Instagram Announces New Camera Design and Create Mode, Tests Hiding Likes in Canada

http://bit.ly/2V42nak

Instagram today announced the upcoming addition of some new features to the social networking app, including an updated camera design and a new Create Mode, aimed at making it easier to share content without a photo or video.

The updated camera design features a wheel with selectable camera modes and effects, along with dedicated sections for live broadcasting and the new Create Mode. Instagram says the new camera update is designed to make adding effects and interactive stickers to content simpler. Instagram plans to roll out the new camera and Create Mode around the world "soon."


Instagram is also debuting a new shopping feature for finding items creators are using, and it's adding a new donation sticker that will let users raise money for nonprofit organizations.

To use this new feature, open the camera, take or upload a photo, tap the sticker icon and select the donation sticker from the tray. Choose a nonprofit to support and customize your fundraiser using creative tools. Once it's live, swipe up on your story to view the total amount raised. 100% of the money you raise on Instagram goes to the nonprofit you are supporting.

Separately, Instagram told TechCrunch that starting later this week, it will be running a test in Canada that removes the total number of likes on photos and video views in the Feed, Permalink pages, and Profile.

Instagram says this feature is being tested because it wants followers to "focus on the photos and videos you share, not how many likes they get." Only a small percentage of Canadian users will be added to the test.


The person who created the post can still open the Likers window to see the names of people who hearted their posts, but no total count is provided. It's not clear how long the test will last and if Instagram will roll this out to other regions in the future.

Tag: Instagram

This article, "Instagram Announces New Camera Design and Create Mode, Tests Hiding Likes in Canada" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories http://bit.ly/2GU6BsE

What to Expect From Apple's Second Quarter Earnings Results Today

http://bit.ly/2UowuEH

Apple is set to report its earnings results for the second quarter of its 2019 fiscal year at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time today.

The quarter began December 30, 2018 and ran through March 30, 2019, according to Apple's fiscal year accounting calendar.

Apple's guidance for the quarter from January 29:

• revenue between $55 billion and $59 billion
  
• gross margin between 37 percent and 38 percent
  
• op. ex. between $8.5 billion and $8.6 billion
  
• other income/expense of $300 million
  
• tax rate of approximately 17 percent before discrete items

Apple's guidance suggests that it will report at least its third-best second quarter ever based on revenue:

• 2015: $58 billion
  
• 2016: $50.6 billion
  
• 2017: $52.9 billion
  
• 2018: $61.1 billion
  
• 2019: $55+ billion

Wall Street analysts forecast that Apple will report $57.4 billion revenue, above the midpoint of its guidance, and earnings per share of $2.36, according to 28 estimates averaged by Yahoo Finance.

What to Look For

• Investors will be looking for iPhone revenue and Greater China revenue to rebound after Apple issued its first revenue warning in 16 years last quarter due to fewer-than-anticipated iPhone sales, primarily in the Greater China region. Wall Street expects iPhone revenue to be around $30.5 billion, according to six estimates compiled by Bloomberg News.
  
• Any potential commentary surrounding Apple's settlement and chipset agreement with Qualcomm. Apple is expected to release its first 5G-enabled iPhones in 2020 with Qualcomm and Samsung modems.
  
• Apple's growing services category remains key. Apple's services revenue reached an all-time high of $10.9 billion last quarter, up 19 percent year-over-year. This category includes the App Store, Apple Music, iCloud, iTunes, Apple Pay, and AppleCare. Later this year it will expand to include the Apple Card, Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, and Apple News+.
  
• Apple's stock price has increased by approximately 30 percent since its last earnings report on January 29 and positive results could further support the rally. Many analysts are bullish on Apple, as they believe that Chinese consumer demand rebounded during the quarter.
  
• Apple plans to provide an update on its capital return program on its earnings call today. Many analysts expect a significant increase of between $50 billion and $100 billion and an increased dividend.
  
• Apple's guidance for the third quarter of its fiscal year, which is typically its slowest in terms of revenue.

Apple's CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri will discuss the company's earnings results on a conference call at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time today. MacRumors will loosely transcribe the one-hour call as it occurs live.

Tag: AAPL

This article, "What to Expect From Apple's Second Quarter Earnings Results Today" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories http://bit.ly/2We8khH

Redmi Note 7 Pro Gets Fortnite Support with Latest MIUI 10.2.10.0 OTA Update

via News – MySmartPrice http://bit.ly/2LgR1vd

OPPO A1k Launched in India with Helio P22 SoC, 4000 mAh Battery, 10W Charging

via News – MySmartPrice http://bit.ly/2VAtfhM

Realme 3 3GB+64GB Variant Launching in India on May 2; To Go on Sale Via Flipkart, Realme Store

via News – MySmartPrice http://bit.ly/2LeRMoG

Motorola Moto E6 Specifications Leaked, Will Reportedly Launch Soon in the US

via News – MySmartPrice http://bit.ly/2VAt8mm

Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL Smartphones Certified by Bluetooth SIG Ahead of Launch

via News – MySmartPrice http://bit.ly/2LefTUA