Meta has launched Llama 3.3 70B, a text-only generative AI model that delivers performance similar to Llama 3.1 405B at a lower cost. It outperforms competitors like Google’s Gemini 1.5 Pro and OpenAI’s GPT-4o in benchmarks. The model has over 650 million downloads and powers Meta AI, which has nearly 600 million monthly users. To tackle EU regulatory issues, Meta is investing $10 billion in a new AI data center.
Markifact automates the creation and uploading of Meta ads using AI. Users generate custom visuals and matching ad copy by writing detailed prompts and uploading reference images. Ads are uploaded in a paused status for review before going live. This tool allows for quick creation of multiple ad variations, adaptation to market trends, and scaling of campaigns without needing extensive design or copywriting resources.
Threads, Meta's Twitter challenger app, is rapidly gaining traction with 275 million monthly active users (MAU), up from 200 million in August. This growth is notable as Threads added 100 million users in just three months. User migration driven by exclusive content and dissatisfaction with Twitter (now X) and changes at X, including increased political content and misinformation, have benefited Threads.
Meta’s Threads now has over 175 million monthly active users, as announced by Mark Zuckerberg ahead of its first anniversary. Threads launched on July 3, 2023, as an alternative to X (formerly Twitter). Elon Musk claims X reaches 600 million monthly active users. Meta revealed most Threads posts are text-only, with popular tags like PhotographyThreads. Threads' success is partly due to integration with Instagram and new features.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the testing of AI characters created by users through Meta AI Studio on Instagram in the U.S. These chatbots will be clearly marked as AI and will appear in messaging. Initially, around 50 creators and a small percentage of users will test the feature, with plans to expand by August. Zuckerberg highlighted the potential for creators and businesses to use AI avatars to engage with their communities.
Threads is expanding into the fediverse, allowing users to share posts across interconnected social networks like Mastodon. Meta announced a beta for users 18+ with public accounts in global markets, initially launched in three countries and now covering over 100. Meta aims to educate users on the fediverse, enabling likes and replies from wider networks. The beta supports top-level posts only, with other features to follow.
Today, Meta Horizon OS, the operating system powering Quest, is now open for other companies to design more headsets in the ecosystem. Initial partners include Lenovo, Microsoft, and ASUS, with more to join. The new wave of headsets will focus on productivity, entertainment, gaming, exercise, and more.
