Take Mini Looping Videos with Instagram's New App 'Boomerang'

Image Credit: Boomerang from Instagram

Instagram has released a new app today called, 'Boomerang from Instagram', which almost to me seems to be the Instagram answer to Apple's new iPhone 6S feature, 'Live Photos'.

Taking selfies or filming others, Boomerang takes 10 rapid photos and stitches them together to form a short 4 second looping back and forth video. For best results, Boomerang suggests you film moving objects with this app.

Once you have taken your Boomerang video, you can share it to Facebook or Instagram directly from within the app. It'll also be saved to your Camera Roll.

Some tech specs for those wondering: the saved video file is a .MOV using the H.264 codec at the resolution of full HD, 1080 x 1920.

> Go to: Boomerang from Instagram on the App Store. 

Facebook Messenger Now On Apple Watch

Facebook Messenger is now available on Apple Watch! It was announced that Facebook would be making a Apple Watch App for Messenger at the September 2015 Apple Keynote Event.

Today's update now allows Messenger users to install the app on their Apple Watch running watchOS 2. After installing the Messenger update from the App Store, users will need to go to the Apple Watch app on their iPhone, find and tap the Messenger app in the list, then switch on "Show App on Apple Watch".

With Messenger on Apple Watch, users can now; view existing messages, reply to messages with preset text, your voice, Messenger Stickers, Your Location, or a Thumbs Up. You cannot, however, create a new conversation with someone who's not in your recent messages from Apple Watch.      

The Facebook Messenger [App Store Link] update for iOS 9 and watchOS 2 is now available in the App Store.  

How To Disable Facebook Auto-Playing Videos - iOS App Tip

Facebook by default auto-plays the videos in your newsfeed. It can be annoying, and use data unnecessarily. If you have a limited data plan, you may definitely want to switch this off. Thankfully, there is a way to switch this 'feature' off.

How To Disable Facebook Auto-Playing Videos

1. Open the 'Facebook app'.

2. Tap the 'More' tab button.

3. Tap 'Settings'.

4. Tap 'Account Settings'.

5. Tap 'Videos and Photos'.

6. Now tap 'Autoplay' under the Video Settings heading.

7. Under 'Choose Your Own Autoplay Settings', select 'Never Play Videos Automatically'.

There is also another option If you do not want to choose to never automatically play. 'Smart Autoplay', will use Cellular and Wi-Fi data depending on certain criteria, like your country, mobile carrier, battery life, and data usage. Or, you can select to auto-play only when you are connected to Wi-Fi.

Facebook Mentions: The App Only For 'Celebrities'

Facebook Mentions is the app for the famous, celebrities, or the verified. If you are not a actor, musician, or other popular famous figure with a verified Facebook page, stop reading now - as this app isn't for you!

Okay now that's it's only the important reading; you might of already heard of Facebook Mentions, as isn't a new app. It's been around since July 2014. It's only available on iOS, but that's ok - you're probably rich, so you should own an iPhone.

Anyway, a newly added feature to Facebook Mentions app, aims to rival other popular live streaming apps. Facebook Mentions is to be the 'Periscope' of the famous (like you). It will be your own little elite app.

The app gives only verified page users a way to live stream and chat with fans, see what topics are trending, share content across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, all with just the one app, and more...

In Facebook's own words:

"Mentions is a better way for actors, musicians and other influencers to stay in touch with their fans and the people and things they care about on Facebook."

And what about those regular people - the mere commoners? Where will they go to live stream to their small little audience? They will have to settle for either of the other popular live streaming apps like; Periscope or Meerkat.

Now popular person - go download the Facebook Mentions app - and live stream to your many fans!

-> View Facebook Mentions on the iTunes App Store.

How To Disable Facebook Auto-Play Videos on iPhone/iPad & Web

We all now that videos can use a lot of data, and if you're not connected to Wi-Fi, you could use up a lot of data just by browsing Facebook on your mobile device. If you're like the many people who hate that Facebook now auto-plays videos, here's how to switch the feature off on mobile (iPhone/ iPad) and on your desktop/laptop computers.

How To Disable Facebook Auto-Play Videos on iPhone/iPad

On iOS you can disable auto-playing videos if you are not connected to Wi-Fi internet. Great way to save mobile data. If you are on Wi-Fi, the videos will still play. There is no way to disable them. 

1. If you're on a iPhone or iPad, head over to the iDevices Settings app. 

2. In Settings, find and open the Facebook app. 

3. Then tap Settings. 

4. Under "Video", switch on the option, Auto-play on Wi-Fi only.

How To Disable Facebook Auto-Play Videos on the Web

On the web version on Facebook, can can disable auto-playing videos. 

1. On the Facebook navigation bar, click the drop down arrow on the top right corner. 

2. Now from the drop-down menu, click Settings. 

3. On the left side of the page, click Videos. 

4. Now switch the "Auto-Play Videos" option to Off. 

How To Block Facebook Apps, Games / Stop App Notifications

One of the most annoying Facebook Notifications are those Game / App requests and invitations that come from your friends. There are some ways to stop these notifications, that do not include removing that friend. Although, that could be a good solution too.


How To Stop Mobile (iPhone, iPad) Facebook App Push Notifications / Requests / Invites:

Notifications on your iPhone or even iPad should be of some importance, not someone has invited you to play some game.

1. Launch the Facebook app for iOS.
2. Tap the 'More' tab.
3. Scroll down to, and tap 'Settings'.
4. Now tap 'Notifications'.
5. Then tap 'Mobile Push'.
6. Find, and then uncheck: 'Application Requests' & 'Application Invites'.



How To Block Facebook Apps / Games: 

If you get a lot of requests from a certain app that you don't want /or use, a good option is to block that application. By blocking the app, you'll become invisible to it. Your friends will no longer be able to send you requests or invitations, and you'll no longer see the app. This is the perfect way to not have to deal with the certain app ever again.

You'll need to login to Facebook's desktop version for this method.

1. Login to Facebook. (Obviously).
2. Click the Settings Gear.
3. Then 'Settings'.
4. From the left hand-side menu, click 'Blocking'.
5. Scroll down to 'Block Apps'.
6. Type the name of the App you wish to block, and select it from the popup list.



How To Switch Off All Facebook Apps:

I would NOT recommend this, because it'll disable all Facebook apps, even the ones you may use or want to use. But, if you never want to use a Facebook application, follow these steps to switch off the Facebook App platform.

1. Login to Facebook. (Obviously).
2. Click the Settings Gear.
3. Then 'Settings'.
4. From the left hand-side menu, click 'Apps'.
5. Under 'Apps you use', where it says "Use apps, plugins, games and websites...", click 'Edit'.
6. Now click 'Turn Off Platform'. Remember to read all the warnings, and make sure you understand what doing this, will do, before you click the button.

How To Mute People's Posts From Instagram, Facebook and Twitter On App Flipboard

Sometimes's you have to follow people on social networks by obligation. Maybe they're family, work/school friends, ect... But they are annoying and you don't want to see their posts in your feeds.

If you use the app, Flipboard, which is like your very own personal digital magazine, you can mute people! If you don't use the app, i recommend you check it out. It really is awesome. It's like a digital newspaper, but with content that actually matters to you.  

Muting someone will hide all their posts (when viewing in Flipboard) without having to un-follow/friend them. They'll never know that you are no longer seeing their annoying pictures or posts - that is, at least until the next time you see them and they ask why you never comment or like there stuff. 

Mute works for all types of social media accounts within Flipboard, like; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram... 

To hide someone's posts on Flipboard, follow these steps: 

1. Find a post from the person you want to mute. 

2. Next tap on their profile image.

3. Press the silhouette icon. 

4. Then press 'Mute'.

5. Then confirm. And now they posts will disappear! 

To un-mute someone on Flipboard: 

1. Press the Red Ribbon button.
2. Then tap 'My Flipboard'.
3. Press the Settings gear button.
4. Then 'Settings'.
5. Scroll down to 'Muted Authors'.
6. There you can remove the 'mute'.

Angry Birds Friends iOS and Android App Now Available For Download

The Angry Birds Friends app is now out to download for iOS (iPhone / iPod Touch and iPad) and Android.

The FREE app connects to Facebook and gives users 6 levels (new levels every week) to play and to compete against friends in a weekly tournament.

- Download Angry Birds Friends, FREE on the App Store.

- Download Angry Birds Friends, FREE on Google Play.

Angry Birds Friends To Be Released For iOS and Android This Thursday

Angry Birds Friends (Image from Angry Birds Facebook Page) 

It has been announced over on the Angry Birds Facebook page, the popular Facebook game Angry Birds Friends will be available for download this Thursday (May 2nd 2013) for iOS and Android devices.

Angry Birds Friends lets players challenge their Facebook friends in a weekly tournament, get daily rewards and give and receive power-up gifts.

For more check out the Angry Birds Facebook page or play the game on Facebook now.

How To Remove / Delete 'Fish With Attitude' from Facebook iOS App

Recently Facebook decided to add a app called Fish with Attitude to my favorites on the iOS app. Now to make it clear, I've never downloaded the app before, never played it on Facebook, never added it to favorites and had never even heard of it until I saw it in my Facebook app in the favorites section with the Newsfeed and Messages.

So I wonder how the hell did a app I never added, played, gave permission to, downloaded on iOS (still to this day) get in my favorites?!

Maybe Facebook is pushing this app down peoples throats, because just by looking at this apps' reviews, I can see I'm not the only one.  So if the 'Fish with Attitude' people wanna explain how their app magically became everyone's favorite, they can contact me - but I don't really care! What I did care about was how to remove 'Fish with Attitude' from my Facebook favorites. And luckily that was easy!

Here's how to remove the 'Fish with Attitude' link from Facebook on your iOS device:

What worked for me was simply going to the 'Fish with Attitude' Facebook game page on my computer and on the right I found and clicked "Block". I then reloaded my iOS Facebook app and 'Fish with Attitude' was gone!!