Facebook files suit against BlackBerry over voice messaging tech patent infringement

Looks like there’s no love lost between Facebook and BlackBerry. Months after BlackBerry filed a lawsuit against the social network claiming it stole key technology related to mobile messaging that have “made BlackBerry’s products such a critical and commercial success in the first place,” Facebook seems to be returning the favour. Facebook claims BlackBerry has infringed on six of its patents related to a voice messaging feature in BBM Enterprise. It claims BlackBerry violated its patents in the way mobile devices deliver images and audio as well as with patents related to GPS data management and security. The social network filed the suit in San Francisco federal court and is seeking unspecified damages.

Source: Engadget

Facebook’s new test feature shows what you share in common with strangers

Facebook wants you to connect with strangers in a more meaningful way—or it’s at least going to show strangers things you have in common with them. The social network is testing out a new “things in common” feature in the US that will show tidbits of information about you when you do things like comment on public posts. It’ll show things like “Went to the University of so-and-so” or “From this part of the world.” It’ll only show information you’ve decided to make public. But whether this will be good or bad for public discourse is something we don’t know yet, especially if you’re discussing a hot-button topic. But Facebook hopes it helps people connect with each other.

"Knowing shared things in common helps people connect," the spokesperson told Engadget. "We're testing adding a 'things in common' label that will appear above comments from people who you're not friends with but you might have something in common with. Only information that people made publicly available on their profiles will be eligible to show up." There isn’t any word though if this feature will end up as an actual feature for the social network.

Facebook accidentally makes plane reaction emoji available to Android users

One new Facebook reaction emoji wasn’t supposed to go live. But it was spotted by some eagle-eyed Android users before the social network could take it down. Among the list of available reactions on the app, a cute little airplane emoji showed up. A lot of people assumed this was a feature Facebook was testing or getting ready to launch. (Although, we question what an airplane emoji could even mean.) Facebook was quick to dispel the news. Apparently, it was part of an employee hackathon and it wasn’t meant to go live. A Facebook spokesperson said, “This was created as part of an employee hackathon and wasn’t cleared for takeoff. Our apologies.”

Source: Fast Company

Facebook and Rockstar offer ‘GTA Online’ rewards when you watch livestreams

Aside from releasing the Grand Theft Auto Online After Hours update, Rockstar has one more trick up its sleeves to entice its gamers to watch Facebook livestreams. The game developer and social network are giving away free GTA Online currency if you tune in to certain broadcasts. To get these credits, you’ll need to link your Rockstar Games Social Club account to your Facebook account. The first official stream where you can earn currency is on July 27^th, which is when Rockstar and Facebook gaming “all-star friends” will mark the launch of After Hours. There will be a series of broadcasts running through mid-August, where these Facebook streamers will be offering perks on their respective channels. You can check this link for any announcements.