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New Dark theme coming for Google Chat

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Sriram
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Image Credit: 9to5google.com

Google has been trying to add and integrate a lot of features into Gmail and chat platforms. Recently Google announced that Gmail would be integrated with features like chat, group, and video messaging, etc. The move was made to make Gmail a complete business tool for individuals to manage all the business tools from one place. Now Google chat will add a new dark theme to change the look and feel of the platform.

Ever since it was launched, Google had been using a white background with green accents. However, users were asking for a different colored theme for a long time now. The company has now launched a new dark theme, which would provide a better viewing experience in low light conditions. 

The same color scheme is already available in the GSuite application. The tweak has not only been done to the theme but also various other components. It comes with an icon and the “New Chat” option, similar to what was introduced in Gmail. The new theme has been released by the company and is available for use on devices.

However, the update may take time for other devices depending on the location. Apart from the UI changes and introduction of the dark theme to the chat, Google is working on many different and new features, which we will see in the future. Since Google is trying to integrate all its online services into an integrated service, we might see new things in Google Chat and Gmail soon.

BootHole patches to be released by tech giants like Microsoft and Red Hat

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Sriram
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0
Image Credit: Forbes.com

A new vulnerability has been discovered recently, affecting and tampering the boot settings for Windows and another operating system. The vulnerability, which is codenamed BootHole, is what affects the components of the Secure Boot process. It allows hackers and attackers to damage and modify the boot loading process. It uses the bootloader to attack the system, which is responsible for loading the firmware to start the operating system.

The vulnerability is in GRUB 2, which is one of the most popular and used boot components. It is used as a bootloader component in Windows, macOS, and all BSD based systems. It is why the impact of this vulnerability is widespread. 

BootHole has discovered security by researchers from Eclypsium, for which the details have been published on their blog. The vulnerability adds malicious code during the boot process, which allows for planting a bug in the OS, providing them full control of the system. The malware remains in a different location or memory from that of the OS, such as the motherboard’s physical memory.

As per the researchers, the malware remains in grub.cfg and attacks the file to modify the buffer overflow. It was found that the malware not only works on independent systems but also on servers and workstations, which could turn out to be a big security issue for organizations. It also works on SecureBoot enabled systems and devices. 

However, it was also found that without the admin access to the grub.cfg file, attackers cannot affect the system. To prevent any bigger damage to the organization and their remote servers, companies like Microsoft, Red Hat, Canonical, SuSE, Oracle, VMWare, Citrix, etc. are releasing the security patch, which would help avoid this security threat. Although issues such as these in the bootloader take time to be resolved, they are assured that the security patches will secure most of the servers and workstations used by companies.

Apple offered half fee for Amazon Prime videos to get them on iOS and Apple TV

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Sriram
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Image Credit:9to5mac.com

Apple has been trying to add more streaming services to the Apple TV right from the time it was launched. As per recently leaked details, Apple offered Amazon lower App Store fees to stream the Prime Video app on the App Store and Apple TV. The information was found from the documents published by the U.S. antitrust subcommittee. Apple usually takes 30% of the revenue from app developers on the App Store platform.

However, as per the offer provided by them to Amazon, they will be taking 15% of the subscription revenue share, half the amount for what Apple normally charges other apps. Amazon is one of the most popular streaming services globally and brings it to the iOS platform, and the App Store would mean a large amount of revenue for Apple.

The document also revealed that the Amazon Prime video app on the App Store and Apple TV would get Siri support. A user can say “Watch (Show name)“, and he will automatically be taken to Amazon prime show. Since Apple TV was directly competing with Amazon Fire TV stick, as being a similar product, it was not made available on the iOS platform. Also, Amazon was not happy with the business terms earlier provided by Apple. However, the deal struck at 15%; Apple was finally able to bring Amazon Prime Video to its platform. Although the details have been revealed after so long, the two giants, who are also direct competitors, finally agreed to work for mutual benefits.

Google teases Pixel 4a, will be unveiled on August 3

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Sriram
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Image Credit: 9to5google.com

The new Google Pixel 4a is one of the most highly anticipated mid-range phones from Google. However, the company did not release any past information related to the phone’s design or specifications. Google has now added a teaser page on their Facebook and Twitter account, which shows a phone design, without revealing any details about the design and the “lorem ipsum” text above.

The text is completely in Latin, with words like camera, Night Sight, bokeh, etc., when converted to English. The image does not reveal much about the handset except the block punch hole on the top left corner, which is supposed to be the front-facing camera. Google has also renamed the social account to “The Google RTing, Meme Loving, Info Sharing Stream”. 

Each word in the name is made out of colored boxes that hints towards the pixel launch. The link to the new Google Store landing page also hints on August 3rd, when the device will be revealed to the public. The company has made sure that most of the phone details remain hidden, so no information on the specs and features of the phone has been released so far.

However, users are also expecting that the issue of back popping out in the Pixel 4 series, is resolved in Pixel 4a. The issue started to come out a few weeks back, where the owners of Pixel 4 devices were complaining about the back popping out due to a swollen battery. Although Google did acknowledge the problem and the same seems well attended for the design of Pixel 4a.

Google adds “Black-Owned” to business attributes for the search listing

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Sriram
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Image Credit: searchengineland.com

The black movement’s support has been getting strong these days, and Google has also jumped in to show the support. Last month, Google CEO Sundar Pichai mentioned that Google is creating new solutions and ideas for the Black Community’s long-term support. In the efforts, Google has added a new attribute “Black-Owned” for black-owned businesses in Maps’ search listing.

As per Google, there is a recent surge in search for black-owned businesses, due to which Google decided to add it as an attribute for listings. The feature has been made a life for all the business profiles which have already been verified. The feature is highlighted in Maps and Search, where it is represented by an image with three orange lines and a black heart in the middle.

The sign is added alongside the “Women-Led” and “LGBTQ-friendly” attributes. Google is also partnering with  U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., on specific training designed to raise presence by leveraging tools like My Business and Analytics. Google also revealed that they received many suggestions for the same as well, such as Google Assistant response to the “Black Lives Matter” term.

It does seem like Google is investing a lot of time and resources on the Black lives issue and will be coming up with more new ideas related to this issue. Google has been trying to raise a lot of awareness related to this matter and create new opportunities for black-owned businesses.

The new No’Me app allows the user to manage multiple launcher apps

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Sriram
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Image Credit: xda-developers.com

Android is one of the most used operating systems on smartphones, and what makes it more popular is the amount of customization allowed for the users. When it comes to Android customization, launchers are widely used among every user. They can provide a whole new look to the UI and help the user customize the arrangement of icons and apps.

However, since there is a large variety of launcher apps on the Google Play Store, it is almost impossible for the user to select the best one. The only option that the user has is to download and install each launcher and try it for themselves. Some users use multiple launchers as per the usage and switch between them whenever they want. 

However, this process is not only time consuming, but also eats up a lot of resources from your phone. It is why a new app has been launched, which is called “No’Me“”. The app allows the users to switch between multiple launchers with a single tap and manage different launchers form one app. This app does not charge any setting on the android operating system and makes launcher switching much easier.

The app has been made by XDA Senior Member Nx Biotic and is available on Play Store and XDA labs. The apps allow the user to access the launcher information in use, including details like permissions, providers, services, activities, receivers, build number, and version info. It also helps to build a shortcut for installed launchers and identify launchers compatible with quick switch.

Xiaomi working on Back Tap gestures

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Sriram
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Image Credit: xda-developers.com

Back Tap gesture is a new feature that has been discovered by both Google and Apple this year. The feature allows the user to tap on the back for a certain feature or function to be accessed. The feature is said to be a part of future Google and Apple phones, where double and triple tap would allow the users to call specific functions.

These functions can be toggling the flashlight, checking notification, screenshots, activating Google Assistant or Siri, etc. However, as per the new leaks and details, even Xiaomi is working on something very similar that can be a part of MIUI 12. The details we spotted by XDA tipster kacskrz spotted the code for this feature in the beta version of MIUI 12. 

  • MIUI 12 Back Tap Gesture 1
  • MIUI 12 Back Tap Gesture 2
  • MIUI 12 Back Tap Gesture 3

Although these settings do not work right now, it is expected that Xiaomi will be able to create these features by the launch of MIUI 12. Currently, the code only provides predefined five options to work with, but as the work is still in progress, many features are expected to be added. Not all devices that get the MIUI 12 update may get this feature.

Only devices like MI 10 and other future smartphones are expected to get this feature as if now. The source code for this function is currently visible in the Beta version of MIUI 12, but it is hidden and cannot be used. Once the feature is launched, it can be a great selling point for many smartphone manufacturers.

iPhone 11 production starts in Southern India

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Sriram
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0
Image Credit: 9to5mac.com

Apple iPhone is one of the most popular smartphones in India. However, the only drawback faced in the Indian market is the higher price tag due to the lack of a local production plant in India. Apple had been trying to set up a production plant in India for a long time as it would lower the price for the phone and increase the sales.

At last, the company has set up a production plant in southern India, where Foxconn is assembling iPhone 11 models. The step has also been taken to diversify the production of iPhones outside of China. Making iPhones in India would decrease the price of the handset by a lot and help Apple gain over 20% of import duties. 

The iPhone 11 models made in India have started hitting the retail store shelves, and the price of the iPhone is soon expected to drop in India due to it. Apple has also been considering the Indian made iPhone 11 models for export as the price of production in India is less. Although Foxconn has not released any details about the production volume for iPhone 11, we can expect that it will be increasing gradually over time, and we will see many more Apple production plants in the future.

There have also been rumors about Pegatron, who is the iPhone’s assembly partner, to open an Indian plant for manufacturing cost-effective iPhone SE. Apple is also working with local contractors and other industries to get more parts through local businesses.

A new Family safety app launched by Microsoft

By
Sriram
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0
Image Credit: theverge.com

The Internet is the biggest world of information that one can access, and for a kid, it is a platform to search for answers related to their questions and curiosity. However, as a parent, you are always concerned about how much time your child will be spending on the mobile and what kind of things they will be searching on the Internet. Digital safety for kids is as important for kids as their physical safety; therefore, as parents, you need to have access and control over what your child can watch and how much time they should spend on it. 

You are providing a solution to Microsoft’s launching the Family Safety app, both on the Android and iOS platforms. It provides many different features through which you can control the time and content that your child watches or experiences on the smartphone.

As a parent, you can use this app to limit screen time for playing games and provide more screen time for the apps you think are educative and help your kids learn something. The best part about using this app is that you can block any adult content to never appear while your kid is using the smartphone. The feature also works with Microsoft Edge on Smartphones. 

The app also allows you to share the family members’ last known location on the map, and Microsoft claims that the data is not sold to any third party. The application will also receive two premium features called driving safety and location alerts, but they are only available in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.

The company will be adding a lot more features to the iPhone device and expect that Apple provides more freedom to developers to create and develop these features in the app, to provide device management for iOS devices with this app.

The user account may have been hacked on OkCupid

By
Sriram
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0
Image Credit: pymnts.com

Dating sites and apps are very popular among the younger audience, and it is very normal for people to share their details on such a platform. These details help to find the perfect matching partner for the users. These dating sites have millions of users, which means that there is personal data of millions of customers stored on the company’s servers. With so much data on company servers, it is more prone to cyber-attacks and hackers; there have been many cyberattacks on dating websites.

A recent report from Checkpoint Research has announced that dating website OKCupid’s website and mobile app has severe security vulnerabilities which could allow a hacker to easily access the full profile details of the users, along with their message, address and other contact details. Using the profile details, hackers can even send messages to other users. 

Using these accounts, the hackers can send malicious links to other users, which, when clicked, will give full access to the system to the hacker and can lead them to hack the accounts. OKCupid’s users do not have to worry as their developers have resolved the issues in 48 hours after the security flaw was reported to them by CheckPoint. There has been no information on any account being hacked or the data being leaked.

Although any serious threat was avoided, it does bring a question of whether it is safe to provide personal information on any dating website. A single hack can leak all your personal information along with your photos and contact details. In a similar case, OkCupid was accused of sending user data on drug use, ethnicity, and political views. Whenever you share your personal information, make sure you know where the information will be shared and how it will be protected. 

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