Streaming to Subscriptions: Video Games Enter New Frontiers

As games have become more accessible online and on mobile, it is becoming harder to convince people to spend a chunk of money upfront.

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Amazon wants to solve your broadband problem with 3,236 satellites

<p>Highlights:</p> Amazon is looking to launch 3,236 satellites to solve the world's broadband problems. It isn't the first company working on such an initiative.  There is no information on when the project is expected to become a reality. <p> </p> <p>Amazon is looking to provide broadband internet to the world from outer space. The company will launch thousands of satellites - 3236 to be precise, to help make broadband connectivity more accessible to consumers. Let's face it, not everyone has good broadband connectivity, and no matter how many new plans or lines are laid, there will still be areas that don’t have access to good internet. </p> <p>The effort from Amazon is code-named Project Kuiper. Last September, there were reports that Amazon was planning a “big, audacious space project” involving satellites. It looks like all the talk was about Project Kuiper. It could take years before the project is up and running however Amazon isn’t alone in this race. SpaceX, OneWeb and other players are working on offering similar solutions to customers. Amazon’s filings made with the International Telecommunications Union reveal that the company plans to “put 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit — including 784 satellites at an altitude of 367 miles (590 kilometers); 1,296 satellites at a height of 379 miles (610 kilometers); and 1,156 satellites in 391-mile (630-kilometer) orbits”. </p> <p>Amazon confirmed to GeekWire that Project Kuiper is one of its projects. Amazon said, “Project Kuiper is a new initiative to launch a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites that will provide low-latency, high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world. This is a long-term project that envisions serving tens of millions of people who lack basic access to broadband internet. We look forward to partnering on this initiative with companies that share this common vision.”</p> <p>The GeekWire report goes on to say that according to the UN, almost 4 billion people around the world are underserved when it comes to internet access. With the growing dependency on the internet, it is becoming increasingly important to ensure seamless connectivity to ensure business growth and sustained development. </p> <p>Speaking of the competition that Amazon will face, SpaceX has already launched its first two prototype satellites. This is for its Starlink broadband data constellation. It is projected to grow to more than 12,000 satellites in low Earth orbit. The SpaceX prototype satellites were launched last year. </p> <p>OneWeb launched its first six broadband satellites in February 2019. It plans to put hundreds more in place over the coming two years. According to GeekWire, “Last month, the consortium announced a $1.25 billion funding round, led by SoftBank Group, to support the ramp-up in operations”.</p> <p>Thanks to Amazon Web Services, the company is already in tune with the intricacies and workings of the world wide web. The company hasn't said when the service is expected to start or how much consumers will have to pay for it. </p> <p>Also Read:</p> <p>Gaming in the motherland: talking esports, online and PC gaming with Intel India</p> <p>BSNL is offering free trial of its broadband service with 8Mbps speed and 5GB data</p> <p>ACT Fibernet announces up to Rs 350 cashback for users when they pay for Netflix subscription via the ISP's bill</p>

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Snapchat App Gets Games in Bid to Hold On to Young Users

Snap has launched a gaming platform within its Snapchat app featuring original and third-party games such as Zynga's Tiny Royale, aiming to keep existing users engaged longer and attract new ones.

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Google Transparency Report: Heres how you can keep track of political advertising expenditure during General Election 2019

<p dir="ltr">Highlights:</p> Google release report aiming transparency in political advertising during general elections. People can see expenditure by geography and advertiser. You can also see the type of advertisement placed on different Google-owned platforms. <p> In a week’s time, the world’s largest democracy will enter the election phase where the people will vote for candidates in seven phases to form a government. In the past, it has been accused (and observed) that political parties have used several technology platforms to influence the voters. While the tech giants have already faced a lot of criticism on this issue in western countries, it seems they are already taking precautions in case of India to avoid a repetition of the ruckus.</p> <p dir="ltr">While Facebook and WhatsApp have already released an outline of the steps they will take to ensure the transparency in this election, Google has now come out with their own way by releasing the Google Transperancy Report to share data that will sheds light on how policies and actions of governments and corporations affect privacy, security, and access to information. “Our goal is to provide greater transparency in political advertising on Google, YouTube, and partner properties. This report includes information about Lok Sabha election ads that feature or are run by a political party, a political candidate, or a current member of the Lok Sabha,” Google said about the report.</p> <p>Here’s how you can check the facts and keep a track on the developments:</p> <p>You can click here to go to the “Reports” section on the top left corner of the screen. From the third column, click “Political Advertising on Google” and select “India” to know about the expenditure on political ads by every political party since February 19, 2019. The report will also show you the states where the money has been spent. Moreover, you can also see the types and content of the ads that have been placed on different platforms owned by Google. There's also a break-up of expenditure made by each political party since February 2019.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p>It is worth noting that the sum displayed here only shows the expenditure done to place ads only on Google’s different platforms. The company updates the stats on a weekly basis. Google has segregated the expenditure into two sections: Ad spend per geography and top advertisers (the data on the platform represents total spend by verified advertisers since February 19, 2019.) The Google Transparency Report shows that over Rs 3.7 crores have been spent cumulatively by several political parties since February 19, 2019.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> According to the report, Andhra Pradesh has seen the maximum ad expenditure on Google’s platforms followed Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Bihar. It is worth noting that people in all these states will be voting in the first phase, that is, on April 11. The report also shows that the Bharatiya Janata Party has spent the most among all the political parties in the country. People can also download the data offline. <p>Recently, Facebook launched initiatives to boost civic engagement during general elections: Candidate Connect and Share You Voted. While ‘Candidate Connect’ will help people learn more about candidates contesting for Lok Sabha elections from their constituency, ‘Share you Voted’ will provide people with polling information and enable them to announce that they have voted.</p> <p>Both the two new tools have been made available in twelve local languages in India. Either through a bookmark in their settings, or through a message in their News Feed, voters will be able to watch 20-second videos of candidates contesting from their respective constituencies. These videos, presented through the ‘Candidate Connect’ tool, will enable candidates to engage with the electorate.</p> <p>On its part, WhatsApp also introduced tools to curb the spread of fake news and misinformation during the general elections. The instant messaging app launched a new tip line in collaboration with PROTO, an India-based media skilling startup to verify text messages, videos and photos circulating on the platform with regards to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The platform also added teeth by rolling out new privacy settings and invite system in India ahead of the elections aimed at giving users more control over who can add them to a group.</p> <p>Related Read:</p> <p>Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey banks on AI to help company curb fake news dissemination ahead of 2019 general elections in India</p>

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Madras High Court asks Centre to ban TikTok app as it is encouraging pornography

<p>Highlights:</p> Madras High Court has asked the central government to ban TikTok as it “encouraging pornography" The court’s order directs the media to not air videos made using the app. <p> </p> <p>The popular video creation app TikTok has been under the Tamil Nadu government’s radar for some time now. Earlier, the state’s IT minister asked the state government in the state assembly to initiate a dialogue with the Center to ban the application as it is said to promote “sharing of sexually-explicit material.” Now, a court in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu has asked the centre to ban the app again saying that it is "encouraging pornography". The bench has reportedly prohibited the media from telecasting videos that are made using the app.</p> <p>As per a Reuters report, the Tamil Nadu High Court was hearing a PIL against the app and said children using the app were “vulnerable to exposure to sexual predators.” "The dangerous aspect is that inappropriate contents including language and pornography are being posted in the TikTok App. There is a possibility of children contacting strangers directly and getting lured by them. Without understanding the dangers involved in these kinds of mobile apps, it is unfortunate that are our children are using these apps," the court said asking the Centre to ban TikTok. </p> <p>A TikTok spokesperson told Reuters that it is committed to abiding by local laws and is waiting for the court’s order, after which it will take appropriate actions. The spokesperson told Reuters, “Maintaining a safe and positive in-app environment ... is our priority.” As per the report, the petition was filed by a Madurai-based senior lawyer, who is also a social activist, Muthu Kumar. Kumar apparently cited pornography, child abuse and suicides as the reasons for banning TikTok. The app is owned by Beijing-based ByteDance Co. and has over 54 million monthly active users in India and touched the 1 billion download mark this February. It enables its users to create </p> <p>Related Reads:</p> <p>Tamil Nadu government might ban TikTok as it is reportedly used to “circulate extreme content”</p>

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Mi Fan Festival: Xiaomi Redmi Go is now available in open sale on Flipkart, Micom

<p dir="ltr">Highlights:</p> Redmi Go is now available in an open sale. Customers can buy the phones from Flipkart and Mi.com. The Redmi Go is company’s first Android Go phone. <p> As Mi Fan Festival kicks off in India, the Xiaomi Redmi Go (First Impressions) is now available in an open sale on Flipkart and Mi.com. This is the company’s first offering with Android Go and is priced at Rs 4,499. On Flipkart, the phone is listed with no-cost EMI offers, exchange offer, and 10 percent off on Axis Bank Buzz Credit Card. On Mi.com, users can avail an exchange offer, Rs 2,200 cashback and additional 100GB Data free with Jio, as well as Mi Protect at Rs 399. The Mi Fans Festival 2019 ends on April 6.</p> <p>Just like other Android Go devices, the Redmi Go features optimised apps such as YouTube Go, Maps Go, Chrome Go, Facebook Lite, TikTok Lite, Twitter Lite, Messenger Lite, Uber Lite, Ola Lite and more. The Redmi Go also features the Google Assistant in Hindi, English as well as Hinglish to make it more attractive for Indian users. The device further supports over 20 Indian languages.</p> Xiaomi Redmi Go specifications: <p>The Redmi Go runs on the Android Oreo (Go Edition) and sports a 5.0-inch HD display. The phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 SoC, coupled with 1GB RAM and 8GB of internal storage. The phone has dual SIM slots as well as a dedicated memory expansion slot which allows users to expand its storage to 128GB via a microSD card. The Redmi Go include ships with a Night Light mode for reading in low light and an Ambient display.</p> <p>When it comes to the camera, the phone sports a single 8MP rear camera setup. The sensor’s pixel size is 1.12μm and the lens has an aperture of f/2.0. The main camera comes with autofocus support and there’s a single LED flash. On the front is a 5MP sensor with 1.12μm large pixel size and a lens of f/2.2 aperture. The handset is backed by a 3000mAh battery. Xiaomi says it can last upto 10 days in standby mode.</p> <p>Related Read:</p> <p>Android Go is a No Go in India: Analysts</p>

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Iron Man VR Sharing Same Universe as Spider-Man PS4 Is Upto Marvel Games

Iron Man VR and Spider-Man PS4 may occupy the same game universe.

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