Google has introduced Gemini 2.0, its new AI model for the agentic era. The tech giant, on Wednesday, unveiled the first model in the Gemini 2.0 family of models – Gemini 2.0 Flash, a workhorse model with low latency and enhanced performance. The company also shared the frontier of its agentic research through prototypes enabled by Gemini 2.0’s native multimodal capabilities.
What is Gemini 2.0?
In their article, Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind and Koray Kavukcuoglu, CTO of Google DeepMind, said that Gemini 2.0 Flash builds on the success of 1.5 Flash – the company’s most popular model yet for developers. The 2.0 Flash outperforms 1.5 Pro on some key benchmarks at twice the speed. The new model also comes with some unique capabilities.
Along with support for multimodal inputs such as images, video, and audio, 2.0 Flash also supports multimodal outputs such as natively generated images along with text and steerable text-to-speech (TTS) multilingual audio. The company said that 2.0 Flash can also natively call tools like Google Search, code execution as well as third-party user-defined functions.
Gemini 2.0 Flash performance
When it comes to performance, the 2.0 Flash shows significant advancement across most benchmarks when compared to the Gemini 1.5 Flash and Gemini 1.5 Pro. The new model excels in code generation tasks as it secured 92.9 per cent on Natural2Code, and this is a significant improvement over Gemini 1.5 Pro’s 85.4 per cent. When it comes to mathematical reasoning, the 2.0 Flash scored 89.7 per cent on MATH and 63 per cent on HiddenMath, also a considerable improvement over past iterations.
On factuality, 2.0 Flash scored 83.6 per cent, showing enhanced ability to offer accurate responses. The model scored 62.1 per cent on GQPA indicating better reasoning capabilities. The model saw a slight dip in long-context understanding (MRCR IM) with 69.2 per cent while Gemini 1.5 Pro obtained 82.6 per cent. The new model improves significantly on multimodal tasks with 70.7 per cent on MMMU, however, audio recognition remains low at 9.8 per cent.
Overall, the new Gemini 2.0 Flash outdoes its predecessors, especially in areas like coding, math, and multimodal understanding. The benchmark scores, as shared by Google, position 2.0 Flash as a robust model for complex tasks.
Gemini 2.0 flash: Availability
The new Gemini 2.0 Flash is available as an experimental model to developers via the Gemini API in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI with multimodal input and text output for all developers, and text-to-speech and native image generation available to early-access partners. The company said that the general availability will follow in January along with more model sizes. To help developers build dynamic and interactive applications, Google is also releasing a new Multimodal Live API that has real-time audio, video-streaming input and the ability to use multiple and combined tools.
Gemini users around the world will be able to access a chat optimised version of 2.0 Flash experimental by selecting it in the model drop-down on desktop, and mobile web and it will be available in the Gemini mobile app soon. Google has said that the Gemini 2.0 will be integrated into more Google products early next year. Source: The Indian Express
Tag: Science & Technology
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Google unveils Gemini 2.0, its new AI model developed for agentic experiences
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OpenAI releases video generator Sora
OpenAI has publicly released its new Artificial Intelligence video generator Sora but the company won’t let most users depict people as it monitors for patterns of misuse.
Users of a premium version of OpenAI’s flagship product ChatGPT can now use Sora to instantly create AI-generated videos based on written commands. Among the highlighted examples are high-quality video clips of sumo-wrestling bears and a cat sipping coffee.
But only a small set of invited testers can use Sora to make videos of humans as OpenAI works to “address concerns around misappropriation of likeness and deepfakes,” the company said in a blog post.
Text-to-video AI tools like Sora have been pitched as a way to save costs in making new entertainment and marketing videos but have also raised concerns about the ease with which they could impersonate real people in politics and otherwise.
OpenAI says it is blocking content with nudity and that a top priority is preventing the most harmful uses, including child sexual abuse material and sexual deepfakes.
The makers said they were encountering high demands and had suspended account creation for some time. “We’re currently experiencing heavy traffic and have temporarily disabled Sora account creation,” according to its webpage.
OpenAI first unveiled Sora earlier this year but said it wanted to first engage with artists, policymakers and others before releasing the new tool to the public.
The company, which has been sued by some authors and The New York Times over its use of copyrighted works of writing to train ChatGPT, hasn’t disclosed what imagery and video sources were used to train Sora.
Source: AP -
Why Sunita Williams is growing lettuce in space
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, aboard the International Space Station (ISS), is leading an innovative agricultural experiment. She is growing “Outredgeous” romaine lettuce in microgravity, a study that promises significant benefits for space missions and Earth-based agriculture.
The experiment, known as Plant Habitat-07, is designed to explore how varying levels of water availability influence plant growth in space.
Its primary objectives are optimising plant cultivation techniques for deep-space missions and developing sustainable farming solutions for water-scarce regions on Earth.
This study involves analysing growth rates, nutritional content, and the overall health of lettuce grown in microgravity. By addressing these parameters, the research aims to support NASA’s goal of establishing self-sustaining life-support systems for space exploration. As the lead scientist, Williams has set up the experiment by collecting baseline water samples from the Advanced Plant Habitat’s distribution reservoir and installing the Plant Habitat-07 science carrier, which serves as the cultivation chamber for the lettuce.
The implications of this lettuce experiment extend beyond space exploration. For space missions, the research helps reduce reliance on costly resupply missions, ensures astronauts have access to fresh food, and boosts their psychological well-being by allowing them to grow and eat fresh produce. On Earth, the findings could inform water-efficient farming practices in drought-prone areas, improve crop yields with fewer resources, and promote sustainable food production worldwide.
NASA’s plant experiments in space have evolved over time, and the Advanced Plant Habitat aboard the ISS provides an advanced platform for these studies. -
iPhone 16: Things to check to identify whether iPhone is original or fake
iPhones are one of the most selling smartphones in India due to their durability, top-notch performance, and advanced features. While iPhones are available at higher prices, they tend to grab much attention globally, and everyone wants to own an iPhone. Therefore, people look for several ways to save money and buy iPhones at a much cheaper price from different sources such as e-commerce websites, unverified stores, and others. In several cases, sellers scam buyers by providing them with counterfeit iPhones that look exactly like an iPhone but turn out to be duplicate versions. Therefore, it’s crucial to verify the authenticity of the iPhone you’ve purchased. Here are a few ways, through which buyers can ensure that their iPhone is real or fake.
Ways to identify if iPhone is real or fake Not sure which mobile to buy?
Examine iPhone’s packaging material and accessories provided: Scammers are quite sharp when it comes to replicating the packaging, however, it’s quite easy to detect if the packaging is real or fake. Ensure that the box material is sturdy, it has high-resolution images and no poor printing is involved. In terms of provided accessories, check if they have a “Designed by Apple” label and are of top-end build and quality.
Verify Serial Number and IMEI
Every authentic iPhone comes with a serial number and IMEI which ensures credibility. The serial number can be located on the iPhone’s settings when you go the the “About” section. Now, go to Apple’s Check Coverage page and enter the serial number where users will be provided with warranty, model, and other information. However, to check the IMEI number, users have to dial *#06# from their iPhone to get the number, now cross-check it with the number provided on the box and SIM tray.
Inspect iPhone’s build quality
Now, carefully check every detail of the iPhone to ensure the material used is top quality and the device has a sturdy build. Check for gaps, loose casing, buttons that are working properly, etc. Also, check the SIM tray for any possible faults or imperfections.
Examine software updates
Ensure that the iPhone is running on Apple’s latest OS version. Go to Settings and locate “General” and then go to Software Update to check the latest update dates. In several instances, the counterfeit iPhones run on Android versions.
Go to an authorised Apple service centre
If you are still sceptical about the device, then locate an authorised Apple service centre near your location and get the device checked by professionals.
Apple is expected to launch its
first foldable iPhone in 2026
Apple is reportedly planning to release its first foldable iPhone in the second half of 2026. According to reports, Apple’s upcoming foldable device will include some flagship features as well as unique folding mechanisms. While Apple has not confirmed the development of foldable iPhones, leaks indicate that it may shake up the foldable phone market.
According to reports, Apple’s foldable iPhone could feature a flexible OLED display that can withstand hundreds of thousands of folds without wearing. Speaking of hardware, the foldable iPhone could be powered by a newly designed powerful chipset, high-quality cameras, a sleek, premium design, and much more. Foldable iPhones, like all iPhones, will integrate seamlessly with services such as iCloud, Apple Music, and Apple Pay. -
Devices can read human emotions without a camera: Study
Tokyo Metropolitan University researchers employed long-term skin conductance measurements to distinguish between emotions. Volunteers were given videos representing frightening scenarios, family bonding, and humor, while their skin conductance was measured.
The team’s investigation revealed that traces might be used to create accurate estimations about which emotions were being experienced. Advances like this assist in reducing an overreliance on facial data, bringing emotionally sensitive technologies closer to home.
A new frontier is being pioneered in consumer electronics: one day, digital devices might be able to offer services depending on your emotional state. While this sounds amazing, this depends on whether devices can correctly tell what people are feeling. The most common methods depend on facial expressions: while these have had some success, such data may not always be available. This has led to researchers looking for different biological signals which could be interpreted to access emotional states, like brain wave measurements or cardiograms.
A team of scientists led by Professor Shogo Okamoto from Tokyo Metropolitan University have been using skin conductance as a doorway to human emotions. When people feel different things, the electrical properties of their skin change drastically due to perspiration, with signals showing up within one to three seconds of the original stimulus. Previous research has already shown that measurements of peak conductance, for example, can be correlated with certain emotions. In their most recent work, the team focused on the dynamics of the response i.e. how quickly the conductance trace following some stimulus reaches a peak, and how it decays back to normal. -
Google Maps will soon delete your location history, but it’s not too late to save it
Last year, Google announced that it would be making changes to how your location history is saved in Maps. In a blog post, the tech giant said that users will have the option to save their Timeline on the phone itself or back up an encrypted copy on the cloud.
While the change hasn’t rolled out to everyone, Google is now sending emails to users warning that they will have to take action before their location history is deleted. One thing to note here is that the email concerning the deletion of Google Maps location history is still being sent, so your deadline may differ from others.
The ability to save your location history offline is undoubtedly good for users who don’t want to share their location data with Google, the downside is that the company will be deleting the last 3 months of Timeline data. If you don’t take any action, Google says it will first try to delete your last three month’s Timeline data and store new location history locally on the device.
How to back up your Google Maps Timeline location history?
As can be seen in the image above, the email sent by Google contains a link that lets you choose if you want to keep your Timeline data unless you manually delete it or automatically delete it after three months.
However, a recent report by Android Authority suggests that some people who chose the ‘Keep until you delete’ option have reported that their Timeline data has been deleted, so we recommend that you first export your location history using Google Takeout before choosing the option.
To do so, simply head over to takeout.google.com, untick everything except for Location History (Timeline), click on the button named ‘Next step’ and proceed to tap on ‘Create export.’
As it turns out, Google also seems to be working on a new feature that lets you export your Timeline data from individual devices. To find it, open the Settings app on your phone and head over to Location>Location services>Timeline. Here, you will have the option to export your location history. But this option only seems to be backing up the device-specific location history, meaning you might have to do this for each of your devices.
Another thing to note is that once the change rolls out, users won’t be able to access their Timeline on the web. Also, your Timeline will be unique to each device.
Google Maps now does a better job of highlighting stairs
A nice quality-of-life improvement for Google Maps on Android and iOS are new stair “callouts” when getting walking directions.
In walking directions, Google will now show stair “callouts” in the form of a blue icon/pin that’s directly integrated with the dots. The previous stairs indicator appeared on the map layer and was not part of the directions overlay.
This will help users avoid a particular route or at least give them a heads-up on what to expect.
The new callout builds upon how Google Maps last year introduced the ability to get wheelchair-accessible walking routes by tapping the settings icon in directions for “Trip options” > “Wheelchair accessible.” This lets you “Avoid stairs and prefer elevators,” with Google noting how this is also useful for “people traveling with things like luggage or strollers.” Google Maps also notes the presence of stairs in bicycling directions.
Google Maps rolled out these new stair callouts earlier this month. -
Hot water on Mars: 4.45 billion-yr-old zircon grain points to early habitability
Australian researchers have discovered the oldest direct evidence of hot water activity on Mars, revealing that the planet may have once been habitable.
In a study, a team led by researchers from Curtin University in Western Australia analysed a 4.45 billion-year-old zircon grain from the famous Martian meteorite NWA7034, also known as Black Beauty, that was found in the Sahara Desert in 2011.
The researchers found that the grain of zircon, a type of mineral, contained geochemical fingerprints of water-rich fluids, suggesting that water was present during early Martian magmatic activity.
Aaron Cavosie, a co-author of the study from Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, said that the discovery would open up new avenues for understanding ancient Martian hydrothermal systems, as well as the planet’s past capacity to support life.
“We used nano-scale geochemistry to detect elemental evidence of hot water on Mars 4.45 billion years ago,” he said, Xinhua news agency reported.
“Hydrothermal systems were essential for the development of life on Earth and our findings suggest Mars also had water, a key ingredient for habitable environments, during the earliest history of crust formation.”
He said that even though Mars’ crust endured major meteorite impacts that caused surface upheaval, the research shows that water was present on the planet during the early Pre-Noachian period prior to about 4.1 billion years ago. Source: IANS -
Isro to launch Shukrayaan to Venus: Why Earth’s twin is an engineers’ nightmare
The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is gearing up for one of its most challenging missions yet – Shukrayaan-1, a planned orbiter to Venus. This ambitious project aims to unravel the mysteries of Earth’s enigmatic neighbour, but the harsh Venusian environment poses extreme challenges that make it a potential suicide mission for spacecraft.
Venus, often called Earth’s “evil twin,” is a world of extremes. Venus’s surface temperature soars to a scorching 475°C, hot enough to melt lead. The planet’s atmosphere is a toxic cocktail of carbon dioxide and sulphuric acid, with crushing pressures 92 times that of Earth at the surface.
These conditions make Venus an engineering nightmare. Spacecraft designed for Venus must withstand temperatures that can destroy standard electronics and materials. The intense atmospheric pressure can flatten landing craft, requiring reinforced designs akin to deep-sea submersibles.
The corrosive nature of Venus’s atmosphere presents another significant hurdle.
Sulphuric acid clouds eat away at standard materials, necessitating special protective coatings for any equipment sent to the planet1. This corrosive environment severely limits the lifespan of missions, with past landers surviving for mere hours on the surface.
Shukrayaan will focus on orbital observations, avoiding the extreme surface conditions.
The mission plans to investigate Venus’s surface processes, subsurface stratigraphy, and atmospheric composition. -
NASA unveils underwater robots for exploring Jupiter’s moons
To investigate the enigmatic underwater seas of Jupiter’s moons, including Europa and Enceladus, NASA has unveiled cutting-edge underwater robots. Sensing With Independent Micro-swimmers (SWIM) is a project that includes these robots, which were developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Measuring just over two kilograms and standing 16.5 inches tall, these small, autonomous robots are capable of identifying temperature and chemical cues that may point to the existence of life. Currently being tested in pools, the robots will be a component of NASA’s trips to these frigid worlds if they are approved and funded. These developments have the potential to completely transform our understanding of far-off moons and their capacity to support life.
These robots are part of a larger effort to find life beneath the ice surfaces of Jupiter’s moons, including NASA’s Europa Clipper and the ESA’s Jupiter Ice Moons Explorer (JUICE), both of which are scheduled to launch in the early 2030s. The Dragonfly mission NASA will investigate Titan, Saturn’s moon, which is likewise thought to feature a subterranean ocean. These initiatives are a reflection of the increased curiosity about the possibility of extrasolar life.
What’s the Mission?
NASA’s Europa Clipper, set to reach Europa in 2030, will conduct flybys to study whether the moon’s vast subsurface ocean could sustain life. But scientists are already thinking ahead with the SWIM (Sensing With Independent Micro-swimmers) project. This mission envisions a swarm of cellphone-sized swimming robots that would be delivered to Europa’s ocean by a cryobot — a device capable of melting through the ice.
How Do These Robots Work?
Each robot in the SWIM swarm would autonomously search for signs of life by detecting chemical signals and temperature changes. Engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have created prototypes to test the concept. These palm-sized robots, equipped with propellers and steering fins, performed well in pool trials, demonstrating the ability to navigate, correct their course, and even perform search patterns — all without direct human control.
Big Ideas in Tiny Packages
The robots used in tests are about 16.5 inches long, but the final space-ready versions would be much smaller, around 5 inches. Despite their size, they pack advanced sensors to measure ocean conditions like temperature, pressure, and chemical makeup. Cutting-edge acoustic communication technology would allow the robots to share data and coordinate movements in the alien environment.
From Pools to Space
Pool tests showed that the robots could operate efficiently, and computer simulations mimicked conditions on Europa. These simulations helped fine-tune the robots’ design, ensuring they can work in extreme conditions while balancing battery life and exploration range.
Why It Matters
The SWIM robots are still years away from being ready for a space mission. However, their potential is enormous, not only for exploring distant moons but also for studying Earth’s oceans or monitoring polar ice conditions. By developing these tiny, autonomous explorers, NASA is taking a significant step toward uncovering the secrets of water worlds beyond our planet. -
Hackers are spreading malware using fake AI video tools
With Artificial Intelligence powered tools available on the internet, threat actors are using the opportunity to infect Windows and macOS-powered machines. These malware not only steal your cryptocurrency wallet credentials but also target your passwords and browsing history.
According to a recent report by Bleeping Computer, threat actors are spreading malware via fake websites that impersonate an AI video and image generator named EditPro.
In the image below, you can see that the new AI video tools are being spread via posts on X, claiming that users do not need any ‘special skills’ and can use the AI video generators for free. The report states that clicking on the images redirects you to a fake website offering the EditProAI tool, with ‘.pro’ and ‘.org’ domains used to spread Windows and macOS malware respectively.
As it turns out, these fake websites look real and even have a cookie banner on the bottom, which adds to the legitimacy. When users tap on the ‘Get now’ button, your system will start downloading a file called “Edit-ProAI-Setup-newest_release.exe” for Windows and “EditProAi_v.4.36.dmg” for macOS.
When cybersecurity experts analyzed the ‘.exe’ file, they noticed that the AI tool setup was laced with the Lumma Stealer malware. In case you accidentally downloaded the program, we recommend you change your saved passwords as your accounts may have been compromised.
To give you a quick recap, Lummar Stealer is a Windows malware while AMOS infects devices running macOS. However, both malware are designed to steal cryptocurrency wallets, login credentials and browsing history from popular browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge. The data collected is then sent back to the hacker, who can then use it for future attacks or sell it on the dark web.
Source: The Indian Express -
Nokia expands pact with Microsoft for data centre routers, switches
Nokia on Thursday, November 21, announced a five-year expansion of its multi-year agreement to supply Microsoft Azure with data centre routers and switches.
Nokia’s data centre networking portfolio will enhance the scalability and reliability of Azure data centres around the world. The partnership will grow Nokia’s global footprint to over 30 countries and strengthen its role as a strategic supplier for Microsoft’s worldwide cloud infrastructure.
As part of the expansion, Nokia will supply its 7250 IXR-10e platform to deliver multi-terabit-scale interconnectivity within Microsoft’s data centres. Nokia will also continue to deliver its custom developed management top of rack switch that is used extensively throughout the Azure network, said the company.
The Nokia SONiC-based data centre routers and switches will be deployed both in greenfield locations and used in support of Microsoft’s migration from 100GE to 400GE connectivity within existing facilities. “As a result of this new deal, Nokia will further increase the scalability and reliability of Microsoft Azure data centres around the world. This win affirms Nokia’s commitment to being a strategic supplier for tier one hyperscaler companies, and highlights that our multi-year strategic investments and approach have put us on the right trajectory,” said Vach Kompella, SVP and General Manager of IP Networks business at Nokia. Source: IANS -
Coding is still important, AI is not taking over everything
In a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is making waves across industries, Yossi Matias, Google’s Head of Research, has suggested that coding remains an essential skill and that AI is far from replacing human developers. Despite the growing use of AI tools to assist in coding tasks, Matias believes that the fundamentals of programming continue to hold significant value, even as new technologies transform the way we work. Speaking in an interview with Business Insider at Google’s New York office, Matias, who also serves as a Vice President at Google, stressed that learning how to code is more relevant than ever.
“The basic notion of learning the basic disciplines remains as important as ever. Everybody should learn how to code,” Matias said.
His remark comes at a time when there is a growing concern among software engineers and students about the impact of AI on traditional coding roles.
AI technologies such as GitHub Copilot, which assist developers by generating code, have led to predictions that coding jobs may soon be obsolete. Some experts claim that these AI tools can reduce the time spent coding by as much as 70 percent. However, Matias remains confident that AI is not a replacement for human coders. “AI may assist with certain tasks, especially at the junior level, but it is still not taking over the entire coding process,” he explained. He added that while AI-generated code is now being used widely, it still requires human review and validation.
Matias acknowledged that recent trends in the tech industry have brought challenges, particularly for junior developers who may find it harder to gain the practical experience they need. He noted that AI tools, while helpful, cannot entirely replace the hands-on learning that comes with real-world coding. To support the growth of junior talent, Google has been sponsoring initiatives to help new developers bridge the gap between theory and practice. -
Australian-German research finds world-first cure for deadly skin disease
Researchers from Australia and Germany have for the first time cured patients suffering from toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), a deadly skin disease, said a news release.
An international collaboration, including researchers from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) in Melbourne and the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Germany, has developed the first-ever cure for TEN in a breakthrough study published in Nature, WEHI said in a news release on Monday.
Also known as Lyell’s syndrome, TEN is a rare skin disease that causes widespread blistering and detachment of the skin and can lead to dehydration, sepsis, pneumonia and organ failure, Xinhua news agency reported.
The potentially deadly condition is triggered by a severe adverse reaction to common medications and has a mortality rate of approximately 30 per cent.
The new study identified a hyperactivation of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, a chain of interactions between proteins in a cell that is involved in processes such as immunity, cell death and tumour formation – as a driver of TEN.
By using JAK inhibitors, an existing class of drugs used to treat inflammatory diseases, they were able to treat patients with TEN.
“Finding a cure for lethal diseases like this is the holy grail of medical research. I am beyond proud of this incredible research collaboration that has already helped to save the lives of multiple patients,” Holly Anderton, an author of the study from WEHI, said.
“All seven people treated with this therapy in our study experienced rapid improvement and a full recovery, in staggering results that have likely unlocked a cure for the condition.”
Source: IANS -
Scientists discover new planet with rocky core, 60 times heavier than Earth
An international team of scientists led by the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, has discovered an exoplanet outside our solar system that is five times bigger and 60 times heavier than the Earth. Identified as TOI-6651b, the sub-Saturn class planet was discovered using the 2nd PRL Advanced Radial Velocity Abu Sky Search (PARAS-2) — a high-end spectroscope mounted on PRL’s 2.5m telescope at Mount Abu in Rajasthan.
Located 690 light years away from the Sun, the newest discovered planet is the third most dense sub-Saturn class located at the edge of the Neptunian desert. Sub-Saturn class planets have a size in between that of Neptune and Saturn. The Neptune desert is a region of the known exoplanet population, where planets rotating close to the stars are rare. “TOI-6651b is located at the edge of the Neptunian desert. It is crucial for understanding the factors that shape the desert boundaries,” said Sanjay Baliwal, lead author and a fifth year PhD student working with Abhijit Chakraborty, PRL scientist and the team lead. -
New X update allows blocked users to see your public posts
Elon Musk-run X social media platform has started to launch an update that will allow people you’ve blocked to continue to see your posts and your followers’ lists.
According to the company, if your posts are set to public, accounts you have blocked can see your posts. “We’re starting to launch the block function update,” said X Engineering in a post.
“However, they cannot engage (like, reply, repost, etc.) with your posts,” according to X guidelines. Block is a feature that helps you control how you interact with other accounts on X. This feature helps people in restricting specific accounts from following, Direct Messaging, and engaging with them. The tech billionaire had earlier claimed that stopping people from seeing your public posts “makes no sense.”
Now, X is rolling out its controversial update to the block feature, allowing people to view your public posts even if you have blocked them.
“Accounts you have blocked cannot follow you, and you cannot follow an account you have blocked. Blocking an account you are currently following will cause you to unfollow that account (and them to unfollow you). If you decide to unblock that account, you will have to follow that account again,” according to X.
Blocked users still can’t follow the person who has blocked them, engage with their posts, or send direct messages to them. Meanwhile, software engineer Tracy Chou has built an app that lets users automate blocking, saying that even though users can get around the block by creating other accounts, friction matters.
“Making it easy for the creeper to creep is not a good thing,” she said in a post on X.
The social network has argued that the block feature can be used to share and hide harmful or private information about someone. However, people have protested this change. Source: IANS -
iOS 18.2 update to feature estimated charging time for iPhones
After launching iOS 18.1 in October, Apple has confirmed that the next wave of upgrades — iOS 18.2– is coming in the first week of December. This update will bring in advanced features like ChatGPT integration to Siri, Genmoji, Image Playground and more Writing tools. But there is more. According to a 9to5Mac report, the iOS 18.2 will also add a new feature to the battery health section. With other features, Apple is also working on the ability to show users how long it will take to charge an iPhone. Known as Battery Intelligence, the new framework was spotted in the code of iOS 18.2 beta 2, which was released on Monday to developers.
Battery Intelligence: What is it?
Apple is developing a new feature — Battery Intelligence — designed to estimate how much time it will take to charge an iPhone based on the current energy intake. Users could choose to receive notifications with time estimates, such as the expected duration to reach 80 per cent charge.
Although this feature has been detected in the code of the latest beta release, it remains inactive and incomplete, indicating Apple is still refining it. It may appear in a later iOS 18.2 beta or another future update. Notably, a similar tool is already available for MacBooks within macOS’s Battery menu.
In iOS 18, Apple has also introduced several updates focused on battery health management for iPhone 15 and later variants. Users now have the ability to cap the maximum charge at 80 per cent, 85 per cent, 90 per cent, or 95 per cent to help extend battery life. Additionally, the system identifies when a slow charger is used for charging.
iOS 18.2: The next wave of Apple Intelligence
The iOS 18.2 update promises a range of exciting features, designed to enhance both productivity and personalisation for iPhone users. One notable addition is built-in ChatGPT, offering on-demand AI assistance directly within iOS. This feature allows users to ask questions, generate text, or get quick help, seamlessly integrated across various apps. Another unique feature, Genmoji, lets users create custom, AI-powered emojis, providing a fun way to express themselves with unique, personalised icons that go beyond standard emoji options. Read more about iOS 18.2 here.
For creatives, the new Image Playground feature is a highlight. This tool enables users to experiment with images in creative ways—whether applying filters, generating artwork, or editing with AI tools. The Image Playground is geared toward casual and professional users alike, giving them a more dynamic approach to photo and image editing directly on their iPhones.
Another most talked about feature coming in iOS 18.2 is Visual Intelligence. Available on iPhone 16, this feature identifies objects and locations. By long-pressing the Camera Control button and pointing your phone, you can access details like hours and reviews for restaurants, copy or read text aloud, search items on Google, and ask ChatGPT about objects.
iOS 18.2 will let you upgrade to ChatGPT Plus directly from Settings app
Apple’s upcoming iOS 18.2 update is set to streamline access to premium AI services by allowing users to upgrade to ChatGPT Plus directly from the Settings app. This integration marks a major step in the tech giant’s effort to make advanced artificial intelligence tools more accessible for eligible iPhone and iPad users. The rumours are that the iOS 18.2 update will be out in a stable version in the first week of December.
The addition of ChatGPT Plus to iOS is expected to enhance the user experience, providing a more seamless path to premium OpenAI services. Until now, users had to visit external websites or apps to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus, which offers a host of benefits, including faster response times, priority access to new features, and enhanced capabilities compared to the free tier. With the integration into iOS Settings, users will be able to manage their subscription with just a few taps, bypassing the need for third-party apps or browsers. The feature has not even surfaced for the beta users. -
Upgrades to expect with the M4 Mac lineup in a few days
Apple is going to begin unveiling their M4 Mac lineup next week, with updates to the iMac, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini to start off the new M4 transition. Although we’re not getting a proper Apple Event, Apple marketing exec Greg Joswiak announced that there’ll be a series of announcements over the course of next week, and highly suggested that it’ll be Mac focused.
16GB RAM as standard
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is likely to start shipping at least 16GB RAM on the new M4 Macs, including the base model 14” MacBook Pro, the new Mac mini, and the new iMac. Apple has been shipping 8GB of RAM on its base model Macs for the past 8 years, so this is a pleasant change. It definitely makes sense with Apple Intelligence being more memory intensive on our devices.
Additional Thunderbolt ports
According to analysis of an M4 die shot done by Fred on Twitter, it appears that Apple’s M4 chip is equipped with four Thunderbolt controllers, compared to two on the M3 chip and earlier. This likely means that all base M4 Macs will have additional Thunderbolt ports across the board. We already know that the base M4 MacBook Pro will have three Thunderbolt ports compared to two on the M3 model, thanks to the warehouse leak. The M4 iMac may potentially have four Thunderbolt ports as well, compared to the current 2 Thunderbolt and 2 USB-C.
Smaller Mac mini
Recent reports have suggested that Apple’s upcoming Mac mini will be the biggest redesign in the computers 14 year history, with the upcoming model expected to shrink significantly. In the process, it’ll also likely lose support for USB-A, although it should gain some additional USB-C ports to make up for it. It’ll also have ports on the front, similar to the Mac Studio. While we don’t know a ton about what it’ll look like, it sure should be exciting, especially given the fact that it’s Apples cheapest Mac.
USB-C Magic Mouse, Keyboard, and Trackpad
Rumors point to there being a new iMac this month, which opens the door to Apple finally refreshing all of the Magic accessories. Given the fact that Apple has to comply with the European Union’s USB-C mandate by the end of this year, it’s almost certain that we’ll be seeing goodbye to lightning on Apple’s desktop accessories with the new M4 iMac refresh. Additionally, code spotted in the macOS 15.1 RC seems to suggest this fact as well, as there are new references to additional Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse models.
Space Black on the cheapest MacBook Pro
According to packaging leaks and a subsequent unboxing, the cheapest 14? MacBook Pro with the base M4 chip will be coming in Space Black for the first time. Last year, the base model 14? MacBook Pro with M3 still came in the older Space Gray color, likely because it was manufactured earlier than the later M3 Pro and M3 Max models. -
FB owner Meta restarts facial recognition tech in ‘celeb-bait’ crackdown
Three years after Meta shut down facial recognition software on Facebook amid a groundswell of privacy and regulator pushback, the social media giant said on Tuesday it is testing the service again as part of a crackdown on “celeb bait” scams.
Meta said it will enroll about 50,000 public figures in a trial which involves automatically comparing their Facebook profile photos with images used in suspected scam advertisements. If the images match and Meta believes the ads are scams, it will block them.
The celebrities will be notified of their enrollment and can opt out if they do not want to participate, the company said.
The company plans to roll out the trial globally from December, excluding some large jurisdictions where it does not have regulatory clearance such as Britain, the European Union, South Korea and the U.S. states of Texas and Illinois, it added.
Monika Bickert, Meta’s vice president of content policy, said in a briefing with journalists that the company was targeting public figures whose likenesses it had identified as having been used in scam ads.
“The idea here is: roll out as much protection as we can for them. They can opt out of it if they want to, but we want to be able to make this protection available to them and easy for them,” Bickert said.
The test shows a company trying to thread the needle of using potentially invasive technology to address regulator concerns about rising numbers of scams while minimising complaints about its handling of user data, which have followed social media companies for years.
When Meta shuttered its facial recognition system in 2021, deleting the face scan data of one billion users, it cited “growing societal concerns”. In August this year, the company was ordered to pay Texas $1.4 billion to settle a state lawsuit accusing it of collecting biometric data illegally.
Source: Reuters -
OpenAI to launch next flagship AI model before the end of 2024
OpenAI is reportedly planning to launch another flagship AI model, codenamed Orion. After launching OpenAI o1, the company is eyeing bringing the new model in December. The Verge report states that Orion won’t be widely available via ChatGPT at first. OpenAI plans to offer early access to select partner companies, allowing them to develop their own products and features using the platform. This limited rollout will prioritise those businesses with which OpenAI has established close working relationships before broader release.
OpenAI’s Orion model is not new, the company has been teasing its still-under-progress model for quite some time. According to the previous reports, the upcoming model is expected to be a significant advancement in artificial intelligence, potentially succeeding GPT-4. Orion builds upon the progress made by previous models, with a focus on enhancing reasoning, problem-solving, and language processing. It aims to reduce common AI issues like hallucinations by leveraging improved synthetic data generation, as described earlier. It was also reported that OpenAI was using o1, code named Strawberry, to provide synthetic data to train Orion.
According to The Verge, Microsoft engineers, OpenAI’s primary partner for AI model deployment, are gearing up to host Orion on Azure as soon as November. Orion, viewed internally as GPT-4’s successor, may not be labelled GPT-5 externally. However, OpenAI has not finalised the name so far. The release timing could shift as it remains tentative, with no guarantees on when it will officially launch, as per the report.
While there is very limited information available around the Orion AI model, ChatGPT has something to say. We asked ChatGPT about the upcoming model, and it said, “This model aims to push boundaries in key sectors, including healthcare and finance, where accuracy and reliability are crucial. Orion’s development reflects OpenAI’s strategy to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving AI space, as it faces challenges from rivals like Google DeepMind and Meta’s LLaMA models.”
Last month, OpenAI fully unveiled the new AI model that thinks before responding — OpenAI o1, from which the upcoming model will learn and grow. OpenAI o1 is itself a progressive step toward achieving human-like AI. It also demonstrates tangible improvements in key areas, such as generating code and tackling complex, multistep challenges with greater proficiency than its predecessors.