Gadgetory

Instagram leaves Twitter in the dust and Google finds a new reason to monitor your messages I'm Bridget Carey and this is your scene that update Instagram is now larger than Twitter the facebook-owned app reported it has 300 million active users to compare twitter has about 280 4 million the majority of instagrams users more than 200 million are outside of the US facebook also owns the messenger service whatsapp which has about 600 million users that's twice the size of Instagram another messaging app just got an update to better compete with Facebook Google Hangouts added stickers you know those cutesy cartoon cutouts that express feelings Google Hangouts also added filters to video calls so you can talk in black and white but Google is also reading the text you send to give what it calls smart suggestions if you're meeting up with a friend and you type where are you hangouts will take notice and prompt you to share your location with one tap it'll also tell your friends the time you were last on the app so it'll be harder to hide and ignore chess the updates are out now for Android and coming to iOS soon now since we're on the topic of updates snapchat also has been updated with new caption features so you can change colors of text pinch to resize and drag text around the screen it also lets you use layers of filters and photos are in full resolution for new iPhone 6 models if only they would make more improvements to encryption and security protections because that would be swell now if you're among the few with an android-powered SmartWatch you can get some new watch based designs there's a whole section in the app store for watch designs there are also a few interface improvements for navigating blocking notifications or checking the apps battery and storage status moving to the topic of streaming video amazon updated its instant video app to stream in 4k Ultra HD for Prime and non-prime users the catch is that it's only available on select 2014 4k Ultra HD televisions but it doesn't cost anything extra to get the better resolution Netflix also added 4k as an option earlier this year with the series house of cards and a couple of nature documentaries Amazon's also making changes to its shopping side you can haggle the price of some items it's called make an offer but you'll only find it on fine art and one-of-a-kind collectibles that cost more than one hundred dollars about 150,000 items now have the make an offer button that's your tech news update there's always more at cnet com and you can stay updated by following me on twitter from our studios in New York I'm Bridget Carey