Want to catch up with what happened in the digital world this week? Our weekly cheat sheet will fill you in on everything you missed while you were scrambling to meet deadlines and put out fires.
Read about Instagram’s new profile pages, Microsoft retiring its IM service, Amazon Lockers in RadioShack and Staples stores, the world’s most popular phone – Samsung Galaxy S3, and more!
1. Instagram profile pages
Instagram lovers, your wish to browse through photos on the web has been granted. Instagram has finally rolled out profiles for web viewing, and not surprisingly, they look a lot like Facebook’s Timeline. You are able to interact with photos on the web as you would on your mobile device; however, you cannot upload photos from the web. Brands will be able to drive traffic to these new landing pages which can create more opportunities to gain exposure and engage fans.
2. Microsoft retires Messenger for Skype
Early next year, Microsoft is phasing out its Messenger service and replacing it with recently acquired Skype. To make the switch as seamless as possible for those using Messenger, users can use their existing Microsoft ID to sign into Skype. All Messenger contacts will automatically port over and users can continue to instant message and video chat just like before.
3. RadioShack and Staples gets Amazon Lockers
A few months ago, Amazon launched their Amazon Locker service in local grocery and drug stores. Now, they have expanded to other retailers such as RadioShack and Staples. Amazon has slowly been increasing its presence in retail stores. As customers are checking out on Amazon, they can now select an additional delivery option and get their delivery from the closest locker. Retailers see e-commerce sites such as Amazon as big competition; however, some retailers instead opt for cooperation in order to increase foot traffic into their own stores.
4. Pinterest allowing private boards
For the first time, Pinterest is enabling private boards for its users on web, iOS, and Android. Users have long been requesting these private boards so they could plan gift ideas, plan secret events, or other content they don’t want to share with the public. However, users are limited to 3 of these private boards, and all pins on these boards will not show up anywhere else within the platform.
5. Tumblr launches an new version of its iOS app
Earlier today, Tumblr has launched version 3.2 of its iOS app. The new native app represents a complete overhaul of the previous version. It comes with a redesigned dashboard interface for bigger photos and faster loading time, new notifications to easily see reposts and likes, automatic GIF playback, and new gestures for navigation.
6. Samsung Galaxy S3 is the world’s most popular phone
Samsung has been bringing its A-game lately starting with “The Next Big Thing is Already Here”viral video ad from last month. More recently, a new report from Strategy Analytics hails the Samsung Galaxy S3 as “the world’s most popular phone.” It shipped 18 million units worldwide in the last quarter, capturing an 11% share of all globally shipped smartphones, and has become the best-selling smartphone model for the first time ever.
