topics
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Trending topics feature may be coming to the Threads app
Meta’s Threads app may get a trending topics section. The potential new feature was showcased in reposted screenshots originally shared by a Meta employee.
Google delays phaseout of third-party cookies from Chrome to 2024
Google is again delaying its plan to phase out third-party cookies in Chrome.
Google is testing its new Privacy Sandbox settings in Chrome
Google is starting "origin trials" for its Chrome Privacy Sandbox, its new system for serving targeted ads without using cookies.
Twitter now lets you add topics to Spaces, but the options are limited
Twitter is making it easier to find audio rooms that might interest you with new topic tags.
Twitter makes it easier to follow things you like
The accounts you follow on Twitter may not be the only ones talking about things that interest you, and the social network is giving you easy way to find them. Twitter has started rolling out the ability to follow topics, so you don't have to obsessively check relevant hashtags in the middle of an event anymore. When the feature goes live for your account, Twitter will ask if you want to "See more about this Topic" right in your timeline, depending on the accounts you follow, and in Search, based on what your query was. It may not be available for all types of subjects yet, but it sounds like Twitter plans to expand its availability over the coming months.
Twitter now lets you follow topics, not just accounts
After months of testing, Twitter is (nearly) ready to let you follow entire subjects rather than individual users. The social media giant has announced that its Topics feature is rolling out now and will be available worldwide on November 13th. Choose from over 300 topics (such as sports, the entertainment world and gaming) and you'll see tweets on the subject from authoritative accounts that you don't otherwise follow. This could help if you're unsure of who to follow or just don't want to follow certain accounts all the time.
Instagram's redesigned Explore tab sorts everything into topics
As if you weren't already spending hours falling down the rabbit hole that is Instagram's Explore tab, the site is making a few tweaks that'll make it even easier to spend time getting lost in other people's pics. Announced at Facebook's F8 event earlier this year, a redesigned Explore tab is now rolling out to users. It has the same tile-style interface as before, with curated posts based on the things you're already looking at, but now you can explore additional topic channels, too.
Facebook topics could be the antidote to news echo chambers
Facebook, like Twitter, can often serve as a personal echo chamber. Users add people they have things in common with, while following and Liking pages that they perceive to be trustworthy. As the debate around fake news continues, the social media giant is testing a new way of surfacing information that a user may otherwise not see. It's called "Topics to Follow" and it works by delivering content from a number of publishers based around a specific theme, rather than a specific outlet.
Google+ 'Topics' highlight active users and communities
Google's latest feature for its social network can make your home stream look a little bit less lonely. Next time you check Google+, you'll see a new block in your stream listing topics you can explore. The social network already has hundreds of topics on rotation that you can click through, including Black & White Photography, Art, Science, Toy Models & Crafts. They're all in English, Spanish and Portuguese, though, and it's unclear if they'll ever be available in other languages.
WoW Insider Show live with Michelle of Warcraft Outsiders today
Our podcast returns once again to the virtual airwaves this afternoon. Lesley Smith will join us from here on WoW.com, and Turpster and I will also welcome Michelle Madison of the Videogame Outsiders and Warcraft Outsiders podcasts. You may remember that way back last year, they were kind enough to invite me on their show, so we're finally returning the favor, in the first of a small series of guests -- you can listen in this afternoon to hear more about that.While Michelle is on, we'll chat about the most popular stories in the World of Warcraft for the past week, including the very popular Midsummer Fire Festival, the new information about the Tier 9 sets and their names, new achievement information found in patch 3.2, and the appearance of quest objectives on the map (and whether that dumbs the game down or not). And of course we'll talk more about our plans for BlizzCon, and after the show, we'll be over on Zangarmarsh partying it up and lighting and/or desecrating some flames, so be sure to join us for that.Whew. Full show today. Tune in this afternoon over on the our Ustream page at June 27, 2009 3:30 PM EDTvar date_span = document.getElementById("date"); var date = new Date(date_span.innerHTML); var monthname=new Array("Jan","Feb","Mar","Apr","May","Jun","Jul","Aug", "Sep","Oct","Nov","Dec"); var weekday=new Array("Sunday","Monday","Tuesday","Wednesday","Thursday", "Friday","Saturday"); var year = date.getFullYear(); var day_of_month = date.getDate(); var month = monthname[date.getMonth()]; var day = weekday[date.getDay()]; var hour = date.getHours(); if (hour > 11) { if (hour > 12) {hour -= 12} am_pm = "PM"; } else { am_pm = "AM"; } var minute = date.getMinutes(); if (minute < 10) { minute = "0"+minute; } date_string = day + ", " + month + " " + day_of_month; date_string += " at " + hour + ":" + minute + " " + am_pm; offset = -date.getTimezoneOffset()/60; if (offset >= 0) { offset = "+"+offset; } date_string += " in your time zone (GMT"+offset+")"; date_span.innerHTML = (date_string); , or you can jump after the break to see an embedded feed. We'll see you then!
Breakfast Topic: Gonna check out Ulduar on the PTR?
It doesn't take Mind Vision to determine that I'm really, really excited for 3.1, and of all of its features, the Ulduar raid has me enthralled the most. I love new raids, and after all this time running Naxx, I'm ready to move on to a bigger and badder place. It doesn't hurt that everything I've heard about Ulduar sounds great! 14 bosses, hard modes, optional bosses, getting launched onto the back of a giant fire-breathing robot ... I honestly can't think of any negatives about the place. I guess it's just what I needed. Of course, I haven't played it yet. But soon, very soon, the PTR will go live and I'll be able to bask in all of its brass-and-marble glory. And you won't be able to shut me up about it if you try. If you can't beat me, though, you should consider joining me there.I'm aware, of course, that raiding's not for everyone, and that some people don't want encounters spoiled for them before they go live. So what about you guys? Are you looking forward to checking out Ulduar for yourself on the PTR? Gonna wait until it hits live WoW to try it out? Or do you just not care about Titantown too much?THESE QUESTIONS AND MORE ANSWERED (BY YOU) IN THIS, THE BREAKFAST TOPIC.
WoW Insider Weekly
WoW Insider Weekly shows off our most popular weekly features of the past week -- if you missed them before, catch up to them here. Blood Sport: No scrubs allowed in Season 4Arena matches in Season 4 are just like TLC -- they don't want no scrubs. Spiritual Guidance: Three priest specs your raid should not leave Shattrath withoutThe Priest column gives any good raiders three Priest specs to look for. The Care and Feeding of Warriors: Are Warriors underpowered?No. Column over. Or is it? Blood Pact: Tanking LeoVims shows warlocks how to do a little tanking on the big blind guy. Reader UI of the Week: Draxyl of TuralyonOne of our great readers shows off his UI for your pick-apart pleasure. Five more great can't-miss weekly features after the break.
