Facebook's new features and Twitter launches Periscope
Culture
New Facebook feature are coming and Twitter is going after Meerkat.
I'm Jeff Bakalar in for Bridget Carey today and this is your CNET update.
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Facebook F8 Developer Conference shed some light on some new Facebook features.
That won't just impact the site domestically.
The announcements include opening up the messenger platform for developers, a major upgrade to the Facebook commenting system that will provide real time syncing across different sites.
Also Facebook videos will now be embeddable on external sites and the player will support 360 degree, 3D spherical videos.
Likely the first product of the Oculus acquisition.
Facebook will also launch something called Sparse.
Which is a internet of things platform which will let developers use Facebook data to interact with things around your house.
Watch out Meerkat there's a new live streaming app hunting for your furry little ****.
Periscope does exactly what Meerkat did when it first debuted a few weeks ago but Periscope has the support and backing from Twitter.
In addition to letting users live stream anything they want, Scope lets viewers comment and show their approval by super imposing hearts on the feed.
That's cool.
Hearts.
What's more, these feeds can be replayed for up to 24 hours.
And streamers have the option to limit their viewing audience to whomever they choose.
Which app will win the live streaming wars?
We're not sure just yet.
But I'll tell you who the losers are.
It's you and me with an Android phone.
Because these apps.
Well they only work with iOS for now, and that kind of sucks.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 goes on sale April 10th, but we've got our review in progress posted today, right here on CNet.
Our reviewer, Jessica Dolcourt, praises the S6 for its smooth glass and metal body.
Though, I mean let's be honest, this thing looks just like an iPhone right now.
But she also liked the improved fingerprint scanner, and camera shortcut button.
But the phone's non removable battery, and the absence of an expandable storage slot, has us kind of bummed out.
And finally, just a little bit of pop geek news.
The ultra popular 80's, nostalgic, Willy Wonka meets the Matrix novel Ready Player One, will reportedly be directed by Steven Spielberg.
The novel follows a young man in the year 2044 who must make is way through a virtual world called The Oasis.
After an easter egg hunt is started by that world's creator.
Now if you haven't already read the book it's definitely gonna take you back, especially if you were born before nineteen ninety.
Okay that's it, that's your news update for today.
Be sure to follow me on Twitter and you can stay updated with the latest at cnet dot com.
From our studios here in New York.
I'm Jeff Bakalar.
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