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WhatsApp Will Stop Unlimited Chat Backups on Google Drive in 2024

WhatsApp Will Stop Unlimited Chat Backups on Google Drive in 2024

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WhatsApp, the globally cherished messaging platform, is set to alter its backup policy, creating waves among its billions of users worldwide. The service, well-known for its seamless integration with Google Drive allowing unlimited chat backups without consuming precious storage space, is about to undergo a significant change.

In a significant move, WhatsApp announced that starting this year, chat backups on Google Drive will start eating into users’ storage quotas. This alteration will affect individuals relying on the complimentary 15GB storage on Google Drive, nudging them towards considering additional storage through Google One.

WhatsApp Will Stop Unlimited Chat Backups on Google Drive in 2024

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This strategic shift brings Android in line with the storage limitations already prevalent in Apple’s iCloud. Google One, offering subscription plans for Google Drive, now becomes an imperative consideration for users seeking expanded storage options.

Google One offers three primary plans, catering to different storage needs: Basic (100GB), Standard (200GB), and Premium (2TB), available on a monthly or annual basis. The subscription fees range from £1.59 / $1.99 to £7.99 / $9.99 per month, or £15.99 / $19.99 to £79.99 / $99.99 annually.

Maximizing Free Storage Allocation

For those hesitant to subscribe, WhatsApp provides guidance on optimizing storage within the 15GB allocation. By managing storage settings within the app, users can efficiently reduce space usage, primarily focusing on media files.

Future Enhancements in WhatsApp

Alongside these changes, WhatsApp is on the brink of introducing a groundbreaking feature that enables communication without revealing phone numbers. Users will be able to create usernames, safeguarding their privacy while connecting with others seamlessly.

Also Read: How to Mirror Your iPhone Screen on a Computer?

Added Security and Convenience

With this new feature, users can maintain a degree of anonymity, shield their contact details, and modify their usernames as desired. This layer of security enhances the user experience, fostering a safer and more personalized communication environment.

WhatsApp continues to evolve, adapting its services to meet users’ needs while maintaining a balance between convenience and privacy. Stay tuned for further developments and announcements from this pioneering messaging platform.

What Is iCloud+? Apple's Cloud-Based Storage Service Explained

What Is iCloud+? Apple’s Cloud-Based Storage Service Explained

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iCloud has been the foundation of Apple’s ecosystem for years, allowing for easy file sharing, synchronisation, and backup. But with the release of iOS/iPadOS 15, Apple introduced iCloud+, a cloud service that is now even better than before. With its special features like Private Relay, Hide My Email, Custom Email Domain, and enhanced HomeKit Secure Video capabilities, this premium membership is intended to improve security and privacy. Here is a summary of the features that iCloud+ offers.

Comprehending the iCloud Landscape:

What Is iCloud+? Apple's Cloud-Based Storage Service Explained

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  • iCloud: Photo, email, contacts, calendars, and more are all covered by Apple’s basic file backup and synchronisation service. 5GB of internet storage is offered by the free version.
  • iCloud+: iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 users can subscribe to the premium plan, which offers 50GB, 200GB, and 2TB of storage. It comes with upgraded features that go beyond what the free plan offers.

Key features of iCloud+:

  • Private Relay: Apple’s creative VPN solution that protects your online activity while using Safari. It sends your traffic across two different relays for increased anonymity, substituting an anonymous IP address based on your area for your original one.
  • Hide My Email: An improved version of Apple Sign-in that minimises spam and maintains anonymity by enabling the use of a random email address for any website or online form.
  • Custom Email Domain: This feature allows you to send and receive iCloud Mail using your domain rather than an icloud.com address. It is designed for users who have their domain names. Up to five personal domains with three email addresses are supported.
  • HomeKit Secure Video Enhancements: Depending on your membership, iCloud+ provides a range of storage choices, including 50GB for one camera, 200GB for up to five cameras, and 2TB for an infinite number of cameras.

Also Read: Unlocking the Secrets of Apple’s New Journal App in iOS 17

How to Use iCloud Services:

iCloud Drive: The location of your synced and backed-up files. Direct file uploading, downloading, and sharing are supported.

iCloud+ is available as a comprehensive bundle for all Apple products, including the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV. It also allows up to five family members to participate in family sharing.

Basically, iCloud+ is a whole digital experience improvement rather than just an upgrade in storage. With features like Custom Email Domain and Private Relay, Apple’s iCloud+ is a comprehensive suite that adapts to its users’ changing demands. It also offers personalised email solutions.

OpenAI Seeks $90 Billion Valuation in Possible Share Sale, WSJ Says

OpenAI Is in Talks to Raise New Funding at Valuation of $100 Billion or More

Leave a Comment / Artificial Intellegence, News, Tech News / By

In a seismic move within the tech sphere, OpenAI, the renowned artificial intelligence research laboratory, is reportedly in the initial stages of securing a substantial round of funding that could catapult its valuation to an unprecedented $100 billion or more. According to Bloomberg News, sources privy to these discussions revealed that the organization is actively engaging in talks aimed at securing this remarkable investment.

Uncertainties Surrounding Valuation and Timing

OpenAI Seeks $90 Billion Valuation in Possible Share Sale, WSJ Says

Image Source: finance.yahoo.com

While the discussions are underway, it’s important to note that the terms, valuation, and precise timing of this imminent funding round have yet to be solidified. The fluidity of the situation implies that these crucial elements remain subject to potential alterations before finalization. However, the mere prospect of OpenAI approaching such a staggering valuation is indicative of the profound confidence and investor interest in the organization’s innovative pursuits and technological advancements.

Exploring Collaborations for Technological Advancements

In a related development, OpenAI is reportedly delving into discussions regarding funding for a groundbreaking chip venture in collaboration with G42, an influential entity based in Abu Dhabi. These discussions signify the organization’s strategic intentions to venture into hardware innovations, an area pivotal to the evolution and application of artificial intelligence technologies. The potential partnership with G42 underscores the global nature of OpenAI’s vision and its commitment to forging strategic alliances for cutting-edge technological advancements.

Redefining AI Landscapes with Bold Financial Moves

Should OpenAI successfully secure this round of funding at the anticipated valuation, it would undoubtedly mark a historic moment not just for the organization but for the broader tech industry. Such a valuation would underscore the remarkable trajectory and influential position of OpenAI within the artificial intelligence landscape, potentially setting new benchmarks for valuation in the tech sphere.

Also Read: Unlocking the Secrets of Apple’s New Journal App in iOS 17

The implications of this potential funding transcend mere financial figures; they signify a pivotal moment in the technological landscape, underscoring the growing significance and potential of AI-driven innovations in shaping our future. OpenAI’s pursuit of this substantial investment reaffirms its commitment to pioneering advancements that redefine the boundaries of artificial intelligence.

As the negotiations progress, stakeholders within the tech industry eagerly await the outcome, poised to witness a potential milestone that could reshape the very fabric of the technological landscape.

Tencent Leads $80 Billion Rout as China Rekindles Crackdown Fear

Tencent Leads $80 Billion Rout as China Rekindles Crackdown Fear

Leave a Comment / Gaming, News, Tech News / By

On December 22, Tencent Holdings spearheaded an unprecedented $80 billion downturn in China’s digital sphere, sparked by the unanticipated enforcement of fresh gaming restrictions. The announcement, issued by the top gaming regulator, aimed to curb excessive spending and time commitment within gaming platforms.

Tencent Leads $80 Billion Rout as China Rekindles Crackdown Fear

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The new regulations encompass a spectrum of limitations, from capping individual in-game expenditures to prohibiting incentives for frequent log-ins and compulsive player challenges. This move evoked vivid memories of the 2021 tech industry crackdown, which disrupted sectors like e-commerce and education, deeply impacting companies like Ant Group Co. and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

Investor Bewilderment and Market Fallout

Tencent, along with counterparts NetEase Inc. and Bilibili Inc., witnessed staggering drops in market value, signaling investor concern about the unforeseen and ambiguous nature of the regulatory changes. Developers and designers flooded social platforms with confusion and outrage, particularly perturbed by the undefined spending caps that could severely impact revenue streams reliant on in-game purchases.

Lingering Apprehension and Industry Outlook

Industry analysts and market participants expressed apprehension about potential future measures targeting the internet sector, paralleling past stringent actions against various industries. The regulatory interventions, although ostensibly focused on gaming addiction and cultural preservation, sent shockwaves across investors and industry insiders, prompting concerns about the broader implications for market stability and growth.

The ambiguous wording of the regulations left stakeholders grappling with uncertainties, with the rules lacking clarity on their commencement and potential revisions based on public feedback. While Tencent’s reassurances about maintaining operational continuity provided some solace, skepticism prevails amidst fears of prolonged regulatory pressure on the digital landscape.

Also Read: Saudi’s Tabby Gets $700 Million Credit Line From JPMorgan

Impact on Global Gaming Paradigm

Beyond China’s borders, these developments might signal a shift away from the prevalent freemium model, potentially influencing international gaming policies concerning addiction and in-game spending. Analysts foresee a domino effect, prompting other countries to contemplate measures against addictive gaming practices.

The resilience or reversal of these stringent measures remains contingent on public response and ongoing discussions between stakeholders and regulatory bodies. As the industry braces for a potentially transformative phase, the implications of China’s regulatory stance on its colossal digital market will reverberate globally, influencing future gaming paradigms and regulatory frameworks.

X Suffers Biggest Outage Since Musk’s Takeover

X Suffers Biggest Outage Since Musk’s Takeover

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Since the billionaire acquired the social media site previously referred to as Twitter, Elon Musk’s X has experienced its largest outage. This was a brief but broad disturbance that seemed to be ending.

Downdetector, which is  responsible for monitoring website as well as service disruptions, states that as of 1:41 p.m. Hong Kong time on Thursday, over 94,000 users of X encountered problems with the website. An hour later, there were only roughly 7,000 difficulties reported by users.

Since Musk purchased the San Francisco-based site for a total of $44 billion at the end of 2022, there have been several disruptions, but none as significant as the one that occurred in July of that year, which impacted about 50,000 users, till this week.

X Suffers Biggest Outage Since Musk’s Takeover

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The most recent incident’s cause is unknown. Approximately seventy percent of the reports mentioned problems with X’s app, and twenty percent mentioned problems with its website.

Regarding the disturbance, X’s official account remained silent. “Busy now, please check back later” was an automated reply sent in an email to the organization’s press center.

Since Musk bought X in 2022 for the price of $44 billion, the firm has been beset with problems. Subsequently, there have been several job cuts, particularly of engineers and other essential personnel in charge of platform maintenance, customer care, and averting service disruptions.

Rumors have Surfaced After Musk’s Takeover

Since Musk’s takeover, there have additionally been an abundance of rumors and reports regarding X.

Significant adjustments have been made to the verification procedure, API availability, cancellations of bans for individuals deemed problematic, and a major rebranding from “Twitter” to “X.”

Now that he’s changed the platform, Musk has made it clear that he wants to prioritize free expression for all. Additionally, the businessman became the executive chair as well as the chief technology officer of the company, replacing his previous position as CEO of Twitter/X.

Even after X was made available to customers globally again, thousands of individuals are still reporting problems with the app. Thousands of people commented on a PopCrave tweet that said that Twitter/X is now back up despite an hour-long downtime, discussing the outage and its effects on different users.

Also Read: Saudi’s Tabby Gets $700 Million Credit Line From JPMorgan

“One person wrote, "We're back but this app is still broken." Another user commented, "As a professional X content creator this outage has been devastating for me, anyone else feel the same?" A third person said, "I was really crying & throwing up because I thought my Twitter was gone."

"The app is still kinda broken, sometimes it says to try again when posting even tho it's already posted, it also doesn't show the views.." a fourth wrote.

yahoo.com
Saudi’s Tabby Gets $700 Million Credit Line From JPMorgan

Saudi’s Tabby Gets $700 Million Credit Line From JPMorgan

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UAE-founded and Saudi Arabia-headquartered fintech Tabby has recently clinched a monumental $700 million debt financing round from J.P. Morgan, propelling its plans for an initial public offering (IPO) in the kingdom.

Empowering Fintech Growth in the MENA Region

Tabby, a burgeoning financial services app in the MENA region, has struck a significant deal with J.P. Morgan, setting a regional milestone as the largest asset-backed facility obtained by a fintech company in this territory.

Saudi’s Tabby Gets $700 Million Credit Line From JPMorgan

Image Source: tabby

This financing coup arrives hot on the heels of Tabby’s previous successful funding rounds, where it raised $200 million in Series D equity financing and subsequently upsized its debt facility to $350 million. With these strategic moves, Tabby is on an accelerated trajectory, positioning itself robustly in the competitive fintech landscape.

Founded in 2019 by Hosam Arab, Tabby has rapidly evolved, offering users a seamless buy now, pay later (BNPL) facility for both online and offline shopping experiences. Managing an impressive $6 billion in annualized transaction volume, Tabby’s influence in reshaping personal finance in the region is becoming increasingly evident.

The latest financial boost not only fortifies Tabby’s financial foundation but also amplifies its capability to expand its suite of financial services and shopping products. With a consumer base of 10 million and partnerships with over 30,000 retailers, Tabby aims to deepen its impact and redefine financial access and convenience across the MENA market.

Visionary Leadership and Strategic Collaboration

CEO and Co-Founder Hosam Arab expressed immense pride in achieving this milestone, emphasizing the significance of the collaboration with key investors like J.P. Morgan, Hassana Investment Company, Soros Capital Management, and Saudi Venture Capital. This collective backing underscores Tabby’s pivotal role in revolutionizing personal finance and shopping experiences in the MENA region.

George Deves, Co-Head of Northern European ABS at J.P. Morgan, highlighted the importance of fostering a vibrant consumer lending sector, affirming their commitment to support retail credit in the Middle East through this strategic partnership with Tabby.

Ahmed Al Qahtani, Chief Investment Officer for Regional Markets at Hassana Investment Company, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing their belief in Tabby’s vision and its potential to reshape the future of financial services across Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region.

Also Read: Brazil PM’s Wife Clashes With Elon Musk Over Hacked X (Twitter) Account

Tabby’s achievement further solidifies the MENA region’s growing prominence in the global fintech arena. With recent funding rounds and strategic partnerships becoming the norm, the landscape appears ripe for continued innovation and disruptive growth in the realm of financial technology.

As Tabby sets its sights on an IPO in the kingdom, its journey reflects not just its own success story but also the evolving narrative of fintech in the region, poised for transformational change.