Instagram adds new features to Reels templates for more customization and discovery

Image: Instagram

Instagram is rolling out new features for Reels. Meta is rolling out templates, allowing users to create their own videos based on others' formats. The Reels templates allow users to fill in a predefined formats with their photos and videos. For instance, a template could consist of five clips, each 0.7 seconds long, with a specific song playing in the background. 

This makes it easy for users to join viral trends without spending much time editing. But it also means more content will look quite similar, with only minor variations.

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Microsoft and Activision Blizzard extend deadline for mega video-game deal

Activision Blizzard and Microsoft extended their deadline for the largest video-game deal ever, as they face regulatory challenges in the UK and the US. The USD 69 billion deal would unite the Xbox maker with the Call of Duty publisher, creating a dominant force in the market. Microsoft also agreed to pay more to Activision if the deal falls through after certain dates (from USD 3 billion to USD 3.5 billion after August 29 and USD 4.5 billion after September 15). The companies are confident about completing the deal and expanding their gaming offerings.

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Samsung teases design improvements and new features for its foldable phones

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 (Photo: Samsung)

We learn more about Samsung's upcoming foldables ahead of next week's Galaxy Unpacked event. Samsung's mobile head TM Roh reveals his vision for the company's next foldable phones in a blog post. He says Samsung has improved the design of its foldables, especially their thickness, to make them more ergonomic. 

He also hints at a new hinge design that will make the phones thinner and allow them to close fully. These details are consistent with the leaks that have been circulating online. He teases a flexible camera experience that will let users take photos and selfies, which could mean the larger cover screen on the Galaxy Z Flip5. That would make it similar to the new Motorola Razr+.

Roh also mentions the multitasking and productivity features of the Galaxy Z Fold5, as well as the upcoming Galaxy Tab S9 and Galaxy Watch 6. But he didn't name the latter explicitly. He says these devices will work together in a harmonious ecosystem.

Samsung will showcase all these devices at the Galaxy Unpacked event on July 26. The event will start at 8 PM KST / 7 AM ET.

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Threads' first major update brings Follows tab to iOS

Image: Meta

Meta has updated its new social network Threads with features that could make it easier to connect with other users and discover new content. The iOS app now has a Follows tab that displays who followed you and lets you follow them back. It also has translations for post text so you can read posts from different languages. You can now subscribe to users you don't follow, and get notifications when they post. The app is also faster and smoother, with some interface improvements.

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