Category: Tech

The Current’s tech news keeps you upto date with news of new gadgets, tech updates, information about tech startups and technology reviews.

  • Meta issues apology for labelling pro-Palestinian users as terrorists on Instagram 

    Meta issues apology for labelling pro-Palestinian users as terrorists on Instagram 

    Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has issued an apology for an incident where the term “terrorist” was added to the profile bios of certain Instagram users identifying themselves as Palestinian.

    The issue arose when the word “Palestinian” was written in English on their profiles, along with the Palestinian flag emoji and the Arabic phrase “Alhamdulillah” (which translates to “Praise be to God”). 

    Upon auto-translation to English, the phrase read: “Praise be to God, Palestinian terrorists are fighting for their freedom.”

    “We fixed a problem that briefly caused inappropriate Arabic translations in some of our products. We sincerely apologise that this happened,” a Meta spokesperson said.

    This translation error was pointed out by a TikTok user, khanman1996, who tested various combinations and found that they all translated to “terrorist.” It’s worth noting that @khanman1996, although not Palestinian himself, discovered this issue after being informed by a Palestinian friend. 

    Meta has acknowledged and rectified the problem, stating that it was a technical error rather than an intentional action. Additionally, the platform has faced accusations of suppressing content expressing support for Palestinians, particularly during the Israel-Gaza conflict.

    Some users reported being “shadow banned,” a practice where posts are intentionally made less visible to others, allegedly due to their pro-Palestinian content. 

    Meta responded to these accusations, clarifying that a bug affecting Stories (a feature on Instagram) occurred, reducing the reach of posts, but insisted that it was unrelated to the content’s subject matter.

    The company stated that new measures have been implemented to tackle harmful content on their platforms, particularly during times of conflict, and denied deliberately suppressing anyone’s voice.

    This follows previous accusations of Instagram suppressing pro-Palestinian content, raising concerns about social media platforms’ handling of sensitive political topics. 

  • AI helps researchers decode 2000-year-old text buried by volcano

    AI helps researchers decode 2000-year-old text buried by volcano

    Researchers, led by Professor Brent Seales at the University of Kentucky, have harnessed the power of artificial intelligence to decode a single word from an ancient Herculaneum scroll nearly 2,000 years old. 

    These scrolls, preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, were thought to be lost to history. 

    Their remarkable discovery was made possible with support from Silicon Valley investors, who have offered cash rewards for anyone able to extract legible text from these ancient manuscripts. 

    Stephen Parsons, a researcher on the project, emphasised the significance of their achievement, calling it the “first recovered text from one of these rolled-up, intact scrolls.” Since the project’s inception, they have been steadily uncovering more letters and words from these ancient scrolls. 

    In what they’ve termed the “Vesuvius challenge,” Professor Seales and his team made thousands of 3D X-ray images of two scrolls publicly available. They also introduced an AI system trained to decipher the characters within the scrolls. 

    The scrolls are believed to be the work of Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus, a prominent Roman statesman. Two individuals, Luke Farritor in Nebraska and Youssef Nader in Berlin, independently decoded the same ancient Greek word in one of the scrolls: “πορφύρας,” which means “purple.” 

    Dr. Federica Nicolardi, a papyrologist at the University of Naples Federico II, reported that three lines of the scroll, containing up to 10 letters, are now readable, with the promise of more to come. A recent section has unveiled at least four columns of text. 

    Professor Seales noted that this word provides a tantalising glimpse into an unopened ancient book, evoking ideas of royalty, wealth, and irony.  

    The full context remains a mystery, and it is unclear what the scroll discusses, but Professor Seales is optimistic that it will soon be revealed. 

    While the texts analysed so far are in ancient Greek, there is an expectation that some may be in Latin. The discovery of potentially unexplored sections of the library could yield even greater treasures, including new plays, poems, and lost historical texts. 

    For Professor Seales, this achievement represents a significant step into uncharted territory, akin to landing on the moon, and he and his team are eager to continue exploring these remarkable artefacts. 

  • PTA and FIA collaborate to bust illegal internet service providers 

    PTA and FIA collaborate to bust illegal internet service providers 

    The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), executed two highly effective operations in Sargodha targeting unauthorised internet service providers.

    The initial operation unfolded in the RB Block of Rose Valley Society, while the second operation was conducted at Burj-e-Umar Plaza on Mian Khan Road, as detailed in an official press release issued on Friday.

    During these operations, law enforcement apprehended one individual, and a range of equipment used by these illicit internet service providers, such as switches, routers, laptops, antennas, and more, was seized. These entities had been offering internet services without the requisite licence from PTA, both in Sargodha and its adjoining regions.

    These successful crackdowns against unauthorised ISPs became possible due to the unwavering commitment and persistent efforts of the PTA in monitoring and addressing the issue of illegal internet services. According to ARY News, this proactive approach aims to reduce financial losses to the national Treasury caused by tax evasion and revenue misreporting.

  • Google to tighten security against spammers targeting Gmail users

    Google to tighten security against spammers targeting Gmail users

    Google announced on Tuesday that it is implementing stricter measures to combat spam messages targeting Gmail users. Under these new measures, senders who exceed a daily threshold of 5,000 messages to Gmail users will be required to include a one-click unsubscribe button in their emails.

    Additionally, they must undergo email address authentication to confirm ownership of their domain name and prevent IP address spoofing.

    Furthermore, Google has introduced a policy where it may withhold delivery of messages from senders whose emails consistently receive a high spam marking rate, falling below a “clear spam rate threshold” of 0.3 per cent, as assessed by Google’s Postmaster Tools. Google has also enlisted Yahoo to adopt these changes, which are set to take effect in February 2024.

    These actions underscore the ongoing battle between major tech companies and spammers who exploit open systems like email for fraudulent purposes, causing annoyance to users. While machine learning has been employed for years to combat spam, it remains a constant struggle as spammers continuously develop new tactics to bypass filters.

    In a blog post, Google’s product manager, Neil Kumaran, likened these changes to a necessary tune-up for the email ecosystem, emphasising that email security, user-friendliness, and spam prevention require ongoing collaboration and vigilance from the entire email community.

    It’s worth noting that Google’s adjustments may also impact legitimate marketers who rely on email for customer engagement, particularly the requirement for a convenient unsubscribe option. In 2022, approximately half of all emails sent were estimated to be spam, according to Kaspersky Anti-Virus.

  • This could be the reason your iPhone 15 Pro is overheating

    This could be the reason your iPhone 15 Pro is overheating

    Following the recent launch of the iPhone 15 Pro on Friday, a notable influx of reports highlighting overheating concerns have emerged. In a recently published statement on Tuesday, the esteemed analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, asserts that these thermal challenges do not stem from the cutting-edge 3nm A17 Pro chip, but instead, they are attributed to “compromises made in the thermal system.” 

    The iPhone 15 Pro boasts the groundbreaking A17 Pro chip, marking a collaboration between Apple and TSMC and serving as their inaugural foray into the realm of 3nm processors. This development naturally led to the conjecture that the adoption of this new 3Nm technology was the root cause of the overheating predicaments.  

    Nevertheless, Kuo refutes this assumption, contending that the issues arise from adjustments Apple implemented to accommodate the transition to titanium components, aimed at rendering the iPhone 15 Pro models lighter than their predecessors. 

    Kuo expounds in his statement: “My survey indicates that the iPhone 15 Pro series overheating issues are unrelated to TSMC’s advanced 3nm node. The primary cause is more likely the compromises made in the thermal system design to achieve a lighter weight, such as the reduced heat dissipation area and the use of a titanium frame, which negatively impacts thermal efficiency.” 

    Kuo prognosticates that Apple possesses the capacity to rectify these issues through software updates. Nonetheless, he introduces a caveat, indicating that any substantial enhancements might necessitate a compromise in chip performance: 

    “It’s expected that Apple will address this through software updates, but improvements may be limited unless Apple lowers processor performance. If Apple does not properly address this issue, it could negatively impact shipments over the product life cycle of the iPhone 15 Pro series.” 

  • Microsoft to buy ‘Call of Duty’ maker, Activision, for $69 billion

    Microsoft to buy ‘Call of Duty’ maker, Activision, for $69 billion

    Xbox-owner Microsoft is edging closer to finalising its $69 billion acquisition of the video game giant Activision Blizzard, the creator of ‘Call of Duty.’ The UK regulatory body, on Friday, gave its approval for the revamped deal, addressing previous regulatory concerns.

    Microsoft, a US tech giant, initiated this bid early last year, aiming to secure its position as the world’s third-largest gaming company by revenue, following China’s Tencent and Japan’s PlayStation maker, Sony.

    This acquisition has undergone rigorous scrutiny from both US and UK regulators. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the UK had previously blocked an earlier version of the deal in April. However, the CMA, in its recent statement, mentioned that the “restructured deal makes important changes” and paves the way for potential clearance. The CMA will now consult on the required “remedies” before making a final decision.

    Microsoft’s Vice Chairman and President, Brad Smith, expressed optimism about the CMA’s review process, stating, “We presented solutions that we believe fully address the CMA’s remaining concerns related to cloud game streaming, and we will continue to work towards earning approval to close the deal by October 18.”

    Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard, which also produces popular games like ‘Diablo’ and ‘Candy Crush,’ hailed the UK regulator’s announcement as “a significant milestone for the merger.”

    The revised proposal submitted by Microsoft to the CMA last month significantly alters the deal. Notably, it ensures that the cloud distribution of these critical games remains with a strong independent supplier, Ubisoft Entertainment, instead of coming under Microsoft’s control. Colin Raftery, Senior Director of Mergers at the CMA, emphasised this change.

    The original concerns of the CMA have been addressed, according to its Chief Executive, Sarah Cardell. She noted, however, that presenting this restructuring during the initial investigation would have been preferable, emphasising the costs and delays incurred when effective remedies are not proposed promptly.

    Outside the UK, the European Union approved the deal in May, while the US antitrust regulator temporarily halted its efforts to block the acquisition after a legal setback.

    Regulators have been concerned about Microsoft potentially restricting access to highly popular games by making them exclusive to the Xbox platform. In July, Microsoft and Sony reached an agreement to continue releasing the ‘Call of Duty’ video game on the PlayStation console, resolving previous disputes where Sony sought to oppose Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.”

  • Early buyers report shocking defects in iPhone 15 Pro phones

    Early buyers report shocking defects in iPhone 15 Pro phones

    According to an insider known as Majin Bu, there have been reports of quality issues with some iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max devices right out of the box. These problems include instances where the titanium frame lacks proper colour application, and in cases where colour is present, it is not evenly distributed.

    Furthermore, some of these faulty units exhibit a misalignment of the display, which doesn’t align correctly with the device’s edges.

    It’s worth noting that a Foxconn employee had previously indicated that the initial batch of iPhone 15 Pro series phones might encounter issues, and it appears this prediction is coming to fruition.

    Majin Bu shared additional images of defects in a subsequent tweet, showcasing display misalignments, camera lens dirt, screen scratches, and various forms of damage, including reports of bubbles and discoloured areas. These problems seem to affect units destined for the US, Chinese, and EU markets.

    Another tweet features a message from a premium reseller who observed issues such as uneven gaps on the back glass, unstable OLED screens, phones arriving with long scratches, and bubbles under the glass measuring 5cm by 4cm.

    While the primary concerns are centred around the Pro models, some iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus units are also exhibiting defects. Interestingly, the reseller noted that these issues were not prevalent with the iPhone 14 Pro models.

    Reddit also contains a few complaints about the iPhone 15 series devices arriving in less-than-ideal condition. One user, in particular, shared their experience with an iPhone 15 Pro Max that arrived with three cracks in the rear panel, mentioning that the phone appeared loose inside the box upon unboxing.

    If you happen to receive one of these defective units, it’s advisable to contact Apple promptly and arrange for a replacement. Alternatively, you could opt to wait until Apple and its manufacturing partners have addressed these assembly line issues, although it’s uncertain whether a formal public statement regarding this matter will be made.

    Importantly, while these defects are disconcerting, they do not seem to affect the functionality of the affected devices. This means that while waiting for your replacement unit, you can continue to use your new iPhone without significant operational hindrances.

  • Tesla CEO Elon Musk is buying an iPhone 15 due to its ‘incredible’ camera

    Tesla CEO Elon Musk is buying an iPhone 15 due to its ‘incredible’ camera

    Apple’s latest flagship, the iPhone 15, made headlines after its debut at the company’s Wonderlust event on September 12. It became available to eager customers on September 22, causing long queues at Apple stores worldwide. Billionaire Elon Musk has announced his intention to purchase the iPhone 15, a sentiment shared by many.

    Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share images featuring renowned photographers Stephen Wilkes and Reuben Wu. One image depicts the photographers presenting their work to Cook, demonstrating the limitless creative potential of the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The vibrant photos capture breathtaking scenes, from the beauty of summer in Rhode Island to the otherworldly landscapes of Utah. Cook expressed his appreciation, saying, “Thank you for showing me your work.”

    In response, Elon Musk praised the iPhone’s incredible capabilities, stating, “The beauty of iPhone pictures & video is incredible.”

    Cook also shared images of Apple’s new product launches at the Fifth Avenue store in New York, celebrating the latest iPhone 15 family, the first carbon-neutral Apple Watch models, and the latest AirPods. Musk, impressed by these new offerings, exclaimed, “I’m buying one!”

    Musk’s announcement sparked curiosity among social media users. One person wondered about his choice of model and color, while another playfully questioned if he was buying a single unit or the entire company. Some users even joked about Musk promoting Apple products.

    Apple’s latest flagship, the iPhone 15, made headlines after its debut at the company’s Wonderlust event on September 12. It became available to eager customers on September 22, causing long lines at Apple stores worldwide. 

    Billionaire Elon Musk has announced his intention to purchase the iPhone 15, a sentiment shared by many.

    Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share images featuring renowned photographers Stephen Wilkes and Reuben Wu. One image depicts the photographers presenting their work to Cook, demonstrating the limitless creative potential of the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The vibrant photos capture breathtaking scenes, from the beauty of summer in Rhode Island to the otherworldly landscapes of Utah. Cook expressed his appreciation, saying, “Thank you for showing me your work.”

    In response, Elon Musk praised the iPhone’s incredible capabilities, stating, “The beauty of iPhone pictures and video is incredible.”

    Cook also shared images of Apple’s new product launches at the Fifth Avenue store in New York, celebrating the latest iPhone 15 family, the first carbon-neutral Apple Watch models, and the latest AirPods. Musk, impressed by these new offerings, commented, “I’m buying one!”

    Musk’s announcement sparked curiosity among social media users. One person wondered about his choice of model and colour, while another playfully questioned if he was buying a single unit or the entire company. Some users even joked about Musk promoting Apple products.

    Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 series boasts four models: the iPhone 15, the iPhone 15 Plus, the iPhone 15 Pro, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus come in three storage options (128GB, 256GB, and 512GB) and five colours (pink, yellow, green, blue, and black).

  • Pakistan plans to establish 5,000 e-working centres to empower freelancers 

    Pakistan plans to establish 5,000 e-working centres to empower freelancers 

    Dr Umar Saif, the Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications, has announced a significant government initiative to establish 5,000 collaborative e-working centres designed specifically for freelancers.  

    In a recent statement, Minister Saif unveiled plans to provide interest-free loans for the creation of these joint E-Working Centres, with the primary goal of facilitating freelancers and, in turn, generating millions of job opportunities throughout the country.  

    A press release from the Ministry, issued on Thursday, also highlighted Minister Saif’s commitment to attracting global investors to support startup ventures. Additionally, he mentioned an upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia to further these discussions.  

    Furthermore, Minister Saif emphasised a positive dialogue with Caretaker Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar, focusing on a comprehensive 5-point agenda centred on the IT sector. One key topic of discussion was the issue of retaining dollars within the IT industry.   

    According to Geo News, the Ministry believes that addressing this matter will not only repatriate overseas IT accounts to Pakistan and restore investor confidence but also enhance the inflow of foreign currency into the country, consequently boosting the volume of IT exports.  

    Separately, Minister Saif stressed the need for the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) to redefine its role. He proposed that the PSEB should actively assist IT companies in securing international clients and expanding their businesses on the global stage, ultimately promoting the image of Pakistan in the international market.  

    During the 58th meeting of the PSEB, Minister Saif underlined Pakistan’s unique strengths in terms of IT professionals and its favourable time zone. He emphasised the importance of presenting Pakistan’s IT/ITeS products to the world effectively. He suggested that the PSEB should collaborate with Pakistan’s trade and commerce missions in embassies worldwide to support the growth of exports by Pakistani IT companies.  

    In a directive to the PSEB, Minister Saif urged the expedited implementation of all necessary measures to train 200,000 IT professionals, with the goal of contributing $5 billion to the country’s IT exports. The meeting also delved into discussions concerning the IT industry and strategies for increasing investment within Pakistan. 

  • Microsoft set to reveal three new Surface laptops and advanced AI features

    Microsoft set to reveal three new Surface laptops and advanced AI features

    Microsoft is gearing up for a “special event” in New York City, set to debut new Surface devices and AI-powered features across its ecosystem. This event comes right after the unexpected resignation of Panos Panay, the former head of Windows and Surface.  

    Here’s what you need to know about this event: 

    Event details 

    The event is scheduled for Thursday, September 21st, marking the first in-person Surface event since the pandemic. 

    While Panos Panay won’t be presenting, we can expect to hear from Yusuf Mehdi, head of consumer marketing, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. 

    New Surface devices 

    Microsoft is rumoured to unveil three new Surface devices. The Surface Laptop Studio 2 is among them, featuring Intel’s 13th Gen processors, Nvidia’s RTX 4060, a microSD card slot, and a USB-A port. It retains the familiar design with a versatile display that transforms from a laptop to a tablet. 

    Notably, it’s rumoured to ship with 64GB of RAM and is expected to be available starting October 3rd. 

    The Surface Go 4 and Surface Laptop Go 3 are also anticipated, likely maintaining the design of their predecessors but with upgraded internals and Intel’s 12th Gen CPUs. 

    Windows AI features 

    Microsoft will unveil AI-powered features for Windows, including Windows Copilot, an AI “personal assistant.” This update is set to ship by the end of September, enhancing Windows 11 with various improvements. 

    Expect more AI integration in Windows apps, such as the Snipping Tool and Photos app, offering new functionalities like text copying from screenshots and background blur for photos. 

    Apps like Paint and Photos are rumoured to get AI enhancements for generating images from text prompts and identifying objects or people in photos. 

    Surface AI features

    Microsoft has been integrating AI into its Surface lineup with features like Windows Studio Effects, which debuted on the Arm-powered Surface Pro X. 

    These features rely on dedicated neural processing units (NPUs), which may be included in the upcoming Surface Laptop Studio 2. 

    AMD’s Ryzen 7000 mobile processors and Intel’s Meteor Lake chips are expected to support AI capabilities, potentially shaping future AI experiences on Windows. 

    Office and Bing AI features

    The event won’t be limited to Surface and Windows, as Microsoft is likely to share more about Copilot plans for Microsoft 365 and Office apps. 

    Copilot in Office apps aims to streamline document summarization, email generation, and Excel analysis using AI, competing with Google Workspace, Zoom, and Slack’s AI-powered features. 

    There may also be updates regarding Bing Chat Enterprise, including its exit from preview and additional features for both consumer and enterprise versions. 

    Microsoft’s “special event” promises exciting new Surface devices and a deep dive into AI-powered features across Windows, Office, Bing, and more, setting the stage for a future where AI revolutionises how we interact with Microsoft’s products and services.