YouTube ends its Premium paywall experiment for 4K resolution videos

by Hansraj Agrawal | Oct 18, 2022 | Technology

YouTube has ended a test that required Premium subscription for 4K resolution videos.

In the experiment, the Google-owned streaming platform asked some users to pay for a Premium account in order to view videos in 4K resolution.

Because of users’ outrage, it has now stopped this test, reports TechCrunch.

“We have fully turned off this experiment. Viewers should now be able to access 4K quality resolutions without Premium membership,” YouTube said in a tweet.

The streaming platform conducted the experiment to know how users would respond if a certain function was moved to the Premium tier.

“It is a part of our experiment to know better the feature preferences of Premium and non-Premium viewers,” it had said in a now-deleted tweet.

The company claims to have more than 50 million paid subscribers of YouTube Music and Premium offerings globally.

The Premium subscription include features like ad-free viewing, video downloads for offline consumption, and background play, the report said.

Recently, the company had introduced handles, a way for people to easily find and engage with creators and each other on the streaming platform.

Handles will appear on channel pages and Shorts so that they will be instantly and consistently recognisable.

It will soon be simpler and faster to mention each other in comments, community posts, video descriptions, and more.

–IANS

aj/ksk/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Source link

Sony India launches headphones WH-1000XM5 with active noise cancellation

by Hansraj Agrawal | Oct 18, 2022 | Technology

Sony India today announced the launch of WH-1000XM5, the much-awaited successor in Sony’s award-winning 1000XM family offering Sony’s legacy audio quality from the hugely popular WH-1000XM4.

This new model brings a whole new immersive, distraction-free sound experience to its users and thanks to the implementation of new technologies, they elevate the already industry-leading noise canceling and audio quality on the WH-1000XM5, to a whole new level.

Industry Leading noise cancellation- two processors control 8 microphones for unprecedented noise cancellation.

The WH-1000XM5 have been created with Sony’s most remarkable noise cancelling yet, with two processors controlling eight microphones that dramatically reduce noise especially in the mid-high frequency range and an Auto NC Optimizer that automatically optimizes noise cancellation, depending on the environment. Whether you’re trying to zone into your work in a busy cafe or aiming to relax during a hectic morning commute, the WH-1000XM5 creates an immersive listening environment.

Magnificent sound, engineered to perfection with the new Integrated Processor V1. With the help of the Integrated Processor V1, the WH-1000XM5 fully unlocks the potential of Sony’s HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1, while the specially designed 30mm driver unit enhances noise cancelling. These features improve sound clarity and bass reproduction, creating incomparable noise cancellation that allows you to totally switch off the world around you.

Exceptional sound quality engineered to perfection. The WH-1000XM5 headphones are setting a whole new standard for high quality audio. Sony’s meticulous selection of materials and their assembly means you can enjoy your favourite tracks in the way they should be experienced. The specially designed 30mm driver unit with a light and rigid dome uses carbon fibre composite material that improves high frequency sensitivity for more natural sound quality.

Sony’s unique technologies also include a premium-lead free solder containing gold for excellent connectivity and optimised circuitry that ensures you’re experiencing clear, consistent sound with every track. Enjoy premium, High-Resolution Audio, with and without the wires, thanks to Sony’s industry-adopted audio coding technology, LDAC[i]. All your music will be restored back to high range sound with the use of DSEE Extreme[ii] that upscales digital music files in real time, allowing you to appreciate all the fine-details the artist injected into your most-loved tracks. These new headphones are 360 Reality Audio Certified that allow you to enjoy a custom immersive music experience with personalisation[iii].

Crystal clear call quality with 4 beamforming microphones and advanced audio signal processing.

Sony’s precise Voice Pickup technology uses four beamforming microphones and an AI based noise reduction structure to isolate your voice with perfect precision, while a newly developed wind noise reduction structure minimizes wind noise during calls. Now a busy street or a noisy work environment can be the perfect place for a quick catchup call with friends or colleagues.

Enjoy nonstop music with up to 30-hour battery life with quick charging.

The WH-1000XM5 comes with an impressive 30 hours of battery life, so you can enjoy superlative sound even on long travels, and if you’re in a rush you can now get a remarkable 3 hours’ worth of charge in just 3 minutes using USB Power Delivery (PD)[iv]. It comes with a handy collapsible carrying case that can be made thinner for easy storage, letting you easily take your headphones wherever you travel.

Specially designed lighter weight model comfortable for long hours of listening For those familiar with the iconic design of the WH-1000X series, the WH-1000XM5 introduces a beautifully crafted evolution in the style for the range. An all-new noiseless design is beautifully finished in a newly developed soft fit leather with a stepless slider. The new synthetic soft fit leather material fits snugly around the head taking the pressure off your ears and blocking out external noise, so you can keep listening all day, free of discomfort.

Supports multi point connectivity up to two devices for calls and music Staying connected has never been easier, as these Bluetooth headphones can be paired with two devices at the same time. When you receive a call, your headphones know which device it’s coming from and instantly connect you to the right one. You can also quickly switch between devices with just the touch of a button. The WH-1000XM5 supports Google’s helpful new Fast Pair feature, allowing you to effortlessly pair with your Android devices. You can also locate where you last left your headphones. Swift Pair makes it quick and easy to pair your headphones to your Windows 11 or Windows 10 laptop, desktop PC or tablet.

With touch control access various functions by tapping or swiping the panel with your fingertip The WH-1000XM5 integrates Quick Access so you can configure these headphones to resume Spotify playback with two or three taps, no need to touch your smartphone[v].Sony knows you’re moving through the world at a fast pace, so when you finish a busy workday and arrive at the calmness of your own home, the WH-1000XM5 makes this transition seamless using Adaptive Sound Control. This automatically tailors sound to suit your situation, recognising your most frequented locations and adjusting the ambient sound settings accordingly.

Sony also helps you listen to your music safely with the Sony Headphones Connect app, comparing sound pressure data recorded by your headphones with guidance of the World Health Organisation (WHO). You will receive instant OS notifications when listening levels are too high.

Speak-to-chat smart listening technology to enhance your listening experience The WH-1000XM5 comes with smart features to help you effortlessly sail through each day. Thanks to Speak-to-Chat you can stop for a quick conversation and your headphones will automatically stop the music and let in ambient sound. Once your chat is over, the music plays on, and with the help of instant pause your personal soundtrack will stop playing as soon as you take the headphones off. The WH-1000XM5 are also Google Assistant and Alexa compatible, helping you with everyday tasks for hands-free help on the go. You can connect with friends and family, get information, listen to music, set reminders and more[vi].

parMade with the environment in mind Sony has designed these headphones with the environment in mind. There’s no plastic in the WH-1000XM5 packaging[vii], which is designed based on low toxicity design principles and a Made to be Remade’ philosophy that’s more socially responsible. The product box is produced using recycled and sustainable materials developed specially for Sony. WH-1000XM5 also uses recycled plastic materials from automobile parts[viii].

Price and Availability

Sony India has announced the WH-1000XM5 at a special introductory price of Rs. 26,990/-. Model MRP (inRs.) Introductory Price (inRs.) Color WH-1000XM5 34,990/- 26,990/- Black and Silver WH-1000XM5 over-ear headphones will be available across all Sony Centers, major electronic stores and e-commerce portals in India.

This story has been provided by Press Trust of India (NewsVoir).

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Source link

Apple to launch iPad with foldable screen in 2024, predicts CCS Insight

by Hansraj Agrawal | Oct 18, 2022 | Technology

Apple is likely to launch a foldable iPad in 2024, said an analyst firm CCS Insight. The firm also predicted that the American technology giant will soon begin experimenting with foldable technology, reported CNBC. In the annual predictions report, published by the firm on Tuesday, the group’s analysts made forecasts about future products and trends.

CCS Insight, in its forecast, said that unlike Samsung, Apple would launch a foldable iPad in two years rather than start with a foldable iPhone.

“Right now it doesn’t make sense for Apple to make a foldable iPhone. We think they will shun that trend and probably dip a toe in the water with a foldable iPad,” said Ben Wood, chief of research at CCS Insight, in an Interview.

“A folding iPhone will be super high risk for Apple. Firstly, it would have to be incredibly expensive in order to not cannibalize the existing iPhones,” Wood told CNBC.

He said that a foldable iPhone would need to be priced around $2,500. Being Apple’s most expensive model, iPhone 14 Pro Max with maximum storage costs around $1,599.

“The company will begin with an iPad as Apple has no choice but to react as the foldable device trend is gathering momentum. Also, it would give Apple a chance to learn how to implement and scale foldable screen technology as well as breathe new life into the iPad range,” Wood said.

Predictions about a foldable iPhone have been around for at least four years. The company said that Apple is exploring foldable technology for displays of around 20 inches. However, a market research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants said Apple is unlikely to enter the foldable smartphone market until 2025. Last year, a prominent Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo said the company could release an iPhone with a folding screen in 2024.

Besides, CCS Insight also predicted that Apple is likely to integrate its 5G modem into the processor for a single-chip solution for iPhones in 2025. Currently, Apple relies on Qualcomm for modems and on Cupertino for its processor for iPhone and iPad.

“They acquired the assets from Intel of the modem unit, they have been working hard to ramp that up, they are very keen to make sure they keep growing their control points they have,” Wood said.

Source link

Google rolls out Gmail redesign to make iPhone, iPad settings simpler

by Hansraj Agrawal | Oct 18, 2022 | Technology

Tech giant Google has rolled out a Gmail redesign to make iOS settings simpler.

Gmail settings on iPhone and iPad have been redesigned by starting with the elimination of the General and accounts separation, reports 9To5Google.

The preference list starts by separating settings for Chat and Meet, allowing users to swiftly turn off those tabs.

Additionally, colourful icons are used to draw attention to each element.

The ‘Notifications’ section has high-level controls, whereas the ‘Inbox’ and ‘Compose and Reply’ sections are quite simple. Lastly, there is a ‘General’ section.

Even though it is exclusive to iOS, it is a fantastic redesign of Gmail’s settings that might come to Android.

It is easier to use and similar to Chrome for iOS preferences, the report said.

Earlier, the company had launched a pilot programme to keep political campaign emails out of spam folders for Gmail users.

The programme allowed candidates, political party committees and leadership political action committees to apply for spam folder exemptions.

“Google had come under fire that its algorithms unfairly target conservative content across its services, and that its Gmail service filters more Republican fundraising and campaign emails to spam,” a report mentioned.

Google allowed candidates and political party committees to apply for its programme that made their messages exempted from Gmail’s spam detection systems.

–IANS

aj/dpb

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Source link

Meta starts ad campaign against Apple’s iMessage to promote Whatsapp

by Hansraj Agrawal | Oct 18, 2022 | Technology

Meta has launched a new advertisement campaign to target Apple’s iMessage platform.

Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of Meta, revealed the campaign in which Apple is criticised for only providing end-to-end encryption for iMessage and not for regular SMS communication.

Zuckerberg published a photo of the new advertisement playing at Penn Station in New York in an Instagram post.

The advertisement says: “Protect your personal messages across devices with end-to-end encryption. Always message privately.”

One green and one blue letter bubble, patterned like Apple’s Messages app, are displayed in the advertisement. The phrase “private bubble” appears in a third bubble, indicating that WhatsApp is a private platform.

“WhatsApp is more private and secure than iMessage, with end-to-end encryption that works across both iPhones and Android, including group chats,” Zuckerberg wrote in the caption.

“With WhatsApp you can also set all new chats to disappear with the tap of a button. And last year we introduced end-to-end encrypted backups too. All of which iMessage still doesn’t have,” he added.

Meanwhile, recently, the Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp had released the ability to add up to 1,024 participants to groups, for some beta testers.

According to a report, the feature is available on WhatsApp beta for Android and iOS, but it is limited to a certain undefined number of beta testers.

–IANS

aj/ksk/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Source link

OnePlus Nord Watch review: Not perfect, yet makes a good budget smartwatch

by Hansraj Agrawal | Oct 18, 2022 | Technology

OnePlus made its debut in the smartwatch category last year with the launch of the OnePlus Watch. Expanding the line further, the Chinese electronic maker recently launched its second smartwatch in India. Named the Nord Watch, the smartwatch is supported by the N Health smartphone app, which is available on both Android and iOS platforms. At Rs 4,999, the Nord Watch boasts rectangular design, big AMOLED touchscreen, 100+ customisable watch faces, and more. On paper, the Nord Watch seems to be a good value proposition in the budget segment. Is it? Let’s find out:

Design

Unlike the OnePlus Watch, which has a circular dial, the Nord Watch has a rectangular dial with curved corners. It sports a 1.78-inch AMOLED screen of 60Hz refresh rate and 500nits peak brightness level. The smartwatch has a side-mounted button for navigation, which can be rotated too, but doing so does precisely nothing. The watch looks a bit bulky because of the extended strap rings, although the straps are easily detachable. The body of the watch is made up of zinc alloy and plastic, while the bands are made of flexible and breathable silicone material. It is IP68 rated for protection against dust and water damages.

Performance

The first-generation Nord Watch boots a Real Time operating system (RTOS), which means no third-party apps can be downloaded on the watch. It lacks an always-on display, but the rise-to-wake works fine. The watch has over 100+ customisable Watch Faces, but only five can be stored on the watch at a time. For more options, users can use the N Health app.

One can see the incoming calls and message notification on the watch. The watch allows the user to reject the call, but there is no provision to attend the call on the watch. Similarly, users cannot respond to the messages from the watch. On a positive side, the Watch lets users control their phone’s camera and music.

As for health and fitness features, the Watch has over 105 sports modes built-in and supports automatic workout detection for walking and running. However, it was often unable to detect when running workout during the review process. The watch has built-in sensors to track sleep, steps, stress, women’s cycle, SpO2, and more. Surprisingly, the measurements on most of these metrics were reasonably accurate. Besides, it is capable of tracking heart rate.

The Watch sends reminders to take a walk or rest. However, there is no provision for alerts for any abnormal activity. The watch does not have built-in GPS, so it cannot be used to track outdoor workouts.

Other features include do not disturb, theatre mode, calendar, focus timer, phone finder, weather forecasting, Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless connectivity, and more. Powered by a 230mAh battery, the watch can be fully charged in an hour and lasts up to almost 10 days.

Verdict

The OnePlus Nord Watch makes a good purchase for those with tight budgets. It is not perfect; lacks GPS, always-on display, and struggles to auto-detect workout. Yet, it makes a good purchase because of its price. Moreover, it covers the fundamentals right and ticks all the right boxes in terms of design and features.

Source link