Instagram has added new drawing and sticker tools for images shared in DMs. These are similar to the features available on Stories and feed posts but are now being introduced to messaging. Options included adding stickers, drawing on the image and adding text. Instagram is also expanding its cut-outs option to DMs, so users can create custom stickers from their images. Finally, the platform is adding new birthday icons to users’ Notes bubbles within the Inbox, which also creates a confetti animation when tapped.
YouTube launches features to tackle AI deepfakes
YouTube is developing new ways to identify AI deepfakes on the platform. For music publishers, YouTube is introducing a new tool called “synthetic-singing identification technology”. The feature will use audio-matching technology to find fakes and copies of artists’ voices and alert the original creator. And for creators and celebrities, YouTube is also developing a tool that will be able to find any AI-generated content that depicts real people’s faces.
Image credit: Christian Wiediger
In a statement announcing the features, YouTube emphasised its copyright protection tools, explaining that, since its launch in 2007, its Content ID feature has provided “granular control to rights holders across their entire catalogs on YouTube. […] and we are committed to bringing this same level of protection and empowerment into the AI age.”
Snapchat launches ads in chat tab
Snapchat is adding new ad placements for advertisers including “Sponsored Snaps” which will appear in your inbox. This is the first time Snap has explored ads in the chat tab, although the ad will be delivered without a push notification, so opening it is optional.. Snapchat CEO, Evan Spiegel, said they are looking to evolve the feature as it grows and explore more messaging features powered by generative AI. Snapchat is also adding “Promoted Places”, which lets businesses highlight their location on the Snap Map.
Image credit: Thought Catalog
X launches TV app
Over the last year, X has been experimenting with new features as part of its shift to a “video-first” platform. It has added video streaming on Spaces, enabled video calls, tested video conferencing tools, and now, X has announced a new TV app. The TV app will be available on most app stores, with the beta version already appearing on Amazon Fire TV and Google TV. So far, it looks like the TV app will showcase videos from various organisations, publishers, and creators directly from X.
Image credit: X
This is not the first time that the social platform has focused on video content. In 2016, when X was still Twitter, the platform launched various TV apps to watch live events and stay updated on what was happening in real-time. And just before Elon Musk took over the platform, Twitter added a TikTok-like full-screen feed for videos.
