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Google's Find My Device set to launch soon: What is it and how does it work

Google's Find My Device set to launch soon: What is it and how does it work

by | Apr 5, 2024 | Technology


Representative image: Google Pixel 8

Finally, Google has confirmed the launch date for “Find My Device” network rollout. According to a report by 9To5Google, the American technology giant has sent an e-mail to select users informing them that the Find My Device network would be launching soon.


Google announced Find My Device Android device tracking network last year. The feature would help users locate missing phones, headphones, and other devices, leveraging the network between Android powered devices. The Find My Device network was supposed to launch earlier but got delayed as both Google and Apple worked together on the project to ensure that the technology is not misused to stalk and track someone else’s movements.


According to the report, various settings options started to roll out earlier this week to select users enrolled in the Google Play Services beta. However, the network itself is not made available. The report states that a few users have started receiving an email from Google stating that the network will launch “in three days.” The e-mail also stated advantages of the upcoming feature.


“With the new Find My Device network, you’ll be able to locate your devices even if they’re offline. You can also find any compatible Fast Pair accessories when they’re disconnected from your device. This includes compatible earbuds and headphones, and trackers that you can attach to your wallet, keys, or bike,” Google said in an email, according to 9To5Google. “You’ll get a notification on your Android devices when this feature is turned on in 3 days. Until then, you can opt out of the network through Find My Device on the web,” the company added.


Google shared a link in the email that it said will allow users to opt out of the network.


On opening the link, a pop-up notification appears that reads, “By using the Find My Device service, you allow Google to use location data, device information and connection events to locate your device and accessories. Device location is approximate, and may not always be accurate.”

Google Find My Device


Google Find My Device


However, upon trying to locate a smartphone (switched off) from the webpage, it shows that the device cannot be reached currently. Upon testing it on another device to find another smartphone, which is also switched off and inactive for a week now, the webpage shows the location accurately. It seems like there has been progress, and Google is now ready to roll out the Find My Device network.

Google Find My Device


Testing on the first device

Google Find My Device


Testing on another smartphone


The early preview is now accessible for select users in India and shows that it will allow users to play sound on the device remotely, to find its location. Additionally, there are other options such as “Secure device” and “Factory reset device”.


 


 


 

First Published: Apr 05 2024 | 12:02 PM IST





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10-min delivery: Blinkit partners with Sony to sell PS5 Slim on launch day

10-min delivery: Blinkit partners with Sony to sell PS5 Slim on launch day

by | Apr 5, 2024 | Technology


PlayStation 5 Slim on Blinkit


Zomato-owned quick commerce platform Blinkit has partnered with Sony to sell PlayStation 5 Slim edition gaming console, which is launching in India on April 5. Customers in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru can now get the all new PlayStation 5 Slim editions and controllers delivered in 10 minutes, said Blinkit in a press note. Blinkit’s CEO, Albinder Dhindsa, also confirmed the partnership in a post on X (formerly twitter).


Sony has confirmed the launch of PlayStation 5 Slim edition models in India for April 5. The Japanese electronics brand confirmed the India pricing ahead of the launch. Below are the details:


PlayStation 5 Slim series: Price and availability


  • PlayStation 5 Slim (Disc version): Rs 54,990


  • PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition: Rs 44,990


Both the models are now available in India on select platforms including Blinkit. The company will sell the compatible vertical stand with the new PS5 models as add-on accessory.


PlayStation 5 Slim series: Details


The PS5 Slim has a sleek form factor with 30 per cent less volume occupied, compared to the previous model. The standard PS5 model, which comes with an inbuilt disc drive, has its weight reduced by 18 per cent, compared to its predecessor, while the Digital Edition weighs 30 per cent less than the last generation model.


The PlayStation 5 Slim series offers up to 1TB on-board storage, compared to 825GB on the predecessor.


PlayStation 5 provides up to 120 frames per second (FPS) on compatible games with support for up to 120Hz output on 4K resolution display. The console supports HDR for a more vibrant viewing experience and gets Ray Tracing technology that simulates every individual ray of light within supported games to create more life-like shadows and reflections.


 


 


 

First Published: Apr 05 2024 | 10:45 AM IST





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Samsung estimates 10-fold rise in its Q1 profit as chip prices recover

Samsung estimates 10-fold rise in its Q1 profit as chip prices recover

by | Apr 5, 2024 | Technology



Samsung Electronics estimated on Friday its first-quarter operating profit would rise more than 10-fold, topping market expectations, as chip prices have started to rebound from a severe downturn thanks to a boom in artificial intelligence.

 


But the guidance was not enough to cheer investors who sent Samsung shares down 1.3 per cent early on Friday, in line with a 1.1 per cent drop in the wider South Korean market, as they await updates on progress in its high-end memory chip business that has been lagging behind rivals.

 


The world’s largest memory chip and TV maker estimated its operating profit rose to a better-than-expected 6.6 trillion won ($4.89 billion) in the quarter ended March 31, beating a 5.7 trillion won LSEG SmartEstimate.

 


That was up 931 per cent from 640 billion won a year earlier and would be Samsung’s highest operating profit since the third quarter of 2022.

 


But revenue missed expectations, likely rising 11 per cent from the same period a year earlier to 71 trillion won, below a LSEG SmartEstimate of 72.3 trillion won.

 


“Since revenue was mostly in line but operating profit beat expectations, the inventory valuation of NAND flash chips may have improved. Demand for NAND has improved, which may have improved margins as well,” said Park Sung-soon, an analyst at Korea Investor Relations Service.

 


“Initial response to new Galaxy S24 smartphones was also positive due to on-device AI, so if greater-than-expected portion of the high-margin premium smartphones were sold, it would have an impact.”


The company is due to release detailed earnings on April 30.

 


The better performance came as its chip division, traditionally its biggest earner, is expected to report its first quarterly profit in five quarters as memory chip prices bounce back from a deep trough that began in mid-2022 due to weak post-pandemic demand for gadgets.

 


DRAM chip prices rose about 20 per cent during the first quarter versus the previous quarter, while NAND flash chip prices increased by 23 per cent to 28 per cent, according to data provider TrendForce.

 


The bullish outlook for memory chip demand, including exploding appetite for chips such as high-bandwidth memory (HBM) used in AI chipsets, has driven a 34 per cent rise in Samsung shares over the last 12 months, beating a 10 per cent gain in the broader market.

 


But it has underperformed its cross-town rival SK Hynix , whose shares surged 122 per cent during the same period, in the booming HBM market, partly due to its relatively late entry into the segment.


Analysts expect Samsung to catch up gradually, as it plans to begin shipments of its latest and most powerful HBM chips in the third quarter.

 


“Samsung is working hard on HBM, but nothing is visible yet…Compared to competitors, Samsung stock has underperformed due to HBM,” said Kim Roko, an analyst at Hana Securities.

 


“It may be difficult to increase market share with the 8-layer HBM3E currently being released, but no company has yet received approval for the 12-layer version expected near year-end. I think Samsung may pass on what it has not been able to do and win with more advanced products.” The 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck Taiwan on Wednesday is likely to tighten semiconductor supply, and analysts said Samsung and SK Hynix may hike memory chip prices by a sharper margin than previously planned, potentially boosting second-quarter earnings.

 


In its mobile business, Samsung likely reported a solid profit after launching sales of its new flagship Galaxy S24 smartphones in late January, analysts said.

 


Eugene Investment & Securities estimates Samsung shipped 57 million smartphones during the quarter, up 8 per cent from the fourth quarter, and the average selling price of Samsung smartphones likely rose 30 per cent to $340 quarter-on-quarter, supporting profits.


Global sales of Galaxy S24 smartphones grew by 8 per cent compared to the previous year’s Galaxy S23 series during their first three weeks of availability, data provider Counterpoint said.


(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: Apr 05 2024 | 7:10 AM IST



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Apple cut at least 600 jobs in US when car and screen projects stopped

Apple cut at least 600 jobs in US when car and screen projects stopped

by | Apr 5, 2024 | Technology


The WARN notices don’t disclose the full scope of the job reductions because Apple had many engineers on both projects in other areas, including Arizona | Photo: Bloomberg


By Mark Gurman

 


Apple Inc. laid off more than 600 employees in California as part of the decisions to end its car and smartwatch display projects, according to filings with the California Employment Development Department. 

 


The Cupertino, California-based company filed eight separate reports to the state to comply with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN programme. Companies must file a report to the state agency for each California address that includes employees affected by a layoff. At least 87 of the people worked at an address corresponding to a secret Apple facility for its next-generation screen development, while the others were located at buildings related to the car project. 


At the end of February, Apple began to wind down both initiatives, which were seen as major moonshot efforts to advance the company’s technologies or enter sizable new areas. The car project was canceled amid indecision among executives about its direction and cost concerns. The display program was shuttered due to engineering, supplier and cost challenges. 


According to the reports, 371 employees were released at Apple’s main car-related office in Santa Clara, California, while dozens more at multiple satellite offices were also impacted. In some cases, members of the Apple car group were relocated to other teams, such as for artificial intelligence or work on personal robotics. 


An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment on the number of employees affected by the job cuts.


The WARN notices don’t disclose the full scope of the job reductions because Apple had many engineers on both projects in other areas, including Arizona.

First Published: Apr 05 2024 | 6:51 AM IST



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Apple set to unveil new products but without fanfare of traditional event

Apple set to unveil new products but without fanfare of traditional event

by | Apr 4, 2024 | Technology



Apple is gearing up to unveil a slew of new products without the fanfare of a traditional event, this time.


According to reports from Mashable, the tech giant is set to announce its latest innovations through press releases on its website, with a lineup that includes highly anticipated updates to the MacBook, iPad, and iPhone colour options.


The reports also hint at the imminent release of new iPad Pro, iPad Air, and MacBook Air models, alongside a range of accompanying accessories.


The absence of a live event suggests a shift towards a more streamlined approach to product launches, with online releases shared by promotional videos and marketing campaigns.

 




Among the most anticipated reveals are the next-generation iPad Pro models, rumoured to feature the powerful M3 chip, OLED displays, and sleek design enhancements.


The introduction of landscape-oriented front cameras and MagSafe wireless charging capabilities is expected to redefine the tablet experience for users.


Additionally, Apple enthusiasts can look forward to refreshed MacBook Air models equipped with the advanced M3 chip, promising unparalleled performance and efficiency.


According the reports by Mashable, the possibility of new colour variants for the iPhone 15 lineup, as well as vibrant options for iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands, adds an element of excitement to the upcoming announcements.


Tech enthusiasts can keep a close eye on the Apple Newsroom page for any forthcoming announcements expected later this week.

(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: Apr 04 2024 | 11:58 PM IST



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Free blue ticks back for some accounts on X leaving some users unhappy

Free blue ticks back for some accounts on X leaving some users unhappy

by | Apr 4, 2024 | Technology



Elon Musk’s X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, has begun restoring complimentary blue checks for some of its users, the latest unexpected shift to cause a lot of confusion on the platform.

 


For years, Twitter’s blue checks mirrored verification badges that are common on social media, largely reserved for celebrities, politicians and other influential accounts. That changed months after Musk bought the platform for $44 billion in October 2022.

 


Last year, X began issuing verification checks only to those who paid the starting price of $8 per month for it, and stripping verification badges from many celebrities and other prominent accounts. That also led to confusion, complaints, and a large number of fake accounts pretending to be someone else, blue check included.

 


But late Wednesday night and early Thursday, numerous users reported seeing the blue checks return to their accounts, or appear for the first time, despite the fact that they were not paying for “premium” service on X.

 

Musk said last week that all X accounts with more than 2,500 verified subscriber followers would get Premium features — which includes a checkmark — for free going forward, and that accounts with over 5,000 would get Premium+ for free.


Specific reasoning behind this new policy was not clear. X did not immediately respond to a request by The Associated Press for comment Thursday.

 


Reactions were mixed. While a handful of users were excited about the verification, others were frustrated.

 


“What happened? I didn’t pay for this. I would NEVER pay for this,” actress Yvette Nicole Brown, who appeared to be among the prominent names to see a blue check return, wrote in a post Wednesday evening.

 


As X’s blue check has also evolved into what some argue is a signal of support for the platform’s new ownership and subscription model, a few other accounts even shared instructions on how to get their newly-placed blue checks removed through settings changes.

 


Multiple AP staff had also received verification status that they did not pay for or request as of Thursday.

 


Beyond blue checks, X has faced user and advertiser pushback amid ongoing concerns about content moderation as well as the spread of misinformation and hate speech on the platform, which some researchers say has been on the rise under Musk.

 


Big-name brands including IBM, NBCUniversal and its parent company Comcast, in November said they would stop advertising on X after a report from liberal advocacy group Media Matters showed their ads appearing alongside material that praised Nazis.

 


Marking yet another setback as X tries to win back ad dollars, the platform’s main source of revenue, Musk responded with an expletive-ridden rant accusing the companies of “blackmail” and essentially told them to go away.

 


X has since also attempted to sue those who have documented the proliferation of hate speech and racism on the platform — including Media Matters and the non-profit Centre for Countering Digital Hate. A federal judge dismissed the suit against the centre last week. 

First Published: Apr 04 2024 | 10:32 PM IST



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