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Google unveils new version of Workspace for 3 bn users


Google has announced Workspace Essentials Starter, a new offering that will allow users to sign up for no-cost access to Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, and Meet, more using their existing work e-mail.

Google has announced Workspace Essentials Starter, a new offering that will allow users to sign up for no-cost access to Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, and Meet, more using their existing work e-mail. Essentials Starter aims to help employees and their teams break down silos and work together in new ways.

"The new Google Workspace Essentials Starter Edition is a no-cost solution for business users looking to enhance teamwork and unlock innovation with secure-by-design collaboration," Kelly Waldher, VP of marketing Google Workspace said in a blog post.

With Essentials Starter, the firm is making it easy for employees to choose their own productivity tools and bring modern collaboration to work. Essentials Starter works much like legacy G Suite does today. It doesn't require file conversions, plug-ins, or new desktop software, and all the tools in Essentials Starter will work within existing environments, Google says. In addition, Essentials Starter provides encrypted and secure access to files, helping keep users safe and their information private.

courtesy: economic times

Paytm users can book Covid-19 vaccination slots on app

Paytm has announced the launch of vaccination slot booking in addition to its Vaccine Finder service on the app. Paytm users can now search, discover & also book their vaccination slots for both Covaxin and Covishield at the nearest center through the Paytm app.

In May, as vaccination opened for all in India, the company had launched Vaccine Finder on the app, with filtering options that helped the user generate leads for vaccine booking, including information such as the type of vaccine available and the fee charged for it. The company said that over the last several weeks Paytm users have checked for the availability of vaccination slots via Paytm.

With the slot booking option now available on the app, users across the country can complete their vaccination process.

The application uses Co-Win integration to gather data about vaccination centres. Users will need to register using their number and can locate the centres via pin code or name of the district. They will then be asked to select their age group and wether they are looking for the first or second dose.

Paytm spokesperson said, "It is our endeavor to help India come out of this pandemic a lot stronger. Our vaccine finder will help citizens seamlessly book slots at the nearest center and get vaccinated."

The new service is one of the measures that Paytm has undertaken as part of its Covid-19 relief measures. Under its #OxygenForLife initiative, Paytm Foundation donated Oxygen concentrators and is also setting up oxygen plants in government hospitals across the country.

source: live mint

Facebook Messenger upgrades with new themes, Photo & Videos in reply bar

Facebook Messenger has introduced new chat themes, a quick reply bar for media viewer and new payment tools like QR codes and payment links for Messenger users in the US that will enable users to send and receive money.

Messenger has introduced a quick reply bar that will make it easier for users to respond to shared media without having to separately open the photo or video.
Messenger has also added three new messaging themes that will enable users to transform the background of their chats.
Messenger has also introduced QR codes and payment links for users in the US that will enable users to send and receive money.

Facebook Messenger has introduced new features to enhance the experience of Messenger users. It has introduced chat themes, a quick reply bar for media viewer and new payment tools like QR codes and payment links for Messenger users in the US that will enable users to send and receive money from anyone even if they are not Facebook friends. The quick reply bar for individual messages and chat themes features were rolled out to Instagram users last year when the cross message functionality went live in October. The update added some options previously available on Facebook Messenger, including colourful chats, reactions with any emoji, swiping to reply to individual messages, sharing videos with more friends without having to download the app.

Now, Messenger has introduced a quick reply bar that will make it easier for users to respond to media shared by friends and family without having to separately open the photo or video. To send a reply to a photo or a video, users will have to tap on the photo or video and send a response through the quick reply bar at the bottom of the screen. To head back to the main chat thread, they can swipe up to exit the full-screen media viewer.

Messenger has added three new messaging themes that will enable users to transform the background of their chats. These include Olivia Rodrigo's new album, Sour that has a whimsical chat theme featuring Olivia's signature face stickers. Messenger Themes also includes World Oceans Day chat theme, which lets users virtually explore the world's oceans and also promotes sustainability and the importance of keeping our oceans clean for future generations. Messenger has also introduced a chat theme for Fast and Furious with the new F9 chat theme featuring the Fast Saga's 20th anniversary.

Messenger has also introduced QR codes and payment links for users in the US that will enable users to send and receive money. Messenger notes that US Messenger users can leverage QR codes and payment links when they want to send or request money with Facebook Pay, even if they are not connected on Facebook. They will not be required to download a separate payment app or add new contacts. Users can access your personal QR code and payment link, by visiting Messenger settings and tapping Facebook Pay and sharing the payment link or allowing friends to scan their QR code to send or request money.


source: india today

Poco M3 Pro 5G first sale in India


[b]Poco M3 Pro 5G will go on sale for first time in India.
Poco M3 Pro 5G will be available on Flipkart.
The smartphone is priced at Rs 13,999 for base variant.

Poco M3 Pro 5G will go on sale in India for the first time on Monday afternoon. The smartphone was launched in the country last week and competes with the existing affordable smartphones like Redmi Note 10 and Realme 8. The Poco M3 Pro 5G is a successor to the Poco M3 that was launched earlier this year and is also company's first 5G smartphone in the country. The phone also brings a high refresh rate display and a triple rear camera setup to the sub-Rs 15,000 category.

Notably, this is Poco's first smartphone launch in India in almost two months. The smartphone maker had postponed its India launches due to the Covid-19 situation in the country at that time. In case you plan to buy this smartphone, here is everything you need to know.

Poco M3 Pro 5G price in India is set at Rs 13,999 for the 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage model while the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant of the phone costs Rs 15,999. The smartphone will go on sale via Flipkart at 12 noon and the company is offering an early bird pricing for both the variants. Each model will be available for Rs 500 less as part of the early bird offer.

The Poco M3 Pro 5G has been launched in three colour options - Cool Blue, Power Black, and Poco Yellow. The smartphone features a Samsung Galaxy S21 like design language and comes with a glossy rear panel.


Poco M3 Pro 5G features and specifications

The Poco M3 Pro 5G features a a 6.5-inch full-HD+ hole-punch display with 90Hz refresh rate, DynamicSwitch feature, 91 percent screen-to-body ratio, and Corning Gorilla Glass protection. The display is capable of automatically switching between different refresh rates depending on what's running on it.

The Poco M3 Pro 5G packs the MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC, paired with the Mali-G57 GPU, up to 6GB of RAM, and up to 128GB of UFS 2.2 internal storage. The connectivity options include Bluetooth, 3.5mm audio jack, and USB Type-C port.

The triple rear camera system on the Poco M3 Pro 5G includes a 48-megapixel main camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. There is an 8-megapixel camera at the front, housed in a central hole-punch cutout.

The phone packs a 5,000mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging. There is also a side-mounted fingerprint scanner on the phone.[/b]

source: india today

Apple allow users to sign up without passwords using Face, Touch ID


Announced in a developer session called "Move beyond passwords", Apple introduced something they call Passkeys. (TNW/Apple)

Apple had announced in the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) last year that it is going to allow you to sign in to websites on Safari using Face ID and Touch ID. Now, they are taking that a step further and are introducing passwordless sign-ups. Announced in a developer session called "Move beyond passwords", Apple introduced something they call Passkeys. These Passkeys will allow you to sign up for services without any passwords. "Despite their prevalence, passwords inherently come with challenges that make them poorly suited to securing someone's online accounts," Apple explained.

So how exactly will Passkeys work?

When you visit a website that supports Passkeys, you will enter your username of choice when you register and then use Face ID or Touch ID to sign in instead of using a password. Your Face ID or Touch ID will be used to authenticate you and sign you in. Passkey is coming to the iPhone, iPad, and Macs later this year as a technology preview so it will be turned off by default. This new Passkey tech is a part of the iCloud keychain and it is based on FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) Alliance's WebAuthn protocol. Apple joined this alliance last year to support password-free authentication.

As you can see on the chart, this Passkey is a pretty secure method for authentication and this will prevent you from falling prey to a phishing attack. However, this tech is not going to work for devices that aren't a part of the Apple ecosystem. With those Android devices, you will still have to use passwords.

Now, it's not all bad news since Google and Microsoft already have support for passwordless logins through biometric authentication and hardware keys like Yubico. Microsoft had mentioned in March that more than 200 million accounts are already using a login method that doesn't involve passwords.

Besides this new tech involving Passkeys, Apple has also created APIs for hardware security keys in macOS Monterey and iOS 15. Developer beta for iOS 15 is currently out and the public beta is coming soon. Developer beta for Monterey and watchOS 8 is also out.

source: tech hindustan times

YouTube, WhatsApp, and TikTok were the most popular apps for kids

What were kids looking for in 2020-2021? A Kaspersky study reveals what the kids were more interested in online over the last year and what they were looking for.

The last year has been interesting and strange for all of us, and particularly for kids. While we struggled with working remotely, the kids had to acquaint themselves with online classes along with all other aspects involving social distancing. Away from online classes and homework, what kept the kids interested and occupied? A study by Kaspersky, called the Kaspersky Safe Kids study revealed exactly that.

According to the study, over the past year, kids' interest in categories like 'software, audio, and video' and 'e-commerce' has gone up, while interest in 'internet communication media' and 'computer games' decreased slightly. With apps, YouTube, WhatsApp, TikTok were the most popular ones with TikTok beating Instagram with almost double the level of popularity.

The most popular website categories among children were 'software, audio, video' (44.38%), 'internet communication media' (22.08%), and 'computer games' (13.67%). For the most popular apps, YouTube lead by a wide margin, in second place was WhatsApp, and third was TikTok. The top 10 most popular apps also included four games: Brawl Stars, Roblox, Among US, and Minecraft.

Country-wise the breakdown of popularity of Software, Audio, Video websites showed that the largest source of visitors to these resources in South Asia was India, with 54.91%, nearly three percentage points more than the next largest contributor.

India is a country where children visit video platforms from PCs more often than children in other countries. Going by that India came in fourth in terms of time spent on the YouTube mobile app, with 37.34%. Children in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India were the most active Zoom users, with 8.40% and 5.96% respectively. Facebook was not the favorite social network among children though, however, it still does enjoy some popularity among children in Egypt (10.08%), Mexico (5.9%), and India (2.87%)

When it comes to music tastes, alongside traditional leaders like K-POP bands BTS and BLACKPINK, singers Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, and Travis Scott, another musical genre, like 'phonk' became popular last year. There is also a trend towards 'creative' videos with more and more requests for beats, samples, and lessons on creating music in various programs appearing at the top of the list. At the same time, TikTok remained the main musical trendsetter for children.

Cartoons account for half (50.21%) of all video searches by children around the world. The most popular ones are Lady Bug and Super Cat, Gravity Falls, and Peppa Pig. In second place were various TV shows – the most frequent search in English was The Voice Kids. In movies and TV series, the most popular trailers were Godzilla vs Kong, Zach Snyder's recent Justice League, and the Disney+ mini-series WandaVision. Netflix also continues to attract the attention of more kids – the most frequent requests via the platform were for Cobra Kai and Stranger Things.


For video games, those trending the most included Minecraft (22.84%), Fortnite (6.73%), Among Us (3.80%), Brawl Stars (6.34%), and the much-loved Roblox (3.82%). At the same time, the most frequently played game in the top 10 for almost all countries is Roblox. Of all the regions, it was children from Kazakhstan who became leaders in visiting sites devoted to computer games with 26.01%. In second place were children from the UK (19.40%). But we see a very different picture in India, where children hardly ever visited sites dedicated to video games from a PC (just 5.08%).


source: tech hindustan times

Netflix launches online store

Coming soon to the Netflix online store will be exclusive merch based on 'The Witcher' and 'Stranger Things', two original series with rabid fandoms, as well as new Netflix logo-wear from Japanese fashion house BEAMS.

Streaming giant Netflix has launched its online store called Netflix.shop, the company's first owned-and-operated retail outlet to sell products directly.

As per Variety, the online store will sell exclusive, limited editions of "carefully selected, high-quality apparel and lifestyle products" tied to Netflix's shows and brand on a regular basis

Products debuting this month on the online store are streetwear and action figures based on anime series 'Yasuke' and 'Eden' as well as limited-edition apparel and decorative items inspired by the French thriller series 'Lupin' in collaboration with the Musee du Louvre.

For the launch of the store, the company is introducing a collection of anime-inspired collectibles from three up-and-coming designers: Nathalie Nguyen, Kristopher Kites and Jordan Bentley.

Netflix developed and launched the e-commerce site with Shopify. The shopping site will first be available in the US before expanding to other countries in the coming months.

Netflix already has licensing deals for hundreds of products based on its original programming, sold by Target, Walmart, Amazon, H&M, Sephora and other retailers.


source: tech hindustan times

Apple has announced the 12 winners of the 2021 Apple Design Awards

Apple has announced the 12 winners of the 2021 Apple Design Awards and one of the them is an app called NaadSadhana that's been created by Sandeep Ranade from India. Here's a look at all the winners and a closer look at the homegrown one.

Apple recently hosted the Apple Design Awards for this year where they announced the 12 winners for this year. There were six new award categories this year that recognised developers for their innovation, visual and graphics, interaction, delight and fun, inclusivity, and social impact. "The work of these developers embodies the essential role apps and games play in our everyday lives, and serve as perfect examples of our six new award categories," said Susan Prescott, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. Besides the physical Apple Design Award, this year's winners will also receive a prize package that includes hardware for every developer to continue creating great apps and games.

The winners in the 'Inclusivity' category include the Voice Dream Reader app by Voice Dream LLC (United States) and a game called HoloVista created by Aconite (United States). Winners in this category provided a wholesome experience for all by supporting people from a diversity of backgrounds, abilities, and languages.

In the 'Delight and Fun' category, winners were picked based on the memorable and engaging experiences enhanced by Apple's technologies. The two winners here were two games - Pok Pok Playroom by Pok Pok (Belgium) and Little Orpheus by The Chinese Room (United Kingdom).

The 'Interaction' category honoured winners who delivered intuitive interfaces and effortless controls. The two winners in this category were the CARROT Weather app by Brain Mueller, Grailr LLC (United States) and the Bird Alone game that's made by George Batchelor (Canada).

Winners of the 'Social Impact' category picked two apps that helped users improve their lives in a meaningful way. The Be My Eyes app by S/I Be My Eyes (Denmark) and the game called Alba by ustwo games (United Kingdom) were the two winners.

Winners of the 'Visuals and Graphics' category have been picked for their stunning imagery and high-quality animations. Loona app by Loona Inc (Belarus) and the Genshin Impact game by miHoYo Limited (China) were the two winners.

The 'Innovation' category included apps/games that provided state-of-the-art experiences through a novel use of Apple technologies. NaadSadhana by Sandeep Ranade (India) and League of Legends: Wild Rift by Riot Games (United States) were the two winners.

NaadSadhana is an all-in-one, studio-quality music app that helps musicians of all genres and any level of expertise perform and publish their music. The app began as one that could be used for practicing Indian classical singing and has now expanded to support seven different genres of music. With the help of artificial intelligence (AI) and Core ML, NaadSadhana listens as a singer improvises a vocal line, provides instant feedback on the accuracy of notes, and generates a backing track to match, all in real-time.

"Two years ago I attended my first WWDC and the Apple Design Awards honestly felt like an Oscars Award ceremony. I never, in a million years, imagined that my work and research would ever get this high an honor. I have been pinching myself now and again to try and convince myself this is really happening," Ranade said.

"This is a huge honor for me as a solo software engineer. And that this is the first time that an app about Indian music/culture is receiving this award and this makes it even more momentous," he added.


More details, https://www.apple.com/in/newsroom/2021/06/apple-announces-winners-of-the-2021-apple-design-awards/

source: tech hindustan times

Nvidia plans to drop driver support for Windows

While over a billion devices now updated to Windows 10, the graphics hardware manufacturer plans to drop support for older Windows versions later this year. Are you one of the estimated 15 percent of users running the outdated Windows 7?

American multinational technology company Nvidia is planning to drop support for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 later this year. The drivers will be exclusively available for Windows 10 in October, with only critical security updates available on Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 through September 2024.

According to The Verge, Microsoft has already dropped support for Windows 7 and Windows 8, and even the extended support for Windows 8.1 will end in January 2023.

"The vast majority of our GeForce customers have migrated to Windows 10 OS. In order to ensure GeForce owners experience the best possible security, support, and functionality, Nvidia will now focus on Windows 10 operating system," read a support note from Nvidia.

Even though there are 1.3 billion active Windows 10 devices, but Windows 7 is still in use in many parts of the world. Estimates say that Windows 7 still accounts for 15 percent of all Windows versions.

Windows 10 dominates Steam usage though, making up nearly 93 percent with Windows 7 at just under 2 percent. Microsoft is also expected to launch a new version of Windows, likely to be named Windows 11, in October.

As per The Verge, Nvidia's last driver to officially support these old versions of Windows will be made available on August 31st, with an October 4th release being the first to only support Windows 10.


source: tech hindustan times

Xiaomi to launch Mi Watch in India on June 22

The Mi Watch Revolve Active will come with an SpO2 sensor, built-in GPS, and the maximum sports modes.

Xiaomi has announced the launch of a new smartwatch in India. Mi Watch Revolve Active will launch in India on June 22 at 12pm. As the name suggests, this smartwatch will be a new variant of the Mi Watch Revolve that launched in India last year. Xiaomi has a dedicated page for the Mi Watch Revolve Active where it has listed different features of the smartwatch. The Mi Watch Revolve Active is also confirmed to be available on Amazon India.

The smartwatch will be equipped with a built-in GPS so you'll be able to track your runs and outdoor activities. Mi Watch Revolve Active will also let you support your VO2 Max which is the maximum rate of oxygen consumption during workouts. In addition to this, it will have a body energy monitor and an HR monitor. The smartwatch will also feature the "maximum sports modes ever." But the sports modes haven't been specified by Xiaomi.

It will also come with health features such as stress management, and sleep monitoring. The Mi Watch Revolve Active will also support different watch faces. The smartwatch will also have Amazon Alexa built-in for voice assistant support. In addition to all these features, the smartwatch will support calls and app notifications. There will be six watch bands available for the Mi Watch Revolve Active. These include black, white, maroon, blue, green and dark grey.

The Mi Watch Revolve Active seems quite similar to the Mi Watch Revolve in terms of design and features. But there may be more focus on health and fitness on the newer version. This will be Xiaomi's second smartwatch in India after the Mi Watch Revolve that costs ₹10,999. The Mi Watch Revolve Active is expected to be priced around the same.


source: tech hindustan times

Redmi Note 10S India launching on May 13


Xiaomi has confirmed that the Redmi Note 10S will be launched in India on May 13. The announcement comes days after the smartphone maker had posted a picture of the retail box of the upcoming phone.

1. Redmi Note 10S India launch date has been announced.
2. Xiaomi will launch new Note 10 phone on May 13.
3. Redmi Note 10S should have MIUI 12.5.

Xiaomi has confirmed that the Redmi Note 10S will be launched in India on May 13. The announcement comes days after the smartphone maker had posted a picture of the retail box of the upcoming phone. The box had hinted at some of Redmi Note 10S features including the presence of a 64-megapixel primary camera, MIUI 12.5 and an AMOLED display. The box had 12.5 written on it, which few believed could also be the launch date of the phone May 12. Now, that Xiaomi has announced that it will unveil the phone on May 13, it is almost confirmed to MIUI 12.5.


Xiaomi has also announced that it will be an online only launch event, keeping up with the current times. The new smartphone will further expand the Redmi Note 10 line-up which already has three smartphones - Redmi Note 10, Redmi Note 10 Pro and Redmi Note 10 Pro Max. All three models were equipped with AMOLED displays while the Pro Max also came with a 108-megpaixel main camera.

The Redmi Note 10S was unveiled globally, and it was only about time it was launched in India. It will be interesting to see where Xiaomi positions the Redmi Note 10S. It is likely to be more affordable than the Redmi Note 10 but, is already confirmed to have a better camera 64-megapixel main camera. The phone should be positioned between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 category.

The Redmi Note 10S is likely to feature a 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen with a punch-hole for the front camera. The device is expected to be powered by the MediaTek Helio G95 chipset, coupled with up to 8GB RAM and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage. The biggest upgrade will be the much-talked about MIUI 12.5. . The new version of Xiaomi's operating system was announced earlier this year but is yet to be introduced in India. The company has been talking about it for a while but the Redmi Note 10S can be the first phone to get it, as teased by the retail box.

The phone should have a quad rear camera setup including a 64-megapixel main camera coupled with an 8-megapixel ultrawide sensor, a 2-megapixel macro and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. A 13-megapixel front camera is expected for selfies and video calls. The phone is also expected to feature a 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging

It will also feature a USB C port, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, stereo speakers, and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection.


source: india today

PUBG Mobile India renamed to Battlegrounds Mobile India - Launching soon !!!


PUBG Mobile India teasers came out first ahead of Diwali last year but the launch has not taken place yet.


1. PUBG Mobile India may be renamed to Battlegrounds Mobile India.
2. The India launch date for PUBG Mobile is still not available.
3. A previous report suggested PUBG Mobile may be released on a single digit date.

PUBG Mobile India release is perhaps one of the most anticipated things right now. Ever since the ban last year, PUBG (Playerunknown's Battlegrounds) Mobile players have been awaiting the comeback of their favourite game. Last week, PUBG Mobile India accidentally released some trailers to tease the launch but they were quickly pulled down. And now, a leaked poster suggests PUBG Mobile India will be released as Battlegrounds Mobile India, though a date for that is still not clear.

According to Gemwire, which has previously shared PUBG Mobile India related news, the PUBG Mobile India website hosts a "creative asset". This creative has suggested that the Indian version of PUBG Mobile, so far known as PUBG Mobile India, will be called Battlegrounds Mobile India. There was a poster that was reportedly a part of the creative that was lying in an embedded link to a video on Vimeo. This embedded link previously hosted the Diwali teaser for the PUBG Mobile India launch last year, according to Gemwire. The video file on Vimeo was named "India Recall Campaign Motion_v02.mp4".

The folks at Gemwire claim that they managed to find that Krafton, the parent company of PUBG Mobile, registered the "battlegroundsmobileindia.in" domain in India on April 7. However, we could not independently verify whether this domain exists.

Right now, there is a deluge of evidence that points out the efforts Krafton has been making to bring back India's beloved mobile game. Last year's ban caused a massive disappointment to India's gamer community. However, when Krafton took matters into its own hands, it promised the PUBG Mobile game would return. It announced PUBG Mobile India as the new version and it is heavily censored in terms of gore and other features that are aimed at reducing the time players used to previously spend on the game.

Since then, Krafton has been trying to get approval from the Indian government. At a recent gaming convention, held with the government's support, a Krafton official confirmed that the company is continuously striving hard to bring the game back to India's gaming ecosystem. The biggest roadblock here is the permission that the government is in no mood to give to the PUBG Mobile makers. Although the government has not made its stance clear officially, it has often spoken about how it is still not convinced enough to allow PUBG Mobile in India.

Earlier this year, union minister Prakash Javadekar said that PUBG is one of the games that are "violent, explicit, addictive, and tend to create a complex in the mind of children". The minister also said the government is planning to set up a centre of excellence in gaming that would promote the Indian cultural ethos, instead of violence. He added that the gaming centre will teach courses on VFX, gaming, and animation so that Indian games promoting the cultural ethos can be developed. And these courses are likely to be available this year.


source: india today

Apple introducing autocomplete suggestions for AppStore

Apple has introduced new search suggestions for the iPhone and iPad App Stores. Here's how they can help find specific apps more quickly and easily.

1. Apple's recent change to App Store will make it easier to drill down to more specific results.
2. Apple has begun rolling out an autocomplete feature for keyword searches on App Store.
3. Currently, the autocomplete feature is only available in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.


Apple has begun rolling out a new feature in their App store called Search Suggestions. The feature has been implemented in the form of tags and is designed to help users search for apps based on certain categories and attributes. This new feature is meant to narrow down your hunt for new apps or specific applications and speed up the process which is exactly what users need.


The search suggestions feature presents itself the moment the user starts typing on the search bar. The engine will adapt to the term you use, e.g., 'game' outs suggestions such as 'offline', 'kids', 'puzzle', and more. For a deeper dive on 'puzzle', the App Store shows 'word' or 'jigsaw', for example.

Apple announced the search suggestions feature on Twitter, saying how users can choose multiple suggestions to refine and allow for new app and game discovery.

This feature is only available on App Stores in the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia for starters and will most certainly expand to more geographies later on.

Google's Play Store has similar filtering options below the search but, instead of keyword suggestions, it includes some special options for apps and games that are top-rated, editor's choice, paid, new, and Play Pass, which may be more useful. Ideally, the user should be able to do an advanced search using all the fields that the App Store collects from developers. For example, an ideal App Store search should be able to find games that are paid, but do not require a subscription, have a rating over 3.5 in the puzzle category, and can be played offline.

Allowing the user to find exactly what is desired doesn't seem like a bad thing, but perhaps Apple and Google know that it would limit their revenue to some extent. For now, this small improvement may make it a bit easier for users to find certain games or apps in the iOS App Store.


source: india today

WhatsApp is adding a new feature for voice messages


WhatsApp is testing a new feature that will allow users to review their voice messages before sending them.

1. The new feature which is under development will help users listen to their voice messages before sending them.
2. WhatsApp has recently added new mute features as well.
3. The Facebook-owned app is also making it easier to export chats from iOS to Android.

WhatsApp is testing a new feature that has been released for beta testers. The feature allows users to listen and review their voice messages at different playback speeds, WhatsApp is now starting to develop another new feature for voice messages.

The feature that WhatsApp is developing allows users to review their voice messages before sending them, unlike the current version where users have no option to review the voice message before sending them. However, with the new feature users will be able to listen to voice messages before sending them.

This new feature will add a new Review button, that you can easily tap to listen to the voice message. As mentioned before, after tapping the Review button, you can listen to the voice message you were previously recording, and you will be able to decide if you want to discard or send it.

This feature is under development and their plans are to release it in a future update on WhatsApp for iOS and Android.

The Facebook-owned messaging application recently enabled four features Always Mute, to mute chats forever. No Calls for Verified Businesses. Media Guidelines. New Storage Usage UI and tools.

Muting groups is very common nowadays, for this reason, WhatsApp has introduced the possibility to mute always group notifications the last year, but it might not be enough, because users can still receive notifications when someone mentions them in a message.

Recently, reports have suggested that WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will allow iOS users to export their data and chats. As per a report by WABetaInfo, the latest version of the beta for android has been revealed to have this feature of chat import.

With the help of this feature, iOS users will be able to export their chats which can later be loaded on Android devices. The charts will be exported as an external file probably and imported on android devices through WhatsApp.


source: india today

Verizon quits digital ad space, sells Yahoo and AOL to Apollo

Verizon and Apollo have announced a deal for the former's digital media businesses, which were previously under Yahoo and AOL. The deal will see Verizon quitting the digital advertising space for good and focus on its internet provider businesses.

1. Verizon will get $4.25 billion in cash along with its 10 per cent stake in the company.
2. The conglomerate will be rebranded as Yahoo post the acquisition by Apollo.
3. The companies expect to close the deal by the second half of this year.

Verizon has announced that it will sell its media group to Apollo Global Management for $5 billion. This will include digital media properties that were originally under AOL and Yahoo. Post the deal, Verizon will keep a 10 per cent stake in the company, which will be rebranded to just Yahoo.

Verizon had acquired AOL for $4.4 billion in 2015. It announced its plans to buy Yahoo for $4.83 billion in cash right next year, a deal that was ultimately completed in 2017. Since then, the company had been running Yahoo and AOL as an online media division called Oath under former AOL CEO Tim Armstrong.

With Oath, Verizon wanted to dominate that online advertising space, taking on Google and Facebook in the process. The project, however, did not gain momentum and was ultimately rebranded as Verizon Media Group in November 2018. Selling the division to Apollo Global Management now reveals that Verizon is no longer interested in the business.

Under the deal, Apollo Global Management, a private equity firm, will acquire online media brands like TechCrunch, Yahoo Finance and Engadget. Verizon, in turn, will get $4.25 billion in cash along with its 10 per cent stake in the company. The companies expect to close the deal in the second half of 2021.

Guru Gowrappan, chief of Verizon Media Group, will continue to lead the now rebranded Yahoo under Apollo. CNBC reports that the media properties changing possession will now be challenged to grow and become profitable in the coming years. Apollo Global Management plans to attract yet another sale for the divisions or exit from the business altogether.

The sale comes as part of a series of strategic decisions made by Verizon recently. Within the last year, the company sold or shut down its media properties, including HuffPost, Tumblr and Yahoo Answers.

Verizon's intention to quit the space altogether and focus on its internet provider businesses, focusing on 5G networks, was hence clear for some time now. The recent deal that sees its media properties being sold at much lower valuations than they were acquired for seems to be the final nail in the coffin.


source: india today

Apple Watch may soon helps to check your blood glucose levels

Apple has been listed as a client by a UK-based firm that manufactures photonics chips. Based on the work of the company, it is expected to supply glucose monitoring sensors to Apple for its Apple Watch in the coming years.

1. Rockley Photonics has listed Apple as one of its few large customers.
2. The company manufactures sensors that can monitor a person's blood using infrared light.
3. The firm has a "supply and development agreement" with Apple.

Apple might have a big feature lined up for the future iterations of the Apple Watch. As per a recent SEC filing, it seems that upcoming models of Apple Watch will have glucose monitoring capabilities on them.

The regulatory documents have been filed by a UK-based startup called Rockley Photonics, as spotted by Telegraph. The company designs sensors that can monitor a person's blood using infrared light. The specialised sensors can monitor elements that are normally monitored using medical or specialised equipment.

The company recently revealed its financial standings as it plans to go public in New York soon. As per the filings, it has Apple listed as one of its "few large customers." Interestingly, the company claims that it earned 100 per cent of its revenue in 2020 from its two largest customers. However, it is not sure if Apple is one of them or not.

The listing, however, does point out an imminent detail that Apple is indeed a client of the UK firm. This directly points to the possibility that Apple is using the sensors by Rockley Photonics for one of its products, which is most likely to be the Apple Watch.

As per the listing, Rockley Photonics has a "supply and development agreement" with Apple. Apart from such deals, the company generates revenue from engineering fees for development work on future products.

Rockley CEO Andrew Rickman said that the technology developed by the company would possibly be in consumer products by 2022. However, he did not clarify if this would be an Apple product.

The dots connect if you look at the long-held speculation that Apple will bring glucose monitoring capability to Apple Watches. The company has reportedly been involved in patent applications for components, like the sensors by Rockley, that could monitor glucose levels through the skin. Such a method would eliminate the need of drawing the user's blood every time to monitor glucose level.

To think of it, that is the only natural progression for the smart wearable by Apple. Since Apple Watch already comes with an electrical heart rate sensor as its most hailed feature, the company is poised to double down on such non-invasive medical analysis for its wearable.

source: india today

Apple released new updates in IOS 14.5.1


Apple has rolled out an update to its iOS 14.5 within a week of release. The new iOS 14.5.1 mainly focuses on the App Tracking Transparency bug which users reported.

1. iOS 14.5.1 now available for iPhone 6s and later models.
2. Apple has also released watchOS 7.4.1 as well as macOS 11.3.1 updates.
3. The new minor updates for iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, and iPad comes after a week of the major update.

Apple has started rolling out an update to its iOS 14.5 update, which brings a fix for the App Tracking Transparency bug that users widely reported. The new iOS 14.5.1 is a minor incremental update and is about 130MB in size, which could vary depending on the model. Several iPhone users reported that a bug prevented some users from accessing the new privacy-related feature App Tracking Transparency prompt after upgrading to iOS 14.5.

Apple, alongside, has also rolled out iPad OS 14.5.1, macOS Big Sur 11.3.1 and watchOS 7.4.1 updates. As before, iOS 14.5.1 is now available for iPhone 6s and later models, while iPad OS 14.5.1 is available for iPad Pro, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 4 and later.

The new update has a small changelog and primarily focuses on fixing the bug that prevented several users from accessing App Tracking Transparency prompts. The changelog says, "This update fixes an issue with App Tracking Transparency where some users who previously disabled Allow Apps to Request to Track in Settings may not receive prompts from apps after re-enabling it. This update also provides important security updates and is recommended for all users."

Notably, the new update doesn't fix the issue that caused the App Tracking Transparency option in Settings to be greyed out. 9to5Mac claims that several users still can't access the option even after upgrading to iOS 14.5.1.

If you haven't received the prompt for the new update, you can manually check for the update via Settings > General > Software Update.

Apple has also released the watchOS 7.4.1 update for Apple Watch Series 3 and above models. Notably, the watchOS 7.4 update was a major upgrade and added the capability to let iPhone users unlock the device with the Apple Watch while wearing a face mask. Unfortunately, there's no clear word on what fixes the watchOS 7.4.1 brings for Apple Watch models. The changelog for the minor update says, "This update provides important security updates and is recommended for all users." The watchOS 7.4.1 update is about 60MB in size.

Talking about the new macOS 11.3.1 update, Apple hasn't revealed the full changelog for the minor update. The changelog reads, "macOS Big Sur 11.3.1 provides important security updates and is recommended for all users."


source: india today

Apple to Launch HiFi Streaming for Apple Music & Airpods 3


Apple could be adding a new Hi-Fi tier to its Apple Music, offering high-resolution music streaming to better compete with Spotify. Sources close to Hits Daily Double claim the announcement will be made within weeks. This means the new “Hi-Fi” tier will bring CD-quality, lossless audio to iPhones and iPads.

Details are sketchy at the moment, but the new Apple Music HiFi will reportedly cost $9.99 per user, the same as its individual plans. Essentially, Apple Music HiFi will provide a high-quality music experience to listeners.

Apple’s new iMac, iPad Pro and Apple TV 4K available now up for pre-orders
The move is clearly aimed at Spotify, the world’s most popular music streaming service. Earlier this year, Spotify announced its premium “HiFi” tier, allowing music listeners to experience more depth and clarity in their songs. During the launch, the music streaming giant said the new HiFi tier will be rolled out in “select markets later this year.” It’s not clear whether India will be among the first wave of markets or when exactly the premium tier will be available.

Currently, Apple Music does not offer a high-resolution audio tier. But there are a number of music streaming services that offer a lossless tier, including Amazon, Tidal and Deezer. All of these services offer a true high definition 96kHz/24-bit experience.

AirPods 3 launch around the corner

The same report suggests Apple is closer to reveal the third-generation AirPods. We have been hearing about AirPods 3 for quite sometime, which are expected to feature the design of the AirPods Pro without the noise-canceling technology. They may have a shorter stem, interchangeable tips, and a smaller charging case than the AirPods Pro. It’s not clear if the new entry-level AirPods would have spatial audio and transparency mode. Apple hasn’t officially announced any specific launch date or event to mark the debut of the AirPods 3. Expect the AirPods 3 to cost $159, the same price as the current AirPods.


source: indian express

Vi Expands Wi-Fi Calling Service to Apple iPhones

Vi Wi-Fi Calling is available in select regions
Users should have an active 4G SIM card
Vi Wi-Fi Calling offers clear voice even after patchy connection


Vi (Vodafone Idea) has expanded its voice over Wi-Fi calling service to Apple iPhones. The telco was already offering Wi-Fi calling for select Android smartphones, and now it's rolling out the feature to iPhones too. Vi announced that iPhones running iOS14.5 will be able to use Wi-Fi calling service in order to make and receive voice calls on a Wi-Fi network instead of using their existing cellular network. This feature comes in handy in areas that have bad cellular reception. If the users in such areas have a reliable Wi-Fi connection, they will get better voice quality without any extra cost.

As per Vi, all iPhone users who have updated their handsets to iOS14.5, that was rolled out last week, can use their smartphone to make calls using Wi-Fi if they are in an area that has patchy cellular reception, to get a great voice quality. The feature is only available in select regions. As per Vi website, the service is currently being offered in Maharashtra and Goa, Kolkata, Gujarat, Delhi as well as Mumbai circles.

The update also brings a number of privacy features and support for Face Unlock while wearing a mask (if you have an Apple Watch) and App Tracking Transparency that lets users control which apps should be allowed to track their activity across other apps and websites for offering personalised ads and sharing data with third parties.

Here's how to enable Vi WiFi Calling on your iPhone (iPhone 6s or above):

In order to get the feature working, the users should have a working Wi-Fi, supported handset, and an active 4G SIM card
Upgrade your iPhone OS to the latest version
Go to Settings > Phone > and enable WiFi-calling
Apart from Apple handsets, Vi currently offers Wi-Fi calling facility on smartphones from OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Samsung, and Xiaomi.


source: gadgets ndtv

MyGov Corona Helpdesk Chatbot Helps Find Nearby COVID-19 Vaccination Centres

WhasApp users need to punch in their PIN code in the chatbot.
The chatbot will throw a list of vaccination centres in your area.
MapmyIndia has a feature to find nearby vaccination centres.

India's vaccination drive is in its third phase and all citizens above the age of 18 are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The government has introduced a central CoWIN portal for all users to register for the vaccine and book appointment slots. While the CoWIN portal offers a list of nearby vaccination centres, the WhatsApp-powered MyGov Corona Helpdesk chatbot has added a new functionality to make it easier for people to search for vaccination centres in their locality. To recall, the chatbot was launched last year.

The MyGov Corona Helpdesk chatbot on WhatsApp now offers the ability to find nearby vaccination centres. This chatbot was launched last year to help eradicate fake news and spread awareness about COVID-19. It crossed 1.7 crore users milestone in just 10 days of its launch. With the third phase of the vaccine rollout underway, the MyGovIndia Twitter account has tweeted that the MyGov Corona Helpdesk chatbot now helps people find nearest vaccination centre.

How to find nearest vaccination centre using WhatsApp

The MyGov Corona Helpdesk chatbot is available only on WhatsApp and you must be a member of the instant messaging platform to be able to take advantage of the new feature rollout. Follow the steps below to find the nearest vaccination centre.

Save the number 9013151515 or click here to visit this link to open the MyGoV Corona Helpdesk Chatbot.
Type Hi or Namaste in the chat to begin the conversation
An automated response will ask for a series of questions and ultimately your pin code where you reside in. Enter the pin code.
MyGoV Corona Helpdesk Chatbot will then send the list of vaccine centre in the mentioned location.
Apart from WhatsApp, you can also look for nearby vaccination centres through the MapmyIndia platform or even the CoWIN platform. The homepage of the CoWIN website has a 'find nearby vaccination centres ' feature and punching your PIN code will throw a list of all the registered vaccination centres in the area.


source: gadgets ndtv

Vi customers recharge payments through WhatsApp

Vi users will be able to do their recharges and pay bills from any location on the AI-powered virtual assistant which is available on WhatsApp. The payments service will work for both postpaid and prepaid customers across all payment gateways or UPI.

Vi will now allow users to make payments through WhatsApp and other UPI-based platforms through its AI powered Virtual Agent VIC.
Vi users will receive a link via SMS to make their payments and recharges using VIC.
Vi users can also experience the same by sending Hi on VIC number 96542 97000.

Vodafone Idea or Vi will now allow users to make payments through WhatsApp and other UPI-based platforms through its AI powered Virtual Agent VIC. Users will be able to do their recharges and pay bills from any location. The payments service will work for both postpaid and prepaid customers and will work across all payment gateways or UPI. Vi customers can recharge with any pack instantly in just two clicks using the virtual agent. Vi users will receive a link via SMS to make their payments and recharges using VIC. Vi users can also experience the same by sending Hi on VIC number 96542 97000.

"Vi has introduced another industry first service for its customers enabling them to conveniently do their recharges and pay bills anywhere, anytime. Vi customers can now enjoy on the spot seamless payments and recharge through its AI-powered Virtual Agent VIC on its Digital Assets and also on WhatsApp," the company in a statement noted.
This initiative is aimed at making its customer's life simpler, faster and to provide a personalised user experience on digital payments. "In addition, this personalized user experience on Digital Payments aligns with the evolution of mobile-based consumer behavior and drives a healthy adoption," it further said.

Vi had introduced the AI-powered chatbot last year that serves as a digital customer service and supports virtual assistants. The telco noted that VIC allows Vi customers to get instant response on a host of service requirements including bill payments, recharges, VAS, plan activation, new connection, data balance, bill requests, etc."VIC enables VIC to be intuitive, simple-to-use, secure, and allows customers to converse with Vi by leveraging the power of AI," Vi noted.

In related news, Vi has reported a positive change in adding subscribers for the first time in 15 months and for the first time since the merger of Vodafone and Idea. Vodafone Idea reported a subscriber addition of 1.7 million users in January 2021, according to data released by TRAI. Airtel led with an addition of 5.9 million subscribers, with Jio registering an addition of 1.95 million during the month.

Vodafone Idea gave the highest mean upload speed in February. Vodafone's mean upload speed in February 2021 was at 7.2 Mbps while it was at 6.7 Mbps in January 2021. Idea recorded a mean upload speed at 6.4 Mbps in February 2021 while it was at 6 Mbps in January 2021. Vi has also topped TRAI's call quality index for the past few months. The telecom company has maintained its top rank in terms of call quality since November last year.



source: india today

Google has introduced Live Caption feature

Google has introduced Live Caption feature to its web browser Chrome on desktops. Already available on smartphones, the feature will help translate any audio or video being played through the browser into on-screen words.

The new Live Caption feature will generate captions for any audio and video played on the Chrome browser.
The feature was already available on all mobile devices.
Google says that the feature will help 466 million people in the world who are deaf or hard of hearing.

oogle is pushing out an exciting new feature for the users of Chrome on desktops. Named Live Caption, the feature will allow users to caption any audio and video that they play on the web browser.

Many might have experienced it as an Android accessibility feature for some time now. Live Caption by itself is not new, but it does come as a big addition to Google Chrome on desktop. The rollout will bring the on-screen translation that we used on our smartphones to our web surfing sessions on desktops too.

But for those who have not used the feature first-hand, Live Caption translates any audio playing through the browser into words that appear on-screen. It is much like the Subtitles feature on YouTube that detects words in a video and makes them appear as subtitles.

Live Caption on Chrome is further meant to help "466 million people in the world who are deaf or hard of hearing," Google notes in a blog. The feature will also help those in a noisy environment or who are trying to keep the volume down considering their surroundings.

The bottom line - "Captions make online content more accessible." Google promises that Live Caption will work across social media sites, video platforms, podcasts and radio content and "most web-based video or audio chat services." It will also generate captions for personal videos like those stored in Google Photos or those in embedded video players.

The feature will have much more implications than the clearly observable. Note that most of the top-strata online platforms have their tools for generating captions on all sorts of audio/ video content. So do smartphones, with several apps available on the app stores for the purpose, in addition to Screen Readers as accessibility options within the phones.

So what exactly will the introduction of Live Caption to Chrome on desktops accomplish? The answer might lie in the not-so-developed sections of the Internet.

Chrome is the most used web browser in the world. Most of this user base is still on desktops and laptops. Couple that with the fact that there are still websites and online services with a digital presence not as refined as that of the bigwigs. You can often see them as small e-commerce stores or learning websites.

Live Captions, if it works as it is meant to, will help add a whole new audience to such platforms. Imagine reading college lectures, online tutorials and other such content on your desktop instead of just trying to listen to what is being said.

Bonus, it will work on local files too, when opened in the browser.

The success of the feature here depends majorly on the accuracy of the translation. A prior experience with the feature on our smartphone ensures us of its accuracy. Since the same tool is being used for the desktop version, Live Caption is sure to be a handy accessibility option.

How to enable Live Captions on Chrome

To turn on Live Captions on your Chrome browser -

Open Chrome Settings > click on the Advanced section > go to the Accessibility section > switch on Live Caption.

The captions are generated on the device and not online. Live Caption will hence work even when there is no Internet connection.

For now, the feature only supports English and is available on the latest release of Chrome on Windows, Mac and Linux devices around the world. Google also promises to bring it to ChromeOS soon



source: india today

Google launches Threadit, a short video platform for professionals

Threadit lets users record small videos to their team members to express their point of view or convey something that they had missed saying in a meeting.

Google has launched a new short video platform called Threadit
Threadit lets users record small videos to their team members to express their point of view.
Threadit will be available on your chrome browser or as a chrome extension.

oogle has launched a new short video platform called Threadit but before you get too excited, you should know that this app is not for entertainment purposes. Threadit lets users record small videos to their team members to express their point of view or convey something that they had missed saying in a meeting. This is also a great tool for people who are not comfortable expressing their views in front of a larger audience. Using this tool, the professionals can simply record their opinion about something and send it across to either their team members or their manager.

COVID-19 does not seem to leave our way anytime soon so the remote working might continue for a little longer. This tool has been specifically designed for users to express their views in a short and crisp manner. Google has not launched a separate app for this so Threadit will be available on your chrome browser or as a chrome extension. This would help express better than emails or chats.

"We use Threadit to show each other our progress, ask questions or request feedback without needing to coordinate schedules. This helps us reduce unnecessary meetings while still becoming a tighter-knit team. We have more time to think and do focused work, and the meetings we keep are more effective and easier to schedule for everyone," Keller Smith, Founder, and General Manager, Threadit said in the blog.

Keller said in the blog that this new extension would also minimize the need for a video meeting. Without meetings, a lot of time would also be saved.


In order to use Thread, who will have to speak straight to the camera and hit the record button. You can record as many short clips as you would like, and Threadit will stitch them all together into one cohesive video message. Once the tool is done stitching the video, you can send it to your team. You can attach the Threadit in your email as well.

To get the extension, you will have to sign to the website using your Gmail id. Post which you can access Threadit directly from your web browser or mobile device. You can also skip downloading your video and share the Threadit using the link.

Talking about the tool, Keller said, "Threadit gave us an opportunity to hear from everyone on our team, not just the loudest voices in a live meeting. We had more control over our time and could contribute when we were each ready." The feature is being rolled out globally.


source: india today

Elon Musk says Tesla would be shut down if its cars were used to spy

Tesla Inc chief executive Elon Musk said on Saturday his company would be shut down if its cars were used to spy, his first comments on news that China's military has banned Teslas from its facilities.

"There's a very strong incentive for us to be very confidential with any information," Musk told a prominent Chinese forum during a virtual discussion. "If Tesla used cars to spy in China or anywhere, we will get shut down."

Sources told Reuters on Friday that the Chinese military has banned Tesla cars from entering its complexes, citing security concerns over cameras installed on the vehicles.

Those restrictions surfaced as the top Chinese and U.S. diplomats were holding a contentious meeting in Alaska, the first such in-person interaction since U.S. President Joe Biden took office in January.

Musk urged greater mutual trust between the world's two biggest economies, in his remarks to the China Development Forum, a high-level business gathering is hosted by a foundation under the State Council.

He was holding a discussion panel with Xue Qikun, a Chinese quantum physicist who heads the Southern University of Science and Technology.

In China, the world's biggest car market and a key battleground for electric vehicles (EVs), Tesla sold 147,445 vehicles last year, 30% of its global total. However, it is facing more competition this year from domestic rivals from Nio Inc to Geely.

Musk has made several high-profile appearances in China, where Tesla makes as well as sells EVs. In 2019, he discussed Mars and artificial intelligence with Alibaba's outspoken founder Jack Ma.

At a delivery event last year for China-made Model 3 sedans, Musk danced enthusiastically on stage, stripping off his jacket in what became a social media storm.


source: indian express

Facebook develops neural wristbands to read brain signals



Facebook has teased its new augmented reality interface, based on technology developed by CTRL-Labs, the startup it acquired in 2019. A new video by Facebook shows off wristbands that use EMG (electromyography) to turn subtle neural signals into actions.

These include actions like typing, swiping, playing games or even an archery simulator. The wrist bands that control all of this, also feature haptic feedback, allowing users to 'feel' their actions, which are now more responsive than simple hand tracking. Check out the video below

A detailed blog post by Facebook Reality Labs offered more information on the new wristbands. The bands can track basic 'clicks' which are essentially touching your thumb and index finger together. The wristband will track your nerve signals via your arms, instead of a visual sensor.

While the initial tech was developed for all these years ago by CTRL-Labs, Facebook wants to take the possibilities of the EMG wristbands to the next level by integrating them with day-to-day computing.

Facebook said in the post that it has been implementing various prototypes that provide various kinds of haptic feedback. One of these is the 'Bellowband', with eight pneumatic bellows around each wrist, which inflate/deflate to produce distinct sensations. The 'Tasbi' on the other hand, uses vibrating actuators and a squeezing mechanism to relay signals to you.

Not reading your mind:

Mark Zuckerberg recently criticised neural implants, suggesting that people shouldn't have to get their heads opened (to fit a neural transmitter) to use virtual or augmented reality. Hence, the Facebook tech will use devices like the EMG band to collect data from your arms in a much less-intrusive way, unlike Elon Musk's Neuralink.

However, the bands will still collect a lot of data. While Facebook does have a neuroethics program to examine the privacy, safety and security implications of such tech, people will still need to trust that a lot of data based on how their body moves is being collected.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc2ADtNgeCM


source:  indian express

Telegram introduces new voice chat features


Admins can record audio from voice chats to save talks and publish them for followers who missed the live event

Telegram has launched voice chats in channels. The instant messaging application had first introduced Voice Chats in the month of December. The platform claims that Voice Chats on channels will have no limits on participants.

This update also brings recordable voice chats, rich lists of participants, raise hand mechanics, invite links for speakers and listeners, voice chat titles, and a way for public figures to join voice chats as their channels.

According to a release by the platform, admins of channels and public groups can now host voice chats for millions of live listeners. New people will be able to tune in like public radio.

Recorded Chats

Admins can now record audio from voice chats to save talks and publish them for followers who missed the live event.

Once you finish recording, the audio file becomes instantly available in Saved Messages. Chats that are being recorded are marked with a red light next to their title.

Raise Hand

In chats where participants are muted, listeners can tap to raise their hand and alert the admins that they want to speak.

The user's bio text is visible in the list of participants, which can be used to detail expertise, interests, or just a little bit about yourself. This info might help admins find a good slot for your questions or comments.

Speaker and Listener Links

Admins of public groups and channels can create invite links that open the voice chat right away. Separate links can be made for speakers and listeners. This way users won't need to unmute important guests when they join – and they can use a different link to promote the upcoming chat to their communities.

Voice chats also have optional titles which help users see the topic of conversation before they join.

When entering a voice chat in a channel, users have the option to join with their personal account or appear as one of their channels. Celebrities and public figures can use this to avoid drawing too much attention to their personal accounts.

Gestures

Android users can choose which action is assigned to swiping left in the chat list: archiving chats, pinning, muting, deleting or marking them as read. (On iOS, all these swipe actions are always available, depending on which way you swipe.)




source: live mint

Micromax launches new In 1 smartphone in India


The phone will be available in two colours purple and blue. The phones get metallic and matte finish

Micromax the third smartphone since the brand was re-launched last year in November. The new Micromax In 1 is a mid-range smartphone which sports a MediaTek chipset. The phone also comes with almost stock Android experience.

The new Micromax In 1 has been launched at a price of ₹10,499 for the variant with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. The phone also gets 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage variant, which is priced at ₹11,999. For buyers purchasing the device on 26 March, the company has priced the lower variant at ₹9999 and ₹11,999 for the higher variant.

The smartphone will be launched via Flipkart and Micromaxinfo.com. The phone will go on the first sale on 26 March at 12PM. The phone will be available in two colours purple and blue. The phones get metallic colours but matte finish.

The phone is powered by MediaTek Helio G80 chipset. The phone comes with a 6.67-inch display which comes with FullHD+ resolution and a punch hole. The screen aspect ratio is 20:9. The brightness maxes out at 440 nits. The phone boasts a response time of 25ms.

The phone also features a 5000mAh battery which supports 18W of fast charging. The company claims the battery can provide a standby of 180 hours.

The Micromax In 1 comes with a 48MP AI Triple camera lens. The camera also gets an 'advanced night mode'. The front-facing camera is an 8MP unit, housed in a punch-hole.

The phone will launch with Android 10 out of the box. The company claims the Micromax In 1 will provide a stock experience and has also promised roll out of Android 11 by May this year.




source: live mint

Google removed 3 billion ads officially for violating policies


Tech giant Google recently revealed in a blog post that it blocked or removed 3.1 billion bad ads, including COVID-19 related advertisements, internationally in 2020 for violating its policies. According to Mashable, the organisation has also limited an extra 6.4 billion advertisements.

"In 2020, our policies and enforcement were put to the test as we collectively navigated a global pandemic, multiple elections around the world and the continued fight against bad actors looking for new ways to take advantage of people online," said Scott Spencer, VP, ads privacy and safety, in a blog post.

He further added that "thousands of Googlers worked around the clock to deliver a safe experience for users, creators, publishers and advertisers. We know that when we make decisions through the lens of user safety, it will benefit the broader ecosystem. Preserving trust for advertisers and publishers helps their businesses succeed in the long term."


Mashable announced that Google has refreshed or added more than 40 arrangements for advertisers and publishers. Discussing Covid related advertisements, the tech giant restricted and blocked more than 99 million Covid-related promotions from serving consistently, including those for miracle cures, N95 masks due to supply shortages, as well as fake vaccine doses.

Notably, this is the main year that Google is sharing data on advertisement limitations which is a core part of its overall strategy. It says that confining advertisements permits the firm to tailor its methodology dependent on geography, local laws and our certification programs

"We know that when we make decisions through the lens of user safety, it will benefit the broader ecosystem. Preserving trust for advertisers and publishers helps their businesses succeed in the long term," states Google blog.



source: live mint
published from a wire agency feed

The first developer preview for Android 12 is now live


The new update brings slight changes to the user interface. For instance, dialogue boxes will now blur the background and make the interface look more modern overall

The first developer preview for Android 12 is now live. Google announced the update through a blog post late Wednesday, and it is only available for the company's Pixel smartphones right now.

"In Android 12 we're making the OS smarter, easier to use, and better performing, with privacy and security at the core. We're also working to give you new tools for building great experiences for users, whether they're using phones, laptops, tablets, TVs, or cars," Dave Burke, VP of Engineering at Google, in the blog post.

The new update brings slight changes to the user interface. For instance, dialogue boxes will now blur the background and make the interface look more modern overall.

"We're refreshing notification designs to make them more modern, easier to use, and more functional. In this first preview you'll notice changes from the drawer and controls to the templates themselves. We're also optimizing transitions and animations across the system to make them more smooth. As part of the updates, for apps targeting Android 12 we're decorating notifications with custom content with icons and expanded affordances to match all other notifications," Burke said in a different blog post.

While the new version doesn't bring big changes to Android, it includes support for the HEVC video format. Videos encoded in HEVC will automatically start working with the new update. Android 12 will also add support for spatial audio, while the AVIF image format is also going to be supported. AVIF is expected to be an update to JPG image formats, which have been the default for smartphones and desktops so far.

Further, Android 12 will also include certain privacy and security updates, which users may not see upfront. The software will reduce some tracking controls from apps, by using Google's new "SameSite" cookie settings, which have been seen on the Chrome browser before.

Android 12 developer preview is available for the Pixel 3/3 XL, Pixel 3a/3a XL, Pixel 4/4 XL, Pixel 4a/4a 5G, and the Pixel 5 smartphones.



source: live mint

Facebook introduce Instagram for kids under age of 13


This new version will be controlled by parents, according to the latest statement by the company

Facebook may soon launch a new version of their popular social media platform, Instagram. This new version will be built specifically for children under the age of 13. Currently, the regulations on Instagram don't allow kids under the age of 13 to build their profile on the platform.

The company has claimed that they will be "exploring a parent-controlled experience" on Instagram, according to a report AP.

Facebook had also recently announced new features on Instagram in order to safeguard teenagers on the application.

The platform is also facing criticism for the inclusion of kids on the application. Critics have claimed that Facebook is doing this to expand its user base.

Similar to the new version of Instagram, Facebook had revealed a new version of Messenger Kids in 2017. The platform introduced it as a way for children to chat with family members and friends approved by parents.

It doesn't give kids separate Facebook or Messenger accounts. Rather, the app works as an extension of a parent's account, and parents get controls, such as the ability to decide who their kids can chat with. But many child-development experts urged the company to pull it, saying kids don't need to be on social media.

"Increasingly kids are asking their parents if they can join apps that help them keep up with their friends," Facebook said in a statement. "Right now there aren't many options for parents, so we're working on building additional products — like we did with Messenger Kids — that are suitable for kids, managed by parents."

When it launched Messenger Kids, Facebook said it wouldn't show ads or collect data for marketing to kids.


source : livemint

Working iPhone 11 returned to owner from the lake after 6 months


The iPhone 11 has a water resistance rating that says it can survive in up to two metres for up to 30 minutes, but here's what happened when a user dropped it in a lake six months ago.

Apple's recent iPhones, like many other expensive devices, come with an IP (ingress protection) rating that certify the device to be safe under water for a specific amount of time. The iPhone 11 has a rating of IP68 (meaning it can survive a maximum depth of two meters up to 30 minutes) but a recent news report claims the device was able to survive for much longer - nearly six months underwater.

According to a report from AppleInsider, freediver couple from Chilliwack managed to retrieve two phones from the bottom of Harrison Lake in British Columbia. The couple regularly clear rubbish from the bottom of the lake and found the phones - one flip phone and the other an iPhone 11. While the former was inoperable, the latter started working when they took it home, the report states.


The couple then contacted the original owner of the device, a resident of Vancouver who reportedly dropped her phone into the lake in September 2020. The owner, Fatemeh Ghodsi, lost her balance when the device fell into the lake after which she was told that there was no way to retrieve it from the water, according to the report.

She told CBC Canada that she was in "complete shock" and that she first thought it was her friends pranking her as the message had arrived from her old number, but she ended up visiting the couple in Chilliwack to get her smartphone back. "It was kind of like a zombie phone coming back to me, because I'd totally make (sic) peace with it being gone," she stated.

Last month, we reported about another iPhone user who plunged into the freezing water at Victoria Harbour to pick up his iPhone that had fallen in the night before on Valentine's Day, only to find it was working fine and photos that a bystander had clicked of him delivered immediately once he turned it on in his pocket. It certainly looks like Apple's devices are more durable than the company advertises, but don't go dropping them in large water bodies - your warranty will be void if there's any water damage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifzizYAf-hs


source: hindustan times

Facebook Reels goes official in India

Facebook's short form video test in India is now officially called "Reels." Facebook users can now create and share Reels on the News Feed.

Facebook on Tuesday announced the official launch of short form videos on its platform, a feature it had been testing since last year in India. The feature is now called "Facebook Reels." Facebook also announced it would allow select Instagram creators to share their Reels on Facebook. This feature is being tested in India first.

Facebook is rebranding its TikTok-like short form videos to Reels. Facebook had started testing the ability for users to create and share short form videos on the News Feed last year in India. Facebook Reels is similar to Instagram Reels wherein users can select a song from Facebook's music library, choose different effects, set a timer, speed up or slow down the video, and more.

Facebook is still keeping Reels different on each platform. Facebook Reels will stay on Facebook with the option of sharing it on the News Feed. The same goes for Instagram Reels, which can be shared only on the app. It's only for select creators that Facebook is allowing cross-platform sharing. There's no word yet on when Facebook will make this feature open to all creators on Instagram.

Select Instagram creators such as Pooja Dhingra, Ashish Chanchlani, Awez Darbar and Bong Guy will have the option to share their Instagram Reels as recommended videos on Facebook. Creators, who are part of this test, will see an option to share their Reels on Facebook. These Reels will be shown as recommended content to anyone on Facebook with the creator's Instagram username.

The latest test comes as part of Facebook's effort to cash in on the short form video craze in India, something TikTok started. It launched Instagram Reels here shortly after the TikTok ban, and also introduced a dedicated Reels Tab first in India. It also made Reels available on the Instagram Lite app for users in India first.



source: tech hindustan times

Xiaomi to launch Redmi TV in India on March 17

Xiaomi has already been launching a range of Redmi TVs in home-country China and the brand could be bringing some of these variants to India during the March 17 launch.

Xiaomi spin-off Redmi will be launching the Redmi TV in India on March 17. The brand has been sending out the launch invites for the same. Xiaomi India Managing Director Manu Kumar Jain recently teased the launch of the Redmi TVs in India and the new update on the launch comes days later.

“Last year, our Redmi brand took a huge step forward towards its journey into new categories,” Jain had said during an event. “We began our phone-plus strategy and we launched many new product categories such as power banks, TWS, and the fitness band. And this year, in 2021, we are proud to introduce something bigger,” he added.

The Redmi TV invite suggests that the brand will be bringing an XL experience to viewers with the new Redmi TVs. While no specifications or screen sizes have been hinted at yet, it seems Redmi will be launching multiple sizes, at least one of which could be a large size TV.

The Redmi TVs will be different compared to the Mi-series of televisions in India. Since the new products are launching under the Redmi brand and not the Xiaomi brand, we think the new TVs could be budget-friendly additions to the brand’s Television lineup.

Xiaomi has already been launching a range of Redmi TVs in home-country China and the brand could be bringing some of these variants to India during the March 17 launch. The brand also launched a large 86-inch Redmi TV in China recently alongside the K40 smartphone, but that is unlikely to be launched in India right now.

For now, we must wait for Redmi to reveal more details on the upcoming Redmi TVs in the following days, perhaps closer to the launch on March 17. People will be able to watch the launch live on Redmi India’s YouTube channel.


source: indianexpress

WhatsApp new features: Make voice & video calls from desktop

WhatsApp constantly keeps updating its app to provide users with seamless functioning while chatting or even during voice or videos calls. And with that, the Facebook-owned messaging app is back in the news for a fresh round of features for its 2-billion plus users worldwide.

From voice and video call support finally rolling out on WhatsApp Web to being able to mute videos before uploading on chat or stories, WhatsApp released a plethora of features this week.

Here is a lowdown on the latest features of WhatsApp this week in stable or beta releases:

-Voice and video calling feature on desktop app:

The biggest update this wek from WhatsApp has to be voice and video calling finally coming on its desktop version.

WhatsApp announced end-to-end encrypted voice and video calls for its desktop app version and also shared a link to download the app on your computer. You can enable the new WhatsApp feature by downloading the desktop app from here.

WhatsApp said its nearly five-year-old desktop app for Mac and Windows will only support one-to-one calls for now, but that it will be expanding this feature to include group voice and video calls "in the future."

-Disable read receipts for voice messages:

WhatsApp's 'Read Receipt' feature earlier never had the option to disable the 'blue ticks' from voice messages sent on individual chats. Despite the read receipts being disabled, the voice notes sent over personal chats do not support the feature of blue ticks tuned off. So, every time you send a voice clip over, you will be able to see its ticks turn blue once the receiver hears it.

However, it now seems to have enabled the option to disable 'Blue ticks' visibility for voice messages too, at least for iOS users.

Users can now be able to switch off the read receipts that notify the sender of whether you've listened to the audio sent by them or not. To use the new feature a user needs to go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy. Read more.

-Mute videos before uploading on stories, chats:

This new WhatsApp feature essentially allows you to mute videos before sharing it as your WhatsApp status or sending it to other chats. The feature can be accessed from the video editing screen when one shares a video with another contact. However, it is currently available only on Android.


Users will be able to see a volume icon on the video editing screen to mute the video. It is available along with other video editing options such as trimming, adding text etc. Read more.

-Redesigned media footer for Android users:

WhatsApp is testing a new media footer in the beta version of the Android application.

According to a report by WABetaInfo, a website that tracks new features and updates on the beta version of the application, version 2.21.5.4 shows a redesigned media footer. A media footer can be found on the bottom of page before sending any pictures or videos or any other media. The media button icon has been modified to reflect a new icon. Earlier versions of the application used '+' symbol. The re-designed bar also shows up when a user posts a status on the app. In terms of functionality in the app, there doesn't seem to be any changes apart from the design of the UI. Read more.


-Multiple-device support:

Although it's been in the news for a long time, WhatsApp is also reportedly working on a multiple device feature. The feature will allow the WhatsApp account holder to access the same account from different devices, without the need to have the primary connected to the internet. Currently, users can only access the services of the platform via WhatsApp Web. However, the primary device needs to stay connected to the internet in order for it to function properly.


source: live mint

Truecaller decides to shut down UPI services in India

Caller ID application Truecaller has suspended its services on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to focus on core offerings such as communication and safety, a company spokesperson said.

The spam-blocking app has operated the payments service under Truecaller Pay for the last four years. However, while it will not add new UPI users, the company could integrate Truecaller Pay with other UPI partners on its app, but the final call is yet to be taken.

"We have identified other opportunities where we believe we are uniquely positioned to serve the community. The potential impact of such investment would be significantly higher compared to that of payments where many companies are already contributing. To summarize, this is a strategic decision to deprioritize payments, and focus on products and solutions that can help create significantly more impact in areas like communication, trust and safety," the spokesperson told Mint.

At its peak in mid-2020, Truecaller Pay had close to 20 million registered UPI users, and offered services like bill payments through its banking partners ICICI Bank and Bank of Baroda.

Truecaller said the discontinuation of the UPI service will not have any impact on its lending operations, and the platform will continue to distribute credit through partnerships with its partner non-banking financial companies.

At present, Truecaller has over 200 million monthly active users in India, with around 120,000 premium customers. The company claimed that it notified the users of its decision two weeks ago. "As per guidance from regulators, we gave two weeks' notice to users," the spokesperson said.

In March, Truecaller launched a personal safety app called Guardians, which allowed Indian users to share their location with family, friends and authorities on their phone contact list. On pressing the emergency button on the app, guardian contacts, added by the user were alerted about the user's exact location.

According to Anand Prakash, a cybersecurity researcher and chief executive of PingSafe AI, Guardians had a major bug at the 'Log in with Truecaller API' level, allowing attackers to log into the victim's Guardians account by just using the phone number. "Once the attacker has successfully logged in, they can track all your family members' locations. The application also leaked the victim's account details such as date of birth, profile picture and emergency contact details. It allowed an attacker to add more family members to the account once the account was taken over. Truecaller was quick to fix the vulnerability within a few hours," read the PingSafe AI blog.

source: live mint

WhatsApp new security to protect your chat backups with password


Encrypting the backups with a password only you know would theoretically prevent anyone from accessing your chat history without your authorization.

WhatsApp is reportedly working on rolling out a security feature to protect your chat backups with password and encryption.

WABetaInfo, a blog that tracks developments of the Facebook-owned messaging app, reported a year ago that the security update is a work-in-progress. However, it recently shared screenshots of how it could be presented in the service's iOS and Android apps.

"To prevent unauthorized access to your iCloud Drive backup, you can set a password that will be used to encrypt future backups," one of the screenshots reads. "This password will be required when you restore from the backup." The app then asks the user to confirm their phone number, and select a password that's at least eight characters long. Another screenshot warns that "WhatsApp will not be able to help recover forgotten passwords."

• The chat database is already encrypted now (excluding media), but the algorithm is reversible and it's not end-to-end encrypted.
• Local Android backups will be compatible with this feature.

The chat DB and media will be encrypted using a password that only you know.

As previously announced, @WhatsApp is working on cloud backups encryption.

The chat database and media will be safe from unauthorized access when using a password. The password is private and it's not sent to WhatsApp.

It will be available in a future build for iOS and Android.

Although you can protect WhatsApp with a password lock and the chats are already encrypted, as the company says, the service warns that this protection doesn't extend to online backups stored on Google Drive and iCloud right now.

Thus, encrypting the backups with a password only you know would theoretically prevent anyone from accessing your chat history without your authorization.

These latest reports about the feature come as WhatsApp's reputation has taken a hit from a new privacy policy, which has stoked fears that it may store more information with parent company Facebook

In January, WhatsApp had introduced its privacy policy mandating its users to accept its terms and conditions, failing which the accounts and services would be terminated after February 8, 2021, for the respective user.

After facing criticism over the privacy policy, WhatsApp took to micro-blogging site Twitter to clarify that "no one will have their account suspended or deleted on February 8 and we will be moving back our business plans until after May."



source: live mint

50 Telemarketing Do's



Ask for what you want — an appointment, a demo, a sale – Don't be shy. It's the reason you are calling.

Ask great questions — Open ones to encourage the listener to talk and find info. Closed ones to qualify and filter

Be confident – It radiates to your prospects. Expect to succeed and you will

Be honest — it really is the best approach. You WILL get found out if you lie.

Be motivated  —  People buy people. If you're not positive about what you offer, why should your prospects be interested?

Be patient – Telemarketing can take time and perseverance

Be prepared to make your calls at times to reach your decision-makers e.g.  before 9am and after 5pm if necessary

Build rapport  —  Use frames of reference, name drop, mirror their language and use their name (but not too often)

Call out of normal hours and lunchtime – the gatekeeper won't be there to protect your Decision Maker

Change your pitch if it isn't working. Plan a call structure that is like a good story. An attention grabbing start, a compelling middle and a great ending!

Secure a good call list. Make sure it is clean before calling. A good list is the best asset to your success

Ensure your phone line is clear – No gremlins in terms of interference

Find a 'Trojan Horse' — To get under their radar so that they will engage with you especially if they have already a current supplier of your services

Follow up – Make your follow up calls on time and keep doing so until you know where you stand

Get agreement from your prospect to call them back at a later date. Even if they aren't interested now, things can change

Have a pen and paper at the ready at all times. Take down concise and good notes including language, style and key info

Have your diary open and ready to give available dates

Keep control of calls with the gatekeeper. Sound authoritative and you have a better chance of getting through. Keep what you say short.

If you feel you must leave voicemail messages, make sure they are enticing and compelling with a good call to action

Listen carefully — You have two ears and one mouth

Sound professional on the phone with a good speaking voice, pace and tone. Match your prospects if you can

Make sure you are calling for the right decision-maker contact. Ask the question

Make sure you have a relevant email to send should the prospect ask for more information

Make sure your data is as fresh as possible

Make you are able to talk 'off script' to really engage the prospect

Make sure you are passionate about your product or service

Make sure you fully brief your agency if you are outsourcing calls

Make the calls — Don't delay. Just get on the phone. Inertia is your worst enemy

Prepare likely objection handling questions and techniques. You know the objections. Plan for them

Plan your calls — Know your products, market, competitors, pitch and the issues your company resolves or the opportunities your company creates

Read between the lines of what the prospect says. Clarify if you're unsure.

Role-play or record your calls to see what could have been done better. Listen back to improve your techniques

Send timely info when requested including appointment confirmations

Set realistic objectives — based on your market, experience and proposition

Set realistic targets – how many calls per hour?  How many appointments do you want to make? Over what timeframe?

Smile — It transmits to your voice

Sound authoritative. You need to sound at least as important as the person you are speaking to. It's peer to peer and you won't get past the gatekeeper if you don't.

Summarize the conversation with the prospect to ensure that you have listened and understood their 'pains' before you go ahead and pitch / recommend your product or service

Take good notes — Include info on verbatim comments, language, tone, pace and personality

Try to fool an IVR by dialling 0 to get to the switchboard. Or call accounts and try to be put through that way

Use a good CRM system — so you can quickly search and find follow up calls

Assume you are going to get what you want and ask for it with that assumption in mind

Use evocative and compelling words like huge, massive, significant, dramatic and so on — It adds impact but don't go wild!

Use the 'feel, felt, found' technique to combat objections along with good open questions

Use frames of reference — Past work, client reference points, and industry examples

Treat people how THEY would like to be treated. Consider their motivations and needs and treat them accordingly.

Use natural engaging language — sound natural. Use simple English. It helps rapport

Use technology to speed things up eg click to dial CRM and Skype number recognition enables 1-click dialling

Use telemarketing to follow up other marketing activity eg emails or visitors to your stand

Have a glass of fresh water available for those 'parched' moments. Watch out for how caffeine affects you.

Google to launch unified Drive for Desktop, Backup and Sync


Google will launch one unified Drive for Desktop and Google Drive File Stream, Backup and Sync will become defunct later this year.

Google noted that it is merely a name change for Google Drive File Stream for business users as the functionality remains the same.

It also noted that the Backup and Sync users will have to transition to the unified Drive for Desktop when the deadline comes. However, as of now, there is no action required from personal account users.


Google Drive File Stream, Backup and Sync will become defunct as separate platforms later this year as Google looks to launch a unified Drive for desktop. It will sync clients for Windows and macOS. As of now, there are two sync apps, Drive File Stream for business users, and Backup and Sync for consumer users. Google notes that the development will create a powerful and unified sync client for anyone who uses Drive whether it is for business or personal purposes. It further notes that the sync will help users by curbing confusion about which app to use, resulting in better performance, and make it easier for admins and IT teams to manage deployments.

Google Workspace in a blog post noted, "Some of our Google Workspace customers have deployed both sync solutions, which can be confusing for end users and challenging for IT departments to manage. To address this, we're planning to unify these sync clients later in 2021, bringing the most used features from both Drive File Stream and Backup and Sync to all of our users."

Google notes that the unified platform will be available later in 2021. However, the new unified client will be available in beta and will help organisations and users understand how the unified client will work before it becomes generally available in 2021.

As of January 29, 2021, Google changed Drive Stream's name to Google Drive for desktop. Google in its release notes wrote that it is only the branding that has changed with the functionality remaining the same and that as of Version 45 the Google File Stream is Google Drive for Desktop. Google also changed G Suite's name to Workspace. Google noted that the application name has been changed to Google Drive on macOS. "The mount point path remains the same, so you can still find all your files in the same places, but shortcuts to the application have been renamed to Google Drive," Google noted.

Google said that it will give a 3 months' notice for Google Workspace admins and end-users before the time comes to transition to Drive for desktop. It also said that the transition will be self-serve for end-users, meaning users will have to switch to the platform themselves. However, there is no action required from Backup and Sync users with personal Google accounts as of now. The name change from Drive File Stream to Drive for desktop will take place by default and will be visible to users with Google Drive for desktop version 45 and up.



source: india today

WhatsApp's new features - Badge & Pin Message



WhatsApp is working on a lot of new features including multi-device support.

As per report, WhatsApp will add a new mention badge alongside the pin message option.

The new feature has been spotted in the latest beta update.


WhatsApp is working on a lot of new features. The newest feature that has surfaced in the latest beta update is a dedicated badge that can be used for mentioning people during group chats and more. As per report, WhatsApp will add a new mention badge alongside the pin message option. The new feature has been spotted in the latest beta update.

As per Wabetainfo, WhatsApp has released today the 2.21.3.13 beta update. A new mention badge has been added for group chats. "After several updates that addressed bug fixes and general improvements, WhatsApp has released today the 2.21.3.13 beta update. It has nothing new apparently, but we can show today a preview of the feature they're working on in this build: the mention badge! The feature is very simple to explain: when you receive a mention in a group, a new badge will be added in the group cell," the report read.

The feature will be useful during group chats. If rolled out, the mention badge can be used to tag people in a group. The WhatsApp features tracker reports that the feature is under development and it will be rolled out in a future update. As of now, only some of the beta testers can access the feature.

Apart from this, WhatsApp has also rolled out a new sticker pack called Taters n tots for Android users.

On a related note, WhatsApp in the last few months has released a lot of new features. The latest feature that WhatsApp has rolled out recently is the face and fingerprint unlock while linking the device. In order to link WhatsApp Web or Desktop to the WhatsApp account, users will now be asked to use their face or fingerprint unlock on their phones, before scanning a QR code from the phone to link their device. WhatsApp has said that this will prohibit illegal logins to your WhatsApp account on the web. For instance, once the new feature is rolled out, your friend or colleague will not be able to link devices to your WhatsApp account without you. Whenever someone tries to log in without permission on the web version of the messaging app, a notice will pop up on your phone and you can unlink devices from your phone at any time without being physically present in front of your desktop.



source: india today

PayPal says to shut domestic payments business in India


Paypal has said that it is shutting domestic payments business in India.

PayPal Holdings Inc will wind down its domestic payments business in India from April 1, the company said in a statement on Friday.

San Jose, California-based PayPal will instead focus on its cross-border payments business, which means global customers will still be able to pay Indian merchants using the service.

"From 1 April 2021, we will focus all our attention on enabling more international sales for Indian businesses, and shift focus away from our domestic products in India," the company said.

"This means we will no longer offer domestic payment services within India from 1 April."

PayPal was a payments options on many Indian online apps such as travel and ticketing service MakeMy Trip, online film booking app BookMyShow and food delivery app Swiggy.


source: India today

How to restore your deleted Instagram posts

Instagram has a new feature that lets you recover your deleted photos, videos, reels, IGTV videos and stories.

Instagram earlier this week introduced a new feature that lets users recover their deleted posts. Instagram explained situations where hackers might gain access to your account and delete posts, and you don't have any option to recover them.

The new Instagram feature is called "Recently Deleted" and it's rolling out to users globally. This works on photos, videos, reels, IGTV videos and stories as well. Instagram will also ask users to verify their account when permanently deleting or restoring content from Recently Deleted. If you have deleted posts and wish to restore them, here's what you need to do.

Tap on the hamburger icon and click on the settings icon.

Scroll down and select account from the list of options available.

Once you're here search for Recently Deleted.

The Recently Deleted folder will contain photos, videos, reels, IGTV videos and stories that have been deleted.

Select the post you wish to restore from the list of options.

Instagram stories will stay in the folder for 24 hours, and all other posts will be available for 30 days since the time they were deleted. Once the 30-day period is over, Instagram will permanently delete these posts. The verification process for users before permanently deleting or restoring content will be done via text or email. This can help prevent hackers from gaining access to user accounts.

Recently Deleted is yet to reach users in India but Instagram has started rolling out this feature on Android and iOS so it should be available soon.




source: tech hindustan times

Nokia 5.4 to launch in India soon

Flipkart has confirmed the launch of Nokia 5.4 in India with a "coming soon" teaser page.

HMD Global's first smartphone launch in India this year will be the Nokia 5.4. Flipkart has confirmed the launch of Nokia 5.4 with a "coming soon" teaser page for the smartphone. Nokia 5.4 made its debut in December last year.

The Flipkart teaser page shows off the smartphone's highlights including the camera, punch-hole display, battery life and processor. Nokia 5.4 is available at a starting price of 189 euros ( ₹17,000 approx) for the base model. It comes in two colour options of Polar Night and Dusk. The smartphone has a punch-hole display, a rear fingerprint sensor and a dedicated Google Assistant button.

Nokia 5.4 features a 6.39-inch HD+ display with a punch-hole selfie camera. Under the hood of the phone runs Qualcomm's Snapdragon 662 processor. It comes in three variants of 4GB+64GB, 4GB+128GB and 6GB+64GB.

The smartphone has a quad-camera setup featuring a 48-megapixel primary sensor, a 5-megapixel ultra wide angle lens, a 2-megapixel macro sensor and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. There's a 16-megapixel camera for selfies on the Nokia 5.4.

Nokia 5.4 packs a 4,000mAh battery with a USB Type-C port for charging up to 10W. On the software front, Nokia 5.4 runs Android 10 out-of-the-box. The smartphone is Android 11 ready, and it is confirmed to receive two Android OS updates. Nokia 5.4 also supports face unlock in addition to a fingerprint sensor.

HMD Global has also teased the launch of Nokia 3.4 in India. It looks like Nokia 5.4 and Nokia 3.4 will make their debut in India together.



source: tech hindustantimes

OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei announces new venture called 'Nothing'


Nothing will be releasing its first smart devices in the first half of this year

This announcement comes shortly after a $7 million round in seed financing in December 2020

Carl Pei, one of the founders of smartphone brand, OnePlus has founded a new consumer technology company called 'Nothing'. The new company is based in London. Nothing will be releasing its first smart devices in the first half of this year.

This announcement comes shortly after a $7 million round in seed financing in December 2020 that included tech leaders and investors such as Tony Fadell, Casey Neistat, Kevin Lin, Steve Huffman and Josh Buckley. Kunal Shah the founder of CRED, has also invested in Nothing.

While there's not much to go about, in terms of what smart devices the company is working on, a Wired report from December hints that the company is working on audio-related products. However, Pei did not confirm if these audio devices are limited to headphones. Details regarding the new products are expected to be revealed ahead of official launch.

"It's been a while since anything interesting happened in tech. It is time for a fresh breeze of change," said Carl Pei, CEO and founder of Nothing. "Nothing's mission is to remove barriers between people and technology to create a seamless digital future. We believe that the best technology is beautiful, yet natural and intuitive to use. When sufficiently advanced, it should fade into the background and feel like nothing."

"Consumer tech is a tidal wave of limitless potential. Nothing will be the brand at the forefront and I can't wait for the world to experience its products," said Casey Neistat, YouTuber and Investor in Nothing.



source: live mint

Apple to crack down on tracking iPhone users with new privacy notifications


The new privacy pop-up notifications, which will be part of an iPhone software update, will start appearing on most iPhones in late March or some point in April

Apple on Thursday said that it will roll out a new privacy control in the spring to prevent iPhone apps from secretly shadowing people.

The new privacy pop-up notifications, which will be part of an iPhone software update, will start appearing on most iPhones in late March or some point in April, a requirement that major digital advertising companies such as Facebook have warned will harm their businesses.

The delay in its anticipated rollout aims to placate Facebook and other digital services that depend on such data surveillance to help sell ads.

The one-time notices will require an app developer to ask a user's permission before the app tracks their activities "across other companies' apps and websites." Digital advertising experts believe that the warning will cause many users to decline permission.


The California-based tech giant announced the move last June but said in September that it would delay the change to give digital advertisers more time to adjust.

Currently, iPhone users are frequently tracked by apps they install unless they take the extra step of going into iPhone settings to prevent it.

Facebook said in December that it plans to show the pop-up notification because it did not want Apple iPhone users to lose access to its apps.

On an earnings call on Wednesday, Facebook executives told investors that the change could start hurting the company's revenues in the first quarter, with Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg accusing Apple of having "every incentive to use their dominant platform position to interfere with how our apps and other apps work."


Apple on Wednesday disclosed that it has an active installed base of 1.65 billion devices, more than 1 billion of which are iPhones, with 620 million paying subscribers on its devices.

For its part, Alphabet's Google on Tuesday said that it would cease practices, including the use of an Apple-supplied tracking identifier, that would require it to show the warning, thus avoiding it.

Apple has said that is offering alternative technology free of charge that will help advertisers attribute paid clicks and taps without engaging in what Apple deems tracking.

Google said on Tuesday that is proactively working with Apple to improve the alternative offering.

Apple said on Wednesday that it will roll out new tools such as a way to attribute clicks made on video advertisements.


Apple also released an 11-page report to illustrate how much apps can learn about their users in daily life.



source: livemint

Elon Musk's newly launched version of Model S for game title Cyberpunk 2077


Elon Musk the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX recently announced that the newly launched version of Model S is capable of running the demanding game title Cyberpunk 2077

The world of cars and gaming only overlap in the case of high-definition racing games but now there's more to the relationship between them. The next generation of consoles, Sony's Playstation 5 and Microsoft's Xbox Series X bring demanding AAA gaming titles along with their launch. The computing power of these next-gen consoles helps them to run some intense titles like Cyberpunk 2077. However, it seems some cars have a similar, if not better, computing prowess.

The bold claim comes from the richest man on the planet himself. Elon Musk the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX recently announced that the newly launched version of Model S is capable of running the demanding game title 1Cyberpunk 2077. The business tycoon, through a tweet, claimed that the big screen on the new and updated Tesla Model S can run the game.

The Tesla Model S got its first major update since its launch in the year 2012. Clearly, the update also brings better computing power to the car. Considering that the computer on the Model S does not only have to keep the wheels spinning but also manouvre through traffic on its own, running games shouldn't be a task for the vehicle. Tesla Arcade is also built into the new car that is expected to be able to other major gaming titles.

The Model S gets a 17-inch portrait display with a resolution of 2200x1300 which is placed at the centre of the dashboard of the car. The electric vehicle also gets a second display under the centre facing towards the passengers.

Elon Musk claims that the new Model S can reach from zero to 60 mph (97 km/hr) in under 2 seconds. This also makes it the first production car to reach such an acceleration threshold.


source: live mint

Now, WhatsApp chat history can be imported to Telegram


As new users are hopping on to messaging services to try the variations in the technology services, the freeware cloud-based instant messaging software and application service Telegram has launched a new feature that can import user's chat history from WhatsApp.

Telegram has hence reported that the new feature is likewise accessible for Android. Close by WhatsApp, conversations from Line and KakaoTalk can likewise be imported, as indicated by Telegram's iOS changelog.

Whereas, on iOS users can bring chats from WhatsApp into the most recent version (7.4.1) of Telegram and proceed with the conversation, in so far as each WhatsApp user has a Telegram account.

The expansion of the element comes as Telegram is detailing tremendous expansions in user numbers, with its service presently gloating more than 500 million dynamic clients around the world. The reason has all the earmarks of being WhatsApp's new protection strategy, which incited security concerns about the Facebook-possessed informing application (WhatsApp later deferred the presentation of the new policy, and demands it won't influence the security of buyer conversations or profile information).

For users escaping from WhatsApp to Telegram, having the option to take their talk narratives with them implies one less obstruction to exchanging.

The import cycle chips away at a chat-by-chat premise yet seem to work for both individual and group chats, in any event with WhatsApp. To import a conversation from Facebook's messenger on iOS, open the pertinent discussion, and tap the group or contact name from the top point of the chat to open its information screen.


From that point, the 'Export Chat' alternative opens the iOS Share Sheet, where users will see the choice to choose Telegram. At that point, simply select a Telegram chat to import the messages.

On Android, Telegram noticed that the WhatsApp 'Export Chat' choice can be found by tapping the three-spot button on the upper right of a visit, and afterward choosing 'More'.

If any messages brought into talks have a little 'Imported' mark on them noticing when they were initially sent, and when they were brought into Telegram, and messages are noticeable to all chat members. However, users have the choice of bringing in WhatsApp chat accounts with or without their pictures. Imported messages show up in the request wherein they are imported, instead of in the request they were initially sent.




source: livemint

Panasonic launches first box-style mirrorless camera


Panasonic claims that the new LUMIX BGH1 is approved by Netflix as a primary camera for filming Netflix Originals

Panasonic India announced the launch of its latest addition to its LUMIX series, LUMIX BGH1 for the Indian market. The company claims that this is LUMIX's first box-style digital single-lens mirrorless camera. The BGH1 is a modular cinema camera that can be used by professional filmmakers.

Panasonic claims that the new LUMIX BGH1 is approved by Netflix as a primary camera for filming Netflix Originals. The camera is priced at ₹1,94,990 and it will be available across Panasonic brand shops and Panasonic 4K Imaging School.

Speaking about the launch, Mr. Sandeep Sehgal, Business Chief, Imaging Business Group, Panasonic India & SAARC said, "Panasonic has been a frontrunner in developing cinematic cameras and delivering value-based imaging technology. Designed for versatility, expandability and ease of installation, LUMIX BGH1 is a multi-application box that provides everything a professional needs to unbox their creativity. With its miniature form factor, it is ideal for gimbal and drone work as well as broadcast, live streaming, documentary, and cinema production. We strongly believe this cinema digital camera will create a niche for itself amongst the cinematographer community."

The LUMIX BGH1 allows multi-camera control. It allows shooting on drones, live streaming and other set-ups. The new range is equipped with deep learning real-time detection technology to provide precision focusing of subjects and a double SD Card slot for backup recording or relay recording.

The camera can be powered with the same cable that connects it to a network, and up to 12 of the cameras can be controlled at once with the accompanying LUMIX Tether for Multicam app. The BGH1 gets timecode and genlock BNC ports to sync up with other cameras to make syncing in post-production easy.

LUMIX India is also offering an exclusive membership program with Lumix Pro Services(LPS) which is designed for professional photographers, filmmakers and cinematographers to offer prioritized support, expedited delivery and repairs, special discounts, exclusive phone support and more.



source: live mint

Importance of having a personal website

Your personal website is about making a lasting first impression.

As you will have experienced many a time, people tend to ask whether you have a website and where they can find you online.

Whether you are hunting for new work or starting a new side project, most people will verify your offering by searching for your name online; deciding on your credibility by checking out your online presence.

Having ultimate control over what information you would like them to see is super important when it comes to shaping their perception of you. Having your own website means you govern this.

Additionally, if you set up your site correctly, you will reach more people in your target audience which means more connections and opportunities.


It's the ultimate portfolio

In the digital age, people are more visual than ever, so the more you can show them what you do, the better.

Treating your website as your portfolio will help with building your personal brand and ultimately getting more business.

With your personal website, you can showcase exactly what sets your work apart from your peers and competitors.

This is particularly crucial for designers, artists, and those that work in the digital industry. A great website will give your prospective clients a sense of who you are, what you're capable of and whether you are the one they should hire to execute their project.

By featuring some samples of your work, whether that be sites you've built, blogs you've written, galleries you've featured in, anything, your personal website is a digital portfolio of your online work and identity.

Your brand and work will always evolve.  The beauty of showcasing this on your own personal website is that it can easily be updated and reshaped as you grow.

Your creativity shines through

With your very own personal website, you'll be able to customize it completely. This includes everything from background photos and videos to fonts for the copywriting displayed.

Unlike social networking platforms such as Facebook and Instagram where you need to abide by their default layouts, your creativity will shine through which is a showcase of your flare and personality.

This gives the people looking for you a visual representation of who you are. It should be centered on your positive attributes, illustrating your experience and emphasizing your strengths.

You're always available

With the internet allowing for international business, it's imperative you're always available.

By having your own website, anyone, from anywhere in the world can view your services and portfolio at any time of the day. This means that "business hours" won't have any effect on you getting work or not.

It is always available to existing and potential clients – a 24hr platform that displays your credentials, client testimonials and expertise.  Exciting times!

Now, let's look at how you should go about choosing a domain name for your personal website.

Choosing a domain name for your personal website

Now that you understand the importance of having a personal website, let's look at the three things to remember when choosing your domain name.

1. Don't settle – Use your very own name

When creating your personal website, you should be able to use the name of your choice – preferably your own. The website is all about you and you should be able to register the exact name that you want.

The problem with domain extensions such as .com, .in or .co.in is that the likeliness of your desired domain already being taken is quite high.

Most of them have been around since before the turn of the millennium so unless you have a super unique name, we recommend using a new, but reliable domain extension.

2. The shorter the better

Even though you're technically allowed to use up to 64 characters in your domain name, we suggest you don't. Nobody has time for that – especially in a world where the average human scrolls through 100 meters of social media a day.

We're all processing a lot of information every day and so your domain name should be short so that it's easier to read and easier to remember.

3. Choose an appropriate domain extension  

There are many domain extensions available, over 400 now to be precise. You need to choose one that is synonymous with your field and industry.

There's also a huge chance that you will be able to register the exact name that you want, which is the first step towards creating your personal brand.

A personal website is vital for getting more business and building your own professional brand.


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Highlighting Benefits:

A personal domain is a web address that allows you to take control of your online identity by directing visitors to any site. Register a personal domain, and then forward it to any website, blog or other pages you control, like your Facebook or LinkedIn profiles. There's no limit to how many personal domains you can have.


Pointing your personal domain to your Facebook or LinkedIn pages is a great way to set up an instant online presence, without having to build your own website. You'll always control what your visitors see when they go there. A personal domain is a great choice for businesses as well. It allows you to control every aspect of your brand — even the address you give to your customers.


Keep it short - A short domain has better chance of sticking in somebody's mind once they hear it. Which leads us to the next tip...
Make it memorable - Using your own name or a catchy phrase helps people match a personal domain to you.
Have a plan - Once you secure your personal domain, don't just let it sit there. Get online and make your ideas real.


When everything depends on your personal brand, use domain name registration to protect it. Register a domain with variations of your actual name. With all the available domain extensions out there today, get as many as you can to manage your online reputation.

Once you set up your personal domain and see what it can do, you'll be tempted to take the next step. Use it to set up a custom email address based on your domain to add to your credibility. Once you see how easy that is, use it to create a personal website using a platform like My Kids Diary & Gingly.

If you have a resume or portfolio you'd like to circulate but don't have a website, a personal domain is the answer. Because you can send a personal domain to nearly any place online, it's a perfect solution if you have documents stored in the cloud. Link them to your personal domain to make them easier to find and download.









source idea: prime pixles nic icu, Godaddy

Interview With Young Entrepreneur Vinusha MK

https://youtu.be/ef71MJhS0zU

Google in talks with Jio, Airtel to introduce high-speed internet using light beams


Google is reportedly in talks with telecom companies Airtel and Jio to introduce high-speed internet and telecom connectivity using light beams.

The technology sends light beams – instead of radio waves – between transmitters and receivers attached to servers placed on buildings and structures.

Google's Project X noted that their team is in conversation with telcos, ISPs and governments around the world about the potential for wireless optical communication technology.

Google is reportedly in talks with telecom companies Airtel and Jio to introduce high-speed internet and telecom connectivity using light beams. The technology is part of Project Taara which uses light to transmit information at super high speeds through the air as a very narrow, invisible beam -- it is like fiber but without the cables, as per Project X, a company within Google.

The technology sends light beams instead of radio waves between transmitters and receivers attached to servers placed on buildings and structures. The speed could be as high as 20 gigabytes a second compared with less than one gigabyte a second that many consumers get now, a source familiar with the matter told ET Telecom. "This will be a game-changer since it can connect one to remote regions, have internet connectivity across buildings without cables and reduce the burden on towers," the source told the publication

Project Taara has been piloted in Andhra Pradesh in India and Kenya in Africa, as per reports. Google's Project X noted that their team is in conversation with telcos, ISPs and governments around the world about the potential for wireless optical communication technology to significantly accelerate the deployment of the extensive, high-throughput networks necessary to support the future of the web.

"The system is effective in areas that are difficult to connect using fiber cables. These include sites located around forests, water bodies, railway tracks, or land with high real estate costs," the blog says. It is based on open standards to work seamlessly with existing infrastructure and environments.

The blog notes that wireless optical communication technology can transmit data at high speeds of up to 20Gbps. A single link can cover distances up to 20 Km and be used to extend fiber networks. The project aims to offer a cost-effective and quickly deployable way to bring high-speed connectivity to remote areas. Taara links help plug critical gaps to major access points, like cell towers and WiFi hotspots, and have the potential to help thousands of people access the educational, business, and communication benefits of the web.

Earlier in February this year, Google shut its 'Station' project through which it gave free Wi-Fi to 415 railway stations in India. The project was pulled off by the company after 5 years of its operation owing to the increased 4G connectivity across the country and cheap data tariffs. In July, Google had committed $10 billion to India under its digitisation fund out of which Rs 33,737 crore were invested in Jio Platforms for a 7.7 per cent stake.


source: live mint