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OnePlus Watch 2 Update Adds Ability To Disable Tap-To-Wake Feature

OnePlus has released a new update for its OnePlus Watch 2, introducing a suite of new features and applications that promise to elevate the functionality of the wearable device. The update not only adds two new apps to the watch, but also allows users to disable the tap-to-wake gesture on the OnePlus Watch 2.

The latest update, identified carrying build number OPWWE231_11_A.94, brings to the table two new apps designed to cater to the needs of outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking relaxation. The first app, a Barometer, provides users with real-time environmental pressure readings and estimated elevation, making it a vital tool for hikers, climbers, and travelers.

The second app, named Relax, guides users through breathing exercises aimed at reducing stress, aligning the OnePlus Watch 2 with its competitors in offering wellness-oriented features. Moreover, the update includes a series of improvements that refine the overall performance of the watch. Notable enhancements include bug fixes, workout algorithm improvements, and the option to disable the Wear OS’s tap-to-wake feature, which could potentially extend the device’s battery life.

Read More: OnePlus Watch 2 Debuts In India: Should You Consider It Over Galaxy Watch 6?

Additionally, users can now access music controls during workouts without exiting the current app, and a new battery tile has been added to the home screen for quick reference. The update also introduces new watch faces available through the companion OHealth app, although it remains unclear whether these faces are part of the firmware update or a concurrent update to the mobile app.

The rollout of the update is currently underway, and users can manually check for it by navigating to the System updates section in their watch’s settings.

ChatGPT Update For CMF, Nothing Earbuds Preponed, Now Coming Next Week

Nothing announced earlier in April that it will be integrating ChatGPT into all of its products, including the audio lineup. While the Nothing Ear and Ear (a) come with ChatGPT support out of the box, rest of the earbuds and neckband lineup from Nothing and CMF were supposed to get it in June but now, that update has been preponed and is coming as soon as next week, on May 21.

Nothing has now announced that it will be integrating ChatGPT into all of its other audio products including TWS earbuds such as Ear (1), Ear (stick), Ear (2), CMF Buds, CMF Buds Pro and the neckband which is CMF Neckband Pro, beginning May 21, the date on which these products will be receiving the update.

Users will be able to pinch-to-speak to ChatGPT directly from Nothing audio products paired with Nothing phones. The integration will be available on the additional products via a Nothing X update on May 21, earlier than the previously announced June rollout.

Do note that Nothing specifies that you’ll need to pair the earbuds to a Nothing smartphone to access ChatGPT voice mode on the earbuds. In other words, the functionality could be limited to Nothing’s own smartphones, even though the Nothing X app is supported on all devices.

For its smartphones, the brand brought ChatGPT to the Nothing Phone (2) via the Nothing 2.5.5 update. It added a ChatGPT widget for quick access from the home screen and the option to quickly copy and paste screenshots and clipboard text into a new conversation in the ChatGPT app.

In the world of AI, ChatGPT just received a major upgrade with GPT-4o where the “o” stands for “Omni”. The new GPT model has updated capabilities such as its much faster response rate and the improvements to capabilities across text, vision, and audio. GPT-4o is natively multimodal, meaning it can support input and output through various types of content, such as text, audio, or images.

Google Is Bringing Project Starline To Offices In 2025 With Help From HP

Google introduced Project Starline at I/O 2021 annual conference and while it was limited for use in Google Offices only until now, the company is now partnering with HP to bring the new 3D video conferencing experience to office workspaces and essentially commercialise it in 2025.

What is Project Starline?

Project Starline was developed at a time when work from home was the trend during the COVID era. In Google’s terms, it is a “technology project that combines advances in hardware and software to enable friends, families and coworkers to feel together, even when they’re cities (or countries) apart”. Google describes it as a sort of magic window, and through that window, you see another person, life-size and in three dimensions. You can talk naturally, gesture and make eye contact.

Google employed research in computer vision, machine learning, spatial audio and real-time compression to make the technology work. It further developed a light field display system that creates a sense of volume and depth that can be experienced without the need for additional glasses or headsets. The effect is the feeling of a person sitting just across from you, like in real world.

Google said it spent thousands of hours testing Project Starline within the organisation as it connected colleagues between the Bay Area, New York and Seattle offices.

Read More: Google Pixel 8a Will Support Offline Finding, Just Like Pixel 8 & 8 Pro

Google & HP To Bring Project Starline In 2025

Now, after enough testing and research showing people prefer such a setup over a traditional video call, Google concluded that meetings in Starline lead to better attentiveness, memory recall and an overall sense of presence.

“Today we’re excited to share that we’re bringing the technology out of the lab with a focus on connecting distributed teams and individuals in the workplace. We’re partnering with HP to start commercialization of this unique experience in 2025, and are working to enable it directly from the video conferencing services you use today — such as Google Meet and Zoom”, said Google in a blog post.

The company says that HP’s expertise in computing, combined with their investment in Poly’s collaboration solutions, makes them uniquely positioned to deliver new and innovative experiences worldwide. Google will be sharing more details about the development later this year.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 FE May Have Been Cancelled For Now: Report

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Samsung was rumoured to launch a cheaper version of its upcoming flagship foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 under the Fan Edition (FE) series but it seems like the company is re-evaluating its strategy and a change of plans may have resulted in the device getting cancelled altogether, for now at least.

The report that comes from Korean publication The Elec suggests that Samsung is reexamining its plans to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 6 FE this year in July, alongside the standard Galaxy Z Fold 6 due to multiple reasons. Firstly, the publication notes that the early production units of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 FE were not thinner than the key competitors from Chinese brands which made Samsung rethink the existence of the product.

Secondly, the device lacked a digitiser which means it didn’t support S-Pen input like the standard Galaxy Z Fold 6 would, considering its predecessors have support for it as well. Even though the company is said to have recently completed the testing of the device, featuring an IPX8 rating and 200,000 folds rating, Samsung may have cancelled the Galaxy Z Fold 6 FE as its not being able to offer something unique over its competitors for now.

Along with that, market uncertainties are another reason due to which Samsung may be considering launching the more affordable folding device at a later date. However, this doesn’t mean that Samsung has given up entirely on the cheaper foldables, as the report states that the Korean brand will continue to work on those and may land the Galaxy Z Flip FE and Z Fold FE next year.

Meanwhile, a lot of other hardware announcements are expected at the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked July 2024 event, including the new Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, the Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch 7 series and the Galaxy Buds 3 series as well.

Smartphones May Soon Dual-Boot Android And ChromeOS

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Android smartphones are known for offering choices and options in each aspect, be it software or hardware. When it comes to former, the amount of choices on offer could go on a new level as a report has emerged online which suggests that smartphones running Android could soon also run ChromeOS alongside. Here’s what it means.

As per a report from Android Authority, Google may be planning to support ChromeOS on Android devices. For those unaware, ChromeOS is a software made for Chromebooks and is essentially a competitor to macOS and Windows. However, it can also run Android apps for better compatibility with Android smartphones and soon, vice versa could also happen.

Google was already working on a hybrid solution called Andromeda that combined both Android and ChromeOS but that project was ultimately scrapped as Google felt that the need for that to happen was little at the moment. Now, ChromeOS running on Android is made possible by the Android Virtualization Framework (AVF), a feature introduced in Android 13 that provides a secure and private execution environment for highly sensitive code.

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According to the publication, the company has reportedly begun providing official support for running Chromium OS, the open-source variant of OS, on Android phones via AVF. Furthermore, they have demonstrated this capability to other companies in private settings. Google has never offered support for running anything else in the AVF in the past, apart from its custom build of Android called “microdroid”.

Google has reportedly demonstrated a special build of Chromium — code-named “ferrochrome” — running in a virtual machine on a Pixel 8 at a privately held event. While ChromeOS wasn’t seen running on the screen of the phone itself, it was being mirrored to an external display through the phone’s proprietary feature. The publication even got it to work on one of their own Pixel 7 Pro units.

There’s no word on when or if the feature to dual-boot Android and ChromeOS would ever make it into public’s hands but if it does, it could be a game-changer for Android smartphones in general.

Tata Play To Bundle Amazon Prime Lite Subscription: Know Price, Benefits

Tata Play, a content distribution platform in India, has partnered with Amazon Prime to provide Tata Play DTH and Tata Play Binge customers with various ways to access Prime Video content through Prime Lite subscription. Tata Play DTH subscribers can now select from a range of packs, starting at INR 199 per month, that include a variety of their favourite TV channels along with Prime Lite with Tata Play. Likewise, Tata Play Binge users can also benefit from the same offer.

The new price plans from Tata Play Binge allow the audience to make their own packs. “Prime Video’s addition to the league of 30+ national, international, and regional apps on Tata Play Binge aims to further elevate content bingeing into an even more indulgent experience, all in one convenient location across languages, genres, and devices”, read a release from the company.

Aside from the Prime Video content, the Prime Lite subscription that Tata Play will offer will include benefits such as free unlimited same-day delivery across 1M+ products and next-day delivery across 4M+ products, prime early access and exclusive deals, and 5% cashback on Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card while shopping on Amazon.

Read More: Amazon Music Follows Spotify’s Footsteps, Launches Maestro AI Playlist Generator

Tata Play & Prime Video Lite: Plan Prices

The plans start at Rs 199 for those with DTH Packs who want to access Prime Lite with Tata Play. These plans give you access to Prime Video content on any 2 screens (mobile or TV) and include other benefits mentioned above.

For those who have Tata Play Binge, you also get all the benefits mentioned above. However, the pricing differs slightly from DTH pricing. One can select 6 OTT apps of their choice, including Prime Lite, at Rs 199 per month, or have all 33 apps, including Prime Lite, at Rs 349 per month.

In addition to the above new plans, DTH customers can also subscribe to Amazon Prime’s annual subscription through Tata Play DTH at an attractive limited-time introductory offer. They will gain access to Prime Video, free shipping and shopping benefits, Amazon Music, Prime Reading, Prime Gaming, etc., and access through 5 devices.

OpenAI Event: GPT-4o To ChatGPT Mac App Announced

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OpenAI just held an event a few hours back and made some interesting announcements, including its latest flagship AI model called, GPT-4o. Aside from the newer capabilities of the GPT-4o, the event also saw other new reveals, such as a ChatGPT for MacOS and a Windows app that’s also in the works.

Welcome GPT-4o, The Latest From OpenAI

One of the most significant announcements at the OpenAI event was GPT-4o, an iterative upgrade to GPT-4. It will power ChatGPT going forward, with updated capabilities such as its much faster response rate and the improvements to capabilities across text, vision, and audio.

GPT-4o is natively multimodal, meaning it can support input and output through various types of content, such as text, audio, or images. The audio part, which is the voice mode, is getting a significant upgrade where GPT-4o will be able to respond in real-time and will also have the ability to observe the world around you through the camera. The current voice mode, in comparison, can respond to only one prompt at a time and works with only what it can hear, and not what it can see.

GPT-4o can respond to audio inputs in as little as 232 milliseconds, with an average of 320 milliseconds, which is similar to human response time in a conversation, as per OpenAI. It matches GPT-4 Turbo performance on text in English and code, with significant improvement on text in non-English languages. It is also much faster and 50% cheaper in the API. GPT-4o is especially better at vision and audio understanding compared to existing models.

“The new voice (and video) mode is the best computer interface I’ve ever used. It feels like AI from the movies, and it’s still a bit surprising to me that it’s real. Getting to human-level response times and expressiveness turns out to be a big change. The original ChatGPT showed a hint of what was possible with language interfaces; this new thing feels viscerally different. It is fast, smart, fun, natural, and helpful”, said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in a blog.

GPT-4o will be free for all users, and paid users will continue to have up to five times the capacity limits of free users. GPT-4o’s capabilities will be rolled out iteratively (with extended red team access starting today). Its text and image capabilities are starting to roll out today in ChatGPT. A new version of Voice Mode with GPT-4o will be rolled out in alpha within ChatGPT Plus in the coming weeks.

Read More: OpenAI Expands Media Partnerships, Partners With Dotdash Meredith

New ChatGPT Features For Free Users (That Were Paid Earlier)

Free users now have access to these new features that were earlier limited to paid users:

  • GPT-4 level intelligence 
  • Get responses from both the model and the web  
  • Analyze data and create charts 
  • Chat about photos you take
  • Upload files for assistance summarizing, writing or analyzing
  • Discover and use GPTs and the GPT Store
  • Build a more helpful experience with Memory

A New Mac App (and an upcoming Windows one)

For both free and paid users, OpenAI is also launching a new ChatGPT desktop app for macOS With a simple keyboard shortcut (Option + Space), you can instantly ask ChatGPT a question. You can also take and discuss screenshots directly in the app. It will also support the Voice Mode that has been available in ChatGPT at launch, with GPT-4o’s new audio and video capabilities coming in the future. The macOS app will first be made available to Plus users starting today, and will be made more broadly available in the coming weeks. A Windows app is also in development and should be released later in the year.

A New Look For ChatGPT

OpenAI is also introducing a new look and feel for ChatGPT that’s designed to be “friendlier and more conversational”. Users will begin to notice a new home screen, message layout and more.

Hanooman GenAI launched for Free

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3AI Holding Limited and SML India have launched Hanooman, a multilingual GenAI platform in 98 global languages, including 12 Indian languages. The platform aims to reach 200 million users in its first year.

Vishnu Vardhan, CEO of SML India, underscored the platform’s potential to revolutionize access to and applications of GenAI in India, particularly for those who are not proficient in English, thereby emphasizing its inclusivity. 

Hanooman Usage Charges

Sharing his views on the fee that users will have to pay for using the Hanooman app, Vardhan said to The Mobile Indian, “The tech for Hanooman is powered by 3AI Holding’s technology, which allows us to offer our services at a fraction of the cost as compared to our competitors. Currently, we’re offering our platform for free. The subscription model, which will be introduced later, will highlight the cost-effectiveness of Hanooman.”

He added, “Hanooman is a foundational model GenAI platform. With the extensive training we’ve undertaken, we can provide better contextual inferencing and reasoning capability. The processing is also faster, making us more cost and energy-efficient.”  

Talking about the app’s USP, he said, “Our key focus remains in India, and we have worked extensively on our Indic language capability across 12 Indian languages now, poised to be 20 later. The Indic language functionality and proprietary technology give us the on the competition.”

Partnerships

SML India has also announced its partnership with prominent technology leaders and innovators, such as HP, NASSCOM, and Yotta, as part of their launch. Yotta will provide cloud infrastructure through this alliance to strengthen SML India’s operations. Additionally, SML India’s partnership with NASSCOM aims to support startups, foster fintech innovation, engage with 3000 colleges, and participate in research programs. 

The company has also collaborated with the Government of Telangana and the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) to facilitate seamless translation between English and Telugu, improving accessibility and understanding of crucial documents such as court orders. 

Language support

The Hanooman web and are currently available in 12 Indian languages: Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Kannada, Odia, Punjabi, Assamese, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Sindhi. Hanooman will also support a variety of global languages, such as English, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, Korean, and 80 others.

Hanooman offers various services, from casual interactions to complex technical tasks like coding. It aims to serve multiple sectors, including healthcare and education, promising an open-source alternative in the GenAI market while offering enterprise solutions.

How Necessary are Secure Payment Gateways in the Online Gaming Industry?

In an era dominated by digital transactions and virtual interactions, the online gaming industry, like Indian rummy, has experienced unprecedented growth. With millions of players worldwide engaging in various gaming platforms, the need for secure payment gateways on online platforms has become more crucial than ever. Online gaming gateways serve as a crucial link between players, their funds, and the gaming platform. They facilitate financial transactions and ensure the integrity and security of players’ funds, making them the lifeline of online gaming.

The Foundation of Trust:

At the heart of any successful online gaming platform lies the trust and confidence of its players. From depositing funds to cashing out winnings, players need platforms on which they can rely on their secure payment gateways in order to safeguard their financial transactions. A robust and reliable payment infrastructure not only protects players from fraud and cyber threats but also fosters a sense of trust and reliability in the gaming platform. Without secure payment gateways, players may hesitate to engage in real-money gaming, undermining the viability and sustainability of the online gaming industry as a whole.

Mitigating Risks and Vulnerabilities:

The online gaming landscape is not immune to risks and vulnerabilities, with cybercriminals constantly seeking to exploit weaknesses in payment systems for their gain. Secure payment gateways act as a bulwark against these threats, employing advanced technologies and stringent security protocols to safeguard financial transactions. By encrypting sensitive data and implementing multi-layered authentication measures in online rummy, payment gateways mitigate the risks of fraud, identity theft, and unauthorized access, providing players with peace of mind and confidence in the integrity of their transactions.

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance:

In addition to protecting players’ financial interests, secure payment gateways play a pivotal role in ensuring regulatory compliance within the online gaming industry. With strict regulations and guidelines governing financial transactions, gaming operators must adhere to stringent compliance standards to maintain their licenses and reputation. Secure payment gateways not only facilitate compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations but also enable gaming operators to demonstrate transparency and accountability in their financial operations. By partnering with reputable payment service providers, gaming platforms can navigate the complex regulatory landscape with confidence and integrity.

Enhancing User Experience:

Beyond the realm of security and compliance, secure payment gateways contribute to enhancing the overall user experience in online gaming. Seamless and hassle-free payment processes, coupled with fast and reliable transactions, enhance player satisfaction and loyalty, driving engagement and retention on gaming platforms. By offering a diverse range of payment options and currencies, payment gateways cater to the diverse needs and preferences of players worldwide, fostering inclusivity and accessibility in the gaming ecosystem. Moreover, transparent fee structures and competitive exchange rates empower players to make informed decisions and maximize the value of their gaming experience.

Fostering Innovation and Growth:

As the online gaming industry continues to evolve and expand, secure payment gateways play a pivotal role in driving innovation and growth. By embracing emerging technologies such as blockchain and digital wallets, payment gateways enable gaming platforms to explore new avenues for monetization and revenue generation. Decentralized payment systems offer greater transparency and efficiency, while mobile payment solutions cater to the growing demand for on-the-go gaming experiences. By embracing innovation and adapting to changing market dynamics, payment gateways empower gaming operators to stay ahead of the curve and capitalize on new opportunities for expansion and diversification.

Take Away

Secure payment gateways are the backbone of the online gaming industry, underpinning trust, security, and reliability in financial transactions. From mitigating risks and ensuring regulatory compliance to enhancing user experience and fostering innovation, payment gateways play a multifaceted role in driving the growth and sustainability of gaming platforms worldwide. As the digital gaming landscape continues to evolve, the importance of secure payment gateways will only continue to grow, shaping the future of online gaming for generations to come.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Gets One UI 6.1 Update In India

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Samsung released its One 6.1 update with all the Galaxy AI features for Galaxy S23 series, Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 in March and now it’s time for 2022 flagships to get the update. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 is now reportedly getting the One UI 6.1 update in India with a host of AI features such as Circle To Search, Chat Assist and more.

Shared by X user Yash Agarwal, the One UI 6.1 update for the Galaxy Z Fold 4 has been released in India with firmware version F936BXXU6FXE3. While the update weighs in at about 3.1GB, it still doesn’t carry the May 2024 security patch and runs on April 2024’s. If you have a Galaxy Z Fold 4 in India, you can check for the new update by heading over to Settings, then Software update and tapping on the Download and install option.

The One UI 6.1 update puts the following Galaxy AI features into the hands of more users: Circle to Search with Google, Chat Assist, Interpreter, Live Translate, Note Assist, Transcript Assist, Browsing Assist, Generative Edit, Edit Suggestion and AI-Generated Wallpaper.

One UI 6.1 has been one of the most popular and successful updates from Samsung in the company’s history. Since rolling out in March, 8.8 million users have downloaded and used the update as of April 2024. The One UI 6.1 update was downloaded by nearly 75% of European Galaxy Z Fold5 users, 80% of S23 Ultra users, and nearly 65% of Tab S9 users. Samsung aims to have more than 100 million users access to Galaxy AI by the end of 2024.

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 may also have received the update in India or will get it in a few days, as it is also poised to receive it in Phase 2 of the rollout alongside the Z Fold 4 and the Tab S8 series. With the update reaching more number of devices, the number of users having access to Galaxy AI is surely set to increase by a considerable amount.