Since its outstanding debut, Threads has become the fastest social media app to reach 100 million users to date. The reason for this is its ties to Instagram as users had both followers and a following. However, Mobile intelligence firm Sensor Tower reported in August that Threads’ daily active users fell 82% since its launch. Now, the number has come down to just 8 million users accessing the app daily. The new search feature is an effort to increase engagement on its app.

Other new features include a fully functional web app, desktop access, a chronological feed where you can see your likes, a repost tab, and other minor changes. With this Threads may get an extra jolt with the expansion of search.

Zuckerberg suggested the rollout of the search will continue as he noted that after the English and Spanish-speaking markets, there would be ‘more to come’. This list isn’t confirmed, but it supposedly doesn’t include any countries of the European Union (EU). Since the introduction of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Meta is trying to avoid any trouble as the new regulation is focused on user data protection from online services.

When it comes to other challenges, Threads still has X to worry about. Elon Musk has much bigger plans for the social media platform in the near future. Meta’s Threads has to figure out how to stand apart from X. As for who comes out on top in the Twitter vs Threads battle, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Tech giants such as Alphabet, Apple, Amazon, TikTok, Meta, Microsoft, and Samsung said that they already expected to be subject to the regime. However, Samsung is not on today’s official list. Core platform services like Google’s web-based email service, Gmail, and Microsoft’s rival webmail offering, Outlook are also omitted. There are no cloud storage platforms listed. It is fascinating to see no webmail services on the Digital Markets Act platform list.

The rules and provisions of DMA apply to the gatekeepers; But what exactly is the definition of gatekeepers? EC defines gatekeepers as online firms with a dominance in the market and economic impact that serve as intermediaries linking a huge user base to a large number of businesses and platforms, and function in multiple EU countries.

Key provisions of the Digital Markets Act include a ban on self-preferencing or gatekeepers requiring business users to make use of their services and a ban on gatekeeping app stores preventing the installation of competing stores. They cannot ban business users from offering and promoting competing services and they must share platform usage information.

There are also data portability and service interoperability provisions, including specific interoperability obligations for messaging giants and choice-screen-style obligations for operating systems, browsers, search engines, and virtual assistants.

Moreover, there’s a ban on gatekeepers tracking and profiling users for ad targeting unless they obtain their consent. The Digital Markets Act also bans restrictions on uninstalling gatekeeper preloads. Furthermore, the gatekeepers will need to meet a requirement to apply Fair, Reasonable, and Non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms for general access (and avoid discriminatory T&Cs) for fair dealing with business users.

Compliance failure or breaching the regime can lead to fines of up to 10% of global annual turnover or even 20% for severe repeat offenses. The Commission has further power to apply additional remedies like requiring a gatekeeper to sell a business or parts of it or stopping gatekeepers from acquiring additional services related to systemic non-compliance.

In his speech at a digital conference in Estonia, Breton outlined the bloc’s object for the regulation. “We know that some tech giants have used their market power to give their products and services an unfair advantage and hold back competitors from doing business and creating added value and jobs. These practices distort competition, undermine free consumer choice, and hold back SMEs’ innovation potential notably arising from Web 4.0 and virtual worlds,” he said.

Breton further said, “It was high time that Europe sets its rules of the game upfront, providing a clear enforceable legal framework to foster innovation, competitiveness and the resilience of the Single Market, rather than having to rely on lengthy and not always effective antitrust investigations. The DMA does just that.”

The new set of rules can pave the road for different opportunities for competition on major platforms such as independent app stores, alternative payment services, and upstart search engines. And, simultaneously breaking the aggressive behavior of gatekeepers such as arbitrary enforcement of T&Cs.

The new law can also encourage the development of less exploitative business models, as consumers should have more space to break the loop of platform giants’ lock-ins. Breaking the pattern of their powerful network and opting for other competing businesses can still take some time as consumers trust the big enterprises.

There is still time to comply with the Digital Markets Act deadlines come into the picture. These tech giants have six months to ensure they meet all the legal requirements and submit a compliance report in which they summarize their compliance with each of the obligations of the DMA. So March 2024 will be the time when we can see the true effect of DMA and its influence on the competition and the big tech.

According to the latest Wall Street Journal article, the Chinese Government is asking all its Central Government agencies to stop using Apple iPhones at work. But the extent of the ban is still unclear.

This ban comes right before the anticipated launch event of Apple’s iPhone 15. This will surely affect the revenue figures in the Chinese market. Any further action can become consequential and provoke serious concern for foreign enterprises operating in China as Sino-US tensions soar.

The Sino-US tensions rise as Washington works with the allies to block China’s access to important equipment needed to keep its chip industry competitive. In turn, Beijing limits the shipments from prominent US firms including planemaker Boeing (BA.N) and chip company Micron Technology. The restrictions inflicted by both countries on each other can lead to growing individual markets across the globe.

US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, during a visit to China last week, said US companies had complained to her that China had become uninvestable. This points to hefty fines, raids, and other strict actions, making it delicate to undertake business in the world’s second-largest economy.

The Chinese Government’s move also acts as a way to encourage the use of Chinese brands in the country, and by extension globally. This move comes in the midst of rumors claiming that Chinese smartphone manufacturer Huawei has managed to develop an advanced 7nm chipset being used in Huawei Mate 60 Pro.
Huawei’s recent challenges accruing from US restrictions, the Mate 60 Pro’s launch holds significance. The smartphone’s potential self-sufficiency in terms of chipset marks a milestone for China and Huawei. Apart from Huawei, the US is gradually implementing the TikTok ban. With some states like Montana already announcing a ban on the app. The politics behind tech is raging towards an eventual confrontation between the US and China. How will Apple respond to the ban? Let us know your thoughts.

As per MacRumors, the form factors of the new iPhones will be similar to the previous line-up. There will be 4 variants at launch with the standard iPhone 15, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max. The standard and Pro versions have a 6.1-inch screen size and the Max and Pro Max versions have a 6.7-inch screen size.

The iPhone 15 models are also likely to come with a more power-efficient OLED display. This will reduce power consumption, resulting in improved battery life across the board. The new models are also likely to have between 6-8 GB RAM, just like the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus.

Color options will mostly remain the same with standard options like blue, black, white, and a greenish-yellow shade. There is also a new coral shade which is somewhere between orange and pink. Lastly, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus may come with color-matched braided USB-C cables.

The rumored prices of the upcoming models will be slightly higher than the iPhone 14, ranging from $799 to $1199.

Rumors about iPhone 15’s cameras indicate a triple camera setup. The 48MP sensors will replace the old 12MP sensors from the iPhone 14 standard models. The low-light mode might also see a bump in performance with a new stacked sensor design.

Apple is also expected to adopt Sony’s latest ‘state of the art’ image sensors for some of the new models. It doubles the saturation signal in each pixel, allowing it to capture more light to cut down on underexposure and overexposure.

With the introduction of a periscope lens, the iPhone’s zoom capabilities would be majorly increased as the current Pro models are limited to 3x zoom.

Apple can consider bringing Touch ID back to its Pro models using an under-display solution. But, the standard and Plus models are not expected to include Touch ID and will continue to use Face ID. Moreover, the iPhone 15 will keep the Dynamic Island, which Apple might expand to all models instead of just the Pro models.

Pro models are also expected to see an enhancement to titanium frames, slimmer bezels, and some minor design changes with more curved device edges. The iPhone 15 models could also feature a frosted glass back, which has previously been a design detail that Apple has limited to the Pro models.

Users can expect a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port on the Pro and Pro Max. This is surely a welcome change for many returning iPhone users. The standard iPhone 15 models will keep the same Lightning port. So, if you want the type C port, you will have to shell out a few hundred bucks more.

Along with the iPhones, Apple is unveiling the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra second generation. These smartwatches will have updated cores for the S-series chips, giving them a performance boost.

The AirPods Pro might see an upgrade, but there is no indication of it so far. Instead, we might see the AirPod case with a type C charging port to go along with the new changes to the iPhones.

Apple is shifting the trend and focusing on self-repair capabilities for the new iPhones. The right-to-repair bill was passed making its way through the California state legislation. We have a keen eye on how this bill will alter the course for the upcoming iPhones and how well it will sit with users.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Pro models will be easier to repair this year, as Apple added a chassis redesign. That will make them easier to open if you want to swap the back glass.

Going forward, general security and user experience seem to be Apple’s focus.

The actual performance figures will probably be the best in the industry. It’s Apple we’re talking about, and they’ve been the market leaders for decades. A pre-order only makes sense if you want to be one of the first few to boast about your latest iPhones. The pre-orders start rolling out on 15th September. But, if you already own one of the iPhone 14 models, you might want to wait a while for price drops.

The latest Macbook Air’s M2 chip and the 15-inch screen created a new platform for Apple’s own thin and light laptop. This made it an instant hit when it hit the market in June 2023. Amazon is currently running a $200 sale on the Macbook Air which launched at $1299. The 13-inch variant is also at a discounted price of $899 ($200 off).

HP’s Spectre line-up is one of the longest-running dominators of the Windows 2-in-1 segment. The HP Labor Day sale brings the Spectre x360 2-in-1 down by $400. The original price of $1549.99 may have seemed a little too high, but at the discounted rate, it’s hard to compare any other HP laptop.

Samsung’s biggest and best is at a decently respectable 17% discount on Amazon. Originally priced at a thousand dollar mark, you can get it at $799 until the Labor Day sale runs out.

The latest flagship killer by OnePlus was launched at the price of $699. But, you can get it for $499, thanks to the platform-wide Labor Day sale running on Best Buy.

If you own an iPhone, (or any smartphone really) getting a pair of AirPods is a no-brainer. If you don’t have them or still using the original AirPods, this is the right time to hit the checkout. Walmart is offering the 2nd gen Apple AirPods Pro at $199.

If you’ve been in the market for a Bluetooth keyboard, you will already know about the K380. It is one of the best keyboards. Thanks to the Amazon Labor Day sale, it is also affordable now at $22.99.

The deals are great, but there’s a lot of significance for Labor Day that goes beyond tech discounts.

Throughout the 19th century, American laborers experienced difficult working conditions, especially in the late 1800s. They frequently had to put up with lengthy working hours, little pay, risky working conditions, and scant job security. In response to these circumstances, labor organizations emerged and fought for better treatment of workers.

To demand higher pay, shorter workdays (especially the fight for an 8-hour workday), and better working conditions, workers and labor organizations conducted several strikes and protests. The Haymarket event in Chicago in 1886, which descended into violence and resulted in the deaths of both police officers and protestors, was one of the most significant labor crises during this time.

The concept of having a national holiday to honor and celebrate American workers grew in popularity throughout these labor disputes. Labor union leaders and activists are frequently credited with creating Labor Day as a holiday because they wanted a day set aside to celebrate workers and their contributions to the country.

India’s Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi addresses the audience from Johannesburg, South Africa. Says, he is “very curious about the mission.” He also said, “This moment is unforgettable, as is this afternoon. This moment is of Developing India. This mission accomplishment will bring joy to the whole country. Today we all have witnessed India’s strength as it landed on the Moon.”

PM Modi Congratulated the ISRO team, the Chandrayaan team, and all Indian scientists. He also added, “with the hard work of the ISRO scientists, India is finally on the Moon at the south pole where no other country has landed yet.”

He further added that India’s Successful Moon Mission is not India’s alone, but of the entire humanity. The PM continued by saying, “Our stance of one Earth one family and one future is resonating across the globe.”

A Prized Achievement for India

In the future, ISRO is going to launch Mission Sun, using Aditya L1. ISRO also plans to launch a mission to study Venus. PM Modi also stated sending humans to the moon is one of the missions ISRO will be hoping to achieve. With consistent space success, India is proving time and again that sky is not the limit.

The app made headlines in April when it revealed that the ‘My AI’ function would be available to all users worldwide. Essentially, removing the need for a paid subscription to access it.

The business’s decision targets ChatGPT’s capabilities as they are integrated within the app and want to make this feature free for all.

Personalization of user answers through ‘My AI’ created encounters that resembled chats with friends. These interactions included suggestions for vacation destinations, lens ideas, and helpful text-based chat responses. The chatbot was created to provide instantaneous responses akin to human-like interactions and was built using OpenAI’s GPT technology.

Steve Moser is an app researcher and developer. According to him, the company has been working on features that will let Snapchat users capture or upload selfies that will enable the program to make new pictures of you in different scenarios. This sounds comparable to features seen in other AI photo apps available on the App Store.

Instead, according to Moser’s research, Dreams envisions a way to use AI-generated selfies to put pictures of you in fantastic places and scenarios. Snapchat would need clean selfies to work with. Not the ones with other people in them or ones where your features are hidden. Users will receive advice from the program on how to take better AI images by using a variety of viewpoints, facial expressions, and lighting conditions.

The company is also working on a feature called ‘Dreams with Friends’ where users may authorize their friends to produce these AI images that feature them. In addition to enabling you to enter these AI Dreams, this function is also under development.

Dream Packs are mentioned in the Snapchat app, which further suggests that this feature may someday be a monetizable option.

Maybe or maybe not! But one thing is for sure, the industry is getting familiar with AI instead of neglecting it. If Snapchat pulls this off, it would be an industry game-changer. Also, it would give users new ways to create/generate snaps. AI is changing the world, but it is unclear if it is for good or bad.

TikTok already faces its ban in the city of New York from 2020. It also got banned in cities like New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, and Georgia.

The Platform got banned from government devices in December 2022, by the U.S. House of Representatives. Earlier this year, there was forced pressure on TikTok from the Biden administration to part ways with its Chinese ownership.

Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of TikTok, was interrogated by senators for five hours during a congressional hearing in March amid worries that China would use the app to jeopardize national security. TikTok differs from other significant social media firms headquartered in the United States since it is owned by Chinese tech behemoth ByteDance. Chew said, “Let me state this clearly: ByteDance is not an agent of China or any other country.”

A law banning TikTok in Montana was signed by Governor Greg Gianforte in May, and it will go into force in 2024. Contrary to earlier state-level measures, the restriction would also affect the popular app’s accessibility to non-government-issued smartphones.

The prohibitions in the US and other countries mention general security worries about ByteDance. Although there hasn’t been any proof to date, Beijing might still threaten to use the hugely popular social platform for spying.

China has a prolonged history to influence the decision of companies operating in the country. The sole reason is the government buys majority stakes in private companies to influence and overturn any decision taken against their will.

Banning TikTok from some parts to banning it in the country was first initiated by the Indian Government in the covid era. The ban was an effect of the security threats reason. The platform was allegedly storing user data and passing it to the Chinese government without users knowing it. Hence the Indian government banned TikTok and many other Chinese apps in the Covid Era.

TikTok has grown immensely as a social media platform. Advertisers are switching to TikTok over other mediums because of high user engagement and customer preference. Also, TikTok is planning to launch an e-commerce app soon. But, if the platform doesn’t sort out its security concerns, it would be very difficult to stay in the market for long!

Some users of the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro have complaints resembling the days of “Batterygate”. They claim that less than a year after purchase, their devices are already exhibiting more battery degradation than anticipated. Which is a lot faster than previous iPhone users’ experiences. In July, Sam Kohl of AppleTrack tweeted that his iPhone 14 Pro had already depleted to 90 percent of its maximum capacity.

Kohl clarified the situation in a video published yesterday, saying that it makes it difficult for him to recommend the phone, especially given how much it costs at $999.

Apple says iPhone batteries should retain up to 80% of their original capacity at 500 complete charge cycles. The recent reports about the upcoming iPhone 15 series, suggest that the batteries will be 10 to 18 percent larger.

Kohl is not the only one who has noticed these figures. Joanna Stern, a senior tech columnist for the Wall Street Journal, recently stated in her newsletter that her iPhone 14 Pro is currently showing a battery capacity of 88 percent. And assuming you don’t have AppleCare or any extended service plan, replacing the battery on an iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro after the device has passed its one-year guarantee will cost more. The cost increased by $30 last year, from $69 for older devices to $99. But at least these days, you can always fix it yourself if you don’t want to travel to an Apple Store or other third-party repair facility.

So far, there have been no comments from Apple about the latest iPhones draining the battery rapidly.

The step is pretty harsh considering that YouTube already has algorithms meant to detect and remove fraudulent connections. However, it completely disables these links rather than relying on this technology. Since the modifications will be implemented progressively, not all links will be inoperable as of August 31.

YouTube also plans to eliminate clickable social media symbols from channel banners on desktops. It cites them as a “source of misleading links”. These links help creators diversify their material by directing viewers to other handles or sponsors to increase revenue. So, there is a drawback to these changes. YouTube plans to address new methods for user safety which include links in their content.

To comply with the platform’s Community Guidelines, YouTube intends to give creators a new area on their channel profiles to add prominent, clickable connections to websites, social media profiles, merch sites, and other links.

On August 23, this update will begin to appear on desktop and mobile devices. It may appear close to the ‘subscribe’ button. The GIF below provides a glimpse of how this should seem to mobile users.

Over the past few years, a lot of well-known creators have decried YouTube’s spam issue. To combat the problem, YouTube unveiled new policies. In June of last year, only a few weeks after popular YouTubers like Marques Brownlee, and Linus Tech Tips broadcast videos highlighting how pervasive spam had become in their channel comments. At that time, improvements included taking away the option for creators to conceal their subscriber count and opening access to a tougher moderating system that YouTube had begun testing in December 2021.

YouTube as a platform is a bread earner for many creators out in the market. This is an exceptional way to put the stakeholders in a prime spot. Making the platform less spammy and user-friendly is another step towards maintaining its supreme position in the video platform industry.