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A ROUND-UP OF THE LATEST NEWS IN THE DIGITAL WORLD
INSTAGRAM GUIDES
IN A direct response to the coronavirus pandemic, Instagram has added a new feature to its app intended to be a source of reliable information from trusted sources.
The new Guides section can be found on your profile page as a tab that sits between your photos and the photos you are tagged in.
Here you will see collections of posts and videos by hand-picked curators, themed on specific subjects and intended to inspire as well as inform.
Initially Instagram says it’s focusing content around the theme of wellness in a bid to offer help for those struggling under lockdown.
The feature is rolling out over the next few days, so if you don’t have it yet, keep checking. Instagram says Guides, which you can share via your Story or via Direct, will also appear in the Explore tabs of the Instagram app soon.
TECH BOSS QUITS DISNEY FOR TIKTOK
AS IF you didn’t know just how big video sharing app Tiktok has become, the Chinese company that owns it, Bytedance, has just lured one of US tech’s most celebrated executives to join its ranks.
Kevin Mayer, pictured, has only just overseen the phenomenally successful launch of the new Disney+ video streaming service, but is leaving the house of the mouse for pastures new. He’ll be Bytedance’s chief operating officer.
Bytedance said in a statement: “In his role as COO, Kevin will lead music, gaming, Helo, emerging businesses, and will serve as CEO of Tiktok, leading the rapidly growing platform as it continues to build its global community of creators, users, and brands.”
If he can replicate his success at Disney with Tiktok, the hire will prove an astute move on the part of Bytedance – Disney+ passed 50 million subscribers last month despite only launching in November.
Some had predicted Mayer would eventually take the top job at Disney, having worked closely with former CEO Bob Iger for many years, but when Iger announced his plans to step down in February, it was another Disney veteran, Bob Chapek, that got the job.