WhatsApp users will soon be able react to messages with just a double tap

WhatsApp, the popular messaging platform used by millions of people worldwide, is constantly evolving to enhance user experience and introduce new features. Among its latest developments is the "Double Tap Action for Reactions" feature, which promises to add a new layer of interaction and expression to conversations. While the sound of feature may sound new, but Meta owned Instagram already introduced it a while back.

As spotted by WBI, the Double Tap Action for Reactions feature aims to provide users with a quicker and more intuitive way to react to messages within chats. Currently under development, this feature allows users to express their emotions by simply double-tapping on a specific message. Instead of typing out a response or selecting from a limited set of default reactions, this feature introduces a fluid and instantaneous reaction mechanism.

This new feature is designed to enhance the expressiveness of conversations by enabling users to react swiftly and effortlessly. Whether it's a funny joke, heartwarming message, or thought-provoking statement, a double-tap reaction allows users to instantly convey their feelings without interrupting the flow of conversation. This can be particularly useful in busy group chats or during times when users want to respond quickly but don't have the time to compose a written response. Initially only the thumbs up reaction will be available as a default reaction just like the heart emoji is for Instagram. However, it can be expected that soon users will be able to change the default setting and setup their own personalized emoji reaction.

WhatsApp has always prioritized accessibility and privacy, and the double tap reactions feature is no exception. Users can rest assured that their reactions remain private and visible only to the participants in the conversation. Furthermore, this feature will not affect the existing privacy settings or compromise any sensitive information shared within chats.

So far the pilot version has not been released and it is believed that soon testing audience will be able try it. And while the exact release date of the feature is yet to be confirmed, its development showcases WhatsApp's commitment to continuously improving user experience. Once released, the feature is expected to be available for both iOS and Android users.



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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

OpenAI’s CEO Will Use Innovative Iris-Scanning Technology For His New Global Cryptocurrency

Sam Altman is shedding light on some exciting plans regarding his use of groundbreaking iris-scan technology.

The billionaire was quick to reveal how he would be using this form of verification for his crypto project of Worldcoin. He added how there were plenty of plans in terms of going mainstream with the technology and while it’s going to be a major online challenge, he’s so ready to take it on.

Altman co-founded the famous Worldcoin in the year 2019 and since then, he’s been on the mission to build the world’s biggest identity and financial network.

Today, he is keen on being close to securing some $100 million in funds to start up his next endeavor. This would entail scanning users’ eyes to give them access for free to the new venture.

Some people have already put out some major concerns regarding issues related to privacy and ethics that may pop up sometime soon. We’re not sure if this is going to be a major nightmare or not but one thing is for sure, people don’t want a repeat of the scenario that came with chatbots.

For those still curious about what exactly is Worldcoin, well, it is another name for crypto that is designed to make universal access for the world’s economy so that it welcomes and ensures benefits for all around the globe.

Clearly, this mission is not easy by any means. But the question is how the founders of this app plan on doing everything in such a short span of time.

Sources revealed how the main point worth pondering upon is how the endeavor makes use of software that entails biometrics through the eyes so that a person’s unique identity gets established.

After receiving the verification, they may produce IDs that are linked to the Digital World and it would start to attain Crypto Tokens.

The firm says that this World ID was rolled out in the past week and that combined with the World App may be utilized in a pseudonymously manner that entails a long list of apps without the real identity of the user coming into focus.

You can see this type of technology as a very personalized protocol and it’s designed to tackle some huge issues linked to the massive development of tools that get powered by AI. It’s going to differentiate between real individuals and bots and help people believe how it might help provide some basic sources of income to people affected by such cuts in jobs due to AI.

We know for a fact that the sounds of this are not very thrilling for so many individuals. Plenty of whistleblowers exist who continue to show concerns about the practice during the start of 2021. During such a period of time, they raised the concern linked to how people’s data was getting stored and that was not alright for obvious reasons.

But the firm vows it’s all very safe for use and there’s nothing to worry about.

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

VPN Demand in Pakistan Sees Astounding 1,329% Increase in 6 Days, Here’s How That Stacks Up With the Rest of the World

Amid violent protests, civil conflicts and crackdowns by paramilitary elements, the demand for VPNs in the South Asian nation of Pakistan has seen an unprecedented 1,329% increase in 2023. This occurred after the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on the 9th of May, which spurred widespread protests that authorities responded to by restricting access to social media platforms.

In the span of just six days, VPN usage soared to levels that had never been seen with all things having been considered and taken into account. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority also blocked broadband access across the board, which once again made VPNs more useful than might have been the case otherwise.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that Pakistan is not alone in this surge. Earlier in the year, more specifically during the months of February and March, VPN usage in Ethiopia surged by 3,651% after the government blocked certain portions of the internet.

This wasn’t the first time Ethiopia saw such a startling increase. In November of 2021, the Ethiopian government blocked Facebook and Instagram after exam papers were leaked. This led to VPN usage becoming 5,109% higher than normal.

• Also read: Apple Achieves 81% Customer Satisfaction Rating, Higher Than Any Other Smartphone Company

Elsewhere in Asia, Iran saw a 3,082% increase in VPN usage in the aftermath of the arrest and death of Mahsa Amini. The Iranian government attempted to curtail protests by blocking WhatsApp and Instagram, and this spurred the Iranian people to start using VPNs so that they could continue to communicate.

The demand for VPNs is also seeing a huge uptick in the US. In the state of Utah, an 847% increase was noted after the government starting requiring users to submit IDs to verify their age in order to access adult sites like Pornhub. Louisiana also saw a 246% increase for the same reason.

All around the world, government restrictions on internet access are being sidestepped with VPN usage. It will be interesting to see how these trends continue for the rest of 2023.



Via: Google Trends

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by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Apple Achieves 81% Customer Satisfaction Rating, Higher Than Any Other Smartphone Company

Consumer sentiment regarding smartphones is generally though to be quite high, and studies have shown the veracity of these statements. The American Customer Satisfaction Index recently sought to break down the way consumers perceive various smartphone brands as well as the products in general, and this revealed some key insights into the state of the industry.

Based on this survey of just under 16,000 consumers, or 15,881 to be precise, it seems like Apple is the most popular smartphone company of all in terms of consumer satisfaction. The overall satisfaction rate for smartphones sat at around 79%, which is the same as last year. In spite of the fact that this is the case, Apple managed to receive a satisfaction rating of 81%.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that Apple’s satisfaction rating last year sat at around 80%. This means that the company has managed to see a one point uptick in customer satisfaction, and it also happens to edge out all of the competition.

For example, Samsung was unable to increase its satisfaction rating from the 80% it saw last year. Apple’s one point increase meant that the company was able to edge past its main rival, and no other company came close to them either.

Coming in third is Google with 78%, and the tech juggernaut also saw a one point increase in the same time period. However, some companies did not perform as well, which meant that customer satisfaction ended up being lower than might have been the case otherwise.

Motorola saw a 2 point drop in its customer satisfaction score, going from 77% last year to 75% this year. Also, other smartphone brands apart from Apple, Google and Samsung saw customer satisfaction dip from 74% to just 71%, which suggests that the industry really relies on the big three players to ensure high satisfaction rates.

Apple now has similar satisfaction scores as soft drinks and other products like shoes, and it is one of the few companies to outperform their industries.

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by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Google Celebrates Global Accessibility Awareness Day With The Launch Of New Features For Its Live Captions, Maps, And Others

So many Android devices are now turning into popular favorites for the masses, thanks to them being user-friendly.

In the recent past, we’ve seen Google really evolve and highlight more features that it wants users to benefit from. And while we’re grateful for so many of those, there are still plenty of areas that need improvement.

This includes tools that help you magnify a screen and enables you to read things in a simpler manner. Meanwhile, there is also a new Live Caption option where users can take notes during a meeting too.

Such accessibility features display a very simple notion. Devices may work out well for them, no matter what form of disability they may have. And today, the search engine giant seems to be celebrating global accessibility day by launching a range of enticing features to better the whole Android user experience.

This means saying hello to more inclusivity and adding some more accessibility features that entail a long list of enhancements to the feature called Live Caption. This means getting into the AI world to develop alt text and produce more data about certain spots that can be accessed through wheelchairs.

Throughout the year 2020, we saw people make use of the new Accessible Places launch through Google’s Maps. They were provided with so many ramps that would put up ramps and make rooms for wheelchairs and some strollers too.

It was very handy and disguising such features behind the likes of opt-ins meant it was no longer in access of Google’s users. So to ensure that was not the case, users were asked to check if there was any location that had alternatives for stairs.

But that’s not all. The company is also unveiling new tools that would be helpful for browsers. This includes detecting errors while putting in a URL. So that’s going to do wonders for those suffering from dyslexia and a range of other learning issues including those with new language skills.

You can find this offering on desktop but you’ll have to wait a little while longer for it to expand across smart devices, the company adds.

Whatever the case may be, users of such devices can benefit from updates on TalkBack across Chrome and it helped Android users manage tabs.

Such improvements arising on Live Caption may not seem to be a big deal but one feature is definitely getting rolled out that would assist with communication. On calls, users can type responses for a feature and have the text read out aloud to another individual.

You can find this on devices of both Google’s Pixel 6,7 and it would land on some older variants too, not to mention Android devices as well.

Most of the world is anticipating Google to really divert most of its efforts to including AI assistance. It wishes to assist those having great trouble seeing what types of pictures are being looked at and how it integrates AI into the entire process of making alt text with the right captions in place.

Read next: Study Reveals the Impact of Connectivity Issues on App Usage and Retention
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Study Reveals the Impact of Connectivity Issues on App Usage and Retention

In a recent study conducted by OpenSignal, it has been found that mobile applications suffer significantly shorter sessions when users face challenges with their network connection. Whether caused by fluctuating signal strength or unreliable wireless networks, these challenges exert a profound influence on app usage and the overall user experience. The findings from the research emphasize the essential significance of reliable connectivity in fostering user engagement and promoting app retention.

Ensuring a strong connection is paramount to the success of any app. The study reveals that users spend less time in each app session when they encounter problems with their mobile connectivity. The impact is even more pronounced when dealing with unreliable WiFi, resulting in a substantial reduction in session duration. These findings underscore the importance of addressing connectivity issues to enhance the overall app experience.

The difficulties related to connectivity have a significant impact on the revenue generated by apps, as many rely on in-app purchases or advertising for revenue. This decline in satisfaction can lead to a decrease in app usage and potential revenue generation over time.

According to the study, a notable portion of mobile app sessions is affected by weak signal strength, while similar issues are experienced during WiFi connections. These statistics highlight the prevalence of connectivity challenges and the urgent need for comprehensive solutions.

Among various app categories, video applications suffer the most substantial decline in session duration when faced with connectivity issues. Mobile sessions for video players experienced a significant reduction, while sessions on WiFi networks saw a similar drop. This underscores the importance of reliable connectivity in facilitating uninterrupted video streaming and improving user experience within these apps.

Apps in various categories experience reduced usage when faced with connectivity challenges. Among the affected categories are News & Magazines, Navigation, Shopping apps, Lifestyle, and Education. For instance, video player apps have a high uninstall rate when users experience poor signal strength. Similarly, News & Magazines and Lifestyle apps are more likely to be uninstalled when users face connectivity issues.

The study reveals a striking disparity in app retention rates between users with strong signal strength and those facing connectivity challenges. On the first day, users with connectivity issues already exhibit lower app retention rates. This can be attributed to reduced app usage resulting from connectivity problems. As time goes by, the disparity in retention rates becomes more pronounced, signifying that individuals facing connectivity issues are increasingly inclined to cease using the app or uninstall it entirely.

By the time the seventh day arrives, the impact of connectivity challenges becomes increasingly noticeable. It is imperative for app developers and service providers to prioritize the resolution of these issues, ensuring the long-term retention of users. This commitment to addressing connectivity challenges will unlock the full potential and value of their apps.

The study's findings emphasize the detrimental impact of connectivity issues on app usage and retention. As apps continue to play an increasingly integral role in our daily lives, ensuring reliable and uninterrupted connectivity becomes paramount. By addressing these challenges, app developers and service providers can enhance user engagement, increase app retention, and optimize revenue generation.

In conclusion, the study conducted by OpenSignal sheds light on the dire consequences of connectivity issues on app usage and retention. The findings underscore the critical role that stable connectivity plays in facilitating a seamless app experience and maximizing user engagement. App developers and service providers must prioritize comprehensive solutions to address connectivity challenges and ensure long-term user satisfaction.

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by Ayesha Hasnain via Digital Information World

Meta Creates New Breakthrough Generative AI Tool For Coding Purposes

Facebook’s parent firm is speaking about a new and exciting development involving the world of generative AI.

Meta Inc. says it has designed a new AI tool for the purpose of coding and it’s quite similar to how GitHub’s Copilot works.

The firm added in this announcement during a recently held AI event that it was really working hard and focusing on getting its AI efforts on par with customized chips that would help swiftly increase the speed of training for Generative AI models.

Here, the coding tool is dubbed CodeCompose, and while it’s not present in the public for now, it’s definitely holding some big promises.

Tech giant Meta’s teams mentioned how its teams are already making use of inside the firm and it hopes for a public expansion soon.

The product is created to make use of it internally to attain code suggestions for all kinds of things like Python and other language variants including VS Code.

This type of underlying model is designed above public research and that’s open for internal cases. As mentioned by a top software engineer at Meta, this type of product side that’s designed to Code Compose into any kind of surface where a developer or data scientist's work is ultimately the code. Therefore, Meta is working hard in nailing that very same approach.

The biggest of the models for CodeCompose entails training that goes up to 6.7 billion and that’s a figure that’s a little more than the parameter in such models through which it’s based.

Moreover, such parameters of this kind of model saw how there was proper training and it ended up defining the skill for models through historical data. And in the end, it even outlined the model’s skill for a certain issue like producing text.

The new venture by Meta was seen undergoing plenty of finetuning across the firm’s first-party codes and that made use of so many internal libraries. It was then seen getting added to the programming language as it got filtered from any mistakes and low-level coding practices.

The whole idea was to limit the chances that such models were producing recommendations that were linked to slice codes. Hence, the product is known for making suggestions including such annotations, and sending out statements while people type. Be it a single or multiple code line, it gets filled optionally in huge chunk codes.

Read next: Meta Announces Its Latest VR Updates Including A New In-Car VR Project
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World