Archives February 2023

Meta is testing monthly subscription services for Facebook and Instagram that will give users blue tick verification, in a controversial move that echoes Twitter Blue.

The new Meta Verified subscription will be available in Australia and New Zealand later this week, with Meta stating (opens in new tab) that it hopes to bring the service “to the rest of the world soon”. 

Windows 11 has been annoying some users with driver update failures, and lots of them in some cases, but Microsoft has advised us that these errors are nothing to worry about.

If you recall, the bugged updates are affecting those on Windows 11 22H2 across a number of PCs – including Microsoft’s Surface devices in particular, going by reports – and they’re causing installation failure for a range of hardware drivers. Those failures are accompanied by an ‘0x80070103’ error, which isn’t very helpful, failing to inform the user of what has gone wrong.

A new Indiana Jones game has been confirmed by Lucasfilm Games. The globe-trotting archeologist’s next adventure is being developed by MachineGames, the folks behind Wolfenstein. The title is also set to be executive produced by Bethesda Game Studios’ director: Todd Howard.  

These are early days, so the new Indiana Jones game is shrouded in mystery. Key details such as the release date, storyline, and the game’s title have yet to be shared. However, we do know that the game will tell an original, standalone story set at the height of Indy’s career and we’ve also been able to glean some details from the teaser trailer that could give us an idea of what to expect.

EA Motive’s Dead Space remake is out now, bringing the sci-fi horror classic to modern platforms – with some welcome improvements.

Available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, Dead Space remake sees 2008’s Dead Space remade from the ground up with visual, audio, and gameplay improvements that aim to make Isaac Clarke’s story more immersive than ever.

Windows 11 could get a photo gallery built right into File Explorer, or at least this feature is in testing right now, albeit hidden in the latest preview build of the OS.

Tom’s Hardware (opens in new tab) reports that Albacore, a well-known leaker on the subject of Windows, flagged the new gallery in build 25300. Although as mentioned it’s hidden away, and you need to dive into the Registry and do some tweaking, plus use ViVeTool (a Windows configuration tool) to enable it.

In Amazon ‘Deal of the Day’ today (February 20), we look at deals on smart plugs and bulbs from brands including Philips, Wipro and Halonix. Here are the discounts that buyers can get:
Wipro 16A Wi-Fi smart plug: Available at Rs 999 after 56% discount
Wipro 16A Wi-Fi smart plug has a voice control feature which is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. The smart plug also comes with the Wipro Smartp app that allows users to control devices from anywhere through the smartphone.
Halonix Wi-Fi enabled smart LED bulb: Available at Rs 729 after 71% discount
Halonix Wi-Fi enabled smart LED bulb is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant that allows users to control their devices through virtual assistance. The smart bulb emits Warm White, Neutral White and White colours.

Wipro B22D 12.5W Wi-Fi smart LED bulb: Available at Rs 824 after 68% discount
‎Wipro B22D comes with 12.5 watts of power and has Wi-Fi technology. The smart bulb is compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. It also has a Music Sync Function technology that lets light move by changing the colours with the rhythm of the music.
Wipro Ns9400 9W B22D Wi-fi smart LED bulb: Available at Rs 649 after 69% discount
Wipro Ns9400 comes with voice control features that lets users control lights with their voice using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The smart bulb comes with 9 watts of power and emits Warm White, Neutral White and White colours.
Philips Wiz Wi-Fi enabled B22 smart bulb: Available at Rs 649 after 68% discount
Philips Wiz smart bulb has Wi-Fi technology and comes with a Wiz app that allows users to set scenes, rhythms and schedules, dim the light and switch between millions of colours.The smart bulb is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Poco launched its mid-range smartphone Poco F4 in India in June last year. The smartphone was launched with Android 12 out-of-the-box. The Chinese smartphone maker has now started rolling out the Android 13 update to the smartphone in India.
Himanshu Tondon, Poco country head took to Twitter to confirm the roll out of Android 13 on Poco F4. Along with Android 13 update the smartphone will also get Jio 5G support. Tondon tweeted, “POCO F4 Android 13 + Jio 5G release has started.(Version no: V14.0.2.0.TLMINXM) To ensure stability, the roll-out will be in a staged manner, first update given to beta users. The full roll-out is expected in a week if no critical feedback is there. Thanks for the patience ✌🙂”

The Poco F4 users will now be able to access the 5G services from Reliance Jio on the smartphone.

What Poco F4 users need to do to access Jio True 5G
– Users need to be in a 5G city or area
– To access 5G, users need to check for notifications/alert in their MyJio app.
– To experience Jio 5G on their Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, customers need to change the preferred network type to 5G.
– Users can access the Jio 5G service on their existing SIM cards and don’t need to get a new SIM.
– Also, Jio Ture 5G service is available on all the existing data plans priced above Rs 299 offered by Reliance Jio. So, you don’t have to buy a new plan.
Poco F4 specifications
Poco F4 comes with a 6.67-inch Full HD+ display and it is protected with a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass on top. The mid-range Poco smartphone is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chipset paired with up to 12GB of RAM.
Poco F4 comes in two stoarge options — 128GB and 256GB. The dual SIM smartphone runs Android 13 operating system topped with the company’s own layer of customisation.
Poco F4 sports a triple rear camera which comprises 64MP main camera with f/1.79 aperture, 8MP ultra wide angle lens with f/2.2 aperture, 2MP macro camera with f/2.4 aperture. Front is home to a 20MP selfie shooter with f/2.4 aperture.
The smartphone comes equipped with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and is backed by a 4,500 mAh battery with 67W fast charging support.

Popular instant messaging app WhatsApp introduced the Picture-in-Picture (PiP) support for video calls on iPhone in December last year. The feature was initially available for beta users but it is now available for all the WhatsApp users.
Apple iPhone running iOS 12.0 and above can now access the Picture-in-Picture feature on video calls on iPhones. In order to use the feature, the iPhone users need to update their app to WhatsApp version 23.3.77. The PiP feature will allow iPhone users to multi-task while taking video calls. Along with this app update also brings some additional features.
Here’s the complete changelog of the WhatsApp update
• With support for iOS Picture in Picture (PiP), you can now multitask during a WhatsApp call without your video being paused.
• You can now add captions when sending documents
• Added support for longer group subjects and descriptions to make it easier to describe your groups
• You can now create personalized avatars and use them as stickers and profile photos. Go to Settings > Avatar to get started.
WhatsApp rolling out longer group subjects
Recently, it was reported that the Meta-owned WhatsApp has started rolling out longer group subjects and descriptions on iOS beta. The report adds that the feature will make it easier for users to describe the groups in a better way.
The report reveals that the users can now choose a longer group description. Earlier users were allowed to add group descriptions of up to 512 characters. But now users can add group descriptions of up to 2048 characters. The longer group descriptions will enable users to add additional information at the time of describing the groups.
Along with the increase in the character limit of group description, the app has also increased the character limit of group subject to 100. This will enable admins to give a better and more descriptive name to their groups.

Airtel has expanded its 5G services in West Bengal. The telco has rolled out Airtel 5G Plus service in 16 cities of West Bengal. The Airtel subscribers can now access Airtel 5G Plus service in in Berhampore, Old Malda, Raiganj, Durgapur, Balurghat, Alipurduar, Dinhata, Asansol, Barrdhaman, Koch Bihar, Medinipur, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Islampur & Kharagpur. The Airtel 5G Plus service is already live in Siliguri.
Airtel users with 5G-enabled smartphones can access Airtel 5G Plus service at the above-mentioned locations. Users must keep in mind that they don’t need a new SIM card to access the 5G services. The Airtel subscribers can access its 5G services on their existing 4G SIM card. Also, presently the telecom operator is offering 5G services at no additional cost. So, the users don’t have to pay extra money to access Airtel 5G Plus.

Commenting on the launch, Ayan Sarkar, CEO West Bengal, Bharti Airtel said, “I am thrilled to announce the launch of Airtel 5G Plus in Berhampore, Old Malda, Raiganj, Durgapur, Balurghat, Alipurduar, Dinhata, Asansol, Barrdhaman, Koch Bihar, Medinipur, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Islampur & Kharagpur in addition to Siliguri. Airtel customers in these sixteen cities can now experience ultrafast network and enjoy speeds upto 20-30 times faster than the current 4G speeds. We are in the process of lighting up all the cities which will allow customers to enjoy superfast access to High-definition video streaming, gaming, multiple chatting, instant uploading of photos and more.”
Download the Airtel Thank app to check 5G availability in your area
Airtel users can check the availability of 5G service in their area with the help of the Airtel Thanks app. To check the availability of 5G services in your area make sure that you have a 5G-enabled handset to use the 5G services. Also, you can click here to check our brand-wise guide on how to enable 5G on your smartphone.

OnePlus recently launched its Buds Pro 2 true wireless earbuds in India. Now it appears that the company may soon launch the affordable OnePlus Nord Buds 2 true wireless earbuds in the country. The upcoming true wireless earbuds were recently spotted on the Indian website of the company.
Popular tipster Mukul Sharma shared a screenshot on Twitter revealing the listing of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 on the India website. Sharma tweeted, “OnePlus Nord Buds 2 are indeed launching soon in India. Expect the TWS to launch in the country by next month. Have spotted the buds on the company’s India website. #OnePlusNordBuds2.” As per the tipster the true wireless earbuds may launch in the country next month.

OnePlus Nord Buds 2 likely features
Recently, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 were spotted on the FCC certification website. The certification revealed that the affordable true wireless earbuds from OnePlus may support 4.5W charging.
The listing also revealed that each earbud may feature 41mAh battery and the charging case is said to house 480 mAh battery. The yet-to-launch true wireless earbuds are said to sport an in-ear design and will charge with the help of USB Type-C port.
The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 may come with Bluetooth 5.3 support and the earbuds may come in black and white colour options.
OnePlus Buds Pro 2 launched in India recently
Earlier this month, OnePlus launched the Buds Pro 2 true wireless earbuds in the country priced at Rs 11,990. The true wireless earbuds come in two colour options — Arbor Green and Obsidian Black. The earbuds can be purchased online from Amazon.in and the OnePlus India website. The true wireless earbuds come with adaptive noise cancellation and promise to offer 39 hours of total battery backup with the charging case.