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elon musk

Elon Musk changes plans, to not cut 75% of Twitter Jobs

Elon Musk informed Twitter employees that he does not intend to fire 75% of the workforce after taking over the organization. According to reports, Musk informed potential investors that he would fire 75% of Twitter’s staff, leaving the company with only 2,000 employees.

Elon Musk
Image Source: outlookindia.com

Elon Musk, the tech magnate and incoming boss of Twitter, reportedly informed staff members on Wednesday that he does not intend to lay off 75% of the company’s workforce. Musk, whose $44 billion Twitter acquisition appears to be on pace to close by Friday, refuted the previously reported lay-off estimate in a speech to staff members at Twitter’s San Francisco office.

Twitter employees who may have been anxious following a story in The Washington Post last week suggesting that the Tesla and SpaceX CEO had planned to fire 75% of Twitter’s workforce once he acquired control of the company would likely be relieved by Musk’s comments.

However, Twitter Inc. warned staff to expect loads of public rumors and speculation as the acquisition by Musk approaches and stated that there haven’t been any plans for company-wide layoffs since it inked the deal.

Nevertheless, there has been a noticeable air of sadness in the Twitter offices since Musk revealed his intentions to purchase the microblogging platform. Many high-level executives have already left the company since the acquisition was first revealed in April, citing Musk’s actions and public statements as the reason for their resignation.

As per the Washington Post report, regardless of who operates the company, workforce layoffs are anticipated in the near future, The report states that Twitter’s present management intended to reduce the corporation’s payroll by around $800 million by the end of 2023, which would result in the departure of close to a quarter of the employees.

Layoffs are still anticipated after the Tesla CEO’s takeover even if he does not lay off the company’s staff by 75%, sources have told Bloomberg. It was also reported that despite assurances from Twitter’s human resources department that mass layoffs were not in the works, substantial measures to fire employees and reduce infrastructure expenses were in place even before Musk made an acquisition offer.

Elon Musk released a video earlier on Thursday showing him entering the offices while holding a kitchen sink with the caption “Entering Twitter HQ – let that sink in!” He updated the description of his Twitter profile to “Chief Twit.” Musk recently posted to Twitter, “A beautiful thing about Twitter is how it empowers citizen journalism – people are able to disseminate news without an establishment bias.”

As per the Wall Street Journal, banks have begun transferring $13 billion in cash to support Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, indicating that the transaction will complete by the end of this week.

The cash will be made accessible for Musk to complete the purchase by the Friday time limit once all closing requirements have been satisfied.

After making an initial $44 billion offer to purchase Twitter, Musk withdrew his offer, claiming that Twitter had overstated the number of bogus “spam bot” accounts it had on its platform.

Twitter sued to hold Musk to the stipulations of the acquisition agreement, but a US court recently put a halt on the case after Musk changed his opinion, and gave the parties time till October 28 to complete the acquisition.

Youtube

Youtube to introduce new feature to zoom in and out while watching videos

Youtube has revealed a number of visual adjustments and user interface (UI) modifications to make the application feel “cleaner, more lively,” and simpler to use for multiple purposes. The most significant update is the pinch-to-zoom feature, which lets users enlarge the playing screen to focus on particular details or components.

youtube
Image Source: hindustantimes.com

Google is updating the YouTube app with a fresh appearance and a number of new features that will make watching videos more engaging and modern. Youtube announced in a recent blog post that, in light of YouTube’s recent 17th birthday, it was thinking about giving it a little makeover While YouTube has made a lot of improvements and changes, the “pinch to zoom” feature and “video navigation” are the most significant ones.

The pinch-to-zoom feature will let viewers zoom in and out of Youtube videos on both mobile and desktop devices. Earlier YouTube users had to keep their fingertips on the screen for the video to remain zoomed in. Users may now watch the rest of the Youtube video in greater detail since the video will remain zoomed in unless prompted.

Youtube noted in a blog post, “You may now simply zoom in and out of a movie on your iOS or Android phone using pinch to zoom. When you let go, the video remains zoomed in so you may see the rest of it in more detail. Allow your fingers to rest!”

The platform also made modifications to the way videos are navigated. The “precise seeking” function displays a row of thumbnails anytime you move to a specific point in the video. If you’re viewing a tutorial or a lecture and want to jump to a specific section of the video, this is quite helpful.

Youtube mentioned in the blog post, “Precise seeking builds on our recent improvements to video navigation that help you quickly find the parts you’re most interested in. We launched the ability to long press anywhere on the player to seek and double tap with two fingers to skip chapters. We also added a graph that shows frequently replayed moments in a video.”

Links to YouTube in video descriptions will now become buttons. In order to reduce distractions, actions like “like,” “share,” and “download” have also been moved to the lower side. The corporation has given the subscription button more weight by highlighting it more, which is good news for creators.

The subscription button is now visible to users in a white oval box right next to the creator’s name. The update also includes an ambient mode, which adds a soft effect just beneath a video. This feature will be available on both mobile and desktops in the dark theme.

To make the colors on the screen stand out more, Youtube has also updated and slightly darkened the dark theme. The color of hashtags on YouTube has also changed from blue to white, but their functionality and placement have not altered.

Although Pinch-to-Zoom in particular is a useful and major upgrade to the platform’s overall UI, all the other changes are relatively minor. It will be fascinating to observe how the other updates affect in-app engagement and clip finding actions even though they are expected to have less effect on the apps functionality.

Recently, YouTube debuted its brand-new “Unique Handles” feature, which gives users and creators a distinct handle ID that can be utilized to identify them.

usb-c

Apple iPhone 15 Series To Have USB-C Charging Port

Apple has confirmed that the USB-C charging port will be used in place of the conventional Lightning port on the next iPhone 15 series when it launches. 

USB-C
Image Source: bloomberg.com

Apple’s iPhone 15 lineup suggests that it is prepared for the significant shift to type C. On September 6, 2022, Apple unveiled its latest lineup of iPhone 14, but speculations about the upcoming series have already begun. According to the latest reports, Apple will finally transition to Type C charging ports with the new iPhone 15 series.

With its upcoming iPhone 15 lineup in Europe, Apple is most likely to substitute a type C charging port for its lighting port, which has been in use for over ten years now. Recently, a regulation was established in the European Union requiring all smartphone manufacturers to switch to USB Type C ports by the year 2024.

Apple is now the only significant brand in the smartphone industry that does not adhere to this USB standard.

Apple’s Joswiak revealed at a WSJ tech event that Apple will have to embrace the USB-C connection for its upcoming iPhones. The confirmation follows the EU’s decision in favor of a universal charging connector for all devices.

Reports suggest that the iPhone 15 lineup from Apple will feature four new models with two distinct processors to distinguish between entry-level and premium models. All four models will come with USB-C charging port.

According to speculations, the iPhone 15 Pro models could have enhanced 8GB RAM. The upgraded RAM is added to complement Apple’s new processor. A periscope lens is anticipated for the new iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Although Apple is developing its own 5G modem, the new iPhone 15 range won’t use it yet. This may be used for later models that debut in 2024. The iPhone 15 series will continue with the use of the existing Qualcomm modem. 

It is also speculated that the 6.1-inch basic iPhone model is expected to be discontinued when the iPhone 15 series debuts in 2023. A rumor from Gizmochina claims that Apple would probably release an ‘Ultra’ iPhone model boasting a few distinctive features in 2023.

Many people voiced their displeasure with the new iPhone 15 Ultra model on Twitter in response to the rumor. According to LeaksApplePro, the upcoming iPhone 15 Ultra, would have a premium titanium body.

Before the announcement of the iPhone 14 series, it was speculated that hat the Pro versions in this line-up would also have titanium bodies, however, this did not materialize. Titanium-built phones are incredibly rare and will contribute to the product’s improved appearance. 

According to a report, Apple has been continually assessing the popularity of the iPhone 14 Plus. Some iPhone manufacturing partners have been asked by the company to stop producing the iPhone 14 Plus right away.

Apple has also contacted two component suppliers to reduce manufacturing by up to 90%. The iPhone 14 Plus is reportedly not as well-liked by users as Apple had anticipated.

The popularity of the iPhone 14 has reportedly decreased. Apple appears to be concentrating on bringing a variety of modifications to the new iPhone 15 series right now. 

Along the lines of the EU, India is also considering imposing a rule that would require tech firms to have a common standard charger, including USB-C, by 2024. 

17.3-inch foldable OLED

Asus launches the world’s first 17.3-inch foldable OLED Computer

ASUS Middle East has unveiled the world’s first 17.3-inch foldable OLED laptop, the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED (UX9702).

17.3-inch foldable OLED
Image Source: gadgets360.com

Zenbook 17 offers a 17.3-inch foldable OLED touchscreen and the latest Intel Core processor. Asus claims that the device can be folded down to be “smaller than a sheet of photocopier paper” and can switch between full desktop, laptop, tablet, and reader modes without any noticeable lag.

With a full-size ErgoSense Bluetooth keyboard and touchpad, the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED significantly expands its usability and can be used in a variety of modes, including Desktop mode, Laptop mode (with Bluetooth keyboard), Laptop mode (with virtual keyboard), Tablet mode, Reader mode, and Extended mode. The user-friendly window management tools in each mode enable different split-display configurations and adaptable app layouts for increased productivity.

The device is equipped with an Intel Core i7 1250U processor and integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics. Additionally, the device has Intel Evo certifications. The laptop has 1TB PCIe SSD storage and 16GB RAM. The device comes with a 17.3-inch 2.5K display that can be folded in the middle to form two seamless 3:2 12.5-inch 1920×1280 displays.

When folded, the laptop has a 12.5-inch size, which is considerably smaller and more portable than conventional 13-inch devices. The display is 100% DCI-P3 gamut, Dolby Vision approved, PANTONE verified for color accuracy, and TÜV Rheinland certified for eliminating harmful blue light. It also has TÜV Rheinland certification for color accuracy.

The Zenbook 17 Fold OLED has a number of intelligent AI-powered features, such as an HD IR camera for user presence detection, an integrated color sensor for automatic screen brightness and color temperature adjustment, and a 5 MP AI web camera with ASUS 3D Noise Reduction (3DNR) for clearer video calls.

The extremely tough MIL-STD-810H US military benchmark for dependability and durability has been tested on the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED. The device has a 180-degree hinge that can survive up to 30,000 cycles of opening and closing. A tool called Asus ScreenXpert 3 has also been developed by Asus to assist customers in organizing their windows more effectively.

The device has a robust 75-watt-hour battery with USB-C Easy Charge, making it quick to charge with most USB-C chargers, power banks, or any other certified charger. Zenbook 17 Fold OLED comes along with the new ErgoSense Bluetooth keyboard and touchpad. The keyboard offers a ffull-size key pitch of 19.05 mm and a lengthy key travel of 1.4 mm.

The keyboard comes with a sizable ErgoSense touchpad with a new, silky-smooth surface for simple navigation that is coated with a long-lasting anti-fingerprint finish. It has four Harman Kardon speakers and Dolby Atmos audio support. Additionally, it has a 5MP AI-powered web camera that can alter brightness and color temperature as well as unlock and lock your device as you walk away from or toward it.

Zenbook 17 Fold OLED will cost Rs 3,29,990 and is available for pre-orders in India. The Zenbook 17 Fold OLED is available for pre-order in India from October 14 to November 9 on the company’s online store. The device will be launched on November 10 in India.

whatsapp

Whatsapp is back online, After Global Outage

The number of reported cases by Indian users on Downdetector, a website that monitors real-time problems and outages, has dropped to less than 3,000. According to user reports, WhatsApp has been experiencing issues since 3:17 AM Eastern time i.e. 12:47 pm.

whatsapp
Image Source: dailypakistan.com.pk

After being unavailable for a few hours around the world, WhatsApp has now resumed normal operations. WABetaInfo said in a tweet that the service should have been restored completely. WhatsApp Business API is also back up and running, and keep in mind that some users may still encounter a few minor issues in the coming minutes.

The number of reported cases for Indian users on Downdetector, a website that monitors real-time problems and outages, has dropped to less than 3,000.

The popular instant messaging platform WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta, was reported to be down in many parts of the world, including India. Several users have reported being unable to send, receive, or even log in to their WhatsApp accounts.

“We’re aware that some people are currently having trouble sending messages and we’re working to restore WhatsApp for everyone as quickly as possible,” a Meta spokesperson said.

Source: cnbc.com

According to Downdetector, user reports indicate that WhatsApp has been experiencing issues since 3:17 AM Eastern time. Based on the report, around 28,413 users in India reported the problem on their website around 12:30 p.m. 69% of those who reported the problem said it was a problem sending messages, 7% said it was a problem with the app, and 24% said it was a problem with the server connection.

As per Reuters, WhatsApp users in Asia, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Europe reported problems sending and receiving texts and videos.

At about 0750 GMT, the outage investigating site Downdetector reported that over 68,000 users in the United Kingdom had reported problems with the app. 19,000 people in Singapore and about 15,000 in South Africa reported issues.

WhatsApp features affected by the outage

WABetaInfo, a portal that tracks WhatsApp news and updates, reports that the following features have been impacted.

Messages could no longer be sent to a group or one-on-one chats because they were no longer transmitted to the server. It was also impossible to send a new status update to contacts, and sending a message to a broadcast list was unsuccessful.

It was not possible to change the privacy settings for last seen, about, profile photos, who can be added to groups, and read receipts.

There was no way to create a new WhatsApp account, nor could an existing account be used to log in.

Users could not change their information, including their profile photo and about section. Changing phone numbers were no longer possible during the outage.

Users’ chat history may not have been backed up on Google Drive or iCloud.

“We know people had trouble sending messages on WhatsApp today. We’ve fixed the issue and apologise for any inconvenience,” a Meta spokesperson told CNBC.

Source: cnbc.com
DualSense Edge Wireless Controller

Sony DualSense Edge Wireless Controller To Be Released on January 26, 2023

The new DualSense Edge Wireless Controller from Sony will go on sale in January for $199.99. The DualSense Edge wireless controller for the PS5 enables you to create your own distinctive gaming experiences through personalized controls adapted to your playstyle.

DualSense Edge Wireless Controller
Image Source: gamespot.com

On January 26, 2023, Sony will internationally introduce its DualSense Edge wireless controller, the very first highly customizable controller built by PlayStation. The cost of the DualSense Edge Controller will be $199.99.

Pre-orders for the device will be available on PlayStation Direct on October 25 in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium. Similar to Microsoft’s Xbox Elite controllers, the “high performance” controller has back buttons, swappable stick caps, removable analog thumbsticks, and different control profiles. It is also fully customizable.

According to Sony, the DualSense Edge will go on sale on January 26th for $199.99 in the US, €239.99 in Europe, £209.99 in the UK, and ¥29,980 in Japan.

According to the company’s blog post, the newest controller comes with a variety of software and hardware personalization options, such as button remapping, the potential to fine-tune stick responsivity and triggers, options to switch among multiple control profiles, and a distinctive on-controller user interface.

Additionally, the device offers the immersive qualities and distinctive comfort of the DualSense wireless controller. Haptic feedback and an adjustable trigger are some of these features.

According to Sony, the DualSense Edge wireless controller’s three interchangeable stick cap sets and two interchangeable back button sets allow users to customize it to their preferences. Everything will be packaged together in the carrying case, and players may even utilize a USB connection to charge the controller, ensuring that the player is always prepared for their next gaming session.

As per Sony a customized case including a DualSense Edge wireless controller, a USB braided cable, two standard caps, two high dome caps, two low dome caps, two half dome back buttons, two lever back buttons, and a connector housing will be included in the delivery.

The current DualSense pad allows play on Macs, iPhones, and iPads from Apple Inc., along with Android devices, and is already wired-compatible with PCs. Earlier this year, Sony released headsets and displays as part of the company’s first PC gaming gear lineup, which was introduced under the brand Inzone.

According to the most recent NPD data, Sony’s PlayStation 5 and Microsoft’s competing Xbox Series both experienced double-digit growth in July. Sony’s PlayStation 5 also dominated the US marketplace in hardware spending for the entire year. According to a recent rumor, Sony is planning to launch its latest PlayStation 5 gaming consoles in India soon.

Since the product was initially unveiled, fans have been enthusiastic. For PlayStation, the DualSense series has generally been a huge success, and the forthcoming controller provides a far more luxurious experience—albeit at a higher price. On paper, the product appears to be amazing, and enthusiasts are hopeful that Sony will have enough stock to satisfy everyone.