Twitter isn't shutting down… yet, Pokemon GO cheaters get their comeuppance, Microsoft release Flow on Android, Final Fantasy XV gets delayed until November, and the music video shot using Prisma.

Do We Really Need to Save Twitter?

Don't panic! Twitter is not shutting down in 2017, and doesn't need saving. Twitter does have its fair share of problems and could disappear one day, but rumors of its imminent demise have been greatly exaggerated. Even though the #SaveTwitter hashtag was trending at the end of last week.

The whole thing was nothing but a hoax, with a dumb comment by a dumb YouTuber (not one of the millionaire YouTubers we actually like) growing out of control. People were concerned, confused, and convinced in equal measures, and the whole thing morphed into some kind of conspiracy theory.

Now, Twitter is far from perfect, suffering from stalled user growth because people still don't understand what Twitter is all about. Then there is the lack of advertising income, and the trolls harassing random users for no good reason. But despite all of this, the social network endures, and there are several reasons you should consider using Twitter.

If we have learned anything from this it's that Twitter is the perfect platform for hoaxes to grow out of control, even if the hoax is about Twitter itself. And ironically, this offers a positive counterpoint to the #SaveTwitter hoax, as it shows what a powerful platform Twitter could be, if only people used it for good!

Niantic Bans Pokemon GO Cheaters

The Pokemon GO phenomenon shows no sign of disappearing. Sure, the tech press has moved onto other things, with a new favorite topic to bang on about relentlessly, but millions of people are still playing the game, and enjoying doing so. But maybe, just maybe, people are enjoying it a little too much… by cheating.

Aware that some players are employing underhanded tactics in order to gain an advantage in the game, Niantic is cracking down on those people flouting the rules. In fact, it's threatening to permanently ban anyone caught cheating the system, as outlined in a note posted to its website last week.

The note concerns submitting an appeal against a ban, aimed at players "terminated for violations of the Pokémon GO Terms of Service". Actions that could get you banned from playing Pokemon GO include, "falsifying your location, using emulators, modified or unofficial software and/or accessing Pokémon GO clients or backends in an unauthorized manner including through the use of third party software".

Niantic justifies these permanent bans by explaining, "Our goal is to provide a fair, fun and legitimate game experience for everyone. We will continue to work with all of you to improve the quality of the gameplay, including ongoing optimization and fine tuning of our anti-cheat system".

So, if you love Pokemon GO, don't cheat! Or you'll pay for your duplicity by being banned from playing that thing that you love. And Pikachu will be sad.

Microsoft Flow Lands on Android

Microsoft Flow has arrived on Android, having previously made its way to iOS. Microsoft Flow is a workflow management tool similar to IFTTT and Zapier, allowing you to integrate services together using simple commands. So, for example, you can receive a text message every time you receive an email, or automatically post your favorite tweets to Slack.

Like the iOS app, Flow for Android is designed to help you manage the workflows you have previously set up on the web. You can enable or disable individual workflows, and monitor all recent Flow activity. While Microsoft Flow is available from the Google Play Store, it's currently tagged as "Unreleased", meaning it "may be unstable".

Square Enix Delays Final Fantasy XV

Square Enix has pushed back the release of Final Fantasy XV from September to November. The reason for the delay, as explained by the game's director Hajime Tabata, is to add that final layer of polish to the game needed to reach "a level of perfection our fans deserve". So, Final Fantasy XV is finished, it's just not quite "finished".

The company discussed the possibility of releasing a day one patch to add those final touches to the game, allowing it to stick to the original release date. However, due to the distinct possibility that not everybody will be able to download the patch, Square decided that delaying the game was a better option.

Final Fantasy XV, the latest in the long-lasting and much loved Final Fantasy series, is now due to be released worldwide on November 29, 2016.

Drive Like Maria's Prisma Music Video

And finally, an indie band called Drive Like Maria like Prisma so much they used it to create a music video. For those who are unaware of Prisma, it's one of the best apps for turning photos into art, and when it's working correctly it's an absolute joy to use.

Prisma currently only converts still photos into art, so in order to create the music video for "Deep Blue", Drive Like Maria converted 1,828 images. The end result is spectacularly good, turning a humdrum live performance video into a treat for the eyes. [H/T PetaPixel]

Your Views on Today’s Tech News

Do you love/hate Twitter? Do you think it needs saving or is it beyond help? Are you still playing Pokemon GO or has your interest waned? Do you have any interest in Microsoft Flow? Are you frustrated by the Final Fantasy XV delay? What's the most innovative music video you have ever seen?

Let us know your thoughts on the Tech News of the day by posting to the comments section below. Because a healthy discussion is always welcome.

Tech News Digest is a daily column paring the technology news of the day down into bite-sized chunks that are easy to read and perfect for sharing.

Image Credit: Denis Vahrushev via Flickr