Tag: windows

OpenAI-Integrated Microsoft Bing Outperforms Google in Page Visits Growth

The integration of OpenAI’s technology into Microsoft-owned Bing has driven people to the little-used search engine and helped it compete better with market leader Google in page visits growth, according to data from analytics firm Similarweb.

Page visits on Bing have risen 15.8 percent since Microsoft unveiled its artificial intelligence-powered version on February 7, compared with a near 1 percent decline for the Alphabet-owned search engine, data till March 20 showed.

The figures are an early sign of the lead the Windows maker has taken in its fast-moving race with Google for generative AI dominance, thanks to the technology behind ChatGPT, the viral chatbot that many experts have called AI’s “iPhone moment”.

They also underscore a rare opportunity for Microsoft to make inroads in the over $120 billion (nearly Rs. 9,89,600 crore) search market, where Google has been the dominant player for decades with a share of more than 80 percent.

Gil Luria, an analyst at DA Davidson & Co, said that he expects Bing to gain market share in search over the next coming months, especially if Google continues to delay the integration of generative AI into its product.

While Bing AI has been available to most users around the world since February, Google began the public release of its chatbot Bard only on Tuesday.

“Bing has less than a tenth of Google’s market share, so even if it converts 1 percent or 2 percent of users it will be materially beneficial to Bing and Microsoft,” Luria said.

App downloads for Bing have also jumped eight times globally after AI integration, according to app research firm Data.ai. Downloads for the Google search app fell 2 percent in the same period, the data showed.

Still, some analysts said that Google, which in the early 2000s unseated then leader Yahoo to become the dominant search player, could overcome the early setbacks to maintain its lead.

“Google’s ranking algorithm can have a competitive edge over that of competitors”, Yongjei Jeong, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities in South Korea said, referring to how Google’s algorithm helped it beat Yahoo Search.

© Thomson Reuters 2023

From smartphones with rollable displays or liquid cooling, to compact AR glasses and handsets that can be repaired easily by their owners, we discuss the best devices we’ve seen at MWC 2023 on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

 

 

Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details.

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

WhatsApp’s Call Link Feature Rolling Out for Beta Testers on Windows: Report

WhatsApp could soon bring its “Call Link” feature to Windows users. The app has been spotted testing this new feature with some beta testers in the latest WhatsApp beta for Windows 2.2307.1.0 update. The Call Link feature will let users create and send a link for a call to their contacts and invite them to join a video or an audio call. The feature was earlier rolled out to WhatsApp for Android. And now, it’s reportedly rolling out on the latest WhatsApp for Windows beta app.

According to a report by WhatsApp beta tracker WABetaInfo, the Meta-owned messaging service has started rolling out the ability to create and share a call link to the invitees of a video chat or audio call on the app. The feature is available for select beta testers in the latest WhatsApp beta for Windows 2.2307.1.0 update. WhatsApp users are required to download the latest version of the beta app from the Microsoft Store to access this feature.

The report also shared the screengrab of the abovementioned feature, showcasing an option to “Create a Call” Link under the Calls tab on WhatsApp. Users can tap on that and then select the call type i.e., video call or voice call. A link will be generated that users will need to share/copy and paste into the chats to invite the people to join the call.

Every call link will have a unique URL and only invitees will be able to join the call upon the users’ approval. It will become easier to invite people to join a WhatsApp call even when they are not on the contact list. Notably, users can share the call link outside of the app as well.

The Call Link feature is already available on WhatsApp for Android. WhatsApp rolled out the Call Link feature back in October 2022. The option to create a Call Link is available at the top of the Calls tab. Once created, the unique call link is valid for up to 90 days.

After facing headwinds in India last year, Xiaomi is all set to take on the competition in 2023. What are the company’s plans for its wide product portfolio and its Make in India commitment in the country? We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details.

For details of the latest launches and news from Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Oppo and other companies at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, visit our MWC 2023 hub.


India’s Mobile Exports to Exceed $10 Billion in FY 2022-23, Says Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw


New Windows 11 Update With AI-Powered Bing for Taskbar, Phone Link for iPhones, More Launched

Featured video of the day

Exclusive Chat With Aditya Babbar from Samsung and John Bayne from Corning

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Forza Horizon 5: Rally Adventure Expansion Release Date Set for March 29: All Details

Forza Horizon 5 raced to success and acclaim when it launched in November 2021 on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X consoles. Playground Games followed up with the Hot Wheels expansion in July last year. Now, the developers have announced the game’s second major expansion, Forza Horizon 5: Rally Adventure. In a livestream early Friday, Playground Games revealed that the Rally Adventure expansion will be available March 29 across Xbox consoles, PC on Windows and Steam, and Cloud Gaming (Beta). The expansion will bring a new “rally experience” to Forza Horizon, introducing three different rally teams to race across six biomes that form the new Sierra Nueva region.

According to the developers, Forza Horizon 5: Rally Adventure will feature the largest number of events in any Forza Horizon expansion. Just like Hot Wheels, the upcoming expansion will be a paid expansion and will be included in the Forza Horizon 5 Premium Add-ons Bundle, Premium Edition, and Expansions Bundle. The Rally Adventure expansion will also be available as a standalone purchase priced at Rs. 1,299.

With the new expansion, Forza Horizon 5 will head to a dusty new location, Sierra Nueva. Familiar characters from the main game lead three different rally teams across Dirt and Offroad, Night Rally, and Asphalt Rally events. Once players sign on for a team, they will compete in eight races, before a showdown event with the leader.

The expansion will also introduce 10 new off-road vehicles, new music for the soundtrack, and rally-specific vehicle parts for customisation.

The events themselves will include timed point-to-point Horizon Rally stages and traditional multi-car Horizon Races, Playground Games said in a blog. True to the rally experience, races in the new expansion will feature navigator callouts. New rally-specific HUD elements will also be included. While it won’t be a hardcore rally experience, the Rally Adventure expansion will bring certain changes to make rallying feel more authentic.

The Forza Horizon:5 Rally Adventure expansion is available for pre-order on both Steam and Xbox storefronts. It arrives March 29 on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X.

Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details.

For details of the latest launches and news from Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Oppo and other companies at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, visit our MWC 2023 hub.

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Google Chrome Rolls Out Memory, Energy Saver Modes for Desktops: All Details

Google Chrome is rolling out the Memory Saver and Energy Saver modes, which were announced last year, on Chrome for desktops. The features are now available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Chromebooks and are turned on by default. Both Memory and Energy saver mode will boost the desktop’s performance, as well provide better battery life while using Google’s browser. Memory Saver mode will automatically free up memory from inactive tabs, while the Energy Saver feature will reduce battery consumption by limiting background activity. The modes, if not needed, can be turned off in Chrome Settings.

According to a report by 9To5Google, Google, which first introduced the Memory and Energy Saver modes in December 2022, is now rolling out the features widely to Chrome 110 for Mac, Windows, Linux, as well as Chromebooks. The features prioritise the active tabs and limit the background activities to free memory and reduce power consumption.

As per the details shared on Google’s support page, the Memory Saver and Energy Saver modes are enabled by default. Users can disable them by going to Chrome’s settings, in the Performances tab on the sidebar. Google explained that Memory saver will help users save space as well as run active tabs smoothly by deactivating inactive tabs.

When a user is not using a tab actively, Memory saver mode will change it into inactive mode. The activity status will change as and when the user will browse the tab again. It will display a ‘Tab Active Again’ message once the inactive tab is accessed.

On the other hand, the Energy saver mode will reduce the power consumption of device and offer improved battery life. It will do so by reduce the image capture rate and other background tasks. It automatically works when the device is running low on battery and is unplugged. If the device is plugged in to energy source and being charged, the Energy Save mode will be turned off. The mode will be displayed on title bar with a leaf and an electric signal.

 

Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details.

For details of the latest launches and news from Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Oppo and other companies at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, visit our MWC 2023 hub.


EU’s Pending Banking Law Calls for Fast-Track Crypto Capital Rules for Banks

Featured video of the day

Samsung’s Experiential Store

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Microsoft Excel Gets New Search Bar, Image Function, Formula Suggestion, More: Details

Microsoft has rolled out a bunch of new smart features for Excel. The features have been rolled out on Web, as well as for Windows and Mac users. The new features for Web users include Suggested Links, Image Function, Formula Suggestions, Formula by Example, and more. The Suggested Links feature will detect a broken external link to a Cloud workbook and suggest users a new location to fix them. The Image Function tool will let users resize cells, sort, and filter, and work with images within an Excel table.

According to a blog post by Microsoft, Formula Suggestions, and Formula by Example are being rolled to Excel web users along with Suggested links, Image function, and a new search bar in the queries pane. For Windows users, the Image function and a new keyboard shortcut is introduced that will let users open the Power Query editor, while Mac Excel users got the Image function tool only.

As detailed by Microsoft, the Suggested Links feature will detect a broken external link to a Cloud workbook and suggest users a new location to fix the broken link. The feature is currently available for production.

The Formula Suggestions feature will auto-suggest the best formula based on the user’s data. To access this feature, users will be required to type the ‘=’ in a cell or the formula bar. Currently, Excel can suggest SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX, MIN, and COUNTA formulas and it supports only the English language.

On the other hand, Formula by example will help make manual data entry easier by identifying the pattern and suggesting filling the entire column with a formula.

The Search bar feature will help Excel for Web users search and find their queries in the Queries search pane.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is reportedly working on the tabs feature for its Notepad app on Windows 11. The feature is currently in early internal testing and is expected to be rolled out in early 2023. A Microsoft employee accidentally dropped an image of the feature on Twitter, however, it was deleted later. 

 

Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details.

Catch the latest from the Consumer Electronics Show on Gadgets 360, at our CES 2023 hub.

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

WhatsApp Contact Cards Sharing Feature Rolling Out on Windows Beta App: Report

WhatsApp, the Meta-owned instant messaging app, is reportedly testing a new feature that’ll allow to users share contact cards in a chat on the Windows desktop app. After adding the ability to create polls within chat share sheets, the instant messaging app is now reportedly working on this new feature as seen on the Windows beta 2.2247.2.0 update. Eligible users can download the latest beta version of the app from Microsoft Store. The messaging app seems to be keen on bringing new features to its Windows desktop client.

According to a report by WhatsApp beta tracker WABetaInfo, WhatsApp users using the Windows desktop client will be able to share a contact card within a chat letting recipient to easily add it to their address book. The report has also shared a screengrab of the feature, which shows the new “Contacts” option in the Share list.

WhatsApp users with the Windows desktop client will be required to click on the option to share a contact card, as per the report. The feature is likely to be rolled out to more beta testers in the coming days.

Meanwhile, WhatsApp also introduced a new feature that will let iOS and Android users create polls in personal and group chats to get opinions or answers from their friends and contacts. Just like chats, users’ responses to a poll question are protected via end-to-end encryption.

At present, Telegram and Facebook Messenger allow group polls, but now WhatsApp users can easily start using this new feature on their smartphone. It is to be noted that the new poll feature is available only on the latest version of the messaging app.

WhatsApp is also reportedly working on a feature that will let Android users export and import their chat backups offline from Google Drive. They can back up the full chat history, images, videos, and other media files. The app is likely to roll out this for beta testing in near future.

 

Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details.

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on Twitter, Facebook, and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

WhatsApp Numbers of 500 Million Users Up for Sale, Twitter Data of 5.4 Million Users Leaked Online: Reports

Should India Delay CBDC Trials Amid the Ongoing Global Crypto Meltdown? Here’s What Experts Think

Featured video of the day

iPad (10th Gen): Upgrade or Disappointment?



Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Microsoft Office to Be Rebranded as Microsoft 365, Changes Will Come to Effect Next Month

Microsoft renamed its Office 365 service to Microsoft 365 in April 2020, in a bid to actualise the service’s usage as more than just a work application. Now, Microsoft will be removing the remaining Office branding from its Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other applications, according to the company’s FAQs page. Microsoft’s Office applications are currently accessible to users at Office.com. However, with Microsoft’s latest announcement, this is set to be switched to Microsoft365.com. As part of the rebranding, Microsoft is also introducing a six-sided logo replacing the current square one.

According to the company’s FAQs page, the changes will come to effect starting next month, while the rebranded Office app for Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android will become effective in January. Microsoft will also release a centralised Microsoft 365 app on mobile and desktop that will serve as a single-source hub for information, meetings, files, and documents. The centralised application will also show a feed of relevant colleagues that the user may connect with.

However, extension names of the applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook, Clipchamp, Stream, and Designer will remain the same, confirmed the company’s FAQs page.

Microsoft also informed that there will be no changes made to its “Office 365 subscription plans.” The Office branding will remain on one-time purchases made by users through Office 2021 and Office LTSC which are being offered on volume licensing models.

“In the coming months, Office.com, the Office mobile app, and the Office app for Windows will become the Microsoft 365 app, with a new icon, a new look, and even more features,” the Microsoft FAQ stated.

The move marks the first major change in terms of branding for the productivity suite of applications offered by Microsoft in over 30 years of its existence.

The old Microsoft Office will now reflect as a legacy brand for Microsoft, which means that new features announced will be coming to Microsoft 365 and not Microsoft Office, according to a report by The Verge, who first spotted the rebranding.

 

Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details.

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Twitter Launches Tweeten App for Mac, Windows as a Replacement for TweetDeck

Twitter has launched the Tweeten application for Windows and Mac as a replacement for the outgoing TweetDeck application. Twitter had earlier announced that it will be “saying goodbye” to TweetDeck app for Mac to focus on making it better and testing Twitter’s new preview. The microblogging platform has informed that the app will no longer exist for Mac users starting July 1 but users can still access TweetDeck on web. The new application looks similar to the TweetDeck, making the transition phase for users easier.

The microblogging platform, Twitter has announced that it has launched a new application called Tweeten for Windows and Mac. The new application looks like a replacement for the outgoing TweetDeck application. Tweeten has a similar user interface to TweetDeck that will make it easier for users to switch from the old app to the new one. It will allow users to tweet right from the app and make columns of all different topics that the users wish to monitor. Tweeten app is integrated with the macOS Touch Bar that will let the users access important shortcuts directly from the touch bar.

Tweeten will also offer more ways than the TweetDeck app for users to customise the application according to their preference. This can be done from the settings menu. Tweeten sends custom notifications to users that will also enable them to retweet and like a tweet straight from the notification. Users can also choose where the notification will appear on the screen and for how much duration will they stay visible. Twitter called the new application “TweetDeck, but with all the important features.” Users can now filter accounts and tweets based on what they wish to see. Tweeten will allow users to download a video from Twitter directly as well.

People who wish to download the Tweeten app on their Mac or Windows laptops and PCs can do so using the download link available on the Tweetnep website. Users can also choose to get the app as a Google Chrome extension as well.

Twitter had earlier announced that the TweetDeck will no longer be available for Mac users starting July 1. Twitter added that TweetDeck will continue to be accessible for users on web.

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on Twitter, Facebook, and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Webb Telescope: NASA to Reveal Deepest Image Ever Taken of Universe



Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Microsoft Announces Support For Windows 8.1 to End in January 2023

Microsoft has announced to end the support for Windows 8.1 operating software. The tech giant has said that the technical support and security updates for the old version of Windows operating system will no longer be provided after January 10, 2023. Microsoft is also recommending users to switch to a new PC that can run Windows 11. It has also published a list of FAQs for addressing the doubts which the people using the older version of Windows might have. The company also said that staying on Windows 8.1 after January 2023 can expose your PC to greater risks.

The tech giant, Microsoft, recently announced via its support website that the company will stop providing Windows 8.1 users with latest security updates, technical support, and software updates for the old version of the Windows operating system staring from January 10, 2023.

As the company announces the end of support for Windows 8.1, it has also highlighted that this could potentially put the users’ PCs with older operating systems at a greater risk for viruses and malware. Microsoft has also published a list of FAQs for the Windows 8.1 users to answer the doubts they might have. In the FAQs, the company has recommended users to switch to a newer version of the operating system or to use a new device that runs Windows 11 for easy transition and a better experience.

The support for Windows 8.1 being discontinued does not mean that the software will stop working, rather it will just stop receiving the new security and software updates. After January 10 next year, Microsoft 365 applications will too no longer be supported on Windows 8.1. As these are governed by Microsoft’s Modern Lifecycle Policy that requires users to stay updated, even the Microsoft Office applications like Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and others will stop receiving the latest security and software updates.

Microsoft had stopped providing the technical support, security, and software updates for Windows 8 on January 12, 2016 after the company decided to package Windows 8.1 as a service pack for Windows 8.

Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details.

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Microsoft Defender Online Security App Launched for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows

Microsoft on Thursday announced the availability of new Microsoft Defender app for Microsoft 365 subscribers. Users across Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows devices with Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscriptions will be able to access the online security app now. The Defender app works as a central hub for managing and monitoring the security status across your computers and phones. It is claimed by the company to safeguard data and devices from malicious online threats and it will also recognise third-party antivirus solutions from Norton, MacAfee, and other companies. With the Defender app, users will get instant security alerts and tips to ensure the security of their devices, Microsoft says.

The company announced the release of Microsoft Defender app for individuals via a blog post on Thursday. The cybersecurity app, which was available for preview earlier, can now be accessed on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. It is bundled with Microsoft 365 Family or Personal plans and the features of the app vary across platforms.

Microsoft Defender, as detailed on the company’s forum, offers antivirus and anti-phishing protection for your data and devices. Once installed, you can manage security protections for you and all devices used in your family from the centralised dashboard. This hub will also show the third-party antivirus protection from Norton, McAfee or any other vendors. Besides, the new cross-platform Defender app gives security alerts and tips across different devices. This feature is for now limited to Windows and macOS devices. The company is also planning to add features like identity theft protection and a secure online connection to the framework soon.

As mentioned, Microsoft Defender comes free of cost, but you’ll need a Microsoft 365 subscription to use the Microsoft Defender app. The Microsoft 365 Personal plan costs Rs. 489 for a month in India, while the Microsoft 365 Family plan costs Rs. 619 per month. Besides, Microsoft is also offering a 30-day free trial for users. It is available for download via Microsoft Store, App Store, and Google Play.

Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details.

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Exit mobile version