WELCOME TO THE Weird Wide Web – where we take a look at the week’s best offerings in tech and social media news.
Computer test of the week
So, this week, a computer programme passed the Turing Test for the first time in history. This means it fooled people into thinking it was a 13-year-old boy. It seems like a pretty big deal, but Gizmodo looked at why this test is actually bulls**t.
Facebook vs Snapchat move of the week
It it’s latest attempt to take down Snapchat, Facebook prematurely launched a photo-sharing app called Slingshot before quickly taken it down again, according to TechCrunch. Similar to Snapchat, the app allows you to send timed picture or video messages to your friends, the catch is that you have to send a photo/video first before you can view something your friend sent.
In other news, Facebook Messenger also added instant video sharing this week, 15 second videos similar to Instagram, although nobody really cared about that.
Note swapping option of the week
Here’s a new way to leave passive-aggressive notes for your workmates or even let your crush in the office know they’re looking well today without making a fool of yourself.
The social networking app Secret has announced a new feature, confining the stream to within the walls of a company or workplace. A chance for a bit of fun with colleagues or potential to completely destroy a business from the inside?
Guilt-inducing gadget of the week
This pocket-sized gadget can tell you exactly how many calories are in that slice of chocolate cake you just ordered. It analyses the chemical makeup of the food and sends the data to your smartphone.
Mother and child development of the week
Any mother out there who wants to take a photo of them breastfeeding their bundle of joy and post it on Facebook, now you can. The site has done a U-turn and is now allowing users to post photos where breastfeeding is featured saying “we agree that breastfeeding is natural and beautiful.” Well, that makes everything ok then.
Constructive Instagram criticism bot of the week
You may find your friend taking too many selifes to be annoying, but chances are you don’t want to tell them in case you hurt their feelings, or come across as obnoxious. Enter Pic Nix, a free service that lets you (anonymously) shame a fellow Instagram users for over-posting 16 offences.
Created by ad agency Allen & Gerritsen, it uses a robot named Silent B.O.B to put together the photo and message before tagging said user and posting it.
a&g / Vimeo
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