Facebook will soon autoplay video ads in Messenger

Facebook has admitted in the past that it no longer has room in its main app for ads. What’s their solution? Putting it in its other apps like Messenger and Marketplace. You may or may not have already noticed ads on Messenger and tried to ignore them. But now you might no longer be able to with Facebook’s plans to rollout autoplaying video ads to integrate alongside your messages.

When asked if users might find this obnoxious, Stefanos Loukakos, who run’s Messenger’s ad business, acknowledges this possibility and said they’re monitoring user behavior to see if these ads will turn people off. He said that when they started integrating basic ads to the service, it “didn’t show any changes with how people used the platform or how many messages they send.” He adds, “Video might be different, but we don’t believe so.” Facebook will start testing this with some of its users starting Monday. Let us know what you think if this hits your inbox.

Source: Recode

Microsoft will not support VR on the Xbox

When Microsoft announced Xbox One controller support for the Oculus Rift, it was speculated that Project Scorpio was going to work with the Rift as well. Guess that isn't happening.

Microsoft backtracks from earlier announcements and proclamations that they are going to have virtual reality headsets for the Xbox. Microsoft’s Chief Marketing Officer for Gaming Mike Nichols told Gamesindustry.biz that they “don’t have any plans specific to Xbox consoles in virtual reality or mixed reality.” He adds that he believes the PC is “probably the best platform” for virtual and mixed reality, while the Xbox will keep its focus on “experiences you would play on your TV.”

This is in complete contrast with what the company started announcing back starting 2016 when Xbox head Phil Spencer said its then upcoming Project Scorpio console would support “high-end VR” like with Windows PC. But it doesn’t come as much of a surprise especially with Microsoft seemingly changing its focus for its VR and mixed reality to something more business oriented.

Power Trio: The Huawei P20 Pro Review

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Today's smartphones are as much about photography than they are about being connected, running apps and serving as the conduits to our digital lives. 

Each year smartphone makers add more cameras, more DSLR-like features, improved filters, and even myriad ways to create emojis or replicate studio lighting.

Over the course of smartphone history, however, there have been standout camera phones that have leapfrogged the market and offered outstanding camera and picture quality.

Super camera phones of the past include the Nokia Lumia 1020 with an outstanding 41-megapixel sensor as well as the Nokia PureView which was even more audacious, albeit much rarer to find. The Huawei P20 Pro is the heir apparent to this throne and this is by design. 

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Stunning new Japanese arts & culture book releases from PIE International

Some of the most famous Japanese artists have had their artwork featured in PIE International Inc.'s roster of books since 1971. Originally founded as a graphic design firm, PIE is known to created titles that are not only visually stunning but also keepsakes for collectors and admirers of Japanese arts and culture lovers globally. The publisher also has a guiding philosophy to create titles that are "sweet and fresh" -- so much so, these have become essential in the company's daily practice in its Tokyo headquarters and apparent in their latest releases. Two out of the five brilliant new releases include Beautiful Scenes From A Fantasy World and Yokai Wonderland: More from Yumoto Koichi Collections: Supernatural Beings in Japanese Art. 

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