News
Facebook is launching messaging between Messenger and Instagram
Rolling out to a few countries first
Last year, Facebook announced an expansive plan to merge its messaging apps on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The initiative will hopefully create a cohesive ecosystem across their related platforms. In August, the company finally started to take comprehensive steps towards that goal, inviting select users to the future program. Now, the secret’s out. Facebook is launching messaging between Messenger and Instagram.
Officially announced today, Facebook is rolling out a Messenger-centric update to Instagram’s Direct Messaging feature. Obviously, the biggest addition is cross-platform messaging between the two platforms. Instagram users can now message Messenger users directly through the app. Even more, the cross-functionality comes with video call compatibility.
Besides this function, Facebook is also introducing new features to Instagram Messaging. It now has its own Selfie Stickers, customizable chat colors, personalized emoji reactions, and animated message effects. Further,
Instagram and Messengers users can now watch content together. This includes “Facebook Watch, IGTV, Reels, TV shows, movies,” and video calls.
Right now, Facebook is releasing the update for select users in a few countries. The company plans to expand globally soon. However, if users want to, they can opt out of the update entirely. Of course, as Facebook is wont to do, the platform will likely force users int the new update sooner or later.
With Instagram’s integration into Facebook Messenger, Facebook still has WhatsApp left to integrate into its ecosystem.
SEE ALSO: Messenger Rooms is Facebook’s group video chat app
Apps
Google Photos can now censor your kid’s face better
The new Redact feature can censor sensitive information.
Censoring photos is heavy work. Either you stick on random emojis or draw an indiscriminate splotch of doodles to cover sensitive information. It’s an imperfect art but an essential one to protect privacy. Today, Google Photos is getting a Redact feature which can censor sensitive bits with pixelated blocks.
An addition to the Markup tool, Redact acts like a nifty pen that can hide information that you don’t want seen. Unlike a ghastly emoji or a splotch, the censored bar mixes better with the surrounding elements. In the example that Google used, a censored license plate blends well with the car it’s attached to, making the photo look more cohesive. Besides license plates, it’s the perfect tool for covering other information like phone numbers, addresses, and the faces of your loved ones.
Google Photos is also rolling out Moods, a set of filters that give photos a nostalgic look, including a 2000s night digicam vibe that’s popular today. There are also 15 new Remix templates to add more creation options.
Both the Redact and the Moods features will roll out to Android users starting today. The new Remix templates, however, will be limited to some countries on both Android and iOS.
SEE ALSO: Google will force Android users to use Gemini next month
News
Power Mac Center SM Aura is now an Apple Premium Partner store
With a new protection plan dubbed as “1Protect” for your precious new iPhones
Power Mac Center has upgraded its SM Aura branch into an Apple Premium Partner (APP) store. The “APP” designation is the highest tier for reseller stores worldwide.
Originally opened in 2014, the redesigned store now houses its retail space, training center, and a service center in one.
The new space also puts more emphasis on learning. Free group demos will be held every Friday to Sunday. These will cover topics such as iPad creativity, or camera features, personalization, and Continuity for the latest iPhone series.
To celebrate the opening, customers can also score discounts on select Apple devices and accessories until September 27, 2026.
Deals include up to:
- ₱PhP 36,000 off MacBook Pros
- PhP 19,500 off iPads
- PhP 3000 off Apple Watches; and
- PhP 11,000 off iPhone models
There are also service discounts until September 25. Plus, new iPhones purchases here are also covered with 1Protect coverage options.
ICYMI, it’s a partnership between PMC and Bolttech. It’s basically a new way to protect your precious new iPhones.
Your regular one-year warranty does not cover accidental drops and water damage. Purchasing this new coverage plan (good for one year) gives you an unlimited dose of that.
Parts are guaranteed original and is an official part of AppleCare Services.
This protection program also covers one-time unwarranted exchanges (or change of mind returns) from micro scratches to color options. It will even replace your iPhone (of the same model and configuration) if it was stolen once.
There’s also the 1 Infinite loyalty program. Members can earn points from purchases and redeem them for devices, accessories, services, and training.
The Power Mac Center SM Aura APP store is located on Level 2 and is open daily from 10AM to 10PM.
The stage is set for next year’s smartphones. Both MediaTek and Qualcomm have unleased their upcoming flagship chipsets for the coming generation. If you’re looking for the Qualcomm side of things, go here. But if you’re looking for MediaTek, then you’re in the right place.
The Dimensity 9600 Pro adopts the 2nm process mode, which makes MediaTek one of the first companies to use it. The chip itself features a 2+3+3 All Big Core CPU. Specifically, it has two C2-Ultra cores going up to 4.55GHz, three C2-Pro cores going up to 4.35GHz, and three C2-Pro ones going up to 3.1GHz. This configuration can reportedly achieve 17 percent better single-core performance and 15 percent higher multi-core performance.
Besides all that power inherently built in, the chipset also has the G2-Ultra NX GPU. This GPU can deliver 27 percent higher peak performance, 24 percent lower power consumption, 18 percent faster raytracing, and gaming at up to 185 frames per second.
Finally, the chipset has the Imagiq 1290 ISP. With this engine, the processor can handle 60fps motion capture and 4K240 direct-output ultra-slow-motion video.
Alongside the Dimensity 9600 Pro, MediaTek is also launching the Dimensity 9600M, a slightly more lightweight option of the Pro that deliver flagship level performance to more users outside of that price point.
Smartphones that will come with the Dimensity 9600 Pro and 9600M will launch sometime in the fourth quarter.
SEE ALSO: MediaTek unveils Dimensity 9500s, 8500 mobile processors
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