Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has recently launched its subscription service, Meta Plus. The service, priced at $11.99 a month, will offer users a range of additional features and benefits, including ad-free experiences, exclusive content, and access to virtual reality (VR) experiences.
Meta Plus represents a new revenue stream for the social media giant, which has traditionally relied on advertising to generate revenue. The service is expected to appeal to users who are willing to pay for a premium experience and who value privacy and control over their online experience.
One of the critical features of Meta Plus is the ability to access exclusive content, including articles, videos, and live events, from select partners. This content will be curated by Meta’s team of editors and offer users a unique and high-quality experience they cannot find elsewhere.
Another major draw of the subscription service is the ability to access VR experiences through the Oculus platform, which Meta owns. These experiences will include games, entertainment, and other interactive content and will offer users a new way to engage with the platform and each other.
In addition to these features, Meta Plus will offer users an ad-free experience and additional control over their news feed and privacy settings. This will appeal to users who are concerned about the impact of advertising and want more control over their online experience.
The launch of Meta Plus represents a significant shift for Meta, which has traditionally been a free platform. However, the company has been exploring alternative revenue streams in recent years, including through its Oculus VR platform and e-commerce initiatives.
The move to a subscription model also aligns with Meta’s broader strategy of focusing on privacy and user control as the company seeks to position itself as a more responsible and user-friendly platform. It remains to be seen how successful Meta Plus will be and whether users will be willing to pay for a premium experience on the platform.
Civilization is one of the most iconic and beloved video game franchises ever. The turn-based strategy game, which challenges players to build and manage a civilization from the ground up, has entertained and engaged players for over 30 years. Now, fans of the series are excited as Firaxis Games, the studio behind the franchise has announced that a new mainline Civilization game is in development.
The announcement was made during a live stream event celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Civilization series. While details about the new game were sparse, the mere fact that it is in development will surely be music to the ears of Civilization fans worldwide. With updated graphics, new civilizations, and improved gameplay mechanics, the new game promises to be just as engaging and addictive as its predecessors.
Firaxis Games is no stranger to the Civilization series. The studio has been responsible for developing the franchise since the release of Civilization III in 2001. Since then, the studio has released several entries in the series, including Civilization IV, Civilization V, and Civilization VI. Each entry has added new mechanics, improved graphics, and expanded gameplay options, making the series even more enjoyable for players.
The new mainline Civilization game promises to build upon the success of the previous entries while introducing new gameplay mechanics and features. Fans can expect the same addictive turn-based strategy gameplay that they know and love, but with new and exciting twists that will keep them engaged for hours on end.
One particular thing is that the new game will feature a wide range of civilizations for players to choose from. In past entries, players have been able to play as civilizations worldwide, from ancient Greece to modern-day America. Each civilization has unique strengths and weaknesses, making each playthrough a unique experience.
In addition to new civilizations, the game will likely feature updated graphics and improved gameplay mechanics. Firaxis has always been committed to making the Civilization series accessible to newcomers and franchise veterans, so players can expect a game that is easy to learn but difficult to master.
While there is no official release date for the new mainline Civilization game, fans can rest assured that Firaxis Games is challenging at work, creating the best possible experience for them. In the meantime, fans can look forward to updates and announcements from Firaxis as they work to bring the next instalment of the Civilization series to life.
Samsung’s brainchild Bixby still exists, and we hope you’re aware of it, though it is not as popular as Siri. Bixby is a virtual assistant designed to make life easier for users by performing tasks through voice commands. With the latest update, Samsung has made Bixby available for kids as well, with an aim to make it easier for parents to use their devices without worrying about what their kids might access or see.
Bixby for kids is a child-friendly version of the virtual assistant with features that are appropriate for children. It can perform tasks like setting reminders, playing music and even answering questions in a child-friendly manner. Parents can now have peace of mind knowing that their children are interacting with a safe and appropriate virtual assistant.
Children often use simpler language and phrases, and Bixby for kids can recognise these and respond in a way that makes sense to the child. For example, if a child asks, “what’s the weather like outside?” Bixby for kids will respond with a simple answer that is easy for the child to understand.
Another important feature of Bixby for kids is that it is customisable. Parents can set up Bixby to only respond to certain commands, making it easier for children to use. For example, parents can set up Bixby to only play certain songs or answer specific questions. This way, children can use Bixby without worrying about accidentally accessing inappropriate content.
In addition to its child-friendly features, Bixby for kids also has educational capabilities. It can help children learn new things by answering their questions in a way that is easy for them to understand. Bixby can also provide fun and educational games that children can play to help them learn while having fun.
Overall, Samsung’s decision to make Bixby available for kids is a smart move. With the rise of voice assistants and virtual assistants, it is important to have a child-friendly option that parents can trust. Bixby for kids is an excellent tool for parents who want to give their children access to technology while still being in control of what their children see and hear.
A couple of days ago, I heard two of my colleagues talking about the Snapchat streak, and that led me to install the app, and today, Snapchat hit a major milestone, crossing 750 million monthly active users. The achievement highlights the growing popularity of the social media platform, which was first launched in 2011.
Snapchat’s unique features, such as disappearing messages, filters, and lenses, have helped it stand out in a crowded social media market. It has also evolved to include new features such as Stories, Discover, and Snap Map, which have helped keep users engaged and interested in the platform.
Snapchat has also made efforts to attract new users and retain existing ones. The app has expanded its user base by targeting younger demographics with features like Bitmoji, allowing users to create and personalise their avatars and partnerships with popular celebrities and influencers.
The platform has also worked to improve its advertising capabilities, offering a range of ad formats and targeting options to advertisers. The COVID-19 pandemic has also played a role in Snapchat’s growth. Social media usage has increased across the board, with people spending more time at home and looking for ways to stay connected.
However, Snapchat still faces competition from other social media platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, as they have features similar to those offered by Snapchat, such as Instagram Stories and TikTok’s filters and effects. To stay ahead of the game, Snapchat will need to continue innovating and offering unique experiences for its users.
Crossing 750 million monthly active users is a significant achievement for Snapchat. It demonstrates the platform’s ability to attract and retain a large, engaged user base. With its ongoing commitment to innovation and user experience, the platform is expected to reach 1 billion+ in the next 3 years.
India has emerged as a thriving hub for the start-up ecosystem in recent years. With the government’s push towards digitisation and the rise of a young and tech-savvy population, the country is witnessing a surge in entrepreneurship, particularly in the tech sector. As per the latest reports, India added over 1,300 active tech start-ups last year, which took the total number of active tech start-ups to 27,000, and the number is only expected to grow in the coming years.
After the United States and China, India is currently the third-largest tech start-up ecosystem globally. The growth of India’s start-up ecosystem can be attributed to several factors. The government has taken several initiatives to promote entrepreneurship, such as the Start-up India program, which aims to create a conducive ecosystem for start-ups to flourish. Additionally, the availability of funding from investors, both domestic and foreign, has also played a significant role in the growth of the sector.
One of the most significant advantages of India’s start-up ecosystem is its cost-effectiveness. Start-ups in India can operate with significantly lower costs than their counterparts in other countries. This has attracted a lot of foreign investors looking to invest in promising start-ups at a lower cost. Indian start-ups have also gained popularity for their ability to provide innovative solutions to real-world problems, making them attractive to investors and customers alike.
The tech sector is one of the most active segments in India’s start-up ecosystem. Start-ups are leveraging the power of technology to create innovative products and services that cater to various sectors, including healthcare, education, finance, e-commerce, and logistics. The country has produced several successful tech start-ups, such as Flipkart, Ola, Zomato, Paytm, and Byju’s, to name a few. However, the start-up ecosystem in India still faces several challenges.
Defeating all the challenges, India’s start-up ecosystem has come a long way in recent years, and the growth of the tech sector has been awe-inspiring. With the government’s continued support and funding availability, the country is poised to become a global leader in the start-up space. However, more needs to be done to address the challenges that start-ups face, such as infrastructure and skill development, to ensure that the ecosystem remains robust and sustainable in the long run.
Nokia has been a household name for several decades, with its iconic ringtone and sturdy phones. In recent years, the company has returned to the smartphone market, and the Nokia X30 5G is the latest addition to the brand’s lineup. The smartphone 5G has generated a lot of buzz among tech enthusiasts in India, and its launch is highly anticipated.
The Nokia X30 is expected to be a mid-range smartphone with impressive features, including a 6.43-inch AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 695 chipset with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. The phone will arrive with a 50-MP primary sensor (OIS), a 13-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor and in the front, the phone carries a 16-megapixel shooter.
IP67-rated Nokia X30 is expected to run on Android 12, offering users three OS updates and security updates for the device, which means you will get up support for the Android 15 version, expected to come out in 2024. The smartphone also features a 4200mAh battery with support for 33W charging speed.
The smartphone is rumoured to have a sleek and modern design, with a punch-hole display and thin bezels. The Nokia X30 5G frame has been constructed out of 100 per cent recycled aluminium, while the back panel uses 65 per cent recycled plastic material. The phone will go on sale on Monday, Feb 20 and is expected to be priced around ₹45-50k.
Starring: Nivin Pauly, Sai Pallavi, Madonna Sebastian, and Anupama Parameswaran
“Premam” is a 2015 Malayalam language romantic-comedy film that follows the journey of a young man named George David as he experiences love at different stages of his life. The movie explores the themes of first love, heartbreak, and growing up through a series of lighthearted and humorous events. With its relatable storyline, charming characters, and memorable soundtrack, “Premam” has become a classic in Malayalam cinema and continues to be beloved by audiences.
The English Patient (1996)
Director: Anthony Minghella
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche and Kristin Scott Thomas
“The English Patient” is a romantic war drama film that revolves around a severely burned and injured man, who is identified only as the English patient, and his memories of a passionate love affair with a married woman named Katharine, set against the backdrop of World War II. The film’s narrative unfolds in a series of flashbacks as the English patient, who is being cared for by a Canadian nurse, recounts his story to her. The film won nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actress.
“Ved” is a 2022 Indian Marathi-language romantic drama film which follows Satya, a former cricket player, who is trying to overcome his past failures and move on in life. The movie unfolds the flashbacks where we get to see how young Satya’s life takes a turn when he falls in love with Nisha and how circumstances force them apart. Later, Satya marries Shravani but still carries a torch for Nisha. The film explores the complexities of relationships and how love can change people.
Silver Lining Playbook (2012)
Director: Alphonse Puthren
Starring: Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence
“Silver Lining Playbook” is a 2012 romantic comedy-drama film directed by David O. Russell. The film stars Bradley Cooper as Pat Solitano, a former high school teacher who meets Tiffany Maxwell after a stint in a mental institution, a young widow played by Jennifer Lawrence, who offers to help him win back his wife in exchange for her own favour. Despite their differing personalities and tumultuous pasts, Pat and Tiffany form an unlikely bond as they support each other through their struggles and find hope in the silver linings of their lives.
500 Days of Summer (2009)
Director: Marc Webb
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel
“500 Days of Summer” is a film with a non-linear narrative that follows the ups and downs of a romantic relationship between Tom Hansen, a hopeless romantic played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Summer Finn, a free-spirited woman played by Zooey Deschanel. The film spans the first 500 days of their relationship through flashbacks, flash-forwards, and dream sequences. The film explores the complexities of relationships and the bittersweet nature of love and heartbreak.
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Starring: Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer
“Call Me by Your Name” is a 2017 romantic coming-of-age film set in 1983 in Italy. The film follows 17-year-old Elio Perlman, who begins a summer romance with his father’s 24-year-old research assistant, Oliver. As the two spend time together, they explore their sexualities and develop a deep emotional connection. Despite the age difference and societal norms of the time, they ultimately fall in love. The film explores love, self-discovery, and heartbreak and is noted for its lush visuals and powerful performances by its leads.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Director: Stephen Chbosky
Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” follows an introverted high school freshman named Charlie, who is struggling to adjust to the ups and downs of adolescence. He befriends two seniors, Sam and Patrick, who introduce him to the world of drugs, sex, and rock and roll. Along the way, Charlie learns to confront his personal demons, including his experiences with mental illness and abuse. The film delves into themes of self-discovery, friendship, and the complexities of growing up.
Definitely, Maybe (2008)
Director: Adam Brooks
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Abigail Breslin, Abigail Breslin and Rachel Weisz
“Definitely, Maybe” follows Will, a recently divorced father who is trying to explain his past romantic relationships to his young daughter, Maya. He changes the names of the women and tells Maya the story of how he met and fell in love with each of them. The film is set in New York City during the 1990s and received positive reviews for its humour, heartwarming story, and charming performances, particularly from Reynolds and the young actress Abigail Breslin, who plays Maya.
Dia (2020)
Director: K. S. Ashok
Starring: Kushee Ravi, Pruthvi Ambaar, and Dheekshith Shetty
“Dia” is a Kannada romantic drama film which revolves around Dia, a young introverted girl who is recovering from a traumatic incident in her past. She works at a coffee shop and spends most of her time writing poetry. Dia meets two men, Adi and Rohith, who fall in love with her. The film depicts the journey of Dia’s self-discovery and her relationships with Adi and Rohith. The film received critical acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of relationships, strong performances, and its beautiful cinematography and music.
La La Land (2016)
Director: Damien Chazelle
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, and J.K. Simmons
“La La Land” is set in modern-day Los Angeles and follows the story of Mia, an aspiring actress, and Sebastian, a jazz pianist, who both dream of making it big in their respective industries. The film depicts their love story, the challenges they face in pursuing their passions, and their struggles to balance their relationship with their careers. The film received critical acclaim for its vibrant and stylised direction, creative choreography, and engaging story about pursuing dreams.
The highly anticipated Realme 10 Pro Coca-Cola Edition has finally arrived in India, offering consumers a unique and refreshing design that sets it apart from other smartphones on the market. This special edition phone is a collaboration between Realme, the popular smartphone brand, and Coca-Cola, the world-renowned soft drink company.
The Realme 10 Pro Coca-Cola Edition features a stunning red and white colour scheme reminiscent of Coca-Cola’s iconic logo. The back of the phone features a red base with the Coca-Cola logo prominently displayed in white, while the sides of the device are finished in white. The overall look of the phone is both eye-catching and stylish, making it an attractive choice for those who want a smartphone that stands out.
In terms of specs, the Realme 10 Pro Coca-Cola Edition is no slouch. It boasts a 6.72-inch FHD+ display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 695 5G processor, paired with 8GB of RAM along with 8GB Dynamic RAM and 128GB of internal storage. This configuration provides users with fast and smooth performance, making it a great choice for gaming, multitasking, and more.
The smartphone sports a dual rear camera with 108MP primary sensor with f/1.75 aperture and a 2MP portrait camera with a Geco Micro GC02M1 sensor, f/2.4 aperture. It has a 16-megapixel selfie camera, perfect for taking great selfies, and has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. The camera setup offers a range of features, including night mode, portrait mode, and more, making it possible to take great photos in any lighting conditions.
One of the standout features of the Realme 10 Pro Coca-Cola Edition is its large 5000mAh battery with 33W SUPERVOOC Charge, which offers a 50% charge in 29 minutes. The phone also supports fast charging, allowing users to get back to using their phone quickly after topping up the battery. The special edition phone is priced at Rs 20,999 and will be available online on realme.com, Flipkart and other offline stores in the country from 14th Feb.
WhatsApp, the most widely used instant messaging app, is reportedly working on a new transcription feature that will allow users to transcribe lengthy voice messages into text. This new feature will be a game changer for those who struggle to keep up with the fast pace of voice messages, especially in group chats.
With the transcription feature, WhatsApp users will be able to quickly transcribe voice messages into text, making it easier to skim through the content and comprehend what has been said. This will be particularly useful in situations where it is not feasible to listen to voice messages, such as when the user is in a noisy environment or when they are busy and do not have time to listen to the message.
According to sources close to the development team, the transcription feature is being developed in response to user feedback and will use advanced machine learning algorithms to provide accurate and real-time transcriptions. This will be a major improvement over the current voice message feature, which does not offer a transcript of the message.
With the new feature, WhatsApp users will be able to access a text transcript of the voice message directly from the chat window, eliminating the need to pause or replay the message to catch what has been said. In addition, the text transcript will be searchable, making it easier for users to find specific information contained within the voice message.
WhatsApp has been working on improving the user experience in recent months, and this new transcription feature is just one of the many improvements that the company is planning to bring to the app. The company has not yet announced a release date for the feature in Android devices, but it has been spotted on WhatsApp iOS.
NASA’s search for life beyond Earth has been ongoing for many years, and one of the key locations of interest is the planet Mars. In order to further explore the red planet, NASA has collaborated with Blue Origin, a private aerospace company, to send the next Mars mission on their new spacecraft, the New Glenn. This new spacecraft is a heavy-lift reusable rocket that has been designed to carry both crew and cargo into space.
The spacecraft New Glenn is named after John Glenn, the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth, and it has been designed to be one of the most advanced rockets in operation today. It is nearly 270 feet tall and features seven BE-4 engines that generate over 3 million pounds of thrust. This powerful rocket will be capable of launching payloads of up to 45 tons into space, making it one of the most capable rockets in the world.
NASA’s Mars mission will be a crucial step in our search for life beyond Earth. Mars has long been a target of interest for scientists due to its similarities to Earth, and recent discoveries of water on the planet have only increased our curiosity. The Mars mission will be designed to study the planet’s geology, climate, and search for evidence of past or present life. This mission will involve multiple spacecraft, including orbiters, rovers, and landers, all of which will be launched on the New Glenn.
The use of Blue Origin’s New Glenn for NASA’s Mars mission is significant for several reasons. Firstly, the New Glenn has been designed to be highly reusable, which will allow for cost-effective launches in the future. This is a major advantage for NASA, as it will allow the organisation to send multiple missions to Mars without incurring significant costs. Additionally, New Glenn’s advanced technology will ensure that the Mars mission will be carried out efficiently and effectively.
