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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
Elon Musk has promised to make the Grok AI chatbot politically neutral. Know details. (Bloomberg) News 

Grok chatbot now accessible for Premium subscribers

Jim Hendler

Social network X has announced that its xAI’s Grok chatbot is now accessible to Premium tier subscribers. The chatbot will only be available to Premium and Premium+ users in certain regions, as stated on the company’s support page. This expansion comes after an announcement made by Elon Musk last month. Access for Premium level subscribers Previously, Grok was exclusively available to Premium+ users, who paid either $16 per month or a $168 annual fee. With this update, users on the $8/month plan can now interact with the chatbot. Grok offers…

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WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature for status notifications that will improve user experience and connectivity on the platform. (WhatsApp) News 

WhatsApp will soon be rolling out a new status notifications feature

Jim Hendler

WhatsApp continues to impress in the world of messaging apps with its cutting-edge features. Following recent developments in AI technology, the company is now poised to enhance the way users view statuses. The latest buzz surrounds WhatsApp’s upcoming Android feature, which aims to provide users with status update notifications. WABetaInfo reports that this feature is currently under development and is slated to be included in an upcoming version of WhatsApp. The feature in Android beta “2.24.8.13” is not yet available for extensive testing. Improving user engagement Apart from this, WhatsApp…

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WhatsApp to bring new features. Know what’s coming. (unsplash) News 

Upcoming WhatsApp update to introduce locked chats feature for all linked devices, enhancing privacy.

Jim Hendler

WhatsApp introduced a secret code for the chat lock feature in November, but it only worked on primary devices, leaving sensitive conversations exposed on linked devices. To enhance privacy, WhatsApp is reportedly working on an update to keep conversations locked across all linked devices. The company may also add a feature to status updates that allows users to mention specific contacts. Stay tuned for these upcoming changes on WhatsApp. Privacy feature for locked chats in WhatsApp To improve users’ privacy settings, WhatsApp introduced a locked chat feature that kept a…

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A tipster has leaked an ‘Announcements’ feature in Google Chats. Check details. (Google) News 

Google Chat could potentially introduce a feature similar to WhatsApp Channels; Learn more about the new ‘Announcements’ feature.

Jim Hendler,

Google is enhancing its messaging service, Chat, to strengthen its position in the social media market. The platform, which replaced Hangouts, enables users to communicate and collaborate on projects. While it currently lacks broadcast communication like WhatsApp Channels, leaks indicate that a new ‘Announcements’ feature may be introduced to Google Chat in the near future. Google Chat’s Notifications feature According to an Android Police report, tipster AssembleDebug shared information about the upcoming Notifications feature. In an X message, the tipster said: “Google Chat is working on a new ‘Notifications’ feature…

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The new experimental feature on YouTube is only accessible to people who are on YouTube Premium since it is an experimental feature. News 

YouTube Introduces Experimental ‘Jump Ahead’ Feature for Select Users

Jim Hendler

YouTube is constantly striving to improve the user experience and often releases new features to improve the viewing experience. And again, it has released a new feature to a small set of users. This latest experiment is called “skip ahead,” which makes it easier for users to jump to specific parts of a YouTube video. YouTube users using the Android or iOS app are familiar with the double-tap skip feature, where tapping twice in a row skips forward 10 seconds in a video. YouTube’s new experimental skip ahead feature is…

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Leaked details hint at AMD's Zen 5 CPUs delivering a substantial 40% performance jump, setting the stage for a major shift in desktop computing. (Unsplash) News 

AMD Zen 5 set to deliver significant performance upgrade for Ryzen 9000 CPUs

Jim Hendler

Recent leaks indicate that AMD’s Zen 5 Ryzen 9000 CPUs may deliver a remarkable 40% boost in performance compared to the current Ryzen 7000 processors. This news has generated significant excitement as the release of the next generation of desktop processors is expected in late 2024. Leaked information Well-known leaker Kepler_L2, known for accurate predictions, shared insights on the Anandtech forums that Zen 5 cores can offer up to 40% better performance than their Zen 4 counterparts. These claims, posted by Twitter user @3DCenter_org via Videocardz, point to a significant…

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Stay alert! Public USB chargers pose risks. Know how to protect yourself from cyber scams. (Pexels) News 

Government advises against using public USB ports for charging smartphones

Jim Hendler

In response to the increasing threat of the “USB charger scam,” the government is advising citizens to exercise caution when using public phone charging stations in locations such as airports, cafes, hotels, and bus stands. The warning aims to protect individuals from falling victim to cybercriminals who exploit unsuspecting users of these facilities. The USB charger scam poses a significant risk as it exploits the trust of people who trust public charging ports. Cybercriminals use a tactic called “juice-jacking” to compromise these ports and launch attacks against connected devices. What…

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OpenAI unveils 'Voice Engine': A remarkable tool cloning voices with just a 15-second audio snippet. (AP) News 

OpenAI introduces ‘Voice Engine’ that replicates human speech using only 15-second audio clips

Jim Hendler

OpenAI, known for its groundbreaking advancements in AI technology such as Sora, a video generator, has unveiled a cutting-edge tool called ‘Voice Engine’ for voice cloning. This impressive audio model can mimic human speech intricacies like intonation and speech patterns using only a short 15-second sample of the original voice. Despite high excitement, OpenAI has chosen to keep this new feature confidential due to worries about potential misuse and the spread of fake content on the internet. Remarkable efficiency and accuracy “Incredibly, our Voice Engine can create emotive and lifelike…

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WhatsApp has supported UPI payments in India but for a while but most people have used Paytm, PhonePe and Google Pay for making payments. News 

Making UPI Payments on WhatsApp: A Step-by-Step Guide

Jim Hendler

There is no doubt that Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has made digital payments very convenient. Now many Indians are preferring big and small transactions through UPI. It is no rush to say that UPI has revolutionized the world of digital payments. In 2020, WhatsApp introduced UPI-based payment functionality as a pilot project. After its success, it introduced UPI payments for its Indian users. WhatsApp app’s key advantage of its UPI service is its huge subscriber base in India, which is believed to reach 535.8 million by 2024. However, WhatsApp still…

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Instagram offers the vanish mode to help its users send disappearing texts, photos, videos, or other content in chats. News 

Use Vanish Mode on Instagram to Send Disappearing DMs

Jim Hendler

Instagram continues to update its features to improve user experiences on the platforms. Recently, the Meta-owned platform has introduced several new features that have only made users’ lives easier and improved their content, communication and privacy. Whether you’re a social media influencer, a business owner, or a casual user, Instagram has something for everyone. One such feature is “Vanish Mode,” which allows users to send each other “vanishing” messages, photos, videos, and other content in Instagram chats, or DMs. When you turn on Vanish mode, things shared in a chat…

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The DoT has also issued advisory about WhatsApp calls from foreign origin mobile numbers (like +92-xxxxxxxxxx) impersonating government officials and duping people. (Bloomberg) News 

Government warns against fake WhatsApp calls from Pakistan, threatens to block mobile numbers.

Jim Hendler

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, has warned Indian citizens about a potential scam involving WhatsApp calls from unknown numbers claiming to be government officials. Scammers are threatening to disconnect mobile numbers or accusing individuals of illegal activities in an attempt to steal personal data. It is advised to be cautious and not provide any personal information if you receive such a call. DoT has also issued an advisory regarding WhatsApp calls from foreign mobile numbers (such as +92-xxxxxxxxxxxx) impersonating government officials and scamming people. Mobile numbers based…

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bill Gates were engaged in tête-à-tête where they talked about the rise of AI and asking Gates about his favourite book. News 

PM Narendra Modi Interviews Bill Gates on His Life and Favorite Book

Jim Hendler, , ,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bill Gates on Friday participated in an interactive chat that was broadcast live online to the public. Prime Minister Modi shared his views on the country’s growth in AI, his thoughts on emerging technology and how AI could help improve people and their skills in the long run. However, the tete-a-tete between Gates and Prime Minister Modi gave us a chance to get more personal information about the Microsoft founder and how he sees technology evolving in the coming years. Gates also talked about his…

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WhatsApp lets you send high-res image and videos on mobile devices by default and here's how you can do it News 

Sending High-Quality Photos and Videos on WhatsApp: A Step-by-Step Guide

Jim Hendler

WhatsApp introduced a feature that allows users to send images and videos in high definition (HD). With this update, the messaging app was able to solve a long-standing problem for many who struggled to maintain quality when sharing media files. In the past, users resorted to workarounds such as sending files as documents, which could be cumbersome and not user-friendly. The new HD feature allows users to share compressed versions of their original media files in HD resolution, offering a significant improvement over the standard SD option. HOW TO SEND…

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Asteroid 2024 EO3 and Asteroid 2024 FN1 belong to the Apollo group of asteroids, while Asteroid 2024 ES4 belongs to the Amor group, says NASA. (Pexels) Space 

Three asteroids set to pass Earth closely today, NASA reports; Details on speed, size, and more

Jim Hendler,

Yesterday, Earth had a close encounter with three asteroids, none of which were deemed dangerous. The largest asteroid was 150 feet wide, nearly the size of an airplane. These near misses highlight the potential danger of celestial objects like asteroids and comets, emphasizing the importance of monitoring their paths. NASA, utilizing advanced technology, has identified three asteroids expected to pass by Earth on March 28. Asteroid 2024 EO3: Details NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, or CNEOS, is responsible for calculating the trajectories of celestial bodies such as asteroids and…

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WhatsApp UPI payments has been around for a while but its progress has been slow in the country which could change if the new feature rolls out. News 

WhatsApp may soon allow users to make UPI payments in foreign currencies

Jim Hendler

WhatsApp supports UPI payments like other apps in India. The messaging app started piloting the feature a few years ago, but still lags behind the likes of PhonePe, Google Pay and even Paytm. But soon, the Meta-owned platform could get a big head start on its rivals, with rumors suggesting that WhatsApp will soon offer international UPI payments for Indian users. That’s right, WhatsApp could actually take on the likes of PayPal with its UPI payment service available in other countries. An X-user named AssembleDebug has shared the details of…

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WhatsApp new features may be rolling out soon! Check details. (Unsplash) News 

WhatsApp is considering adding 5 new features, such as group events and a status updates composer, in the near future.

Jim Hendler

WhatsApp has rolled out several new features aimed at enhancing user experience, with plans to introduce even more in the near future. These upcoming features include group events, default media upload quality settings, and other improvements. The app has already undergone significant changes, such as reorganizing the status and call tabs and allowing users to pin up to three messages in a chat. Stay tuned for updates on the latest enhancements, from group events to improved media upload quality. WhatsApp new features According to a report by Android Authority, WhatsApp…

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WhatsApp to elevate user experience by integrating Meta AI directly into the search bar for enhanced accessibility. (Bloomberg) AI 

WhatsApp to directly integrate Meta AI into search bar for improved accessibility

Jim Hendler

WhatsApp is on the verge of a major change in how users interact with Meta AI by incorporating it directly into the search bar. This innovative step aims to make it easier for users to access AI assistance within the app, removing the need to switch to a separate Meta AI conversation. Spotted in WABetaInfo’s latest Android WhatsApp beta update (version 2.23.25.15), this innovative feature is poised to redefine how users interact with Meta AI. Instead of searching for the Meta AI shortcut, users can simply start typing in the…

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Mark your calendars: On April 8th, 2024, prepare for darkness in broad daylight as the Moon's shadow paints the sky in a rare cosmic show - Solar Eclipse 2024. (NASA) News 

Celestial Spectacle: Total Solar Eclipse in 2024

Jim Hendler

Make sure to save the date of Monday, April 8, 2024, for a special astronomical event: the total solar eclipse of 2024. This will be the last chance for Americans to see this rare occurrence until 2044. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon positions itself directly between the Sun and the Earth, casting its shadow on our planet. For those lucky enough to be inside totality, the Sun’s ethereal Corona is fully visible, creating a spectacular spectacle. This rare event offers viewers a unique opportunity to witness the whole,…

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WhatsApp chats can be moved to other apps like Telegram thanks to useful tools offered by these platforms. News 

Is it Time to Make the Switch? Follow These Steps to Transfer Your WhatsApp Chats to Telegram

Jim Hendler

In today’s digital environment, accessibility is key, as many applications are constantly updating their features to improve the user experience. Telegram, a widely used messaging platform, has a transfer feature that allows users to seamlessly transfer their conversations from one app to another. Make sure you have updated Telegram to version 7.4 as this update includes the chat transfer feature. Here is a simple guide for users to transfer chat from WhatsApp to Telegram on both iOS and Android phones. Transfer WhatsApp chats to Telegram on iPhone Here’s how to…

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