iWorld
Netflix lends support to those affected by fires in LA
MUMBAI: In response to the devastating wildfires that swept across Southern California, Netflix and its co-CEOs, Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters stepped up to support those affected. At least that’s what Sarandos assured in a blog post last week that the company was committed to aiding employees and the wider community during this difficult time.
“Many of our employees and creative partners have been directly impacted by this disaster,” Sarandos stated.
To facilitate recovery efforts, Netflix has pledged a substantial $10 million donation. This funding will be distributed among several organisations, including the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Community Fund Wildfire Recovery Fund, World Central Kitchen, Motion Picture and Television Fund, and Entertainment Community Fund, aiming to provide immediate relief and ongoing support.
In addition to financial contributions, Netflix is directly assisting affected employees, including offering temporary housing solutions for those who have lost their homes. The company is also implementing a double-match for all employee charitable contributions through its giving program.
Sarandos expressed gratitude to the firefighters and first responders tirelessly battling the flames. “These heroes have been saving lives and communities with little rest,” he remarked.
Reflecting on the spirit of Los Angeles, Sarandos, a long-time resident, noted, “For many, LA is more than just palm trees and movie stars; it’s a family of hardworking individuals from diverse backgrounds.”
He higlighted the community’s resilience, stating that while many dreams may currently feel distant, the capacity to rebuild is strong.
“The next few years will pose challenges, but we will come back stronger than before,” he concluded.
iWorld
Instagram Edits marks one year with 130 plus new features
Launched April 22, 2025, app adds teleprompter, ideas hub, weekly updates
MUMBAI: From rough cuts to smart edits, Instagram’s in-house creator tool has quietly been polishing its own story, one feature at a time. Instagram Edits, launched on April 22, 2025, has completed a year in the market with more than 130 features added since debut, reflecting a steady push to evolve into an all-in-one content creation platform.
Developed by Meta in collaboration with creators, the app was initially rolled out with a basic toolkit, with product development continuing post-launch through weekly updates shaped by user feedback. According to Brett Westervelt, who leads the Edits team, the approach has been iterative build, test, refine, repeat.
Over the past 12 months, the platform has focused on simplifying core editing tasks such as trimming, captioning, and audio-visual adjustments. Among the additions is an in-app teleprompter, designed to help users record content more seamlessly, alongside tools for script reading and voiceovers.
But Edits is no longer just about cutting clips. The app has expanded into the ideation phase with an “Ideas” hub, allowing users to store references such as saved reels, audio clips, and notes. It also offers personalised recommendations, comment insights, and automated prompts to help creators plan content more efficiently.
On the community front, the platform has introduced creator-led templates and educational tools, enabling users to explore and adapt project files to learn editing techniques. The next phase is expected to deepen this ecosystem, with more advanced templates and collaborative sharing features in the pipeline.
Looking ahead, Meta plans to roll out enhancements including bilingual captioning, advanced colour grading, and speed control tools, alongside greater customisation options that allow users to tailor workflows and interface layouts.
As short-form video continues to dominate digital consumption, Edits appears to be positioning itself not just as a tool, but as a creator companion, one that’s learning, quite literally, on the job.
