In what may be a potential effort to compete with Facebook’s Pages, Google Maps now allows users to follow businesses such as restaurants, bars, or stores with the simple tap of a button. Once a business is followed, users will be able to view updates around upcoming events, deals, and offers in the “For You” tab of the app. While the 150 million businesses (and their respective customers) on Google Maps will soon be able to take advantage of the “follow” feature, they will only be able to do so on Android for the time being.
Snapchat lenses are now available on desktop
Dubbed “Snap Camera,” a new desktop app has been launched by Snapchat, allowing users to “wear” the same lenses and filters available on the mobile app as they stream, chat, or record video on their computers. By giving Snap Camera access to your computer’s webcam, these lenses can be used across a variety of third-party video apps including Skype, Google Hangouts, Zoom, Facebook Live and Twitch. Interestingly, users don’t need to log in to their Snapchat accounts in order to use the desktop app – but this may be in an effort to reduce the barrier to participation, as Snapchat continues to find ways to stay top-of-mind amidst the growing giant that is Instagram Stories.
Facebook has also expanded its Lip Sync Live feature, making it available to more profiles globally. Due to popular request, song lyrics will now be displayed when using the feature.
Lastly, in what can be described as an ode to the days of Myspace, Facebook announced its plans to include a music section within profile pages, giving users the option to pin recently played or favorite songs at the top of their pages, right beneath their profile pictures.
