This is how much Meta's paid account verification badges cost

Graphic: Muhammad Asyfaul/Unsplash

We learn a bit more about Meta's new subscription service for Instagram and Facebook. Emulating Twitter's Blue service, Meta Verified allows you to pay to get verified on the services. It starts at US$11.99 per month on the web or US$14.99. On top of the badges, Meta promises extra protection from impersonation accounts and direct access to customer support. There will also be access to exclusive features like stickers for Stories and Reels and 100 star tokens (Meta's digital currency) which you can use to tip creators on Facebook. 

To prevent fake accounts, you'll need to provide a government ID that matches your profile name and picture and you must be over 18 to be eligible. Meta clarified in a statement that existing verified accounts won't be affected as these users are "authentic and notable." 

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'Fortnite' gets Sam Wilson's Captain America, plus new hero BriteStar skins

Graphic: Epic Games

Captain America is making a comeback in Fortnite. But this time, we get Sam Wilson's version of Cap. If you're a fan of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier show, you'll appreciate the new skin coming to Fortnite. The outfit comes complete with Cap's iconic shield. It, of course, doubles as a Back Bling and a Pickaxe. You can also get the EXO-7 Falcom Wings Glider in the Fortnite Item Shop.

The game is also introducing a new hero called BriteStar. Her outfit includes the Brite Shield, a Back Bling, and a Pickaxe. You can also equip the Brave and Brite Wrap to complete the look. (This includes Red Brite and Blue alt Style.) You can now get the new skins in the shop. And you have the option to buy them separately or as part of the Captain America and the BriteStar bundle. The bundle will include the Captain America and the BriteStar Loading screen. You can get it now at a discounted price of 2,600 V-Bucks instead of the 4,300 V-Bucks price. 

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The NBA app can turn you into a player in a live game

You won't be playing in the actual game, but there will be a way in the NBA app to overlay you in a match and make it seem like you're making that basketball player's move. In a demo shown by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Ahmad Rashad, you'll use the NBA app to scan the person you want to drop into a game. (As The Verge noted, it looked like Epic Games' RealityScan app but for people.) And then, you'll choose from a menu the player they want to inhabit. When that's done, their scan will then be overlaid on top of that player as they move around the court. It is unclear though when the feature will come out. But from the video above, it looks like a fun party trick to use with fellow NBA fans in your life.

WhatsApp brings picture-in-picture support for iOS video calls

Screenshot: 9to5Mac

Meta has finally brought a useful feature to its latest WhatsApp iOS update. Version 23.3.77 introduces picture-in-picture support for video calls, which Meta started testing at the end of last year. Similar to other PiP modes, WhatsApp will allow you to open different apps with your call window minimized. If it isn't available to you yet, the company said these updates will roll out "over the coming weeks." 

Some of the other new features include the option to add captions to documents you send over the app, add longer subjects and descriptions in group chats, and a new option to create an avatar for your profile photo and stickers.

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