Twitter Blue users will be able to hide likes and subscribers number soon

The ongoing turmoil between Musk-owned Twitter and Zuckerberg-owned Threads seems to be taking an exciting turn daily. It is good to see that Twitter officials are not just busy complaining about how Threads is a plagiarised application but are also actively working on bringing valuable updates. At the time of the launch of Twitter Blue, Elon had promised that additional features besides just the checkmark verification will be launched soon. However, the promises did not translate to reality all this time except for a few features here and there like uploading longer videos. According to new reports, Twitter Blue subscribers will soon be able to hide the like button and also hide the number of subscribers from the audience.

New Twitter Blue features

Twitter’s like count has been public ever since its inception. The public likes count is in itself a viral trend as many users gain attention on the platform just by liking bizarre content. The ability to be able to hide the likes tab on your profile is no less than a blessing for some users who are habitual to dropping likes on odd content. The likes tab will only be visible to a user after they’ve disabled it. On the other hand, they will still be able to like and see the number of likes on posts from other users. One thing which is a matter of concern here is whether their likes will be public for general users, there’s no clarity on that as of now. Similarly, if a Twitter Blue user decides to hide the number of subscribers then only they can see the subscriber list on their profile.

The blue tick which was earlier limited to well-known personalities and organizations was deemed as a corrupt division between people by Elon Musk. This resulted in Musk launching the Twitter Blue subscription which allows users to get the verified status on their profile by paying a monthly fee. However, this has resulted in reduced traffic on the microblogging platform with many looking for an alternative.

Google working on flight mode feature which automatically turns on during flights

How many times have you been on a flight and do not turn on fight mode right until your connection goes out after take off? I do not blame you as the constant need to stay connected to the internet is something I struggle with too. However, it looks like Google is all set to make things a little more difficult for people like us as they work on a feature which automatically turns on the flight mode on your device!

Google’s new Android feature

Google is reportedly working on a new Android feature which will help users automatically turn on Airplane mode during a flight. The technology is also designed to improve functionalities for the aeroplane mode. The company has filed a patent for this new feature via World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) that is titled ‘Activating a Connected Flight Mode’. So, how exactly does this feature work?

The new patent calls for sensors on an Android device to determine whether a person is flying by tracking changes in acceleration and speed, by listening to certain sounds, and by a drop in air pressure.

According to the patent filing, the sensor triggers would enable the ‘Connected Flight Mode’ feature along with contextual factors of the user such as travel booking activity and check-in status. Google has also shared an illustration of the patent. Check it out below –

Tata group inches close to become the first Indian company to Manufacture iPhones in India

Apple Indian fanboys rejoice! Tata Group, the largest Indian conglomerate is about to crack a historic deal which will undoubtedly change India’s tech industry landscape. Tata Group is nearing an agreement to acquire an Apple Inc. Supplier’s factory. The deal could go through as early as August. This would make Tata Group the first-ever Indian company to delve into iPhone assembly.

Tata Group leaps forward

Tata already has a strong footprint in the electronics sector and the dream of transforming India into a global manufacturing hub seems to coming to reality. The company is likely to acquire Apple’s supplier factory in Karnataka for over $600 million. The factory is currently owned by Wistron Corp which is a Taiwanese multinational electronics contract manufacturer. The industrial unit has reportedly been the subject of negotiations for nearly a year. It has a potential value exceeding $600 million and currently employs over 10,000 people. The factory currently assembles the latest iPhone 14 models. This transition will result in the Taiwanese company Wistron officially ending all its production operations in the country.

Tata Group’s decision to move to assemble iPhones marks its entry into new territories in the tech sector. The conglomerate already manufactures iPhone chassis in Tamil Nadu. Tata Group had previously expressed its ambitions of entering the chipmaking industry. This move positions Tata as one of the prominent tech players in the global market. India’s Prime Minister has initiated several programs which incentivize manufacturing growth in the country. Tata Group’s new deal could also motivate global brands from around the world to consider India as a reliable manufacturing location.

Apple, on the other hand, has been keenly interested in increasing its operations in India. Just recently, Apple CEO Tim Cook visited India and singled out the country as being pivotal for both being a production base and a customer market.

‘Zuck is a Cuck’ says Elon Musk as he ramps up his attacks on Mark Zuckerberg

There was Logan Paul Vs KSI, TikTok Vs YouTube, and now it looks like Elon Musk vs Mark Zuckerberg is brewing up to be one of the biggest brawls in recent times. Gone are the days when beefing up was limited to social media personalities or brands, now, billionaires are in for the fun and openly mocking each other on public platforms. Truly interesting times we’re living in!

Elon Calls Zuckerberg ‘Cuck’

The war of words took a sharp turn between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg recently when the former took a jibe at Zuckerberg in a tweet on Sunday writing “Zuck is a Cuck” This comes after the launch of Zuckerberg’s Threads which is a direct rival to Musk’s Twitter. Musk’s latest jibe at Zuckerberg came as a reply of a Threads post by the brand page of Wendy’s. The fast-food chain Wendy’s Thread post tagged Mark while writing “hey @zuck, you should go to space just to really make him mad lol” Zuckerberg replied with a laughing emoji on this post which was later shared on Twitter by a user as a screenshot.

Musk seems to be losing his grip while taking shots at Zuckerberg as he suggested a dick-measuring competition between the two. Yes, you read that right! Threads, Mark Zuckerberg’s cheap copy of Twitter has become the fastest-growing app in history clocking in 100 million users in just five days since its release. Ever since the launch of this platform, a war has been waged between the two on social and legal platforms. It will be interesting to see what shape this feud takes in the near future. If you ask me, the sexual tension between the two billionaires is just way too high and they should stop and make out already!

 

Elon Musk VS Mark Zuckerberg: Twitter threatens to sue Meta over Threads

If you haven’t been living under a rock then you’re well aware of the fact that Meta recently launched the Threads platform which is a direct competition to Twitter. The Internet had a field day yesterday when users flocked to the newly launched platform to share their views predominantly on Twitter vs Threads. The newly launched platform saw thirty million users signing up on the first day, which is not a surprise for me as Threads has the benefit of launching under the Instagram brand, it’s borderline nepotism, to say the least. While Threads has already become a definitive platform in the social media circle, Twitter has threatened legal action against Meta.

 Twitter threatens legal action against Meta

Twitter’s lawyer Alex Spiro accused Meta of using their company’s trade secrets by ‘hiring dozens of former employees of the blue-bird app’ Elon’s takeover of Twitter resulted in many employees laid off which became talk of the town back in February. Reacting to this latest development, Musk tweeted that he supported good competition but not ‘cheating’. Musk replied to a news article about Twitter’s potential legal action against Meta writing “Competition if fine, cheating is not”

Spiro, who also works as Elon Musk’s personal lawyer has alleged Meta of systematic, willful and unlawful misappropriation of Twitter’s trade secrets and other intellectual property. Twitter claims that its former employee still had access to its crucial confidential information which was used to build a “copycat” application.

Spiro wrote in a letter, “Twitter intends to strictly enforce its intellectual property rights, and demands that Meta take immediate steps to stop using any Twitter trade secrets or other highly confidential information”

On the other hand, Andy Stone, a Meta spokesperson, stated in a Threads post that the engineering team at Threads does not consists of any former Twitter employees. Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino also took a dig at Meta’s Threads recently saying that Twitter can be imitated, but the Twitter community can never be duplicated.

Benefits of Wearable Tech: Tracking your Way To Fitness

We have long based our fitness goals on a mundane regime sticking to simple exercises and diet. What if we could make it a little more indulgent? 

This is where wearable fitness tech comes into the picture. Gone are the days when one would get on a running track and simply compete with their own previous records. Now, we can compete with our friends sitting in a different city thanks to fitness communities. The implementation of fitness and technology has become seamless and here’s how one can benefit from wearable tech while achieving their fitness goals – 

Tracking Physical Activity

One of the primary benefits of wearable tech is its ability to track physical activity. During the summer months, many people spend more time outdoors, and wearable devices can be a great way to monitor their activity levels. By tracking metrics such as steps taken, distance travelled, and calories burned, users can get real-time feedback on their progress and stay motivated to achieve their fitness goals. Personally, I am the happiest when I receive a notification from my fitness watch about the completion of my steps goal for the day. 

Monitoring Sleep Quality

Another significant benefit of wearable tech is its ability to monitor and improve sleep quality. Many devices can track sleep duration, as well as the quality of sleep, such as how many times you wake up during the night or how much time you spend in each stage of sleep. By tracking these metrics, users can identify patterns in their sleep behaviour and make adjustments to improve the quality of their rest. Wearable tech is also capable of alerting you to go to sleep earlier to keep up with a healthy sleeping pattern. 

Personalized Coaching and Feedback

Wearable tech can also be helpful for providing users with personalized coaching and feedback. Many devices have built-in coaching features that can provide users with tailored advice based on their individual needs and goals. For example, if a user wants to improve their running performance, a wearable device may provide suggestions for how to adjust their running form or cadence to achieve this goal. Additionally, many devices offer reminders and encouragement to help users stay on track with their goals.

Staying Connected and Engaged

Another benefit of wearable tech is its ability to help users stay connected and engaged with their health and fitness journey. Many devices offer social features that allow users to connect with friends and family who are also using wearable tech devices. This can provide a sense of accountability and support, as well as a fun way to compete and motivate each other towards achieving health and fitness goals.

Supporting Overall Health and Well-being

Finally, wearable tech can help support overall health and well-being by providing users with insights into their body’s functions and needs. For example, many devices can track heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs, allowing users to monitor their health and make informed decisions about their fitness and nutrition. Additionally, wearable tech can help users identify areas where they may need to make lifestyle changes, such as reducing stress or improving their posture.

In conclusion, wearable technology can be an incredibly useful tool for achieving health and fitness goals. Whether you are a seasoned athlete or a beginner looking to improve your fitness level, wearable tech can provide the tools and support you need to achieve your health and fitness goals. 

Tech Inspired by Back To The Future Series: Embracing The Eccentric

Marty McFly and Dr Emmett Brown have a special place in my heart as their quirky adventures paved the way for my unhealthy obsession with sci-fi films! Right now, we embark on a whimsical journey inspired by the beloved Back to the Future film series. So strap on your hoverboards, fasten your flux capacitors and get ready to explore the quirky and humorous tech concepts that tickled our imaginations in those iconic movies. 

Time Travel Technology – The Flux Capacitor:

Back to the Future taught us that time travel is a wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey affair. While we’re still waiting for our very own flux capacitors, this movie franchise reminded us to embrace the possibilities of the future. So, let’s raise a glass of plutonium-infused punch to the dreamers and inventors tirelessly working to bring time travel from the silver screen to our reality. Avengers: Endgame disses the linear time travel method shown in Back to the Future films but the concept is undoubtedly more interesting than the one consisting of multiple timelines. If there’s any way where I can mess up with timelines by going back in time, then my sinister ass will definitely do it! 

Hoverboards – Chasing the Future:

Who could forget the exhilarating sight of Marty McFly gracefully gliding on his trusty hoverboard? While we’re not quite hovering around town just yet, the quest for levitating transportation continues. In the spirit of Back to the Future, let’s keep our eyes on the horizon and our hopes high for a day when hoverboards become an everyday mode of transportation. Until then, remember to stay balanced, both on your board and in life!

Self-Lacing Shoes – Stepping into Tomorrow:

The concept of self-lacing shoes may have seemed far-fetched in the ’80s, but thanks to Back to the Future, we caught a glimpse of the future of footwear. While we may not have shoes that automatically adjust to our feet with the precision of the Nike MAGs, the film’s legacy has inspired shoe companies to explore innovative technologies in footwear. Lace up your sneakers and keep an eye out for that moment when you slip into a pair of self-lacing kicks and feel like a true time-travelling hero. 

High-Tech Wearables – Fashion Forward:

From Marty’s self-drying jacket to Doc Brown’s impressive headgear, Back to the Future taught us that fashion and technology can coexist in wonderfully bizarre ways. While our clothes may not yet dry themselves or predict weather patterns, the film series serves as a reminder that wearable technology has the potential to revolutionize our lives. So, don’t be surprised if you find yourself wearing a smart jacket that keeps you warm in the winter and doubles as a jukebox, playing Huey Lewis and the News on demand.

Jiggawatt Power – The Energy of Tomorrow:

In the Back to the Future trilogy, Doc Brown needed a whopping 1.21 gigawatts of power to send the DeLorean hurtling through time. While we may not have access to the jiggawatts just yet, this serves as a reminder that we should continue pushing the boundaries of clean and sustainable energy sources. Let’s harness the power of lightning, convert the garbage into fuel, and work towards a future where our energy needs are met with a touch of scientific magic.

I am reminded that innovation is an adventure that often defies logic and reason as end this article based on my most beloved film series. These films taught us to embrace the quirky, the impossible, and the fantastical aspects of technology. So, fellow time-travellers, let’s channel our inner Doc Brown, fire up our imaginations, and keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Remember, the future is what we make it, so let’s make it!

The Google Pixel Fold is Already Breaking!

It has been just over a week since Google’s first-ever foldable device hit the market. However, even before the device could reach the hands of mainstream customers, the Google Pixel Folds are breaking up! Several reports and complaints on the Internet have mentioned that the Pixel Fold’s display is breaking with some users even sharing photos of the broken display.

One Pixel Fold user started noticing a bright pink line over the display just mere hours after they started using it. Additionally, another Pixel Fold owner posted photos of dents on the inner screen of the device. This is a matter of grave concern as more and more users have been coming forward and sharing that their Pixel fold devices are breaking up!

Pixel Fold in the pickle

While dents and display issues are surely not to be taken lightly, Ron Amadeo from Ars Technica shared that his Pixel Fold device died after using it for just four days. In his case, the device died after some debris got caught between its screen protector and the bezel. When the phone was shut close, the debris punctured the display resulting in the device dying entirely. Users around the world have also witnessed a popping sound with the Pixel Fold’s hinge when opening the phone.

So… why is this happening?

While there is no objective answer for why the Google Pixel Fold devices are specifically dying, there is a general answer. Foldable displays are incredibly fragile compared to standard smartphones. The folding devices use Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) which allows the screen to fold. On top of it is a plastic screen protector to ensure the glass is protected.

However, if any tiny little bit of debris gets under the protector or the glass then it can easily damage the screen. Whenever the user shuts the device close, it presses dust and debris against it which leads to the folding displays breaking up. In response to user complaints, Google spokesperson Alex Moriconi advised them to reach out to support to investigate.

 

Alive & Kicking! – Radio in the Digital Age

The experience of playing music has evolved over the years. We are now in a world filled with endless streaming services, viral songs, and Instagram trends. With this wide array of options, it is easy for people to assume that traditional ways of consuming music like the radio are now irrelevant. However, one cannot deny the fact that radio has survived multiple waves of technological advancement starting from the launch of televisions back in the 1940s and the cultural shift through MTV in the early 1980s. 

My first introduction to music in general, like many others from my generation was through television. A two-in-one radio and cassette player in the living room was exclusive only to my grandparents and presumably yours too. However, travelling to school and back meant listening to the radio in the van which was a delightful experience. Thus as time went by and I could finally drive myself, radio became synonymous with driving. Even now, long drives mean listening to 94.3 Radio One as the station takes us through various genres of Western music sprinkled with other local stations here and there. Sure Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow drivers to go around streaming their favourite music online while driving but the novelty factor of driving while listening to music remains intact. I assumed I am in the minority of the people who still enjoy listening to music on the radio but was taken aback by the data recently collected by Toluna India. 

Toluna India conducted a study between December 19, 2022, and January 2, 2023, where it surveyed over 1200 FM radio listeners aged between 18-50. The participants belonged to different socioeconomic backgrounds and economic statuses across 30 Tier 2 and 3 markets in India. Surprisingly,  80 per cent of the respondents claimed that they listened to the radio on a regular basis. The percentage of radio listeners goes even higher among working professionals with 90 per cent of the respondents enjoying the radio. However, the younger lot of the respondents belonging to the student category witnessed a drop to 66 per cent (which is not bad considering younger kids are exposed to all kinds of sources of entertainment) 

The study also found that 33 per cent of people in Tier 2 and 3 regions in India consider radio as the preferred source of entertainment. This data is enough to assume that radio is pretty much alive and kicking contrary to the popular belief that it is a dying breed of entertainment. 

On the other hand, similar to our staple cable TV entertainment options, radio has also made its way online. Radio stations are transitioning online with an ever-increasing amount of radio streaming apps. Thus, people who thoroughly enjoy listening to the radio can even tune in online, similar to all other streaming platforms. All while I sat there believing that radio is dying under the crushing weight of the ever-growing streaming market, the Indian government threw a curveball to all smartphone manufacturers breathing life into the traditional source of entertainment. 

Back in early May 2023, the Indian government issued an advisory to mobile phone makers in the country to ensure that FM Radio is enabled and also easily accessible on smartphones. This move is undertaken in order to bridge the digital divide and make radio services accessible to people in the rural and remote areas of the country that cannot afford to buy standalone radio sets. Additionally, this also ensures that people have access to all information and entertainment through radio, especially during times of emergencies and disasters. 

The history of modern human civilization is deeply influenced by the radio. Be it World War II when effective radio propaganda was used by the Germans to erode pro-British sentiment, or the iconic film Lage Raho Munna Bhai which showcased the power of the medium and made ‘Good Morning Mumbai!’ synonymous with radio in the country, the contribution of radio cannot be overstated. So, get on your ‘Radio Ga Ga’ as the offline music service will definitely encompass a new journey in the digital age!

Smooth Sailing – WhatsApp’s Innovative QR Code Method for Effortless Data Transfer

WhatsApp has recently introduced an ingenious functionality to simplify the data transfer between devices. This innovative feature employs QR codes to transfer chat history, media, and settings seamlessly from one phone to another. Catering to both Android and iOS devices, this user-friendly functionality is gradually being made available to users across the globe.

To leverage this novel QR code-based transfer method, users are required to ensure that both their previous and new devices are powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Access WhatsApp on your old device and navigate to Settings > Chats > Chat transfer. At this stage, you will encounter a QR code that necessitates scanning for the transfer process to commence.

To complete the transfer successfully, simply scan the QR code utilizing your new phone. Once the scanning process is completed, the data transfer commences, which might take a few minutes, depending on the volume of data being transferred. Subsequently, users gain immediate access to their entire chat history, media files, and settings on their new phones.

 

The introduction of this QR code-based transfer method represents a significant enhancement compared to the previous approach, which involved creating a backup of the chat history and restoring it on the new device. This upgraded method offers multiple advantages, such as swiftness, simplicity, and reliability. Additionally, it prioritizes security by facilitating direct data transfer between devices, eliminating the involvement of intermediaries or reliance on third-party servers.

For individuals seeking to transfer their WhatsApp data to a new phone, this new QR code-based transfer method is undoubtedly the easiest and most secure option. By streamlining the process, WhatsApp continuously improves the user experience and reinforces its position as one of the foremost messaging platforms worldwide. WhatsApp users can expect to receive this new feature gradually, ensuring a seamless transition and effortless transfer of their treasured conversations and media when upgrading to a new device.

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