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Bose Unveils SoundLink Max: Its Largest Portable Bluetooth Speaker Yet

By
Boses Muhinda
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0

Bose, renowned for its noise-canceling headphones, expands its lineup of portable Bluetooth speakers with the introduction of the SoundLink Max. Priced at $399, this latest addition boasts the title of Bose’s largest portable Bluetooth speaker yet, promising a superior audio experience and extended battery life.

Featuring a familiar design reminiscent of previous Bose devices, the SoundLink Max packs a punch with its enhanced sound quality and longer-lasting battery. Inside, three transducers and two passive radiators deliver an immersive stereo experience, complemented by robust bass performance that belies the speaker’s compact size. Utilizing technology typically found in Bose soundbars and enhanced with digital signal processing, the SoundLink Max promises distortion-free sound reproduction across various music genres.

Constructed with a powder-coated, silicone-wrapped steel enclosure, the SoundLink Max exudes durability and sophistication. Boasting an IP67 rating, the speaker is resistant to dust, water, and rust, making it suitable for outdoor use and ensuring peace of mind in various environments. With a battery life of up to 20 hours, users can enjoy uninterrupted music playback on the go, with the added convenience of USB-C charging and the ability to charge external devices.

Equipped with Snapdragon Sound and aptX Adaptive technology, the SoundLink Max offers seamless connectivity and improved audio quality for a more immersive listening experience. Supporting features such as Google Fast Pair and Bluetooth 5.3, the speaker ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices.

Pre-orders for the Bose SoundLink Max are now available, with shipping scheduled to commence on May 16. Positioned as Bose’s flagship portable Bluetooth speaker, the SoundLink Max sets a new standard for premium audio performance, catering to music enthusiasts seeking exceptional sound quality and versatility in their portable audio devices.

Spotify’s Free Tier Removes Lyrics Feature

By
Boses Muhinda
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0

Spotify, one of the leading music streaming platforms globally, operates on a freemium model, offering both free and premium subscription tiers. While the premium tier provides users with an ad-free experience, offline listening, and unlimited skips, the free tier allows users to access the vast music library with occasional ads and certain limitations.

Recently, Spotify made a significant change to its free tier by removing the lyrics feature for non-paying users. Previously, users could view lyrics in real-time while listening to their favorite songs, enhancing the overall music streaming experience. However, with the removal of this feature, free-tier users now face limitations in engaging with the music they love.

The decision to hide lyrics behind a paywall has sparked criticism from users, as it diminishes the convenience and enjoyment of listening to music on the platform. While lyrics were readily available to all users in the past, they are now only accessible to premium subscribers, limiting the interactive elements of music streaming for those on the free tier.

Additionally, Spotify has imposed other restrictions on its free-tier users, such as limiting the number of skips per hour and forcing shuffled playback. These limitations, coupled with the removal of the lyrics feature, have made the free tier less appealing for non-paying users.

The change in Spotify’s free tier underscores a broader trend in the music streaming industry, where platforms are increasingly incentivizing users to upgrade to premium subscriptions by restricting access to certain features. While Spotify’s premium tier offers a superior listening experience, with features like offline listening and unlimited skips, the removal of features from the free tier may push users to explore alternative streaming platforms.

Platforms like YouTube Music and Tidal offer competitive alternatives to Spotify, with their own unique features and benefits. YouTube Music provides users with access to music videos and a vast library of songs, while Tidal is known for its high-quality lossless audio streaming.

In conclusion, Spotify’s decision to remove the lyrics feature from its free tier highlights the ongoing evolution of music streaming platforms and the shifting dynamics between free and premium subscription models. As users weigh the pros and cons of different streaming services, the availability of features like lyrics may play a significant role in their decision-making process.

EU Mandates iPadOS Sideloading and App Store Alternatives within 6 Months

By
GURU8 Staff
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0

In a significant move, the European Union (EU) has declared that iPadOS, Apple’s operating system for iPads, will now be categorized as a “gatekeeper” under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This decision, announced by EU regulators, means that iPadOS will soon be subject to the same regulations as iOS, the operating system for iPhones.

The EU’s investigation into whether iPadOS qualifies as a gatekeeper began in September 2023, coinciding with similar determinations made for iOS, Safari browser, and the App Store. As a result, Apple has been given a six-month deadline to ensure full compliance of iPadOS with the DMA obligations.

Despite the technical differentiation between iOS and iPadOS introduced by Apple in 2019, the practical similarities between the two operating systems are striking. Both share the same software build numbers, receive updates simultaneously, and primarily rely on the same App Store with Apple-imposed restrictions.

With this mandate, iPadOS will soon support alternate app stores, app sideloading, and third-party browser engines, akin to the recent changes implemented for iOS in the EU. While apps distributed through alternate app stores or third-party websites will still need to adhere to Apple’s rules, the ability to access alternate app stores and browser engines could significantly enhance the functionality of iPads, especially as laptop replacements.

Furthermore, ongoing investigations by EU regulators into Apple’s compliance with DMA regulations suggest that more changes may be forthcoming. Any alterations made by Apple to iOS in response to these investigations are likely to extend to iPadOS as well.

While these developments directly impact users in the European Union, the broader implications of Apple’s compliance efforts under the DMA may influence its policies globally. Recent changes in App Store rules, such as the acceptance of certain retro game console emulators, could reflect Apple’s efforts to adapt to regulatory pressures and may eventually impact users worldwide.

Windows 11 Update Introduces Start Menu Ads

By
Brian Code
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0
Source: The Verge

Microsoft has released a new update, KB5036980, for Windows 11, bringing with it the introduction of ads in the Start menu. This feature, which was initially announced as a Windows Insider beta update 13 days ago on April 12th, aims to enhance the convenience of the Start menu by recommending apps from the Microsoft Store.

According to Microsoft’s announcement in the Windows Insider program, these recommended apps will be curated from a select group of developers, offering users the opportunity to discover new and useful applications available in the Microsoft Store.

It’s important to note that the inclusion of ads in the Start menu is optional and part of a non-security update intended to improve user convenience. Users who prefer not to see these recommendations can easily disable them by navigating to Settings > Personalization > Start and deselecting the toggle labeled “Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more.”

In addition to the introduction of Start menu ads, the KB5036980 update also brings improvements to the Recommended Apps section, listing the user’s most frequently used applications. Furthermore, the update includes enhancements to widget icons in the taskbar, aimed at improving visual clarity by reducing pixelation.

Microsoft has been experimenting with native ads across various Windows features, starting with advertisements for Microsoft products in the File Explorer and later expanding to the sign-out flyout menu. With the introduction of ads in the Start menu, Microsoft continues to explore ways to provide users with relevant recommendations while using the Windows operating system.

Delta Game Emulator Coming to iPad: What to Expect

By
Brian Code
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0

Good news for gaming enthusiasts! The popular Nintendo emulator, Delta, which recently made its debut on the App Store for iPhone, is now making its way to the iPad. Developer Riley Testut shared an exciting update on Threads, revealing that an iPad-optimized version of the Delta app is currently in the works and nearing completion.

Delta gained significant attention upon its release for iPhone, and now iPad users can look forward to experiencing their favorite Nintendo games on a larger screen. The iPad version of Delta is “near completion,” with Testut mentioning that it’s being prioritized following Apple’s recent change in policy regarding game emulators.

For those eager to try out the iPad version of Delta, subscribers to Testut’s Patreon can access it now through the AltStore, an alternative marketplace designed for sideloading iOS and iPadOS apps. Alternatively, users can patiently await the official release of Delta’s next major update, version 1.6, which will include support for iPad.

Testut also provided a sneak peek into how Delta will run on iPad, promising an immersive gaming experience. Delta serves as the successor to Testut’s popular Game Boy Advance emulator, GBA4iOS, and boasts compatibility with various Nintendo systems, including NES, SNES, N64, and DS.

The development team is currently fine-tuning the iPad version, focusing on tasks such as finalizing controller skins and addressing any remaining bugs. Additionally, they are working on implementing device-to-device multiplayer functionality, although this feature is still in the pipeline.

As an added bonus for gaming enthusiasts, Testut revealed that a SEGA Genesis emulator is also in development and expected to be available “soon-ish,” albeit still in beta. With these exciting updates on the horizon, fans of retro gaming can anticipate an enhanced gaming experience on their iPads with the arrival of Delta.

Google’s $2 Trillion Leap: AI Investments Pay Off Amidst Regulatory Challenges

By
Boses Muhinda
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0

Over the past year, Google has confronted two significant challenges in its 25-year history: the emergence of generative AI and increasing regulatory scrutiny. The impact of AI has prompted substantial changes within the company, including significant alterations to its search algorithms, realignment of core teams around AI initiatives, and the launch of its own Gemini AI model to seize the opportunities presented.

To refocus its efforts, Google executives have implemented project cuts and staff layoffs. Recently, the company announced its inaugural dividend and a $70 billion share repurchase program alongside its Q1 2024 earnings report.

Investors have responded positively to these developments, propelling Google parent company Alphabet to officially attain and sustain a $2 trillion market capitalization for an entire trading day, following a brief touch of $2 trillion in November 2021. Currently, Google ranks as the fourth most valuable public company globally, trailing behind Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft.

In contrast to Meta’s stock decline after Mark Zuckerberg’s remarks about the lengthy path to profitability in generative AI ventures, Google has begun to monetize AI in various ways. For instance, it has integrated AI capabilities into its Performance Max tool, enabling advertisers to target audiences more effectively. Additionally, companies like Discover Financial and Ikea are leveraging AI tools for call center operations and revenue optimization.

While Google remains cautious about disrupting its core search business, it acknowledges the potential for AI to enhance the search experience. Despite this, CEO Sundar Pichai reassures stakeholders that the company is adept at managing the costs associated with serving AI-generated queries.

Google’s existing business segments continue to perform well, with Q1 2024 revenue reaching $80.5 billion, a 15 percent increase year-over-year. Notably, profit margins also improved, yielding $23.7 billion in profit, a 14 percent increase compared to the previous quarter.

While Google undertook significant workforce reductions in recent months, recent financial reports suggest that layoffs may have tapered off. Despite an expenditure of $716 million on severance and related expenses during the first quarter, revenue growth remains robust across search, advertising, and other segments.

Looking ahead, Google aims to strengthen its position in the short-form video market, with a focus on YouTube Shorts. The platform has witnessed a surge in creator uploads and monetization rates, signaling promising growth prospects.

Google’s upcoming developer conference, Google I/O, scheduled for May 14th, is expected to shed further light on the company’s future initiatives and innovations.

Apple Resumes Talks with OpenAI for iPhone Chatbot

By
Davis Kawalya
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0
Apple AI

Apple has reportedly resumed discussions with OpenAI, the developer behind ChatGPT, to incorporate certain AI capabilities into iOS 18, as per a recent Bloomberg report. Alongside developing its own large language models for iOS 18 features, Apple is exploring the possibility of utilizing OpenAI’s technology for a “chatbot/search component,” Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman states.

Additionally, Apple is said to be in talks with Google to potentially license Gemini, Google’s AI-driven chatbot, for integration into iOS 18. Gurman notes that negotiations with Google are ongoing, and Apple has yet to finalize its decision regarding which company’s technology to adopt. There’s a possibility that Apple might opt to license AI technology from both or neither of the companies.

While Apple has kept relatively silent about its AI initiatives compared to other tech giants, it has dropped hints indicating its focus on AI development. During Apple’s earnings announcement in February, CEO Tim Cook mentioned the company’s continued investment in artificial intelligence and teased forthcoming details about its endeavors in the space later in the year. Apple also touted its latest M3 MacBook Air as the “world’s best consumer laptop for AI” upon its release last month, hinting at future AI-centric releases for laptops and desktops. Furthermore, Apple recently made available several open-source large language models designed for local device usage rather than cloud-based processing.

The specifics of Apple’s AI features for iPhones and other devices remain unclear. Generative AI technology is known for its unreliability and tendency to provide inaccurate responses. Recent AI-powered gadgets, such as the Humane Ai Pin, received negative reviews, while others like the Rabbit R1 are yet to demonstrate their value.

More details about Apple’s AI initiatives are expected to be unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) scheduled for June 10.

Prepare for Potential AI Requirement Alerts in Windows 11

By
Brian Code
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0

After recent revelations about new hardware prerequisites for the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update, Microsoft appears poised to introduce a slew of innovative AI functionalities. A fresh report now indicates that the tech giant is integrating new code into the operating system to notify users if their systems fail to meet the minimum requirements for running AI-driven applications.

According to Albacore on X (formerly Twitter), devices that fall short of these requirements will display a watermark warning message. Upon scrutinizing the latest Windows 11 Insider Build 26200, Albacore uncovered coded prerequisites for an upcoming AI File Explorer feature. The stipulated minimum requirements include an ARM64 processor, 16GB of memory, 225GB of total storage, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite NPU.

Reportedly named Advanced Copilot, the new AI File Explorer is poised to offer functionalities reminiscent of a modernized Cortana – the same app that was retired in August last year. While the choice of CPU may seem peculiar, Neowin speculates that the feature could be exclusive to new Surface devices or that Microsoft may plan to extend support to other PCs in the future. Interestingly, there is a workaround to bypass this check by simply disabling ID 48486440 on the RTM build.

This new hardware compatibility update follows the recent discovery of prerequisites related to the POPCNT and SSE 4.2 instruction sets. In essence, CPUs equipped with support for these instruction sets will be essential for booting Windows 11. As previously noted, Windows 11’s hardware compatibility excludes older CPUs, meaning users with compatible hardware should remain unaffected.

It’s worth emphasizing that Microsoft has yet to issue an official statement regarding the minimum hardware requirements for the Windows 11 24H2 update. The company is currently in the process of testing new features, some of which may or may not make it to the final release.

Apple Releases Open Source On-Device AI Models

By
Brian Code
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0
Apple AI

Apple has made a significant move in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) by releasing several open source large language models (LLMs) designed to run on-device, rather than relying on cloud servers. Known as OpenELM (Open-source Efficient Language Models), these LLMs are now available on the Hugging Face Hub, a platform dedicated to sharing AI code.

According to a white paper released by Apple, there are a total of eight OpenELM models, with four pre-trained using the CoreNet library and four instruction-tuned models. Apple employs a layer-wise scaling strategy aimed at enhancing both accuracy and efficiency.

Unlike previous practices that only provided model weights and inference code, Apple’s release includes the entire framework for training and evaluating the language model on publicly available datasets. This encompasses training logs, multiple checkpoints, and pre-training configurations.

Apple’s decision to release these OpenELM models is motivated by a desire to empower and enrich the open research community with state-of-the-art language models. By sharing open source models, researchers gain access to tools for investigating risks and addressing data and model biases, while developers and companies can utilize the models as-is or make modifications to suit their needs.

Furthermore, Apple’s move towards open sharing of information serves as a strategic tool for recruiting top talent in the field of AI. It provides opportunities for research papers that may not have been possible under Apple’s traditionally secretive policies.

While Apple has not yet implemented these AI capabilities on its devices, iOS 18 is anticipated to introduce a range of new AI features. There are also rumors suggesting that Apple plans to utilize its large language models on-device for enhanced privacy.

WhatsApp Introduces Passkeys for iOS: Enhanced Security and Convenience

By
Remmy Bisimbeko
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0

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has unveiled a new feature for iOS users called passkeys. This functionality allows WhatsApp users to securely log into their accounts on iOS devices using Face ID, Touch ID, or their device passcode.

Passkeys act as a substitute for traditional passwords and provide enhanced security by requiring device authentication. This mechanism helps prevent online attacks such as phishing attempts since there is no password to steal or intercept. Instead, users can swiftly log in with a quick Face ID or Touch ID scan, making the process more convenient and secure.

To enable passkeys, users can navigate to the app settings, select the Account section, and tap on “Passkeys.” This feature is supported on devices running iOS 16 and later, iPadOS 16 and later, and macOS Ventura and later.

Several other major companies, including X (formerly Twitter), Google, TikTok, PayPal, Best Buy, Microsoft, PlayStation, and eBay, have also implemented support for passkeys, showcasing the growing trend towards enhancing security and convenience for users across various platforms.

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