Apps

Facebook might merge with Messenger again

“Facebook is not dead”

Published

on

A Facebook user’s smartphone always has two apps: the main app and Messenger. For years, the social media platform kept the two apps separate. However, after years of separation, Facebook is once again reuniting with Messenger into one app.

Announced today in a long post, Meta is working out a way for Facebook users to access their Messenger inbox within the main app. As far as confirmation goes, the announcement doesn’t outright say that Messenger is going away for good. In fact, Meta goes on to say that it hopes users will continue to use both Facebook and Messenger in the future.

That said, resurrecting the ability to access the inbox on the main app does make Messenger a bit redundant especially for those who actively use the main app anyway. However, it also disregards a subset of the population who have Facebook accounts only to message friends and not to engage with the actual app.

At the very least, Meta does see the value in prioritizing messaging as an essential facet to the platform and its future. While Messaging is only a small portion of the recent announcement, Meta’s bigger message is that “Facebook is not dead nor dying,” assuring users that more improvements will come soon.

SEE ALSO: Meta launches 3 webtoons for teenage data privacy awareness

Related Topics:

Apps

Twitter is working on a way to hide the blue checkmark

May or may not launch

Published

on

March 25, 2023

By

A year ago, Twitter’s blue checkmark was a coveted piece of online identity making. Now, the once-prestigious marker has grown into somewhat of a meme. The blue checkmark doesn’t mean the same as it did a year ago. Now, Twitter is reportedly developing a way to hide the checkmark from your profile.

Last year, Twitter announced a much easier way to get a blue checkmark for themselves. Soon after Elon Musk purchased the platform, Twitter Blue offered the badge with the monthly subscription price. Users who earned the old checkmark without paying for the subscription had their badges converted into yellow legacy checkmarks.

With the change, the value of a blue checkmark changed drastically. It become associated with a joke mocking users who paid for Twitter, an otherwise free-to-use platform.

Now, as spotted by notable app engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, Twitter is developing a way to hide the blue checkmark altogether. Currently, the development is still just a leak. It remains possible that the app will not launch the feature after all.

That said, after several months reinventing verification, the platform is still struggling for the perfect way to blend the old with the new. Right around the same time the leak popped up, they also officially announced that it will retire legacy checkmarks starting April 1.

SEE ALSO: Twitter promises encrypted DMs this month

Continue Reading

Apps

PayPal slowly rolls out passkey support for Android

Coming to the app soon

Published

on

March 25, 2023

By

Big Tech has been pushing for an end to the password. However, the password-less future is taking a while to get off the ground. Only a few platforms can support passkeys. A big name is lending its hand to the technology, though. PayPal has announced that it is working on implementing passkeys for Android users.

Starting today, the digital payment platform is slowly rolling out support for the new security measure. With a passkey, users will no longer need a password or two-factor authentication. Instead, PayPal will install a passkey onto your device. That passkey will be exclusive to your devices. If PayPal recognizes the device you’re trying to log in from, then the platform will allow you in.

It’s not a grand rollout yet, though. PayPal will introduce the feature for mobile browsers first, rather than the app outright. Android users will need Chrome to access the feature. App integration will come in the future. In the meantime, Android users will start getting the feature from now throughout the year.

Passkeys are moving slowly across the tech space. Some time ago, Apple, Google, and Microsoft mutually pledged to help usher in the future of passkeys as a more secure alternative to passwords. Today, only a few platforms can support the technology. In a time when cybersecurity is quickly becoming a priority for everyone, the arrival of passkeys can’t come sooner.

SEE ALSO: Google Chrome can now go password-free

Continue Reading

Apps

Maya summer deals: Cashbacks, discounts, instant credit

Make the most out of digital banking

Published

on

March 23, 2023

By

Maya is offering subscribers many ways to save this summer season by using the digital bank app.

Those who have not downloaded Maya yet will get a free Maya Card when they open an account and deposit PhP 1,000.

For cash ins and bank transfers, Maya helps people get rid of transaction fees and enjoy cashbacks.

Customers who cash in via InstaPay will get up to PhP 25 cashback. Those who use Maya Center, meanwhile, get a full cashback on their 1% cash in fee, capped at PhP 150. 

There’s also no cash in fee for linked banks and over-the-counter transactions up to PhP 8,000.

Need to pay for something but do not have enough funds at the moment? Maya may also be used to get instant credit of up to PhP 18,000 for eligible users.

Throughout summer, users should also be on the lookout for these exclusive deals:

  • Zalora: 20% off discount for new users, 18% off for existing users on purchases using Maya; 15% off on Michaela Bags
  • Robinsons Malls: Up to PhP 200 cashback using Maya QR, minimum spend PhP 1,000
  • SM Store: Raffle entry for every cash in or Maya QR scan-to-pay; prizes are PhP 3,000 Maya credits, Apple Airpods Pro 2, Apple iPhone 14
  • Boozy: PhP 150 off sitewide using promo code MAYA150 upon checkout
  • Airpaz: 3% discount on flight and hotel bookings using Maya, minimum spend PhP 1,600
Continue Reading

Trending