Tag Archives: Social Media

Messaging could be easier

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Testing has started on a new feature that would merge Messenger with WhatsApp. Messaging could be easier for end uses of either system in the future. The huge tech move would mean that users of either app would be able to send messages to people on the other app seamlessly.

Messaging could be easier for users

An example would be that if you had a Facebook account, you could reach your friends on WhatsApp without downloading the app. Discovered by tech expert WABetaInfo, known for figuring out tech updates and new developments before they’re announced. He came across the update hidden in the code of Messenger.

Messaging could be easier

Facebook users could message those on WhatsApp without the app. Picture: PA

WABetaInfo has made a name for himself through scanning innards of apps to figure out new features. He also explained that this new merging of apps isn’t available yet.

He said: “The integration of WhatsApp into Facebook Messenger isn’t available yet. This is a very complicated feature and it requires time. We’ve no idea if the plan to merge those services will continue or if it will be abandoned.”

Facebook own WhatsApp and Instagram. They plan to combine features between both apps. Last year, Facebook announced its plans to merge all three services into one. However, nothing has been mentioned since.

 

What could the merge mean for users?

Should the merge go ahead, one person could reach another contact on WhatsApp through the Facebook Messenger app, and vice versa.

That raises some interesting security questions. WhatsApp is famous for its end-to-end encryption, which keeps the content of a user’s messages secure. Users will also need only a phone number to sign up. Facebook requires a person’s “real” identity to register. Messenger is not currently encrypted in the same way WhatsApp is.

Facebook has previously said, “We’re working on making more of our messaging products end-to-end encrypted.” The news of the potential merger comes just a year after Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg said he wanted to see greater integration between Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

“As you would expect, there is a lot of discussion and debate as we begin the long process of figuring out all the details of how this will work,” said Facebook.

How to communicate with your IT provider?

Good communication between you and your IT provider is essential to your business. This can be challenging to communicate your problem over the phone or email. Contact the LIS Help Desk to find out about our IT Support Services. Our team can remote control into your device and fix the problem straight away. Alternatively, if it is not an emergency schedule a time that suits you. IT does not have to ruin your day, just contact us and consider us as your IT therapist.

LIS – SECURING YOUR DIGITAL WORLD

#Facebook #Messenger #WhatsApp #SocialMedia #ITSupport

Instagram as a news source?

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Every month younger people are using Instagram as a news source

Why are millennials and Gen Z turning to Instagram as a news source? For many young people, clicking on to Instagram to get the latest news is now second nature. We all used to find the latest news in a daily newspaper. Instagram was a site that has traditionally shared lifestyle content rather than hard news. This shift in millennials and Gen Z users, have made news updates more important than ever.

The Guardian published a story this week. They spoke about young people getting information about protests, police actions and stay-at-home orders. Using their social media feeds – but the trend isn’t harmless.

According to recent data on how people are accessing news about the coronavirus pandemic, more than 25% of 18- 24 year olds in the United States reported getting their news from Instagram within the last month. The age group was unsurprisingly the most likely to use social media as a news source in general. Other popular platforms including Snapchat, where 19% of people in the 18-24 age range turned for news. Whilst TikTok drew in 9%.

Instagram as a news source

Instagram features like IGTV (a standalone video app) and Instagram stories could contribute to its surge as a source for news since these features are visually interactive.

The latest trend

The trend toward social media as a news outlet isn’t exactly surprising. It seems to have risen in recent months as people turn to Instagram for information about community-led initiatives surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement. Experts suggest such platforms may present a more attractive alternative in an age of growing news-media scepticism.

“Social media offers, on the one hand, a medium for filling what feels like a vacuum of trustworthy information sources,” Amelia Gibson, assistant professor and director of the Community Equity Data and Information Lab at the University of North Carolina, told the Guardian.

Of course, this doesn’t by any means make social media a flawless news source. On platforms where anyone can be a journalist and fact-checking is — at best — optional. Concerns about bias, fake news and misinformation are valid.

“Our social media environments are still so segmented that some people really do live in different information worlds,” said Gibson. “In one information ecosystem, people might read this moment [and current social justice movements] as a hopeful international awakening related to anti-racism, others read it as a time of deep existential threat.”

The solution, according to Gibson, could be in a combination of social media’s ability to amplify voices and social movements, coupled with the journalistic rigor and responsibility of traditional news outlets. “I think that social media has done a lot to push social justice movements forward in the last decade but that traditional media still has a lot of power to command national and international attention.”

Helping businesses stay safe, secure and up to date

We are unable to predict the latest fads, news stories or trends. As a business owner / decision maker, it is up to you to make sure you IT system is up to date and secure. Your team rely on the latest technology to help them with their work load.

Companies working through this tough time have employees working from home and in the office. Your IT system is more important than ever to keep you company running. Contact the LIS Help Desk for a free IT audit. We can advise on hardware and software updates. Recommend the latest security with our anti-spam, anti-virus and office 365 security package. As well as cloud back-up solutions and telecoms.

LIS – SECURING YOUR DIGITAL WORLD

#News #SocialMedia #Instagram #ITSupport

Facebook Avatars

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The latest trend is to use Facebook Avatars of yourself to express a range of emotions. Click here for your guide on how to create the ideal version of you. The Avatars feature lets you customise your own personal avatar for use in stickers across comments and Messenger,” Facebook explained. “It lets people create a new persona, allowing them to share across Facebook and Messenger in a more personal, light-hearted way.”

What are Facebook Avatars?

Facebook said it wanted to give users a better way to express themselves and introduced Facebook Avatars. Here is how they they have described them.

“Avatars enable you to share a range of emotions and expressions via a digital persona. They uniquely representative you and are so excited to bring this new form of self-expression to people around the world. Avatars let you to react and engage more authentically with family and friends across the app. As a result, there are many emotions and expressions to choose from.”

Facebook Avatars

Go to Facebook or Messenger comment composer, click the “smiley” button. Click the sticker tab. Click “Create Your Avatar”!

What can you use Facebook Avatars for?

Facebook  Avatars can be used within comments, stories and Messenger conversations. They can also be displayed on your Facebook gaming profile and Facebook will eventually allow use for text posts with backgrounds.

How to make your them

You can start making your own Facebook Avatar by heading to the comment composer in the Facebook app or Messenger app. Next, tap the smiley button and go to the sticker tab, choose “create your avatar”. It’s that easy!

You’ll notice a range of options, including for hairstyles, complexions, and outfits.

LIS pride ourselves in providing a first class IT support service. Do you know there are over40 million business pages on Facebook. We can help your business with the latest computer equipment. Contact the LIS Help Desk to discuss your requirements, IT support and telecoms needs.

#FacebookAvatar #HideYourFace

Social Media Magic

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How are you handling your social media these days? Here are five of the best social media management platforms designed to make your online engagement a breeze

  • Hootsuite can help you manage all your social media accounts from one dashboard hootsuite.com
  • Buffer makes posting on multiple social networking sites easy buffer.com
  • PostPlanner simplifies finding and sharing suitable content for measurable results postplanner.com
  • Lithium helps brands connect online with the right customers lithium.com
  • FollowerWonk is great for companies who do all their social media work on Twitter followerwonk.com. Who came up with that name?
Alternatively we can help connect your website to your social network so your posts flow seamlessly. This provides an effective time saving but does not permit direct control of the format and content of each post generated. The method you choose depends what is most important to you but the tools are there and they work well. Contact LIS if you need more information or assistance. Book a free call.
Social Media Management Platform
Social Media Management Platform
Buffer is an intuitive social media management platform trusted by brands, businesses, agencies, and individuals to help drive social media results.
buffer.com