News

Attend WSJ Tech Live With Complimentary Virtual Access

Join award-winning speakers from October 16-18 to explore the transformative forces redefining technology.

Published

1 year ago

August 23, 2023

Joanna Melki

attend wsj tech live with complimentary virtual access

Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal’s (WSJ) Tech Live conference is returning to Laguna Beach, California, October 16–18, to convene more than 2,000 senior executives at the forefront of tech, media, entertainment and finance.

This is The Wall Street Journal’s largest technology event of the year, as members of the WSJ newsroom sit down with the industry’s most innovative minds to uncover today’s most pressing topics. Be prepared to explore the transformative forces redefining technology: from the advantages of AI, to the impacts of social media and the global economic downturn, to leading innovation.

In its 10th year, Tech Live is reaching new heights: bigger names, more insightful discussion and unforgettable moments. Emmy Award-winning technology columnist Joanna Stern and other esteemed Journal tech reporters will engage in unscripted interviews with those at leading innovation across all areas of tech. X CEO Linda Yaccarino, Meta former CTO Mike Schropfer and Adobe’s president of digital media David Wadhwani are just some of the biggest names in tech to join this year’s speaker lineup and explore a wide range of topics: from generative AI, to regulatory crackdowns and what’s catching the eye of investors.

Secure your spot today and be part of a shared experience where the industry’s most significant headlines are discussed, debated and made.

Other confirmed speakers include:

David Baszucki, Founder and CEO, Roblox
Alan Davidson, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce
Vinod Khosla, Founder and Partner, Khosla Ventures
John Legend, Musician, Entrepreneur and Investor
Elsa Majimbo, Comedian and Creator
Nicole Quinn, Partner, Lightspeed Venture Partners
Mustafa Suleyman, Co-Founder and CEO, Inflection AI
Michael J. Wolf, Founder and CEO, Activate Consulting

News

Will Upcoming Changes Turn Instagram Into A TikTok Clone?

Updates are rolling out for the grid layout and Reels length, while new editing tools clearly imitate those of the rival Chinese platform.

Published

1 day ago

January 24, 2025

Nour Nasir

Instagram

Instagram recently faced backlash for swapping its iconic square grid for rectangles, disrupting the aesthetic of thousands of carefully curated profiles. However, the Meta-owned platform isn’t stopping there, after announcing more incoming TikTok-like changes designed to give users greater control over their profiles.

“We launched a new tall grid on profiles this week and I got a lot of feedback, both positive and quite negative,” Instagram head Adam Mosseri shared in an Instagram caption on Monday. “The goal is a simpler, cleaner place that maintains, and even increases, creator control”.

Here are some of the details about further changes we can expect:

Customizable Grids: Users will soon be able to tweak how their posts appear on the grid, including adjusting image crops and reordering posts entirely.
Direct-To-Grid Posts: A new option will allow users to post directly to their profile grid without automatically adding it to their main feed.
Highlights Relocation: Instagram’s Highlights feature will move from above the grid into a dedicated tab, while also becoming part of the profile grid itself.
Longer Reels: Reels are getting a significant upgrade, with the maximum video length jumping from 90 seconds to 3 minutes.

The updates are part of Instagram’s ongoing effort to compete with TikTok, which narrowly avoided a US ban following a 75-day delay granted by President Donald Trump. With the Chinese video platform’s future remaining uncertain, Instagram seems eager to capture disillusioned users by offering features that feel increasingly similar to those of its rival.

Also Read: How To Find & Cancel Pending Instagram Requests

In fact, Instagram’s recent changes go beyond just the app’s layout: On Sunday, parent company Meta launched the standalone Edits app, a clear imitation of TikTok’s popular video-editing tool, CapCut. Additionally, Meta has been enticing creators with cash bonuses to encourage them to post their videos on Instagram and Facebook.

It’s clear Instagram is shifting its strategy to appeal to the short-form video crowd. Whether these changes will win over users or continue to spark discontent remains to be seen.