Times Top News

Times Top News

WhatsApp to make viewing of status updates more convenient and quick soon: Technology news

WhatsApp to make viewing of status updates more convenient and quick soon: Technology news

by | Sep 5, 2024 | Technology


2 min read Last Updated : Sep 05 2024 | 3:21 PM IST


Meta-owned WhatsApp is experimenting with features to enhance visibility and access for fresh status updates. Instant messaging platform WhatsApp update tracker WABetainfo spotted a new feature in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.19.4 update available on the Google Play Store. The feature allows users to open status updates from the viewer list. 


The feature is currently available to beta testers who install the latest updates of WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store and allows opening of status updates directly from the viewer list. Contacts who view the user’s status updates appear in a sheet below the update and the user can simply tap the profile picture of the contact to view the status update if a green ring around the profile picture is visible. The feature will be rolling out widely in the upcoming days.


Previously, WhatsApp had added a feature allowing users to see status updates directly from the chats list by showing a green ring around the profile pictures of contacts who have shared updates. This made it more convenient to view status updates and users did not have to move to the tab dedicated to status updates.


WABetainfo has also reported that WhatsApp was introducing a revamped preview feature for status updates in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.14.2 update. The new design will offer a redesigned interface without cluttering the screen irrespective of if they follow any channels or not. 


WhatsApp is also reportedly developing a voice chat mode for Meta AI, which currently only supports text inputs. According to the WhatsApp update tracker WABetainfo, the voice chat mode feature is available in the WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.18.18 on the Google Play Store, allowing users to interact with Meta AI using voice commands.

First Published: Sep 05 2024 | 1:11 PM IST



Source link

ASUS brings laptops powered by new Snapdragon X Plus, India launch likely: Technology news

ASUS brings laptops powered by new Snapdragon X Plus, India launch likely: Technology news

by | Sep 5, 2024 | Technology


ASUS Vivobook S15 and ProArt PZ13

2 min read Last Updated : Sep 05 2024 | 12:35 PM IST


Taiwanese consumer technology company ASUS has launched new laptops powered by the newly unveiled Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-Core processor. New ASUS Vivobook S15 and ProArt PZ13 laptops offer Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC experience with exclusive artificial intelligence feature, utilising the dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) on the new Qualcomm Arm chip.


ASUS said that these new devices mark a significant expansion of the ASUS Copilot+ PC series, by making AI PCs more accessible. ASUS has not detailed the availability of these laptops in India, but the company is expected to launch these laptops soon in the country.


ASUS Vivobook S 15: Details 


The new ASUS Vivobook S 15 is a lightweight laptop with a 14.7 mm thin, 1.42 kg all-metal body. It features a 15.6-inch 3K OLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and 100% DCI-P3 colour coverage. Complimenting the display is the laptop’s in-built speaker system that supports Dolby Atmos surround sound.


The device is equipped with a 70 Wh battery, supporting fast charging and up to 19 hours of use. It includes a single-zone RGB backlit keyboard, a large touchpad with gesture support, and a dedicated key for AI tools. Connectivity options include two USB4 ports, USB 3.2, HDMI 2.1, a microSD slot, and WiFi 7.


ASUS ProArt PZ13: Details


ASUS said that the ProArt PZ13, a 0.85 kg, 9 mm detachable laptop is specially designed for creators who require portability. Additionally, the device gets IP52-rating for resistance against dust and water ingress, as well as military-grade durability. The device features a 3K OLED display that has been validated by Pantone for colour reproduction. The touchscreen display on the device gets stylus support, and a 16:10 aspect ratio for more productivity. 


Powered by a 70 Wh battery, ASUS ProArt PZ13 promises up to 21 hours of FHD video playback. Connectivity includes two USB4 ports and an SD card reader. The ProArt PZ13 also includes AI tools like StoryCube for asset management and ProArt Creator Hub for workflow optimization, designed for creative professionals.

First Published: Sep 05 2024 | 12:35 PM IST



Source link

Google Drive adding ARM support, NordVPN & ExpressVPN now on Snapdragon PCs

Google Drive adding ARM support, NordVPN & ExpressVPN now on Snapdragon PCs

by | Sep 5, 2024 | Technology


3 min read Last Updated : Sep 05 2024 | 12:22 PM IST

Google has reportedly confirmed that Google Drive will soon gain native support for ARM chips. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon announced at the company’s IFA event that Google will be launching an Arm64 version of Google Drive on Windows later this year, according to the technology news website The Verge. He added that NordVPN and ExpressVPN have arrived on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon laptops. 


Additionally, he informed that Qualcomm is exploring the possibility of Snapdragon chips in desktop PCs. Qualcomm has previously teased Snapdragon X Elite chips for desktop PCs but the closest device to a desktop PC is Qualcomm’s eight-inch development kit. More details about desktop plans could be revealed at the Snapdragon summit in October.


What is the reason for the limitations of many apps on Arm based Windows?


Microsoft announced AI powered Copilot Plus PCs in May this year. The new range of Arm-based Copilot+ PCs support select apps from Adobe such as Photoshop, Lightroom and Express and other software that are supported out-of-the-box includes DaVinci Resolve Studio, CapCut, Cephable, LiquidText, djay Pro, and more. 


However, Windows on Arm has faced the issue of native support for many apps as most apps have been created in accordance with Windows on x86 processors and many softwares are not compatible with Arm architecture. Arm and x86 processors differ in their instruction set architectures and software compatibility.


Many apps are now adapting to Windows on Arm processors and Arm processors need software specifically built for their architecture. This is what has been resulting in limitations for many apps but with the major software developers showing support, things are changing. Google Drive and VPN apps have been missing on recently launched Copilot Plus PCs as it was required that they were updated for Windows on Arm.


Qualcomm and Microsoft have been putting in effort to persuade app developers to port their applications over to Windows on Arm and now it appears that Google has been brought onboard with the idea of turning Drive into a fully-fledged app for Arm64. 


Previously, Google released a native version of Chrome for Arm based Windows PCs before the Qualcomm’s latest Arm-based processors for Windows, dubbed Snapdragon X Elite and just in time for the launch of Copilot Plus in June.


Quick Share, Google’s file-sharing app for Android devices, continues to be missing ARM support completely.

First Published: Sep 05 2024 | 12:22 PM IST



Source link

Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-core Arm chip to make Copilot+ PCs affordable

Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-core Arm chip to make Copilot+ PCs affordable

by | Sep 5, 2024 | Technology


Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-core

2 min read Last Updated : Sep 05 2024 | 11:29 AM IST


American chip maker Qualcomm has unveiled a new Arm chip, the Snapdragon X Plus 8-core, to expand its portfolio of AI PC processors. The new chip by Qualcomm features eight CPU cores, making it the smallest in the Snapdragon X-series that encompasses Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) and Snapdragon X Plus (10-core). 


The new processor is likely to make Copilot+ PCs more affordable, significantly bringing down the prices.  


The Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-core chip features the same 4nm architecture-based Oryon CPU cores as the company’s flagship PC processors that the company said delivers 61 per cent faster CPU performance while consuming significantly less power. The chip also features a Qualcomm Adreno integrated GPU (Graphic processing unit), capable of processing visual data at up to 2.1 teraflops (TFLOPS). 


Similar to Qualcomm’s other X-series processors, the Snapdragon X-Plus 8-core processor gets a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) which is responsible for running machine learning algorithms and processing data for AI. The company said that the integrated NPU on the new processor can handle 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS) for faster on-device AI. 

Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-core


Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-core


“The first and best Copilot+ PCs are powered by Snapdragon X Series platforms, launching a new generation in personal computing, made possible by our groundbreaking NPU,” said Cristiano Amon, President and CEO at Qualcomm Incorporated. 


“With the Snapdragon X Plus 8-core, we are now bringing to more users these transformative AI experiences, and the best-in-class performance and unprecedented battery life of our power efficient custom Qualcomm Oryon CPU,” he added.


Qualcomm has partnered with PC makers such as Acer, ASUS and Dell to bring new Snapdragon X Plus 8-core chip powered AI PCs built on Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC platform. The company said that select PCs powered by the new Snapdragon X Plus 8-core are now available. However, availability of these devices may vary depending on the region.

First Published: Sep 05 2024 | 11:29 AM IST



Source link

India inks chip deal with Singapore as PM Modi pushes tech ambition

India inks chip deal with Singapore as PM Modi pushes tech ambition

by | Sep 5, 2024 | Technology


While India’s semiconductor industry is in its infancy, Singapore has played a significant role in the sector for decades | Photo: Bloomberg

3 min read Last Updated : Sep 05 2024 | 10:05 AM IST


By Gao Yuan and Philip J. Heijmans

 


India and Singapore agreed to ramp up collaboration in semiconductors and digital technologies, seeking a bigger role in a global chip supply chain being reshaped by tensions between the US and China.


During a two-day visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the city-state, the countries signed agreements to cultivate talent in chip design and manufacturing and facilitate Singaporean tech investment in India, according to a statement from the Indian government on Thursday. The nations will also work more closely together in cybersecurity, fifth-generation mobile networks, super-computing and artificial intelligence.


Singapore, India and Malaysia are among Asian economies that have emerged as beneficiaries of the prolonged US-China chip war that has rattled the global chip market, which is on track to hit $588 billion in sales this year. Both China and western countries are racing to establish stand-alone supply chains to avoid geopolitical risks, creating business opportunities for the industry.


While India’s semiconductor industry is in its infancy, Singapore has played a significant role in the sector for decades. The city-state is home to some of the largest chip manufacturing plants in Southeast Asia, hosting international names from NXP Semiconductors NV to Micron Technology Inc. The island nation boasts a legion of chip research and engineering talent as well as abundant venture capital for chip startups.


The tie-up also showcases Modi’s ambition to turn the world’s most populated country into a technology superpower, in which a strong semiconductor ecosystem is crucial. During his trip to Singapore he met with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and is expected to meet with other key officials in the city-state. The two nations also signed deals in the areas of health, medicine and skills development.


Closer ties with India in semiconductors would help Singaporean companies to tap into the rapidly growing market in South Asia, Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan told reporters last month. “They know that although Singapore is very small, we have a disproportionate share of global semiconductor manufacturing capability, and they are carefully studying our system in terms of its ecosystem,” he said.


Modi’s government has set up a $21 billion plan to beef up semiconductor capabilities across the country, with a total of $15 billion worth of investment in chipmaking plants announced earlier this year. Singapore’s expertise in memory chips and matured logic processors, which are widely used in electronic devices and automobiles, could help India grow its chip industry at a faster pace.

First Published: Sep 05 2024 | 10:05 AM IST



Source link

Advertisers abandon Elon Musk's X amid concerns over content and trust

Advertisers abandon Elon Musk's X amid concerns over content and trust

by | Sep 5, 2024 | Technology


3 min read Last Updated : Sep 05 2024 | 9:53 AM IST

More than a quarter of global advertisers are planning to reduce spending on Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), due to growing concerns over content and trust in the information shared on the platform, according to new research by data firm Kantar.


Since Musk’s $44 billion acquisition of the platform in October 2022, X has seen a steep decline in advertising revenue. Once heralded as a hub for “free speech,” the platform has struggled with controversies and advertiser dissatisfaction. Musk’s unpredictable behaviour and public statements, often shared with his nearly 200 million followers, have triggered a major pullback by advertisers wary of brand safety risks.


X: An unpredictable platform


Kantar’s research, which involved 18,000 consumers and 1,000 senior marketers globally, reveals that 26 per cent of marketers are planning to slash their ad budgets on X in 2025. This marks a sharp rise from the 14 per cent of marketers who planned similar cuts in 2024.


“Marketers are brand custodians and need to trust the platforms they use,” said Gonca Bubani, a director at Kantar. 


“X has changed so much in recent years and can be unpredictable from one day to the next. It is difficult to feel confident about your brand safety in that environment,” she added.


The exodus has been exacerbated by X’s declining global revenues. According to eMarketer, X peaked in 2021 with $4.46 billion in global revenues, including $366 million from the UK. By 2022, this had fallen to $4.14 billion, and with Musk’s takeover, revenues have more than halved. Projections for 2024 suggest that annual revenues could fall to $1.9 billion, with UK revenues shrinking to just $160 million.


“The trend of advertisers moving away from X has been ongoing for years, but the acceleration over the past 12 months suggests a turnaround is unlikely,” added Bubani.


X’s commercial woes have been compounded by other crises. The platform recently faced a ban in Brazil, one of its largest markets with over 20 million users. Brazil’s Supreme Court upheld the ban after X failed to comply with court orders to remove profiles spreading disinformation and refused to appoint a local legal representative.


Marketers’ trust in advertising on X has continued to plummet, with only 12 per cent expressing confidence in 2024, down from 22 per cent in 2022. A mere 4 per cent believe X offers brand safety.


Musk’s lawsuits against  global advertising firms


In response to the growing advertiser revolt, Musk has taken an aggressive stance. Last month, X filed a lawsuit against a global advertising alliance and major corporations such as Unilever, Mars, and CVS Health, accusing them of colluding to boycott the platform and intentionally causing revenue loss.


“We tried peace for two years, now it is war,” Musk wrote on X.

Despite these challenges, X maintains that advertisers are increasing their investment. A company spokesperson told The Guardian, “Advertisers know that X now offers stronger brand safety, performance, and analytics capabilities than ever before. Our brand safety rate is 99 per cent, as validated by DoubleVerify and Integral Ads Science, which is reflected by the fact that the majority of advertisers are increasing their investment in X, as shown by Kantar’s data.”

 

First Published: Sep 05 2024 | 9:53 AM IST



Source link

About-us

Privacy Policy

Email: hansrajagrawalakola@gmail.com

YouTube
Instagram
WhatsApp