YouTube Music is adding the ability to automatically download recently played songs on Android. It is an optional feature available for Premium subscribers. An official support page says the feature was released in January but it recently started showing up for more people. The latest update for the YouTube Music app should bring it to you. The feature doesn’t seem to be unavailable on the iOS app.
YouTube Music can now automatically download your recently played songs
Automatic downloading is available as an optional toggle in the Downloads & storage settings. “We’ll download up to 200 of your recently played songs,” the description reads. There’s no dedicated playlist for these songs in the Library tab. You will only find them in the Downloads section of the app, which you can access by long-pressing the homescreen icon.
According to 9to5Google, which first reported this rollout, this toggle seemingly comes enabled by default. The publication checked several devices and found it turned on. It seemingly works independently of the existing Smart downloads feature. The latter downloads up to 500 songs that YouTube Music deems to be your “favorites”. Songs are downloaded when you’re connected to Wi-Fi and have sufficient battery.
As said earlier, automatic downloading of recently played songs isn’t available on YouTube Music for iOS. However, the aforementioned official document confirms that Smart downloads are rolling out to the iPhone and iPad. It notes that “if you explicitly delete a Smart Downloads recommended playlist, our systems should make note of this feedback so that we do not recommend the same music to you in future playlists.”
YouTube Music has also recently added Live, Cover, and Remix labels “under Other Performances in the Related tab of Now Playing”. These labels appear in search results as well, the publication confirms. All of these changes should be available to everyone in the coming days.
Update the YouTube Music app now
As said earlier, YouTube Music added this feature in January. But the initial rollout doesn’t seem to have been widespread. Automatic downloading of recently played songs is finally reaching users around the world.
If you’re a Premium subscriber and haven’t received this feature yet, you might want to check for an update for the app on your Android smartphone. You can click the button below to download the latest version of the YouTube Music app from the Google Play Store.
Text-to-image AI has been a pain in artists’ necks, now it’s time for filmmakers to feel the sting. A company called Runway Research introduced us to Gen-2 (via Tom’s Guide). This is an AI-powered text-to-video bot that looks pretty good… scary good.
OpenAI is a rockstar in the AI industry, churning out hits like DALL-E and ChatGPT. However, the company hasn’t given us a taste of text-to-video capabilities. With GPT-4, we thought we’d see something like that; however, it’s proven to be ChatGPT-3 on steroids.
Runway Research pushes Gen-2 down the “runway”
So, text-to-image technology is already labor-intensive. Generating that picture of a warrior princess with messed up hands takes a metric ton of information and processing power. So, bringing that over to full-motion video seemed like something out of a Sci-fi film. However, it’s happening.
Named Gen-2, this is the second generation of Runway Research’s brainchild, and the company showcased how it improved over Gen-1. You can view some examples of what Gen-2 can do here.
Now, there are a few things to know before you get excited. For starters, this tool is not available just yet. We don’t know when it will hit the public, but the company says “Soon”.
Also, don’t start planning your next short film. So far, Gen-2 can only produce 3-second video loops. So, it will basically make GIFs for the time being. In any case, it’s still impressive.
You’ll be able to generate short video clips from text prompts, but you’ll also be able to use video input as well. There’s one clip with a man turning his head toward the camera. That’s the input video. The output shows a creature (based on source images) turning its head. There’s another example where Gen-2 took a source video of a golden retriever and added dalmatian spots.
This is something that’s going to bring Runway further into the spotlight. Right now, OpenAI is leading the AI race, as far as the public is concerned, with Google trailing behind. Another company further adding fuel to the fire will make things interesting in the AI race.
At the time of the arrest, the developer still had real-time access to 600 PCs. According to the announcement, the RAT could tell infected devices to:
Download and upload files
Install and uninstall programs
Take screenshots
Capture sound from microphones
Capture video from cameras
Once data was harvested by the RAT, some of it was put to further use: Account theft and withdrawal of electronic funds contained in compromised balances are both mentioned in the police release.
Unfortunately, the release makes no mention as to how the file was distributed other than as “applications for computer games”. Bleeping Computer suggests that the campaign resembles malware distribution involving bogus YouTube videos promoting game cheats and modifications.
With this in mind, what can you do to try and avoid rogue files such as these?
Steering clear of bogus applications
Be careful of YouTube promotions. Avoid downloading newly advertised apps via sites such as YouTube. Genuine files are distributed in one of a handful of generally trusted locations, and not a video clip sharing platform. Anyone can upload a YouTube video and claim that it links to a genuine file. If the download is located on free file hosting services, that’s a good sign to steer clear too.
Be wary of sponsored search engine results. Anything at all can be lurking in paid-for links sitting at the top of your search results. Imitation sites are a huge problem, not just for fake gaming mods and applications but all manner of other software too. Those sites may direct you to fake adverts, survey scams, or even rogue installers filled with malware. Games and other popular forms of software are prime targets for these kinds of attacks.
Stick to trusted sources. If it’s a PC gaming mod you’re after, you’ll likely obtain it from the Steam Workshop page associated with the game’s Steam page. Otherwise, it’ll be located on Nexus Mods which performs some degree of virus checking and has a large community which quickly flags rogue files.
Scan your files. It’s always worth taking a few moments to see if anything bad is lurking in a download with the assistance of your trusted security tools. Many game related infections often make use of older, identifiable components so the odds are in your favour.
Malwarebytes removes all remnants of ransomware and prevents you from getting reinfected. Want to learn more about how we can help protect your business? Get a free trial below.
If you are a fan of big smartwatches, then this Garmin Instinct 2 Solar successor might catch your fancy. A recent leak shows that the smartwatch brand Garmin is planning on launching a new product. The exact product to be launched is not yet known, but sources say that it will succeed the Instinct 2 Solar.
This is a result of the leak that reveals the size of this coming smartwatch. Although the Instinct 2 Solar smartwatch isn’t the largest from the company, sources claim that it’d receive a large successor. The largest options from Garmin are both in the Fenix series, so it might make sense that this coming entry should fit in there.
But that might not be the case because the Instinct 2 Solar is due for an upgrade. This smartwatch launched about a year ago and is more than ready to receive an upgrade. Well, the Fenix 7x also launched last year and the details of its successor are also creeping around the internet.
Some details on the possible Garmin Instinct 2 Solar successor
According to the FCC filing, this coming Garmin smartwatch (A04600) is the biggest ever made. It is said to come with a 57mm case, which is a size that not many people are used to. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, for instance, comes with a 45mm case, which is a bit smaller than the 49mm case Apple Watch Ultra.
At 57mm many might wonder which smartwatches this coming Garmin product will compete with. Garmin builds most of its smartwatches with durability in mind, and this coming option won’t be left out. Its sheer size will also enable it to pack a ton of outdoor features that most other smartwatches lack.
Take into consideration the 51mm case option for the Garmin Fenix 7X solar smartwatches. Unlike the 42mm and 47mm options, this entry comes with a built-in flashlight and other outdoor features useful to hikers and explorers. This joins the regular smart features that the smaller options come with, making it the best pick for certain people.
The coming smartwatch which sources believe to be the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar successor (A04600) will also pack similar features. It might even improve on certain other things available on the 51mm case Fenix 7X option. Having a large protective case might also protect it from damage if it falls to the ground.
Details about this rugged smartwatch are still meagre at this point. Having passed the FCC filing, this smartwatch will be making a global debut anytime soon. Before its launch, more information about its design, specification, and actual series will become available.
Ahead of the congress hearing, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has taken to the platform to share updates on the issues his company faces. This is in light of the US’s threats to ban the video-sharing platform in its region. These are really hard times for TikTok as they fight to clear their name of the mud and save their business in the US.
Recently, the video-sharing platform has come under various accusations from members of the US parliament. They accuse the platform of having ties with the Chinese government, labelling them a security threat. Already, the app has been banned on government-issued devices in various states around the country.
The US government is now moving to ban the video-sharing platform in the country. TikTok’s parent company ByteDance is under pressure to sell the company and evade the US ban. A court hearing on this case will take place on the 23rd of March and the TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew seems to be ready.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew beckons on US citizens using the video-sharing platform ahead of the hearing
As the hearing date draws closer, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has proceeded to appeal to users in the US. To do this, TikTok posted a video on its official channel that highlights certain facts. This video aims to gather support from US citizens in the fight against the ban.
In the one-minute-long video, Shou highlights how TikTok is put to use by millions of US citizens. He also points out that he is in Washington, D.C. ahead of the hearing, where he will defend his company. Prepping up for the hearing, he now beckons to US citizens using TikTok, highlighting how this platform helps them.
In the video, Shou points out that over 150 million people use TikTok monthly. Making up this huge number are over 5 million businesses that use the platform to promote their products and services. Shou goes on to point out that “the majority of these are small and medium businesses.”
Additionally, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew points out that his company has over 7000 employees in the US alone. By highlighting these facts, Shou aims to bring to mind all that is at stake to not only his business but also millions of users around the country. If the usage of this video-sharing platform gets forbidden by law in the US, lots of businesses will fall apart.
Over 5 million small and medium businesses will lose a core publicity tool for their products and services. Additionally, over 7000 people will also lose their jobs in an uncertain economy. Lastly, a whopping 150 million US citizens will also lose a platform that brings smiles to their faces.
These might be points that TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will highlight during the hearing. This will bring to light what millions of US citizens will lose if the platform is banned. More details on the hearing will roll out in the coming days.
Google is adding a nifty new feature to the Play Store. It is gaining a sync option that automatically installs your apps on all of your smartphones. Earlier, this ability was only available for Android tablets, Wear OS smartwatches, and Android TVs signed in with the same Google account.
Play Store gets a sync feature for phones
Google has been frequently pushing new updates to the Play Store in recent months, adding new features in the process. In late 2022, the company introduced the ability to remotely install apps on your other devices. You can select a device and install apps directly from your current device. You can check the download progress as well. However, the automatic installation of apps has always been limited to wearables, tablets, and TVs.
It appears Google is finally changing that. Android Police received tips from users about a new option in the Play Store’s Manage apps and device section, which you can access from your profile avatar in the top right corner of the app’s home page. The new option is “Sync apps to devices” and it sits above the two “Share apps” buttons (Send and Receive). Tapping it opens up a new page with a checklist of all Android devices linked to your Google account.
“Apps that you install on this device will also be installed on your synced devices,” Google explains. In other words, every new app you install on your current device will be automatically installed on other devices too, given the app is compatible with the device. Of course, you have to manually select the devices in which you want to sync apps beforehand. But once selected, it will apply to all future app installations.
You can’t sync existing apps
This feature is of great help to people who use multiple smartphones. However, Google could make it even better by allowing syncing of apps that have been already installed. While you can already do that by using backup, having the feature baked into Play Store will make it all more convenient. But as things stand, that’s not the case. Your existing apps will not sync with other devices. This ability is only available for new installations.
Another area where Google could work to make this feature better is app updates. While new apps install automatically, that’d not the case for updates. You still need to manually update apps on every device, or wait until auto-updates kick in. That said, this feature seems to be still in the early stages of development. Google could improve it in the coming weeks.
It’s no secret that Google Chrome has dominated the browser market for years, with over 60% market share worldwide. Despite competition from other major players like Microsoft, Apple, and Mozilla, Chrome’s popularity has remained largely unchallenged. However, it looks like Amazon will be the next company to take on Chrome’s dominance as, according to reports, the company is exploring the possibility of launching its web browser for desktops.
According to a tweet from Nicholas De Leon, a senior reporter for Consumer Reports, Amazon is currently conducting surveys with select customers to gather information about their browsing habits and preferences. The survey questions are highly specific, focusing on important features like ad blocking, password management, cross-platform compatibility, VPN, and other security features. Amazon is also asking respondents which browsers they currently use and which features would convince them to try a new browser.
“We want to understand what our customers value about current web browsers and what they wish the browsers could do better. By participating in this survey, you will contribute to innovations that improve browsing experiences for millions of people around the world,” wrote Amazon in the survey.
A new player in the market
Challenging Google wouldn’t be easy, even for giants like Amazon. However, the potential release of an Amazon browser could have significant implications for the advertising industry. With Google moving away from third-party cookies, Amazon’s existing data collection capabilities combined with browsing data could give the company an edge over other tech giants like Google and Facebook, allowing it to create a more targeted and efficient ad platform. Additionally, Amazon’s browser could also offer special features catered towards online shopping, such as price comparisons and rebate alerts.
Although Amazon has released a browser before, called Silk, the company primarily designed it for its services. However, based on the highly specific questions in the new survey, it seems that the company is seriously considering launching a browser that is specifically meant for use on desktops and laptops.
OnePlus is readying a new mid-range phone in the form of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G. The device is rumored to debut in the first week of April. There have been a few leaks about it in recent weeks. With the launch drawing closer, the handset has now appeared on Geekbench and also picked up a couple of regulatory certifications, revealing a few details in the process.
The Geekbench listing for the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G (model number CPH2465) confirms that the handset is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 695 processor. As usual, it doesn’t explicitly name the chipset, but we have enough details here to paint a telling picture. The Snapdragon 695 is a 6nm processor with two Cortex-A77-based CPU cores clocked at 2.2GHz and six Cortex-A55-based cores clocked at 1.8GHz. It has an integrated Snapdragon X51 5G Modem for sub-6GHz 5G cellular connectivity.
OnePlus will pair the chipset with 8GB of RAM. At least the version that made it to Geekbench has that much RAM amount (via). The company may also offer the phone in other memory configurations. As you’d expect, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G will run Android 13 out of the box. OnePlus will slap OxygenOS 13 skin on top, though. The early Geekbench run of the phone yielded scores of 688 (single-core test) and 1,796 (multi-core test). The final, market-ready device may do better than that.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G picks up regulatory certifications ahead of launch
Ahead of its launch in about two weeks, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G has picked up regulatory approval in Singapore. A listing on the country’s IMDA (Infocomm Media Development Authority) website tells us the market name of the handset. Spotted by tipster Mukul Sharma, aka Stufflistings, IMDA confirms that the OnePlus CPH2465 is none other than the Nord CE 3 Lite 5G. Separately, a version of the handset (model number CPH2467) has appeared on India’s BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards).
These regulatory certifications are a sign of nearing launch. While OnePlus hasn’t officially confirmed anything yet, rumors are that the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G will debut on April 4. If true, that’s precisely two weeks from today. We may see a few more leaks about the device until then. Early leaks say we’ll get a 6.59-inch LCD screen with 1080p+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, 50MP main camera, and a 5000mAh battery with 33W charging support. Stay tuned for the official launch next month.
So yes, as I tipped earlier, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is indeed launching soon. Have spotted the device on the Singapore IMDA certification website. The CPH2467 (said to be the Nord CE 3) has also been BIS certified. Launching very soon in India.#OnePlusNordCE3Lite5Gpic.twitter.com/OG6oV0sHwc
When Apple announced MagSafe with the iPhone 12 back in 2020, many wrote it off as just an easy way to charge your phone wirelessly. But it has really morphed into a lot more than just wireless chargers at home. These days, you’ll find multi-chargers for your desk or night stand, as well as wallets, battery packs and a whole lot more.
So today, we’re going to go over all of the best MagSafe accessories that you can buy for the iPhone in 2023.
Best MagSafe Accessories – 2023
This list has something for everyone. From a wireless charger, to car docks, and even wallets. Among a few other pretty cool accessories. We will be constantly updating this list as more MagSafe accessories become available.
Here’s a list of the iPhones compatible with MagSafe (some Android phones are compatible, like the Pixel, but not 100%):
We’re starting things off pretty simple here, with Belkin’s charging pad. This is a simple charging pad that you can just stick to the back of your phone and it’ll charge while you are still using it. Which is pretty nice. It also comes with a nice 6-foot long cable, which makes it very convenient to use on a night stand.
This is probably my favorite MagSafe accessory. It’s an accessory that you can put onto the back of your phone and have it charge. This is a 6,000mAh capacity battery, so it should be able to fully charge your phone once, before it runs out of juice. But it’s great because you don’t need any cables and can charge your phone on the go.
This wireless charger from Belkin can really come in clutch. It’s a 3-in-1 wireless charging pad, that includes a MagSafe charger for your iPhone, an Apple Watch charger and then one more charging spot for another phone or you can use it for AirPods. Meaning you can charge everything right here. It is expensive, but it does also include the faster Apple Watch charger, so it makes sense that it is $150.
This MagSafe charger from Apple is a pretty good one, even though it is a bit more expensive. It’s a nice flat metal charger that attaches to the back of the iPhone and charges at the full 15W. It’s flatter than some of the other MagSafe chargers on this list, making it a lot easier to use while it’s charging.
What if I told you, that you could get in the car and just put your phone down and it starts charging instantly? That’s how convenient this car charger from Belkin is. It’s a magnetic, MagSafe charger that attaches to your air vent. And it can charge at the full 15W. So you can just get in the car, put your phone on it and be on the way. It’s super convenient, but of course, you are paying for that convenience in the price here.
This is a cheaper car charger that sits on your dashboard and allows you to keep your phone down out of view of the windshield and used for things like Apple Maps, Google Maps, Spotify and more. Now with ESR, it actually has a fan inside to help keep your phone cool. As you likely know, wireless charging can really heat up your phone, especially if it’s charging at 15W and for a long time. So with this cool air, ESR does a good job at keeping your iPhone nice and cool.
This is probably my favorite MagSafe accessory, and I’ve actually bought a few of these over the years. But essentially, this battery pack attaches to the back of your phone, and can charge it through MagSafe. It’s a 10,000mAh capacity battery pack, that should fully charge your iPhone at least once (closer to 1.5X on the 6.1-inch iPhones). It also comes with a kickstand, so you can prop up your phone to watch media and such. It’s really cool to have available in your travel bag.
Now this accessory is also a pretty cool one, though it doesn’t have a lot of use cases. Basically, it attaches to the top of your Mac or Monitor, and allows you to use iPhone camera as a webcam for continuity. You can also use the ultrawide lens for a sort of show and tell and show what’s on your desk to those on the video call. Like I said, it doesn’t have many use-cases, but it is a pretty neat accessory to have in your arsenal
Saving important dates like birthdays and anniversaries has long been a feature supported by Google Contacts, with the added benefits of having those same dates appear in Google Calendar. However, the Calendar implementation has been lacking when it comes to choosing how you want to be reminded of such dates. Fortunately, Google is developing a new feature that will possibly allow custom birthdays and notifications.
The feature first appeared in a development version of the Google Calendar and spotted by user @AssembleDebug on Twitter with the caveat that it can only be triggered by changing a few flags and only with version 2023.08.2-511758217-release of the app. A few screenshots and a video were also shared which depict how the feature works.
The feature is characterized by a new popup when opening the Calendar app. This popup then gives you the option to add a new birthday. This prompt bypasses the need to add a new contact to attach a birthday date to, thus simplifying the process.
There is also an edit option that appears whenever you are viewing a birthday calendar entry card. This button seems to give you the ability to change either the date of the birthday or the notification that is displayed for it. It is unclear if the time of day of the notification can be changed, although from the screenshots shared, it appears that you can schedule the notification for the day before and schedule multiple reminders, something you cannot currently do with birthday reminders that come from the Contacts app.
As the feature is still in development, of Google Calendar, there are certain quirks to it that hopefully will be iron out before the feature is released to the public. That is, of course, if it ever does. One of these is that as the feature is implemented now, you are stuck with getting that popup every time you open your Calendar app, that is until you either add a birthday or close the dialog box by clicking the “Not now” option.
It is encouraging to see Google improve on this feature. It has always been a pet peeve of mine that I am unable to personalize birthday reminders in my Google Calendar, especially if I wanted to plan ahead and, for example, schedule an event or buy a gift. Having the reminder sent the same day is just not ideal, so I’m hoping this feature does make it to the stable version of Google Calendar.
