Also, Amazon launches a portal for 3D-printed products, Samsung delays release of its first Tizen smartphone, Reddit eyes profitability, Yelp adds user-generated video reviews, and Microsoft trolls Apple with Cortana bullying Siri.

Facebook Forces Messenger On Users

http://youtu.be/2-DWhN1pzBM

Facebook is ramping up its effort to get all users of the regular Facebook app to download the standalone Messenger app as well. Messaging is being stripped from the Facebook app, with all Android and iPhone users worldwide being forced to install Messenger if they want to continue chatting to their friends.

This process began in April, with selected users being notified of the change. It's now being rolled out across the board, but people using Windows Phone, iPad, and the Web versions of Facebook are being spared, at least for the time being.

Facebook is justifying this move by suggesting increased user numbers means more resources being dedicated to developing the Messenger app. But users now require two apps on their phone rather than one, which is likely to lead to complaints. Not as many complaints as that time Facebook experimented on users, but complaints nonetheless.

OkCupid Experiments On Users

Dating website OkCupid has rather foolishly admitted to experimenting on its users. In a blog post defending Facebook, OkCupid detailed three experiments it carried out on users, one of which involved lying to users about potential compatibility. This admission could backfire, as it doesn't exactly make OkCupid look good. Then again it is free publicity, which was probably the aim all along.

Amazon Launches 3D Print Portal

If proof were needed that 3D printing is here to stay, we've got it in the form of a 3D printing portal on Amazon. This dedicated section of the online retailer highlights 3D-printed products that can be customized, personalized, or merely just ordered. Sellers of 3D-printed wares can apply to be added to the portal. These products aren't necessarily cheap, but they are at the cutting edge of technology, which surely adds value.

Samsung Puts Tizen Smartphone On Hold

Samsung has put its first Tizen smartphone on hold indefinitely. The handset powered by the alternative mobile OS was due to go on sale in Russia during this quarter, but Samsung has postponed the launch without specifying a new release date. A lack of compatible apps and app developers is likely to blame, but Samsung has promised to "continue to actively work with Tizen Association members to further develop both Tizen OS and the Tizen ecosystem.”

Reddit Wants To Start Making Money

Reddit users beware, as the community you love is about to be monetized. As it stands, Reddit is unprofitable, but it has continued to expand and evolve despite losing money. According to The New York Times that's all about to change, with Reddit upping its efforts to woo advertisers as well as seeking out other ways of making money. The problem is doing this without upsetting its legion of fans; fans who hang out on some utterly bizarre subreddits.

User-Generated Videos Added To Yelp

Yelp is adding short video reviews to its pages, with users invited to submit these short clips via the mobile apps. The feature has already gone live on iPhone and is expected to be added to Android soon. Yelp video reviews have to be between 3 seconds and 12 seconds in length, so expect plenty of brusque negative reviews of unfortunate businesses.

Cortana Trolls Siri In Windows Phone Ad

And finally, Microsoft likes nothing more than attacking Apple, and with Cortana on Windows Phone 8.1 it has the perfect excuse to do a little trolling. The new advert embedded above shows Cortana outperforming Siri on a number of different tasks, which, when added to Cortana's ability to steal the heart of middle-aged tech journalists, might make people take more notice of the third mobile operating system.

Your Views On Today’s Tech News

Are you annoyed at Facebook's insistence you use the dedicated Messenger app? Are you surprised by OkCupid's admission it experiments on users? Is Microsoft right to attack Apple in order to promote Windows Phone?

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.

Image Credit: Stephen McCulloch via Flickr