Former President Donald Trump’s social media app Truth Social is now available for download on the Google Play Store, as per The Verge. The outlet has shared that Truth Social, which was banned by Google over “insufficient” content moderation policies, offers a Twitter-like social experience and markets itself as a platform that “encourages an open, free, and honest global conversation.” Before attempting to launch on the Google Play Store, Trump’s social media app first launched on the Apple App Store in February. According to The Verge, in a statement, Google said that apps on the Google Play Store are permitted as long as they “comply with our developer guidelines. This includes the requirement to effectively moderate user-generated content and remove objectionable posts such as those that incite violence.”
The company added that Truth Social has agreed to enforce the moderation measures on user-generated content that Google requires. Previously, after issuing a ban following the Capitol riots, Google had also reinstated Parler, a similarly focused app. Apart from policy violations that initially prevented its app launch on Android, the Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG) owned Truth Social has also been facing financial issues related to its repeatedly delayed SPAC, as per The Verge.
The outlet reported that Digital World Acquisition Corp, the shell company set to merge with TMTG and take it public, delayed the process and has now scheduled its shareholder vote on November 3.
Microsoft collaborates with Meta to deliver immersive experiences in VR
Microsoft has partnered with Meta in an effort to persuade businesses to operate in virtual settings. During Meta’s Connect conference this morning, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said that Microsoft teams will integrate with Quest devices and that Microsoft will provide a way to stream Windows apps to Meta’s headsets, TechCrunch reported. Nadella also revealed that Microsoft’s streaming game service, Xbox Cloud Gaming, will arrive on Quest devices sometime within the coming months. “We’re bringing the Microsoft Teams immersive meeting experience to Meta Quest in order to give people new ways to connect with each other,” Nadella said, noting that custom avatars will eventually come to the experience. Horizon Workrooms, Meta’s VR space for collaboration, will connect with Teams, he added — allowing people to join a Teams meeting directly from Workrooms.
“Now, you can connect, share and collaborate as though you are together in person,” Nadella added.
On the Windows end, Nadella said that Microsoft 365 will come to Quest in a way that lets users interact with content from productivity apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
“You [will] have a new way to securely stream the entire Windows experience, including all the personalized app content settings to your VR device with the full power [of Windows,]” Nadella said. “We’ve been thinking about how to bring the power of Microsoft 365 and Windows 365 to 3D spaces to really help drive productivity and enable you to create, communicate and collaborate in completely new ways.” As for Xbox Cloud Gaming, on the Quest, it’ll stream games to a 2D VR screen, supporting existing Xbox controllers. But Nadella hinted that additional features might arrive down the line.
