There are about a thousand ways that you can make money on the internet, and social media posts are one of them. Meta has a bonus program that will pay users to make Facebook posts with a high level of engagement, according to Engadget. This is a way of getting more people to post to Facebook in lieu of other platforms.
This is nothing new, as other platforms do the same thing. Meta also paid its users for making Instagram reels. However, the company has since cut the program. This caused those creators to flock to other platforms such as YouTube shorts and TikTok.
This meta bonus program will pay you to make Facebook posts
As you may know, Meta is one of the biggest tech companies in the world with some of the most popular social media platforms under its belt. However, it’s still in a war with the likes of TikTok, Twitter, and other platforms. This is where monetizing content comes in.
As you can guess, the program depends on how much engagement your posts get. So, people with a higher number of followers will be able to rake in more money. Also, most of the people in the program make posts daily with a combination of text-based and image-based content.
Right now, we don’t know exactly how much money Meta is paying people for the posts. So, we don’t know if this deal is better than what Instagram offered.
What we do know is that this program is still on an invite-only basis for the time being. So, only top Facebook creators are able to monetize their content right now. If you are a Facebook creator who wants to start earning money for your posts, then you may want to start engaging and posting more.
Who knows if you’ll be able to start earning money when you are part of the program? The program could be your next main source of income.
One of the main reasons to use the Google Nest Hub is the tight integration with Google Assistant. You’re able to call upon it whenever you need to have something done. Third-party developers were able to develop products for the Nest Hub that use the assistant. However, those are going away, according to 9To5Google.
It’s great when Google Assistant can utilize first-party Google services, but third-party developers were also able to use the powerful voice assistant. They were able to create different books and activities that require speaking as a method of input. Some examples are picture books and family activities like quizzes and trivia.
However, Google is killing third-party voice support for Nest Hub devices
This is a disappointing bit of news for people who utilize these apps and games. Last year, almost to the day, Google announced that it was going to end support for these applications. The company gave us a one-year window, and that one year is up.
The reason for Google doing this is simply this: people just weren’t using these games. While this is a neat idea, it just wasn’t able to capture the public attention. There’s hardly any reason in keeping these services alive if no one is using them. Maybe something like this will catch on down the road, but, for the time being, it just didn’t get much traction.
There may be a bit of good news, however. While this functionality is leaving the Nest Hub, developers may still be able to bring their apps and games to other platforms. Google is working on allowing third-party Android apps to access Google Assistant.
This means that those developers who are developing for the Nest Hub may be able to move their applications to smartphones. This will definitely not be a one-to-one comparison, but it may find some success in tablets. They have a similar form factor to the Nest Hub, and they may be more convenient because they can be moved around. Hopefully, we will see this in the near future.
Amazon’s own FAST service, called Freevee is getting 23 new channels. These channels will include content from Warner Bros Discovery and MGM. Keep in mind that Amazon owns MGM, so those titles should come as no surprise.
Freevee already has well over 100 Prime Video Originals, and hundreds of channels with free content available. Freevee is a FAST service, which stands for Free Ad-Supported TV. That means that it is free, and you’ll have to watch ads. But hey, you’re not paying for it.
These new channels will come to Freevee over the coming months, according to Amazon.
What channels will be included?
There will be a heavy focus on the “unscripted fare”. So we’ll see channels for Cake Boss, Extreme Couponing and Say Yes to the Dress from Warner Bros. Discovery.
From MGM, there will be 12 channels coming to Freevee. That includes some dedicated to films, and others for such shows like The Pink Panther, Stargate, Green Acres and many more. There will also be some themed channels from MGM, including Action and Sci-Fi.
Amazon isn’t the only one that Warner Bros. Discovery has been licensing shows to. It has also signed deals with Roku and Tubi for a few shows like Westworld (HBO) and The Bachelor (Warner TV), among a few others. This has become a pretty lucrative way for studios like WBD to actually make some money on some older shows.
Why are studios licensing content to FAST streamers like Freevee? Well, the simple answer is, they get a cut of the ad revenue shown alongside their content. So if Freevee makes a million bucks from showing a particular show, WBD would get a cut of that. Now it’s unclear how much that cut is, but the industry standard is 70/30. So that means that WBD would get 30% of that.
This is also another way for WBD to spread out its revenue streams. Instead of relying solely on MAX for revenue from streaming.
Have you been considering jumping on the bandwagon of YoutTube creators? Well, you may be in luck, as YouTube has just announced its plan to lower the requirements for video monetization in 2023, reports 9to5Google.
YouTube to make it easier to monetize in 2023
The company has published the new requirements in a blog post. Basically, thanks to the YouTube Partner Program, in 2023 it will be easier to monetize on the platform both with regular videos and Shorts. The new requirements are effective starting today (in select countries, more on that later).Here are the new requirements for monetization. For videos, you need to have at least 500 subs, 3 valid public uploads within 90 days, and 3,000 watch ours in the past year. For Shorts, you need to have 3 million valid public Shorts views in 90 days.
For reference, before this change, YouTube required you to have 1,000 subscribers, 4,000 watch hours, and/or 10 million Shorts views in order to get monetization. You will now be able to earn money from your videos much earlier in the progress of your channel.
But that’s not all! Additionally, YouTube says that unlocking monetization with these new requirements will also allow you to use fan funding options to make money. These include memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers, and Super Thanks. You’ll be also able to promote your products through YouTube Shopping.
There’s one caveat though. The changes will not be available globally in the beginning: first, they will be available in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Taiwan, and South Korea. Over time, the other countries where the YouTube Partner Program is available will be able to benefit from the lower requirements for monetization.
Google Lens has grown ever since Google announced it back in 2017. This extremely powerful AI-powered camera can ascertain the world around you and give you additional information on what you see. Now, a feature is coming that will let Google Lens tell you what skin condition you have.
This seems a bit over the top, but Google Lens has been able to perform a lot of crazy acts in the past. You have the ability to translate text in real time and get real-time help with your homework. Also, you can point the viewfinder at different objects, and Google will do a Google search on them.
Google Lens will be able to tell you what skin conditions you have
This news was announced via a Google blog post (via Android Police). If there’s some visible anomaly on your skin that worries you, then Google Lens might give you a light diagnosis of the condition.
Simply point Lens at the part of the skin you want it to analyze, and take a picture. Lens will then analyze the picture and cross-reference it with pictures of other skin samples with a similar-looking condition. Then, it will give you a list of possible conditions that you may have. You will choose the one that more closely matches your specific condition.
This could be a great way of getting insight into the skin conditions you have before having to go to the doctor. Most of us are familiar with the pain of going to the doctor and paying an exorbitant amount of money just to find out what the issue is (let alone getting the treatment).
You can use Lens for other forms of conditions such as hair loss, lines on your nails, Etc. So, this won’t only be exclusive to skin conditions.
A few things to know before you use this tool
Being able to check skin conditions using Google seems really helpful, but there are a few things you should know. Google has not released it just yet. We’re not sure when it’s going to launch, but we do expect it within the next couple of weeks.
Next, as with most services in the 21st century, using this feature will basically give lens consent to upload pictures of your skin condition to Google’s servers. Just keep that in mind. If you’re uncomfortable with that, then you may want to pass this feature up.
Lastly, while this technology is very advanced, it should not be used as a replacement for a legitimate diagnosis given by a doctor. It’s still recommended that you go to a licensed doctor Who can physically check the skin condition and provide medical assistance. Your skin condition could possibly be something much worse than it appears to be on the surface.
Pluto TV is pretty popular for having free movies and TV shows available, with literally hundreds of channels. And now, it’s going to be more like a regular streaming service – and no that doesn’t mean they’ll start charging. It’ll remain free.
According to Cord Cutters News, Paramount Streaming’s executive VP of content strategy and global partnerships, Amy Kuessner, has stated that Pluto TV will be getting a new user interface that shakes up the home screen next month. So in July, expect a pretty big redesign for Pluto TV.
While there were no screenshots shared, Kuessner did share that the home screen will start to mix some of its live TV and on-demand content together. This will allow it to utilize the algorithms to suggest shows and movies that users would prefer. This is something that Max is already starting to do. And the reason for this is, to bring down the amount of time it takes to find something to watch, so that you’re watching more content and thus seeing more ads.
Pluto TV is popular for its free streaming channels
Pluto TV is one of the bigger streaming TV services that relies on FAST streaming. That’s free ad-supported TV. And typically, it has older content. That’s content that hasn’t been licensed by other companies. However, Pluto TV does have a leg up here, since it is owned by Paramount. Which allows it to access content from Paramount and Viacom channels, like BET, Comedy Central, CBS and more.
This update should help to make it even more popular. As it’s going to be a bit more customized for each user, rather than just using hundreds of live streaming channels. If you don’t already use Pluto TV, you definitely should. It is completely free, so why not? And has some pretty good content available.
Remember when we told you about the upcoming new version of the Google News app for Android devices? Well, it’s now up and running! Personalization and modernization must have been what Google is striving to achieve, for the 5.82 version sports several new Material You widgets. Those are, of course, the “Quick View” and “List View.” The “List View” mode is a 3×2 widget that allows you to see one news article at a time. If you tap on it, you’ll get to the article. There’s a “Full Coverage” button at the bottom-right corner, which allows you to open the feed. On the top end, you can see a Google News icon. Tapping on that one leads you to the dedicated “For You” tab.
If you expand the “Quick View,” you can see the other new Google News Material You widget, called “List View.” Here, you can scroll through several different articles (up to seven.) All of those have their cover image included. The List View mode can take up the whole screen. In all fairness, though, the old widget possibly is more user-friendly because it doesn’t require the user to manually scroll in order to view all the stories they want.
Image credit-9to5Google
The Google News app for Android received its last update on June 13. The new ’version 5.82,’ features the previously mentioned Material You changes. However, the stocks widget, which became part of the Google app for brief, wasn’t available at the time of writing and has, in fact, been pulled. Another widget many users still anticipate is the Google TV widget. It was introduced for some Pixel devices in February and allowed users to remotely control their smart TVs. However, the widget still isn’t available en masse.
DoubleFinger malware downloads encrypted components from Imgur.com, a seemingly innocent image-sharing platform that disguises the files as PNG images.
In a recent report released by cybersecurity experts at Kaspersky, a new strain of malware named “DoubleFinger” has emerged as a serious concern for cryptocurrency enthusiasts.
The emergence of DoubleFinger malware, equipped with a multistage attack strategy resembling an advanced persistent threat (APT), showcases the increasing sophistication of malicious actors in the realm of crimeware development.
The malware operates by initiating a series of events triggered by a malicious email attachment that contains a PIF file. Once the attachment is opened, DoubleFinger malware downloads encrypted components from Imgur.com, a seemingly innocent image-sharing platform that disguises the files as PNG images. These components include a loader for the subsequent stages, a legitimate java.exe file, and another PNG file to be utilized later in the attack.
In its report, Kaspersky Team wrote that after executing the loader, DoubleFinger malware skillfully evades security software and progresses to the subsequent stages. In the fourth stage, it employs a technique called Process Doppelganging to replace a legitimate process with a modified version, housing the fifth-stage payload. This payload installs the infamous GreetingGhoul crypto stealer, scheduled to run daily and specifically target victims’ crypto wallets including Ledger and Trezor.
Fake Windows for famous wallets aiming at stealing data (Left) – The malicious image file (Right) – Credit: Kaspersky
Kaspersky’s technical analysis of GreetingGhoul reveals its dual functionality. The first component identifies crypto-wallet applications within the system and steals valuable data, including private keys and seed phrases. The second component overlays the interfaces of cryptocurrency applications, intercepts user input, and grants cybercriminals control over and access to the victims’ funds.
It is worth noting that certain variations of DoubleFinger malware also install the remote access Trojan Remcos, granting cybercriminals complete control over the infected system. This further exacerbates the risks associated with the malware and emphasizes the need for proactive measures to protect against such attacks.
To safeguard cryptocurrency wallets, Kaspersky recommends a range of preventive actions, including maintaining a vigilant stance against scams, diversifying wallet usage, being aware of vulnerabilities associated with cold wallets, and purchasing hardware wallets exclusively from official sources, among other precautions.
Kaspersky’s Sergey Lozhkin stressed the importance of collective responsibility, stating, “Protecting crypto wallets is a shared responsibility between the wallet providers, individuals, and the broader cryptocurrency community.”
By remaining vigilant, implementing robust security measures, and staying informed about the latest threats, users can mitigate the risks associated with DoubleFinger malware and ensure the safety of their valuable digital assets.
As the battle between cybercriminals and security experts continues, cryptocurrency enthusiasts must remain proactive and stay one step ahead of those seeking to exploit the rapidly evolving world of digital currencies.
The biggest annual sale for Amazon, is Prime Day, and it’s happening again this July. Currently, we do not know the exact dates for Prime Day, but we do know that it’ll be happening in the first half of the month. Now, considering July 4th is the first Tuesday of the month, we’d fully expect it to happen the second week of July, on July 10 and 11.
And as we gear up for the big day, we have rounded up everything you need to know about Amazon’s Prime Day, so you can save some money and get some stuff that you might need.
With Amazon Prime Day happening very soon, here’s everything you need to know before the big day.
What is Amazon Prime Day?
Amazon started Prime Day back in 2015, as a sort of “Christmas in July” event for the company. It wanted to rival Black Friday, but only make it available to its Prime members. This was an attempt to get you to sign up for Prime, and give you another perk. However, other retailers have also jumped on-board with Prime Day, and offer rivaling sales during these dates.
The first couple of Prime Days were a success, but the deals weren’t that great. Mostly stuff that you wouldn’t really buy, outside of a few doorbusters on TVs. But since then, Prime Day has actually offered some really good deals. Black Friday-level deals without waiting til November.
When does Prime Day take place?
Amazon has confirmed that Prime Day will happen in the first half of July. Now, if we look at the calendar, we know they won’t do it that first week, with the 4th of July holiday happening that Tuesday. So it’s likely going to be the week of July 10.
Amazon typically does a two-day event for Prime Day, right at the beginning of the week. Which allows for some merchants to keep the sales going through the rest of the week. So expect a Monday-Tuesday event for Prime Day.
What Prime Day deals are already available?
There aren’t actually any official early Prime Day deals available yet, but there are some great deals that you can take advantage of right now. Here are a few of them.
These are just a few deals that are currently available. You can of course check out our deals here to stay up to date.
What deals can we expect to see?
Amazon hasn’t announced the slate of deals for Prime Day yet, but we can expect to see deals across all categories of products sold on Amazon’s website.
We will also see some steep discounts on Amazon’s own hardware. Including Fire TV, Fire tablets, Echo smart speakers, Ring, Blink and much more. We might even see some discounts on Amazon’s newest products that it announced last fall.
Based on the deals we’ve seen in previous years for Prime Day, we may also see some steep discounts on Instant Pots, DNA kits, smartphones, smart TVs and many more products. Instant Pots are always the big seller for Amazon on these big shopping days, so if you’ve been looking to pick one up, that might be the best time to do so.
Robot vacuum makers like Roborock, iRobot, Neato and others will also discount their products.
Amazon will offer extended trials for its services like Music Unlimited and Audible. In previous years, we’ve seen Amazon offer four months of Music Unlimited for only $0.99.
Where can I find good deals now?
You can follow AndroidHeadlines. We post the best deals all year round. Because you can’t always wait for Black Friday or Prime Day to pick up some new tech, Instant Pots, or other products.
Everyday, we post the best deals available from Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and other retailers. To help you spend your money wisely, and not overspend. So make sure you keep this page bookmarked.
You can also check out Amazon’s deals page. This is updated every few hours with some new deals, and deals of the day.
Black Friday
Should I just wait for Black Friday?
If it’s something you need right away, then the best bet is to buy on Prime Day. But if it’s just something you want, but don’t need immediately, then there’s no harm in waiting until Black Friday. Where it is still about five months away, it’s hard to gauge whether things will be cheaper on Black Friday versus Prime Day though. In all honesty, the prices will likely be almost the same.
Particularly since we don’t know the prices for Black Friday yet, and can’t even really do a good guess at those yet.
Black Friday will have more deals at other retailers though. So if you’re not dead set on buying from Amazon, then Black Friday might be the better time to make your purchases. Though many retailers do like to compete with Amazon on Prime Day.
How can I prepare for Amazon Prime Day?
It’ll be a good idea to make sure that your payment methods and addresses are up to date on your Amazon account. Since these deals go really fast, you don’t want to waste time changing that stuff.
It’s also a good idea to pay off your Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card, so you can use it to its full potential on Prime Day. That’s because cardmembers with an eligible Prime membership will get 6% in cashback at Amazon and Whole Foods Market on Prime Day. Along with 5% cashback year-round and 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores. While you’ll get 1% back everywhere else.
Amazon has also partnered with Affirm, the popular buy now, pay later service. From June 28 through Huly 1, Prime Members can get 0% APR on three equal monthly payments when they spend $50 or more on eligible products on Amazon upon credit approval by Affirm. For example, a $300 purchase might cost $100/month over three months at 0% APR.
Do I need to be a Prime member to take advantage of these deals?
Prime Day was created as a way to drive more Prime memberships. So yes, you will need to be a Prime member to take advantage of these deals. And there is a free 30-day trial you can sign up for – or six months if you’re a student – and take advantage of Prime Day.
Sellers will also be discounting products that are not officially part of Prime Day too. So the answer is yes and no. To take advantage of all Prime Day deals, you will need to be a Prime member. But not all deals during Prime Day are limited to Prime members.
With watchOS 10, Apple is introducing the biggest changes to watchOS ever. This includes a new widget-based system, as well as moving the control center, among other features. But a feature that might have gone unnoticed is, the fact that you can now add cards to Apple Pay directly on the watch. Previously, you needed to use the Watch app on your iPhone to do this.
There is now an “Add Card” button in the Wallet app on the Apple Watch. So you can easily add a new card directly on your wrist, which is really nice to have. This means that the setup process for Apple Pay can be done entirely on the watch.
The process is basically the same as before. Where you’ll enter the credit card number, expiration date and security code right on your watch. Now, since the watch doesn’t have a camera, it can’t scan your card and auto-fill these fields for you. So it does take a bit more work to add a card.
watchOS 10 is stealing the show
Ahead of WWDC, we knew that iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 was not going to be a huge update. It was mostly going to be a bug fixing update, with some quality of life features being added. And watchOS was set to be the biggest upgrade ever for the watch. Which did end up happening.
watchOS 10 got a nice redesign, which looks a whole lot better. And Apple even got rid of the terrible honeycomb app drawer, well sort of. It’s now a scrollable list of apps in a honeycomb pattern. Instead of expanding left, right, up and down when you add more apps. So it’s a lot better to find the app you’re looking for.
It also added widgets, though it’s mostly only for first-party apps right now. Which means that you now don’t need to stick with an information-dense watch face on the Apple Watch.
