Here is what’s happening in the tech industry this week
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X to Introduce Voice and Video Calling Without Contact Details
X is about to introduce voice & video calling features that will not require users to share their phone numbers.
These new features are expected to be rolled out in the coming weeks.
Currently, most social media platforms require users to share their phone numbers to make calls.
This can be a privacy concern as this gives the platforms access to their contact information.
X’s new calling features will use a unique identifier for each user instead of using phone numbers. This identifier will be generated by X and will be stored on the platform’s servers.
To make a call, the users will have to simply enter the other user’s identifier. The call will then be routed through X’s servers, without sharing phone numbers.
Elon Musk’s attempts with X‘s new calling features indicate the growing importance of privacy on social media platforms.
2. Call of Duty to Use AI to Moderate Voice Chat, Combat Toxicity
Activision Blizzard, the maker of the popular video game Call of Duty, announced this week that it will be using AI to moderate the voice chat in its games.
It will use ToxMod, an AI-powered voice moderation system developed by Modulate.ai., to identify & take action against bullying, hate speech, harassment, & any kind of discrimination.
ToxMod can also detect the context of a conversation, that will help to distinguish between playful banter & harmful speeches.
It is scheduled to be released on November 10, initially rolled out in North America, and will be expanded to other regions in the future.
This use of AI to moderate voice chat is a new development in the gaming industry and now it remains to be seen how effective ToxMod will be in identifying and taking action against harmful speech.
3. New Qi2 Chargers Offer Secure, Efficient Wireless Charging for Android and Apple Devices
The first Qi2 chargers look to expand MagSafe-like wireless charging beyond Apple as sorted by Indian Express.
The chargers, made by Belkin and Anker, feature magnets that align the devices with the charger for more efficient & secure charging.
Qi2, the successor to the Qi wireless charging standard, has been designed to support faster charging speeds and cover more devices.
The first Qi2 chargers support up to 15W of charging power, which is the same as the current MagSafe chargers.
However, the Qi2 standard is expected to be updated to support even faster charging speeds in the future.
In addition to Belkin and Anker, other companies are expected to release Qi2 chargers in the coming months.
This could help to make MagSafe-like wireless charging more widely available, and it could also lead to more innovative wireless charging products.
4. Apple Tests 3D Printers to Make Smartwatch Casings
Apple is testing 3D printers to make the steel frames for some of the upcoming smartwatches, as reported by Bloomberg.
This would eliminate the need to cut metal into the desired shape.
The 3D printing process is becoming increasingly popular in manufacturing, as it allows for greater flexibility & precision than the traditional methods.
In the case of Apple’s smartwatches, 3D printing could create more complex & intricate designs and also help Apple reduce the amount of waste produced during manufacturing.
Apple is reportedly still in the early stages of testing 3D printers for its smartwatches. However, if the tests are successful, the company could start using the technology in its upcoming products.
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Google Introduces Google Flights
Google Flights is an online flight booking search service that facilitates the purchase of airline tickets through third-party suppliers.
It was launched by Google in 2011 and is now part of Google Travel.
Google Flights allows users to search for flights by origin, destination, date, & time.
Besides the users can filter results by airline, layovers, & price of the tickets. Google Flights also provides users with information about the cheapest days to fly, the best times to book, and the cheapest airlines.
To use Google Flights, you need to visit the website or open the mobile app. Once you are on the website or app, you can enter all your travel information. Google Flights will begin to search for flights that match your criteria. You can then filter the results to find the best flight for you.
Google Flights can be a convenient and easy-to-use way to find and book flights and a good option for travelers who are looking to save money.
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Microsoft Edge is Removing Several Features in its Upcoming Update
Microsoft Edge is about to remove several features in the upcoming update version 117. These features include:
Math Solver and Picture Dictionary – These features allow the users to solve problems by typing them into the browser or taking screenshots of the problems.
Citations – This feature allows users to generate citations for research papers.
Grammar Tools – This feature allows users to check their grammar & spelling in real-time.
Kids Mode – Kids mode allows parents to create a safe browsing environment for their children.
Microsoft is removing these features to simplify the More Tools menu & improve the end-user experience it will add new features to Edge in the future.
People had mixed reactions to learn about these new changes. If you are a user of these features, you will need to find alternative solutions once they are removed from Edge.
Closing Thoughts
So, there you have it! Stay tuned with us and we promise to bring you the latest information from the tech world to keep you up to date.