After the official launch of Pixel 5a, Google has discontinued the two already existing Pixel series; Google Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G. The two phones have been put to a halt barely 10 months after their official release.
Both the smartphones have been sold out in Google’s online store, and the remaining stock at other retailers won’t last long. A company spokesperson offered the following statement:
With our current forecasts, we expect Google Store in the U.S. to sell out of Pixel 4a (5G) and Pixel 5 in the coming weeks following the launch of Pixel 5a (5G). These products will continue to be available through some partners while supplies last.
Google Pixel 5A 5G is going to be a fairly direct successor to 4A 5G, but it is surprising to see the Pixel 5 has been discontinued well in advance of the Pixel 6’s arrival this fall.
Google Pixel 5a 5G offers many similar features as that of Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5, with the IP67 rating and metal body offering durability boosts over the 4a 5G and the larger battery adding staying power over the 5. However, the upcoming smartphone won’t be available in the International market, including India. Google has explicitly limited the Pixel 5a 5G to the U.S. and Japan.
The alleged reason for the Pixel 5a 5G launch is said to be the chip shortage affecting the Snapdragon 765, which powers both the older Pixels. If Google is unable to secure enough chips to launch the new 5a 5G widely, it certainly can’t secure enough to keep two older devices on the shelves.
The other reason why it has been discontinued is that Pixel 5 is more similar to the budget-oriented A-Series phones than what the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro appears to be. Google is all set to position the 6-Series as a true flagship competitor to Apple and Samsung’s heavy hitters.
Fortunately, the market won’t be falling short of cheap Android phones as evidenced by Samsung Galaxy Series, the OnePlus Nord 2, Xiaomi’s Mi 11 Lite 5G, among many others.
Everything seems to have changed post-pandemic, primarily how corporations worked. Earlier, work-from-home used to be a privilege where companies would allow a particular employee to WFH if he were not fit enough to attend the office. After coronavirus hit the entire world, work-from-home became a sort of staple for all the small and big companies.
Google employees based in the same office could now witness a change in pay if they opt to work from home permanently. The company has rolled out a new internal calculator to explain potential pay cuts to employees.
The screenshots obtained by Reuters make it clear that the employees who previously commuted an hour to Google’s Manhattan offices would see their salaries slashed by 15 per cent if they chose to work from home permanently.
On the other hand, employees who lived within NYC’s five boroughs and chose to work from home permanently will not witness any cuts in their paycheque.
The screenshots also showed 5 per cent and 10 per cent differences for commuters living in Seattle, Boston, or San Francisco.
A Google spokesperson has confirmed the recent development suggesting that the company’s compensation packages “have always been determined by location.” He further added that the pay would differ from “city to city and state to state.”
Other tech majors such as Facebook and Twitter have also introduced pay cuts for remote employees choosing to work from home. Companies like Reddit and Zillow have shifted to location-based salary structures.
Jake Rosenfield, a Sociology professor at Washington University in St. Louis, said Google’s pay structure raises alarms,
“What’s clear is that Google doesn’t have to do this. Google has paid these workers at 100 percent of their prior wage by definition. So it’s not like they can’t afford to pay their workers who choose to work remotely the same they are used to receiving.”
Google, which has about 140,000 employees worldwide, took in $61.9 billion in revenue during the second quarter of this year alone.
The company did not immediately reply to a request for comment from The Post and did not address the Stamford commuter issue in a statement to Reuters.
I don’t surf anything on Facebook as I can’t see the frequency of poison these platforms are penetrating into Indian society. However, I have never left LinkedIn, and it has become a habit of following it like Facebook. Yesterday, I found one post where Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, shows how their new tool, LaMDA, will work. Considering what I have seen in Google I/O editions, I feel amazed with whichever product they bring every time. This Exhibit blog is for you to give you more details on this Google LaMDA tool.
Pluto Conversing With Human
Through the video, Pichai shared the information that LaMDA is currently in the research and development stage. But, the Google team created a snippet to show this tool is working. LaMDA was acting like a dwarf planet, Pluto, where it was talking about itself. The concerned individual who was interacting with Pluto asked about the information of whether came to visit it. In reply, Pluto answered that it was New Horizon that came a few days back. This conversation can simply give some an awestruck mode. I remembered how their voice module booked a haircut with one shop.
Working Principle of Google LaMDA tool
Many may like this part or section as it contains the granular detail of anything the Exhibit discusses. First of all, it is clear that this tool has added some essential libraries like NLP, speech recognition, apart from machine learning models. The machine learning model and the dataset help this tool grab information on any domain, in this case, Pluto. When it recognizes the words that the user has told, it stores the essential keywords and accordingly sends a reply. This process continues unless the tool gets any hint that the individual is going to stop the conversation.
Cons of Google LaMDA tool
Well, no one will tell, but I think I got one. You will say that even Google or any Tech review firm has not come up with it. But, yes, I got one. How? Here’s it. If you watch the video, you will see that this tool, when acting like Pluto, said that New Horizon had visited it a few days back. It means this tool has no information if any extraterrestrial object went to the dwarf planet. Hence, the information on the basis of which this tool will interact can be limited if the Google team has not provided it. Therefore, it may also happen that if you are talking to the coral reefs of Thailand about the sun cream ban, it may not be able to tell anything on the issue.
Potential of Google LaMDA tool
I see one can use it anywhere and everywhere, wherever one wants to use it. Consider that the Indian railway reservation system integrates this tool. Then, you can book a ticket merely using it and without tapping on any button or options. You will only have to use your hand when you have to book your tickets. Take another instance, you are VP of sales of your organization, and your ERP cum CRM software application has Google LaMDA as one of its features. You can easily check out the potential sales and actual revenue by comparing the leads generated in any stipulated timeline.
Google hasn’t said anything officially about Microsoft’s Windows Platform or specifically about the Microsoft store, but it’s obvious the search engine giant is not a big fan of Microsoft’s services, and that’s the precise reason Google is moving to web-based applications through its PWA initiative. The PWA initiative allows users to install YouTube, Google Maps, and many more Google apps smoothly on their desktops straight from the web browser.
Web-based apps deliver a faster web experience when compared to standard apps. The recent entry in this squad is Google’s standalone web app for its video calling platform Google Meet. Previously, to start a meeting on Google Meet, users have to type out the URL or have to visit Gmail, but with the arrival of Progressive Web Application (PWA), now they only have to download the app once on their laptop, and that’s the end of regular hustle.
The Google Meet PWA app will take users to the same landing page they used to visit earlier, but with a blue app bar up top rather than a regular tab strip. It would function just the same as Google Meet and will have the equivalent features. The web-based apps are available on Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, and Linux and will automatically update when the browser updates itself.
How to install Google Meet Progressive Web App on your laptops?
Visit meet.google.com
Go at the top right of your browser, in the URL bar, click on the option install Google Meet
The Google Meet app will appear on the app dock, and the shortcut for the same will appear on your desktop screen
Users who wish to install the Google Meet web app can use a similar set of steps on other browsers like Apple Safari and Microsoft Edge. Google Meet offers up to 24 hours of calling for one-on-one calls and up to 60 minutes of calling for group calls with three or more participants, where users will get a notification after 55 minutes that the call is about to end. The PWA app is free to use for all Workspace customers and personal Google account holders.
Google won’t let you sign in on Android phones running on version 2.3.7 (Gingerbread) or lower from 27th September onwards. So, if you’re holding onto one of these phones, then it’s time to say goodbye as the company’s closing the Google account support on that device.
After 27th September, when users try to sign in to Google apps like Gmail or YouTube or Google Maps, they’ll receive a username or password errors. Along with this, if users attempt to add their other Google accounts or create a new Google Account or perform a factory reset and try to sign in once again, they’ll receive an error message.
Android 2.3.7, the final version of Gingerbread, was released about ten years ago, and this is one of the rare instances where Google is completely cutting off the support. Though, users still are able to use some of the Google services if they sign in through the phone’s web browser.
Unfortunately or on purpose, if you’re still holding on to an android device with the 2.3.7 version, then to use it in the future, you must have to check whether your device has the ability to update to a newer Android version 3.0 Honeycomb or Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich to avoid extreme nuisances while controlling Google apps like Gmail, Google maps and others.
The Google account cut-off service news is not going to affect many users, but it’ll still affect some of the old Android users. Google has said the reason behind cutting off the services is that these devices are very old and lags in the world of modern security and can not be updated with the latest security patches.
Incognito tabs. These are no less than relief for many who don’t want to share their history with anyone. These modes get preference by those who don’t Google Chrome to remember their password and leak it in case of a hacker entering the system. In a nutshell, it is like a safe haven about which you have read in economics that helps to reduce taxation obligation. But, what if you come to know that you can be more secure through incognito modes. Well, many will get ready to leave the general window of the Chrome browser. But, there’s a condition. This means it is not applicable to everyone. Google has recently announced that people having gadgets with iOS as an operating system can lock and secure their incognito modes through Face IDs. Let’s know more about it through this Exhibit blog.
I Am Safer
Isn’t that linguistically incorrect? But, you will pass on such statements after the news reported by Macrumors. According to this news, Google is bringing a new update for iOS through which a user will get the allowance and access to lock their incognito modes through Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode. Once the update comes out, you will be able to find this feature by going to the Settings option and selecting the Privacy tab. In the tab, you will see the option for Lock Incognito tabs.
What do you mean by Locked Incognito tabs?
It means it won’t be visible unless authenticated for the next time. What’s that? Suppose you exited from the Chrome browser and thought to reopen it. Now, if you try to open the incognito mode, you won’t be able to open it. You can do this only after authenticating it through Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode.
Anything else added apart from Incognito Tabs
Yeah, it will be pretty illogical to say that Google’s technical team has merely added this feature at the development front. That’s for sure Google’s technical team is not sitting at the development centres singing, “Nothing’s gonna change my love for you.” The other feature that is coming as an update is regarding taking a screenshot of the entire web page. Now, every time you will strike the combination of keys to trigger a screenshot, an option will appear that will ask for a full page.
Conclusion
Google has added sophisticated features to secure incognito modes and tabs to ensure better privacy. However, only time will tell how it helps.
While texting, it isn’t easy to convey your tone through just words. This is where emojis come into play. Emojis have become an essential means of sharing your emotions and intentions in messaging. With every new event, new emojis are added to the Unicode Standard, and OS upgrades are released to support these emojis on the system.
In a recent blog post, Google has announced that hundreds of emojis are getting a new touch up and are being improved upon to make them more universal, accessible, and authentic. These will get a release, along with the new ones, when it’s Android 12 mobile operating system arrives this fall.
“Emoji have a global audience and it;s important for them to be globally relevant,” the blog post read.
Google gives pie emoji as an example of its change. Earlier, pie mimicked a slice of pumpkin and was not known much internationally. The updated emoji seems like a whole, uncut pie and could mean apple pie, strawberry pie, blueberry pie, and the list goes on, Google says.
Google also says that soon apps will access these 992 redesigned emojis separately from system updates. Other emojis that have witnessed a change include the mask emoji that looks a little less sick and unhappy.
Let’s be honest here. Some changes are more realistic while others are more. The emojis are not consistent since few almost look like posterized photos, while the others are more or less cartoonish. But since the emojis cover a wide array now, it’s impossible to match a similar style precisely.
Basic food emojis also look a little more appetizing in Android 12. These new emoji aren’t just arriving on Android 12, but Google is rolling them out to other services, including Gmail, Chat, Chrome OS, and YouTube Live Chat in this month itself.
Updating emojis is an improvement that many people will find silly, but it has become a large part of our vernacular.
Ask a federal structure if they like integration of anything that can hamper their identity? Of course not. But if we talk about this integration in terms of technology, there is no doubt that you won’t deny it as it helps you to see things getting smoothened. Political and technical arena are two pawns who like to keep their distinct structure unless a stateman like Nixon wants to go unscrupulous or enhance governance. But let’s take a halt and focus on the word integration. Why? Damn, Google. What did they do now? Google is bringing an entirely new Google Drive app that can help you out in cloud computing and operation. With this article, Exhibit helps you to understand its niche in a better way.
What is the news?
As per some reports, by 19th July, Google will launch a new app that will support the Drive application for smoother integration and synchronization. Now, there is no need to take backup and go for sync mode manually, as Google will handle it automatically through its new app. If you are a Google lover and user, you will get a notification regarding the same in the upcoming time. But, should you worry as you need to learn new things? Not at all, as Google has ensured the world that this new app will no replace any other premium application or feature. Hence, you will be able to use other applications as well.
Why a new Google Drive app?
Well, yes, for some of you, it can be a bit annoying. But, conservationists get likings on the front where they are right. Better to be a liberal now! This new app will comply with the Google Drive framework and let you not take any stress of going for rigorous backups that you had to go for earlier, mockingly even now, unless the new app comes out in the market for daily usage. In addition to this, many instances are observed where people can see that some of the docs that they have added in the Google Docs are not present in Google Drive. It is because if you don’t open documents through Google Drive, you won’t see them. But, with this app, this issue may get resolved.
When to expect their actual use?
Well, according to Google, the initial transition will start from 19th July, maybe a way to remember the event like the Great Fire of Rome. This transition is most likely to make an end by the month of September. So, get ready for something cool coming for you!
One fine day, maybe Sundar Pichai would have opened his smartphone and watched “Family Man.” Well, it’s all about a story of MAYBEs or PROBABLYs that may have hit his mind. And, the very first statement that might have hit his mind can be Sharib Hashmi‘s line Privacy is a myth, just like democracy. However, whatever statements Mr Pichai delivered cannot be denied at any cost, especially that too on internet freedom. If you think you live in the vicinity of ultra-conservatives and need a break, here’s a blog from Exhibit. The Exhibit has showcased how privacy is shrinking through its previous blog on Flemish Scrollers. Let’s know more about this news.
Why so much buzz?
Recently, Sundar Pichai gave an interview to BBC editor Amit Ranjan. He showed concerns about internet freedom and how some countries curbed these rights from their citizens, and hardly there is any roar from other liberal places. Mr Pichai has made points related to taxes, privacy, and data. He added that the restricted flow of information gets the grant and leverage from time to time. He somewhere pointed out China, where a communist regime doesn’t allow Google products and services. Read the entire news here.
Is freedom of the internet really shrinking?
Many global institutions come out with indices to check the performance of any country on several indicators. However, there is no index or report that talks about internet freedom. A reputed agency named Reporters Without Borders comes out with the World Press Freedom Index. In addition to this, we have an Inclusive Internet Index, but that takes very different parameters or approaches regarding internet penetration worldwide, including affordability, availability, relevance, and readiness. The problem with these is that some highly respectable Asians believe that they are merely subjective computation of values from the prism of Western liberalists.
Can there be any way to track internet freedom?
Well, don’t tell any new institution to frame a new index that can keep an eye on curbing internet freedom. Then, what to do? Relax, there’s one way out. If you are a coder or a data analyst, the Internet Inclusive Index can provide you with that escape route. How? Look at their framework? A little twist can let you assess internet freedom for sure. But you need to be a bit patient and read the entire report to understand the attributes and sub-indicators attached to these attributes, especially the availability one. Rest, R and Python will be your acumen to extrapolate your expectation. In addition, you can also scrounge Freedom House reports too. Let the world see what you can extract from the same report.
Conclusion
Privacy has become a part of the concern, and if a personality like Google CEO is rising, damn, you need to understand that someone is digging a grave to silence your internet space. Let the hope in you always light the fire to ensure you can use your mobile data easily.
Last year during November, Google announced a modification in its storage policy for Photos and confirmed that it would be ending support for unlimited storage of high-quality images for their users. As per the new policy, the 15GB free storage that comes with every Google account will also include Google Photos, which really annoyed people as it was one of the best features. After 1st June, users will be limited to the 15GB free Google storage that the company allows for all accounts, divided across Photos, Gmail and Drive storage.
Google has also confirmed that future Pixel phones won’t get the same perks as they currently have, where they’re allowed to store unlimited original quality pictures in its Photos app. The current Pixel owners (Pixel 5 and earlier models up to Pixel 2) will be the last to enjoy Google Photo’s best feature.
Now, for those without an eligible Pixel smartphone, you’ve only got a few days left to do the action because after the policy comes into effect, users will be bound to a limit of 15 GB, and if they want additional storage, they have to opt for Google’s subscription-based storage plans that start from Rs 130 per month for 100GB storage or delete some photos for some extra space. Nevertheless, suppose you don’t want to spend extra money on cloud storage. In that case, you should spare the time now to clear unwanted data and upload important images-videos you haven’t put on Google’s cloud before the deadline kicks in.
Why is Google changing the storage policy?
Cloud storage doesn’t just appear out of the clouds, and free backups are costing big to Google as the more data people store on Google Photos, the more hard drives worth millions of dollars shoot in the Google backup storage system. Along with hard drives, the company has to make the payment to keep the data safe and secure in storage buildings which also costs tons of electricity charges and wages of workers.
According to Google, there are more than four trillion photos in its cloud storage and over 1 billion users backup their 28 billion photos and videos to Google Photos each week. An authorised Google person also said that 80% of users would not hit the primary 15 GB storage mark in the next ten years after the policy comes on board.
How to clear up unwanted data?
You must have cared about cleaning your surroundings during the pandemic, but now, you have to apply the same as it’s time to clean your digital room and to do that, you will need the Google One app. In the app, open the storage tab, and you will be able to see how much of your free 15GB storage is utilised across your Gmail, Google Drive files and Google Photos data.
If you want to clear up unwanted data, tap on the ‘Free up account storage’ button, and you’ll see all the usage details, including draft-discarded emails, emails with large attachments, and unsupported file types on Google Drive and more. Take a fresh look at your Google Photos library and remove all unwanted, duplicate and blurred images. You can either select the categories you want to get rid of or select each item manually, whichever is suitable for you.
How to use most of the Google Photos app before 1st June?
Now that you’ve cleared all the unwanted data, it’s time to back up the rest and upload the new high-quality images. You can add as many high-quality photos as you want to Google Photos before 1st June as it won’t impact your Google account storage. If you haven’t converted your original quality images to high quality, it’s time to do the same to ensure it is not counted in your 15GB free storage.
In case if you’ve too much data and use a phone with ample internal storage capacity (256GB or 512 GB), then download all the data on your phone before the deadline. After finishing the download process, create a new Gmail account, just for the photos and upload all the data, pictures, and videos folder-wise to the newly created account’s Google Photos. By following this process, you don’t have to worry about running out of storage due to Gmail and Google Drive files, as it’s null already. Apple iPhone users can move their data to iCloud with a 75 per month plan, which offers 50GB storage.
Other alternative cloud storage options:
DigiBoxx, India’s very own cloud storage platform, offers 20GB of free cloud storage. The free plan supports Gmail integration and unlimited external collaborations, along with end-to-encryption. DigiBoxx is offering 100GB of cloud storage space per month for just Rs 30, which is pocket friendly for everyone.
Along with Digiboxx, there are several other storage providers available in the Indian app market, including Microsoft OneDrive, Degoo, and yet to be launched Amazon Photos, but all of them are offering a limited storage space, which is even shorter than Google Photos. Then why not use our very own and trustworthy Google Photos instead of others.
