Apps
Majority Say They Want to Leave Social Media but Fear Losing Friends: Kaspersky Lab
The New Year brings new resolutions. One of the most commonly observed resolutions is people determining to get rid of their social media accounts in an effort to utilize their time more fruitfully. But how easy is it to achieve? Research conducted by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab shows that a vast majority of people want to leave social networks, because it is considered a waste of time.
According to the survey, people only stay on social media such as Facebook, Instagram etc. because they fear losing digital memories and contact with their friends. Keeping in touch with friends may be a difficult problem to solve, but Kaspersky Lab is working on a solution to help people save their digital memories.
An app called FFForget, will allow people to back up all of their memories from the social networks they use and keep them in a safe, encrypted memory container. The app is expected to give people the freedom to leave any network whenever they want, without losing out.
Previous research has highlighted a strong tendency for people to use digital devices as an external part of their memory. Studies have also demonstrated that people cannot resist checking their social media conversations and status updates on their phones. However, this latest survey indicates that users are actually self-critical and aware of their fixation – 39% of respondents said they believe they are wasting time on social networks.
Nearly 78% even stated that they have already considered leaving social networks behind them. Despite an inclination to leave their social networks, people are compelled to stay. A vast majority (62 %) believe they would lose contact with their friends if they left social networks. 21 per cent of respondents were less worried about their friends, but were afraid they would not be able to recover their digital memories – such as photos – once they had left a social network.
“Social networks can be a benefit or a hazard. If they are a benefit, it’s not our problem. We believe that every person has a right to freely decide which platforms to use or to leave at all times. True digital freedom is not a matter of having to make sacrifices. We want people to get back in the driving seat by being able to own an encrypted copy of all their digital memories at all times,” says Evgeny Chereshnev, Head of Social Media at Kaspersky Lab. “With FFForget we want to create a solution which keeps people from being afraid of losing their memories to account damage or hacking attacks. And most importantly – people using the app would win back their right to quit any social network at any time without losing what belongs to them – their digital lives.”
FFForget is planned for 2017. Interested users can register at ffforget.kaspersky.com to give feedback and influence the scope of the app. They will also get updates, insights and early access to the public beta when it will be available.
Kaspersky Lab conducted this online survey amongst 4831 respondents. The survey, containing eight questions, and was translated into nine languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, German, Russian, Japanese and Turkish. The company used Poll Daddy to conduct the survey. The link to survey was disseminated using paid Facebook and Twitter promotions.
Apps
Saudi Pro League Partners with TikTok
The Saudi Pro League (SPL) announced TikTok as its ‘Digital Partner’ for the 2024-25 season. In this official partnership, TikTok will introduce a dedicated SPL Exclusive Hub, a central space where fans can access content from the league’s clubs and partners. This hub offers an immersive experience, bringing fans closer to their favourite teams and players in innovative and interactive ways. This collaboration sets new standards for sports entertainment by leveraging TikTok’s creative community and dynamic platform to bring the SPL closer to its expanding fanbase.
Through this partnership, TikTok will elevate the excitement of Roshn Saudi League (RSL) matches like never before. SPL will offer exclusive content available only on TikTok, giving fans unique insights into the league, its clubs, and players. From behind-the-scenes footage to in-depth player interviews, the content will create an engaging and immersive experience for fans.
Additionally, the SPL will provide TikTok creators with exclusive opportunities to explore and showcase new facets of the league, such as access to training sessions, match-day experiences, and interactions with top players. These opportunities will not only enhance engagement but also drive creative storytelling that resonates with a global audience. With SPL’s innovative experiences and thrilling football content, TikTok football fans can look forward to a diverse range of content and engagement opportunities, all exclusively on TikTok. With more than of 44.2 million likes and a follower count of 2.5 million, the SPL’s presence on TikTok has created a centralized digital space for fans to engage with the league like never before.
Omar Mugharbel, CEO of the Saudi Pro League, said, “The partnership between the Saudi Pro League and TikTok is a groundbreaking development for our sector in the region and represents a strategic leap into the future of sports entertainment. This is more than a partnership, it’s a digital revolution. We are harnessing TikTok’s power to transcend traditional engagement and offer our fans a canvas for creative expression and a suite of experiences tailored to their passion for football. We’re creating a realm where each fan has a front-row seat to the spectacle of the Roshn Saudi League, powered by the boundless creativity that TikTok embodies. The SPL Exclusive Hub on TikTok provides an immersive and interactive digital home for our passionate football fans. We are shaping the future of fan engagement and setting a global benchmark right here in the Saudi Pro League.”
Kinda Ibrahim, TikTok’s GM for Operations in the Middle East, Turkey, Africa, Pakistan and South Asia, said, “Saudi Arabia’s passion for football runs deep in its history. By partnering with the Saudi Pro League, we are tapping into this strong affection for the sport and aligning with the league’s strategic vision to become one of the top football leagues globally. Through modernising the fan experience with a dedicated space for league content, clubs, and partners, we aim to strengthen the community of sports enthusiasts by providing them with more ways to connect and engage with exclusive content online.”
Apps
Age of Empires Mobile to Release Around the World on October 17, 2024
Mobile gaming fans around the world can prepare for a brand-new take on a strategy classic as Age of Empires Mobile will officially launch on the Apple App Store and Google Play on October 17. Co-developed by TiMi Studio Group (Call of Duty: Mobile, Pokémon Unite) and World’s Edge, an Xbox Games Studio, Age of Empires Mobile is a fresh and innovative experience for the beloved series, bringing familiar elements from the iconic Age of Empires games with brand-new and mobile-specific gameplay to mobile players.
On the road to global launch, players will have the opportunity to participate in on-site events at the Xbox booth, and the stage event with fun engagement activities at the Level Infinite booth, during Gamescom in Cologne, Germany. Media and creators will be invited to preview the game in the business area. Players can pre-register now for the official launch on the App Store and Google Play, join the game’s official Discord or head to the game’s website for more information.
“We expect players to mystify, mislead and surprise their enemies through the realistic, immersive, medieval gameplay featured in Age of Empires Mobile,” said TiMi Studios team leader and studio general manager Brayden Fan. “We’ve already seen alliances form and alliances crumble through our multi-month playtesting. Through it all, players have shown strategic wit, savvy teamwork and a passion for an entirely new Age of Empires experience.”
Built from the ground up for mobile and social play, Age of Empires Mobile includes a variety of game features:
- Multiple single-player modes built on the Age of Empires lineage and featuring iconic elements from the original series
- Build your empire in a lively, realistic medieval world featuring stunning civilizations, imperial cities and historical figures
- Immersive battlefields offer one-of-a-kind original gameplay with large-scale castle sieges featuring realistic weapons taking on multi-dimensional defences in a fight with thousands of players worldwide
- Be strategic as you encounter realistic and interactive terrain and weather and manage multiple troops with real-time micro-control
Built to expand on the series’ lineage, Age of Empires Mobile offers players the opportunity to select from some of the world’s most legendary historical figures to lead their armies. Players choose from dozens of these leaders, such as Barbarossa, Darius the Great, Hammurabi, Joan of Arc and Leonidas I, each featuring unique individual talents and synergies with each other to unleash on your foes.
“Our goal at World’s Edge is to bring the magic of Age of Empires to as many different types of players around the world as possible. Partnering with TiMi Studio Group means we can combine their expertise in mobile gaming with the strength of our franchise and history – to bring a brand-new take on Age of Empires to even more gamers, in even more places,” said Michael Mann, Studio Head at World’s Edge.
Apps
WhatsApp to Intro Real-Time Voice Conversations with Meta AI
WhatsApp is set to revolutionize user interaction with the introduction of real-time voice conversations powered by Meta AI. This new feature, currently in development, will allow users to engage in natural, spoken dialogue with the AI chatbot.
Key Features:
- Personalized Experience: Users can select from various voice options for Meta AI, tailoring the interaction to their preference.
- User Control: The voice chat mode will be optional, ensuring users have complete control over their conversations.
- Privacy Focus: WhatsApp is implementing a privacy indicator to inform users when their microphone is active, safeguarding user data.
- Accessibility: Captions and transcripts will be available, enhancing accessibility and providing a visual record of conversations.
- Customizable Responses: Users can choose between brief or full responses from Meta AI, adapting the AI’s output to their needs.
This exciting development promises to make AI interactions more engaging, accessible, and personalized for WhatsApp users.