Tech Roundup: Google Maps Plus Codes, Messenger E2EE & More

[A recurring feature on the latest in Science & Technology.]

• Meta rolls out to support for end-to-end-encryption for all users of Facebook Messenger, along with options to turn on the feature for group chats and calls, as the company readies plans to switch over to default end-to-end encryption sometime next year; officially rebrands Oculus Quest VR headsets to Meta Quest.
• Microsoft-owned professional networking platform LinkedIn pulls the plug on Lite version of its app, which it launched in 2017 to enable accessibility to users in low-connectivity and low-bandwidth geographies, citing improvements in Internet usage and mobile Internet speeds; to be deactivated for existing users on March 15.
• Google announces an India-first feature on Google Maps that allows users to share their current location (including home addresses) in the form of Plus Codes; adds a new Offers tab to Google Play store to help users find deals and discounts on apps and games.
• Apple reports its largest single quarter in terms of revenue ever, hitting a total revenue of US$ 123.9 billion, up 11% YoY (iPhone revenue: US$ 71.63 billion, Services revenue: US$ 19.52 billion, Mac revenue: US$ 10.85 billion, and iPad revenue: US$ 7.25 billion); says it has over 1.8 billion active devices worldwide, up from 1.65 billion in January 2021 and 1.5 billion in January 2020, as the number of paying subscribers across its services touches 785 million.
• Stock trading platform Robinhood reports a decline in active users from 18.9 million to 17.3 million, with revenues of US$ 363 million and a net loss of $423 million.

• Apple adds long-awaited Universal Control feature and a new "Use Face ID With a Mask" option in iOS 15.4 that allows the iPhone to be unlocked even when users are wearing a mask by "recogni[sing] the unique features around the eye" for authentication (to require iPhone 12 or newer models for it to work); also debuts new setting that lets users disable access to iCloud data on the web via iCloud.com.
• The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) votes unanimously to approve a proposal that would require internet service providers to share details about their plans in the form of easy-to-read nutrition labels.
• The E.U. approves Meta's acquisition of Kustomer, which was announced in November 2020, following promises by the company that it would provide API access and access-parity for rival CRM software providers.
• Controversial data broker X-Mode reportedly bought location data from Bro, a dating app for "bi, gay, and open-minded men," the virtual makeup app Perfect365, and the popular live streaming app Tango, along with 104 other apps, as part of a multibillion-dollar location data trade, new findings from The Markup reveal.
• Chinese food delivery and local services giant Meituan adds support for the country's digital yuan (aka e-CNY) to enable purchases on the platform using the digital fiat currency.