Social Media Story of the Week
Facebook owner Meta launched a new app to rival Twitter on Thursday. The app which is called Threads is available on the Apple App Store and is linked to Instagram. Meta describes Threads as a ‘text based conversation app’. The move is the latest in a rivalry between Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter owner Elon Musk. Meanwhile, Twitter has said the popular user dashboard TweetDeck will go behind a paywall in 30 days time. It appears the Threads app will be a free service and there will be no restrictions on how many posts a user can see.
Radio Story of the Week
Times Radio has appointed Talk Radio / Talk TV’s Kate McCann as its new Political Editor. In her new role, Kate will provide comment and analysis on programmes across Times Radio’s schedule from Breakfast to Drive, as well as breaking political stories and interviews on the station. Times Radio Programme Director, Tim Levell, said ‘We are delighted to welcome Kate as our new Political Editor. Kat has an exceptional ability to break original political stories and secure agenda-setting interviews, and her lively broadcasting style has been proven on air.’
Digital Story of the Week
Online gaming platform Roblox doesn’t want to be only known for the ‘metaverse’ anymore as it seeks high profile partnerships with sports brand. Tian Pei, Roblox head of sport revealed the platform is shifting focus towards longer term partnerships rather than one off ‘metaverse’ activations. She outlined the importance of de-emphasizing the term ‘metaverse’ is important as it can carry with it expectations and Roblox should be considered a platform in its own right. Roblox can provide a variety of options for brands, especially following information that their audience have aged-up with the platform. For example, they have recently introduced experiences and worlds that are restricted to anyone under the age of 17.
AI Story of the Week
Deliveroo is predicting that customers may be able to smell different meal options through their smartphones before deciding what to order on the app by 2040. The feature would help consumers ‘reduce time deciding between a wide selection of cuisines and dishes’ the company said. The ‘smell-o-vision’ style tool is one of several futuristic concepts put forward as part of the Deliveroo commissioned report Snack To The Future. Other concepts predicted for 204 include the rise of ‘me-ganism’ which would involve a customer’s personal AI providing meal recommendations based on their physiological and psychological state.
