digital landscape Archives

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

Manychat taps $140M to boost its business messaging platform with AI

Manychat has secured million in a Series B funding round led by Summit Partners to expand its operations. The company has approximately 1.5 million customers in 170 countries, including brands like Nike and the New York Times. Manychat facilitates the transmission of billions of messages annually across platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. Since its inception in 2015, Manychat had raised around million prior to this round, mainly from a million Series A round in 2019. The company operates at a near break-even point and has experienced significant growth, particularly after Facebook opened its Messenger APIs. Manychat's focus on user engagement distinguishes it from many generative AI chatbots. The new funds will be used for research and development to enhance AI capabilities and improve global sales, marketing, and customer support.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

Technology behind private messaging app Telegram names Maximilian…

The TON Foundation will announce Maximilian Crown as its new CEO on Thursday. This appointment aims to stabilize Telegram, which has a user base of one billion, following the arrest of its founder Pavel Durov in Paris last year. Crown's leadership is seen as a significant step for Telegram, demonstrating its commitment to expanding its multi-functional app amid governmental pressures to access user data. Crown has experience as CFO and COO of MoonPay and has successfully secured operational approvals across various countries. Telegram has transformed into a “Super App,” integrating features such as gaming, shopping, and payment functionalities. The Telegram Open Network (TON) has 41 million active accounts and 121 million Toncoin holders. Toncoin's value is tied to Telegram's fortunes, experiencing fluctuations following Durov's arrest. Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of French authorities' actions on Telegram’s blockchain initiatives, especially related to digital privacy and government oversight. Durov was detained for 96 hours and criticized the scrutiny faced by Telegram, warning against legislative efforts that threaten individual freedoms.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

Google wants to make sure you never accidentally purchase an app again

Google is introducing a new swipe gesture for confirming app purchases on its Play Store, replacing the traditional tap-to-buy button. Users will need to hold and swipe to confirm their purchase, in addition to the usual verification measures. This feature is being rolled out in version 45.8.21-31 of the Play Store. Google has also removed 2.3 million potentially risky apps from its platform, but users are advised to remain vigilant and assess developer profiles and app reviews for reliability.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

Sanso’s chat messenger aims to dethrone usual messengers

LetsTalkh Messenger is a messaging app developed by Sanso Technologies that offers a unique user experience without advertisements or data tracking. It features global roaming chat capabilities, end-to-end encryption, built-in privacy tools, and a focus on user empowerment. Sanso Technologies, led by founder Haroon S Khan, has a strong presence in the EU and UAE and has been recognized by platforms like FORBES. SansoPay is a cross-border digital payment platform that enables secure international transactions for individuals and businesses. It includes features like cross-border capabilities, API integration, a SansoPay Debit Card, and robust security measures compliant with regulations. SansoPay aims to provide financial freedom and cater to various sectors, addressing challenges faced by traditional payment platforms.

AppWizard

April 20, 2025

How ‘A Minecraft Movie’ Won With Memes and Deliberate Stupidity

In its second weekend, "A Minecraft Movie" has surpassed 0 million in global ticket sales, becoming the second-highest-grossing video game film of all time and the top-grossing release of 2025. The film resonates with younger audiences and has created a cultural touchstone for Generations Z and Alpha. The world premiere took place on March 30, 2025, in London, with attendees expressing excitement and engaging in lively behavior during screenings. Minecraft, created in 2009 by Markus Persson, allows players to build and explore in a geometric world. The film, directed by Jared Hess, features Jack Black and Jason Momoa and has sparked discussions about generational differences in public behavior. Theater owners have noted the positive impact of the film on attendance and sales.

AppWizard

April 14, 2025

PCs are exempt from upcoming wave of Trump tariffs

The US Customs and Border Patrol announced that personal computers will be exempt from the upcoming tariffs introduced by the Trump administration. However, gaming consoles, including the Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, will still face tariffs. Smartphones have also been granted an exemption from these tariffs. The Trump administration has implemented a blanket 10 percent tariff on all goods imported from outside the US, with a potential 125 percent levy on goods from China temporarily paused for 90 days. Additionally, a 20 percent tariff on Chinese goods was introduced earlier in 2025.

Tech Optimizer

April 12, 2025

I abandoned third-party antivirus tools, and here’s what I do instead

The author has transitioned from using third-party antivirus solutions to relying on Windows Security, which is built into Windows 10 and 11, due to its effectiveness and lack of cost. They emphasize the importance of keeping Windows Security updated and performing regular virus scans for added peace of mind. Ransomware protection features, such as Controlled Folder Access, are highlighted as essential. The Microsoft PC Manager app is recommended for optimizing system performance and security. The author advocates for good security hygiene, including avoiding suspicious emails and enabling two-factor authentication, as effective practices to maintain security without third-party antivirus software.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Meta Expands Teen Safety Protections to Facebook and Messenger

Meta Platforms Inc. is implementing new safety and privacy measures for users under 16 on its platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger. These measures include prohibiting teens from hosting live videos without parental consent and banning the sharing of images with suspected nudity via direct messages. Additionally, Meta is introducing "Teen Accounts" on Facebook and Messenger, which will have stricter privacy settings, following a similar rollout on Instagram.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Windows Recall Is Finally Rolling Out To Customers

Microsoft is rolling out its Windows Recall feature, which captures near-constant screenshots of user activity to allow natural language searches for content. Concerns have been raised by cybersecurity expert Kevin Beaumont, who warns that it could reverse cybersecurity progress by a decade. Users must opt-in and use Windows Hello for authentication to access their stored images, which can be paused at any time. Recall captures snapshots during various tasks and allows users to reopen applications or documents and perform actions directly from these snapshots. The rollout will occur gradually, and the tech community is monitoring its impact on cybersecurity.

Winsage

April 10, 2025

A mysterious new folder appeared in my C drive after this Windows 11 update, should I be worried?

The Windows 11 24H2 update (KB5055523) has resulted in the unexpected appearance of a folder named "inetpub" on user systems. This folder is a harmless remnant of the security patch and is associated with Microsoft's Internet Information Services (IIS). Microsoft has not provided clarification on its emergence, but it is safe to delete if desired, as it poses no threat and does not run any hidden processes.