Current Final

Category: Tech

  • Apple Watch import ban goes into effect in US patent clash

    Apple Watch import ban goes into effect in US patent clash

    A US import ban on certain Apple smartwatch models came into effect Tuesday, after the Biden administration opted not to veto a ruling on patent infringements.

    The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) decided in October to ban Apple Watch models over a patented technology for detecting blood-oxygen levels.

    Apple contends that the ITC finding was in error and should be reversed, but last week paused its US sales of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.

    The order stemmed from a complaint made to the commission in mid-2021 accusing Apple of infringing on medical device maker company Masimo Corp’s “light-based oximetry functionality.”

    “After careful consultations, Ambassador (Katherine) Tai decided not to reverse the… determination and the ITC’s decision became final on December 26, 2023,” the president’s executive office said in a statement on Tuesday.

    Apple has been steadily ramping up fitness and health features with each generation of its Apple Watch, which dominates the smartwatch category.

    In September, Apple released its Apple Watch Series 9, touting increased performance along with features such as the ability to access and log health data.

    “Our teams work tirelessly to create products and services that empower users with industry-leading health, wellness and safety features,” Apple said when the ITC ban was issued.

    “Masimo has wrongly attempted to use the ITC to keep a potentially lifesaving product from millions of US consumers while making way for their own watch that copies Apple.”

    In May, a trial of Masimo’s allegations ended in a mistrial after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict.

    Late last year, Apple filed two patent infringement lawsuits accusing Masimo of copying Apple Watch technology.

  • YouTube’s first ever video ‘Me at the Zoo’s thumbnail changed after 18 years

    YouTube’s first ever video ‘Me at the Zoo’s thumbnail changed after 18 years

    The first ever posted on YouTube with the title ‘Me at the Zoo’s thumbnail has been changed after 18 years.

    This video was uploaded by the co-founder of YouTube Javed Karim on April 23, 2005 on Saturday. 18 years after it was uploaded its thumbnail has been updated.

    Old Thumbnail

    New Thumbnail

    Does this mean that Javed is coming back again on his YouTube Channel?

  • GTA 6 trailer release date finally revealed after two years of speculation 

    GTA 6 trailer release date finally revealed after two years of speculation 

    After almost two years of anticipation and speculation, Rockstar Games has finally unveiled a major gaming announcement that could arguably be the most significant of the year. The release date for Grand Theft Auto 6, also known as GTA 6, has been revealed in a highly anticipated trailer. 

    For the first time since leaks emerged in 2022, fans will now get the chance to delve into the details of the upcoming GTA edition. Previous leaks offered glimpses into the game’s development and introduced some new features Rockstar was experimenting with. However, given the substantial amount of time that has passed, it’s expected that many aspects of the game have evolved. 

    The revelation about the release date came from Rockstar Games’ official X account, which shared an image featuring a pink and orange sky adorned with palm trees, reminiscent of the Vice City aesthetic. The accompanying text on the image reads, “Trailer 1. Tuesday, December 5. 9 AM ET,” indicating the probable date and time for the release of the GTA 6 trailer. For viewers in India, the trailer is scheduled to be released at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. 

    According to HT Tech, the announcement has brought immense joy to fans worldwide, becoming one of the most popular posts by Rockstar Games on X, accumulating 1.5 million likes and 421,000 retweets, along with 58,000 comments. 

    In a November post on the Rockstar Newswire, the publishers disclosed their decision to release the trailer for the forthcoming GTA game in early December. They expressed their excitement, stating, “We are very excited to let you know that in early December, we will release the first trailer for the next Grand Theft Auto.” 

    The post also conveyed gratitude to players worldwide for their incredible support, emphasising that the opportunity to create games they are truly passionate about wouldn’t be possible without the fans. They thanked everyone for sharing the journey with them. 

  • Over 7.5 million WhatsApp accounts banned in India in one month 

    Over 7.5 million WhatsApp accounts banned in India in one month 

    In compliance with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, WhatsApp has released its monthly report detailing actions taken in response to user grievances and violations of Indian laws or WhatsApp’s Terms of Service. The report covers the period from October 1, 2023, to October 31, 2023. 

    The report from Meta’s instant messaging platform details the abuse detection mechanisms operating at various stages of an account’s lifecycle and emphasises the company’s focus on prevention. In the specified period, WhatsApp banned a total of 7,548,000 accounts in India, with 1,919,000 of these accounts being proactively banned before any user reports. 

       
    As per the instant messaging platform, the section on user grievances provides insights into the types of complaints received and the corresponding actions taken. 

       
    Reportedly, WhatsApp received a total of 9,063 reports during the reporting period. The majority of the reports were related to “Ban appeal” (4,771), while others covered topics such as “Account support,” “Other support,” “Product support,” and “Safety.” Out of the total reports, 12 accounts were actioned, with bans or account restorations based on the nature of the complaint. 

    Additionally, the report outlines the orders received from the Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC), indicating that WhatsApp received five orders during the same period, complying with all of them. 

    To recall, from September 1, 2023, to September 30, 2023, a total of 7,111,000 WhatsApp accounts were banned. Among these, 2,571,000 accounts were proactively banned prior to receiving any user reports, as mentioned in the WhatsApp report. 

    In the month of September, as per the report, the platform received six orders from the Grievance Appellate Committee, all of which were duly adhered to. 

       
    Moreover, WhatsApp mentioned receiving 10,442 user reports in various categories during September, including account support (1,031), ban appeal (7,396), other support (1,518), product support (370), and safety (127). 

  • IT minister promises 5G launch, easy smartphone installment plans

    IT minister promises 5G launch, easy smartphone installment plans

    Caretaker Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Dr Umar Saif, emphasised on Wednesday that the government’s foremost commitment is to deliver high-quality telecom services to the public.

    During a meeting with the Group Chief Executive Officer of VEON, alongside CEO Jazz, Aamir Ibrahim, Dr Umar Saif highlighted that the government is actively taking measures to enhance connectivity across the country.

    A news release stated that various aspects of the telecom sector of mutual interest were discussed in the meeting.

    Dr Umar Saif, in discussions with the VEON delegation, revealed plans to auction the tech-neutral spectrum soon, aiming to elevate telecom services for the public.

    He pledged full support for the launch of 5G, assuring that the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication would collaborate closely with the telecom industry. Furthermore, he announced the forthcoming availability of smart mobile phones in convenient installments.

    Addressing the delegation, Dr Umar Saif conveyed that Pakistan offers a favourable investment environment and encouraged Jazz to invest in the e-agriculture, e-education, and e-health sectors.

    He praised the VEON Group for its noteworthy contributions to the technology sector and the provision of smartphones.

    Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of VEON, emphasised the importance of stable telecom systems as a foundation for the digital ecosystem and the economic stability of the country.

    The meeting was attended by senior officers of the IT Ministry, adding depth to the discussions on matters crucial to the development of the telecom sector.

  • World’s first ‘flying’ electric ship’s trials complete

    World’s first ‘flying’ electric ship’s trials complete

    The world’s first flying ship has completed the testing phase and is likely to be introduced next year. This electric flying passenger ship has been developed by a Swedish company, Candela Technology AB. It has been named Candela P12, and is 12 meters long.

    Capacity:

    It can carry 30 passengers at a time. According to the company, the Candela P12 can fly through water at a speed of 29 miles per hour. The company added that this will change the way of traveling in water.

    Working Mechanism:

    The aircraft uses hydrofoils for flight. Its lower part in the water rises above the surface of the water. Hydrofoils reduce water friction and allow the ship to travel at higher speeds than conventional boats. It uses two engines powered by a 252 kW battery, while its digital flight control system adjusts the hydrofoils based on currents in waves, wind, and water.

    The company did not provide a price but said that from 2024, the electric ride will make a 55-minute journey in 25 minutes.

  • Palestinian content leaves Israel miles behind on social media

    Palestinian content leaves Israel miles behind on social media

    While activists and civilians flood the streets across the world protesting for Palestine, social media is actively reflecting the changing tides. Currently, the hashtag #FreePalestine has over 2 billion views on TikTok, while in contrast the hashtag #standwithIsrael has over 162.8 million views.

    In a statement posted on Monday, the social media platform responded to US Representative (R) Mike Gallagher’s allegations that TikTok was “controlled by America’s s foremost adversary, one that does not share our interests or our values: the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)”, calling for America to ban the app.

    TikTok said the overwhelming support teens have for Palestine is dominating the app’s algorithm.

    “Support for Israel (as compared to sympathy for Palestine) has been lower among younger Americans for some time. This is evidenced by looking at Gallup polling data of millennials dating as far back as 2010, long before TikTok even existed. A March 2023 Gallup poll, before the war, shows young adults have rapidly shifting attitudes towards the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. While an Echelon poll from October 26, 2023 shows that US TikTok users under 40 are more likely to support Israel (33% vs 28% for Palestine), and the proportions broadly reflect the split in the general under 40 population (32% for Israel, 23% for Palestine).”

    Other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram show more audiences engage with the pro-Palestinian content than with Israel’s. Instagram shows that the hashtag #FreePalestine has over 6 million views, while in comparison #IstandwithIsrael has gained only 233,000 views.

    Instagram was being taken to task by users for censoring and shadow banning prominent pro-Palestinian voices who were reporting on the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Freelance journalist Plestia Alaqad reported her Instagram account was hacked.

    Furthermore, journalist Ahmed reported he was locked out of his Instagram account and was warned it would be shut down for violating the company’s guideline.

    On Facebook, the #FreePalestine hashtag has over 11 million views while in comparison the #IstandwithIsrael hashtag has over 323,000 views.

  • iPhone 15’s remarkable sales performance surpasses iPhone 14

    iPhone 15’s remarkable sales performance surpasses iPhone 14

    Apple announced a remarkable performance in its earnings for the September quarter, with a notable year-over-year increase in iPhone revenue, despite only a brief period of iPhone 15 sales factored into the results.

    However, other hardware divisions within the company experienced declines, leading to a fourth consecutive quarter of overall sales downturns. Apple generated $89.5 billion in revenue for the quarter.

    CEO Tim Cook expressed that the iPhone 15 lineup exhibited stronger early traction compared to the 14 series.

    He stated, “When you examine the performance of the iPhone 15 during that period and compare it to the iPhone 14 in the same timeframe last year, the iPhone 15 outperformed the iPhone 14.” Cook also noted that the Pro and Pro Max models were currently facing supply constraints.

    The Mac division encountered a substantial 34 per cent decline in revenue year over year, prompting Apple to hold its M3 event earlier in the week, where they introduced updated MacBook Pros and a refreshed iMac.

    Cook characterised the current PC consumer market as “challenging” and expressed optimism for a better quarter for the Mac in the upcoming December quarter, citing the presence of the M3 and new products.

    iPad revenue saw a 10 per cent decrease due to the absence of recent models, while wearables revenue experienced a more modest 3 per cent decline.

    Apple’s services unit continued to be a reliable source of revenue, with a 16 per cent year-over-year increase. Cook highlighted that “every main service achieved a record.”

    Looking ahead to the holiday shopping season, Apple’s CEO is optimistic about the company’s position, stating, “We now offer our most robust product lineup ever for the holiday season, including the iPhone 15 series and our first carbon-neutral Apple Watch models, a significant milestone in our commitment to making all Apple products carbon neutral by 2030.”

  • Here’s when PayPal and Stripe payment services will be available in Pakistan

    Here’s when PayPal and Stripe payment services will be available in Pakistan

    Dr Umar Saif, Pakistan’s interim Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunications, shared noteworthy developments on Wednesday regarding the imminent availability of PayPal and Stripe payment gateways within the country. Addressing the flourishing freelancing community, he drew attention to the current scarcity of financial tools to facilitate payments within this sector. 

    During these discussions with major industry players, including PayPal, Stripe, and Wise, a compelling case for Pakistan was presented, despite reservations, including those arising from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). 

    Dr Saif expressed optimism, foreseeing promising updates on PayPal and Stripe services in the coming four to six weeks, heralding positive implications for the freelancer community. 

    Highlighting the substantial size and potential of Pakistan’s IT freelancing workforce, the country ranks as the world’s second-largest online workforce, boasting approximately 1.5 million active IT freelancers. Nonetheless, the sector’s growth has been stymied by infrastructure limitations. 

    To address these challenges, the E-Rozgar programme is set to offer interest-free loans to the private sector, with plans for establishing co-working spaces capable of accommodating 500,000 individuals. Dr Saif also revealed a collaborative initiative with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to introduce standardised testing for IT graduates. 

    The significance of Pakistan’s IT sector cannot be understated, with around 19,000 companies contributing substantially to both employment and the national economy, boasting official exports worth $2.5 billion. 

    Another pertinent issue discussed by Dr Saif is the reluctance of some IT companies to maintain foreign exchange reserves and revenues abroad due to constraints on repatriating US dollars. Despite conservative estimates placing Pakistan’s IT exports at $4–4.5 billion, the reality is obscured by restrictions on US-dollar spending. 

    Fueled by cooperative efforts between the IT ministry and P@SHA, a positive development has emerged. IT companies can now retain 50 per cent of their revenue in US dollar accounts and receive corporate debit cards from banks, facilitating international payments without hindrance. 

    In addition, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has played a crucial role in assisting IT exporters. The SBP recently increased the permissible retention limit for IT exporters, allowing them to hold 50 per cent of their export proceeds in Exporters’ Specialised Foreign Currency Accounts (ESFCAs) with the aim of bolstering IT and IT-enabled services exports. 

  • Tinder now has ‘arranged dating’ feature

    Tinder now has ‘arranged dating’ feature

    Every singleton dreads this question from their parents: “Are you currently dating anyone?” However, thanks to Tinder’s new feature, those days of avoiding this inquiry might be a thing of the past.  

    Tinder has introduced a feature called “Tinder Matchmaker,” which enables users’ friends and family to view and recommend potential matches for them. This feature might have spared Robert De Niro’s character a great deal of turmoil in the film “Meet the Parents,” where he clashed with his potential son-in-law, played by Ben Stiller.

    Tinder Matchmaker is currently available in the UK, US, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, and Vietnam. It will gradually expand to other countries.  

    This feature builds on the common practice of users seeking their friends’ opinions by handing them their phones. According to Melissa Hobley, the chief marketing officer, “For years, singles have asked their friends to help find their next match on Tinder, and now we’re making that so easy with Tinder Matchmaker. It brings your circle of trust into your dating journey, helping you see potential matches you might be overlooking from the perspective of those closest to you.”  

    Tinder, which initially launched in September 2012, has significantly transformed the online dating landscape. In September, it introduced a $500 invite-only membership tier called Tinder Select, catering to “elite” users, offered to less than 1 per cent of users.   

    Additionally, in August, the company announced testing an artificial intelligence tool designed to select a user’s best-looking photos for their profiles, with the hope of increasing the likelihood of getting swiped right. This tool will analyse a user’s photo album and choose the five images that best represent them.