Google and Mercedes-Benz have gone into a strategic partnership that will help to improve the user navigation experience. The German luxury car brand is working hard to bring its next-generation navigation experience to vehicles. To make this possible, they will rely on the newly formed partnership with Google aimed at fostering innovation.
This partnership is a long-term endeavor that will bring great benefits to Mercedes-Benz owners around the world. As is already known, Mercedes-Benz is a luxury car brand with industry-leading technologies integrated into its vehicles. Now the brand is turning its attention to integrating a unique luxury feel into its digital experience.
Google will help the German automobile manufacturer achieve this digital luxury goal. This partnership will produce the first-of-its-kind experience for any luxury car brand. The new Google and Mercedes-Benz partnership will bring remarkable benefits to the public.
The benefits of this new Google and Mercedes-Benz partnership
Mercedes-Benz is currently working on its new operating system for the infotainment system and digital cockpit. This new platform will bring a ton of improvements to the overall user experience for the German automobile manufacturer vehicles. The partnership with Google will make Mercedes-Benz the first automobile manufacturer to build its own navigation experience.
With the coming Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS) users will be able to get detailed navigation based on the in-car data. Navigation details regarding places, real-time traffic, automatic re-routing and so on will be available with the new operating system. To make this possible, Mercedes-Benz will rely on the Google geospatial service.
This means that Google Maps will be integrated into the coming Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS). Its integration will also help improve Mercedes-Benz’s assisted driving system. With this, drivers will receive assistance from the car’s system concerning speed adjustment, lane keep assist, and so on while driving.
The Google and Mercedes-Benz partnership will also bring some core Google apps to the German automobile manufacturer’s infotainment system. Other benefits of this partnership include AI, data, and open infrastructure integration which will come to Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the future.
The Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-Benz has referred to Google as the “very best partner” to help them achieve their goal. Both parties are optimistic about the outcome of this strategic partnership and how it will benefit users around the world.
TikTok is in trouble. Or so it seems (the understatement of the year!). Across the U.S. and the European Union, the crazy-popular short video-sharing platform is facing scrutiny and mistrust. And now, Politico reports that European Commission staff is banned from using TikTok over security concerns.
The EU Commission has now banned employees from using TikTok
Allegedly, there are ties between Chinese tech companies and the Chinese Communist Party, and the West is getting alarmed. Also, people are getting more and more concerned with the possibility that TikTok collects info from all over the world. An unnamed official told the folks at Politico that EU staff was ordered to remove TikTok from their official devices and that the app should be removed from their personal devices as well if they happen to have work-related apps on said devices (or they can delete work-related apps from their personal devices and leave TikTok).
EC employees received the information in an email sent on Thursday morning. Employees have until March 15 to remove the video-sharing app. After that deadline passes, devices with the app installed will be considered non-compliant, which was also underlined in the email.
The European Union Council and Parliament are likely to follow with a similar ban, but it may take more time for the Parliament to implement such a policy.
TikTok’s been facing similar treatments in the United States as well. In the U.S. the app got banned in December for all federal government devices – due to concerns that the app may be spying. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is based in China. Also, TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to testify before the U.S. Congress on March 23 – the topic of discussion: potential risks that TikTok could be to U.S. national security.
Twitter is making radical changes to how two factor authentication works on the site. What’s happening, and when do these changes go live?
Twitter is making some dramatic shake ups to its currently available security settings. From March 19, users of Twitter won’t be able to use SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) unless they have a subscription to the paid Twitter Blue service.
If you use text-based 2FA, the important thing here is not to worry.
You may be under the impression that Twitter is removing your 2FA ability altogether, but this isn’t the case. There are alternatives, and they’re quite a bit more robust than the SMS approach. In fact, they’re referenced by Twitter repeatedly in the documentation regarding the removal of the text service for free Twitter users.
If you’re not sure what they are, or how they work, fear not. We’re going to walk you through the alternatives.
Changing your security approach on a deadline
If you log into Twitter at the moment, you’ll eventually be treated to a popup message which says the following:
Only Twitter Blue subscribers can use the text message two factor authentication method. It’ll just take a few minutes to remove it. You can still use the authentication app and security key methods. To avoid losing access to Twitter, remove text message two-factor authentication by Mar 19, 2023.
This move is being blamed on fraudulent bot behaviour in relation to the Twitter platform. From the above linked Twitter blog post:
While historically a popular form of 2FA, unfortunately we have seen phone-number based 2FA be used – and abused – by bad actors. So starting today, we will no longer allow accounts to enroll in the text message/SMS method of 2FA unless they are Twitter Blue subscribers. The availability of text message 2FA for Twitter Blue may vary by country and carrier.
It’s not great that an additional security measure is being removed from users and placed behind a subscription. Some form of 2FA is better than nothing, and uptake for any type of 2FA is painfully low on major platforms. Even Twitter itself struggles, with just 2.6% of active accounts making use of at least one 2FA method. Out of those, 74.4% are using SMS 2FA so this removal plan could have a big impact on already tiny sign up numbers.
As Twitter is so mobile-centric and likely already has your mobile number, SMS 2FA is for many people a natural fit for the platform. It may well be that people stripped of their SMS 2FA may not bother to implement 2FA all over again with an app or hardware key. That would leave those accounts much less secure.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at what’s on the other two forms of 2FA that Twitter offers.
Twitter and 2FA: What can you use?
Authenticator apps
Apps are viewed as being more secure than text-based 2FA, but are still very convenient.
Authenticator apps work by continually generating a numerical code that you enter on the site after you’ve logged in with your username and password. If the code expires before you enter it, the app generates another one and you use that instead. The app will never run out of codes.
These codes are valid whether your phone is online or offline. Some authenticator apps will also send you a prompt to accept, to prove it is you who is logging in. If you travel a lot, this can be more convenient than relying on SMS because you may not have access to a network provider while overseas, or even some form of internet connection. With an app, it doesn’t make any difference.
Unlike text-based 2FA, authenticator apps are resistant to SIM-swap phone calls, because your codes are entirely disconnected from your carrier. Note that you can still be phished should you enter your app generated code on a phishing page.
Hardware security keys
These are dedicated USB sticks which can be tied to the websites you use, taking on the 2FA role in place of text messages, app codes, or even codes sent by email. Hardware security keys can’t be SIM swapped, and they won’t fall foul of phishing either. There’s nothing to phish. Unless the attacker can somehow physically obtain the device from your home, your wallet, your keychain, or anywhere else, they’re going to fail miserably with regard to compromising your security.
Hardware keys are very much the niche option, but if you want to reduce the risk of phishing as much as you possibly can, they’re definitely something to consider. There are models of hardware key which also work with services like password managers, so there’s a lot of options available depending on your specific security needs.
Making the change
Our next post on this subject will explain how to remove text based 2FA from your Twitter account if you have it enabled, and how to enable either app-based authentication or a hardware key instead. Some of the options and settings can be hard to find even for a pro, but we’ll cover each option in detail and you can pick the setting most relevant to your needs.
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Planning on buying a new e-book from the Amazon Kindle store? Well, you might want to know that your next favorite book might be written by an AI. According to a new report from Reuters, more than 200 books on the Amazon Kindle store are authored or co-authored by ChatGPT.
Artificial intelligence does a lot of stuff, and ChatGPT is a grand showcase of that fact. It’s an extremely powerful AI chatbot that crosses a lot of technological (and ethical) borders. It definitely skirts the line between what AI can do and what it should do.
In any case, ChatGPT has the ability to create developed stories. For an example, we crafted a short story about a young boy who gets what he deserves using the chatbot. It summed up a short story in a couple of paragraphs. However, if you so wanted ChatGPT to write a full novel, you can.
More than 200 books on the Amazon Kindle store use ChatGPT
If you give people an inch, they take a mile. In this case, if you give people a powerful AI chatbot, they’ll write books. The Amazon Kindle store is a great spot for authors to self-publish. It’s been the source of income for many talented authors, but there’s an issue that’s currently rising.
There has been an explosion of books being posted to the platform that have either been co-authored or fully written by ChatGPT. That will make any author’s blood boil. But it’s true. As you can imagine, typing in a prompt and letting ChatGPT do its thing can get you a book. Sure, it takes time, but it’s much faster than typing out a full book (you know, like a real author).
This is a big issue
What makes this a major issue is that these so-called authors are not disclosing that they’re using AI. This means that anyone could realistically spit out a book and claim to be the brainchild behind it. That’s a massive smack to the face of all of the authors who spend months writing their books.
Not only that, but the platform runs the risk of being flooded with poorly-written books. Not only will people generate books using AI, which can’t add any sort of feeling or emotion to the books, but the thought of easy money will prompt many more people to generate books. This will cause a ton of books to flood the platform en masse.
There are already TikToks and YouTube videos on how to make full books in a matter of hours. That’s only adding fuel to the fire. Some of these books include self-help books and get-rich-quick schemes along with narratives.
As you can imagine, a lot of pressure is going to fall upon Amazon to do something about it. To the company’s credit, this issue is still pretty new, so it’s understandable that there isn’t a protocol just yet. Let’s hope that the company will be able to do something about it.
Many people do not realize the amount of labor that goes into making a distinctive and interesting poster design. After all, selecting a few intriguing photos and a good typeface for a poster or flyer shouldn’t be too difficult, right? Wrong. It may be easier to create with digital tools like the Vista Create poster maker, but typography is still a tricky business. The design process is really more complicated than you may imagine.
The right font can elevate any poster and make your message clearer. A wrong one, on the other hand, can shift the mood of your design or worse – make it illegible. This article will cover the basics of choosing the right fonts for your project.
Match the Typeface to Your Poster’s Content
Given their widespread usage and potential for boredom, popular typefaces like Times New Roman and Helvetica are frequently avoided by designers. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that the font style needs to match your material, and in certain circumstances, it’s preferable to select a more common font than one that doesn’t convey the proper tone.
Don’t Use More Than Three Distinct Fonts at Once
A smart designer is constantly aware of the visual hierarchy (the priority you give to your information) and knows how to use it to prevent confusion among viewers. Never utilizing more than three distinct typefaces when designing a poster is one of the best strategies to prevent this issue. Keep in mind this advice to avoid this issue from occurring since the greater the diversity of type, the more difficult it is for your reader to concentrate on the text.
Remember to Consider the Font Weight
Many designers are aware, even if only subconsciously, of the weight of a font, which is the breadth of the strokes making up each letter. It plays a crucial role in the visual hierarchy. The correct font weight may catch the viewer’s attention and direct it to a particular word or phrase that you want them to prioritize. When you select a different font type, such as light, normal, or bold, or when you use a different font option, such as italics, you can plainly see this illustrated.
When communicating the significance of your written material, you might be tempted to utilize the same font weight throughout. However, this might make your article boring and have the opposite impact of what you meant. By employing diversity, you may establish the priority of several essential aspects of your poster.
Important Information Should Be Noticeable and Readable from a Distance
The legibility of your type from a distance is another aspect of which you should be conscious. Most folks will be moving along while walking (or driving) and conducting their daily activities. The first step is to pick a typeface that draws readers’ eyes away from what they are doing, which is difficult given that they could be preoccupied with daydreaming or fiddling with their phones.
Once you’ve got their attention, make sure the poster font is big enough for them to understand the important details without having to come up close to the poster. Important content on your poster should be readable from around five feet away.
Don’t Forget About Kerning
There are several factors you should consider when choosing a typeface to make sure it is readily readable, including:
the shape and dimensions of each letter, digit, and symbol
the letter spacing, or kerning.
By taking note of these details, you may steer clear of many fonts that might first seem great, only for you to find out later that some characters (typically lowercase letters like g, j, p, or y) just don’t read correctly. To keep it looking good and legible, take a look at your progress from a distance or from a different screen.
Choose a Partner for Your Main Font
You will need to utilize more than one font to add some diversity and interest to your poster – but avoid using more than three types. Not all typefaces complement one another, and some may even clash and make reading unpleasant. Keep the following tips in mind when combining fonts and feel free to experiment.
Sans serif typically complements some serif typefaces effectively;
In general, traditional and modern typefaces go well together.
Regular fonts should be used with bold ones.
Tall typefaces look good next to short fonts.
The use of bold and italic typefaces strikes an excellent aesthetic balance.
It might be challenging to select the proper typeface for your poster, but perhaps these few tips will help you produce more aesthetically appealing statements that convey your message with clarity.
BitSight recently detected MyloBot, an advanced botnet that has successfully infiltrated numerous computer systems, primarily situated in four countries:-
India
The United States
Indonesia
Iran
The botnet has targeted and compromised thousands of systems, demonstrating its ability to operate on a massive scale across a wide geographical range.
According to BitSight report, there has been a significant decline in the number of unique infected systems per day, which has dropped to just over 50,000. This figure represents a noteworthy reduction from the peak observed in 2020 when the number of unique hosts infected by malware reached a high of 250,000.
An in-depth investigation into MyloBot’s infrastructure has uncovered ties to BHProxies, a residential proxy service.
This discovery suggests that the botnet is exploiting the compromised computer systems for BHProxies’ purposes, potentially utilizing their computing power to carry out illicit activities.
Technical Analysis
First identified by Deep Instinct in 2018, MyloBot is a highly sophisticated malware that surfaced in the threat landscape in 2017.
This malicious software is renowned for its anti-analysis techniques, which make it challenging for security analysts to dissect and understand its workings fully.
Moreover, MyloBot can function as a downloader, enabling it to download and execute additional malware or malicious tools on the compromised system.
One of the most alarming features of MyloBot is its capability to download and execute any form of payload once it successfully infects a host system. As a result, it is possible for an attacker to download any type of malware at any time.
MyloBot was detected engaging in a financially-motivated campaign last year, where it sent extortion emails to unsuspecting recipients using hacked endpoints.
In these emails, the malware threatened to release sensitive or potentially embarrassing information to the public if a ransom of over $2,700 in Bitcoin was not paid.
In order to unpack and initiate the bot malware, MyloBot implements a complex multi-stage process in which it uses a variety of methods.
While it remains inactive for two weeks before establishing communication with the command-and-control server (C2), a tactic used to evade detection.
MyloBot botnet creates a connection to a pre-programmed command-and-control (C2) domain that is integrated into the malware and it’s the foremost objective of MyloBot.
Once connected, the botnet lies dormant until it receives further instructions from the C2 server. MyloBot is responsible for transforming the infected computer into a proxy whenever it receives an instruction from the C2.
Once a system is infected with the MyloBot malware, it can function as a powerful tool for the cybercriminals behind the botnet. The compromised machine can handle multiple connections and serve as a relay point for traffic that is transmitted through the C2 server.
As the malware evolves over time, newer versions of it utilize a downloader that establishes communication with a C2 server. Upon receiving an encrypted message from the server, the downloader decrypts it and recovers a link to obtain the MyloBot payload.
To obtain an encrypted message containing a link to download the MyloBot malware payload, the recent versions of MyloBot utilize a downloader that communicates with a C2 server.
This multi-step process is designed to evade detection and ensure that the botnet can propagate effectively across multiple systems.
Evolution
There are not many changes that have taken place over the years regarding the MyloBot. While MyloBot has undergone various iterations, one notable change has been the number of command-and-control (C2) domains hardcoded in the malware binary.
Initially, the number of C2 domains was approximately 1000, but since the beginning of 2022, it has decreased to only three:-
fywkuzp[.]ru:7432
dealpatu[.]ru:8737
rooftop7[.]ru:8848
This change could indicate a shift in the botnet’s strategy or a response to efforts to disrupt its activities. It seems that the website bhproxies[.]com is pretty explicit when it comes to what it offers.
This service offers Backconnect residential proxies, and Backconnect offers a wide range of IP addresses from all over the globe.
Their service includes the ability to provide clients with customized packages, with an IP address range of up to 150,000 unique addresses, if they wish.
MyloBot’s potential involvement in a larger operation has been suggested by findings that indicate a connection between the botnet’s C2 infrastructure and the domain clients.bhproxies[.]com. The association was discovered through a reverse DNS lookup of one of the IP addresses linked to MyloBot.
We explain how to secure your Twitter account with app-based two-factor authentication.
If you use text based authentication as an additional level of security for your Twitter account, you may be aware that this option will be reserved for paying Twitter Blue subscribers come mid-March. This post will explain how to enable app based authentication. We found it easier to do on our desktop, with the authenticator code on our phone.
Enabling app based 2 factor authentication
1. While logged in, navigate to Settings and Support > Settings and Privacy > Security and account access > Security > Two-factor authentication.
2. Click Authentication app and then enter your password. Click the Get started button.
2. You’ll now see a QR code on the Link the app to your Twitter account page. Open your authenticator app and click the Scan a QR code option. Point your phone at the screen and the code will be scanned automatically. If it isn’t, your app may require you to do this step manually. Click Next.
3. If the previous step worked, you’ll see a 6 digit code being generated for Twitter in your authenticator app. Enter the code in the popup box on Twitter in order to link your account. If the code changes before you can enter it, don’t worry. Just enter the fresh code. Make a note of the recovery code, which can be used to sign in if you lose your device or access to your authentication methods.
That’s it! Your Twitter account is now more secure than it was.
A word of caution: you can still be phished despite using app based codes, as many phishing sites now ask for this information too. Stay safe out there!
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AT&T is the second largest carrier in the US, behind Verizon. A lot of its growth dates back to the iPhone exclusivity it had until the iPhone 4. And many have just stuck with AT&T since then. AT&T has a lot of Android phones, actually they have more than every other US carrier does right now, which is rather surprising.
That makes choosing the best AT&T phone for you, a bit tougher. So we’re here to help you pick up the best phone for you. If you need help with their plans, we’ve listed their best plans here.
Best AT&T Phones
AT&T has phones ranging from just a couple of hundred dollars, to up over a grand. So there’s something for everyone on this list. This list is not ranked in order of which phones we think are the best. They are in a random order, and you really can’t go wrong with any of these.
All of these phone prices are listed as per month for 36 months, unless otherwise noted.
The Google Pixel 6a is the latest from Google, in its A-series of smartphones. Which basically means, you’re getting the flagship specs and features, for a lot less. The Pixel 6a sports a 6.1-inch FHD+ 60Hz display, Google’s Tensor chipset, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
On the camera-front, Google has also included dual 12-megapixel cameras (wide and ultrawide). There’s also a pretty hefty 4410mAh battery inside.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is the newest kid on the block for AT&T. It’s got all of the latest specs that you would expect from Samsung. That includes a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy inside, with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It also has a 5000mAh capacity battery, with a 6.8-inch QHD+ 120Hz Adaptive AMOLED display.
It also has a brand new 200-megapixel main sensor on the backside. Which offers some pretty impressive detail in your photos. Samsung lets you change from the usual 12.5-megapixel images (which is pixel binned from the full 200MP), or 50-megapixel images. Which is a really nice feature to have.
Samsung will update this phone with new versions of Android for four years, and five years for security updates.
The moto g stylus 5G is one of the cheaper 5G smartphones you can buy, and it even comes with a stylus. Now it’s nowhere near what Samsung offers with the S Pen, but it is a stylus.
This sports a 6.8-inch FHD+ 120Hz display, the Snapdragon 480 5G processor with 6GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. There is also a 5000mAh capacity battery in this one.
Google’s latest flagship smartphone is the Pixel 7 Pro, which we actually called Smartphone of the Year for 2022. It’s a really incredible phone, now AT&T does charge you a bit of a premium over the Google Store, charging you $939 when it’s all said and done. But with a trade-in, you can get it a lot lower.
The Pixel 7 Pro sports a 6.7-inch QHD+ display, the Tensor G2 processor, 12GB of RAM and 128GB of storage on-board. It still has the same camera setup as the Pixel 6 Pro, but it now adds a macro mode, using the ultrawide sensor. Which is really nice to have.
Google has promised three years of software updates here and five years of security updates (through 2025 and 2027 respectively).
The Galaxy S21 FE basically brings all of the greatness of the Galaxy S21, but at a cheaper price. It sports a 6.4-inch FHD+ display, the Snapdragon 888 5G processor inside with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It also has a pretty nice 4500mAh capacity battery inside.
It’ll get three years of updates instead of the four that the Galaxy S22 series is offering. That’s still pretty good, covering you until 2025, if not longer.
This is the “boring” Pixel 6, but still a really good option. It sports a 6.4-inch FHD+ 90Hz AMOLED display, with the same Google Tensor chipset, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It does also come in a 256GB variant. This is all powered by a 4614mAh capacity battery as well.
Google has promised three years of software updates, and five years of security updates (until 2024 and 2026 respectively) for the Pixel 6.
The Galaxy A53 5G is a really great smartphone with flagship features without the flagship price. As you can see, this is $10 per month for 36 months (for $360 total). It offers a 6.5-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED 120Hz display – not LTPO though so it doesn’t adapt.
It is powered by the Exynos 1280 processor, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There’s also a massive 5,000mAh capacity battery inside, the same size as the Galaxy S22 Ultra, for a fraction of the price.
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 5G is the best foldable that you can buy right now, but it is not cheap. Coming in at a full price of $1799, or you can finance it for $50 per month for 36 months at AT&T.
It sports a 6.2-inch outer display, along with a 7.6-inch internal display. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage as well. There’s also a 4400mAh capacity battery inside, which is the same as the Fold 3, but the battery life is actually a lot better than on its predecessor, thanks to that Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 5G is the most popular foldable in the US right now. This one is basically a regular phone that can fold in half. Who doesn’t want that? It sports a 6.7-inch inner display which is AMOLED and 120Hz. There is a small 1.9-inch outer display for notifications.
Internally, you’ll find the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There is a 256GB model available. And there is a small 3700mAh capacity battery inside. Though that is a 12% bump from the Flip 3, and paired with that Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, the battery life is actually pretty good here.
It’s a flashback to clamshell phones from the 2000s and that really appeals to a lot of people.
This last spot on our best phones for AT&T list, we have the iPhone 14. Now it is mostly the same as the iPhone 13, but there are some nice changes here. It does still sport the same 6.1-inch display, with the A15 Bionic processor. RAM has been bumped up to 6GB. And it does still come in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB of storage.
The cameras have been upgraded, and now sports what the 13 Pro models were using last year. Still a 12-megapixel main and a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor. No telephoto on the iPhone 14. It’s still a pretty good phone, especially if you’re upgrading from a much older phone.
Hats off to OpenAI; it takes quite the force to make Google, the search messiah, afraid. That’s just what happened in late 2022 when OpenAI’s chatbot ChatGPT shocked the world. Now, Google is worried about ChatGPT, and it declared a code red for the company. But why is the company shaking in its boots?
Firstly, what is ChatGPT?
So, if you don’t know what ChatGPT is, it’s quite a piece of artificial intelligence. It’s an AI chatbot that’s meant to be an all-in-one source of information, advice, content, and support. You can ask for information just like you would on Google or Bing. For example, you can ask something like “When should I feed my baby solid food?”. It’ll deliver a direct answer.
ChatGPT doesn’t stop there. This chatbot can deliver written content. You can ask it to write stories, scripts, poems, and even full news articles. All you have to do is type in what you want the chatbot to spit out, and you will get results.
To top it off, ChatGPT can also just be there to chat. You can type in any subject that you want to talk about, and you’ll be able to have a full and developed conversation. Type in something like “I want to chat” or simply type in the subject you want to talk about. You’ll have a back-and-forth conversation about it.
We have a lot more information about ChatGPT. If you want to know just about everything there is to know about it, click here. If you want to know how to use ChatGPT, click here.
Why is Google worried about ChatGPT?
So, ChatGPT does a lot of stuff and more, but what does that have to do with Google? Well, a ton! What is Google known for mostly? Sure, it has its Pixel phones and it owns Nest and Fitbit amongst other companies, but it’s primarily a search company. The mass majority of the internet is powered by Google Search.
Google has an ad business, and Search is a huge part of it. Millions of people and companies around the world buy advertising space on the Google search page. When someone clicks on their ad, Google gets the majority of that money. The more people use Search, the more chance that someone clicks on the ads. Hence, Google gets more money.
This is why people using ChatGPT as a Google alternative is such a bad thing for the company. Google sells a bunch of Nest, Fitbit, and Pixel devices, but those net the company chump change compared to ads.
In 2020, ads made up over 80% of the company’s yearly revenue ($147 billion according to CNBC). About 71% of that came from ads on search pages ($104 million). So, ad revenue from the search engine made up about 57% of the company’s total yearly revenue.
It doesn’t take a math wiz to know that that’s a massive chunk of the company’s money. If enough people start using ChatGPT in lieu of Google search, the company is in for some severe losses.
What makes ChatGPT a threat
There are some factors that make ChatGPT a particularly large thorn in Google’s paw. Firstly, people will turn to it to do things for them. A lot of the time, people will turn to Google to ask how to do something. “Best courses to learn to code”, “Best books to read about becoming an author”, etc.
However, ChatGPT has the ability to do things for people. Why ask how to code when you can have it made for you? Why try to learn how to become an author if you can just have ChatGPT generate a book for you? Google will see a dip in traffic from people who want to learn the tools of the trade. They’ll flock to ChatGPT to have things made for them.
Also, there’s the lack of noise
What might be the largest reason that Google is worried is the lack of noise. Question: if you’re looking for advice on how to swaddle a baby, would you rather ask a single person for a concise answer or talk to a group of people who’ll have varying answers and conflicting arguments? Most people will opt for the first option.
The thing is that when you’re Googling topics, you run the risk of being overloaded with a ton of conflicting results. You can search how to swaddle a baby and get results like “Best ways to swaddle your baby” and you could also get something like “DO NOT Swaddle your baby!” right under it. Then, you could see “Best alternatives to swaddling your baby” right under “Does swaddling your baby cause brain tumors?”.
That’s something that people on Google have to deal with. If you ask ChatGPT this question, it will just give you a short, sweet, and to-the-point list of how to do it. You don’t have to bother with wading through results. Now, we can’t ignore the risk of ChatGPT giving wrong information. However, this won’t stop people from flocking over to the chatbot for their queries.
What is Google doing?
So, that’s why Google is worried about ChatGPT, but what is the company doing? Google has come up with a way to counter its competition. The company unveiled its own AI chatbot called Bard. You can read more about it here. As you can imagine, it’s expected to do pretty much the same things that ChatGPT does. Instead of getting a slew of search results, you’ll get straightforward answers.
This will be auspicious for the company, as people will be able to get answers backed up by the chatbot while still being fed search results. This will ensure that people are still using Google and are still able to click on ads from the company.
At the moment, we’re still waiting for the competition between ChatGPT and Bard to heat up. We’re sure that, within a year’s time, the AI landscape will be completely different from what it is now.
After introducing its new Bing and Microsoft Edge apps powered by AI, Microsoft announced the launch of the new Bing preview and Edge on mobile. The Redmond-based company figured out that most of the searches occur on mobile phones these days and decided to bring the new AI capabilities to smaller screens around the same time as PC.The new Bing and Edge mobile apps are now available for those who wish to try them out. Along with a new experience, Bing mobile offers a fresh design as well. Tapping the Bing icon allows users to engage in a chat session asking simple or complex questions.
Another important change added, which is also one of the preview community’s most requested features, is voice. Voice search is now available not just on desktop, but also on mobile too. For those who have access to the preview, the new Bing experience will be available from the homepage of the Microsoft Edge mobile app.
Additionally, Microsoft announced the launch of the AI-powered Bing for Skype. Starting today, the new Bing in Skype is available worldwide in preview. While Microsoft is fine-tuning the app, Skype users who use Bing will still get real-time answers to their questions.
The new AI-powered Bing for Skype experience includes personalization options that allow users to choose how they want answers to be displayed such as bullet points, text or simplified response. According to Microsoft, Bing can translate text from more than 100 languages, so that’s another plus. Although Skype user interface will vary during initial rollout, these features will remain available to everyone who has access to the preview.
Those who wish to try these out must sign up for the Bing preview. Keep in mind though that you may occasionally find connectivity issues when your network signal is low. Microsoft is aware of these problems are will probably fix them sooner rather than later.
