Cenizaro Hotels and Resorts and AI company BRACAI have introduced SENA Z, an AI travel and hospitality influencer.

It seems that artificial intelligence is now making its way into the hospitality industry. Cenizaro Hotels and Resorts, whose portfolio includes a range of properties in locations like the Maldives and Singapore, has partnered with BRACAI, which calls itself a “boutique AI consultancy”. Together, they’ve uncovered something that they promise will “imbue the digital travel sphere with a profound cultural narrative”: SENA Z, their very own AI influencers focusing on travel and hospitality.

[Hero image: Cenizaro Hotels and Resorts]

Meet SENA Z aka Sena Zaro, the first AI travel and hospitality influencer

A cursory glance at Sena Zaro, which is the character’s given name, and you might think that she’s just another tourist doing some island hopping and having the time of their life. However, with a closer look and a keen eye, you’ll realise that Sena is actually AI-generated. Cenizaro says that SENA Z was created in “response to the burgeoning presence of digital influencers across social platforms” and that it’s “engineered to seamlessly integrate into the guest experience.”

“Through the launch of SENA Z., Cenizaro’s goal is to captivate audiences through cutting-edge technologies and inspiring adventures,” Cenizaro says in its press release. “Her mission goes beyond travel; it’s about championing a lifestyle of curiosity, personal growth, and appreciation for global diversity.”

Sena already has her own website and Instagram set up. A section on her website chronicles her “30th birthday” which she spent with “family” at The Residence Bintan. Cenizaro says that her content will not just be limited to its portfolio and will promote sustainability, local culture, wellness, and nature among other things. Scroll through her posts on Instagram and you’ll see pretty much all of these things featured on her page.

“SENA Z. is about bridging tech with our love for exploration”, Liza Quddoos, Director of Corporate Communications at Cenizaro, says. “She shows us how digital and human elements can enhance each other’s existence, enriching life rather than replacing our experiences.”

Artificial intelligence has been a hot topic in the past few years. As everyone tries to deal with the ramifications of AI and how it affects different industries, an AI influencer in the world of tourism and hospitality will, at the very least, begin discussions of its role in this industry. 

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Effective 24 April 2024, US Prime Minister Joe Biden approved a bill that might ban TikTok from operating in the United States. 

TikTok has 270 days to sell its stake to an approved buyer or risk complete removal from US app stores. While the actual enforcement of the ban may take several years, as indicated by the legal offense that Chinese-owned parent company ByteDance intends to put up, this latest development stands as the most tangible threat to TikTok’s dominating position as one of the most popular social media sites in the country. The bill, which formed part of a package that included $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, had previously been passed by Congress in March before reaching the President’s desk.

Why is America banning TikTok?

As tensions escalated between Washington and Beijing, concerns from the American camp mounted over the increasingly prevalent influence that Chinese-backed social media platforms such as TikTok had on the nation’s populace. This is especially true when taking into consideration how the video-sharing app recorded a staggering 1,239.29% growth in the country since its debut in September 2017.

While perceived as a drastic move, American government officials justify their decision over fears that China may potentially be using these social media platforms as a means to spy on American citizens or promote propagandist content. It has also been theorised that user data obtained by these Chinese-owned tech conglomerates may be turned over to the Communist government as outlined by national security law. To date, the United States has yet to provide credible evidence to prove that TikTok poses a genuinely considerable threat to its national security.

Other advocacy groups have also expressed concerns with the platform’s addictive nature, especially among children as well as young teenagers, and the long-term psychological effects it may have on their well-being and growth.

How did the TikTok ban in America start?

This isn’t the first time that the American government has tried to restrict or outright outlaw TikTok’s operations, as former President Donald Trump had previously attempted to ban the downloads of both TikTok and WeChat in 2020 to no avail. In fact, it was President Joe Biden himself who withdrew several executive orders concerning both platforms that had been instated by the previous administration back in 2021.

In its current guise, the ban that was most recently signed into law by President Biden was first proposed by the American House Energy and Commerce Committee. Dubbed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, it was subsequently passed through Congress and the Senate, before being codified into law under the President’s approval.

How does the bill work? 

In essence, the newly instituted law will effectively outlaw the ‘distributing, maintaining, or providing internet hosting services for a foreign adversary controlled application’. The term ‘foreign adversary controlled application’ here refers to ByteDance Ltd or TikTok, as well as any of their subsequent subsidiaries or successors that happen to be operated by a foreign adversary.

It also encompasses any other social media platforms operated by America’s other foreign adversaries that the President has deemed a threat to national security. However, platforms used primarily for product reviews, business reviews, or travel information or reviews, do not fall under the purview of this bill. If any such entities violate the bill’s provisions, the Department of Justice has been granted authorisation to carry out investigations, with those found guilty subjected to civil penalties.

When will the TikTok ban in America go into effect? 

At this point, the actual ban itself could take upwards of a year to be enforced, as indicated by the 270-day timeframe provided by the American government to ByteDance to conclude the sale of TikTok to an approved company. This is before taking into account how the President can extend the deadline by an additional 90 days if required.

But of course, with ByteDance CEO Shou Zi Chew vowing to take the US government to court to fight the ban against TikTok, the process could be even further protracted. In that event, the bill will fall under the scrutiny of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals and any stipulated deadlines will be put on hold until the lawsuit’s eventual resolution. Even then, the losing side can still file a review by the U.S. Supreme Court, further delaying its implementation by another year at the very least.

How will this impact TikTok users? 

For those living outside of America, this is unlikely to alter their user experience much, if at all. In Malaysia for instance, ByteDance maintains an active presence in the country with a regional office set-up in KL Sentral, and considers the country to be a key operative market for many of its products including its up-and-coming Xiaohongshu competitor, Lemon8.

But for those in the US, as many as 148.92 million active TikTok users could be forced off the app. This could deliver a considerable blow to many social media content creators as well as micro-enterprises that are dependent on the app’s social infrastructure as a primary source of income. In light of that, TikTok has been working alongside many of its users on a large-scale lobbying campaign to highlight their concerns, as seen through a series of ads.

Should the TikTok ban be enforced, its user base will likely shift to other existing, U.S.-backed social media sites such as Instagram and Facebook.

[Hero image credit: May Gauthier/Unsplash; featured image credit: Alexander Shatov/Unsplash]

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Xbox is jumping into the VR fray. Here’s what we know about the upcoming Xbox VR headset.

The Apple Vision Pro has ushered in a new era of computing that is likely to integrate your phone, laptop, TV and gaming console into one device. However, the economics of such an advanced headset might restrict its access to the masses. This is why manufacturers and consumers are looking at the more cost-effective Meta Quest headsets.

For the uninitiated, Meta’s headsets are known for offering advanced augmented reality features at a palatable price and Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, is now planning to open-source its AR platform to other players, including Microsoft’s Xbox.

The owner of Facebook is now closely working with Lenovo, Asus and the Xbox team to develop specialised AR headsets tailored for specific use cases. However, the one that stood out the most (and more importantly, the one closest to release) is the Xbox version. Meta’s Xbox VR headset might just be what Microsoft needed to tackle the threat from Sony’s PSVR 2 headset available for the PlayStation ecosystem.

Although Zuckerberg didn’t reveal all the features and specifications in his announcement video on Instagram, he hinted at what Xbox players are likely to experience with the gadget out of the box. Since we are more than eager to explore the latest and upcoming developments in the gaming community, we couldn’t wait to deep dive into the details and figure out what the Meta Xbox VR headset could bring to the table.

So, Xbox gamers! It’s time to settle into your sofas and get ready for an exciting future involving augmented reality experiences. Speaking of which…

Xbox VR headset: What exactly is it?

Until Microsoft and Meta officially unveil it, we can only rely on what Zuckerberg has shared on his Instagram post.

At this point, Meta’s Xbox VR headset appears to be a modified variant of the Meta Quest 3.

Based on the teaser image shown in the video, it looks like Microsoft will come up with an AR headset that’s identical to the Meta Quest 3’s basic architecture. The headset might flaunt the Xbox’s signature green colour accents and iconic logo to make it more in sync with the Xbox ecosystem. Broader head straps could be introduced for enhanced comfort during longer gaming sessions. The headset will be running on Meta’s Horizon OS platform and is likely to offer Meta’s app store for downloading other Horizon OS apps and games.

However, the Xbox VR headset could be different from the devices wearing the Lenovo and Asus badges and here’s what we are speculating based on the available data.

1. Will likely retain Meta Quest’s gesture controls

As Zuckerberg said, the Xbox VR headset will come with the Xbox wireless controller out of the box, just like the Xbox Series X/S consoles do. However, we also expect Microsoft to retain the gesture controls from the Meta Quest for basic UI navigation.

2. Support for Xbox Game Pass

The Xbox Game Pass subscription is a crucial part of Microsoft’s gaming future and it’s being hinted that the Xbox VR headset will support it. For the uninitiated, the Xbox Game Pass gives players access to hundreds of video games from various eras of the Xbox consoles. To generate more interest, Microsoft could also offer specially curated Game Pass subscription plans for owners of the VR headset, prioritising titles designed for VR headsets over generic console titles.

3. An extension of the Xbox console experience

Horizon OS on the Meta Quest 3 already supports Xbox Cloud Gaming, letting players access their video game library from anywhere in the world. On the Xbox VR headset, Microsoft could fine-tune the hardware to automatically log in to the Xbox account and show a common dashboard listing all the games registered on your account. This could make it a more attractive proposition for gamers interested in getting the Xbox console experience on the move. As long as there’s a robust connection to the internet, the Xbox VR headset could be an extension of your Xbox console experience.

4. Special accessories might be on the way

Microsoft could also figure out special accessories for gamers tailored for the VR experience. These devices could offer haptic feedback for superior immersion during gameplay sessions.

Does the Xbox VR headset have a release date yet?

Sadly, Microsoft and Meta have not made any statements regarding the release date of the upcoming Xbox VR headset. Nevertheless, Microsoft is expected to release a midlife upgrade for the Xbox Series X console later in 2024 and we speculate a grand reveal of the Xbox VR headset alongside this upcoming console.

(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Meta)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– When will the Meta Xbox VR headset be released?
The Meta Xbox VR headset is expected to be released in late 2024 alongside the updated Series X console.

This story originally appeared in Augustman Singapore

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These are some of the wearable AI tech that you can buy right now.

Buzzwords come part and parcel in every working industry, but nowhere are they more prevalent than in tech, where talk of IoT, wearable devices, and artificial intelligence (AI), has engulfed common discourse across the field. The latter is especially noteworthy given its exponential advancement in less than five years, going from a nascent novelty to a potential reckoning force that could alter the course of human history.

Despite how recent commercial applications of artificial intelligence have only begun to emerge in recent memory, the fact stands that the field of study has existed as far back as the 1950s when computers crossed an invisible threshold that granted them the ability to store and process more information than their predecessors (or indeed, creators) could ever before.

This was bolstered by a philosophical perspective driven by proponents such as renowned English mathematician, computer scientist, and philosopher Alan Turing, who theorised the potential of humankind to create conscious, sentient machines. In one of his seminal works, Computing Machinery and Intelligence, Turing posited the likelihood of machines being capable of rational thinking by processing information as their creators do.

Granted, given the limited capabilities of computer technology during the 1950s, much of that remained theoretical. But that is far from the case now, where artificial intelligence has evolved from a mere flight of fancy to a discipline of emergent technology that has found its way into an increasing number of facets of daily life. Whether checking the temperature with your smartphone’s digital assistant or relying upon a digital A.I chatbot service to whittle mundane tasks, there’s no denying the long shadow it casts.

Consumer technology is also making headway in this regard, wasting no time incorporating A.I functions into a slew of their latest devices in a bid to appeal to interest and demand within this niche. But while smartphones continue to be the name of the game as indicated by Samsung’s latest S24 lineup, what has proven to be most interesting is the rise of A.I-enabled wearable devices.

Typically lacking visible screens, a new generation of wearable devices is now hoping to rewrite the principal mode of interaction with technology by reducing the user’s dependence on hardware, focusing instead on user experience and convenience with the help of generative A.I. Need to book a table at your favourite restaurant or phone your neighbor to remind them to feed your cat while you’re away? All you need to do is speak it out loud to your A.I assistant, and consider it done.

If that’s a future you see yourself becoming a part of, then here are five emerging AI wearable devices you should keep your eye out for.

5 AI-enabled wearables you can shop right now

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You might be missing out on a lot. Here’s how to make good use of the health apps and features Apple offers on their devices. 

Apple has long touted its Watch as a great tool to have to keep track of your well-being, and even those who may not have a Watch still get metrics that are tracked by their iPhone. But aside from keeping watch over their cardiovascular health, most users may simply ignore or are just completely unaware of all the other health features that Apple offers.

If you’ve got an Apple ecosystem, but mainly a Watch and an iPhone, then we delve into the ways you can maximise the health apps on your devices. And no, we’re not just talking about the Health app though the majority of the features will be there. We recommend checking these features out on a Watch that’s at least a Series 4 running watchOS10.4 and an iPhone that can run iOS 8 or later. 

[Hero image: Apple]

Check these features out to make good use of Apple’s health apps 

Make good use of the Sharing feature

The Health app can give you a great overview of your personal health, but you can also use it to keep an eye on the wellbeing of your other family members. This is especially useful if you’ve got elderly parents or kids. Some drastic changes in health like low cardiovascular fitness will trigger push notifications to everyone who gets shared the data so you have the chance to act upon worrisome symptoms early on.

Aside from the notifications, having an overview of a loved one’s health trends could also help in discovering possible symptoms of a more serious underlying problem. For example, a change in trend under mobility could perhaps signal a stroke for an elderly parent. For a parent with a child, a visit to the paediatrician could be easier because you have data to back you up. It could also mean prevention like making sure kids get enough sunlight (which the Watch tracks) to prevent myopia. Third-party devices like the Dexcom G6 can even help track glucose levels for diabetics (unfortunately, the device is not yet available here in Thailand). 

It’s also important to note that you get to decide whatever you want to share. You’re in control of your health data. On top of that, the information is also encrypted. 

Share your health data with your trainer/coach 

If you’re on a fitness kick and you’ve hired yourself a personal trainer, you can share your health data with them. Not only will they be able to track your progress, they can also see what exactly you need and adjust your training regimen accordingly. If you’re recovering from an injury, this can be especially helpful because you and your coach can keep track of your mobility stats. 

Record memories of your kids growing up with the Journal app

The Journal app may be lost in the sea of apps on your phone, and perhaps you don’t really find a good use for it. However, parents with babies could use it to record the growth of their young ones. In every entry, you can add photos, videos, and voice recordings, which is why it’s a great app to keep a record of the progress your baby is making. 

For non-parents, you can, of course, use the app as originally intended and journal about your day. You can even set up notifications so that it reminds you to do it. 

Watch over your mental well-being with the State of Mind check-in

The Mindfulness app on the Watch can guide you through a minute of reflecting or breathing to re-centre yourself in the midst of a busy day, but it can also be used to track how you’re feeling whether it’s at a certain point or at the end of the day. The questions are simple and not extensive but it’s a great way to check in with yourself. Like other metrics, if there’s a worrying trend, the Health app on your phone could prompt you to take a simple mental health questionnaire and will make suggestions as to how to proceed according to your results. 

Check how your health trends affect each other

The Health app allows you to have an overview of everything that could affect your well-being, from how much sleep you have to how you feel. It can even predict menstrual cycles for women somewhat accurately. With this data, you can get an idea of how each aspect of your health could affect another. For example, a bad night’s sleep results in you not feeling the best mentally, which is obvious. But with the data, you might also see that it affects your workout routine or cycle. The information gives you a little more self-awareness to what’s going on with your body. 

Browse through the Health app on your iPad

In case the Watch and iPhone displays are too small for you, you can view your information on an iPad if you have one. Unlike the iPhone, the iPad can give you all the info you need at once glance in landscape mode.

This story originally appeared in Prestige Thailand

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Have you heard of Suno AI, the music-generating artificial intelligence tool that some are calling the ChatGPT of the music world? Launched on 21 March, here’s what we know about it.

Artificial intelligence is one of the major challenges facing the music industry. This technology is already revolutionising the sector through increasingly powerful music software. Suno is one such program.

[Hero and Featured Image Credit: Suno AI©]

What is Suno AI, the ChatGPT of the music world?

Suno is a musical-generating artificial intelligence tool created by a team of musicians and AI experts based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The third version of this software, capable of composing songs based on written instructions, has been available online since 21 March.

Exactly how this artificial intelligence program works is still a mystery, but the new version of Suno enables anyone to create two-minute songs from scratch. “Whether you’re a shower singer or a charting artist, we break barriers between you and the song you dream of making. No instrument needed, just imagination. From your mind to music,” reads the Suno website.

All you have to do is give the tool detailed instructions on the type of song you want. You could, for example, ask Suno to generate a rock’n’roll song about the trials and tribulations of a former K-pop idol. The software then processes the request in a few seconds and creates the song you described, with varying degrees of ingenuity.

Persistent shortcomings

What sets Suno apart from other music-generating artificial intelligence tools is the quality of its productions. They are tuneful and their lyrics rhyme. But don’t expect to find yourself with lyrics worthy of Bob Dylan, winner of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature. The verses and choruses of Suno-made songs are simplistic and rarely inspiring, like many songs in the charts, in fact.

Suno’s meager musical vocabulary isn’t its only shortcoming. Indeed, the software occasionally “hallucinates,” and its musical repertoire is still rather limited. It still finds it difficult to fulfil precise requests, even though it is familiar with most of the major musical genres and styles (pop, jazz, hip-hop, rock’n’roll, classical, etc.).

Suno’s teams declined to reveal to Rolling Stone the provenance of the musical sources on which its artificial intelligence model has been trained. But the American company denies copying the style of famous artists and creating musical “deepfakes.” “Suno is designed for creating original music, and our models don’t recognise references to other artists …. To further protect against misuse, we have developed proprietary, inaudible watermarking technology that can detect whether a song was created using Suno,” the firm explains in a blog post.

For the moment, Suno is part of an ecosystem of generative artificial intelligence tools that can compose music. While these computer programs are becoming increasingly powerful, they cannot produce songs of sufficient sophistication and originality to really compete with those of flesh-and-blood artists. Nevertheless, they do help to put musical creation within everyone’s reach.

This story is published via AFP Relaxnews. 

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From new iPads to a new iOS, these are some of the updates we’re expecting from Apple’s upcoming WWDC 2024.

Most of us consider Apple’s biggest event of the year to be the one hosted in September that reveals the newest iPhones, Apple Watches and AirPods. However, with new iOS, iPadOS and other Apple operating systems updates and new hardware announcements, the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is also an action-packed event for Apple loyalists. The 2024 edition of the WWDC has been confirmed on 10 June and the teaser hints at big announcements.

Although Apple prefers keeping everything a secret until the wraps are uncovered on the stage, rumours from industry insiders have spilt the beans on what Tim Cook and his team have in store for us. After announcing the Apple Vision Pro headset at WWDC 2023, Apple is coming for Google and Samsung with its take on generative AI this year.

One of the key focus points for WWDC 2024 is expected to be Apple’s big AI push for all its products. Be it the iPhone, iPad or Mac, AI features are expected to revolutionise the user experience. Siri is rumoured to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of Gen-AI after lagging behind its contemporaries all these years. It’s safe to say that generative AI is going to be a hot topic at Cupertino this summer.

For all those expecting shiny Apple hardware, the WWDC 2024 stage could also feature a revamped lineup of new iPads with faster chips and other upgraded components. If you are a part of Apple’s ecosystem, you cannot miss out on this year’s WWDC.

Since we could barely contain our excitement, we have rounded up all the rumours and presented the five coolest announcements expected at the Apple WWDC 2024 event.

Here are the coolest announcements expected at Apple WWDC 2024

1. Generative AI in iOS 18

Generative AI is currently the talk of the town and Apple is going to infuse a shot of AI in its walled ecosystem. Recent rumours hint at Apple designing iOS 18 around generative AI features and for its first trial, it could rely on Google’s Gemini AI model or OpenAI’s ChatGPT. While not much is known about the AI features, rumours say that iOS 18’s AI features will come in for assistance where it makes a lot of sense.

Looking at what Google and Samsung have done with their mobile operating systems, it is safe to assume that Apple might use Gen-AI for better keyboard text suggestions, summarising content in the Safari browser, making Photoshop-level edits in the Photos app and most importantly, a much smarter Siri that can understand context and provide helpful information.

iOS 18 is also rumoured to offer a customisable home screen, something which iOS users have been demanding for over a decade.

2. AI in Macs

Apple’s M3 chip in the current-gen MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lineups promises improved neural performance and with the upcoming macOS update expected to be announced at WWDC 2024, we could see a change in the way people use their Macs.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that Apple could borrow most of iOS 18’s Gen-AI features for macOS. Luxuries like the ability to summarise content from a webpage in Safari, better autocorrect suggestions, improved Gen-AI image editing tools in the Photos app and access to a smarter Siri assistant. We also speculate Apple might implement video call enhancements and a better audio experience during voice calls.

With Apple, you can expect innovations that truly revolutionise the user experience.

3. New iPad Pro with big upgrades

The MacBook Pro laptops got it and just weeks ago, it was the more affordable MacBook Air that got a taste of the 3nm M3 chip. Now, it is the iPad Pro’s turn.

The iPad Pro is a pseudo-laptop-like device that is hell-bent on fusing the gap between tablets and a PC, without transforming into the latter. The current-gen iPad Pros are great for creators and coders but Apple has bigger plans for the next-gen models. The 2024 iPad Pro is not only rumoured to get the beefy M3 chipset but also a new display panel technology.

Ditching the LCD and miniLED panels, the entire Pro range is expected to get variable refresh rate OLED panels, thereby putting them on par with the best tablet displays we have ever seen. With Gen-AI in the mix, you can expect new software features that could revitalise the classic iPad user experience.

4. More upgrades for other iPads

Besides the iPad Pro, Apple is also expected to announce more upgrades for the rest of the iPad range. The base iPad is expected to get a newer A15 Bionic chipset that allows faster processing and improved longevity. The iPad Mini is also expected to get a processor upgrade to keep it relevant in the rather stagnant tablet market. And, the 11-inch iPad Air is rumoured to ditch the M1 chip and offer the slightly faster M2 chip borrowed from the outgoing iPad Pro.

In a bid to expand the lineup, Apple is also planning to announce a larger 12.9-inch iPad Air with the M2 chip at the WWDC 2024 event.

5. Siri with the power of Gen AI

Lastly, the WWDC 2024 event could see Siri getting a much-needed intelligence update with generative AI. Siri has been left behind in terms of capabilities compared to the more advanced Google Assistant and with AI being all the hype these days, it is high time for Apple to do something.

If Apple strikes a deal with Google, it could use its Gemini AI models to train Siri for more natural conversations, just like the Gemini AI chatbot. Siri could help with essays, social media captions, analyse images and much more – the possibilities are endless with generative AI.

Beyond the iPhone, Mac and iPad, Siri’s enhanced multimodal capabilities are expected to boost the user experience on devices like the HomePod Mini and HomePod 2nd Gen smart speakers.

(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Denis Cherkashin via Unsplash)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– What is WWDC 2024?
WWDC is Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, which is hosted annually to reveal upcoming software and hardware products from Apple.

– What will Apple announce at WWDC?
Apple is expected to announce iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and OS updates for macOS, HomePod and Apple TV. Generative AI is rumoured to be a big topic of discussion this year.

– How often is WWDC hosted?
WWDC is hosted once a year by Apple.

The post The exciting updates expected at Apple WWDC 2024 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

If you want to keep your social media profiles independent of each other, follow these steps to unlink your Instagram account from Facebook.

Linking your Instagram and Facebook accounts has a lot of benefits: seamless exchange of messages between platforms without switching apps, easily posting Instagram content on Facebook, and finding Facebook friends on Instagram and the other way around. However, this cross-platform linking can often jeopardise the security of your data and information, as well as flood your device with notifications that can be annoying. If you’d rather keep your social media profiles independent of each other, follow these steps to unlink your Instagram account from Facebook and vice-versa.

Disconnecting your accounts enhances your privacy and allows for more independent account management. You can unlink your accounts from either Facebook or Instagram. We’ll share both the ways in our guide below. Keep reading.

How to unlink Instagram and Facebook (via Instagram app)?

• Open your Instagram account, go to your profile and then tap the menu in the top right corner.
• Tap ‘Settings’ and then go to the ‘Accounts Centre’.
• On the new page, tap linked Accounts and select your Facebook account.
• Tap the ‘Remove From Accounts Centre’ option against your Facebook profile.
• When the confirmation message appears, tap ‘Continue’. If both your accounts have the same passwords, you’ll be required to change one of the login credentials.
• That’s it. You have successfully unlinked your accounts.

How to unlink Instagram and Facebook (via Facebook app)

• Go to your Facebook profile and tap the ‘Settings’ option at the top-right corner.
• Tap ‘Accounts Centre’ and select ‘Accounts’.
• Select your Instagram profile and tap the ‘Remove’ option next to it.
• When the confirmation pop-up appears, tap ‘Continue’. Your accounts will now be unlinked.

Hero image: Courtesy rawpixel.com; Feature image: Courtesy cottonbro studio/Pexels

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– How do I unlink my Facebook from Instagram?

Go to the ‘Accounts Centre’ on Instagram, then go to the linked accounts and select the ‘Remove’ option against your Facebook profile.

– How to delete an Instagram account permanently linked with Facebook?

In your Instagram Settings, go to ‘Personal Details’ and select ‘Account ownership and control’. Select the ‘Deactivation or deletion’ option and then choose the ‘Delete account’ option.

The post How to unlink your Instagram account from Facebook appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Here’s how to use WhatsApp’s screen share feature for video calls on your Android and iPhone devices as well as the desktop app.

WhatsApp constantly rolls us exciting features that enhance user experience tremendously. One such beneficial functionality that the Meta-owned platform rolled out in 2023 is the screen-sharing feature, allowing users to share their screen with other participants during a video call. So, what does this feature entail and how does it work? Here’s your ultimate guide to WhatsApp’s screen share feature.

The screen share update is protected with end-to-end encryption and is never recorded by WhatsApp. It is available on Android, iPhone, and Windows desktop app, and can be a compelling alternative to apps like Google Meet and Zoom. Whether you’re sharing work documents, going through your gallery with your family members, planning a vacation with your pals, or just helping someone with tech support –  there’s so much you can leverage from this update. Moreover, “you can now also enjoy video calls in Landscape mode for a wider and more immersive viewing and sharing experience on your phone,” Meta mentioned.

Things you should know about WhatsApp’s screen sharing

• The feature only works during video calls, irrespective of the number of members. Any audio call won’t allow you the screen-share option.
• All information displayed on the screen, including your usernames and passwords, will be visible to the people you’re sharing the screen with.
• This feature only displays your phone’s on-screen content. Any audio accompanying the content won’t be transmitted over the call.
• You can use the screen-share option with both Android and iPhone users.
• Anyone can start the screen-sharing session during a video call. However, only one participant can share their screen at a given time.
• Your camera will stay active even while you’re sharing your screen.
• You can also rotate your phone to landscape mode to get a new layout for screen sharing.

How to use WhatsApp’s screen share feature on Android and iOS?

• Open WhatsApp and engage in a video call.
• During the video call, select the ‘Share’ button in the bottom display bar.
• For those who are using the feature for the first time, press ‘continue’ when WhatsApp’s dialogue box appears.
• Select ‘Start now’ to grant the app access to your screen.
• To stop the session, tap the screen share button from the video call screen again.

How to use WhatsApp’s screen share feature on desktop app?

On the desktop version, WhatsApp allows users to either share their entire computer screen or just share a particular app. Here’s how to use it:

• Go to the WhatsApp desktop app and initiate a video call.
• On the call window, click the ‘Share’ option and choose if you want to showcase the entire screen or a specific app.
• To stop screen-sharing, return to the WhatsApp app and tap the Stop screen-sharing icon.

(Hero image credit: Eyestetix Studio/ Unsplash)

(Feature image credit: Vectonauta/ Freepik)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Does WhatsApp have screen sharing?

Yes, WhatsApp rolled out its screen share feature for video calls in 2023.

• How do I share my screen on WhatsApp video call?

Simply select the ‘Share’ button in the bottom display bar during your video call and the screen-share feature will be activated.

• Can I use WhatsApp’s screen share feature on iPhone?

Yes, you can use WhatsApp’s screen share feature on iPhone, and Android as well as WhatsApp’s desktop app.

The post How to use the screen share feature on Whatsapp appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

With the alleged PS5 Pro specs having leaked online, the question now is whether it’ll be worth the wait.

If you plan on getting a new gaming console this summer and have zeroed in on the Sony PS5, there’s something you need to know. Sony’s premiere gaming console might be in the queue for a mega upgrade and if we were to go by the latest rumours, it might be sooner than you think.

The PS5 Pro was rumoured to be released alongside a slimmer version of the PS5 in 2023 but we all know how everything panned out. The much-hyped ‘PS5 Slim’ replaced the original PS5 from 2020 as the standard model, though Sony has remained tight-lipped about the PS5 Pro since then. As industry insiders have predicted the arrival of the next-gen gaming consoles by 2028, tech pundits and Sony fanboys are expecting a ‘Pro’ variant of the PlayStation 5 to drop anytime now.

Courtesy of the latest batch of leaks, we now have a fair idea of what to expect from the PS5 Pro. While not much is known about its design, the leaks have revealed some of the key specifications that hint at improvements to its overall performance. Does that sound like a decent enough reason to halt your decision to get the PS5 Slim Edition this season and wait for the upgraded version?

A detailed Sony PS5 vs PS5 Pro comparison is the only way to find out.

Sony PS5 vs PS5 Pro: A detailed comparison

For this comparison, we will take a look at all the crucial bits that the PS5 Pro leaks revealed and compare them to the current-gen PS5 model.

Performance: All about ray tracing?

One of the biggest takeaways from the PS5 Pro’s leaked data is its greater computing power. The leaked documents say that the PS5 Pro’s enhanced internals will offer 33.5 teraflops of computing power. While that may not sound much in comparison to most premium gaming laptops and PCs out there, the enhanced firepower overshadows the existing PS5’s 10.28 teraflops of computing power. These figures even make the Xbox Series X’s 12 teraflops of computing power seem antique.

Additionally, as per the leaked documents, the PS5 Pro’s architecture will also be more complex than the current-gen PS5 models.

Based on the rumours, Sony might be using a new AMD RDNA architecture that boasts massive gains on paper, though in reality, the gains aren’t as massive as they seem. The PS5 Pro is said to be using a beefier GPU that could improve ray tracing performance up to three times. The CPU remains unchanged from the existing model.

Sony will also include a new High CPU Frequency Mode for a temporary boost in processing speed but at the cost of slower GPU processing.

The leaked report also says that the PS5 Pro’s system memory will run at 576 GB/s, which is approximately 28 per cent faster than the current model. Other than better-performing audio hardware capable of processing more sound effects, the PS5 Pro is also rumoured to bring PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). This technology is Sony’s equivalent of Nvidia’s DLSS and AMD’s FSR for upscaling the image quality using machine learning. The PSSR could play a vital role in rendering most video games in 8K resolution if you have attached your console to an 8K TV or display.

Hence, with all that in consideration, the PS5 Pro is realistically said to offer 45 per cent faster processing than the current-gen gaming consoles. The improvements are most likely to be felt in ray-tracing performance, which could benefit upcoming AAA titles like GTA 6.

Will the PS5 Pro be faster than 2024’s Xbox Series X upgrade?

Based on everything we know about Microsoft’s upcoming refresh of the Xbox Series X, it seems that the PS5 Pro could theoretically have an advantage over its Xbox counterpart. Leaks related to the 2024 Series X refresh primarily suggest that Microsoft is content with the present generation’s overall performance and will focus mostly on efficiency. Hence, the updated Series X will be dearer to Mother Nature while you get to demolish your opponents in your favourite shooting game. The PS5 Pro, on the other hand, will offer a noticeable upgrade in ray tracing performance.

What about the design?

The PS5 Pro is expected to embrace a disc-less design and we won’t be surprised if it looks a lot like the current-gen PS5 All Digital edition. Rumours say that the updated design should allow for removable disc drives within the body of the console. Sony could also update the DualSense Wireless Controller with new schematics and colours.

PS5 Pro’s release date and price

The leaked specifications present a promising upgrade that most prospective buyers might find tempting enough to wait for until the holiday season. Hence, if you are willing to get your first gaming console or upgrade from an older one, it might make more sense to hold on to your purchasing decision until October/November 2024.

As for the prices, the PS5 Pro, with its enhanced horsepower, could command a premium over the standard PS5 console. This could be somewhere in the range of USD 599 to 799. 

(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Sony)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– When is the PS5 Pro releasing?
The PS5 Pro is expected to be released in the latter half of 2024.

– What will be the price of the PS5 Pro?
The official price of the PS5 Pro console has not been unveiled by Sony yet.

– What are the leaked specs of PS5 Pro?
The PS5 Pro is rumoured to offer a realistic computing power of 33 teraflops with faster memory bandwidth, an overclocked CPU and an upgraded AMD RDNA GPU architecture.

This story originally appeared in Augustman Singapore

The post Is it worth waiting for the rumoured PS5 Pro? appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

An experimental video game made solely by AI fell short because it was “unable to replace talent”.

The debate surrounding artificial intelligence has been going on for a while but it was only last year that a major creative industry was affected by it. The Screen Actors Guild and Writers Guild of America strikes put Hollywood on a standstill for almost five months, with one of the major concerns being safeguards against AI replacing human talent. 

Keywords Studio recently revealed that last year, they actually tried to make a game solely using AI to see if it was possible. They spent a considerable amount of time trying to make it happen but ultimately, it didn’t pan out for one simple reason: human talent can’t be replaced.

[Hero image: Fredrick Tendong/Unsplash]

Keywords Studios attempted a video game made solely by AI

In their recently published fiscal report, Keywords Studios CEO Bertrand Bodson explained that the company’s research and development sponsored an undertaking they called Project Ava. A team was given a simple task: to create a 2D game using only generative artificial intelligence or GenAI. 

The report revealed that the team spent six months and identified over 400 tools that they used while developing the experimental game. Bodson said that in some cases, Gen AI was able to speed up the developmental process though it also lagged in some areas. However, there was one major caveat that stopped them from completing the game: human talent. 

“We ultimately utilised bench resource from seven different game development studios as part of the project, as the tooling was unable to replace talent,” Bodson said. “One of the key learnings was that whilst Gen AI may simplify or accelerate certain processes, the best results and quality needed can only be achieved by experts in their field utilising Gen AI as a new, powerful tool in their creative process.” In other words, Gen AI can be useful but only when being used by someone (i.e. a human) with expertise in that creative area. 

Because the game was an experiment, Bodson said it wouldn’t be released to the public. He did say that the experiment was a success since it “spread tangible learnings” within the company. Though it’s clear that AI by itself cannot be used to create a game (yet), Keywords Studio plans to leverage it in different ways like helping in customer support. 

The AI debate in the creative sphere will continue to rage on but this experiment has proven that human talent is irreplaceable—at least, for now. 

The post A company tried making a video game using only AI. It failed.  appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

The internet has been set abuzz by the recent discovery of a hidden emoji game on Instagram. Here’s how to play it.

Instagram has a secret game in your ‘direct messages’ and, only an emoji can unlock it. Yes, the application has quietly inserted an emoji-based game within the direct messaging feature.

The Instagram secret game involves controlling a paddle to keep the emoji afloat. It’s like a vertical solo game of Pong or Breakout for arcades, where you earn points for successful bounces. So cool!

How to play the hidden Instagram DM game?

To play the game, you should open a message and send any single emoji to a user or go back to a single emoji sent by a user. As you select and hold the emoji message, Instagram will transport you to the game interface.

As you are redirected onto a screen with a blank yellow backdrop, you will notice your emoji floating in the centre. The idea is to prevent your emoji from falling off the screen in the pong-like game. Use your finger to slide a platform from which the emoji can continue to bounce. As you progress through the game, the emoji will move faster.

The longer you keep your emoji afloat, the faster it bounces and the more challenging it becomes to earn points and change backdrops along the way.

The game is available to both iOS and Android users

Once you redeem 10 points, your emoji will evolve into a surprise new emoji. For example, if you start with a ‘potato’ emoji, it will become French fries. Please note that once you leave the game, you’ll have to start afresh again (both Android and iOS users). However, Instagram will save your high scores and you will see it, no matter where you initiate a game.

Instagram users have been raving about the discovery in a Reddit thread. Many users also boasted their high scores.

One user wrote: “It just happened to me too! I suppose that it is an update.”

Another wrote: “Just happened to me!! So cool!”

(Hero image credit: @unicode/ Twitter)

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The newest MacBook Air with the M3 chip is finally here. 

Apple’s next upgrade for the MacBook Air has finally been revealed. The San Cupertino-based company drew the curtains back on the brand new MacBook Air model, which now comes with the brand new M3 chip. A new chip, of course, means faster performance, which Apple boasts about in its press release, but they’re also touting its other features like its support for two external displays and faster wi-fi.

[Hero image: Apple]

The rundown on the new MacBook Air with the M3 chip

With the M3 chip, Apple boasts that this new MacBook Air is “60 percent faster than the model with the M1 chip and up to 13x faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air”. Switching from Intel-based Macs to those running on Apple’s own chips has proven to be a vast difference in performance in the past but whether it will be worth it to switch from an M1 Mac to this current model is yet to be seen.

Much like Apple’s other devices, there’s not a lot of change externally. The usual two models are still there: 13-inch and 15-inch, and the MacBook Air remains thin and light. It comes in four colours: midnight, starlight, space gray, and silver. 

Another thing Apple is touting for this new M3 MacBook Air is gaming. According to its press release, the new GPU of the M3 “supports hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing”. It even specified No Man’s Sky as a game that runs 60 percent faster than on a 13-inch M1 MacBook Air.

Apple has also cited that the Apple silicon chips are a great platform for AI. The press release specified Goodnotes 6’s AI Math Assistance and enhancing photos on Pixelmator Pro as some of the things users can do with AI when powered by Apple silicon. As for the M3 specifically, Apple says that it “includes a faster and more efficient 16-core Neural Engine” which makes the “MacBook Air the world’s best consumer laptop for AI”.

The MacBook Air with the M3 chip is already available in select regions starting at USD 1,099. No word yet on when it will launch here in Thailand and what its starting price will be. 

The post Apple unveils the new MacBook Air with the M3 chip appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Thanks to WhatsApp’s Multiple Account feature, you don’t have to carry two smartphones to use the app for personal and work purposes. Rolled out in October 2023, this feature allows all Android users to use two accounts on one phone within a single app. You can easily switch between the accounts from within the app, without installing any third-party application or using the WhatsApp Business application. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use the WhatsApp Multiple Account feature.

This multi-account feature is only open for Android users as of now, however, it is expected to roll out for iOS users soon. The rollout is also happening in a phased manner. So if the feature isn’t available in your region yet, don’t worry, it might be available soon. Till then, you can make do with Android’s Dual Apps feature or use separate numbers on the WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business apps. For those of you who can use it, keep reading our guide.

How to use WhatsApp’s multiple accounts feature

To use this feature, you need to have the following things: 

• A second phone number or SIM card
• A phone that supports dual SIM cards
• The latest version of the WhatsApp app.

Here are the steps to enable multiple accounts on your Android device: 

• Open the WhatsApp app on your phone, go to ‘Settings’ and then ‘Add account’.
• Enter your second phone number and tap on “Next.”
• You have to verify your phone number with the code sent to you via SMS.
• After the verification is done, you can easily set up your second WhatsApp account.

After setting up the second WhatsApp account, follow these steps to switch between profiles: 

• Tap on your profile picture in the top left corner.
• Choose the account you want to use.

With two WhatsApp accounts on your device, the notifications might get confusing and cluttered. However, WhatsApp has given the provision to modify and alter notification and privacy settings separately for each account. To differentiate between messages on these accounts, you can change the notification tone for each. Moreover, you can also make changes to the privacy settings for each account, choosing different profile pictures and statuses for each.

Hope this guide helps you make the most of WhatsApp’s interesting feature!

Hero image: Courtesy Anton/Pexels; Feature image: Courtesy Mika Baumeister/Unsplash

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Can I use two WhatsApp accounts in one phone?

With WhatsApp’s Multiple Accounts feature for Android, all Android users can use two WhatsApp accounts in one phone. 

– Which is the best app to run dual WhatsApp on one phone?

Multi Parallel, 2Accounts, DO Multiple Accounts and Multi Space are some of the best apps to run dual WhatsApp on one phone. 

– Can I use one WhatsApp on two phones?

Yes, WhatsApp’s Companion mode allows you to use a single account on up to five devices.

The post How to use the WhatsApp multiple account feature appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Following last summer’s trend of embracing Barbiecore aesthetics, it appears that the trend is making a comeback, with Nokia’s phone makers now joining in for another iteration.

At Mobile World Congress 2024, Human Mobile Devices (HMD) – which has been in the news lately for shifting focus from the Nokia brand – and Mattel have announced a collaboration to work on a new mobile phone that celebrates the Barbie franchise. What’s even more exciting is that it will be a flip phone, a category that resonates with the world’s most iconic doll.

But why now? Why announce a Barbie flip-phone several months after the Barbiecore mania faded away? Although HMD and Mattel haven’t commented on the matter, we assume it has something to do with the Barbie franchise in general and not Greta Gerwig‘s 2023 Hollywood movie.

Unlike the Barbie-themed Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 from last year, HMD’s Barbie flip phone is said to be designed from scratch and will offer a retro twist. This isn’t surprising, given that HMD is the brains behind Nokia’s diverse range of retro feature phones that offer a taste of the ‘90s and early 2000s nostalgia in 2024.

So, if you’re interested in retro phones, are still intoxicated by Barbie mania, or both, here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming Barbie flip phone.

Barbie flip phone: Is Mattel not done with Barbiecore?

The short answer, no.

The craze of Barbie and HMD’s retro feature phones is spilling into 2024 and based on the brand’s MWC announcements, it looks like the Barbie flip phone is an exercise to grab attention for HMD’s launch of non-Nokia smartphones this summer.

Speaking of smartphones, this phone will not have anything to do with Android or any other conventional operating system. HMD further clarified in its press statement that the Barbie flip phone is a feature phone and its sole purpose is to bring the Barbie franchise’s style to the concept of digital detox.

“The Barbie Flip Phone will arrive this summer 2024. Promising style, nostalgia and a much-needed digital detox, this retro feature phone will flip the script on smartphone culture and will be this summer’s hottest accessory,” says HMD.

Barbie flip phone: Specifications and features

With the possibility of this being a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 rival ruled out, we can limit our expectations from HMD’s Barbie flip phone. After all, HMD and Mattel intend this device to be used as a digital detox accessory for the summer.

And finally, *Drumroll, please… * 👋 Hi @Barbie!#BarbieFlipPhone = promising style, nostalgia and a much-needed digital detox, this retro phone will be this summer’s hottest accessory 🎀#HMD #MWC24 pic.twitter.com/IGb5vIimnm

— HMD (@HMDdevices) February 25, 2024

Considering the press images shared by HMD, it looks like the Barbie flip phone will be devoid of most modern-day perks seen in feature phones and is likely to stick to the basics.

A well-laid out T9 keypad along with a large colour TFT LCD display, a big battery, a USB-C charging port and a 3.5m headphone jack is expected to be part of the standard specifications list. We also expect to see support for 4G connectivity.

No camera for Barbie though, as evident from the pixellated image shared by HMD on the stage. A digital detox taken too far? Or is the phone supposed to be for children? Only time will tell.

Barbie flip phone’s release date

For now, HMD and Mattel have committed to release the Barbie flip phone in the summer of 2024. While there aren’t any hints about the pricing, given the basic nature of this flip phone, you can expect it to cost less than the Nokia 2660 4G flip phone.

(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy HMD)

This story first appeared here.

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Computer giant Lenovo unveiled a transparent ‘see-through’ laptop at the 2024 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, on February 26.

In a statement the company said that the ThinkBook Transparent Display Laptop Concept is the industry’s first laptop with a 17.3-inch Micro-LED transparent display. The laptop is designed to alleviate the experience of using artificial intelligence (AI) in tasks.

At the outset, the laptop looks like a smaller version of the large transparent screens seen that Tony Stark worked on in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movies. Only that the thing that Lenovo has introduced is a real product.

Features of the Lenovo transparent laptop

How does the screen become transparent?

The 17.3-inch Micro-LED display of the ThinkBook Transparent Display Laptop Concept holds the key. The bezel-less screen has a high-colour saturation. When combined with exceptional contrast and 1000 nit brightness of the screen, it makes the laptop easy to use with optimal visibility both indoors and outdoors.

According to The Verge, the transparency is about 55 per cent when the pixels are set to black. The screen becomes less transparent with an increase in brightness. Thus, at the peak brightness of 1000 nits, the screen appears opaque.

Thus, the level of brightness determines the transparency of the screen. The screen, on the other hand, has 720p resolution.

AIGC and a touchscreen keyboard

Lenovo has incorporated Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC) technology to help users interact with real-world objects. A camera located on the chassis of this laptop uses AI for image recognition, which is then displayed digitally on the laptop.

In its statement, Lenovo said, “AI in combination with transparent displays will open up new ways of engaging with data and applications, offering opportunities to develop new features and form factors.”

The ThinkBook Transparent Display Laptop Concept comes with a completely flat touchscreen keyboard instead of a physical keyboard. Artists and other visual creators can also use the flat touchscreen like a drawing board with a supported pen.

The Lenovo transparent laptop’s price and availability

Lenovo said that the laptop is a ‘proof of concept,’ which means that it won’t be available for purchase anytime soon. Its price will not be known till Lenovo plans to release it in the market.

“The Lenovo ThinkBook Transparent Display Laptop Concept is not only a proof of concept but showcases a futuristic perspective on AI PCs, blending digital and physical environments that can enhance user experiences in ways never imagined,” the company said in its statement.

Other transparent displays

South Korean electronics giant Samsung displayed an OLED transparent laptop at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Lenovo, too, presented a transparent smartphone concept in 2015 through its then-subsidiary Zuk Mobile.

Transparent screens also exist as shop displays and other signage, such as those on train carriage windows in Japan or China.

Hero and Featured images: Lenovo

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– When is Lenovo’s transparent laptop launching?

Lenovo transparent laptop is a proof of concept, meaning it will not be launched anytime soon.

– What are the features of Lenovo’s ThinkBook Transparent Display?

The Lenovo ThinkBook Transparent Display Laptop has a 17.3-inch Micro-LED with 1000 nit brightness. It comes with a 720p display resolution and has a touchscreen keyboard.

This story first appeared in Augustman India

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Which iPhone model is the most popular? Here’s a dig into the best-selling smartphones in the world.

After becoming, for the first time in history, the world’s biggest seller of smartphones in 2023, Apple also has been revealed as holding the top seven places in the ranking of the year’s most popular models. The iPhone 14 takes first place.

[Hero Image Credit: Creative Christians/Unsplash]

What are the best-selling smartphones in the world?

While Apple has yet to disclose figures for its iPhone sales, Counterpoint Research has revealed that the world’s best-selling smartphones are iPhones. The Cupertino-based brand’s various handsets rank in the top 7 best-selling devices of 2023. Three Samsung models round out the top 10.

Apple’s iPhone 14 therefore takes the crown as for having been the best-selling smartphone in 2023, with the USA and China alone accounting for half of these sales. In the ranking of the world’s best-selling models in 2023, the iPhone 14 is ahead of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 13. Next come iPhone 15 Pro max, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15. The strong sales of the iPhone 13, released in 2021, are due in particular to its popularity in Japan and India. As for the iPhone 15 range, released in September, it already dominates the sales podium for the fourth quarter of 2023. Rounding out the top 10 are the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, Galaxy A04e and Galaxy A14 4G.

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In 2023, more than one in five smartphones sold worldwide was an iPhone. According to IDC, Apple will have sold 234.6 million iPhones, compared with 226.3 million in 2022, an increase of 3.7%. The American manufacturer benefited above all from record sales in the fourth quarter, with over 80 million iPhones sold in three months, for a market share of 24.7%. Apple’s success can be explained by continued growing interest in high-end devices around the world, but also by its implementation of aggressive trade-in offers and interest-free financing plans.

The last time a manufacturer other than Samsung held the top spot in the smartphone market was in 2010 — and that was Nokia.

This story is published via AFP Relaxnews.

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If animated cats enliven your soul the same way real cats do, here are some of the best cat games available for both Android and iOS.

After browsing and playing some of the most popular cat games available on Android and iOS for a short while, we’ve come to the conclusion that most cat games on the market are created with the simplest concept. The gameplay and the objective is quite straightforward, because the point is the adorable graphics that reflect the sassy nature of cats.

Some — if not all — of these games are meant to alleviate stress and and aid sleeping, so if that’s what you’re looking for, give this cuteness-overload a try.

[Hero image credit: Google Play; featured image credit: Apple App Store]

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7 best cat games you need on your phone right now

Cats & Soup

Cats & Soup is an idle mobile game that has heart-achingly adorable graphics. The game will let you create and expand your own soup kingdom with a troop of different breeds of cats. You can name them, assign them a role, and dress them up any way you want, like putting a frog hat on Edward, while he’s shredding cabbage. There are more wonders that this game can do, so find out more on the various Cats & Soup reviews.

Cuteness: ☆☆☆☆☆
Commitment: ☆☆☆

Download for Android and iOS

Cat Snack Bar

Cat Snack Bar is a restaurant simulation game that lets you manage different snack bars as you go through the levels, from a sandwich shop to donut to sushi bar. After level four, you’ll be able to dress up your cats as well. It’s also an idle game that doesn’t require much effort.

Cuteness: ☆☆☆☆
Commitment: ☆☆☆

Download for Android and iOS

Animal Restaurant

The story of Animal Restaurant starts with a stray cat who gets the chance to work in another cat chef’s restaurant. You will learn how to make advanced recipes as you progress and service all animals whose unique personalities will demand different things. You may have Mouse who always orders Adzuki Bean Dumpling, or Striped Yellow Jackal who always eats two dishes in a row. You can also hire more staff to help run the business, like Jiji the Waiter, Apricat the Sweeper, and Lucky the Cashier.

Cuteness: ☆☆☆☆
Commitment: ☆☆☆☆

Download for Android and iOS

Furistas Cat Cafe

You’re now the owner of a cat cafe, so your daily tasks include adopting new cats, matching them with the right customers, serving drinks and snacks to customers, decorating the cafe, and cleaning up after your kitties. Although the game portrays the unrealistically friendly nature of cats, it connects with reality by promoting ethical pet ownership through adoption. Furistas Cat Cafe requires more engagement than other cat games, for some tasks require you to scratch the kittens or mop the floor.

Cuteness: ☆☆☆
Commitment: ☆☆☆☆☆

Download for Android and iOS

Fantastic Cats

Fantastic Cats portrays the realistic characteristic of cats. In this game, you can’t force the cats to do anything, but you can only place things that may intrigue them and wait for them to come to you on their own. You’re trying to become a famous blogger by using this cat cafe to attract people, but first you have to attract the cats. After placing a bunch of card boxes, balls, scratchers, jars of fish, cat towers, and lots of food on the yard, the cats will come and show off their peculiar power. These are the Fantastic Cats.

Cuteness: ☆☆☆☆
Commitment: ☆☆

Download for Android and iOS

Purrfect Spirits

You’re dead, and you as a ghost decide to pass time by adopting an endless number of cats who come to your house to play everyday. Purrfect Spirits takes on the Japanese manga storytelling style, through simple yet adorable graphics. The goal is to keep kitties coming to and staying entertained in your place, whether by prompting them with scratchers, towers, or computers. Get your fingers ready for a marathon as you’re tapping to call more cats into your house.

Cuteness: ☆☆☆☆
Commitment: ☆☆☆

Download for Android and iOS

Dear My Cat

Upon booting up the app, you’ll see that the 3D graphics of Dear My Cat are beyond all the other cat games. Designed to help you relax and send you to bed, this idle game tells a story of cats on dreamy Sky Island with a soothing sound. While the goal is to simply level up the island by excessive tapping and watching ads, the essence of Dear My Cat is the features that allow you to interact with the cats and enjoy their lovely stories unveiled little by little via a letter. Spoiler alert: Lonia is a sensitive, delicate cat who enjoys long naps on gloomy days.

Cuteness: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Commitment: ☆☆☆

Download for Android and iOS

The post 7 best cat games you need on your mobile right now appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Tudor flaunts its daring spirit, as the watchmaker is now the official partner of the latest team in Formula 1 racing, Visa Cash App RB Formula One team. 

Throughout its history, Tudor has had a strong presence in motorsport racing. From the Tudor Watch Racing Team in the late 1960s to the recent IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, Tudor has supported numerous successful teams. And now, in 2024, the Swiss watchmaker is making a comeback to the track, supporting a brand-new team. 

[Hero & Feature Image Credit: TUDOR]

Tudor partners with the new Visa Cash App RB Formula One team

A new Formula 1 racing team, Visa Cash App RB, has secured sponsorship from Tudor. The team has a strong driver lineup that includes experienced race-winner Daniel Ricciardo and promising young talent Yuki Tsunoda. After being rebranded as Scuderia AlphaTauri in 2020, the team has undergone a complete overhaul and has now been reborn as the Visa Cash App RB team, thanks to V-CARB and the Tudor sponsorship.

The team has made significant changes, which include redesigning their racing suits with an eye-catching livery featuring Tudor branding. But the transformation goes beyond just their appearance. It affects all departments, from management to engineering. This evolution marks the beginning of an exhilarating new adventure for the team as they aim to establish themselves as a top contender in Formula 1.

“Tudor has always been fuelled by a daring spirit, a consistent will to do things differently,” says Tudor CEO Eric Pirson. “And this spirit—we call it Born to Dare—is exactly what Visa Cash App RB is demonstrating heading into the 2024 F1 season. We’re beyond thrilled to return to motorsport with a partner that’s ready to take on the challenge,” he adds. 

“We are delighted to welcome Tudor to our team. They have a long history in motorsport, dating back to the 60s when they first got involved in sports car racing, as well as historic racing and rallying,” commented Peter Bayer, CEO of Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team. “Now, the Swiss watch company has seized the opportunity to move up to the very pinnacle of motorsport, joining us, as we tackle the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship with our new Visa Cash App RB identity. Our team will be challenging the status quo in Formula 1 with a strong identity, unique style and uncompromising quality – just like Tudor watches.”

The post Tudor partners with the new Visa Cash App RB Formula One team appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Is Mark Zuckerberg right? We take a look at the Meta Quest 3 vs the Apple Vision Pro.

Mark Zuckerberg is, once again, in the news and as convention dictates, he has sparked a new controversy. His recent post on Instagram compared the Meta Quest 3 to the Apple Vision Pro and well, no points for guessing which of the two is his favourite. We know Zuck would always pick the one that came from his vast empire. But is he talking sense? In an outright Meta Quest 3 vs Apple Vision Pro comparison, would we see Meta’s David take on Apple’s Goliath and succeed?

You won’t be wrong to pick the Apple Vision Pro in the aforementioned battle. Tim Cook and his team of geniuses have created a unique Mixed Reality headset that can replace four of the most important gadgets in your life – your TV, laptop, tablet and your smartphone. The Vision Pro wants to slingshot us into the sci-fi future where one device takes care of all our digital needs. This is why you pay a hefty price for it today despite it not featuring something as simple as a YouTube app.

The Meta Quest 3 represents the Mixed Reality headset of today and when you look at it as a package, it might appeal more to the value-conscious buyers. Unlike the Vision Pro, it only wants to provide an immersive viewing experience alongside your TV and tablet.

 

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So, is Mark Zukerberg’s dig at the ambitious Apple Vision Pro justified? We decided to find out with a classic Augustman comparison.

Meta Quest 3 vs Apple Vision Pro: Comparing their specs and prices

Design

In this regard, the Apple Vision Pro would easily take the honours. It might resemble a pair of snow goggles but Apple’s attention to detail on every aspect of the gadget makes it so desirable. Be it the meticulous design headband or the rotary knob inspired by the Apple Watch crown, the Vision Pro represents the perfect amalgamation of beauty and brains.

The plasticky Meta Quest 3 with its oddly shaped sensor package won’t get any glances in public unless you are busy fighting your VR enemies holding the physical joypad controls.

Winner: Apple Vision Pro

Comfort

Meta simplified and added lightness, which is a big deal for a VR headset. A lighter headset makes it easy to wear it for longer durations, which directly translates to more opportunities with this headset.

On the other hand, Apple’s obsession with using a premium metal body on the Vision Pro makes it too heavy and uncomfortable for users. Even the headband arrangement doesn’t help to even out the weight distribution. It also has a battery pack dangling from one of its sides.

Winner: Meta Quest 3

Display

Being the more expensive headset of the two, the Apple Vision Pro offers a pair of superior Micro OLED panels with a resolution of 2,160 x 3,840 pixels and a refresh rate of 100Hz. Meanwhile, the Meta Quest 3 offers a wider field of view with its pair of LCD panels rending everything at a resolution of 2,064 x 2,299 and a refresh rate of 120Hz. The LCD panels do not provide the sharpness and vibrancy of an OLED panel but given the package, it should fit most of your VR needs.

Winner: Apple Vision Pro

Performance

Another aspect where the Apple Vision Pro commands a lead is the performance. With a dedicated visionOS platform relying on an advanced array of cameras and sensors and the combination of the Apple M2 and R1 chips, the Vision Pro is easily the most advanced headset on sale.

Apple says that you will be able to run and place apps in the space, adjust the background opacity in real time and use a majority of Mac as well as iPad apps on it directly. The visionOS platform makes it more suitable for entertainment and productivity. The onboard cameras can take a 3D photo and thanks to the Spatial Audio enabled speakers, you get an immersive theatrical experience while watching 3D movies.

However, despite being built to a price, the Meta Quest 3 has a highly capable Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset which can run a wide variety of VR apps and games. Meta’s user interface relies on flat design themes and using its outboard cameras, it can provide a passthrough while wearing, i.e. you can see your surroundings while wearing the headset. While the Quest 3 has a dedicated library of VR games, you can hook it up to a PC and use it as an immersive VR display for supported video games.

Winner: Apple Vision Pro

Controls

Call us old school but the Meta Quest 3’s physical controls along with the hand gestures make for the best input interface for any VR headset today. The hand gestures are good enough for generic navigation and movie sessions whereas the joypad-like controls come in handy while gaming. Once again, simplicity works better.

The Apple Vision Pro lacks a dedicated controller and solely relies on a combination of hand gestures and eye tracking. That requires a long learning curve and even when you get used to it, the lack of physical controls limits its capabilities in VR gaming. You do get Optic ID as an extra for secure biometric verification but it does little to elevate the controlling experience.

Winner: Meta Quest 3

Battery

Both the Apple Vision Pro and the Meta Quest 3 headset promise up to two hours of battery life on a full charge, provided you don’t play games or run intensive tasks. In an era where your smartphone lasts up to 6-7 hours on average with continuous usage, that’s too little. Hence, both headsets offer the option to use the headset while the device is plugged into a charger.

Apple doesn’t mention charger compatibility but the Meta Quest 3 can make use of a 45W adapter for quicker charging.

Winner: Tie

Price

No prizes for guessing here, it is the Meta Quest 3 with its lowly starting price in the proximity of SGD 1,000. The Apple Vision Pro’s entry price of USD 3,499 (approximately SGD 4,710) is higher than most powerful gaming laptops and PCs you can buy today, let alone a Mixed Reality headset.

Winner: Meta Quest 3

Meta Quest 3 vs Apple Vision Pro: Our verdict

Result: Tie

After an in-depth look at the specifications of the Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro, it seems that both are on par as far as a direct comparison is concerned. Is Mark Zuckerberg proven wrong then?

To obtain clarity, you have to look at the bigger picture. The Meta Quest 3 is undoubtedly great value for money, considering that you get a Mixed Reality headset with advanced sensors, a vast collection of apps and games, the versatility of using it as a gaming display, widespread availability and a more accessible price tag. It makes for an easy pathway to get into the world of Mixed Reality.

However, the lower cost of the Quest 3 translates to an overall average user experience and that’s where the Apple Vision Pro shines. It is certainly carrying an exorbitant price tag but Apple wants the Vision Pro to be your one-stop entertainment and productivity centre instead of being another accessory. That ambition is reflected with visionOS and the choice of an advanced laptop-grade processor.

Being a first-generation product though, the Vision Pro isn’t the most comfortable headset to wear and it could take Apple a couple of generations before making it more practical, affordable and easily available.

(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Apple and Meta)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– What is the major difference between Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro?
The Meta Quest 3 has a more accessible price tag, a pair of physical controllers, a vast collection of apps and games and compatibility with other devices to be used as a VR display. The Apple Vision Pro is more expensive and offers sharper OLED displays, an advanced visionOS platform, Spatial Audio and better integration with Apple’s ecosystem.

This story originally appeared in Augustman Singapore

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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg tried the Apple Vision Pro—and he has a few thoughts.

The Apple Vision Pro has been making waves in the interwebs since its release earlier this month. Well, actually, it’s been making waves since it was first announced. The difference now is instead of Photoshopped memes, we see IRL memes of people walking around wearing this thing because… I guess because they can?

But what no one counted on was Mark Zuckerberg trying Apple’s headset. Sure, it’s no mystery that companies will try out a competitor’s device. But the Zuck didn’t just try the Vision Pro; he went on Instagram and shared his thoughts. And in true Zuck fashion, it was pretty awkward.

[Hero image: Mark Zuckerberg FB]

Mark Zuckerberg says the Meta Quest is better than the Vision Pro

Here’s one thing I’ll say right off the bat: Zuckerberg makes some good points in this video. The gist of his whole spiel is that he thinks the Meta Quest 3, his company’s VR headset, is not just a better value device but a better device altogether. He then goes on to outline why he thinks that: aside from the Meta Quest being cheaper, he says it’s more comfortable, is more suited for gaming since you can play Xbox on it, and it has YouTube, an app the Vision Pro surprisingly lacks. 

“It seems like there are a lot of people who just assumed that Vision Pro would be higher quality because it’s Apple and it costs $3,000 more, but honestly, I’m pretty surprised that Quest is so much better for the vast majority of things that people use these headsets for, with that price differential,” Zuckerberg said.

The whole video was still kinda awkward though. It’s not normal for a CEO to go on social media to say their product is better, though some comments on Zuckerberg’s post are commending him for it. While he wasn’t necessarily hating on the Vision Pro, he was also very adamant in proving that the Meta Quest Pro was better, perhaps even superior.

If that wasn’t awkward enough, the whole video was filmed on the Meta Quest. That meant someone was wearing it. Sure enough, there’s a dude just sitting there in front of Zuck as he speaks, silently recording him like some sort of Cyberpunk edgerunner doing their boss’ bidding.

You can watch the video below.

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From the aptly-named Phone and Ear, these are the Nothing releases in 2024. 

For a brand that came into existence just three years ago, Nothing has witnessed a meteoric rise in its business and fame. Established as Carl Pei’s second business venture based out of London, Nothing emerged as a brand catering to a niche segment of enthusiasts and has been steadily expanding across various product segments over the years.

Its Phone (1) sparked excitement into a rather monotonous midrange smartphone segment and the Ear (1) spiced up the TWS earbuds category with a cool semi-transparent design. Later, the CMF by Nothing sub-brand helped it expand its foothold in the entry-level accessories space.

So what does Nothing have in store for 2024? Quite a lot, if our list of Nothing’s upcoming products releasing in 2024 is to be considered. Carl Pei’s brainchild will begin the year by introducing the affordable Nothing Phone (2a), the true successor to the original Phone (1). Joining this new smartphone on the stage will be CMF’s newest offerings in the entry-level audio category.

Throughout the year, we also expect Nothing to scale up with its mainstream smartphone and audio products, eventually rising to the ranks of Apple, its universally proclaimed competitor.

For Nothing fans, that brief must sound exciting. Hence, without further ado, let us explore the world of tech leaks and take a closer look at all of Nothing’s upcoming products releasing in 2024.

Nothing’s upcoming products of 2024

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From ChatGPT to Gemini, here are some of the best chatbots you can use in 2024.

Generative AI is nothing short of revolutionary, and if things keep evolving at this pace, the vision of humanity employing robots to outsource menial tasks won’t be science fiction anymore. OpenAI gave us a hit of how artificial intelligence can help us with simple tasks, and Google spared no moments to infuse a shot of AI into its smartphones, thereby changing the way we interact with tech.

Hence, AI is more than a buzzword, and if you haven’t used it yet, it is high time to jump on the bandwagon.

AI chatbots like ChatGPT are a great place to begin, and in 2024, you have multiple services to opt for. But which one should you go for?

While OpenAI’s ChatGPT is the most recommended one, the recent advances made by Google’s Gemini (erstwhile Bard) make it equally tempting to invest your time and effort. You also have Elon Musk’s witty Grok, an AI chatbot that’s limited to the realms of X, which we knew previously as Twitter.

Whether you are a beginner or a professional with some good mileage of AI chatbots under your belt, it is essential to choose the right service and get the most out of our generation’s greatest technological advancements. While most of these are designed for sparking human conversations, only a few can help you with artsy requirements.

Then there’s also the matter of accessibility, i.e., how easily can you access your AI chatbot across devices? There’s also the question of whether you should spend on a monthly or annual subscription to enjoy all the extra perks.

Hence, we took it upon ourselves to dig the web, review the features and curate a list of the best AI chatbots available for use in 2024.

These are the best AI chatbots to use in 2024

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Let’s take you through a step-by-step guide on how to edit or delete your Instagram highlights. Here’s what you need to do.

Despite the best of our efforts to add the cream of the crop of our stories in Instagram highlights, and arrange the folders with aesthetic icons like ‘travel’, ‘friends’, and ‘work’, there comes a point where those images age like milk. If there’s an Instagram highlight you don’t want pinned on your profile or you just remove certain over-the-top embarrassing stories from certain highlights, the edit and delete options solve all your problems. Here’s how to exercise these features.

We all have a treasure trove of memories decked on Instagram – whether it’s your first international trip, the blurry memories of your 25th birthday party to your best friend’s crazy bachelorette bash. Many of you have curated each special occasion in a series of Instagram highlights, helping users easily navigate your special moments and get a gist of your everyday affairs. But over time, these highlights become too archaic, you don’t find them visually appealing anymore or there’s just too much clutter on your Instagram profile. If that’s the case, let’s take you through a step-by-step guide on how to edit or delete your Instagram highlights.

How to delete Instagram highlights?

• Go to the Instagram app and visit your profile.
• Head to the Instagram highlights section located below your bio and profile picture.
• Find the highlight you wish to remove, then tap and hold onto it.
• In case you want to remove the entire highlight, select the ‘Delete Highlight’ option.
• But if you want to remove a specific story from the highlight, go to the respective video/ photo and tap the three dots for the “More” option in the bottom right-hand corner.
• Choose ‘Remove from Highlight’ to get rid of that one item. Confirm your action by tapping the ‘Remove’ button on the pop-up and it’s done.

How to edit Instagram highlights

• Go to your Instagram profile and select the highlight you wish to update.
• Select the three dots at the top right of the highlight you want to edit. Click ‘Edit’. In case you wish to change the name of the highlight, enter a new name in the text box. If not, click ‘Next’ to edit the highlight.
• You’ll be shown the list of stories that are a part of the highlight. Click on a story to unselect it and remove it from your highlight. Tap ‘Stories’ to see all your stories and select the items you wish to add to your highlight.
• Click ‘Next’ and ‘Done’.

Hope this guide helps you sort out your Instagram highlights!

Hero image: Courtesy Gabrielle Henderson/Unsplash; Feature image: Courtesy Georgia de Lotz/Unsplash

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– How do you customise your highlights on Instagram?

Go to the highlights section on your profile and choose the highlight you want to customise. Tap the ‘More’ option in the bottom right corner and edit what you want.

– How do you add to an existing highlight on Instagram?

Tap and hold the highlight you want to add stories to. Select the ‘Edit highlight’ option and make the desired changes.

– How do highlights work on Instagram?

Instagram highlights appear right below your below your bio. They’re a conglomeration of the saved stories on your Instagram that you want people to see after they expire after 24 hours.

– Can people see who viewed their highlights?

The views on highlights are only available for 48 hours after you upload them. After that, there’s no way to know who viewed your highlights.

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Amid a chaotic world and your everyday problems, there’s Cats & Soup: a game about cats making soup that gives provides more than just entertainment. Here’s why this mobile game is becoming so trendy, how to play it, and where to download it and get started yourself.

Cats & Soup is a mobile game developed by Hidea that introduces you to the forest of cats and their culinary world. You’ll start with a cat and a soup cooking station, and learn to make money to buy more cooking stations, leisure areas, fishing ponds, furniture to decorate your Cat Tower, and more. Cats will be bestowed upon you from the stars, and it’s your job to name, dress, and assign them a position – chopping carrots, shredding cabbages, blending juice and more.

The goal is to make as much money as possible and expand your cats and soup tycoon, which will enable you to make more complex menus and make even more money.

It’s an idle mobile game, which means it doesn’t require much effort. After playing it for a while, however, we realise there should be more of these kinds of game in the world. Here’s why.

There’s a trending game called Cats & Soup: here are 5 reasons why you should play it

Unlike in real life, you get to control the cats

If there’s one thing that’s unrealistic about this simulation game, it’s the fact that we can control cats. This is a dream-come-true for many cat owners (or how we commonly refer to them: cat slaves). You can name them, dress them up, feed them fish, and at one point you’ll be able to decorate their Cat Tower.

You’ll learn a lot about the culinary world

If a sushi master spend decades learning about fish, rice, and knives, these cats also spend their whole lives perfecting each and every step in soup making. You’ll see how each individual is responsible for only one task, whether stirring soup to prevent burning, shredding cabbage, chopping carrots into bite-size pieces, putting up corn, shelling acorns, and so much more.

The soothing graphics will heal your soul

Cat lovers will definitely enjoy the game, but every element of Cats & Soup is so adorable and soothing that anyone can enjoy it. The graphics, including a Ragdoll cat in a frog hat shredding cabbages non-stop, the background music – 15 different tracks you can choose from – and the whole concept of watching a bunch of cats make soup will heal your tired soul. It’s like a giant hug after a long day.

You can fall asleep while playing and wake up with with your dream fulfilled

Since it’s an idle game, you don’t need rocket science skills to play it. For the most part, you’ll just be tapping on everything that comes up and finding exotic costumes and decorations for your babies. The game is not pressuring you to stay active all the time, so just lay down and relax. You’ll wake up with thousands of dollars in your bank — in the game, of course.

You’ll learn to never exploit animal labour

These cats are diligent workers. They have their play time and nap space, but other than that they’ll be working their butts off. Day or night; rain or no rain. Slow but steady, guilt will creep up on you and you’ll learn the most valuable lesson in your life: never abuse animal labour. Look at the naivety in their eyes, how would you be able to exploit their physical labour in real life? Perhaps, that’s why from now on, you won’t ride that elephant in Chiang Mai, that horse on the Hua Hin beach, that camel in Dubai, and so on. There’s greater meaning behind all this.

Where to download Cats & Soup

Cats & Soup is free to download on Android and iOS. There’s a Netflix edition with no ads, but the original app features more inclusive content.

Find the Cats & Soup original game on the Google Play Store and Apple Store, or the Cats & Soup Netflix edition on the Google Play Store and Apple Store.

[Hero and featured image credit: catsnsoup/Instagram]

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Since its release, Palworld has been accused of ripping the Pokémon video games and adding a darker twist. Here is everything to know about the Palworld vs Pokemon controvery.

Is Palworld a version of Pokémon with guns? Or is it Pokémon with a side of The Legend of Zelda? Or a mixture of Pokémon, Minecraft, PUBG, Fortnite, Valheim and every other online multiplayer video game?

Ever since its release, Palworld has been surrounded by controversy and when something gets people talking this hard, it is bound to sell well. For a video game coming from a small indie developer, Palworld has gone on to be one of the most downloaded video games on Steam in recent times, second only to the likes of PUBG and Counter-Strike-2. This is despite Palworld being available as a free-to-play title on Xbox Game Pass.

Even if you keep yourself familiar with the world of video games, Palworld still comes across as a surprise. Developed by Pockepair, this video game has got the attention of everyone who grew up with the Pokemon games, web shows and movies from yesteryears. Many are calling it a blatant ripoff of the Pokemon video game while others are praising the developers for pushing forward a rather stale concept that Nintendo hasn’t done justice to in recent years.

If you are seeking clarity, join us as we explore everything about Palworld and whether it threatens the Pokémon franchise in the future.

Decoding the ‘Palworld’ vs ‘Pokémon’ controversy

Palworld, in essence, is a darker take on the concept of Pokémon. While Nintendo’s creations have always treaded on the family-friendly path by introducing Pokemons as adorable pocket monsters, Palworld takes a more grim approach by highlighting the concept of poaching and dogfights.

Simply put, Palworld is a grown-up version of the Pokémon video game series where the concept of love and care exists alongside exploitation, decay and death.

While the concept is unique, it doesn’t take a specialist to decipher that most of Palworld’s Pals (the pocketable creatures) are largely inspired by Pokémon characters. Those who have got the game have found character references to popular Pokémon characters. You capture these Pals by throwing a Pal Sphere (just like a Pokeball) and you carry them along for battles. That’s where the controversy steps in. And there’s more.

Palworld’s gameplay concept and design

As the player, you have to explore a mysterious island full of Pals, which are creatures of various shapes and sizes possessing unique special powers. For survival, you have to catch these Pals and use them for battles against enemies and other players (if you are in the multiplayer lobbies). Simultaneously, you can also enslave your Pals to build and maintain your base. You can also direct them to mine and craft other materials.

However, unlike Pokemon, you also get to have fighting gear like crossbows and assault rifles. Yes, you can shoot down wild Pals and poachers with weapons in Palworld.

This is where Palword starts to differ from Pokemon. In your captivity, you can either choose to love and care for your Pals, thereby nurturing a healthy environment for your creatures. Or, you can choose to exploit your Pals by making them work to death, or eat them for survival.

The Palworld vs Pokemon chasm grows wider as you can use Pals as vehicles to traverse the open-world map or use them to attack human poachers. You can even sneak into wildlife sanctuaries and capture the rarest Pals for your collection.

What’s even more surprising (and probably fun) is the ability to play with the genetics of Pals and breed new variants of these imaginary creatures!

Palworld truly seems like a version of Pokemon meant for grown-ups! As long-time fans, players and critics of Pokemon say, Palworld is what Pokemon should have evolved into.

Palworld’s availability and price

Despite all the controversy, Palworld sounds like a video game you need to try. If you game on your PC and are subscribed to the Xbox Game Pass subscription, you can download and play Palworld for free. Similarly, if you possess an Xbox Series X or a Series S console, you can access it for free on the Xbox Game Pass.

Meanwhile, Palworld is also available on Steam for INR  1,170.

(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Pocketpaid via Steam)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– What are the similarities between Pokemon and Palworld?
Critics say that Palworld borrows its gameplay concept and some of the characters from the Pokemon video game series.

This article originally appeared on Augustman India.

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Forget smartwatches. Samsung just unveiled a new Galaxy Smart Ring, but is it just a fad or the latest innovation in wearable technology?

Smartwatches are a cool way to track your health parameters. But in reality, they are a bit cumbersome to live with. A chunky wearable gadget — like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Pro or the Apple Watch Ultra — may not be the most practical gear to wear to bed for sleep tracking or going through a day while dealing with keyboards and paperwork. An easier alternative is a smart ring and Samsung is one of the industry’s biggest names to jump on this bandwagon.

At the Galaxy Unpacked 2024 event, the company teased its Galaxy Ring to the world for the first time.

While the hype may have fizzled once Samsung attached the ‘coming soon’ tag at the end of the teaser, it is nonetheless an exciting product category to explore. A smart ring from Samsung could be the next big step in the world of health tracking that delivers more accurate data while keeping in mind the wearer’s comfort.

Although Samsung zipped its mouth shut on the matter of its features and specifications, it doesn’t take much to guess that this device could essentially extend all the fitness tracking features of a smartwatch to this device without the distraction of a display, the pesky battery life and an exorbitant price tag.

Hence, without further ado, let us take a quick look at everything we know about and expect from the Galaxy Ring.

Samsung Galaxy Ring: One ring to rule them all?

In Samsung’s words, it might be the one smart ring that dominates every product in its category. On the stage, Samsung wasn’t shy in admitting that the Galaxy Ring will feature “cutting-edge” health innovations to make this a “powerful and accessible health and wellness product”. Only if the brand was gracious enough to announce some of the features and functions that this smart ring will do…

Judging by whatever was teased, the Galaxy Ring resembles most of the health and fitness tracking smart ring devices that have been around. The insides of the ring contain a couple of crucial sensors for possibly tracking common health metrics like heart rate, stress, blood oxygen saturation, calories and more.

On the outside, it seems like the Galaxy Ring will feature a dark glossy finish to gel well with all kinds of attires. As with most Samsung wearable products, the Galaxy Ring could rely on the Samsung Galaxy Wearable app for getting firmware updates as well as fine-tuning several device settings. The Samsung Health app could be the second companion app for accessing all the health data and creating detailed reports with graphs and numbers.

What does the Galaxy Ring do?

Similar to most smart rings, it is easier to speculate that the Galaxy Ring will rely on its onboard sensors to keep track of your heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, skin temperature, steps, calories and stress. However, the most important parameter would be sleep tracking since Samsung’s recent Galaxy Watch models have been doing an exceptional job at providing useful sleep insights based on the acquired data.

It could also play a key role in keeping a tab on sleep apnea, which is another common sleep disorder.

Samsung Galaxy Ring’s price and launch date

The teaser video from Samsung hints at a possible launch in the second Galaxy Unpacked event of 2024 around July/August, which is usually reserved for its foldable devices. Hence, you could be seeing the Galaxy Ring hit the stores alongside the Galaxy Watch 7 series and the successor to the Galaxy Z Flip 5.

As far as the pricing is concerned, the lack of any kind of display should help Samsung position it lower than its Galaxy Watch models, unless the brand ends up using additional sensors that drive its price up.

(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Samsung via YouTube)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– What are the features of the Samsung Galaxy Ring?
The Samsung Galaxy Ring is speculated to track various health metrics like heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, skin temperature, sleep analysis, stress and mindfulness.

– What is the price of the Samsung Galaxy Ring?
Samsung is yet to announce the price of the Galaxy Ring. Rumours hint at a lower price than the Galaxy Watch 6.

This story originally appeared in Augustman India

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Major brands presented innovative self-care products and gadgets at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 that married tech to beauty.

The 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) took place in Las Vegas from 9 to 12 January, showcasing the latest innovations in technology from around the world. Over 4,300 exhibitors, including over 1,400 start-ups, unveiled their newest gadgets, gizmos and services, attracting an estimated 135,000 attendees from 150 countries. Among them were beauty products and gadgets aimed at consumers that form part of the massive personal care market.

This year’s CES focused heavily on three key themes: artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability and mobility.

AI was evident in everything — from Barcoda’s smart mirrors that analyse your mood and offer personalised health coaching to Ambarella’s self-driving cars that can navigate complex city streets. Not astonishingly, some companies showcased robots that can patrol rooms, climb stairs or clean windows.

Sustainability was a major focus, with many companies showcasing products designed to reduce our environmental impact. This included solar-powered gadgets, energy-efficient appliances and even battery recycling.

The highlight was, however, beauty brands. For the first time, a beauty brand, the famed L’Oréal Groupe, took centre stage for a CES keynote. Joined by partners and actress Eva Longoria, L’Oréal shared a vision of inclusive beauty tech, improving lives across the world and highlighted new products and acquisitions.

All the major tech beauty products and gadgets showcased at CES 2024

L’Oréal AirLight Pro

The L’Oréal Groupe unveiled the AirLight Pro hair dryer at the CES 2024, which can be used both at home and by professional hair stylists. The device has been developed in association with hardware technology start-up Zuvi.

According to L’Oréal, the AirLight Pro uses infrared-light technology and wind for a process that delivers visually smoother and hydrated hair. It also helps dry hair faster, using the optimised heat flow of its special 17-blade, high-speed motor and tungsten-halogen bulbs which power a patented infrared technology. The company claims that it consumes “up to 31 per cent less energy” than conventional heating processes normally employed in hair drying.

The device comes with software and an app to help customise the type of drying required based on the type of hair for each user.

“AirLight Pro, with over 150 patents filed, perfectly embodies this breakthrough in beauty by, for the first time, bringing a solution for drying while caring for the hair as well as the planet,” Barbara Lavernos, deputy CEO in charge of research, innovation and technology at L’Oréal, said in a statement.

Oclean X Ultra Wi-Fi Digital Toothbrush

This high-tech toothbrush comes with AI voice which lets the user become more aware of their technique. This is done by letting them know if they are concentrating on one side more than the other, and other tips to improve the brushing experience. It does so using a unique bone-conduction technology. An interactive touchscreen on the brush provides information on where to pay more attention to.

Powered by a Maglev motor, which is programmed by an algorithm to deliver up to 84,000 movements per minute, there are five brush modes designed according to use and time of the day. It has a 40-day battery life and is available in two colours. The product is available in Europe. Its price in the US will be USD 130 upon launch.

AmorePacific Lipcure Beam

South Korean company AmorePacific has a lip care device which can detect and provide the required moisture to your lips.

The beauty gadget works in two stages. The first stage incorporates the detection of moisture by rubbing the device on the lips. A precision sensor on the cap does the diagnosis. The second stage involves the application of required moisture, which is done by a brush-like applicator tool in the container which can be used by removing the cap.

The tool uses a light-responsive material that reinforces collagen fibres and builds a moisturising barrier on the lips, depending on the degree required as detected in the first stage. Its universal colour system can also apply the right kind of colour to the lips. The device is the size of an average lipstick.

The product received the Innovation Award at the CES 2024, which was the company’s fifth consecutive win at the tech event.

Panasonic Palm Shaver

Japanese electronics giant Panasonic unveiled a new gadget for those who love personal grooming while keeping sustainability in mind. The new Palm Shaver can be used at home or on the go.

The Palm Shaver is a compact shaving device which can easily fit the palm of your hand. It has five blades arranged in an order that delivers the smoothest and finest cut of every hair of the beard. Each shave can be customised according to the user’s needs and facial contours.

It is powered by a linear motor, ES-PV6A-W, supports USB-C charging and has a carrying case. Panasonic says that the Palm Shaver has been made using a sustainable material known as NAGORI, which is created from sea minerals.

Panasonic also launched new attachments for its MULTISHAPE gadget, a modular personal care system which evolves with the needs of the users. The company launched new attachment heads for the system, including facial exfoliation and cleansing brushes for skin care, pedicure buffer for foot care, a detail trimmer, a hair clipper and other hair grooming tools.

Kohler SpaViva

American multinational Kohler introduced the SpaViva system at CES 2024. It is designed for the finest hand shower experience.

The SpaViva has a built-in cleansing device which combines with a unique spray technology for bathing. The handshower has Kohler’s signature heat-retaining Katalyst spray alongside a new Microbubble spray which can emit bubbles 100 microns or smaller for a much deeper cleaning of the body.

The device comes with a rotating line-up of attachments that effortlessly recharge through a magnetic dock when not in use.

While the SpaViva was the highlight, Kohler also launched a series of other fittings for a complete spa-like washroom experience. These include an integrated digital control system for water delivery, light, sound and steam dubbed Anthem+ Smart Showering Valves and Controls as well as a new-to-market bathroom sink named Rista. The company also launched the voice-activated PureWash Bidet Seat, which has heated seats, adjustable water temperatures and pressure and a contactless opening among other features.

Nimble Beauty Nimble Device

Nimble Beauty’s Nimble Device is an idea that technically gave birth to the company in 2016. Its founder, Omri Moran, created the Nimble Device to help people get a manicure done properly by a machine.

Nimble Device, the machine, is just as much the size of a home printer. It has a 12-inch cube, inside which the user places their hand. There are ridges inside the cube within which the fingers need to be placed correctly and comfortably. The manicure process begins at the push of a button on the Nimble Device.

An accompanying app keeps the user informed of every step of the process, which starts with calibration. Each nail is scanned quickly, following which an AI-backed robotic arm inside the device starts to paint each nail. The machine can paint and dry all ten fingernails in around 25 minutes.

Barun Bio WE-Stim leggings

At the CES 2024, Biotech company Barun Bio unveiled a product that is meant for those who see fitness as an integral part of beauty.

The product, a pair of leggings, features the South Korean company’s patented WE-Stim (for “Wearing Electrical Stimulation”) technology.

WE-Stim converts the energy produced by the body during motion into micro-currents that help stimulate muscles to enhance performance. It is basically a conductive material which is part of the workout pants.

“We’re not just creating a product; we’re pioneering a health revolution in apparel,” CEO Jinkee Hong and CTO Patrick T. Hwang told The New York Post.

“The We-Stim leggings are a testament to our commitment to enhancing health at the most fundamental level. By integrating health benefits into daily wear, we’re championing a lifestyle where maintaining health is effortlessly woven into the fabric of everyday life.”

Barun Bio claims that its leggings are the world’s first clothing that enhances health at the cellular level. Research was conducted on the technology, including cellular, animal and human experiments, as well as academic publications and patent registrations.

(Hero and Featured images: Nimble Beauty)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– What is the topic of CES 2024?

There was no specific topic for CES 2024, but it was centred on a wide range of subjects, including digital health, Generative AI, sustainability, gaming, vehicle tech, cybersecurity, the future of money and space tech.

– How do you get invited to CES?

Only those who are industry members, media members, or exhibitors can attend CES.

The post L’Oréal AirLight Pro to the Nimble Device: Beauty tools from CES 2024 we can’t wait for appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Did you just block someone on Instagram out of anger? That’s sad, while we may not be able to help you win your friend back, here’s some of the ways you can unblock that person.

We’ve all had altercations and nasty arguments with our friends or partners while interacting on social media, and before you know it, either of you block the other person in a fit of rage. When people are getting on your nerves, the block feature acts as the best option to keep someone from seeing your posts, and stories or incessantly texting you. However, when things calm down, you might want to change your mind. Here’s an easy guide on how to unblock someone on Instagram.

There are multiple ways to unblock people on Instagram. You can unblock people through both their profile and the ‘blocked accounts’ list. This can be done on any computer, iPhone or Android device.

Things to keep in mind before blocking a user

• When you block a user, it will block their account, any other existing account they may have or new accounts they create in the future.
• Their likes and comments will be removed from your photos/ videos. Unblocking won’t restore their previous likes and comments.
• A blocked user won’t be able to mention your username or tag you.
• Your Instagram DMs with the user will remain in your inbox, but you won’t be able to message them.
• If you don’t want to exercise the block feature, you can always restrict their account, remove them as a follower or block them from commenting on your posts.

How to unblock a user on Instagram via their profile?

• On the Instagram app, go to the search tab and enter the name of the user you wish to unblock.
• On their profile, you’ll see an ‘unblock’ button next to the ‘message’ button.
• Select ‘unblock’ again to confirm your choice.

How to unblock someone via Instagram’s ‘blocked accounts’ list?

• Go to your Instagram profile and tap the hamburger menu in the top right corner.
• Select ‘settings and privacy’ and scroll down to select the ‘blocked’ option.
• Find the user you wish to unblock and tap the ‘unblock’ button next to their name. Select ‘unblock’ again to confirm your choice.

What happens after you unblock someone?

• They will be able to find you on Instagram again.
• They can see your posts, stories (given you’ve accepted their follow request, or your account is public).
• The user will be able to follow you again.
• They can message you via Instagram DMs.

(Hero image credit: jannoon028/ Freepik)

(Feature image credit: Vectonauta/ Freepik)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How can I find someone I blocked on Instagram?

To find a blocked user on Instagram, you can either search their profile via the search bar or go to the ‘blocked accounts’ list.

• Can you unblock someone on Instagram after you’ve blocked them?

Yes, there are multiple ways to unblock someone after you’ve blocked them. However, if the user has also blocked you or deleted their account, you won’t be able to do so.

• Why can’t I unblock someone on Instagram?

It’s likely that they’ve deleted their account or blocked you.

• How long does it take to unblock someone on Instagram?

Unblocking someone on Instagram is very easy and takes only a few minutes.

The post How to unblock someone on Instagram appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Whether it was a marketing ploy or not, the Spigen Cryo Armor may have helped this iPhone survive a 16,000-foot drop from an Alaska Airlines accident. 

Earlier this month, a concerning incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight was captured on camera shortly after takeoff. The flight was headed for Ontario, California, and departed from Portland on a new Boeing 737 Max 9 plane. However, at an altitude of 16,000 feet, the cabin window door of the aircraft blew out, putting the 171 passengers and six crew members on board at serious risk. Despite the terrifying experience, no injuries were reported. 

[Hero & Feature Image Credit: Spigen]

All about the Spigen Cryo Armor iPhone case that survived the 16k foot drop from Alaska Airlines

@vee_wins

bffr @Alaska Airlines #alaskaair #planemalfunction

♬ Funny – Gold-Tiger

An iPhone also survived this catastrophic accident, falling approximately 16,000 feet from the sky. The phone was discovered in Washington State by Sean Bates, who was out for a walk. Upon closer inspection, Sean realised the phone was still in airplane mode. It also had a travel confirmation and baggage claim information for the Alaska 1282 flight. Sean quickly notified the authorities, who informed him that this was the second phone they had found that was fully intact and functioning after such an accident.

Now, as everyone wonders what iPhone case helped this device miraculously survive, we found out it was the Spigen Cryo Armor. The company tweeted that the phone was found with their case on it, according to the owner’s friend, who was also on the plane with him. They also sent photo evidence after Cuong finally got his phone back. 

MYSTERY SOLVED: IT WAS US ✈️@AlaskaAir @SeanSafyre

tl;dr: the iphone's case that survived a 16,000 feet drop from alaska airlines was the spigen cryo armor

(receipts below) https://t.co/YoAypHEGaK pic.twitter.com/zFcLWg3Kdu

— Spigen (@SpigenWorld) January 12, 2024

Where to buy the Spigen Cryo Armor

Spigen, a renowned South Korean company, is known for creating exceptional phone cases and accessories with high protection. Their Cryo Armor case is a popular accessory with an AirCube pattern and ArcticFlow Tech. These advanced features help with the phone’s ventilation, making it an excellent choice for gamers or anyone who uses their phone for extended periods of time. Moreover, the case is compatible with wireless charging. 

The Spigen Cryo Armor is currently available in Thailand at THB 1,980 on Lazada for the iPhone 14 series.

The post Where to buy the Spigen Cryo Armor iPhone case that survived the 16k foot drop from a plane appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Find out what Google has in store and the products it plans to lauch this 2024.

In a post-generative AI world where we love to leave all the donkey’s work to our slave chatbots, I wish we could simply ask, “Hey Google, what products are you cooking for 2024?” and expect it to write an elaborate story while I roast marshmallows on a bonfire. For curiosity’s sake though, we asked Bard, and after a rather boring response, we decided it was better if we discussed this in our classy Augustman style.

If we were to compare tech brands with school teachers, Google would be the art and crafts teacher coming up with something so exciting that remains etched in our memories. The group of geniuses at Mountain View, California took us on an AI-filled wild ride in 2023, with the highlight being the Pixel 8 Pro and all its magical capabilities powered by Google’s Gemini AI model.

For 2024, it seems we might be having double the fun this year, especially if the announcements made by Google at CES 2024 pan out in time. It partnered with Samsung to use its Quick Share as a replacement for Nearby Share and expand Fast Pair to Google TV devices for quickly pairing accessories to TVs.

But Google has a lot more to revamp and release this year and we can’t wait to explore all the upcoming Google products releasing in 2024. Hop on the ride!

Upcoming Google products, including Pixel devices, in 2024

The post Hey Google, what are the upcoming Google products releasing in 2024? appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

On Monday, Apple finally announced the release date of the highly-anticipated Apple Vision Pro, the company’s foray into mixed-reality headsets.

When it was first announced in June of 2023, a 2024 release for the Apple Vision Pro seemed so far away. But the time has finally come, and the San Cupertino-based company finally announced the Apple Vision Pro release date in the US. No details were given for other countries and regions, so for now, it’s the US that will get to try Apple’s very first “spatial computer” and judge whether it’s worth all the hype—and the price.

[Featured Image Credit: Josh Edelson/AFP©]

The Apple Vision Pro comes out in the US this January

Apple on Monday said it will release its highly anticipated Vision Pro mixed reality headset in the United States on February 2, in its first major release since the Apple Watch in 2015.

How much will the Apple Vision Pro cost?

Announced in June, the Vision Pro will cost a hefty $3,499 before tax, more than double the price of Meta’s top-of-the-range Quest Pro headset.

“The era of spatial computing has arrived,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, calling the Vision Pro “the most advanced consumer electronics device ever created.”

The headset has been in development at Apple for years, and is seen as a much needed boost to a segment that Facebook-owner Meta has struggled to grow with its own releases.

Meta’s experience with the so-called metaverse has been humbling despite it being a leader in the emergent sector, and many questioned whether Apple would in the end jump in.

Apple said the headset could be used in the workplace, to watch streaming entertainment and play games.

This story is published via AFP Relaxnews. 

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Stick to using ChatGPT to help you write your emails or make your workouts because its data isn’t up to date.

ChatGPT’s app on iOS is currently trending on TikTok because one of its voices sounds very, very much like Scarlett Johansson. I decided to be my best Joaquin Phoenix self and try it out these past few days, and it’s equal parts impressive and scary. Last night, I asked Scarlett—sorry, I meant the AI—about Matthew Perry. It promptly gave me a brief rundown about the actor’s life, but something interesting caught my ear.

It referred to him in the present tense.

I decided to ask it when Matthew Perry passed away. It replied that as of its last “knowledge update”, he was still alive, because it only has information available up to January 2022.

[Hero image: Jonathan Kemper/Unsplash]

The data of ChatGPT is limited up to a certain time so be careful how you use it

ChatGPT has become a useful tool for many things, but asking it to give you recent information may not be the best. To be fair, it’s not like OpenAI is hiding its limitations, which it clearly lays out on its website. Also, it’s not like ChatGPT was tailor-made to provide you with information, unlike Siri, Google, or Alexa. Those assistants actually scour the internet for information in real time. ChatGPT, meanwhile, isn’t connected to the internet at all. 

The app that can be downloaded on phones is based on the ChatGPT 3.5 architecture, which was only trained with data up until January 2022. ChatGPT 4 data, which you need a subscription to use, is a little more recent and knows info from up until April 2023. Considering it’s already 2024, it’s still quite a big knowledge gap. For example, ChatGPT 4 won’t know the box office earnings of Barbie. ChatGPT 3.5 doesn’t even know the movie exists.

“ChatGPT is not connected to the internet, and it can occasionally produce incorrect answers,” OpenAI clearly states in the “What is ChatGPT?” section of its website. It’s something everyone should keep in mind as they use it. The danger, really, isn’t with OpenAI or ChatGPT, because the company is transparent about the AI’s limitations. The danger is in people who start thinking that what the AI is saying is always 100% factual.

For now, good old Google is still your friend for facts (though you still need to double-check, of course). As for ChatGPT, it’s best to just use it for fun as we try and prove that it’s really Scarlett Johansson all along. 

The post ChatGPT doesn’t have up-to-date data so be careful how you use it appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Furniture or speaker—why not both? IKEA has unveiled a seamless blend of furniture and speakers called the SYMFONISK series.

The Swedish furniture company IKEA has long held the fascination and admiration of the people here in Thailand. Wherever they open a new branch, there’s always bound to be a long line of people waiting to get in. When malls reopened after the pandemic, people flocked to IKEA. Why? No one’s really sure. Maybe it’s the meatballs. Maybe it’s the kitchenware and furniture. Whatever the case, we obviously love IKEA. 

Not that it needed to give us any more reason to love it, but IKEA has revealed yet another line of furniture that’s sure to entice people back to its maze-like halls. In collaboration with speaker manufacturing company Sonos, the Swedish company has unveiled the SYMFONISK series: furniture that has built-in speakers.

[Hero image: IKEA]

SYMFONISK, the new furniture/speaker line from IKEA

Bluetooth speakers on your desk and nightstand are common, and so are soundbars that are usually placed at the bottom of your TV. The SYMFONISK speakers, however, look like any other IKEA furniture until you start blasting Queen’s “We Will Rock You” from them. 

One of the items in the SYMFONISK line is an aesthetic modern table lamp (THB 6,990), perfect for your nightstand. Place it, plug it, download the Sonos S2 app, and you’re good to go. Alternatively, you can get the bookshelf speaker (THB 4,990), which can discreetly double as your bedside nightstand. Finally, you can get a frame (THB 5,990) that’s perfect for a piece of art that will adorn your wall… except it’s not just a frame. Wow your friends or give them a heart attack while they admire the art on the wall and you blast “Master of Puppets” without warning from the frame/speaker. 

IKEA boasts that each item in the SYMFONISK series has the same sound quality as any of Sonos’ stand-alone products. The ones mentioned above are the highlights of the series but there are also other items included in the lineup. 

The good news is that we don’t have to wait for much longer to get our hands on this. The SYMFONISK series will be available starting on January 5 in stores and on their website.

The post IKEA is launching their line of SYMFONISK speakers in Thailand on January 5  appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

In our Microsoft Copilot vs ChatGPT comparison, we take a look at which AI chatbot app gives you more bang for your buck.

Microsoft is pulling all the stops in its goal to become the ultimate harbinger of generative AI to the masses. As a result, soon after the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT app, Microsoft brought its Copilot app from Windows to Android. Hence, for all the enthusiasts of generative AI chatbots out there, we have prepared the ultimate Copilot vs ChatGPT app comparison.

If the name Copilot sounds familiar, that’s largely down to the fact that Microsoft has been pushing it a lot lately on Windows 11 PCs. The app intends to bring all the benefits of a GPT -4-based chatbot within arm’s reach instead of redirecting users to the Bing chat interface on the Edge browser, as it was before. Think of it as a smarter and more up-to-date replacement for Microsoft’s Cortana assistant.

With a dedicated Android app, Microsoft now presents mobile users with the luxury of directly accessing the GPT-4-based chatbot without separately downloading the Edge browser.

Microsoft Copilot: Is it trying to be a Google Assistant replacement?

Not really! Microsoft’s Copilot is more of an alternative to Google Bard and OpenAI’s ChatGPT app.

Microsoft describes Copilot as an AI-powered chat tool that uses the latest OpenAI models like GPT 4 and DALL-E 3 to offer solutions to most queries. Just like its Windows counterpart, you can ask it to write essays, create imaginary paintings, engage in an interesting conversation or whatever your mind fancies.

Simply put, it is a one-stop solution for all your AI creativity needs, whether you seek office productivity, help with school homework or are in search of creative inspiration.

However, in a world where the pioneering OpenAI also offers a dedicated ChatGPT app, which one should you download for all your generative AI needs?

Microsoft Copilot vs ChatGPT: Looking at the features of both apps

One of the biggest competitors of the Copilot is OpenAI’s ChatGPT app, which was made available on mobile platforms a few months ago. While both apps rely on OpenAI’s GPT models, only one of them offers a real advantage over the other.

Price

The biggest difference between these AI chatbots lies in their price tags. The official ChatGPT app from OpenAI is free to download and use, provided that you are content with the previous generation GPT-3.5 model. The free model relies on an older database that fails to answer queries related to recent happenings of the world. Additionally, the capabilities are limited to textual output, which is fine as long as you are a casual user.

However, OpenAI offers the advanced GPT-4 model along with DALL-E 3 under a paid subscription plan. For USD 20 per month, you get access to new features like browsing, image creation and a smarter overall AI chatbot.

Meanwhile, Microsoft’s Copilot app offers the benefits associated with ChatGPT’s paid subscription plan for free to the masses. Whether you are creating a new codebase or seeking reference designs for your home interior makeover, the Copilot app can do it all for free.

Winner: Microsoft Copilot

Creativity capabilities

If you are subscribed to ChatGPT Plus, the ChatGPT app provides all kinds of solutions relying on its newest generative AI features.

The app gains multimodal capabilities, which means you can now upload images and illustrations as part of your queries. The bot will also be able to read formulas, understand the subject in images, recognise handwriting, create job resumes, visualise film storyboards and more. It can even process multiple conditions effectively and summarise complex texts, thereby helping with complex solutions. Additionally, it can understand up to 26 languages, help with coding and creating wireframes and even generate social media captions.

For those subscribed to GPT-3.5, however, the capabilities are limited to basic essay writing, code creation and casual conversation.

On the other hand, the Microsoft Copilot extends all the advantages of GPT-4 to you for free. Be it creating images via DALL-E 3 or creating a website code with instructions drawn on paper, Copilot can do everything without asking for a penny.

Winner: Microsoft Copilot

Platform availability

This is possibly the only aspect where OpenAI’s official ChatGPT app takes advantage in comparison to the Copilot. The ChatGPT app is available on both iOS and Android platforms as a free-to-download AI chat assistant.

Copilot is only available on the Android platform for now and Microsoft hasn’t revealed any date for an iOS release. That said, the possibility of the app coming to iOS is highly likely given that Microsoft usually brings most of its apps and services to iOS.

Winner: ChatGPT app

Microsoft Copilot vs ChatGPT: Our verdict

Winner: Microsoft Copilot

Despite their current unavailability on iPhones and iPads, the Microsoft Copilot app emerges victorious in our quick comparison between the two chatbot apps. The fact that you get all the benefits of ChatGPT Plus without paying a penny is the sole reason it wins this comparison.

Moreover, there are no observable performance drawbacks despite getting access to premium perks for free.

(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Levart_Photographer via Unsplash)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– What is the difference in the price of ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot?
The Microsoft Copilot app offers all the benefits of a ChatGPT Plus premium subscription for free of cost.

– What is the difference in features of ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot?
The Microsoft Copilot offers all the benefits and features of a ChatGPT Plus subscription, including support for 26 languages, multimodal input capability, advanced problem-solving, generating images and more, for free.

The story originally appeared in AugustMan India.

The post Microsoft Copilot vs ChatGPT: Which one is better? appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Switching sides or just need to move something over? Here’s how you transfer WhatsApp data from Android to iPhone.

WhatsApp contains some of our most treasured memories, important work and family groups, some essential corporate information and whatnot. And God forbid if you lose all your WhatsApp backup, all hell breaks loose. Making sure that your WhatsApp chats and media are backed up is very important especially when you’re switching to a new device. Transferring your data is a seamless process if both your devices are operating on the same system. However, things get confusing when you’re shifting from an Android to an iOS device. In this article, we’ll show you how to easily transfer WhatsApp data from Android to iPhone.

Unfortunately, WhatsApp does not have any in-built method to easily transfer data across operating systems. But thankfully, there are some workarounds to this as well. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ease your confusion.

How to transfer WhatsApp data from Android to iPhone

Before getting started with the transfer process, make sure that the iPhone is brand new or has been reset. Additionally, both your Android and iOS devices should be plugged into a power source and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Android users can use the ‘Move to iOS‘ application for transferring their data to the new iOS device. However, please note that WhatsApp’s payment and call history data will NOT get transferred. Follow these steps to shift your data successfully:

• Install the ‘Move to iOS’ application on your Android device and follow the prompts appearing on the screen.
• A code will be displayed on your iPhone. Enter the code on your Android device when prompted.
• Press ‘continue’ and follow the additional prompts.
• On the ‘Transfer Data’ screen, tap ‘WhatsApp’ and then press ‘Start’. WhatsApp will now prepare data for export, and you’ll be logged out of your Android phone once the data is prepared.
• Click ‘Next’ to go back to the “Move to iOS” app. Then, tap ‘Continue’ and wait for the app to confirm that the transfer is complete.
• From the App Store, download the latest version of WhatsApp. Log in using the same phone number used on your old device.
• Click on the ‘Start’ prompt when it appears and let the process get completed.
• Once the activation process is complete, all your WhatsApp data will be visible on the new iPhone.

Key points to remember

• The transferred data will not be stored in cloud storage until you create an iCloud backup. So, make sure you do that!
• Your Android device will still have all the data unless you delete WhatsApp or reset your phone.
• WhatsApp can’t see the data you transfer. It is all encrypted.
• While personal messages can be transferred, peer-to-peer payment messages and call history will not be displayed on the iOS device.

(Hero image credit: geralt/ Pixabay)

(Feature image credit: antonbe/ Pixabay)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How do I move WhatsApp data from Android to iPhone?

The best way to move WhatsApp data from Android to iPhone is via the ‘Move to iOS’ application.

• How do I restore WhatsApp chats from Google Drive backup on an iPhone?

For iPhone users, it’s impossible to restore WhatsApp from Google Drive to iPhone. However, you can resort to third-party tools like Tenorshsare iCareFone Transfer and more to successfully restore the data.

• How do I transfer my WhatsApp to my new iPhone with the same number?

Go to WhatsApp settings on your old iPhone, select ‘Chats’ and tap on ‘Transfer chats to iPhone’. Tap the ‘Start’ button to commence the transfer process. Meanwhile, install WhatsApp on your new iPhone and register your WhatsApp number. Tap ‘continue’. From your new iPhone, scan the QR code displayed on your old device. Once the scan is complete, click ‘Next’ button on your new phone. Enter your name and continue setting up WhatsApp on the new device.

• Can I transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone without a factory reset?

Transferring WhatsApp messages from an Android to an iPhone is tricky due to the difference in data storage formats. However, there are third-party software and apps to help with the process.

The post How to transfer WhatsApp data from Android to iPhone appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Yes, it’s 2023, and yes, Yamaha is selling the CD-C603, a five-disc CD changer. 

Remember the days when your car and living room had those zip-up packs that contained humongous amounts of CDs? Remember when you downloaded stuff from LimeWire and risked giving your computer cancer just so you can burn songs (one song took like an hour to download) onto a CD? Remember CDs?

Well, it seems like Yamaha has definitely not forgotten about them. The manufacturer has released the CD-C0603, a five-disc CD changer, in the year of our Lord 2023. Nope, I’m not kidding: they made this in 2023.

[Hero image: Yamaha]

The Yamaha 2023 disc changer, CD-C603

Who in the world needs a five-disc CD changer in 2023? I don’t know, but maybe Yamaha knows something I don’t. Aside from assuring customers that the device offers high-end audio quality, it also has an interesting feature called “Play X Change”. It allows you to change to a different disc while another is still playing. If you wanted to seamlessly switch from the Shrek 2 soundtrack to Evanscence, now you can.

The CD-C603 also has the “‘Laser Pickup Floating Mechanism”. This allows you to enjoy your Michelle Branch CD to the max without having to worry about a vibration or accidentally kicking the dresser making the music skip. Remember when you tried walking or just moving with a Walkman CD player? 

Because it is 2023, Yamaha has also given the device a little something that shows it’s current… sorta. There’s a USB port that plays MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, and FLAC formats. No Bluetooth though. 

If you still have a bunch of CDs laying around and you think streaming music causes Covid because of 5G and all that crap, consider the Yamaha CD-C603, which comes at a price of… USD 549.95. That’s around THB 18,775. Sheesh.

Buy here

The post Need a late Christmas present? Consider Yamaha’s 2023 disc changer. appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

The Apple Vision Pro is rumoured to start shipping in the first week of January.

Revealed by Ming-Chi Kuo of Mac Rumors, the mixed-reality headset developed by Apple IncApple Inc. will then make its way onto Apple shelves late January or early February.

Announced during the summer’s WWDC, the Apple Vision Pro is said to be a “spatial computer,” and features a laminated glass display front, two micro-OLED displays with a total of 23 megapixels, and is powered by Apple’s M2 system with an accompanied Apple Apple R1 co-processor.

The entire package fits 12 cameras, 5 different sensors, and 6 microphones that process real-world info at a rate of 12 milliseconds. The two different processors working together prevent the usual motion sickness experienced in normal AR or VR use. This has all been adapted for use on the device’s visionOS. And for those that wish to keep the Vision Pro for extended use, EyeSight displays your eyes on its external screen so you can interact with the people around you.

When not plugged in, the Apple Vision Pro can run for two hours via its battery pack. Ming-Chi Kuo estimates that the USD $3,466 Apple Vision Pro shipments will reach approximately 500,000 units in 2024.

The post The Apple Vision Pro is rumoured to ship this January appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Looking to get on top of your content planning game? Here’s how to schedule posts and reels on Instagram.

Instagram is probably one of the most business and creator-friendly platforms, boasting an easy-to-use interface, a range of exciting effects and animations as well as the regular updation of new features. Being a creator on Instagram is no easy feat. You’ve to keep reinventing our brand to stay relevant, hop onto the ever-changing trends on the platform and update your feed regularly with visually appealing reels and posts. However, it can be really difficult to record and edit a reel/ post every day! Even if you have a backlog of recorded content, posting each post/ reel manually takes a lot of time. This is where Instagram’s scheduling feature saves the day! Did you know that business accounts on Instagram can schedule posts and reels up to 75 days in advance directly from the app?

Scheduling your content is critical for making the most out of the limited number of hours in a day and efficiently tackling your targets. Once your content plan is set in place, you can focus on other important tasks like strategy building, community engagement and more. While earlier users had to go through third-party tools or use desktop solutions like Meta Business Suite to schedule their posts, now you can do it conveniently via the Instagram app on your iOS or Android device. However, this feature is only available for business/ professional accounts.

So, if you’re a business or creator looking to ease your everyday content planning, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to schedule Instagram reels and posts.

How to schedule posts and reels via the Instagram app

From a picture and video to a carousel or reel – you can schedule all your content up to 75 days in advance, 25 posts a day. If you have to schedule posts/ reels once in a while, the built-in Instagram scheduler is the best option. Follow these steps:

• On the Instagram app, tap plus (+) icon to create a new piece of content.
• Select ‘post’ or ‘reel’ depending on the type of content you’re creating.
• You can take a photo or record a video either using the in-app camera or upload content from your camera roll.
• Add the caption, filters, and stickers and then select the ‘Advanced Settings’ option.
• Turn the toggle on for the ‘Schedule content’ option and select a date and time up to 75 days away.
• After confirming the date and time, go back to the previous screen and tap ‘schedule’. The reel/ post will be now queued.

Don’t worry, you can go back and reschedule/ delete a scheduled post/reel anytime. To edit a previously scheduled content, follow these steps:

• On Instagram, tap the hamburger menu and go to scheduled content.
• Tap the three dots on the post/reel whose scheduled time you wish to edit.
• Choose the ‘reschedule’ option to change your publication date and time.
• To immediately publish the content, choose ‘share now’. Additionally, choose the ‘delete’ option to remove it from schedule.

How to schedule your content using Meta Business Suite

Meta Business Suite is a tool that allows you to manage your content across Facebook and Instagram from one place. You can publish, schedule and manage all your content on the go! Connect your Instagram Business Account to your Facebook Page so that you can access both from the Meta Business Suite. After you’ve linked the two, follow these steps: 

• Go to Meta Business Suite and select ‘create post’ or ‘create reel’.
• Select the Instagram account you wish to publish the content. You can also choose to schedule it to your Facebook Page simultaneously if you want.
• Upload your post or reel, write the caption, add the thumbnail, hashtags, mentions and other things.
• Turn on the toggle against the ‘set date and time’ option. You can also access the ‘active times’ option to see the upcoming time slots during which your audience is most active.
• Once the time is set, click ‘save’ and then tap on ‘schedule’.

Moreover, you can also use third-party apps like Planable, Sprout Social or Hootsuite to schedule your content ahead of time. 

(Hero and feature image credit: cottonbro studio/ Pexels)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Does Instagram allow scheduled posts?

Yes, Instagram allows business accounts to schedule posts and reels up to 75 days in advance.

• Can you schedule posts on Instagram for free?

Yes, you can schedule posts and reels for free via the Instagram app.

The post How to schedule reels and posts on Instagram appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

In light of the recent acquisition of the luxury fashion platform Farfetch by a Korean e-commerce giant, Coupang is emerging as a key player on the global stage. Here we get to know the Korean business company, as its potential begins to grow more on an international scale.

On 18 December 2023, it became official that Farfetch and Coupang had sealed the deal that would give the fashion platform $500 million worth of capital in order to avoid the risk of bankruptcy. But who or what is Coupang?

What is Coupang?

For most of us who live outside Korea and the U.S., the name Coupang may not ring any bells. However, for Koreans, Coupang is often dubbed the ‘Amazon of South Korea‘ because of its position as the largest online marketplace in the country.

The business was founded in 2010 by Bom Kim, a Harvard alumnus. The company is based in Seoul, South Korea, and Seattle, the United States. Since then, Coupang has grown impressively especially during the Covid-19 pandemic when demands for online shopping peaked.

On March 11, 2021, Coupang went public with its IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.

How is Coupang different?

Coupang understands the challenges of all online shopping platforms, whether long shipping times or limited selection for faster delivery. In response, the company has developed a business model focused on creating an integrated technology and infrastructure system to enhance the customer experience.

For example, the Rocket WOW membership program that was introduced in 2019 provided customers with unlimited free shipping, Dawn Delivery, Same-Day Delivery, free returns for 30 days, and Rocket Fresh groceries. Rocket Fresh has become a leading online grocer nationwide, and Coupang Eats, the largest online food delivery service in Korea, directly contracts partners for efficient service.

What does Coupang offer?

Rocket Delivery

Rocket Delivery is a shipping service that makes 99% of orders possible to be delivered within one day. It also utilises other innovations and algorithms that allow box-less delivery and minimal packaging.

Rocket Fresh

Rocket Fresh is Korea’s largest online grocer that gets all fresh produce delivered in cold-chain logistics within one day. By eliminating all styrofoam, Coupang uses Fresh bags to deliver groceries, whereby customers can leave empty bags outside their doors to be picked up by Coupang drivers on the next delivery.

Coupang Play

Coupang Play is a streaming service that offers movies, news, original series, sports and event live-streamings.

Coupang Eats

Coupang Eats deliver food to doorsteps. Coupang Eats became more popular during the Covid-19 lockdown and was once the most downloaded application in Korea.

Quick Commerce

Quick Commerce aims to achieve higher speed than Rocket Delivery, which means deliveries could be done in less than an hour.

Coupang Pay

Coupang Pay is a fintech offering that completes the whole online shopping experience. Customers can make seamless payment for all their Coupang orders via Coupang Pay.

Visit the website or find out more via Coupang.

The post All about Coupang, the Korean company that bought Farfetch appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Here’s how to download Facebook videos, reels, and stories on any device.

Downloading videos, reels and stories on Facebook is no easy feat, but thankfully not impossible either. Sadly, the Meta-owned platform does lag behind Instagram when it comes to being user-friendly, and there’s no official way to download content directly to your device. Facebook would rather have you return to the platform to view them again. Facebook offers a Save video option when you click on the three-dot icon at the top of the video post, but that merely saves it on the app like a bookmark. However, there are still some workarounds outside of the app to download Facebook videos directly to your device. We’ve rounded up the best hacks to save Facebook videos for free!

Before downloading any video on Facebook, think twice about your intent. We recommend you don’t download someone else’s private videos for commercial purposes as you can land in legal trouble for using copyrighted content without the approval of the creator. However, if you’re only using it for recreational purposes, go ahead. Here are easy ways to download Facebook videos on desktop, Android and iOS devices.

How to download Facebook videos on a desktop?

• Open Facebook on the desktop browser and select the video you wish to download.
•  Click share and then copy the video link.
• Paste this link on a new tab and click enter.
• Once you get the full URL in the address bar, remove ‘www’ and replace it with ‘mbasic’. Press enter.
• You’ll now be presented with a mobile view. Once you click the play button to start the video, it will open in a new tab. In case it doesn’t, right-click on the clip and select ‘open link in new tab’.
• Once your video moves to the new tab, right-click on it. Choose the ‘save video as’ option from the drop-down. Choose the location on your computer and save it.

How to download Facebook videos on Android devices?

The Google Chrome browser on Android devices makes it super easy to download Facebook videos. Here’s how to go about it:

• Go to the Facebook app on your Android phone and open the video you wish to download.
• Tap on the three-dot menu and choose ‘copy link’.
• Open Google Chrome and paste the link. Long tap on the video while it’s playing.
• Choose ‘download video’.
• Go to Google Photos and open the ‘downloads’ folder and you’ll find your saved video there.

Additionally, the aforementioned desktop method of saving videos also works on Android devices.

How to download Facebook videos on iOS devices

Unlike Android devices or web browsers, there’s no direct way of downloading Facebook videos on iPhones. This is where third-party apps come in handy.

• Open the Facebook app on your phone and select the video you want to download.
• Tap ‘share’ and go to ‘copy link’.
• Launch Safari and visit third-party tools like snapsave.app, MyMedia, Friendly Social Browser or more. Paste the copied link in the box provided and press the ‘download’ button.
• You’ll get the option to download the video in multiple video resolutions. Choose the desired resolution and tap ‘Download’ to confirm.

Easy steps to download Facebook reels and stories

Facebook doesn’t allow you to download other users’ reels or stories directly. Therefore, you have to rely on third-party apps. Let’s take you through easy ways to download Facebook stories and reels using third-party tools.

Facebook reels

Like Instagram, reels have become the most popular format consumed by users. Did you know Facebook has a dedicated reels tab for one-stop entertainment? If you’ve chanced upon an interesting reel that you want to treasure in your gallery, follow these steps:

• On the Facebook app, select the reel you wish to download and tap the three-dot menu.
• Select ‘copy link’ and visit an online video downloader website like fdown.net or any other third-party tool of your choice.
• Paste the link in the provided field and tap ‘download’.
• Long press the Download Video in HD Quality link and hit ‘Download Linked File’ to save the reel.
• Once the download has finished, head to the Files app and go to ‘Downloads’.
• Select the reel file you downloaded and tap on the ‘share’ button.
• Hit the ‘save video’ option to save the reel to your gallery.

Facebook stories

• Open the Facebook app and copy the link of the desired story you wish to save.
• Go to the Safari browser and open a third-party tool like Snapsave.
• Paste the link in the blank box provided and click on ‘download’.
• Once you tap the ‘download’ button, you’ll be given the option to select the desired video quality. After choosing it, the story will begin downloading.
• Once it is downloaded, you can watch it from the ‘Downloads’ section.
• To save it in your gallery, open the video and press the ‘share’ icon. Select ‘Save Video’ and it’s done!

Hope this guide helps you download all Facebook content hassle-free!

(Hero image: Courtesy natanaelginting/ Freepik)

(Feature image: Courtesy Freepik)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How can I download videos from Facebook?

One of the easiest ways to download other users’ Facebook videos is via third-party tools like snapsave.app, MyMedia, Friendly Social Browser or more.

• How do I download a live video from Facebook?

To download any of your live videos, go to your Facebook profile and visit the ‘videos’ section. Click on the video you want to download. Hit the three dots on the top right corner, then click ‘Download Video’.

The post How to download Facebook videos, reels, and stories appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

A medical company has accused Apple of infringing on their patent, causing Apple to ban the sales of the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 in the US for the time being.

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 may have proven themselves indispensable as essential health and fitness monitoring gadgets, but amid the festive season of 2023, they have become more of a headache for Tim Cook and his team of geniuses.

Apple’s recently announced smartwatches, which include the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2, have been found to infringe upon patents for their Blood Oxygen saturation monitoring hardware, and unless US President Joe Biden steps in to veto the ruling, Apple may be banned to sell these to the American citizens for the foreseeable future. Hence, if you were planning to get one of those shiny new Apple Watches this Christmas, you should make your move right away.

Before you panic, let us clarify that the decision affects only the US market. The new Apple Watch sales will continue to be available via Apple retail and its numerous resellers in the rest of the world. Moreover, our readers in the US will be happy to know that the humble Apple Watch SE will be unaffected by the Apple Watch US ban ruling.

Now, let’s dig into the case and figure out why Apple’s newest smartwatches are being taken off the shelves just ahead of Christmas.

Apple Watch Series 9, Ultra 2 sales banned

To get a clear picture of the controversy, we need to go back to 2020 when Apple announced the Watch Series 6 featuring the new Blood Oxygen saturation monitoring feature. Way before the product’s launch, Masimo, a medical technology company in the US, accused Apple of infringing upon its patents for the blood oxygen saturation monitoring features, and as a result, filed a lawsuit in the US District Court in the Central District of California.

Masimo has been known to make some of the best pulse oximeter devices in the US market.

To speed things up, Masimo also filed a case with the International Trade Commission (ITC) in June 2021.

Once the case was studied, the ITC found that Apple was infringing upon two Masimo patents across five different instances. Earlier in October 2023, the ITC put the case under a 60-day Presidential Review Period, and its deadline ends on 25 December 2023. So far, the Biden administration hasn’t decided on the case.

Apple observes that the decision to ban the sales of the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 will impact the economy, considering that most of its sales happen during the festive season. It also expects the Biden administration to veto the ITC’s ruling considering the importance of the Apple Watch in critical health monitoring.

However, as a preemptive measure, Apple is halting sales of the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 from its US online stores by 21 December and its retail stores by 24 December. Although other retailers in the US, like Best Buy and Amazon, will be able to sell these 2023 smartwatches, a ruling in favour of Masimo could likely halt Apple’s supply of the products to third-party retailers.

Will the Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen also get banned?

The ITC ruling is only applicable to those Apple Watch models that feature blood oxygen saturation monitoring. Given that the entry-level Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen doesn’t feature this sensor, it will be exempt from the sales ban, thereby allowing Apple and other retailers to sell it without worry.

How does this affect existing users of Apple Watch Series 6 and newer models?

The ITC ruling doesn’t affect the customers who have already been using the devices equipped with the blood oxygen monitoring feature. If you are using an Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, Series 9, Watch Ultra and Watch Ultra 2nd Gen, the blood oxygen saturation monitoring will continue to function normally.

The sales ban also doesn’t affect the after-sales service of these products by Apple.

Will Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 be banned forever?

If the Joe Biden administration decides to veto the ITC ruling, Apple will continue selling these smartwatches the way it does today. However, if things don’t go in Apple’s favour, the Cupertino-based tech giant will either need to strike a licensing deal with Masimo for the foreseeable future or devise a workaround by rolling out a firmware update that avoids the infringement.

(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Apple)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Why are Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 sales banned in the US?
The Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 are banned from sale owing to an ITC ruling that finds Apple infringing upon two of Masimo’s patents for the blood oxygen saturation monitoring feature. Masimo is a health technology company based in the US.

This story originally appeared in Augustman India

The post Apple is stopping sales of the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 in the US. Here’s why. appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

’Tis the season for awkwardly pulling a name out of a hat at your company Christmas party, and being assigned the Secret Santa for a colleague you’ve never even heard of. For all these troubles and more, read on for our office Secret Santa gift guide, all under THB 500.

Secret Santa always sounds like a good idea in theory. You put a bunch of names into a hat, and every participant draws a name before being assigned the “Secret Santa” for that person that year. Days and weeks then go by as the Secret Santa tries to figure out what the Secret Santee would enjoy, before the big day comes around and the gift exchange is publicly performed. Laughter, cheer, and applause ensue, and everybody goes back with a unique, often humorous present.

Whilst it is already a daunting experience for those who don’t have performance anxiety, the whole shebang is heightened even more when the activity is brought into the office. For many years now, under the approving nods of the HR department, management teams across the globe have brought Secret Santa to the workplace, forcing colleagues to get gifts for one another, as if the gift of hours in the office together wasn’t enough.

Ah, festive spirit.

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Jokes aside, engaging in Secret Santa activities with your colleagues can be nerve-wracking. How well do you really know them? How far are you willing to go? What feels appropriate? If you’re looking for a little inspiration, we’ve put together a few Secret Santa gift ideas, all under a friendly budget of THB 500, inspired by our own team. Most popular employee of the year award? Consider yourself nominated.

[Hero and Featured Image Credit: Max Burchill/Unsplash]

A Secret Santa gift guide for any kind of colleague

The post A Secret Santa gift guide for any kind of colleague appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

The main organiser of E3, a long-running videogame trade show, on Tuesday said the event will no longer take place, ending a 20-year run.

“After more than two decades of serving as a central showcase for the US and global video game industry, ESA has decided to end E3,” said Stanley Pierre-Louis, President and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association.

Goodbye E3 Expo: Long-running video game trade show calls it quits

“ESA’s focus and priority remain advocating for ESA member companies and the industry workforce who fuel positive cultural and economic impact every day,” he added.

The Washington-based ESA had sponsored the big gathering annually since 1995, usually in Los Angeles, but canceled the event in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and held a virtual version in 2021.

At its height, the show was a major launchpad for new releases from the biggest video gaming players.

According to the Washington Post, the Wii, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles were each showcased at a 2005 show, for example.

More recently, major gaming players announce their own digital gatherings and gaming titans such as Xbox, Nintendo and Sony had declined to attend last year’s attempt to revive the event.

This story is published via AFP Relaxnews. 

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What’s better than Santa Claus? An AI Santa… maybe, which is exactly what OpenAI has done with its brand new SantaGPT.

What are some of the best Christmas cocktails? What do I gift my boss on Christmas? Easy Christmas stories for children? – these are some of the top queries that flood Google every Holiday season. And guess who has taken cognizance of it this time around? Your friendly AI system ChatGPT with their new tool, SantaGPT.

Yes, the festive spirit is alive and kicking at OpenAI, and they have just gifted users something special – SantaGPT, a cool chatbot powered by GPT-4, straight from the “North Pole”. 

With a cheerful greeting that goes, “I’m Santa! Spreading cheer and helping with festive gift ideas,” SantaGPT is here to sprinkle some magic into your holiday season. Exclusive to ChatGPT Plus subscribers, this AI wonder is your go-to for finding the perfect gifts to make this Christmas merry and memorable.

If you are living for this new AI tool, just like us, here’s everything you need to know about SantaGPT.

OpenAI’s SantaGPT: How to unwrap this wonder

prepare for the holidays by meeting our new SantaGPT!

check back with him daily for a surprise leading up to 🎅s visithttps://t.co/II2JrSYnvE pic.twitter.com/ahIP0CetIv

— ChatGPT (@ChatGPTapp) December 2, 2023

With Christmas celebrations in full swing at OpenAI, the ChatGPT company has unveiled a new GPT-4-based chatbot called SantaGPT, which comes bearing Christmas gift ideas and is currently available for GPT Plus subscribers. 

Wondering how to take SantaGPT for a spin? Well, it’s as easy as a rum ball! It can be accessed via a desktop web browser or by downloading the ChatGPT app on your smartphone. 

Who can access SantaGPT?

Only existing ChatGPT Plus subscribers can hitch a ride on this magical sleigh, as OpenAI has temporarily paused new subscriptions. However, if you want to be one of the first people to get on the Plus-wagon as soon as the process resumes, click on the “Upgrade to Plus” option at the bottom and select the “Join the waitlist” button. Do note that the membership costs USD 20 per month.

For those who have got their ChatGPT Plus pass already, it’s time to let SantaGPT be your holiday hero and help you if you are stuck in a gift-giving dilemma and need a little North Pole wisdom to guide you.

Quick prompts to use SantaGPT for some festive fun

In the spirit of Christmas generosity, OpenAI has a stocking full of features and commands to make your SantaGPT experience more delightful. Want to know how the reindeer are doing? Just ask! Do your kids need help with a quick Christmas story? SantaGPT will paint a sweet picture for you. Wanna know about the latest Christmas dessert recipes? Start whipping your cream already! Need help with a fun Christmas greeting message for your cousins? Be prepared to be stormed by many cool one-liners.

That’s not all. For the countdown enthusiasts, find out exactly how many sleeps until Christmas – because the anticipation is half the fun.

So, whether you are seeking gift ideas or just some jolly banter, your festive friend SantaGPT is here to make your Christmas merrier than ever. 

(Hero and feature image credit: Kate Laine/Unsplash)

The post Meet SantaGPT, OpenAI’s brand new Christmas chatbot appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Are you not comfortable having people seeing your Instagram followers? Here are some ways you can hide them on your Instagram account.

Maintaining privacy on Instagram has become a major concern for many social media users of late. Whether you’re looking to avoid confrontation with your over-possessive partner or still have that daunting ex on your Instagram who lowkey stalks your profile every now and then – there can be several reasons you may want to hide your followers list from public view. Thankfully, Instagram lets you customise many privacy settings and there are some workarounds to prevent people from seeing who follows you. Let’s take you through some easy ways to block or restrict users from seeing your Instagram followers.

While there’s no official ‘hide followers’ feature on Instagram, there are some hacks that let you protect your profile to some extent. From making your account private and removing users from your following list to even blocking some folks on the platform – here are some ways to tackle this problem.

Tips and tricks to hide followers on Instagram

Make your account private

The easiest way to regain control over your Instagram handle is by making it private. This way, only people you approve of as followers can see your Instagram posts, stories and followers list. By limiting access to your profile, you’ll definitely get rid of many spam accounts trying to invade your privacy. Here’s how to make your account private:

• On your Instagram profile, tap the three horizontal lines at the top-right and go to ‘Settings’.
• Tap ‘Account privacy’ and turn on the toggle for the ‘Private account’ option.

Switching to a private account is your best bet if you’re simply navigating Instagram for recreational purposes. However, businesses and creators who are trying to expand their reach can’t close their profile from the broader Instagram community.

Filter out your Instagram followers list

Despite making your account private, there can be some pre-existing users fulfilling their stalking escapades till now. The simplest way to filter out these profiles is by simply removing them from your followers list. Removing someone is a less confrontational issue than blocking them, and they’ll need to send you a follow request in order to be added. Here’s how to remove a user from your followers list:

• Go to your followers list and search for the intended person’s username.
• Tap the ‘Remove’ button next to their name and it’s done.

Block people from your profile

When push comes to shove, you’ve no option but to completely cut off someone’s access to you. The block option is perfect if you want to get rid of your stalker(s) while still keeping your account public. However, this person (being the stalker they are), can still use various workarounds like accessing your profile from another account. Also, this method can be really time-intensive if you’ve got to filter out multiple people. Nonetheless, it’s still a great option to steer clear of unwanted issues. Follow these steps to block a user:

• Go to the profile of the person you wish to block.
• Tap the three horizontal dots on the top right corner and choose the ‘block’ option.
• Tap the ‘block’ option again for confirmation.

Hope these tips help you keep your privacy intact!

(Hero image credit: xvector/ Freepik)

(Feature image credit: Iurii Laimin/ Pexels)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How do I hide my followers list on Instagram?

While there’s no official ‘hide followers’ feature on Instagram, you can still make your account private or remove a particular user from your profile.

• Can my followers see who I follow on Instagram?

Yes. However, in the case of a private account, others can see who you follow on Instagram only if you’ve accepted them as followers.

• Why can’t I see all the followers on someone’s Instagram?

If you can’t see someone’s followers on Instagram, chances are they’ve removed you from their profile or blocked you.

The post 3 easy ways you can hide your followers on Instagram appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Despite mass layoffs, tech and finance giants are dominating the scene for the highest paid internships. Now let’s get you a job.

2022 was a tumultuous year for the technology sector, with reports of full-time job slashes happening across multiple industry giants. Despite that, business is booming for interns seeking to get one foot in these companies, and with a competitive salary to boot. The highest paid internships all say the same thing: tech and finance are where it’s at. 

In the unstable economic climate of our post-pandemic world, employers are learning more and more that workers simply cannot afford to work for free. While still prevalent across certain creative industries, unpaid internships are fast becoming a thing of the past.  

A report from Glassdoor showed a steady incline in intern salaries, from an average of USD 22.17 per hour in 2021 to an average of USD 24.63 per hour in 2022. The report, comprising data from companies with the highest average monthly base pay for internships as reported by either current or former interns based in the United States, shed some light on the industries offering the highest paid internships. The highest bidders? Tech and finance giants. 

This news may come as a bit of a surprise. After all, devastating reports of mass cuts have surfaced in recent months; to date, more than 183,648 workers have been laid off from their US-based tech companies. It seems counter-intuitive considering renewed interest in technology-based businesses in early 2023, with generative artificial intelligence research and application leading the charge to greater efficiency. In addition to that, interest in green technology continues as businesses and governments work to lower their carbon footprint.  

Technology corporation Microsoft laid off 10,000 employees earlier this year in anticipation of slower revenue growth. In March, Amazon laid off 9,000 employees in a bid to streamline costs in the face of an uncertain economy. The e-commerce giant had previously laid off 18,000 employees between November 2022 and January of this year. Across the board, tech giants found themselves facing financial constraints – some of which were directly impacted by the collapse of the Silicon Valley bank. Startups were likewise impacted, with many failing to clear the hurdle to continued survival.  

Which begs the question: Why are interns hot property right now? 

Why are companies paying their interns more? 

Understandably, the tech companies that underwent massive layoffs inevitably ended up with more work than their employees could handle. While this likely contributes to the continued hiring of interns, with interns providing reasonable work for a fraction of the cost of senior employees, these companies also use their internship programs as part of their long-term hiring strategy, targeting talent at its most nascent stages.  

The goal is to woo interns with a salary reflecting what they would earn as starting salaries, and thus entice them to stick around in the long run. Lauren Thomas, an economist and data scientist at Glassdoor, believes high paying internships are crucial to employee retention in a market currently undergoing a workforce-wide war for talent, saying, “We’re in “a historically tight job market for employers – which means employees have more choice than usual.” 

Why tech and finance? 

In specialised industries such as technology and finance, it is imperative that top talent is retained. Both industries have seen layoffs across multiple mega corporations – Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, X, and Roblox in tech and Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and Bank of America in finance. However, a report by Deloitte posits that the lines between both industries will continue to blur in 2024, with brand new technological advancements fueling the shifting landscapes of the finance industry. The high level of investment in interns is indicative of these companies’ outlooks – and perhaps a sign that they are gearing up for the future. 

So, what are the highest paid internships of 2023? 

While not definitive in any sense, Glassdoor’s report does in fact show a leading trend for highest paid internships within the tech sector, closely followed by finance. 

1. Stripe, Fintech – Median Monthly Pay: USD 9,064 

2. Roblox, Tech – Median Monthly Pay: USD 9,017 

3. NVIDIA, Tech – Median Monthly Pay: USD 8,280 

4. Coinbase, Fintech – Median Monthly Pay: USD 8,206 

5. Meta, Tech – Median Monthly Pay: USD 8,160 

6. Capital One, Finance – Median Monthly Pay: USD 8,050 

7. Credit Suisse, Finance – Median Monthly Pay: USD 7,947 

8. Bain & Company, Consultancy – Median Monthly Pay: USD 7,873 

9. Amazon, Tech – Median Monthly Pay: USD 7,809 

10. EY-Parthenon, Consultancy – Median Monthly Pay: USD 7,651 

11. TikTok, Tech – Median Monthly Pay: USD 7,619 

12. Adobe, Tech – Median Monthly Pay: USD 7,568 

13. Snap, Tech – Median Monthly Pay: USD 7,520 

14. HubSpot, Tech – Median Monthly Pay: USD 7,477 

15. Splunk, Tech – Median Monthly Pay: USD 7,375 

16. LinkedIn, Tech – Median Monthly Pay: USD 7,360 

17. X (formerly Twitter), Tech – Median Monthly Pay: USD 7,290 

18. BlackRock, Finance – Median Monthly Pay: USD 7,270 

19. J.P. Morgan, Finance – Median Monthly Pay: USD 7,188 

20. McKinsey & Company, Consultancy – Median Monthly Pay: USD 7,170 

21. Uber, Tech – Median Monthly Pay: USD 7,090 

22. Citi, Finance – Median Monthly Pay: USD 7,025 

23. ServiceNow, Tech – Median Monthly Pay: USD 6,989 

24. Rivian, Automotive – Median Monthly Pay: USD 6,988 

25. Microsoft, Tech – Median Monthly Pay: USD 6,934 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

– What internship pays the highest? 

The current highest paying internships include Stripe, which pays interns a median monthly salary of USD 9,064, and follow-ups Roblox, NVIDIA, Coinbase, and Meta. 

– Which company pays the highest intern salary? 

According to Glassdoor, fintech company Stripe currently tops the list of highest paying internships in the world with a median monthly salary of USD 9,064. 

– How much do Google interns get paid? 

According to Glassdoor, interns at Google get paid an average of USD 7,684 per month. 

– Which bank pays interns the most? 

Topping the list is New York-based quantitative trading firm Hudson River City with an average monthly salary of USD 22,817, followed by Jane Street and Citadel. 

(Main and featured images: Thirdman/Pexels)

This article originally appeared on Prestige Online Malaysia.

The post Here are the highest paid internships and industries of 2023 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

It’s the first-ever charging hub in the United States by Mercedes-Benz. Is this a sign of a global electric car craze to come?

[Hero and featured image credit: Mercedes-Benz/Facebook]

Mercedes-Benz launches its first EV charging hub in the United States

Located in Sandy Springs, Georgia, the German automotive brand announced the first charging hub in the US for the people who visit their Atlanta headquarters. The move to expand across the Atlantic onto North America is not unprecedented, seeing the rapid growth of electric car users and manufacturers, but the speed of the market’s expansion, along with its charging network, is what makes this noteworthy for many.

Provided by ChargePoint, the hardware can charge electric vehicles at a speed of up to 400 watts. This enables specific vehicles to reach a battery capacity between 10% and 80% in just 20 minutes. The chargers are equipped with CCS1 and NACS connectors, allowing drivers to charge any electric vehicle available in the U.S. This means the charging station is available to be used by any vehicles of any manufacturer, and not just for Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz users will get access to the ‘me Charge app’, allowing your vehicles to be registered and also reserve charging stations before you arrive at the location. Reserved spots will be indicated via a tall pylon accompanying each charging spot.

Along with a canopy for your car, each location comes with a luxury lounge filled with restrooms and refreshments so that waiting for your car’s battery to be filled never feels like a chore.

It seems that the expansion is more rapidly planned than we might have anticipated. More charging stations at travel centres in Alabama are already planned to be open by the end of 2023, and will be expanded to shopping malls in the first half of 2024. By 2027, Mercedes-Benz has plans to open more than 400 charging stations. If that is successful, we could potentially hear the news of more international expansion.

Tesla and Porsche are also in the race for electric cars, with plans of establishing their own charging network, although we’ll see if news of Mercedes-Benz’s rapid expansion will make them more motivated.

You can find more information at Mercedes-Benz.

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OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is reportedly developing a new type of artificial intelligence, codenamed Q.* This project represents the first steps of the firm’s foray into a new generation of AI, designed to emulate human cognition as closely as possible.

According to an article published by The Information, OpenAI’s teams are working on a new model of artificial general intelligence (AGI) that could eventually be capable of “surpassing” humans in many tasks, but also potentially dangerous in the long term depending on how it’s put to use.

Everything we know about OpenAI’s new Q* super intelligence

At the start of 2023, numerous rumors suggesting that the next major evolution of ChatGPT could be the beginning of some kind of artificial general intelligence were already circulating. The project is reportedly codenamed Q* (pronounced “Q-Star”). Eventually, such an intelligence model could equal, or even surpass, the human in various processing tasks. After becoming adept at generating texts and translation, artificial intelligence could soon excel in mathematics. For the time being, the model is only capable of solving relatively simple problems, but in time this form of intelligence could be applied to scientific research.

AGI and ASI (artificial superintelligence) remain the stuff of science fiction, as the concept suggests a reasoning capacity close to human intelligence, something which has not been approached to date. In fact, this refers to a form of artificial intelligence with the capacity to understand, learn and apply its own knowledge in the same way that a human does, and even to fill in for a human in various contexts. In its fully realised capacity, an AGI model could theoretically perform any intellectual task that a human is ordinarily capable of accomplishing. But many experts in artificial intelligence have already warned of potential pitfalls.

Even if OpenAI’s progress is impressive, creating a true AGI remains a long-term objective. There are reports, however, that the announcement of these internal advances may have had something to do with the ousting of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman by the board of directors, before his rocky return a few days later amid the threat of resignation from the majority of the start-up’s employees.

This story is published via AFP Relaxnews. 

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Chat platform WhatsApp is jumping into the AI fray by getting its very own chatbot assistant.

Ever since OpenAI’s ChatGPT arrived on the scene, every other software giant has been determined to make their chatbots smarter and easier to use. Google’s Bard is currently one of the most capable ones, considering it has a vast bank of Google Search data to feed on. Similarly, Elon Musk’s X has also stepped into the game with Grok, using the vast data reservoir of X to provide relevant solutions.

Obviously, it would be foolish for Meta, the creator of Facebook, to just sit and take notice. As such, in September 2023, Mark Zuckerberg announced its Meta AI chatbot to be embedded in its social media platforms, including WhatsApp. Now, the earliest signs of activity in this regard have already been spotted.

The latest beta version of WhatsApp has received the earliest implementation of the Meta AI chatbot, promising to elevate the user experience to the next level. Available to a select number of beta testers on Android, Meta is yet to make any formal announcements as to when the rest of us could experience its take on these glorified chatbots.

However, we can’t wait to try it out since, like most of you, we too are excited about all things AI and have been longing to see a capable chatbot in WhatsApp. So, without further ado, let us take a quick look at all the possibilities this WhatsApp AI bot can potentially bring to the table.

WhatsApp beta gets an AI assistant

When it was showcased earlier at the Meta Connect 2023 event, it was confirmed that the Meta AI chatbot would be coming to WhatsApp and Instagram.

With the latest beta version of WhatsApp, Meta is now holding true to its word and trying to bring its AI chatbot to the public as soon as possible. As reported by WABetaInfo, the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.24.26 has introduced a shortcut to access WhatsApp’s AI assistant directly from the chat window.

You will be able to identify this shortcut icon by its peculiar blue halo. Finding it is easy too, since it sits prominently above the ‘New Chats’ shortcut. This shortcut is also said to be available in the contacts list.

A dedicated shortcut key on the home screen is expected to pull the attention of millions of WhatsApp users to Meta’s new AI chatbot. More importantly, it will reduce your reliance on Google Search to look for basic information. Meta’s bot bases its responses on Microsoft Bing’s massive data bank which, as it turns out, is also used by the Bing AI bot.

📝 WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.24.26: what’s new?

WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that adds a shortcut to open AI-powered chats from the Chats tab, and it’s available to some beta testers!https://t.co/IRFAys10LJ pic.twitter.com/b1cPPcaif7

— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) November 17, 2023

Meta’s WhatsApp AI bot makes big promises to millions of users who swear by its social media platform on a daily basis. Once released to the public, the chatbot will let you look for basic information such as details of places while planning trips or finding special restaurants in your vicinity before going on a date. The bot will also be useful for quick fact-checking that won’t require you to leave the confines of the app.

What else will WhatsApp’s AI bot be able to do?

Additionally, you’ll be able to have casual conversations with the chatbot and Meta says it will be friendlier than ChatGPT.

Other than text-based queries and conversations, the WhatsApp AI assistant will also be able to generate images. Using the keyword ‘@MetaAI/imagine’ followed by a verbal description of the desired image, you can create custom stickers and images to send in your chats. Hence, you may not need to hunt for new sticker packs to liven up your WhatsApp conversations.

When will the WhatsApp AI bot be available to the public?

At the moment, the Meta AI chatbot for WhatsApp is only accessible to a select number of beta testers on Android. It could take a few more months before Meta irons out the bugs and deems it fit for a public release on both Android and iOS.

(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Dima Solomin via Unsplash)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– How to access WhatsApp’s Meta AI chatbot?
WhatsApp’s Meta AI chatbot is still under beta testing for Android users and could take a couple of months before being broadly released to the public.

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