tech on trend
Elon Musk, who has recently been buying up shares in the microblogging platform and has made a US$48 billion offer for the whole company, asked his 82 million followers if they wanted an edit button. His (deeply unscientific) poll attracted 4.4 million responses, with 73% in favour.
Other social media platforms let you edit posts after you've sent them. It seems like it would be a simple feature to add so why doesn't Twitter do it?
Well, the time may at last have arrived. Independent of Musk's poll, Twitter has confirmed that an edit button may be in the works. Enterprising users have even dug out some hints of what it might look like.
Also read: TWITTER, ANALYSTS WARY OF ELON MUSK'S TAKEOVER BID
EXPLAINED: WHY ELON MUSK IS HELL-BENT ON A TWITTER TAKEOVER
So what's the fuss about?
Why has Twitter been so opposed to an edit button? The answer might be that it isn't as simple as it appears.
The first thing to know about tweets is that, unlike posts on many other platforms, there is fundamentally no way for Twitter to pull them back after they are sent. The reason is that Twitter has what's called an Application Programming Interface (or API) which allows third parties such as other apps or researchers to download tweets in real time.
That's what powers Twitter clients such as TweetDeck, TweetBot, Twitteriffic and Echofon, which together account for some 6 million users.
Once third parties have downloaded tweets, there's no way for Twitter to get them back or edit them. It's a bit like an email once I've sent it and you've downloaded it, there's no way for me to delete it from your machine.
If a user were to edit a tweet, the most Twitter could do is send out a message saying please edit this tweet but the third party could choose whether or not to actually do it. (This is currently what happens when tweets are deleted.)
Cats and dogs
More importantly, an edit button might have unintended consequences, and could be weaponised.
Consider this. I, a cat lover, decide to tweet I love cats!
Then you, being also a cat lover (because why wouldn't you be), decide to quote my tweet, agreeing I do too! (Remember when Twitter used to be this innocent?)
Now, what happens if I edit my original tweet to declare I love dogs? You are now misrepresented as a dog-lover, and when your cat-loving friends see this (which they will when I reply to your tweet, mentioning them all), they disown you.
Yes, this is contrived, but it doesn't take much imagination to see how the edit button might be used in this fashion, particularly by things such as bot armies. Will Twitter users be happy to trade this possibility for the convenience of fixing typos in their tweets?
Warts and all': a bug or a feature?
Twitter has built its reputation on being the most real-time of the social media platforms the place where earthquakes are reported quicker than by scientific instruments. However, for many people the warts and all nature of Twitter postings is starting to look like a bug, rather than a feature.
Will an edit button change Twitter's unique brand? There may be ways to ameliorate this, such as only allowing edits within a short time of posting, but it is surely a consideration for the company.
More generally, the design of media platforms shapes the type of discussion that occurs on them.
The presence of the like and retweet buttons on Twitter encourage users to create content that will entice others to click these buttons, and make their content spread further. This, in turn, shapes the nature of conversation that occurs on the platform.
Similarly, websites use algorithms and design to nudge users in particular directions such as to buy a product.
There is a rich body of research into the ways discourse is shaped by the design of social media platforms, which establishes that every affordance a user is given affects the conversation that ends up taking place.
This means that beyond the fundamental technological challenges, Twitter must think about the possible unintended consequences of seemingly simple changes even to the level of a humble edit button. The medium shapes the message, and Twitter must think carefully about what sorts of messages they want their platform to shape. (The Conversation)
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The new range of refrigerators lets users control the temperature settings without opening the door, significantly reducing the cold air loss, thus saving electricity. With the LG ThinQ technology, users can control key features and access the appliances remotely from anywhere. The latest LG refrigerators also come with Smart Learner powered by AI, which analyses the usage pattern and optimises cooling accordingly and claims to deliver higher energy efficiency and long-lasting freshness for fruits and vegetables.
The new InstaView Side-By-Side refrigerator has a tinted glass window for a glimpse of what’s inside. Knocking on the window twice illuminates the inside of the refrigerator for viewing its contents without opening the door. The company claims that the nozzle of the water dispenser is auto-cleaned regularly with UV Light to reduce 99.99% of bacteria from the water nozzle for better purity.
Another interesting product that LG has introduced is the PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier. It is equipped with a set of replaceable HEPA Filters, Dual Fans, IPX4 rating and more. It also has a small speaker to amplify your voice when having a conversation while wearing the purifier. The product connects with your smartphone or tablet over Bluetooth and allows a certain degree of customisation as well as informs you about the status of its battery and filters. The personal air purifier is quite an innovative product but will set you back by Rs 21,990.
The company has looked to up their game with the use of smart technologies in other categories too like air conditioners, microwaves, water purifiers and dishwashers. They have also heavily focused on aesthetics to complement the interiors of modern homes. The prices of all the newer products will be available shortly.
At the launch event in India, Deepak Bansal, VP - Home Appliances & Air Conditioners commented, “At LG Electronics, we are committed to offering products based on consumer insights which make everyday life comfortable and healthy. Apart from functional usage, appliances are a lifestyle statement too and our product designers have introduced refreshing new-age designs across the range. AI is the next frontier in technology which aims to make machines intelligent and adds comfort and convenience to consumer’s daily life. Being a leader in home appliances and consumer electronics, we have a responsibility to make AI more approachable to consumers and less intimidating.”
]]>Best phones to buy under Rs 20,000 in India
iQOO Z3 5G
The iQOO Z3 is the only phone common to our previous sub-20K list and this. Thanks to its impressive set of features and specifications, it remains one of the best options under Rs 20,000 in India. The phone is powered by Qualcomm’s midrange Snapdragon 768 SoC, and you can get its 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage variant in this budget. It has a 6.58-inch Full HD+ LCD screen with 120 Hz refresh rate and HDR10 compliance. A 16MP selfie camera is located in a drop notch at the top of the screen.
Photography is handled by three cameras at the back starting with a 64MP primary camera, an 8MP ultrawide shooter and a 2MP macro camera. The iQOO Z3 5G runs Android 11 with FunTouch 11 UI. The company promises two major Android updates and three years of security updates for this phone, which is great to have. Its 4400 mAh battery is good enough to keep the phone running for well over a day of moderate use, and you get a 55W fast charger in the bundle to recharge it briskly.
iQOO Z3 5G price in India: Rs 18,990 for 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage
Poco X4 Pro 5G
Poco’s new mid ranger has a good mix of features. The X4 Pro 5G is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 SoC, and is accompanied by 6 GB RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. This phone has a big 6.67-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1200 nits. The screen is protected against scratches by a layer of Gorilla Glass 5.
The Poco X4 Pro 5G has three cameras at the back consisting of a 64MP primary camera, 8MP ultra-wide snapper and a 2 MP macro camera. The 16MP front camera located in a punch-hole at the top of the screen is good enough for selfies and video calls. Its 5000 mAh battery easily lasts over a day and a half of moderate use, and the bundled 67W fast charger promises to charge it fully in less than 45 minutes. The phone runs Android 11 with MIUI 13 on top.
Poco X4 Pro 5G price in India: Rs 19,999 for 6 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage
Realme 9 5G SE
The Realme 9 5G SE is another good option that offers the right blend of features and performance. This phone is powered by a fairly powerful Snapdragon 778G SoC, and you get 6 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage here too. Its 5000 mAh battery lasts for a day and a half of moderate use, and the bundled 30W fast charger replenishes it fairly quickly. The phone runs Android 11 with Realme UI 2.0.
You get three cameras at the back comprising a 48MP primary camera, 2MP macro camera and a 2MP depth sensor; no ultra-wide camera here. You get a 16MP selfie camera located in a tiny punch-hole at the top of the screen. The Realme 9 5G SE has a 6.6-inch Full HD+ LCD display with a peak brightness of 600 nits. Now comes the most interesting part. It has a 144 Hz adaptive refresh rate with six levels of variable refresh rate settings; a handy feature for gamers.
Realme 9 5G SE price in India: Rs 19,999 for 6 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage
Motorola G71
The Motorola G71 is an ideal choice for those looking for near stock Android UI. And the rest of the features are pretty good too. Its IP52 rated dust and splash resistant design adds an extra layer of sturdiness. The photography department is helmed by a 50MP primary camera. Giving it company are an 8MP ultrawide camera and a 2MP macro camera. Its 16MP front camera does a good job with selfies and video calls. You get a sharp 6.4-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display, but the refresh rate is limited to 60 Hz.
The Moto G71 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 695 SoC, and like most phones in this list, is accompanied by 6 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage. This phone too has a 5000 mAh battery that keeps it powered for close to a day and a half of moderate use. It is accompanied by a 33W fast charger. And as I mentioned at the start, like most Motorola phones, you get a near stock Android user interface here. The G71 runs Android 11.
Motorola G71 price in India: Rs 19,099 for 6 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage
Samsung Galaxy F23 5G
The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G ticks a lot of boxes too. It is good to see a premium brand offer a decent set of specifications in this budget. This is also the only phone in this list to offer Android 12 out of the box with the company’s new One UI 4.1. This smartphone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G SoC, and you can purchase its 6 GB RAM and 128 GB internal (expandable) storage variant comfortably in this budget.
This handset has a 6.6-inch Full HD+ LCD display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. The photography department at the back is quite similar to the Moto G71 with a 50MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-side shooter and a 2MP macro camera. The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G has a modest 8MP selfie camera that gets the job done. The battery backup is similar to most phones in this list with a 5000 mAh battery keeping it up and running for a day and a half of moderate use. It supports 25W fast charging.
Samsung Galaxy F23 5G price in India: Rs 16,999 for 6 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage
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To put it very basically, Instead of using LTE or 4G data to boost the signals over which voice calls operate, WiFi calling is a system, in which your phone uses the WiFi networks around itself. The way it works is calling works through transmitting the same cellular data packets as Wi-Fi VoIP through a Wi-Fi connection and across the internet.
The end result is that we get a much better and more sustainable connection which also substantially improves the quality of the connection.
What is WiFi Calling & How Does It Work?
WiFi calling is a feature that allows users to make and receive calls and texts over a WiFi network instead of your telecom provider’s network. Basically, your phone sends data packets containing voice over WiFi and then over the internet to the person who’s on the other end of the call. Your device needs to support WiFi calling, which usually is true for most devices that have been manufactured after 2017.
Does It Use More Power & Data?
WiFi Calling is actually much more energy efficient in the larger scheme of things. As an individual, you’ll spend about 4-5MBs for a 5-minute call. As for power consumption, it is usually less than what a regular call would use up, especially if you’re in an area that has patchy telecom coverage.
Furthermore, cellular data depends on cell towers which can be expensive to install and much more expensive to maintain. WiFi calling is carried over telecom internet cables, so there is very little energy wastage.
What Does WiFi Calling Cost?
WiFi calling doesn’t cost you anything. It is a free service and users don’t have to pay anything extra to use it. All they need to do is ensure their device supports the feature and their service provider has activated the feature on their end.
What Are The Benefits Of WiFi Calling?
WiFi calling has several benefits. First, the call quality is remarkably better in most cases. Secondly, it is very effective in densely populated areas where cellular coverage might be weak, for example in high rise apartments. Third, you don’t have to pay extra to get better quality services. And finally, if you only use WiFi calling and avoid cellular calls, you may be able to get more screen-on time from your cell phone.
There are a few drawbacks of using WiFi calling that one needs to keep in mind. It can be a little slower to connect, but once connected, the signal strength is off the charts. Currently, service providers do not allow users to make international calls using WiFi calling. Also, in sparsely populated areas, WiFi calling doesn’t work well.
How To Activate WiFi Calling?
You actually don’t need to do anything to activate WiFi Calling, your service provider activates it, as long as your device supports the feature.
How Do I Check If My Service Provider Has Activated WiFi Calling?
If you’re using an Android phone, go into Settings > Mobile Networks or Connections > Wi-Fi and then see if Wi-Fi calling is visible or not. Or, when you’re connected to the WiFi and are making a call, you should be able to see the WiFi symbol in the dialer screen.
If you’re using an iPhone go into the settings > Phone > Mobile Data > Wi-Fi calling. The option will only show if your provider supports Wi-Fi calling.
]]>This account was hacked on 9 April 2022 for almost half an hour, leading to such tweets from the CMO handle for those precious 30 minutes. The Punjab Congress’s official handle experienced a similar hack on 11 April 2022 which resulted in more than 100 tweets “being posted” within a few minutes. Some other high-profile accounts, such as that of the University Grant Commission, were also hacked on 10 April. Before that, the Indian Meteorological Department’s account was hacked… and the list goes on.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Twitter account and superstar Amitabh Bachchan’s handle — in December and June 2021 respectively — were hacked. Similarly, the handles of Anupam Kher, Rishi Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor were hacked. Internationally, Twitter handles of eminent personalities like Kanye West, Joe Biden, Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos were hacked. This raises an obvious question on the existing security policies of Twitter. The platform has approximately 186 million users, so it is only proper that apprehensions regarding its security policy would and should be voiced.
How has the company reacted? In the past, it used to offer an apology, albeit an unconvincing one. It claimed that hackers tricked people and got access to the account credentials of the users. This was neither assuring nor did it provide any details of how and why it is done and with what purpose. Now, the company doesn’t even address the situation with even a clarification.
Some details have emerged from the investigative journalism of the website, Vice, whose journalists claimed to have access to the hackers. The revelations were shocking. Hackers boasted about bribing Twitter employees and consequently enabling the hack of the high-profile Twitter accounts.
Does this mean that Twitter has been compromised from within? Is this a pattern?
Undoubtedly, high-profile accounts/handles wield enormous influence on opinions/narratives. If such high-profile handles are being easily compromised, then the security measures for common accounts cannot be taken for granted. Twitter, like any other social media company, remains primarily a platform where content is generated by the user. Inconvenience to the user would naturally compel him/her to move elsewhere. It’s no wonder that many users are seeking alternatives.
Cyber experts often mention numerous technologies and enabling tools that protect the vital data, but the reluctance shown by Twitter to deploy the same is perplexing. The Indian government is contemplating enacting a comprehensive policy and law on data protection, earlier named the Personal Data Protection Bill, which was proposed by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in December last year.
While this has been on the cards for a while now, since it has some provisions on which there is currently no broad consensus, hence the Ministry of IT has recently proposed that it will soon issue a Data Protection Policy framework followed by the law, which will include aspects such as restrictions on the transfer of personal data outside India. It would ensure that the sensitive personal data will not be shared with any foreign government or agency unless approved by the Central government. This is also consistent with the Sprinklr case ruling by the Kerala High Court in May 2020. Along with it, a separate regulatory body will also be set up to regulate the data businesses.
The provisions of the proposed legislation would be similar to the global standards like that of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulations. Both emphasise that users must be informed about the way their data would be processed and in case of any difference of opinion they can opt out. Even the Supreme Court of India in its landmark decision in the Puttaswamy judgement has clearly elevated privacy as a fundamental right of the individual, which is not only enforceable against the state but also at a private contract level. The ever-growing digital economy offers huge potential for economic growth, but in the absence of a secure data policy it would be tough to harness the potential that the digital economy has to offer. Twitter can show us and lead the way by just implementing the obvious: protect our data, ensure safety of its users. Else as they say, the market is brutal!
Democracies function on the general will of the people and this is aptly reflected in the legislature of the country. Targeting Twitter handles of the heads of the government (PM, CM, ministers) indicates that there is an attempt to compromise the voices of prominent Indian figures. It does not bode well if elected representatives are held hostage by the lax practices of a foreign social media company, which has been at crosshairs with regulators and the law. It appears as if the time is ripe for the growth of indigenous social media platforms.
The author is a practising lawyer and expert in Information Technology. He is an alumnus of NALSAR, Bangalore and Managing partner at TMT Law Practice.
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These four animations or GIFs will be changed every hour by Google, showcasing the impact of climate change in the long run.
The first doodle shows the real imagery of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The images that we see in the time-lapse have been taken each December from the year 1986 to 2020.
The second imagery shows a glacier retreat in Sermersooq, Greenland and was taken each December from the year 2000 to 2020.
The third imagery that appears on the Google homepage is of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and shows the coral bleaching that is happening on the Lizard Island. The images used have been taken each month from March to May 2016.
The fourth and last doodle is from the Harz forests in Elend, Germany that has been destroyed by bark beetle infestation due to the rising temperatures and severe drought. The images have been taken each December from 1995 to 2020.
Using real time-lapse imagery from Google Earth Timelapse and other sources, the doodle showcases the impact of climate change across four different locations around our planet. Users can view these scenes throughout the day as these will remain on the homepage for several hours at a time, a blog post from the search engine mentioned.
Earth Day is celebrated to pledge support for environmental protection. A number of events and campaigns happen worldwide to raise awareness for environmental protection. This year marks the 52nd anniversary of Earth Day, which is also known as Mother Earth Day.
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Samsung has been dominating the foldable smartphone market ever since they took the concept of foldable devices mainstream. Sure there were some major issues with the first Z Fold, but ever since the second generation, Samsung has been going hard at it. There have been a number of other players who tried to get into the segment, like Motorola, with their Razr flip phone. However, no other player has been nearly as successful as Samsung.
Having said that, Samsung too has been struggling with the numbers of their Z series phones. Because of the complexity of the hinges, and the foldable screens in general, Samsung has been forced to price these devices astronomically high. The Z Fold3 5G for example, retails at over Rs 1.7 Lakhs.
According to a reputable leaker who goes by the username DSCCRoss on Twitter, Samsung is doubling the number of units of the Z Fold4 & Z Flip4, than it had for the Z Fold3 and Z Flip3. He also says that there might be a significant price cut for the fourth generation of the Z series.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Samsung's Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 phone production for July are more than double what it was for the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3. Pointing to a very strong launch. Might see a price cut.</p>— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) <a href="https://twitter.com/DSCCRoss/status/1516793642727264257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
This means that Samsung is expecting the device to sell like hotcakes and want to be prepared for such a situation. Because apart from being a pretty good phone, the Z devices surely turn heads.
The Z Fold4 is also rumoured to be featuring a 108MP main camera, while the camera setup will be nearly identical to the S22U, barring the 10MP periscope sensor. Samsung might be able to keep the price of the devices down, due to a completely re-engineered hinge mechanism, and the fact that the Z Fold4 is ditching the S Pen for good. Although it will still support the S Pen stylus, it will be sold separately and will have to be housed in a special holster, since the device itself will not have the silo.
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This is why several social media companies start out that focus on authenticity, that have no space for those heavily photoshopped images, or those dub smash videos which have filters upon filters being applied to them. One such platform is BeReal, which, in a couple of years since its inception, has grown consistently.
The way the app works is, that it asks users to post raw glimpses of their everyday lives during a constantly changing 2-minute window each day. Posts come in the form of photos, which include snapshots taken simultaneously from a phone’s front-facing and back-facing cameras.
Also, unless you post, you will not be able to see what your friends have posted, which in a way coerces you to participate. Founded by a former GoPro employee, Alexis Barreyat, what this does is force people into posting and seeing what real life actually looks like on social media.
Although the app does not offer a lot in terms of new technology, the app stands out due to its functionality. Where other social media platforms force people to curate the best of their lives, which in turn means that the feed that people see, is not just one post after the other that shows people living their perfect lives. This goes a long way to dispel the phenomenon that has come to be known as toxic positivity.
“You can see a whole other side to people that aren’t just their presentable side to social media,” said Alexis Barreyat. “It gets really tiring and exhausting for people constantly like scrolling through Instagram and seeing people having these perfect lives,” he added.
And if their numbers are anything to go by, people, especially Gen-Z surely do appreciate what the social media platform is going for. Since January of this year, daily downloads of the app have grown by 315 per cent. Since April 1st, the app has been one of the top 10 most downloaded free social networking apps for iPhones nearly every day.
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Currently, India is the largest market for screen protectors that are manufactured in China. Because India has no established players in the manufacturing and supply of these high volume screen protectors, we are losing out on a lot.
The report suggests that the screen protectors and tempered glass should be brought under the CRO (Compulsory Registration Order) so that we get a proper standardisation of the product. This in turn will mean that India can start manufacturing these goods in the organised sector, something that we did for the accessories market, like third-party chargers, wearables and audio accessories.
Currently, the screen protector market is estimated to be worth $43 Billion, with China having the largest share followed by countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Taiwan. It is estimated that China manufactures and exports about 90 per cent of all screen protectors used worldwide.
The reason why China has been able to get such a stronghold over the manufacturing and distribution of tempered glass is that this sector is primarily led by their SME & MSME segment, which is somewhat subsidised by their government. Not only does the Chinese government allow easier loans to be sanctioned for small workshops and factories to be set up, but they also subsidise some of the costs of the raw inputs, mainly electricity.
Given how MSMEs and SMEs have been pushed by the Indian government, it will be a great chance for India to step up and grab a substantial share in the global market.
Once a standard for tempered glass and screen protectors is set in place, a formal, legal and quality-oriented market can be created with great ease, which in turn will enable the local suppliers to sell through proper channels and formalise the entire supply chain.
This will also lead to 75,000 or so new jobs being created, directly or indirectly.
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There are strong rumours suggesting that Apple will be launching a whole new array of Mac devices that will be powered by the upcoming M2 silicon, the successor to the insanely powerful and wildly successful processors from Apple. Apparently, the Cupertino based giants are testing various Mac devices that are being powered by the M2 chips.
Apple is working on a series of new Mac minis, MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs. The most anticipated Mac device of these is the brand new MacBook Air.
The 2022 MacBook Air is apparently going to get brand new colourways. The MacBook Air will take a cue from the 2021 iMac, and will be introducing a wider colour range, in a series of delectable pastel hues.
It has been several years since the MacBook Air got a major design refresh, with only the internals getting upgraded. It was as if the designing team at Apple had forgotten all about the MacBook Air series. With the iMac & the iPad Mini both getting some major design updates last year, it seems that the designers and engineers at Apple are slowly getting to refresh the design of their older products.
There’s also a rumour that the MacBook Air will be getting rid of the tapered design, and will come with a more flat-edged design. Also, rumour has it that the infamous notch is coming to the MacBook Air.
As reported earlier, the new generation of the MacBook Air will be powered by eight CPU cores, which will be responsible for the heavy lifting and handle the main computing tasks, and an additional 10 cores for graphics. That’s up from eight graphics cores in the current MacBook Air.
It remains to be seen if Apple is indeed going to launch these new Mac devices at WWDC this year, or will fans of the Macintosh have to wait a little longer.
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After it was announced that Netflix lost about 200,000 more customers than it had managed to acquire in the last quarter and that in the next quarter they are projecting to lose another 2 million subscribers, the streaming giant’s shares dropped by almost 40 per cent.
This loss of paying customers has been further exacerbated by the fact that several other players namely Amazon Prime Videos, Disney+ (Disney+Hotstar in India) and AppleTV+, have taken a sizeable portion off of Netflix’s userbase.
Several reports also claim that Netflix may be contemplating opening up its services to advertisers, and will start a new, lower-priced tier that would be supported by advertisements from other brands.
In its quarterly shareholder letter, Netflix acknowledged that in order to get more people hooked onto its services, it had intentionally been generous with households sharing passwords. Now though, it wants households where passwords are shared to start paying up.
To that effect, Netflix will be introducing some sweeping changes in its pricing policies and will be introducing a different set of plans where users will be allowed to share passwords with a limited number of people, for a price.
Earlier this year, Netflix started testing various systems and ways to crack down on password sharing in Chile, Peru & Costa Rica. Most of these systems included setting up new slightly more expensive plans that allowed users to share their passwords out of home. They also started using pop-up notifications to warn users of the upcoming changes in prices, in the United States & Canada, where they have over 30 million households that are using a shared password. The pop-up notifications warn users that they will be charged more for sharing their passwords out of home.
Although Netflix doesn’t have a concrete global strategy as of yet, industry experts believe that they would be using the same strategy that they have deployed in the South American countries all across the world and that these strategies will be implemented by 2023, across various stages.
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A leak by 91Mobiles shows that the Pixel Watch has several key integrations from Fitbit, and the new leaks of the design also show that Google is displaying these integrations rather prominently. The watch will come with the latest version of the Wear OS, the yet-unannounced variant called the Wear OS 3.1.
The circular face will most likely be a bezel-less design. This was possible only because of the fact that Google has gone for a curved display that tapers into the body of the watch at the edges. The Pixel Watch also features a rotary crown which also doubles up as a button, just like an Apple Watch. What functionalities does the button serve and whether it can be remapped or not, remains to be seen.
The fact that Google has been gearing up to launch a smartwatch of their own became obvious when after months of discussions, they finally acquired Fitbit in 2021 for $2.1 Billion. Despite its acquisition, Google has continued with the Fitbit brand and will be launching newer models under the brand that will be powered by the new Wear OS.
Wear OS 3 debuted with the Galaxy Watch 4 last year. However, has there been no update as of yet. Also, the Wear OS we have been seeing has had Samsung’s own skin on it.
At the time of the acquisition, Rick Osterloh, Google’s vice president of devices, put out a statement, saying “We’re confident the combination of Fitbit’s leading technology, product expertise, and health and wellness innovation with the best of Google’s AI, software, and hardware will drive more competition in wearables and make the next generation of devices better and more affordable.”
Apart from the Pixel Watch, Google will also be launching the low-cost Pixel 6a, which will be powered by the same Tensor processor that is found in Google’s current flagship, the Pixel 6.
]]>In what researchers claim is the first of its kind invention, they’ve developed computerised chopsticks that artificially create salt. It’s part of the efforts to reduce sodium levels in Japan’s popular dishes.
How do electric chopsticks work?
The chopsticks are attached to a mini-compter that has to be worn around the wrist while eating. They enhance taste using electrical stimulation.
The device transmits sodium ions from food, through the chopsticks, to the mouth where they create a sense of saltiness, said Homei Miyashita, a professor at Meiji University in Tokyo, which collaborated with the food and drinks manufacturer Kirin to develop the gadget.
“As a result, the salty taste enhances 1.5 times,” he added.
Japan researchers develop electric chopsticks to enhance salty taste | Reuters https://t.co/PohQAct3rQ #technology #foodtech pic.twitter.com/Iqk3f4UOYO
— /Users/anthony (@AkdM_) April 19, 2022
Will the chopsticks have any takers?
The taste-enhancing chopsticks are relevant to Japan, where the traditional foods tend to be high in salt because of the use of ingredients such as miso and soy sauce. The average Japanese adult consumes about 10 grammes of salt per day, double the amount recommended by the World Health Organisation, reports CNN.
Excess sodium intake leads to an increased chance of high blood pressure, which is the biggest cause of strokes and heart attacks.
“To prevent these diseases, we need to reduce the amount of salt we take,” Kirin researcher Ai Sato told Reuters. "If we try to avoid taking less salt in a conventional way, we would need to endure the pain of cutting our favourite food from our diet, or endure eating bland food."
Are they available for use?
Not yet. Meiji University team has created a prototype so far which they are looking to refine. The chopsticks will be made available to consumers by next year, they said.
How safe is the device?
The chopsticks use “very weak electricity – not enough to affect the human body – to adjust the function of ions such as sodium chloride and sodium glutamate to change the perception of taste by making food seem to taste stronger or weaker”, Kirin said in a statement.
Clinical tests on people who follow a low-sodium diet confirmed that the device enhances the salty taste of low-sodium food by about 1.5 times. Participants given reduced-salt miso soup spoke about improved “richness, sweetness and overall tastiness” of the dish, said Miyashita and Kirin, reports Guardian.
Are there more such inventions?
The chopsticks are not the only experiment with food and technology that Miyashita and his lab have explored. They have also developed a lickable TV screen that can imitate various food flavours. It is a big step towards creating a multi-sensory viewing experience.
Taste the TV: Japan invents lickable screen to imitate food flavours https://t.co/AaY8fg5i03
— The Guardian (@guardian) December 23, 2021
The device, called Taste the TV (TTTV), uses a carousel of 10 flavour canisters that spray in combination to create the taste of a particular food. The flavour sample then rolls on hygienic film over a flat TV screen for the viewer to try, reports Reuters.
Miyashita hopes to make a platform where tastes from around the world can be downloaded and enjoyed by users, much like music is now.
With inputs from agencies
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In a statement shared by the Krafton, the studio intends to release the first set of episodes on April 21 and will be available on Pratilipi, a digital storytelling platform that the South Korean development studio had invested in, in July 2021
The three webtoons, which have been named Night of Silence, Retreats, and 100, belong to three different genres - thriller, fantasy, and action, respectively. These webtoons will tell different stories surrounding the maps and the world that BGMI is made up of.
Night of Silence, which is a thriller, revolves around a character named Leah who tries to solve the rather uncanny mysteries surrounding the sudden demise of her father.
The fantasy series, Retreats - The Prince and the Pauper, revolves around an unnamed resident from Retreat who has lost their identity and is on a journey to recover everything that he lost.
100 is said to most closely resemble BGMI as we know. This is an action series that focuses on a secret agent from the National Intelligence Service, trying to find a lawmaker who has been abducted to participate in a battle royale like a survival game.
"At Krafton, our core focus lies in giving our fans an interesting and exclusive gaming experience through our characters, storytelling, and various in-game practices. We have an extremely dedicated fan base that takes a deep interest in following the worlds we create," said Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO of Krafton Inc. India, in a statement.
Krafton’s webtoons have already become a massive hit in countries like Taiwan, US and France, where several other webtoon shows were released earlier this year. The response that was received from these countries is making Krafton confident, that the show will be massively popular in India as well.
The three webtoons will be localised into a number of Indian languages, but to begin with, the episodes of these webtoons will be available in Hindi, Bengali, Tamil & Marathi. Users who want to watch these episodes can do so by downloading the Pratilipi Comics app, from the Play Store, or the App Store.
]]>The astronomically significant event will take place between 12:15 pm and 4:07 pm on 30 April. It is to be noted that there will be two partial solar eclipses in 2022 and the second one would happen on 25 October, this year.
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between Earth and the Sun, while all three bodies are in a straight line. According to reports, 54 percent of the Sun will be blocked during the upcoming eclipse.
Solar eclipses are classified into four types: total, annular, partial, and hybrid. A total of four eclipses will happen in 2022, including two partial solar eclipses and two total lunar eclipses.
Some do's and don'ts to follow when viewing an eclipse
- Use separate solar eclipse glasses or handheld solar eclipse viewers to watch the celestial event.
- Remove the shielding glasses only when the eclipse is over or turn your face against the occurrence.
- Do not capture the image of the eclipse using your camera, as there may be a high chance that the concentrated rays of the Sun can damage your eyes.
- If you are someone with prescription glasses, please take them off and wear eclipse glasses.
- When driving during the eclipse, ensure that your headlights are on.
- Do not compromise your diet due to superstition and eat whenever you are hungry.
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Despite the “lower resolution” 12MP sensor, the previous iPhones have consistently had some of the best cameras added to a smartphone in years, which just goes on to show that resolution isn’t the end-all and be-all for a good camera. The reason why Apple could use a sensor with a lower resolution is the fact that it uses some really good quality glass, and that Apple’s hardware and software do a great job in processing those images.
For this year’s iPhones, there are several leaks that suggest that Apple will be using a 48MP sensor at least in the iPhone 14 Pro models. Given that this is an unofficial leak, there is a good chance that Apple may just stick to the iPhone 14 Pro’s 12MP sensor. Whether the upgraded sensor is indeed placed in the new smartphones will largely depend on how successfully has Apple been able to integrate it with its image processing systems. All of these things will become much clearer after Apple’s WWDC event.
If the iPhone 14 indeed uses a 48MP sensor, Apple will be able to implement a system called image binning, which allows for better photos in the dark, less grain or noise in photos, and overall, just a better picture.
What has been confirmed about the new iPhone 14’s cameras though, is that the front unit has been given a major rework. The new front-facing camera will get an autofocus system and a wider aperture, at f/1.9. The iPhone 13 uses a front-facing camera that has a fixed focus and comes with an aperture of f/2.2.
The wider aperture, apart from allowing more light and therefore more data to hit sensors, also has the added benefit of giving the photos a shallower depth of field. This basically means, that the bokeh, or the “background blur” will be better shaped, more pronounced, and much more natural in selfies/portrait mode.
The better front-facing camera will also mean that iPhone 14 will provide a better FaceTiming, video calling or live-streaming experience.
There are also rumours suggesting that Apple will be ditching the infamous notch for a punch hole or a pill-shaped cutout. This has led Apple to go for a reworked under-display Face ID system.
]]>Also, the solar eclipse on 30 April will take place four days prior to the moon reaching apogee- a moment when the celestial body is at its furthest point from Earth.
The upcoming solar eclipse will not be visible in India. People residing in parts of South America, the Atlantic Ocean, the Antarctic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean will be able to see it, according to space.com.
The second eclipses of 2022 will take place on 25 October. After these two eclipses, we won't see any surya grahan until 2023.
What is a Solar Eclipse?
A solar eclipse takes place when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun exactly at the same time. When this moment occurs, the Moon conceals the Sun and prevents its rays from reaching the Earth. As a result, this rare phenomenon is called solar eclipse.
For the unversed, solar eclipses are categorised into four types. These are total, annular, partial, and hybrid eclipse. Two partial (solar eclipses) and two total (lunar eclipses) will occur this year. However, each eclipse will be viewable for people only residing in a specific location or region.
Timings of Solar Eclipse or Surya Grahan:
As per the Indian Standard Time (IST), the Solar Eclipse/Surya Grahan will start at 12:15 pm and end at 4:07 pm. It will last for about three hours and fifty-two minutes.
The eclipse will reach its peak phase at around 4:41 pm EDT (20:41 GMT), according to EarthSky.org. During this time, the moon’s shadow will fall on the Earth’s centre. The solar eclipse occurring on 30 April will obscure a maximum of 54 percent of the sun.
Why it will not be visible in India?
Reports suggest that this upcoming solar eclipse is a partial one, hence it will not be visible in India. The Sutak period will not be observed in India.
How to see the solar eclipse?
Many people enjoy the process of viewing the solar eclipse with their own eyes, but it is recommended that people should wear protective spectacles, or view the celestial events through binoculars, a telescope or a box projector.
]]>The financial projections that Netflix had set their eyes on have gone horribly wrong for them. After it was discovered that it lost over 200,000 paying customers, Netflix’s stock plummeted by 20 per cent. As a result, the OTT giant may have to take some drastic steps in order to meet its bottom line. Netflix is facing one of the toughest times in its history.
So what is ailing Netflix? Why is it that they might have to start playing advertisements in-between content? Well, we look at a few factors that have put Netflix in a rather precarious position.
Stagnant Growth
For years, Netflix has been struggling to expand their userbase at the rate with which it once did. This problem got even more aggravated because families and friends would share their Netflix account details, a problem that Netflix has been trying to crack down on for some time. This crackdown has also led to many people either downgrading or straight-up cancelling their subscriptions.
Dwindling Customer Base
In the last quarter or the last 100 days, Netflix has lost a net total of 200,000 paying customers all over the world. This was the first time that more users cancelled their subscriptions than people signed up for their service. Netflix had projected that it would increase its user base. Clearly, that did not happen. When the news broke of Netflix losing its customers, its stock plummeted by 20 per cent. The war between Russia & Ukraine also added to this problem. Apparently, Netflix lost a user base of 700,000 people when they withdrew their services from Russia.
Platform Fatigue
Netflix may have been one of the biggest players in the OTT space some time ago, but these days, the number of OTT platforms all around the world has grown exponentially. These players have been able to chip away at Netflix’s subscriber base. There is also the fact that several countries have a number of their own private players in this space which is competitively priced.
Let’s take India as an example. You’ll have to pay anywhere between Rs 1,788(Rs 149/month) to Rs 7,788(Rs 649/month) for a year’s subscription. The basic annual package of Rs 1,788 also limits the number of functionalities. Compared to that, almost all other OTT players have undercut Netflix’s prices, all the while providing a few value-added services. Obviously, someone on a tight budget will go for one of Netflix’s competitors.
Losses In Foreign Market
Most of Netflix’s recent original programming for India hasn’t been received well. The shows that did perform well, like, Indian Matchmaking, were mainly designed keeping the Indian Diaspora in mind. Netflix is facing a similar situation in most South Asian countries. Shows like Squid Game from South Korea are in fact outliers. It did not get nearly half as much attention in South Korea, as it did in the rest of the world.
Lack Of Shows That Would Bring In First Time Users
When was the last time you remember of a show that Netflix presented that made you think that you would actually buy your own subscription if you hadn’t one already? Most OTT players, especially the domestic ones have released a number of massively popular shows that have brought first time paying customers onto the platform.
Take Sony Liv as an example. Shows like Scam 1992, and SharkTank India brought a hoard of new subscribers to the platform. Barring Squid Games, Netflix hasn’t had a big moneymaker show on their platforms in years.
Their Fiduciary Responsibility Towards Shareholders
Finally, there is the fiduciary responsibility that Netflix has towards its shareholders. They are bound by law to do whatever it takes to ensure that their shareholders do not lose money. Given that they have projected that over the next quarter, they are likely to lose another 2 million users, there is a high possibility that Netflix will take the same route that YouTube did, and start renting out spaces and slots to other brands.
If this does indeed happen, Netflix, as we know it might change forever. One of the biggest reasons why people switched over from satellite television to Netflix is the ability to choose what viewers watch when they want to, and the fact that there were no ads in between. With this set to change, let’s just hope that this plan doesn’t backfire on the OTT giant.
]]>And incidents of fraudulence related to Aadhaar card are also increasing day by day and is it therefore imperative that we do not share our Aadhaar related information with anyone.
To buy a SIM card, you need to show your valid Aadhaar card and then only then a SIM is issued in your name. But, incidents of an unknown people issuing mobile SIM on another person's Aadhaar card are increasing. Criminals are using these SIM cards to commit financial crimes.
Thus, it is important to check that your Aadhaar is linked only with your personal number and is not being used by any other fraudster. It is quite easy to find out how many mobile SIMs are linked with your Aadhaar.
Centre has created a portal to find out how many SIMs are active on your Aadhaar number. The portal named Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management and Consumer Protection (TAFCOP), can be used to check all the phone numbers linked to a Aadhaar number.
- Visit the website: https://tafcop.dgtelecom.gov.in/.
- Enter your mobile number
- Click on request OTP
- Enter the OTP that you’ve received on your mobile number
- All the phone numbers linked with your Aadhaar card will be visible
- If any of the number is not used by you, you can report and block it.
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Netflix has some fantastic shows, movies and spectacular documentaries. However, their default “Recommendation” lists that they apparently curate as per your taste is ghastly at times. Most of the time, these “personalised” recommendations are actually based on what people around you are watching, so there is a very good chance that it might not adhere to your taste.
Now, users are allowed to search for a particular title in Netflix’s catalogue, but that takes away from the joy of discovering or stumbling upon a really good series or movie all on your own. Clearly, we need a better recommendation system from Netflix.
Well, it seems that a few people who shared this concern have taken matters into their own hands and have cracked a system. They have identified that Netflix catalogues all of their content against some codes, which represent a particular genre and have put that information up on a website.
Furthermore, each of these genres is further divided into sub-genres. For example, under “Comedies” you have the option of going for specific kinds of comedies, like satires, anime comedies, dark comedies, mockumentaries and so on.
How Do You Use These Codes?
You will need a system or viewing device that has an internet browser. As of now, you cannot use the codes on the app directly.
Now, there are two ways of using these “cheat codes”
- Visit netflix-codes.com on your using a browser on a computer, mobile or your smart TV if it has a web browser.
- Look up the genre or subgenre you are interested in
- Tap the code next to the genre or subgenre.
- If you're on a device that has the Netflix app installed, the app will start and take you directly to the genre or subgenre you chose. If you don't have the app installed, it'll open Netflix through the browser.
- Choose the content that you want to watch.
Alternatively, if you want to watch your content on a television, but your TV doesn’t support a web browser, you can just look up what you want to watch using the process mentioned above, select a piece of content that you want to consume and then search for it on your TV’s Netflix App.
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Amazon launched a microsite dedicated to the new M53, which teased a few features of the phone. One of the creatives that Samsung & Amazon are pushing heavily, suggests that the new M53 will be available with one of the best 108 MP rear camera sensors in the segment.
The Screen
The M53 5G will be available in India with a 6.7-inch full HD+ InfinityO Super AMOLED Plus display with support for a 120Hz refresh rate. With a resolution of 1080 x 2408 pixels, set in an aspect ratio of 20:9, the display will have a pixel density of 394 PPI. The M53 will not have an in-display fingerprint scanner. Instead, it will be placed on the side, inside the power button.
The Cameras
The M53 5G will be available with an array of 4 cameras for the rear. The primary unit is a 108MP wide sensor, followed by an 8MP ultrawide unit, and two units of 2MP shooters, one ofr depth, and the other for Macros. As for the front camera, users will be getting a single 32MP unit, that is capable of shooting 4K videos at 30FPS. The rear camera is also capable of shooting at 4K, up to 30 FPS. If you switch down to 1080P, you also get the option of shooting at 60FPS.
The Chipset
The international version of the M53 5G comes with a MediaTek Dimensity 900 5G, and a Mali-GC8 Graphics unit. The base trim of the phone will feature 6GB RAM & 128GB storage, which can be expanded using the microSDXC card slot. A higher trim variant with 8GB & 12GB RAM is also in the works, evidently.
The Battery
Powering the device will be a 5,000 mAh battery which supports fast charging at 25W, through a USB-C port.
The Expected Price
Although the device will be an upgrade over last year’s M52, the M53 5G is expected to start at Rs 29,999 for the 6GB+128GB variant. The next variant with an 8GB+128GB version might be priced just slightly higher at Rs 31,999.
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While the inclusion of most gender-neutral emojis is a welcome move, one particular emoji, of that of a “Pregnant Man” has riled up Twitter users. But why exactly?
Apple released a number of new emoticons as part of the iOS 15.4 update. Apple had released the 'pregnant man' and 'pregnant person' emoji in January this year which was part of an optional update.
Ironically, Apple seemed to ignore a few basic things about biology that people on Twitter pointed out in a rather savage way. Men cannot get pregnant unless we are talking about a very unlikely medical anomaly.
Several people took to Twitter and shared a few hot-takes upon this recent development with iOS and emoticons.
Nice to see @Apple adding the pregnant man emoji. It will go perfect with the unicorn emoji since you know, both are just fantasy and don't really exist. #mondaythoughts
— USMCIrish (@AR15Marine) April 18, 2022
WTF? Pregnant man emoji Apple iOS 15.4 (Emojipedia blog)
The world is on and this is what needed to be fixed right now? #Apple #Woke-ass bullshit pic.twitter.com/b3wYG0zV3R
— Buck (@BuckFullerton) April 17, 2022
Anyone noticed this emoji in the new iOS update? It’s called the Pregnant Man ♂️ I have so many questions but while we are at it how about a flat Earth emoji? @Apple — Ataf Ahmed (@Ataf__ahmed) April 17, 2022
Apple rolled out a pregnant man emoji. News flash … no man has ever had a baby and never will. Just plain nonsense. — tom_stephenson (@tom_stephenson) April 18, 2022
A few people took this development on a lighter note, and jokingly said that Apple wasn’t showing a “Pregnant Man,” but someone who just ate a whole pizza by themselves, has a beer belly, jokingly accusing Apple of fat-shaming.
Apple rolled out a pregnant man emoji. News flash … no man has ever had a baby and never will. Just plain nonsense.
— tom_stephenson (@tom_stephenson) April 18, 2022
Hey @Apple what’s this emoji?
A ‘pregnant man’ or are you ‘fat shaming’?You bunch of goofballs.
— Thomas Rossini (@TommyRo) April 18, 2022
While the inclusion of certain emoticons is indeed applaud-worthy, Apple surely must have known that the inclusion of the “Pregnant Man” is simply nonsensical, and the move would definitely backfire.
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Apple “accidentally” published a new support document on its website that indicates the existence of a new USB-C Charger with two ports that will enable users to charge an iPhone or an iPad, as well as an additional accessory, like the Apple Watch or one of their countless AirPods.
Given that Apple no longer supplies a charging brick with the iPhone, and that it sells the charging brick at a premium, they will have to include support for fast charging in order to make this charging brick more lucrative to the customer.
However, this new charger isn’t nearly as exciting as the most recent leak. In a report published by 9to5Mac, Apple’s new iOS 15.5 beta release makes references to an enhanced Focus and News functionality. Although this is not going to be available for older devices, the more recent Apple devices will be getting these updates.
One of the major changes in these updates is the fact that Apple may be integrating satellite calling into the iPhone 14, or its later offerings. The same sort of satellite connectivity may also be included in the upcoming Apple Watch.
If implemented, this is going to be a huge step forward for mobile connectivity as no other Android device offers this functionality as of now. And, as history has taught us on numerous occasions, if Apple does bring in new functionality, other manufacturers, in all likelihood, will copy the move within a year.
As is the case with Apple every year, expect some of these features to be exclusive to the iPhone 14 lineup, even after iOS 16 is officially launched. Also, given that the new iPhone 14 is reportedly very similar to the iPhone 13, both in terms of looks as well as performance, the only way that Apple will be able to convince a lot of people to upgrade will be through these features.
With WWDC being a few months away, we can safely expect more of such accidental leaks coming our way in the next couple of weeks.
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