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Software and App Updates

Google Pixel Devices Weather App

Google Pixel Devices Finally Have a Real Default Weather App

Google has unveiled a revamped weather app, addressing a long-standing gap in its offerings and enabling it to compete with rivals such as Apple and Samsung. While Pixel phones previously displayed current weather information in widgets, tapping on these widgets would launch a basic screen with minimal features. With the recent launch of the Pixel Tablet, Google has rectified this situation and introduced a new weather app.

Accessible through the same widgets as before, the new app boasts a much-improved design without sacrificing the playful elements of the older experience. It provides users with a range of features, including 10-day and 24-hour forecasts, reports on wind, humidity, barometric pressure, and UV index, as well as current sun position and sunrise/sunset times. The app also presents detailed breakdowns of precipitation, wind, and humidity on an hourly basis. All this information is conveniently displayed on a single screen, accompanied by engaging animations reflecting the current weather conditions.

One notable addition to the new weather app is its ability to provide immediate precipitation updates, including intensity and duration forecasts for upcoming hours. Leveraging data from reliable sources like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the app can even provide this information up to 12 hours in advance. However, this data will only be displayed when relevant, meaning it won’t appear if there is no upcoming precipitation in the user’s location.

The weather app on a Pixel Tablet displaying information for wind, humidity, UV index, and other details.

While the new weather app offers significant improvements, it lacks a radar view, and users have noted the absence of an app icon for direct access, necessitating reliance on widgets. Nonetheless, the app, powered by the Google app, feels more native and less like a simple website compared to its previous iteration.

Currently, the enhanced weather app is limited to tablets, including the Pixel Tablet and the upcoming Pixel Fold. Google has plans to expand its availability to other devices in the future, although specific timelines have not been provided. Developers who have managed to activate the app on their devices have shared images of how it looks on phone-sized screens, heightening anticipation for wider release.

While Samsung devices already come preloaded with a comprehensive weather app, it is hoped that Google will extend the availability of its new weather app beyond the Pixel line to a wider range of devices. Google has previously extended Pixel-specific software to devices beyond its own brand, and users are eager for a similar expansion in this case.

Google New Accessibility and Learning Features

Google Unveils New Accessibility and Learning Features at ISTE Expo

Google showcased its latest accessibility and learning features during the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) expo. The new features introduced include an expanded reading mode, integration of sign language interpreters in Google Meet, and AI-powered question suggestions for educational assignments.

Building on its AI-powered tools integrated into consumer products like Search, Gmail, and Sheets, Google has now incorporated AI-generated questions into assignments related to YouTube videos. Teachers can customize the questions or modify the suggestions provided by the AI. The company is currently accepting applications to test this feature in English, with plans to extend support to Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, and Malay.

In March, Google introduced Reading Mode, which allows users to focus on text by removing distracting elements such as videos and images. Initially available only for Chrome browsers on ChromeOS, Google announced that the feature will soon be accessible to all Chrome users.

Furthermore, Google announced that screen reader users will be able to convert images to text in PDFs using Chrome browsers on Chromebooks. However, copying the text from these converted PDFs may not be supported.

To enhance readability, Google introduced new fonts designed for Arabic, Cyrillic, and Latin systems. These optically variable fonts adapt their design for different sizes, improving legibility across various platforms.

Google Meet, the company’s video conferencing platform, introduced a tile-pairing feature. When enabled, this feature highlights both tiles when a participant speaks, facilitating seamless connection with a sign language interpreter.

In addition, Google Meet will soon incorporate features like polls and Q&A during livestreams for classrooms subscribed to the “Teaching and Learning Upgrade” or “Education Plus” plans.

While Google offers its Workspace for Education for free, advanced security, learning tools, device management, and analytics are available through the Standard tier, priced at $3 per student per year, and the Plus tier, priced at $5 per student per year.

With these new accessibility and learning features, Google aims to empower educators and students by providing innovative tools that enhance engagement and foster inclusivity within the learning environment.

Captions video creation app

AI Video Creation App Captions Bags $25M from Top VCs

Captions, an AI-powered video creation app for iOS that launched in 2021 and counted more than three million users to date, today announced a $25 million in Series B funding led by Kleiner Perkins, with additional funding provided by Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and SV Angel.

The company has now raised a total $40 million. It was founded by Gaurav Misra, former head of design engineering at Snap and a former software development engineer (II) at Microsoft.

Captions initially carved its niche as a camera application catering to “talking videos”, where creators engage with the camera directly. In conjunction with its funding announcement, the company has announced a rebranding and new look that Misra wrote of in a blog post: “We believe properly represents the defining characteristics of Captions.”

Those characteristics include a number of features, from AI-powered redubbing of a speaker’s words into another language while maintaining the sound of their voice, to human-like AI voiceovers, to AI powered short clip production from a longer piece of video to unique, original, AI-created royalty-free music for videos.

Transforming to a holistic creative suite

Evolving from its roots, Captions has since become a holistic creative suite, leading the charge in transforming content creation through state-of-the-art AI functionalities, leveraging OpenAI’s GPT-4 large language model (LLM) and an AI Eye Contact feature developed with Nvidia.

“We recognized the need among creators using teleprompters and off-screen scripts and collaborated with Nvidia to develop the eye contact correction feature specifically for this use case,” Gaurav Misra, Captions’ cofounder and CEO said in statement provided to VentureBeat via spokesperson. “Upon its launch earlier this year, it became an instant hit, and now many other companies are developing similar technology inspired by Captions.”

The AI adjusts a video host’s gaze in real time, creating the illusion that they are making eye contact with the camera.

Significant traction among business users

While Captions is essentially consumer-focused, it has garnered traction among business users as well, especially those involved in social media management, content marketing, and growth marketing.

The platform appeals to a diverse audience including, but not limited to, influencers, realtors, fitness trainers, musicians and sales professionals.

Notable accounts utilizing Captions include the Disney-owned sports network ESPN and its commentator Omar Raja, “Mr. Wonderful” of Shark Tank fame, Twitch’s founder Justin Kan and the influencer Unnecessary Inventions.

Everett Randle, a partner at Kleiner Perkins, lauded Captions, stating: “AI is redefining how digital products are created, and Captions has emerged as the leading AI-powered platform for video content. Millions of users have already leveraged it to tell their stories and engage audiences. Gaurav and the Captions team have deep empathy for and understanding of creators from their time at Snap that we believe is critical in building within this new era of AI-enabled product development. We’re thrilled to lead Captions’ Series B and support the creation of the AI-powered creative studio.”

Mike Vernal from Sequoia Capital also heaped praise on Misra and Captions in a statement, writing: “Captions use of AI for video production has the potential to revolutionize the studio experience for today’s creator economy. The user enthusiasm and loyalty Captions has experienced this early on is a clear indication of their future success.”

Try On

Try On: Google’s New AI Tool for Enhanced Online Shopping Experience

The advent of online retail has completely transformed the way we shop, offering the convenience of shopping from home and saving valuable time, particularly during the pandemic. However, purchasing clothing online, despite its numerous benefits, has often come with its fair share of frustrations.

According to a recent online survey conducted by Google, a significant portion of online shoppers, approximately forty-two percent, expressed a sense of disconnect with the models showcasing the clothing, feeling that they were not adequately represented. Furthermore, a staggering fifty-nine percent reported dissatisfaction with their online clothing purchases, as the items appeared different in reality compared to how they appeared online.

In an effort to address these concerns and enhance the virtual shopping experience, Google has introduced a groundbreaking generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool called “Try On.” The announcement of this tool was made on Wednesday, and it has already been made available to select shoppers in the United States.

The “Try On” tool empowers shoppers to select models that resonate with them on a personal level, offering a greater sense of representation and relatability. This can be achieved by simply utilizing the “Try On” badge displayed alongside Google Search results.

Google has emphasized that the implementation of this innovative tool aims to deliver a more personalized and meaningful shopping experience for users. In addition to model selection, the tool provides advanced features, such as refined options and filters, enabling shoppers to curate their search results and create a truly relatable shopping journey.

With the introduction of the “Try On” tool, Google seeks to bridge the gap between online shoppers and the fashion items they desire, ensuring a more accurate representation and aligning the virtual experience with the reality of the products. This development is poised to alleviate the frustrations associated with online clothing shopping and empower consumers to make informed and satisfying purchase decisions from the comfort of their own homes.

Diversifying online retail

Google’s AI-powered 'Try On' tool to make online shopping more relatable
Select “Try On” option on Google’s search bar to experience the new AI feature 

Lilian Rincon, senior director of product in Google’s shopping sector, says that Google selected diverse models ranging from sizes XXS to 4XL representing different skin tones (using the Monk Skin Tone Scale as a guide), body shapes, ethnicities and hair types.

“Our new generative AI model can take just one clothing image and accurately reflect how it would drape, fold, cling, stretch, and form wrinkles and shadows on a diverse set of real models in various poses”, she said.

As of yesterday, US shoppers can virtually try on products using the AI models from a broad collection of fashion labels including Anthropologie, Everlane, H&M and LOFT. 

The company is working in collaboration with Shopping Graph, a comprehensive data set of products and sellers.

The technology can scale to more brands and items over time, the product director says.  

Currently, the AI feature exclusively allows shoppers to preview women’s tops within product listings from an assortment of brands.

However, Google is set to launch a variety of options later this year, including men’s tops. 

AI dominance

Additionally, the new refine options allow users to custom pick colors, styles, and patterns made possible by harnessing machine learning and the company’s new visual matching algorithm.

“Unlike shopping in a store, you’re not limited to one retailer. You’ll see options from stores across the web,” Rincon said.

According to CNN, Google’s move to incorporate AI comes in response to the wave of new AI-powered tools such as ChatGPT.

“At the Google I/O developer conference last month, the company spent more than 90 minutes teasing a long list of AI announcements, including expanding access to its existing chatbot Bard and bringing new AI capabilities to Google Search,” reports CNN.

With AI growing rapidly, other companies such as Shopify, Instacart, eBay, and even Amazon have entered the sphere. CNN says that Amazon is experimenting with AI, to sum up customer feedback about products on the site.

As per this amusing summary of the Google I/O keynote from The Verge, AI did feature rather prominently at the event.

Netflix Implements Password-Sharing Charges in the United States

Netflix Implements Password-Sharing Charges in the United States

Netflix, in a bid to address password-sharing practices, has taken a strong stance by implementing charges for such activities in the United States. Following successful trials conducted in various countries, the company has now extended this action to its U.S. subscribers.

Implementation Details

Account holders in the United States are being notified via email that sharing their membership with individuals outside their household will incur an additional charge. Two options are provided: transferring the shared user’s profile to a new paid membership or paying an extra $7.99 per month to continue sharing the account.

Successful Trials and Revenue Growth

During the first quarter of 2023, Netflix conducted paid sharing trials in Canada, New Zealand, Spain, and Portugal. The trials in Canada, in particular, resulted in the paid membership base surpassing pre-sharing levels, leading to accelerated revenue growth that outpaced that of the United States.

Implications and Account Transfer

When a paying member transfers a shared profile to a new membership, the person outside the account holder’s household will be required to subscribe to their own Netflix account to retain their watch history, lists, and other profile information.

Netflix’s Strategy and Revenue Base

Despite initial cancellations during the trials, Netflix observed increased acquisition, revenue, and activation of paid accounts by “borrowers.” The company believes that implementing paid sharing charges will contribute to a larger revenue base and improve its services in the long term.

Account Sharing Challenges

Account sharing among Netflix subscribers currently extends to over 100 million households, undermining the company’s ability to invest in service enhancements and business growth.

Delayed Rollout and Improved Experience

The broad rollout of the paid sharing program was initially scheduled for the first quarter of 2023 but was delayed to ensure a smoother implementation. Netflix aimed to enhance the member experience before launching it widely.

Primary Location Setting and Access Control

With the introduction of paid sharing charges in the U.S., Netflix users will be required to set a primary location for their accounts. Access to the subscription from outside this designated location will be restricted unless additional charges are paid. However, users can still log into their accounts on mobile devices, tablets, or new TVs in vacation rentals or hotels.

Netflix Ad Plan Updates

In addition to the password-sharing charges, Netflix made changes to its ad plan in April. The company reported positive revenue and minimal switching to ad-free subscriptions. As a result, Netflix enhanced the ad plan by offering 1080p-resolution video quality (up from 720p) and allowing two concurrent streams.

Microsoft Unveils New Power Platform Features at Build 2023

Microsoft Unveils New Power Platform Features at Build 2023

During its Build 2023 conference, Microsoft announced a significant expansion of features for its Power Platform, aimed at revolutionizing app development and empowering both professional and citizen developers with low-code technologies.

Recognizing the growing adoption of low-code tools among professional developers, Microsoft acknowledges their ability to streamline and expedite application development while reducing the complexities associated with traditional software development.

To leverage this trend, Microsoft has introduced updates to its comprehensive low-code Power Platform, enabling developers to boost productivity and accelerate solution-building. The Power Platform equips developers with tools for creating custom applications, automating processes, and effectively managing information across their organizations.

Low-code meets cutting-edge AI

Microsoft’s latest updates introduce cutting-edge AI capabilities designed to improve development practices and reshape businesses’ and individuals’ operations. The enhancements include intuitive visual interfaces, drag-and-drop components and pre-built templates. The aim to to enable developers to concentrate on higher-level tasks rather than the complexities of coding.

The company said developers will also gain increased agility so they can swiftly adapt to evolving market conditions and meet customers’ ever-changing needs.

“Our new features for the Power Platform will transform how developers work by increasing their speed, agility, and ability to deliver solutions in complex technical environments. The platform provides comprehensive low-code tools that increase [developers’] productivity through over 1,000 built-in data connectors, robust platform components, and easy-to-use development environments,” Charles Lamanna, CVP of business applications and platform at Microsoft, told VentureBeat. “The AI-powered Power Platform Copilot is further accelerating low-code development in a really interesting way — low code makes developers go faster, but AI plus low code makes devs go even faster.”

The introduction of Copilot in Power Apps stands out among the new features, as it streamlines and speeds website development via generative AI in Power Pages.

In addition, with Copilot as their digital copy editor, developers can rapidly generate text using natural language descriptions, facilitating efficient content creation.

Moreover, Copilot in Power Pages simplifies the creation of data-centric forms by automatically generating tables in Microsoft Dataverse based on natural language input. This innovative tool further assists in web page layout generation, image creation and theme customization, enabling development of visually appealing websites.

An additional advantage of Copilot in Power Pages is its seamless integration of a Power Virtual Agents chatbot into the Power Pages site. The chatbot can provide instantaneous responses to user queries via generative AI. This integration streamlines website creation and enhances the user experience with natural language and intelligent suggestions.

“Copilot in Power Apps can now build complex multi-screen apps and turn unstructured inputs into structured data,” said Microsoft’s Lamanna. “Developers can now move faster than ever by describing the user experience they want, and AI automatically generates it for them. Or, developers can provide sample data for an application and have AI automatically generate the data schema and app. This will help them spend more time writing code and less dealing with enterprise app development’s drudgery.”

With Gartner’s projection that 75% of new enterprise applications will embrace low-code or no-code technologies by 2026, Microsoft emphasized that the Power Platform, coupled with the integration of AI capabilities through Copilot, empowers developers to improve productivity and expedite the creation of innovative solutions.

Generative AI for fast-tracking application development

The company said that in the past three months, it has dedicated its efforts to introducing AI capabilities that revolutionize development practices and redefine how businesses and individuals operate. At Build 2023, the company emphasized its commitment to driving innovation and pushing boundaries in the tech industry.

Power Platform’s managed environments now support a catalog of enterprise-approved templates and components to further enhance developers’ productivity. Professional developers can use this feature to publish artifacts such as apps, flows and bots, streamlining the application development process.

Microsoft asserts that each new component added to the catalog brings about time and cost reductions for the entire organization, promoting efficiency and effectiveness.

The company said these advancements enable IT administrators to govern and maintain their app ecosystems effectively, minimizing duplication, fostering collaboration between makers and developers, and establishing a cohesive environment where components can be shared organization-wide. Consequently, the app-building process is expedited, while an audit trail ensures accountability and transparency.

Improvements to Copilot

Microsoft has also significantly improved Copilot, a generative AI tool within Power Apps that greatly accelerates application development. It enables developers to use natural language to easily incorporate screens and controls into their apps. It also facilitates the extraction of unstructured data from Excel, providing valuable insights.

Developers can now tap into their applications’ full potential through intuitive conversation-driven interactions, optimizing their functionality and user experience.

“Our new advancements include the ability for Copilot to add and edit any screen or mainline control to a maker’s app; the ability to understand unstructured Excel files as inputs and turn them into structured data; and the ability for developers to add an advanced Copilot control to model apps for end users that can reason over all the data in their application,” Lamanna told VentureBeat.

With the generative AI capabilities of Copilot in Power Pages, developers can generate web page layouts, create images and customize site themes for a seamless and visually appealing website setup, the company says. This integration empowers developers to expedite website building while maintaining control over visual elements and customization.

“Users can build data-centric forms by simply describing the type of form required. Then, Copilot will build it for you by auto-generating tables in Microsoft Dataverse and allowing you to edit, remove and add fields using natural language input,” Lamanna said. “Then, with a single click, you can add a Power Virtual Agents chatbot to your Power Pages site, which uses generative AI to instantly respond to user questions. All of this is possible in minutes using natural language and intelligent suggestions, streamlining the process of creating a Power Pages site.”

Microsoft is also enhancing Power BI, its business intelligence tool, by integrating Copilot. This integration harnesses the capabilities of large language models to turn data into insights. Users can describe the desired visuals and insights, and Copilot will generate them accordingly.

The integration encompasses functionalities including creating and customizing reports, generating and editing DAX calculations and producing text summaries of data insights. 

The company says that Power BI’s ability to adapt the tone, scope and style of narratives aids in delivering easily comprehensible text summaries to improve data-driven decision-making.

“With Copilot in Power BI, we are infusing the power of large language models … to help everyone move faster from data to insights. You can simply describe the visuals and insights you’re looking for, and Copilot will do the rest,” explained Lamanna. ”Power BI can now also deliver data insights with greater impact through easy-to-understand text summaries.”

Enhancing chatbot development with agent development tools

Microsoft is also working towards transforming the process of building bots with Power Virtual Agents. With generative AI, developers can now create bots that engage in rich, multi-turn conversations with customers.

According to Microsoft’s Lamanna, these bots possess the intelligence to effectively handle customer queries by searching knowledge bases for answers and seamlessly connecting relevant actions to fulfill requests. The new Generative Actions engine empowers the bot to comprehend user requests, analyze its library of APIs, actions and tools, and autonomously assemble the necessary components to complete the request.

Lamanna believes this approach streamlines bot development by reducing the time required to build conversations node-by-node. Additionally, it allows developers to efficiently curate knowledge sources and tools, enhancing the bot-building process’s overall effectiveness.

“It is a way to create a ChatGPT-like experience using your data and your own plugins. Every organization can now use these chat experiences to better support their employees or customers,” added Lamanna. “Bot builders will spend less time building conversations node-by-node from scratch and instead focus on curating knowledge sources and tools, changing the traditional way bots are built.”

Virtual Agents unified authoring canvas

Microsoft has also made an announcement regarding the general availability of the unified authoring canvas in Power Virtual Agents. This innovative feature combines the capabilities of Bot Framework Composer and Power Virtual Agents’ intuitive authoring experience.

The unified authoring canvas offers a single platform where low-code makers and professional developers can collaborate. Within this canvas, team members can use rich multi-author capabilities and a built-in code side-by-side editor, enabling everyone to contribute to the bot’s development.

Noteworthy additions to this tool include enhanced rich response authoring, the ability to integrate APIs and events, Power FX expressions, connections to Azure services for custom natural language requirements, and a range of powerful generative AI capabilities. These advancements further empower users to create highly interactive and dynamic bots.

Furthermore, Microsoft has introduced a preview of Copilot in Power Automate, showcasing a brand-new designer specifically designed for cloud flows. This integration aims to unify the user experience and use natural language to accelerate the creation of automation.

OpenAI Introduces ChatGPT App For iOS

OpenAI Introduces ChatGPT App For iOS

OpenAI has taken the tech world by surprise with the sudden release of its ChatGPT app for Apple iOS. This unexpected move brings the power of generative AI to iPhones worldwide in a remarkably short timeframe, as it comes less than six months after the highly acclaimed chatbot made its debut on November 30. The availability of ChatGPT on iOS devices opens up new possibilities for users to engage in human-like conversations and harness the capabilities of AI directly from their iPhones. This strategic move by OpenAI demonstrates its commitment to providing accessible and innovative AI solutions to a broader audience, further expanding the reach of conversational AI technology.

According to a blog post, the company says that the ChatGPT app in the App Store “syncs your conversations, supports voice input, and brings our latest model improvements to your fingertips.”

OpenAI added that the app is free to use and syncs a user’s history across devices. It also integrates Whisper, the company’s open-source speech-recognition system, enabling voice input. 

In addition, ChatGPT Plus subscribers get exclusive access to GPT-4’s capabilities, early access to features and faster response times.

In any case, as ChatGPT-like clones have flooded the App Store, and since open-source LLMs have been shown to work on smaller devices, it’s clear that this is a big move that OpenAI needed to make quickly. Apparently that didn’t leave much time to detail any efforts around safety issues — the only thing the blog post says is “As we gather user feedback, we’re committed to continuous feature and safety improvements for ChatGPT.”

But there is good news for non-Apple users, according to the blog post: “Android users, you’re next! ChatGPT will be coming to your devices soon.”

Users can download the ChatGPT app here.

Montana Makes History as 1st US State to Ban TikTok

Montana Makes History as 1st US State to Ban TikTok

Montana has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first state in the United States to ban the popular video app TikTok. Governor Greg Gianforte has signed the prohibition into law, which will take effect next year. This move is expected to serve as a legal test for a potential nationwide ban on the Chinese-owned platform, as lawmakers in Washington increasingly call for stricter regulations and enhanced security measures.

Implications of the Montana Ban

Under the new law, TikTok will be prohibited from operating within Montana’s jurisdiction. Violations of the ban, including accessing or downloading the app, will result in a $10,000 fine for each offense, with fines applicable on a daily basis. The law also mandates that Apple and Google remove TikTok from their app stores, and companies could face additional penalties.

Anticipated Challenges and Criticism

Legal challenges and lawsuits are highly likely to arise as critics argue that the ban infringes on the free speech rights of Montana residents. The Montana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has expressed concerns about the impact of the ban on the ability of Montanans to express themselves, gather information, and conduct small business operations. TikTok acknowledges that the constitutionality of the ban will ultimately be determined by the courts.

Ongoing Concerns and Global Controversy

The Montana ban is part of a larger ongoing dispute between TikTok and several western governments. The app has already been banned on government devices in the United States, Canada, and several European countries. TikTok, owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, has faced allegations from US politicians that it operates under the influence of the Chinese government and engages in espionage activities on behalf of Beijing. However, the company vehemently denies these claims.

Looking Ahead

Montana’s status as the first state to ban TikTok is likely to have broader implications for the regulation of social media platforms and the ongoing debates surrounding privacy, national security, and foreign influence. The legal challenges and court decisions related to the ban will shape the future of TikTok’s operations in the United States and may influence the approach taken by other states and the federal government in addressing similar concerns.

The Future of TikTok in the United States

Montana’s ban on TikTok is part of a larger trend of increased scrutiny and regulation of Chinese-owned tech companies in the United States. With concerns regarding data privacy, national security, and potential foreign influence, TikTok has encountered significant challenges in maintaining its operations within the country. The app’s immense popularity among American users has also raised concerns about the potential access of sensitive personal information by the Chinese government.

Previously, the Trump administration issued executive orders seeking to ban TikTok, citing national security concerns, but these orders were temporarily blocked by the courts. The Biden administration has taken a slightly different approach by conducting a review of apps with ties to foreign adversaries and assessing the risks they pose to American users’ data.

TikTok has made efforts to address these concerns by implementing stricter data security measures and establishing transparency initiatives to allow external audits of its data handling practices. The company has also taken steps to distance itself from its Chinese ownership, such as creating separate entities for its operations in different regions.

However, the battle between TikTok and the US government is far from over. The Montana ban will likely serve as a testing ground for the legality and constitutionality of such measures, potentially setting a precedent for other states or even national regulations targeting TikTok.

The Impact on Users and Content Creators

The ban on TikTok in Montana will undoubtedly affect the app’s users and content creators in the state. For many individuals, TikTok has become a platform for self-expression, creativity, and community engagement. The loss of access to TikTok could limit their ability to connect with others, showcase their talents, and reach a wider audience.

Moreover, the ban may have broader implications for the future of social media regulation and freedom of expression in the digital age. It raises questions about the balance between national security concerns and individual rights, as well as the role of governments in regulating online platforms.

The Global Debate on TikTok’s Security

The controversy surrounding TikTok extends beyond the United States. Several other countries, including India, have banned or imposed restrictions on the app due to similar concerns over data security and potential ties to the Chinese government. The global debate on TikTok’s security and its implications for national sovereignty, privacy, and economic interests is ongoing.

As countries grapple with these issues, the regulation of TikTok and other Chinese-owned apps is likely to continue evolving. The outcome of legal battles, ongoing investigations, and policy discussions will shape the future landscape of social media and technology regulation worldwide.

Google Says Goodbye to Passwords With Passkeys Launch

Google Says Goodbye to Passwords With Passkeys Launch

In a major announcement, Google has revealed that it is now offering support for passkeys across all its platforms. With this update, users will be able to enjoy a password less sign-in experience on websites and apps using fingerprinting, facial recognition, or a local pin, without the need to enter a password or complete 2-step verification (2SV).

To set up a passkey, users can log in to a website or app using their existing username and password, and then opt to create a passkey that can be stored in a solution like Google Password Manager for future logins.

Compared to traditional passwords, passkeys are much more secure and resistant to credential theft, phishing, and social engineering scams. This makes them a safer and more convenient alternative, especially considering how even the most tech-savvy users can be fooled by phishing attempts and other scams.

In their official blog post, Google software engineers Arnar Birgisson and Diana K. Smetters noted that “passkeys are a more convenient and safer alternative to passwords.” With broader support for password less sign-in options, Google accounts are now more resistant to identity-based attacks, offering users greater peace of mind and protection online.

Password-based security inefficient for modern enterprise

The release comes as the weaknesses of password-based security are becoming increasingly apparent, with hackers leaking more than 721 million passwords online last year. Vendors including Microsoft and Apple have committed to developing a common passwordless sign-in standard. 

While existing technologies like multi-factor authentication (MFA) have helped to enhance online account security, they haven’t fully addressed the risk of credential theft due to their susceptibility to SIM swap attacks that hijack the SMS verification process, and the inconvenience of adding additional authentication steps for end users. 

Password less login options like passkeys that enable users to log in with bio-metric data provide a user-friendly alternative that decreases the likelihood of a successful account takeover attempt. 

YouTube TV, 'Major Update' for Apple TV

YouTube TV, ‘Major Update’ for Apple TV

Google’s YouTube TV is rolling out several updates, including improvements to picture quality and a “major” update for Apple TV users.

In a post on the YouTube TV subreddit, a YouTube Community Manager details what updates YouTube TV has ongoing at the moment, which includes rounding up some previously detailed bits of information. For one, the post reiterates that Multiview is now available to YouTube TV subscribers following March Madness, with “improvements” set to be coming ahead of the NFL season.

On that note, the post also reiterates Google’s launch of NFL Sunday Ticket presale on YouTube TV, including the discounts subscribers are eligible for. More interesting, though, is the mention of a “major update” now rolling out to YouTube TV subscribers on Apple TV.

This update, v1.13, takes aim at fixing long-standing YouTube TV issues on Apple TV including the black screen at start-up, addressing 4K playback issues, as well as turning on HDR support. The post also states that a new app update, which will fix the crashing issue on first-generation Apple TV 4K units, is hitting the App Store imminently.

Lastly, the YouTube TV team confirms that they are implementing changes to transcoding, which involves increasing the bitrate for 1080p content. This change is expected to result in improved picture quality for most users, but is currently being tested only on devices that support VP9 and high-speed internet. While these enhancements to picture quality are still in the testing phase, they may become permanent over the summer.

The post also briefly mentions a 5.1 surround sound syncing issue that many subscribers have run into, with YouTube TV teams preparing a fix.