Tag: tech news

  • Instagram to remove cosmetic surgery filters

    Instagram to remove cosmetic surgery filters

    Instagram is removing all filters that represent or promote cosmetic surgery. It believes these filters are harmful to people’s mental health.

    These filters include ones that make your lips bigger, contour your face or make your wrinkles or fine lines disappear. The company says the ban is being applied to promote wellbeing.

    A spokesperson for Instagram said “We’re re-evaluating our policies—we want our filters to be a positive experience for people. While we’re reevaluating our policies, we will remove all effects from the gallery associated with plastic surgery, stop further approval of new effects like this and remove current effects if they’re reported to us.”

    The move comes after an update to the app that allowed users to create their virtual effects that can be superimposed on images and videos. Some popular filters copied the effects of cosmetic surgery.

  • Facebook rolls out dark mode for desktop

    Facebook has begun rolling out a new interface for desktop users, with an optional dark mode in addition to the traditional white design, Tech Radar reported.

    According to the details, after logging into the desktop site, some users have reported seeing a pop-up asking whether they would like to try the new design, which is referred to as ‘Facebook Beta’.

    Since the new update is on trial bases, therefore it is only available for a few people. The users who were invited to use the new interface have shared screenshots of the dark mode and they reveal that there are few problems with the new update.

    Users are facing problems in reading the text in the new dark mode on the desktop, so people who accepted the invitation and currently using the new interface.

    But they can also revert their decision by simply going to the quick settings option through your picture in the top right corner.

    Earlier in the Developer conference, the social media giant had announced to bring a new interface for Android and Desktop users just like Twitter. The dark mode, however, is not yet available to the Facebook mobile app users.

  • US carried out secret cyber strike on Iran following Saudi oil attack: report

    US carried out secret cyber strike on Iran following Saudi oil attack: report

    The United States (US) carried out a secret cyber operation against Iran in the wake of the September 14 attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities, which Washington and Riyadh blame on Tehran, Dawn has reported.

    According to the details, the operation took place in late September and took aim at Tehran’s ability to spread “propaganda”. The strike only affected physical hardware and did not provide further details.

    The attack appears more limited than other such operations against Iran this year after the downing of an American drone in June and an alleged attack by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on oil tankers in the Gulf in May.

    US, Saudi Arabia, Britain, France and Germany have publicly blamed Iran for the Sept 14 attack, which denied involvement in the strike. The Iran-aligned Houthi militant group in Yemen later claimed responsibility for the attack.

    Publicly, the Pentagon has responded by sending thousands of additional troops and equipment to bolster Saudi defences, which is the latest US deployment to the region this year.

    Tensions in the Gulf have escalated sharply since May 2018, when Trump withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Tehran that put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the easing of sanctions.

  • PM Imran orders to launch “Mera Bacha Alert” mobile app

    PM Imran orders to launch “Mera Bacha Alert” mobile app

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has directed the concerned authorities to launch a new application called “Mera Bacha Alert” to effectively tackle the child abduction and missing cases in the country, Radio Pakistan has reported.

    According to the details, the application will be launched within two weeks and the details of the registration of data on this application will be immediately accessible to the Inspector Generals and other senior officers of the provinces.

    “Mera Bacha Alert” application will be connected with the Pakistan Citizen Portal to monitor the progress on any case.

    PM Imran apprised the cabinet meeting of the success achieved in the investigation of the cases regarding the immoral and unfortunate incidents faced by the children, which, he said, would help reach other culprits of such heinous acts.

  • Pakistani student builds first voice-operated wheelchair

    Pakistani student builds first voice-operated wheelchair

    A student of Lahore University of Management Sciences’ (LUMS), Faaiz Arbab has developed a voice-controlled electric wheelchair that can be operated through a smartphone application.

    Faaiz is a graduate of electrical engineering program from LUMS and invented the voice-operated smart wheelchair, named ‘GOBEE’, in collaboration with the National Incubation Center (NIC) Lahore and AYEco.

    It operates with the help of a smartphone application which has a ‘Call N Go’ feature in it. The wheelchair responds to the voice commands of the user, being able to turn left or right and move forward or backward. It can also be summoned from a distance of 15 kilometers.

    Faaiz aims to assist people with disabilities through the use of technology. The smart wheelchair offers Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and a remote control which goes over the range of a 100 feet.

    GOBEE is water repellent, anti-rusting, and has alloy rim wheels combined with an anti-sweat technology sofa seat.

    National Design Awards (NDA) Pakistan also awarded Arbab with the best Consumer Product Design Award (2018) for his Voice Operated Smart Wheel Chair.

    Pakistan Tehreeke Insaf’s (PTI) MNA Asad Umar shared lauded the Arbab’s efforts on Twitter and shared a video of the wheelchair.

    “This is just the kind of work that needs to be projected,” Asad wrote.

  • Tips to increase your internet speed

    Tips to increase your internet speed

    Internet has become an essential part of our daily life and according to report more than 3 billion people use the internet daily around the world for various reasons including work, research, listen to songs, or to find friends on social media.

    Each user pays a handsome amount to get fast internet connection in their homes and offices, so getting good speed is a very important factor.

    There are virtually countless reasons why your internet might not be performing as you expect it to. A few common reasons are old software or hardware, too many other computers or mobile items on the network, ongoing downloads, signal interference from walls or other appliances and low Internet speed from your service provider.

    The following are some important tips that have proven their effectiveness for increasing internet speed.

    Decrease the distance between your computer and your router 

    If you are connected to the internet via a Wi-Fi router, the internet speed drops as you move further away from your router. Stay as close as possible to your router for maximum internet speed.

    Delete Unnecessary toolbars

    Removal of unused toolbars from your internet browser can speed up your network. You can also increase internet speed by using the browser in turbo mode, which increases the speed of work in the network by almost 10%.

    Unplug your router and modem for a few minutes

    This process is known as “power-cycling”, allowing your router to clear out its internal cache and start from scratch. It will further prompt it to re-select the least busy Wi-Fi channel, which is something that may change daily depending on your location.

    Check your device (PC or mobile) for viruses

    Regular scan of the memory of the computer or mobile device by antivirus programs prevents the risks of leakage of personal information and increases the speed of the Internet.

    Viruses significantly slow down the internet speed, using traffic for their needs.

  • How to apply and renew your driving license online

    How to apply and renew your driving license online

    With the help Driving License Issuance Management System (DLIMS) launched by the Pakistan Information Technology Board (PITB), you can easily apply and renew your driving license online. 

    This system provides quick processing service to the public and up to date statistics to the authorities by using the latest technology and equipment. The system redefines the issuance process of all types of licenses by using a centralized network.

    Through DLIMS, PITB has spread the process of online driving license issuance to 36 districts across Punjab.

    Follow the below-mentioned steps to apply or renew your driving license online.

    To apply for a new driving license:

    • Go to the DLIMS Website.
    • Click on the “Downloads” section and download the required form.
    • Attach the dee ticket
    • Fill in the form, submit it to the nearest licensing center.
    • Take the theoretical and car driving test to get your license.

    In the “License info” section you can also check the details of required documents, and can also track your license delivery.

    To renew your driving license:

    • Go to the downloads section on the DLMIS website
    • Download the “Driving license renewal form”.
    • Submit the form to the nearest licensing center.

    Required documents for license renewal:

    • The application form
    • 2 Passport-sized Photos
    • 2 copies of your CNIC
    • Your original driving license
    • Fee ticket as mentioned in License Document
    • Medical reports
    • Ticket of the relevant license

    Below attached is the fee structure for different vehicle categories.

  • Apple cuts prices, launches cheap iPhone 11

    Apple cuts prices, launches cheap iPhone 11

    Apple has announced its three new iPhone models iPhones 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone Pro Max for 2019 with prices starting at $699 (Rs.109466), $999 (Rs.156448) and $1,099 (Rs.172108), respectively.

    These new iPhone models pick up a fresh palette of colors, longer battery life and a A13 Bionic processor inside that promises faster performance.

    But more than any other features, it’s the camera hardware and software that take the headlining role. There are three cameras on the back of the two Pro models and two on the back of the simple iPhone 11.

    iPhone 11:

    The new iPhone 11 comes with a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display, which is the same size as the screen on 2018’s iPhone XR. The notch remains at the top of the screen and it weighs in at 194 grams.

    It features a 12MP wide camera with a 26mm lens, paired with a 12MP ultra-wide lens with 120 degree field of view, and the selfie camera comes with a 12MP TrueDepth lens to take wider images.

    It is available in Purple, White, Yellow, Green, Black and Product Red. The rear of the phone is glass, and there’s a Lightning connector on the bottom edge. It’s also water resistant, meaning it can survive in up to two meters of water.

    The iPhone 11 comes with a A13 Bionic chipset which the company claims that it will provide faster performance. The device will come running iOS 13 software out of the box immediately that comes with a system-wide Dark Mode for the first time.

    It will be available in 64GB, 128GB or 256GB options, however, the prices can vary with different storage options.

    The iPhone 11 is the “affordable” iPhone in Apple’s new lineup, which also includes two high-end iPhone 11 Pro models. The iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max replace last year’s iPhone XS and XS Max. The new models come with triple rear cameras that include an ultra wide angle lens and a telephoto lens. All three 12MP sensors can shoot in 4K at 60fps and the phones also come with Night mode.

    iPhone 11 and 11 Pro Max:

    Apple has also launched the pro models for iPhone 11 as well, which is iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. The Pro models offer a 5.8-inch OLED display, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max gets a large 6.5-inch OLED screen, which Apple calls Super Retina XDR display.

    Like the iPhone 11, the iPhone 11 Pro models also feature the A13 Bionic chipset. The company also claims 4 hours extra battery life on the Pro model as compared to its predecessor and 5 hours more battery life with the 11 Pro Max.

    On the rear side both feature three-camera lenses, a 12MP telephoto lens, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 12MP wide lens. Apple has included a new Deep Fusion feature which aims to take on the Google Pixel’s portrait mode. 

    The high-end iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max both start with 64GB inbuilt storage space

  • Ashura: Sindh govt seeks suspension of cellular services

    Ashura: Sindh govt seeks suspension of cellular services

    The Government of Sindh has recommended the Ministry of Interior to suspend cellular services in the province on 9th and 10th of Muharram, ARY News has reported.

    According to details, the Sindh home secretary has requested the interior ministry and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to suspend mobile phone services during mourning processions of Muharram ul Haram.

    The provincial government has also issued a circular to all Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners in Sindh, to point out the provincial administration about those areas in their jurisdiction where the cellular services required to be suspended.

    The government has recommended for suspension of mobile service on selective places, especially along the routes of mourning processions.

    The suspension of cellular services and internet services is being taken as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order and avoid any incident of sabotage or terrorism.

    Previously, the Sindh government had suspended mobile phone and internet services in Karachi and other major cities of the province on the main routes of the mourning processions in Chehlum last year.

    Meanwhile, Section 144 of the Pakistan Penal Code was imposed in Rawalpindi on Thursday as part of security measures for Muharram. It will remain effective until 10th Muharram.

    Under Section 144, pillion riding and carrying weapons are banned. Wall chalking and use of loudspeakers is also not allowed.

  • How to check or pay your traffic E-Challan online

    How to check or pay your traffic E-Challan online

    Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) has launched the E-Challan system in Lahore, under the directives of the Lahore High Court (LHC).

    The system identifies the violators of the traffic rules with the help of modern Automatic Vehicle Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, which PSCA installed across different roads of the city.

    E-Challan is an Electronic Traffic Violation Ticket system and is sent to the violators’ addresses registered against their vehicle IDs. The challan contains the details regarding how the driver violated the traffic rules with the picture of the vehicle posted on it.

    But there are many people who do not know how to check or pay their e-challans online and sometimes they are not even unaware that they have been charged for violation.

    So, in case if you are not sure that you have violated any rule, or want to check if you have been charged go through the instructions below regarding how you can check and pay your E-Challan.

    How to check E-Challan online:

    • Open the PSCA website to check your traffic violation status online.
    • On the website, two blocks will appear in front of you, one for your vehicle number and the other for your CNIC.
    • By placing the required details in the blocks you can check if you have been charged with a fine or not. You can also print the E-Challan document.

    How to pay your E-Challan:

    There are two ways through which you can pay your E-Challans.

    • The first one is to pay your challan manually, by downloading and printing the E-Challan document from the PSCA website and submitting in the National Bank of Punjab (NBP) with the required amount.
    • The second method is to pay your challan by the NBP’s ATM machines.