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Custom GPTs Now Available for Free ChatGPT Users

By
Boses Muhinda
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0

Free ChatGPT users now have access to custom GPTs, along with features like chart analysis and photo queries, thanks to the enhancements introduced with GPT-4o in early May.

Previously exclusive to paid users—such as ChatGPT Plus, Teams, and Enterprise—features like model and web responses, data analytics, chart creation, vision, file upload, memory, and custom GPTs are now open to all ChatGPT users.

While free users can explore and utilize custom GPTs that were once only available to subscribers, they are not able to create their own. Examples of custom GPTs in use range from on-demand thesauruses to Ikea shopping guides. Additionally, creators of custom GPTs can participate in a revenue-sharing program that OpenAI began testing in March.

Access to data analytics and chart creation allows users to connect OneDrive and Google Drive data to ChatGPT for expedited analysis and customizable charts.

However, paid subscribers still enjoy benefits such as fewer message limits. When free users hit their message or conversation limit with GPT-4o, they will automatically revert to GPT-3.5.

One feature that remains unavailable across all user tiers is the Sky voice. OpenAI removed this voice, known for its resemblance to Scarlett Johansson’s performance in “Her,” but other voice options are still accessible on ChatGPT.

How to Factory Reset a Roku Device

By
Boses Muhinda
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0

Roku offers a range of top-quality streaming devices across various price points. With streaming services overtaking traditional cable TV, Roku devices are essential for accessing platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max. In addition to streaming devices, Roku also produces wireless soundbars and smart home devices. Occasionally, you may encounter issues with your Roku devices that require troubleshooting, including a factory reset. This guide will walk you through the steps to factory reset different types of Roku devices.

Preliminary Troubleshooting Steps

Before performing a factory reset, which is an advanced troubleshooting step, try these simpler solutions:

  1. Restart Your Roku: Rebooting your Roku device can resolve temporary bugs or glitches. Simply power off the device, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on.
  2. Check Remote Batteries: Ensure the batteries in your Roku remote control are working. Replace them if necessary.
  3. Verify Cable Connections: Make sure all cables, including HDMI and power cords, are properly connected.
  4. Check Wi-Fi Connection: A strong Wi-Fi network is crucial for your Roku device to function correctly. Verify that your Wi-Fi is working and offers optimum speed.
  5. Update Your Roku Device: Ensure your Roku device has the latest software update, which can bring new features and fix existing issues.

If these steps do not resolve the issues, proceed with a factory reset.

Factory Reset Instructions

For Responsive Roku Devices

This method applies to all Roku devices, including Roku TV, Roku streaming players, Roku Streaming Stick, Roku Streambar, and Roku Smart Soundbar.

  1. Press the Home button on your remote.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. Select System.
  4. Choose Advanced system settings.
  5. Select Factory reset. For Roku TV, choose Factory reset everything.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.

For Unresponsive Roku Devices

If your Roku device is unresponsive, use the physical reset button located on the back or bottom of the device. This button might be a standard button or a pinhole that requires a pin.

  1. Locate the reset button.
  2. Press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds.
  3. The device’s LED indicator will blink rapidly, indicating a successful reset.

Factory Resetting Roku Smart Home Devices

Roku Smart Home Cameras

For Roku Indoor Camera SE, Indoor Camera 360° SE, Outdoor Wired Camera SE, and Floodlight Camera SE:

  1. Plug the camera into the power source.
  2. Press and hold the Setup button on the back of the camera.
  3. Wait for about 30 seconds for the camera to reboot. The front LED light will flash red upon a successful reset.

Roku Camera Base Station

  1. Ensure the base station is powered on.
  2. Insert a paperclip or pin into the reset pinhole and hold for 10 to 15 seconds until the LED light turns yellow. The light will flash blue when the reset is complete.

Roku Video Doorbell

  1. Unmount the doorbell and connect it to a power source.
  2. Press the Reset button on the back of the doorbell.
  3. Wait until you hear “Ready to connect” and the status light turns yellow.

Roku Smart Bulb SE

  1. Power on the bulb.
  2. Turn the light switch off and on three times. The bulb will pulsate if the reset is successful.

Roku Smart Light Strip SE and Smart Light Strip+ SE

  1. Connect the light strip to the controller and power it on.
  2. Press and hold the side button for 10 seconds until the status light pulsates blue.

Roku Smart Plug SE

  1. Power on the plug.
  2. Press and hold the Power button for at least 5 seconds until the light flashes blue.

Factory Resetting Roku Wireless Audio Devices

From the Settings Menu

  1. Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. Select Remote & devices.
  4. Choose Speakers.
  5. Select the device to reset (Wireless speaker, Wireless soundbar, or Subwoofer).
  6. Choose Factory reset and enter the pin displayed on the screen.

Using the Physical Button

  1. Press and hold the Reset button on the back of the device for 10 seconds.
  2. The status light will blink, indicating a successful reset.

Conclusion

After completing the factory reset, follow the initial setup process to get your Roku device back up and running. For tips on maximizing your Roku experience and the best Roku channel apps, refer to our comprehensive guides. Factory resetting can resolve persistent issues and ensure your Roku device operates smoothly.

Victoria Nyanzi Set to Launch Mentorship Community for African Girls

By
Davis Kawalya
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0

For the past few days now, social media fanatics in Uganda especially those on LinkedIn have been on a wave after Victoria Nyanzi announced the launch of her girls mentorship community dubbed ‘The African Sisters Network‘. The African Sisters Network is a mentorship community dedicated to empowering African girls tell their stories boldly while connecting them to resources and opportunities to thrive.

For the past 15 months, Victoria has been actively creating content on different social media platforms but especially on Linkedin. Writing about so many different topics, she started off sharing her knowledge and tips in resume writing, LinkedIn profile optimisation and career development. Towards the end of last year, she niched down to personal branding after completing a three months Personal Brand training from Image Group International.

Victoria is a renowned Marketing and PR consultant, personal branding coach and LinkedIn Visibility coach.

“At the age of 17, I was scribbling around, writing what I would call books, articles or movie scripts. I vividly recall, I had books with movie scripts written from the introduction to “Fin”. And in between 19 to 23, while still on my journey of self discovery, I tried so many different things like acting and pageantry….Yes!! 24 to 27 was another hurricane with me moving from one job to the other, from banking to E-commerce, marketing agencies, events management and so much more. It’s now that I learn that I was simply trying to find alignment and purpose,” Victoria said.

“My life journey in the past decade has been filled with trials and errors, doing, undoing and redoing. Not until the age of 28 when I finally discovered myself and my true potential. It’s then that I changed the narrative and took charge of my story. Let’s say, I started to write my story. So while I turn 30 this year, I thought to myself that why not create a community where I can get to support and mentor not one, not two but a number of African girls, and teach them how to tell their stories,” she added.

Victoria believes that there are many (A) player African girls out there that have the courage and capacity to do much more but lack a helping hand / support to show them the right direction. She says she wouldn’t want them to wake up at 28 like she did, maybe it will be too late for them, maybe they might never wake up.

Through storytelling, community-building, and resource access, she strives to foster a culture of empowerment, resilience, and solidarity among African girls, enabling them to embrace their identities, share their voices, and pursue their dreams.

Her mission is to create a mentorship community where African girls can connect, learn, and grow together. The community will provide comprehensive support through coaching programs, career guidance, resume writing assistance, career designing workshops, opportunity sourcing, scholarship opportunities, and much more. She strives to equip African girls with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in their personal and professional lives while being the authors of their stories.

Her vision is a continent where every African girl is empowered to realise her full potential, contribute meaningfully to her community and society, and shape her own future with confidence and determination. 

For more information about the community, feel free to check out their different social media platforms;

LinkedIn: The African Sisters Network

Instagram: @the_africansistersnetwork

Twitter: @africansisters_

TikTok: @africansisters_

X to Make ‘Likes’ Private and Remove Likes Tab from Profiles

By
Remmy Bisimbeko
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0

Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) will soon stop displaying public “likes” on users’ profile pages, the company announced. The plan was confirmed on Wednesday by X engineers after MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris discovered a flag in X’s iOS app indicating the upcoming change.

Perris found that disabling the flag entirely removes the “Likes” tab from all user profiles. His discovery was shared on X and subsequently confirmed by X engineers.

“Yes, we are making likes private,” responded X’s director of engineering Haofei Wang. “Public likes are incentivizing the wrong behavior. Many people feel discouraged from liking content that might be ‘edgy’ for fear of retaliation from trolls or to protect their public image. Soon you’ll be able to like without worrying who might see it,” Wang continued. “Also a reminder that the more posts you like, the better your ‘For you’ algorithm will become.”

To clarify user confusion, X senior software engineer Enrique Barragan posted that users will still be able to see who liked their posts and the like count for all posts and replies. The change involves hiding which posts other people liked, thereby removing the Likes tab from public profiles.

X Premium subscribers have had the option to hide the Likes tab on their profiles, but the platform is now set to remove it entirely. Although the exact timeline for this change is not clear, once implemented, everyone on X, including owner Elon Musk—who has faced criticism in the past for liking controversial posts—will be able to like content privately.

Google to Construct Subsea Fiber Optic Cable Connecting Africa and Australia

By
Boses Muhinda
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0
Google Subsea fiber

Google is set to construct the first subsea fiber optic cable linking the continents of Africa and Australia, in a move aimed at enhancing global connectivity. This announcement comes amid intense competition among major cloud providers, with Google striving to catch up with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.

The new cable, named “Umoja,” will begin in Kenya and traverse several African countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, before reaching South Africa. South Africa is also home to Google’s first African data center region, which has been operational in Johannesburg since early this year.

Google’s announcement follows a series of outages across Africa caused by faulty undersea cables. By establishing a new, resilient route, Google aims to position itself as a key player in providing reliable connectivity solutions. “Umoja will enable African countries to more reliably connect with each other and the rest of the world,” Brian Quigley, Google Cloud’s VP for Global Network Infrastructure, stated in a blog post.

The terrestrial portion of Umoja’s route, already completed in partnership with Liquid Intelligent Technologies, runs through various African countries. The next phase involves channeling the cable across the Indian Ocean to Perth, Australia, though no timeline for completion has been confirmed.

Google’s efforts are part of a broader trend among tech giants to invest in global connectivity infrastructure. More cables and data centers mean better service quality, including lower-latency YouTube streams and faster data transfers for enterprises relying on cloud computing. Currently, the closest subsea cable route to Umoja is the Oman Australia Cable (OAC) by SUB.CO, operational since 2022.

In addition to Umoja, Google has invested in other African cabling projects, such as Equiano, connecting Portugal with Nigeria and South Africa. The company also recently announced plans for a subsea cable connecting South America with the Asia-Pacific region, from Chile to Australia via French Polynesia.

While no specific completion date for Umoja has been provided, Google estimates that a typical submarine cable project, from planning to operational status, takes around three years. Therefore, the Umoja cable could potentially be ready by 2026.

Truecaller Partners with Microsoft’s Azure AI Speech to Create Personalized AI Assistants

By
Davis Kawalya
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0
TrueCaller AI
Source: True Caller

Truecaller, a popular caller ID app known for its call blocking and recording features, has teamed up with Microsoft to offer its users a unique way to create an AI assistant that uses their own voice. This new feature leverages Microsoft’s Azure AI Speech technology, allowing users to generate a custom digital assistant that sounds just like them.

Truecaller introduced its AI assistant in 2022, which could answer and screen calls for users, offering a selection of preset voices. Now, with the integration of Azure AI Speech’s personal voice capability, users can create a digital assistant with their own voice. To set this up, users need to record themselves reading a consent sentence and a training script. This recording helps the technology capture their speaking style and create a convincing digital audio replica.

In a product demo presented by Truecaller Product Director and General Manager Raphael Mimoun, his AI assistant answered a call with, “Hi there! I’m digital Raphael Mimoun! May I ask who’s calling?” After identifying the caller, the assistant inquires if the call is urgent or can wait before deciding to push it through.

“By integrating Microsoft Azure AI Speech’s personal voice capability into Truecaller, we’ve taken a significant step towards delivering a truly personalized and engaging communication experience,” Mimoun said in a statement. However, this innovation might feel unsettling or even creepy for some callers who interact with a robotic version of their friend or colleague.

Microsoft showcased the personal voice capability of Azure AI Speech at the Build conference, where it also announced that digital creativity company Wondershare will integrate this feature into its video editing tools. Wondershare users will be able to create AI assistants with their voices for use in creating audiobooks and podcasts.

This collaboration marks a significant advancement in personalized communication technology, offering users more control over their digital interactions.

UECCC Introduces the Prospect Digital Platform to Energy Service Companies

By
Davis Kawalya
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0

On Monday 13th May 2024, Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC) invited Energy Service companies operating within the solar space for a consultative/training workshop on the Results Based Financing (RBF) programme under the Electricity Access Scaleup Project (EASP).

The main objective of the workshop was to engage the shortlisted ESCOs on the expectations of the RBF Program and to specifically introduce to them the Prospect Digital Platform that will be utilized to automatically collect, aggregate, analyse and display data from the ESCOs as the sales to beneficiaries take place.

The Results Based Financing program is one out of the four programmes being implemented by UECCC under the Financial Intermediation component of the Electricity Access Scaleup Project. The program will provide Grants, price subsidies or price cuts through shortlisted Energy Service Companies aimed at addressing the upfront affordability barriers associated with the purchase of clean technologies for lighting, clean cooking solutions and productive uses of energy. Ugandans will be able to access the discounted products at the counters of the Energy Service companies with branch networks and agents spread throughout the Country.

The Program will also provide higher incentives on a per unit sold basis to ESCOs which register discounted sales in underserved and remote rural areas of Uganda. The delivered price cuts /price subsidies will be refunded by UECCC to the ESCOs after an independent verification has been done by a reputable audit firm confirming that sales have taken place. The entire process is designed to ensure transparency and accountability.

Mr Roy Nyamutal Baguma, the MD of UECCC

The UECCC Managing Director, Mr Roy Nyamutale Baguma gave introductory remarks at the official opening of the workshop and mentioned that UECCC conceptualised the use of a digital platform and obtained support from the World Bank. As a result UECCC entered into an agreement with A2EI of Germany to provide a digital platform (Prospect Digital Platform) that will enhance real time or near to real time information about the sales being closed by the shortlisted Energy Service Companies across the Country.

The digital platform will enable the companies to upload sales to beneficiaries as the selling of eligible technologies takes place. The IT platform will also facilitate quick verification by the independent verification agent. Mr Samuel Ocanya the Project Manager for the EASP asked the ESCOs to fully engage and understand the workings of the digital platform. ESCOs will be required to connect to the digital platform in order to onboard discounted sales details to facilitate timely verification of their submitted claims.

Mr Mwaka Agoba the Programme Manager-Results Based Financing & Clean Cooking advised that the RBF sales are expected to begin in July 2024 after the ESCOs have signed their grant agreements with UECCC and that the company will contribute towards the market sensitization
and awareness creation to support their sales efforts.

The workshop was attended by over 50 shortlisted ESCOs and the 3 day engagement period was highly interactive. One of the participants, Retired Honorable David Ebong the CEO of Clean Energy Partnership Africa, reiterated that the platform would be great for the transparency of the program. “The platform that has been created is user-friendly and makes it easier to capture data and generate reports. All ESCOs also have full visibility of the data they have captured, everything is done in the open”.

The expected outcomes of the Program will include increased use of clean energy for lighting, cooking and productive uses such as water pumping, irrigation, refrigeration and cooling, water heating and grain milling; thus, eliminating negative environmental impacts such as Green gas emissions, deforestation and poor health conditions associated with the use of traditional lighting and three stone cooking, and other open fire cooking methods.

The Project provides an opportunity for ESCOs to partner with Government through UECCC to do business in an environmentally friendly manner. Protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility. The Electricity Access Scaleup project is about access to clean energy and clean energy is synonymous with protecting the environment.

Grand Theft Auto 6 Set for Fall 2025 Launch

By
Remmy Bisimbeko
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0

In a recent interview, Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Rockstar Games’ parent company Take-Two Interactive, confirmed that the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI will be released in fall 2025. This announcement came during Take-Two Interactive’s latest earnings call.

“Our outlook reflects a narrowing of Rockstar Games’ previously established window of calendar 2025 to fall of calendar 2025 for Grand Theft Auto VI. We are highly confident that Rockstar Games will deliver an unparalleled entertainment experience, and our expectations for the commercial impact of the title continue to increase,” Zelnick stated in a press release discussing the fiscal year 2025 outlook.

In addition to the release window, it was revealed in an investor presentation that the Grand Theft Auto franchise has sold over 425 million units, with 200 million of those being from Grand Theft Auto V alone. Geoff Keighley also confirmed that 2K plans to reveal the next iteration of one of its major franchises at Summer Game Fest 2024, though this game is not GTA 6, which had a record-breaking trailer released last December.

Despite a report from Kotaku last month suggesting a potential delay for GTA 6, Zelnick reassured in an interview with IGN that Take-Two remains confident in the fall 2025 release. “We do feel highly confident that we’ll deliver [Grand Theft Auto VI] in fall of 2025,” he explained.

However, the road to this announcement has not been without its challenges. Some Rockstar Games employees are reportedly unhappy about returning to the office, and Take-Two has recently laid off a number of developers and closed game studios Intercept Games and Roll7, although Zelnick disputes the latter.

Grand Theft Auto VI is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated game releases in recent years, and fans are eagerly awaiting more details as the release date approaches.

Threads Introduces Multi-Column TweetDeck-Like Web View

By
Brian Code
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0

Threads is developing a new web interface that includes the ability to pin customized columns, reminiscent of the TweetDeck feature previously available on Twitter. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared an image of this new web option, which is currently undergoing testing.

The screenshot reveals several custom columns, such as a “For you” feed and multiple topic-specific columns. Users can pin favorite searches, topics, keywords, accounts, saved posts, and notifications. Additionally, there is an auto-refresh feature to keep these columns updated with the latest posts.

Twitter, now known as X, offers a similar feature called “X Pro,” which mimics the former TweetDeck format but requires an $8/month subscription. In contrast, Threads’ version will be free, potentially replicating much of the functionality that Twitter once provided.

A customizable, column-based web view could attract more users to Threads, allowing them to avoid being restricted to the “For you” feed when accessing Threads on the web. According to Bloomberg, users with access to the feature can pin up to 100 feeds to their homepage.

Currently, the multi-column view is being tested with a limited number of users.

Earlier this week, Threads also introduced a new option to organize searches by recency, making it easier to locate timely and relevant content on the social network.

Netflix Reports 40 Million Monthly Users for Ad-Supported Tier

By
GURU8 Staff
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0

At its Upfront advertising presentation, Netflix disclosed that its ad-supported streaming tier now boasts 40 million monthly active users worldwide, marking a significant surge from the previous year’s 5 million. With a total of 270 million subscribers globally, the majority still opt for ad-free plans.

Netflix, after years of resistance, introduced its Standard with ads plan in 2022 to bolster revenue, offering a cheaper alternative. Priced at $6.99 monthly in the U.S., this plan provides HD streaming on two devices with limited content availability. Despite the absence of features like offline viewing and spatial audio, over 40% of signups in eligible regions opt for the ad-supported option.

Moreover, 70% of these members engage with Netflix content for over 10 hours monthly, and Netflix claims they are twice as likely to respond to ads compared to other streaming services’ subscribers. Netflix has also entered the ad tech space, announcing plans for an in-house ad platform in 2025, alongside measures to curtail password sharing, which contributed to revenue growth and subscriber retention.

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