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Sandhya Gupta

I am a law graduate from NLU Lucknow. I have a flair for creative writing and hence in my free time work as a freelance content writer.

Google

Google Staff in Zurich Stage Walkout Over Job Cuts

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In Zurich, approximately 250 employees of Alphabet Inc.’s Google protested the company’s decision to lay off around 6% of its workforce by walking out on Wednesday.

As per union spokesman Dominik Fitze, the workers left their workstations before midday with the help of the Syndicom trade union and gathered outside one of the two Google locations in the Swiss city with placards.

Google
Image Source: menafn.com

They urged Google to speak with an employee committee about alternatives to layoffs and help for people from abroad whose residency is dependent on their employment, as required by Swiss law, Fitze added. In addition, he said, they want the corporation to promise not to make any more job layoffs.

Also Read: Google has rolled out Immersive View for Maps across five cities

Even while the protesters made up a relatively small part of Google’s 5,000 or so employees in Zurich, it is unusual for corporate workers at tech corporations to strike. It comes after comparable demonstrations by colleagues about the job layoffs earlier this month in New York and California.

A Google spokesperson noted, “We know this is an uncertain time for our employees and we are working hard to share updates as soon as we can in line with local labor law. However, given the ongoing process, we are not in the position to comment further on the matter.”

In response to the faltering global economy and increasing inflation, Alphabet said in January that it will be laying off more than 12,000 employees, following other tech behemoths including Meta, Amazon, and Salesforce Inc.

Affected employees in the US received notification right away, but in Europe, it has taken longer because of stricter local employment rules that, in some situations, call for a consultation procedure.

Fitze stated that because the workers in Zurich had not yet received notice, it is unknown how many of them lost their jobs.

In 2018, Google employees in numerous places around the world staged a strike in protest of how the company handled complaints of sexual misconduct. Google revealed in January 2023 that it will be eliminating 6% of positions globally and has let go of about 12,000 workers.

Also Read: Amazon Subsidiary Zappos Lays Off Around 20% of Staff

Numerous former staff flocked to Twitter to discuss their fate in the wake of this statement.

As a result of the unexpected layoffs, several people also expressed their hurt. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, was even called upon to resign by online users, former workers, and others. A short time after the Google Layoffs, reports of a probable compensation reduction for Pichai also started to circulate.

Earlier Pichai accepted complete accountability for the layoffs. He said that the corporation overhired during the pandemic when demand was extremely strong.

In the email he sent to Google employees, Pichai stated, “Over the past two years, we’ve seen periods of dramatic growth. To match and fuel that growth, we hired for a different economic reality than the one we face today.”

iPhone 15

iPhone 15 and 15 Plus to get redesigned camera. What to expect?

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Even though it’s only the middle of February, analysts already have a fair sense of what to anticipate from Apple’s upcoming iPhone 15 series.

Numerous leaks hinted at the updated features and look of the new iPhone series.

iPhone 15
Image Source: apple.com

In light of prior speculations regarding the iPhone 15’s improved camera, the most current rumour focuses on an anticipated design update for the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will reportedly include a new camera bump, according to a leak. It can seem like a small design aspect that users don’t really care about right now. However, the reason that’s fascinating is related to the lower iPhone models’ cameras.

Also Read: 15-Inch MacBook Air Rumored to Launch in April

The 48-megapixel sensor that Apple debuted with the iPhone 14 Pros earlier this year should be carried over to both the base device and the 15 Plus.

In recent years, as it updated the sensors, Apple gradually grew the iPhone’s camera bump.

Sensor-shift optical image stabilisation (OIS) technology was introduced with the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Then, Apple added that primary camera to every iPhone 13 device in addition to a new camera setup for the non-Pro variants.

Further with the debut of Apple’s first 48-megapixel sensor in a phone, the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max received an even larger camera module. That sensor, according to Apple, is 65% bigger than the one on the iPhone 13 Pro.

Although not identical, the sensors in the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus are comparable to those in the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max. Compared to the iPhone 13, the iPhone 14’s bulge is a little bigger. The iPhone 13 Pro also has a third zoom lens, however, this model is smaller.

Higher light is captured by a bigger sensor, which also has more megapixels. However, it also occupies more room in the back. The camera bump’s size is increasing as a result. With such a background, it’s simple to see why the rumour that the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus would feature a larger camera bump is so enticing.

Also Read: Is the iPhone Ultra worth the wait?

The two phones are rumoured to include 48-megapixel primary sensors, the same as those found in the iPhone 14 Pros. That suggests that the rear camera module will need to grow, even if it only has room for two lenses. Reminder: Telephoto zoom lenses won’t be available on future non-Pro phones.

On Twitter, the leaker @ShrimpApplePro summarised the rumoured specifications for the iPhone 15 series and teased the larger camera bump for the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. The 48-megapixel sensor for both the non-Pro and Pro models of the iPhone 15 is mentioned in the specifications he cited.

RGB lighting

What is the new RGB lighting feature in Windows 11?

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Microsoft is attempting to make Windows 11 natively support RGB PC gaming devices. PC gamers will be able to configure gadgets with RGB lighting using the Windows lighting interface without needing to install any additional software.

According to reports, Windows 11’s most recent Insider Build will provide direct system management of RGB lighting. The majority of Windows gaming laptops and PCs have RGB lighting as an accessory to improve the gaming experience.

RGB Lighting
Image Source: engadget.com

Most businesses, like Dell, HP, Asus, and Lenovo, provide consumers with specialised apps that let them manage these colours or the aesthetics they produce.

However, Windows 11’s settings do not have a native control or programme for these RGB lights. The light control function is reportedly being developed by Microsoft right now to eliminate the requirement for third-party apps.

Also Read: Google has rolled out Immersive View for Maps across five cities

The most recent public test releases of Windows 11 have evidence of early work incorporating this new lighting experience, according to Twitter user Albacore.

The Windows 11 settings interface contains options for adjusting the lighting effects, brightness, speed, and colours. Even better, there is a capability that will match users’ accessories to the accent colour of Windows.

Users of Windows 11 wouldn’t need to download apps from Razer, Corsair, Logitech, and other companies in order to receive the very minimum capability for modifying RGB effects thanks to Microsoft’s own native lighting controls.

Although Microsoft hasn’t yet made an official announcement on lighting features of Windows 11, the company is currently working on a variety of test features that are anticipated to be included in a major upgrade to Windows 11 sometime this year.

When it comes to Windows as a gaming platform for personal computers, Microsoft’s strategy is all over the place. Controlling RGB lighting was obviously going to become a part of Windows, but with Windows 10 and now Windows 11, the merging of the Xbox application and PC Game Pass has seen a new emphasis on Windows as a centre for gaming.

Also Read: Will Sony’s PlayStation VR 2 live up to the hype?

A built-in screen recorder has finally been integrated into Windows 11 with the Snipping Tool, according to a recent announcement from the company. Support for multiple tabs in Notepad has also begun to undergo testing. In Windows 11 Task Manager, Redmond is also experimenting with live kernel memory dumps, which would be very helpful in identifying bugs and performance problems.

In the meantime, on February 14, Microsoft permanently disabled Internet Explorer from the Windows 10 operating system. Users are now routed to Microsoft Edge when they click the Internet Explorer button on a Windows 10 PC.

PlayStation VR2

Will Sony’s PlayStation VR 2 live up to the hype?

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In much less than two weeks, the PlayStation VR2 is scheduled to go on sale. On February 22, Sony will launch a new age of virtual reality on the PS5, and with the second generation of its headgear soon to be released, marketing efforts are inevitably picking up.

With a new trailer that showcases the headset’s advantages and shows them with specific gaming sequences from upcoming titles, Sony is hammering the marketing drum.

PlayStation VR2
Image Source: reviewgeek.com

A brand-new PS VR2 Gameplay Features trailer from Sony has just been released, and this two-minute sizzle reel-style clip has only heightened users’ anticipation. Though perhaps not as large as Sony had intended, the PlayStation VR’s initial release on the PlayStation 4 demonstrated that there is a market for virtual reality games on consoles.

Also Read: Can ChatGPT assist Microsoft in dethroning Google Search?

However, Sony is hopeful that the PS VR2 on the PlayStation 5 will help the platform development and that the improved PlayStation VR2 technology will help draw in new users. On February 22, the VR2 is expected to go on sale. For $549.99, customers may get the virtual reality headgear and two Sense controllers.

Although the PS VR2 won’t support PlayStation VR games, the launch lineup of over 30 games should prove to be an enticing selection for early adopters. The most recent PlayStation VR2 trailer from Sony provides a clear justification for PlayStation 5 owners to consider purchasing the VR system when it launches.

The teaser for the PlayStation VR2 concentrates on several of its key selling aspects in much less than two minutes. The PlayStation VR’s hardware features include a “4K HDR Display,” which refers to its two 2000×2040 OLED displays, “Tempest 3D AudioTech” for 3D audio through headphones, “110° Field of View,” which is higher than the original PlayStation VR’s 100° FOV, “Foveated Rendering,” “Eye-Tracking,” and even “Headset Feedback,” which vibrates the players’ skulls.

The new trailer also places a lot of emphasis on the PS VR2 Sense controllers. Highlighted features for in-game natural hand gestures are “Haptic Feedback,” “Adaptive Triggers,” and “Finger Touch Detection.” Players engage with virtual environments using their hands, and the more lifelike the hand presence, the more immersed they might feel.

Also Read: Why is Meta shutting down Echo VR?

It makes sense why Sony is emphasizing the Sense controllers in addition to the headset. The incorporation of footage from forthcoming PlayStation VR2 games is another feature of the trailer worth highlighting.

While not everyone is ready to experiment with virtual reality just yet, this brief Sony trailer provides a fascinating overview of what the PlayStation VR2 has to offer. In terms of appearance and functionality, the PS VR2 is an obvious improvement over the original PlayStation VR and a legitimate rival to current PC VR headsets.

iPhone Ultra

Is the iPhone Ultra worth the wait?

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Apple may unveil a new, more costly iPhone tier to its lineup named “Ultra.” According to the rumour, the new iPhone tier will be introduced alongside the iPhone 16 series in 2024 and would sit above the Pro Max and Pro iPhone models.

The brand has previously used the term “Ultra” to distinguish between its top-tier smartwatch, the Apple Watch Ultra, and the most advanced M1 processor. According to the source, Apple has internally contemplated releasing an Ultra model iPhone.

iPhone Ultra
Image Source: macworld.com

However, other than pricing, it is currently unclear how the Ultra model would vary from the Pro and Pro Max models. CEO Tim Cook reportedly stated in Apple’s earnings release last week that he thinks customers will shell out more for a better model.

According to one speculation relating to the iPhone 15 Ultra, Apple may use a new titanium alloy exterior, a feature that was initially expected for the iPhone 14 Pro range but didn’t materialise.

Also Read: The iPhone may get a microLED display. What does that mean?

This rumour gained credence after tipster Leaks According to ApplePro, the iPhone 15 Ultra’s chassis will be made of titanium, while another leak purportedly showed the material up close on a sample iPhone.Titanium is as robust as stainless steel but is lighter, thus this would result in a more robust phone that may still be lightweight.

The only issue is that, given the increased cost of titanium, this could result in an increase in the cost of the iPhone 15 Ultra. The titanium body, however, was recently depicted on the Pro and Ultra iPhone 15 editions in a depiction of the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Thus, perhaps this update won’t be an Ultra-only feature.

According to ShrimpApplePro, the iPhone 15 Ultra’s back panel may have curved edges, which is another odd potential modification. The resulting iPhone would look drastically different and, presumably, feel more pleasant to carry.

But according to the most recent reports from LeaksApplePro, Apple may continue to use the flat-back design it currently uses because to supply chain concerns and wireless charging design limitations.

This fall, the company is anticipated to launch the iPhone 15 series. There are rumours regarding what might be in the new phones, despite the fact that not much is revealed about the new lineup. According to one report, all upcoming iPhone models would incorporate USB-C connections for charging.

Also Read: Why Did The iPhone 14 Plus End Up Being A Failure?

In 2022, the European Union decided that starting in 2024, USB-C would be the standard charging port for all smartphones. Another speculation regarding the iPhone 15 is an increase in price for all smartphone models. The current range of US pricing for the iPhone 14 variants is $829 to $1,599.

The greatest time to purchase a new smartphone is when users actually need one. If your iPhone is beginning to show its age, you’ll want to give the iPhone 15 a serious look, regardless of what the iPhone Ultra might be hiding in the wings.

1Password

1Password will soon skip passwords in favor of passkeys

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Starting this summer, the password vault 1Password will allow you to safeguard your password vault with a passkey, embracing a new authentication technique that is intended to be as simple to utilize as passwords but much more secure.

When it relates to creating and memorizing the tens or hundreds of passwords we use every day, password managers are fantastic. However, a single password might be a vulnerability for a hacker attempting to access all of your accounts.

1Password
Image Source: engadget.com

Chief Product Officer of 1Password, Steve Won noted, “For passkeys to be the way forward, it’s not enough for them to replace some of your passwords,” They have to be able to replace all passwords — including the one you use to unlock 1Password.”

With the support of the FIDO (Fast Identity Online) Alliance, a business alliance, Apple, Microsoft, and Google developed passkeys. Passkeys employ a method similar to hardware security keys, the most secure login technique available, but they are made to be simpler to use when authenticating into an app or service.

Also Read: Google will blur explicit images in search by default

One must have a device like a smartphone or a computer that is registered with the application or service in order to utilize passkeys. The second authentication step that the device does will probably be a biometric scan of one’s face or fingerprint. Advocates of passkeys contend that they will be as user-friendly as passwords while being significantly safer.

Their benefits include blocking phishing attacks because they can’t be used on fake websites meant to trick users into providing personal information.

Even if someone steals their master password, 1Password has an additional authentication safeguard called a secret key required to access this password on a new device, so it’s not necessarily a catastrophe. Passkeys, however, are superior and “a win-win for both security and usability,” according to Won.

Passkey support was added to iOS by Apple in 2022, and Google added it to Chrome in 2022. This year, Google is introducing it to Android.

The majority of users probably create, save, and sync passkeys using Google or Apple password managers, but Dashlane, a competitor of 1Password, began beta-testing passkey functionality for logging in to passkey-supporting websites and applications in September.

With 1Password’s method, users may extend passkey authentication to some other trusted device utilizing already-existing passkey QR code functionality after they set it up on one device, such as their phone.

Also Read: Salesforce’s Bret Taylor to Start AI Firm With Departing Google VP

The growing security problems related to conventional passwords are the driving force behind the use of passkey technology. They can be hacked or otherwise exposed in data breaches, giving attackers access to personal data, and they are vulnerable to phishing attacks.

Even if users presently sign in to one 1Password account utilizing biometrics like Face ID or fingerprint scanners, the company reminds users that while these sign-on features may be more secure, they are ultimately still dependent on the passwords they are attached to.