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Author: Adriana Marais

Adriana Marais is a ReturnByte journalist with a passion for technology and world affairs. Follow her on Twitter at @adrianamarais
Microsoft introduces OneNote app tailored for Apple Vision Pro users, enhancing note-taking capabilities on the platform. (Microsoft ) News 

How Microsoft’s OneNote app for Apple Vision Pro functions and its main features

Adriana Marais

Microsoft has added a new native OneNote app specifically for Apple Vision Pro users to its lineup of products for VisionOS. This move demonstrates Microsoft’s dedication to enhancing the user experience for Apple Vision Pro users, following the positive reception of Microsoft Office apps for the mixed reality headset. Key features of OneNote for visionOS The new OneNote application for visionOS takes advantage of the platform’s spatial computing capabilities and offers an infinite canvas for taking notes. This version of OneNote integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft applications available on Apple…

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Infused with GPT-4, GitHub’s Copilot can do a lot more, including answering engineers’ questions and converting code from one programming language to another. (AP) News 

GitHub utilizes AI, utilizes Microsoft Copilot to automate tasks and transform coding sector

Adriana Marais,

Software developer Nikolai Avteniev was quick to recognize the potential of Microsoft Corp.’s Copilot coding assistant when he obtained a preview version in 2021. Developed by Microsoft’s GitHub coding platform and based on OpenAI’s version of generative artificial intelligence, the assistant was not perfect and sometimes went wrong. But Avteniev, who works at ticket seller StubHub, was surprised by how cleverly it completed lines of code with just a few prompts. All he had to do was press the tab key and Copilot did the rest. “Instead of using 15…

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Google Wallet may soon debut in India, offering local integrations for contactless payments, hint reports. (Google) News 

India to see the launch of Google Wallet

Adriana Marais,

According to a recent report, Google Wallet is expected to launch in India soon with customized integrations for the local market. The tech company quietly introduced the Google Wallet app on the Play Store, highlighting features that cater to Indian banks, airlines, and loyalty programs. While the app is not yet available for direct download in India through the Play Store, users can manually install it and connect their bank cards for easy contactless payments. There are rumors that the app will work in conjunction with Google Pay to meet…

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Know what happened in the world of AI today. (Pexels) News 

AI news summary [April 16]: UK to create regulations for AI, Microsoft to invest $1.5 billion in G42, and other updates

Adriana Marais

AI news update for April 16: The United Kingdom is currently working on drafting regulations for AI technologies like OpenAI’s ChatGPT to prevent potential harm. Meanwhile, Microsoft is set to invest $1.5 billion in UAE-based AI company G42, with approval from both US and UAE governments. Stay tuned for more AI updates. 1. The UK has started developing AI regulations to de-risk The UK has started drafting an AI regulation that will apply to new emerging technologies and large language models. These regulations also apply to current and future artificial…

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Microsoft and G42 described their assurances to the U.S. and UAE governments as a first of its kind agreement to ensure the secure, trusted and responsible development and deployment of AI. (AP) AI 

Microsoft plans to invest $1.5 billion in AI firm G42 for the development of responsible AI

Adriana Marais,

Microsoft has revealed plans to invest $1.5 billion in the UAE’s artificial intelligence company G42, securing a minority stake and a seat on the board. This move aims to strengthen the partnership between the two companies in the competitive landscape of AI technology. The global race for tech dominance has intensified in recent years, with AI emerging as a key focus for companies worldwide. As part of a deal the two companies brokered for the US and UAE governments over security, G42 would use Microsoft cloud services to run its…

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Stay informed and protected. CERT-In's warning highlights the urgent need for heightened cybersecurity measures amidst vulnerabilities found in Microsoft services. (unsplash) News 

Government warns of high-risk for Microsoft services, including Windows- Here’s how to protect yourself

Adriana Marais,

CERT-In has issued a high-risk warning regarding multiple vulnerabilities discovered in various Microsoft services. The vulnerabilities impact a wide range of Microsoft products such as Windows, Office, Developer Tools, Azure services, Bing, System Center, Dynamics, and Exchange Server. CERT-In warns Microsoft users According to CERT-In, the vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to gain additional privileges, disclose information, bypass security restrictions, perform remote code execution attacks, conduct spoofing attacks, or cause denial of service conditions. Essentially, these vulnerabilities can give hackers significant control over affected systems or compromise sensitive data. Specifically,…

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Google Wallet's new 'Linked Passes' feature enhances user convenience by automatically adding related passes to the digital wallet. (AP) News 

Google Wallet introduces new feature called ‘Linked Passes’ setting

Adriana Marais

Google Wallet is introducing a new feature called ‘Automatically add linked passes’ which will allow users to easily link boarding passes, event tickets, loyalty cards, and other related passes to their digital wallet. Availability and functionality While the Google Linked Passes feature is currently in beta and may not be available for all cards, it provides a convenient way to manage and organize a variety of digital cards. However, the passport issuer must enable the linking feature. If your cards aren’t linked, you’ll need to contact your issuer or merchant…

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Google's new Samsung modem promises enhanced cellular connectivity and emergency satellite services for Pixel devices. (Google ) News 

New Samsung modem with satellite connectivity to be featured in Google Pixel 9 smartphones

Adriana Marais

The upcoming Pixel devices from Google will feature an upgraded Samsung modem with satellite connectivity, providing improved cellular connectivity and access to emergency satellite services while on the move. Pixel 9 series and more for the Sport updated modem Recent reports suggest that Google’s Pixel 9 series, including the Pixel Fold 2 and the new 5G-capable Pixel Tablet, will feature an updated Samsung modem. This change follows Google’s switch from Qualcomm modems to Samsung modems, which matches the Tensor foundation that powers their devices, reports 9to5google. While the current modem has…

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Elon Musk's xAI unveils Grok 1.5 Vision, a new AI model with integrated computer vision features, competing directly with GPT-4 Vision and Gemini 1.5 Pro. (Bloomberg) News 

Elon Musk Introduces Grok 1.5 Vision

Adriana Marais

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, has unveiled an enhanced version of its Grok 1.5 model called Grok 1.5 Vision. This updated model now includes computer vision capabilities, enabling it to analyze visual content and answer questions related to images. This announcement follows closely after OpenAI’s introduction of the GPT-4 model, which also incorporates computer vision technology. XAI announced this update via its official X account (formerly Twitter) and shared insights into the model’s features via a blog post. While the core features of Grok 1.5 remain consistent with this…

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Collaborative AI partnerships set to enhance iOS 18's innovative features. (Apple) AI 

Apple is set to enhance AI capabilities with iOS 18 update: Explore potential AI features for your iPhone

Adriana Marais, ,

According to a recent report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple’s upcoming iOS 18 will bring a variety of new AI features that do not depend on cloud servers. This decision demonstrates Apple’s dedication to improving user privacy and device performance by handling AI tasks directly on the device. Gurman revealed in his Power On newsletter that iOS 18’s native AI features run entirely on the device, eliminating the need for cloud processing. This includes an extensive language model that supports new AI features, macrumors reports. Artificial intelligence partnerships While Apple…

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Apple CEO Tim Cook is said to increase spending on suppliers in Vietnam during his visit along with helping in developing local infrastructure. (AFP) News 

Tim Cook, Apple CEO, to boost investment in Vietnamese suppliers during upcoming visit – More information provided

Adriana Marais,

During his visit to Hanoi, Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook will reveal that the company is expanding its investments in Vietnam, although the exact amount has not been disclosed. Apple is increasing its spending on suppliers in Vietnam in addition to supporting a local school clean water initiative, the company said in a statement. Apple has spent nearly 400 trillion dong ($16 billion) in the country since 2019 through its supply chain partners, the company said. No information has been given about increasing the supplier’s expenses. Apple CEO Tim Cook…

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From revamped iMacs to high-performance MacBook Pros, Apple's M4 lineup offers something for every user. (Apple) News 

Details of the launch of Apple’s M4 chip have been disclosed

Adriana Marais

Apple is preparing to unveil its latest innovation with the highly anticipated release of the M4 Macs. According to recent reports, these devices may be introduced later this year, signaling a potentially groundbreaking year in the tech sector. M4 Macs: Flash In his Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman shared insights into Apple’s M4 Mac transition plans for Bloomberg. Gurman’s timeline outlines a series of exciting releases, starting with a revamped 24-inch iMac and an entry-level MacBook Pro expected later this year, reports 9to5mac. Apple’s M4 Mac roadmap extends beyond these initial…

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Google Photos is reportedly testing a new feature dubbed 'Recover Storage' for Android users, potentially offering a solution to storage space woes. (unsplash) News 

What is the new ‘Recover Storage’ feature being tested by Google Photos for Android users?

Adriana Marais

An upcoming update to the Google Photos app for Android could address a common issue for users related to storage space. Currently, users have the option to save images in original quality or a compressed ‘storage saver’ format to free up space. However, this choice only affects newly uploaded files. New Google Photos feature According to reports, the upcoming version 6.78 of Google Photos will include a hidden feature called “Restore Storage”, as revealed by PiunikaWeb and advice AssembleDebug. This feature, when enabled manually, provides a new option for users…

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Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Elon Musk’s X and Match Group last month echoed Epic’s arguments, telling Rogers that Apple was in “clear violation” of the court’s order. (AFP) Gaming 

Legal battle between Apple and Epic Games

Adriana Marais,

Apple, the company behind the iPhone, has refuted claims of breaching a court order related to its App Store and has asked a federal judge in California to dismiss Epic Games’ request to hold it in contempt. Apple made the allegations in a filing with U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, who presided over Epic’s 2020 lawsuit, accusing Apple of violating antitrust laws by tightly controlling how consumers download apps and pay for transactions within them. Apple’s filing criticized Epic’s attempt to make Apple’s “tools and technologies available…

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Improved Bluetooth stability and security highlight the latest developments in Android's upcoming release. (Unsplash) News 

Top features of Android 15 Beta 1 released by Google for upcoming smartphone update

Adriana Marais

Google has recently released the Beta 1 version of Android 15, providing users with a sneak peek of the upcoming major update to its operating system. This launch signifies a notable advancement in the evolution of Android, showcasing the anticipated new features and enhancements for users to look forward to. Improved mobile network protection One of the main highlights of Android 15 Beta 1 is the focus on improving mobile network security. Users can now access additional security settings through the Security & Privacy menu, giving them more control over…

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Google One VPN will be discontinued as the company shifts focus to more popular features within the subscription service. (AP) News 

Reason for discontinuation of Google One VPN announced

Adriana Marais

Google One users were disappointed today when Google announced that it will be discontinuing its VPN feature in the upcoming months. Launched in October 2020, the VPN by Google One was designed to offer additional online security for Android users, ensuring their data safety. However, Google stated that the usage of the VPN feature did not meet expectations, resulting in its discontinuation. Reasons for termination The VPN was originally only available to Premium subscribers for $9.99 per month. The VPN was later offered at a discounted price of $1.99 per…

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Apple's M4-powered Macs represent a bold step forward in computing technology, promising unparalleled performance and AI integration. (Unsplash) AI 

Details of upcoming Macs powered by Apple’s M4 chip and featuring AI capabilities set to be released soon.

Adriana Marais

Apple is preparing for a major update to its Mac lineup by introducing the much-anticipated M4 family of chips. This demonstrates the company’s dedication to advancing innovation, especially in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The anticipated release of the first M4 Macs Reports indicate that Apple is on the verge of starting production on its M4 chips, which are set to power a number of Macs. Apple plans to equip every Mac model with the new M4 processors, as there are at least three variants in the pipeline.…

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Apple says this initiative will enable users to carry out repairs of their iPhones with the help of used genuine parts. (Apple) News 

Apple simplifies and reduces costs for iPhone repairs- Full details provided

Adriana Marais,

Apple, which previously only allowed authorized experts to repair iPhones, introduced its Self Service Repair program in 2022, allowing users to fix their devices with Apple-supplied parts and kits. The company has now announced support for used genuine parts, making it easier for users to access quality repairs without having to rely solely on Apple repair centers. Apple expands support for used original parts The iPhone maker says this initiative will allow users to repair their iPhones using used original parts. This may reduce repair costs. To ensure the privacy,…

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Google Seach app is speculated to bring a Gemini toggle. Check details. (Bloomberg) News 

New toggle feature coming to Google app on Android allows users to easily switch between search and Gemini

Adriana Marais

Google is reportedly developing AI features to incorporate into its range of apps. The Gmail app recently introduced AI-based quick reply suggestions, and there have been rumors of an email summarization tool in the works. A leaked report now suggests that Google may be adding a new toggle to the Google app for Android devices, allowing users to easily switch between search and the Gemini AI app. Learn more about this new feature for the Google app. Gemini switch in the Google app Switching between Google Search and the Gemini…

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Apple's collaboration with Shutterstock signals a strategic move towards enhancing its in-house AI capabilities, potentially shaping the future of AI integration in iPhones. (unsplash) AI 

Apple partners with Shutterstock to train its AI model

Adriana Marais,

Apple has teamed up with Shutterstock, a library of stock photos and videos, to use its data for training its artificial intelligence (AI) models. This partnership indicates that Apple is moving towards creating its own foundation model. While there were rumors about integrating Google’s Gemini AI and Baidu’s Ernie Bot into the iPhone 16 series for AI features, it appears that Apple’s focus is on developing its own AI model in the long run. Apple has partnered with Shutterstock Sources familiar with the matter cited by Reuters revealed that Apple…

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