A makes an attempt to better understand U.S. adults who get their news largely from social media platforms, and compare their understanding of current events and political knowledge to those who use other sources, like TV, radio and news publications. The top-level finding, according to Pew, is that social media news consumers tend to follow the news less closely and end up less informed on several key subjects.That seems to reinforce a belief that many people already hold, of course — that people who get their news primarily from Facebook, for example, aren’t as informed.But it’s important...…A makes an attempt to better understand U.S. adults who get their news largely from social media platforms, and compare their understanding of current events and political knowledge to those who use other sources, like TV, radio and news publications. The top-level finding, according to Pew, is that social media news consumers tend to follow the news less closely and end up less informed on several key subjects.That seems to reinforce a belief that many people already hold, of course — that people who get their news primarily from Facebook, for example, aren’t as informed.But it’s important...WW…

Despite the slow of the U.S. economy over the past several weeks, online grocery shopping is continuing to reach ever-higher numbers as Americans seem to be in no rush to return to the store. According to new research released today by Brick Meets Click and Mercatus, U.S. online grocery sales hit a record $7.2 billion in June, up 9% over May, as 45.6 million households turned to online grocery pickup and delivery services for a larger portion of their grocery needs.This figure is higher than the $4 billion seen in March 2020, when the U.S. first went under coronavirus lockdowns. Since then,...…Despite the slow of the U.S. economy over the past several weeks, online grocery shopping is continuing to reach ever-higher numbers as Americans seem to be in no rush to return to the store. According to new research released today by Brick Meets Click and Mercatus, U.S. online grocery sales hit a record $7.2 billion in June, up 9% over May, as 45.6 million households turned to online grocery pickup and delivery services for a larger portion of their grocery needs.This figure is higher than the $4 billion seen in March 2020, when the U.S. first went under coronavirus lockdowns. Since then,...WW…

Facebook says it accidentally allowed around 5,000 developers to access data from their app’s inactive users, even though that access should have been cut off. The company on Wednesday it recently discovered an issue that had allowed app developers to continue receiving this information beyond the 90 days of inactivity that is meant to cut off data access until the user returns to the app and again re-authenticates.In 2018, Facebook a change to the way app developers would be able to access Facebook user data in the wake of the , which saw the personal data of compromised. Among many new...…Facebook says it accidentally allowed around 5,000 developers to access data from their app’s inactive users, even though that access should have been cut off. The company on Wednesday it recently discovered an issue that had allowed app developers to continue receiving this information beyond the 90 days of inactivity that is meant to cut off data access until the user returns to the app and again re-authenticates.In 2018, Facebook a change to the way app developers would be able to access Facebook user data in the wake of the , which saw the personal data of compromised. Among many new...WW…

Instagram is expanding to new markets, following its launch last year in Brazil. Starting today, Instagram is rolling out further access to Reels in France and Germany, allowing users to record short, 15-second video clips set to music or other audio, then share them on the platform where they have the potential to go viral.The Reels feature is similar to TikTok in that it presents a set of editing tools that make it easier to film creative videos. At launch, for example, Reels offered a countdown timer, the ability to adjust the video’s speed and other effects.The company learned from its...…Instagram is expanding to new markets, following its launch last year in Brazil. Starting today, Instagram is rolling out further access to Reels in France and Germany, allowing users to record short, 15-second video clips set to music or other audio, then share them on the platform where they have the potential to go viral.The Reels feature is similar to TikTok in that it presents a set of editing tools that make it easier to film creative videos. At launch, for example, Reels offered a countdown timer, the ability to adjust the video’s speed and other effects.The company learned from its...WW…

, a new project from Facebook’s internal R&D group, NPE Team, is today to build a community around predictions. The iOS app will allow users to ask questions and then use in-app points to make predictions about what might happen in the future. Users can also create, discuss and view these crowdsourced predictions.At launch, only invited participants in the U.S. and Canada will be allowed to make predictions and engage in conversations while the app is in beta testing. But these predictions and related discussions will be publicly accessible on the , and made shareable.Before today,...…, a new project from Facebook’s internal R&D group, NPE Team, is today to build a community around predictions. The iOS app will allow users to ask questions and then use in-app points to make predictions about what might happen in the future. Users can also create, discuss and view these crowdsourced predictions.At launch, only invited participants in the U.S. and Canada will be allowed to make predictions and engage in conversations while the app is in beta testing. But these predictions and related discussions will be publicly accessible on the , and made shareable.Before today,...WW…

Amid by U.S. regulators, Apple an update on its App Store ecosystem. While the company normally shares some App Store metrics during its keynote, it’s today detailing the results of a new study that claims the App Store ecosystem facilitated half a trillion ($519 billion) in billings and sales globally in 2019. This is a new and broader figure than has been , as it includes all transactions the App Store facilitates, not just those on which Apple takes a commission.The study, which was conducted by economists at the , is the first to attempt to comprehensively analyze the App Store...…Amid by U.S. regulators, Apple an update on its App Store ecosystem. While the company normally shares some App Store metrics during its keynote, it’s today detailing the results of a new study that claims the App Store ecosystem facilitated half a trillion ($519 billion) in billings and sales globally in 2019. This is a new and broader figure than has been , as it includes all transactions the App Store facilitates, not just those on which Apple takes a commission.The study, which was conducted by economists at the , is the first to attempt to comprehensively analyze the App Store...WW…

Facebook News, the social network’s dedicated section devoted to journalism, is today launching for all users in the U.S. The feature was first as a limited test in the U.S. The product represents Facebook’s new effort in wooing publishers to its platform with the promise of increased distribution.In addition to the nationwide launch, Facebook has also added local news to its News section.It’s impossible to properly cover Facebook News without noting how the company has had a long and troubled history with regard to how it handles news. Years ago, Facebook offered a short list of...…Facebook News, the social network’s dedicated section devoted to journalism, is today launching for all users in the U.S. The feature was first as a limited test in the U.S. The product represents Facebook’s new effort in wooing publishers to its platform with the promise of increased distribution.In addition to the nationwide launch, Facebook has also added local news to its News section.It’s impossible to properly cover Facebook News without noting how the company has had a long and troubled history with regard to how it handles news. Years ago, Facebook offered a short list of...WW…

Facebook is today rolling out a tool that will allow users in the U.S. and Canada to export their Facebook photos and videos to Google Photos. This data portability tool was in Ireland in December, and has since been made available to other international markets.To use the feature, Facebook users will need to click on “Settings,” followed by “Your Facebook Information,” then “Transfer a Copy of Your Photos and Videos.” Facebook will ask you to verify your password to confirm your identity in order to proceed. On the next screen, you’ll be able to choose “Google Photos” as the destination...…Facebook is today rolling out a tool that will allow users in the U.S. and Canada to export their Facebook photos and videos to Google Photos. This data portability tool was in Ireland in December, and has since been made available to other international markets.To use the feature, Facebook users will need to click on “Settings,” followed by “Your Facebook Information,” then “Transfer a Copy of Your Photos and Videos.” Facebook will ask you to verify your password to confirm your identity in order to proceed. On the next screen, you’ll be able to choose “Google Photos” as the destination...WW…

Online retailers are seeing Black Friday-like sales due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their business. According to from , U.S. e-commerce jumped 49% in April, compared to the baseline period in early March before shelter-in-place restrictions went into effect. Online grocery helped drive the increase in sales, with a 110% boost in daily sales between March and April. Meanwhile, electronic sales were up 58% and book sales have doubled.The data comes from Adobe’s index of the digital economy, which analyzes more than one trillion online transactions across 100 million different...…Online retailers are seeing Black Friday-like sales due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their business. According to from , U.S. e-commerce jumped 49% in April, compared to the baseline period in early March before shelter-in-place restrictions went into effect. Online grocery helped drive the increase in sales, with a 110% boost in daily sales between March and April. Meanwhile, electronic sales were up 58% and book sales have doubled.The data comes from Adobe’s index of the digital economy, which analyzes more than one trillion online transactions across 100 million different...WW…

A new study on kids’ app usage and habits indicates a major threat to YouTube’s dominance, as kids now split their time between Google’s online video platform and other apps, like TikTok, Netflix and mobile games like Roblox. Kids ages four to 15 now spend an average of 85 minutes per day watching YouTube videos, compared with 80 minutes per day spent on TikTok. The latter app also drove growth in kids’ social app use by 100% in 2019 and 200% in 2020, the report found.The data in the annual report by digital safety app maker was provided by 60,000 families with children ages four to 14 in...…A new study on kids’ app usage and habits indicates a major threat to YouTube’s dominance, as kids now split their time between Google’s online video platform and other apps, like TikTok, Netflix and mobile games like Roblox. Kids ages four to 15 now spend an average of 85 minutes per day watching YouTube videos, compared with 80 minutes per day spent on TikTok. The latter app also drove growth in kids’ social app use by 100% in 2019 and 200% in 2020, the report found.The data in the annual report by digital safety app maker was provided by 60,000 families with children ages four to 14 in...WW…