chatbot feature for a future iteration of the app. Much like other chatbots out in the market today, Instagram’s unnamed bot will enable users to interact with it in casually flowing conversation.

The screenshots obtained by the engineer read that it “answers questions, gives advice.” Additionally, it helps users “find the best way to express [themselves] … [through] writing messages.” From a usability standpoint, the feature can help users craft replies to direct messages. They can also bring the bot into human-to-human conversations by mentioning the bot in the conversation.

To add to the quirkiness, Instagram will supposedly add 30 different personalities to the chatbot. Users can pick and choose which one they like the best. The sneak peek does not reveal any personalities included in the feature. (We’re hoping for a snarky one that judges and critiques posts.)

The feature has no timetable as to its release. However, since TikTok already released its own chatbot for testing, it should stand that Instagram’s feature will come out soon.

SEE ALSO: Instagram is creating a Twitter competitor

Apple announced that the App Store ecosystem generated US$ 1.1 trillion in developer billings and sales for the year 2022, as per a study from economists at Analysis Group.

More than 90 percent of these billings and sales were accrued solely to developers, without any commission paid to Apple.

According to economists from Analysis Group, developers generated:

• US$ 910 million from the sale of physical goods and services
• US$ 109 billion from in-app advertising
• US$ 104 million from digital goods and services

The Analysis Group’s study also mentioned that among the key drivers behind the App Store ecosystem’s growth are a rebounding demand for sectors like travel and ride-hailing, as well as advertising spend in social media and retail apps.

Moreover, developer billings and sales increased by 29% between 2021 and 2022, and 27% percent between both 2020 and 2021 and 2020 and 2019.

In particular, small developers found great success in the App Store, growing their revenue by 71% between 2020 and 2022.

The Apple Store’s engine of commerce includes Apple providing developers around the world a global distribution platform which supports:

• 195 local payment methods
• 44 currencies
• 175 storefronts

Strong growth across app categories

According to a new study from the Analysis Group’s economists titled “The Continued Growth and Resilience of Apple’s App Store Ecosystem,” sales from travel and ride-hailing made on iOS apps increased by 84% and 45%, respectively.

iOS app-based food delivery and pickup sales more than doubled too, while groceries more than tripled.

App Store turns 15

The encouraging numbers from the study coincide with the App Store’s 15th anniversary.

Overall, here are some interesting facts about the App Store’s 15-year existence:

• iOS developers have earned more than US$ 320 billion on the App Store (from 2008 to 2022)
• iOS users have downloaded app more than 370 billion times (from 2008 to 2022)
• The App Store has nearly 1.8 million apps to choose from, more than 123 times as many available during 2008

The App Store also remains a safe and trusted marketplace, thanks to its rigorous App Review process and privacy and security protections.

In 2022 alone, the App Store blocked more than US$ 2 billion in fraudulent transactions and rejected 1.7 million app submissions for failing to meet privacy, security, and quality standards. 

Recent innovations like App Tracking Transparency and Privacy Nutrition Labels also empower users on how to operate

Though the platform works differently, Reddit is much like other social media platforms. For one, it relies on users signing up for the service to interact with one another through threads. However, Reddit is also similar by offering its API to third parties. If you’re not happy with using the original website or app, developers can create apps tailored to optimize the experience. Unfortunately, those might soon go away.

Recently, Reddit announced a round of changes coming to its API rules. Starting June 19, the platform will charge third parties for access to their API. In a nutshell, any developer who wants to continue offering a tailored Reddit experience must pay up to access the website.

According to the company, the changes are a result of emerging AI technologies which leverage Reddit for language learning. Naturally, the company isn’t happy with being used for free, resulting in a paid scheme coming soon.

Unfortunately, the pricing scheme isn’t affordable for smaller developers who just want to offer a cleaner experience of the website. Apollo, one of the most popular third-party alternatives to Reddit’s main app, recently announced that Reddit is charging US$ 20 million per year to keep the app running as is. Christian Selig, the app’s developer, confirms that the figure is just too much.

Other apps have not disclosed their discussions with the platform. However, their users have already lamented the impending doom of third-party apps and their involvement with the platform as a whole.

For their part, Reddit says that Selig’s figure only reflects a standard rate, rather than a specialized one as discussed with Apollo. The company remains adamant that it wants to be equitable and civil towards third-party apps.

SEE ALSO: Reddit acquires Dubsmash