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Twitter

Twitter says users must be verified to access TweetDeck

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Twitter recently made an announcement stating that users will soon be required to verify their accounts in order to utilize TweetDeck, a widely-used social media management tool.

This new policy is set to take effect within the next 30 days. In the same tweet, Twitter also unveiled an enhanced version of TweetDeck, showcasing various new features and functionalities. However, it remains uncertain whether Twitter intends to charge users for both the upgraded and previous versions of TweetDeck.

Twitter
Image Source: techcrunch.com

The introduction of fees for TweetDeck, which was previously free and extensively utilized by businesses and news organizations for content monitoring, could potentially provide a substantial revenue boost for Twitter. This is particularly relevant as the company has encountered challenges in retaining advertising revenue since Elon Musk took ownership.

This move comes shortly after Elon Musk’s recent announcement that both verified and unverified users would face limitations on the number of daily posts they can read. Musk’s intention behind this limitation was to address concerns related to extensive data scraping and system manipulation.

Also Read: Google to block news in Canada over law on paying publishers

However, Musk’s statement received significant backlash from Twitter users, while advertising experts expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on the new CEO, Linda Yaccarino, who assumed the position just last month.

To acquire verification on Twitter, individuals will now be required to pay a monthly fee of $8, whereas organizations will need to pay $1,000 per month. Verification badges serve as a means of establishing authenticity and credibility on the platform. Twitter’s decision to monetize this feature could potentially create a new revenue stream for the company.

By implementing mandatory verification for TweetDeck and introducing fees for account verification, Twitter aims to enhance user trust and combat issues such as spam, misinformation, and fake accounts. These measures align with the broader industry trend of prioritizing platform security and authenticity.

However, the reception of these changes and their impact on user experience and adoption remains uncertain. It remains to be seen how users will respond to the introduction of fees for TweetDeck and whether the potential benefits for Twitter’s revenue will outweigh any negative impacts on user satisfaction and platform usage.

TweetDeck is a widely used social media management tool that allows users to effectively monitor and manage their Twitter accounts. It was initially launched as an independent application in 2008 and was later acquired by Twitter in 2011.

TweetDeck offers a range of features designed to streamline the Twitter experience for individuals, businesses, and organizations. Users can view multiple timelines in a single interface, making it easier to follow and engage with conversations across different accounts. The platform supports the management of multiple Twitter accounts, allowing users to switch between profiles seamlessly.

Xbox

Has Xbox really lost the console wars?

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Microsoft recently made statements in a legal filing indicating that it believes “Xbox has lost the console wars” and that Sony and Nintendo are poised to continue dominating the gaming market for years to come.

These remarks were presented as part of Microsoft’s defense in an ongoing trial with regulators in the United States, following the FTC’s lawsuit to block Microsoft’s planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard in December.

Image Source: nypost.com

The proposed $69 billion buyout of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft would be the largest acquisition in gaming industry history, surpassing Take-Two’s purchase of Zynga by $57 billion.

However, Sony and regulators have consistently voiced concerns about the potential concentration of power in the gaming industry if the acquisition were to proceed. In response, Microsoft has argued that the move would actually level the playing field rather than consolidate power.

Microsoft’s legal filing reveals that Xbox currently holds only 16% of console sales and a slightly higher share of the global console install base as of 2021. The company admits that it has been the least successful console manufacturer in terms of sales for the majority of the past 22 years.

Also Read: What does Twitter ‘rate limit exceeded’ mean for users?

Microsoft even acknowledges that Sony’s gamer base in the US is currently larger than its own, although the exact difference has been redacted from the court documents.

The filing goes on to state that Microsoft believes aggressive acquisition strategies, such as the proposed Activision Blizzard deal, are necessary for Xbox to effectively compete with its Japanese rivals.

It specifically points to Sony and Nintendo’s ability to leverage exclusive content as a key factor in their ongoing dominance of the global gaming market. Microsoft previously made a similar argument to UK regulators in late 2022, conceding that PlayStation has better exclusives than Xbox.

While the outcome of the ongoing trial with the FTC remains uncertain, it is worth noting that the agency does not have the authority to outright block the Activision Blizzard acquisition. The UK’s rejection of the proposed deal, which Microsoft is currently appealing, poses a more substantial obstacle to the acquisition.

In summary, Microsoft’s legal argument in the ongoing trial suggests a recognition of the current state of the console market and the challenges Xbox faces in competing with Sony and Nintendo.

The company acknowledges its lower market share and emphasizes the importance of strategic acquisitions to level the playing field. Whether these arguments will be successful in the trial and ultimately impact the Activision Blizzard acquisition remains to be seen.

Twitter

What does Twitter ‘rate limit exceeded’ mean for users?

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Twitter has implemented a temporary limit on the number of tweets users can view each day, causing some controversy and potentially affecting the platform’s advertising prospects.

The move is aimed at addressing excessive data scraping and system manipulation. Elon Musk, who acquired Twitter in a $44 billion deal last year, has made several changes to the platform since then.

Twitter
Image Source: belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Under the new restrictions, users must log in to view tweets. Verified accounts are permitted to read up to 6,000 posts daily, unverified accounts are limited to 600 posts, and new unverified accounts are restricted to 300 posts. Once users reach these limits, they receive a message stating that they have exceeded the rate limit.

However, Musk has announced plans to increase the limits to 10,000 for verified accounts, 1,000 for unverified accounts, and 500 for new unverified accounts in the near future.

Musk’s objective is to make Twitter’s revamped verified service more appealing. He introduced paid subscriptions for verified badges, which were previously awarded to notable profiles. Different tiers of badges, including gray, blue, and golden, were also introduced.

Musk claims that these limits will help combat the extensive data scraping conducted by a wide range of entities, from AI companies and startups to large tech companies. He expressed frustration at having to allocate significant resources to accommodate the valuation demands of certain AI startups.

Also Read: Is Spotify considering full-length music videos on its app?

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, which utilize massive amounts of internet data to generate various outputs such as poems and images, rely on training data from platforms like Twitter. Consequently, several Twitter users expressed their discontent with the limits, leading to hashtags like “#TwitterDown” and “RIP Twitter” trending on the platform in recent days.

These restrictions disproportionately impact accounts operated by information agencies, journalists, and monitoring services, as they rely on reviewing thousands of tweets daily.

The backlash against the limits stems from concerns about hindering the flow of information and impeding the work of these entities. However, Musk’s aim is to strike a balance between addressing data scraping concerns and ensuring a functional and valuable platform for users.

Following Elon Musk’s announcement of limits on Twitter, alternative platforms such as Bluesky and Mastodon experienced a significant increase in user activity. Bluesky, a platform initiated by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey and currently in beta mode, reported a surge in traffic, reaching “record high” levels on Saturday. As a result, Bluesky temporarily halted new sign-ups to manage the influx of users.

Similarly, Mastodon, another alternative platform, witnessed substantial growth in its active user base. Eugen Rochko, the creator and CEO of Mastodon, stated that the platform saw a rise of 110,000 users on the same day.

In summary, the limitations imposed on Twitter prompted a notable migration of users to alternative platforms like Bluesky and Mastodon, resulting in increased activity and engagement on those platforms.

Google

Google to block news in Canada over law on paying publishers

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Google announced its intention to block Canadian news on its platform within Canada, following in the footsteps of Facebook’s Meta Platforms Inc.

This move comes as a response to a new law, the Online News Act (Bill C-18), which requires payments to local news publishers.

Google
Image Source: cnbc.com

The Canadian media industry has been advocating for tighter regulations on internet giants like Facebook and Google, aiming to allow new businesses to recover financial losses resulting from the increasing dominance of these platforms in the online advertising market.

The Canadian government estimated that news businesses could potentially receive around C$330 million ($249 million) per year from the mandated deals under this legislation.

Also Read: Google lays off staff at its mapping app Waze

However, Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez clarified that the platforms are not immediately obligated to comply with the act and expressed the government’s willingness to engage in consultations with them regarding regulatory and implementation processes.

Facebook and Google have argued that the proposed legislation is unsustainable for their businesses. For months, they have hinted at the possibility of blocking news availability in Canada if the act was not amended.

However, the Canadian federal government has resisted making changes, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the companies of employing “bullying tactics.”

In response to the law, Google’s president of global affairs, Kent Walker, stated in a blog post that they believe the law is unworkable and that the regulatory process would not resolve the “structural issues with the legislation.”

Consequently, Google informed the government that it will remove links to Canadian news from its Search, News, and Discover products within Canada once the law goes into effect. The specific news outlets affected by this decision will be determined based on the government’s definition of “eligible news businesses” when the rules for implementation are finalized.

Furthermore, Google will terminate its News Showcase program in Canada, which involves agreements with 150 news publications across the country. One of these agreements is with Reuters, which produces News Showcase panels, including in Canada.

The Online News Act mandates that online platforms negotiate with news publishers and compensate them for their content. A similar law was passed in Australia in 2021, which led Google and Facebook to threaten to curtail their services in the country. However, both companies reached agreements with Australian media companies after the legislation was amended.

Google argues that Canada’s law is broader than those in Australia and Europe, as it assigns a value to news story links displayed in search results and can potentially apply to outlets that do not produce news content.

Google has proposed that payment should be based on the display of news content itself, rather than links and that only businesses adhering to journalistic standards should be eligible for compensation.

Spotify

Is Spotify considering full-length music videos on its app?

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According to a report by Bloomberg News, Spotify is considering the addition of full-length music videos to its app.

This move would allow the popular music streaming platform to compete with TikTok and YouTube, owned by Alphabet Inc. Spotify aims to tap into the lucrative market of streaming video content, which has proven to be more profitable than audio in the streaming media era.

Spotify
Image Source: verdict.co.uk

Spotify has been gradually incorporating video into its platform, and this new feature would further solidify its commitment to making video a core part of the app. Currently, artists can upload short looping GIFs called “canvases” that appear on the screen while music is playing.

Earlier this year, Spotify introduced “clips,” which are brief videos under 30 seconds in length. These clips serve as a storytelling tool for artists to communicate about their music, similar to the format popularized by TikTok.

Also Read: AI and robotics are transforming healthcare. But How?

While Spotify has not yet responded to requests for comment from Reuters, it is reported that the platform is engaging in discussions with potential partners regarding this new video product. The streaming giant already hosts over 100,000 podcasts with video content, further highlighting its interest in expanding its video offerings.

It is worth noting that Spotify recently announced a plan to reduce its podcast workforce by cutting 200 jobs. This move comes as part of the company’s restructuring efforts following years of significant investment in the podcasting sector. Despite this, Spotify remains committed to developing and improving its podcast platform.

By adding full-length music videos to its app, Spotify aims to keep up with the growing popularity of platforms like TikTok and YouTube, which have become go-to destinations for music discovery and consumption.

Music videos have long been a significant part of the music industry, serving as a visual medium for artists to express their creativity and enhance their songs’ impact. By incorporating music videos into its app, Spotify aims to provide users with a more immersive and comprehensive music streaming experience.

While Spotify’s primary focus remains on audio content, the introduction of music videos would enable the platform to offer a broader range of entertainment options to its users.

Additionally, it would provide artists with a new avenue to engage with their audience and showcase their visual artistry. With its extensive user base and established presence in the music streaming market, Spotify has the potential to become a formidable competitor in the video streaming space.

Overall, Spotify’s consideration of adding full-length music videos to its app demonstrates the company’s ongoing efforts to diversify its offerings and adapt to the evolving demands of its users.

By incorporating video content, Spotify aims to strengthen its position as a leading platform for music discovery and consumption, while also venturing into the realm of short-form video entertainment.

healthcare

AI and robotics are transforming healthcare. But How?

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AI and robotics are revolutionizing the healthcare industry, bringing about transformative changes that enhance patient care, streamline operations, and empower healthcare professionals.

From diagnosing diseases to assisting in surgeries and managing patient data, these technologies are playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare.

healthcare
Image Source: einfochips.com

One of the significant contributions of AI and robotics in healthcare is in the field of diagnostics. AI algorithms can analyze large volumes of medical data, including patient records, lab results, and imaging scans, to assist in the detection and diagnosis of diseases.

These algorithms can quickly identify patterns and anomalies that may be missed by human observers, leading to earlier and more accurate diagnoses. This not only improves patient outcomes but also helps in optimizing treatment plans and reducing healthcare costs.

Also Read: Why is Congress limiting the use of Chatgpt in the offices?

Robotic technology is also revolutionizing surgical procedures. Robotic surgical systems allow for minimally invasive surgeries with enhanced precision and control. Surgeons can perform complex procedures with smaller incisions, reducing post-operative pain, scarring, and recovery time for patients.

The robotic arms can provide greater dexterity and range of motion than human hands, enabling intricate procedures in hard-to-reach areas. Surgeons can also benefit from augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies, which provide real-time guidance and 3D visualization, further enhancing their accuracy and efficiency.

In addition to diagnostics and surgery, AI and robotics are transforming patient care and monitoring. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can provide immediate and personalized responses to patients’ queries, offering support and guidance.

Robots are also being utilized in patient care settings, particularly in elderly care and rehabilitation. Social robots can engage with patients, offering companionship and support. They can remind patients to take medication, encourage physical activity, and monitor vital signs. This not only improves the well-being of patients but also reduces the workload on healthcare providers.

Another crucial area where AI and robotics are making a difference is in managing and analyzing large volumes of healthcare data. AI algorithms can mine electronic health records, clinical trial data, and medical literature to identify trends, patterns, and potential correlations. This wealth of information can help researchers and clinicians make evidence-based decisions, identify risk factors, develop personalized treatment plans, and discover new therapies.

Furthermore, AI-powered predictive analytics can help healthcare systems anticipate disease outbreaks, allocate resources efficiently, and optimize preventive strategies. By analyzing historical data and real-time information, AI algorithms can identify populations at risk and predict disease progression, enabling proactive interventions and saving lives.

In conclusion, AI and robotics are transforming healthcare by enhancing diagnostics, revolutionizing surgery, improving patient care and monitoring, optimizing data analysis, and enabling predictive analytics. These technologies hold tremendous potential to improve patient outcomes, increase efficiency, and reduce healthcare costs.

As they continue to advance, it is essential to strike a balance between technology and the human touch, ensuring that AI and robotics augment healthcare professionals rather than replace them, and ultimately, provide better care for patients.