Technologies

Verum Messenger has become more attractive to advertisers

Verum Messenger has become more attractive to advertisers by making it easier to send promotional messages.

If previously the distribution of advertising messages in the messenger was subject to mandatory pre-moderation, now this condition has been canceled, company representatives said.

Now a user who has created his own group of up to 10 thousand people can send advertisements to its members. And it’s completely free to do so.

We remind you of the already known benefits of the Verum Messenger app.

To use the messenger, you don’t even need a phone number, because the application is not tied to it. It also has a built-in VPN and end-to-end (E2E) encryption by default.

Verum was created for maximum security and anonymity — if a user in a chat takes a screenshot of the correspondence, copies or forwards a message or a sent file, the participant in the conversation will know about it. A group chat can have up to 10,000 users and the app itself supports 12 different languages.

Correspondence is kept as confidential as possible. No one other than the participants in the conversation can view messages, photos, audio or video. Even if the phone falls into the hands of third parties, they will not be able to enter the application — on Verum you can set a passcode for each entrance or protect Touch ID or Face ID data. Communication remains completely confidential — the application has the function of automatic cleaning of correspondence. The user himself can set the frequency of deletion.

The Verum Messenger app is available exclusively on iOS.

Technologies

Reddit’s AI Tool Will Give Speedier, More Accurate Answers With Google Gemini Boost

The popular social media forum will use Google’s Cloud services, including Gemini for search, as part of its AI-powered Reddit Answers service.

Reddit is expanding a cloud computer partnership with Google to use its Gemini AI tools for Reddit Answers. In an announcement, Google said it’s helping Reddit manage information from 100,000 online communities and more than 400 million weekly active users, making their online conversations more searchable for Reddit Answers.

For users, it could mean more accurate search in addition to summaries, follow-up questions and the ability to have an AI conversation about the content, not unlike what users of chatbot service such as ChatGPT would expect.

Reddit unveiled Answers in late 2024, telling its users that it would be easier to search for content from Reddit, more often than not answers to questions, without the need to go to Google and use its search function. Reddit was already in a $60 million deal with Google to help train generative AI models on its content.

The company has also been expanding its translation services across its communities with the help of AI.

Technologies

Instagram for iPad? It Might Actually Be Happening

The photo-centric social media platform has long focused on its smartphone app. That may be about to change, according to a report.

Meta may be working on a dedicated Instagram app for the iPad, nearly 15 years after making a strategic decision not to launch one.

The company is reportedly now developing an iPad-friendly version of the popular social media app, according to The Information. Instagram has long existed solely as a smartphone app, though it is also accessible via its website.

The move could mark a shift in Meta’s mobile strategy and offer Instagram users a more immersive experience on iPads. The timing also would coincide with Meta’s broader push to better compete with TikTok.

TikTok’s legal status in the US remains in limbo. Last week, former President Donald Trump extended the deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok to an approved US buyer by another 75 days but the app’s fate is still uncertain.

Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In the past, the company has downplayed rumors it would launch an iPad app, saying it wasn’t a priority. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, tweeted in February 2022 that «it’s still just not a big enough group of people to be a priority.»

He added: «Hoping to get to it at some point, but right now, we’re very heads down on other things.»

A year later, Mosseri echoed that sentiment as the company focused on building out Threads. He also previously said expanding the app to more platforms would add costs and emphasized that the team is «leaner than you think.»

It’s possible, however, interest has shifted. The company is also reportedly considering spinning off its Reels feature into a standalone app as it works to improve recommendation algorithms and support longer Reels, according to the Information.

In addition, Instagram recently launched a video editing app called Edits, which bears a strong resemblance to ByteDance’s CapCut, and has reportedly tried to lure TikTok creators with cash bonuses ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.

Technologies

‘Chicken Jockey!’ Be Prepared for Theater Shenanigans at A Minecraft Movie

Audiences are going berserk at the appearance of one small Minecraft character.

A Minecraft Movie audiences are reveling in the wacky humor and performances from leads Jack Black and Jason Momoa, but some theater crowds are going absolutely wild at one cameo appearance by a rare Minecraft enemy — the Chicken Jockey.

The internet has gone all-in on a baby zombie riding a chicken. It’s a quirky, deep-cut reference pulled straight from Minecraft game lore, but it’s now the centerpiece of a social media (and real-life) frenzy.

The Chicken Jockey has gone from obscure Minecraft trivia to full-blown pop culture icon in just days. But what exactly is a Chicken Jockey, where did it come from, and why does it resonate so strongly with fans of both the game and the movie?

What is a Minecraft Chicken Jockey?

A Minecraft Chicken Jockey is a rare hostile mob (Minecraft lingo for monster) in the game, formed when a baby zombie appears riding a chicken. It’s one of the stranger and less common creatures in Minecraft, and because of its rarity, it’s a fan-favorite Easter egg for veteran players.

In the 2025 Minecraft movie, the Chicken Jockey makes a brief but memorable appearance. The film references its rarity, and that relatively small scene has exploded online, especially among fans who recognize the deep-cut reference.

What is the Chicken Jockey scene in the Minecraft movie?

The Chicken Jockey scene in the Minecraft movie isn’t very long or important. In reality, it’s probably worth little more than a chuckle. But people absolutely love it. And it’s easily understood without having seen the movie. For context, at one point, Garrett «The Garbage Man» Garrison (played by Momoa) is forced into a boxing ring with a chicken.

«They want me to fight the chicken,» he states, while a baby zombie drops down from a crate lowered from the ceiling. The grinning zombie lands on the chicken while giggling.

«Chicken Jockey!» a wary Steve (played by Jack Black) warns, as the baby zombie coos and charges at Garrison, knocking him into the ropes. And scene.

Why did the Chicken Jockey scene go viral?

For Minecraft fans, this is a rare and oddly satisfying Easter egg. This mob isn’t seen often in-game, so it was a fun, tongue-in-cheek nod to those in the know.

Moviegoers have reported rather rowdy experiences at screenings with fans singing and chanting along with the characters, especially with this scene. We’ve seen stories of spontaneous applause, kids chanting «Chicken Jockey!» and makeshift cosplay. But it’s only escalated from there.

The viral moment hit a new level when @DiscussingFilm posted to X (formerly Twitter), reporting that police had to remove several kids from a theater during a Minecraft screening due to their response to the Chicken Jockey’s appearance. The crowd erupted into such loud cheering, shouting and laughter that the screening was disrupted, and staff called the police to restore order.

Police had to kick several kids out of the theater during a ‘MINECRAFT’ showing after their reaction to the ‘Chicken Jockey’ scene
Read our review: https://t.co/uuggEo3o94 pic.twitter.com/pZD9eywVjt

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 6, 2025

It appears the trend is picking up steam across the country and at various screenings, with social media evidence to show popcorn being thrown at screens, loud screaming and other disruptive behavior. Put simply, Chicken Jockey has people freaking out.

Minecraft Chicken Jockey merchandise: Popcorn buckets, Lego sets and more

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Minecraft Chicken Jockey is driving a remarkable wave of merchandise demand. Fans are scrambling for collectibles ranging from exclusive theater popcorn buckets to McDonald’s toys.

One of the most sought-after items is the Cinemark-exclusive popcorn bucket and drink cup, which features the Chicken Jockey and is only available in limited quantities. It’s already being resold for as much as $150 on eBay. The trend extends to Lego as well. The Lego Minecraft Woodland Mansion Fighting Ring includes a Chicken Jockey minifigure, and fans have been quick to buy it following the movie’s release.

McDonald’s has also released Minecraft toys through its adult meal promotions, though the Chicken Jockey doesn’t appear in the standard Happy Meal lineup. Some adult meals come with boxed collectibles tied to the film, and photos have circulated online, but no direct retail link exists for the Chicken Jockey toy at this time. It’s clear that, at least for now, Chicken Jockey merchandise has become one of the year’s most unexpected movie collectible trends.