WHAT'S NEW THIS WEEK?
1. Apple and google wage war on covid together.
Technology behemoths Apple and Google revealed on Friday that they are collaborating to develop a contact tracing platform for mobile phones that will be made available to governments around the world. This partnership is unique. On this platform, the contacts of those who report having the coronavirus will be tracked. The feature will initially operate through already-existing apps from public authorities. If the individual has come into touch with somebody who has tested positive for the virus in the last two weeks, it will also warn them of this. Additionally, both Google and Apple will incorporate this function (contact tracing) into their respective operating systems in the upcoming months. With user privacy and security at the forefront of the design, Google and Apple announced a cooperative endeavor to enable the use of Bluetooth technology to aid governments and health authorities in reducing the spread of the virus. Additionally, both Google and Apple will incorporate this function (contact tracing) into their respective operating systems in the upcoming months. Google CEO Sundar Pichai broke this news in his tweet “ To help public health officials slow the spread of #COVID19, Google & @Apple are working on a contact tracing approach designed with strong controls and protections for user privacy. @tim_cook and I are committed to working together on these efforts.”
2. Facebook releases the Zoom competitor, Messenger Rooms video calling app.
Facebook introduced Messenger Rooms on Friday, a new feature that enables up to 50 individuals to participate in a video conference simultaneously. The launch of Messenger Rooms is a blatant sign that Facebook is concerned about Zoom’s success and the recent uptick in video calling apps as a result of the fact that so many areas of the world are under lockdown. In-direct rivals of Zoom and Houseparty, both of which have had exponential user growth, are Messenger Rooms. Comparatively, Zoom’s free package supports up to 100 people while Houseparty has an upper limit of eight. Operating Messenger Rooms is simple. You can invite your friends to join the video call by creating a room in Messenger or even on Facebook. A few Zoom-like features with “immersive 360 backdrops and mood lighting” are also available in Messenger Rooms. Similar to Houseparty, Rooms also allows you to lock the room. The ability to control that see your room and expel someone from it is another benefit.b Currently in some nations, Messenger Rooms will soon be available throughout the rest of the world.
3. WhatsApp Testing Feature to Add More Users to Video & Audio Calls.
WhatsApp is developing a new feature that will increase the maximum number of participants that can join group audio and video conversations from the existing cap of four, in response to the phenomenal rise of video meeting applications in these times of social alienation.
The most recent WhatsApp Beta version, which is tracked by the fan website WABetaInfo, indicated the firm intends to increase the number of participants in a voice or video group call. WhatsApp has chosen to expand that restriction to allow calls with additional people, according to the article. This decision was likely made in response to worries about the COVID-19 and the fact that more users are using group conversations. When the new calling function is globally implemented, the business has not yet disclosed how many people would really be allowed to participate in the group call. A beta version of WhatsApp Messenger for iOS 2.20.50.23 revealed the modifications. WhatsApp displays a new header while you’re on a call letting you know that the call is end-to-end encrypted. To take part in a larger group call, every participant must be using the most latest version of WhatsApp for iOS and Android, according to the study.
4. Elon Musk claims that Twitter Blue will relaunch in December with check marks in gold, gray, and blue.
Elon Musk has said that Twitter would ‘tentatively’ resume its ‘Blue Tick’ allowing Twitter Blue service on Friday, December 2, 2022. This comes after Twitter indefinitely suspended the Twitter Blue service. For each entity, the upgraded service will have a different checkmark. Elon tweeted, “Sorry for the delay, we’re tentatively launching Verified on Friday next week.” “All confirmed accounts will be manually authenticated before check activates,” he continued, “gold check for companies, gray check for the government, blue check for individuals (famous or not).” The shift was “difficult but necessary,” according to Musk. Musk came under fire earlier this month for allowing organizations, people, and other entities to be impersonated by phony accounts on Twitter. Twitter Blue has a $8 monthly subscription fee, and according to a recent tweet, Elon Musk has set the pricing to stay at $8 when the service relaunches in December.
