News
Facebook is now cloning features from Clubhouse, the audio chat app
Facebook has lost its originality
Facebook is launching podcasts and live audio streams in the US. It includes Live Audio Rooms, its version of the popular app Clubhouse that allows people to listen and participate in live conversations.
The feature will be launched over the next few months, at first with a small number of creators. It’s currently allowing public figures with verified accounts to start live audio rooms and invite anyone else to speak. Both products will become more broadly available in the weeks and months ahead, as more people, podcasts and Groups are brought on board.
However, all users in the US will be able to access rooms and listen to the conversation. The drop-in audio chat genre has received massive traction in the last few months and it peaked when Clubhouse became available for Android.
Twitter has also released a new feature called Spaces. It’s also in beta right now and features a lot of bugs and connectivity issues. Facebook is hoping that it’ll be perfectly positioned for the larger market when the concept becomes mainstream. Facebook’s Live Audio Rooms will allow up to 50 speakers, but there is no limit to the number of listeners.
Facebook started as an original social network that was far better than the competition. Over the years, it has developed a notorious reputation for cloning features from others apps. It started with Snapchat-inspired Stories, and copying has now become an integral part of the company’s philosophy.
Being a huge company, it has the resources to quickly churn out these features and release them for testing. Last year, it created video rooms that competed against a new hype — Houseparty. Even Reels was launched as a direct knock-off of TikTok, which was banned in India and faced uncertainty in the US. Critics argue that Big Tech’s “borrowing” of ideas from smaller companies can stifle competition.
Excitement over new technology is normal. However, when the dust settles, the rose-tinted glasses come off and reveal the potential concerns of using this new technology. Smart glasses are going through that phase now. While these glasses are all the rage now, some concerned establishments are now banning them. Case in point, the entirety of New York has just banned smart glasses in all of its courts.
In the United States, it’s already prohibited to record video or capture photos inside a court building. Naturally, the world is more complicated now. Anyone can just flaunt eyewear that can capture images for them, leaving bystanders none the wiser. As a result, the state of New York, according to Syracuse, has introduced a blanket ban for all smart glasses in all courtrooms. It’s the first state to do so across all courts.
Under the ban, users will be forbidden from even bringing these wearables into the building. This also includes smart glasses with prescription lenses. Those with affected eyesight can come back with a regular pair of glasses.
It’s a very interesting time for smart glasses. Especially for creators, the wearables have become a popular way to discreetly record events. Users don’t need to fiddle around with their phones or bring a bulky camera around.
However, it’s also a concern for privacy and cybersecurity. Though most of these wearables have a distinguishable LED indicator when they’re recording, they can also be modified to disable these indicators. As a bystander, you can be recorded without your knowledge.
SEE ALSO: ARTMS Heejin shows KPop concert day through Ray-Ban Meta glasses
HoYoverse’s annual flagship fan celebration in Southeast Asia, the HoYo FEST, as officially been announced with tickets selling starting July 16.
Fans across Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Singapore can enjoy four days of interactive experiences, live entertainment, and more activities featuring HoYoverse’s famed titles:
- Genshin Impact
- Honkai Impact 3
- Honkai: Star Rail
- Tears of Themis
- Zenless Zone Zero
In addition, the gathering will spotlight a first look at the upcoming Honkai: Nexus Anima. The game will be offered at the Experience Zone so visitors can be among the first to try through limited hands-on sessions.
Fans can expect the following experiences at each HoYo FEST:
- Check-in Zone: Kick off your journey with activities across all six titles, plus exclusive freebies
- Game Booths: Jump into immersive mini games inspired by the aforementioned titles
- Hands-on experiences for Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero
- Merch: Grab fan-favorite HoYo FEST merchandise from event-exclusive standees and pillows to Character Giftboxes and more
- Artist Alley: An even larger creative hub for artists and fans to showcase, sell, and share HoYoverse-inspired art
- HoYo FEST Stage: Feel the excitement with Open Stage performances, the Cosplay Runway Walk, and vibrant community showcases
Tickets will be available in the following categories:
- 1-Day Pass
- 1-Day Fast Pass with priority access and exclusive collectibles
- 4-Day Pass (3-Day Pass in Singapore)
Venue details:
- Bangkok: Central Ladprao, BCC Hall
- Ho Chi Minh City: Sky Expo, Hall A4
- Jakarta: Pondok Indah Mall 3, City Hall
- Kuala Lumpur: Pavilion Exhibition Centre Bukit Jalil, Hall 1-3
- Manila: SPACE at One Ayala, Hall A-D
- Singapore: Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hall 403
Gaming
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced available worldwide now
It’s available on all major platforms.
Last year was the year of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the franchise’s first Japan-themed entry. This year, however, the series is coming back to the one of its most popular worlds outside of Japan: pirates. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is now available on all major platforms.
Set during the Golden Age of Piracy, Black Flag Resynced brings players back into the boots of Edward Kenway, a vagabond pirate turned assassin. As he navigates the mysterious battle between Assassins and Templars, he travels the entire Caribbean and meets iconic pirates like Blackbeard and Anne Bonny.
This time, the 2013 game has been reengineered from the ground up using the latest Anvil engine. Besides amazing graphics, the remake has updated combat, new characters, and more narrative content.
Starting today, players can get Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Ubisoft Store, Ubisoft+, Steam, and Epic Games Store.
The Deluxe Edition packs the digital-only edition with the Master Assassin Character Pack and the Master Assassin Naval Pack. Meanwhile, the Collector’s Edition includes the Deluxe Edition and a catalog of physical goodies (Edward’s Figurine, an Edward wearable metal brooch, an exclusive SteelBook, a cloth map).
SEE ALSO: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced launches on July 9
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