Google Play Store’s new avatar features a persistent bottom bar

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The Google Play Store is now getting a persistent bottom bar. Again, that’s another change you’ll see while using the Google Play Store. Last month, Google introduced a new Search tab in the Google Play Store. The new Search tab feature combined with the persistent bottom bar is rolling out slowly to users.

You’ll see the bottom bar throughout the app’s interface

Gone are the days when you used to see the bottom bar only on the home page of the Google Play Store. Soon, you will find a persistent bottom bar in the Google Play Store. That means, not only will it appear on the home page as it used to, but it will be visible throughout the app’s UI. You can see it whenever you browse the list of apps, app pages, or app developer pages.

That said, the Play Store’s persistent bottom bar could give a cluttered-screen vibe initially. But, it might come in handy to perform certain actions quickly from anywhere within the app. With the Games tab and the Apps tab always available, it is easier to switch between them.

Earlier, Google added a new Search tab to the Play Store

Talking of the new Search tab, you’ll see a ‘Meet the Search tab’ prompt as soon you enter the Google Play Store. The new Search tab shows a cool animation of a magnifying glass rotating whenever you select it. And, it is available in between the Apps and Offers tab in the bottom bar. You can tap the search icon in the bottom bar of the Play Store to expand the search interface within the popular Android app.

The Search tab is divided into four sections: Discover, You Might Like, Explore Games, and Explore Apps. Notably, all the sub-sections within them are placed in the grid format. Let’s not forget that you’ll also see a persistent Play Points counter at the top right. However, Google seemingly didn’t change the position of the Books tab for now.

It seems Google is playing with new features lately. However, time will tell whether users love the idea of the persistent bottom bar in the Play Store. Moreover, if you are eager to see the changes, you’ll have to wait until it is available to your device. We don’t know the exact date yet, but the changes are rolling out slowly for users globally.


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Spotify doubles down on podcasts with Substack partnership after Google killed its dedicated app

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Days after Google killed its dedicated Podcasts app and suggested using YouTube Music for talk sessions, Spotify is coming up with a partnership. “Spotify and Substack partner to bring even more podcasts to listeners”, reads the official announcement.
Substack is joining a robust array of content providers leveraging Spotify’s Open Access platform to offer premium subscriptions. The integration is powered by Spotify’s Open Access API, which allows podcast creators to extend their reach to Spotify’s 602 million monthly active users while retaining control over their subscriptions and content.Stephanie Shaer, Spotify’s Head of Partner Strategy and Business Development, emphasized that this feature is designed to help creators expand their listener base without sacrificing their direct relationships with subscribers. According to Shaer, this integration not only helps Substack creators reach listeners on their preferred platform but also enriches the Spotify ecosystem with high-quality, diverse content.Some notable podcasts making their debut on Spotify include “Rich Text,” “Split Zone Duo,” and “Culture Study.” Emma Gray, co-host of “Rich Text,” expressed excitement about providing their community with broader access to their podcast through Spotify. Similarly, Alex Kirshner of “Split Zone Duo” highlighted the convenience of reaching audiences where they are already engaged. Anne Helen Petersen of “Culture Study” also noted the benefits of making subscriber-only content more accessible on Spotify. To facilitate this integration, Substack podcast creators can easily add Spotify as a distribution channel for their podcasts, which allows them to expand their audience while maintaining control over their subscriber base, content, and revenue streams. Listeners can link their Substack and Spotify accounts to access content, ensuring a seamless transition between platforms.

Google is not letting go of the Podcasts ethos


Google may have killed the Podcasts app, but just the other day made promises to enhance the podcast experience in YouTube Music, which is now used for talk sessions.

Meanwhile, Spotify is testing a fancy AI playlist feature that will let AI pick songs for you based on a prompt.


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X takes away the ability to hide blue checkmark verification

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X (formerly Twitter) no longer allows users to hide their blue checkmarks, regardless of subscription status. This move has sparked a contentious discussion within the app’s community, especially among those who cherished their anonymity or wanted to uphold fairness.

Removal of checkmark hiding feature on X

This Thursday, app users were surprised with a notification announcing the upcoming removal of the hide your checkmark feature in X Premium. This sudden change comes right after another controversial update, where X started giving blue checkmarks to accounts considered “influential” with at least 2,500 followers, as long as they were premium subscribers.

Although individuals have presented this change as a valuable benefit, not all are rejoicing. Users, including some verified ones, are upset about the sudden blue badge introduction to their profiles. Many fear being seen as subscribing just for the badge, not the premium features.

Transparency and fairness concerns

The recent change in the X community has sparked concerns regarding openness and equity. Formerly, Users can hide checkmarks for privacy reasons, but now they are visible regardless of preferences or subscription status. Additionally, the move sparks debates on social media commercialization and unfair advantages due to premium services.

X has still not given a clear explanation for getting rid of the checkmark hiding feature, despite the initial criticism. It’s uncertain whether this move will drive users away or make the app reconsider its policies. One thing is clear, the debate on the significance of verification badges in shaping online identity & status is far from settled.

In general, the divisive move by X to eliminate the checkmark hiding option has sparked a heated discussion among users. This action has stirred up worries regarding privacy, fairness, and transparency in the app’s community. The true impact of this decision on user engagement and the overall user experience on X remains to be seen.


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TikTok explores using AI influencers for ads

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TikTok is testing the use of AI for advertisements, where AI-powered avatars could create sponsored content directly for brands. This signals a move beyond TikTok’s previous AI experiments like the Song Generator feature, that allows users to create original songs.

According to The Verge, these AI-powered influencers could read brand-written scripts, essentially producing advertisements without the need for human influencers. While this feature is still under development, it raises significant questions about the future of influencer marketing and its implications for the platform’s content creators.

What does this mean for TikTok human creators?

The rise of AI in advertising could significantly impact TikTok’s community of human content creators. Many creators rely on brand sponsorships as a primary income source, especially following the shutdown of TikTok’s creator fund, which some users considered inadequate compensation.

The concern is that AI avatars, potentially offering brands a cheaper and more controllable alternative, could reduce opportunities for human influencers on the platform. It will be interesting to see how TikTok addresses this issue as they move forward with AI-powered ad solutions.

Are TikTok AI influencers good or bad?

Using AI influencers for ads has both advantages and drawbacks. Brands, particularly smaller businesses, might find AI avatars a cost-effective method for content creation. Additionally, AI could generate tailored content in diverse styles and languages to reach broader audiences.

However, ethical concerns arise with AI-generated advertisements. Some users may find such content unsettling or inauthentic. Transparency surrounding AI-generated content is crucial, especially if ads are not clearly identified as such.

TikTok explores AI-powered ad solutions cautiously

TikTok is aware of the complexities of AI influencers for ads. Reports claim the platform initially focuses on AI avatars narrating text or presenting factual information, rather than aiming for seamless human imitation. This indicated a cautious approach, with the aim to test the waters before diving into potentially controversial territory.

Overall, TikTok’s exploration of AI-powered avatars is a significant development with the potential to reshape influencer marketing. We’ll have to see how this technology is implemented and how the platform’s creator community responds.


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Semiconductor market declined in 2023 after two years of growth

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The global semiconductor industry suffered a minor revenue decline in 2023. According to market research firm Omdia, the revenue declined 9% from 2022, going down from $597.7 billion to $544.8 billion. Other research firms, including Counterpoint and Gartner, also estimated a similar drop.

Semiconductor market decline shows its cyclical nature

A few years back, the tech world was reeling from an unprecedented global semiconductor shortage. This was caused by an upswing in demand during the coronavirus pandemic when the demand for various electronics products surged. It led to two consecutive years of record growth in revenue in 2021 and 2022. However, the situation reversed in 2023, highlighting the cyclical nature of the market.

Demand softened last year, causing a drop in prices and overall revenue. The market was mostly saved by AI solutions. AI chips were a significant growth driver in 2023, and companies focused on this segment reaped its benefits. NVIDIA, which jumped onto the market early, more than doubled its semiconductor revenue last year. It generated over $49.2 billion. The company’s semiconductor revenue in 2019 was under $10.

NVIDIA’s 133.6% revenue growth last year is unmatched. The next biggest growth rate was 12.2% achieved by Infineon Technologies. All of its close competitors suffered declines in revenue. This allowed the American firm to jump from the eighth spot to the second, trailing its compatriot Intel. The latter made $51.2 billion in semiconductor revenue in 2023, down 15.8% from $60.8 billion in 2022.

Samsung, which led the chart in 2022 with a revenue of $67 billion, dropped to the third last year. It suffered a 33.8% decline in revenue to 44.4 billion. Qualcomm in the fourth spot saw a 15.8% revenue decline to $30.9 billion. Broadcom Limited, meanwhile, registered a 5.5% growth last year, helping its revenue to reach $28.4 billion. Its position on the global chart remained unchanged at the fifth spot, though.

Omdia semiconductor market revenue 2023

Sluggish demand for memory chips affected Samsung

Samsung is the world’s largest maker of memory chips. A sluggish demand for these chips affected its earnings last year. SK Hynix, which is second only to Samsung in this segment, also endured a similar fate. Its semiconductor revenue declined 30.6% to $23.7 billion. The Korean firm was saved by a high demand for high bandwidth memory (HBM) solutions that are integrated with GPUs to facilitate AI functions.

Last year’s semiconductor downturn affected most major companies (12 of the top 20 vendors suffered a revenue decline), except for those that ventured into AI solutions early. The AI trend could usher the industry to an upward growth trajectory this year. Omdia forecasts the HBM market “to record higher unit growth rates in 2024, ranging between 150-200%.” This should lead to a market recovery in the memory segment.

Global semiconductor market revenue rankings 2023


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Cyber Attack Surge by 28%:Education Sector at High Risk

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In Q1 2024, Check Point Research (CPR) witnessed a notable increase in the average number of cyber attacks per organization per week, reaching 1308.

This marked a 5% increase from Q1 2023 and a 28% increase from the last quarter of 2023.

This escalation is not just a number but a stark reminder of the persistent and evolving threat landscape.

The substantial increase from Q4 2023 accentuates a worrying trend of rapid escalation in cyber threats.

Global Cyber Security Trends for Q1 2024
Global Cyber Security Trends for Q1 2024

Global Attacks Per Industry

The Education/Research sector experienced a significant blow with an average of 2454 attacks per organization weekly, leading the chart in targeted industries, followed by the Government/Military (1692 attacks per week) and Healthcare (1605 attacks per organization) sectors, signaling an alarming vulnerability in sectors that are pivotal to societal function, as reported by Checkpoint.

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However, the substantial year-on-year increase in attacks on the Hardware Vendor industry, rising by 37%, underlines a strategic shift in cybercriminals’ target preference.

This industry’s increasing reliance on hardware for IoT and smart devices makes these vendors lucrative targets for cybercriminals.

Regional Attacks/Industry

Regionally, Africa surged to the forefront with an average of 2373 attacks per week per organization, a 20% jump from the same period in 2023.

In contrast, Latin America showed a 20% decline, perhaps indicating a shift in focus or improved defensive measures in the region; another reason could be cybercriminals’ temporary shift in focus on other, more vulnerable regions across the world.

The data also revealed a nuanced picture of varying intensities and types of cyber threats in different regions, underscoring cyber warfare’s complex and dynamic nature.

RegionAvg weekly attacks per orgYoY Change
Africa2372+20%
APAC2133+16%
Latin America1267-20%
Europe1030+0.4%
North America972+2%

In Q1 2024, North America was the region most impacted by Ransomware attacks, accounting for 59% out of close to 1000 published ransomware attacks, followed by Europe (24%) and APAC (12%).

The largest increase in reported attacks compared to Q1 2023 was seen in Europe, with a significant 64% increase.

This significant increase could be attributed to increased digitization of services and regulatory environments that may make organizations more vulnerable or visible targets.

In contrast, North America saw a 16% increase, indicating a sustained focus by attackers on this region.

The most impacted Industry globally was the Manufacturing sector, accounting for 29% of published ransomware attacks and almost double the number of reported attacks Year over Year.

This was followed by the Healthcare industry, with 11% of the attacks (and a 63% increase Year over Year), and Retail/Wholesale, with 8% of the attacks.

Percent of Published Ransomware AttacksPercent out of Published Ransomware AttacksYoY Change in Amount of Published Attacks
Manufacturing29%+96%
Healthcare11%+63%
Retail/Wholesale8%-4%
Finance/Banking6%+22%
Insurance/Legal5%+49%
Education/Research5%-7%
Transportation5%+28%
Communications4%+177%
Government/Military3%-40%
Software vendor3%-61%

The data underscores the importance of a proactive and adaptive cybersecurity strategy to mitigate the risks posed by the evolving threat landscape.

As cyber-attacks become more sophisticated, the need for advanced defense mechanisms and awareness becomes paramount.

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Midnight Blizzard’s Microsoft Corporate Email Hack Threatens

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The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued an emergency directive concerning a breach in Microsoft’s corporate email system.

The directive, ED 24-02, outlines the urgent steps required to mitigate the risks posed by Midnight Blizzard, a nation-state-sponsored cyber actor.

This group has successfully exfiltrated sensitive email correspondence between Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agencies and Microsoft, raising alarms about the potential impact on national security.

  • Nation-State Cyber Attack: The Russian state-sponsored group Midnight Blizzard has compromised Microsoft corporate email accounts, leading to the exfiltration of critical communications.
  • CISA Directive Issued: CISA’s Emergency Directive 24-02 calls for immediate action to address the cybersecurity threat.
  • Increased Attack Volume: Reports indicate a tenfold increase in intrusion attempts, such as password sprays, by Midnight Blizzard in February 2024.
  • Federal Agencies Notified: All affected federal agencies have been alerted by Microsoft and CISA about the breach.
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Overview

The breach was first disclosed by Microsoft in January 2024. The tech giant revealed that Midnight Blizzard had accessed email correspondences that included authentication details shared between Microsoft and its customers.

This information has been used, or is being used, to attempt further unauthorized access to customer systems.

According to a recent article published by CISA, steps can be taken to mitigate the significant risk from nation-state compromise of the Microsoft corporate email system.

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The implications of this breach are far-reaching.

The exfiltrated data could potentially allow Midnight Blizzard to compromise additional systems, disrupt government operations, and gain access to classified information.

The increased attack volume observed in February suggests that the threat actor is intensifying their efforts, which could lead to more severe and widespread impacts if not addressed promptly.

Response

In response to the breach, CISA has taken the following steps:

  • Notification: CISA, in collaboration with Microsoft, has notified all federal agencies whose correspondence was compromised.
  • Required Actions: Agencies must follow specific guidelines to secure their systems, which include enhancing network traffic monitoring, auditing external system connections, and implementing multi-factor authentication.
  • Public Awareness: CISA has made the directive publicly available to ensure transparency and to encourage all organizations to bolster their cybersecurity defenses in light of the ongoing threat.

The directive emphasizes the need for a swift and coordinated response to protect the affected agencies and the broader ecosystem that the stolen information could impact.

The Midnight Blizzard incident is a stark reminder of nation-state cyber threats’ persistent and sophisticated nature.

The federal government’s response, led by CISA, underscores the critical importance of cybersecurity vigilance and the need for robust collaboration between public and private sectors to defend against such threats.

As the situation evolves, further updates and recommendations are expected to be issued to ensure the security and integrity of the nation’s digital infrastructure.

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