Meta / Facebook

Unleashing the Power of the Meta Llama 2 LLM: MediaTek Boosts On-Device Generative AI for Edge Devices

The next big thing is always around the corner in the tech world, and artificial intelligence is the newest and most exciting innovation. Sure, AI can power ChatGPT and other engines, but it can also make devices more efficient, learn our habits to adjust our tech to meet our needs, and even improve everything from emailing to photography. MediaTek is looking to help boost that to the next level with their partnership with Meta, Facebook’s parent company, to use the Meta Llama 2 LLM (Large Language Model) to bring on-device generative AI to our pockets and homes.



Think Before You Share That “Deep” Quote on Facebook

Recently my attention was drawn to an issue on social media that I have a feeling many of us may have experienced. A friend of mine had reposted a statement that resonated with them on their Facebook page. Someone else attempted to rebut that statement by using a quote that they misattributed to Voltaire when in fact, the quote came from a neo-Nazi. Here’s the statement that started the exchange.


The Mevo Start Is Finally Here, and We’ve Got a First Hand Look!

Mevo has been pioneering high-quality camera technology for a few years, so when the brand took to CES back in January I was excited about their latest product: The Mevo Start. And as someone who’s tried their hardest to Livestream from smartphones, tablets, and laptops, there’s always been more trouble than it was actually worth.



Dear Facebook, I’m Just Not That Into You

I stopped visiting Facebook about 2 weeks ago. It wasn’t a conscious declaration, it was just that I felt like Facebook was becoming a crutch to distract me, and it wasn’t something I enjoyed. I probably would have drifted back sooner, but Facebook has been inundating me with emails like a needy ex, and it’s starting to creep me out enough to not want to return.


10 Tips to Reclaim Your Online Privacy

In the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook users have become more concerned about their privacy than ever before. The #deletefacebook hashtag has been trending for days, and many users see the latest misuse of Facebook user data as the “last straw” in ending their trust with the social media giant.



Is Facebook Spying on You? Probably. Maybe?

Recently, Reply All, a podcast from Gimlet Media about the Internet, published a podcast centered around Facebook and its notoriously shady data collection practices, titled “Is Facebook Spying on You?” Users noticing strange coincidences regarding Facebook’s targeted ads are left wondering whether Facebook has been listening to their conversations through their smartphone’s microphone without their knowledge.




Facebook Marketplace Debuts As a Bazaar for Bizarre and Illicit Sales

With its latest iOS app update, Facebook has brought their new Marketplace to the masses, allowing users to swap and sell products and services as if it were Craigslist. Just one problem: Facebook’s moderation of these posts is severely lacking. I’ve seen a number of “items” for sale that appear to be illegal, including apparent prostitution posts.




Facebook Messenger Groups Introduce Valentine Picture Presents

Everyone loves a present, right?  So how about a nice photo wrapped in a bow and red heart paper? You can send your Facebook friends just a present if you are in a Facebook Messenger Group with them. To send the wrapped image, simply click the heart/arrow icon in the lower right corner of your chat display window. Then select an image and send.


Facebook Showing Realtime NHL Scoreboard for Check-ins

I don’t think this is new. But I do think it’s pretty cool. Facebook last night showed a realtime updated score for the Kings/Rangers game that my sister was watching at New York’s Madison Square Garden.  At first I thought it was just a static score – which would have been interesting by itself. Then I went back to check the status update and noticed that not only had the score changed but the current time left for play was also updated. It appears this may have started, at least in a test version, around the time of the last…


Facebook Kills Your Other Inbox

Facebook have announced the elimination of your “other” inbox. This was the place where messages sent by those you weren’t connected to would sit and languish. If you look into your messages and click the “other” tab you probably will find half a dozen spam messages – as well as one or two valid messages.


Facebook Introduces Video Calling for Messenger

Facebook today introduces one-tap video calls within Messenger.  This comes hot on the heels of Messenger money transfer, Messenger for Business, and Messenger platform announcements. It’s rather easy to see that Facebook views instant messaging as an important social networking tool. They’ve circled the wagons to be sure that competitors won’t be able to pick off appreciable numbers of users.  


Facebook’s “Wedding” Stickers Have Some Odd Connotations

My coworker is in the process of planning her wedding. Recently she went to message someone on Facebook about it, and she thought it would be cute to include a Facebook sticker/emoji for weddings. To her surprise, Facebook Messenger had removed the boy/girl pairing, and instead added some very odd same-sex and inter-animal choices instead.


Shut Off Facebook Autoplay To Save Mobile Data

In late 2013, Facebook began testing auto-play of videos in your news feeds. At first, this only impacted videos which you uploaded. Gradually, the feature has rolled out everywhere.  Now users have found that auto-playing video from their news feeds could be consuming expensive mobile data. Here’s a quick tip on how to turn off auto-play and save data.    


Facebook Has a Nomenclature Problem. I Have a Solution

Until recently Facebook was, for me, mostly about communicating with Judie and the Gear Diary team. In the past few weeks however that has changed. And as I have used Facebook more and more I’m finding the “Like” button to be a fundamental flaw in Facebook’s approach. When strong emotions are involved the “like” button simply doesn’t cut it.