Buzz in the world of tech

CEBU, Philippines - Facebook implements News Feed redesign

Facebook announced last week that it would be rolling out a new design for its News Feed interface, one which essentially focuses on bigger photos and images and the inclusion on a new font.

Based on Facebook's announcement published on March 6, the redesign is intended to unify the overall look and feel of Facebook for desktop and Facebook for mobile.

Since the update is cosmetic, it won't affect how stories are ranked in News Feeds, nor will it affect any creative customizations being implemented on active Facebook accounts.

The new News Feed's interface changes are expected to roll out in the coming weeks.

Yahoo! halts linked sign-in access via Facebook and Google logins

After years of providing access to popular services though linked logins via Facebook or Google accounts, Yahoo recently announced that it will be halting its support for user access via non-Yahoo online services.

What this means is that netizens who wish to make use of any of Yahoo's services will need to have an active Yahoo ID to use popular Yahoo services like Flickr or Fantasy Sports, since logging in using Google or Facebook credentials will no longer be supported.

With the change announced to gradually happen in the coming days, it is expected that "Log-in with Facebook" buttons are likely going to be removed from Yahoo pages soon.

Microsoft Cortana - Microsoft's answer to Apple's Siri

A reported highlight of the upcoming release of Microsoft's Windows Phone 8.1 (WP8.1) recently grabbed the attention of netizens and electronic consumers, taking shape in "Cortana", Microsoft's answer to Google's Google Now and Apple's Siri.

Taking its name from an artificial intelligence character from Microsoft's hit Halo game series, Cortana for Windows Phone is revealed to be Microsoft's personal assistant for smart devices.

Like Siri, Microsoft Cortana is expected to bear similar search-inclined functions and device control-specific features.

Reportedly, Jen Taylor - the voice talent who played the original Cortana character in Halo - is set to be the voice of Microsoft Cortana. A beta version of the Microsoft Cortana is also rumored to be rolled out by April this year. (FREEMAN)