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August 14, 2020

fortnite removed from app and play sotre — 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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August 14, 2020

google to provide travel information in pandemic — 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 — androidpolice.com

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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August 13, 2020

microsoft removs device manager driver updates — 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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August 13, 2020

iphone 12 lineup will release in two stages — 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.

New, adjusted Apple dates!

Apple Watch & iPad
– Via press release
– Week 37 w/c Sep 7

iPhone 12 event
– Week 42 w/c Oct 12

iPhone 12 devices
– Preorders week 42 w/c Oct 12
– Shipping week 43 w/c Oct 19

iPhone 12 Pro devices
– Preorder and shipping in Nov (no exact date yet)
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) August 12, 2020

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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August 13, 2020

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.

New “Precise Location” feature in iOS 14 grants approximate location access

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August 13, 2020

precise location feature in apple — Image credit:9to5mac.com

iOS 14 is still under a lot of optimization but there are a lot of features in the OS that are unique and really helpful for the user. A new feature from Apple in iOS 14 has been introduced which would allow apps to get the precise location of your using the Location services. The new toggle feature will give the user more control over apps and how they use the location for the user. Before iOS 14, you could allow the app to use the location services to use the feature for tracking while the app is open or always.

It allowed the application to get the precise and exact coordinates of the users and where they are. Not all apps on the iPhone require the user’s exact location and can work with the area they are in. In iOS 14, this feature allows the user to allow the app to either have the exact location of the user or just the area they are. Also, the location service will only use the tracking feature when allowed by the user. The tracking features are mostly used in Maps, and not required in other apps. An example of it can be the weather app, that does not require tracking you but simply needs to know the area you are in to check the weather details.

This feature will allow the users to give minimum location information to the developers of the app, which is required for the apps to function. Now even if you allow the location services for an app, they will not be able to spot your precise location unless you select the option in iOS 14. The “Precise Location” toggle button can be found while permitting the app to use location service. The setting can be accessed from Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services.

Android phones will now alert you before earthquakes happen

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August 13, 2020

Android phones will now alert you before earthquakes happen — Image Credit:beebom.com

Google has been adding a lot of new features to its Android operating system lately and new features are already in development for the future. However, the recent update on a new feature is really something that could save people’s life. The new feature as per Google has been developed to alert Android users about an earthquake before it takes place. So how does it actually work? Google says that the new feature will turn their existing smartphones into a mini seismometer. The company said that they will keep working on this feature to improve the prediction of earthquakes and inform the users about it even before it occurs.

The feature will definitely help to save a lot of life and will help people keep themselves and their families prepared and safe beforehand. The feature will be initially rolled out in California, where it will be tested on various aspects. Once the app is ready, the global rollout will be made. The company said that they have made an association with the United States Geological Survey and California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, so that earthquake alerts can be sent to the Android device of the residents. The technology will be powered by “ShaleAlert” which used more than 700 seismometers installed all over the state.

Google mentioned that the tiny accelerometers in all the Android smartphones can easily detect or sense signals and indicate the earthquake might be happening. The server will combine the same information if any from multiple smartphones and notify other Android users in the state. They have also said that they will continue to work on how the detection rate can be improved and they will also prepare resources to educate people on how they can save themselves in such conditions. The company is really excited to see the results for the same in California.

Apple adds a “Listen Now” tab to Apple Music Beta

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August 13, 2020

apple listen now tab — Image credit:9to5mac.com

Apple launched a new web version of their Apple Music platform in beta version, in the month of September last year. The streaming service was to provide the best quality and a large variety of music content to the users. The web version beta stage ended in the month of April this year after a lot of changes and optimizations were done. Now Apple has relaunched its Apple Music web beta version with new features and UI changes.

The new web version will now come with a “Listen Now” which will be replacing the “For You” tab in the software. The purpose of this tab is to provide you personalized song recommendations based on your previous selection and songs that you have been listening to. The page will also categorize the “Top Picks” based on the recently added songs you have added or a track that you have been continuously listening to. The changes are not only in the features but also the UI. The icon of the sidebar and now in red color and the design in the “Made for You” category is now similar to the Apple Music on Mac Os.

Currently, the web version does have a lot of bugs that a user might have to face while using it, with most of the older bugs being resolved. Unless you do not have a problem with minor bugs, you can start using the new design from Apple Music web version. However, it is suggested that you should wait until the stable version is released.

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra comes with OLED VRR display

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August 13, 2020