Facebook moves into phone territory (again)

Last week, Facebook announced the launch of “Hello,” an app that shows you who’s calling you based on information the caller has shared with you on Facebook.

“Hello connects with Facebook so you can see who’s calling, block unwanted calls, and search for people and places,” writes Debbie Miller on Search Engine Journal. “When you get a call, Hello will show you info about who’s calling you, even if you don’t have that number saved in your phone.”

According to Re/code, the app is currently only available for Android devices and only to users in the United States, Brazil and Nigeria.

In addition, Facebook introduced video calling within the Messenger app, immediately making it a competitor to Skype and other video messaging platforms.

 

 

Facebook to host content?

According to the New York Times, several online publishers — including the Times, BuzzFeed and National Geographic — are in talks with Facebook to have the social network host some of their content.

As it stands now, publishers post to Facebook, but users are required to click links. These links can take time to load – especially on mobile, which is the primary emphasis for these discussions – and cause potential readers to navigate away.

Potential hangups now are with advertising revenue and data collection.

The interesting dilemma on freebooting

Facebook users are downloading YouTube videos that don’t belong to them, reuploading them to Facebook, and reaping the benefits of advertising dollars. It’s an interesting debate on intellectual property (and one we’ll dive into later this semester).

Thanks to Minh Tri Phan for sharing this link!

Facebook response gone wrong?

This image is courtesy of Charlie Blackburn, who kindly asks: “Any thoughts on what might have happened here?”

Facebook adds platform for reporting threats

According to Mashable, Facebook has created a new mini-network designed to allow those who specialize in cybersecurity to share information about threats. The goal is that by sharing this information, users will overall become safer online.

Thanks again to Brady Akers for the link!

Facebook says no more hoaxes

“In response to the new Facebook guidelines, I hereby declare that my copyright is attached to all of my personal details, illustrations, comics, paintings, professional photos and videos, etc. (as a result of the Berner Convention). For commercial use of the above my written consent is needed at all times!”

We’ve all seen it posted by our friends and family in our Facebook news feeds. Yet, despite multiple posts announcing that yes, this is indeed a hoax, we continue to see it.

No more, says Facebook.

The company announced Tuesday that this copyright hoax … as well as the free airline tickets and iPhones posts (also hoaxes, sorry) … will be seen less in the news feed. Satirical sites like The Onion will not be affected, according to TechCrunch.