Social Media Weekly News Roundup 16.10.20

Zoom launches OnZoom, its new online events platform

Zoom’s new spin-off platform OnZoom allows hosts to run live one-off events as well as event series. OnZoom supports up to 1000 paying attendees per live event, as well as offering the option for nonprofit organisations to receive donations through the platform. The emergence of OnZoom was inspired by the sudden surge in businesses using the platform over lockdown, the company says, as it joins the group of social media platforms doing their bit to help small businesses during tough economic times.

Spotify launches new music and spoken word format for creators

On Wednesday, Spotify launched a brand new feature that will allow creators to combine spoken word and audio commentary with music tracks. In addition to creators being able to lay spoken word over music, creating radio-style productions, the feature will also be accessible to podcasters using Spotify’s own DIY podcasting app Anchor. Anchor users will now have access to Spotify’s 65 million track music library, a significant update for podcasters, whose use of audio was previously limited by strict streaming rights.

Snapchat introduces new music feature Sounds

Snapchat has launched its new Sounds feature, which allows users to add songs into their Snaps in a TikTok-esque fashion. For now, a limited music library of curated songs from popular emerging and established artists will be available to Snapchat users to include in their Snaps. To launch the new feature with a bang, Snapchat exclusively featured Justin Bieber’s new, unreleased single for its users to listen to and share before its official release.

Google introduces new Journalist Studio

This week, Google announced the launch of its brand new Journalist Studio: a suite of new tools and technologies that journalists can use to manage and undertake their work more easily. Its new tools will include Pinpoint, which will utilise Google’s AI-powered Knowledge Graph and optical character recognition, a Fact Check explorer, DIY VPN Outline, and many more.

Facebook’s Messenger gets a new update

Facebook this week announced its latest Messenger update, which includes a revamped logo as well as new features including selfie stickers, “vanish mode”, and new personalised theme options. The update is said by the platform to be the next step in its evolution towards “a more dynamic, fun, and integrated way to stay connected.”

Apple unveils 5G-enabled iPhone 12

With the release of its latest iPhone generation, which includes the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple has finally made the jump to 5G! However, despite the cheapest model setting consumers back a minimum of £699 each, the iPhone 12 models will be the first iPhones not to be bundled with a charger or headphones, meaning consumers will have to fork out for these essentials separately. 

The pre-order for Apple’s new iPhone 12 range begins today at 1pm.

Facebook and Twitter restrict New York Post article on Joe Biden in run up to US election

Social media giants Facebook and Twitter have taken an unprecedented step against US tabloid the New York Post in an effort to limit the spread of misinformation in the run up to the national election. The controversial New York Post story in question contained criticisms of Democratic candidate Joe Biden based on untrustworthy sources supposedly obtained through hacking - something which Twitter now strongly prohibits. The move has added new fuel to the debate around the role of social media platforms in moderating content and preventing the spread of misinformation.