Aritifical Intelligence (AI) has now crept its way into the music industry, allowing users to manipulate voice and re-create songs with it. The Beatles have announced that they are recording a decades old song with the help of the technology, featuring the late lead singer John Lennon’s voice.
The Recording Academy has announced new guidelines that state that AI in music will not be considered eligible for nomination.
“Only human creators are eligible to be submitted for consideration for, nominated for, or win a GRAMMY Award. A work that contains no human authorship is not eligible in any Category,” the Academy says.
The Grammys also introduced some additional changes to be eligible for the ‘Album of the Year’ nomination, announcing that a music creator has to feature on at least 20% of the album to be able to become a part of the nomination. Previously, any producer or song writer who had participated in making the album, could earn a nomination.
Netflix’s thriller series ‘Black Mirror’ set hearts racing with the trailer for its latest season, revealing that the dystopian series was about to provide an even more grim experience. Popular actors like Annie Murphy, Salma Hayek and Aaron Paul star in the episodes.
The show had been on a break since 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, as series creator Charlie Brooker explained to Entertainment Weekly that in dystopian times, humanity could do with a break.
The show previously broken records with critically acclaimed episodes like ‘The Entire History Of You’, ‘San Junipero” and even “White Bear” all of them discussed the dangers of depending on tech, and how it breeds the corrupt nature of humans. This time, fans were wondering if the show would be able to surpass its own expectations and deliver an outstanding season after three long years of waiting.
And it was worth the wait.
This season delved into the rise of AI generated images and videos, which would soon make deep-fake videos of other people without their consent, how the obsession with murder documentaries leads to a man exploiting his own family, and another episode starring Aaron Paul exploring a new invention in the 1960s that makes robot replicas of two astronauts who are completing a six year mission up in space.
And twitter users ate them all up.
I love when Black mirror episodes leave me traumatized and mentally disturbed for 12hrs pic.twitter.com/FwN7wNY9PM
no but the loch henry episode from #BlackMirror had the saddest ending ever, like the son just wanted to do his egg documentary and in the end of he was left traumatised and alone. his entire life was a lie like pic.twitter.com/zX2gfqsEMF
Netflix subscriptions have registered a spike in daily sign-ups after the streaming giant launched a crackdown on password sharing on May 23, data from research firm Antenna has shown.
The news sent shares of the company up 2.3 per cent to US$418.92 in early trading.
Looking for new ways to make money in a saturatwd market and a tough economy, Netflix moved to regulate the sharing of account passwords with friends and family- a drastic turnaround for a company that had once tweeted “Love is sharing a password”.
Netflix added 100,000 new accounts on both May 26 and May 27, shortly after the crackdown went into effect, Antenna’s data found. In the following days, Netflix has seen a more than 100% increase in sign-ups from the prior 60-day average.
“These exceed the spikes in sign-ups Antenna observed during the initial US Covid-19 lockdowns in March and April 2020,” the firm said in a report. It also noted that “cancels also increased during this period, but not as much as sign-ups.”
Netflix (NFLX) shares popped on the news, rising nearly 2% in early trading Friday. Shares have climbed over 27%, to about $415, over the last month. Last month, the service alerted US subscribers that if they share passwords with people outside of their household, they would have to add an extra member to their account for an additional $7.99 monthly fee or sign up for a new account. It also plans to block users with unauthorized passwords. The streaming video pioneer saw its four largest days of U.S. user acquisition after the change came into effect in the 4-1/2 years that Antenna has been covering the company.
WhatsApp has rolled out a highly anticipated feature on the app, showing its commitment to improving user experience.
The latest feature on the instant messaging platform is the picture editing tool, which has been introduced for the Desktop version of the app, as reported by WABetainfo.
An article published on the website stated that the recently added feature is a “crop tool” for the drawing editor that allows users to trim images as required.
“This addition has been eagerly awaited, as previous versions didn’t have this functionality. With this update, WhatsApp beta users on Windows can now enjoy the convenience of cropping their images within the app itself, making it easier for users to edit media,” it said.
The “crop tool” also saves time for users as they no longer have to crop pictures using external image editing tools before sending them via the Desktop version.
The built-in crop tool lets users easily crop their images without leaving the WhatsApp interface.
However, not all users currently have access to the new feature as it has initially been released to some beta testers. It will be made available to more users soon.
Apple is set to make a major announcement at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), as Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that the tech giant plans to introduce a new MacBook Air model with a larger 15-inch display. The highly anticipated unveiling is scheduled to take place during Apple’s event on Monday, June 5 at 10 AM Pacific Time.
The upcoming MacBook Air will mark a significant departure from its predecessors, as it is expected to feature a 15.5-inch display, as revealed by reliable display industry analyst Ross Young.
This represents a notable increase in screen size compared to the current MacBook Air’s 13.6-inch display. While the laptop had previously been offered in an 11-inch variant, Apple appears to be shifting towards larger displays to cater to user preferences.
What’s new?
According to renowned Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the new MacBook Air will be equipped with the highly acclaimed M2 chip, which has been widely praised for its enhanced performance. The M2 chip boasts an 18 per cent faster CPU, a 35 per cent faster GPU, and a 40 per cent faster Neural Engine when compared to the previous M1 chip. These improvements make the new MacBook Air an enticing option for users considering an upgrade from the 2020 MacBook Air.
In addition to the improved performance, the larger chassis of the 15-inch MacBook Air will accommodate a bigger battery, potentially offering users a longer battery life. Apple’s current 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip can last up to an impressive 18 hours per charge. With the larger form factor, it is anticipated that the 15-inch model may even approach the 20-hour mark, reaffirming Apple’s commitment to providing industry-leading performance-per-watt.
Another anticipated upgrade in the new MacBook Air is the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E, as seen in other recent Apple releases. While the 13-inch MacBook Air is currently limited to Wi-Fi 6, the 15-inch model is likely to benefit from the faster speeds, lower latency, and reduced signal interference provided by Wi-Fi 6E. Users will need to connect their devices to a Wi-Fi 6E router from brands like TP-Link, Asus, or Netgear to fully harness these advantages.
Moreover, the new MacBook Air could potentially support Bluetooth 5.3, following Apple’s recent integration of the technology into its latest devices. Bluetooth 5.3 brings improvements in reliability and power efficiency compared to its predecessor, Bluetooth 5.2, enhancing the overall wireless experience for users.
With the upcoming announcement of the 15-inch MacBook Air, Apple aims to cater to the demands of its user base by offering a larger display, superior performance with the M2 chip, extended battery life, and cutting-edge wireless connectivity. The unveiling at WWDC is eagerly anticipated by Apple enthusiasts and tech enthusiasts alike, and it further solidifies Apple’s commitment to innovation and delivering exceptional products to its customers.
Forbes magazine has unveiled its highly anticipated list of 30 under 30 successful individuals across Asia, which features 300 people who have excelled in the fields of arts, tech, medicine and more. This year, spotted among the prodigies, are five Pakistanis who exceeded against the odds and made their mark in the fields of media, finance, marketing. Check them out below!
Azam Mahmood as screenwriter for ‘Ramy’
Originally from Karachi, Azam Mahmood is a story editor for the Peacock show ‘Queer As Folk’, who is also working with the Golden Globes award winning actor Ramy Youssef for the show ‘Ramy’.
Anas Niaz as the founder of ‘Bioniks’
Niaz is a mechatronics engineer who is the founder and CEO of Bioniks, a social enterprise from Karachi which is developing low-cost bionic arms using 3D printing technology, to create custom-made prosthetics which can allow users to manipulate objects using robotic fingers.
Ayesha Mubarak Ali as a visual tech artist
Mubarak is a multimedia visual tech artist whose work revolves around identity politics, space applications and the future of humanity. She made history by becoming the first Pakistani artist to collaborate with NASA scientists with her work being sent to the International Space Station for the Maleth II mission.
Shershah Hassan and Waleed Amjad Islam, co-founders of KalPay
Shershah Hassan and Waleed Amjad Islam are co-founders of the fin-tech startup KalPay, a Sharia compliant buy now pay later venture, which aims to provide financial access to a country where credit card use is less than 1%. The company had previously partnered with Pakistani ventures like Food Panda and Muawin to provide users with a convenient and easy way to conduct banking transactions.
Due to the ongoing depreciation of the local currency against the US dollar and high PTA approval fees, phone prices have increased significantly over the past three years, along with the prices of other gizmos.
Even so, Samsung, a reputable phone manufacturer, offers a limited number of options on the market that you can take into consideration as Samsung smartphones are known for being more durable than those of other lesser-known brands.
Here are some of the best cell phones available on the market at reasonable prices:
Samsung A02 – Price: Rs16,699
Display: IPS Capacitive Touchscreen
Screen Size: 6.5 inches
ROM and RAM: 32GB Built-in, 3GB RAM
Main Camera: Dual 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF + 2 MP, f/2.4
Front Camera: 5 MP
Battery: 5,000 mAh
Samsung A03 Core – Price: Rs18,500
Display: PLS TFT Capacitive touchscreen
Screen Size: 6.5 inches
ROM and RAM: 32GB Built-in, 2GB RAM
Main Camera: 8 MP, LED Flash
Front Camera: 5 MP
Battery: 5,000 mAh
Samsung A03 – Price: Rs21,999
Display: PLS TFT Capacitive touchscreen
Screen Size: 6.5 inches
ROM and RAM: 32GB Built-in, 2GB RAM
Main Camera: Dual 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF + 2 MP
Front Camera: 5 MP
Battery: 5,000 mAh
Samsung A03s – Price: Rs22,499
Display: PLS TFT Capacitive touchscreen
Screen Size: 6.5 inches
ROM and RAM: 32GB Built-in, 3GB RAM
Main Camera: Triple Camera: 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF + 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) + 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)
Front Camera: 5 MP
Battery: 5,000 mAh
Samsung A03 4GB – Price: Rs23,999
Display: PLS TFT Capacitive touchscreen
Screen Size: 6.5 inches
ROM and RAM: 64GB Built-in, 4GB RAM
Main Camera: Triple Camera: 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF + 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) + 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)
As the worldwide competition to produce everything linked to EVs intensifies, LG Electronics has acquired AppleMango, a South Korean developer of electric car battery chargers.
The acquisition, which was done in partnership with GS Energy, a producer of EV charging stations, and GS Neotek, a provider of IT services, will enable LG to take advantage of upcoming commercial prospects.
According to Paik Ki-mun, senior vice president of LG Electronics, “the EV charging market is likely to increase significantly due to the surging demand for more environmentally friendly automobiles.”
“We will provide specialised, integrated vehicle charging solutions for a variety of customers, boosting the competitiveness of our existing and assuring our preparation for future prospects,” the statement reads.
In AppleMango, which will now be a subsidiary of LG Electronics, LG Electronics purchased a 60 per cent share, while GS Energy and GS Neotek acquired 34 and 6 per cent, respectively.
The deal’s financial details were kept between the firms. The projected cost of the transaction is $7.8 million, according to rumours.
In order to concentrate on its growing markets, such as electric cars, the internet of things (IoT), and B2B solutions, LG Electronics shut down its loss-making mobile business about a year ago.
To make EV charging in South Korea a pleasant and simple experience for drivers, LG Electronics is prepared to take advantage of its experience in developing user-friendly interfaces.
The company added that by entering the EV charging market, LG can increase the synergy between its work on EV batteries, energy storage systems, energy management solutions, and chargers.
By the end of this year, the tech giant intends to establish an EV charger production line at LG Digital Park in South Korea with the goal of offering specialised EV charging options for private houses, retail establishments, lodging facilities, and public organisations.
The acquired company brings to the acquisition a wide range of EV charging solution technologies, from slow chargers to rapid chargers for household and commercial use.
LG did not specify whether it planned to continue selling AppleMango’s chargers.
Last year, the Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp began developing a new privacy setting that would allow users to hide their profile photos, last seen, and about information from specific people in their contact lists.
It was only available for beta version users, but the company has now announced that it will be accessible to all iPhone and Android users worldwide.
Users can now show their WhatsApp profile photo, last seen, and About information to anyone in their contacts list except those they choose to keep out.
Previously, users could choose between three privacy settings for their profile photo, last seen, and About information: Everyone, My Contacts, and Nobody. According to GSM Arena, these are met by a third alternative named ‘My contacts except…,’ which can also be used for Status privacy.
However, just like read receipts, if someone doesn’t share their last seen with others, they won’t be able to see others. The only difference is that the latter will always remain operational for group chats, even if they’ve turned it off.
To test this new privacy control, users can go to WhatsApp’s Settings > Account > Privacy menu on an iPhone or Android device.
WhatsApp also announced some group calling features, including the ability to mute others during a group call and send messages to particular users, in addition to new privacy control. When someone joins a group call off-screen, a banner appears.
The latest WhatsApp beta update also includes an admin approval feature, which allows group admins to accept or deny requests from people who want to join via hyperlink.
Snapchat is reportedly working on a subscription plan that will allow users access to several features, including the ability to pin conversations. With the launch of Snapchat +, users may have to pay to access exclusive, experimental, and pre-release features on social media platforms. With a premium subscription, Snapchat users will get a special Snapchat icon and a special badge.
What is Snapchat Plus?
With Snapchat Plus, Liz Markman (Snapchat Spokesperson) reports, subscribers will have access to certain features of the app.
“You’ll be able to pin friends as best friends, get custom snap chat icons and subscriber profile badges, and see how many retweets you have on Snap Stories”. He also notes that “you will be able to see your friends’ location in the last 24 hours, but only if they share it with you”.
Why paid when they can offer free?
This is not the only social media platform to launch a paid subscription model. Other social media platforms are also running the same race. For example, Twitter launched its first subscription offer, Twitter Blue, in June, which is currently available in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
The transition to a subscription-based business model may be the result of app tracking transparency, a feature introduced by Apple in iOS 14 that requires apps to ask users before they can track their data. Companies such as Snap and Meta have publicly stated that Apple’s new guidelines have affected their revenue, which is largely based on advertising.
By introducing new subscription plans, these companies hope to offset the loss in advertising revenue by charging for access to special features that will not be available to free users.
How much does Snapchat Plus cost?
The service costs € 4.59 (Rs1,009) monthly or € 45.99 (Rs10,111) per year.
It is not clear when Snapchat Plus will launch as it is still in testing mode, but keep an eye out for it. Will you pay for it?
