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.

  • Elon Musk announces temporary daily tweet reading limits, prompting user complaints worldwide

    Elon Musk announces temporary daily tweet reading limits, prompting user complaints worldwide

    According to Elon Musk, CEO of Twitter, the company has recently introduced temporary restrictions on the number of tweets users can read per day. Musk stated in a tweet that unverified accounts are now limited to reading up to 600 posts daily, while verified accounts face a temporary limit of 6,000 posts per day.

    Consequently, a significant number of Twitter users experienced difficulties accessing the platform on Saturday night, as reported by Downdetector, a website that tracks service outages.

    Notably, the United States recorded over 7,000 reported incidents of issues with Twitter, while the United Kingdom saw over 5,000 complaints. Similar problems were reported by users in various other countries, including India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkey, and Germany.

    Users attempting to utilise the Twitter application or website were greeted with an error message stating “rate limit exceeded,” resulting in an absence of tweets displayed on their feed.

  • YouTuber makes world’s largest 8-foot fully functional iPhone

    YouTuber makes world’s largest 8-foot fully functional iPhone

    In the world of technology, where devices seem to shrink in size while packing in more features, one YouTuber has taken a different approach. Matthew Beem, a popular content creator, recently made headlines by constructing the world’s largest functional iPhone. This colossal device measures a staggering 8 feet, surpassing Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro Max and the previous record holder, YouTuber ZHC’s 6-foot-long creation from 2020.

    Beem’s video documenting the construction of this technological marvel quickly went viral, captivating viewers with its impressive scale and functional capabilities. The video showcased the meticulous process of building the giant iPhone from scratch. From selecting the materials to connecting the components, Beem demonstrated his craftsmanship and passion for technology.

    What sets this mammoth iPhone apart is not only its size but also its functionality. Despite its massive dimensions, the device operates just like a standard iPhone. The touchscreen, a television display, is seamlessly integrated with a Mac mini, enabling smooth navigation and interaction. Additionally, Beem ensured that essential features, such as the lock button, volume controls, and a music button, were incorporated into the design.

    While the giant iPhone presents a remarkable feat of engineering, its sheer size poses a challenge in terms of portability. In the video, Beem humorously showcases how he carried the colossal device using a cart, highlighting the impracticality of its size for everyday use. Nevertheless, the creation stands as a testament to Beem’s ingenuity and dedication to pushing technological boundaries.

    To demonstrate the functionality of his creation, Beem took the enormous iPhone to the bustling streets of New York City. Surrounded by curious onlookers, he captured photos, recorded videos, engaged in gaming sessions, and even effortlessly made payments through Apple Pay. In an impressive display of its capabilities, Beem initiated a FaceTime call with one of his viewers from India, further captivating his audience and showcasing the true potential of this larger-than-life iPhone.

    In an interview, Matthew Beem shared his motivation for undertaking such a monumental project. “I love technology and have a history of making some of the largest builds on YouTube, so I decided to put my skills to the test and build the world’s largest working iPhone! I have never built anything like this before, so this was extremely difficult,” Beem expressed. To add an extra touch of excitement, he revealed, “To top things off, we drove this to New York City to get people’s reactions in Times Square and surprise the top tech reviewer on the planet, Marques Brownlee (MKBHD)!”

    Matthew Beem’s colossal iPhone not only breaks records but also exemplifies the relentless spirit of innovation that drives creators in the digital age. While its practicality may be questionable, its significance lies in pushing the boundaries of what is possible. As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, it is content creators like Beem who inspire others to think big and imagine the unimaginable.

    With the creation of the world’s largest working iPhone, Matthew Beem has firmly established himself as a visionary in the world of technology. As viewers eagerly await his next awe-inspiring project, one can’t help but wonder what other incredible feats he will achieve and what new possibilities lie ahead in the realm of technological innovation.

  • Google plans to generate more revenue with online games on YouTube

    Google plans to generate more revenue with online games on YouTube

    Google is exploring the possibility of earning revenue through online games on YouTube, as per a recent Wall Street Journal report.

    YouTube, a well-known platform for hosting videos, has apparently invited its employees to test a new feature called Playables. This feature allows users to play games directly on YouTube itself. Notably, this feature can be accessed on different devices such as mobile phones and desktop computers, as mentioned in an internal email obtained by the Journal.

    Users will have the convenience of playing these games either through a web browser on the YouTube website or via the YouTube app on both Android and iOS devices. Although the report suggests that several games are currently available for testing, it specifically highlights one called Stack Bounce. This arcade game, supported by ads, challenges players to demolish layers of bricks with a bouncing ball.

    While YouTube already generates revenue through gaming livestreams, this new product will provide an additional avenue to capitalise on the gaming industry, particularly as advertising spending experiences a downturn.

    It is worth noting that this venture differs from Google’s unsuccessful Stadia games streaming service, which was eventually discontinued. With YouTube’s existing vast and dedicated user base, attracting attention to this new feature should not pose a challenge.

    Playables bears some resemblance to Netflix’s gaming offering, where paying subscribers gain access to casual mobile games. In a similar vein, Netflix is reportedly exploring the expansion of its gaming initiative beyond mobile devices by testing TV games that employ smartphones as controllers, demonstrating ambitious plans for the future.

  • Meta to restrict news content for Canadian users following passage of online news bill

    Meta to restrict news content for Canadian users following passage of online news bill

    Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has announced that it will impose limitations on the availability of news content for Canadian users on its platforms following the passage of a contentious online news bill by the Canadian parliament.

    The legislation, known as the Online News Act, obliges major platforms like Meta and Google to compensate news publishers for the content posted on their sites. Both Meta and Google have already been conducting trials restricting news access for certain Canadian users.

    This move follows a similar action taken by Facebook in Australia last year when users were blocked from sharing or viewing news in response to comparable legislation.

    The Online News Act, which recently received clearance from the senate, establishes regulations that mandate platforms such as Meta and Google to engage in commercial negotiations and remunerate news organisations for their published content.

    Meta has criticised the law, labeling it as “fundamentally flawed legislation that disregards the operational realities of our platforms.” Prior to the bill’s implementation, Meta announced that news availability on Facebook and Instagram would be terminated for all Canadian users.

    A spokesperson from Meta informed Reuters that “a legislative framework that compels us to pay for links or content that we do not post, and which are not the reason the vast majority of people use our platforms, is neither sustainable nor workable.” The company emphasised that these changes in news accessibility would not affect other services provided to Canadian users.

    Google, in its response, deemed the bill “unworkable” in its current form and expressed its intention to collaborate with the government to find a viable resolution.

    The federal government asserts that the online news bill is necessary “to enhance fairness in the Canadian digital news market” and to enable struggling news organisations to receive “fair compensation” for their news and links shared on these platforms.

    An analysis conducted by an independent parliamentary budget watchdog estimated that digital platforms could contribute approximately C$329 million ($250 million; £196 million) annually to news businesses.

    Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez previously conveyed his dissatisfaction with the testing conducted by the tech platforms, considering them “unacceptable” and a “threat.” In Australia, Facebook ultimately reinstated news content for its users after engaging in discussions with the government, leading to certain amendments.

    Minister Rodriguez’s office confirmed that he recently met with representatives from both Google and Facebook, with further discussions planned.

    However, the government remains committed to implementing the bill. In a statement, Minister Rodriguez posed the question, “If the government can’t stand up for Canadians against tech giants, who will?”

    Media industry groups have lauded the passage of the bill as a positive step towards achieving market fairness.

    Paul Deegan, President and CEO of News Media Canada, a media industry group, highlighted the significance of genuine journalism, produced by professional journalists, as an essential component of democracy that incurs substantial costs.

    The Online News Act is expected to come into effect in Canada within six months.

  • YouTube is introducing a new AI-powered tool to translate videos in different languages

    YouTube is introducing a new AI-powered tool to translate videos in different languages

    YouTube is introducing a new AI-powered feature to facilitate video dubbing in different languages. During the VidCon event, the company announced its collaboration with Aloud, an AI dubbing service developed by Google’s Area 120 incubator.

    Aloud’s website explains the process: First, the tool transcribes the video, providing a transcription that can be reviewed and edited. Then, it proceeds to translate and generate the dubbed audio. A demonstration video showcasing the details is available.

    According to YouTube’s Amjad Hanif, the tool is currently being tested with numerous creators, and Aloud already supports a select number of languages, including English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Additional languages will be added in the future, as confirmed by spokesperson Jessica Gibby.

    Despite the current limitations in language availability, Aloud holds promise for content creators who seek to incorporate multi-language dubs in their videos. To experience the results firsthand, you can listen to the Spanish dub track in a video from the Amoeba Sisters channel by accessing the gear icon and selecting “Audio track.”

    YouTube has plans to enhance the translated audio tracks further. By 2024, they aim to make them sound more natural, capturing the creator’s voice, emotions, and lip sync, as mentioned by Hanif. Gibby also confirmed that these features are on YouTube’s roadmap for the future.

  • Silence unknown callers: WhatsApp introduces solution to spam and scam calls

    Silence unknown callers: WhatsApp introduces solution to spam and scam calls

    WhatsApp, the messaging app owned by Meta, has introduced two new updates for its Android and iOS users. These updates offer enhanced privacy and control over incoming calls, as well as improved options for protecting user information.

    One of the updates is the “Silence Unknown Callers” feature, which automatically screens out unwanted calls from unknown or suspicious numbers. It helps users avoid spam, scams, and calls from people they don’t know. Instead of ringing on the phone, these calls will be listed in the call log, allowing users to check them later in case they are from important contacts. To enable this feature, users can go to their WhatsApp account privacy settings and select the “Silence Unknown Callers” option in the calls section.

    The second update is the “Privacy Checkup” feature, which assists users in navigating and configuring important privacy settings. By taking users through a step-by-step process, it helps them understand and choose the appropriate level of protection for their messages, calls, and personal information. By accessing the Privacy settings and selecting “Start checkup,” users can explore various privacy options and strengthen the security of their WhatsApp account.

    WhatsApp has taken innovative measures to spread awareness about these updates on a global scale. Emphasising the significance of secure communication, the app encourages users to connect with friends and family through private messaging, where they can freely express themselves. These updates aim to provide a safer and more private experience for WhatsApp users.

  • Pemra to take action against Netflix and other streaming platforms after Eid holidays

    Pemra to take action against Netflix and other streaming platforms after Eid holidays

    Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) is reportedly preparing to take action against over-the-top (OTT) platforms such as Netflix after the conclusion of Eid-ul-Azha, according to Khalid Arain, Chairman of the Cable Operators Association of Pakistan.

    Khalid disclosed that a productive dialogue had taken place between cable operators and senior officials from Pemra, during which the concerns of the cable operators were effectively communicated. He expressed the cable operators’ predicament, stating that they operate under broadcasting restrictions and are limited in the number of channels they can offer. In contrast, OTT platforms enjoy the freedom to stream popular channels.

    Khalid’s reference to OTT platforms pertains to online streaming services that deliver content via the internet. He further stressed the cable operators’ request for regulatory measures concerning operators that offer both internet and cable services.

    He said that the regulatory body has responded positively to the demands of cable operators. Pemra will establish a committee to address the issuance of licenses to cable operators and undertake a crackdown on OTT platforms following the conclusion of Eidul Azha.

    According to ProPakistani, the chairman also advocated for tax exemptions in the cable sector, drawing a parallel to the solar power industry and suggesting that taxes on cable operators should be alleviated. However, he did not provide a specific explanation or justification for this request.

    Additionally, he highlighted an inequity where the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) collects Local Loop license fees from cable operators in US dollars, while subscribers make payments to cable operators in the local currency. Arain deemed this situation unfair, citing the existing rupee-dollar exchange rate as a contributing factor.

  • Global 5G subscriptions set to surpass 1.5 billion by the end of 2023

    Global 5G subscriptions set to surpass 1.5 billion by the end of 2023

    The latest edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report, released in June 2023, reveals that despite challenges posed by geopolitics and macroeconomic slowdown in certain markets, communication service providers worldwide are persistently investing in 5G technology. The report demonstrates that the adoption of 5G subscriptions in North America has surpassed previous expectations, with the region leading in global 5G subscription penetration at 41 per cent by the end of 2022.

    The study further indicates a consistent rise in 5G subscriptions across all regions, projected to reach over 1.5 billion by the end of 2023. Concurrently, global mobile network data traffic continues to escalate, with an anticipated monthly average usage per smartphone exceeding 20 GB by the end of 2023.

    Additionally, the report highlights sustained revenue growth in prominent 5G markets. Fredrik Jejdling, the Executive Vice President and Head of Networks at Ericsson, emphasises the positive impact of 5G technology on communication service providers, stating, “The global adoption of 5G technology has exceeded one billion subscriptions, resulting in favorable revenue growth for leading 5G markets. The increase in 5G subscriptions correlates directly with enhanced service revenue. Over the past two years, the introduction of 5G services in the top twenty markets has generated a seven percent revenue boost. This trend underscores the increasing value of 5G, benefiting both users and service providers.”

    Globally, approximately 240 communication service providers (CSPs) have introduced commercial 5G services, with around 35 deploying or launching 5G standalone (SA) networks. Notably, CSPs commonly offer various bundled packages that include popular entertainment services, such as television, music streaming, or cloud gaming platforms. Presently, about 58 per cent of 5G service providers offer such bundled packages in diverse formats.

    Moreover, the report identifies 5G as a catalyst for innovation in mobile service packaging. This is exemplified by the increasing number of CSPs offering Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services over 5G, with more than 100 providers, accounting for approximately 40 per cent of FWA service providers, currently delivering FWA over 5G. FWA is experiencing solid growth in terms of the number of mobile service providers offering it, the proportion of providers offering FWA over 5G, the proportion of CSPs implementing speed-based tariff structures, and the volume of traffic served, as both the number of connections and traffic per connection continue to increase. By 2028, it is projected that 5G will account for nearly 80 per cent of all FWA connections.

    The June 2023 Ericsson Mobility Report also includes four comprehensive articles exploring various topics, including the influence of traffic patterns on network evolution, the potential for differentiated services in 5G networks, the advancements facilitated by mobile networks in augmented reality (AR) adoption, and the readiness of mobile networks to deliver a superior quality of experience for new services.

  • Google’s healthcare tech uses AI to predict heart disease with just an eye scan

    Google’s healthcare tech uses AI to predict heart disease with just an eye scan

    Google’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy (a leading cause of blindness) has shown things in the retinal scans that “human beings didn’t know to look for”, according to CEO Sundar Pichai. The AI eye scans hold information with which Google can predict the five year risk of someone having a heart attack or a stroke.

    At last year’s Google IO, CEO Sundar Pichai announced GoogleAI, a culmination of the company’s efforts to bring the benefits of AI to everyone. DermAssist, Google’s AI program that detects and provides diagnosis for skin conditions, will be available on Google browser by the end of this year.

    Google had also been running field trials across hospitals in India, where Google used deep learning to help doctors diagnose diabetic retinopathy. Pichai says the field trials have been going very well, with AI offering expert diagnoses to places where trained doctors are scarce.

    As luck would have it, the very same eye scans that have helped successfully diagnose diabetic retinopathy also hold vital information that GoogleAI could use to predict the five year risk of an individual having an adverse cardiovascular event.

    Although the idea of looking into someone’s eyes to diagnose the condition of their heart sounds unusual, it actually draws from established research. The rear interior wall of the eye (the fundus) is full of blood vessels that reflect the body’s overall health. Information such as someone’s age, their biological sex, whether or not they smoke, their BMI and systolic blood pressure is readily available to doctors through a simple eye scan.

    According to Pichai, this could be the new basis for a non-invasive way of detecting cardiovascular risk. He says Google will be working with their partners to field trials.

    Another exciting AI-health related development is that AI can help in the prediction of medical events. Machine learning can go in and analyse over 100,000 data points per patient (obviously, more than one doctor could ever do), and then quantitatively predict the chance of readmission 24-48 hours to advance. This is hugely beneficial as it gives doctors more time to act.