Tag: Google India

  • WhatsApp Android To Introduce Feature For High-Quality Media Sharing |

    New Delhi: Meta-owned instant messaging app, WhatsApp, is known for its continuous upgrade in terms of features. This time, it is reportedly introducing a new feature to its Android app, making it easier for users to send high-quality images and videos. This feature aims to streamline the process by allowing users to specify their preferred media quality setting.

    Introduction Of New Feature

    According to reports from WhatsApp update tracker WABetaInfo, the new feature has been identified in the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.7.17 build. This beta version started rolling out to testers on Monday through the Google Play Beta Program. (Also Read: Discounts On Apple iPhone 15, 14, 13 Available On Flipkart: Check Current Prices)

    Media Upload Quality

    The feature introduces a setting option called ‘Media upload quality’ within the Storage and data menu. Users can choose between Standard quality and HD quality for their media uploads. Once a preference is selected, all future media uploads will adhere to this setting. (Also Read: Delhi Man’s Rs 340 Cab Booking Turns Into Rs 648 Nightmare: Here’s What Happened NEXT)

    What New It Brings And How Different From Previous One?

    Previously, users had to manually select their desired media quality with each photo or video uploaded. However, this upcoming update eliminates the need for repetitive selection by allowing users to set their preferences in the settings.

    Option To Change Quality On Preview Screen

    WhatsApp initially introduced the HD Photo Sharing feature in August 2023, followed by support for high-resolution videos. While users currently have the option to change quality on the preview screen, the new feature defaults to the preference set in the settings.

    Platform Availability

    While the feature has been reported for Android, its availability on iOS or the desktop app remains unconfirmed. Additionally, it’s important to note that none of the current options allow users to send media in its original resolution, especially for large files. To achieve this, users must share media as a document.

  • Google Gemini Latest Update: Check What New It Brings |

    New Delhi: Google has introduced a new feature for its AI-powered chatbot, Gemini, offering users more control over the responses generated by the bot. This feature allows users to modify specific portions of text within the response, providing a more tailored experience.

    In the latest update, users can now select and adjust particular parts of the text generated by Gemini. This feature empowers users to make changes to the response's content, and length, or completely remove certain sections. (Also Read: Good News For Job Seekers! Elon Musk's Firm

    Initially available in English on the Gemini web app, this feature enhances the precision of response tuning. (Also Read: India AI Mission: Check 8 Key Components Of Cabinet's Newly Launched Plan)

    Editing Process

    Google described the new feature as a more precise way for users to fine-tune Gemini's responses. By simply selecting the portion of text they want to modify and providing instructions, users can obtain an output that aligns more closely with their preferences.

    Creative Control

    Explaining the motivation behind the feature, Google emphasized its commitment to providing users with greater control over their creative process.

    This new functionality allows users to iterate on content and ideas within the context of the original response, fostering a more collaborative and customizable experience.

    Editing Options

    After generating a response, users can highlight any part of the text and access editing options by hovering over a pencil icon with the Gemini logo.

    The options available include 'Regenerate,' 'Shorter,' 'Longer,' and 'Remove,' each serving a specific purpose to modify the selected text as per the user's preference.

    User-Friendly Interface

    The interface is designed to simplify the editing process, allowing users to seamlessly adjust the length or content of the response with just a few clicks. Users can also add prompts to further customize the selected text as needed.

  • Google Removes Some India Matrimony Apps, Executive Calls Move ‘Dark Day’ |

    New Delhi: Google began removing the apps of 10 companies in India on Friday, including some popular matrimony apps such as Bharat Matrimony, in a dispute over service fee payments, potentially sparking a showdown with startup firms.

    The dispute centers on efforts by some Indian startups to stop Google from imposing a fee of 11 percent to 26 percent on in-app payments, after the country’s antitrust authorities ordered it to dismantle an earlier system of charging 15 percent to 30 percent. (Also Read: BIG Bonanza To Farmers Ahead Of Kharif Season! Center Clears Rs 24,400 Crore Fertilizer Subsidy)

    But Google effectively received a go-ahead to charge the fee or remove apps after two court decisions in January and February, one by the Supreme Court, not to give any relief to startups. (Also Read: Bill Gates And PM Modi Meeting: Did You Know Their Topic Of Discussion? Check Here)

    Matrimony.com dating apps Bharat Matrimony, Christian Matrimony, Muslim Matrimony and Jodii were deleted on Friday, company founder Murugavel Janakiraman said, describing the move as a “dark day of Indian Internet”.

    “Our apps are getting deleted one by one”.

    The unit of Alphabet Inc has sent notices of Play Store violations to Indian companies Matrimony.com, which runs the app BharatMatrimony, and Info Edge, which runs a similar app, Jeevansathi.

    Both companies are reviewing the notice and will consider the next steps, their executives told Reuters. Shares of Matrimony.com fell as much as 2.7 percent after the Reuters report, before paring losses, while Info Edge dropped 1.5 percent.

    Info Edge founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani said it had cleared all pending Google invoices in a timely manner and was compliant with its policies.

    In a blog post, Google said 10 Indian companies had chosen for an extended period of time not to pay for the “immense value they receive on Google Play”. It did not identify the firms.

    “For years, no court or regulator has denied Google Play’s right to charge,” the company said on Friday, adding that the Supreme Court on Feb. 9 also “refused to interfere” with its right to do so.

    Google’s app removal could anger the Indian startup community which has been protesting many of the US giant’s practices for years. The firm, which denies any wrongdoing, dominates the Indian market as 94 percent share of phones are based on its Android platform.

    Google says its fee supports investments in the app store and the Android mobile operating system, ensuring free distribution, and covering developer tools and analytic services.

    Just 3 percent of the more than 200,000 Indian developers who use the Google Play platform are required to pay any service fee, it added.

  • Former Google Employee Makes Shocking Allegations, Says ‘Did Not Get Promotion Due To Skin Colour’

    New Delhi: A former Google employee, Shaun Maguire, recently took to social media platform

    Allegations Of Discrimination

    According to reports from the New York Post, Maguire, who worked at Google’s Mountain View headquarters from 2016 to 2019, made these allegations following an incident referred to as the “Gemini fiasco.” He stated that his denial of promotion was due to being a white man. (Also Read: Google Pay Introduces Paytm’s Soundbox Rival ‘SoundPod’ In India: Check Key Features)

    Public Poll And Response

    Prompted by a poll on December 16, 2023, Maguire decided to make his allegations public. A significant majority, 91 percent, of voters supported his decision to share his story. (Also Read: 6 Fresh IPOs Coming This Week: Check Details Of Offerings Opening For Subscription Next Week)

    Should I go public with the story about the time I was told I couldn’t be promoted for being a white man? — Shaun Maguire (@shaunmmaguire) December 16, 2023

    Elon Musk, owner of the platform, responded to Maguire’s claims, noting that such instances of discrimination appeared to be widespread in recent years.

    This is incredibly widespread in recent years — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 16, 2023

    Revelation Goes Viral

    Over a month after the poll, Maguire revealed his experiences publicly. His posts quickly gained traction on social media, garnering over 10.3 million views on X.

    In his posts, Maguire criticized Google, describing the company as “an absolute trash can dumpster fire.” He mentioned that Google denied the allegations and expressed disappointment that the company had not reached out to hear his side of the story.

    Calls For Change

    Despite his posts’ attention, Maguire stated that he did not seek compensation but rather urged Google to address the issues, especially as it continues to lead in AI technology.

    Google is denying this happened but nobody from the company has reached out to me for my side of the story.

    Honestly, pathetic

    I don’t want any compensation

    I just want you to fix these problems, especially if you’re going to lead in AI https://t.co/0I7bmWmPIu — Shaun Maguire (@shaunmmaguire) February 24, 2024

    He shared a quote attributed to a Google official who allegedly told him, “I can’t promote you right now because I have a quota. My hands are tied.” This quote, according to Maguire, exemplified the discrimination he faced.

    FYI this was just my teaser story… not even close to the worst of it https://t.co/MGCh5qZLYC — Shaun Maguire (@shaunmmaguire) February 23, 2024

    Reactions

    Elon Musk echoed Maguire’s sentiments, stating that he had heard similar stories numerous times before. Maguire mentioned that several former Google colleagues reached out to him with similar experiences and evidence. His posts have sparked reactions from other former Google employees on

  • Google Offers 300% Salary Hike To Retain Employees; Read More |

    New Delhi: During a recent episode of the Big Technology Podcast, Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity AI, revealed that Google once offered an employee a staggering 300 percent hike in salary to dissuade them from switching jobs to Perplexity AI. This anecdote sheds light on the lengths to which big tech companies go to retain their employees.

    Details Of Salary Hike

    Srinivas disclosed that the employee who received the substantial salary increase was a member of Google’s ‘search team’ and had no direct involvement with its AI division. Despite this, Google deemed it necessary to offer such a significant raise to prevent the employee from leaving. (Also Read: Nothing CEO Carl Pie Became ‘Carl Bhai’ In Twitter Bio, But Why So?)

    Google’s Internal Memo On Job Cuts

    The revelation of the extraordinary salary hike comes amid recent job cuts at Google, with CEO Sundar Pichai warning employees of more impending layoffs. (Also Read: Google Opens New Office In Pune; Employee Shares Video Of Interiors: Watch)

    In an internal memo addressed to all Google employees, Pichai emphasized the need for “tough choices” to create capacity for future investments.

    Pichai’s Statement On Job Reductions

    Pichai’s memo acknowledged the company’s ambitious goals and reiterated its commitment to investing in key priorities. However, he stressed that creating capacity for these investments requires difficult decisions, including workforce reductions.

    Scope Of Job Cuts

    Since January 10, Google has reportedly laid off over a thousand employees across various departments. Earlier announcements by Pichai indicated plans to cut approximately 12,000 jobs globally, which accounts for about 6 percent of Google’s workforce.

    Pichai’s Announcement To Employees

    In a previous communication to employees, Pichai had informed them of the decision to reduce the workforce by approximately 12,000 roles. While employees in the US received immediate notifications, the process in other countries may take longer due to local laws and regulations.

  • iPhone Users Targeted By Govt Hackers With 0-Days Vulnerabilities: Google

    The spyware used in the attack was created by Variston, a company specializing in surveillance technology.

  • SC rejects plea in the hunt for Rs 75 lakh repayment for commercials on YouTube, imposes value

    By means of PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Perfect Courtroom on Friday slapped a price of Rs 25,000 on a petitioner who had sought repayment of Rs 75 lakh from Google India for the commercials proven on YouTube which allegedly had particular content material.

    Whilst pushing aside the plea, the apex court docket termed as “atrocious” the petition filed through a Madhya Pradesh resident who claimed that because of the commercials, his consideration was once diverted and he may no longer transparent a aggressive exam.

    Google-owned company, YouTube, is a video webhosting platform.

    “You need damages since you noticed commercials on web and you assert on account of that your consideration was once diverted and it’s essential to no longer transparent the examination?” a bench of Justices S Ok Kaul and A S Oka requested the petitioner, who was once showing in individual.

    “It is likely one of the maximum atrocious petitions filed beneath Article 32 (of the Charter),” the bench seen.

    “This type of petitions are utter wastage of judicial time”.

    The petitioner had additionally sought a ban on nudity on social media platforms. The bench seen that the petitioner has claimed that he was once making ready for an exam and subscribed to YouTube the place he noticed commercials containing alleged sexual content material.

    “If you do not like an commercial, do not watch it,” the bench stated, including, “Why he make a selection to observe the commercials is his prerogative”.

    To start with, the bench imposed a price of Rs 1 lakh at the petitioner whilst pushing aside the plea. Later, the petitioner, who argued in Hindi, suggested the highest court docket to forgive him and take away the price imposed. The petitioner additionally stated that he’s unemployed. The bench stated he cannot come simply to the court docket and document such petitions just for exposure.

    “Make it Rs 25,000,” the bench stated, whilst lowering the price from Rs 1 lakh.

    NEW DELHI: The Perfect Courtroom on Friday slapped a price of Rs 25,000 on a petitioner who had sought repayment of Rs 75 lakh from Google India for the commercials proven on YouTube which allegedly had particular content material.

    Whilst pushing aside the plea, the apex court docket termed as “atrocious” the petition filed through a Madhya Pradesh resident who claimed that because of the commercials, his consideration was once diverted and he may no longer transparent a aggressive exam.

    Google-owned company, YouTube, is a video webhosting platform.

    “You need damages since you noticed commercials on web and you assert on account of that your consideration was once diverted and it’s essential to no longer transparent the examination?” a bench of Justices S Ok Kaul and A S Oka requested the petitioner, who was once showing in individual.

    “It is likely one of the maximum atrocious petitions filed beneath Article 32 (of the Charter),” the bench seen.

    “This type of petitions are utter wastage of judicial time”.

    The petitioner had additionally sought a ban on nudity on social media platforms. The bench seen that the petitioner has claimed that he was once making ready for an exam and subscribed to YouTube the place he noticed commercials containing alleged sexual content material.

    “If you do not like an commercial, do not watch it,” the bench stated, including, “Why he make a selection to observe the commercials is his prerogative”.

    To start with, the bench imposed a price of Rs 1 lakh at the petitioner whilst pushing aside the plea. Later, the petitioner, who argued in Hindi, suggested the highest court docket to forgive him and take away the price imposed. The petitioner additionally stated that he’s unemployed. The bench stated he cannot come simply to the court docket and document such petitions just for exposure.

    “Make it Rs 25,000,” the bench stated, whilst lowering the price from Rs 1 lakh.