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A bug on Instagram used to retain Photos, Private Messages even after being deleted from the account

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Sriram
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Image Credit: dailypioneer.com

It seems like problem for Facebook-owned Instagram is not looking to slow down. A few days back, the company has been filed with a lawsuit that claims that Instagram is saving and using biometric and facial recognition data without the user’s permission. If they lose the lawsuit, they will have to pay around $500 billion. Now another information has been discovered about a bug that Instagram resolved earlier this year but did not let any user know about it.

As per the information, the bug made the Instagram app save all the phots and direct messages on its server, even after deletion. The bug was found by a security researcher and was paid $6,000 as bug bounty. The bug was reported on Instagram last year and the patch to resolve the issue was released earlier this year. Although it is not uncommon for many industries to keep the recently deleted data so that the users can restore them, Instagram was found to keep the data of the users which was deleted more than a year back.

As per the official information from Instagram, they only keep data up to 90 days from the date of deletion after which it is completely removed. The company confirmed that there was no instance of abuse and the issue has completely been resolved. However, it does bring a question into the minds of users, as to how secure their data is, and do they actually know what is happening with their data at the given point of time. Instagram has faced many issues in the past related to data leakage and it seems that the company still needs to work a lot in this area.

Google Chrome is testing domain-only URL’s to avoid spam and phishing

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Sriram
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Image credit:searchenginejournal.com

Google Chrome has been one of the best internet browsers from the last couple of years and Google has been trying to add more secure and unique features into it. There has been a lot of discussion about the short URLs being used to help distinguish between the spam website. Google has always been in support of this and is something Apple has been using in their browsers. Google is currently working on showing domain names in the address bar of the browser instead of the whole link.

The feature will be released a test feature in Chrome 86 and once the features show some positive results in being effective to fight the spam website, it will be launched as a stable update to Google Chrome. As per Google, shortening the URL will protect users from scams and phishing attacks that use a misleading URL. It is often found that hackers use similar domain names to the most popular website and users click on the link by mistake, taking it for the original website. For example, spam domain names could be Faceboook.com or Twittter.com.

This looks very much like the original URL but is different. As per Google, using a shorter URL makes it easier for the user to recognize the spam and fake website domain name. Chrome 86 with this feature will be available to both, who are enrolled for the experiment and ever for those who are not. They can download it from the developer’s website. It is expected that a stable version of the new browser will release by October.

Apple will launch a new digital service bundle in October to boost its digital services

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Shanmugam
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Image Credit:eweek.com

Apple has been working on bundled services for a long time now, where the user can pay a monthly fee and get all the popular streaming services at a lower price. Its not just the digital streaming service, but many other services as well that Apple is trying to bring for its customers. The bundle is currently called “Apple One” and is all due to launch in the month of October along with the launch of the iPhone 12. The bundle has been specifically created by Apple to increase the user base for its subscription services and increase its share in recurring revenue.

As per the details that have been leaked the package will be divided into multiple tiers where the basic package comes with Apple Music and TV+, while it adds two more services and Apple Arcade gaming in the higher tier. The higher package will also add iCloud storage and a lot more premium features. These are not the final packages and will change once it is launched in the Apple virtual event.

However, the users can expect the price for a subscription to below as the company is trying to bring multiple services in one package with the aim to keep the cost lower than what is being offered in the market. It is also expected that Amazon Prime services will also be included in the same as the company has integrated the Prime services from Amazon by offering a lower fee.

It is also known that the company is preparing a new virtual fitness class program fro the users which could be accessible through any Apple device. It will be supported by companies like Nike and many others. The bundle will also bring in the family sharing function where the entire bundles could be viewed and shared among the family members.

Google upgrading the search engine to provide better search results for live TV and shows

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Sriram
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Image Credit:pcmag.com

With an increasing number of streaming platforms and websites, it is not easy for an internet user to search for their favorite TV show or watch live sports. If you search online, it will come up with thousands of search results, out of which most are spam. Google seems to understand this problem for users and might have come up with an interesting new feature. Google is upgrading the Google search platform so that the users and visitors can easily find live sports, movies, and shows.

Using this feature will be very easy for anyone as they simply have to search “where to watch the (game name) match” and Google will list down a list of TV channels that are currently hosting the live-action. If you use the feature right now, Google will only bring information, live scorecards, and schedule on the search page. Now there will also be a “Live On” button in the search that will provide the users with the option to select from various channels. Currently, the new update will only work for selective sports like Basketball and Baseball.

However, the company confirmed that once this feature has been launched and optimized as per users’ requirements, they will be launching the same feature for other popular sports as well. Google is also planning to add digital streaming of highlights of sports matches on its platform. Google has been working on the same category for a long time now and has also released a new feature last year which was the new recommendation tool.

Google has also been added a lot of content and lives feeds from cable and broadcast providers to provide live viewing functionality. Similarly, after the update, when the user searches for things like “best shows to watch“, Google will list down a lot of streaming and live TV options

Google releasing a new update to improve Wear OS and add new features

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Sriram
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Image credit: theverge.com

Google has been working on Wear OS for a long time now and has been improving the OS with a lot of new optimizations and features. Google has recently confirmed that a new update for Wear OS will be releasing this fall, which will not only bring improved performance but will also add a new weather app. The new update is mainly about making things much faster for the user and increasing the experience value.

The update will make the functioning of the watch faster and will have more intuitive controls. The update will also bring many more shortcuts and access to more apps. The improvements have mainly been done in the CPU core, due to which the apps will open and process 20% faster than before. The new Wear OS will support the hardware from Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 and 4100+. This chipset will be used for the very first time in the category and will surely provide a huge boost in the performance.

The update is not only meant to make the watch work much faster but also to add a new weather map that the company has been working on for so long. The app will not only provide a breakdown of the temperature based on different hours in a day but also provides weather update for you to plan ahead and provide weather alerts. There are a lot more things that are expected from Google in the coming future to wear OS, which will soon be launched.

Fortnite has been removed from both App Store and Google Play Store

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Shanmugam
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Image Credit: freetvonline.app

Epic Games “Fortnite” has been one of the best Battle Royale games ever and has been a tough competitor for games like PUBG. However, the game has now been completely removed by both the App Store and Google Play store. It was found that the game developers started adding their own payment platform for in-app purchases, which removes the payment platform of the Apple app store, which requires a 30% cut.

It is a mandate for any app developer that when they host their app on platforms like Google Play Store and App store, they cannot use their own payment system and will have to use either Google’s or Apple payment system, which will deduct 30% as the common or cut for hosting the apps and games. Fortnite developers quietly added their own payment method which bypassed the payment method from Apple. The issue was a case of mistrust and also Fortnite tries to avoid paying the 30% commission to in-app purchases.

Due to the breach of conditions and terms, Apple decided to remove the game from the platform. The same things happened with the Fornite app in Google Play Store as well and even they decided to remove it from their platform. The Epic games are now trying to convince the users to either download the app directly from the Epic website or through the app store of Samsung. In both ways, the developers are trying to make their app independent of any support from Apple and Google.

Google has mentioned that they are still in talks with the game developers and they will be happy to place the game back on the Play store if both of them agree on common terms. They also emphasized the equal treatment that every developer on Google Playstore will get, regardless of the popularity of the app.

Google to provide flight and hotel information for traveling in pandemic

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Shanmugam
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Image credit: wired.com

The Coronavirus pandemic has impacted the global industry in a big way, but the most suffered has been the travel and tourism industry. Due to the pandemic, people are not allowed to international travel and can only do domestic flights in some countries, that too under strict rules. During this time, it is very stressful and difficult to get the latest updates on flight and hotel schedules. However, since the summer is here already, people are trying to find out if they can travel to a specific destination and whether hotels and flights are available for them.

google pandemic flight travel information
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Google has been trying to provide key and important details about such places, flights, and hotels. They are also providing key information like travel advisories and restrictions. Apart from these details, Google is now trying to bring new travel information for people who are planning to travel during the pandemic. With restrictions starting to lift, people are looking forward to traveling due to work and for leisure. Due to this, the search request on Google for travel in a specific destination has increased. From next week onwards, Google will start to show some of the most important details for travel like the percentage of hotels open in an area, flights operational in an area, and booking and cancellation of hotels and other services.

Although it might not be the best idea to travel right now and the government in every country is to request their citizens to delay any travel plans. However, if the person has to travel in any condition, then they could definitely check Google beforehand to make important bookings.

Microsoft has removed driver update through Device Manager

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Shanmugam
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0
Image Credit:techspot.com

Microsoft has been working on a lot of new features that will be added to the future updates of Windows 10. However, Microsoft has recently removed a feature from its operating system without any kind of notification or announcement. The feature is related to Windows Device Manager which allowed us to update the drivers automatically through the web by searching the Microsoft platform. However, it seems that Microsoft has silently removed the feature from the Windows operating system, after the May update.

As per the new update, the users will only have the option to browse and install drivers that have been downloaded by them locally or via third-party tools. Another option is to check the drivers through Windows Update. The device manager was one of the quick troubleshooting ways through which the issues of many apps and features could be resolved using the automatic update. However, the user will no longer be able to check for any kind of driver updates using their device manager on Windows. These features used to be the easiest for novice and beginners, where they could easily fix any kind of hardware and software issue.

However, as per Microsoft, the program was hardly used by any user to update their drivers due to which it was decided that the feature will be removed. Users can still download and install the drivers from the manufacturer’s sites. The option now does not connect to the internet to search drivers anymore and the process of searching for drivers will immediately end. The only option that the user will have now is to check for Windows update is there is any update related to the drivers.

Apple to launch iPhone 12 in the week of October 12

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Sriram
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Image Credit: gsmarena.com

There is still no confirmation from Apple as to when the iPhone 12 model will be released, but the latest details reveal that the launch might be delayed to the week of October 12. Although the event was planned for September and Apple fans were really excited about the new generation of Apple devices, it seems that they will have to wait for a bit longer. The company had already given a hint in the past that due to production delays of the components that are required in the iPhone, the launch might be delayed by a few weeks.

Earlier, all the new launch by Apple used to take place in the month of September. However, the pandemic condition has delayed the launch and now the leaked information confirms that the launch will be delayed until the week of October 12. The details were leaked by a Youtube “John Prosser” which states that Apple will be launching the Apple Watch and iPad in the week starting September 7. After that Apple will be hosting an iPhone 12 event in October, which can most probably be a virtual event or a pre-recorded event.

The information also reveals that the pre-order would start 2-3 days after and the delivery of the new devices will start in the month of November. However, there is no confirmation on the dates yet. However, one thing can be confirmed that Apple will not be planning any kind of physical event in the situation of Pandemic and will stick to the virtual event trend that is currently going on.

Researchers found a serious vulnerability in Alexa devices

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Sriram
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0

Amazon Alexa is a great AI voice assistant and has been full of features useful for everyone. However, the product and service are not without its flaws. Recently the researchers for Check Point have uncovered a new flaw in Amazon Alexa that can leave the personal information of the user at a large risk. Although the vulnerability has already been patched by Amazon, it was still a threat for users where the hackers could easily hijack the voice assistant devices using various malicious Amazon Link.

Once the user access that link, hackers will be able to remove and add apps from the Alexa device. Also, the hack would allow them to access the voice history of the users and their personal and banking information as well. Although the issue had been resolved but the company has never come out with any information on it and also has not replied to the comments. As per researchers, this is just one vulnerability that is present int the AI devices at home.

With a large number of such devices and homes turning into smart homes using these AI devices, more threats are wandering around to be discovered by the companies. A while back there was also a complaint with Alexa devices where the voice recording of the user was sent by Alexa to someone on the contact list as a message. These devices hold the personal data of all the users and are a key thing in controlling the devices at our home. It would provide the right opportunity for hackers who are looking for such entry points into one’s home.

The hackers try to access all their personal details, conversation, actions, etc using these devices. Amazon has clarified that their Alexa Smart AI assistant is completely safe and any issue or problems have already been fixed. Also, the company is working further to strengthen its existing platform to safeguard their customer.

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