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 removes 93.5 percent of controversial videos at Pakistani government request

    TikTok removes 93.5 percent of controversial videos at Pakistani government request

    Short video platform TikTok removed 93.5 per cent of controversial videos at the request of the government of Pakistan.

    According to TikTok’s recent transparency report, the social media platform is actively working with the Pakistani government, and specifically the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), to address concerns about content removal.

    In the second half of 2023, TikTok received 303 requests from the Pakistani government, resulting in the removal of 93.5 per cent of the reported content, while 270 accounts for violating community guidelines and 59 for violating local laws.

    TikTok’s latest Community Guidelines Enforcement Report shows that the platform promptly removes content that violates its guidelines with a global rate of 99.5 per cent.

  • Abh ChatGPT hua Apple ka? Apple is now integrating the famous AI app

    Abh ChatGPT hua Apple ka? Apple is now integrating the famous AI app

    With growing demand for artificial intelligence, Apple has made its voice assistant Siri and operating system compatible with artificial intelligence (AI) so that it too, can get ahead in the artificial intelligence race. Apple is integrating OpenAI’s artificial intelligence platform ChatGPT feature with Siri in iPhones.

    Apple announced a makeover of Siri along with several other new features at its annual developers show Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) at the company’s headquarters in California on Monday. Apple has named this AI system ‘Apple Intelligence’ and it aims to give users a way to easily navigate Apple devices.

    It has partnered with OpenAi, the Developer of ChatGPT, under which its iPhone and Mac operating systems will have access to ChatGPT.

    ChatGPT can also be used to augment the capabilities of other tools, including tasks such as text and content generation. Its experimental or test version will be available by fall.

    Opening the WWDC, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said, “The move will take my company’s products to ‘new heights.”

    When Apple’s rival companies started adopting artificial intelligence technology, Apple was also forced to adopt this technology.

    In January, Microsoft won the title of the world’s most valuable company, and in early June, Nvidia takes over Apple again.

    Elon Musk warns Apple

    Elon Musk, the owner of car maker Tesla and social media platform X, has threatened to ban iPhones from his companies, citing ‘data security’. He wrote on X “Apple has no clue what’s actually going on once they hand your data over to OpenAi. They’re selling you down the river.”

  • iOS 18 launches with Dark Mode for app icons and revamped Control Centre

    iOS 18 launches with Dark Mode for app icons and revamped Control Centre

    Apple has officially unveiled iOS 18, the latest significant update for the iPhone operating system, packed with new customisation options, a revamped Photos app, and much more.

    One of the standout features of iOS 18 is the enhanced customisation tools for the Home Screen. Users can now apply Dark Mode to app icons and tint them with colours for a personalised appearance. Additionally, apps can be positioned freely anywhere on the Home Screen.

    The Control Center has been completely redesigned and offers extensive customisation options through a new gallery. Developers can now integrate tools for their apps directly into the Control Center. Users can continuously swipe to navigate between different Control Center screens. Customisation options are also available for Lock Screen controls.

    In the Messages app, tapbacks have been revamped, allowing users to react with any emoji. Messages can now be scheduled for later delivery, and text formatting options include bold, italics, underline, and strikethrough.

    New text effects provide automatic suggestions to highlight words and phrases. Additionally, users can now send and receive messages via satellite connectivity.

    The Mail app introduces automatic sorting of emails into categories to help prioritise messages. The Maps app now features topographical maps with detailed trail networks and hiking routes. In Wallet, the new Tap to Cash feature enables users to send money by simply holding iPhones together.

    The Photos app has undergone a comprehensive redesign in iOS 18. The new unified view features a photo grid at the top that displays the entire library, with collections organised by theme below. Users can filter photos by Months and Years views, and a filter button allows for the hiding of screenshots and other sorting options.

    Below the grid, users can browse Collections by topics such as Time, People, Memories, and Trips. The Recent Days section shows photos from the past few days, with automatic filtering of items like receipts.

    The People and Pets section now groups photos of individuals and allows for reordering or pinning of collections. Swiping right from the grid reveals a new carousel with Featured Photos and other favourite collections, which automatically refreshes to display new images.

    iOS 18 introduces app locking with authentication, hiding information from Search and Siri. It also offers a new method for connecting accessories more seamlessly.

    RCS messaging support has been added, along with larger Home Screen icons and calendar integration in Reminders. Game Mode makes its debut on the iPhone, minimising background activity to maintain high frame rates and providing more responsive connections to AirPods and wireless game controllers.

    The first developer beta of iOS 18 is available today, with a public beta set for release in July and a general public release in the autumn.

  • iPhone users may be able to lock Messages, Photos in iOS 18

    iPhone users may be able to lock Messages, Photos in iOS 18

    The upcoming iOS 18 is anticipated to introduce a new security feature that allows users to lock individual apps, according to several sources familiar with the development.

    This feature is set to provide users with the ability to lock native iPhone apps such as Mail, Messages, Notes, Phone, Photos, Safari, and Settings, among others, thereby offering an additional layer of privacy and security.

    To unlock a locked app, users will need to authenticate via Face ID, and it is expected that Touch ID or an iPhone’s passcode will also be compatible with this feature.

    It remains unconfirmed whether this functionality will extend to third-party apps from the App Store.

    Currently, Apple permits certain content to be secured behind Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, such as notes in the Notes app and photos in the “Recently Deleted” and “Hidden” albums within the Photos app.

    The upcoming iOS 18 feature will expand this capability, allowing for entire apps to be locked, even when the iPhone itself is unlocked.

    iPhone users have previously resorted to using Screen Time or Shortcuts to lock apps, but these methods will become obsolete with the new iOS 18 functionality.

    Apple is set to unveil iOS 18 during its WWDC keynote on Monday. The initial iOS 18 beta is expected to be available to Apple Developer Program members immediately following the keynote, with a public release anticipated in September.

  • After iCUBE-Q, another Pakistani Satellite to be launched into space

    After iCUBE-Q, another Pakistani Satellite to be launched into space

    After the successful launch of iCUBE Qamar, Pakistan’s newest Communication Satellite, MM1, is to be launched into space today (May 30).

    The satellite which is officially names as PAKSAT MM1will be launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), China.

    The satellite will help bring in Pakistan into the digital era as it will provide internet to remote areas, according to SUPARCO officials.

    “Our team is very excited for the upcoming launch of PakSat MM1 on May 30,” Project Director PakSat MM1 said.

    The launch ceremony will be shown live for media from the Islamabad and Karachi establishments of SUPARCO.

    The satellite is expected to contribute to the establishment of a sophisticated communication network and help meet the growing demands of the telecom sector and its advanced capabilities will address the increasing demand for high-speed internet and seamless connectivity.

    “It will prove to be a stepping stone in the transformation of the country into Digital Pakistan. It will provide various communication services like broadband internet, TV broadcasting, Mobile bank –hauling and VSAT connectivity.”

    Project Manager MM-1 Usman Iftikhar said that the primary objective behind the PAKSAT MM-1 satellite is to strengthen Pakistan’s communication infrastructure and pave the way for broadening the horizons for connectivity.

    This satellite is a communication satellite that will be sent in a Geostationary Orbit.

    Earlier, Pakistan’s historic lunar mission (iCUBE-Q) was launched on May 3 on board China’s Chang’E6 from Hainan, China.

    The satellite iCube-Qamar mission marked Pakistan’s first lunar exploration effort.

  • Apple plans OLED displays for MacBook Pro models in 2026

    Apple plans OLED displays for MacBook Pro models in 2026

    Apple is expected to introduce new MacBook Pro models featuring OLED displays in 2026, according to market research firm Omdia. This anticipated shift is predicted to significantly increase the demand for OLED technology in the notebook market, potentially reaching over 60 million units by 2031.

    OLED, or organic light-emitting diode, panels offer several advantages over traditional display technologies. Each pixel in an OLED screen can be individually controlled, allowing for more precise colour reproduction and deeper blacks. OLED displays also boast superior contrast, faster response times, better viewing angles, and greater design flexibility.

    In addition to the MacBook Pro, Apple plans to implement OLED displays in its iPad Pro lineup starting in 2024. This move is expected to triple the demand for OLED tablets compared to the previous year. Apple’s strategy includes extending OLED technology to other iPad models, such as the iPad mini and iPad Air. This transition is likely to influence competitors and could drive the demand for OLED tablets to exceed 30 million units by 2029.

    Recent reports indicate that Samsung has begun developing an 8-inch OLED display panel for the iPad mini, with predictions that Apple will update both the iPad mini and iPad Air with OLED technology by 2026. Additionally, last year, Samsung was rumoured to be investing $3.14 billion into its Asan, South Korea, facility to produce OLED panels for forthcoming 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.

    Apple’s adoption of OLED displays across its product lines marks a significant evolution in display technology, promising enhanced user experiences through improved visual quality and device performance.

  • Arey Bhai, YouTube nahi chal raha? This might be the problem

    Arey Bhai, YouTube nahi chal raha? This might be the problem

    It’s awful when YouTube doesn’t work and these days it’s being problematic. If you are facing the common issue of your YouTube videos skipping to the end, after playing for a few seconds, you should turn off this extension.

    Several users are facing one particular problem: after playing any YouTube video on their mobile, tablet, or computer, the video skips to the end after playing for a few seconds. The reason this is happening is because of adblocker extensions or software while you’re using YouTube.

    In October 2023, YouTube started to crack down against adblocker extensions, so any users who want to enjoy YouTube without ads would have to subscribe to the premium version of YouTube, which doesn’t have ads. If you pay for the premium version, you don’t get ads and YouTube makes money. from the subscriptions.

    So if you have an adblocker extension or software, you’ll have to remove it while using YouTube, if you want to watch the whole videos – and if you’re not a premium user, you’ll have to watch (or skip) the ads.

    Adblockers are third-party extensions or software that are used to block advertisements on YouTube and any website on Google Chrome.

  • Apple to unveil extensive home screen customisation options in iOS 18

    Apple to unveil extensive home screen customisation options in iOS 18

    In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, tech analyst Mark Gurman has revealed exciting details about the forthcoming iOS 18 update.

    According to Gurman, Apple is set to revolutionise the iPhone user experience by introducing extensive customisation options for the home screen, a departure from the current fixed aligned grid system.

    One of the key highlights of iOS 18 will be the newfound ability for users to freely arrange icons on their home screens, breaking away from the constraints of the existing rigid layout.

    Additionally, Apple will be introducing native support for customising app icons, marking a significant departure from the previous reliance on third-party solutions.

    Gurman’s insights suggest that iOS 18 will empower users to personalise their device like never before, with the ability to alter the color of app icons to suit their preferences.

    For example, users could opt to unify all social networking apps under a distinctive blue hue, while assigning a different color scheme to finance-related applications.

    Although rudimentary home screen customisation has been achievable through workarounds such as creating single-action shortcuts, these methods have often been cumbersome and time-consuming.

    With the imminent release of iOS 18, Apple aims to streamline this experience by integrating robust customisation features directly into the operating system.

    However, the extent of icon customisation remains somewhat ambiguous. While it’s clear that users will have the option to adjust colors, the specifics regarding the potential for entirely new icon designs or limited palette changes have yet to be clarified.

    The eagerly anticipated iOS 18 is scheduled to be officially unveiled at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 10.

    Alongside this announcement, Apple is expected to showcase a range of innovative features, with a particular emphasis on advancements in artificial intelligence technology.

  • Govt announces establishment of 10 new software technology parks

    Govt announces establishment of 10 new software technology parks

    The government has announced the establishment of 10 new Software Technology Parks across the country by next year.

    This announcement was made during a briefing by the Ministry of Information Technology to a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.

    In addition to the new technology parks, the meeting highlighted plans to set up 100 new e-employment centers nationwide by next year. These initiatives are part of the government’s broader strategy to boost the IT sector and create more job opportunities.

    The project for the Islamabad IT Park, which is being developed in cooperation with South Korea, is expected to be completed next year. This state-of-the-art facility will offer a range of amenities, including spaces for startups, incubation centers, banks, restaurants, and other essential services.

    Moreover, South Korea is also collaborating on an information technology park project near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, scheduled for completion by 2027. These projects are part of an ongoing effort to expand the country’s IT infrastructure, which already includes 43 software technology parks established in 29 cities.

  • Post movies, drama or podcast clips on X and earn money: Elon Musk

    Post movies, drama or podcast clips on X and earn money: Elon Musk

    Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said on Friday that subscribed users of X (formerly Twitter) can earn money by posting short or full length clips of movies, drama serials or podcast.

    Elon Musk has said in response to a message on X from his sister Tosca Musk: “Users will now be able to post their full-length movies on X.”

    Tosca Musk is the co-founder of the streaming service Passionflix.

    Elon Musk also announced another good news for X users, stating that AI Audience feature is coming soon, through which users will set a target for their ad and then the AI system will fulfill that target within seconds.

    Last Sunday Musk called Meta, the platform run by Mark Zuckerberg, “greedy”.