The World Opinion

Tag: Google

  • Toshiba Announces Layoffs, To Cut Around 5,000 Jobs |

    New Delhi: Layoffs that started last year are not stopping yet. Daily, you may have encountered the news of the layoffs. After prominent companies such as Google, Amazon, and more, Toshiba, a prominent manufacturer of personal computers, consumer electronics, and home appliances, is gearing up to trim its workforce.

    How Much Workforce Will Be Affected?

    The manufacturer decided to restructure the workforce in Japan by seven percent, which amounts to around 5,000 job cuts. (Also Read: Paytm Initiates Customer Migration To Partner Banks For UPI Services)

    Reason Behind Layoffs

    Once a major employer in the nation, Toshiba’s restructuring move aims to streamline operations and reduce costs in non-core business areas, as reported by Nikkei. (Also Read: Viral Video: Zomato Boy Delivering Food On Harley-Davidson Surfaces Online — Watch)

    Impact On Workforce

    Toshiba, currently employing around 65,000 individuals in Japan, is bracing for one of its largest layoffs since 2015 if the plan is executed. The 2015 layoffs, amounting to 7000 job cuts, were a result of accounting irregularities.

    Focus Areas

    The company’s restructuring strategy is geared towards focusing on its infrastructure and digital technology business while streamlining operations in other areas.

    This move comes amid a broader trend of major companies in Japan, such as Shiseido, Omron, and Konica Minolta, also implementing layoffs and announcing plans for further reductions.

    Global Layoff Trends

    The layoffs at Toshiba coincide with similar actions by global giants like Amazon and Google, which have also announced significant job cuts recently.

    Company Response

    In response to inquiries, a report stated, “The restructuring plan is a key aspect of Toshiba’s efforts to enhance profitability, as part of its midterm management plan set to be unveiled in May.”

    Additionally, the report mentioned, “The company will engage in discussions with its labor union starting in May to determine the number of positions to be eliminated in each business unit.”

  • Google Rolls Out Android 15 beta 1 Update For Pixel Devices; Check Features, How To Install |

    New Delhi: Google has rolled out the Android 15 Beta 1 update for several Google Pixel devices. These devices include Pixel 5a, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7a, Pixel 6, Pixel 7, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, along with a Pixel tablet and Fold. Notably, this update has come with improved communication features, better support for large screens, and much more.

    Let’s have a quick look at the features of Android 15 beta 1:

    The latest Android 15 beta 1 update likely enhances NFC functionality, streamlining tap-to-pay transactions, and enabling seamless integration with multiple NFC-aware applications.

    It also introduces automatic screen adjustment for apps to better adapt to larger displays without necessitating any special developer intervention. Additionally, there’s improved support for Braille displays through the utilization of the HID standard over USB and Bluetooth connections.

    Users can now efficiently manage their device storage by selectively removing infrequently used applications to free up space. Furthermore, the inclusion of inter-character justification for text enhances readability across various languages.

    Furthermore, developers also benefit from the introduction of the ProfilingManager class, which simplifies the collection of performance data within their applications.

    It improves security by restricting malicious background applications. The update brings the E2eeContactKeysManager, designed to facilitate end-to-end encryption in applications, thus enhancing user privacy and data security.

    Here’s How To Install Android 15 beta 1 Update:

    Check Eligibility:

    Ensure your Pixel phone meets the criteria for the Android 15 beta program. Only specific Pixel models may be eligible.

    Navigate to Settings:

    Open the “Settings” app on your Pixel phone, typically found in your app drawer or by tapping the gear icon in the notification shade.

    Access System Update:

    Scroll down in the “Settings” menu and select “System.”

    Register for Beta Program:

    Under “System,” tap “System Update,” then find “Register for beta program” or similar.

    Enroll Your Device:

    Follow on-screen instructions, sign in with your Google account, and agree to terms.

    Check for Updates:

    Return to “System Update” to automatically check for updates after enrolling.

    Receive Notification:

    Your phone will notify you when the Android 15 beta update is available.

    Download and Install:

    Tap the notification or go to “System Update” to download and install the update.

    Wait for Installation:

    The installation may take time, so ensure your device is charged or connected to power.

    Reboot Your Device:

    Follow on-screen instructions to restart your device after installation.

    Enjoy Android 15:

    Explore new features and improvements after rebooting with the Android 15 beta 1 version.

  • Google Rolls Out Gemini Driven AI Features To Gmail, Google Docs, And Sheets- All You Need To Know |

    New Delhi: American tech giant Google has unveiled a new plethora of updates during its ‘Google Cloud Next 2024’ conference. The company has announced these updates to boost productivity and teamwork among users of its Workspace suite.

    The tech giant’s move also reflects Google’s ongoing commitment to deepening the integration of AI into its products. Google has also hinted that additional features and capabilities will roll out in the weeks and months ahead.

    Let’s have a quick look at the Gemini-driven AI features, a multimodal generative AI model developed by the technology behemoth.

    Google Chat

    Google Chat will now use Gemini’s AI for conversation summarization and question answering. Adding further, it will feature automatic message translation. It features an expanded group capacity accommodating up to 500,000 users. Furthermore, it will introduce automatic caption translation across 69 languages ​​and 4,600 user pairs.

    Mobile Gmail Updates:

    Mobile Gmail users now have access to voice prompts and input through the “Help me write” function, simplifying email composition while on the move. Additionally, a new “instant polish” feature enables the transformation of rough notes into polished emails with a single click. (Also Read: iPhone 15 Available at Lowest Price Ever on Amazon India; Check Discount, Specs)

    AI Meeting Add-On

    The AI ​​Meetings Add-on offers a comprehensive solution to enhance workflow efficiency for both individual users and teams.Securing your workplace with AI helps protect your data by classifying and classifying sensitive files in Google Drive. This add-on includes features such as data loss prevention controls, classification labels within Gmail, and experimental post-quantum cryptography.

    Google Docs

    Google Docs now includes a tabs feature for efficient organization of information within a single document, o you don’t have to scroll through multiple documents or search through Drive to find what you’re looking for. Adding further, full-bladed cover images are likely to be available in Google Docs, improving document presentation.

    Google Sheets

    Users of Google Sheets can now leverage the newly introduced tables feature to effortlessly arrange and style their data. Furthermore, they’ll have access to a diverse range of templates tailored for various purposes. (Also Read: NoiseFit Active 2 Launched With Over 100 Sports Modes And Functional Crown In India At Rs 3,499; Check Specs)

    Google Meets

    Google Meet will offer a sneak peek of the “Take Notes for me” feature. Adding further, Google is rolling out a new business add-on called the Enterprise Add-on, priced at $10 per user per month, granting access to advanced AI capabilities in Google Chat and Google Meet.

  • Google Podcast App To Shut Down From April 2; Here’s How To Transfer Your Subscription To YouTube Music |

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  • Google To Suspend Political Ads In South Korea Ahead Of Elections

    The company also plans to provide various election-related information panels via YouTube search results related to the election to connect users to credible sources for further information.

  • YouTube Removes Over 2.25 Mn Videos In India For Violating Its Community Guidelines In Q4 2023 |

    New Delhi: Google-owned YouTube has removed over 2.25 million videos in India for violating its community guidelines in the fourth quarter of 2023, the popular video streaming platform said in a report on Tuesday.

    The number of videos removed from the platform between October and December 2023 in India is the highest among 30 nations, YouTube said in the report. Singapore (1,243,871) and the US (788,354) had the second and third-highest number of videos removed. Iraq emerged the last with 41,176 videos removed. (Also Read: Ericsson Announces 1,200 Job Cuts In Sweden Amid Lower Sales)

    Globally, 9 million videos were removed by YouTube during the same period, and a whopping 96 percent of videos were first flagged by machines. Of these 53.46 per cent were removed before they received a single view and 27.07 per cent received between 1 and 10 views before removal, Youtube said in a statement. (Also Read: IIT Madras Alumnus Pavan Davuluri Appointed New Chief of Microsoft Windows And Surface)

    “YouTube's Community Guidelines are enforced consistently across the globe, regardless of the uploader, where the content is uploaded, or how the content was generated. When content is removed for violating our guidelines, it is removed globally and policies are enforced using a combination of machine learning and human reviewers,” the social media platform said.

    Further, YouTube also removed over 20 million channels in Q4 2023 for violating “spam policies, including but not restricted to scams, misleading metadata or thumbnails, video and comments spam”. More than 1.1 billion comments were also weeded out, the majority of which were spam. Over 99 percent of removed comments were detected automatically, YouTube said.

  • Digital Markets Act: EU Starts Probe Into Apple, Meta, Google Under New Digital Law |

    New Delhi: The European Union (EU) has started an investigation into big tech giants Apple, Google parent Alphabet and Meta, in its first probe under the sweeping new Digital Markets Act (DMA) tech legislation. The EU has started the investigation after the potential breaches of the newly enacted anti-trust law.

    The suite of probes announced are the first under the EU's Digital Markets Act law, which took effect earlier this month.

    The DMA has categorized six major tech firms — Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, and Microsoft — as gatekeepers, mandating their adherence to specific provisions to boost more competition in digital markets, including allowing third-party app stores.

    The European Commission announced five investigations into Apple, Google, and Meta's compliance with the DMA, with completion expected within 12 months. (Also Read: iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus Get Price Cuts In India On Flipkart, Starting At Rs 56,999)

    Apple and Alphabet (Google's parent company) will undergo EU scrutiny regarding how they enable app developers to shift consumers to third-party app stores without charges. Adding further, the European Union will also examine changes that Google made to how its search results appear in Europe.

    Another investigation will focus on Apple's adherence to rules facilitating the easy removal of apps and changes to default settings on iPhones, along with how the company presents choice screens for alternative search engines and browsers.

    Meta's 'pay or consent' model, requiring users to pay for data protection and ad-free experiences on Facebook and Instagram, will also be examined.

    The EU's recent law, effective this month, mandates major tech companies to follow numerous new rules, aiming to enhance competition from smaller entities in digital advertising, online search, and app ecosystems.

    Earlier, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that Apple, the tech giant, plans to add new fees and restrictions for third-party software downloads outside its App Store. (Also Read: Tesla CEO Elon Musk Thought That OpenAI Would Fail: OpenAI CE0 Sam Altman)

    This development follows the enforcement of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by the European Union, aimed at targeting the market clout of big technology companies and making it easier for people to move between competing services.

  • Google Engineer Secures Job At Google After 8 Interview Rounds; Shares Expertise On Big Tech Interviews |

    New Delhi: Securing a job at a tech giant is no cakewalk, and the same goes for the dream of working at Google which attracts hopefuls worldwide. Despite the challenges, people everywhere are eager to join these prestigious companies. A software engineer spoke with Business Insider about how he got a job offer from Google after going through eight interviews.

    Faced rejection from Google Twice

    In an interview with Business Insider, Sahil Gaba disclosed that he faced rejection from Google twice and eventually reached a point where he stopped worrying about the outcomes of interviews. “In a way, its quite liberating when you go with a mindset that you've seen it all” he mentioned to the publication. (Also Read: How To Transfer WhatsApp Chat Backup From Android To iPhone? Here's Step-By-Step Guide)

    Went through eight interviews

    According to the report, Gaba went through eight interview rounds before receiving an offer in 2021. This marked his third attempt at landing the job. Gaba also shared his insights on interviewing for major tech firms based on his experience. He mentioned that interviewing while currently employed relieves a significant amount of pressure. (Also Read: CCI Orders Investigation Into Google's App Store Billing Practices)

    His journey at Amazon

    While reflecting on his own journey Gaba remembered feeling content while working at Amazon. Therefore, when he went for his third Google interview, he didn't feel overly stressed. However, during his second attempt at applying to Google, Gaba was eager to leave his current job.

    Acquiring negotiation power

    During his third set of interviews with Google, Gaba shared that he purposefully scheduled his appointments to coincide with those at Meta and Uber. He believed that this timing could give him a small edge during salary discussions with all three companies. Looking back on his strategy, he admitted that it helped to ensure a fair and productive negotiation experience with each employer.

    Relied on Referrals

    Gaba mentioned that he heavily depended on referrals to apply for jobs in big tech companies. However, when he reached a point where he had contacted everyone he knew and still hadn't gotten a job, he began applying directly through the companies' job websites. For instance, when he applied to Amazon, he didn't just apply for one position, but for 10 or 15 positions all on the same day.

  • CCI Orders Investigation Into Google's App Store Billing Practices |

    New Delhi: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has initiated an investigation into Alphabet's Google, alleging that the tech giant has exploited its dominant position within the country's online market.

    The commission noted that it believes Google has potentially breached certain sections of the Act, namely Section 4(2)(a), Section 4(2)(b), and Section 4(2)(c), based on initial observations. This calls for further investigation into the matter. (Also Read: McDonald's Suffers Worldwide Tech Outage, Customers Unable To Place Orders)

    In a statement, the CCI mentioned, “In view of the foregoing, the Commission is of the prima facie view that Google has violated the provisions of Section 4(2)(a), 4(2)(b) and 4(2 )(c) of the Act, as elaborated supra which warrants detailed investigation. (Also Read: Bengaluru Commuter Faces 50-minute Wait Time For Uber, Says 'City Is Messed up')

    Accordingly, the Commission directs the Director General ('DG') to cause an investigation to be made into the matter under the provisions of Section 26(1) of the Act. The Commission also directs the DG to complete the investigation and submit a consolidated investigation report within a period of 60 days from the date of receipt of this order.”

    This decision came after multiple Indian app developers and industry groups filed a complaint against Google and raised concerns about the unfair practices of Google in the past. The CCI's investigative arm has been given 60 days to complete the probe.

    Last month, Google removed over 100 apps from 10 Indian developers for not complying with its billing policies. The apps were later restored, but the developers must now adhere to Play Store billing policies.

    The commission has accused Google of implementing its policies in a discriminatory way. It alleged that Google is making arbitrary distinctions between apps that offer digital goods and services versus those that offer physical goods and services, even though they provide similar facilities on the Play Store.

    Earlier this month, startup founders said that they will continue to oppose the tech giant imposing a fee of 11 to 26 percent on in-app payments. “Google charging up to 26 per cent of the app's revenue, represents a significant financial burden for app developers,” TrulyMadly Co-Founder & CEO, Snehil Khanor, said.

    During the ADIF (Alliance of Digital India Foundation) conference, the founders told reporters that their business dropped by around 40 per cent on the second day after their apps were delisted. (With inputs from IANS)

  • Google Lens Introduces Visual Search History Saving Feature; Here's How To Enable It

    The tech giant has introduced a new feature enabling automatic saving of Lens captures.