Thursday, September 28, 2023

This Upcoming WhatsApp Update Might Change the Way We Share Media

WhatsApp has come a long way from being a simple instant messaging platform. Its initial rise was so rapid that it ended up replacing regular SMS as the primary form of text based communication in the world. Its subsequent acquisition by Facebook led to the platform branching out in ways no one could have expected, and an upcoming update might influence how people share media with each other through their WhatsApp chat windows.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that WhatsApp introduced channels into the mix so that users could share media with each other more easily. This was done because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up making WhatsApp more of a content sharing platform than might have been the case otherwise.

It turns out that WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will enable users to auto delete media after allotting a specific time after which the action will be performed. Users can simply go into the channel settings page where they will get the chance to see an entire list of all of the media they received with all things having been considered and taken into account.

One major benefit of this is that it can free up space in people’s phones. We tend to receive a lot of content and media through WhatsApp, much of which automatically gets saved and takes up a lot of storage that could have gone towards a lot of other things. Those that use budget phones will be especially happy about this update whenever it receives a wider rollout, since it will prevent them from having to spend hours emptying out their phones and selecting media that they want to get rid of.

This feature is still in the beta testing phase, as per WBI, but it is one of the stronger features that beta testers have seen. Chances are that it will be rolled out sooner rather than later, and that might transform the media sharing experience on WhatsApp.


Read next: WhatsApp Rolls Out Innovative Video Avatar Calling Option For Better User Privacy
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Cyberattack Prevention Requires AI and Humans to Work Together

 Cyber attacks have been on the rise for quite some time now, but in spite of the fact that this is the case, not all that much has been done to make it so that they can become a thing of the past. Systems of security that have been put in place which cost millions of dollars on average can be easily circumvented by social engineering attacks and the like. Malicious actors can even use phone calls to trick people into giving them access to all of their systems.

At the recent Fal.Con 2023 conference by CrowdStrike, it was suggested that neither humans nor AI can fight this battle alone. While AI can boost telemetry and allow for the crunching of numbers at a far faster pace than might have been the case otherwise, it won’t be able to protect against a majority of cyberattacks until and unless some human insight is added to the equation.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that threat actors are improving their ability to surpass security protocols at a rate that is faster than the rate of improvement of the protocols themselves. Some are going so far as to say that these malicious actors have a deeper understanding of cybersecurity systems than the very engineers that built them with all things having been considered and taken into account.

There is already an example of this that can be seen in the real world. In the southwestern US, hackers managed to get their hands on log in credentials that gave them access to critical infrastructure. The Falcon XDR platform offered by CrowdStrike combined with Overwatch Elite kept a close eye on all of the systems. As a result, the activity was identified, and human agents were able to stop the attack in its tracks.

This just goes to show that combining AI with human insight can create better outcomes. This issue was resolved in a matter of four hours, and it will be interesting to see how much progress can be made in coming years.

Photo: Cottonbro Studio/Pexels
Read next: TikTok's Tug of War with Privacy Starting From Charli D'Amelio to National Security
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Windows 11 Insiders Get Artsy with AI in Microsoft Paint

Have you ever imagined life without colors? Like the ones we used to see in old black-and-white movies? I kid you not; as a child, I used to think that past life was without colors, as shown in the film. What if I tell you that AI is slowly and gradually mingling into MS Paint? Attention, Windows 11 Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels – get ready to unleash your inner artist with a touch of AI magic in Microsoft Paint. The latest addition to the Paint app, known as Cocreator, has arrived on the scene, and it's here to turn your wildest artistic dreams into reality.

The Artistic Revolution

Cocreator, powered by DALL-E's sorcery, is your new best buddy in the realm of digital art. This fascinating feature is tucked in the Paint app's menu bar, right under the gleaming new Cocreate section. But wait, not everyone gets to see this imaginative extravaganza from the front row. To join the party, you'll need to sign up for the waitlist using your Microsoft Account.


Prepare to be amazed after you've entered. Microsoft will send you an email with 50 credits to get you started on your image-creation adventures. But, hold on, what's the catch? Each time you conjure up a picture, you'll lose one of your valuable credits. The math is simple:
  • Describe your artistic vision in words
  • Pick a style
  • Watch the AI weave its magic
You'll be given three forms of your request, and you can basically snap to add your #1 to your Paint material. It's like having a personal AI artist at your beck and call.

Privacy and the Artistic Soul

You may be wondering about the negative side of this artistic venture - privacy and stolen artwork. Not to worry, Microsoft has pulled out all the stops to provide a safe and courteous creative environment. When you enter the embrace of Cocreator, content screening acts as a guardian angel, ensuring that no hazardous, disrespectful, or inappropriate images make it to your canvas.

For those with the gift of language flexibility, it's essential to understand that Cocreator is currently only proficient in English. It communicates in English within the borders of the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Italy, and Germany. The rest of the globe might want to brush up on their English or wait for the AI to learn a few other languages.

The Waiting Game

Now, if you're not part of the exclusive club of Windows 11 Insiders, when can you expect to join this artistic AI fiesta? Unfortunately, there's no official word on when this feature will make its way to the broader audience. Regularly, it requires half to a couple of months as Microsoft accumulates feedback and shines the experience to a sparkle.

But hold on, there's more! Paint's Cocreator is only one piece of the creative puzzle that Microsoft has been meticulously constructing for Windows 11. AI fans may be pleased to learn that features such as the AI-powered Copilot assistant have already begun to trickle out to users of the stable version of Windows 11. Not only that but a new layers tool in Paint and the ability to edit translucent images have been added to the artistic arsenal.

Finally, the inclusion of Cocreator in Microsoft Paint for Windows 11 Insiders is a step toward democratizing art production through AI. While the rest of the world waits for their time to plunge into the artistic abyss, Windows Insiders get a sneak peek at what's to come. So, whether you're a seasoned artist or just curious about the potential of AI, Cocreator is here to turn your imagination into digital masterpieces, one credit at a time.

Read next: Meta's AI Assistant Teams Up with Microsoft Bing for Real-Time Chat
by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World

Meta's AI Assistant Teams Up with Microsoft Bing for Real-Time Chat

If you are thinking that AI is just limited to helping you in writing or creating photos for you, then my friend, you need an upgrade. What if I tell you that Facebook, newly called "Meta," has joined the AI arty club? In a surprising turn of events, Meta, the social media giant formerly known as Facebook, has joined forces with Microsoft Bing to supercharge its Meta AI assistant's capabilities. Get ready for a partnership that promises to deliver chat responses faster than a cheetah on caffeine.

The Dynamic Duo

Meta AI, Meta's latest conversational assistant, is making waves in the area of artificial intelligence. It's the friend you never knew you needed, described as an assistant you can talk to "like a person." But how does it provide you with the information you seek? Enter Microsoft Bing, the dependable sidekick.


Microsoft Bing is preparing to coordinate with Meta AI's chat encounters, ensuring that you get the latest and fresh-from-the-oven replies to your burning worries. This cooperation, as per Yusuf Mehdi, corporate VP, and buyer head promoting official at Microsoft, would empower Meta AI to get to constant hunt data. It's what might be compared to giving your AI aide direct access to the web's brain.

The Bing Connection

If you're wondering how this works, Jordi Ribas, Microsoft's CVP and head of engineering and product for Bing, spills the beans. Whenever Meta AI encounters a request that demands the latest information, it does the logical thing – it rings up Bing. Picture Meta AI as the cool kid at school who always has the latest gossip. It's no longer just about AI; it's about AI with a side of Bing.

Ribas makes an interesting point, claiming that combining Large Language Models (LLMs) like Meta AI with web search engines like Bing really increases the value of web search. In other words, LLMs and web search engines are the digital age's power duo, collaborating to present you with the most recent and accurate conversation results.

Why You Should Care

The world of search is expanding faster than your waistline after a Thanksgiving feast. It's everywhere, all the time, and it's unstoppable. Meta's decision to cozy up to Bing means that Meta AI will have real-time information at its fingertips. Think about it – when you ask a question, you want an answer that's hot off the press, not one that's been collecting dust on a digital shelf for years.

But wait, there's more! Meta has considerable ambitions to produce 28 more AI personalities, each with a distinct persona. These AI characters will be released on Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and possibly more platforms. It's like a celebrity extravaganza, with Tom Brady, Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton, and Mr. Beast in attendance. Imagine speaking with your favorite celebrity, even if it's just a digital clone.

The Bing Behind the Scenes

You may be pondering Bing's job in all of this. Indeed, Meta AI is fueled by a custom model that utilizes innovation from Llama 2 and other huge language models. Be that as it may, here's the trick - Meta's LLMs are just prepared on data up to 2023. That implies they probably won't be the best hotspot for the best in class. This is where Bing moves toward, giving constant web results to keep Meta AI in the loop.

What Lies Ahead

Meta isn't going to stop here. They're on a mission to develop AIs for businesses and creators, with plans to launch them next year. Companies will be able to create AI that reflects their brand's values and improves customer service experiences. AIs may assist everyone, from tiny firms aiming to expand to giant corporations looking to improve their communications.

In a world where technology is growing faster than you can say "digital revolution," Meta's AI assistant, Meta, and Bing are at the forefront. They're working together to make sure you have the information you need when you need it, and they're bringing a star-studded ensemble of AI characters with them. So, be ready to speak with your favorite celebrities, fact-check with real-time data, and experience the future of AI-assisted interactions - it's going to be a wild ride, and we're all buckled in!

Read next: User-Generative AI Helps Hundreds Of Consultants Complete Tasks Efficiently At Top Boston Enterprise, New Study Proves
by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World

Apple’s Latest iPhone 15 Pro Max Scores Big In DXOMARK’s In-Depth Camera Review

We all know that the latest iPhone Pro Max had a lot of hopes riding on it in terms of superior performance, features, and of course the camera.

Now, we’re getting the latest insights on that front including how the device has a camera worth raving for after it scored high on DXOMARK’s latest in-depth camera evaluation.

The hot and happening flagship device by the Cupertino firm has been called out as having the best color, video, and color stabilization offerings out there in the market today. But it was not all positive as proven by the new review.

The latest iPhone Pro Max does have several drawbacks which dragged it down to the second position on the list, overall. This included the massive gap in the phone’s field of vision that is located in the middle of the main sensor as well as the telephoto lens. Other than that, there are some more disadvantages that just made it score 154, a little less than what was needed to snitch the top spot.

Furthermore, when it comes down to video performance, the latest iPhone 15 Pro Max scored big. It was the frontrunner for nearly every single subcategory out there, other than a few such as texture and the inclusion of artifacts.

To be more specific, a value of 4k60fps for the phone’s Dolby Vision HDR while making a video was outlined for testing. In the same manner, there was video exposure as well as the color that remained constant in the majority of the situations while the tradeoff witnessed between texture and noise was one of the best we’ve witnessed until today.

Yes, DXOMARK did a great job in terms of figures for its Dolby Vision recording, and that made so much sense for a lot of people happy. But the major updates to the video of this generation have to do with stats linked to the latest LOG recording. And sadly, that was not testing like it should have been.

Moving on to other subcategories like Picture Performance, the device stole the top position for exposure, texture, and hue. As far as the tests were concerned, some loopholes were seen in terms of noise and the phone’s autofocus feature that pushed it one step backward.

Meanwhile, better portrait mode options were highlighted including a more in-depth feature for capturing pictures. Similarly, the right type of skin tone detection allowed the phone to lead the pack for the Friends and Family category. Meanwhile, the latest 24MP output outside the 48MP sensor was hailed for giving users a greater sense of detail and focus during standing filming situations.

As far as which phone took over as the leading device during the testing phase by DXOMARK, it was no surprise here as Huawei’s P60 Pro led the pack as predicted. This device is currently the best in the market with its 48MP main camera and telephoto that’s 48MP 90mm. Surprisingly, while the optical zoom is 3.5 times greater than the main camera, it gives the phone the chance to secure greater detail arising across the mid-telephoto range, much more than what the latest iPhone 15 Pro Max is capable of. Hence, this kind of telephoto trade-off was of clear interest for obvious reasons.

Whatever the case may be, Apple’s Pro Max continued to capture quite a lot of detail but when it was cropped to an image of 80mm, that proved a huge amount of picture degradation that expert reviewers said was worth a mention.

Photo: Amanz / Unsplash

Read next: Apple Under Fire As Consumers Report Major Overheating Problems With The New iPhone 15 And iPhone 15 Pro Models
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

OpenAI Introduces "Browse with Bing" Feature for ChatGPT

Have you found yourself enjoying the AI features lately? If you have, then this news might be of your interest. OpenAI, the powerhouse behind the popular ChatGPT, has unveiled a new feature that promises to take the internet browsing experience to a whole new level. With a touch of humor and a dash of sarcasm, we delve into the fascinating world of "Browse with Bing."

The Big Reveal

ChatGPT, your friendly AI buddy, is now capable of scanning the enormous expanse of the internet for real-time information, according to OpenAI. They claimed with pride that ChatGPT can directly deliver responses straight from "current and authoritative" sources, all of which are painstakingly cited.


This new tool, aptly named "Browse with Bing," is currently available only to those with Plus and Enterprise subscriptions. Still, OpenAI has generously assured the masses that it will soon be available to all users.

The Familiar Players

Before you get too enthusiastic, you should be aware that ChatGPT is not the only player in this game. Microsoft's Bing Chat, Google's Bard, and even Meta (previously Facebook) are already experimenting with live online information retrieval. It's a race to see who can get your data the fastest, and it appears that Bing is the chosen steed for the time being.

How to Summon the Web-Savvy GPT

Getting ChatGPT to go on a web-searching adventure may not be as simple as it sounds. OpenAI provides instructions for the internet version, but the iOS app is left in the dark. Fear not, daring explorer; I have traversed this desert and emerged victorious.

If you're a subscriber, take the following mystical steps:
  • Firstly, open the three-dot menu you will see at the bottom left of your screen
  • Now, in this menu, you will see the option of "Settings." Click on that option
  • Now that you have entered the settings, the option of "New Features" will be shining on your screen. Tap or click on it
  • Now comes the most anticipated feature, "Browse with Bing," tap on it
  • Start a new chat, then press GPT-4 and choose "Browse with Bing."
Voila! The doors to real-time data are finally open, although slowly.

The Art of Fact-Checking

One might wonder why this feature is such a game-changer. Well, for starters, it allows you to fact-check your AI companion. Gone are the days of blindly trusting AI's every word. When ChatGPT offers an answer, you can now compare notes by clicking on the link to the source. Finally, those AI-generated assertions may be put to the test.

I have found, thanks to an obscure website called MediaMass, that AC/DC may be working on a new album in secret. I can now confirm or refute this exciting piece of information using the power of fact-checking. Who knew AI bots were prone to hallucinations?

The Rollercoaster Ride

It's not all sunshine and rainbows in the world of AI web browsing. OpenAI initially introduced the ability to surf the internet within the ChatGPT iOS app in June, only to pull it back swiftly. Why? Users had figured out how to cleverly coax the chatbot into revealing otherwise paywalled content by feeding it direct URLs. Crafty, right?

OpenAI didn't just sit back and watch; they took action. They created a fancy-sounding automated crawler that now identifies itself as a user agent. What does this imply? It enables websites to remember ChatGPT's presence and either warmly welcome it or politely ask it to leave.

These websites can now alter their Robots.txt file to allow or restrict ChatGPT access. It's as if there's a virtual bouncer at the door selecting who gets in. So, who’s excited now?

The Decision

To summarize, OpenAI's "Browse with Bing" feature for ChatGPT is a huge step forward in the field of artificial intelligence. It adds a whole new layer to fact-checking and gives you, the user, the ability to hold AI accountable for its assertions.

While the rollout might have had a few hiccups along the way, it's clear that OpenAI is committed to delivering a valuable and trustworthy AI experience. So, go forth, explore the web with ChatGPT, and remember, the truth is just a click away!

Read next: 78% of Companies Say AI Created More Jobs
by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World

iPhone 15 Buyers Might Need to Wait a Week Longer to Receive Their Products

The launch of the latest iPhone is perhaps one of the most significant events of the tech cycle, but in spite of the fact that this is the case, this year’s rollout of the iPhone 15 is being marred by delayed delivery. According to research conducted by Counterpoint, specifically their Apple 360 Service, buyers purchasing top of the line iPhones including the iPhone 15 Pro Max will need to wait between 4 to 9 days longer 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 there is a nine day differential in the delivery times for the iPhone 15 Max as compared to the iPhone 14 Max. Supply chain disruptions might be at the heart of this. However, some experts are also saying that the considerable upgrades necessitate a longer wait period because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up making the rollout go more smoothly.

This also poses an opportunity to Chinese competitors who may be able to get products to customers faster with all things having been considered and taken into account. Some phones offered by Huawei, such as the Mate 60 Pro, are seen as direct competitors to the iPhone. They threaten to derail the inroads Apple has made in the Chinese market, indicating that home grown manufacturers in the East Asian nation might have an edge over their dominant American counterpart for the very first time.

Even so, research has shown that the iPhone 15 is still the most sought after phone in China. Archie Zhang, a research analyst based in China, stated that the longer delivery times are actually a strong indication that the iPhone is continuing to experience high levels of demand. It will be interesting to see where things go from here on out, since the shape and face of the industry seems to be in a constant state of flux that could reshuffle the delicate balance of the smartphone ecosystem around the world.



Read next: Even the Collapse of Twitter Might Not Be Enough to Save Threads
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World