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Facebook officially launched “Audience Network” in October, 2014, to allow advertisers to buy ads space on third-party apps powered by its targeting data, as a new way to extend their campaigns beyond Facebook and into other mobile apps.

The company in a blog post on Tuesday announced the expansion of Audience Network to include support for mobile Web, not just within apps, a move that's aimed to open up the platform to potential new publishers.

Facebook refers to its targeting capability as “people-based marketing, bringing the value of native ad formats to a new set of publishers. Whereby, publishers will have the opportunity to serve typical banner ads to mobile Web users through the Audience Network.

The mobile Web ads can also be targeted to groups of users the same way as in-app ads on the Audience Network, or on Facebook itself.

ComScore, in a recent research, found that 93% of visits to 25 news publishers came through mobile Web browsers, compared with 7% of visits from apps.

As a matter of fact, on average news sites receive approximately 40 percent of their traffic from mobile apps, while over 90 percent comes via mobile Web.

Facebook said it expects the “native ad” formats to perform better for publishers and advertisers alike.

What's the fuss about Facebook’s extension of Audience Network to mobile Web?

The flaw was detected in January 17, at a hackers' conference in Washington D.C., while Apple's effort to patch the reported holes proved abortive. Patrick Wardle, a noted Mac security researcher showed everyone that there were at least two different ways to bypass Gatekeeper, Apple's malware-blocking program for OS X.

Gatekeeper is an anti-malware feature introduced by Apple to keep untrusted and malicious applications from gaining access on OS X systems.

The security feature, by default, accepts all software directly from Apple's own Mac App Store, as well as apps "signed" by developers approved by Apple, which it assume to be safe.

Gatekeeper first exploit sneaks in malicious code to run as "signed" software, by inserting malware into the code libraries, or dylibs, that most large applications share; while the second, bundle malware into compressed installer packages (.dmg files) for signed software.

The failure to check whether the app already trusted by OS X runs or loads other files from the same folder is the bane.

Albeit, the company's attempt to patch the vulnerability by including verification of dylibs to block the first exploit, was too narrow to contain the flaw. And the second patch could be bypassed by replicating the blocked tool.

The onus of the flaw remains that Gatekeeper still doesn't block every piece of unsigned software, only the most obvious ones get blocked.

Malware Check: Apple's malware-blocking program for OS X Vulnerable

Well, it came as no surprise that WhatsApp has announced a completely free service, instead of the initial plan to charge users $1 per year on subscription. While, the company boasting of over 900 Million users could not arrive at a better monetization option, given that competitors are ready to give anything for that sheer number.

The reversal is fueled by the Facebook acquisition, which means the instant messaging platform is definitely in a better footing, financially.

Albeit, the company claims the reason for removing the subscription option was because many users, especially in developing markets, could not afford to pay the $1 fee and unavailability of credit cards payment processing is also a factor.

But, as the need to make money for any business is paramount, the company may now have to explore other monetization options.

And many users, nonetheless, are disturbed about privacy issues as the introduction of in-app advertisement will invariably means more tracking of users' online activities for targeted ads serving.

However, since in-app ads serving could infuriate users, the company may want to explore the introduction of premium (and of course, paid) accounts that allows businesses to leverage the service for a fee.

WhatsApp: Was Anyone really going to Pay $1 Subscription fee?

Apple has released iOS 9.3 with a bevy of new smart features targeting students, while iOS 9.2.1 was still in beta testing, the company has jump start a full blown update instead.

The new iOS 9.3 has shown that Apple indeed has education as a priority, as even a new dedicated education section, has been made available to allow a preview on the changelog.

Now, find the top three smart new education features available on iOS 9.3 below:

  1. Shared iPad: It's a multi-user support feature, allowing students to log on to any iPad with full access their own apps, books, and other stored media. It utilizes Photo ID security feature, which displays a student's picture when logged in, to prevent identity issues.
  2. Classroom App: It enable teachers to control the various iPads used by students in a classroom, and even be able to monitor what each student is doing at any particular time.
  3. School Manager: This is a hub for teachers to compile and share courses, buying of books and apps, and track class activities.


Apple, also promised with the release, that the best classroom experience is about to get started, while touting the new features as crafted to reshape education, and make it even easier for schools to have the greater impact on students.

Top 3 new features in Apple iOS 9.3 for Students

Netflix's on-demand Internet streaming service is now available in 130 new countries, including Nigeria. The company announced it on Wednesday during the opening keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2016), at Las Vegas, United States.

It offers a subscription-based film and television program rental service that offers media to subscribers via Internet streaming.

While, Pay TV isn't new to Nigerians, the fact that the service will be available via internet streaming is the apparent differential. With catalogue in a variety of TV shows and original programming available for streaming in both standard and high definition, Netflix is bound to disrupt established players with acclaimed hits series like House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, and Beasts of No Nation, starring Idris Elba.

Nonetheless, there are factors that may hinder the successful uptake of the service in Nigeria, especially as it's coming as a whole new service segment on its own, Internet.

  1. Poor Internet Services: While the rest of the world is already enjoying the awesome speed of 4G, Nigeria is still grappling with abysmal distribution of 3G connectivity. And given that Netflix streaming service will be hugely dependent of reliable and fast internet connection, means a stumbling block for extensive adoption of the service in Nigeria.
  2. Payment Medium: With the recent government policy on international payments restriction, and rumors of Nigerian banks planning to prevent their customers from using Naira-denominated ATM cards for transactions in forex isn't sounding good for the service.
  3. Device Type: Smart TV's compatible with Netflix streaming services aren't the norm here, and with the proliferation of sub-standard Chinese clones of popular smartphones may present an ugly user experience which will not augur well for the uptake of the service.


Asides these factors, the issue of pricing and availability of cheap pirated versions of the popular titles will equally raise its ugly head. Albeit, Netflix's arrival in Nigeria will definitely bring bigger competition for video content services like DSTV Now, and it’s effect on the market would be a lot better experienced that  making an early forecast.

3 Factors that will hinder Netflix adoption in Nigeria

As the annual technology extravaganza with over 3,000 exhibitors, Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2016), is set to kick off on January 6 in Las Vegas, it's likely that technology products, ranging from health care to autos, connected homes, virtual reality and gaming will take the center stage.

Albeit, there are growing number of smart home products available, privacy and security concerns have always been the bane, and as more devices are connected, the companies behind them will need to give consumers reasons to actually buy into it.

Nonetheless, most new technology that will be on display at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2016) promises to be smarter and friendlier than ever.

While, there are numerous devices that are designed to connect you to your home in smart and convenient ways, choosing from the leading brands can really be a no-brainer.

And top of the range smart home brands like: LogiTech, D-Link, SONOS, LinkSys, and NetGear are among those expected to participate in this year's event.

The idea behind a smart home is to provide an app that's compatible with a smartphone, tablet or computer that lets you control things at home. Whether you're just relaxing on the couch and don't want to get up and turn off the lights, or you're outdoors and want to check on things at home, the control you're looking for is at your fingertips.

CES 2016: Will Smart Home Technology take center Stage?

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