Technology - Google News

How to install the watchOS 8 public beta - The Verge
Instagram Head: 'Instagram is No Longer a Photo Sharing App' - PetaPixel
Humble Bundle moves forward with charitable donation caps on purchases - Engadget

How to install the watchOS 8 public beta - The Verge

Posted: 01 Jul 2021 07:14 AM PDT

Apple has now released public betas for iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, tvOS 15, and macOS Monterey. We've covered how to get the iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 betas here — follow along below if you're interested in testing out the latest Apple Watch software, too.

WatchOS 8 is expected to get a full, stable release this fall. It brings a handful of new features, including more workout types in the Fitness app, a new Mindfulness app, a watchface that works with Portrait Mode photos taken on an iPhone, as well as improved weather and smart home apps, among other things. It's compatible with the Series 3, Series 4, Series 5, Series 6, and SE Apple Watch models.

Before we go through how to install the beta, there are some important things you should know:

Beta software is often buggy and you might have issues with third-party apps. Some bugs might include poor performance and bad battery life, an area the Apple Watch isn't great at even with stable software. It's best to try it out on a secondary watch if you have one (which, admittedly, most people don't).
Unlike the iOS and iPadOS betas, there's no way to revert to the stable version of watchOS 7 if you install the watchOS 8 beta. If it's buggy and not functioning well for you, you're stuck with it until Apple releases the stable version in the fall. That's probably enough of a reason to stay away from this one, particularly if you rely on your Apple Watch.

If those don't scare you away, here's how to install the watchOS 8 beta on an Apple Watch:

Before you can install the watchOS 8 beta, you must have the iOS 15 beta installed on your iPhone. Go follow these directions and come back here when you're done.
Go to Apple's beta software page in Safari on your iPhone.
Log in with your Apple ID.
Scroll down and tap the "Get Started" link.
Tap the watchOS 8 tab at the top of the page.
Select "enroll your Apple Watch" in the Get Started section of the watchOS 8 tab.
Scroll down and tap the "Download Profile" button and then select "allow" on the pop-up.
Install the beta profile in the Watch app on your iPhone, which should automatically open once the profile is downloaded.
You will be prompted to reboot your Apple Watch. Tap the button to allow this.
Once the Apple Watch is rebooted, go to the Watch app, tap "General," tap "Software Update."
You should see the watchOS 8 beta ready to be installed on your watch. Tap "Install" to proceed.
The software update will download to your phone and then transfer to the watch. To complete installation, the watch needs to be on its charger, within range of your iPhone, connected to Wi-Fi, and with 50 percent or more charge. If all of those criteria are not met, it will pause the installation until the watch is ready.

Once the beta software is installed, the watch will reboot itself and you'll be all set to use it. In our experience, some complications and third-party apps did not function until they were opened manually on the watch or the watch was rebooted a second time.

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Instagram Head: 'Instagram is No Longer a Photo Sharing App' - PetaPixel

Posted: 01 Jul 2021 08:07 AM PDT

Instagram is looking to focus its attention on competing directly with TikTok and as a result, its head Adam Mosseri says that the popular app is no longer a photo-sharing app, but will shift to entertainment, video, and shopping.

"We are no longer a photo-sharing app," Mosseri says bluntly in a video posted to Twitter. "The number one reason people say they use Instagram, in research, is to be entertained."

He explains that he recently told the company that because of this data, he and therefore Instagram will "lean in" to the entertainment trend and video. Mosseri says that TikTok and YouTube are "huge" competitors to Instagram, and notes that in order to stay relevant, the app must evolve.

"And so people are looking to Instagram to be entertained, and there's stiff competition, and there is more to do and we have to embrace that," he continues. "And that means change."

Changes are coming to video on Instagram 📺

At Instagram we're always trying to build new features that help you get the most out of your experience. Right now we're focused on four key areas: Creators, Video, Shopping and Messaging. pic.twitter.com/ezFp4hfDpf

— Adam Mosseri 😷 (@mosseri) June 30, 2021

As part of that, Mosseri references a change that is already in testing that involves showing users more recommendations in feeds that may not be directly related to accounts that are specifically followed. In previous coverage, PetaPixel noted that this shift would make Instagram theoretically function similarly to how YouTube manages its "home" page. TikTok functions similarly with its recommendation algorithm that ranks videos based on several factors. Because Mosseri says that Instagram is pivoting specifically to challenge TikTok and YouTube, it appears to be following in those company's footsteps with regard to how it delivers content.

While an early version entered testing last week, Mosseri says that a newer version of recommendations is coming that includes topics, where users can tell Instagram what kinds of topics they want to see more or less.

But beyond that, as a company, Mosseri says that Instagram's goals moving forward are to "embrace video more broadly" beyond its IGTV, Reels, and Stories integrations. He says that Instagram wants to focus on more full-screen, immersive, "mobile-first" video experiences over the "square photo-sharing app" that it has been since it was founded.

The broad goals that Mosseri talks about have few details or pointed strategic notes, but it does point to a major shift in how Instagram sees itself and what users can expect from the platform moving forward. Clearly, the rise of TikTok has Instagram worried as it pivots to be more like it and less like what Instagram has thus far been.

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Humble Bundle moves forward with charitable donation caps on purchases - Engadget

Posted: 01 Jul 2021 01:37 PM PDT

In mid-July, Humble Bundle will move forward with its previous decision to cap charitable donations. Back in April, the company announced a plan to introduce a new storefront that was set to do away with its signature sliders and limit how much of their purchase customers could direct to charity. Following vocal backlash from its community, Humble Bundle said it would take time to re-evaluate that plan.

As of today, the company plans to move forward with a version of its storefront that affords consumers some amount of choice over where their money goes, but still takes away the option to donate everything they spend on charity. "While splits on each bundle will vary, on average there will be a minimum amount for Humble Bundle between 15 to 30 percent," the company said in a blog post spotted by Kotaku. "Sliders will clearly indicate any minimums to customers and the flexibility to adjust donations will be available in every purchase of a bundle."

Humble Bundle says its latest decision reflects shifts in the "PC storefront landscape," adding "the change to sliders lets us continue to invest in more exciting content so we can keep growing the Humble community which will ultimately drive more donations for charitable causes." Media conglomerate IGN acquired Humble Bundle in 2017 for an undisclosed amount. In 2019, co-founders Jeff Rosen and John Graham left the company.

As with its initial announcement, the reaction to today's news hasn't been positive. "Yeah, the multi-billion dollar company needs the money more than my local animal shelter," said one Twitter user, referencing the estimated $1.9 billion net worth of IGN and Humble Bundle parent company Ziff Davis.

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