Apps
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram coming to Huawei AppGallery soon
At least, their CEO believes so
At a press briefing following the launch of the Huawei Mate Xs, Huawei CEO Richard Yu told GadgetMatch that our most used social media apps like Facebook and Twitter should be arriving on the AppGallery soon.
At a press briefing with Huawei Mobile CEO Richard Yu. I asked him about the absence of the world’s most essential apps on Huawei’s Play Store alternative – App Gallery (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) he says believes they will be available soon. pic.twitter.com/Ch1lP2xJde
— Michael Josh (@michaeljosh) February 24, 2020
Huawei has been on the unfortunate receiving end of the US government’s ire following accusations of spying for the Chinese government. In 2019, tech news headlines were dominated by the rift between the US and Huawei — the biggest of which happened when the US banned companies like Google from working with Huawei.
It was a huge hit as the company relied on Google’s mobile operating system Android for its smartphones.
The company has started rebounding since. Over the last six months, they’ve announced their own HarmonyOS. It’s not only meant for their smartphones but it’s more of a single OS that connects all of their products.
They have also heavily invested in getting more apps on the AppGallery. This is why Yu strongly believes that all the apps we usually use like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter will soon be able to easily make their way to all new Huawei phones.
Ban affected their first foldable
Yu also noted that the ban heavily affected the global release of the Huawei Mate X — the predecessor of the Huawei Mate Xs.
Richard Yu says US Ban and Google withholding Play Services got in the way of the global rollout of original Mate X. Now with its own App Store @HuaweiMobile is full speed ahead with the foldable Mate Xs. pic.twitter.com/GFRnYRDjjL
— Michael Josh (@michaeljosh) February 24, 2020
The Huawei Mate X never made it out of China specifically because of the lack of Google Mobile Services. This wasn’t an issue in China since the company’s HongMengOS had already gotten a wide adoption in the country.
Now, Huawei hopes to make the same wide adoption through the AppGallery. In the meantime, Huawei is also pushing HTML5 based Quick Apps as an alternative to apps that are not available in AppGallery.
Apps
Meta adds subscriptions for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp
Is your wallet buckling from the weight of so many subscription services? Well, Meta has a trio of new subscriptions for you to sink your hard-earned cash towards. If you have a few dollars, here’s Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus, and WhatsApp Plus.
All three subscriptions are designed to add new features which can enhance the experience for those who practically live on these apps. Among the three, Instagram Plus is the meatiest. It offers users the ability to view other people’s Stories without showing up as a viewer, create more tailored audiences outside of Close Friends, and extend the duration of a Story beyond 24 hours, among others.
Since it shares similarities with Instagram, Facebook Plus offers much of the same features. WhatsApp Plus, however, offers more customization options including new themes, ringtones, and stickers.
If that’s not enough, Meta has also released a new subscription system for Meta AI. Though the basic use of the AI is still free, the new Meta One Plus and Meta One Premium plans offer more capacity and performance for power users. The company is also testing new creator-focused plans, Meta One Essential and Meta One Advanced.
Of course, the new AI-based plans are more focused on those who actually use the AI software. Meanwhile, the three app plans are more for regular users. Facebook Plus and Instagram Plus will cost US$ 3.99 per month. Meanwhile, WhatsApp Plus will cost US$ 2.99 per month.
SEE ALSO: Instagram takes on Snapchat yet again with new Instants feature
Apps
Meta quietly launches Forum app for Facebook Groups
The app highlights discussions from Facebook Groups.
Since the rise of other platforms, Facebook Groups haven’t enjoyed as much popularity anymore. Despite this (or maybe even to help with this), Meta has unleashed an all-new app called Forum.
Designed specifically with Facebook Groups in mind, Forum collates discussions from Groups that the user might be interested in. Much like the websites of the same name from the 2000s, the app wants to feature conversations, rather than canned content that the algorithm shoves towards users on the main Facebook feed.
Users can also ask questions. Forum will sift through real discussions to find an answer. The closest analog today is searching Reddit for troubleshooting questions to get answers based on human experience. The main feed of the new app, however, feels more in tune with Quora’s concept.
That said, it’s a refreshing way to bring social media back to human-made feeds. It’s also a stark admission that the main Facebook feed (and, frankly, Instagram too) is just too inundated with content that users are not interested in.
Lately, Instagram also made the same admission by launching its own “lightweight” app called Instants. Like Forum, Instants was made to recapture the essence of Instagram before the rise of the almighty algorithm.
Forum, however, was launched with much less fanfare than Instants. There was no announcement. Rather, it’s just a casual drop from out of nowhere. The app is available now on the App Store and the Play Store.
SEE ALSO: Instagram takes on Snapchat yet again with new Instants feature
Apps
Apple Sports: Free app expands globally ahead of World Cup
Personalized, intuitive experience to get fans ready for the World Cup
Apple has expanded the availability of its free Apple Sports iPhone app to more than 90 new countries and regions.
This brings the app’s total global footprint to over 170 markets. The massive expansion comes just weeks before the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup this June.
It only means the standalone app is positioned as the primary real-time tracking fan for millions of football fans worldwide.
The rollout shifts Apple’s strategy toward global sports integration by providing the utility completely free of charge on the App Store.
A massive influx of international users are expected to use the app, as it provides a more direct experience — eliminating the need for third-party score tracking platforms.
As part of the personalized, real-time FIFA World Cup coverage, the app is introducing dedicated tournament features.
This includes allowing users to explore group stage standings, follow specific national teams, and view the current bracket through tournament bracket view.
In addition, visual formations for each team’s starting lineup will be provided ahead of every match.
Apple Sports is also tailored for those who have an entire ecosystem of Apple devices. The app can deliver real-time updates directly to a user’s iPhone Lock Screen and Apple Watch.
Fans can further add widgets to their iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Home Screens, and jump easily into the Apple TV app with a single tap to find live matches.
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