Even as we become more concerned with governments, companies, and hackers and stalkers snooping more and more into our private lives, at the same time parents actually need to stay on top of what their kids are up to. Now, according to mashable.com, Meta has introduced a suite of new features to increase parental supervision and elevate safety on Instagram and Facebook Messenger. On Messenger, parents can now see how their teen uses on the app. This means parents are allowed to view contact lists, who messages their teen, how much time is being spent on Messenger, and who can see Messenger Stories. The teen can also choose whether to allow their parents to see if they have reported someone. Parents are not able to read the messages, though. For Instagram, parents can set time limits on the teen, and track how long they are spending on the app. Also…people who don’t follow teens must send an invite to get permission to connect. Only one invite can be sent at a time and others can’t be sent until the recipient accepts said invitation. No photograph, video, or call-based invitations are permitted, making sure no unwanted messaging is made visible to teens.

AI continues to move into every nook and cranny of the net, and now it’s virtual home tours. Zillow will now combine media and immersive virtual viewing to present a home’s features and floor plan. Geekwire.com reports that Zillow is touting an ‘immersive interactive floor plan,’ the ability to seamlessly toggle between the floor plan, photos, and a virtual tour. They also feature a self-rotating high resolution photo carousel. Where the AI comes in is in choosing what Zillow calls ‘hero images.’ The AI bases the views on buyer preferences of the look and features that mater most to home shoppers. Here’s an idea…drop the photos that stretch the rooms, even if they don’t look as big. We all know there aren’t normally 10 foot wide refrigerators or bathtubs. Use a normal camera lens, guys!

Repairing a smartphone yourself seems daunting, although people are doing it…even Apple had to cave and make parts, tools, and manuals available. Now, Google has joined in, and is making parts available through iFixit…even for the Pixel Fold! 9to5google says that this may be particularly useful and a good savings with a device like the Fold. Folding screen phones have had durability problems. In fact, one journalist who had one for review said the screen died after 4 days! The reviewer thinks a tiny bit of debris got between the tight sides of the screen right at the bezel and poked a tiny hole in the plastic that protects the ‘ultra thin’ OLED screen. From there, the screen started going out. Apparently, the debris can get between the screen and the nearly flush bezels on its sides. As I have noted before, a lot of people who aren’t really skilled and technical would be best served to go to a repair shop that will now have access to the parts. If you want to stick with google, they do offer mail in and walk in repair services for phones that are out of warranty…and also sell an extended warranty with a deductible. 

Apple has increased prices for iCloud in the UK and some other places, apparently due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Brits got hit with a 25% jump in pricing, according to 9to5mac.com. Poland, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates also have similar increases. iCloud pricing in the US remains the same for now.

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.