Latest news with #Updates
Arabian Post
8 hours ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
WhatsApp charts ad and creator‑subscription course
WhatsApp is rolling out a trio of monetisation tools within its Updates tab, signalling a significant shift in strategy while keeping its core service intact. Businesses and creator‑led Channels can now access new advertising options, subscribers can unlock exclusive content, and adverts will begin appearing in status updates – all isolated from personal chats. Approximately 1.5 billion users engage with the Updates feed daily, where ephemeral Status posts and one‑way Channels feature prominently. Meta, the parent company, is instituting three monetisation pillars: paid subscriptions to Channels, promoted placement for selected Channels, and targeted ads in Status postings. Paid Channel subscriptions enable creators and organisations to offer exclusive content to subscribed users. Channel owners can set monthly fees, receiving payment directly; Meta has confirmed it will forgo revenue share this year. Users continue to access non‑premium Channels at no cost, preserving inclusivity. ADVERTISEMENT Promoted Channels afford businesses and creators the ability to gain visibility within the Channels directory. These paid promotions echo Facebook and Instagram's ad features, enabling targeted outreach to engaged audiences on WhatsApp. Advertising in Status posts marks WhatsApp's first foray into native ad content. Businesses will now have the opportunity to insert sponsored Status updates visible alongside friends and family updates, with direct messaging links for user engagement. Meta assures these monetisation measures will not breach WhatsApp's end‑to‑end encryption on personal chats, calls, and Status. The Updates feed is portrayed as a separate, user‑opt‑in zone that won't affect the private messaging interface. Ad targeting will be based on broad demographic signals—such as language, city, activity within Updates, and cross‑app preferences if linked via Meta's Accounts Center—excluding personal message content. Meta highlights ongoing user trust as a cornerstone, emphasising that phone numbers will not be shared with advertisers and ad delivery does not draw from personal or group conversations. This assurance follows backlash in 2021 concerning alleged T&Cs changes, underscoring the fragility of confidence in WhatsApp's promises. Meta's move is clearly motivated by financial incentives. With ad revenue soaring—for instance, Meta reported US $160.6 billion in ad income in 2024—and WhatsApp yet to be fully monetised, the company plans to leverage its massive user base without compromising privacy guarantees. This transformation mirrors WhatsApp's evolution in Asia, where apps like WeChat serve as multifunctional ecosystems encompassing commerce, messaging, and media. Meta's vision is to expand WhatsApp's utility by integrating business and creator economy tools in non‑intrusive areas. Despite assurances, the roll‑out has sparked debate over potential shifts in user experience. Some long‑time users perceive this as a betrayal by an app founded on a minimalist, privacy‑first ethos – 'No ads! No games! No gimmicks!' as WhatsApp's founders once promised. Timid but discernible resistance emerged on social media platforms like Reddit, with a fraction of users threatening migration to platforms like Signal or Telegram. Meta is mitigating these concerns through phased deployment, global scheduling over coming months, and strict differentiation between private and monetised environments. Advertisers and business leaders, however, are optimistic: the Updates tab presents a potent venue for visibility, especially for small businesses traditionally underrepresented in mainstream ad environments. WhatsApp's approach marks its boldest commercial pivot yet, with strategic calculus focused on preserving encryption while introducing revenue‑generating mechanisms. The company's ability to maintain trust, eye potential regulatory scrutiny, and adapt to user response will determine whether this evolution strengthens WhatsApp's role as both a private messaging app and a platform for business and entertainment.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Meta seen generating at least $3 billion a year from new WhatsApp's Updates ads
-- Meta Platforms' latest move to monetize WhatsApp could add billions to its revenue over time, according to a new note from Morgan Stanley. The company recently announced it will begin rolling out ads in the app's Updates tab, with analysts seeing a clear path to generating $3 billion to $5 billion annually from the initiative, potentially rising to over $6 billion in a bull case. Meta (NASDAQ:META) will introduce "Status ads" within the Updates section of WhatsApp, which is used by roughly 1.5 billion users each day. Morgan Stanley explained that the ads will not appear in private messages or calls, and will rely on the Updates tab's Status feature, which is conceptually similar to Instagram Stories. Meta is also said to be planning to add monetization tools in WhatsApp Channels, including Promoted Channels and Channel Subscriptions. 'While 1.5bn users is significant, it's important to remember that most (~95%) of WhatsApp users are outside of the U.S.,' Morgan Stanley wrote, noting that international monetization is typically lower. Still, the analysts believe Meta's ad infrastructure and user scale could support 'a ~$3bn–$5bn business.' Their base scenarios assume Updates represents a high single-digit percentage of WhatsApp usage, or around 2–4 minutes of user time daily, monetized at levels near Pinterest's international rates. The bull case envisions 12% of user time in Updates and monetization at Facebook's rates, supporting 'a path to $6bn+ of annual revenue,' which would add about 3% upside to Morgan Stanley's current Meta revenue model. 'This is a helpful multi-year framework,' the analysts said, emphasizing Meta's ability to convert platform scale and ad tech into durable free cash flow growth. Related articles Meta seen generating at least $3 billion a year from new WhatsApp's Updates ads Cantor bullish on analog stocks near-term, but challenges remain through year-end Beyond Oil product could lower cancer risk from fried foods, medical opinion finds Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
With ads and paid subscriptions, is WhatsApp Meta's next big bet?
After the success of bringing businesses to WhatsApp, Meta — its parent — is now introducing ads and subscriptions to Status and Channels under the Updates tab of the messaging app, the company said on Monday. This move will further push its monetisation efforts on WhatsApp. The Updates tab is now used by 1.5 billion users every day. Users who follow certain Channels will be able to receive exclusive updates for a monthly fee. The Status tab will also begin featuring advertisements from businesses, enabling easier connection with users. This is the first time that businesses will be able to run advertisements directly on WhatsApp. Previously, there were only two ways to target users via WhatsApp: first, through paid messaging used by large businesses to send updates, and second, via ads on Facebook and Instagram that click through to open a WhatsApp chat. In a select media briefing, the company stated that for users who only use WhatsApp to chat with friends and family, there will be no change. To show ads in Status and Channels, the platform will share minimal information such as the user's country or city, language, and the Channels they follow. Alice Newton-Rex, Vice-President, Product at WhatsApp, said the platform will never share or sell users' phone numbers to advertisers. Personal messages, calls and group conversations will continue to be encrypted. 'We are increasingly seeing and hearing people wanting to use WhatsApp for more than just messaging close friends and family. That's part of the reason we introduced the 'Updates' tab as a place for optional experiences on WhatsApp like Channels and Status. Almost 1.5 billion people globally use Updates daily. It's often where people go when they are looking to discover something new,' said Newton-Rex. The new features will roll out gradually over the next few months. The timing of this launch is significant, as WhatsApp has seen its two existing advertisement models scale well — both paid messaging and click-to-WhatsApp ads are now billion-dollar businesses. This is especially relevant for a market like India, where WhatsApp has over 500 million users, and revenue from WhatsApp Business doubled in 2024. Sandhya Devanathan, Head of Meta India and South East Asia, previously told Business Standard that business momentum for WhatsApp in India is 'outpacing' several other countries. An important aspect of the rollout is the focus on preserving individual privacy. At a time when regulators worldwide are scrutinising big tech's use of personal data, WhatsApp maintains that it will share only minimal information with advertisers and that messages will remain encrypted. In response to a question about rising scams and frauds, and how ads on Updates would be safeguarded, Newton-Rex said all ads in Status would need to comply with Meta's advertising standards. 'We review every advertisement against our policies, and in addition, users can report or block businesses on WhatsApp or report individual ads,' she said.
Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Fans buzz as Parent Trap star reunites with Lindsay Lohan in Freaky Friday 2
Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis are reprising their roles in the long-awaited sequel to Freaky Friday, and fans can also expect a Parent Trap reunion in the long-anticipated film Fans are delighted by the long-anticipated reunion of Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis in the second Freaky Friday film, Freakier Friday, launching in August this year. But it seems they are not the only iconic duo teaming up once again; Lindsay's co-star from Parent Trap will also be starring in the sequel. Some 27 years since their epic filming adventure in the beloved Disney remake of Parent Trap, Elaine Hendrix - who played the fabulous yet villainous Meredith Blake - will be reuniting with Lohan. Hedrix told Entertainment Weekly how great it was to see Lindsay again; the pair did not stay in touch much post-Parent Trap as Lohan was just 11 years old at the time, while Hendrix was 26. But when Hendrix, now 54, got a call from Freakier Friday director Nisha Ganatra, it unexpectedly brought her and Lindsay back together. "I was like girl, you know I'll show up for you to do anything," Hendrix said she told Ganatra. Elaine says since film the pair got to spend a lot of time together and enjoying reminiscing. "Now, we're better about staying in touch with one another," Hendrix added. Earlier this year, Lohan shared a photo of herself on Instagram at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. In the comment section, Hendrix replied: "Being young & beautiful is not a crime you know", a reference to a popular quote in Parent Trap where Meredith levels with Lohan's character. Fans are delighted after hearing about the pair's reunion in Freakier Friday. On X, people rushed to comment after a post was shared on Lindsay Lohan Fan Updates, and people have noticed Elaine in the trailer. @lavitalohan said: "Another surprise reunion? THE PARENT TRAP's Elaine Hendrix has reportedly joined the cast of FREAKIER FRIDAY!" "MEREDITH BLAKE IN FREAKIER FRIDAY?!" commented one. Another dubbed Hedrix's cameo role "awesome," while another insisted it is "iconic." "She's back for revenge," jokes another. "My girl hasn't aged one bit," observed one more. One other said: "Another iconic reunion! Elaine Hendrix in Freakier Friday is a perfect match! Can't wait to see her bring that magic back to the screen!." On TikTok, one fan said, "wait I'm obsessed," after hearing about the pair's reunion. What can we expect from Freakier Friday? In the original Freaky Friday released in 2003, Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) swapped places with her daughter, Anna (Lohan) and all sorts of shenanigans take place. The sequel is going a slightly different direction, taking place years after the first film. Anna is now grown up and has a daughter of her own, named Harper, played by Julia Butters. Harper is about to marry the dashing Eric (Manny Jacinto), however Harper doesn't get along with Eric's daughter, Lily (Sophia Hammons). Or at least, she doesn't until the girls switch bodies with Tess and Anna. Fans of the first film can expect to see the return of Mark Harmon, Chad Michael Murray, Christina Vidal Mitchell, Haley Hudson, Lucille Soong, Stephen Tobolowsky and Rosalind Chao.. Plus extra stars include Vanessa Bayer, Julia Butters, Manny Jacinto, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Sophia Hammons. Freakier Friday will hit cinemas August 8, 2025.
Android Authority
29-05-2025
- Business
- Android Authority
Samsung's One UI 8 Android 16 beta absolutely dunks on Google
Joe Maring / Android Authority Samsung surprised us all this week by releasing the One UI 8 beta for the Galaxy S25 series, which is based on Android 16. Following the messy rollout of One UI 7 and Samsung's track record of launching betas after Google has finalized a stable Android update, the arrival of One UI 8 has been a pleasant surprise. There are some welcome changes, from improvements to alarm groups to better support for older Galaxy Buds. Are you going to download the One UI 8 beta? 503 votes Yes 47 % No 31 % When it's more stable 22 % What's more surprising is that Samsung's version of Android 16 is more feature-complete than Google's, with two of the main additions everyone is looking forward to already working in One UI 8. 90:10 splitscreen The OnePlus Open came with a new kind of split-screen multitasking called Open Canvas. Google is bringing this feature to Android 16, but it isn't available in the current beta for Pixel devices. It is here in One UI 8, though, as seen in the video above. It's a great addition to split-screen. Being able to quickly switch between the two apps while having enough space to use each one is a game-changer, and I look forward to seeing how it performs on foldables and tablets. The question is, why does Samsung have it in One UI 8 already when Google hasn't enabled it in the official Android 16 beta? Live Updates Live Updates are similar to the Live Activity feature you'll find on iOS. It allows an app to display real-time information in a place that's easy to see, no matter what you're doing on your phone, such as showing a progress bar for your food order or directions from Google Maps. Zac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority YouTube Music Live Notifications Despite Live Updates being showcased at Google I/O, the feature isn't yet available in the Android 16 beta. It is available on Samsung phones and doesn't require One UI 8. Samsung calls this feature Live Notifications, and it was introduced in One UI 7, which is based on Android 15. It does everything described above and even lets you control your media playback. One UI 8 doesn't have everything Ryan Haines / Android Authority Samsung doesn't get everything, though. Android 15 introduced Notification Cooldown to Pixels, a feature that mutes notifications for up to two minutes at a time if you receive too many in quick succession. Even in One UI 8 with Android 16, this isn't present on Samsung devices. We don't know why Samsung has opted not to integrate Notification Cooldown, but it's a shame. It's a useful feature that can stop the constant barrage of information from being overwhelming. It seems odd that Samsung consistently receives early access to features, while Google's smartphone brand, the Pixel, is often overlooked and has to wait. You could say it ultimately doesn't matter so long as the Pixel gets everything eventually, but I disagree. Google, logically, should want people to buy a Pixel phone. It sends a strange message when Samsung frequently gets priority over Google's own product. Have you tried out the One UI 8 or Android 16 betas yet? What do you think of them? Let us know in the comments below.
