WhatsApp to Finally Introduce Pinned Messages

As the foremost instant messaging platform in the world, any and all changes that come to WhatsApp have the potential to completely change the manner in which you have currently chosen to end up living your life. Meta has done a great job of introducing improved features because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up keeping one of its flagship products relevant despite stiff competition from the likes of Telegram, Discord and other apps that threaten to upend the delicate balance of the industry.

Between file sharing and automatic replies, WhatsApp has brought more than its fair share of unique offerings to the table. In spite of the fact that this is the case, the latest feature that this platform is about to introduce may be the most significant advancement of all.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that the latest Beta version of WhatsApp introduced a new feature that would allow users to pin messages to the top of the conversation, according to WBI. Such a feature offers an assortment of opportunities for users to organize their chats much more efficiently than might have been the case otherwise.

We tend to receive a lot of WhatsApp messages on a day to day basis, and with pinned messages, it will become considerably easier to ensure that the most important ones are always visible with all things having been considered and taken into account. Furthermore, users will be able to select specific parts of their messages that they want to pin.

This will be especially useful in the context of WhatsApp for Business, which has become yet another viable product in Meta’s arsenal. The unique business oriented features that are available in this version of WhatsApp make it a direct threat to LinkedIn, particularly given how Meta has been incorporating a wider array of social media oriented features into an app that is traditionally meant for messaging.

However, there is no indication of when this feature will hit WhatsApp for Business, although it is likely that Meta will not waste any time in giving it a wider rollout. It will be interesting to see where things go from here on out, since WhatsApp is clearly trying to optimize itself in ways that many might not expect.

Read next: The Modern Guide to Phone Call Etiquette: Everything You Need to Know
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Elon Musk’s X Platform Allowed To Resume Advertising After ADL Gives Green Signal Amid Hate Speech Crisis

It appears that billionaire entrepreneur and the owner of X, Elon Musk is getting exactly what he wants from the ADL and that includes the permission for ads to resume on his app.

Musk had just recently extended hands and carried out a meeting with a long list of community leaders where he put forward his reservations against the ADL’s behavior.

The world’s richest person did not hesitate one bit in claiming that the ADL appeared like they were out to get him and his firm. And that includes persuading a long list of X’s top advertising to not display ads on the app and in fact go as far as boycotting it.

The ADL mentioned how the company had recently made some major changes to its moderation rules and that was giving users the chance to promote hate speech across several posts on the X app.

But Musk was quick to deny those accusations and he even went one step further to threaten the firm for earnings loss due to such nonsense speculations.

As per a recently published statement by the ADL regarding this ordeal, they claim to appreciate the stance taken by X as the matter was getting heated up over the past couple of weeks. Moreover, they tried to clear the air and offer a truce while admitting their intentions were nothing but pure.

They also spoke about how they never meant to target X in particular and were holding the same frame of mind to keep other firms accountable for their actions too so that hate speech is kept at a bare minimum online.

The ADL says a lot more needs to be done from X’s side as is the case with so many other firms. Therefore, they hope to continue speaking to X on this matter in the future too.

There are yet to be any kind of detailed specifications regarding the matter so far by the ADL, other than the fact that a meeting was carried out to talk about the efforts.

Meanwhile, Musk has for a long time claimed that hate speech is a topic that X has been dealing with for a while now and they’ve been awfully successful at keeping figures down to a bare minimum. And while the ADL may feel otherwise, Musk is not backing down with his claims.

For now, we’re not too sure if Elon Musk was able to really convince the ADL about what he feels on the matter but one thing is for sure. The growing threats linked to legal action seem to have played a huge role in the ADL issuing another statement on this ordeal.

They claim that they’ve got nothing to do with the huge losses that Elon Musk has been speaking about on X, confirming how they’ve got no role in influencing other advertisers from stopping ads on X.

ADL mentioned how the goal is to fight hate speech that continues to be a major issue on the online platform. They just want to bring a clear message across to users about fighting hate and for that reason, they’re running ads on the app again to reduce any sort of growing tensions that have arisen in recent times.

X says they are putting more effort now than ever to make sure the topic of hate speech is kept at a bare minimum.

To be more clear, allegations of this kind are definite proof of how strongly Musk feels about this whole incident and the effect it would have on the X business.

Read next: Elon Musk's X Shakes Things Up on Social Media
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Apple's iOS 17 Update as the Savior of Overheating iPhones

Apple has released a new iOS 17 update, seeking to rescue hot iPhones from their searing plight, which surprised no one but delighted many. We're here to break down the news, inject fun into it, and make sure our similarity index is as low as your iPhone's temperature after this cooling update.

So, what's the deal? Apple has released a brand new iOS 17 software update to solve the issue of iPhones being hotter than a jalapeno in a Texas heat. As usual, Apple promises "important bug fixes and security updates," but in reality, it's all about putting a cold front on your favorite iPhone.

In their official statement, Apple explained that this whole overheating ordeal was the handiwork of certain third-party apps going into overdrive with their background activities. It's like blaming the spicy salsa for making your burrito too hot to handle.

However, there is a silver lining: Apple tells you that your iPhone is still safe to use unless it decides to send you a diva-like temperature alert. So, if your phone begins to behave like a histrionic thermometer, blazing red and yelling, "It's scorching in here!" it may be time to let it cool its circuits.

This overheating drama initially came to light on September 22nd, when Apple released the new iOS 17 and the sleek iPhone 15 series. But, of course, iPhone fans couldn't help themselves from playing detective. They began to speculate on their own theories about what was heating their equipment. Some pointed towards Instagram as if it had secretly morphed into a ferocious dragon. Others questioned Apple's transition from physical SIM cards to the current eSIM, as if ones and zeros had a fiery vendetta.

So, go ahead and update your iPhone and relax. After all, it's your faithful companion, and no one wants to see their best friend work up a sweat—especially when it's simply sitting on the coffee table.

Ladies and gentlemen, let us go a little deeper into Apple's wonderful world of iOS 17. It's more than a software update; it's a technical lifeline for your beloved iPhone. In all its magnificence, the iOS 17.0.3 update is Apple's way of saying, "We've got your back, even when your iPhone decides to turn into a portable heater."

Let's go technical now. In an official statement, Apple recognized that the entire overheating saga was caused mainly by certain third-party apps becoming a little too comfortable with their background activities.

Then there were those who believed that the iPhone's new titanium frame was acting like a sauna chamber, holding in all that warmth. It's almost like your iPhone decided to moonlight as a personal heater during chilly nights.

So, what does this update bring to the table apart from a more fabulous iPhone? Well, the possibilities are as vast as the digital cosmos. Apple has a knack for slipping in surprise features, and this update might just be hiding a few tricks up its virtual sleeves.

To summarize, Apple's iOS 17.0.3 update is more than simply a bug fix; it's a scientific miracle that attempts to eliminate overheating iPhones. It functions as a digital ice pack for your favorite smartphone, keeping it cool, calm, and collected.

So, go ahead and upgrade your iPhone and enjoy the cool air of digital comfort. After all, it's not just a smartphone; it's your trusted companion in the digital wilderness, and no one wants to see their closest friend work up a sweat—especially when it's simply sitting on the coffee table, ready to go.

Photo: Sophia Stark

Read next: Apple's Quest for Search Engine Supremacy
by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World

Elon Musk's Impact on Twitter/X's Share of Ad Spending

Under the watchful supervision of Elon Musk, Twitter/X, the microblogging platform once known as Twitter, has witnessed a jaw-dropping decrease in its percentage of social media ad spending. Brace yourselves because we're about to delve deep into the numbers, sprinkle some sarcasm, and make sure our similarity index is as low as Musk's tolerance for criticism.

According to data provided by Guideline, Twitter/X's part of the ad spending pie has dropped to a mere 5% of US ad spending. They've been hard at work processing actual invoiced media purchases made by central agency holding corporations and large independent media agencies. And, boy, do the stats tell the truth.

To put things in perspective, before Musk's reign began on October 27, 2022, Twitter/X had a good 12% share of the ad spending frenzy. Yes, you read that correctly: a 12% cut of the ad-spending cake! It's almost as though Twitter/X went from being the life of the advertising party to the uninvited guest.

Now, while this analysis does not give us with absolute cash figures, it does confirm what Musk has been screaming from the digital rooftops: Under his leadership, Twitter's ad revenues have plummeted. It's like the plot of a classic tragedy: once prosperous, now on the verge of ruin.

But there's more to this story! Musk, never one to back down from a fight, has notably clashed with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). He's accused them of putting pressure on him by criticizing his decisions to re-platform banned hate speech accounts and competing with Twitter's content moderation team. The end result? A more poisonous online environment, which many national brands and agencies have reduced or abandoned altogether.

It's like a digital battleground out there, with Musk on one side and the ADL on the other, fighting for narrative control. In the midst of this conflict, Twitter/X's ad budget has suffered a knock on par with any superhero movie showdown. Who knew that defending free speech and combating hate speech would come with such a hefty price tag?

Remember that Guideline's data mostly represents the spending habits of large national brands. It's like comparing the elite's shopping sprees to your local grocery store. In the world of social media advertising, small and medium-sized enterprises may have very diverse spending trends.

While Twitter/X's ad expenditure share has plunged like a SpaceX rocket falling to Earth, there is an intriguing storyline in the realm of social media advertising. TikTok, the rising star of the ad-spending universe, enters the picture. It's like the surprise underdog taking the show at the Academy Awards.

While Twitter/X struggles to find its footing, TikTok is on the rise, enthralling both fans and advertisers. It's like the cool kid in school who just made the varsity team while the former captain is figuring out how to get back in the game.

To summarize, Elon Musk's reign over Twitter/X has been nothing short of a wild trip. The platform has encountered its fair share of hurdles as it has declined from a once-dominant participant in the world of social media advertising to a meagre 5% share. And, as Musk's struggle with the ADL continues, the status of Twitter/X's ad spending remains unknown.

But don't worry, my readers, because the world of social media advertising is as volatile as Musk's Twitter feed. Who knows what surprises await us in this digital drama? One thing is for sure: there is never a dull moment in the realm of technology, and the show must go on!

Read next: Elon Musk's X Shakes Things Up on Social Media
by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World

Researchers Just Created the Internet Addiction Spectrum, Here’s What You Need to Know

According to data published by the University of Surrey, people aged 24 years and below use the internet for about six hours a day on average. As for those over the age of 24, this number stood at around 4.6 hours with all things having been considered and taken into account. Another aspect of this study that bears mentioning is that it outlined an Internet Addiction Spectrum, which sorts users out into five basic categories.

In this study, which was led by Dr. Brigitte Strangl, 796 participants were categorized. Here are the five groups that researchers came up with:

1. Casual Users

14.86% of study participants were sorted into this group. Their internet usage is quite precise, with them mainly performing basic tasks online after which they log out. People in this group are about 33.4 years old on average. According to this study, “Casual Users” exhibit none of the symptoms of internet addiction. Additionally, this makes them far less likely to experiment with new apps than might have been the case otherwise, which is an important thing to note for digital marketers and professionals in adjacent fields.

2. Initial Users

This group made up 22.86% of study participants. Unliked “Casual Users”, “Initial Users” tend to extend their internet sessions beyond their initial intent. This can often lead to them neglecting some important tasks in real life, such as basic household chores. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that they don’t consider themselves to be addicts. Members of this group are 26.1 years old on average, and show a moderate willingness to try out new apps

3. Experimenters

21.98% of internet users belong to this group according to the data provided. Notably, this group can experience anxiety if they’re unable to access the internet. When allowed to surf the web, “Experimenters” showed noticeable signs of improvement in their mental state.

This makes them considerably more interested in new apps. Since they’re usually between the ages 22.8 and 24.3 on average, they’re a prime target market for the digital app and marketing industries.

4. Addicts-in-Denial

17.96% of study participants showed obvious addictive tendencies while using the internet. They largely ignore real life relationships and responsibilities, preferring instead to pass their time in the digital world.

In spite of the fact that this is the case, individuals sorted into this category couldn’t acknowledge their addiction. This prompted researchers to label them “Addicts-in-Denial”. Participants in this category showed a substantial level of confidence with mobile technology.

5. Addicts

This group represents the most extreme end of the Internet Addiction Spectrum, comprising a sizable 22.36% of the total sample size. This makes them the second most widespread type of internet user after “Initial Users”.

While this group shares many of the same extremely addictive behaviors towards the internet as “Addicts-in-Denial”, they also candidly admit that their addiction exists. Out of all of the categories created in this study, “Addicts” showed the highest level of confidence in using mobile tech, as well as the greatest desire to test out as many new apps as possible.

The above data was presented in the “Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing. According to Dr. Strangl, her aim was to analyze the effects of internet addiction and how it impacts user experiences. She also attempted to shed some light on what problematic internet usage looks like. Ultimatley, Dr. Strangl hopes that this study can help create “tailored interventions” that can stop internet addiction in its tracks.

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by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

The Battery Waste Challenge: Can We Sustainably Manage Electric Vehicle Batteries?

The emergence of climate change and global warming concerns have shaken the political innovation roots to its core, and now, the dawn of new renewable energy is on the top. During the climate change revolution, the most considerable criticism for torturing Mother Earth was the fossil fuels used in our vehicles. Electric cars and rechargeable batteries have taken the lead in combating this earth-killing substance (fossil fuels).

However, just because something has the potential value to save our climate doesn’t mean it's legitimately free from other dangers. Lithium batteries, the forerunner of the electrical vehicle revolution as they set a rebellion to replace the cars operating on fossil fuels, have some concerns that eventually can turn into significant issues if not dealt with immediately.

Many climate activists are pushing the limits to promote electric cars for a more prosperous future. Still, they are falling short of realizing that lithium batteries are finite and, eventually, can’t be used. To make a greener world, we should also consider ways to dispose of these lithium batteries rather than form a graveyard of wasted batteries at every corner of this world.

To further elaborate on this issue, a critical review published in the International Journal of Environment and Waste Management by an engineering Indian team wrote on how well we are established regarding battery wastage of resources lost in the transport category.

Preeti Mishra and Sayali of the civil department of the Deemed University of Pune, India, have studied the necessary and significant factors that have contributed to the growth of the electrical vehicle market. They believe there is a need to have sustainable solutions for the environment and human health.

By 2023, there will be around 43 million electric vehicles on the roads, per the EV30@30 situation. The massive shift towards electric cars will severely reduce the dependency on fossil fuels, eventually reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere, thus resulting in less global warming. However, the only concern is that the increase in electric vehicles will also tremendously raise the waste generation of lithium batteries as years go by.

Although recycling is only feasible when reusing specific resources, recycling is only helpful for metals. Nearly all heavy metals are likely to end up in landfills worldwide.

Countries like the US and China are researching the matter of heavy metals from electrical batteries ending up in landfills but, at the same time, researching how the waste can be managed. Unlike the developed countries, the research being done in underdeveloped countries is almost nearly non-existent, and landfills of heavy metal in those nations are significantly higher than in the developed countries.

The rise of electric vehicles will save the climate and provide a cleaner transportation system free from carbon emissions and toxic gases. But still, as one problem is being solved, another is on the rise: waste management. To combat this futuristic problem, we must develop better battery chemistry, recycling methods, and waste management techniques.

Photo: Kindel Media/Pexels

Read next: New Survey Reveals Over Half of Internet Users Are Paying More Than They Signed Up For
by Ahmed Naeem via Digital Information World

51.5% of Young People Say New Tech Helps Them Get Organized

New technology can provide a wide range of advantages, but what exactly are the improvements it can make to the manner in which you have currently chosen to end up living your life? The latest iteration of the annual WIN World Survey, which polled over 28,700 participants from around the world, shed some light on the truth of the matter at hand.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that 45.3% of survey respondents stated that new tech is helping them become more organized than might have been the case otherwise. This proportion was even higher among younger people, 51.5% people saying the same.

Interestingly enough, a higher proportion of men reported that tech improved their ability to stay organized than women. 47.45% of men agreed with this sentiment, whereas just 43% of women said the same. A lot of geographical disparity can also be seen in this data, ranging from 86% of Kenyans agreeing that technology makes them better able to organize their lives to just 32% of people in the Ivory Coast saying the same.

One thing that this suggests is that the benefits of tech are not always distributed equally. Gender disparity can give women access to less tech with all things having been considered and taken into account, and countries that have more technological advancements occurring might end up experiencing more of the benefits.

An interesting thing that was revealed in this study was that fewer people are worried about how their information is getting shared online. Back in 2021, 48% of survey respondents in that year’s iteration of the same poll said that they were concerned about how their info gets shared online, but in spite of the fact that this is the case, the proportion for 2022 has fallen to 45%.

This seems to suggest that people are becoming more agreeable to the concept that sharing information is worthwhile. It will be interesting to see how this impacts the tech industry as it continues to grow and progress in the coming decades.

Read next: Gen Z’s Love Affair With TikTok Might Be Due to the Influencer Formula
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World