Social Networks

Facebook has signed a bevy of renewable energy contracts across the US and Ireland.The eight wind and solar power purchase agreements will total 806MW of additional power when they are completed. Back in 2018, the social media and advertising company pledged to be fully renewably powered by the end of 2020.Greening the gridThe new contracts cover four states - Utah, Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee - and numerous developers, including D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments and Apex Clean Energy.In Ireland, Facebook partnered with Brookfield Renewable Partners LP, a company it signed a 10-year deal with back in 2016. After Candian-fund Brookfield acquired local utility Bord Gáis's wind farm business, its Lisheen, Co Tipperary, turbines have powered Facebook's data centers in Clonee.But the facility and its needs are expanding, while Facebook also plans to expand its offices in the region. In late 2018, it agreed to lease the Bankcentre campus in Ballsbridge, giving it space for an additional 5,000 staff - although roughly 2,200 will be relocated from Dublin. The current pandemic has likely slowed such a move, with Facebook saying it expected some of its employees to remain working from home for years to come, but by July 2021 it expects at least half its staff to turn up.To cover all this, it is backing Brookfield's Lisheen III project, which is expected to generate 28.8MW when it launches in 2022.“We appreciate this strong collaboration with Brookfield Renewable and we are excited to be part of bringing this new wind project to the grid,” said Colin Spain, Facebook’s energy manager for EMEA. “We hope it will not only support our operations in Ireland and our goal of 100 percent renewable energy for all of our global operations, but will encourage all stakeholders to work together to bring additional renewables to the grid via corporate…

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One thing we have loved about Google and its platforms is that they always remain transparent about what people are searching on it. This does not mean that the data is shown in real-time but the fact that this data is shared is great for marketers who are looking to target people based on the same. One thing to note is that Google, along with YouTube shares insight into how people are using the platform and what they are searching for. As we all know, a pandemic is going on right now meaning that the search trends will be greatly influenced and we also want to know what people are searching. And we are happy to report that YouTube’s report has been published which highlights that trends of searchers show everything people have watched on YouTube such as learning skills and improving their wellbeing. One trend that everyone knows was trending on YouTube was that of dalgona coffee and we are sure that you must have tried it as well just as we did. However, the bigger trend over the course of these months was making Sourdough bread which was trending in Brazil, Germany, Brazil along with other countries. It is unusual according to YouTube for most countries around the world to such for a similar topic but so did they with the searches for cooking tutorials absolutely rocketing. Also, topics such as Yoga, Guided Meditation, Home workouts, Nature Sounds and others had their views up by more than 50% on average since March and they all fall into the Self-care category which was the category coming at No. 2 in being searched the most. Also, videos of topics such as gardening or “how to cut hair” as well as video call beauty tips were also emerging on top which…

Never has the world needed quality, entertaining and informative content more than it does in these extraordinary times of the Covid19. Most people are now spending most of their time at home for their own safety but a good movie, a series, a documentary, or nice music video is an effective escape from the rather tough reality in the world. If you are into these entertainment options, then you are lucky as you can easily turn your television sets into a source of all rounded entertainment content. This is possible through the Ematic Android Box which is available in all Safaricom shops and on Masoko.com. The gadget is a Google Certified Android TV box that allows you to turn your TV into a smart TV with a full range of content applications such as YouTube, Netflix, Showmax, and many others. Through these applications, that are readily available on Google Play, you get access to thousands of movies and television series from around the globe. You are also able to access all manner of TV channels around the world through the YouTube streaming service as well as music videos, and award-winning documentaries. The icing on the cake is that all this content comes in 4K resolution that gives you an immersive experience through Ultra High Definition. Important announcement for movie, series, and YouTube lovers in Kenya: its time to upgrade to the Ematic Android TV Box by Safaricom If you already have an android TV box, there are many reasons to upgrade to the Ematic Android TV Box. To begin with, it comes with an extra functionality remote that has a Bluetooth Google Voice Assistant allowing you to simply switch channels or access content by merely talking to the remote. You also do not need an internet connection to enjoy all…

(Image: Shutterstock) Game streaming has rapidly become one of the more popular ways to make money on the internet. However, it’s hard to know where to start. Amazon-owned Twitch dominates the market, so there are few legitimate alternatives. In late July, Microsoft’s Mixer shut down, making YouTube Gaming one of the only viable options.  If you want to give it a try, this guide will show how to set up your channel and get on camera.Set Up Your ChannelYouTube Gaming has taken a few different forms over the years, but most recently it lives as an alternate tab in the usual YouTube interface. For our purposes, that means you don’t need to download any special apps to stream. If you have a YouTube account (which is tied to your Google account), then you already have everything you need. However, you’ll need to verify your account before you can get started. Head to this link while you’re logged in. You’ll be asked to enter a code sent via text message or, if you prefer, via a phone call. Enter this code and your account will be verified. In addition to enabling live streaming, this will also allow you to upload videos longer than 15 minutes, add custom thumbnails to your videos, and appeal Content ID claims if necessary.Set Up Your BroadcastNext, you’ll need to get your broadcast software set up. There are a few options, but we’ll be using Streamlabs OBS for this guide, as it’s one of the easier and more robust tools for streaming your games. While some features, like streaming to multiple platforms at once, is limited to the app’s Prime subscription, the free version is powerful enough to handle most of what you’ll need to do.Once you install the app and log into your streaming account, you’ll be…

Facebook is joining Microsoft in condemning Apple’s App Store policies today. The social media company is launching its Facebook Gaming app for iOS — primarily an app used to watch streamers play video games — but has had to remove the app’s mini games feature to pass Apple’s strict App Store approval process. Facebook isn’t happy about the compromise. “Unfortunately, we had to remove gameplay functionality entirely in order to get Apple’s approval on the standalone Facebook Gaming app — meaning iOS users have an inferior experience to those using Android,” said Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s chief operating officer in a press statement given to The Verge. “We’re staying focused on building communities for the more than 380 million people who play games on Facebook every month — whether Apple allows it in a standalone app or not.” Facebook says it has had the Facebook Gaming app rejected multiple times by Apple in recent months. The company says Apple has cited App Store guideline 4.7 to justify the rejections, claiming the primary purpose of the Facebook Gaming app is to play games. Facebook says it shared usage data from its Android Facebook Gaming app that showed 95 percent of activity is watching streams, but this didn’t change Apple’s stance. Facebook Gaming on iOS lacks its Instant Games. Facebook Apple unveiled an appeal process for situations like this at WWDC back in June, but Facebook says it tried this and failed to convince Apple to overturn its decision. “We even appealed the guideline under the new app review process announced at WWDC,” says a Facebook spokesperson. “We did not receive a response.” Facebook has now been forced to give up and remove games entirely from the standalone app launching on iOS today. The Facebook Gaming app is primarily used to watch streams…

Saying Apple forced changes during months of rejection, the social network is releasing a version for iPhone and iPad users today.Facebook said it had made changes to its Gaming app to get Apple’s approval for its App Store.Credit...FacebookAug. 7, 2020, 6:00 a.m. ETFor six months, Facebook tried to get Apple to approve its new Facebook Gaming app so it could be available in Apple’s App Store. Each time, Apple said no.This week, Facebook said it had acceded to Apple’s demands to change its Gaming app so that it could be distributed to iPhone and iPad users starting on Friday. To comply with Apple’s rules, which prohibit apps if their “main purpose” is distributing software such as games, the social network said it had entirely removed playable games from its new app.Facebook said Apple had essentially used its power over the App Store to force its hand, turning the Gaming app into an inferior experience for iPhone and iPad owners. In addition to playable games, the original version of the app allows users to watch and create live gameplay streams and participate in gaming communities — functions that will still operate in the Apple version.The frustration with Apple extends to Facebook’s highest echelons. In a statement, Sheryl Sandberg, the company’s chief operating officer, said, “Unfortunately, we had to remove gameplay functionality entirely in order to get Apple’s approval on the stand-alone Facebook Gaming app.” She added that Facebook would continue to build communities for those who played games on Facebook, “whether Apple allows it in a stand-alone app or not.”Games are the largest source of revenue for Apple on the App Store, and many tech executives have concluded that Apple blocks game services that could compete with its own products and sales.Apple, without directly addressing Facebook Gaming, said its App Store…

Toei Animation, Kodansha and other anime content providers have banded together to start a channel on YouTube. The goal is to have 30 companies providing 3,000 anime titles by 2022, with the number of views per month reaching 300 million. Called Animelog, or Anilog, the channel was launched Friday by Analyzelog, a company that supports corporate digital strategies. The target audience for the channel is currently local, but there are also plans to add sub-titled content in English and Chinese for overseas fans. Content at launch includes: the “Black Jack” series, based on a famous Osama Tezuka manga, and which was aired in the 2000s by Yomiuri TV; and “Future Boy Conan,” a 1978 anime co-directed by Hayao Miyazaki, and produced by Nippon Animation. Several Japanese companies such as Kadokawa (publishing) and Toei Animation (anime production) now operate their own anime channels on YouTube. But the partners argue that, by joining forces, they can grow their audience, and advertising revenues, more quickly than they could individually. According to the Association of Japanese Animations’ survey for 2019, the industry enjoyed record growth for the sixth straight year, with earnings totalling $20 billion. Streaming grew 10%. “There exists a problem of illegal video distribution service these days, but “AnimeLog” will distribute only officially-licensed animations and operate as a safe channel that families can enjoy together,” said Analyzelog in a statement. Analyzelog was formed in 2018 with seed capital backing from U.S. venture investor “Next10 Ventures” and its founder Benjamin Grubbs. It has since struck numerous business and investment alliances with companies including Toei Animation (December 2019), Shogakukan (April 2020), and last month with animation studio Shin Ei Animation (“Doraemon,” “Crayon Shin Chan”).

The call from 20 state officials adds to the rising pressure facing Mark Zuckerberg and his company.The state officials also called on Facebook to provide supportive services for people harassed on its social network.Credit...Jim Wilson/The New York TimesAug. 5, 2020, 2:06 p.m. ETTwenty state attorneys general on Wednesday called on Facebook to better prevent messages of hate, bias and disinformation from spreading, and said the company needed to provide more help to users facing online abuse.In a letter to the social media giant, the officials said they regularly encountered people facing online intimidation and harassment on Facebook. They outlined seven steps the company should take, including allowing third-party audits of hate content and offering real-time assistance to users.“We hope to work with you to ensure that fewer individuals suffer online harassment and discrimination, and that it is quickly and effectively addressed when they do,” said the letter, which was addressed to Facebook’s chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, and its chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg. The officials who signed the letter, all of them Democrats, represent states including New York, New Jersey, Illinois and California, as well as the District of Columbia.The letter adds to the rising pressure facing Mr. Zuckerberg and his company to stop disinformation and harassment on Facebook. Civil rights leaders, advertisers and some of the company’s own employees have criticized Facebook for failing to curtail the spread of noxious content. Extremists and conspiracists have turned to social media — most often Facebook, Twitter and YouTube — to circulate falsehoods about the coronavirus pandemic, the coming presidential election and Black Lives Matter protests.ImageFacebook and other social media companies have made some changes to dismantle misinformation and hate on their services. Last month, Twitter announced that it would remove thousands of accounts associated with the fringe conspiracy movement QAnon, saying…

YouTuber Jake Paul’s Los Angeles area mansion was raided by federal agents on Wednesday morning. Several apparent firearms were seized.“The FBI has executed a federal search warrant in connection with an ongoing investigation,” a spokesman confirmed to Yahoo Entertainment. The affidavit in support of the search warrant has been sealed by a judge, so the official is prohibited from commenting on the nature of the investigation. No arrests are planned.TMZ obtained video of a “small army” of at least 20 agents in tactical gear entering Paul’s gated residence in armored trucks. It’s unknown if the 23-year-old was home.Paul is a controversial figure in the digital influencing world and is known for his pranks and stunts. His YouTube channel has over 20 million subscribers.In June, he was charged with criminal trespassing and unlawful assembly after he was identified among a crowd of looters at a mall in Scottsdale, Ariz. Both are misdemeanors. Paul faced backlash as videos posted to social media showed him walking through the mall as looters smashed the glass of a Sephora and Swarovski crystal store. In one video, Paul appeared to be handling a stolen bottle of vodka from P.F. Chang's.“Our investigation has revealed that Paul was present after the protest was declared an unlawful assembly and the rioters were ordered to leave the area by the police,” the Scottsdale Police Department said in a statement. “Paul also unlawfully entered and remained inside the mall when it was closed. As a result, Paul has been charged with criminal trespass and unlawful assembly.” Paul maintained his innocence and said he and his videographer, Andrew Blue, were at the mall to capture Black Lives Matter protests.Paul launched to fame in 2013 thanks to the now-defunct platform Vine. He starred on the Disney Channel show Bizaardvark, but parted ways after his Beverly Hills…