WhatsApp is planning to introduce two new updates in upcoming versions

WBI has spotted that Whatsapp is planning to introduce two new updates for its users. These updates include an updated chat attachment menu and the ability to see groups in common while searching for a contact.

Starting with the first one, on March 4th, WBI revealed that WhatsApp was planning to update the chat for iOS users; however, as per the latest news, Android users will also be getting an updated menu. The current menu is outdated and needs to be changed. Based on the snapshot posted by Wabetainfo, it can be seen that the upcoming chat attachment menu will be completely updated. Not only will it look more clear, but it will also give users a much better experience. The beta version of the update has already been released for some users.

So far, no date has been shared as to when the updated menu will be available; however, it can be expected that it will be a part of upcoming updated versions.

Moving on to the second update, it can be seen that WhatsApp wants to offer a better experience to the users, from updating the menu to showing common groups while looking for a contact. At the end of 2022, WhatsApp released a similar update for desktop users who find it useful and time-saving.

The screenshot posted by Wabetainfo shows that whenever a contact is searched, a separate portion, namely Groups in Common, will also be shown. The update has already been released, not just for beta Android users but even for iOS users as well. It can be accessed via the beta version of WhatsApp available on the Play Store. The company has already expanded the number of beta users who will be able to get their hands on these updates.

Once again, no time and date are currently available; hence, it can be expected that, just like the updated menu update, groups in common will also be available anytime in the future.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Analyzing the growth of Snapchat Plus

The U.S.-based photo messaging app Snapchat introduced its premium version last year, in July 2022. The paid version of the application offers features that are not available to general users. Just one month into it, Snapchat had 1 million users who paid to unlock the exclusive features.

The latest analysis of Premium Subscription data by AF shows that during the first month of the launch, the app successfully made 5.7 million dollars worth of revenue; however, in August of the same year, the revenue dropped to 4.4 million.

A month later, in September 2022, the exclusive version started to experience a rise in revenue as it reached 4.6 million dollars, followed by 4.75 million dollars in October 2022, and by December 2022, it had already reached 5.6 million dollars worth of revenue. Revenue continued to rise the following year as well. In February 2023, Snapchat Plus was able to generate 6.8 million dollars worth of profit.

The platform concluded its month by generating 27 percent more profit as compared to August. And with just two months left in 2023, the net profit has gone up by another twenty-one percent.

Based on the graph's trajectory, it can be expected that revenue will keep increasing in 2023. Though Snapchat Plus is doing a decent job of generating profit, the profit generated through advertisements is still far ahead. Just last year, the platform was able to make 4.6 billion dollars. However, there are still several areas that can be improved to offer more exciting features to Snapchat Plus users.

Lately, Twitter also got famous due to its "Twitter Blue." Just like Snapchat Plus, Twitter Blue, despite not being able to offer any exclusive features, still managed to grow at a stable rate.

Some of the most exciting features offered at Snapchat Plus include being able to pin someone as your best friend, followed by indicating if anyone rewatched their story. the desktop version of the app, as well as customizing themes. Initially, it was stated that developers would keep updating the "Plus" version from time to time.

Read next: As per Nielsen, several streaming sites have seen a fall in their viewership in the shortest month of the 2023
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

STEM education has affected many students for the good: UNESCO’s study

STEM, or science, technology, engineering, and math, is a well-known field among college students and has a wide range of potential careers. Many pupils can benefit from STEM education in ensuring a prosperous and bright future. This industry offers a wide range of vocations, including those in artificial intelligence and other STEM-related sectors that have greatly influenced the world. STEM is responsible for the talking robots that assist people with mundane tasks throughout the day, the smart home devices, and the robots that have now replaced surgeons. In the future, there will still be a ton of novel goods and technologies that we had never even considered.

Recent research on STEM graduates from throughout the world was undertaken by the "UNESCO Institute for Statistics."

This study demonstrated the percentage of STEM graduates globally as well as the number of nations that have made advancements in this field. Yet, they have worked hard to ensure that STEM education is currently offered in many schools. They excluded China from this study and only chose a small number of nations.

According to the survey, Malaysia and Tunisia, with percentages of 43.5% and 37.9%, respectively, are the top 2 nations with the highest number of STEM graduates.

Remarkably, India outperformed a lot of other nations on this survey, scoring 34%. As was already indicated, China was not included in this survey, but a 2016 report estimated that it produced 4.7 million STEM graduates annually, surpassing India's output.

Nonetheless, a 2014 research by the National Science Foundation revealed that China offers many opportunities in the fields of engineering and science. In terms of "STEM", China has 1.6 million graduates, not more than India.

The United Arab Emirates (36.2%), Germany (35.8%), Belarus (34.6%), India (34.0%), Korea (30.2%), and the United Kingdom (22.8%) are other nations that made the top 6 rankings. As seen in the report, Arab nations have performed better than any other nations, and "The Arab Gulf" has recently produced a huge number of STEM graduates, especially in Oman and the UAE.

In this survey, the powerful and well-known nation of America came in second-to-last, surpassing Brazil, which came in last. Yet, this analysis concluded that Europe is not a particularly strong STEAM region.

H/T: Statista

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

As per Nielsen, several streaming sites have seen a fall in their viewership in the shortest month of the 2023

The monthly "Nielsen the Gauge" study measures the overall amount of time spent on streaming services. As of this month's statistics, views were down up to 5.01% from January of last year.

Despite this, streaming platforms climbed 1.5 percentage points from January to a dominant 34.3% share of time spent viewing, a new high for the digital video medium. This was despite other significant categories declining.

According to the survey, YouTube has surpassed all of its rival streaming services, holding the largest share (excluding YouTube TV) at 7.9%.

With a 1% share, the ad-free streaming network Tubi was introduced to The Gauge as a standout streaming option last month. It ranked ninth overall, behind Pluto TV, with a 0.7% market share. In September 2022, Pluto was introduced to The Gauge.

Furthermore, “Broadcast”, another user-friendly streaming platform, recently experienced failure. Their shares decreased by 9.2% from the previous month, totaling only 23.8% in February. This was mostly caused by the National Football League's recent conclusion, which resulted in a decline in streaming viewership.

When NPL terminated, not only broadcast but other platforms suffered losses as well, such as Cable TV, whose shares fell to 30.02% and represented a loss of 5.7% of its shares.

After this, Nielsen believed that the best course of action to stop this descent from occurring every month was to remove MVPD/vMVPD (virtual/multichannel video programming distributor) viewing from streaming services like YouTube, Hulu lives, DirecTV, etc.

The total views on streaming services for the month of "Feb" were as follows:

• 6.8% of other streaming applications
• YouTube, 7.9%; Netflix, 7.3%; and Prime Video, 3.0%
• Disney Plus - 1.8%; Hulu live - 3.3%
• 1.3% HBO max
• Peacock - 1.0 percent

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Google Contacts Rolls Out Birthday Notifications To Help You Stay Connected

Google Contacts is introducing a new way to stay in the loop regarding your friends and family's birthdays.

Google is making staying connected with friends and family easier on their special day. The company is rolling out a new "birthday notifications" feature in Google Contacts that alerts you when it's someone's birthday.

The latest version of Google Contacts enables users to pick out friends and family whose birthdays they want to be reminded about. It will ensure that no one gets forgotten, allowing for more meaningful connections with those closest to you.

Google has been building up different ways for users to remember birthdays over the past few years. Messages will detect "happy birthday" messages and ask if you want to save that person's birthday, while Calendar will show upcoming birthdays at the top of your monthly view. These features are powered by Google Contacts, which helpfully sync information across Google's ecosystem.

With the recent addition of "birthday notifications," staying in touch with those you cherish is more straightforward and effortless. You no longer have to guess when important days fall on the calendar; press a few buttons on this brilliant invention to wish loved ones a heartfelt "happy birthday" each year.

Investment in setting up regular misses that invaluable smile on their big day. Now, you don't have to worry about being late for the parties! Celebrating birthdays can be comfortable: no fuss, minimal time spent, and maximum joy created!

You can now set birthday notifications for each person individually until we can turn them on simultaneously. Your preferences will also save across devices, so you will get all the special days, even when switching between phones and computers.

Google is also working on other ways to help you stay connected and celebrate with the people that matter most. From upcoming partner integrations to giving you more options when celebrating birthdays, Google will be a one-stop shop for all your birthday needs!

Google Contacts is dedicated to facilitating connections between users and their dearest companions, regardless of life's obstacles. Important dates like birthdays will be remembered, thanks to invaluable reminders!

Furthermore, contacts present even more ways in which somebody's unique relationships can be nurtured long-term. As a result, individuals can form intense and meaningful bonds with their most treasured family members and friends.

Read next: Google Maps Tests New Sidebar Feature On The Web Which Gives Convenient Access To Recently Seen Places
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Google Maps Tests New Sidebar Feature On The Web Which Gives Convenient Access To Recently Seen Places

Maps for both Android and iOS are commonly seen giving visual updates. But the opposite stands true for maps witnessed on the Google webpage.

But it seems that things are soon going to change. The tech giant is right now testing new sidebars that give convenient access to places that users saw recently, as per 9to5G.

For some individuals, Google Maps is on the web featuring a rail for sports navigation toward the left edge. There is where you’ll find the hamburger button which opens a similar drawer to that seen in the past.

This includes two tabs that open a list of saved places and areas that you’ve visited recently.

And if that is not convenient, how about noticing that places seen recently including cities with locations are going to pop up across the sidebar. It gives users a chance to quickly return to places without spending hours searching and sifting across results of the past.

Separate locations open up on an immediate basis and they will take you to the likes of full listings. But Google Maps tends to group things together in just one place like a single city. So when you do click it, a list entailing a side panel pops up.

It’s quite like a manner featuring chat heads and enabling multitasking to be done quickly so users can easily switch from one place to the next.

• Also read: How Will Connected Cars Impact the Internet?

We see this as a great use for the likes of extra screens linked to real estate that is afforded by the web when using laptops and desktops. Moreover, the sidebar feature is great when compared to using multiple tabs featuring Google Maps that open up together. We also think it’s a wonderful addition to mobile platforms seen on Android Tablets and Apple’s iPad devices.

For now, this feature comprising a sidebar for Google Maps is not launched. Moreover, we’re seeing it appear on a single one of the accounts where users sign in. it’s a clear change that allows for location planning to occur so easily on websites as compared to the usual endeavor used on smartphone devices. Also, we see an element of excitement when there are new UI ideas, thanks to Google, popping up on large screens.

Clearly, Google is doing a great job we believe and we can’t wait for the rollout so stay tuned!

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

YouTube Studio Rolls Out Ability To Make New Podcasts And Set Up Existing Playlists As Podcasts

YouTube is all set for the launch of podcasts on the platform. But with that comes more great news about the YouTube Studio rolling out the necessary support with tools for Creators related to it.

This widely rolled-out feature gives creators the chance to make new podcasts and set new playlists as a part of that podcast endeavor. There is also going to be a new tab that’s restricted for this purpose and it would be seen on the Content page.

When done officially, such podcasts would showcase playlists and episodes from the podcast that include videos from the playlist. These would be eligible for the likes of playback through audio only.

Whenever the user marks the podcast, this content would be given an appropriate badge and it would appear with show cards in the user’s search results. And that was rolled out in 2022. Now, creators require users to include square-shaped podcast thumbnails that come with the title and entail descriptions that are more comprehensive in nature.

Creators will receive podcast-specific discoveries and even recommendation features that make it so much easier for audience members to look for the podcast in question. It would also be seen as an option that would be featured across the youtube page in the US.

Later on, you’ll find it available across YouTube Music. Today, you’ll see it continue being listed as a part of the ‘coming soon’ feature for creators in America.

YouTube mentioned in its blog post how it hopes to include dedicated analytics for all of the content that’s marked with the podcast tag. And that includes traffic sources, demographic details of the audience, retention metrics belonging to the audience, and data related to revenue.

Since then, the YouTube platform has given creators a lot of different practices that entail making public podcast playlists for all the podcasts on every channel. Next, you’ll see the podcast would be allowed to feature certain episodes that are full-length in design. And that would be organized in a specific order so users know how to view it.

The company also delineated how it hopes all podcasts would only entail full-length episodes that are organized in a sequence that consumes everyone involved. And in such situations when the podcast entails several seasons, it would entail them in that very same podcast.

During the setup process, YouTube tells users to add descriptive titles in the podcast and no extra words to it. And it’s never a good idea to entail generic terms like Full Episodes and New Uploads in it.

Just in case the podcast’s playlist is a little unclear when looked at at a first glance, you’ll see YouTube replace that with the channel’s name in the YouTube music app.

In cases when the show ends up being episodic, you can order the videos in a sequence that goes from newest to oldest. And if the show is seen in a serial, you can order that playlist in a manner that makes it go from the oldest to the newer version.

Read next: YouTube has added new features to help increase the number of views as well as give more monetization opportunities
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World