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WhatsApp introduces filters and backgrounds for video calls: What's new: Technology news

WhatsApp introduces filters and backgrounds for video calls: What's new: Technology news

by | Oct 2, 2024 | Technology


WhatsApp filters and backgrounds for video calls

WhatsApp filters and backgrounds for video calls

2 min read Last Updated : Oct 02 2024 | 12:13 PM IST


Meta-owned WhatsApp has announced the rollout of new camera filters and backgrounds for video calls. The instant messaging app now offers users new options to change their background or add a filter during a video call.


“Filters are designed to help you create a more playful atmosphere, whether that’s adding a splash of colour or creating a more artistic feel for your video. With backgrounds, you can keep your surroundings private and transport yourself to a cosy coffee shop or comfortable living room for a cleaner and more polished look,” said WhatsApp.

 


The introduced filters include Warm, Cool, Black & White, Light Leak, Dreamy, Prism Light, Fisheye, Vintage TV, Frosted Glass, and Duotone. Background options comprise Blur, Living Room, Office, Café, Pebbles, Foodie, Smoosh, Beach, Sunset, Celebration, and Forest.


Additionally, WhatsApp has added Touch Up and Low Light options to enhance the appearance and brightness of the environment. These features can be accessed during one-on-one or group video calls and can be applied by selecting the effects icon in the top right corner of the screen, which displays the available filters and backgrounds. Users can then choose the effects according to their preference. The new filters and backgrounds will be widely available in the coming weeks.


WhatsApp is also reportedly exploring the possibility of extending the filters and augmented reality (AR) effects introduced for video calls to its built-in camera, enabling users to apply the app’s filters to photos and videos taken by the native camera option within the app.

First Published: Oct 02 2024 | 12:13 PM IST



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Copilot Plus PCs: Microsoft releases Recall, adds new AI tools, native apps: technology news

Copilot Plus PCs: Microsoft releases Recall, adds new AI tools, native apps: technology news

by | Oct 2, 2024 | Technology


Super Resolution in Photos

Super Resolution in Photos

3 min read Last Updated : Oct 02 2024 | 11:50 AM IST


Microsoft has announced exclusive artificial intelligence capabilities coming to the Copilot Plus PC platform, specifically designed for Windows on ARM. New AI-powered features include image enhancement and generation tools in Paint and Photos, improved Windows Search, and a new “Click to Do” feature. The company also stated that it is rolling out the previously announced Recall feature with “additional default security layers” to select Copilot Plus PC users.


Additionally, Microsoft announced that more developers are building native apps for Windows on ARM. The company indicated that native apps for Vegas Pro, Fantastical, Sketchbook Pro, Arc Browser, Google Drive, and more will be coming soon to ARM chip-powered Copilot Plus PCs. Furthermore, new VPN apps such as ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, Surfshark, and Windscribe are now available, while NordVPN will soon join with its native app for Windows on ARM.

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Copilot Plus PCs: What’s new for Windows on ARM


Recall: Announced earlier this year, Recall functions like a photographic memory, allowing users to revisit previous activities on their PC. This exclusive feature for Copilot Plus PCs offers a timeline of events and allows users to describe what they are seeking.


Microsoft stated that the company has enhanced the feature’s security and privacy. Users can opt-in to save snapshots, and if they choose to do so, they must authenticate using Windows Hello to unlock the Recall experience. Additionally, Recall will include a sensitive information filter that automatically hides confidential data such as credit card details or personal identification numbers.


Recall will be available through the Windows Insider programme on Snapdragon-powered Copilot Plus PCs starting this month, with availability for Intel and AMD-powered Copilot Plus PCs in November.


Click to Do: The new Click to Do feature will automatically place an interactive overlay on the screen, suggesting quick options over images or text. Suggested actions may include options such as Visual Search with Bing, background blur or erasing objects in Photos, removing backgrounds with Paint, and more. For text, the Click to Do overlay may offer options such as rewriting, summarising, or explaining text inline, opening in a text editor, sending an email, or web searching. Microsoft noted that the feature possesses contextual understanding and will suggest options based on this context.


Improved Windows Search: With the improved system-wide Windows Search, users can search for files, pictures, and more on local storage or OneDrive by describing their content without needing to remember the file name or location.


Improved Search will initially be available with File Explorer and will further expand to Windows Search and Settings in the coming months.


Super Resolution in Photos: Using on-device AI processing, Microsoft will introduce a new Super Resolution tool in the Photos app, allowing users to upscale lower-resolution images. Users will be able to upscale images up to eight times the original resolution using a slider.


Generative Fill and Erase in Paint: With new image editing tools in Paint, users will be able to remove unwanted objects from images or add new elements using AI. Microsoft has also improved the underlying diffusion-based model to enhance results for existing tools.

First Published: Oct 02 2024 | 11:50 AM IST



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Microsoft Copilot AI gets voice and vision; now also available for WhatsApp: Technology news

Microsoft Copilot AI gets voice and vision; now also available for WhatsApp: Technology news

by | Oct 2, 2024 | Technology


3 min read Last Updated : Oct 02 2024 | 10:56 AM IST


Microsoft has announced several new Copilot AI features, including Gemini Live-like Copilot Voice and deeper integration into the Edge web browser. The company also introduced experimental features for Copilot AI, allowing the chatbot to understand what’s on your screen (on-screen contextual understanding) and providing better reasoning for more complex queries.


The new Copilot experience is rolling out to iOS and Android, as well as Windows and Copilot on the web. Additionally, Copilot is now available on Meta’s instant messaging platform WhatsApp. Users can access Copilot in WhatsApp through Microsoft’s website: Microsoft Copilot on WhatsApp.

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Microsoft Copilot: What’s new


Copilot Voice: Microsoft is rolling out four voice options for the Copilot AI chatbot. The new voice feature enables users to engage in more natural conversations with Copilot AI, allowing them to brainstorm ideas, ask questions, or hold long discussions. From the preview shown by Microsoft, the feature resembles Google Gemini Live and ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode.


The feature currently works only in English and is available in select regions, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.


Copilot Daily: The new Copilot Daily feature will provide summaries of news and weather, presented using the preferred Copilot Voice. Microsoft stated that this feature will only source data from authorised content providers and partner platforms, such as Reuters, Financial Times, Hearst Magazines, and more. Additionally, Copilot Daily will soon include options like reminders.


The feature is initially rolling out in the US and the UK, with plans for expansion to more regions.


Discover: Copilot will introduce a new Discover section where personalised ideas will be presented as cards. Microsoft noted that these cards will serve as conversation starters with the AI chatbot. For example, the Discover section will feature cards about skills you could learn, topics that might interest you, and more.


Copilot in Microsoft Edge: Microsoft has further integrated Copilot AI into its Edge web browser. Users will be able to utilise the AI chatbot to summarise page content, translate text, or rewrite sentences, all within the browser. Users can also type “@copilot” in the address bar to access the AI chatbot in Edge.


Copilot Vision: Currently available as an opt-in experimental feature in Copilot Labs, Copilot Vision can understand elements of the webpage you are viewing, including images and text. Users can receive real-time answers to queries based on what is displayed on their device. Microsoft stated that Vision currently works only with select websites and will not function on paywalled or sensitive content.


This feature is accessible in the US to select Copilot Pro subscribers in Copilot Labs.


Think Deeper: Similar to Copilot Vision, Think Deeper is an experimental feature available in Copilot Labs. This feature enables the AI chatbot to reason through more complex queries. Microsoft indicated that with the Think Deeper feature, the AI chatbot will take longer than usual to respond to questions and will be able to make suggestions and offer comparisons between two options.


Think Deeper is available to Copilot Pro users in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US in Copilot Labs.

First Published: Oct 02 2024 | 10:56 AM IST



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Google explores background play for YouTube TV on Android and iOS: Report: Technology news

Google explores background play for YouTube TV on Android and iOS: Report: Technology news

by | Oct 2, 2024 | Technology


youtube

youtube(Photo: Shutterstock)

2 min read Last Updated : Oct 02 2024 | 10:49 AM IST


YouTube offers the background play feature to Premium subscribers, allowing users to continue listening to a video after leaving the app or locking their device. However, this feature did not work on YouTube TV or Google’s live TV service until now. It is expected that the feature will soon be available for the YouTube TV app.


Allison Toh, product communications manager at YouTube, confirmed to The Verge that the video streaming site is experimenting with bringing background playback to YouTube TV for Android and iOS mobile users. This experiment is currently available to a select group of users.

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Reports from Reddit indicate that the playback feature is now accessible on Android, according to 9to5Google. Google has been gradually introducing the feature to YouTube TV, and it is reportedly functioning on Android devices, although it is not yet operational on iOS.


The YouTube Help page states: “Play videos on your mobile device while using other apps or when your screen is off. Background play is available on YouTube, YouTube Music, and YouTube Kids mobile apps (if these apps are available in your location) when you’re signed in with your YouTube Premium membership account.”


As stated above, the background playback is currently not available for YouTube TV to everyone. Once available, it is expected to work similar to other YouTube platforms. The feature is slowly rolling out and may become widely available in the upcoming days.


How to customise or turn off background play:


Background play is accessible on YouTube mobile apps when you’re logged in with your YouTube Premium account. By default, videos will continuously play in the background.


To customise this feature:


Click on your profile picture and navigate to Settings.


Choose “Background & downloads,” and then select “Playback.”


Choose your option:


Always on: Videos will continuously play in the background (this is the default setting).


Headphones or external speakers: Videos will play in the background only when your device is connected to headphones, speakers, or an external audio output.


Off: Videos will not play in the background at all.

First Published: Oct 02 2024 | 10:49 AM IST



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Apple readies new iPhone SE that kills home button with edge-to-edge screen

Apple readies new iPhone SE that kills home button with edge-to-edge screen

by | Oct 2, 2024 | Technology


Apple's M2 iPad Air, Apple

Apple’s M2 iPad Air | Image: Bloomberg

3 min read Last Updated : Oct 02 2024 | 8:22 AM IST


Apple Inc., fresh off the release of the iPhone 16, is preparing to announce a new low-end phone early next year alongside upgraded iPads. 


The company is nearing production of an updated iPhone SE — codenamed V59 — that will become its new entry-level model, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Apple is also aiming to manufacture new iPad Air models and keyboards for release around the same time, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans aren’t public.

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The release will mark the first update to the iPhone SE since 2022, when Apple added 5G capability to the device. With the latest model, Apple will move away from the old home button design and transition to an edge-to-edge screen. 


The SE overhaul will help Apple compete in the low-end smartphone market, where it faces tough competition from Android devices — especially in China. The current model costs $429, which is hundreds less than the standard iPhone but more expensive than many of its rivals. Modernizing the SE so it looks more like its higher-end siblings should help entice budget-minded shoppers and potentially win back market share lost to brands such as Huawei and Xiaomi.

 


The new SE phone is expected to support Apple Intelligence, an upcoming suite of AI tools that will also work with the iPhone 16 and the high-end versions of last year’s iPhone 15. The new model will resemble the iPhone 14, including the notch cutout at the top. The current SE more closely resembles the iPhone 8, the last standard version to include a home button. 


A spokesperson for Cupertino, California-based Apple declined to comment.


The new iPad Air models — codenamed J607 and J637 — will focus on internal improvements. Apple also is preparing an updated version of its Magic Keyboard accessory, codenamed R307 and R308, for both the 11-inch and 13-inch versions of the new Air. These will bring some of the features of the iPad Pro keyboard down-market. 


Earlier this year, Apple updated the Air lineup with an M2 chip and added the 13-inch screen option. A new iPad mini — codenamed J410 — is coming too, potentially by the end of 2024.


A revamped version of the iPad Pro was released at the same time as this year’s iPad Air, but that higher-end device includes an M4 processor that has yet to come to other models. That means an update is less urgent given the chip is already a generation ahead.

Beyond the new iPhone SE and iPads, Apple is also refreshing its Mac computer lineup. Updated models this year will include a revamped Mac mini as well as updated MacBook Pros and iMacs. They’ll sport the M4 processor and highlight Apple Intelligence features. The M4 chip will come to the MacBook Air, Mac Studio and Mac Pro during 2025.


(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.)

First Published: Oct 02 2024 | 8:22 AM IST



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Zoom taps Microsoft veteran Michelle Chang for chief financial officer role

Zoom taps Microsoft veteran Michelle Chang for chief financial officer role

by | Oct 1, 2024 | Technology


ZOOM

The efforts are paying off as the company last month raised its annual revenue forecast. Photo: Bloomberg

1 min read Last Updated : Oct 01 2024 | 8:46 PM IST


Zoom Video Communications on Tuesday named veteran Microsoft executive Michelle Chang as its chief financial officer, effective Oct. 7.


Chang, who joined the tech giant in April 2000, was most recently the CFO of Microsoft’s Commercial Sales & Partner Organization. She will report to Zoom founder and CEO Eric Yuan.

 

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She will succeed Kelly Steckelberg whose resignation was announced in August. Steckelberg, who will continue in an advisory capacity until the announcement of third-quarter results, led the company through its successful IPO in 2019.

 


San Jose, California-based Zoom has been bolstering its for video-conferencing products with artificial intelligence to leverage hybrid work requirements across businesses.

 

 


The efforts are paying off as the company last month raised its annual revenue forecast.

First Published: Oct 01 2024 | 8:46 PM IST



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