Microsoft, Google AI war; Android 14 first preview; Twitter Blue in India and other top tech news of the week
Feb 12, 2023, 10:23 am IST
Google announced its ChatGPT competitor, the Brad, while Microsoft is integrating ChatGPT into its search engine, Bing, and Edge browser. After months of waiting, Google has released the first preview of Twitter Blue has arrived in India. OnePlus is launching a host of products. While Realme brought a special edition Coca-Cola smartphone. Layoffs continue in the tech industry. This and more top technology news of the week.
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Google announces its ChatGPT competitor Bard
Google has just made it official that it is working on a rival to ChatGPT – the AI chatbot that took the world by storm late last year. Soon after ChatGPT became a sensation, some hyperbole questions were raised as to whether it was ‘end of Google’. Although the two platforms are very different. But still, ChatGPT is a threat to Google, how powerful is debatable. But yes, the AI chatbot has created ‘restlessness’ in Google’s corridors and here comes Bard, Google’s competitor for ChatGPT. Read more about Google’s Bard.
Microsoft integrates ChatGPT into Bing and Edge
Microsoft has announced a new version of its search engine Bing, powered by an upgraded version of the same AI technology that powers ChatGPT. The company is launching the product along with new AI-enhanced features for its Edge browser. “This is a new day in search,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said at an event announcing the products. The new Bing is live “for desktop limited preview”. There is also a waiting list to sign up for full access in the future. Here’s everything you need to know. Read more about the new Bing and Edge.
Android 14 Developer Preview Released
Google has announced Android 14’s first developer preview for Pixel smartphones. While the company doesn’t mention details of the changes on the user side, it does mention better support for foldable devices, tablets and other large-screen devices. Read more about Android 14.
Twitter Blue is launching in India
After much speculation about how much users in India will have to pay for Twitter Blue, the social media platform has revealed the cost of its subscription service. Twitter Blue brings a wealth of features to subscribers. Read on to find out how much Twitter Blue costs in India.
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Realme launches Coca-Cola Edition limited smartphone
Realme 10 Pro Coca-Cola Edition is here. Realme has launched this limited edition Realme 10 Pro smartphone in India. Realme 10 Pro Coca-Cola Edition comes with a special design and UI tweaks based on the popular fizzy drink. The smartphone’s retail box is also Coca-Cola themed. Read more about Realme’s special edition Coca-Cola smartphone.
GitHub cuts 10% jobs
The Microsoft-owned company has announced that it is laying off 10% of its workforce by the end of this financial year. Currently, GitHub has around 3,000 employees. Along with the layoff, the company also announced that it would be closing its offices and working entirely from home. Read more about redundancies at GitHub.
Twitter increases tweet limit to 4000 characters
Do you need more than 280 characters to express yourself? All you have to do is subscribe to Twitter Blue. The ‘microblogging’ platform is introducing long-form tweets, part of Musk’s “much bigger” interface overhaul. Now Twitter users, only those subscribed to the Blue, can write 4000 characters in a tweet. Read more to know what else you get.
Netflix’s crackdown on password sharing begins
Netflix’s long-awaited plan to end password sharing has now gone live. Amid a decline in paying customers, Netflix wants to make freeloaders pay for the subscription, starting with Canada, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain. Read how Netflix plans to end password sharing.
Sony launches NW-A306 Walkman in India
Sony has launched NW-A306 Walkman in India, following the launch of the high-end NW-ZX707 Walkman in the country. The NW-A306 Walkman comes in a stylish and compact design, allowing people to download and stream music on the go. Read more about Sony’s new Walkman.
Reddit confirms hack
Reddit has acknowledged a recent cyber attack that resulted in the theft of sensitive company information. The company referred to the breach as a “sophisticated and highly targeted phishing attack” in a security alert. Read more about the cyberattack at Reddit.
Zoom lays off 1300 employees
Zoom has become the latest company to announce job cuts. Zoom CEO Eric Yuan announced that the company is laying off 1,300 employees, which equates to about 15% of its workforce. Every organization across Zoom will be affected by the job cut. Read more to find out why Zoom is cutting jobs.
