Threads already lost 79-percent of users till date, in worrying news for Metas Zuckerberg

Twitter lookalike Threads was rolled out recently on July 5  and took the internet by quite the storm. But it turns out that the hype was really short-lived as the App is seeing a massive decline in active users. Currently, the Zuckerberg Twitter alternative is really struggling to regain its popularity with users. 

At the time of its launch on July 5, 2023, Threads got almost every Instagram user onboard with its popularity soaring high. It made records by gaining more than 100 million sign-ups on the App within the first five days of its launch. 

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

Zuckerberg had even used the correct timeline to launch his new App as Twitter was facing a lot of backlash for the new policies rolled out by Elon Musk and people saw it as an alternative to the blue-bird App. But it now seems that Threads only had a small shot at fame and couldn’t beat Twitter.

As mentioned earlier, Threads had gained more than 100 million users within the first five days but a month later the Meta App is struggling with only 10.3 million daily active users. Reports suggest that about 79% of the initial users have stopped using the app altogether. Other reports reveal that Threads has lost more than half of its users already. A Reuters report cited an internal call from Meta, revealing that Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that Threads’ retention was 'better than what the executives had expected, it was not perfect'.

A new report by Indian Express cites Similarweb, revealing that Threads had about 49.3  million active users on July 7. But now the numbers have dropped disappointingly to just 10.3 million active users. Further, the report reveals that initially, the average time spent on this new social media platform was about 21 minutes which has now dropped down to just 3 minutes per day. 

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

Considering this data, Meta is reportedly strategising to bring back its engagement through various new features including but not limited to a web version, mention buttons etc.

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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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Google Pixel 8 coming soon: Audio Magic Eraser and colour options revealed

After Google’s Pixel 7 series, the much awaited Google Pixel  8 series is expected to hit the floors later this year in October. And as is true with all anticipatory devices, rumors and leaks of this new series have started floating on the internet. We have now come across an alleged promo video highlighting the new phone. 

Twitter user EZ, took to the micro-blogging site to share a video which is allegedly the promo video for Google’s future Pixel 8 series. EZ shared the 14 second leaked promo. The 14 second video reflected the new ‘Audio Magic Eraser’. In the video we can see skateboarders removing unwanted background noises from their video clips.

Also read: Smartphone or digital thermometer? Google Pixel 8 Pro will be both!

One should note that Google introduced the ‘Magic Eraser’ feature for the first time with the Google Pixel 6 as well as the Google Pixel 6 Pro. What this feature did was that it allowed users to remove unwanted objects from their photos. 

So, if this promo turns out to be true, we could expect something similar, but this time with audio. This feature might be placed with other controls on Google Photos. The promo highlights the Google Pixel 8 as the“the only phone with Audio Magic Eraser”. 

But that’s not all that the alleged promo had to reveal. The Google Pixel 8 series is expected to offer a Blue coloured phone variant. 

Also read: Google Pixel 8 hardware leak suggests it will excel at night photography

As we wait for the Google Pixel 8 series, here’s what we know from the rumors surfacing online. The Google Pixel 8 series could offer two storage variants:  128GB and 256GB storage options. Further, we could see the smartphones running on Android 14 and Tensor G3 processor. On the battery front, we can expect a 4,950mAh battery with 27-watt wired fast charging support on the Pixel 8 Pro. Speaking of the Google Pixel 8 on the other hand, could be packed with a 4,485mAh battery along  with 24W wired charging and 12W wireless charging support.

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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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Fire-Boltt Emerald smartwatch for women launched in India, priced at 5,999

Fire-Boltt recently launched a new women’s edition watch, called the Fire-Boltt Emerald. It is a premium looking smartwatch in the women’s category under ₹6,000. You can grab this smartwatch from Fire-Boltt’s official website at a price of ₹5,999. The new Fire-Boltt Emerald smartwatch for women gives a premium feel on a budget. Speaking of its features, the watch comes equipped with a 1.09-inch HD display and has all the basic features that we expect from a smartwatch.

The Emerald features a glass designed round dial which has been cut like a diamond. The dial also has a rotating crown and you will get metal straps with this watch too. On the display front, as mentioned earlier, the Emerald has a 1.09-inch TFT LCD and offers HD resolution.

Also read: Fire-Boltt Blizzard Ultra gives you Rolex vibes under just ₹3500: Check features

The Fire-Boltt Emerald is also water-resistant and has an IP68 rating. This means that this smartwatch can resist water up to 1.5 metres for a duration of 30 minutes. 

Talking about the connectivity, the watch is compatible with Bluetooth calling. You can view call history, a quick dial pad, and sync contacts on its dial. 

Since it’s a women’s smartwatch, the Fire-Boltt Emerald offers features for female health tracking and heart rate, sleep, and blood oxygen levels, among other things. You can even use voice assistants, smart notifications, a camera, music control, weather alerts, in-built games, etc on this smartwatch.

The Fire-Boltt Emerald also offers decent battery life. The brand promises 5 days of battery life on a single charge. It is a part of the brand’s ‘Jewels of Time’ series. Further, the smartwatch is available in three colour variants, namely Blue, Rose Gold, and Green.

Also read: Fire Boltt Gladiator smartwatch comes with a design similar to Apple Watch Ultra: Know price and specs

If you’re interested in buying the Fire-Boltt Emerald then you can find it on both Fire-Boltt’s official website and on Amazon. It is priced at ₹5,999.

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OnePlus Ace 2 Pro will launch on Aug 16 in China: Here are its 5 specs we know

OnePlus is all set to launch OnePlus Ace 2 Pro in China on August 16. In India, the Ace models often arrive under different names, such as the OnePlus 11R, a rebranded version of the OnePlus Ace 2. As the launch approaches, the possibility arises that the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro might be introduced in India as the OnePlus 11T or possibly not at all. OnePlus previously confirmed the Tiangong Cooling System in Ace 2 Pro. Ahead of its August 16 launch, OnePlus has unveiled some more specifications, including a flexible OLED display featuring a BOE Q9+ screen, battery configurations, processor, and RAM.

Let’s have a look at its display configuration. The OnePlus Ace 2 Pro will be equipped with a 6.74-inch flexible OLED display with a BOE Q9+ screen. The display will also support 120Hz refresh rate, 1.07 billion display colours and HDR10+ and come with a 1.5K resolution. Along with that, it will also come with TUV Rheinland global eye protection certification. 

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

Next up, we will have a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor integrated with the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro. Surprisingly, OnePlus also confirmed huge memory in Ace 2 Pro of up to 24GB! Yes you heard it right. It will also come with other RAM variants like 16GB, 12GB, and 8GB. 

Talking about the battery, OnePlus will feature a 5000mAh battery in this smartphone that supports up to 150-watt fast charging support. It will charge 0-100 percent in just 17 minutes, claims OnePlus. 

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

Last but not least, OnePlus will also introduce a new technology in the Ace 2 Pro, namely Tiangong Cooling System. This cooling system is an aerospace-grade three-dimensional vapour chamber. Compared with the previous cooling system, Tiangong improves the thermal conductivity by 60%, and the thermal conductivity will be increased by 41% with the new aerospace-grade superconducting thermal graphite.

So this is all we know about the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro for now. I really hope this phone will make it to India. This new Tiangong Cooling System seems like a technology one should experience, as we do not know much about it because this will be the first smartphone to feature it. Stay tuned for updates on Ace 2 Pro and let us know how you like this smartphone so far. 

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