Meta set to shut down its private messaging app for couples

Washington [US], July 27: Another one of Meta's social experiments will be coming to an end as Tuned, an app, which was designed for couples looking to connect even when they're apart, is set to shut down.

According to The Verge, this app, launched in 2020, comes from Meta's New Product Experimentation (NPE) team, which develops experimental apps and services.

Through Tuned, couples can privately share their thoughts and moods as well as send notes to one another. There are also games that couples can play to get to know each other better, in addition to Spotify integration for exchanging music. As noted by TechCrunch, Meta has started notifying Tuned users that the app is shutting down on September 19. That's also the cutoff date for when users can download their data. Tuned doesn't provide a reason as to why it's getting discontinued, and its app pages on both Google Play and the App Store don't offer any other details either. As per The Verge, judging by its reviews and ratings, Tuned seemed to be pretty well-received among couples. According to Sensor Tower data viewed by TechCrunch, Tuned has been downloaded about 900,000 times on Android and iOS.

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In Meta's new store Avatars can be dressed in Balenciaga, Prada and Thom Browne

Meta is launching an Avatar Store on Facebook, Instagram and Messenger. The store will launch to include digital clothes from Balenciaga, Prada and Thom Browne, as was announced by Mark Zuckerberg on Twitter. The Facebook founder and Instagram Fashion Director Eva Chen were pictured as avatars in several looks from each designer.

Swati Bhat

Pic Courtesy: Meta Store

Early in May Mr. Zuckerberg was photographed in Italy in the company of some of Italy’s leading luxury industry figures, presumably to foster new partnership and growth drivers to the metaverse. Meta is betting heavily on future connections in 3D.

Shopping in the Metaverse

Mr. Zuckerberg describes the clothing store as a place to dress users' Meta Avatars, focusing on providing the tools for people to be able to digitally express themselves through fashion, "and getting that right in the Metaverse is important", Zuckerberg iterated.

Prada, Balenciaga, Thom Browne are the first three luxury brands joining the store, which Ms. Chen says will also be a place for emerging designers and creatives, allowing users to freely express their Meta identities. Zuckerberg said soon anybody can create digital collections, all that is needed is a computer and an imagination.

Currently digital clothes are not yet available in Meta’s store, which the social media giant says will launch soon. While there has been no information released on the marketplace in terms of costs and how brands and companies can maximise this new revenue stream, Meta also stated it would offer a selections of free avatar clothes.

Digital fashion for Web3 has seen a slew of streetwear and luxury companies partner with technology providers to create immersive experiences and unique products for the metaverse. Balenciaga introduced Skins for gaming platform Fortnight last year and Gucci’s latest Roblox collab, Gucci Town, allows users to visit a virtual store.

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Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg steps down

Mumbai (India), June 07: Meta Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg is to step down from the social media company she managed with founder Mark Zuckerberg.

Pritish Bagdi

Her 14-year tenure marks an end to an era, one where Facebook rose into the global collective consciousness and helped drive the fashion industry’s shift to digital.

Sandberg, who will remain on Meta’s board, is credited with monetising Facebook and its offshoots, turning Web traffic into cash.

Many fashion brands have long relied on Facebook and Instagram to boost their e-commerce sales, even direct sales from both channels. With millions of monthly advertisers, Meta was generating 6 billion dollars monthly in 2020.

Sandberg’s near 15 years at Facebook didn’t go without controversies, however, particularly those around privacy and content moderation. A backlash in 2020 saw many fashion companies, including Patagonia and The North Face pause advertising.

Javier Olivan will take over Sandberg’s role of COO.

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