Microsoft Teams has finally fixed a dangerous bug, reported by Android Police, that prevents users from calling 911.  Mishaal Rahman, the senior technical editor at Esper, said in his analysis on Medium that Microsoft has corrected the issue in an update for the Microsoft Teams app.  Initially, the bug was discovered by a user on Reddit when trying to call 911 from their Pixel 3. This, at that time, prompted an explanation from Google. The company clarified that the issue was triggered by an “unintended interaction” between the Teams app and the Android OS.   Besides, the issues only affect users running their devices on Android 10 or later versions and aren’t signed into their installed Teams app. The company on their part has advised all Android 10 or above users to uninstall Teams anyway.  If you are someone who doesn’t want to uninstall Teams, then you can simply fix this issue by updating your app as soon as you can.   Rahman further noted that the 1416/1.0.0.2021194504 version will resolve the issue, which was building a duplicate PhoneAccount class in the Android OS.   The new updated version, according to Rahman, doesn’t create duplicate PhoneAccount instances. Additionally, it also clears previously-built instances when launched.   Google has plans to issue an Android update on January 4th to help fix anything wrong on its own end. Updated the latest version of Microsoft Teams from the Google Play Store.  Also …

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Microsoft has redesigned Notepad for Windows 11. They have rolled out a test build that is, for now, only available as a part of the Dev Channel to Windows Insiders.   The new Notepad sports a completely overhauled UI and features rounded corners, Mica material, and other tweaks. The design of the renewed notepad aligns with the visual design of Windows 11.   Microsoft states that the changes aim to provide a “modern spin on the classic app” with improved functionality.  The all-new Dark Mode is the highlight of this version of Notepad. This feature was added due to the ‘demand from the community’. This version can adapt to the system’s theme preference by default with the addition of the font options.   Microsoft has also redesigned the notepad’s ‘find and replace‘ option for an improved workflow. The undo feature allowed users to go back only one step in previous versions.   Microsoft is also working on improving its Notepad’s performance when users open very large files.  In the company’s Insider program, announced on 2014, they have allowed owners of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server licensee to gain access to pre-release builds of OS.   Today, the program boasts millions of users who provide valuable feedback and engage with Microsoft engineers. Its platform features three channels – Dev, Beta, and Release Preview.   Read Also: Instagram to Introduce …

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In a blog post, Instagram service’s head Adam Mosseri has announced the company will roll out new parental control features by March on its platform.    This will allow parents to keep track of how much time their teenager is spending on Instagram. They can even set time limits and will get notified if their child reports someone.    Instagram announced these controls as a package of new features that are designed to make the platform a safer place.   Although Mosseri says that the platform has been working on these safety features for “a long time,” however it is suspected that their announcement comes in the wake of damaging revelations about Meta-owned social networks.   Most notably, Frances Haugen, a whistleblower, leaked some internal documents which revealed that Instagram was aware that its platform makes body image issues worse for its female teenage audience.    Mosseri is even due to testify in front of a Senate committee this week where he will be questioned about the impact of Instagram on its young audience.   Instagram says that it’s also developing an educational hub for parents alongside the new parental controls. This will offer them tips and tutorials about children’s social media use.   Instagram is rolling out …

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According to a report from Politico, Clearview AI might soon receive a US patent for its facial recognition technology.   Reportedly, the company was sent a “notice of allowance”, meaning after the payment of required administration fees the company will have its patent, by the US Patent and Trademark Office.  The company has built its facial recognition database by leveraging images across social media (and the internet). This has practically landed the company steeped in controversy.   The patent application has details the use of a “web crawler”, noting that “online photos associated with a person’s account may help to create additional records of facial recognition data points,” to acquire images.  However, critics have argued that the company’s facial recognition is a privacy violation. They have even said that it may have negative impact on minorities. Reportedly, the tech is less accurate when identifying people of color, leading to potential false arrests.  Last year, American Civil Liberties Union sued them for Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act violation. In November, the Australian government ordered them to clear its citizen database, while European agencies filed complaints.   Clearview AI has failed to get Big Tech on its good side. Last year, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube had all sent desist letters demanding the company to stop scraping images from their platforms, as it violates site’s policies.  Read Also : Google Might be Making its First In-house Smartwatch Due in 2022

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Google is finally working on its first in-house smartwatch which it might launch in 2022, according to an Insider report.  We have seen Google try its hand on smartphones (the Pixel line) for years under which has since extended to other accessories but its own smartwatch is unheard of, despite its companion wearable platform.  One might say that the new Galaxy Watch 4 is still more of a Samsung wearable than a Google one. The codenamed of the watch is “Rohan.” Currently it is being worked upon by Google’s Pixel group separately from Fitbit.  According to Insider’s report, the upcoming watch might not actually be called a “Pixel Watch” yet. The watch will serve the same role as the Pixel phones do for Android, for instance both hardware and consumers partners of what Google’s software is truly capable of with the right hardware.   The device will be more expensive than a Fitbit and directly compete with the Apple Watch. Reportedly, the watch will have basic fitness tracking features, with Google working on a debuting Fitbit integration into Wear OS.  Currently, the company is in the middle of reinvention of its smartwatch platform unlike the earlier versions of Wear OS. They developed Wear OS 3 as a partnership with Samsung by merging the Tizen platform into Google. But, till date, Wear OS 3 has only launched on Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 4, which is heavily customized version of their new OS.  Read Also : Alexa Can Now Detect Bleeping Appliances & Running Water

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Amazon announced a new feature that will allow users to program Alexa, at its fall event in September. Users will be able to program Alexa to recognize custom sounds. Now, the virtual assistant can recognize new sounds of water running and appliance beeping.   Once users set up Alexa Routines, Alexa will detect sounds of water running or an appliance beeping send them notifications. Now, the devices powered by Alexa can recognize different sounds such as snoring, glass shattering, dogs barking, babies crying, and smoke alarms.  Amazon revealed the latest sound detection capabilities in its November roundup.   Amazon is looking forward integrate Alexa into lives and they have promised support for custom sounds. According to the company, custom sounds will trigger smart home actions.  Besides, the company also stated that it has made the Occupancy Routines feature available on Echo devices. This feature sees if your home is occupied using Ultrasound Motion Detection and then performs certain actions. For example, turning the lights on when a motion is detected.  For Amazon Pharmacy customers, you can now ask Alexa to refill your prescriptions by saying, “Alexa, refill my medications.” AI assistant will be able to track and provide you updates on medications delivery.  Last month, Amazon added a Conversation Mode to its third-gen Echo Show 10 to allow you to have more natural conversations with Alexa. Alexa Conversation Mode is now available in the US. If you want to enable this feature, just say “Alexa, join the conversation.”  Last …

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Today, AWS announced two new initiatives, at its annual reInvent conference, for the automotive industry.    The first one is AWS FleetWise, a new product that simplifies the collection and retrieval of sensor and telemetry data for automakers from their vehicle fleets. The other one is AWS Automotive, an industry-specific initiative that aims to integrate the company’s multiple products under one umbrella, similar to AWS for Industrial.   Sensor data collection isn’t necessarily a new thing but FleetWise has promised to provide an end-to-end solution to offer flexibility. This can be because they want to smartly filter data right on the car to reduce the amount of data, or to pull in data from specific sensors.    AWS’ general manager for AWS Automotive, Mike Tzamaloukas said that the manufacturer has to first describe the vehicle model and its sensors, no matter what data is utilized, in FleetWise.    Once the manufacturer has provided the data, the company will provide them with the source code to interact with FleetWise. The automaker even develops this code and modifies it as per their need. It can also be built into the vehicle gateway.    “The possibilities with data collection campaigns are endless and we are pushing the envelope in that data collection campaigns are not just time-based, are …

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A year and a half after Facebook announced its acquisition of GIPHY, UK’s competition regulator has ruled that the social media giant’s parent, Meta’s acquisition of Giphy should be unwound.    In a press release, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said that they decided after the investigation found an acquisition could harm competition and that its concerns “can only be addressed by Facebook selling Giphy in its entirety to an approved buyer.”   The acquisition, according to CMA, could deny or limit other platforms’ access to Giphy GIFs and drive more traffic to Facebook and Instagram. This will potentially require other platforms to provide more data to access the GIFs.    Finally, Giphy’s advertising services, which were shuttered due to the merger, could have competed with Meta’s.   “The tie-up between Facebook and Giphy has already removed a potential challenger in the display advertising market,” said Stuart McIntosh, the chair of the independent inquiry group, referring to Meta.    Adding, “Without action, it will also allow Facebook to increase its significant market power in social media even further, through controlling competitors’ access to Giphy GIFs. By requiring Facebook to sell Giphy, we are protecting millions of social media users and promoting competition and innovation in digital advertising,”    Meta this is the first time the CMA has attempted to …

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Reportedly, the company is still working on a charger that is capable of powering multiple Apple devices simultaneously. This new charger will succeed Apple’s AirPower which was unveiled in September 2017, but never released in the markets.    AirPower was aQi charger with a mat-look, capable of charging a minimum of three Apple devices.   Last year, with MagSafe, the company unveiled its new take on wireless charging tech with the Apple iPhone 12 series.   In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman shared the latest development by writing:    “I also believe Apple is working on short and long-distance wireless charging devices and that it imagines a future where all of Apple’s major devices can charge each other. Imagine an iPad charging an iPhone and then that iPhone charging AirPods or an Apple Watch.”    Details of the new wireless charger remain a mystery, as does its launch date. However, this isn’t the first time the company has been working on a new wireless charger. Months before MagSafe launch, in March 2020, Jon Prosser, YouTuber, and tipster, claimed that “AirPower isn’t dead” and indicated that the company was working on the project internally.    He also added that Apple “has not given up yet” and is re-attempting to “engineer the coils” …

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Twitter recently announced that they have updated their iOS app in an attempt to prevent disappearing tweets when trying to read them.   The company tweeted “Now when you pause your timeline scrolling to look at a Tweet, it should stay put!”    The updates made by Twitter on iOS are similar to improvements made on the web version of Twitter.    The company added that tweets can disappear as new replies are being added to the conversation. This happens as it pushes existing tweets up the timeline.    In September, the company said, “We know it’s a frustrating experience, so we’re working on changing it.”   On November 23, Twitter Support tweeted, “We’ve made some updates on iOS to prevent Tweets from disappearing mid-read. Now when you pause your timeline scrolling to look at a Tweet, it should stay put!   Twitter has introduced these new changes amid an unusually busy year where they have added new features every month.     Twitter added a new summary of popular articles for subscribers to Twitter Blue. Other major features that have to be widely released include Spaces, Super Follows, and a button to make subscribing to newsletters easier.    Read Also : Twitter Partners with AP and Reuters to Combat Misinformation

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