The feature which started rolling out today was first spotted in February by WABetaInfo as it was being tested on iOS and the web before it appeared on Android in April.

The Meta-owned instant messaging platform has also added a “Favorites” section to the calls tab to let you speed-dial your favorite contacts without the need to go through your recent call logs.

“Whether it’s your family group chat or your best friend, your ‘favorites’ will be the same across your chats and calls, so you can speed dial them from your calls tab too.” WhatsApp wrote in a blog post.

If you wish to add a contact or group to your favorites, from your chats screen, select the “Favorites” filter and choose the contact to add. From the calls tab, you can tap ‘Add favorite’ and then select your contacts or groups. You can also add a chat to your favorites by simply long-tapping it and selecting “Add to favorite.” Additionally, there is an option for you to manage your favorite contacts and groups by going to your WhatsApp Settings > Favorites > Add to Favorite. From here, the instant messaging app will let you reorder them how you wish to.

To enjoy this new feature, you will need to update your WhatsApp application by heading to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and finding the latest version of the app. However, it should be noted that while the update has started rolling out today, it will be made available to everyone in the coming weeks.

The post WhatsApp Rolls Out a ‘Favorites’ Feature to Filter Chats appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

While the update is now coming on WhatsApp beta for IOS, the same feature was submitted last year through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the WhatsApp beta for Android version up to 2.23.25.20. A similar optional feature of sharing WhatsApp status updates on other Meta-owned platforms is currently available for iOS and Android users who wish to cross-post their WhatsApp statuses to Facebook stories.

According to WABetaInfo, once the feature is officially rolled out, users will be able to disable “the new cross-posting experience with Instagram at any time after their manual activation,” The WhatsApp Tracker site further reported that users will also be able to control who can see the content they share to Instagram directly within their Instagram story audience settings.

The website suggested that this integration will enhance user convenience, enabling users to quickly share their moments with their contacts list on WhatsApp and followers on Instagram, without the need for reposting manually.

“By facilitating direct sharing of WhatsApp status updates to Instagram, this feature will enhance the process of updating status across multiple platforms. Rather than crafting and posting separate updates on WhatsApp and Instagram, users will be able to accomplish this task in a single step,” WABetaInfo said.

It is important to emphasize that this new feature will let you post your WhatsApp Status to Instagram without the need to move away from the app. Similar to how you currently have the option to also post on Facebook when uploading a Story on Instagram, with this new update currently under development, you will still be able to simultaneously update your WhatsApp Status and Instagram Story in a single tap.

The post WhatsApp Will Soon Let You Share Your Status Updates on Instagram appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

The Promise of Buzzoid: Instant Followers or Instant Regret?

What Buzzoid Brings to the Table

Buy Instagram Followers from Buzzoid says it has an easy answer for a hard question: getting more people to follow you on Instagram. With just a few clicks you can pay Buzzoid to add Instagram followers. Then it looks like more people like your Instagram page. But is it that easy? It’s tempting to get popular online fast. But we should ask: what kind of people are we inviting to our Instagram pages? Will they be interested in what we post? Will they keep following us? Or will they just make our follower number look bigger without really helping?

Beyond buying followers: the quest for authentic engagement

The Heartbeat of Instagram: Genuine Connections

It is not just the number of people who follow you on Instagram that shows how much you can impact others. It is more about how real people interact with your posts. Comments, shares, and likes from really interested followers are more important for success on Instagram. This is different than a place where people quickly look at your photos but then leave without interacting. Real engagement with happy followers who want to talk about your photos is better than many looks without comments.

Crafting content that resonates

The most important part of real Instagram growth is posts that talk to people and posts that mean something to your followers. It’s about finding a special way to share a way that tells stories about your life shows what you do and helps people feel close. This is where the magic is where followers become big fans and big fans tell others about you.

Ways to get more­ people to follow you on Instagram without buying followers

It is bette­r to focus on how many people are involve­d rather than how many people the­re are. Talk to the pe­ople who follow you and reply when the­y leave comments. Look at the­ir profiles too and show you care. This back-and-forth talking builds a group around your brand. The­ group wants your brand to do well just like you do.

ALSO READ: TOP SITES TO BUY INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS FOR YOUR ONLINE BRAND

Leverage user-generated content

Ask the people who follow you to share their own stories and things that happened to them about your product or topic. Pictures and experiences shared by others help make your page more interesting. It also helps show that what you say is real and makes people feel more like they belong to a group.

Hashtags and collaborations: expanding your reach

Use he­lpful hashtags when you post so more people­ can find your profile. Talk to others who post about the same­ things you do. Work with influencers too. They have­ many followers who want to see posts like­ yours. Partnering with others can show your profile to a bigge­r group of people inte­rested in the type­s of posts you share.

ALSO READ: FROM 0 – HERO: HOW TO BECOME AN INSTAGRAM INFLUENCER

Measuring success: beyond the follower count

Doing well on Instagram is not just about how many people follow you. It’s also about how many people like comment on and share your posts. Look at the numbers and comments to see what pictures and videos people like the most. Think about why those things are popular. Then make more of what your followers enjoy. That way you can build a loyal group of people who want to see what you share.

The sustainable path to growth

Getting popular on Instagram take­s time not speed. Ste­ady growth means being patient doing things the­ same way regularly and changing when ne­eded. It is about changing as your followers change­ paying attention to what people say and always making your photos and plans be­tter.

Crafting your narrative

People are excited about Buzzoid and other apps that can get you more likes and followers on Instagram. But being popular on Instagram for real is about visually sharing your true life through photos and videos. It’s also about connecting with others and having followers who want to support you.

While there are many ways to try getting more followers the best thing is to build strong relationships with people by sharing what matters to you. Let your Instagram be a place to show real experiences feelings and interactions with others. After all, being honest about who you are is the most important thing when connecting with people on social media. Authenticity makes your messages more meaningful.

Embracing Authenticity: The Unseen ROI

The ripple effect of genuine engagement

Think of eve­ry real interaction on your Instagram like dropping a pe­bble into a pond. The pebble­ causes ripples that go far past the first splash. True­ engagement starts talks he­lps create a group and finally spreads how pe­ople see your brand in ways just numbe­rs alone can’t. This dropping pebbles cause­s a system where your followe­rs are not just people watching but pe­ople helping tell your story.

Storytelling: your Instagram superpower

Harnessing the power of narratives

In Instagram where­ every swipe shows a ne­w story how do you make sure your story gets notice­d and liked? Storytelling is your power. It’s about taking the­ important parts of your brand what you believe and your e­xperiences and putting the­m together in a picture that le­ts your followers see into your world.

Share­ looks behind the scene­s at the tough times you went through the­ good times you celebrate­d and watch as being real turns people­ who just look into people who always look.

The Strategy Behind Hashtags and Visibility

Mastering the art of discovery

Hashtags help pe­ople find your Instagram posts. They act like signs that point othe­rs to your page. The trick is picking hashtags that fit what you share but are­ not too popular. Also, pick hashtags wide enough to catch your ideal vie­wers. Post at times when many pe­ople use Instagram. Then your re­al fans will find you without you paying for fake followers.

Cultivating a community: more than just followers

A space for connection and growth

Making friends on Instagram is more than getting lots of people to follow you; it’s about making a place where people interact a lot and where relationships grow. Do live videos to talk about things in your group make polls and tests in your stories to learn what interests the people there and always see when people are there. Your followers should feel noticed listened to and important—not just as numbers but as important parts of your Instagram friends.

Analyzing growth: the insightful path forward

Navigating through analytics

Instagram gives lots of details through its analysis. It shows how well your plans are working. Look closely at this big pile of information to learn about who likes your photos how they join in and what pictures and videos people like best. Using numbers and facts lets you make your photos stories and shows fit what your group likes more perfectly. That way every picture and video they see will connect with them.

Conclusion: Authenticity as Your Compass
In the big digital world of Instagram, e­veryone tries to find the­ir place and build their group. Being re­al is the real guide. The­ journey to important growth is marked not by how many followers you have­ but by how deep the conne­ctions you make along the way are.

As we­ finish this part about looking at the buzz around Buzzoid and the many ways to grow on Instagram let’s re­member the old wisdom that be­ing real is better than pre­tending. Let your Instagram show your real se­lf. Let your growth be see­n not just in followers but in how rich the connections you make­ are.

The post Exploring the Buzz Around Buzzoid: A Closer Look at Instagram Growth Strategies appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

The latest from the Meta-owned is its [WhatsApp] newly introduced feature that allows users to log in to two different accounts on the same device. This groundbreaking change is set to alleviate the hassles many face, particularly when it comes to toggling between personal and professional accounts.

No longer does one need to log out and log back in or carry two devices; WhatsApp has simplified the process.

To set up a second account, users will require a second phone number and SIM card. Devices that support multi-SIM or eSIM can easily adapt to this feature.

Once the prerequisites are met, users can head to their WhatsApp settings, click on the arrow next to their name, and click “Add account.” Each account will have its privacy and notification settings, ensuring a tailored experience for the user.

The feature is currently undergoing testing in the WhatsApp beta for Android, with the firmware version 2.23.17.8, and is expected to roll out on the stable version soon​​.

The process of setting up a second account is fairly straightforward; however, it requires a phone with dual-SIM support, either through dual physical SIMs, eSIMs, or a combination of the two​.

For the initial setup, users will need the second phone or its SIM card to receive a one-time passcode via SMS for verification. Post verification, the app will continue to function for both accounts without needing a second device or SIM​​.

Why WhatsApp is introducing this

The rationale behind this feature rollout is rooted in the modern-day necessity of managing multiple facets of one’s life seamlessly.

In a professional landscape that’s ever-evolving, the ability to switch between work and personal accounts with a tap is a significant time-saver and stress-reducer. This feature also comes as a part of WhatsApp’s broader vision of enhancing user experience and staying ahead in the competitive messaging app market.

Mark Zuckerberg, the founder, and CEO of Meta Platforms, heralded this new feature, emphasizing the ease it brings to users in managing their WhatsApp accounts.

The announcement elucidates Meta’s ongoing efforts to refine and expand WhatsApp’s capabilities, aligning with the digital communication demands of today’s users​​.

WhatsApp’s move to enable dual account functionality is a timely response to the evolving needs of its vast user base. As the lines between personal and professional communication continue to blur, features like these are not just conveniences but necessities. 

The post WhatsApp Users Will Soon be able to Switch Between Two Accounts on the App appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

The ban implementation was carried out by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), which directed telecom companies and internet service providers to suspend access to all social media platforms and online messaging applications over their networks until further notice.

This directive was issued on January 13, 2021, and was promptly followed by the concerned entities, blocking access to platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube. Internet services were restored on January 18, 2021, two days after the presidential election results announcement, but the Facebook ban continued​​.

The Facebook ban caused many Ugandans to resort to using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which also contributed to the significant drop in Facebook’s user statistics in the country due to IP addresses associated with VPNs pointing to other countries, rendering them uncounted in local usage statistics​.

With the high rise of VPN downloads and usage to access the platform, the former State Minister of ICT, Hon. Peter Ogwang while presenting the Budget Framework Paper for 2022 and Uganda’s digitization plan before the Parliamentary Committee on ICT warned all Ugandans illegally accessing the platform using VPNs — remarking that they are all supposed to be currently off until it’s restored.

Do Ugandans still use Facebook?

Ugandans still use Facebook, but the platform’s popularity has significantly waned.

As of June 2021, Twitter had become the most used social media platform in Uganda, with a market share of 57.09%, pushing Facebook to fourth place with a market share of just 9.02%, trailing behind Pinterest (19.13%) and YouTube (10.3%) according to data from Stat Counter​.

However, despite the decline in its popularity, Facebook still maintains a user base in Uganda. As of March 2023, there were approximately 2.5 million Facebook users in the country, with a gender distribution of 39.8% women and 60.2% men​.

This ongoing usage, albeit at a reduced scale, indicates that while Facebook is no longer the dominant social media platform in Uganda, it continues to be a part of the country’s social media landscape.

The concerns and reactions

The ban has had a profound negative impact on digital markets and civic spaces within Uganda. Various personalities have expressed concerns and reactions.

Emmanuel Wabwire, an executive director at Faraja Africa Foundation, noted that the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), now necessary to access Facebook, increases the cost of doing business online and hinders the growth of digital markets in the country.

Additionally, the use of VPNs has made it nearly impossible to target Ugandan audiences in digital marketing campaigns on Facebook. This has further been compounded by some VPNs requiring users to share their data to use their services, putting Ugandans at risk​​.

Isaac Opio, a social change and human rights activist, pointed out that the ban on Facebook curtails civic space in Uganda, while lawyer Godwin Toko emphasized that Facebook serves as a means of coordinating civic engagements, which have been limited due to the ban.

Moreover, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) reiterated the government’s stance that the use of Facebook remains illegal in the country, with individuals using the platform deemed to be doing so unlawfully​.

Ugandan Government’s stand

The government has on many occasions asked when Facebook will be opened and a couple of excuses have been put up upfront; including “interest of national security.”

The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Chris Baryomunsi while speaking at the launch of the 2nd Annual National ICT Job Fair 2023 organized by Huawei Technologies Uganda at the Kololo Independence Ground with the attendance of H.E. President Yoweri Museveni, made a statement about Facebook opening.

“Every time I have a media briefing, I am asked when the government plans to open Facebook,” said Baryomunisi. “I tell them that Facebook was developed by a young person outside. Why don’t you innovatively develop your own Facebook? Because Facebook didn’t come from heaven and we have the skills and expertise to develop our own Facebook and many other platforms for communication,” he stated.

This was in addition to an earlier voice in which he stated that Facebook needs to resolve issues with Uganda and respect the country’s sovereignty. Baryomunsi accused Facebook of exhibiting ‘dictatorial tendencies’ towards Uganda and emphasized the necessity of mutual respect between the platform and the Ugandan government for operations to continue in the country​.

The bottom line

While the call for local innovation is aspirational, there are substantial barriers to entry when competing with well-established global platforms like Facebook. These barriers include technical infrastructure, user base acquisition, funding, and the network effect which benefits established platforms.

Additionally, developing a platform that can compete with Facebook’s scale and capabilities requires significant investment in technology, cybersecurity, and moderation to ensure a safe and engaging user experience.

Also worth noting is that a local platform would presumably operate under Ugandan laws and regulations, potentially giving the government more oversight and control compared to foreign platforms. However, it also raises questions about data privacy, freedom of expression, and the role of government in regulating online spaces.

Nonetheless, it adds a valuable voice to the global discourse on local digital innovation and the evolving relationship between national governments and global tech platforms.

ALSO READ: FACEBOOK WILL TAKE ACTION IF THEIR TERMS OF USE ARE VIOLATED — ALBERT MUCUNGUZI

The post OP-ED: Why The Facebook Ban Could Be Far From Over appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

“Rolling out Edit and Voice Threads today. Enjoy!” he wrote. 

Unlike X (formerly Twitter) which introduced the option to edit posts but placed it behind a paywall–making it available to only X premium (formerly Twitter Blue) subscribers, Threads is rolling out this same option for free to all users for five minutes after they’re published 

The edit button is available on both mobile and the web. Meanwhile, while X and other social websites including Meta’s Facebook show users the edit history for transparency, the Instagram text-based app does not, something which is likely to cause misinformation on the social platform. However, edited posts will have a little icon next to the timestamp showing that they’ve been revised.

Since its launch in July this year, the Twitter competitor app has been introducing new features to the platform including voice notes, a chronological following feed, a web app, and a search bar. While launching the platform, Zuckerberg said “The vision for Threads is to create an option and friendly public space for conversation.” He added, “We hope to take what Instagram does best and create a new experience around text, ideas, and discussing what’s on your mind.”

The post Threads Roll Out Edit and Voice Options and aren’t Behind a Paywall appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

“This week we’re starting to roll out Meta Verified — a subscription service that lets you verify your account with a government ID, get a blue badge, get extra impersonation protection against accounts claiming to be you, and get direct access to customer support,” writes Zuckerberg. “This new feature is about increasing authenticity and security across our services.”

The subscription bundle for Instagram and Facebook is first rolling out to Australia and New Zealand this week with gradual launches in other countries to follow.

Meta notes that it won’t make any changes to accounts that have been verified using the company’s previous requirements, including notability and authenticity. However, this does not apply to all Twitter users—as confirmed by Elon Musk, those who obtained the blue tick mark outside of the Twitter Blue subscription will lose it in the coming months.

With Meta Verified, you will be required to meet specific eligibility criteria. These criteria include being 18 years old or older and providing a government-issued ID that matches the profile name and photo on their Facebook or Instagram account. Once verified, users are not permitted to change their profile name, username, date of birth, or photo without undergoing the verification process again.

The company has noted that businesses can’t yet apply for a badge as yet.

Until now, only high-profile figures such as lawmakers, actors, musicians, sports athletes, and journalists were eligible for a blue checkmark to indicate their authenticity. However, ever since Elon Musk’s $44 billion Twitter takeover, has lambasted the idea, arguing that the feature should be open to all.

The post Meta Testing a Monthly Verification Service For Facebook and Instagram appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

So you can take other measures to have the video saved on your local storage, and here’s how to go forward with it.

On your computer

First, you will have to log in to Facebook on your computer and open the video you want then click the three-dot ellipsis menu on a video and select Copy link.

Open a new browser tab and paste the URL into the address bar then replace the www in the URL with mbasic. Your new URL should start with https://mbasic.facebook.com/… then hit Enter.

A new page will be opened, click on the video you wish to download. This will open another page with a video player against a full-page black background. Just Right-click the video and select Save video as, this will save the video in your download folder.

An alternative

You can ignore the complicated process above and opt for the renowned fdown.net. There are other site downloads that you can use including KeepVid, Snapsave, and ByClick Downloader, among others.

After copying the video URL, paste it in and the site fdown.net will parse all content for you and provide links to either the “Normal Quality” version or an “HD Quality” video.

On your Mobile device

The easiest way to download Facebook videos on mobile devices is via fdown.net. The site works well on both Android and iOS. However, it doesn’t load properly on the Safari browser and it’s not great with Chrome either, as per the developers. fdown.net will then recommend using Mobile Firefox.

Quick Tip: It’s important to keep in mind that this method only works on publicly shared Facebook videos.

Paste the video URL into the box in the middle of the page, and press “Download.”

You will be provided with links to either the “Normal Quality” version or an “HD Quality” video.

After choosing the video quality you wish to download, another page will open showing just the Facebook video. Long-press the clip and then tap “Download video” when the option appears.

The post How to Download Videos From Facebook on any Device appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

If you just want to disconnect from Instagram [or any other social media platform] to start spending more time with your loved ones, or just want to take a break from the toxicity, among other reasons, it’s definitely possible to get rid of your account.

However, you can choose to take a break and temporarily deactivate your account instead of deleting it because the latter means you will permanently lose your profile, photos, videos, comments, likes, and followers unless you change your mind and cancel the deletion process before the end of 30 days.

Pro tip: Before you delete your Instagram account, you may want to log in and download a copy of your information (like your photos and posts).

Deactivate your account instead

1. From the Instagram website, go to your profile picture, click or tap your profile, and then “Edit Profile.”

2. Scroll to the bottom of the page then click or tap “Temporarily disable my account”

3. Choose the reason you are deactivating your account from the drop-down menu next to “Why are you disabling your account?” and re-enter your password.

4. Click or tap “Temporarily disable account.”

Here’s how to delete your account:

From the app

Previously, you could only delete your Instagram account by logging into a web browser on a desktop browser or mobile device but as of June, the photo-sharing app added a delete account feature in its app. This follows Apple’s instructions telling developers that apps offering account creation must also support account deletion.

1. Launch the Instagram app then go to your profile.
2. Tap the hamburger menu in the top right.
3. Select Settings.
4. Then go to Account, and scroll down to the bottom of the menu. There will be a Delete Account button under the Branded Content button.

When you click on the Delete account option, a message will be displayed informing you that you can stop the deletion process by a certain date if you log back in.

1. Click on the red Continue deleting account option, and the app will open a webpage. It’s from here that you will complete the deletion process after answering a question about why you’re deleting your account, and re-enter your password to confirm.

From the web browser

In case you can’t find the delete account option within the app, the alternative is to do it via the web browser.

1. In a web browser, log into the Instagram account you wish to delete.
2. Go to the Delete Your Account page, or follow this link to permanently delete your account.
3. In the Why do you want to delete [account name] section, choose the reason you are deleting your account.
4. Re-enter your Instagram password.
5. Click the Delete [username] button.

Once your account is deleted, you won’t be able to undelete it but you can sign up again with the same username or add that username to another account in case it hasn’t been taken by another user on the photo-sharing app.

ALSO READ: HOW TO KNOW WHO BLOCKED YOU ON INSTAGRAM

The post Feel Like Deleting Your Instagram Account, Here’s How to do it appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

In a livestreamed demonstration, he created a basic virtual world – including an island, trees and a beach – using the AI feature Builder Bot.

Zuckerberg also announced a plan to build a universal speech translator.

“The ability to communicate with anyone in any language is a superpower that was dreamt of forever,” he said.

“Builder Bot was part of Meta’s CAIRaoke project to improve AI assistants and allow “AI to see the world from our experience” as people entered virtual reality via headsets or glasses,” Zuckerberg said.

And he promised the AI systems driving Meta’s virtual worlds would preserve privacy and be transparent and responsible.

Facebook has been investing in AI for the past 10 years and has one of the world’s leading experts, Yann LeCun as its head of AI.

In January it announced that it had built a new AI supercomputer that aims to be the fastest in the world when completed in mid 2022.

Facebook changed its corporate name to Meta in October, following revelations from whistleblower Frances Haugen.

At the time, Zuckerberg talked of a wide-ranging Metaverse – accessible via VR headsets, such as the Meta Quest, formerly Oculus -where people could work, play and chat.

And Meta plans to hire 10,000 people in Europe to help build it and there is much hype of its potential.

ALSO READ: The biggest Social Media owner Facebook re-brands to Meta

The post Meta Founder Zuckerberg reveals AI projects to power Metaverse appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.