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.

  • Apple fixes iMessage and FaceTime bugs in iPhone 14 series with new iOS update

    Apple fixes iMessage and FaceTime bugs in iPhone 14 series with new iOS update

    Many purchasers were excited to get their hands on the new Apple iPhone 14 series when it was released. However, the new gadgets also include a major iOS upgrade, which implies that there are some issues.

    The Cupertino-based company has now released a new support document in which it notifies purchasers about the troubles that the new iPhone 14 series is experiencing. According to the brand’s support manual, the latest 2022 iPhone models have various issues with popular basic apps such as FaceTime and iMessage. Furthermore, the business noted that both of these apps are affected by more than one problem.

    One of the problems, it appears, makes receiving texts and phone calls difficult. Another notable issue is that when sending a text, green chat bubbles appear instead of blue chat bubbles. Other issues include people receiving messages from the wrong profile and conversations in Messages, which appear as two separate threads.

    Read more: iPhone 13 Pro Max Vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max comparison: Everything you need to know

    However, the majority of these issues have been resolved with the iOS 16.0.1 update, which has been rolled out for all iPhones that are eligible for the current software version. So, once you have your hands on a fresh new iPhone 14 series, it’s recommended that you update it right away during the first setup procedure. If it doesn’t work, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

  • Believe it or not, this fitness band costs less than Rs900

    Believe it or not, this fitness band costs less than Rs900

    These days, smart watches and smart bands are incredibly popular, and every manufacturer is continuously pushing to release a new product to draw in customers.

    Naturally, well-known brands place a greater emphasis on quality and durability and strive to provide the finest in order to uphold their brand’s integrity and reputation.

    While other producers copy the original design and release a product that is more likely to be bought by consumers who cannot afford showy bands or watches from companies like Fitbit, Amazfit, Mi, and the premium Apple and Samsung watches.

    Cheapest smart fitness sport band

    The most affordable fitness tracker available right now in Pakistan is this M6 Sport Smart Band. According to the seller, this band is for sale on Daraz.pk and includes many features often found in more expensive smart bands.

    Similar to this one, M6 bands are Mi Band 6 clones. Currently, this band is available on Daraz for just Rs840.

    Here are all the features of the M6 Sports Smart Band, according to the seller:

    • Alarm
    • Remote camera
    • Raise to wake
    • Music controls
    • Find band feature
    • Weather
    • Notification reminder: Call reminder, information push, sedentary reminder
    • Message reminder: Twitter, Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, SMS
    • Health monitoring modes: Heart rate, Blood Pressure
    • Sleep monitoring: sleep time, sleep quality
    • Sport modes: Running, Sit-up, Skipping rope

    It is important to note that this is one of the least expensive watches that is offered in Pakistan.

    Read more: How to apply for government jobs in Pakistan

    On online marketplaces like Daraz and OLX, cheap fitness bands are incredibly popular. Some of these watches come in both good quality and an inexpensive price range, while others are less feature- and quality-rich yet have incredibly low asking prices.

  • iPhone 13 Pro Max Vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max comparison: Everything you need to know

    iPhone 13 Pro Max Vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max comparison: Everything you need to know

    Apple has officially launched the iPhone 14 series, including the top-tier iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models.

    If you’re unsure whether to upgrade to the iPhone 14 Pro Max or stay with the iPhone 13 Pro Max, you should be aware of all the differences between the two flagships so you can assess whether the upgrade is worthwhile.

    The iPhone 14 Pro Max might be just as powerful but in a more user-friendly shape with a narrower overall screen aspect ratio and a thinner screen border.

    iPhone 14 Pro Max Vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max major differences

    • New 48MP main camera
    • Satellite connectivity
    • Always-on display
    • Pill-shaped punch hole (aka the Dynamic Island)
    • Thinner borders, taller aspect ratio for the screen
    • Faster A16 Bionic chip

    The iPhone 14 Pro Max from Apple features the new Apple A16 Bionic CPU, a massive improvement over the A15 chipset seen in the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

    The iPhone 14 Pro was apparently intended to be Apple’s first device with a 3nm CPU, but it appears that problems will prevent that from happening, and the A16 may instead be constructed using 4nm technology, a smaller step up from the 5nm process used on the 13 series.

    Let’s dive into the new camera features of the latest Apple iPhone, despite the fact that it has long been a leader in camera quality, particularly for video recording.

    First, the main camera now has a larger 48-megapixel sensor, a massive improvement over the 12-megapixel camera from the previous iteration.

    Read more: Here are the official prices of all iPhone 14 models

    The long-awaited periscope lens is one feature that won’t be included on the iPhone 14 Pro Max. iPhones will not be able to match native long-range zoom lenses this year, something Android rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra have possessed for several years.

    The battery life on the iPhone 13 Pro Max has improved over its predecessor, in part because of the battery’s larger physical capacity. The battery size of the iPhone 14 Pro Max hasn’t been changed by Apple this year, so it’s probably the same 4,352mAh battery.

    iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 13 Pro Max
    Starting price $1,099 $1,099
    Screen size 6.7 inches 6.7 inches
    Refresh rate 1-120Hz 10-120Hz
    CPU A16 Bionic A15 Bionic
    RAM 6GB LPDDR5 6GB LPDDR4X
    Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
    Main cameras 48MP main; 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto 12MP main; 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto
    Front camera 12MP (f/1.9) with autofocus 12MP (f/2.2)
    Battery 4,352 mAh 4,352 mAh
    Colors Gold, silver, black, purple Graphite, gold, silver, blue, green
    iPhone 14 Pro Max Vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max Comparison
  • Thai organ donation center warns that selling kidneys to get an iPhone 14 is ‘unethical’

    Thai organ donation center warns that selling kidneys to get an iPhone 14 is ‘unethical’

    A meme claiming that three people with bloodied bandages on their abdomens sold their kidneys to purchase the latest Apple iPhone 14 has been condemned by a Thai doctor.

    The executive director of the Thai Red Cross Organ Donation Center, Dr Sophon Mekthon, issued a warning about the illegality of organ trading in Thailand and denounced the meme that had been going around since it appeared on Thai social media over the weekend.

    iPhone 14 kidney donation meme

    “There is no organ trading. That is prohibited,” Mekthon said. “It is inappropriate to suggest selling organs, especially to get money to buy an iPhone. It is morally wrong and unethical.”

    According to reports, the image came from a Vietnamese beauty parlour with a Laos base. It has subsequently been removed.

    The image showed three persons with their abdomens exposed and bandaged, suggesting that each of them had sold one of their kidneys to pay for an iPhone 14.

    Read more: iPhone 14 Pro Max 1TB available for nearly Rs7 lac

    The meme was allegedly taken as a joke in Laos, but when it appeared on social media on Saturday, users in Thailand took the image seriously. The joke and the message it conveys to young people have drawn criticism from several commenters.

    A Chinese guy who sold his kidney in 2011 to purchase an iPhone 4 was later diagnosed with serious organ failure, according to a similar case that surfaced in 2019.

  • Here’s how to use a SIM in a non-PTA approved phone

    Here’s how to use a SIM in a non-PTA approved phone

    Owing to import limitations and costly PTA approval fees, consumers are forced to choose non-PTA mobile phones as smartphone prices have increased dramatically in Pakistan.

    PTA approval for phones was not an idea back then, and Pakistanis could purchase any phone they wanted without any hassles. But now, it’s all different.

    A phone may use any SIM card for two months after it is imported into Pakistan, after which the PTA will disable the device. Due to store owners’ lack of concern for investing additional funds for PTA clearance and their decision to leave it up to customers whether they wish to pay the high cost of PTA approval for using a SIM, Pakistani mobile marketplaces are currently overrun with non-PTA phones.

    People use a different phone to keep their sim active because the sim on these phones stops working after the two-month period. Few individuals are aware that non-PTA phones still support SIM cards.

    Users can purchase a SIM card of a mobile network called SCOM and activate their number.

    For those who don’t know, SCO introduced the first GSM mobile services under the name SCOM in Azad Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan in 2004.

    Read more: Latest government jobs in Pakistan

    In over 450 major cities, towns, and villages in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, SCOM offers the area’s largest network coverage with an equal footprint in rural and urban terrain, but it may also be utilised across the entire nation.

    However, there is one disadvantage for residents of other parts of Punjab because SCOM SIM is not offered everywhere. There are many people selling SCOM connections online, so you can search OLX or visit SCOM’s official website to order a sim online.

    People purchase non-PTA phones, such as iPhones and other flagship models from Samsung, One Plus, Sony, Xiaomi, and other manufacturers, since PTA-approved phones are now quite expensive. People are forced to carry an additional phone to keep their sim active because the sim on these unapproved phones stops working after the two-month period.

    It is important to keep in mind that although these phones may appear to be less expensive at the time of purchase, adding the PTA approval charge makes them way more expensive.

  • IT sector’s GDP contribution will increase from 2.7% to 13% by 2025: MoITT

    IT sector’s GDP contribution will increase from 2.7% to 13% by 2025: MoITT

    According to estimates from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), the GDP share of the digital and information technology (IT) sectors would rise to 13 per cent by 2025 as a result of the rapid growth of the digital economy over the next five years.

    MoITT’s offical documents reveal that the size of the digital economy will significantly increase over the next five years as Pakistan’s adoption of digital technology expands. In the upcoming years, the GDP’s share of the digital economy will increase, according to Brecorder.

    While the GDP contribution of the digital and IT sectors will rise from 2.7 per cent to 13 per cent, the GDP contribution of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) core industry will rise from 1.2 per cent to 8.15 per cent.

    According to the data that is currently available, Pakistan’s digital economy is measured in two ways, i.e. The key industries of ICT, digital technology, and IT. The ICT core industry’s share of the global GDP in 2019 was 1.2 per cent. The IT and telecom industry in Pakistan makes about 2.7 per cent of the country’s GDP.

    Modern ICTs have the ability to accelerate social and economic growth, and this promise will be further realised with the maturation of four enabling technologies: IoT, cloud computing, big data analytics, and AI.

    The cornerstone for nations to build a digital economy and improve their overall economic competitiveness and well-being is ICT infrastructure and services. They can support sustainable cities and communities by lowering poverty and hunger, improving health, generating new jobs, reducing climate change, and enhancing energy efficiency.

    In low- and middle-income nations, mobile remains the main method by which many users access the internet (LMICs). The Information Technology University (ITU) estimates that 87 per cent of broadband connections in developing nations occurred through mobile devices in 2019. Mobile networks and devices are propelling economic growth by connecting consumers and businesses and delivering public and commercial e-services across a range of industries.

    According to the report, Pakistan’s mobile ecosystem is becoming more and more crucial to the country’s economic development due to its direct impact on GDP and the productivity and efficiency benefits it fosters in a variety of economic sectors.

    The majority of nations currently use 4G as the cornerstone of mobile broadband, and this number is continually increasing. The switch from 4G to 5G is happening at the same time all across the world.

    In 2019, 4G connections made up more than 50 per cent of all mobile connections worldwide for the first time, according to the most recent GSMA research. In low and middle-income countries (LMICs), 4G covered 82 per cent of the population compared to 90 per cent for 3G. Compared to 10 years for 3G, LMICs took about seven years to reach more than 80 per cent coverage for 4G.

  • Best mobile phones under Rs9,000 in Pakistan with WiFi and dual 4G support

    Best mobile phones under Rs9,000 in Pakistan with WiFi and dual 4G support

    Owing to exorbitant PTA approval charges and soaring production costs, phone prices have hit an all-time high in Pakistan. Customers have a relatively limited number of options on the market.

    While some customers are able to afford the hefty PTA approval fees, others consider getting a second phone so they can continue using their SIM as PTA approval charges for certain premium smartphones have increased up to Rs132,000.

    Below are some of the most affordable phones on the market right now, which surprisingly support the majority of applications like Facebook and WhatsApp.

    JAZZ DIGIT 4G – ENERGY

    Touch and Type

    Price: Rs7,999

    JAZZ DIGIT 4G – SHINE

    Price: Rs5,999

    JAZZ DIGIT 4G – STAR

    Price: Rs5,999

    Jazz Digit 4G – E2 PRO

    Touch & Type

    Price: Rs8,900

    These bar phones also have outstanding battery life and can be used to provide a hotspot for your primary smartphone.

    All of these mobile devices are currently available at Jazz franchises or local stores and can be easily unlocked if a user wants to switch to a different network.

  • Want to earn money working online? Here are 10 highly demanded skills you should learn

    Want to earn money working online? Here are 10 highly demanded skills you should learn

    A number of ‘once dedicated’ corporate workers are taking matters into their own hands and taking more control over their professional future. They are switching to freelancing, either by reskilling and going in a completely other direction, or by performing the same tasks for numerous clients as they did for a single company previously.

    For those who don’t know, the internet economy is expanding quickly and in 2020 it produced 17 million jobs in the US alone. The consumer takeaway Whether you use the internet for a side business or a full-time career, you can do pretty much anything online, including earning good money.

    According to Forbes, every month since the spring of 2021, four million American employees have left their jobs.

    Here are 10 high in-demand skills that can help you earn well online:

    Web Development 

    Web development is one of the best skills to master to earn money online because it is in high demand and there are numerous methods to capitalise on your expertise. It can be learned through online classes, boot camps, or even independent study. And if you’re excellent at it, you might be able to make a lot of money; hourly fees for web developers working as freelancers range from $10 to $80.

    Graphic Designing

    Learning Adobe Illustrator is a terrific approach to start working online and making money. This is helpful because almost everyone who manages a website, creates their own website, or engages in online activities like advertising, creating YouTube videos, etc. will eventually require some design work done. And learning this skill takes more than a few days. It does require some commitment, but it is easily accomplished.

    It should be a no-brainer for you to choose to learn how to utilise Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign if you have the aptitude for design and illustration. Additionally, installing AdobeSuite on your PC is crucial.

    Since people are more drawn to compelling pictures than to simple texts, graphic designers are always in demand.

    Every business needs art of some kind, whether it’s for creating their corporate identity (logos, brands, etc.), selling their goods or services (websites, brochures, etc.), or connecting with customers (ads, promos, etc.).

    Even without a college degree in fine arts or visual communications, you can succeed in this industry if you are creative, passionate, and competent at designing.

    Photography

    You can learn Photography for free by taking a variety of online courses and watching videos on YouTube. This will enable you to take photos that are more inventive, captivating, and distinctive. From street photography to images of food and animals, practically any form of photograph may be sold online. Alamy images typically sell for $75 each, although their prices can range from $17 to $416 depending on their intended usage.

    Audio Editing for Podcasts

    From a niche trend for tech-savvy individuals, podcasts have grown to become a mainstream phenomenon with a market value in the tens of millions of dollars. As a result of that money, many people have expressed a desire to launch their own podcasts; however, the majority of people lack the skills necessary to independently edit audio, which is where you come in.

    You can improve another person’s audio so that their listeners won’t provide them negative feedback. There will always be a need for your services because podcast listeners routinely voice unhappiness with the sound quality.

    Voice Modulation 

    One of the most lucrative skills to acquire to earn money online is voice modulation. The marketplaces for voice actors, narrators, and other professionals are those that still need to be explored. For the recording of audiobooks, narrative narration, videos, etc., voice actors are required. On internet job boards, there are many positions that specifically require this talent.

    Social Media Marketing 

    Planning and overseeing a brand’s social media strategy across a variety of channels will be your role as a social media marketer, according to Jensen. Any company that doesn’t leverage social media’s power will lose out on brand-building opportunities as customers use social media platforms at an increasing rate. Social media marketing is growing in popularity as a result. If you are knowledgeable about the mechanics of how social media works, learning this skill could be a great idea.

    Web Scraping and Data Entry

    All you need for the job is a basic understanding of using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) or its equivalent in Google Drive and other open sources, aside from diligence and attention to detail. Of course, you also need to know how to use the internet.

    The straightforward procedure of web scraping entails conducting online research for clients and compiling the results on a worksheet. Many businesses compile data about their target markets, including contact information (phone numbers, email addresses, websites, Linkedin and other social media profiles, etc.). They can now send business proposals, even ones that are personalised, to the appropriate recipient.

    For this skill to be mastered, no college degree is necessary. In reality, data encoding allows even high school dropouts to support themselves.

    Creative writing

    You can definitely earn a life writing if you have the talent for it. This is a talent that you begin developing in elementary school and just keep honing as you advance academically.

    Therefore, by the time you earned your high school certificate, you ought to be able to write essays and other types of literary works without much difficulty.

    After that, there are several ways to develop writing skills, like enrolling in classes, reading books and other materials, watching online tutorials, and, of course, writing. When you reach a particular level of expertise, you’ll find that there are many chances available to you online and even outside of the virtual environment.

    Proofreading and Editing

    Of course, having writing skills is required for this position. It’s similar to how you cannot adjust a swimmer’s strokes if you do not yourself know how to swim properly.

    Simply identifying and fixing grammatical, typographical, and spelling mistakes in someone else’s writing is proofreading.

    On the other hand, editing may entail rewriting sentences or even paragraphs to increase readability, eliminate repetitions, and improve the flow of ideas.

    The two may not be identical, but they do kind of overlap. Thus, they might constantly expect you to perform both tasks when they hire you to do one or the other.

    Vlogging

    Consider vlogging if you have the gift of gab rather than the inclination to write or design.

    Using video creation and editing software as well as online resources for free video and audio samples, you may make engaging YouTube content even if you lean more toward the introverted side of things.

    Developing a sizable audience is the key to making your material interesting to sponsors and marketers. Alternatively, you might sell this skill to businesses that want for a popular internet video to advertise their products or services and raise brand recognition.

    Even if you largely rely on freelance markets to identify and work with clients, you will still attract a lot of potential clients by being active on LinkedIn. Every month, set aside a few hours to update your profile with recent samples of your work, ask former clients for references and recommendations, establish new relationships, and reply to job advertisements for contract work.

  • Apple to release iOS 16 tomorrow, is your iPhone compatible?

    Apple to release iOS 16 tomorrow, is your iPhone compatible?

    On September 12, the majority of regions are likely to receive Apple’s newest iOS 16. All compatible devices will be able to update to the most advanced and intelligent operating system created by the Cupertino-based tech giant.

    A deeper intelligence, brand-new tools for personalization, and improved sharing and communication capabilities are all part of iOS 16’s enhancements to the iPhone.

    Compatible iPhones

    These iPhones are compatible with iOS 16:

    iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max

    iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max

    iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max

    iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max

    iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max

    iPhone X, iPhone XR

    iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus

    iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)

    Whats new?

    • With iOS 16, you can now simply switch between various Lock Screens, each with a different background and aesthetic. For ideas, explore a gallery of wallpapers with suggested images and thematic collections.
    • Make your iPhone unique with brand-new ways to customise the Lock Screen. Highlight favourite images, alter font styles, and put up a few widgets to access information quickly.
    • View notifications in a concealed view, stacked view, or extended list view on the lock screen. Additionally, alerts are hidden by appearing at the bottom of the screen.
    • You can now make changes to a recently sent message or decide not to send it at all. Additionally, if you are unable to react right away but want to do so later, you can mark a message as unread.
    • The Home app has been completely redesigned to be even more effective and dependable. Utilize the newly designed Home tab to navigate all of your smart home accessories. You can now access the necessary accessories with just a tap thanks to new sections for climate, lights, security, and more. Additionally, a multicamera view places your smart home cameras in the spotlight.
    • Real-time transcription of audio into text makes it simpler to follow conversations and news.

    How to update to iOS 16?

    Make sure your device is plugged in and connected to the Internet with Wi-Fi. Then follow these steps:

    Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

    You may see software update options available. You can choose to stay on iOS and still get important security updates.

    To update to iOS 16 click on the patch available and tap Install Now.

  • iPhone 14 Pro Max 1TB available for pre-orders for nearly Rs7 lac

    iPhone 14 Pro Max 1TB available for pre-orders for nearly Rs7 lac

    All of the iPhone 14 models are up for pre-order at Telemart, and the prices are the highest we’ve ever heard for a phone.

    The 1TB iPhone 14 Pro Max, which retails for a stunning Rs689,999, is currently the most expensive mobile offered in Pakistan. For that amount, you could purchase several brand-new motorcycles or even a pre-owned Suzuki Mehran.

    The price of the entry-level iPhone 14 with 128GB of storage (the lowest model) is astronomical at Rs419,999.

    These phones won’t be delivered to you until at least October because, as was already indicated, they are only available for pre-order at this time.

    The spike in import duties, which also affected laptops, graphics cards, and other electronics in addition to cellphones, is to blame for the price increase. As a result, the starting price for the iPhone 14 Plus is Rs459,999, the starting price for the iPhone 14 Pro is Rs489,999, and the price for the Pro Max model is Rs529,999.

    The price of the ‘cheapest’ iPhone 14 (base model) costs even more than the initial price of Rs370,000 for the iPhone 13 Pro Max.