After consistent criticism against social media apps on the harmful impact they have on underage users, TikTok has announced measures to tackle the problem. On Wednesday, Tik Tok revealed that users under the age of 18 will now have their usage restricted to a one hour time limit.
Once the 60 minutes limit has been reached, users will have to type in a passcode to continue, a move which will allow them to make an active decision to continue using the app.
Cormac Keena, the head of trust and safety at Tik Tok, wrote a blog post where he revealed that the company had consulted experts and researchers from the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston’s Childrens Hospital about how to help teenagers limit their online activity.
“While there’s no collectively-endorsed position on how much screen time is ‘too much’, or even the impact of screen time more broadly, we recognize that teens typically require extra support as they start to explore the online world independently,” Keenan wrote.
Keenan also revealed that a new update will be added to Tik Tok’s Family Pairing feature, which will allow a parent or guardian to link their account to their child’s and set controls like filtering words or hashtags they don’t want their minor to come across, or even set a custom daily screen time limit.
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.
-
TikTok will set a 60 minute screen time limit for users under 18
-
New iPhone 15 Pro design leaks unveiled: USB-C port and titanium chassis
Recent leaks of the New iPhone 15 Pro CAD have unveiled significant design changes from Apple’s previous generations. The most discussed upgrade has now been revealed through photographic evidence.
Apple insider, Unknownz21, has shared a close-up image of what they claim to be the USB-C port on the iPhone 15 Pro, without the need for any imagination or rendering. Unknownz21 has a proven track record, having sourced an early version of iOS 14 months ahead of release.
Aside from the USB-C port, the photo also reveals an unfinished brushed material on the phone that looks similar to titanium, indicating a possible replacement for the stainless steel chassis on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models. Additionally, the images display curvier edges, as previously leaked in recent iPhone 15 Pro renders.
However, there is some bad news regarding the implementation of USB-C. It is expected that the performance of USB-C will differ significantly between the iPhone 15 Pro and standard models. Furthermore, Apple is rumored to include an authenticator chip that would control the use of USB-C ports. As seen with Lightning, this would require third-party cables and accessories to pass Apple’s MFi certification program, which could limit their performance or even prevent them from working altogether. This could result in additional costs for manufacturers and customers.
Despite these potential drawbacks, 2023 is expected to be a significant year in the evolution of the iPhone. Apple is introducing changes to the chassis, display, ports, and buttons, as well as a new pricing structure that will differentiate between iPhone Pro and standard models. If you have been waiting to upgrade your iPhone, this could be the year to do so.
-
Pakistan will never shut down social media sites again, IT Minister promises
Speaking at the ‘Accelerating US Investments in Pakistan’ event in Karachi, Federal IT and Telecommunication Minister Aminul Haq said that closing social media sites and applications is not the solution to the problem, and Pakistan has decided that no website or app will be closed in any case.
Pakistan has a history of banning social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and most recently, Wikipedia. However, Haq emphasized that “banning can never be a solution.” Haq’s statement is a significant departure from Pakistan’s previous actions, and he promised that any such action would go through the IT ministry, where there will be no ban from now on.
Despite bureaucratic hurdles at the Finance Division, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Haq’s ministry has been persistent and able to get many things done, such as allowing IT export companies to retain 35% of dollars in their accounts.
During the event, Haq praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for supporting the Digital Pakistan vision despite all the bureaucratic hurdles.
-
Imported mobiles priced above $500 to become more expensive under proposed GST of 25%
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has put forward a proposal to significantly augment the sales tax on imported mobile phones.
This proposal is part of the Finance (Supplementary) Bill, 2023, which incorporates amendments to the Ninth Schedule of the Sales Tax Act 1990, specifically focusing on mobile phones.
As per the proposed bill, a sales tax of 25 per cent would be applicable on premium mobile phones that are imported and have a value of more than Rs132,000 ($500).
The proposed amendment entails an increase in sales tax from 17 per cent to 18 per cent for imported mobile phones with an import value ranging from Rs53,000 ($200) to Rs132,000 ($500).
It is noteworthy that this range includes two distinct categories within the Ninth Schedule, namely $200-$350 and $350-$500.
It has been announced that the sales tax rate for imported mobile phones with a value up to $200 will remain unchanged. No proposed changes have been put forward for this import value category.
-
Huawei to copy iPhone 14 Pro’s Dynamic Island cutout design for its next smartphone
The iPhone 14 series was introduced in September of last year and marked a significant change for Apple. Unlike previous releases which typically had a similar design, the company decided to eliminate the notch in its Pro models and replace it with the “Dynamic Island.”
This new cutout houses the front camera and Face ID sensors, and was well-received by users. Other manufacturers were inspired by this change and started working on similar designs.
Huawei was one of the first companies to follow suit, and the Huawei Nova 11 series will feature a new pill-shaped cutout screen. This is a first for the Chinese tech giant, which has used various punch-hole techniques in the past. The most popular of these was a single hole or pill-shaped camera placement in the top left corner of the screen. However, for the first time, Huawei will position its cameras in the middle, similar to Apple’s “Dynamic Island.”
Nova 11 series is also set to launch with the XMAGE camera system, which is expected to offer a better photography experience for users. The Dynamic Island feature is expected to have similar functionality to Apple’s, but no further details have been announced at this time. It is likely that the phone will run on HarmonyOS, as with other current Huawei models.
-
Next-generation Apple Watch may feature a built-in camera
Recently, information about Apple’s plans for its smartwatches has emerged from a leaked patent application. The patent reveals that Apple has given significant thought to incorporating a camera into its Apple Watch.
The company has been granted a patent (US-11571048-B1) for a strap release mechanism for the Apple Watch, which could be used in conjunction with a built-in camera. This discovery, made by Patently Apple, describes a strap comprised of two segments and a “nest” section that facilitates the removal of the watch from the strap. This mechanism opens up new possibilities for the utilization of the Apple Watch, including the ability to capture photos with a built-in camera.
The patent filing includes visual depictions of utilizing the camera feature on the strap-less Apple Watch, as well as a cross-section of the device that showcases a bottom-facing camera and its field of view. The user can take a picture by simply removing the watch, holding the camera section, and capturing the photo.
Apple has a history of exploring camera-related patent designs for its Apple Watch. In the past, the company was granted a patent for a camera located within the digital crown and another patent from 2019 for a rotatable camera integrated into the end of a strap.
Apple’s recent patent application is consistent with the company’s ongoing investigation into camera capabilities for the Apple Watch. There is already a similar product, known as the Wristcam, which can be utilized as a third-party accessory for the device.
It is important to note that the filing of a patent by Apple does not necessarily imply the eventual release of an Apple Watch equipped with a camera. Rather, it serves as evidence of the company’s examination of various conceptual possibilities.
-
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 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.
-
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
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.