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Author: Jim Hendler

Jim Hendler is a ReturnByte journalist who closely follows the advancement of Internet technologies and social media. Follow him on Twitter at @jahendler
Meta Verified subscription plans announced for businesses in India, know more. (unsplash) News 

Meta introduces paid Instagram and Facebook options for Indian businesses: Cost, advantages, and additional details

Jim Hendler

Meta, owned by Mark Zuckerberg, has revealed its plans to expand the Meta Verified program for businesses on Instagram and Facebook in India. This subscription service will enable businesses to obtain the coveted “blue tick” verification badge, confirming their authenticity to customers. In addition to the verification badge, the plan offers various features including security measures and protection against impersonation. Learn more about the Meta Verified subscription options available to businesses in India. Meta Verified subscription plans Meta has been testing Verified subscription plans for over a year now, and…

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Instagram users can now mix up to 20 audio tracks in a single Reel, perfect for unleashing your creativity. (Instagram) News 

Instagram introduces new multi-audio capabilities for Reels, allowing users to include up to 20 tracks

Jim Hendler

Instagram has begun releasing a highly anticipated feature for Reels creators, which now allows them to include up to 20 audio tracks in a single short video. This update comes after Instagram head Adam Mosseri highlighted the platform’s focus on short-form content. With this new feature, users can create complex audio mixes directly from their smartphones, seamlessly integrating multiple tracks into their Reels. Increasing creativity Announced by Mosser via Instagram, multi-audio support allows users to sync different audio clips to their visuals, facilitating creative expression when aligning text, stickers and…

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WhatsApp's new 'favourites' feature enables users to quickly access important contacts in chats and calls. (Pexels) News 

Here’s how you can use WhatsApp’s new favorite feature for calls and chats

Jim Hendler

WhatsApp, a widely used communication tool by billions worldwide, continues to enhance user experience by introducing new features. The latest addition, ‘favourites’, allows users to easily access select contacts. This update follows the recent launch of Context Cards, aimed at improving security for users added to unfamiliar group chats. “Starting today, you can quickly find the most important people and groups at the top of the calls tab and in the filter of your conversations. Whether it’s your family group chats or your best friend, your ‘favorites’ are the same…

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Using more SIM cards than the limit set by the law can cost you huge penalties and even land you in prison. (Pixabay) News 

Having multiple SIM cards could lead to serious consequences: Understand the dangers of exceeding the allowed number of mobile phone lines

Jim Hendler

The practice of obtaining multiple SIM cards in one’s name has become more common in the digital age. However, many people are unaware of the potential risks associated with this practice. Using more SIM cards than allowed by law can result in severe financial and legal repercussions, including hefty fines and possible imprisonment. Limit of ownership of SIM cards Penalties for violations The law stipulates that a fine of up to 50,000 rubles can be imposed for exceeding the set limit. Repeated violations can lead to a hefty fine of…

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Amazon India Prime Day 2024: Discover over 40 new launches and exclusive deals on consumer electronics from top brands, available exclusively for Prime members on July 20 and 21. (unsplash) News 

Don’t Miss Out on Major Launches and Exclusive Deals at Amazon Prime Day Sale 2024

Jim Hendler

Amazon India is preparing for its much-awaited Prime Day event, set to take place on July 20 and 21, 2024. Prime members can look forward to substantial discounts, enticing offers, and a wide range of new products in the consumer electronics category. Important launches in consumer electronics Prime Day showcases more than 40 new product launches from well-known brands such as HP, Dell, Lenovo, OnePlus, JBL and boAt. Among the notable releases, the Acer Aspire 3 laptop with an Intel Core Celeron processor and 180-degree hinge promises a compelling visual…

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Apple iPhone users in can now see a redesigned calling screen on WhatsApp. (Pixabay) News 

New WhatsApp calling design now available for Apple iPhone users in latest update, find out more here

Jim Hendler, ,

Apple iPhone users worldwide are experiencing a redesigned calling interface with a bottom bar in the latest WhatsApp update. The updated visual design, which includes enhanced functionality, is included in WhatsApp version 24.14.78, now available for iOS devices on the App Store. Although the update’s changelog does not mention the design change, users who have installed the update have noticed the new calling bar interface. What WhatsApp’s new phone interface for Apple iPhone looks like The redesigned call interface of WhatsApp on the Apple iPhone has a semi-transparent background. The…

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Meta Platforms enhances generative AI ad suite with image and text tools. (REUTERS) AI 

Meta plans to broaden its AI image generation services for advertisements.

Jim Hendler

On Tuesday, Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced that it is broadening its range of generative AI advertising products. The new tools will allow for the automatic creation of different image variations with text overlays. The tool will be launched in test form without the watermarks the social media company applies to all images created by its user-facing Meta AI assistant, which it has touted as a key security feature, executives said at a press conference. John Hegeman, chief monetization officer at Meta, said the company…

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WhatsApp account restriction feature is coming in future app updates, know more. (Bloomberg) News 

WhatsApp considering implementing account restriction feature- Learn more about its purpose and functionality

Jim Hendler

WhatsApp is said to be developing a new feature that could limit users from sending messages. The account restriction feature is still in the works and not available to the public. It may prevent users from initiating new conversations for a specific period of time. The exact purpose of this feature is still unknown until it is officially launched. Learn more about the upcoming WhatsApp account restriction feature. WhatsApp account restriction feature According to a report by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is developing an account restriction feature that will limit a user’s…

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WhatsApp is planning updates, like sharing files offline and adding notes to contacts, in upcoming versions. (Bloomberg) News 

WhatsApp will soon allow users to share files without an internet connection- Here’s everything you need to know

Jim Hendler

WhatsApp is preparing for major updates to its messaging platform, including a possible new feature that would allow users to share files via a local network without needing an internet connection. Another potential addition is the ability for users to attach notes to their contacts. While the ability to share files over a local network has been mentioned before, new screenshots of the app’s installation screen shed light on the special privileges required to use this feature. These screenshots, from WhatsApp Android beta version 2.24.9.22 (via WABetaInfo ), show that…

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Uber's decision to ban Swastika Chandra's account in Australia stirred debates about cultural understanding and sensitivity in the digital age. (unsplash) News 

Uber took 5 months to realize that the name ‘Swastika Chandra’ is not associated with Hitler.

Jim Hendler

Uber, the well-known ride-hailing service, faced backlash after prohibiting a customer named Swastika Chandra from using its services in Australia. The incident, which took place in October 2023, ignited discussions about cultural awareness and the perception of names. Swastika Chandra, an Australian with roots in Fiji, was shocked when Uber informed her that her account had been blocked because her first name was a “potentially offensive” word. Chandra, who explained that “Swastika” means “luck” in Sanskrit and is a common name in his home country, expressed his frustration with the…

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WhatsApp 'private mention' feature for status updates will enable only tagged contacts to receive dedicated notifications, (unsplash) News 

Upcoming WhatsApp update to introduce new ‘private mention’ feature for status updates – Learn more

Jim Hendler

WhatsApp is said to be testing a new feature that will enable users to privately mention contacts in their status updates, with the goal of improving user experience and promoting more personalized interactions on the platform. Feature under development According to a report by WABetaInfo, the new feature will allow users to tag certain contacts directly in their status updates. When tagged contacts are mentioned, they will receive special notifications ensuring quick awareness of the update. Importantly, this feature preserves users’ privacy as mentions are only visible to the mentioned…

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Apple expands app distribution options with web sideloading in iOS 17.5 (Apple) News 

iOS 17.5 beta 2 introduces Web Distribution for EU developers on the new iPhone update – Implications explained

Jim Hendler,

Apple has released the second beta of iOS 17.5, introducing a new Web Distribution sideloading feature for developers in the European Union. This update comes after Apple’s recent unveiling of the feature, which is designed to offer developers an alternative distribution method in compliance with the Digital Markets Act. Online distribution: A new path for EU developers Online distribution allows developers in the EU to offer their applications for download directly from their own websites. This new feature is a third distribution option for developers in the region alongside the…

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WhatsApp's new feature highlights recently active contacts, simplifying the chat initiation process. (Bloomberg) News 

New feature on WhatsApp allows users to see their recent online contacts

Jim Hendler

WhatsApp is preparing to roll out a new feature that will show users their most recent online contacts, making it easier for them to start conversations with people they have recently interacted with. This feature, which has been seen in beta testing, is designed to improve user communication by highlighting contacts who are currently active or have been online recently. Improved user experience The popular messaging platform owned by Meta has been constantly updating its features to improve user experience and security. The latest addition is expected to provide users…

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Meta AI is the AI-powered assistant that is now available in Meta’s suite of apps, but is it really different from OpenAI’s ChatGPT? (HT Tech) AI 

Are ChatGPT and Meta AI the same? WhatsApp’s response may shock you

Jim Hendler,

Meta Platforms has recently integrated additional artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities into its various apps like Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This move may be aimed at staying competitive in the AI market. The company’s most recent development is Meta AI, an AI-driven chatbot that allows users to engage in conversations and complete tasks like creating AI images. Based on Meta’s generative text model Llama 2, Meta AI promises human-like interaction. The tech giant has partnered with Microsoft’s Bing to bring real-time information retrieval to text-based conversations. However, is Meta AI really…

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Know about Gmail subscription management feature. (Unsplash) News 

New subscription management feature coming to Gmail

Jim Hendler,

Having trouble sorting through your emails to determine what’s important and what’s not? Google is in the process of creating a new feature for Gmail that will help declutter your inbox. Typically, our emails are inundated with spam and newsletters, making it difficult to manage. Deleting or unsubscribing from each email individually can be time-consuming and tedious. With the upcoming “Manage Subscriptions” feature, Gmail users will have more control over what appears in their inbox, allowing for better organization of emails. Stay tuned for more information on this new feature…

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WhatsApp's latest feature update aims to simplify status sharing across Instagram for enhanced user convenience. (unsplash) News 

WhatsApp update introduces new feature allowing seamless sharing of status updates on Instagram- Learn more about it

Jim Hendler,

WhatsApp is said to be working on a new feature that will allow users to easily share their status updates on Instagram. According to a report from WABetaInfo, which is owned by Meta, the feature is currently being developed with the goal of simplifying media sharing. Users will have the option to cross-post their WhatsApp status updates directly to their Instagram Stories. What is the new WhatsApp feature? The feature, which is still under development, is expected to improve WhatsApp’s sharing functionality by integrating it with Instagram. Users may choose…

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Know about Instagram’s new nudity protection feature. (Instagram) News 

Instagram implements new measures to protect users from adult content scams.

Jim Hendler

In response to ongoing concerns from parents about child safety on the Meta platform, Instagram is testing a new feature to protect its teenage users. The feature will detect and blur nude images shared in messages, helping to keep users safe from scams and harmful content. This decision follows pressure from US and European governments, and aims to improve safety on the platform. Learn more about how the nudity protection feature on Instagram will function. Instagram nudity protection feature for DMs Meta supports teenagers from sex discipline and misuse of…

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Meta introduces Meta AI, an AI chatbot for WhatsApp to enhance user experiences with conversational assistance. (REUTERS) AI 

Meta AI chatbot from WhatsApp now available to select users in India

Jim Hendler

During Meta Connect 2023, Meta introduced a range of new AI-powered features for WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. The event highlighted the company’s venture into artificial intelligence with the launch of ‘Meta AI’, an AI assistant designed for seamless integration across Meta’s various platforms, particularly WhatsApp. Meta AI offers an impressive array of features that allow users to interact with it in the same way that they would interact with another person. Meta AI is developed using a custom model derived from Llama 2, a generative text model, and Meta’s Large…

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Realme is among the top five smartphone brands in terms of volume market share. (Realme) News 

Realme aims to dominate the ₹15-25k segment by introducing P series in 2024.

Jim Hendler,

Realme India business strategy lead, Tarini Prasad Das, revealed to reporters that the company’s goal is to reach a cumulative sales of 50 million smartphones by 2024 through its partnership with Flipkart, while discussing the plans for the P series. “We aim to lead the ₹15,000-25,000 smartphone segment this year as a whole with the launch of the P series. The P series itself is expected to lead the segment,” Das said. Realme is among the top five smartphone brands in terms of volume market share. The company’s market share…

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NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara and crew safely return to Earth after six-month mission on space station. (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Space 

NASA Astronaut Loral O’Hara and team return safely to Earth following 6-month mission on space station

Jim Hendler

After a successful six-month research mission aboard the International Space Station, NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy, and Belarus spaceflight participant Marina Vasilevskaya have safely landed back on Earth. Their return journey began when they left the space station aboard the Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft at 11:54 p.m. EDT on April 5. After a steady descent, they made a parachute-assisted landing on April 6 at 3:17 a.m. (12:17 p.m. Kazakhstan time), touching down southeast of the remote Kazakh city of Dzhezkazgan. Successful completion of the mission O’Hara started his…

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