Technology

San Francisco, June 2 (IANS) Tech giant Microsoft has announced new features in the free version of its proprietary business communication platform 'Teams', including the ability to collaborate with communities on Windows 11 devices, in addition to iOS and Android.

"On Windows 11, community owners can create communities from scratch, share and invite members, create and host events, moderate content with critical trust and safety features, and get notified about all important activities," the company said in a blogpost on Thursday.

Communities in Teams will soon be supported on Windows 10 and macOS devices as well as the web.

The tech giant also announced support for Microsoft Designer (Preview) in Teams on Windows 11. The Designer is powered by generative AI technology and allows users to create unique and personalised designs effortlessly.

"Community members can now record videos from their mobile devices using Microsoft's new capture experience," the company added.

Additionally, starting with iOS, community owners can use their smartphone's camera to scan and invite multiple emails or phone numbers from an online document, a paper directory, or any other list they might have.

The tech giant also announced an update in its free group messaging app 'GroupMe'.

Users can now create Microsoft Teams calls inside the messaging application.

--IANS
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San Francisco, June 2 (IANS) Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has introduced the next generation virtual and mixed reality headset 'Quest 3' which will be launched later this year.

The 128GB headset starts at $499.99 and users will also get an additional storage option for extra space, the company said in a blogpost on Thursday.

"It features higher resolution, stronger performance, breakthrough Meta Reality technology, and a slimmer, more comfortable form factor."

Also, the new headset features a next-generation Snapdragon chipset which delivers more than twice the graphical performance as the previous generation Snapdragon GPU in Quest 2.

"On Quest 3, our best-in-class Meta Reality technology lets you seamlessly blend your physical world with the virtual one," the company said.

The new headset is compatible with the Quest 2 catalogue of more than 500 VR games, applications and experiences, and also more new VR and MR titles are lined up for launch.

Also, starting June 4, Meta will lower the price of Quest 2 to $299.99 for the 128GB SKU (stock-keeping unit) and $349.99 for the 256GB SKU.

"We'll continue to sell Quest 2 and Pro alongside Quest 3, as well as continue shipping new software updates to make the Quest experience even better," it added.

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San Francisco, May 27 (IANS) Outgoing Twitter CEO Elon Musk has said that Silicon Valley companies can afford to cut more workforce without affecting productivity.

Musk slashed over 80 per cent of the Twitter staff in October-November last year as he took over after acquiring the platform for $44 billion.

Speaking virtually at The Wall Street Journal's summit in London, Musk said there were a lot of people at Twitter that didn't seem to have a lot of value.

"I think that's true at many Silicon Valley companies. I think there is the possibility for significant cuts at other companies without affecting their productivity, in fact, increasing their productivity," he was quoted as saying in the report.

He said that Twitter was in a situation where you'd have a meeting of 10 people and "one person with an accelerator and nine with a set of brakes".

Musk told conference attendees that Twitter now has around 1,500 employees, saying it is "probably a reasonable number".

Musk continued to sack Twitter employees even after the massive round in October, despite promising not to fire more staff after his brutal layoff exercise in November that affected two-thirds of the micro-blogging platform's 7,500 employees.

Twitter also shut down two of its three India offices and directed its employees to work from home. In November, Musk fired more than 90 per cent of its staff in India, around 200-plus.

"We will need to be extremely hardcore. This will mean working long hours at high intensity. Only exceptional performance will constitute a passing grade," Musk had said.

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New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) Google Pay in conjunction with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on Tuesday rolled out support for RuPay credit cards on Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

The users can now link their RuPay credit cards with Google Pay to pay at all online and offline merchants where RuPay credit cards are accepted.

The feature is now available to RuPay credit card holders of Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, HDFC bank, Indian Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Punjab National Bank and Union Bank of India, the company aid in a statement.

"This feature will give Google Pay users more flexibility and choice in making payments, and will drive greater adoption of digital payments in the country," said Sharath Bulusu, Director of Product Management from Google.

To activate, users need to add the RuPay credit card to Google Pay. Users can tap on the "RuPay credit card on UPI" option in their profile and select the bank which issued their RuPay credit card.

Thereafter, users will need to set a unique UPI PIN by entering the last six digits of the card number and expiry, entering the OTP from their bank.

"The integration of RuPay Credit Card on UPI delivers a remarkable user experience seamlessly combining the convenience of UPI with the benefits of RuPay Credit Card," said Nalin Bansal, Chief Relationship Management and Key Initiatives, Corporate Business from NPCI.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had allowed linking of RuPay credit cards to the UPI platform in June 2022.

Meanwhile, the NPCI reported a massive jump in monthly transaction count as the UPI transactions touched 8.7 billion in March.

According to NPCI data, approximately 74 billion transactions worth Rs 125.94 trillion were conducted using UPI in calendar year 2022.

--IANS
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New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) Over the past decade, the smartphone industry has witnessed remarkable advancements, revolutionising the way people perceive and utilise mobile devices.

A decade ago, users primarily sought basic functionality in an entry-level smartphone, such as calling, texting, and accessing the internet. However, in today's tech-savvy world, users' expectations for entry-level smartphones have significantly expanded.

Today, users anticipate a host of features, including larger and higher-resolution displays, longer battery life, fast charging capabilities, powerful processors, improved cameras, ample storage capacity, enhanced security features, and seamless connectivity options like 4G or even 5G.

India has witnessed a remarkable evolution in digitisation in recent years. With the advent of pocket-friendly smartphones and the expansion of 4G networks, millions of Indians gained access to information, entertainment, and online services like never before.

The transformation in user expectations over the last decade showcases the rapid progress and innovation within the smartphone industry, offering more accessible and advanced features to a wider range of users, meeting their evolving needs and preferences.

Being at the forefront of technological innovation, realme has catered to the demands of young Indian consumers, with an incredible 14.5 per cent market share in 2022. The brand has managed to differentiate itself in the highly competitive smartphone market by bringing futuristic technologies and leap forward design to the entry-level segment. Its customer-centric approach and unique marketing strategies have resonated with young consumers, enabling the brand to achieve top rankings in several countries within a short period.

realme's smartphone lineup has empowered millions of Indians to access the Internet and engage in online activities, thereby fuelling the country's rapid digitization and bridge the digital divide. The brand's commitment to providing the latest technology at competitive prices has empowered individuals from diverse backgrounds to participate actively in the digital ecosystem, fostering a more inclusive and connected India.

With the emergence of 5G technology, realme recognised the need for faster internet speeds and enhanced network capabilities and introduced the realme X50 Pro as India's first 5G smartphone in 2020, empowering users with lightning-fast download and upload speeds, enabling seamless video streaming, online gaming, and immersive virtual experiences. It opened up a whole new realm of possibilities and set the stage for the future of connectivity in India.

According to a survey, In India, smartphones have become the primary device for work, streaming, and gaming. An overwhelming majority of seven out of eight smartphone users believe that innovation in fast-charging technology is crucial. Furthermore, the survey emphasized that long battery life is the most significant aspect that users prioritize.

realme has successfully positioned itself as the undisputed leader in fast-charging technology in the smartphone market. With its relentless commitment to innovation, realme has introduced groundbreaking fast-charging solutions that have revolutionised the way we power our devices. realme's smartphones come equipped with cutting-edge fast-charging technologies such as SUPERVOOC, Dart, and MagDart, which offer unparalleled charging speeds and convenience.

At the World Mobile Conference, 2023, realme introduced another game-changing device, the realme GT3, which offered the industry-leading 240W fast-charging technology. Right from its entry into the market with 33W charging to the milestone 240W charging, realme has definitely journeyed its way through the evolutions.

The company has made significant strides in introducing cutting-edge camera technologies, such as the 64MP quad camera, AI-based image processing, and advanced night mode features. These advancements enable users to capture stunning photos even in low-light conditions. The brand introduced the world's first 64 MP quad camera in realme XT in 2019, carving another niche in the market. The upcoming realme 11 Pro series is expected to push the boundaries of smartphone photography even further, with the world's first 200 MP camera and 4× lossless zoom technology.

realme has also focused on delivering powerful processors and high-capacity batteries to meet the performance needs of its users. The brand has pioneered the use of state-of-the-art processors, with models like the realme X7 5G, realme 8s 5G, realme 9 Pro+ 5G, and realme X50 Pro featuring advanced MediaTek chipsets.

realme continues to push boundaries and enhance user experience. The realme 10 Pro+ 5G, for instance, boasts the segment's first smartphone equipped with a flagship-level 120Hz Curved Vision Display, complemented by India's first 2160Hz PWM dimming. This dedication to delivering exceptional quality ensures an unparalleled user experience.

realme's narzo N53 is yet another launch that boasts of being a segment-first slimmest smartphone. The smartphone is the slimmest smartphone launched by realme and is equipped with 33W fast charging technology, a massive storage capacity and an industry-leading 50MP AI camera. It became No.1 best selling smartphone under 10K segment on Amazon.in and realme.com on Day 1 revolutionizing entry-level smartphones by democratizing cutting-edge technologies.

With realme's innovative offerings and the ongoing advancements in technology, India is poised to embrace a future where seamless connectivity and digital empowerment are at the forefront.

--IANS
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New Delhi, May 16 (IANS) Google on Tuesday said it will delete personal accounts and their content that haven't been used or signed in for at least 2 years.

The company said it will purge the content in inactive accounts within Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Drive, Meet, Calendar), YouTube and Google Photos.

While the policy took effect on Tuesday, it will not immediately impact users with an inactive account and the earliest the company will begin deleting accounts is December 2023.

"The policy only applies to personal Google Accounts, and will not affect accounts for organisations like schools or businesses," Ruth Kricheli, VP, Product Management at Google, said in a statement.

The update aligns Google policy with industry standards around retention and account deletion and also limits the amount of time Google retains the unused personal information.

"If an account hasn't been used for an extended period of time, it is more likely to be compromised. This is because forgotten or unattended accounts often rely on old or re-used passwords that may have been compromised, haven't had two factor authentication set up, and receive fewer security checks by the user," Google explained.

Google's internal analysis shows that abandoned accounts are at least 10x less likely than active accounts to have 2-step-verification set up.

This means that these accounts are often vulnerable, and once an account is compromised, it can be used for anything from identity theft to a vector for unwanted or even malicious content, like spam.

"To reduce this risk, we are updating our inactivity policy for Google Accounts to 2 years across our products," said the company.

"We will take a phased approach, starting with accounts that were created and never used again," it added.

Before deleting an account, Google will send multiple notifications over the months leading up to deletion, to both the account email address and the recovery email (if one has been provided).

As previously announced, people will need to specifically sign in to Google Photos every 2 years to be considered active.

--IANS
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New Delhi, May 16 (IANS) Apple on Tuesday previewed new software features for cognitive, speech and vision accessibility, along with innovative tools for individuals who are nonspeaking or at risk of losing their ability to speak, that will be available in its devices later this year.

The tech giant introduced new tools for cognitive accessibility, along with Live Speech, Personal Voice, and Point and Speak in Magnifier in celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 18.

"At Apple, we've always believed that the best technology is technology built for everyone," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO.

"We're excited to share incredible new features that build on our long history of making technology accessible, so that everyone has the opportunity to create, communicate, and do what they love," Cook added.

With Live Speech on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can type what they want to say to have it be spoken out loud during phone and FaceTime calls as well as in-person conversations.

Users can also save commonly used phrases to chime in quickly during lively conversation with family, friends, and colleagues.

For users at risk of losing their ability to speak -- such as those with a recent diagnosis of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or other conditions that can progressively impact speaking ability -- Personal Voice is a simple and secure way to create a voice that sounds like them.

Users can create a Personal Voice by reading along with a randomised set of text prompts to record 15 minutes of audio on iPhone or iPad, said Apple.

"These groundbreaking features were designed with feedback from members of disability communities every step of the way, to support a diverse set of users and help people connect in new ways," said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple's senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives.

Assistive Access feature uses innovations in design to distill apps and experiences to their essential features in order to lighten cognitive load.

The feature includes a customised experience for Phone and FaceTime, which have been combined into a single Calls app, as well as Messages, Camera, Photos and Music.

It offers a distinct interface with high contrast buttons and large text labels, as well as tools to help trusted supporters tailor the experience for the individual they support, according to the company.

Users and trusted supporters can also choose between a more visual, grid-based layout for their Home Screen and apps, or a row-based layout for users who prefer text.

Point and Speak in Magnifier feature makes it easier for users with vision disabilities to interact with physical objects that have several text labels.

"Point and Speak is built into the Magnifier app on iPhone and iPad, works great with VoiceOver, and can be used with other Magnifier features such as People Detection, Door Detection, and Image Descriptions to help users navigate their physical environment," said Apple.

Voice Control feature adds phonetic suggestions for text editing so users who type with their voice can choose the right word out of several that might sound alike.

Additionally, with Voice Control Guide, users can learn tips and tricks about using voice commands as an alternative to touch and typing across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Users with physical and motor disabilities who use Switch Control can turn any switch into a virtual game controller to play their favourite games on iPhone and iPad, said Apple.

The SignTime feature will launch in Germany, Italy, Spain, and South Korea on May 18 to connect Apple Store and Apple Support customers with on-demand sign language interpreters.

The service is already available for customers in the US, Canada, the UK, France, Australia and Japan.

--IANS
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San Francisco, May 16 (IANS) Google has released a new update to its AI chatbot Bard, improving the ability to provide summaries of information and tell users where that information has come from.

"We've updated Bard with better summarisation capabilities by incorporating advances we've developed in our large language models," Google said.

With the new update, users will be able to ask Bard to summarise a specific article or story, or to provide a quick explanation of a topic without going into too much detail.

Moreover, the tech giant is also "making sources more useful".

"Bard can now help you identify which parts of a response match a source. For the responses with sources, you'll see numbers alongside the response. By clicking on the numbers you will now be able to identify the section of the text that matches the source and easily navigate to it," Google stated.

This is the third update to Bard released this month.

Meanwhile, Google has now removed the waiting list and opened the AI chatbot to over 180 countries and territories, including India, after initially rolling out Bard in the UK and the US.

Apart from English, Bard is now available in Japanese and Korean, and the company said it's on track to support 40 languages soon.

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San Francisco, May 12 (IANS) Artifact, the AI-powered news app from Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, has announced a new feature that allows users to follow individual writers, making it even more of a news-focused social media app.

According to The Verge, articles from those writers will be prioritised in users' feeds, and they can choose to receive notifications when those writers post.

Writers can also claim a verified checkmark on their profile beside their name in searches and comments on Artifact.

In addition, writers can also receive notifications about how many people read their articles on the app and when other publications link to their work.

Moreover, the report mentioned, while many people use platforms such as Twitter to discuss current events, the platform has lost its appeal.

In contrast, Artifact is emerging as a more engaging platform for news enthusiasts to connect with one another and discuss the latest happenings.

In February, Instagram co-founders launched 'Artifact', which is also named a text-based version of TikTok which uses machine learning to understand users' interests.

Artifact's name represents the combination of articles, facts and artificial intelligence (AI).

The application is available for both Android and iOS devices.

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San Francisco, May 9 (IANS) Apple will reportedly release iOS 16.5 to the public next week with a few small changes.

According to a protected Twitter account that has shared build numbers for several iOS updates up to a week before they were released, the upcoming iOS 16.5 Release Candidate for developers will have a build number of 20F65, reports MacRumors.

Since late March, iOS 16.5 has been undergoing beta testing and appears to be a relatively minor software update. This release is expected to precede the announcement of iOS 17 at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.

Currently, only two significant updates and features have been unveiled for the iPhone, said the report.

The first is a Sports tab, added to the Apple News app, which allows users to access news, scores, and schedules for their favourite teams and leagues.

The second update enables users to initiate a screen recording using Siri, allowing them to say "Hey Siri, start a screen recording" to record a video of their iPhone's screen and ask Siri to stop the recording when desired, the report mentioned.

Meanwhile, Apple has released its first batch of publicly available "rapid security" patches, which are specifically designed to address security vulnerabilities that are currently being actively exploited or pose a significant risk to the safety and privacy of customers.

According to Apple, the 'Rapid Security Responses' deliver important security improvements between software updates.

--IANS
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