YouTube and Spotify will not be launching a dedicated app for the new Apple Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, joining Netflix after the streaming giant had already ruled it out.

As reported by Bloomberg, a YouTube statement detailed how they would not provide fresh app support for the upcoming Apple launch nor allow its existing iPad app to work on the device. It means YouTube and Netflix will recommend users use a web browser if they want to view content on the mixed-reality headset. Spotify is also not providing, or planning, a dedicated app for VisionOS, the operating system for Vision Pro.

The Apple device is due for launch over the coming weeks. It is the latest product by the trillion-dollar company seeking to break down barriers of what’s possible with technology while also adding convenience to its users. Users can interact with the product’s OS by using their eyes, hands, and voice, and even if YouTube, Netflix and Spotify are out there are still more than 1 million compatible apps already existing in current iOS and iPadOS app stores.

Extensive demo required for Vision Pro

Within the headset, Vision Pro will include access to Apple’s own apps for music and podcasts, but the absence of giants like Spotify, YouTube and Netflix is a blow. This is significant as the Apple product is being presented as an entertainment platform, for video, games, music, and other interactive experiences.

The situation could change later but there is no sign of it at present. The existing YouTube and Spotify apps for iPad and iPhone should provide an easy route toward supporting the Vision Pro if desired.

Pre-orders for the Apple Vision Pro are underway, with a hefty price point of $3,499.

But don’t expect to plug-in and play. Apple is training its retail store workforce to demonstrate the Vision Pro to customers with sessions that could last 25 minutes.

Image: Apple

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Google has published several new features to its range of services, but only available to those in the EU.

Tech companies around the world are making changes to fall in line with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a bill that aims to make digital markets fairer and open. There are various new obligations that tech companies will need to adhere to, ranging from preventing the removal of pre-installed apps on their systems or stopping the tracking of end users outside of their core platforms without user consent.

Several improvements are on the way to Google services in particular along these lines, as announced in a recent blog. As the changes come into effect, EU Google users may start to some changes in how they look and function.

What changes are coming to Google services in the EU?

The changes are across four main areas: consent for link services, changes to search results, choice screens, and data portability.

At the moment, Google shares user data across certain products and services. In the next few weeks, the platform will present EU users with an additional consent banner to confirm whether this data can continue to be shared. It’s worth noting that if you don’t consent, some features will be limited or unusable but you can change your decision at any time.

For search results, many changes are coming to the results page, from grouping links to comparison sites from across the web to query shortcuts designed to help users find what they need faster. This will be especially applicable when comparing things like hotels or bookable services online, with extra information like price comparisons, images, and star ratings available to see directly from the results page.

According to the DMA, Google will also start to show additional choice screens on Android when setting up a device to make Chrome your default search engine, as well as on iOS for desktop devices.

Finally, EU users will be able to download or transfer a copy of their data from more than 80 Google products and services. This is to meet new requirements from the DMA around moving user data to a third-party app or service.

Featured image: PhotoMIX Company; Pexels

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A wave of AI girlfriend bots has appeared on OpenAI’s new GPT store, forcing the tech company to take a stance on the matter. Within days of the store opening, at least six “girlfriend” AI chatbots, including “Ai.Eva,” “My Tiefling Girlfriend,” “My Virtual Girlfriend,” “Your Girlfriend Tiffany” appeared on the platform.

According to OpenAI’s policies, it does not “allow GPTs dedicated to fostering romantic companionship or performing regulated activities.” It states that any tools that are deemed “inappropriate for minors,” including “ sexually explicit or suggestive content” are not permitted. However, at the time of writing, the girlfriend bots continue to exist on the platform.

Some apps have already been taken down, but it appears that creators have become more creative in their titles, with “sweetheart” generating more relevant options than “girlfriend.” Other search results appear under “dating.”

OpenAI just launched GPT Store.

And it is already flooded with AI Girlfriends and Boyfriends pic.twitter.com/sUHWu7k8us

— Poonam Soni (@CodeByPoonam) January 13, 2024

OpenAI has blocked certain explicit terms, hence it seems to be cracking down on some elements. When asking one of the bots the question, “What romantically do you want to do tonight?” it responded with a generic answer about spending a night in.

What other AI chatbots are there?

Business Insider reported that platforms dedicated to AI companions have surged in popularity over the last year. The AI chatbot application Replika, marketed as an “AI for anyone who wants a friend with no judgment, drama, or social anxiety involved,” has been downloaded over 10 million times.

Meta has also created a collection of AI bots, mimic celebrities and famous characters in history. From socialite Paris Hilton, entrepreneur and reality TV star Kendall Jenner, to former NFL star Tom Brady, the AI companions were rolled out in the U.S. in September.

Character.AI, the AI chat startup founded by former Google researchers and backed by $150 million in funding from Andreessen Horowitz, also added multiple AI companions and friends into a shared group chat feature in October.

Excited to announce v(1.0) of Digi, the future of AI Romantic Companionship, for IOS and Android

Site: https://t.co/q420GR4jJ4
Twitter: @digiaiapp

A quick thread on features, and where we go from here (1/13) pic.twitter.com/9KZoorEoA0

— Andrew (@andyohlbaum) December 15, 2023

There are already several romance-related AI chatbots, such as Digi, which was billed by its creator as “the future of AI Romantic Companionship.” The number of downloads for the app soared after it was revealed on X.

Featured image: Canva / DALL-E

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Apple’s App Store will now allow developers to link outside payment platforms after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear its appeal in its legal battle with Epic Games.

The iPhone maker has updated its policy in the United States, letting developers bypass Apple’s own payment system, which charges a commission of either 15% or 30%. However, the tech giant said it would still attempt to collect a 12% or 27% revenue share that opts out of the Apple system.

Under the guidelines, developers can apply for an entitlement, allowing them to include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchases.

The guideline states, “Developers may apply for an entitlement to provide a link in their app to a website the developer owns or maintains responsibility for in order to purchase such items,” adding that the entitlement is limited to use only in the iOS or iPadOS App Store on the U.S. storefront.

The Supreme Court had declined to consider the Cupertino-based company’s challenge of lower-court rulings that found some of the store rules for apps purchased on more than one billion iPhones constitute unfair competition under California law. The justices also dismissed Epic’s secondary appeal, however, Apple’s stock fell more than 2% in early trading on Tuesday.

In a series of posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney said Apple’s plan remained anti-competitive. He added that the company would contest Apple’s “bad-faith compliance plan” in District Court.

A quick summary of glaring problems we've found so far:

1) Apple has introduced an anticompetitive new 27% tax on web purchases. Apple has never done this before, and it kills price competition. Developers can't offer digital items more cheaply on the web after paying a… pic.twitter.com/YkHuapG7xa

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) January 16, 2024

What did Apple do to Epic Games?

In 2020, Apple removed Epic’s Fortnite game from the App Store when Epic Games introduced an alternative in-game payment method, allowing players to bypass Apple’s 30% fee on in-app purchases. Google also responded by withdrawing Fortnite from the Play Store.

Epic subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging antitrust violations by Apple, claiming that the company had unlawfully monopolized the market. However, in 2021, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers rejected Epic’s antitrust claims.

Featured Image: Pexels / Canva

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There is currently an issue affecting some YouTube users which causes huge slowdowns when trying to view content, and there is no consensus on the cause. People believe this could be due to ad blockers for YouTube being cracked down by Google.

In November, 9to5Google began reporting on this issue, and although speculation began with the idea that it was an issue with Firefox, designed to force users to use the Google-owned Chrome browser, the most popular theory became one that suggested ad blockers were the cause.

A post on Reddit seemed to show this being the case, with the user showing the slow load speeds, then disabling their ad blocker and having speeds return to normal. Users also reported problems with turning a video into full-screen or theatre mode.

Youtube started slowing video buffer with adblock enabled
byu/NightMean inyoutube

YouTube seemingly confirmed this in a statement they made to 9to5Google: “Ads are a vital lifeline for our creators that help them run and grow their businesses. That’s why the use of ad blockers violates YouTube’s Terms of Service. We’ve been urging users for some time to allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium for an ad-free experience. In the past week, users using ad blockers may have experienced suboptimal viewing, which included delays in loading, regardless of the browser they are using. Users who have uninstalled their ad blockers may still experience a temporary delay in loading, and should try refreshing their browser.”

However, as Ars Technica pointed out, the slow buffering experienced by some users might be due to a bug in one of the most popular ad blockers, Adblock Plus. Adblock Plus recently posted a bug report about “performance issues” and said it should be fixed in the next version. Developers of a different ad blocker, uBlock Origin, said the issue only affected Adblock Plus users.

What are the ad blockers for YouTube?

Although record numbers of users are uninstalling their ad blockers, it remains unclear whether this is the right course of action or not. Most of the most popular ad blockers are working hard to get around YouTube’s crackdown. Here are the most popular ad blockers for YouTube:

• uBlock Origin (free and open source, supports most popular browsers)
• AdBlocker Ultimate ($2.49 per month billed annually, claims to work on a system level to overcome new ad technology)
• AdGuard ($2 per month, billed annually, works similarly to AdBlocker Ultimate)
  

Featured image credit: Freestock/Pexels

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Apple News is aiming to be the go-to source for following the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election by enhancing its app with several new features.

New Apple News Live features

Most notably, the news app has added support for Live Activities on iPhones running iOS 16. Live Activities allow Apple News to display constantly updating information directly on the lock screen or in the Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro models. During the recent Republican Iowa caucuses (Jan.15), the app’s editors utilized Live Activities to show real-time delegate count percentages as results were coming in, reports Apple Insider. Users can now choose to follow specific election-related stories to enable these updates.

The world’s most popular news app has had a dedicated Election 2024 section for some time now, but new personalization options have been added. Readers can now select their preferred news sources, topics, candidates, and even region-specific coverage that will then populate the “For You” section with relevant stories.

For users wanting election coverage in audio form, Apple News+ subscribers and Apple One Premier members can access audio versions of articles in the app. There is also a daily Apple News Today podcast that summarizes top stories in a 10-minute format, as well as Apple News Narrated – a dedicated feed of selected articles read aloud.

With still months to go, more election-centric features may continue being added to the app. But for now, installing the latest iOS 16 update and exploring Apple News’ special election section looks to be a strong starting point to track caucus developments.

What other news apps are out there?

The news app market is a competitive space and Apple has several rivals who will also want a bigger slice of the election traffic pie.

Google News, Flipboard, SmartNews, Feedly, and Pulse Reader are some of the most popular alternatives to Apple News for iOS users.

Google News offers personalized news with cross-platform availability, Flipboard has a magazine-style interface for custom feeds, SmartNews uses AI for intelligent curation while Feedly focuses specifically on RSS feeds rather than general news sources and Pulse Reader is known for readability and topic customization. While no competitor matches Apple News’ iOS integration, each provides something for users wanting alternatives for news aggregation,

Featured Image: Dalle-E

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Snapchat has become a predominant force in how young individuals, such as home-schooled teenager Jordyn Gilbert, engage and exchange information. For these users, Snapchat is crucial in preserving friendships and maintaining communication. Snapchat streaks, in particular, have become an integral aspect of the platform’s appeal, fostering a sense of competition and camaraderie among peers. As a result, the importance of Snapchat in young people’s social lives cannot be understated.

Snapchat+ and its purpose

In July 2022, Snapchat launched a subscription-based service called Snapchat+ for $3.99 per month. This service aims to enhance the overall user experience and promote deeper connections among friends using the app. The application aims to positively impact users’ emotions during their daily interactions on the platform by providing minor improvements and features like the Friend Solar System.

The Friend Solar System feature uses a planetary metaphor to depict users’ connections with their Snapchat friends. The frequency of user interactions and their distance from the sun determine the position of their planets. As users engage more frequently with certain friends, their planets appear closer to the sun, indicating a stronger connection. Conversely, less frequent interactions push planets further from the sun, signifying a more distant or weaker relationship.

Emotional implications of the Friend Solar System

For users like Jordyn Gilbert, visualizing their connections can result in emotional distress when realizing that a previously strong bond, such as with a crush, has weakened. The metaphorical position of Neptune, the furthest planet from the sun, represents this. However, this visualization can also foster a greater appreciation for people who have become increasingly important in users’ lives, as those individuals appear closer to the sun and are, therefore, more significant.

Users of the Friend Solar System must be careful when interpreting these changes, as it is essential to strike a balance between self-awareness and the emotional impact of changing connections.

The influence of apps on emotional health

The example of Snapchat and the Friend Solar System highlights the potential impact of app features on users’ emotional health. This raises concerns about the role of apps in young people’s lives and the possible adverse effects on mental well-being. To ensure that apps do not inadvertently contribute to mental health issues, developers and stakeholders must thoroughly evaluate these implications and address any concerns.

A better understanding of the potential effects of app features on users can be reached by promoting open discussions and collaborative efforts between app creators, users, and mental health experts. This collaboration can lead to implementing safety measures that foster positive experiences and responsible usage, particularly among young users, ensuring that apps such as Snapchat continue to offer an enjoyable and beneficial platform for maintaining connections and nurturing relationships.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Sanket Mishra; Pexels

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Google has announced it is removing 17 features from Assistant in a shakeup of its virtual software application.

Given the advances in artificial intelligence (AI), Bard could be considered to be the future of Google Assistant and as part of ongoing changes to the tech giant’s service offering, it is removing what it describes as “underutilized features”.

In the blog announcement, the search giant detailed how it is “prioritizing the experiences you love and investing in the underlying technology to make them even better.”

The changes will disappoint some but the full breakdown details how users will still be able to access the generic features from a device, just not directly using Google software.

Amongst the key features to be hit, is the ability to set or use media, music, or radio alarms on Google Assistant-connected devices. The blog explained you can create a custom routine that has similar behavior or use a standard alarm. You will no longer be able to send an email or audio message with a voice prompt but that doesn’t seem like too much of a burden, given how those options are generally utilized.

Anyone who wants to give feedback or to relay their dissatisfaction with the changes has been invited to say “Hey Google, send feedback,” to leave a comment.

Google Assitant losing these 17 features

As confirmed by Google, the affected features include:

1. Playing and controlling audiobooks on Google Play Books with your voice,
2. Setting or using media alarms, music alarms, or radio alarms on Google Assistant-enabled devices,
3. Accessing or managing your cookbook, transferring recipes from device to device, playing an instructional recipe video, or showing step-by-step recipes,
4. Managing a stopwatch on Smart Displays and Speakers.
5. Using your voice to call a device or broadcast a message to your Google Family Group,
6. Using your voice to send an email, video or audio message,
7. Rescheduling an event in Google Calendar with your voice,
8. Using App Launcher in Google Assistant driving mode on Google Maps,
9. Asking to schedule or hear previously scheduled Family Bell announcements.
10. Being able to ask to meditate with Calm,
11. Voice control for activities will no longer be available on Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 devices,
12. Viewing your sleep summaries will only be available on Google Smart Displays.
13. Calls made from speakers and Smart Displays will not show up with a caller ID unless you’re using Duo,
14. Viewing the ambient “Commute to Work” time estimates on Smart Displays,
15. Checking personal travel itineraries by voice,
16. Asking for information about your contacts
17. Asking to take certain actions by voice.

Image credit, Mojahid Mottakin, pexels.com

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Australia’s eSafety commissioner has blasted the social media platform X after it found that over 6000 banned accounts have been reinstated following Elon Musk’s takeover of the social media giant.

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner launched a scathing attack on the social media giant, formerly known as Twitter, stating it had created a “perfect storm for safety to be diminished” in Australia. She cited thousands of banned accounts which were subsequently reinstated, cuts to staff tasked with ensuring online safety, and procrastination on hate reports which were discussed in the organisation’s new report.

As reported by the country’s ABC News, Commissioner Julie Inman Grant went on to compare the situation to putting dangerous drivers back on the road without any further safety measures.

A legal notice was sent to the parent company of X in June last year to request urgent answers on how it was measuring up to the safety expectations set out by the Australian government. Ms Inman Grant has now revealed the “jaw-dropping” response to the communication with a prediction that X will only become more unsafe.

X accused of posing risks to Australia’s users

Since October 2022, when Musk acquired what was then known as Twitter, 6,103 accounts have been reactivated after they were banned. 194 of this figure had been suspended for hateful conduct.

“There needs to be some sort of oversight or scrutiny to ensure that they’re not continuing to present greater risks to Australian users,” implored Inman Grant.

She also revealed X had cut its “global trust and safety staff” by 33% since the takeover, which will have obvious consequences. It was further claimed median response times to hateful direct messages had slowed by 75% and could now take up to 28 hours, with responses to hateful general posts slowed by 20%.

This was met with further dissatisfaction by the Commissioner, “the current response time is absolutely too long and it’s not in line with previous practice, or what we would consider best practice,” she stated.

In response, X said it had introduced a new system of “restricting” hateful posts instead of deleting them. It claimed such restricted posts would not be visible next to advertising with the company outlining they received 81% percent fewer “impressions” (views) than posts which were unrestricted.

Image credit, Catarina Sousa, pexels.com

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Livestreaming giant Twitch is set to announce significant staff cuts with around 500 employees to be axed due to financial pressures.

As reported by Bloomberg, “prohibitively expensive” costs were cited in the recent news that the streaming platform would end its operations in South Korea due to the sheer impact on the balance sheet of doing business in the Far East nation.

Amazon subsidiary Twitch is the most popular live video game streaming platform in the world. It enables interaction between content creators and their audiences and generates around 1.8 billion hours of live content per month.

In December 2023, Twitch CEO Dan Clancy confirmed the decision to pull out of the Korean market with part of the rationale stating costs were 10 times higher than in other territories. That news came in addition to the departure of several top executives at the company including its chief product officer, chief customer officer and chief content officer.

Fears over cuts will be exacerbated by this latest development on job losses which is said to impact 35% of Twitch’s workforce.

The Bloomberg report indicated that Twitch remains unprofitable despite its prominence, nine years after the Amazon acquisition although it has embraced advertising in recent times.

At the parent company, 2022 saw a whopping 27, 000 positions axed in what was thought to be its biggest-ever corporate job axe.

With official news expected as soon as Wednesday, it will put further pressure on Clancy’s shoulders as he aims to plug the losses at Twitch, with financial stress having a direct impact on staff numbers.

He has been seeking to build bridges with his platform’s influencers and personalities who make a living from live streaming, on matters such as the approach to advertising but he is said to be open to listening to the concerns of users.

After 400 job losses last year, a further cut of 500 roles represents a significant blow to Twitch’s operations amid its cost concerns which will make ripples across the vista of the live-streaming industry.

Meanwhile, X owner Elon Musk has said he wants to add new streaming features to his platform to compete directly with Twitch and its rivals.

Featured image: Pexels

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Among the many announcements at CES 2024, Amazon introduced several new artificial intelligence (AI) tools for its Alexa personal assistant. Last year Amazon introduced new tools to enable developers to build generative AI experiences, and that is beginning to come to fruition now.

Alexa users can start to try out generative AI experiences

After a long wait, while developers tinkered with Alexa’s new tools, customers can finally begin to explore the developer-created experiences for themselves.

Character.ai allows Alexa users to have conversations with generated characters, from motivating fitness coaches to librarians who will recommend your next book. Users could even chat with historical figures such as Socrates. This will certainly help encourage users to get comfortable engaging with an AI.

pic.twitter.com/RNggK6E8gk

— Rich Bira (@RichAboutRE) January 10, 2024

Splash is an AI-powered music creation experience and will allow users to create music through Alexa using just voice commands. It will allow users to use voice commands to define and personalize elements such as the song’s genre and its vocalist and lyrics, then effortlessly send the completed song to their mobile phones.

Richard Slatter, Chief Product Officer at Splash, said in a press release that their goal is to “democratize music creation,” and that “this marks a hugely exciting step in that journey.”

Volley, the voice AI game developer, has announced the launch of its AI-powered “20 questions” game, which will feature an AI Riddlemaster. According to a press release, Volley’s 20 Questions is one of the first Large-Language-Model-based voice games to allow for open-ended voice conversations with an AI character.

Amazon showcased several developments from the Alexa Fund

As well as the Alexa AI showcase, Amazon showcased several developments coming from the Alexa Fund.

These included MultiOn, a new personal AI agent that aims to take over mundane, time-consuming tasks for users. It claims to be able to book travel itineraries or reserve a table at a restaurant and confirm the time and date with attendees.

They also showed off Embodied Inc’s Moxie AI, a robotic companion that “will offer children emotional and academic support.” Moxie certainly looks more child-friendly than other Alexa-compatible robots Amazon has launched.

2. Moxie Robot – which will offer children emotional and academic support.

It will be available to purchase in 2024. pic.twitter.com/xA4ZvW0GrE

— Rich Bira (@RichAboutRE) January 10, 2024

Alexa’s AI offering promises to be an exciting part of Amazon’s portfolio.

Featured image credit: Character.ai

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Duolingo, the language learning app, recently parted ways with 10% of its translation contractors, hoping to replace them with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, reports Bloomberg.

Speaking to Bloomberg, a Duolingo spokesperson said, “We just no longer need as many people to do the type of work some of these contractors were doing. Part of that could be attributed to AI.”

This further confirms a stance the company began to make clear on a November earnings call where CEO Luis von Ahn said that the company was beginning to use AI for many applications, creating “new content dramatically faster,” including scripts for language teaching, and direct feedback to users on their premium offering.

The language learning app has been keen to clarify that it has not laid anyone off, simply declined to renew contracts after 2023 ended. The spokesperson said that this is not a “straight replacement” and that many staff use AI tools. No full-time staff were affected by this decision. It seems that Duolingo is moving towards an AI-augmented human workforce.

The reception by Duolingo customers has been negative

People have taken to social media to express their displeasure at the path the company is taking.

Duolingo laid off a huge percentage of their contract translators, and the remaining ones are simply reviewing AI translations to make sure they're 'acceptable'. This is the world we're creating. Removing the humanity from how we learn to connect with humanity. pic.twitter.com/YdT6CTB3Kj

— Reid Southen (@Rahll) January 8, 2024

The Duolingo Subreddit is awash with people discussing the news, with many saying they plan to cancel their premium memberships.

People have also been discussing the removal of fan-favorite features such as user discussion boards and user-made grammar guides, with some speculation that the now-inaccessible information that people spent hundreds of unpaid hours making has been used to train AI with.

The ongoing effect of AI on the workforce

The World Economic Forum reported in April that AI is set to cause “significant labor-market disruption” over the next five years, with “substantial proportions of companies forecasting job displacement in their organizations.” The report also states that generative AI specifically was of concern.

In March last year, OpenAI, creators of ChatGPT who have since seen heavy investment from Microsoft, claimed that 19% of the workforce could see as much as 50% of their jobs affected by AI. Last year, Microsoft partnered with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, which represents 60 labor unions, to “create an open dialogue” on how AI will impact workers, and to provide training to labor leaders. There have long been calls for these kinds of discussions between corporations and workers about AI.

Featured image credit: Dall-E

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YouTube TV has hit another growth milestone, crossing 6.5 million paying subscribers in the third quarter of 2023 according to new estimates.

The live TV streaming service owned by Google offers cable channels and cloud and digital video recording (DVR) functionality over the internet. It has now become the company’s fastest-growing product, reports CordCuttersNews.

The data from Leichtman Research Group shows YouTube TV gained around 600,000 new subscribers in the last quarter alone, making it the fastest-growing “over-the-top” TV streaming platform. The service now controls over 40% market share among major competitors like Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV.

YouTubeTV is on the rise while traditional cable suffers

While streaming TV services are rapidly expanding – adding over 1.3 million subscribers last quarter – traditional cable providers continue to leak customers. Cable lost close to 1 million subscribers while other legacy pay TV services dropped nearly 780,000. The total subscriber loss across the market still amounted to over 450,000 as cord-cutting accelerates.

YouTube TV has found strong demand with its combination of cable-like channel bundles and access on many devices. Features that differentiate it like multi-view for watching up to three live channels also appeal to sports fans. However, the service did face criticism last year for raising prices as content licensing costs climbed. It now costs $72.99 a month with $10 off the first three months of service.

The continued growth of YouTube TV comes as parent company Google looks to integrate streaming video more directly into its products. Google TV platform improvements and new partnerships are expanding to more smart TVs and streaming devices in 2023.

Google’s AI chatbot, Bard, is rapidly evolving also and now boasts an improved ability to analyze YouTube video content. The update marks a significant enhancement in Bard’s capabilities, allowing it to interpret and respond to detailed queries about YouTube videos.

Featured image: freestocks.org

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Gmail for Android is changing by introducing a new, essential feature for better email management.

The email service provided by Google is dominant within the market, with an estimated 1.8 billion users worldwide. It is one of the best email apps for Android but it has lacked a key function to help users stay on top of their inbox.

Gmail does not have a ‘Select all’ option on the mobile app, like it does in the desktop version. Instead, you have to select individual emails to delete, move, or categorize.

As reported by Sammobile, the search giant is finally addressing the shortfall with the arrival of the ‘Select all’ icon for the Gmail Android app which will provide a better user experience.

How to access the new Gmail feature

A mass roll-out appears to have been introduced for all users, after initial reports on Reddit that a button had appeared for Android on app versions v2023.11.12.586837719 and v2023.11.26.586591930.

This sought-after function is now available; all you have to do to access it is to long hold on a single email or tap on a sender’s avatar to see the ‘Select all’ option appear. The new Gmail management tool will show on the top of the page, across your various inbox and category tabs.

It must be noted that the ‘Select all’ option will only apply to emails on a page rather than a full inbox. For greater visibility and ease of management, you will need to use a bigger device.

The new Gmail Android app function will select the 50 emails displayed on the page you are looking at and from there you can organize them as required.

All Gmail users should now be able to see the ‘Select all’ button, following the step above, but if not you should navigate to the Play Store on your device and install the latest Gmail Android app update.

Featured Image: Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash 

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Google has revealed several modifications to its Android procedures due to a lawsuit filed by over 30 U.S. states. In compliance with the settlement conditions, the technology behemoth will streamline app sideloading and broaden alternative payment methods. Google has also consented to contribute roughly $700 million to funds designated for users and the states involved in the litigation. Additionally, with these modifications, the company aims to bring in more competition and offer more significant choices to its Android customers. The changes in their policies are expected to provide users with better access to apps from various sources and facilitate easier and more diverse payment avenues.

Improvements in the Sideloading Process

By consolidating two “flow” screens into one and revising the language used to caution users about potential dangers, the company will make the sideloading process more accessible. As a result, users can expect a more streamlined, user-friendly experience when sideloading apps while still being adequately informed of any risks involved. This update aims to strike a balance between facilitating user convenience and ensuring the necessary precautions are maintained.

Alternative payment options for in-app purchases in the Play Store are also stipulated in the settlement terms. This enables developers to showcase various price points within their apps, such as promotions via their websites or third-party app stores. This move by the Play Store aims to provide more choices and flexibility to developers in monetizing their apps, potentially leading to increased revenues. Additionally, it encourages healthy competition among various app stores and platforms, ultimately benefiting developers and consumers in terms of innovation and pricing.

Response to Regulatory Concerns

This move comes amid mounting pressure from regulators and politicians regarding Google’s app store policies. As a result, the tech giant has been actively reviewing and updating its guidelines in an effort to address these concerns and maintain a fair marketplace for app developers. The revised policies are expected to provide more transparency and create a level playing field, strengthening the overall app ecosystem.

Though Android has historically permitted third-party app stores, the settlement reaffirms Google’s dedication to continue offering users the option of using the Play Store or another app store out of the box. This move showcases Google’s commitment to providing choices and fostering competition in the app distribution market. By allowing users access to various app stores, Google ensures the Android ecosystem remains open and inclusive for developers and consumers alike.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Deepanker Verma; Pexels

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Google has agreed to pay out $700m and for greater competition to be present on the Google Play App as a result of a federal court verdict.

The outcome in San Francisco states Google will pay $630m into a settlement fund for users to receive compensation. A further $70m will be allocated to individual states involved in the case.

As reported by Reuters, “The settlement said eligible consumers will receive at least $2 and may get additional payments based on their spending on Google Play between Aug. 16, 2016 and Sept. 30, 2023.”

California’s state attorneys commented,  “No other U.S. antitrust enforcer has yet been able to secure remedies of this magnitude from Google”.

This verdict still requires the final approval of a judge but it is a landmark decision and its consequences will likely be felt by users and developers who access the Play Store.

Google Play Store in court

Earlier this month a court ruled in favor of Epic Games in an ongoing anti-competition suit with the game developer. The CEO of the video game developers weighed in on today’s verdict via social media.

Tim Sweeney said states involved could have won larger damages “if they’d stayed in the fight a few weeks longer.”

The States' earlier filings made a strong case for $10.5 billion in damages, in line with Google's unjustly collected 30% fees. I think they'd have gotten it if they'd stayed in the fight a few weeks longer to the overwhelming victory in court. An unfortunate outcome.

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) December 19, 2023

Epic win for a game developer

Sweeny has been vocal about Google and other major online game stores.

Epic’s argument in their recently won case was the unethical amount of percentage fees Google was charging game developers to promote and access their creations.

Via a statement on the Epic Press Room, the company said, “Google imposes a 30% tax on developers simply because they have prevented any viable competitors from emerging to offer better deals. And Google executives acknowledged in Court their offer of a 26% rate on third-party payment options is a fake choice for developers.”

Image Credit: Pexels.

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Digi, a new artificial intelligence (AI) partner chatbot billed by its creator as “the future of AI Romantic Companionship” is soaring up the app download charts after it was revealed on X.

The rapid (sometimes scary) developments in generative AI technology over the last year have seen thousands of companies rush to design and build apps to fill all sorts of roles in our day-to-day lives. While still niche, some companies are developing AI-powered virtual companions and digital avatars marketed as virtual girlfriends/boyfriends.

Enter Digi.ai, the company behind this latest attempt to create meaningful romantic partners for humans using technology. Essentially, users can create an avatar of their choosing in the style they wish and have text-based conversations through an app.

Excited to announce v(1.0) of Digi, the future of AI Romantic Companionship, for IOS and Android

Site: https://t.co/q420GR4jJ4
Twitter: @digiaiapp

A quick thread on features, and where we go from here (1/13) pic.twitter.com/9KZoorEoA0

— Andrew (@andyohlbaum) December 15, 2023

It’s important to note Digi does not respond in a video format like the launch post above suggests. It is a “vision” for what the creators plan to do with these avatars and animations and not the current in-app experience, something the company had to clarify on Sunday (Dec 18).

Founded in April 2023, by Andrew Young and John Rooney, the company hopes to use Digi’s cartoonish style to create something “that eliminates the uncanny valley, while also feeling real, human, and sexy,” said Andrew on X.

Andrew, a self-described “full-stack engineer, and college dropout”, outlined the features of Digi on a social media thread.

“This has never been done before with Disney or Pixar characters, so we’re very excited we could make it work for the first time in history,” Andrew wrote.

Digi is not for everyone but can it find a market?

Predictably, the announcement was met with derision and scorn from many on X after it went viral and was viewed over 22 million times. One user asked “Which episode of Black Mirror is this?” and others openly hoped the project would fail.

Clearly, it’s not for everyone, but it has a growing fanbase. Digi has hundreds of active users on its Discord channel and it is currently #88 in Apple App Store’s entertainment section and has had over 5,000 downloads via Google Play Store. However, the reviews on Play Store are brutal and unforgiving with dozens of users bemoaning the product’s lag and several claiming that to enter into a sexually explicit chat with your bot you must pay.

Developers at the company responded to a complaint regarding technical issues by saying, “We’re a very small team and got much more traffic than we imagined we would get, very quickly. We’ve now added a bunch of GPUs, and are still adding more tonight to handle the traffic.”

Featured image: Digi.AI

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Apple has verified that it will cease sales of its Series 9 smartwatch due to an October decision by the International Trade Commission (ITC) related to a patent disagreement with Masimo, a medical tech company based in California. The problem centers on the blood sensor monitor in the most recent flagship Apple Watch. The ITC ruling determined that Apple infringed upon Masimo’s patented technology, specifically in the area of non-invasive blood monitoring. Consequently, Apple faces difficulty in continuing the sale of this particular smartwatch model as it may result in further legal repercussions and potential financial damages.

Timeline for halted sales event

Beginning at 3 PM this Thursday (December 21), sales will be halted through the Apple online store, and retail locations will stop sales on December 24, just before the traditional holiday season finale. This decision surprises many, considering the prominent role that Apple products usually play as holiday gifts for numerous individuals worldwide. Customers eager to make a purchase are encouraged to act quickly, or alternatively, they may explore other retailers that still carry Apple products during the holiday season.

Apple’s response

Apple released a statement this morning recognizing a Presidential Review Period in progress concerning an order from the U.S. International Trade Commission on a technical intellectual property dispute associated with Apple Watch devices equipped with the Blood Oxygen feature. The statement highlights the company’s commitment to innovation and product quality, emphasizing Apple’s confidence in its ability to address any potential concerns related to the ongoing dispute. The tech giant also reassures customers that their utmost priority is to ensure an uninterrupted continuation of their products and services while maintaining a strong, competitive market.

Although the review period will not conclude until December 25, Apple is taking preliminary steps to comply if the ruling is confirmed. As a precautionary measure, the company is assessing the possible impacts on its supply chain and identifying potential hurdles in adjusting to the changes brought about by the ruling. Moreover, if the final decision remains unchanged, Apple is also exploring alternative strategies to ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted supply of its products to customers.

Sales adjustments

This will include stopping sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 starting on December 21 and from Apple retail locations after December 24. Customers who have already placed orders for these models will still receive their devices, but no new orders will be accepted after the cutoff dates. Apple is taking this action to better focus on its upcoming products and ensure a seamless consumer experience.

The tech giant firmly opposes the order and is actively exploring various legal and technical solutions to ensure the Apple Watch remains available to customers. Moving forward, Apple plans to collaborate closely with stakeholders and industry partners to protect its customer base while complying with necessary regulations. The tech giant firmly opposes the order and is exploring legal and technical solutions to ensure the Apple Watch remains available to customers and to collaborate closely with stakeholders and industry partners to protect its customer base while complying with necessary regulations.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Ingo Joseph; Pexels

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Jimmy Doladson, also known as MrBeast, the most-subscribed YouTuber in America, has launched a new YouTube analytics platform alongside creator Chucky Appleby. ViewStats is currently available in beta.

In the world of content creation, MrBeast is known for his attention to detail, even going so far as to A/B test whether mouth-open or mouth-closed thumbnails work best. One of the goals Donaldson and Appleby have for ViewStats is to enable other creators to approach their content in a more analytical, data-driven way, according to an interview in TubeFilter. They want it to be so useful that creators check it daily.

What information does ViewStats have?

ViewStats uses the YouTube public API to serve data to users on a clean, simple interface. Search for a channel and you will see a range of information, from simple metrics such as the number of subscribers and views a channel has, to estimated revenue for the time period.

You can also drill down into the data and view per-video statistics such as views per hour and video revenue. The site also shows projections for future performance and growth. Each channel page has a section where users can find other similar channels, ranked by “similarity score”, which could be a very useful tool for viewers and channel discoverability.

As well as a website, users can install a Chrome extension to use the tool.

What features will be added in the future?

Speaking to TubeFilter, Appleby said, “We realized that we should create a data site to help people understand their analytics, to make it easier to make better video ideas,” adding, “[Jimmy and I] are obsessed with content. And our approach was to say, ‘We are only going to add features that we know actually affect the performance of a YouTube video.’”

So far, they plan on adding “tools that help with ideation and thumbnail design” to ViewStats. These are expected to come in the next few months. Appleby said that the tools will resemble some of the tools that the MrBeast team uses to ensure his videos are performing as expected. “There’s so much more that we’re going to be building,” Appleby told Tubefilter.

It is currently unclear how ViewStats plans on monetizing its platform. Other similar tools offer a free tier and a premium tier which includes additional information. They have also not ruled out on-site advertising. It is also not known at this time how the tool will handle data generated by tools like YouTube’s Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated summaries.

Featured Image: NickRewind, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Disney has increased their ad spending on Meta’s Instagram by as much as 40% after halting advertising on X over reports of antisemitism, reports Reuters.

A study by Sensor Tower also highlights other advertisers moving their spending away from X, which is owned by Elon Musk. Comcast has increased Instagram spending by 6%, whereas Paramount has tripled its Snapchat spending as a result.

The backlash began after Musk was accused of antisemitism following his response to a Tweet criticizing Western Jewish communities. He has vehemently denied accusations of antisemitism, going so far as to sue Media Matters, a left-leaning watchdog.

After advertisers started to pull their spending, Musk lost his cool in a New York Times DealBook Summit interview. The CEO of Tesla said, “If somebody’s gonna try to blackmail me with advertising, blackmail me with money? Go f*** yourself.”

Linda Yaccarino, the social media platform’s CEO is also feeling the pressure. In a post on X on Wednesday she said: “And here’s my perspective when it comes to advertising: X is standing at a unique and amazing intersection of Free Speech and Main Street — and the X community is powerful and is here to welcome you. To our partners who believe in our meaningful work — Thank You.”

X has made itself unpopular with advertisers

Speaking to Reuters, Felipe Thomaz, associate professor of marketing at the University of Oxford said “Brands are intelligent about these choices, and any brand safety concerns will be met with a re-allocation of budgets away from troubled platforms.”

The entrepreneurial owner of X has since apologised for any perceived antisemitism, however, these new reports suggest that advertisers and not likely to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Robert Iger, CEO of Disney, said at the same event that an ongoing association between Disney and X “was not a positive one for us.”

Lou Paskalis, founder of marketing consultancy AJL Advisory, said that Musk’s outburst marked a “closing chapter” for many brands and their advertising on X. “They’re not going to forget that,” he stated.

Photo by Julian Christ on Unsplash

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