All posts by Sharifah Hanani

Messenger Gets a Security Makeover Among Others Updates.

Facebook META messenger encryption

Great news for everyone concerned about their privacy, especially those frequent users of Messenger. End-to-end encryption is now the default for one-on-one conversations and calls on Facebook Messenger. This means your interactions will be safe from curious and privy eyes.

End-to-end encryption was once an optional feature on Messenger, but this latest update is now the standard. This is a significant change, albeit a positive one for the messenger app, as its users can feel more secure with their messages and conversations that are now under lock and key, and their messages will be automatically protected, too, with no need to turn on the option.

With end-to-end encryptions, no matter who you are conversing with, all the contents of your message are protected and unable to be intercepted. Not even Meta can access them unless specifically reported.

Nothing else to worry about as all the messenger functions will stay the same, so you can still use all your favourite features. Features like themes, custom reactions, and other messenger tools will still be accessible in encrypted chats.

Of course, the implementation of this adjustment will take some time. So don’t be concerned if you haven’t seen the changeover yet. It will happen gradually over the following months. While Messenger’s chats are now encrypted by default, this isn’t applied to Instagram chats yet. Currently, they are still unencrypted by default. However, Meta has stated that this feature will be included “shortly after” the launch of encrypted Messenger.

This shift towards end-to-end encryption is part of a more significant trend in the tech sector. For a good reason, an increasing number of messaging systems are making the switch. It is simply the best approach to ensure your chats remain private and secure, which is only meant between you and the others messaging.

Among the exciting shift in security for messenger chats they are also adding some new features that are sure to have messenger users jumping with joy as they are much needed after so long. Some new features also being implemented are the ability to edit messages sent under 15 minutes, similar to WhatsApp. So, no longer will you have to delete or resend a message. You can now just as easily edit it through the original one.

Besides that, they are also adding disappearing messages, which will last about 24 hours after it is sent, so this will ensure more secure or private messaging scenes for those who would not have a specific message kept for long. And they are also implementing a screenshot security feature, so if anyone were to try to take a screenshot of your disappearing message, you will be notified of the actions.

03 DM 1 1
Disappearing messages on Messenger

Messenger is also adding a way for users to finally control their read receipts, so instead of turning off the entire thing, users can now decide if they want others to see if they have read their messages. Lastly, Meta is proud to announce that with these updates on Messenger, they have upgraded the quality of images and videos sent in Messenger.

They are also testing an HD media and file-sharing feature to improve its quality for messenger users continuously. Among that, they are also adding a feature that will allow the user to fast forward their voice messages up to 1.5 or 2X speed and the ability to navigate away from the chat while listening to the voice message. Currently, these are the most significant updates and improvements done to Messenger in a long time and were much needed.

Google Bard gets an Upgrade with Gemini Pro.

Gemini


By integrating Gemini, a state-of-the-art AI model, into its Bard chatbot, Google is making its virtual assistant smarter and more adept. According to Google, with its improved reasoning, planning, and comprehending capabilities, Bard is now in a solid position to compete with ChatGPT.

Ultra, Pro, and Nano are the three varieties of Gemini. From cell phones to servers, these variations cover it all. Bard has a two-stage deployment. At first, it will receive an initial performance bump from Gemini Pro, and its abilities will spread next year. They hope to introduce Bard Advance, powered by Gemini Ultra, the most powerful version of Google’s LLM.

Gemini Pro has passed all eight benchmark tests, including six conducted before the big announcement, beating GPT-3.5. Even though GPT-3.5 has been around for over a year, Google maintains that Bard with Gemini Pro is the best free chatbot, according to independent tests. After undergoing a Gemini makeover, Bard can better comprehend and summarise information and reason, generate ideas, and plan to meet the user’s needs. Google claims a vast improvement, the most notable quality boost since Bard’s release.

Although Bard with Gemini Pro initially only supports word-based prompts, Google plans to integrate graphics, text, and more soon to provide multimodal help. When Bard Advanced makes its appearance in 2024, showing off Gemini Ultra, that’s when things heat up. Bard becomes an adaptable AI that can process code, graphics, audio, and video in this version.

In the following months, Gemini will power in several Google products and services, including Chrome, Ads, and Duet AI. The business will test out Gemini in Search to streamline and improve your web browsing experience. Besides that, Gemini Ultra and Bard Advanced guarantee a revolutionary AI experience—the capacity of Bard Advanced to comprehend and process various forms of data, including code. Before the wider launch, Google intends to implement a trusted tester programme to guarantee customer safety.

Now accessible in more than 170 countries in English, Bard with Gemini Pro is perfect for anyone looking to plunge headfirst into the upgraded Bard experience. Explore the improved chatbot at your leisure while Europe waits.

Bye Bye Comixology…

It’s a sad day for Comixology App users. Starting from 4th December, the comic centric app will officially be out of business. However, it seems like the app will live on as part of Amazon’s Kindle App. Any live or exclusive comic, manga, graphic comics or novels can only be accessed through the Kindle App moving forward.

comiXology
Edited AI Generated Image with Adobe Firefly

While it may be upsetting to users, it’s something that was bound to happen. Amazon acquired Comixology nearly ten years ago, in 2014, but barely made any changes to it. That changed recently in early 2022 when they shut down the browser version of the app, forcing users to use the Kindle App or Amazon’s browser-based readers. This made Comixology very inaccessible to long time users who read their subscriptions primarily on the browser.

Ahead of the December 4th deadline, users are advised to download any books they are presently reading from Comixology into the Kindle app. According to Amazon, users can seamlessly switch from one ongoing comic series to another by having their reading progress in Comixology automatically sync with their Kindle.

In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Comixology announced the merging of both apps. They also mentioned that with the merging, certain familiar features will contiue to be available on the Kindle App. Users will also be able to continue to have a separated library for their graphic novels, comics and mangas within the Kindle App.

Users moving over to the Kindle App will be able to find their comic and manga collection with ease with the “Comics & Manga” filter in the library. Issues, volumes, and omnibuses will be grouped according to series. Additionally, users have the option to hide and unhide individual books. Books that have been hidden in the Comixology app will remain hidden in the Kindle as well.

As of now, the Comixology Unlimited subscriptions are not affected by the merging. Even the comic book buying process via Amazon’s Comixology shop remain unchanged.

WhatsApp Doubles Down on Security With Secret Code, Chat Lock and Email Verification

WhatsApp has introduced email verification and Chat Lock, which provides users with an additional layer of authentication and security. The app is also doubling down on security with a new Secret Code feature.

pexels anton 4132538 1
Source: Pexels

With Email Verification, users can link their WhatsApp accounts to an email address. This is an alternative to the usual SMS verification that could be more useful for users in areas where reception and connectivity is compromised.

344863700 3406380742943638 5599738503671813172 n

In addition to Email verification, WhatsApp is also introducing two features to enhance privacy on the app: Chat Lock and Secret Code. Chat locks work by being able to set aside chats in a specialised folder in WhatsApp that is only accessible through fingerprint or face ID ensuring only the user can securely stow them away from prying eyes.

With Secret Code, users can place passcodes on locked chats to add that secure layer to the conversation. Users can also hide the Locked chat folders from the home page, which can only be accessed with the passcode users had placed when typing in the search bar.

As with all new features, users must first update WhatsApp to the latest version. After updating, users can go to the Your Profile tab, pick the Account option, and tap on Email Address to connect their account to an email address. The email address is required for authentication and is kept private. Currently, Chat Lock and Email Verification features are live and available publicly in the App. Meanwhile, the Secret Code is in the process of rolling out and will soon be available globally.

secret code

These updates come in the wake of WhatsApp and Google both sharing an update that would end the large backups that Android users are able to have. In the update, both Google and WhatsApp iterate that back ups will now count towards user’s 15GB quota of storage across Google services. This would mean that if your back up is larger than 15GB you would need to look into subscribing for larger storage capacities from Google. The plans start at $1.99 per month for 100 GB or $9.99 per month for 2 TB.

Here Comes A New Challenger! The Varjo XR-4 Could Rival Apple Vision Pro

Apple’s Vision Pro gave VR and XR experiences extended time in the spotlight recently. However, it looks like Finnish company, Varjo, is about to steal that spotlight with its new headset – the XR-4. Varjo is banking on VR and XR experiences that are indistinguishable from real life with the XR-4.

rsz 2rsz 1varjo ryhmakuva 5 1 768x508 1

While the Apple Vision Pro can work independently, the Varjo XR-4 must be connected to a fast-paced PC. The new XR-4 comes with controllers that were co-designed with Razer. It also doesn’t need any external VR base units for full-motion 6DoF, also known as six degrees of freedom tracking. The XR-4 has excellent specs, like a wider field of view (FOV) of 120 degrees horizontally and 105 degrees vertically. It also comes with LiDAR sensors that allow it to track and map more accurately. Varjo itself promises 8x clarity for better object and hand scanning in VR and a more accurate mixing of real-world and virtual reality images.

Varjo’s XR-4 moves further into AR and VR with a multifocal passthrough camera and higher headset resolution. The setup essentially blurs the lines between mixed reality and real life.

XR 4 Front FocalEdition TranspBG 1920x1120 1536x896 1

The Varjo XR-4 has a pixel quality of about 4K per eye and a pixel density of 51 pixels per degree. The display panel is a Mini-LED panel with a peak brightness of 200 nits. The cameras’ better dual 20-megapixel image sensors make the XR-4 even more powerful. Varjo’s Focal Edition, which includes gaze-directed autofocus cameras, is for people who want an even more advanced experience. This feature, controlled by the headset’s built-in eye tracking, makes the experience more immersive by letting you focus on real-world items and adding virtual ones on top of them.

Pricing & Availability

There are four variants of the XR-4. The first is the standard XR-4, which costs $3,990, and the Focal Edition, which costs $9,990.

Then there is the XR-4 Secure Edition, which has two variants: fixed-focused, which costs €7,990, and autofocus, which costs €13,990.

It can now be ordered via their official site only for companies and businesses, or join their waitlist to buy it individually and will only be shipped starting December.  

Android Auto & Apple CarPlay Coming to Proton Cars Soon

Proton, a well-known Malaysian automaker, plans to revolutionise its in-car experience by trying to incorporate Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. ACO Tech, the company that created Proton’s ATLAS infotainment head unit (IHU), has announced it intends to provide these features to Proton vehicles.

Sunny Wang, Head of Project Management at ACO Tech, announced the plans to integrate the systems at a media preview of the new Proton S70 sedan. He stated that Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration is actively being worked on and that users will not have to wait long before they can mirror their smartphone screens on the ATLAS IHU. However, it is crucial to remember that the integration process entails more than just a simple software update. According to Proton’s Deputy CEO, Roslan Abdullah, changes to the IHU’s chipset are required to support Android Auto and CarPlay.

proton
Source: ACO TECH

Roslan Abdullah also stated that the change and implementations must be on its hardware and not just software. This is due to the changes to the IHU’s chipset. Despite admitting the long-overdue nature of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, Roslan stated that the transition would be difficult due to the requirement for hardware modifications.

Furthermore, obtaining licences from Google and Apple is one of the most complex aspects of the process. Roslan stated that these conversations had been “a bit of a hassle”. This is mainly due to the complications caused by the geopolitical tensions and technological rivalry between the United States and China.

Sadly, as of now, neither Proton nor ACO Tech have specified a definite date for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay availability in Proton cars. While the next Proton S70, which will be on sale on November 28, will not include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, the confirmation of active development suggests that these features are on the way for Proton users.

Black Friday Fiesta Deals At The Sony Store From November 24-26

Add Sony to the list of brands having exciting Black Friday Deals from November 24 to November 26 2023! Sony Malaysia will be having their own Black Friday Fiesta Deals in what looks to be both offline and online stores. As of now, there isn’t much information on which products will be on sale. However, two items have been announced on the Sony Online Store so far. These deals are also coming with vouchers that will give you further discounts on your purchases.

161123 SSO Weekend Sales Black Friday 03 1600x800.progressive

The Extreme Clearance offers currently apply to the Sony XB13 EXTRA BASS Portable Wireless Speaker and the Xperia 10 IV while stocks last. The XB13 original price is RM 239 is now offered at RM 149, and, with the upcoming Black Friday Deal, the price is lowered even more to RM 129. The speaker is available in 6 colours Black, White, Blue, Light Blue, Pink and Yellow.

The Sony Xperia 10 IV’s original price is RM 2,099 and is also discounted to RM 1,499. The Xperia 10 IV has been further discounted to RM1,199 for Black Friday. The phone is available currently only in-store in its Mint Colourway but this may change with the Black Friday sale. The smartphone will also be coming with a free clear casing and a tempered glass screen protector when purchased.

PRODUCTRETAIL PRICECURRENT DISCOUNTBLACK FRIDAY FIESTA DEALS
SRS-XB13 EXTRA BASS PORTABLE WIRELESS SPEAKERRM 239RM 149RM 129
XPERIA 10 IVRM 2,099RM 1,499RM 1,199
161123 SSO Weekend Sales Black Friday 06 1600x800.progressive

As for vouchers which are claimable through a special code. The are 2 vouches that are offered, one with RM 400 with a minimum spend of RM 3,500 and the other RM 50 when you spend a minimum of RM 500. However, these vouchers are not applicable for televisions, soundbars, Xperia phones and PlayStation Items. As always, you will need to apply the vouchers when you check out.  

VOUCHERMINIMUM SPENDCODE
RM 400 OFFRM 3,500BF400
RM 50 OFFRM 500BF50

Make sure to mark your calendars from November 24 to November 26 to not miss out on these deals and vouchers. For more information and other deals, you can check them out at the Official Sony Store Malaysia.  

You’d Better Hurry If You’re Interested in These PS Plus Games for November 2023

Sony has announced quite an interesting PlayStation Plus lineup for November 2023. While last month’s games celebrated the Spooky Season, it looks like Playstation is focusing on thrillers and co-op survival shooters this time round. PlayStation Plus subscribers can add three new games on November 7. The games will be available for download until Monday, December 4 for PlayStation Plus subscribers.

be3c69f17e4d8aaac2cab74fbe676df1da863242 jpg

Mafia II: Definitive Edition

Imagine becoming a gangster in post-WWII Empire Bay, New York. Mafia II: Definitive Edition is a beautiful HD remaster of the criminal drama. Follow military hero Vito Scaletta as he joins the mob to repay his father’s debts. Discover a city full of opportunity and succeed in post-war American businesses in this Golden Age of organised crime. Join your pal, Joe, as you rise in the family hierarchy, committing harder crimes with bigger rewards and repercussions.

Dragon Ball: The Breakers

Experience Dragon Ball in an online asymmetrical action game. Seven average folks must fight the Raider to survive. This terrifying enemy, reminiscent of Cell, Frieza, and Buu, evolves throughout the game becoming more challenging as the game progresses. Escaping will be difficult without cooperation. However, Raider or Survivor decisions may compel you to fight alone. Raiders have powerful abilities to hunt and kill Survivors. Learn each Raider’s special skills to locate and catch prey and become a stronger opponent. Choose your progression route as a Raider or Survivor to gain skills, skins, and stuff to suit your survival or dominance strategy.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite

You and up to two other players or AI if you choose will explore LV-895, a mysterious planet with secrets hidden in its ruins and caves. Choose from six classes and a variety of weaponry, including magnums, SMGs, and rocket launchers, to customise your Marine. You can customise your loadout with 130+ perks. Fulfilled your dream to obliterate Xenomorphs, build your fireteam using class makeup, consumables, and weapons. Combat Prowlers, and Spitters, and set up defences to protect your fireteam long enough to stay alive and get to safety.

Besides those exciting games, PlayStation Plus members have also a special plus advantage. Sony has recently launched Pictures Core for PS5 and PS4 which offers a huge variety of recent and classic Sony Pictures films in select markets. PlayStation Plus members will receive a 15% discount on any Sony Pictures Core content purchased and rented in November starting November 1.

Project Sound Lift, a Leap Forward in AI-Powered Audio Editing

Project Sound Lift, which was announced on stage at Adobe MAX, is poised to change the world of audio processing. This cutting-edge AI-powered tool will change the way audio layers are split in recordings, making it possible to separate voices from background noise with unmatched accuracy.

media 135ded458086148ece79276b9eb2d94f80e04ae02.jpeg

Users are able to isolate different components of sound like laughter, alarms, speech, crowds, traffic, typing, and more with Project Sound Lift. With the built-in AI, the tool is able to instantly find each layer of sound and make separate files for each one.

Adobe’s Project Sound Lift, on the other hand, focuses on specific sounds, making the audio editing process more tailored and precise. Adobe differentiates the tool with its many filters while other tools like Supertone’s Clear and Goyo’s Voice Separator focus on separating and changing background noise, voices, and vocal reverb.

#AdobeMAX Sneaks: Introducing Project Sound Lift | Adobe

The technology is already being used by the industry to restore older tracks. Of course, it comes as no surprise that the Beatles continue to break new ground with the restoration of their hit song “Now and Then”. The track is available on streaming platforms like TIDAL and Spotify. The track producers used a similar AI-based method to separate John Lennon’s voice from the piano music of the original track from a cassette recording.

Adobe showed off what Project Sound Lift could do during Adobe MAX, which also can be viewed on their YouTube channel.

Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link Coming to Mobile

Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link, the latest instalment in Square’s hit RPG series, is making its way to Android and iOS devices. It’s set to go in 2024, with no definite date just yet. This mobile RPG will add to the Kingdom Hearts story with a new plot and play style.

image

Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link isn’t an augmented reality (AR) game like Pokemon GO but it still uses real-world places in its gameplay. The game uses your smartphone’s GPS to determine where you are on the in-game map. This lets the player explore the virtual world based on where they are in real life. The announcement video teases that you might be able to “travel the world without leaving your house” which would be a new twist in the game systems.

While there is very little information on the game’s plot, Square Enix has been recruiting beta testers for a closed beta program. There are 3,000 spots available split between Android and iOS users. For iOS, the closed beta phase lasts from November 29 to December 8. The Android beta will start in January 2024.

KINGDOM HEARTS Missing-Link Teaser Trailer

The story takes place in the city of Scala and Caelum, which fans of Kingdom Hearts III will be familiar with. Players take on the part of a main character who has no name and moves between Scala and Caelum and the real world. Real-time fighting and interactions with Disney characters are hinted at through the teaser trailers available on Square Enix’s Official YouTube Channel.

Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link was first presented at the event celebrating the 20th anniversary of Kingdom Hearts, along with Kingdom Hearts IV. Currently, there is no announcement on the date for either game released.