iWorld
Zero Density appoints new regional sales manager Jeff Hobbs to strengthen client engagement
Mumbai: Zero Density, a global leader in virtual production and graphics solutions, has announced the appointment of the new regional sales manager, Jeff Hobbs. Hobbs will continue to support Zero Density’s ongoing expansion in the United States, a market where the company has seen demand for augmented reality (AR), extended reality (XR) and virtual studios increase exponentially.
Hobbs’ extensive experience and understanding of AR, XR and virtual studio technologies, honed at roles in leading media technology companies like EVS, Vizrt and Key Code Media, makes him a valuable addition to the Zero Density team.
“Jeff’s expertise aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver value-added innovative real-time graphics solutions,” says Zero Density CEO Ofir Benovici. “His appointment underscores our commitment to strengthen our client relationships and enhance customer experience in the U.S.”
In his new role, Hobbs will focus on building client relationships, driving sales and developing targeted strategies to meet customers’ ever-evolving needs. His ability to understand and creatively solve the technical and operational challenges faced by customers will greatly enhance Zero Density’s ability to deliver high-quality virtual production and graphics solutions.
Hobbs shared, “I’m thrilled to join Zero Density and help our clients unlock the power of AR, XR and virtual studio technologies to create engaging content with ease.”
Hobbs’ appointment exemplifies Zero Density’s dedication to providing customers with the tools they need to produce outstanding content, further consolidating its position as a leader in the industry.
iWorld
WhatsApp may soon let users to pick who sees their status updates
The messaging giant is borrowing a page from Instagram’s playbook as it pushes to give users finer control over their social circles.
CALIFORNIA: WhatsApp is quietly working on a feature that could make its Status function considerably smarter and considerably more private.
According to reports from beta tracking platforms, the app is testing a tool called Status lists, which would allow users to create named groups such as close friends, family and colleagues, and control precisely which group sees each update. It is a meaningful step up from the platform’s current blunt instruments, which offer only three options: share with all contacts, exclude specific people, or manually select individuals each time.
The new feature draws an obvious comparison with Instagram’s Close Friends function, and the resemblance is unlikely to be accidental. Both platforms sit within Meta’s family, and the company has been nudging them toward a common logic of audience segmentation for some time.
The move also fits neatly into WhatsApp’s broader privacy push. The platform has been rolling out enhanced chat protections and is exploring the introduction of usernames, which would allow users to connect without exchanging phone numbers. Status lists extend that philosophy from messaging into broadcasting.
Meanwhile, Status itself has been evolving well beyond its origins as a simple photo-and-text slideshow. The feature now supports music stickers, collages, longer videos and interactive elements, pushing it closer to the social-media-style story format pioneered by Snapchat and refined by Instagram. In that context, finer audience controls are not merely a privacy feature. They are a precondition for people sharing more.
The feature remains in development and has not been confirmed for release. WhatsApp routinely tests tools that are later modified or quietly shelved. But the direction of travel is clear: the app wants Status to be a destination, not an afterthought. Letting users decide exactly who is in the audience is how it gets there.
