Facebook Messenger goes emoji crazy with new update

There are now over 1,500 new emojis to choose from when you use Facebook Messenger. The social network listened to its users, with 10 percent of them include emojis in the messages they send on the app.  The new emojis include gender-agnostic ones, multicolored ones, as well as more female-oriented emojis that include things like female police officers and female runners, to name a few; which Facebook says is its way of making Messenger “more representative of the world we live in.” And the great thing is, the emoji rollout is the same whether you’re on Android or iOS. No more confusing inter-mobile operating system emojis. It’s a consistent experience throughout. For skin tone of the people emojis, you can change those in the Photos & Media section of Facebook Messenger’s settings.

Source: Droid Life

Microsoft says no to advertisements in Minecraft

Minecraft, whose sales just topped 100 million is not going to go the same path as some XBox games with in game advertising or sly nods to product or brand placements within environments. Mojang, maker of Minecraft and subsidiary of Microsot, said in a blog post, that advertisers or brands will not be allowed to build or promote their products in the Minecraft environement but users can continue to build whatever they want provided it isn't aimed at promotion.

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Facebook reportedly thinking of using end-to-end encryption for Messenger

Facebook-owned WhatsApp already has end-to-end encryption activated by default on its messaging platform. And it looks like Facebook itself is mulling over the idea of bringing this into its own Messenger app. But unlike WhatsApp, end-to-end encryption will be a separate mode that users need to enable. The Guardian reports the opt-in approach is being taken with Messenger because having messages encrypted means Facebook will interfere Facebook’s machine learning, which is needed for its recently launched chat bots.

Source: The Guardian

Microsoft aims for a ‘mixed reality’ over a virtual one, opens HoloLens development to third-party partners

Microsoft claims the market for virtual reality devices is forecasted to hit 80 million devices per year by 2020. With almost every single tech company putting out some form of a VR headset or accessory, we don’t think that’s far off. But Microsoft is looking beyond the virtual world and entering what they call a “mixed reality” or the mix between the virtual and augmented reality. How Microsoft wants to do this is by opening up development of HoloLens to third-party companies via the Windows Holographic platform. They want to bring the experience not just to their HoloLens device but to whatever VR or AR or “mixed” device it can be made available. It’s not just for the headsets themselves but even the accessories, displays, or PCs needed to make mixed reality devices come to life.

Think of it a bit like Google’s own Daydream VR platform. And Microsoft aims for its partners—which include Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, HTC, Acer, ASUS, CyberPowerPC, Dell, Falcon Northwest, HP, iBuyPower, Lenovo, and MSI—to “push the limits and create opportunity across the ecosystem.” Of course, this means the platform works with Windows. And don’t be surprised if the consumer version of HoloLens comes from a third-party company. Check out the video above to see how Microsoft thinks this technology can be used in the future.

Source: Microsoft