Category: news

Indian Startups Want To Build National Alternative To Google Play Store

Indian startups have banded together to challenge Google’s monopoly over the Android app ecosystem by Google Play. And build an Indian app store.

Indian businesses want to build a national altenative to Google Play.

They was prompted by Google’s recent annoucement to force app developers on its store to use its payments system. That takes a 30% cut on transactions including in-app purchases. Founders Paytm, MakeMyTrip and PolicyBazaar discussed Google’s policy and the concerns on dependence on Google.

Executives of startup and firm in India attended the call on september 29. They agreed that a Google’s 30% cut was “simply unfeasible”. And it will hurt Indian businesses. It said the meeting discussed Google’s “monopolistic” hold on India. And what the executives alleged Google were unfair and inconsistent enforcement of Play Store guidelines in India.

google play store

Indian businesses took the hit from Google’s allegedly opaque policy enforcement.

Google reiterated Play Store’s gambling policy. And even they pulled Paytm’s app from the store for some time in the last month. Google is a direct competitor to Paytm in the mobile payments market. They also sent notices to OTT platform Hotstar and food delivery startups Swiggy and Zomato.

Paytm app was pulled for adding a fantasy cricket tournament that the company recently included in the app. The app was back in Play store after a few hours. But the ban sent shock waves through the Indian startup ecosystem.

Doosra has also been took the hit from Google’s allegedly opaque policy enforcement. It was pulled from the Play store just a week after its launch Sept. 15. It took Doosra team 48 hours to convince the Google Play store team to bring back the app.

The move of Indian startups came a day after a group of apps including Epic Games, Deezer, Spotify and Tile, banded together to form the ‘Coalition for App Fairness’. This group claims to fight against Apple’s control over its app store and in a minor way, Google as well.

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Microsoft Exposes New Surface Laptop Go And Surface Pro X

American technology major Microsoft announced the new Surface Laptop Go along with the high-grade Surface Pro X tablet series.

The new Surface Laptop Go comes with 12.4-inch PixelSense (1536 x 1024p) display with 148 pixels per inch. This laptop has 4GB/8GB RAM, 64GB (eMMC)/ SSD- 128GB/256GB storage). It allow user 30-day trial with Microsoft 365 Family, enterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello one-touch sign-in. HD camera, Dual far-field Studio Mics, Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Audio are an innovative feature.

In addition, the laptop has 39W Power Supply and can last up to 13 hours. As far as the connectivity is concerned, it has multiple ports– USB-C, USB-A, 3.5 mm headphone jack, Surface Connect port, Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatible.

Microsoft Exposes New Surface Laptop Go And Surface Pro X

The Surface Laptop Go comes in Ice Blue, Sandstone, and Platinum colors. Above all,  this new version flaunts Aluminum top case. The base is made of polycarbonate composite resin system. It has prices starting $549 in the US from October 13 onwards.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Pro X Gets A Refresh

On the other hand, the top-end Surface Pro X has 5MP front-facing camera with 1080p full HD video and 10.0MP rear-facing autofocus camera with 1080p HD and 4k video. The device can last up to 15 hours of normal usage.

Similarly, it has also enterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello face sign-in Windows Hello face authentication camera. It features a 13-inch PixelSense (2880x1920p) display with a pixel density of 267 pixels per inch.

It comes with sturdy casing having signature anodized aluminum with carbon composite fanless thermal cooling. And then it will be in Matte Black, Platinum colour finish with prices starting at $999.99. For now, it can be pre-ordered in the US.

 

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Facebook Messenger Merges with Instagram DMs

To make it easier than ever to slide into someone’s DMs on Instagram when using Facebook Messenger, Facebook and Instagram are merging their messaging services, allowing for cross-platform communication.

To bring the best of Facebook Messenger to Instagram DMs, they will allow users on both platforms to seamlessly connect with each other.

10 new features are coming to Instagram DMs besides cross-platform messaging.

Users can choose to delay the update to a later time or update immediately.

You’ll see the following prompt upon opening Instagram if you’re eligible for the update.

If you choose to update now, here’s more about the new features and the changes you can expect

Facebook Messenger

Upcoming Features on Instagram Direct Messaging

These are some new features you will get Instagram DMs:

  • Messaging Across App: Connect with people seamlessly across DM and Messenger by using either app to send messages or join video calls.
  • Watch Together: During a video call, you can enjoy watching videos on FB Watch, IGTV, Reels, movies, TV shows and more with other users.
  • Vanish Mode: After they’re seen or when you close the chat when you choose this mode, seen messages disappear.
  • Selfie Stickers: Creative with your selfie to a series of boomerang stickers to react to messages.
  • Chat Colors: Customize your chats with color gradients.
  • Custom Emoji Reactions: Create a shortcut of your favorite emojis to use quickly in conversation.
  • Forwarding: Easily share content with up to five friends or groups at once.
  • Replies: Respond directly to a specific message in your conversation and keep it flowing.
  • Animated Message Effects: Add visual flair to a message with animated send effects.
  • Message Controls: Choose people who can message you directly or who can’t message you at all.
  • Enhanced Reporting and Blocking Updates: Report full conversations in addition to single messages. Receive proactive blocking suggestions across Instagram and Messenger when you add your accounts in the new Accounts Center.

Users can choose to utilize or not from the above new features. The main change to know of is who’s able to message you.

Now, people using Messenger can connect to you on Instagram without you downloading a new app, and vice versa.

You can find messages and calls from people using Instagram in the Instagram app.

Facebook says even more ways to connect will be added over time.

Some of these features will be available on Instagram first and come to Messenger after. Such as custom emoji reactions and selfie stickers.

Growth of Messaging on Instagram & Facebook

Facebook highlights how far messaging has come since it was first brought to Instagram.

Now, people send more than 100 billion messages to each other every day on Facebook’s family of apps alone.

Internal research from Facebook to who use messaging apps in the US. It finds out that four out of five of them say they’re important for spending more time with friends and family.

It will be even easier for people to stay connected and express themselves in new ways with the new update.

Facebook is going to roll out these new features on Instagram and Messenger around the world.

Though does say it will be expanded globally soon but a few countries will receive the update first.

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News: Google Launches Google Pixel 5

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Google Launches Google Pixel 5, Nest Smart Speakers And Chromecast

Google introduced new products at a virtual press event Wednesday with highlights including Google Pixel 5 And Pixel 4A (with 5G), an updated Chromecast streaming device and a new higher fidelity smart speaker.

Google Pixel 5 And Pixel 4A 

The new 5G phones beg consumers to take a good look at the entry level $499 Pixel 4A (with 5G) phone as opposed to the more expensive $699 Pixel 5.

Google Pixel 5 and 4A have virtually the same specs. Except the Pixel 4A has a larger 6.2 inch screen to the 5’s 6 inch. But the Pixel 5 touts a slightly more powerful battery. Pixel 4A has a headphone jack and the Pixel 5 does not. Both come with 128GB of storage.

The flagship Google Pixel 5 is the sequel to last year’s Pixel 4 and 4XL. Difference of Pixel 5 is the access to the new faster, 5G wireless networks. And Pixel 4A with 5G is the update to the Pixel 4A which went on sale during the summer.

Google Launches Google Pixel 5

Smartphone sales in the US are dominated by Apple and followed by Samsung. Google Pixel sales are small, comparatively, and are positioned to show off the best of Android.

This year, Google will find even tougher competition. Samsung will release a budget version of its Galaxy S20 series with the name FE. This Galaxy S20 series for $699, as opposed to $1,399 for the top-of-the-line model. Beside, Apple is expected to release 4 new editions of the iPhone, starting at under $700 in October. The FE, new iPhones and new Pixel are expected to connect to 5G.

The Chromecast streaming device For TV

The new Chromecast streaming device is updated to take on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. It offers a program menu called “Google TV” and Google search to find shows and movies within the streaming world.

New Chromecast brings a different experience from the old Chromecast. Original Chromecast plugs into the HDMI port on your TV. It allowed consumers to “cast” programming from their phones or tablets to the TV. The new Chromecast can still “cast” like the original version. With the new version, you can use the visual menu or click the Google Assistant on the remote for voice search.

Besides, the new Chromecast supports a slideshow feature to showcase photos uploaded to the Google Photos service on the TV.

Nest Smart Speakers

Joining Amazon, which last year introduced a higher-end audio Alexa speaker, the $199 Echo Studio, answers with Nest Audio, promising better high fidelity with the Google Assistant for $99. Google had introduced a higher-end speaker in 2017, the Google Home Max, with a much higher price tag of $299.

The concept of the speaker is similar to what was pioneered by independent audio company Sonos, which this week sued Google for the second time, alleging patent infringement.

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Many Apple Services Were Having Problems Tuesday Night, 29 September

Many Apple services were hit by outages. These including App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV Plus, iCloud, Photos and more, according to Apple’s system status page.

However, Apple’s status page says that 25 outages were resolved today. Here are some of the services that were affected.

1. App Store
2. Apple Arcade
3. Apple Books
4. Apple Music
5. Apple Music radio
6. Apple TV Plus
7. Find My
8. Game Center
9. iCloud Account & Sign In
10. iCloud Backup
11. iCloud Calendar
12. iCloud Contacts
13. iCloud Mail
14. iCloud Web Apps (iCloud.com)
15. iWork for iCloud
16. Photos
17. Radio

Apple isn’t the only company to experience services outages lately. Similarly, many Microsoft services were affected by outage on Monday.

In addition, for a majority of the affected services, Apple vaguely said that “some users were affected”. Though for AppleCare in iOS and Apple School Manager, Apple said “all users were affected.” Apple hasn’t replied to a request for comment.

Many Apple Services Were Having Problems

Related: China continues to tighten its grip over the Apple Services

Apple began contacting developers who offer RSS news reader apps. They inform that their apps will no longer be available in the China App Store. In other words, this is the latest move from China to crack down on the App Store and get tighter control over.

With the recent tension between the United States government and China over TikTok and WeChat, another report suggests that Chinese regulation over the China App Store could continue to get even more strict.

Before that in August, Apple complied with orders from the Chinese government and removed over 26,000 games from the App Store in a single day.

 

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