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    HomeNewsThis Week In Tech! August 18, 2023

    This Week In Tech! August 18, 2023

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    Here is what’s happening in the tech world this week.

    1. Meta Unveils New AI Tools to Help Create Realistic Avatars

    meta

    Meta has unveiled a new AI tool called I-JEPA, allowing users to create realistic images from incomplete sketches. 

    I-JEPA, the new open-source project, is developed by Meta’s top AI scientist, Yann LeCun, and is based on knowledge-guided generation to fill up the missing details of any image. 

    ijepa

    The new tool can analyze and complete the unfinished sketches more accurately than the existing AI tools, as claimed by Meta. 

    This tool is expected to eradicate the standard errors of AI-generated images

    I-JEPA is still under development, but it shows potential to be used in a wide variety of applications like generating human-like Avatars for VR and AR experiences, creating realistic images for advertisements and marketing, and contributing to the world of art and entertainment.

    It will be interesting to see how users use these new tools and how they impact the metaverse.

    1. Google Bans Android Apps That Quietly Kill Your Phone’s Battery Life, McAfee Reveals

    macafee

    MacAfee has identified 42 Android apps that were quietly killing your phone batteries, and Google has taken a step forward to remove them from the Google Play Store.

    This is a direct violation of Google’s regulations & contradicts Google Play Developer policy. 

    Despite that, some developers encouraged the practice of generating ad clicks without the user’s consent.

    McAfee’s security team stated that these apps were draining the users’ batteries by running them in the background, even when they were not in use.

    The apps are also said to track the users’ location and collect personal data without their consent.

    Google is yet to release any official statement on the ban but has taken steps in the past to remove apps violating its policies.

    The ban on the apps is a positive step taken by Google to protect users’ privacy & security. 

    However, the users should be aware of the apps they are downloading and should only download apps from trusted sources.

    3. XPro, Formerly TweetDeck, Becomes a Paid Service Now

    tweetdeck

    X announced on August 15, 2023, that TweetDeck, now XPro, has become a paid service. 

    XPro is still available as a 30-day free trial version. After that, you will have to pay $84 per year or $9.99 monthly from now onwards. 

    XPro’s features, like creating custom streams, viewing multiple timelines at once, and scheduling posts, will not be included in the free version.

    XPro is available to X Premium subscribers, who pay $6.49 per month or $69.99 per year. X Premium includes other features, like reading posts without leaving the app, changing the app icon, etc.

    The move to make TweetDeck a paid service has been met with mixed user reactions. 

    Some users have welcomed the move, saying it will help keep TweetDeck sustainable. 

    Others have criticized the move, saying it makes the tool-less accessible to everyone.

    Only time can tell whether XPro will be received by the users. However, it seems X is looking to monetize its platform in new ways under the leadership of Elon Musk.

    4. Zoom Clarifies They Do Not Use Calls to Train AI Without Consent

    zoom

    Zoom, the popular video conferencing platform, has recently updated its terms of service.

    Zoom clarifies that from now it will not use the users’ chat, audio, or video content to train the AI models without their consent.
    zoom

    The change comes after Zoom faced criticism from users and privacy advocates for using customer data for the purpose of training the AI models.

    The company also said it will allow its users to opt out of using their data for AI training.

    Zoom’s move is a welcome change for users who are concerned about protecting their privacy.

    However, it is essential to note that the company still collects a lot of data about its users, including device information, IP addresses, and meeting transcripts.

    So, as a user, you should abide by Zoom’s terms of service and privacy policy to understand how your data is being used.

    5. Windows Secure Time Seeding Feature Is Wreaking Havoc

    clock

    Windows’ Secure Time Seeding feature is causing havoc by resetting system clocks to random dates and times. 

    This feature is designed to ensure system clocks show accurate time, but it does more harm than good.

    Secure Time Seeding uses remote server timestamps to calibrate the system clock. 

    However, the timestamps can be malicious and inaccurate. This can lead to the system clock being reset to a random date and time, which can cause problems with applications, services, and data.

    Worldwise users have recently reported this issue, stating that it affects all Windows versions from 10 to 11. Microsoft is aware of the problem, and we all can expect it will soon release a fix to address the issue.

    6. Xbox 360 Game Marketplace Shuts Down in July 2024

    xbox360Microsoft has made this heartbreaking announcement that it is going to shut down the Xbox 360 game marketplace on July 29, 2024. 

    This means users can no longer purchase new games or other in-game content for the Xbox 360 console.

    But Microsoft makes it clear that the users who have already purchased games for their Xbox 360 will still be able to download & play them after the closure. 

    However, they will not be able to make any new purchases. Microsoft also offers a grace period for gamers who want to transfer their Xbox 360 games to the Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S. They can transfer their games until January 1, 2025, for free.

    It seems Microsoft is making a move to sunset the older generation of Xbox consoles. 

    However, the Xbox 360 will always be remembered as one of the most popular consoles of all time.

    7. Google’s Gemini to End The ChatGPT Dominance

    google-gemini

    Google has announced that Gemini, its new large language model, will launch this fall with significant upgrades over its predecessor, ChatGPT, which is currently the most popular large language model.

    Gemini is said to be able to generate more realistic & rational text, translate languages with more accuracy, and be less likely to generate offensive or harmful content than ChatGPT.

    Google has yet to release any details about the availability or pricing of Gemini. 

    However, it is expected to be available to businesses & developers first, and then a consumer release to follow.

    Closing Thoughts

    Technology is constantly evolving, so stay up-to-date on the latest trends. So stay with us for more such trending news.

     

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    Sanchita Das
    Sanchita Dashttps://bytespired.com/
    Sanchita is with growing experience in troubleshooting and tech-related issues. Pursues interest in technology, gaming, media and storytelling and always ready to accept new challenges.

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