Video Games Might Make Kids Smarter According to This Study

Parents have long thought that kids shouldn’t play too many video games because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up ruining their cognitive abilities. However, a recent study has shown that playing video games could have the exact opposite effect. It might actually make kids smarter than might have been the case otherwise since it develops their cognition in a unique way that promotes intellectual growth.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that a new study that analyzed brain scans which was published in JAMA Network Open shed some light on the matter at hand. Children who played video games turned out to have improved attention spans, and it also resulted in better memory recall and visual recognition.

The way this study worked was that two sets of children were hooked up to an MRI machine and they were given two separate tasks that they needed to perform. The first tasked involved controlling inhibitions and the second was all about how well their memory functioned.

Children who played video games for up to three hours a day showed improved reflexes and faster reaction times with all things having been considered and taken into account. The study tried to control for video watching in order to get better results, and the gamers still managed to outperform their non-gamer counterparts in all of the tests that had been conducted.

One thing that might impact the findings of this study is the genre of the video game. Different genres might product entirely different results, but in spite of the fact that this is the case this study definitely shows that playing video games is not a bad thing for children at least in terms of cognitive advancement. While it’s not a good idea to let them get addicted and play all day long, it can be a reasonable pastime activity that actually promotes a healthy brain which might come in handy in many different ways as they grow into adulthood and become independent.

Read next: 66% of Americans Got Hacked While Playing Video Games According to This Report
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Twitter Relaunches Swipeable Feed Alternatives As Frustration Grows With The App’s Recommendations

In case you did not know by now, Twitter’s latest version is actually taking a step backward as no new additions are actually really new. Musk claims they are all really some great variations of the past trials that the app has been busy with.

The Twitter Chief has been super busy in terms of repitching these upgrades as he foists them in a manner that has enlightened the app’s users.

Musk’s new addition says that it was launched a while back in March but after a few days, it was removed so you could swipe among those that were algorithmically defined as a part of a home timeline and some latest tweets.

But so many users across the board really hated that whole timeline approach. It kept on showing old tweets as well as those from individuals that they were not keen on following. Some tweets may have even been loved by their so-called connections.

Twitter says that the feedback across the board was super clear. Users do not want alternative timelines, they only want this main feed to be the latest tweets out there.

Now, it appears that Elon Musk and Co are yet to uncover such feedback as they’re sorting through previous documents from Twitter. Now, they’re rolling it out again as the new Twitter navigation. Truly, it’s a brilliant approach from Twitter which is working hard at pushing more content into the app’s main feed.

It’s all about the expansion of the tweet discovery and people started getting annoyed because they are being given an algorithm-defined feed with a timeline of tweets that has people you follow in sequential order.

Twitter discovery is a new approach and it really does hope this side-swipe navigation will remove the frustration of users. This similarly would allow for more tweets to enter into people’s feeds too.

Twitter has proven with time that there are so many recommendations out there that are AI-based. If you do get it right, you can really attain some great benefits and in this case, it’s higher engagement and so much more retention. Twitter’s algorithm is not good but it can get great with time, at least this is what Elon Musk is hoping for.

Side swiping takes you on an experience that you really do wish to go on. But how successful that would turn out to be, time will tell.

Read next: Elon Musk Unleashes New Cryptic Tweet That Hints About Twitter’s Upcoming Policy
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Here Are the Biggest Tech Innovations Coming Up in 2023

People with a significant amount of experience in the tech world tend to have a good idea about the direction in which the industry might be headed. In spite of the fact that this is the case, many of the upcoming trends for the world of tech can be difficult to predict, and this unpredictability is the very thing that takes the entire industry forward. Without further ado, here are some of the biggest innovations that the tech industry might see in 2023.

1. Streaming Bundles

Netflix is conducting some experiments with ad based subscriptions tiers, and with all of that having been said and now out of the way it is important to note that the success of these experiments could have a huge impact on the streaming industry. We might see Disney snapping Netflix up to bolster its Hulu and Disney+ line up, or Apple might throw its hat into the ring.

2. Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles have already seen growth because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up mitigating the effects of climate change. However, EVs have seen their growth stall due to battery issues such as in the case of Tesla batteries catching fire. Such issues could EVs grow more slowly than might have been the case otherwise.

3. A Wire Free World

Many have been predicted entirely wire free smartphones, and 2023 might be the year when we finally get them. Apple has already taken some big strides to reduce any wires and extra components for its phones, such as with the iPhone 14 which didn’t have a physical sim card tray in many of its models. Wireless charging is also likely going to come to the fore.

4. The Smart Home

Gadgets for smart homes are forming a rising trend, and Matter is at the forefront of such innovations as of right now. While the Smart Home dream may not end up getting fully utilized over the course of 2023, chances are that it will see at least some small amount of growth. People may move towards smart homes without realizing it, and that will be an interesting trend to check up on as 2023 passes us by.

5. The Death of Social Media?

About a decade ago, social media seemed like a bit of an unstoppable force. Now, Facebook is struggling to keep hold of its users, Twitter may be dying under Elon Musk, Instagram is having a bit of an identity crisis and even TikTok is finding it hard to make ends meet after being met with challenge after challenge in American courts. That makes the future of social media rather unclear, although newcomers like Mastodon might push the industry forward.

6. Foldable Apple Products

Samsung beat Apple to the punch by launching a foldable smartphone, and chances are that Apple will be announcing a similar device in 2023. It is pretty unlikely that Apple will be able to release a finished product, but we will probably see a prototype as well as some images that can give us a glimpse of what Apple has in store. It will be interesting to see if Apple manages to bring any innovation to the foldable smartphone category.

7. Sustainability Takes Center Stage

The major narrative for 2023 is shaping up to be all about sustainability. Many have noticed sustainability creeping its way into manufacturing processes, and massive corporations like Apple and Samsung will likely be doubling down on it in the upcoming year. Sustainability will also be a hot topic for consumers themselves since they will be looking for new ways to live as sustainably as possible, and tech will play a huge role in that change.

Read next: Most Businesses Are Likely To Succeed If Bosses Are Kind And Thoughtful, New Survey Unveils
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

WhatsApp for Desktop Just Got a New Chat Selection Update

WhatsApp has long been trying to perfect its desktop and web apps, and one of these updates might change the way that users interact with their various chat windows on the platform. A future update that many eagle eyed users have noted in the beta might give you the ability to select multiple chats at once with all things having been considered and taken into account.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that the ability to select multiple chats has long been a part of the smartphone app. In spite of the fact that this is the case, this feature took a really long time to develop for the desktop version of the online messaging platform.

Such a feature can be highly useful because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up helping users to better organize their chats. It can be difficult to see which chats are where, and that can make the user experience less enticing than might have been the case otherwise.

One thing to remember is that this update is not going to be rolled out for regular users anytime soon. It is still in the beta testing phase, so we will have to wait and see when WhatsApp decides to roll it out for the general public. Chances are that they would want to make a few tweaks before the wider rollout, but beta testers have not yet reported any issues so it is possible that the release might come sooner rather than later.

Users will be able to mark a number of different conversations and label them as read or unread. This can be especially useful for business users because they often have a multitude of chat windows that they would need to get through. Multi chat selection options can facilitate improved user experiences across the board, and it will be quite exciting when the update finally comes through. Most WhatsApp users will be waiting with bated breath for that to happen, and it will definitely create some buzz.

Read next: Own an Old iPhone or Samsung Smartphone? WhatsApp Might Stop Working for You
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Minecraft Secures Top Spot For Most Popular Video Game Of Gen Z In 2022

The year 2022 is coming to an end and we’re taking a look at the most popular video games of Gen Z this year, thanks to a new research.

We can say without any doubt that Gen Zers aren’t just a simple fascination but they have some really serious power of making purchases and having an impact on cultural capital. They are the ones putting out new imprints regarding today’s global market.

Recently, Morning Consult was seen putting out a new survey for Americans that were between the age of 13 to 25. This had to do with tastes in categories like media and their habits. In the same way, brands and relationships had been studied and they had some keen interest in the world of sports.

This just makes you understand things so much better as to where the youngsters in today’s adult generation are heading.

While some might feel Fortnite is a very cartoon-like game that was launched in 2017, its popularity is incomparable to all others. It’s much older and intricate and is one of this year’s favorites but it didn’t top the list.

It was actually the famous 3D sandbox favorite that made a debut in the year 2011. The fandom it has had with Gen Z than other games, as per Morning Consult’s survey for Americans between the age of 13 to 25 shows that people adored it to a great extent.

Right after Minecraft became so popular among Generation Z, the next in line was the Grand Theft Auto series, which gained a massive 63% popularity, followed by Call of Duty which arose at a popularity of 58%. In sixth place, it was Fortnite with 44%.

So with Minecraft securing a staggering 71% with Gen Z and 31% with the general population, you have to understand that this game is really being loved by the newer generation more than the older ones.

The study says that the gap recorded between the two was the widest of them all when compared to other games present.

Another game that was shockingly a hit with Gen Z as compared to the older adult age group was Among Us. It has been awfully popular ever since the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

There were just three games that were super popular among the general population as compared to that seen in Gen Z. This included the likes of Final Fantasy, League of Legends, and World of Warcraft.

Read next: Almost All States in the US Have Laws About Flying Drones and You Should Know About Them Before Operating Copters
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

These IT Skills Remain Important in Recessions

The landscape of IT jobs has been impacted quite considerably by rampant inflation, and the ensuing recession looks like it will be continuing to reduce jobs in this sector with all things having been considered and taken into account. In spite of the fact that this is the case, there are some IT related roles that are famously resistant to the effects of a recession, and focusing on preparing for such roles can help IT workers tide over the troublesome period that is coming up.

Tech layoffs have been leaving many IT workers without gainful employment. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that some of the skills mentioned below are going to be great options for IT workers who have recently found themselves without a job.

1. Cryptography

It’s not just cryptocurrency that requires a number of tech workers who specialize in cryptography. Data encryption has become a much needed feature for many programs, and cryptography experts are crucial for the privacy that such encryption can provide. Roles that require cryptography have seen a 20% increase in terms of their overall value this past year alone, and chances are that the numbers will continue to go up.

2. Azure Key Vault

Many analysts have noted a 19% uptick in Azure Key Vault related roles over the course of 2022. This cloud service is a pivotal component of secure storage of sensitive data. This includes things like passwords, API data, as well as keys to various security protocols that cryptography experts might have put into place.

3. Security Auditing

Cybersecurity has become a top priority for almost every single major corporation as well as small to medium businesses. Specializing in security auditing can be helpful because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up making you suitable for such high paying roles. The market value for security auditing specalists has risen by as much as 20% in the span of a year. Such skills can come in handy for a wide array of business roles, so employees can broaden their horizons by looking into this sphere.

4. Identity and Access Management

The pandemic brought a lot of seismic changes to many industries. One of these changes was that remote work became an increasingly prevalent method for employees to complete their daily tasks. While this created a host of opportunities for improved work life balance, it had the added side effect of causing some security issues as well. IAM specialists can help ensure that remote workers don’t create any gaps or weaknesses in cybersecurity protocols, so it’s not surprising that such roles have seen a 6% increase in market value this past year.

5. Penetration Testing

This is a role that has seen one of the most impressive market value increases in 2022. With a 21.4% increase being seen so far, penetrating testing has turned into a hot item for tech workers who want to branch out into new roles, find new challenges and ideally earn a bit more money. DDoS attacks have seen an enormous increase this year, and penetration testing can help companies to enlist ethical hackers who can stress test their various cybersecurity protocols.

6. Risk Analytics

Tech workers are unique in that they can assume a number of different roles within a given organization. With risk analytics, a tech specialist can branch out into the field of business intelligence. This is a field with a lot of scope, and roles related to the field have seen their market value go up by around 6% this year and it might be even higher next year than might have been the case otherwise.

7. AI

If there is one field of tech that is constantly generating a lot of buzz that goes beyond the hype cycle, it is AI. AI is also an exceptionally fast growing field, with around 33% of all tech roles advertised this year requiring some level of AI knowhow. Becoming an expert in AI related skills can enable tech works to become more nimble, since they would be eligible for a far larger set of roles. With average salaries dipping into the $150,000 range, it’s definitely understandable that AI is seeing such growth.

H/T: Footepartners

Read next: Is the Gig Economy Creating New Cybersecurity Problems?
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Almost All States in the US Have Laws About Flying Drones and You Should Know About Them Before Operating Copters

If you have a drone or any quad-copters, you cannot fly them everywhere in America. Some states in America prohibit flying drones around the area while in some states, you can easily control your remote control drone without any restrictions. Nowadays people buy drones for fun and it's alright because everyone needs a little bit of out door activity and entertainment. If the drone you have bought weighs more than 8.8 ounces, you need to register it with the FAA. The registration fee isn't very high and you will only need to spend $5 for the registration of your drone.

This isn't all because to fly a drone, you must know which state allows the use of it under which conditions. This information isn't too public and you have to dig it up or else you can violate the rules and regulations of the state. Verizon made it all easy for you by creating an infographic that tells the people which states allow drones and which do not.

According to the infographic, 24 states in the USA prohibit surveillance of people and buildings with drones by any means. These states include Arizona, California, Texas, and Florida. 20 states restrict the use of drones in parks and wildlife areas including California and Texas. 16 states allow the use of drones only for law enforcement. Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, and Vermont prohibit the weaponization of drones. This means you can use drones as a fun activity, but not as a weapon.

Only four states require licensing and registration of drones before you start using them. These states are Louisiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Oregon. Keep in mind that the registration of drones needs to happen for commercial as well as public use or it will be an offense. People in Kansas and Kentucky cannot use drones near or on airport property. New Jersey has a law that people cannot control drones under the influence by any means. Louisiana also regulates the use of drones in agriculture and farming. If you are using a drone for commercial purposes in Minnesota, you have to get its insurance.

Even if all of these states have some laws and conditions for flying drones, some states do not have any laws for them. Even if laws are absent in these states, if you are buying a drone with more than 8.8 ounces weight, you must have to register it as it is a federal requirement. So do not overlook this important requirement. These states are Alabama, Missouri, and South Carolina in which you can fly drones freely, without any restrictions. A restriction that is common in all states is that no one can use drones for the surveillance of people and buildings. It's against common human rights too because it is considered stalking. If someone doesn't obey the laws given by their respective states for flying drones, they can get locked up in jail.

There are many other laws for flying drones in different states in the USA. Like in Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, Oregon, South Dakota, and Texas, there are drone-specific criminal offenses. The states of Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, and Wyoming provide funding for drones so they can be used for research and testing purposes.

So all of this means that flying drones isn't that easy. You have to know your state laws for drones before taking the remote control into your hands. As mentioned above, Verizon has made it all easy for you to skim through the laws to have a better understanding of them.

Read next: Can Smartphones Affect Your Married Life? This New Study Reveals The Answer Most People Gave
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World