Category: Apps

Key Highlights

• Users can share screen and audio during video calls
• Speaker Spotlight highlights the current speaker
• Video calls can now have up to 32 participants on all devices

Meta has rolled out a significant update to WhatsApp, introducing several enhancements to its video calling feature. This update focuses on improving user experience by adding new functionalities and improving existing ones. Here’s a closer look at the new features. Also Read | WhatsApp Tips And Tricks: How To View Someone’s Status Secretly

Screen Sharing With Audio

WhatsApp users can now enjoy an upgraded screen sharing feature during video calls. Previously, when users shared their screens, the audio from their device was not included. This meant that while others on the call could see what was being shared, they couldn’t hear any accompanying sound, such as a video’s audio. The new update allows users to share both their screen and audio. This feature is ideal for watching videos together or sharing presentations with sound, making it a more comprehensive tool for both personal and professional use.

Speaker Spotlight

Another notable addition is the ‘Speaker Spotlight’ feature. This feature automatically highlights the person who is speaking during the video call. By showing the current speaker prominently on the screen, it ensures smoother conversations and helps participants easily follow who is talking. This is particularly useful in group calls, where it can be challenging to keep track of the speaker without visual cues.

32 Participant Support

One major update is the increased participant limit for video calls. Previously, WhatsApp allowed up to 32 participants on mobile devices, but the limit was lower for desktop users. Windows desktop app users had a limit of 16 participants, and macOS users could only have up to eight participants. The new update standardizes the participant limit across all devices and platforms, allowing up to 32 people to join a video call regardless of the device they are using. This change makes WhatsApp a more robust platform for larger group calls, whether for business meetings, family gatherings, or social events.

Improved Audio and Video Quality

Meta has also made improvements to the overall audio and video quality of WhatsApp calls. The introduction of the MLow codec enhances call clarity and reduces noise and echo, particularly benefiting mobile users. This improvement makes it easier to have clear conversations even in noisy environments. Additionally, video calls now offer higher resolution for users with faster internet connections, providing a better visual experience.

Also Read | WhatsApp Tips & Tricks: How To Unblock Yourself And Regain Access

Conclusion

These updates significantly enhance WhatsApp’s video calling capabilities, making it a more versatile and user-friendly platform. Whether it’s sharing screens with audio, identifying speakers more easily, accommodating larger groups, or enjoying better call quality, these features are set to improve the overall experience for WhatsApp users. With these advancements, WhatsApp continues to evolve, meeting the growing needs of its global user base.

Key Highlights

• New AI tools for text and image creation with strong privacy features
• AI-Powered Siri will be able to understand personal context
• ChatGPT boosts Siri and AI functions, available for all users.

Apple made important AI announcements at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024. CEO Tim Cook introduced the “intelligence” updates, focusing on Apple Intelligence, an integration of generative AI into Apple devices. Also Read | AI Magic: The Beatles’ Final Song ‘Now and Then’ Released After Decades

Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence is built on five pillars: powerful, integrated, intuitive, personal, and private. This new feature includes generative AI-powered Writing Tools that can summarize and rewrite text across different apps. Additionally, users can now generate artistic images in various styles based on photos in their gallery, which can be used in apps like Messages, Keynote, Freeform, and Pages.

Apple emphasizes privacy with on-device intelligence, ensuring that all processing occurs on the device using its chipset. To balance privacy and powerful AI features, Apple introduced Private Cloud Compute, an encrypted cloud solution for secure AI processing.

AI-Powered Siri

Siri has received a major AI upgrade, focusing on contextual understanding. This means Siri can now comprehend natural language and vaguely spoken sentences to find their underlying meaning. Siri will also integrate with various native Apple apps, allowing it to take actions within these apps based on verbal prompts. For instance, users can instruct Siri to “make the image glow,” and Siri will open the photo in edit mode and adjust brightness and contrast.

In a demo, Siri demonstrated its ability to answer the prompt “When will my mom’s plane land” by checking flight information from an email. The new Siri design and capabilities will be available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices.

In-App Apple Intelligence Features

Apple Intelligence enhances several apps:

• Photos App: The Memories feature will now automatically select the best photos and videos to create storylines. A new Clean Up tool can remove unwanted objects from photos without altering the main subject, similar to Google Pixel’s Magic Eraser and Galaxy AI’s Object Eraser.
• Mail App: New Writing Tools include Rewrite, allowing users to rephrase messages in various tonalities, and proofread, which checks grammar and sentence structure. Summarize extracts key points from long emails, and Smart Replies offers quick response suggestions.
• Messages App: Users can create custom emojis, called Genmojis, by typing text prompts. The AI generates several emoji options for users to choose from.

Also Read | Is Google’s Gemini A Better ChatGPT Alternative? Let’s Find Out!

ChatGPT Integration

Apple is integrating OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its ecosystem. Free users can access ChatGPT without logging in or sending information off the device. Paid users can link their accounts for a more personalized experience. ChatGPT will be integrated within Siri and systemwide Writing Tools, enhancing AI features across Apple platforms.

These AI features will run on Apple silicon and the Neural Engine, available in beta on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPads and Macs with M1 or later. Siri’s new capabilities will be initially available in US English as part of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia later this year.

Key Highlights

• Meta Verified is now on WhatsApp Business in India, Brazil, Indonesia, Colombia
• Verified businesses get impersonation protection
• AI tools automate customer queries and a one-tap call feature

Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Meta, announced the expansion of Meta Verified to WhatsApp Business during the company’s annual Conversations event in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This new feature is set to be available in India, Brazil, Indonesia, and Colombia, providing users with an extra layer of security and authenticity when interacting with businesses on WhatsApp. Also Read | Meta Verified Blue Tick Subscription Plans For Facebook, Instagram Announced In India: Cost, Eligibility Criteria, And More

What is Meta Verified?

Meta Verified is a subscription bundle initially introduced for creators on Instagram and Facebook in February last year. The feature includes a verified badge that authenticates accounts using government IDs, proactive account protection, access to account support, and increased visibility and reach. At the Conversations Conference in Mumbai in September last year, Zuckerberg revealed plans to extend Meta Verified to businesses on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Now, about seven months later, this feature is being rolled out to businesses in India and several other countries.

Benefits For Users

For WhatsApp users, the Meta Verified badge is a symbol of authenticity. When users see this badge, they can be confident that the business they are interacting with is legitimate and has registered its information with Meta. This helps users trust the services and products offered by the business.

For business owners, having the Meta Verified badge means they receive protection against impersonation. This can be crucial in maintaining their brand’s integrity and trustworthiness. Additionally, businesses with the Meta Verified badge receive enhanced account support, including impersonation protection. They can also use WhatsApp across multiple devices, making it easier for employees to manage customer interactions efficiently.

AI Tools and Enhanced Features

Meta is also introducing new AI tools for businesses on WhatsApp. These tools will help automate the process of answering customer queries and provide users with more information about the products they are searching for. This automation aims to streamline customer service, making it faster and more efficient for businesses to respond to inquiries.

Furthermore, Meta is adding a feature that allows users to call larger businesses on WhatsApp with just one tap. This is particularly useful for complex requests, such as travel bookings or bank account discussions, where a quick call can provide immediate assistance. Meta has started testing this feature, and it will be available to businesses in the coming months.

Also Read | Want A Blue Tick On Facebook? Here’s How To Get Verified Today

Conclusion

The introduction of Meta Verified to WhatsApp Business in India, Brazil, Indonesia, and Colombia is a significant step towards enhancing the authenticity and security of business interactions on the platform. With the additional AI tools and one-tap call feature, Meta is making it easier for businesses to manage customer interactions and provide better service. These updates not only benefit businesses but also improve the overall user experience on WhatsApp.

Key Highlights

• Google brings Auto Dark Mode to iOS, automatically switching websites to dark mode
• Users activate it by enabling dark mode on their device
• Android users can expect this feature soon

Google is constantly striving to enhance user experience, and its latest offering for iPhone users is no exception – Auto Dark Mode. This new feature aims to seamlessly switch websites accessed through the Google app to dark mode automatically. Let’s delve into what this feature is all about and how it works. Also Read | Google Sheets Tips And Tricks: How To Add ChatGPT Extension To Google Sheets

Understanding Auto Dark Mode

Auto Dark Mode, as the name suggests, ensures that websites accessed via the Google app on iOS devices are displayed in dark mode, aligning with the app’s dark theme. This feature is part of Google’s Search Labs experiments and is currently exclusive to iOS users.

Activating Auto Dark Mode

To experience Auto Dark Mode, users need to enable dark mode on their iOS device. Once activated, all websites visited through the Google app will adopt the dark theme automatically. Users can toggle this feature on or off by tapping the breaker icon located in the top-left corner of the Google app interface.

Customizing Auto Dark Mode

For users who prefer not to use Auto Dark Mode for specific websites, Google provides an easy solution. By clicking on the new sun icon displayed in the address bar, users can revert to the original theme of the website, thus disabling Auto Dark Mode for that particular site.

Limitations and Expectations

It’s important to note that Auto Dark Mode does not apply to websites that already offer a native dark theme. Additionally, Google advises users that the quality of the conversion to dark mode may vary. While currently available only on the iOS Google app for iPhones, this feature is expected to roll out to Android devices in the future.

Upcoming Google Updates

Apart from Auto Dark Mode, Google is also focusing on enhancing Google Lens’ capabilities for image searches. An upcoming update will allow users to provide additional context for image searches more efficiently. Instead of pressing the shutter button and then tapping the voice search icon, users can simply hold down the shutter button to record their voice and provide context simultaneously, streamlining the search process.

Also Read | Is Google Listening To Your Conversations? Adjust These Phone Settings ASAP

Conclusion

Auto Dark Mode is a significant addition to Google’s efforts to improve user experience on iOS devices. By seamlessly integrating dark mode across websites accessed through the Google app, users can enjoy a consistent browsing experience. With further updates in the pipeline, such as improvements to Google Lens, Google continues to innovate and enhance its services for users worldwide.

Key Highlights

• Instagram is testing unskippable ads called “ad breaks” to benefit advertisers
• Users are unhappy, finding the ads disruptive to their experience
• The wider rollout of these ads depends on test results and user feedback

Instagram is reportedly testing unskippable ads on its platform, sparking mixed reactions among users. Recently, a number of users took to social media to express their surprise and frustration after encountering these new ads. Unlike the usual ads that users can scroll past, these ads, called “ad breaks,” last for 5 to 10 seconds and cannot be skipped. Also Read | Earth-Friendly Handles: 100+ Instagram Username Ideas For Environmental Sustainability

Confirmation From Instagram

A Reddit post initially brought attention to these unskippable ads, showing them labelled as “ad breaks.” Following this, more users reported similar experiences. According to TechCrunch, Instagram has confirmed the testing of these ads. A Meta spokesperson stated, “We’re always testing formats that can drive value for advertisers.” However, the spokesperson also emphasized that this testing phase is meant to assess performance and user sentiment. If the company decides to implement these ads more widely, they will provide updates.

User Reactions

Reactions from users have been largely negative. Many users find the unskippable ads disruptive to their browsing experience. A user on X (formerly known as Twitter), @TheDanLevy, shared details and called the move “bonkers.” The screenshot he posted showed an info icon next to the “ad breaks” label, which opens a bottom sheet explaining, “Ad breaks are a new way of seeing ads on Instagram. Sometimes you may need to view an ad before you keep browsing.”

Some users have even resorted to closing and restarting the app to avoid these ads. One frustrated Reddit user remarked, “I hope they know people will leave.” This sentiment was echoed by many others who feel that the introduction of unskippable ads could drive users away from the platform.

What This Means For Advertisers

For advertisers, this new format could potentially offer greater value. Unskippable ads ensure that users watch the entire ad, which could lead to higher engagement and better returns on ad spend. The Meta spokesperson highlighted that the goal of this test is to find formats that can benefit advertisers.

The Future Of Ad Breaks

As of now, it remains uncertain whether Instagram will roll out these unskippable ads more broadly. The company is closely monitoring user feedback and the overall performance of the ads during this testing phase. If they decide to implement these ads across the platform, they will provide further updates.

Also Read | Instagram Introduces Four New Stickers: What Are They, How To Use Them?

Conclusion

Instagram’s testing of unskippable “ad breaks” has generated significant user backlash. While these ads may drive better value for advertisers, many users are unhappy with the disruption to their browsing experience. The outcome of this test will depend on how users and advertisers respond in the coming weeks. For now, Instagram continues to evaluate the potential of these ads to ensure they meet the needs of both users and advertisers.

Key Highlights

• X now permits sharing consensual adult content with proper labeling
• Users must add content warnings to adult material; X will enforce this if not followed
• No adult content in profile photos/banners, and under-18 users can’t view it

The internet hosts a wide variety of content, including adult material. It’s not surprising that social media platforms are beginning to embrace adult content, often referred to as Not Safe For Work (NSFW) content. The latest platform to allow such content is X, formerly known as Twitter. Also Read | Best Instagram Features That Are Worth Trying

New Policy Introduction

Elon Musk-owned X has recently announced that it will permit the creation and distribution of adult content on its platform. The company has introduced specific Adult Content and Violent Content policies to clarify what can and cannot be shared on X. This move aligns with X’s belief in the autonomy of adults to engage with and create content that reflects their beliefs, desires, and experiences, including those related to sexuality.

What is Allowed?

According to X’s adult content policy, users are permitted to share and distribute “consensually produced adult nudity or sexual behavior.” However, this content must be properly labeled and should not be prominently displayed. In a support page, X stated, “You may share consensually produced and distributed adult nudity or sexual behavior, provided it’s properly labeled and not prominently displayed.”

X believes that sexual expression, whether visual or written, is a legitimate form of artistic expression. The platform supports adults’ right to create, share, and consume consensually produced material related to sexual themes.

Important Warnings

While X allows users to share adult content, there are specific guidelines that must be followed. Content needs to be appropriately labeled. Users are asked to adjust their media settings so that all images and videos are placed behind a content warning. This warning must be accepted before the media can be viewed. Users can also add a one-time content warning on individual posts.

X has warned that if users fail to mark their posts properly, the platform will adjust the account settings accordingly. This ensures that content warnings are in place to protect viewers from unexpectedly encountering adult content.

Restrictions

Despite allowing adult content, X has set some boundaries. Adult content is not allowed in highly visible places such as profile photos or banners. Additionally, users who are under 18 years of age or who do not include a birth date on their profile cannot click to view content marked as ‘Adult Content’ on the platform.

Also Read | Twitter Tips And Tricks: How To Download And Save Twitter Videos on Android, iOS Smartphones, Laptops/PCs

Conclusion

X’s new policy on adult content reflects a shift towards a more open and expressive platform, while still maintaining boundaries to ensure content is shared responsibly. By implementing these guidelines, X aims to provide a balanced approach that respects both content creators and viewers.