YouTube concludes experiment that showed 10 unskippable ads to some users

by Hansraj Agrawal | Sep 19, 2022 | Technology

Over the years, advertisements have crept into the YouTube experience as a way to support creators financially and maintain the platform. However, it appears like YouTube is now going above and beyond with its advertising, playing up to 10 non-skippable adverts in a row.

According to 9to5 Google, YouTube has given a statement in this regard informing that this experiment with advertisements has now “concluded”.

On YouTube, commercial breaks generally show before the start of a video as well as throughout it if the creator permits it. These breaks can typically last a few seconds or a few minutes, but longer adverts typically offer the option to skip that ad after a certain amount of time.

Some YouTube users have noticed that, over the past few months, the number and length of adverts on the site have significantly increased, especially for unskippable formats.

Some Twitter users recently took to Twitter to mention, or rather claim that the application showed them breaks with as many as 10 ads in a row that can’t be skipped.

9to5 Google further reports that these longer breaks seem to be happening more frequently lately, though not with all films or with all viewers. Users with about five ads every break are more common than users with ten ads per break.

However, the positive news is that these commercials aren’t very long. According to user accounts, these adverts are typically about five or six seconds long. As a result, even an ad break with 10 unskippable ads would last only about 60 seconds.

9to5 Google spoke to the Youtube spokesperson who revealed that the expanded number of ads was a part of a “small experiment” that has since “concluded.”

He said, “At YouTube, we’re focused on helping brands connect with audiences around the world, and we’re always testing new ways to surface ads that enhance the viewer experience. We ran a small experiment globally that served multiple ads in an ad pod when viewers watched longer videos on connected TVs. The goal is to build a better experience for viewers by reducing ad breaks. We have concluded this small experiment.

(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.)

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Algo Rhythm: AI presents significant privacy concerns, says survey

by Hansraj Agrawal | Sep 18, 2022 | Technology

A survey by data privacy and security provider Tssaro and Fractal shows that only 61 per cent of participants are aware of what bias in artificial intelligence (AI) is, while 65 per cent try and avoid AI-enabled features such as phone unlocking using face ID and digital voice assistance.

The survey, AI’s Race for Responsibility and Privacy, covered over 1,000 people who use or work with AI in their daily lives in India, and was conducted online through multiple social media and professional channels in June.

Akarsh Singh, co-founder and CEO, Tsaaro, said: “While privacy concerns are usually always a major concern when using new technology, the scope and applicability of AI presents a particularly challenging scenario.”

Key findings

61% of participants are aware of what bias in AI is

65% said they try avoiding AI-enabled features such as phone unlocking using face ID and digital voice assistance

100% of participants who work on AI said their company teaches them about privacy issues relating to AI

36% believe that rigorous data localisation requirements must be in place

55% believe that confidential contracts concerning data must be mandatorily shared with the government and data protection authorities; 45% strongly disagreed

When questioned about government’s unbridled powers under the new bill to process citizens’ data without consent, 55% of respondents upheld citizens’ right to be informed and to consent

The general public’s perceptions

93% of the public is aware of AI

56% of the public is aware of privacy concerns attached to AI

62% of the public is not sure that AI is on a par with public safety expectations

74% of users prefer privacy over the convenience of using AI

17% of participants agree that there are laws in India governing usage of AI

7% of participants believe that India has enough safeguards to handle privacy violations caused by the usage of AI

96% of participants think there is a lack of AI governance in India

AI developers’ perceptions

50% of developers believe they are on the verge of developing Responsible AI

100% believe in mandatory cyber security training for all employees

100% participants say they have established review processes and rely on multiple stakeholders and in-house assets to identify potential biases

Risk assessment framework

25% say they are putting in place controls to handle risk

15% maintain continuous engagement and oversight from stakeholders

15%check inherent bias in input data

15% say there is a clear demarcation of roles

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Telegram’s new update brings infinite reactions, emoji statuses

by Hansraj Agrawal | Sep 18, 2022 | Technology

Encrypted messaging app Telegram has announced that it is rolling out a new update that gives users more ways to use new emojis to express how they are feeling — with infinite reactions and emoji statuses.

The company said that premium users can pick reactions from an infinite selection of custom emojis. To make choosing from thousands of emojis easier, they can now attach up to three reactions per message.

“All users now have access to dozens of reactions – including those that were previously only available with Telegram Premium,” the company said in a blogpost.

“To accommodate all the new emojis, we have redesigned the reaction panel, making it expandable. The reactions you use frequently will show up at the top,” it added.

These changes to reactions are currently available in groups and 1-on-1 chats.

With the new update, group admins can control whether custom reactions may be used in their groups.

Now, the premium users can add an animated emoji status displayed next to their name — to quickly let everyone know how they are feeling or what they are doing.

“This custom status takes the place of your Premium Premium Badge in the chat list, in your profile and in groups,” the company said.

Users can set one of seven standard statuses that change their colour to match different Telegram themes — or choose from an infinite number of custom emoji. Popular suggestions for working, sleeping, traveling and more will be shown at the top.

“Tap the premium badge at the top of your chat list or go to settings to change your status. Press and hold an emoji to set a status for a specific duration,” as per Telegram.

“Anyone can use Telegram’s open emoji platform to upload custom packs with unique art styles and characters for Telegram Premium users,” it added.

Users, who log out and log back in frequently, can now receive login codes through their email address or using Sign in with Apple or Sign in with Google.

–IANS

vc/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.)

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iPhone 14 series: Indian buyers in a fix with launch of eSIM-only handset

by Hansraj Agrawal | Sep 18, 2022 | Technology

Apple’s decision to launch the eSIM only iPhone 14 series in the US has American buyers puzzled. Surprisingly, it stumped some Indian folks too, despite the availability of a physical SIM slot in the India-centric iPhone 14 series. This is because a large number of Apple’s consumers in India get their iPhones at considerably cheaper rate from the US through their visiting relatives, friends, family, et al. Their apprehensions are mostly about compatibility with Indian networks and eSIM availability in India.

Analysts believe tech-aware consumers who know Indian telecom operators offer eSIM services may still go for US-made iPhones. Others would either buy India models or may look at destinations such as Dubai, where the iPhones are a tad more expensive than from the US, but still much cheaper than India.

“Given that iPhones from the US will require eSIM-support from day one in India, some tech-aware consumers may still continue to buy iPhones from there,” said Prabhu Ram, head-Industry Intelligence Group at CyberMedia Research (CMR). “For others, it will be prudent to buy new iPhones in India.”

“A distant home for many Indians, Dubai is likely to be the destination of choice for the iPhone buyers this year because these phones are cheaper there and come with a physical SIM slot. So consumers get the iPhone of choice (with physical SIM) at a cheaper price. It is a win-win situation for consumers,” Faisal Kawoosa, Chief Analyst, Techarc.

Apple has been a trendsetter in the global smartphone market that has been unapologetically copied by other brands on many occasions. The removal of the headphone jack from the iPhone, notch screen, and the removal of the charging adapter, are cases in point. Likewise, the focus on eSIM only smartphones is expected to gather steam now that Apple has initiated the trend.

“The launch of the eSIM-only iPhone 14 variant in the US indicates that the winds of change are very much here, despite all the transitory challenges with technology adoption at scale, in the near to short term,” said Ram.

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a reprogrammable chip integrated within the smartphone. It has its advantages and disadvantages, but it is certainly better than the physical SIM. This is because the eSIM is reprogrammable, and can store multiple unique identifiers. In simple words, a smartphone with eSIM can save multiple SIM profiles. This enables convenience especially for those who carry more than one active connection.

Security is another plus of the eSIM. It cannot be taken out, and so cannot be misused if lost and stolen. For international travellers, the eSIM makes it easy to enrol for telecom connections and activate it before arriving at the destination. However, it works only in countries with eSIM on offer by telecom operators.

In India, the eSIM has been available alongside physical SIM in premium smartphones such as Samsung Galaxy S-series, Google Pixel series and Apple iPhones. This hybrid SIM arrangement is expected to remain the choice of combination for India-centric smartphones. Now on, however, it is likely to trickle down to smartphones across price brackets. Analysts believe it is time for both telecom operators and phone makers to create awareness around eSIMs.

“While telcos in India will be prepared to adapt to the potential changes that eSIM-only future portends, the focus will have to be on creating awareness, familiarity and trust in eSIMs amongst consumers,” said Ram.

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CERT-In issues new advisory for smartphone users as cybercrime cases rise

by Hansraj Agrawal | Sep 18, 2022 | Technology

According to a report, the volume of ransomware threats detected spiked to more than 1.2 million per month between the January-June period this year

Topics

Cybercrime | data protection | indian government

BS Web Team |
New Delhi

Last Updated at September 18, 2022 14:18 IST

The incidents of cybercrime has been on the rise recently. According to a report, the volume of ransomware threats detected spiked to more than 1.2 million per month between the January-June period this year. The central government to create awareness and vigilance against cybercrime has issued an advisory on ‘Best Practices’ for smartphone users to stay safe online.

The IT ministry’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued a list of dos and don’ts for citizens.

Limit your downloads. By limiting downloads, smartphone users can reduce the risk of downloading potentially harmful apps. The CERT-In also advised users to download apps from official stores only, such as Google Play Store and App Store.

While downloading apps, always review app details, check downloads, user reviews, comments, and additional information section

Verify app permissions, grant only those permissions to apps that have relevant context. Do not check the ‘Untrusted Sources’ box to install apps from other sites.

Install app updates and patches from Android device vendors only

Do not follow untrusted links. Be cautious while clicking on links given in any unsolicited emails and SMSs. Always do extensive research before following a link from a text

Be cautious of suspicious phone numbers and text messages from such numbers. Genuine texts from banks usually have a sender id that has the bank’s short name.

Only open the URLs which indicate the website domain clearly. In case of confusion, users can search the organisation’s website directly using a search engine.

Install antivirus and antispyware software on your device software.

Prefer using safe browsings tools, filtering tools that filter contents, and antivirus

Be cautious while following shortened URLs, those with bit.ly and TinyURL. Users can hover their cursor over the shortened URLs to sell the full website domain

Before giving out any sensitive information, such as personal details and account login details mind the valid encryption certificates by checking for the green lock in the browser’s address bar

In case of any unusual activity in their account, customers should immediately report to their respective bank

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First Published: Sun, September 18 2022. 14:18 IST

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App developers create games around Apple iPhone 14’s Dynamic Island

by Hansraj Agrawal | Sep 18, 2022 | Technology

As Apple iPhone 14 Pro and pro Max users try out the new Dynamic Island feature, some app developers have created games around the new design on the home screen.

App developer Kriss Smolka has created a Pong-style game called ‘Hit the Island’. It challenges the user to bounce a ball between the paddle and the Dynamic Island to earn points.

“Who has an iPhone 14 Pro right now? Need to test this on device asap. Hit The Island — our game concept for iPhone 14 Pro, still laggy but it’s turning out nice,” he said in a tweet.

“As simple as it sounds, Hit The Island with the ball and score points. But wait, there is a catch! The ball speeds up. It can get cloned. Then the paddle shrinks!” according to the app on iOS store.

Christian Selig, the developer of Apollo app for Reddit, has added the fun option to keep a pixelated pet on the Dynamic Island when using the app.

“I found the best idea for the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro. I added a cat that lives up there like a tamagotchi and just hangs out and does cute stuff as you browse Reddit in my app (Apollo),” Selig said.

The Dynamic Island enables new ways to interact with iPhone, featuring a design that blends the line between hardware and software, adapting in real time to show important alerts, notifications, and activities, according to Apple.

With the introduction of the Dynamic Island, the TrueDepth camera has been redesigned to take up less of the display area.

Without impeding content on the screen, the Dynamic Island maintains an active state to allow users easier access to controls with a simple tap-and-hold. Ongoing background activities like Maps, Music, or a timer remain visible and interactive, and third-party apps in iOS 16 that provide information like sports scores and ride-sharing with Live Activities can take advantage of the Dynamic Island.

–IANS

na/

(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.)

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