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Instagram without ads: Meta to charge per month from mobile users in EU

Instagram without ads: Meta to charge $14 per month from mobile users in EU

by | Oct 3, 2023 | Technology



Mark Zuckerberg-owned Meta may soon charge its users in the European Union (EU) $14 monthly subscription fee for them to use Instagram on their phones, unless they allow the social media platform to use their personal data for targeted ads, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Tuesday.


Meta will charge the users $17 for the desktop versions of Facebook and Instagram together in the coming weeks, the report added.


The social media company was fined 390 million euros earlier this year by Ireland’s Data Privacy Commissioner and told it cannot use the so-called “contract” legal basis to send users ads based on their online activity.


Meta subsequently said it intended to ask users in the EU for their consent before allowing businesses to target advertising in order to address a number of evolving regulatory requirements in the region.


The companies are under strict restrictions for the use of private data. In May, Facebook was fined 1.2 billion euros for violating privacy laws that need appropriate safeguards for transferring data from the EU to the USA.


Interestingly, a subscription option for Meta’s services is a major turnaround for the company. Zuckerberg has repeatedly insisted that his core services should remain free and supported by advertising so that they can be available to people of all income levels.


At a 2018 conference, he said, “You don’t need thousands of dollars to connect with people who use our services.”


A Meta spokesman told the WSJ that the company believes in “free services which are supported by personalized ads” but is exploring “options to ensure we comply with evolving regulatory requirements.”


It is yet unclear if the new plan will be considered as compliant by Ireland or Brussels.

First Published: Oct 3 2023 | 3:42 PM IST



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Chromebook Plus: Google announces Chromebook Plus with AI-based features built-in: Details

Chromebook Plus: Google announces Chromebook Plus with AI-based features built-in: Details

by | Oct 3, 2023 | Technology


Google Chromebook Plus devices will have support for Google Photos HDR, Portrait Blur, and Magic Eraser features


Google on October 2 announced Chromebook Plus, a certification program for laptops that offer improved performance than regular Chromebooks. Devices with the Chromebook Plus label will have built-in Google apps and AI capabilities, said Google in a blog. All Chromebook Plus laptops come with the following guaranteed hardware specifications:


CPU: Intel Core i3 12th Gen or above, or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series or above


RAM: 8GB+


Storage: 128GB+


Webcamera: 1080p+ with Temporal Noise Reduction


Display: FullHD IPS or better


Google said the Chromebook Plus devices will have support for Google Photos HDR, Portrait Blur, and Magic Eraser features. Besides, the laptops will support creative apps such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Express and LumaFusion. The Chromebook Plus devices will support offline file sync feature, which would allow users to edit a doc file on their Google Drive in offline mode and the file would automatically sync on other devices linked with Google account once the internet connectivity is available.


Google promised free AI-Powered Chrome OS features for Chromebook Plus such as AI-based writing assistant, AI-generated custom wallpapers, and AI-generated video call backgrounds. These features, however, would be available in coming months.


Google also announced a new video chat control panel for Chromebook Plus models. The panel has the option to improve lighting, add background blur and turn on noise cancellation during a video call.


The Chromebook Plus laptops will be available in the US market from October 8, and are expected to come to India soon.

First Published: Oct 3 2023 | 3:38 PM IST



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OPPO Find N3 Flip coming soon with flagship imaging, upgraded cover display

OPPO Find N3 Flip coming soon with flagship imaging, upgraded cover display

by | Oct 3, 2023 | Technology



Chinese electronics maker OPPO’s India arm on Tuesday announced that it would soon launch the Find N3 Flip smartphone in the country. According to the company, the smartphone would feature a segment-first flagship-grade triple-camera setup. Besides, OPPO said it has upgraded the vertical cover display with more usability features, including support for over 40 third-party apps. Below are the details:


OPPO Find N3 Flip: Details


The Find N3 Flip would be offered in Cream Gold and Sleek Black colours. OPPO promises a slew of upgrades over the previous generation Find N2 Flip, including an improved Flexion hinge design, new functionality for its vertical cover screen, and a triple main camera setup.


Starting with design, OPPO said the Find N3 Flip would sport a Gorilla Glass 7 cover back where it has used a diamond highlight blade to cut the middle frame into two sharp edges to make the bottom appear even slimmer and straighter. When folded, OPPO said the Find N3 Flip would measure 85.54mm—half the size of a regular smartphone. It would weigh 198g and is 7.79mm slim, when open.


Coming to the displays, the smartphone would sport a 6.8-inch fullHD+ main display of 120Hz refresh rate. The display would feature TUV Rheinland Intelligent Eye Care certification to ensure eye comfort even after prolonged use. OPPO said the display would feature a multi-layer screen protection, which reduces the crease besides smoothening the drop shape in a folded state.


The Find N3 Flip would be the first OPPO smartphone to feature an alert slider, which was introduced by OnePlus and since has been a common feature on its smartphones.


About the hinge in the Find N3 Flip, OPPO said it has upgraded it from the single friction plate of the previous generation to a dual friction plate structure to improve FlexForm stability. OPPO said it has used aircraft-grade high-strength steel at core load-bearing positions to improve durability and increase deformation resistance from drops by 25 per cent, compared with the Find N2 Flip.


Coming to the cover display, OPPO said it has continued with the 3.26-inch vertical shape but improved it by adding support for over 40 essential apps, including Gmail, Outlook, Uber, and Google Maps. The cover screen would feature a 17:9 aspect ratio and 0.3mm bezel. OPPO said the cover screen would be large enough to display a grid of 3×4 apps, and it would support one-touch replies, speech-to-text, emojis and typing via a full QWERTY keyboard. As for the customisation options, OPPO said the cover screen would be customisable with up to 20 styles and three quick access widgets, including Messages, Camera, Battery, Recorder, Timer, and To-dos. Besides, it would let users choose from eight digital pets with animated actions that react to users and their environment. The cover screen can be used to display real-time weather updates by default.


With regard to imaging, OPPO said the Find N3 Flip would feature a triple-camera set-up in a circular module next to the cover screen. The device would feature a 50-megapixel (Sony IMX890) main camera paired with a telephoto portrait camera (32MP Sony IMX709 sensor). OPPO said it has fine-tuned its bokeh effects with inputs from Hasselblad for portrait photos. The third camera sensor is a 114-degree ultra-wide-angle camera (48MP Sony IMX581 sensor). On the display, the Find N3 Flip would sport a 32MP Sony IMX709 RGBW punch-hole camera for video calls, selfies, and 4K 30fps videos.


As for the camera features, there would be Multi-Angle FlexForm Camera mode, FlexForm Interval Shooting, FlexForm Long Exposure, and FlexForm Time-Lapse. Besides, there would be a Dual Preview window for users to check the frame on both screens.


OPPO said it has worked with Hasselblad to integrate the Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution into the camera system.



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31 mn users in India seen upgrading to 5G phones in 2023: Ericsson survey

31 mn users in India seen upgrading to 5G phones in 2023: Ericsson survey

by | Oct 3, 2023 | Technology



As many as 31 million users in India are expected to upgrade to 5G phones in 2023, amid an accelerated adoption of the ultra high-speed services in the country, according to a report by Ericsson.


5G users in India outpace global counterparts in daily adoption of apps.


In India, 5G has elevated the overall network satisfaction by an “impressive” 30 per cent compared to 4G, Ericsson Consuner Lab’s Global Survey showed.


“According to the study, based on tech attitudes and affordability, 31 million users could upgrade to 5G phones in 2023. This presents a vast opportunity for further 5G adoption in the country,” it said.


5G users in India stand out for their high daily engagement with apps, such as streaming high definition video, video calling services, mobile gaming and augmented reality.


On an average, they spend two hours more per week using these services compared to users in other early adopter 5G markets such as the US, the UK, South Korea, China and many others.


“Moreover, India’s 5G satisfaction levels and perceived 5G availability match or surpass those in early adopter markets. India boasts a remarkable 13 per cent higher share of very satisfied 5G users compared to the early adopter market average,” it said.


Overall satisfaction increases by a substantial 30 per cent when transitioning from 4G to 5G, with higher download speeds playing a key role in driving this satisfaction, the survey by the Swedish telecom gear maker noted.

(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 3 2023 | 1:36 PM IST



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Google working on Memory feature in Bard for contextual responses: Report

Google working on Memory feature in Bard for contextual responses: Report

by | Oct 3, 2023 | Technology


Google would allow users to set up personalised preferences on the AI powered chatbot


Google is reportedly working on a new update of its AI-powered chatbot Bard, which would enable it to remember user-specific information to provide personalised responses based on memory. According to 9to5Google, the feature update would let Google Bard adapt to individual users by remembering important details that they provide to the chatbot in conversation.


To use memory feature, Google would allow users to set up personalised preferences. The AI chatbot’s responses would then be in line with the set preference such as meal preferences, family size and preferences for the type of response that is to be generated. For example, simply telling the chatbot that the user does not prefer eating meat would let AI generate restaurant options in any future conversation accordingly.


The AI based Chatbot would also be capable of remembering the user’s location, if provided, to generate location specific responses in future conversations.


These features would remove an extra step when prompting the chatbot with repetitive data for generating responses. It would also significantly reduce the time taken to get all the necessary information using the AI-powered chatbot.


According to media reports, Google would allow users to enable or disable Bard’s Memory function. With this, it would be simple to start a conversation that is not based on stored memories.


Google recently announced Extensions for Bard that allowed users to integrate the AI-chatbot in other Google applications such as Gmail, Maps, and more. With extensions, Bard provides personalised experience based on information gathered from the users’ app. With this extension, an individual can prompt the chatbot to summarise an email from inbox or can ask for turn-by-turn navigation to a set location on Google Map.

First Published: Oct 3 2023 | 12:47 PM IST



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Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Mini review: Expansive sound, compact form factor

Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Mini review: Expansive sound, compact form factor

by | Oct 3, 2023 | Technology



The Ambeo Soundbar Mini is a new addition to Sennheiser’s audio lineup in India. This compact soundbar boasts four full-range drivers and two 4-inch woofers, delivering 7.1.4-channel audio powered by Sennheiser’s Ambeo virtualization technology. Additionally, it supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, MPEG-H, and 360 Reality Audio for immersive 3D sound reproduction. The soundbar is also compatible with the Ambeo Sub, an 8-inch wireless woofer, which is the same as the one used with higher-end models in the lineup, such as the Ambeo Soundbar Plus. It is worth noting that the dedicated woofer is sold separately as an accessory.


What sets the Ambeo Soundbar Mini apart is its compact size. It can easily fit under a TV with a display size of 43-inch or larger, even if the TV legs are close together. Alternatively, if you choose not to use it with your TV, its minimalistic design allows it to blend seamlessly with your room decor without drawing undue attention to itself.

In terms of connectivity, the soundbar offers both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth options, with support for Apple AirPlay, Google Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect. Additionally, it supports Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant for smart home setup and voice controls. On the wired side, it features an HDMI out with Enhanced Audio Return Channel (e-ARC) support and a USB port for connecting thumb drives.

Also Read: Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus review: Spatial sound in minimal setup


Setting up and managing the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Mini is straightforward, thanks to the Sennheiser Sound Control app, available for both Android smartphones and Apple iPhones. While not mandatory, the app unlocks the soundbar’s core features, including Ambeo sound, a virtualization technology that enhances stereo and 5.1-channel audio into a 7.1.4-channel spatial experience. Furthermore, the app allows you to adjust and control various soundbar settings.


Another useful feature accessible through the app is self-calibration. It conducts a one-minute sound test and employs four built-in microphones to tailor the sound experience based on your room’s acoustics. It is important to note that the soundbar comes with a remote controller featuring dedicated buttons for volume, source, sound profiles, and more. It covers the basics but advanced settings and controls are best managed through the app.


Turning to performance, the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Mini impressively delivers expansive sound despite the absence of dedicated height and rear channels. This achievement is made possible by the Ambeo technology, which generates virtual height channels to produce an audio output equivalent to 7.1.4 channels. It works seamlessly with audio tracks natively recorded in stereo or 5.1-channel formats. While there is an option in the app to disable Ambeo, it is recommended to keep it enabled for the best soundbar experience. The package is rounded off with preset sound profiles, including an adaptive mode that adjusts audio based on the content type.


Verdict


The Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Mini is an impressive audio system packed with premium features, justifying its relatively high price tag of Rs 74,990. When paired with the Ambeo Sub (sold separately, at Rs 69,990), it delivers room-filling spatial sound with enhanced bass, creating a theatre-like audio experience.



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