Threads starts keyword search feature, as Meta and Zuck refuse to give up

Meta’s Threads, a micro-blogging platform, which was launched on July 5, crossed 100 million users in just a week. However, in the subsequent period, the platform encountered a significant setback, experiencing a decline in its users by up to 79%. Despite this drop, the company hasn’t given up on the platform yet and started testing one of the most requested feature ‘keyword search’.

Instagram head Adam Mosseri on Thursday announced the testing of the keyword search feature which will allow users to search for posts on the platform. This feature is currently rolling out in Australia and New Zealand, with plans to launch in other English-speaking countries soon. “We're working to add more languages ASAP,” Mosseri said.

Also read: Threads to roll out its website as per reports: Here’s what we expect

Announcing the feature, Meta Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg also posted, “Get excited -- search is coming to Threads.” Meanwhile, Instagram spokesperson Christine Pai told The Verge, “We are actively listening to the community’s feedback and working on more features to improve the search experience.”

Also read: How to enable the Thread’s ‘Following’ Feed: It's very simple

Since the app’s launch, the company has been releasing much-needed features such as a following-only feed and a web version of the platform.

Last month, Zuckerberg introduced the feature to directly share a Threads post to Instagram DMs and the ability to add custom alt-text for photo/video. He also introduced a new mention button to easily mention someone's account.

On the other hand, Mosseri had introduced the “Yours likes” option that allows users to see their liked posts and the ability to sort the accounts that they follow.” He also introduced the ability to post translations, new ways to filter notifications in Activity, and a quick way to approve new followers if someone's account is private.

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How your Google Search is changing with AI, as Search Generative Experience comes to India

Google is coming up with an all new feature for its users in India, the Search Generative Experience (SGE) for Google Search. This has marked a significant shift in the evolution of generative AI and web searches. The Google SGE is expected to make the searching a lot easier and accessible, as it will be integrated with Google Search. It will be a layer of generative AI directly into Google Search, so you don’t have to go to any chatbot separately. This will make your work 10 times easier, no matter if it’s a code or a recipe of your favourite food.

Currently, Google has rolled the SGE for testers. You can access it through the Search Labs suite of experimental products. If you want to use the SGE, then you need to employ Google Search via the Chrome web browser or the updated Google app on Android or iOS devices. The SGE will display a distinct visual layout compared to standard search results after it’s enabled.

Also read: Google’s AI based Magic Compose will change your text messaging skills forever

The main function of the SGE is to generate a snapshot of the requested information. This snapshot will give you easily verifiable information, generated by other similar search results that link to relevant websites. 

The process involves multiple large language models (LLMs), and also includes advanced versions of Google's MUM and PaLM 2. 

Availability for a particular search query depends on the LLM's confidence in understanding, knowledge and accuracy. Google emphasises on responsible usage and plans to fine-tune the feature based on user feedback and evolving models.

Also read: Google Bard gets a desi touch: 2 new features Indians will find useful

The SGE will also bring a conversation mode, which allows users to ask questions, both in English and Hindi. TSo you don’t have to type again and again.

However, talking about Bard, it will work with the SGE. Bard will focus on interactive conversations while the SGE streamlines information journeys. 

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WhatsApp for Mac Meta adds group voice and video calls to their Mac app and more

WhatsApp has been expanding its presence on desktop systems for some time now, with Meta developers working hard to bring the experience as close to using the messenger on the phone. As a part of those efforts, WhatsApp has now updated their app for Mac desktops and laptops, introducing group calling feature for those systems.

In the early part of 2023, WhatsApp had introduced a new app for Windows machines, adding a host of new features to the app. With that update, Windows users got access to the group video calling feature, better syncing across devices, and new linking features as well. At the time, the Mac app was in development and being tested as a beta.

we’ve just launched a app for Mac users on desktop. now you can make audio and video group calls while keeping your chats synced and encrypted across devices. download here: https://t.co/5L3rLTLdfp

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) August 29, 2023 WhatsApp for Mac - Now you can join group video calls with up to 8 people!

Now, Meta has gone ahead and introduced those features on their Mac app, adding a bunch of new calling-related features as well! The new group calling feature will allow users to join video calls with up to eight people and voice calls with the number of people in the call going all the way up to 32. Additionally, users will now be able to see their call history and also receive call notifications even when the app is not running on their system.

Apart from that, to make the user experience closer to some of the other messengers that were developed from the ground up, Meta has now enabled the dragging and dropping of files directly into the chatbox for Mac users. And, if you want to view your chat history on your Mac, you can go further back than you could ever in the previous versions of the app!

In their official release about the new Mac app, Meta noted that these features are being introduced to improve the experience on large screens. The statement said, “The app is redesigned to be familiar to Mac users, helping you get more done faster when using WhatsApp on a large screen.”

With these new features coming in, it will definitely improve the user experience of people running WhatsApp on Apple desktops and laptops. We could even see a shift of professional workflows to WhatsApp, which in turn could motivate the developers at Meta to introduce such updates earlier than what they do right now.

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YouTube will let you hum a tune to find a song, thanks to Google Assistants hum-to-search

Google seems to try out a really cool feature on Youtube. This new feature will let you find your desired song very easily by just humming it. Yes, you heard it right. It is now possible to search a song on Youtube by just humming its tune. You can record a part of that song, and YouTube will tell you what it is. This feature was first introduced in Apps like Google Assistant and Soundhound. It's like having a super smart music detective right in your phone! 

Let me tell you how you can take advantage of this feature. First, you need to switch to the special music search mode on YouTube. Then, hum the song or record it for at least three seconds. After that, YouTube will show you the video that has that song. It could be the official music video, a video someone uploaded, or a short clip. 

Also read: Summarize YouTube videos using AI for free: Here’s how

However, there’s a catch, right now Google has given the access of this new feature to only a few lucky people who use YouTube on Android phones. Google has rolled out the beta version of Youtube for the testers. The tech-giant wants to see how well it works and if people like it. So, if you don't have it yet, don't worry. It might come to everyone later.

Apart from that, Google is also testing another cool feature on YouTube. When you follow multiple channels and sometimes you miss their latest videos because you forget to check each channel. So, Google is testing a way to put all the recent videos from a channel in one place. This way, you can see what's new without going to each channel. 

Also read: YouTube 1080P Premium feature spotted on free account: How it works

Just like the hum-to-search thing, this new feature is also being tested by a small group of people. Google wants to make sure it works perfectly before giving it to everyone.

So, next time you're humming a tune or trying to find a cool new video, remember, your phone might have some awesome tricks to help you out!

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WhatsApp will soon let you make AI generated stickers: Heres how

WhatsApp is continuously rolling out new features. Recently, a new feature was introduced which helped in sharing your screen on a video call. Now, Meta has launched a new Whatsapp beta version and is trying out a cool update with AI-made stickers. Some users can use this feature now as the company gave the access to select users for the testing to see how it works and find any problems. This new thing lets you make stickers by just describing them with words. This could change the app a lot because you can make your very own special stickers by using Artificial Intelligence.

WhatsApp is getting ready to launch a fresh beta version 2.23.17.14, that lets you use and make stickers using AI. A picture in a report by WABetaInfo showed how to do it.

Also read: Whatsapp will increase your app security with passkey protection: Report

There's a special "create" button you can see in the sticker part. You type a description for the sticker you want. Then, WhatsApp shows you a bunch of stickers made by AI based on what you wrote. You can pick the one you like best to share.

The company hasn't said which AI model they're using for this. They're using secure technology to make the AI stickers work, but they didn't explain exactly what kind. The way this works is kind of like other models such as Midjoureny or OpenAI's DALL-E, where you can make your own pictures.

Also read: 5 WhatsApp features that you should start using, if you aren't already

Also, the app will tell you if any stickers made by AI might be bad or not okay. But we don't know what they'll do about it. The report from WABetaInfo says you'll be able to tell if a sticker was made using Meta's AI because it will have a special mark on it.

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X Twitter plans to roll out video calling feature soon, but will users care

Elon Musk is currently making some changes in the micro blogging platform. A few days back, he changed the bird icon to X, and now a new announcement came from the company. X, formerly known as Twitter, is going to feature video calling soon. The CEO of the company, Linda Yaccarino, has confirmed this feature in an interview with CNBC. 

Twitter usually focuses more on the home feed and not so much on chatting. But now, X is changing things up by adding video calls. This new feature is all part of X's bigger plan to make the platform an "everything" app. They want it to be a place for audio, video, messaging, payments, banking, and more – a global marketplace for all sorts of ideas, goods, services, and opportunities.

Also read: Twitter vs Threads: 5 cool Twitter features that Threads still doesn’t have

As I mentioned above, in the interview Yaccarino said, "We're evolving into long-form video and articles, and you can subscribe to your favorite creators who are making a real income on the platform. You'll soon be able to have video chats without giving out your phone number."

Andrea Conway, a designer at X, later confirmed this by sharing a picture of what the video call interface might look like.

The new interface will look familiar to those who use platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram. There's a new call icon at the top of your chats, next to the info icon. Tapping on it gives you options for audio and video calls.

Also read: Elon Musk wants you to find your next job on Twitter as it takes on Linkedin

X currently doesn't have voice calls, so this is a new addition. The video call screen lets you mute/unmute your microphone, turn the loudspeaker on or off, disable video, and end the call. We're still waiting to hear when exactly video calls will be available on X.

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Apple Watch X to come with blood pressure monitor: When is it launching

Apple is gearing up for its annual iPhone launch event, which is expected to take place on either September 12th or 13th. One of the anticipated releases is the Apple Watch Series 9 along with iPhone 15 series. This lineup is rumoured to bring some minor improvements, as the company has grander plans for an Apple Watch X, scheduled for later this year. The upcoming Apple Watch X is said to boast a sleeker design and might even include a blood pressure monitor, a feature that has been circulating in rumours.

Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has revealed that the Apple Watch's 10th anniversary is expected to launch sometime in late 2024, possibly even extending into 2025. Here are some details of Watch X, revealed by Gurman:

Also read: How to set up Medical ID for iPhone and Apple Watch

Apple could introduce a thinner watch case design that will be paired with a magnetic band attachment system. The current design allows bands to be attached and detached by sliding them onto the sides of the watch case. However, this approach takes up valuable space that could otherwise accommodate a larger battery or other crucial components. 

Apple might also introduce a microLED display in the Apple Watch X, adding a burst of colour and touch of premiumness to the device.

Finally, the long-anticipated blood pressure monitor might find its home in the Apple Watch X, putting an end to the speculations that have circulated for some time.

Also read: WWDC23: Apple Watch to get biggest updates, new features   If you are excited about the new Apple Watch X then you need to be more patient than being excited, because this smartwatch might not launch before one year. In contrast, the upcoming Apple Watch Series 9 is expected to make its debut in the same sizes that are 41 and 45 millimetres, while the Ultra model will reportedly feature a larger 49-millimetre size. The primary upgrades for the Series 9 will include faster processors and a fresh array of colours.

According to Gurman, the upcoming Series 9 might be the most modest upgrade in the Apple Watch’s history. He even suggests that if you've already invested in the Apple Watch Ultra, you might consider skipping this iteration altogether.

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Whatsapp will increase your app security with passkey protection: Report

Whatsapp is expected to launch a new feature which will help in increasing the security by passkey. However, WhatsApp users have various options to safeguard their accounts, such as traditional passwords and two-factor authentication and now this could be another feature, if you like your Whatsapp packed and protected. This addition will join the ranks of apps and websites that have already embraced passkey functionality. While Meta hasn't made an official announcement yet, a hidden passkey setup menu was discovered in the latest WhatsApp for Android beta version by WABetaInfo.

The passkey feature is still in development, without a current activation method. Nevertheless, this discovery strongly suggests that WhatsApp might soon offer users the choice of using a passkey instead of a conventional password.

Also read: WhatsApp a stranger without saving their contact is now easier than ever

In essence, a passkey is part of an industry-wide initiative aimed at enhancing security during authentication. Rather than relying on standard passwords, users can verify their identity through facial recognition or biometrics, eliminating the need to create and input a regular passcode. This technology has originated from the FIDO Alliance and can be found in Google, Apple and Microsoft.

Apple has rolled out a new feature that uses passkey and it automatically assigns it to Apple ID accounts for users on iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma. This innovation permits users to authenticate themselves on Apple-related websites using their passkey as a credential, bypassing the requirement for a password. 

Apple users have been able to generate and store passkeys using Safari and iCloud Keychain since iOS 16. Now, with iOS 17, this capability extends to third-party apps. Recent announcements by TikTok and the well-known password manager 1Password also highlight their support for passkeys.

Also read: WhatsApp lands on Wear OS 3 smartwatches: Here’s all you need to know

Although, more information such as the launch date of this new Whatsapp passkey feature has not been announced yet. So stay tuned for the official news.

Also read: Google’s new passkey explained: Your password-less future’s here

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OnePlus Ace 2 Pro to compete with Realme GT 5: Launch timeline confirmed

OnePlus has finally revealed the launch timeline of OnePlus Ace 2 Pro. The smartphone will debut in China this month only. The company has not revealed the launch date yet. However, the Ace models of OnePlus don’t come to India. They come to India as rebranded versions such as the OnePlus 11R is the rebranded version of OnePlus Ace 2. Now it is speculated that, either the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro will come to India as the OnePlus 11T or it won’t come at all. 

OnePlus has confirmed the processor of OnePlus Ace 2 Pro. It will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. Apart from that, there is no official information about the specification of the smartphone. But it is expected that the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro will launch with the same specifications as Realme GT 5, which has been in the spotlight for leaks. 

Also read: OnePlus 11 vs OnePlus 11R: Check out the top 5 key differences

Realme GT 5 recently spotted on Realme’s booth in an event in China. The upcoming Realme GT5 is rumoured to feature a 6.67-inch OLED display with a 1.5K resolution and a support of up to 144Hz refresh rate. The front-facing camera will be integrated in a centred punch-hole cutout. 

As for its performance, the Realme GT5 is expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and could come with a maximum of 24GB RAM. The device is likely to offer two wired charging options, namely 240-watt and 150-watt, just like the Realme GT Neo 5 and GT Neo 5 240W from last year. 

Also read: OnePlus Ace 2 Pro will have Tiangong Cooling System: What's so special about it?

The Realme GT 5 is also expected to launch in China this month only. And it is anticipated that the phone will be launched internationally as the Realme GT Neo 6. However, if both the smartphones – Realme GT 5 and OnePlus Ace 2 Pro share the same specifications. Then it will be the fight of design, brand name and recently rumoured Tiangong Cooling System in the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro. 

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Use two WhatsApp accounts on your iPhone or Android smartphone: Heres how

Today, most people are using dual-SIM smartphones. Not only do they use smartphones which offer dual-SIM but also take advantage of two different network providers’ services. Using two SIMs also gives you access to use two Whatsapp accounts in the same smartphone. Many users don’t think about it much but having two Whatsapp accounts are becoming a ‘thing’ now. So here I will tell you how you can use two Whatsapps on your smartphone, whether it's an iPhone or Android smartphone. 

How to use two Whatsapp accounts in iPhone

To use two Whatsapp accounts on an iPhone, you need to download two Whatsapp instances from the App store, one the standard one and the other is Whatsapp Business. Here’s how you can install it.

Also read: Whatsapp now more fun and easier for iPhone users: Check out the new features

Step 1: Download the Whatsapp Business from the App store. The standard Whatsapp, I am assuming you already have it in your smartphone, running. 

Step 2: While opening a new window, you will encounter two options. Click on the second one, which enables you to access your current WhatsApp account as a Business account, whereas the second option allows you to create new WhatsApp Business accounts using a different phone number.

Step 3: Now enter the secondary number for the Whatsapp Business. Afterward, verify the number by entering the OTP you received on that particular number.

Step 4: Enter your name and choose the 'not a business' option from the selection below. Finally, tap on 'done' to complete the process.

How to use two Whatsapp accounts in Android smartphone

Here the method is a little different. You don’t need to download the Whatsapp Business but need to take help from a third party app known as ‘Parallel App’. Parallel App is used to make clones of the applications in your smartphone.

Also read: WhatsApp now lets you send instant video messages, here's how

Step 1: Download the ‘Parallel App’ from the Playstore.

Step 2: Open the app and select Whatsapp. It will redirect you to a clone Whatsapp, which is exactly like a new Whatsapp.

Step 3: Setup your Whatsapp account, enter your secondary mobile number.

Step 4: Enter the OTP you will receive on your secondary SIM.

Step 5: Mention your name, upload your profile picture and voila! You now have two WhatsApp accounts running on your Android smartphone.

Let us know if you already have two WhatsApp accounts running on your smartphone, or if this article inspires you to try it out very soon. 

 

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Apple wants future iPhones to have zero bezels: Heres what we know

Apple is reportedly working with display partners Samsung and LG for a 0-bezel display on its future iPhones. Even the front camera and Face ID sensors would go under the screen. Could this be the long-rumoured iPhone Ultra?

Here is what we know:

Bezel-less iPhones

 The 0-bezel iPhone rumour comes to us from the South Korean publication The Elec (via Ice Universe). As per it, Apple is working closely with its display partners Samsung Display and LG Display to make OLED panels without any bezels and cutouts. For facilitating the latter, the iPhone may have to feature an under-display camera setup like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 5G. 

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2023: What’s unfolding at the flagship event

So, if this becomes a reality, we will have iPhones with a unibody glass design. But, this could mean the iPhone will be more prone to scratches and damage. To evade this, or to protect the iPhone, it will be shielded by a new type of ultra-strong glass protection. 

BREAKING! Apple is working on a 0-bezel iPhone! Looks like Cook is a fan of mine and he hates bezels as much as I do. According to sources, Apple asked Samsung Display and LG Display to develop OLED screens without bezels at all, completely eliminating bezels and using UPC… pic.twitter.com/mP6QgOeoPw

— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) July 24, 2023

As Ice Universe calls it, this does look futuristic. 

Perhaps, this could be the design of the rumoured iPhone Ultra model. 

Also Read: iPhone 15: Top rumours and leaks show us what to expect from Apple's next iPhone

As per Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, this could be a more premium iPhone compared to the Pro Max model. It could carry the Ultra moniker. 

This will target the uber-premium or ultra-rich customers of Apple who wants something more than the usual set of iPhones offers. This is expected to come by the 2024 iPhone release.

So, maybe Apple will launch the iPhone 16 Ultra in 2024 with a 0-bezel display and an under-screen camera. This will be interesting and groundbreaking from a smartphone design standpoint. We are excited about this.

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Samsung Wallet is one app to store all your IDs and money: Here are the 10 best features of it

Earlier this year Samsung Pay became Samsung Wallet. This rebranding broadened the scope of this app. It was more than a mobile payment and digital wallet app. You could now not only store credit/debit cards and digital currency, but login passwords, DigiLocker IDs, and health/vaccine certificates also. In today’s announcement, Samsung reveals its Wallet app now also gets the option to store digital IDs. 

Samsung Wallet becomes more useful with its new update

Here are its complete features:

1. You can now store digital IDs like Aadhaar Card, Pan Card, Driving License, Vehicle Registration Certificate, etc. 

2. Thanks to Samsung Pay integration, you can store money and make payments via UPI, credit, and debit card payments. You can make payments through simple tap and pay.

Also Read: Here are 5 Telegram features you might not be using

3. You can connect your DigiLocker IDs and documents.

4. There is the option to access login credentials of online websites and apps you choose.

5. You can carry health or vaccine certificates like the one downloaded from CoWin.

6. When you are out and about, you can make FASTag toll payments, store flight boarding passes, and train tickets.  

Also Read: 5 WhatsApp features that you should start using, if you aren't already

7. Samsung claims it has no access to any of the information stored in its wallet. 

8. The data within Samsung Wallet is protected by Samsung Knox against digital and physical hacking.

9. You can lock and prevent snoopy eyes using biometric authentication.

10. In case you lose the phone with the Samsung Wallet app, you can use SmartThings Find to remotely disable the app and even lock the device for enhanced security.

Samsung Wallet can be downloaded from Galaxy Store or Play Store on Samsung Galaxy devices. On our Samsung Galaxy S21, the download size was 202MB. 

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How to deactivate your Threads account, just follow these simple steps

Mark Zuckerberg recently dropped a bomb on us by introducing Twitter’s lookalike ‘Threads’. Without thinking twice, we all fell in the trap and downloaded it, linking an additional app to our Instagram accounts. But now that it has been a while and there’s nothing quite interesting about it, how do you deactivate this app?

Firstly, let’s put the rumours circulating on social media to a rest. Yes, as of now, deleting your Threads account will result in you losing your Instagram account too. If you don’t want that, you could deactivate your account too.

Here’s how to deactivate Threads:

I think deactivating threads is the safest bet until a solution is created to delete it without losing your Instagram account.

To do that, follow these steps:

Step 1) Open the Threads App on Android or iOS devices. Step 2) Find the ‘Profile’ button and click on that. It’s at the bottom right hand corner. Step 3) Then, on the top right corner, select the two-lines menu. Step 4) Then click on ‘Accounts’. Step 5) Then you’ll see an option to ‘Deactivate Profile’, click on that. Step 6) Then when you’re taken forward, click on the black tab to deactivate your account.

Also read: Threads isn’t threading enough and here is why we think it is so

You can deactivate your Threads account only once a week after re-enabling it. Your posts, activities and threads will be hidden for that period.

Now, if deactivating isn’t enough for you and you really want to delete both your Threads and Instagram  account, then follow these steps: 

Step 1) Open the Threads App. Step 2) Go to the bottom right hand corner and select ‘Profile’. Step 3) Again, click on the two-line menu on the top-right corner. Step 4) Then go to ‘Account’. Step 5) On the next screen, choose ‘Other account settings’. Step 6) You will now be taken back to your Instagram account. Step 7) In your Instagram profile, go to the ‘Accounts Centre’ and then to ‘Personal details’. Step 8) On the next screen, click on ‘Account Ownership and Control’. Step 9) After that, select ‘Deactivation or deletion’. Step 10) You will now have to select the delete account option. Step 11) Then give your reason for the same. Step 12) It will then ask you to enter your password. Step 13) Once you do that, not only will your Threads account get deleted but also your Instagram.

Also read: Threads updates to add 7 features and subtract some bugs: Is it any more interesting?

Meta’s Threads is in a really early stage at the moment. We can only wait and see how it develops further and if we can just delete our Threads account without losing the Instagram account too.

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Truecaller Assistant: AI can now take calls on your behalf

Truecaller has now finally announced its AI-based assistant in India. The Truecaller Assistant was first introduced in the United States and Australia a while back. Notably, this feature is available for Android users for now and yet to be available for iOS users. This AI-based assistant helps you so many things like ignoring spam calls, attending important calls and much more. The Truecaller Assistant uses the machine learning, speech-to-text, and natural language processing technologies for the call-screening which can be used against spam and fraud calls. 

Truecaller Assistant is basically your interactive assistant for the calls which you don’t want to pick or you can’t pick up. Let me tell you how the Truecaller Assistant works.

Suppose someone calls and you can’t pick up. Then your AI-based friend will step in and talk on your behalf. It will ask the caller the purpose of the call and turn the conversation into text using the voice-to-text technology. So, when the caller and the Assistant are talking, you will be able to see who is talking and why. Then if the purpose of the caller concerns you, you can pick the call otherwise you can even mark it as spam.

Also read: Truecaller Live Caller ID now available for iOS: Here’s how you can enable it on your iPhone

The Truecaller Assistant will start the conversation with the caller by saying ‘Hi, the person you’re calling is using a screening service, may I ask who it is? And then the purpose.’

You can choose from a total of 5 different options of voices, both male and female while setting up Truecaller Assistant. It also offers speech-to-text technology. The Assistant even has a feature to comprehend multiple languages including but not limited to English and Hindi. Further, you can even customise the message that the Truecaller Assistant will deliver while answering calls from unknown numbers. It doesn’t end here, you can even access the recording of the screen so that you can review the call information later.

Also read: Truecaller to partner with Airtel, Jio, Vi to reduce spam calls in India

AI technology being used in every other website and application now is a good thing or a bad thing? Well I must say that AI is making things way easier for us but the amount of data it is collecting from everyone is huge, should it be in their servers or not.

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Threads updates to add 7 features and subtract some bugs: Is it any more interesting

Threads on iOS has got a new update and although the App Store changelog is a generic line about bug fixes, there are some new features on the app. Let’s have a look and see if the app experience has improved and if it could retain users.

New Threads features

1. Translations

Using the Instagram translation engine, Threads will show its users the English translations for foreign languages. You just have to tap on the translation icon in the bottom right corner and it will do the trick in a jiff using AI.

2. Follows tab on activity feed

The activity feed is the section which shows the people who followed you, who accepted your follow request, and reactions to your posts. It appears with the Heart icon on the bottom menu. Now in this section, you also have a Follows tab that shows you just the list of people who you follow and who followed you.

Also Read: Threads is different from Twitter and that is both a good and bad thing

3. Subscribe to unfollowed users

This probably gives you their post updates even though you have unfollowed them.

Some other features like following + on thread replies page, tappable reposter label, and the ability to open the IG followers list aren’t accessible on our end at the moment. As Instagram software engineer Cameron Roth says, some of these features may take some time before appearing for all users. He says these are server-side changes that can “take a while to fully release”. 

However, it is not just about new features. Rather in this update, Threads for iOS gets fixes for some crashes, binary size cuts, and bugs. Notably, the loading and scrolling speeds have also been improved. 

  Post by @zuck View on Threads

Threads, when it launched, was sort of an experimental project within Meta and apparently had only 12 engineers. However, the team seems to have failed to estimate the sudden influx of users from Instagram and the expectations that come with it. Of late there have been reports of deteriorating Threads usage and the new update seems to be a way to show the company is working to improve things. Let’s see if it changes enough things to attract new users as well as users who left.

Also Read: Threads isn’t threading enough and here is why we think it is so

For now, the changes are very minor. They may have subtle improvements to the current users’ experience but they are not going to lure people, both new and who stopped using it after the initial fad. I hope Meta spruces up its ranking algorithm and also adds features that people have been asking for. Then, maybe then, we feel it stands a chance to be the next big microblogging website.

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An iOS browser with Chrome Extensions and Firefox Add-ons Here you go

No, it is not Safari. Although it is the de facto browser on an iPhone, iOS users can switch to other mobile browsers on App Store. However, most iOS browsers are very similar to each other, unlike their desktop counterparts. This is partly because Apple mandates all browsers on the platform to be on Webkit, which is the Safari web engine. This makes the iOS browser market very homogeneous. They lack the versatility and extension support of many desktop browsers. Safari has very limited extension support and if you want something more, you should check out the Orion browser.

Orion browser is like Safari with Chrome Extensions and Firefox Add-ons

1. Download and install the Orion browser from the App Store.

2. Open the app and click open the 3-dot menu on the bottom bar. 

3. Tap on the Extensions option.

Also Read: Don't buy iPhone 14 online until iPhone 15 launch: Here's why

4. You will see the extension library and at the bottom, there is a Plus icon, tapping which you’ll see 3 options: Install from file, Install Chrome extension, or Install Firefox extension.

Note, not all extensions work at the moment. Like I tried Ublock Origin and Return YouTube Dislike and they weren’t working. Meanwhile, Momentum and Dark Reader seem to be working fine.

Since the browser comes with a built-in content blocker, I don’t mind the lack of support for 3rd party adblockers. Likewise, there are many in-built features here, that may entice you.

Also Read: iOS 17 is ready for the public and brings 2 new features we Indians will love

Orion browser features

1. Focus Mode that lets you use the full screen while browsing.

2. Data Saver Mode that disables many resource-heavy elements on sites and thereby cutting down on the data consumption while you browse websites.

3. Low Power Mode that puts unused tabs in hibernation to save some juice.

4. Lockscreen for all or just private tabs, as you like. 

5. Block ads as well as trackers.

Note: This is not a paid promotion of the product.

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Best time to buy Apple iPhone: Amazon Prime Day has huge iPhone discounts

Amazon Prime Day 2023 Sale keeps getting better and better. During the sale, the iPhones will be available at much reduced prices. The Amazon Prime Day 2022 Sale will start from July 15 and expire on July 16. The iPhone 14 will be available on Amazon at a price of ₹66,499. Not just that, you will also get an additional discount through bank offers.

Here are some Apple iPhones which will be available at best price on Amazon during Prime Day 2023 Sale:

Apple iPhone 14

The iPhone 14 will be available on Amazon at a discounted price of ₹66,499. However the original price of the smartphone is ₹79,990. 

Apple iPhone 14 comes with a 6.1-inch XDR OLED display. It is powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chipset. It has a dual camera setup on the back holding a 12MP+12MP. On the front, it sports a 12MP selfie camera too. The iPhone 14 packs a 3279mAh battery.

Also read: Top smartwatch deals on Amazon Prime Day Sale 2023

Apple iPhone 14 Plus

The iPhone 14 Plus will be up for grabs at ₹79,999 on Amazon during Prime Day Sale 2023. 

Apple iPhone 14 is equipped with a 6.7-inch XDR OLED display. It is packed with Apple’s A15 Bionic chipset. It has a 12-megapixel dual camera setup on the back and a 12-megapixel selfie shooter on the front. The iPhone 14 has a 4323mAh battery.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro will also be available at a reduced price of ₹1,19,999 for the base variant. It was launched at a starting price of ₹1,29,900.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro has a 6.1-inch LTPO XDR OLED display. It works on Apple’s A16 Bionic processor. This comes with a triple camera setup of 48-megapixel primary camera and two 12-megapixel cameras. It packs a 3200mAh battery.

Also read: Great news for gamers: Alienware m16 AMD edition to debut on Amazon Prime Day sale

Apple iPhone 13

The Apple iPhone 13 will be available on Amazon at a price of ₹57,999 during the sale. 

Apple iPhone 13 has a 6.1-inch XDR OLED display. It is powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chipset. It has a dual camera setup on the back holding a 12MP+12MP. It also features a 12MP selfie camera. The iPhone 13 comes with a 3240mAh battery.

If you are planning to buy any of these iPhones, this is the right time to grab it. However, Apple will soon launch the iPhone 15 series, so the prices of its predecessor will obviously go down. That time will also be a green light for interested iPhone buyers.

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Realme C53 to launch on July 19: Budget phone with 108 MP camera

Realme is all packed up to launch its new budget smartphone in India. Realme C53 will be launching in India on July 19. The Chinese brand has already launched this smartphone in Malaysia in May. The Malaysian version has a 50-megapixel primary camera but the Indian version will sport a 108-megapixel primary camera, claims Realme. The company also said that this will be the first smartphone with 108-megapixel camera in the budget smartphone segment. 

The specifications of the smartphone are not out yet but the launch poster from Realme reveals some details like there are three camera rings on the back panel. The poster also revealed the capacitive power button and volume rockers on the right side of the panel. It also shows the smartphone in Golden colour so we can expect this one smartphone colour option.

Also read: Leaks reveal Realme C53 launch: Specs suggest an attractive phone

Realme India posted a teaser on Twitter which revealed the front of Realme C53 which has a waterdrop notch. The Malaysian Realme C53 version also has the waterdrop notch so maybe the specifications of both of these smartphones could match except the camera configurations.

The specifications of the Realme C53 are not out yet but it could match with the specifications of Realme C53 Malaysian version. The Realme C53 which was launched in Malaysia works on Unisoc Tiger T612 processor paired with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. It is equipped with a 6.74-inch FullHD+ LCD display with 90Hz refresh rate. The smartphone operates on Realme UI T which is based on Android 13 OS. It packs a 5000mAh battery with 33-watt fast charging support.

Also read: Realme C53 to be announced soon officially as it gets certified by NBTC

Realme launches its C series smartphones under ₹15,000 and the Realme C53 launched in Malaysia at 599MR which is approx ₹10,000. The company is giving a huge camera lens in this price segment but the back panel didn’t excite me much, neither did the third ring in the camera module. But then asking for too much in a sub-15k phone is also not fair. Let's see while we wait and watch for the Realme C53's official launch very soon.

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Heres how you can secure Threads with two-factor authentication

Meta recently rolled out a new Microblogging App, very similar to Twitter, namely Threads. People showed their love to threads very quickly or maybe they are just needy because Elon Musk has made some unexpected changes which they didn’t really like. 

If you are a Threads user and likes to keep top notch security of your social media then in this article you’ll find how to enable two-factor authentication on your Threads profile. 

Also read: Are Elon Musk's Twitter mistakes responsible for Threads success?

Methods of two-factor authentications

There are three methods by which you can use two-factor authentication on Threads. 

First is an authentication app which will be recommended by Threads. You need to download the app and link your Instagram account with it as Threads uses your Instagram as an identifier. This authentication app will generate a code which you will need while logging in. The code changes within seconds.

Also read: Threads on Windows 11 desktop: Get it running in 9 simple steps

Second authentication method can be used through SMS. You will get a code on your registered mobile number through SMS which you will have to put while logging in. 

Lastly, there is also an option to use Whatsapp as your two-factor authentication method. You need to enable text messages to activate this method.

Steps to enable two-factor authentication on Threads

Step 1: Open the Threads app and go to profile.

Step 2: Tap on the two lines on the top right corner.

Step 3: Then select Account and then tap on security, which will take you to the Meta Account Centre.

Step 4: Tap on Two-Factor Authentication and then select your Instagram account as I mentioned above that it is used as an identifier.

Step 5: Choose the method of authentication and voila!

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Threads is different from Twitter and that is both a good and bad thing

It’s the day after Instagram Threads debuted and the microblogging app has already soared to the top of the app store charts. We have used it and we do see it is inspired by Twitter. However, it has some semblance to Instagram. Also, soon it will get features that put it in comparison to Mastadon and Blue Sky. Here, primarily, we will focus on what’s different between Threads and Twitter. So, let’s get on with it.

Instagram Threads vs Twitter

1. Since both of these are microblogging websites, the character limit is a key thing to know that impacts your experience. That is how much you can write in a post on these platforms. Threads allow for 500 character count while Twitter lets you write only until you hit 280 characters.

pic.twitter.com/MbMxUWiQgp

— Mark Zuckerberg (@finkd) July 6, 2023

2. Another form of content that you can post is videos. Threads support up to 5-minute long videos while Twitter lets you post only 2-minute 20-second videos.

Also Read: Instagram Threads memes are so funny it will make Elon Musk cry

3. You have to tap enter thrice to start a line of threads on Instagram Threads. Meanwhile, you just have to tap on the Plus icon to start a thread on Twitter.

  Post by @backlon View on Threads

4. I realized Threads doesn’t support hashtags only when I cross-posted a tweet from Twitter. You can’t search for content based on hashtags and that’s a major feature that’s available in most other social media platforms.  

5. Threads doesn’t feature the option to search for posts/content on the platform. So, a major cutback on discoverability. We hope this would make its way to Threads soon, especially because Instagram and Facebook have it.

6. Threads doesn’t have an option yet to save a draft of the post to attend to it later. Whereas on Twitter, when you hit the cancel button, you get an option to save the draft.

  Post by @sagarcasm View on Threads

7. The privacy and notification settings are different on Twitter and Threads. The latter seems to have imported these settings from Instagram.

To address extreme levels of data scraping & system manipulation, we’ve applied the following temporary limits: - Verified accounts are limited to reading 6000 posts/day - Unverified accounts to 600 posts/day - New unverified accounts to 300/day

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 1, 2023   Post by @0xjessel View on Threads

8. There are no ads on Threads for now. Mark Zuckerberg has said Threads will get ads only when it hits a 1 billion user base. Twitter, on the other hand, has an ad machinery in the works. But, since Meta is much better at this game, it won’t be long before you see ads on Threads too.

  Post by @zuck View on Threads

9. Threads will soon work with Fediverse and employ the ActivityPub protocol. It will then be a decentralized social networking platform like Mastodon (also AcitivtyPub-based) and Blue Sky. Twitter is part of the OG social media club that’s centralized.

Also Read: Instagram Threads: Here’s how it could be better than popular social media platforms

10. There are no trending topics page, no user-generated alt texts, and other elements of Twitter. What it has however is a massive community from the get-go as users sign up with their Instagram account and can also quickly bring Instagram followers with a single click. Not just that, if you are an Instagram subscriber, you get paid verification on Threads.

All your Threads are belong to us https://t.co/FfrIcUng5O pic.twitter.com/V7xbMOfINt

— jack (@jack) July 4, 2023

So, it's been only a day and a half at this point and the platform still doesn't look or feel fully baked. Folks coming from other platforms may find many things missing. They may even struggle to carry over their follower base from say, Twitter. And since it's a Meta app, one may be concerned about data privacy too. However, it's too early to tell. We may see many changes in the app going forward which may change our opinion. So, let's see. 

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