Technology news Archives - Page 5 of 18

OpenAI to introduce ChatGPT app for iOS

The ChatGPT app is going mobile. After the App Store was flooded with questionable, unofficial services for several months, OpenAI announced the release of an official iOS app that enables users to use its well-known AI chatbot while on the road.

The company claims that the newly released ChatGPT app will be free to download and use, ad-free, and voice-enabled, but it will only be available to users in the United States at first.

The ChatGPT app, like its desktop equivalent, enables users to communicate with an AI chatbot to ask queries without performing a standard online search and to receive advice, discover inspiration, study, conduct research, and do other things.

Also Read: Google to delete inactive accounts starting December

Given the problems with Apple’s own voice assistant, Siri, and Apple’s own lack of advancement in artificial intelligence, the latest update may encourage more customers to adopt ChatGPT as their primary mobile assistant.

Since Google now reaps the benefits of serving as the default search provider in Safari on Apple’s iPhone, the launch may also have an effect on Google.

When using ChatGPT on a mobile device, the app will sync your history across devices, which means it will remember any searches you’ve made through its web interface and make those results available to you.

In order to support voice input, Whisper, an open-source speech recognition technology from OpenAI, is also integrated into the app.

OpenAI claims that ChatGPT Plus members will have early access to additional features and quicker response times in addition to being able to use GPT-4’s capabilities through the new app. “ChatGPT Plus subscribers get exclusive access to GPT-4’s capabilities, early access to features, and faster response times, all on iOS,” the company stated.

The technology that underpins the highly successful ChatGPT has been replaced by the potent artificial intelligence model GPT-4. Earlier in February, OpenAI unveiled a $20 per month test subscription package for their well-known AI-powered chatbot, named ChatGPT Plus.

Also Read: WhatsApp Lock Feature to Protect ‘Extra Special’ Chats?

According to the corporation, the roll-out of iOS is already underway in the United States and will soon be extended to new nations. With the release of ChatGPT at the end of last year, the public competition to control the AI technology market began. This spurred big giants like Alphabet Inc. and Meta to promote their own products.

The release of the ChatGPT app coincides with major tech companies, such as Google, Microsoft, and Facebook, experimenting with AI. Google and Microsoft have also integrated artificial intelligence (AI) features into their search engines, the latter of which was accomplished through a costly partnership with OpenAI.

But having direct access to ChatGPT on a mobile device rather than through a search engine or browser may significantly alter how users now use their phones to look for and engage with information.

Sandhya Gupta

I am a law graduate from NLU Lucknow. I have a flair for creative writing and hence in my free time work as a freelance content writer.

Why does the US want to ban TikTok?

In order to “protect Montanans” from alleged Chinese spying, Governor Greg Gianforte of Montana signed legislation on Wednesday banning Chinese-owned TikTok from functioning in the state. This makes Montana the first U.S. state to outlaw the well-known short video app.

TikTok poses a national security danger, according to FBI Director Chris Wray, who also noted that Chinese businesses are essentially forced to “do whatever the Chinese government wants them to in terms of sharing information or serving as a tool of the Chinese government.”

Congressmen expressed dissatisfaction in March about the Chinese government’s “golden share” in ByteDance, which gives it control over TikTok.

Also Read: Google to delete inactive accounts starting December

A Chinese government-affiliated business owns 1% of the ByteDance subsidiary Douyin Information Service, according to TikTok, which also claims that the ownership “has no bearing on ByteDance’s global operations outside of China, including TikTok.”

TikTok operations in the United States are a national security threat, according to FBI agent Wray, since the Chinese government may use video-sharing software to influence users or take control of their devices.

Among the dangers, according to Wray, is “the potential for the Chinese government to use [TikTok] to control data collection on millions of users or control the recommendation algorithm, which could be used for influence operations.”

Paul Nakasone, director of the National Security Agency, expressed concern in March about the information TikTok gathers, the mechanism it uses to distribute it to users, and “the control of who has the algorithm.” He claimed the TikTok platform may facilitate extensive influence operations since it could “turn off the message” and actively influence users.

According to TikTok, it “does not permit any government to influence or change its recommendation model.”

A 2017 National Intelligence law, according to lawmakers, gives the Chinese government the power to compel ByteDance to divulge user information from TikTok.

According to TikTok, because it was founded in California and Delaware, it is governed by American laws and regulations. According to TikTok’s CEO, the company has never shared and will never share user information with the Chinese government.

Also Read: Apple to open the first online shop in Vietnam

Eight states, including California and Massachusetts, initiated an investigation into TikTok’s potential participation in the harm to young people’s physical and mental health in March 2022. The focus of the inquiry is on how TikTok increases young users’ engagement, including how it purportedly lengthens their time on the network and how frequently they use it.

In August 2020, former President Donald Trump issued executive orders seeking to ban TikTok in the United States unless it was sold to an American company. The main reason cited for the proposed ban was the potential threat to national security posed by the app’s data practices. However, various legal challenges and negotiations delayed the implementation of the ban

Sandhya Gupta

I am a law graduate from NLU Lucknow. I have a flair for creative writing and hence in my free time work as a freelance content writer.

Google to delete inactive accounts starting December

Leave a Comment / News, Tech News / By Suhani Jain

In an effort to minimize safety threats such as cyberattacks, Alphabet Inc.’s child company Google announced on Tuesday that it will deactivate accounts that had been inactive for two years beginning in December.

According to the business, accounts, and materials within Google Workspace, such as Gmail, Drive, Docs, and Meet, along with Calendar, YouTube as well as Google Photos, may be deleted if they have not been utilized or registered for a minimum of two years.

The policy modification solely affects individual Google Accounts; it does not affect accounts used by corporations or institutions like schools.

Also Read: Google Launching Tools to Identify Misleading and AI Images

Google stated in 2020 that while it would erase the account itself, it was going to delete any content kept in a deactivated account.

Before deleting inactive accounts initiated on Tuesday, Google will be sending repeated reminders to the account’s email address including recovery mail.

“The simplest way to keep a Google Account active is to sign in at least once every 2 years,” the company’s policy says. “If you have signed into your Google Account or any of our services recently, your account is considered active and will not be deleted.”
Source: nbcsandiego.com

Your account won’t be deleted if you’ve opened up your email, viewed a YouTube video, or installed an app from the Google Play Store, according to the firm.

Just individual Google Accounts are subjected to these rules and regulations, accounts used by companies and organizations like schools are not affected. This change restricts the duration of time Google keeps your inactive personal information and matches the policy with standard practices for account termination and preservation.

A Google Account can be kept active by just logging in no less than once every two years. If you have lately signed into your Google account and have utilized any of its various additional features, your Google account is considered active and won’t be deleted.

Also Read: WhatsApp Lock Feature to Protect ‘Extra Special’ Chats?

The steps that you can take when you log in or when logged into your Google Account may be considered activity include,

Read or send emails, use Google Drive, stream YouTube videos, install apps from the Google Play Store, use Google Search, and If you use a service or services from a third party and sign in using Google.

Your account will remain unaffected if you already have a membership set up via your Google Account, such as to Google One, a media outlet, or an app. They also take into consideration this account activity.

Suhani Jain

I am a student pursuing my bachelor’s in information technology. I have a interest in writing so, I am working a freelance content writer because I enjoy writing. I also write poetries. I believe in the quote by anne frank “paper has more patience than person

Google Launching Tools to Identify Misleading and AI Images

Leave a Comment / News, Tech News / By Sandhya Gupta

In order to stop the spread of false information, especially now that photorealistic fakes are so easy to make thanks to artificial intelligence capabilities, Google is introducing a pair of updates to its image search.

The first new feature from Alphabet Inc. is named “About this image,” and it provides more information by indicating when an image or ones that are similar to it were originally indexed by Google, where they initially appeared, and other places they have appeared online.

The purpose is to assist users in identifying the original source while contextualizing an image with any discrediting information that may have been supplied by news organizations.

Also Read: Apple to open the first online shop in Vietnam

Every AI-generated image produced by Google’s tools will be marked as such, and the company is collaborating with other platforms and services to ensure that the markup is included in the files they distribute.

Among the publisher’s Google has on board are Midjourney and Shutterstock, and the objective is to make sure that every AI material that appears in search results is tagged as such.

Google noted in a blog post, “You’ll be able to find this tool by clicking on the three dots on an image in Google Images results, searching with an image or screenshot in Google Lens, or by swiping up in the Google App when you’re on a page and come across an image you want to learn more about.

Later this year, you’ll also be able to use it by right-clicking or long-pressing on an image in Chrome on desktop and mobile. ”

Google is expanding its image search with new features. The ‘About this image’ drop-down will offer more context, such as the date an image or one similar to it was originally indexed by Google, the location of that indexation, and the source of the image. Every AI-generated image that is made by the tech giant’s technologies will be marked.

Google announced that any image created using its own generative AI tools would have metadata indicating if it was created using AI. Using the same technology, both creators and publishers would be enabled to label their photographs.

Also Read: EU antitrust regulators seeking more info on Apple Pay

In the age of AI, the provenance of online photos is a rising problem, and several businesses are developing solutions for verification and authentication. For instance, Truepic Inc., which is supported by Microsoft, provides solutions that guarantee an image hasn’t been altered from capture to transmission.

Although Google’s new features, which are being released throughout this year, are relatively low-tech, they could have a greater positive impact if they receive enough industry backing.

Sandhya Gupta

I am a law graduate from NLU Lucknow. I have a flair for creative writing and hence in my free time work as a freelance content writer.

UK restricts Microsoft, Activision from buying interest in each other

Leave a Comment / News, Tech News / By Sandhya Gupta

An interim order prohibiting Microsoft and Activision acquisition has been issued by the UK’s antitrust watchdog. This comes weeks after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the regulatory body, decided to prohibit the $68.7 billion merger of the two companies.

Microsoft and “Call of Duty” creator Activision were required to obtain the CMA’s “prior written consent” prior to completing any acquisitions related to their respective businesses, according to an order released by the CMA on Thursday.

It is the latest action taken by the UK’s watchdog to increase supervision of the two businesses amid concerns that the competition will suffer as a result of the landmark agreement reached in January 2022.

Also Read: Twitter to soon allow calls and encrypted messaging

The primary worries of the regulator center on Microsoft’s potential for undue influence over a growing cloud gaming business in what would eventually become the largest takeover deal in gaming history.

The CMA barred Microsoft from buying Activision due to worries that the transaction will change the direction of the rapidly expanding cloud gaming business, resulting in less innovation and fewer options for UK gamers in the future, the regulator stated last month.

The CMA initially launched its investigation into the transaction in September 2022, with its initial notice regarding its worries coming in February.

Microsoft President Brad Smith disagreed with the CMA’s ruling from last month, saying the tech giant will appeal. He claimed that the CMA’s judgment revealed “a flawed understanding” of the market for cloud technology and that it demonstrated its choice to disapprove of a “pragmatic path” toward resolving any competition concerns.

Microsoft’s representative issued the following statement: “We remain firmly committed to this deal and look forward to presenting our case to the Competition Appeal Tribunal.”

On January 19th, 2022, Microsoft announced its intention to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion. However, the UK government’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) expressed concerns that the acquisition could significantly reduce competition in the UK gaming market and ultimately lead to higher prices for consumers.

As a result, the CMA issued an interim order on April 5th, 2022, which temporarily prohibited Microsoft and Activision from integrating their businesses in the UK.

The proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft is one of the largest in the history of the video game industry. Activision Blizzard is a leading publisher of video games, with popular titles such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush.

Also Read: EU antitrust regulators seeking more info on Apple Pay

Microsoft, on the other hand, is one of the world’s largest technology companies and has been expanding its gaming business in recent years through the Xbox brand.

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is responsible for ensuring that mergers and acquisitions do not result in a reduction of competition in the market. The CMA has the power to investigate mergers and acquisitions and can prohibit them if it determines that they would harm competition.

Sandhya Gupta

I am a law graduate from NLU Lucknow. I have a flair for creative writing and hence in my free time work as a freelance content writer.

EU antitrust regulators seeking more info on Apple Pay

Leave a Comment / News, Tech News / By Suhani Jain

The European Commission announced on Wednesday that EU antitrust investigators are searching for additional details on Apple’s smartphone payment system, Apple Pay. This is an indication that the regulator is trying to plug any gaps in its allegations against the iPhone manufacturer.

A year ago, the EU antitrust authority alleged Apple conspired to make it hard for its competitors to establish competing solutions for Apple devices by limiting their access to its tap-and-go Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology, which is utilized for mobile wallets.

Also Read: Apple launches ‘buy now, pay later’ service in the US

“We can confirm the sending of requests for information,” a commission spokesperson said while declining to provide details.

Apple opted not to respond.

Apple has already mentioned the popularity of PayPal within its iOS smartphone OS as an alternative for users, along with rival MobilePay from Denmark, Swish from Sweden, as well as Payconiq from Belgium.

complainant Vipps and a mobile payment app from Norway claimed that NFC options are inefficient and uncompetitive.

It is rare for the commission to ask competitors and retailers for material now, three months afterward, Apple justified itself in an inquiry on February 14.

Following such hearings, the regulator normally makes its decision. If proven guilty of breaking antitrust regulations, the agency has the power to penalize Apple a maximum of ten percent of the company’s worldwide revenue.

Apple also debuted the “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) scheme in the United States in March, posing an imminent danger to the fintech industry, which is currently dominated by companies like Affirm Holdings as well as the Swedish payment provider Klarna.

With its “buy now, pay later” support, Apple is attempting to enter the loan industry. As a result, the corporation has established guidelines regarding how it will accept transactions. If you’ve been a loyal client in the past, this is one important consideration.

The Apple Pay Later service, which was introduced a year ago but is still under testing, will assess consumers based on their purchasing patterns in addition to which Apple products they now own.

Also Read: What is Apple’s rapid security response?

The service, which enables users to make purchases and spread-out payments over time, will also check to see if users have applied for an Apple Card credit card or any additional cards, they have associated with their Apple Pay account.

According to the firm, Apple Pay Later will enable customers to split expenditures into four installments spaced out over six weeks without any interest or fees. It will first be made available to a small number of users to bring it out to everyone in the upcoming months.

Suhani Jain

Technology news

Follow Us