MM Tech, Media & Publishing Roundup #8

Social Media:

1. TikTok can track users’ every tap as they visit other sites through their iOS app, new research shows

According to new research by software engineer Felix Krause, TikTok can track users' screens while they browse in their iOS app, including passwords and clicked links. 

The app can store sensitive personal information like credit card information and passwords by monitoring keystrokes, text inputs and screen taps. 
Via The Guardian

2. Twitter now has a podcast

Twitter has introduced Podcasts into its recently redesigned Spaces Tab to provide more opportunities for listeners to connect with podcast creators. 

The Spaces Tab allows users to personalize audio content with specific themes like News, Music, Sports and more. The new design will enable listeners to easily access more personalized Spaces sections on relevant topics.
Via Search Engine Land

3. Zuckerberg says Meta’s next VR headset will launch in October and will focus on ‘social presence’

During a recent interview on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced the new Meta VR headset, set to launch in October. The headset will be designed to focus on “social presence” with features like eye-tracking and face-tracking, enforcing the fact that VR can “unlock” a sense of being in the presence of another person.  

During the interview, Zuckerburg spoke about his dislike of dealing with content moderation issues, mentioning that Meta spent $5 billion in 2021 on fighting disinformation. 
Via TechCrunch and MorningBrew

4. Twitch kicks off their SUBtember Initiative

SUBtember started as an initiative five years ago to celebrate Twitch streamers and their communities who support them with special savings on subscriptions. 

Gaming PC brand Lenovo Legion is the official sponsor of the monthlong event, helping subscribers save on all sub tiers - 20% off 1-month subs, 25% off 3-month subs, and  30% off 6-month subs.
Via Twitch Blog

5. Instagram is now allowing users to share posts, Reels and locations through QR codes

Instagram has recently added the ability for users to share posts, Reels, tags and locations on its searchable Map experience through QR codes via the app. 

“To make it easier for people and businesses to share specific content, we recently launched the ability to create QR codes for profiles, tags, locations, reels and more,” Instagram owner, Meta, commented about the new feature. Via TechCrunch

Technology:

6. SpaceX, T-Mobile link for satellite phones

SpaceX and US cellular provider T-Mobile will launch a direct-to-phone satellite connection using SpaceX’s second-generation Starlink craft.

SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk, and T-Mobile CEO and President, Mike Sievert, announced that SpaceX would use a portion of T-Mobile’s existing 5G spectrum, the ‘mid-band Personal Communications Service’, to allow Gen-2 Starlink satellites to connect directly to cell phones.

“The important thing about this is that it means there are no dead zones anywhere in the world for your cell phone,” said Musk. 
Via Advanced Television

Streaming:

7. FanDuel readies launch of cable network focused on sports betting

FanDuel launches their new morning TV show hosted by Kay Adams, a former NFL Network host, with the aim to push legalizing certain types of gambling across the nation. 

“I am rebuilding TVG as FanDuel TV to be the first network built from the ground up that is designed to be watched with a phone in your hand,” says Mike Raffensperger, FanDuel’s Chief Commercial Officer. 
Via Variety

8. Sport Buff secures $2.5M seed investment

Gamification and on-screen engagement specialist, Sport Buff, has attracted a further $2.5 million of global investment in its seed round of funding, helping to “scale-up, reach new partners and deliver for viewers, brands and broadcasters,” Founder and CEO, Vebb Achilleas, commented. 

“We’re changing the way the world watches sport. We have significant global deals, with broadcasters and rights holders, both in place and in the pipeline, and we’ve continued to grow our capabilities through important hires in the UK, Europe, North America and the Middle East.” 
Via Advanced Television

9. U.K. streaming platform ITVX to launch in November

New UK streaming platform ITVX set to replace current platform ITV Hub, streaming news, sports, entertainment, films, boxsets and other shows. 

“We saw that last year with Euros [the UEFA European Football Championship]: really big audiences watching live sports on the ITV Hub and we envisage that trend continuing on ITVX.” Chris Kennedy, ITV’s Chief Financial Officer, stated earlier this year. 
Via Variety