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Category: Tech

  • Microsoft to showcase its cutting-edge AI technology in Word, PowerPoint

    Microsoft to showcase its cutting-edge AI technology in Word, PowerPoint

    Microsoft is poised to showcase its new artificial intelligence (AI) technology, which bears resemblance to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and its transformative impact on its Office productivity suite.

    Following the demonstration of its Prometheus Model in the latest Bing search engine, Microsoft is now set to reveal its plans to integrate OpenAI’s language AI technology and Prometheus Model into its core productivity apps such as Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

    Sources with knowledge of Microsoft’s initiatives revealed that the company is making preparations to showcase its productivity vision, which involves the integration of OpenAI’s AI technology, in the upcoming weeks. Microsoft is reportedly aiming for an official announcement in March, highlighting the company’s drive to revolutionize its search and productivity offerings through its investments in OpenAI.

    Earlier reports by The Information indicated that GPT models have undergone trials in Outlook to enhance search results, along with features for recommending email replies and Word document integration to enhance writing capabilities. A new generative AI experience was recently introduced in Microsoft Viva Sales, leveraging the Azure OpenAI Service and GPT to create sales emails, similar to some of the features being tested in Outlook.

    As Microsoft’s new Prometheus Model, based on OpenAI’s next-generation technology, has already revolutionized Bing web searches, the integration of this functionality into Microsoft Office apps and Teams will serve as a testament to the company’s confidence in its AI capabilities. Currently, the Prometheus Model can be utilized within Office web apps through the Bing sidebar integration in Microsoft Edge browser.

    This sidebar features a compose tab that offers a glimpse into Microsoft’s ongoing testing work for Word and Outlook. Additionally, sources indicate that the company is exploring ways to generate graphs and graphics for PowerPoint. Bing already has the ability to create tables and charts for basic data, but incorporating those into visually appealing graphics for presentations or Excel use would be a natural progression.

    Microsoft is proceeding with haste in its integration efforts, largely due to the threat posed by Google. Sources informed The Verge that Microsoft had originally intended to launch its Bing AI in late February, but expedited the release in response to Google’s imminent announcements. As a result, Google unveiled its ChatGPT rival, Bard, a day ahead of Microsoft’s event.

    Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is determined to establish the company as a leader in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), and counteract any competition from rival Google. To demonstrate his commitment, Nadella arrived early to the Bing AI event on Tuesday morning, despite the event being scheduled to start at 10 AM PT. He was so eager to commence early that he requested to start the event 20 minutes ahead of schedule, resulting in event organizers scrambling to accommodate the change and the event beginning five minutes ahead of schedule, with Nadella taking the stage two minutes before the original 10 AM PT start time.

    Internally, several Microsoft executives are confident that the company is far ahead of Google in terms of Bing AI and its integration into productivity apps. However, they are also cautious, cautioning employees to be vigilant against rivals who may attempt to disrupt Microsoft’s productivity offerings in the same manner as Microsoft is targeting Google’s search business.

    Nadella’s push for AI integration across Microsoft’s products is driven by the overwhelming consumer response to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Analysts at UBS estimate that ChatGPT achieved 100 million monthly active users after just two months. Within 48 hours, over 1 million people signed up for the Bing waitlist, and as of Thursday, Bing was the third most popular app in the US App Store.

    According to The Verge, Microsoft intends to capitalize on the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI) in 2023 and unlock the full potential of its Prometheus Model, including features that have yet to be publicly disclosed. The tech industry can expect AI to be a prominent topic of discussion throughout the rest of the year, as Microsoft and Google compete for supremacy in the search and AI space.

  • Yahoo announces major layoffs, 20% of staff to be affected

    Yahoo announces major layoffs, 20% of staff to be affected

    Yahoo announced in a statement on Thursday that they will be cutting more than 20 per cent of their workforce by the end of 2023, starting with the elimination of 1,000 positions this week.

    The company, which was acquired by private equity firm Apollo Global Management in September 2021, had a headcount of around 10,000 employees at the time of acquisition, according to PitchBook data.

    However, recent reports by Axios indicate that the current headcount may be closer to 8,000 employees, with more than 1,600 workers set to lose their jobs in the latest round of cuts.

    The recent layoffs at Yahoo are part of the company’s plan to simplify its advertising unit’s operations. A spokesperson for the company stated that the strategy for the Yahoo for Business segment failed to meet the company’s expectations in all aspects. These layoffs are a step towards rectifying the situation and ensuring the business segment operates more efficiently.

    “Given the new focus of the new Yahoo Advertising group, we will reduce the workforce of the former Yahoo for Business division by nearly 50 per cent by the end of 2023,” a Yahoo spokesperson told CNBC.

    Yahoo announced that it will redirect its focus to its long-standing collaboration with Taboola, a leading digital advertising firm, to enhance its advertising services. The partnership between the two companies has existed for 30 years.

    “These decisions are never easy, but we believe these changes will simplify and strengthen our advertising business for the long run, while enabling Yahoo to deliver better value to our customers and partners,” the Yahoo spokesperson said.

    According to a statement made by a representative of Yahoo to CNBC, the company has announced plans to offer severance packages to its domestic employees who have been impacted by job loss. However, the company has not disclosed the exact amount or specifics of the severance packages being offered.

    Severance packages are typically offered by companies to employees who have been laid off or let go due to a reduction in workforce, restructuring, or other reasons. These packages typically include a combination of financial compensation and benefits, such as continued health insurance, unemployment assistance, and outplacement services.

    The size and value of the severance package will depend on factors such as the employee’s length of service, position, and company policies. In the case of Yahoo, without specific details on the size or value of the severance packages, it is difficult to determine what the employees can expect to receive.

  • PTA barred from block websites without consulting IT Ministry

    PTA barred from block websites without consulting IT Ministry

    Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has to consult with The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications before blocking any website in the country, a ministerial committee meeting has decided.

    Syed Aminul Haque, the minister of information technology, served as the meeting’s chair. Following PTA’s blocking of Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, the committee was created by the prime minister on February 6.

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    The Pakistan government on February 06 reversed the ban on Wikipedia after outrage on restricting the online encyclopedia.


    The ban was put in place by Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) due to “unlawful” content.

  • You can now share your thoughts in a new way with WhatsApp voice statuses feature

    You can now share your thoughts in a new way with WhatsApp voice statuses feature

    WhatsApp has recently introduced a new feature, allowing users to post voice notes as statuses, with a maximum recording length of 30 seconds for their contacts to listen to. These voice notes will have a lifespan of 24 hours before disappearing, expanding the types of content that can be shared through the status feature.

    The meta-owned messenger introduced the status feature in 2017, which initially allowed users to share photos, videos, GIFs, and text updates. With the increasing popularity of voice messaging on the platform, the company has now added the option to share voice notes as statuses. In March of the previous year, WhatsApp announced that it was processing a daily average of 7 billion voice messages, further highlighting the growing demand for this feature.

    Moreover, WhatsApp is enhancing the status feature by offering status reactions, similar to the message reactions that were introduced by the company last year. Additionally, users will now have the ability to specify their desired audience for statuses, allowing them to control who can view their updates. This audience selection can be saved and applied to all future status updates, providing more control over privacy and visibility.

    It is currently uncertain how many users are actively utilizing the status feature to communicate with their contacts, however, the company is actively striving to increase its popularity.

  • This smart diaper will send a phone notification when baby needs a diaper change

    This smart diaper will send a phone notification when baby needs a diaper change

    A team of researchers from Penn State have developed ‘smart diapers’ with built-in sensors that notify parents when their baby needs to be changed.


    The diaper is made out of paper that has been pre-treated with sodium chloride (salt) and has an outline of a circuit board on it that is traced over with a pencil to transfer graphite to the surface with a tiny lithium battery attached.


    “Once the diaper gets wet, the graphite reacts with the liquid and sodium chloride and, as it’s absorbed by the paper, electrons will flow to the graphite to set off a sensor,” the description states.


    It can even tell parents how moist the diaper is, which may help them decide whether it needs to be changed right away or not.

  • 1,300 workers to lose jobs as Zoom adapts to global economic uncertainty

    1,300 workers to lose jobs as Zoom adapts to global economic uncertainty

    Zoom Video Communications, the company behind the widely-used video conferencing platform, announced plans to lay off approximately 15 per cent of its workforce on Tuesday.

    In a blog post, CEO Eric Yuan disclosed that he will be taking a 98 per cent reduction in salary and forgoing his executive bonus this year. Members of the executive leadership team will also receive a 20 per cent reduction in salary and forfeit their bonuses.

    Despite continued reliance on Zoom as the world adjusts to post-pandemic life, the company is facing reduced spending from customers, as stated by Yuan. This has led to the difficult decision to lay off around 1,300 employees.

    Owing to the challenges posed by the pandemic, Yuan expressed pride in the company’s ability to keep people connected and noted that the company’s employee count tripled during the pandemic due to the platform’s widespread use for remote work, court hearings, and social events.

    “We are seeing that people and businesses continue to rely on Zoom,” Yuan said.

    “But the uncertainty of the global economy, and its effect on our customers, means we need to take a hard look inward to reset ourselves so we can weather the economic environment, deliver for our customers and achieve Zoom’s long-term vision.” Zoom will continue to invest in strategic areas, the chief executive noted.

    Zoom has joined the trend of US tech companies reducing their workforce amid global economic challenges and a shift towards cost-saving measures.

    American computer company, Dell, announced plans to lay off around 5 per cent of its global workforce, or approximately 6,650 employees. These job cuts follow similar moves made by tech industry giants such as Microsoft, Facebook, Alphabet (Google’s parent company), Amazon, and Twitter as the industry prepares for economic uncertainty.

    The cuts come after a period of significant hiring during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when companies were attempting to meet the increased demand for online work, education, and entertainment. According to the job loss tracking site, Layoffs.fyi, over 95,000 tech employees have lost their jobs since the start of the year.

  • Wikipedia is now working in Pakistan

    Wikipedia is now working in Pakistan

    A two-day-old ban on Wikipedia was reversed by the Pakistani government after outrage on restricting the online encyclopaedia.

    The ban was put in place by Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) due to “unlawful” content.

    The website is now working in Pakistan.


    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday ordered the PTA to restore the online encyclopedia with “immediate effect”.


    “Blocking the site in its entirety was not a suitable measure to restrict access to some objectionable content,” a statement issued by the PM’s office read.
    “The unintended consequences of this blanket ban, therefore, outweigh its benefits,” it added.


    PTA blocked Wikipedia in the country last week for not removing sacrilegious content from the website.

  • Apple reportedly plans to launch a pricier iPhone ‘Ultra’ next year

    Apple reportedly plans to launch a pricier iPhone ‘Ultra’ next year

    Apple has traditionally released four iPhone models annually — Mini, Standard, Pro, and Pro Max. However, last year the Mini was replaced with a Plus model and this lineup is expected to remain the same this year.

    According to a report from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, Apple plans to revamp its lineup in 2024 and introduce an iPhone Ultra, which is said to be a top-of-the-line device more powerful than the Pro Max. This means that the iPhone 16 series will feature this new model from the Cupertino-based company.

    According to recent reports, the highly anticipated iPhone Ultra model will not replace the Pro Max in the current iPhone lineup. Instead, both the Pro Max and the new Ultra model are expected to be part of the next year’s iPhone offerings.

    The iPhone Ultra, rumored to feature a titanium build, offers a distinct selling point in a market dominated by devices built with alternative materials. While the use of titanium is expected to bring a premium feel to the device, it may also result in a higher price point.

    In addition to its superior build, the iPhone Ultra is expected to come equipped with several hardware upgrades, including improved camera capabilities, a faster processing chip, a larger display, and possibly a portless design, eliminating the need for a Lightning or USB-C port. These cutting-edge features position the iPhone Ultra as a standout device in a highly competitive market.

  • Pakistan’s Atif Butt wins the Tekken World Tour Finals 2022

    Pakistan’s Atif Butt wins the Tekken World Tour Finals 2022

    In another crown for Pakistan’s game community, Atif Butt emerged as the new “King of the Iron Fist” on Sunday after winning the Tekken World Tour 2022.

    The event brought together 24 elite players, with some securing their place through the Regional Finals and others through the Last Chance Qualifiers. This marked the first Tekken World Tour in three years and may be one of the last opportunities for players to showcase their skills in an offline setting for Tekken 7.

    The highly-anticipated Tekken World Tour 2022 offered a grand prize of $100,000, with the champion, Atif Butt, earning a substantial portion of the winnings at $50,000. In the final match, Butt faced off against JeonDDing and delivered a commanding performance, solidifying his victory and maintaining his undefeated record throughout the tournament.

    Butt established himself as a formidable competitor in the Tekken World Tour 2022, showcasing his skills with a string of impressive victories. During the preliminary stage, he excelled in his group, earning a coveted spot in the Finals Bracket and demonstrating his mastery of the game.

    Unfortunately, Arsalan Ash’s performance in the Tekken World Tour 2022 did not meet expectations, as he was unable to advance to the Finals Bracket, with three losses in five games during the Group Stage.

    However, Atif Butt’s remarkable comeback in the Winners Finals against Chikurin was a highlight of the tournament. He recovered from an early 0-2 deficit to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory. In the Grand Finals, he faced JeonDDing and dominated the match, sweeping him 3-0 to earn the title of World Champion.

    Bandai Namco has announced the start of the next iteration of the Tekken World Tour, set to commence on March 31, 2023. The tour will kick off at EVO Japan 2023, hosted at the Tokyo Big Sight from March 31 to April 2. This will serve as the first of several major tournaments to be included in the Tekken World Tour 2023.

  • Wikimedia Foundation requests PTA to unblock Wikipedia

    Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on Friday that it was blocking access to Wikipedia on grounds of refusal to remove sacrilegious content, after restricting the website for 48 hours.
    Now, Wikimedia Foundation has released a statement on their official Twitter account, giving their side of the story.

    “On 1 February, we received a notification from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority stating “the services of Wikipedia have been degraded for 48 hours” for failure to remove content deemed “unlawful.” As of 3 February, our data shows this has extended into a full block.”

    The Foundation emphasized that the right to access to knowledge was for everyone, and in restricting Wikipedia, PTA was denying a country with the 5th largest population in the world that right. They urged the Pakistani government to remove the block and allow Wikipedia to function freely within Pakistan.

    “We believe that access to knowledge is a human right. A block of @Wikipedia in Pakistan denies the 5th most populous nation in the world access to the largest free knowledge repository. If it continues, it will also deprive everyone access to Pakistan’s history and culture. We hope that the Pakistan government joins us in a commitment to knowledge as a human right and restores access to @Wikipedia and Wikimedia projects promptly, so that the people of Pakistan can continue to receive and share knowledge with the world.”