#MidweekMinute 5/9/18: taking care of business

Facebook explores blockchain, expands reactions with Avatars, won’t advertise on dating service, tests possible subscription model, and develops image AI; Twitter encrypting DMs; Instagram business tools include ecommerce & CTAs; Story Song Stickers; beauty unit; WhatsApp integrates Facebook & Instagram videos; Pinterest on Hootsuite.

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#MidweekMinute: Stories about stories

Facebook upgrades security, newsworthiness, Story publishing flexibility, and makes video viewing more social. Instagram Stories adds GIFs, text-only stories, a screenshot notification feature, and activity status. Snapchat Stories are now shareable, and adds valuable advertising features. WhatsApp goes business.

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#MidweekMinute: FB devices & integrations

Facebook gets into home devices & ditches its AI/VA hybrid in beta; Instagram Stories expand to WhatsApp; Ripple follows Bumble in taking on LinkedIn.

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