When was the last time your curiosity got the best of you and you ended up clicking the hidden replies tab on Twitter? It is truly one of the most disturbing sections on the internet only second to Reddit (Let’s not open that can of worms for now) The microblogging platform is known to host some of the most vile speaking personalities that need to be censored. Twitter’s response to hate speech and disturbing videos getting posted in the comment section of a tweet was the ‘Hide Reply’ feature which allowed the user to hide replies and diffuse the conversation simply. However, the hidden replies tab is posted right under a tweet which grabs the attention of curious users like me and at times ends up spoiling our day.
Animal abuse, grotesque killings, extreme sex videos, and racial slurs are some of the few things that a user can find under the hidden replies tab. What’s to be noted here is that Twitter was never this nasty before it was under Elon Musk’s leadership. Many users like me were accustomed to it being a platform for users to consume and participate in conversations surrounding breaking news, politics, celebrity discourse, and much more. In the current scenario, Twitter has become a mere shadow of what it used to be and is transforming into a dystopian wasteland.
The prominent reason for the influx of cringeworthy content doing the rounds on Twitter can be blamed on Elon’s infamous decision to unban thousands of accounts that were previously banned. Musk wished to become a champion of free speech with his reign on Twitter which quickly backfired in the form of horrible content making its way to the platform. As of now, there has been no official statement on whether Twitter will be launching a crackdown on this epidemic.
The notoriousness of hidden replies has grown to the point that a hero has risen from the filth – Hidden Replies Checker!!! – Yes, that’s the username of an account that checks the hidden replies for you and gives you a detailed description of what’s going on in the hidden replies section of any specific tweet. Spoiler Alert: almost all of the responses from the account start with a trigger warning which can paint the picture of how bad the situation right now is.
I’ve been a Twitter user for nearly a decade and this undoubtedly is the darkest phase of the platform I’ve witnessed. Twitter seems to have lost its charm under the weight of loathsome content which needs to be refined under strict guidelines. The next time you feel like clicking on the hidden replies section, make sure you’re ready to stomach some horrible things.
We’re all aware of the ill-fated RMS Titanic ship which was the largest liner at the time back in 1912. The mammoth ship could house more than 2,400 passengers along with more than 800 staff and crew members. During its first-ever voyage from England to the United States, the Titanic hit an iceberg in the freezing waters of the North Atlantic Ocean leading to catastrophic deaths. Reportedly only 712 members of the Titanic survived the wreckage which led to the ship being split into two pieces.
The wreckage wasn’t discovered until decades later in 1985 in Canadian waters. Titanic’s wreck lies 700 km south of St John’s Newfoundland. It was back in 1997 when visionary filmmaker James Cameron brought mainstream interest to Titanic and its wreckage with his blockbuster romantic tragedy film featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Cameron himself has been to the wreckage himself around 33 times and calls it “one of the most unforgiving places on earth”.
While researchers do not have much to gain from the wreckage site itself, the immense amount of mainstream and cultural interest resulted in the foundation of OceanGate Expeditions. Private citizens curious to explore the wreckage themselves can cough up an amount of $250,000 per person to tour it. Unfortunately, one of these Titanic tourist submersibles has gone missing with five onboard passengers.
What exactly happened?
OceanGate Expeditions carried out an eight-day trip with five civilians to the Titanic wreckage in a submersible titled ‘Titan’. The trip was based out of Newfoundland with participants first traveling 400 nautical miles to the wreck site. The site is about 900 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
The submersible began its two-hour descent to the wreckage site on 18th June 2023, Sunday morning. However, it lost contact with the supporting ship that transported them to the vessel site. Officials stated it was around 1 hour and 45 minutes into the descent when all contact was lost. Major search operations began later that day. However, it is not clear what happened to the submersible, how close it was to the Titanic and why it lost contact in the first place.
The identities of the five people include a pilot and four other passengers. They include Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French maritime expert, Hamish Harding, a British businessman, Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman, along with Stockton Rush, the founder and CEO of OceanGate.
Submersible Titan was sent to explore the Titanic wreckage with 96 hours of oxygen. At the time of writing, the oxygen inside the submersible is almost over. Interestingly, Wendy Rush, the wife of the missing Titan submersible Pilot is the great-great-grandaughter of two passengers who died on the Titanic back in 1912. Deep sea exploration experts have officially stated that it would be a miracle if the Submersible is recovered with all passengers and the pilot alive, and we’re all hoping for a miracle!
In our fast-paced lives, it has become difficult for us to take the time out of our days to hit the gym or maintain a fitness regime to ensure good health. However, taking just 10-15 minutes out of your day to stretch and flex your body through Yoga variations is something all of us can easily manage to do. The ancient practice of Yoga has proven helpful for people around the world to find peace and wellness from the comfort of their own homes. Thus, on International Yoga Day, here are some of the best tech gadgets you can use to enhance your Yogic experience.
Smart Yoga Mat – YogiFi Gen 2
One of the most essential pieces for practising Yoga in a safe manner is by using a Yoga mat. But what if your Yoga mat was loaded with features? This smart yoga mat – YogiFi Gen 2 – works using AI and includes multiple features like activity tracking, posture detection, and real-time feedback.
Fitbit offers a number of health trackers to choose from, including Fitbit Charge, Inspire, and Versa. All these trackers are designed to track specific exercise tracking modes with one of them being Yoga. Fitbit can also enhance your overall Yoga and health experience by helping you focus on your calories burned, heart rate, and sleep schedule.
Smart Yoga Pants – Nadi X
Yoga pants are essential if you want the utmost comfort while stretching, twisting, and balancing. While standard Yoga pants are stylish and breathable, Nadi X smart Yoga pants come with built-in sensors that help you refine your flow. The sensors guide you through Yoga sessions using audio and vibration cues.
A good posture matters a lot as it can improve your overall health. Strack is a smart posture trainer that attaches to your back and vibrates gently whenever you need a posture correction.
Reddit has been the centre point of major headlines in the past few weeks. The social media platform decided to change its API rules which adversely affected third-party apps in the process. As a result, a few of the big client apps of Reddit have announced shutdowns. On the other hand, several major subreddits have gone dark in protest of the changing API rules. In a shocking turn of events, a hacker group has threatened to leak 80GB of confidential Reddit data unless the company decides to roll back the API changes and also coughs up a ransom amount of $4.5 million!
Hacker group asks $4.5 million ransom from Reddit
A group of hackers collectively known as ALPHV who were infamously known for the BlackCat ransomware have claimed responsibility for the major Reddit breach which was acknowledged by the company back in February this year. The same group was also responsible for targeting Western Digital and Amazon’s surveillance hardware brand, Ring back in March.
The hackers are holding around 80GB of internal Reddit data with two simple demands – Reddit must roll back the latest API changes and cough up $4.5 million as ransom. ALPHV made a post on the dark web stating that it contacted Reddit on April 13 and again on June 16 without any response from them.
TechCrunch reportedly made a request for a comment by a Reddit spokesperson to no avail. However, Reddit has reassured everyone that no customer data, user passwords, or user banking data has been compromised. The hackers have reportedly gained access to internal documents and the code which runs the website. While the hacker claims are bold, they haven’t shown any proof of the stolen data.
It is human to seek validation. Social media validation, on the other hand, gives people a sense of superiority. There’s a reason why people heavily document their international vacations or even a weekend getaway on their social media through stories or posts. Showcasing that you’re living a better life than the average Joe has become the twisted reason why people post on social media nowadays, or at least, that’s what my pessimistic worldview says to me. To add fuel to the fire, social media also has a class divide. The verification badge!
A simple blue tick beside your name sets you apart from the masses. For years, the verification badge on your profile was something you earned by standing out from the crowd. An entertainer, a philanthropist, a businessman, or a content creator amongst many other notable professionals were awarded the verified status on social media. Well, those were different times and the new age of social media has allowed users to buy verification badges!
Meta Verified comes to India
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently announced on his broadcasts channel that the paid verification system has now launched in India. The US, Australia, and New Zealand were the first countries to receive the paid verification now followed by India, the UK, and Canada.
The verification subscription in India is directly available for purchase on Instagram or Facebook. People can purchase a monthly subscription for ₹699 on iOS or Android. Whereas, users with legacy blue ticks will maintain their verified status. This is a different approach from that of Twitter which decided to yank away the verification status of legacy users in the hopes of turning them into paid subscribers. So, what do you get besides a verified blue tick if you decide to buy the subscription?
After providing a government ID to confirm their identity, subscribers gain access to proactive impersonation protection along with direct access to customer support. Additionally, users also get benefits like badges and exclusive stickers on Facebook and Instagram along with 100 Stars per month on Facebook to support other creators.
Paid Verification: Double-edged Sword
The implementation of paid verification has garnered mixed reviews. The supporters of this subscription model believe that increases the platform’s dependability and openness. This translates to users being more likely to identify between real users and/or impostors. The Meta Verified subscription could lead to solid protection against identity theft, fraud, and fake news.
However, there are also people like me who believe that the service is a class divide between Instagram and Facebook users. The elite hierarchy of a verified badge could breed toxicity among social media users. Some creators on social media often look for shortcuts through unethical bot followers and fake engagement. In a way, Meta has enabled such users by introducing a paid subscription model. Creators who worked hard to achieve a verified status are clearly distraught by Meta’s money-spinning move. It won’t be long before everyone walks around with a verified status on social media and we’re all notable social media personalities!
The right amount of everything makes a laptop stand out from its competition. Something similar has been cooked up by Lenovo with its 2023 Yoga 9i, which stuns you in every way possible, well, except for a few things here and there. In simple terms, the latest Yoga 9i by Lenovo is everything a flagship laptop should aim to be. It is the benchmark, but does it justify the price tag of ₹1.7 lakhs? Let’s find out –
Design – All-Rounder Treat
The one aspect where the Yoga 9i definitely stands out is the design. It is a 2-in-1 laptop designed to impress in both its form factors, be it folded or unfolded. The design language of the Yoga 9i is sleek and brings in solid business vibes. Granted, the design is pretty much similar to the previous iteration of the Yoga lineup, but the round edges are something Lenovo has perfected over the years. I spend a big chunk of my working hours writing content where my wrist rests at the laptop’s edge for hours at a time. I did not feel any discomfort while typing on the Yoga 9i for long hours, which is a treat given the typing experience is horrible in nearly all major modern laptops.
There is ample port availability in the Yoga 9i which is surprising given all business laptops tend to chop them off. On the left side, we have two Thunderbolt 4 ports coupled with a USB Type-A port. On the right side is another USB Type-C port which is not Thunderbolt or USB 4, which can be disappointing for some users. The right side also consists of a headphone jack and the power button. Yes, the power button! Perhaps one design decision I do not understand about the Yoga 9i is the awkward position of the power button; the rest is top-notch!
Display & Sound: A Movie Lover’s Heaven
One of the first things I’ve done on my Yoga 9i is watch films at an unhealthy rate. The crisp OLED display is capable of producing some jaw-dropping visuals with all its 4K prowess. The 14-inch 3840 x 2400 display shines all on its own when folded, and watching films and shows in the OLED glory is nothing short of a cinematic treat. In the few weeks I’ve been using this laptop, it has become a staple part of my friends’ circle for Saturday night meetups where we sit down and watch sports or films on it without having to worry about using additional speaker setup.
The Yoga 9i is equipped with Bowers & Wilkins 360-degree rotating soundbar, which is loud, to say the least! It comes with a surprisingly powerful bass which cannot be seen on any other laptop I’ve tested so far. Lenovo has managed to integrate two 2W tweeters into the hinge and two 3W woofers down at the bottom. Ultimately, the Yoga 9i is a powerhouse when it comes to media consumption.
Performance: Just One Complaint
When it comes to the performance of the Yoga 9i, there is not much to complain about. We have the latest 13th Gen Intel i7-1360P here, which is coupled with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. The 16GB RAM is soldered in the system and cannot be upgraded, which could be an issue for some users. In my usage of the laptop, 16GB RAM was more than enough to carry out all my work and media consumption activities. However, what we have here is Intel’s integrated graphics system. The lack of a dedicated graphics card cements the fact that the Yoga 9i is indeed a business convertible laptop at its heart and core. While no one is pitting the 9i against a gaming laptop in this price category as it serves a different purpose altogether, a dedicated graphics card would solidify it as the best laptop in the market for this year, undoubtedly.
Verdict
There is a lot to love about the Yoga 9i. However, it is clearly not a machine that is aimed at gaming enthusiasts, including casual gamers. If you’re in the market for a laptop that screams flagship with its looks and aesthetics, then the Lenovo Yoga 9i is the one for you.
Nikon recently introduced its latest mirrorless camera the Z8 in India which boasts a number of impressive features and capabilities. The camera sports a powerful 45.7-MP full-frame sensor and an advanced EXPEED 7 image processor which guarantees exceptional image quality in a wide range of shooting conditions. Nikon Z8 is specifically crafted to meet the needs of professionals seeking superior image quality.
During the launch of the latest Nikon Z8, we had a quick conversation with Nikon India MD, Sajjan Kumar. Our conversation was based around the launch of the Z8 but we also discussed the Indian imaging system market and where Nikon stands out. Check out the conversation below –
In conversation with Nikon India MD, Sajjan Kumar
ex: Firstly congratulations on the launch of the Nikon Z8, It truly looks like a powerhouse of a camera. It has a number of features which it so skillfully boasts so what do you think is the Z8’s best feature?
We are equally excited to bring Z8 to our customers. We call it a true hybrid camera in a way that it is good for video and stills at the same time. While it is difficult for me to pinpoint a specific feature, it’s got 12-bit RAW video shooting with 4K 60FP or 120FP which is one feature I’d pick.
ex: You’re nearing 15 years in Nikon joining in as a Vice President and five years as the Managing Director of Nikon India. How do you think the camera market has evolved over the years in India?
You’re absolutely correct in your finding! For the last one and a half decades, I’ve been associated with Nikon and this experience has been enriching for me. We’ve seen the industry change from the compact era which used to be our main product and was used majorly by customers and we’ve seen the DSLR era to now the DSLR and mirrorless era. Over the years, consumers have shifted from still photography to videography. The current generation is more interested in the video front which pushes us to change our camera specifications to be more video-centric. Our latest offering Z8 also stands on the same principle.
ex: As a pioneer in the photography industry, you understand the technological curve of imaging systems better than most of us. What is your vision about the future of the Indian imaging market?
I am happy, excited and honoured about the fact that the Z8 promotional AV which is released worldwide features a big chunk of content shot by Indian creators. Be it weddings, fashion or wildlife photography/videography, there is a lot of content shot by Indian creators and we cannot ignore today where our country stands.
ex: We live in the social media era, meaning people want to share the content they shoot immediately on the internet. Do you think we will have a ‘smart camera system’ in the future to allow us to edit and post images/videos from the camera itself?
It is difficult to comment on what type of specifications can be added to a camera in the future. It is definitely getting more connected as a device. Currently, the file size of videos and photos is large which complicates things. We need to see what is hidden in the future. On the other end, the built-in AI algorithm is making the product smarter and smarter. For now, it is possible for creators to shoot content easily having to focus only on shot composition as opposed to the camera settings.
ex: Nowadays we see many major camera companies tie up and collaborate with smartphone makers to enhance their photo-capturing capabilities. Do you think Nikon will ever have such collaborations or is something already on the horizon?
Certainly, as a brand which is over a hundred years old and still meaningful to the consumers and to the market, it is very difficult. Even for me having spent 15 years with Nikon, we’ve seen many ups and downs as an organization which prompts us to keep evolving. Optics is our core strength and we always offer our customers what they’re looking for, be it specifications or the touch & feel of the product. We will continue to meet customer expectations with our offerings.
ex: Gen-Z is obsessed with documenting their lives and sharing it on social media but the majority of them cannot really afford to drop in a huge amount for the same. Do you envision Nikon creating an imaging system for younger kids at a considerably cheaper rate in the future?
If we’re talking about Gen-Z then we already have the Z series! The Z series not just has high-end cameras like the Z8 but we also have the Z30 which starts at just Rs 30K. That camera is specifically designed for content creators with ease of shooting and singlehanded usage. We keep adding new lenses in that category too specifically for young content creators to get the best of what they’re shooting. We think for everyone and not just professionals.
ex: India is pacing fast towards entering the top 3 performers for Nikon globally. The healthcare expansion of Nikon is also moving at a rapid pace. With double-digit growth projected in FY24, what do you think is making Nikon stand out from the competition?
You’ve rightly picked that we, Nikon India is currently at No. 5 globally for the Nikon group, and we soon will be touching No. 3. The credit goes directly to our customers and also our country which provides ample opportunities for us to shoot. Be it our culture, festivities, or heritage, all of it deserves to be captured on the camera. This sets us apart from the rest of the world. Given the population of our country and the kind of opportunities we provide, it is a small number still and we’re optimistic about the future!
What started off as a harmless chatbot capable of answering our questions back in November 2022 in the form of ChatGPT has quickly become a global concern. 2023’s hottest buzzword and technology AI has been making headlines every day for notorious reasons. It was just a few weeks back when the Whitehouse representatives met with major AI CEOs to discuss the data privacy concerns surrounding AI. Now, industry experts and technology leaders have signed an open letter which says that AI may lead to human extinction!
AI could lead to human extinction
“Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war” read the statement recently released by tech leaders around the world. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI which made ChatGPT along with executives from Google’s AI arm DeepMind and Microsoft were among those who signed the short statement from the Center of AI Safety.
Sam Altman, who can be credited as the man who brought chatbot AI technology into the mainstream has been campaigning against the possible risks of the technology for the longest time now. He was the one who suggested that there should be multiple safety resources and regulations imposed upon AI in order to stop the technology from taking over the world.
The technology has managed to gain massive pace in recent months with the outlandish success of ChatGPT which managed to cross 100 million users in just two months since its launch. The statement released recently revealed that there have been increasing discussions about a broad spectrum of important and urgent risks from AI. Sam Altman admitted back in March that he is scared of AI as he worries authoritarian governments could develop the technology to cause harm to humanity. The concept of an AI becoming a threat to humanity was only previously seen in films like The Avengers or Terminator but we’re living in times where it could become a reality! Will a real-life Skynet ever come into existence? It is too soon to answer that just yet!
It’s almost like everywhere you went in the past week, people were talking about BGMI making a comeback. “It is available on the Playstore but the servers are inactive” and “Will BGMI ever even come online?” were some of the things my friends were spotted saying mid-conversation. Well, mobile gamers can finally breathe a sigh of relief as after a long and tedious wait, BGMI has officially made a comeback in the Indian market.
BGMI is back!
Krafton’s Battlegrounds Mobile India has finally made its official comeback. Users can now simply download the BGMI 2.5 version from their respective app stores and experience the newly updated and also heavily Indianized version of the PUBG Mobile. Besides the comeback, BGMI is also offering up to four rewards which include free permanent skins to celebrate its comeback, but there is a catch!
BGMI 2.5 is forced to follow the regulations set by the Indian government. This has translated to Krafton imposing a limited playtime of only 3 hours for players aged below 18. Players above the age of 18 can enjoy the game for 6 hours only (not that you should be playing the game for that long)
Besides the limitations comes the addition of a new map titled Nusa. It is a 1×1 map of a resort island placed somewhere in the tropical zone. It is said to be one of the smallest maps ever introduced in the game with each match in the game lasting only about 8 minutes. There are also several new features in the game like zip lines and elevators which can be installed in hotels for quick transportation across the island.
Besides the new map, new updates have also been made to the older maps. BGMI’s Livik map has received improved textures while Miramar receives new supply shops. It looks like Krafton was long waiting to make a comeback in the Indian market with BGMI as the relaunch of the game also brings about new in-game events. Some of the events in-game vents include Race To The Top In Battlegrounds, Hot Drop Into The Battlegrounds, Gameplay Glory, Underworld Unleashed, and much more.
At this point, it feels like stories have become the most common form of communication when it comes to social media. Creators now maximize their stories as opposed to posts in order to update their followers about their life happenings. While stories on Instagram and Snapchat seem to be soaring high, YouTube is going in the opposite direction and bidding them goodbye. Starting next month, YouTube will no longer support stories.
YouTube bids goodbye to stories
The Google-owned video-streaming giant YouTube will be ending support for stories starting on June 26. The company aims to direct its attention to other essential features like Shorts, Community Posts, Live Videos, and more. YouTube said in a blog post recently – “Starting on June 26, 2023, the option to create a new YouTube Story will no longer be available. Stories that are already live on that date will expire seven days after they were originally shared,”
Additionally, the company also revealed that the creators will be notified about the shutdown of YouTube Stories via a variety of channels including forum posts, reminders in YouTube Studio, in-app messages and more. While YouTube is bidding farewell to stories, the video platform suggested that both “Community posts and YouTube Shorts are great alternatives that can deliver valuable audience connections and conversations”.
According to the company, creators who wish to share lightweight updates, promote new videos and start conversations with their audience can do so effectively with community posts. However, the restriction of not being able to post videos in the community posts may stick out as a sore thumb.
Besides this, the company also believes that YouTube Shorts is the way to go for users who wish to create short-form content and reach a wider audience. YouTube also shared that shorts drive more subscribers to a creator’s channel than stories. In an oversaturation of stories on various social media channels, getting rid of them from the most prominent video-sharing platform is a surprising move, to say the least.
