Fitbit will require its users to login using their Google account from next year: Here are its data sharing implications

Google-owned wearable brand Fitbit is planning to make Google Accounts mandatory on new Fitbit devices from next year.

According to Fitbit, Google will not use Fitbit health and wellness data for Google Ads.

"After we launch Google accounts on Fitbit in 2023, some uses of Fitbit will require a Google account, including to sign up for Fitbit or activate newly released Fitbit devices and features, "the wearable brand said on a support page.

"If you have a Fitbit account, after the launch of Google accounts on Fitbit, you'll have the option to move Fitbit to your Google account or to continue to use your existing Fitbit devices and services with your Fitbit account for as long as it's supported," it added.

The company said Google accounts on Fitbit will support several benefits for Fitbit users, including a single login for Fitbit and other Google services, account security, centralised privacy controls for Fitbit user data, and more features from Google on Fitbit.

After the launch of Google accounts on Fitbit, if you want to move from your Fitbit account to your Google account, you will need to consent to transfer your Fitbit user data from Fitbit to Google.

Once you complete the move, you will log into Fitbit with your Google account and no longer with your Fitbit account.

Google will then provide you with Fitbit under Google's Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and binding commitments for Fitbit.

(Except for the headline and cover image, the rest of this IANS article is un-edited)

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GTA 6 and Uber hacker reportedly caught by London police: Know details

As part of a UK's National Cyber Crime Unit investigation, a 17-year-old teenager was detained on suspicion of Rockstar Games hack that led to a major Grand Theft Auto (GTA) VI leak.

According to the reports, the alleged hacker might have also been involved in an intrusion on ride-hailing service Uber.

"@CityPolice confirm 17-year-old arrested over hacking incident; source says the crime is related to intrusion on Rockstar Games and possibly Uber Technologies," prominent journalist Matthew Keys tweeted.

This month Uber has blamed the infamous Lapsus$ hacking group for the cyber attack on its internal systems recently.

Uber had also mentioned that "there are also reports that this same actor breached video game maker Rockstar Games".

Meanwhile, Rockstar Games' confirmed 'network intrusion' resulted in the leak of 90 videos of GTA VI, showcasing its engine, gameplay and more from an early development build.

The leak provided a glimpse into GTA 6 development, confirming prior reports of the series' first female protagonist and a Vice City setting.

The title, informally known as GTA 6, will mark the first mainline game since 2013's GTA V, having racked up a record-breaking 170 million sales to date.

(Except for the headline and cover image, the rest of this IANS article is un-edited)

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Mozilla criticizes Google, Microsoft, and Apple for browser lock-ins: Here are the anti-competitive allegations raised by the Firefox-maker

Mozilla, the developer of Firefox Internet browser, has hit out at the trinity of Apple, Google and Microsoft, saying their operating systems make it very difficult for browsers like open source Firefox to be used on the platforms they control.

In a report, Mozilla said that these operating systems make it "difficult or impossible for a consumer to switch browsers," by setting the company's own browser as the default and in prime position on the home screen.

One of the ways Mozilla seeks to do this is through developing and investing in its own Gecko browser engine.

"This matters because there are only three main browser engine providers left: Google, Apple and Mozilla - but Apple's engine only runs on Apple devices. So, without Mozilla, the only cross-platform browser engine would be provided by Google," said the report.

"Putting the development of cross-platform web browsers in the hands of a single company creates not only a concentration of power, but also a single point of failure," it added.

The Mozilla Firefox browser had a 3.16 per cent market share worldwide in August.

Apple Safari and Microsoft Edge browsers have 18.78 per cent and 4.3 per cent market share, respectively.

The web browsing market is dominated by Google Chrome, at 65.52 per cent market share, according to web traffic analysis website StatCounter.

Mozilla said in its research report that even when an alternative browser is downloaded and selected as default, this decision is not applied in all circumstances.

"The operating system provider will in some scenarios bypass this decision and present their own browser rather than the selected default and in other cases it will seek to undermine or reverse this decision," it lamented.

Mozilla said that as Big Tech has so far failed to do better, "regulators, policymakers and lawmakers have spent considerable time and resources investigating digital markets".

"They should, therefore, be in a good position to recognise the importance of browser competition and to act to prevent further harm to consumers from continued inaction and competitive stagnation," the company said.

Mozilla called on them "to enforce the laws which already exist and the laws and regulations which will soon come into force".

(Except for the headline and cover image, the rest of this IANS article is un-edited)

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Google Pixel 7 series prices are likely to be the same as Pixel 6 series: Find the expected pricing here

As Google prepares to launch its next Pixel 7 smartphone series, a new report claims that there will not be any price change from the Pixel 6 series.

Google has already confirmed that the next-generation Pixel 7 series will come to India, to be available on Flipkart.

Android Police founder Artem Russakovskii tweeted the prices for the upcoming devices -- $599 for the Pixel 7 and $899 for the Pixel 7 Pro.

"From a source I trust 100 per cent, here comes Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro US pricing, according to current data in Target's systems. First up, Pixel 7, codenamed Panther, $599, available in Snow, Obsidian, and Lemongrass colours," he said in a tweet.

"Pixel 7 Pro, codenamed Cheetah, will cost $899, available in Obsidian, Hazel, and Snow colours," he added.

For Pixel lovers, it is good news as the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro were already priced really well and both the iPhone 14 and Samsung Galaxy S22 start at $799.

Reports say that Pixel 7 will have a 6.3-inch display, slightly smaller than the 6.4-inch screen available on the Pixel 6.

The Tensor G2 chipset will power the series, which is all set to launch on October 6. The new chipset will utilise the same CPU as the original Tensor.

The tech giant first teased the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro at I/O in May, and is likely to launch the device next month, alongside the Pixel Watch.

(Except for the headline and cover image, the rest of this IANS article is un-edited)

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Will the Indian Government launch 5G services in India on Oct 1

New Delhi, Sep 24 (IANS) The National Broadband Mission (NBM) under the Ministry of Communications on Saturday tweeted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will roll out 5G services in India on October 1, as the India Mobile Congress (IMC) kicks off on the same day.

However, the tweet disappeared within no time from the NBM handle on the micro-blogging platform.

"Taking India's digital transformation & connectivity to new heights, Hon'ble PM, @narendramodi, will roll out 5G services in India; at India Mobile Congress; Asia's largest technology exhibition," read the screenshot of the tweet.

According to industry sources, the country may not yet be prepared to roll out 5G services from October 1, and may need some more days for the new technology to be in place.

During his Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort, the Prime Minister had said that the 5G services will be launched in India soon.

Jointly organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the sixth edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) will take place at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from October 1-4.

IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw last month said the government expects 5G services to be rolled out in the country by October 12, and the Centre will make sure that the prices are affordable for the consumers.

Vaishnaw said that installations are being done and telecom operations are busy with the seamless rollout of 5G services.

The government will ensure that the 5G plans remain affordable for the public, the minister said.

The 5G services would be rolled out in a phased manner and during the first phase, 13 cities are likely to get the 5G internet services.

The cities are Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Gandhinagar, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Jamnagar, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Pune.

Just like 3G and 4G, telcos will soon announce dedicated 5G tariff plans and according to industry experts, consumers may pay more to access the 5G services on their devices.

An immediate tariff war with the launch of 5G is unlikely, but it "will be competitive as India continues to be a price-conscious market".

(Except for the headline, the rest of this IANS article is un-edited)

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Apple set to launch new MacBook Pro models as suppliers gear up

New Delhi, Sep 24 (IANS) Apple is set to release new MacBook devices next month and suppliers are "gearing up" for the shipments of upcoming laptops.

According to a report in DigiTimes, Apple plans to release new MacBook models in the fourth quarter this year and if we go by the previous announcements, the company normally launches new hardware in the month of October.

This report also said that Apple is gearing up to launch a 15-inch MacBook Air and a 12-inch device by early 2024.

According to earlier reports, Apple is likely to unveil a new MacBook Pro with 5-nanometer chips.

These are likely to be the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips and will be found inside the 14-inch and 16-inch models, said the report.

The Mac mini is also a possibility for a fall 2022 launch.

According to rumours, a new iMac and iMac Pro is also in the pipeline but not this year.

Another product that might be showcased is the first mixed-reality headset by Apple.

Also, the 10th generation of iPad with A14 chip is expected this fall, that will feature an all-new design that mimics the iPad Pro in terms of a flat design.

The renderings on social media have shown a vertical rear camera lens similar to that on iPhone X.

Apple iPad Pro is likely to house M2 chip as an upgrade to the current models with M1 chip.

The iPad Pro may also come with wireless charging with MagSafe and mini LED, backlighting for the 11-inch iPad Pro.

(Except for the headline, the rest of this IANS article is un-edited)

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Ear tips in new AirPods Pro incompatible with older model: Apple

New Delhi, Sep 24 (IANS) Apple has explained that new silicone ear tips with the second-generation AirPods Pro are not compatible with the older generation of AirPods Pro.

In a support document, the tech giant said the original AirPods Pro ear tips have "noticeably denser mesh" in comparison with the second-generation ear tips.

"Ear tips have been designed specifically for their AirPods Pro generation, to deliver the highest-fidelity audio experience," said the company.

As a result, "use the ear tips that come with your AirPods Pro".

The company explained the reason for this, saying that AirPods Pro (1st generation) ear tips have noticeably denser mesh than AirPods Pro (2nd generation) ear tips.

However, using older ear tips won't affect the sound or noise-cancellation quality on new AirPods.

The problem users will face is the proper fit in the ear with old tips owing to dense mesh.

With the new H2 chip, AirPods Pro, available in India for Rs 26,900, provides an exceptional acoustic experience and cancels up to twice as much noise over the previous generation AirPods Pro.

This time, a new extra small ear tip is included so even more people can experience the magic of AirPods Pro.

With a new low-distortion audio driver and custom amplifier, AirPods Pro now offer richer bass and crystal-clear sound across a wider range of frequencies.

With Touch control on AirPods Pro, a light swipe up or down on the stem enables quick volume adjustments.

AirPods Pro offer 1.5 hours of additional listening time over the first generation, for a total of up to six hours with Active Noise Cancellation.

(Except for the headline, the rest of this IANS article is un-edited)

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