News

With its latest product announcement, Meta is looking to buck the trend that has dogged the wearable device industry for years. The tech giant has announced Orion, a line of smart spectacles that Meta describes as the “first consumer full holographic Ar glasses.”

Orion devices are designed to be more lightweight, less cumbersome, and more fashionable than previous attempts at smart glasses. The product’s augmented reality (Ar) capabilities will allow users to add digital accents to their real-world field of vision. Orion will also be connected to Meta’s large language model Llama, letting users deliver prompts to AI based on the sights they’re seeing through their hi-tech eyewear.

Mark Zuckerberg and his lieutenants revealed Orion during Meta Connect, a presentation aimed at developers. The Meta boss noted that his company has been working on Orion for nearly a decade. He said that the new wearables are currently a developer-focused product,...

New Delhi, July 8 (Ians) Instagram head Adam Mosseri has clarified that Meta does not want to replace Twitter but create a public square for communities on Instagram that never really embraced Twitter and for communities on Elon Musk-run platform “that are interested in a less angry place for conversations, but not all of Twitter”.

He said that the platform is not going to just focus on breaking news and world events.

“Politics and hard news are inevitably going to show up on Threads — they have on Instagram as well to some extent — but we’re not going to do anything to encourage those verticals,” he posted on Threads.

In a reply to a question from The Verge’s Alex Heath, Mosseri said that politics and hard news are important and he does not want to imply otherwise.

“But my take is, from a platform’s perspective, any incremental engagement...

Vox Media’s chart-topping narrative podcast, Criminal, today announced that it’s launching its first-ever subscription product, Criminal Plus. With monthly, annual, and premium tiers, Criminal Plus will allow listeners to engage more deeply with Criminal and its co-creators, Phoebe Judge and Lauren Spohrer. Criminal Plus’s core offering of $5/month or $50/year will provide access to bonus content, exclusive merchandise, and ad-free episodes, while the weekly show will continue to be free, ad-supported, and widely available weekly for listeners. For $79/year, the show’s premium tier will offer additional benefits including a quarterly subscriber-only virtual event, free and discounted merchandise, and more. Criminal Plus will be available on Friday, June 23rd at thisiscriminal.com/plus.

“After 10 years we are very excited about this next step for Criminal,” say Criminal co-creators Phoebe Judge and Lauren Spohrer. “Our aim with Criminal Plus is to give subscribers and fans an inside look at how Criminal gets made.

What happens when the world’s biggest keyboard warriors vow to take it to the streets? Well, we might be closer to finding out than ever thanks to a recent online exchange between tech billionaires Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk.

The saga began on Tuesday when a tweet about Facebook potentially developing a Twitter competitor garnered the ire of Musk, who replied, “I’m sure Earth can’t wait to be exclusively under Zuck’s thumb with no other options. At least it will be ‘sane’. Was worried there for a moment.

San Francisco, May 19 (Ians) Meta (formerly Facebook) is reportedly going to start laying off more employees next week in its third round of job cuts.

The layoffs will affect Meta’s business departments and could affect thousands of employees, reports Vox.

“The third wave is going to happen next week. That affects everybody in the biz teams, including in my orgs,” Meta president of global affairs Nick Clegg, was quoted as saying.

However, the exact number has not been confirmed, but it is expected that the company will lay off approximately 6,000 employees in this round.

In March, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the company planned to cut 10,000 jobs by the end of May, following an 11,000-job cut in November last year.

The tech giant cut around 4,000 of the planned 10,000 positions last month, leaving nearly 6,000 positions potentially on the chopping block.

At the end of 2022, Meta had around 86,000 employees, the report said.

New Delhi, April 21 (Ians) Meta has almost wiped out its team dedicated to combating misinformation, as part of the latest round of mass layoffs that began earlier this week.

According to ‘Command Line’ by The Verge’s Alex Heath, the majority of the team responsible for combating fake news across Facebook and Instagram has been sacked.

“The team size was about 50 people,” the report said.

A company spokesperson was quoted as saying that the remaining team members are being integrated into trust and safety teams.

“We remain focused on advancing our industry-leading integrity efforts and continue to invest in teams and technologies to protect our community,” the spokesperson said.

Meta (formerly Facebook) kicked off a fresh round of layoffs this week, handing over pink slips to employees with technical backgrounds globally. The job cuts impacted people working in verticals like user experience, software engineering, graphics programming and other roles.

Meta...

San Francisco, Feb 12 (Ians) After firing 11,000 employees in November last year, Meta (formerly Facebook) is reportedly planning to reduce headcount further in its “year of efficiency”.

According to a report in the Financial Times, citing sources, there had been a “lack of clarity about budgets or future headcount in recent weeks”.

As a result, staff have complained that “zero work” is getting done as managers have been unable to plan their coming workloads, the report noted.

Certain budgets would typically get finalised by the end of the year at the company.

“Honestly, it’s still a mess. The year of efficiency is kicking off with a bunch of people getting paid to do nothing,” an employee was quoted as saying.

Meta did not comment on the fresh layoffs.

Earlier this month, Meta Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said he wants 2023 to be the “year of efficiency”.

In his quarterly earnings call with analysts,...

San Francisco, Feb 2 (Ians) After laying off 11,000 employees, Meta Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg now wants 2023 to be the “year of efficiency”.

In his quarterly earnings call with analysts late on Wednesday, Zuckerberg said that “I just think we’ve entered somewhat of a phase change for the company”.

He said that global headcount steadily climbed for nearly two decades, making it “very hard to really crank on efficiency while you’re growing that quickly”.

After the layoffs, Zuckerberg said he is focused on “increasing the efficiency of how we make decisions”.

Meanwhile, Zuckerberg has now reportedly put middle managers at the company on notice.

According to the newsletter Command Line by The Verge’s Alex Heath, Zuckerberg warned managers at a recent all-hands meeting.

“I don’t think you want a management structure that’s just managers managing managers, managing managers, managing managers, managing the people who are doing the work,...

San Francisco, Jan 30 (Ians) After sacking 11,000 employees in November last year, Meta Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has now reportedly put middle managers at the company on notice.

According to the newsletter Command Line by The Verge’s Alex Heath, Zuckerberg warned managers at a recent all-hands meeting.

“I don’t think you want a management structure that’s just managers managing managers, managing managers, managing managers, managing the people who are doing the work,” the Meta CEO apparently told them.

The statement appears to be indicating that the company, which will make its quarterly results public this week, may sack more employees.

Meta Chief product officer Chris Cox has also spoken about the requirement to “flatten” the organisational structure.

In one of the worst lay-offs ever in the tech industry, Zuckerberg in November sacked more than 11,000 employees — about 13 per cent of the global workforce — and extended the hiring freeze...

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A number of high-profile journalists and commentators were suspended by Twitter on Thursday night with no warning, and without any obvious sign of what caused the suspensions.

Among those suspended were former MSNBC and ESPN host Keith Olbermann, and CNN correspondent Donie O’Sullivan. Other journalists suspended Thursday included New York Times reporter Ryan Mac, Washington Post reporter Drew Harwell, Matt Binder of Mashable and freelance journalist Aaron Rupar.

It is not immediately clear why Twitter, now owned by billionaire Elon Musk, suspended them, though some of the journalists covered and have been in some cases critical of Musk. Olbermann, shortly before being suspended, tweeted a link to a Mastodon social account that tracked Musk’s private jet (the Elon Musk jet account had been active on Twitter, until Musk changed the terms of service earlier this week to ban accounts that share real-time...

Many emojis approved last fall came into widespread usage this year, with the new faces proving especially popular. The smiling, holding-back-tears face conveyed our most sentimental selves, while the melting face spoke to a feeling of disintegration in the face of overwhelming reality. The hand-over-mouth and peeking-through-fingers faces were perfect for moments of shock and horror.

But, in the end, no emoji was better suited for the ups and downs 2022 than the saluting face. Everyone from an ex-pro Call of Duty gamer to a Berkeley City Council member to musician...

San Francisco, Nov 3 (Ians) Twitter Boss Elon Musk is likely to eliminate half of the micro-blogging platform’s workforce to cut costs and more details on how many people might be impacted have started to emerge, a media report said.

Musk met his advisors, including former PayPal executive David Sacks, to finalise a plan to fire about 3,800 workers, the Verge quoted its deputy editor Alex Heath as saying in the report.

According to an earlier report, Musk was planning to cut 3,700 employees and the impacted people could receive 60 days of compensation.

Additionally, he intends to remove Twitter’s “forever” work-from-home policy, it added.

Earlier, it was reported that Twitter layoffs would hit roughly a quarter of the staff, which would heavily impact teams including sales, product, engineering, legal, and trust and safety.

Meanwhile, Musk has also dissolved Twitter’s board of directors after his takeover, according to a US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing.

Samantha Morton as Catherine De Medici in Starz’s ‘The Serpent Queen’

Starz’s The Serpent Queen starring two-time Oscar nominee Samantha Morton as Catherine de Medici has been renewed for a second season. The official renewal was announced as season one of the popular drama is set to wrap up on October 30, 2022.

“The Serpent Queen is distinctly modern, darkly comedic, and completely unexpected,” stated Kathryn Busby, President, Original Programming, Starz. “Catherine De Medici’s story is the perfect complement to our female-forward slate, and Samantha Morton’s brilliant portrayal of this ruthless, charming and savvy queen anchors the whole production. We’re thrilled to unveil more of her incredible life and reign in season two, which promises to be even more provocative and sublime.”

The first season also features Liv Hill, Charles Dance, Ludivine Sagnier, Colm Meaney, Kiruna Stamell, Barry Atsma, Alex Heath, and Amrita Acharia. Enzo Cilenti, Antonia Clarke,...

The Serpent Queen The Last Joust Trailer — Starz‘s The Serpent Queen: Season 1, Episode 6: The Last Joust TV show trailer has been released. Cast and crew The Serpent Queen stars Samantha Morton, Colm Meaney, Kiruna Stamell, Barry Atsma, Alex Heath, Amrita Acharia, Enzo Cilenti, Antonia Clarke, Adam Garcia, Beth Goddard, [...]

Continue reading: The Serpent Queen: Season 1, Episode 6: The Last Joust TV Show Trailer [Starz]...

From writer and executive producer Justin Haythe and director and executive producer Stacie Passon (based on the book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France by Leonie Frieda), Starz's latest period drama The Serpent Queen tells the story of one of history's most complex and complicated figures, Catherine de Medici, who ascends in power and status to become one of France's longest-serving rulers. As an orphan, Catherine (Liv Hill) marries into the French court at a young age, but quickly learns that she must counter — and in some instances, outmaneuver — her political opponents, many of whom would rather see her dead than on the throne. What makes the series even more intriguing is that it's Catherine herself (Samantha Morton) telling her own story, in her own words, to her newest maid and confidant Rahima (Sennia Nanua). The upcoming series also stars Colm Meaney, Ludivine Sagnier, Kiruna Stamell, Barry Atsma,...

The Serpent Queen The First Regency Trailer — Starz‘s The Serpent Queen: Season 1, Episode 5: The First Regency TV show trailer has been released. Cast and crew The Serpent Queen stars Samantha Morton, Colm Meaney, Kiruna Stamell, Barry Atsma, Alex Heath, Amrita Acharia, Enzo Cilenti, Antonia Clarke, Adam Garcia, Beth Goddard, [...]

Continue reading: The Serpent Queen: Season 1, Episode 5: The First Regency TV Show Trailer [Starz]...

The Serpent Queen The Price Trailer — Starz‘s The Serpent Queen: Season 1, Episode 3: The Price TV show trailer has been released. Cast and crew The Serpent Queen stars Samantha Morton, Colm Meaney, Kiruna Stamell, Barry Atsma, Alex Heath, Amrita Acharia, Enzo Cilenti, Antonia Clarke, Adam Garcia, Beth Goddard, Raza Jaffrey, [...]

Continue reading: The Serpent Queen; Season 1, Episode 3: The Price TV Show Trailer [Starz]...

Why did Starz turn away from the British Tudors and to the world of French Queen Catherine de Medici for their new series “The Serpent Queen”?

“Sometimes it’s because somebody’s so bad that they really make a dent in history,” Nancy Goldstone, author of “The Rival Queens,” a biography on de Medici, said. Goldstone talked to IndieWire via Zoom and explained that de Medici was not only a fierce strategist, but a brutal and bloody queen with a bevy of murders under her hat.

“The Serpent Queen” attempts to showcase de Medici’s (Samantha Morton) ruthlessness, as well as highlight the humor in a story of an unappealing young Italian woman sent to France to become Queen. Filled with fourth-wall breaks, and a joke that feels pulled directly from Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas,” “The Serpent Queen” almost feels like the anti-historical drama. But sometimes fact and fiction collide — below,...

From writer and executive producer Justin Haythe and director and executive producer Stacie Passon (based on the book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France by Leonie Frieda), Starz's latest period drama The Serpent Queen tells the story of one of history's most complex and complicated figures, Catherine de Medici, who ascends in power and status to become one of France's longest-serving rulers. As an orphan, Catherine (Liv Hill) marries into the French court at a young age, but quickly learns that she must counter — and in some instances, outmaneuver — her political opponents, many of whom would rather see her dead than on the throne. What makes the series even more intriguing is that it's Catherine herself (Samantha Morton) telling her own story, in her own words, to her newest maid and confidant Rahima (Sennia Nanua). The upcoming series also stars Colm Meaney, Ludivine Sagnier, Kiruna Stamell, Barry Atsma, Alex Heath,...

The Serpent Queen Trailer and Medici Bitch Plot Synopsis and Air Date — Starz‘s The Serpent Queen (2022) TV show trailer and Episode 1: Medici Bitch plot synopsis and air date have been released. Cast and crew The Serpent Queen stars Samantha Morton, Colm Meaney, Kiruna Stamell, Barry Atsma, Alex Heath, Amrita Acharia, [...]

Continue reading: The Serpent Queen (2022) TV Show Trailer; Ep. 1: Medici Bitch Plot Synopsis & Air Date [Starz]...

The Serpent Queen is coming soon to Starz. The cable channel has set a premiere date and released a trailer teasing the new historical drama.

Starring Samantha Morton, Sennia Nanua, Liv Hill, Charles Dance, Ludivine Sagnier, Colm Meaney, Kiruna Stamell, Barry Atsma, Alex Heath, Amrita Acharia, Enzo Cilenti, Antonia Clarke, Adam Garcia, Beth Goddard, Raza Jaffrey, Ray Panthaki, Nicholas Burns, Danny Kirrane, and Rupert Everett, the series was created by Justin Haythe. The story focuses on the Queen of France, Catherine de Medici (Morton), and her rise to power.

revealed more about the new series in a press release.

“Starz released today the trailer and key art for the wicked new drama series "The Serpent Queen" set to premiere on Sunday, September 11. The new series stars Golden Globe(R) winner, two-time Academy Award(R) and two-time BAFTA Award-nominated actress, Samantha...

“Locke and Key” Season 3, which will serve as the series’ final chapter, is set to premiere Aug. 10 on Netflix.

In the final chapter of the series, the Locke family discovers the existence of a time-travel key within Keyhouse. However, a new threat in Matheson is determined to fulfill his own plan with the keys.

“Locke and Key” stars Darby Stanchfield, Connor Jessup, Emilia Jones, Jackson Robert Scott, Kevin Durand, Sherri Saum, Brendan Hines and Coby Bird. The show is based on the comic book series of the same name written by Joe Hill and illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez.

Carlton Cuse and Meredith Averill serve as co-showrunners and executive producers. Aron Eli Coleite, Joe Hill and Chris Ryall executive produce the series, along with Idw’s Lydia Antonini and Ted Adams; Genre Arts’ Lindsey Springer; Circle of Confusion’s Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, David Alpert and Rick Jacobs; and Take 5...

Starz has unveiled the trailer for the upcoming historical drama “The Serpent Queen” starring Samantha Morton as Catherine de Medici. The wicked new drama series will premiere on Sunday, September 11th.

A historical drama with an edge, “The Serpent Queen” puts a contemporary spin on conventional storytelling to tell the tale of Catherine de Medici’s (Morton) rise to power. In the series premiere, “Medici Bitch,” Catherine’s tale unfolds through flashbacks as she defends her actions and imparts the lessons she’s learned to her new servant confident, Rahima. At 14, the young, orphaned Catherine marries into the 16th-century French court. Despite her commoner status, her uncle Pope Clement, has negotiated a large dowry and a geopolitical alliance in return for the union, and with it comes the expectation of many heirs. However, on her wedding night, Catherine learns that her new husband is in love with Diane de Poitiers,...

Exclusive: Beth Goddard (Manhunt) is set as a series regular opposite Samantha Morton in Starz’s The Serpent Queen, an eight-part period drama about Catherine de Medici. Additionally, Alex Heath (Home) recurs in the series from writer and executive producer Justin Haythe (Revolutionary Road), Francis Lawrence & Erwin Stoff. Production is underway in France.

Based on Leonie Frieda’s book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France, The Serpent Queen is described as “a cunning account of one of the most influential women ever to wear a crown. Considered an immigrant, common and plain, Catherine de Medici (Morton) is married into the 16th century French court as an orphaned teenager expected to bring a fortune in dowry and produce many heirs, only to discover that her husband is in love with an older woman, her dowry is unpaid and she’s unable to conceive. Yet, only with her intelligence and determination,...