Facebook and Messenger Stories reach 300 million daily active users

Looks like Snapchat isn’t just competing with Facebook-owned Instagram. Facebook just announced that its own Facebook and Messenger Stories have now reached 300 million daily active users. A user counts as one person, so this means they won’t be counted twice. Facebook didn’t specify the breakdown between the apps though, but it must be noted that Facebook Story is automatically posted to Messenger. At the moment, Snapchat gets 188 million daily active users.

During the same announcement, Facebook has announced it will start rolling out ads in Facebook Stories similar to how Instagram Stories ads work.

Source: CNBC

Audible and Ryerson University announce new initiative in program and facilities

Audible, Inc., the world’s largest seller and producer of audiobooks and other spoken-word entertainment, and FCAD, Ryerson University’s Faculty of Communication and Design, today announced the establishment of a multifaceted initiative dedicated to audio entertainment at FCAD’s renowned school of performance. Audible’s investment will provide Ryerson students in the performance acting program with a state-of-the-art performance training facility, companion sound studio and an annual scholarship fund.

Click to read more ...

Microsoft enables support for mouse and keyboard for Xbox One, announces partnership with Razer

You’ve asked for it, you got it. Microsoft just announced that its adding keyboard and mouse support for the Xbox One and select Xbox testers get to try this out in the coming weeks. Most wired and wireless USB keyboards will work with the Xbox One but it’ll be up to the developers to support this in their games. It will not be enabled by default as Jason Ronald, director of program management for Xbox, says the development team know their games the best and they would know what experience would work best to provide an “optimal and fair gaming experience” for its players. PC gamers tend to have a movement advantage over players with controllers especially in games like first-person shooters, this new feature might help level the playing field. Microsoft has been working with big and small studios on this new feature and needs feedback from its Xbox testers to make sure it’s as close to perfect when it officially launches later this year.  

The company also announced a partnership with Razer to allow Xbox One users to use Razer hardware and use its Chroma lighting effects. Microsoft plans to release more details about this partnership during the Inside Xbox stream on November 10th. 

Source: The Verge 

‘Warface’ Early Access comes to the Xbox One

For those who have been waiting, Warface Early Access is now available for the Xbox One. It’s accessible through five different types of Early Access packs. Each one is centered around the needs of different game classes: Rifleman, Medic, Engineer, and Sniper. The fifth one is a Collector’s Early Access pack that brings together the content of the four aforementioned packs and adds a pistol, knife, and “premium in-game currency.” These Early Access packs provide certain weapons and their unique golden versions with enhanced visuals and stats. 

Other Xbox One-exclusive content include an additional hunting PvP mode Bag and Tag, a number of diverse PvP maps, and a Cyber Horde raid where you will “need to make the most of your arsenal.”