Super Mario Run Hits the App Store | Crunch Report

TL;DR

Super Mario Run is now available for download with a $10 price tag. Instagram reaches 600 million monthly active users. Facebook works on fighting fake news and introduces camera overlays in Messenger. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler is stepping down in January.

Transcript

Super Mario run is now in the app store Instagram passes 600 million users and Tom wheeler is stepping down from heading the FCC in January it's Thursday December 15 and this is crunch report what is up TechCrunch land welcome to the crunch report I'm about to make you super unproductive Super Mario run is now available for download on the iPhone a... Read More

Key Insights

• ⚡ Super Mario Run has finally been released with a high price tag, but Nintendo provides some levels for free.
• 👤 Instagram continues to experience significant user growth, reaching 600 million monthly active users.
• 🧑‍🏭 Facebook is taking steps to combat fake news on its platform by working with fact-checking organizations.
• 👻 Messenger on Facebook is introducing enhanced camera features, allowing users to overlay text, stickers, and drawings.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the price of Super Mario Run, and are there any levels available for free?

Super Mario Run costs $10, but Nintendo is offering a trio of levels as a sneak peek and an end of world castle for free.

Q: How many monthly active users does Instagram currently have, and what has contributed to its growth?

Instagram now has over 600 million monthly active users, with a growth of 100 million in six months. Features like bookmarks, live video, and the algorithmic feed have contributed to this growth.

Q: What is Facebook doing to tackle the issue of fake news?

Facebook is working with organizations like Snopes, FactCheck.org, PolitiFact, ABC News, and AP to flag and downrank fake news stories. Warnings will be attached to these stories when shared, and users will be linked to debunking stories.

Q: What new camera features is Facebook introducing in Messenger?

Facebook is implementing machine learning to recognize the meaning of text overlays in Messenger and recommend stickers, filters, and related art. This enhances the camera overlays of text, stickers, and drawings.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Super Mario Run is now available on the App Store with a $10 price tag, but Nintendo is offering a sneak peek and an end of the world castle for free.

• Instagram has surpassed 600 million monthly active users, growing by 100 million in just six months. Features like bookmarks, live video, and the algorithmic feed have contributed to this growth.

• Facebook is teaming up with fact-checking organizations to flag and downrank fake news stories on the platform. Additionally, Facebook is enhancing its camera features in Messenger to bring images and texts closer together.

• FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler is stepping down in January, possibly due to differing views on net neutrality with President-elect Donald Trump.