Google SERPs, Apple updates & Twitter news: Digital Roundup December 2022

Google brings continuous scrolling to SERPs

This month, Google began rolling out continuous scrolling through search engine results, removing the need for the “more results” button which directs you to the next page of listings.

Google told Search Engine Journal:

“… we’re bringing continuous scrolling to desktop so you can continue to see more helpful search results with fewer clicks. It’s now even easier to get inspired with more information at your fingertips.

Now, when you scroll down you’ll continue to find relevant results so that you can discover new ideas. When you reach the bottom of a search results page, up to six pages of results will be automatically shown until you see a “More results” button if you wish to continue further.”

The update has currently only been rolled out in the United States.

Apple rolls out iOS 16.2 update

This month, Apple launched its iOS 16.2 update for iPhone and iPadOS users. The new version of the software included the following features:

• Improved end-to-end encryption for iCloud data – A new Advanced Data Protection mode means that only you can access your device’s data such as passwords by authenticating your identity on a trusted device like an iPhone or a Mac.
• Apple Music karaoke mode – 80% of Apple Music’s most played songs can be transformed into karaoke tracks, showing real-time lyrics and playing only the music track.
• Freeform app – Freeform is a collaborative digital whiteboard app where you can draw, attach documents and notes, and annotate.
• Live Activities feature updates – The Lock Screen and Home Screen live activities widgets now include real-time Sports score updates through the Apple TV app.

Twitter said of the update:

“By creating this connection, we’re making it possible for businesses to create networks within their own organizations–on Twitter. Businesses can affiliate their leadership, brands, support handles, employees or teams. Journalists, sports team players or movie characters can all be affiliated. You name it, we got it. Each affiliate will be verified and officially linked to their parent handle based on a list provided by the parent business. We will share any new criteria, pricing or process as we update them.”

LastPass hit by cybersecurity breach

Password manager app LastPass was the victim of a cybersecurity breach, admitting that “an unauthorised party” had accessed “certain elements of customers’ information”.

However, they assured that all passwords were secure:

“We are working diligently to understand the scope of the incident and identify what specific information has been accessed. In the meantime, we can confirm that LastPass products and services remain fully functional.”

Instagram launches new year-in-review highlight reels

Instagram users can share their best moments of 2022 with the app’s updated Reel templates.

The platform has launched four new templates which allow users to create a Reel by selecting up to 14 photos and videos. Instagram will automatically combine the content to create a video to share with followers, with the option to add celebrity voiceovers from the likes of DJ Khaled, Badshah, Bad Bunny, and Priah Ferguson.

Meta warns spyware is still being used on social media

Facebook’s parent company has warned that the use of spyware is still a threat to social media users, and is being used to retrieve private information from users’ accounts.

Meta said it removed more than 100 accounts on Facebook and Instagram linked to a company called Avalanche in Russia, which it said sold access to a platform that allows spying across the internet.

Head of security policy at Meta, Nathan Gleicher, said:

“Our key goal is to do everything we can to protect people. So we share our insights with our industry peers. Twitter is going through a transition right now and most of the people we’ve dealt with have moved on. As a result, we have to wait and see what they announce in these threat areas.”