Instagram is rolling out a new way to livestream to a smaller, more private audience. Now, Instagram users will be able to host Live broadcasts only available to their curated list of Close Friends. Up to three other accounts will be able to join the Live broadcast and stream with the original user. The feature will be made available globally.

Until now, starting a Live broadcast meant that anyone could tune in and watch it if the user’s account was public, and all followers would be able to watch the stream if users had a private account.

Live videos are a popular feature for celebrities and influencers chatting with followers or fan accounts streaming live footage from concerts. In simple words, content that’s more focused on wide audiences and for public consumption.

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What Is The Purpose Of Live Broadcast For Close Friends

The ability to go live for a small group of people feels similar to a giant FaceTime call than to a public livestream -- and, indeed, use case examples offered by the company are more intimate. Users will be able to start sharing influencer content like haul or “GRWM” videos without judgment from some followers, for instance, or host a study session with some of their friends.

Instagram has focused more on private modes of using the platform, attributing significant growth to features like direct messaging. In November, users got the option to make posts on their grid visible only to close friends instead of their full follower list.

In May, Instagram added the ability to mute interactions from all users but their close friends, meaning users wouldn’t see comments, DMs, mentions, and more if they chose stricter safety settings. This kind of filtering was intended to limit harassment content creators might face but has since expanded in use and can be used by anyone who is seeking for a smaller, more curated Instagram experience.

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Instagram Testing Unskippable Ad Break Feature Like YouTube

Instagram is testing ‘Ad Break’ which will force users to watch advertisements and it can’t be skipped. Several Instagram users reported on this experiment where a user has to watch three-to-five-second non-skippable ads while scrolling the feed.

The new functionality is being tested on a few users on a pilot basis. However, Meta has not released any official statement regarding the experimental feature. A Reddit user spotted the feature and shared the screenshot on the social media platform.

People who came across this experimental ‘Ad Break’ functionality with a countdown timer. When the user clicks on the ‘i’ button it shows, "You're seeing an ad break. Ad breaks are a new way of seeing ads on Instagram. Sometimes you may need to view an ad before you can keep browsing."

Google is sweeping headlines after its Made by Google 2024 event, where the tech giant brought an array of new devices, including the latest additions to its Pixel lineup. Among the highlights were the new Pixel Watch 3 and the Pixel Buds Pro 2, both of which come equipped with innovative features.

The Google Pixel Watch 3 was officially launched, offering significant upgrades while maintaining the classic circular design that fans have come to appreciate. This time, Google has utilized recycled aluminum in the construction. The smartwatch comes in two sizes—41 mm and 45 mm—allowing users the flexibility to pick the model that suits their preference.

One of the highlight features of the smartwatch is its larger and brighter display. It packs a peak brightness of 2000 nits, making it twice as bright as the Pixel Watch 2, and it supports a refresh rate of up to 60Hz, making sure users get smooth interactions.

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Google Pixel Watch 3 And Buds Pro 2 Specifications And Price

Google also brought some new fitness tracking capabilities, including a comprehensive run tracking feature that enables users to design custom running routines, monitor heart rate, and track metrics like cadence and stride length when paired with the Fitbit app. The Pixel Watch 3’s integration with AI also offers users with personalized insights and recommendations to help them achieve their fitness goals.

Moreover, the new Fitbit Morning Brief feature provides users with a detailed summary of their sleep, readiness score, and overall health metrics, offering a clear picture of their well-being each morning. Battery has also been improved, providing around 24 hours of use with the always-on display activated, or up to 36 hours in battery Saver mode. The Pixel Watch 3 will be up for pre-order starting August 14, 2024, with a starting price of Rs 39,900.

Besides, Google also launched the Pixel Buds Pro 2, the latest version of its wireless earbuds. It will be selling at a price of Rs 22,900. Powered by the new tensor A1 chip, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 delivers enhanced audio processing and AI-driven features. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 features an upgraded Active noise Cancellation system, Silent Seal 2.0, which can cancel twice as much noise as its precursor.

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Google Unveils Pixel 9, 9 Pro And 9 Pro XL Smartphones

Google has taken the wraps off of its next-generation smartphones - Pixel 9 series during its Made by Google event. The latest lineup includes Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL alongside the second-generation foldable – Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The new Pixel 9 series comes packed with the latest Tensor chipset and features advanced AI features powered by the company’s Gemini large language model.

The Pixel 9 starts at Rs 79,999, while the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are priced at Rs 1,09,999 and Rs 1,24,999, respectively. All three smartphones will be up for pre-order starting tomorrow, with the devices set to hit shelves on August 22. 

Google has taken the wraps off of its next-generation smartphone - Pixel 9 series during its Made by Google event. The latest lineup includes Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL alongside the second-generation foldable – Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The new Pixel 9 series comes packed with the latest Tensor chipset and features advanced AI features powered by the company’s Gemini large language model.

The Pixel 9 starts at Rs 79,999, while the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are priced at Rs 1,09,999 and Rs 1,24,999, respectively. All three smartphones will be up for pre-order starting tomorrow, with the devices set to hit shelves on August 22. Google’s new Pixel smartphones will be available for purchase online via Flipkart and offline through Croma and Reliance Retail outlets across 15 cities in the country.

Also Read: Apple Planning To Launch Cheaper Vision Pro And Smart Glasses

What AI Features Do Google Pixel 9, 9 Pro And 9 Pro XL Pack?

The Pixel 9 series comes with several new and improved AI features powered by Google Gemini. This includes Gemini Live which enables conversational interactions with AI, available for Gemini Advanced subscribers. Pixel Studio is a blend of on-device and cloud-based models for creative image generation. The Pixel Screenshots app helps organize and recall important information.

Besides, the company has added a new Clear Calling feature that aims to better audio quality. The Call Notes features provide on-device summaries and transcripts of calls. The Pixel Weather app offers custom AI reports and AI-enhanced camera features, including Magic Editor and Video Boost, to ensure high-quality photos and videos.

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Pixel 9, 9 Pro And 9 Pro XL Specifications

The Google Pixel 9 comes with a 6.3-inch Actua display, which is claimed to offer 35% brighter than its precursor. It packs a camera setup that houses a 50 MP main sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide sensor, and a 42 MP front camera with autofocus. The smartphone is powered by Google Tensor G4 chip with up to 12GB RAM. Moreover, the smartphone includes seven years of OS, Pixel Drops, and security updates.

As for the Pixel 9 Pro, it packs a 6.3-inch Super Actua display is powered by the Tensor G4 chipset, and comes with up to 16GB RAM. In the camera department, it features a 50 MP main sensor, a 48 MP telephoto sensor with 5x optical zoom, a 12 MP ultrawide sensor, and a 42 MP selfie camera.

Lastly, the Pixel 9 Pro XL comes with all the features of its siblings. The smartphone features a 6.8-inch Super Actua display rather than a 6.3-inch on the Pixel 9 Pro. Both Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL also come equipped with a vapour chamber for better thermal management.

The new GPD Pocket 4 is the latest entrant in the handheld market but with less emphasis on gaming. Unlike Steam Deck, GPD’s new mini-PC comes with some of the latest hardware and could blow away its competitors.

The form factor of this device is interesting, but the AMD Zen 5 chip under the hood is equally interesting. GPD’s Pocket 4 will be the first handheld to use one of AMD’s best chipsets, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and the Radeon 890M GPU. This should give it a leg up in performance over systems like the ROG Ally X, especially when it comes to gaming.

Apart from the performance gains, the device comes packed with an 8.8-inch display with 2560 x 1600 resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate that can reach up to 500 nits of brightness. Some of the other specs include LPDDR5X RAM running at 7,500MT/s and up to 4TB of SSD storage.

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GPD Pocket 4 Under The Hood

GPD servers up plenty of ports, including one Type-C USB 4 port, one Type-C USB 3.2 port, and two Type-A USB ports (one 3.2 and one 2.0), as well as one HDMI 2.1, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a microSD card reader. Besides, users get a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for wired connections.

On its product page, GPD doesn’t place much emphasis on gaming, and the company is more focused on the versatility that this mini-PC serves up. The keyboard is bound to be useful for creatives as well as gamers, but there’s also a lot of flexibility, users can use the device in laptop and tablet modes, and the screen can rotate up to 180 degrees. That said, it’s more of a 2-in-1 laptop than a gaming handheld.

As noted by Tom’s Hardware, there’s one caveat to consider, and it’s that the GPD Pocket 4 will not make the most of its powerful Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor. The chip inside the device is limited to 28 watts; in general, the CPU can go up to 54 watts. There’s no word on when the device will hit the market or how much it will cost.

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Asus ROG Ally X Handheld Console Launched In India

Asus recently released the new ROG Ally X handheld gaming console for Indian consumers. The latest gaming console was unveiled at Computex 2024 earlier this year and is powered by the AMD Z1 Extreme CPU.

The gaming console succeeds the Asus ROG Ally and comes with some noticeable upgrades, the most noteworthy of which is a bigger battery, which was one of the biggest concerns of users of its predecessor. The Ally X comes with a sleek black design that is ergonomic for maximum comfort. The Asus ROG Ally X will be selling at a price of Rs 89,990 in the Indian market and will be available in a single color option: black. 

California-based tech giant Apple is reportedly expanding its offerings in the augmented reality and mixed reality markets with plans for new devices. As per recent leaks, the company seems to readying itself to launch a more budget-friendly version of its high-end Vision Pro headset as early as next year.

Moreover, Apple is working on a pair of smart glasses that may become available several years down the line. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, in his Power On newsletter, revealed that Apple is dedicated to advancing its headset technology despite the challenges faced with the original Vision Pro.

The company is said to be developing a scaled-back variant of the Vision Pro, which is said to hit the market by 2025. this lower-priced model will likely feature fewer capabilities compared to its more expensive counterpart.

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Apple Also Working On Augmented Reality Glasses

Previous reports hinted that the lower-priced Vision Pro could be priced between $1,500 and $2,000, a significant drop from the current model’s price point. To achieve this lower price, the company might employ various cost-saving measures. Speculations indicate that this could involve eliminating certain sensors and cameras or using less expensive materials in the construction of the headset.

Besides, the company is also said to be working on augmented reality (AR) glasses. These smart glasses, which could be a competitor to products like Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, are still in the experimental stages. Gurman previously mentioned that development faced delays because of technical setbacks. However, Apple appears to be pressing forward with the project, with potential availability not expected until 2027.

These developments underscore the company’s commitment to broadening its portfolio in the emerging AR and VR markets, aiming to offer products that cater to a wider range of audience. While details are scarce, the tech community eagerly anticipates further announcements from the company regarding these innovative devices.

Also Read: Microsoft Could Be Developing Its Apple Vision Pro Rival

Apple Could Launch Its Smallest Mac Mini With M4 Chips

Apple seems to be gearing up to give its biggest overhaul to the Mac mini lineup. The tech giant is said to prepping a new version of the Mac mini, which will be its smallest desktop computer ever.

As per a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this update will mark the first significant design change since Steve Jobs’ era in 2010 and will see the Mac mini shrink to a size comparable to an Apple TV set-top box.

The new Mac mini will be a part of a broader refresh of the company’s Mac lineup, all integrating the Ai-focused M4 processors. These chips, also set to back the upcoming iMac desktops, MacBook Pros, and potentially MacBook Airs, and Mac Pro models, showcase a major shift as the company standardizes its chip generation across all its Mac products for the first time.

Just a few weeks following a major global outage that triggered a global IT meltdown, CrowdStrike isn’t running away from taking ownership. The company’s president Michael Sentonas even took the stage at the Pwnie Awards to accept the award for “Most Epic Fail.”

The awards took place at Def Con, right after the Black Hat conference where CrowdStrike had one of the biggest booths, giving out free merchandise and action figures. A spokesperson told TechCrunch that the company’s message to attendees was one of “gratitude and appreciation for the Black Hat community.”

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Sentonas’ Acceptance Speech Going Viral

Footage of Sentonas’ acceptance speech has been shared online; similar to the attendees who seemed excited to give CrowdStrike another chance, the award audience was enthusiastic and appreciative of Sentonas for showing up to acknowledge the company’s mistakes.

The organizers explained that this award was a last-minute switch because the company deserved to win. Sentonas admitted this is “definitely not the award to be proud of receiving.”

“I think the team was surprised when I said straightaway that I would get it,” Sentonas continued. “Because we got this horribly wrong, we’ve said this a number of different times, and it’s super important to own it when you do things well, it’s super important to own it when you do things horribly wrong.”

Sentonas said he would be taking the trophy back to the company’s headquarters and displaying it in a prominent place, as a reminder that “our goal is to protect people, and we got this wrong, and I want to make sure everybody understands these things can’t happen.” 

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Microsoft Could Bring Surprising Changes To Curb Outages

The recent IT outage wasn’t just bad for CrowdStrike, but also a wake-up call for Microsoft. To avoid such instances in the future, Microsoft could take some serious steps, as it is evaluating blocking third-party security software from accessing the Windows Kernel, according to a blog post by John Cable, VP of program management for Windows servicing and delivery.

If this change were to be put in place, the restriction would imitate Apple’s 2020 move, which limited third-party software from accessing its core OS. The change was brought to macOS Big Sur, making sure that every system partition that contains the core OS is cryptographically verified, down to every last file.

The goal is to curb third-party entities that could melt down the whole system.
But this change isn’t easy to pull off. The company tried doing the exact same thing in 2006 with Windows Vista, curbing third parties from having Kernel access. However, the plan failed due to resistance from EU regulators and complaints from cybersecurity vendors.