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Instagram finally lets you edit DMs
Meta just announced a software update for Instagram that finally lets users edit DMs within 15 minutes of being sent. There’s also a new tool to pin three of your favorite conversations at the top of your DM feed.
Patreon app adds simple Discord-like group chats
Patreon creators have a new option to interact with fans, as the subscription platform just rolled out a group chat feature. This community chat allows creators to interact with fans, but also lets subscribers talk to one another in a space outside of comments. Creators can have up to four chats going at once and there’s a toolset in place to allow certain restrictions as to who can participate.
WhatsApp lets you create groups without naming them
WhatsApp will now let you create small groups without first naming them. Mark Zuckerberg announced the new feature in a Facebook post (via TechCrunch). You previously had to choose your group’s name when setting it up.
WhatsApp will soon let users choose when group chats expire
If you've ever created a WhatsApp group chat for a single event, then kept forgetting to delete it for years, there's an upcoming feature you may appreciate.
End-to-end encryption is coming to Google Messages group texts
The expanded feature will arrive as an open beta later this year.
WhatsApp's answer to Discord may be group chat 'communities'
WhatsApp is developing a feature that would link group chats together to form a more Discord-like community.
Facebook Messenger adds group AR effects and games to video calls
Facebook Messenger and Instagram are adding AR effects for entire group calls, including games everyone can play.
Instagram users can now join group chats in Messenger
After introducing cross-messaging between Messenger and Instagram last year, Facebook has made it more useful with the addition of cross-app group chats.
WhatsApp exploit let one message render the app unusable for entire groups
WhatsApp may be one of the most popular messaging apps, but it has had its share of security issues. Security research group Check Point Research today announced the existence of another one, having recently uncovered a defect through which a single malicious user could crash the apps of all members of a group chat.
WhatsApp tests disappearing messages in its Android app
WhatsApp is testing disappearing messages. The feature appeared as a beta in version 2.19.275 of the Android app and was spotted by WABetaInfo. In the beta, the disappearing messages are available in group chats only, and they can be set to self-destruct in five seconds or an hour. There's no in-between, and you can't select individual messages to disappear -- they all vanish or none of them do.
Facebook will shut down Group Stories on September 26th
If you didn't find yourself using Facebook's Group Stories, you're not the only one. The social network has confirmed a report from commentator Matt Navarra that it's shutting down Group Stories on September 26th at 12PM Eastern. After that, Facebook will both delete any existing Stories and prevent users from creating new ones. Individual Stories will remain intact, of course.
Senators question whether Facebook is doing enough to protect kids’ privacy
Senators are questioning Facebook again. This time their concerns are related to a technical error that let thousands of kids join group chats with unauthorized users, The Verge reports. Senators Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) wrote a letter to Mark Zuckerberg today, asking whether Facebook has done enough to protect children's online safety.
Google Duo's group video calls roll out to everyone
Google is making Duo more useful as it's rolling out group video calls to everyone on Android and iOS. You can have up to eight people on a call at once (a far lower limits than FaceTime's 32 and Skype's 50). Group calls gradually went live in some markets this month, but now they'll be available for everyone.
WhatsApp lets you block randos from adding you to group chats
There are two types of people on this planet. Some absolutely relish getting a WhatsApp notification letting them know they've been added to a new group chat -- it's time for gossip! Others, however, would gladly fling their phone into the sun rather than contend with the continual onslaught of new and often pointless messages. Now, finally, WhatsApp is adding controls to help mitigate this trauma.
GroupMe moves up to v4.0, embraces the iPad
Group messaging service GroupMe has just been bumped up to version 4.0, and now plays well with the iPad. The refresh may not be as profound as the last big one, but brings with it a slew of design revamps, including Facebook app-inspired side drawers, bigger images and avatars, and centered chats. In addition, the app also allows sharing location using maps, inviting people to groups using URLs and rejoining previously abandoned groups. BlackBerry and Windows Phone users of the app can't board the freshly-painted bus just yet as the update is only available on iOS for now, while those on Android can get a taste via a beta that needs to be sideloaded atop the older version. There are other services vying for your attention too of course, with WP8's Rooms already open and RIM promising big things on BB10. However, if this sounds like what you covet, use the source links below to get in on the action.
Windows Phone 8 Rooms give every group its private space
Microsoft is already creating a safe, fenced-off area in Windows Phone 8 through Kids Corner, but it's expanding that to include nearly everyone through Rooms. A rough parallel to Groupme, Rooms lets families, friends or companies share calendars, chats, notes and photos without letting any prying eyes get a peek. And if others aren't following the Windows Phone way, they can still view some of the content from another platform. There's no doubt that Microsoft really hopes its communal addition is a way to squeak out an extra phone sale or two from those who like to stick together. For more, check out our Windows Phone 8 event liveblog! %Gallery-169556%
Facebook Messenger sinks Beluga, Raffi heads back to the drawing board
Beluga has just confirmed the inevitable -- it's being swallowed by Facebook Messenger. The group messaging app will no longer send texts as of November 11th and will shut down for good on December 15th, just a few months after Zuckerberg & Co acquired it, alongside digital book-maker Push Pop Press. "Now that Facebook Messenger is available everywhere, we've decided to stop offering Beluga as a separate service," the company explained in a blog post last week. If you'd like to grab an archive of your pods before the December 15th shutdown, you can do so at the coverage link below. Otherwise, just head past the break to join us in maritime remembrance.
Google+ moves from field trial to beta, adds Hangouts on phones, search and more
Well, it looks like the "field trial" is officially over. Google today announced that its Google+ social network has moved up to beta status and, as a result, it's now open to everyone (no invitation required). It's also rolled out a slew of new features for the occasion, including a number of improvements to the Hangouts video chat service. That includes Hangouts on your phone (Android 2.3+ only, for now), a new Hangouts On Air feature for public broadcasts, and a number of "extras" including screensharing, a sketchpad and shared Google Docs (not to mention Hangouts APIs). Google's now also finally added search functionality across the site, and it's renamed the Huddle group chat feature to Messenger (which also includes a number of new tweaks). Hit the links below for the complete rundown on what's new.
Samsung's ChatON messaging service brings free texting to Android, iOS and BlackBerry (video)
It looks like Samsung is about to dip its toes in the mobile messaging market, with a new service called ChatON. Slated to debut at this week's IFA, the app brings texting, group chat and image / video sharing to not only Samsung's Bada OS, but to iOS, Android and BlackBerry platforms, as well. According to the Korean manufacturer, the new client will be available in two versions: a basic one for feature phones and another, more complex variation that allows smartphone users to comment on other profiles, send animated messages and visualize their most frequently contacted friends, as displayed above. The company is also planning to release a web-based version that would bring similar functionality to PCs. ChatON is slated to go live next month (in more than 120 countries and 62 languages), but you can find more information in the demo video and translated PR, after the break.
Inaugural STO Podcast Summit announced
Star Trek Online has always been known for generating unwavering support from its community of gamers. Whether identifying as trekkers, trekkies, casuals or hardcore gamers, players are extremely dedicated, including yours truly. Alongside the numerous fan sites that have been created, there is a select group of individuals out there who have gone beyond the call of duty and put out weekly podcasts. This Sunday, April 17th, the STO podcasting community will come together for the inaugural STO Podcast Summit. Join Red Shirt Army, STOked, Priority One, Podcast UGC and Hailing Frequency as they broadcast live at TrekRadio.net from 6 p.m. EDT to 8 p.m. EDT. If you miss the livestream, have no fear -- the show will be posted in mp3 format on each of the podcasts' individual websites. We are also told that there may be even some surprise guests who drop by, including Cryptic developers.
