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HONOR 100 series designs & launch date revealed

Android

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November 14, 2023

HONOR 100 series designs & launch date revealed

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The HONOR 100 series smartphones are right around the corner, as both their designs and launch date have been revealed. HONOR is planning to launch two smartphones as part of this series, it seems, and the initial launch will take place in China.

The HONOR 100 series designs & launch date have been confirmed

The two devices that are coming are the HONOR 100 and HONOR 100 Pro. If you check out the images shown in the gallery below the article, you’ll be able to check out their designs. Also, a teaser video surfaced, which gives us a look at the two phones. That video is also embedded below.

These two phones will be easy to differentiate, as they have entirely different camera modules. The one on the HONOR 100 is almost a half-circle, inside a rectangular frame. The HONOR 100 Pro, on the other hand, has an interesting oval camera island.

The HONOR 100 includes two cameras on the back, while there are three on the HONOR 100 Pro. The vanilla model seems to have glass on the back, while the HONOR 100 combines glass and vegan leather, actually. Half of the back seems to be glass-plated, while the other half seems to have vegan leather on it.

The HONOR 100 Pro looks truly interesting

Truth be said, this HONOR 100 Pro handset looks way more unique, and more interesting at the same time. It sure is a bold design by HONOR, which is not surprising, as the company is not exactly a stranger when it comes to trying out new things. Just remember the HONOR V Purse.

In any case, these two smartphones will launch on November 23. That is something that HONOR confirmed, and the same goes for the designs too.

Even though the HONOR 100 and HONOR 100 Pro will launch in China first, they’re almost certainly coming to global markets too. Well, at least one of the two is, if previous generations are anything to go by.

The specs are still a mystery, but these two will likely be mid-rangers, but rather powerful ones, especially the ‘Pro’ model.

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Expert defends Google in the US antitrust trial

Tech

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November 14, 2023

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Google called up an expert to the stand, to defend its actions during the antitrust trial in the US. The expert in question is Kevin Murphy, who teaches at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

An expert appeared at court to defend Google in the US antitrust trial

He was called up to the stand, and argued in favor of Google. He said that Apple and others played Google and Microsoft off against each other, with a clear purpose… to get considerable payouts from Google.

As a reminder, Microsoft has its Bing search engine, which is a competitor to Google. Mr. Murphy defended Google’s payments, and even said that the payments to device markers (and others) were often passed through to users in the form of cheaper plans, or phones.

Kevin Murphy said that Microsoft had basically all pre-installed browser defaults in the early 2010s, but that it didn’t mean anything for the company. Why? Because Bing got just 15% of search queries at the time.

He also added that changing default presets on devices may be complex for some, but that they usually install a different browser, or something of the sort. We don’t really see how that’s relevant to anything, but there you have it.

The Justice Department & Google have been at it for over two months now

Now, as a reminder, the Justice Department is suing Google, and alleges that the company took advantage of its huge resources to stay at the top… in an anti-competitive manner. The DOJ accused Google of paying billions ($26.3 billion) in 2021 to ensure that it keeps its market share as high as it was.

The trial kicked off on September 12, and was projected to last for two months. We’re already past that time, so this could be the last week of trial, actually.

A lot of details did surface, even though many of them were kept under the rug. This was a semi-private trial, kind of… and it still is.

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Google paid Samsung $8 billion to default its apps on Galaxy devices

Android

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November 14, 2023

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Google reportedly paid Samsung $8 billion over four years to make some of its apps default on Galaxy devices. The deal saw the Korean firm ship its Android smartphones and tablets with Google Assistant as the default voice assistant, Google Play Store as the default app store, and Google Search as the search engine.

Samsung took payment to promote Google apps over its alternatives

Samsung has been the world’s largest smartphone company for the past several years. Like most other Android OEMs, it ships phones with a custom Android skin. The Korean firm’s One UI is one of the most heavily customized Android-based software. Along with a UI redesign and new features, Galaxy devices ship with Samsung-made alternatives for some Google apps such as Messages, Play Store, Google Assistant, Chrome, Gboard, and more.

However, most of those apps merely exist as alternatives and aren’t defaulted. Instead, Samsung offers some Google apps as default options on its phones. It turns out the company took payment from the Android maker to do this. James Kolotouros, Vice President for Partnerships at Google, shared the details while testifying in the ongoing antitrust case filed by Epic Games, the makers of the popular battle royale video game Fortnite.

According to Kolotouros, Google has a plan to share Play Store revenue with Android OEMS in exchange for preinstalling the app on the homescreen of their products. The company even tried persuading Samsung to not offer the Galaxy Store as a standalone app store on Galaxy devices. As part of its Project Banyan, Google offered Samsung $200 million over four years to house the Galaxy Store within the Play Store rather than a separate app.

The plan was to use Google’s billing system for in-app purchases made via the Galaxy Store. However, the Korean firm didn’t accept the proposal. The firms later agreed on a $8 billion deal that would make Google Assistant, Play Store, and Search default options on Galaxy devices for four years. Google also planned to pay Samsung an additional $1 billion to pre-install the Play Store on the homescreen. However, it pulled back this request, likely because Samsung could offer the Galaxy Store next to it.

The Google executive defended the company’s stance

While Google struck a deal with Samsung, the company also planned to offer big sums to other Android manufacturers to keep rival services at bay. The company saw Amazon’s app store as a threat, among others, and devised a plan to encourage OEMs to promote the Play Store on their devices. It wanted to offer a cut of the Play Store revenue, Bloomberg reports.

Documents presented in court show that the company was willing to spend $2.9 billion across Search and Play in 2020, growing to $4.5 billion in 2023. This was to “secure platform protections for Search and Play and critical apps protections on more devices” from non-Samsung manufacturers. There was also a tiered plan offering up to 16 percent share of Play Store’s revenue and a 12 percent share of Search revenue depending on the size of the firm.

Google’s ultimate plan is to boost its business. As Kolotouros said, Google never barred Samsung from putting the Galaxy Store on the homescreen of its devices. The plans to include the Play Store on the homescreen were for its benefit but that doesn’t mean the Korean firm couldn’t include the Galaxy Store there. It paid companies to promote its products but never forced them to remove competing solutions from their devices.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai recently took a similar stance defending the company in the DOJ (Department of Justice) antitrust case. He said self-prioritizing isn’t wrong. It’s a way of doing business. Unfortunately, Google’s practices have made it difficult for smaller businesses to grow and compete against it. Whether these antitrust cases make the company scale back these business practices, time will tell. Pichai will testify in the Epic case later today.

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Vivo X100 Pro debuts in its homeland with eye-watering specs

Android

andreasc

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November 14, 2023

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Vivo X100 Pro debuts in its homeland with eye-watering specs

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Vivo has taken the wraps off its X100 series in China, with the spotlight of the series being the X100 Pro. The X100 Pro features a 50MP 1-inch IMX989 VCS bionic sensor, one of the most advanced in the market.

While the main innovation in the smartphone industry is expected from key makers like Apple and Samsung, Vivo seems to be leading the charge in terms of camera innovation. Vivo is likely positioning the X100 Pro series as a competitor to the upcoming Xiaomi 14 series.

Vivo X100 Pro camera steals the show

The Vivo X100 Pro’s 1-inch camera sensor is the star of the show, developed in collaboration with legendary camera maker ZEISS. Moreover, ZEISS tuning and T* lens coating on both phones reduce flare and ghosting in low light, even with bright lights in the scene

Vivo’s latest X100 Pro has the best camera among all smartphones with a 50-megapixel 1-inch IMX989 VCS bionic main sensor, a 50-megapixel ultrawide, and a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto with 4.3x optical and up to 100x digital zoom. All three sensors are certified by ZEISS APO for high-quality images and videos, notes Financial Express.

There’s also a 32MP shooter for selfies and video chats. This camera system is comparable to those found on the iPhone 15 Pro Max and upcoming Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Vivo X100 Pro specs leave little to complain

The Vivo X100 Pro sports a 6.78-inch 1.5K resolution AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 3,000 nits peak brightness. It also has an IP68 water and dust resistance rating and an in-display fingerprint reader. It runs Android 14-based Origin OS 4 in China, but global variants may run Funtouch OS.

The phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 chipset. But the most exciting feature is the super-fast LPDDR5T memory available on the top-end model. Notably, the LPDDR5T is around 12% faster than LPDDR5X, and paired with the fast UFS 4.0 storage, it promises excellent read and write speeds.

It also has a large 5,400mAh dual-cell battery with support for super-fast 100W wired and 50W wireless charging. It promises to charge up the battery in no time.

Vivo X100 Pro storage variants, price

It comes in four storage variants, and four flavors: orange, black, blue, and white colors. The prices start at CNY4,999 (~$685) for the 12GB RAM + 256GB variant. It is also available in 16GB RAM flavor with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage.

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Google pays Apple a ton of additional cash thanks to Safari

Tech

andreasc

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November 14, 2023

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It has been revealed that Google pays Apple a ton of additional cash thanks to Safari. What do I mean by additional? Well, on top of what Apple gets to keep Google Search as the default search engine across its portfolio.

Google pays a ton of additional cash to Apple thanks to Safari browser

This report actually comes from Bloomberg, following Kevin Murphy’s testimony. Now, Kevin Murphy is an economics professor at the University of Chicago, and he testified on behalf of Alphabet in a court case against the Justice Department.

In any case, it was revealed that Google pays 36% of all ad revenue it generates via Safari browser (through Google Search) to Apple. That was supposed to be kept under wraps, but it’s another detail that surfaced.

As a reminder, Google paid Apple “around $18 billion” back in 2021 to be the default search engine on Safari, across Apple’s portfolio of products. That number could be even higher these days, of course.

We’re likely looking at tens of billions of dollars here

So, how much is 36% of all ad revenue via Safari? Well, we can’t say, the exact numbers were not revealed. However, we’re likely talking about tens of billions of dollars. Google’s total revenue in 2022 was $279.8 billion, and the majority of that came from advertising. Considering how many people use Safari… it’s safe to say we’re looking at billions upon billions of dollars here.

For those of you who are out of the loop, Google and the DOJ have been at it for quite some time. A lot of information was revealed during the court case, even though many things were kept under the rug.

The DOJ is trying to prove Google is using its resources to maintain market dominance. Google, on the other hand, is trying to prove no wrongdoing in its business over the years. The trial is set to last for around two months, and it started on September 12, so… we should be near the end at this point.

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Hackers Selling Exploits for Critical Vulnerabilities on the Dark Web

Hacking

andreasc

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November 14, 2023

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Hackers Selling Exploits for Critical Vulnerabilities on the Dark Web

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Dark forums and Telegram channels have become great places for threat actors to sell critical vulnerabilities and exploits.

These vulnerabilities and exploits were associated with the Elevation of Privilege, Authentication Bypass, SQL Injection, and Remote Code Execution in products like Windows, JetBrains software, Microsoft Streaming Service Proxy, and Ubuntu kernels.

Recent discoveries state that these vulnerabilities were sold in underground forums even before the Vendor officially assigned them.

One such example was the Microsoft Streaming Server vulnerability (CVE-2023-36802) that was on sale in February, though the CVE was officially assigned in September 2023.

Key Vulnerabilities

According to the reports shared with Cyber Security News, several critical and high-severity vulnerabilities were sold in the underground forums, which certain ransomware groups used to gain initial access and lateral movement inside the victim network.

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Critical Vulnerabilities

CVE-2023-34362: MOVEit RCE Vulnerability (Exploited by Cl0p Ransomware group)

This vulnerability was published in NVD on June 02, 2023. However, it was observed to be exploited by threat actors since May 2023. This vulnerability had a severity of 9.8 (Critical) and was patched by Progress.

This vulnerability arises due to insufficient sanitization of user-provided data, which enables unauthenticated remote attackers to access the MOVEit application. With this vulnerability, the Cl0p ransomware group targeted more than 3000 organizations in the US and 8000 organizations worldwide.

CVE-2023-3519: Citrix ADC and Gateway vulnerability (Exploited by Unknown threat actor)

NVD published this vulnerability on June 19, 2023, and Citrix patched it in July 2023. However, threat actors were seen to be exploiting this vulnerability in June 2023, which affected Netscaler ADC and Gateway versions.

A threat actor can use this vulnerability to execute remote code on affected Citrix ADC and Gateway systems to steal sensitive information without any authentication. The severity of this vulnerability was given as 9.8 (Critical).

CVE-2023-42793: JetBrains Unauthenticated RCE (Exploited by North Korean Threat actors)

This vulnerability could allow an unauthenticated threat actor to access the TeamCity server and execute remote code,, which could compromise the source code and add to a supply chain attack.

This vulnerability was published in NVD in September 2023 and was found to be sold in the underground forums in October 2023. This authentication bypass leading to RCE vulnerability was given a severity of 9.8 (Critical).

According to Microsoft, this vulnerability was potentially used by North Korean nation-state threat actors like Diamond Sleet and Onyx Sleet to install malware and backdoors on their targets.

A complete report about the vulnerabilities sold on the underground market, their associated threat groups, and other information has been published.

Users of these products are recommended to patch the affected versions accordingly and take precautionary measures to prevent them from getting exploited by threat actors.

Patch Manager Plus, the one-stop solution for automated updates of over 850 third-party applications: Try Free Trial.

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The future of cryptocurrencies in the field of 3D printing

Tech

andreasc

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November 14, 2023

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The future of cryptocurrencies in the field of 3D printing

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Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, have garnered significant attention for their potential to revolutionize financial systems and digital transactions. On the other hand, 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has been making waves in various industries by enabling the creation of complex and customized objects. The convergence of these two technologies presents a fascinating realm of possibilities that could reshape the future of manufacturing. In this article, we will delve deep into the synergy between cryptocurrencies and 3D printing, exploring how they are transforming the landscape of decentralized manufacturing. If you are just getting started with Bitcoin trading, you can do so with complete confidence by using Immediate Momentum.

Cryptocurrency-Based Payments in 3D Printing

Current Challenges in 3D Printing Payments

Traditional payment methods for 3D printing services often involve complex transaction processes, high fees, and the need for intermediaries. These challenges can hinder the seamless exchange of value in the 3D printing ecosystem.

Benefits of Using Cryptocurrencies for 3D Printing Transactions

Cryptocurrencies offer a solution to these challenges by providing a decentralized, secure, and efficient means of conducting transactions. They eliminate the need for intermediaries like banks and reduce transaction costs, making microtransactions feasible.

Case Studies of Businesses Adopting Cryptocurrency Payments

Several forward-thinking businesses in the 3D printing industry have already embraced cryptocurrencies as a payment method. These case studies illustrate the benefits and potential for widespread adoption.

Decentralized Manufacturing with Blockchain

How Blockchain Technology Can Enhance 3D Printing

Blockchain technology, which underpins cryptocurrencies, can enhance 3D printing in multiple ways. It enables the creation of transparent and tamper-resistant records of the 3D printing process, enhancing quality control and traceability.

Immutable Records and Supply Chain Transparency

By recording each step of the manufacturing process on a blockchain, manufacturers can ensure the authenticity and quality of their products. Consumers can also trace the origins of the products they purchase, promoting trust and transparency.

Smart Contracts for Automated Printing and Quality Control

Smart contracts, self-executing contracts with the terms directly written into code, can automate various aspects of 3D printing, from payment to quality control. This automation streamlines the production process and reduces the risk of disputes.

Tokenization of 3D Printing Designs

Tokenization as a Means to Protect Intellectual Property

One of the most significant concerns in 3D printing is intellectual property theft. Tokenization allows designers to protect their creations by representing them as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on blockchain platforms.

The Rise of NFTs in 3D Printing

The NFT craze has extended to the 3D printing realm, with digital artists and designers minting their creations as NFTs. This trend raises questions about the intersection of art, technology, and intellectual property rights.

Decentralized 3D Printing Networks

Exploring Decentralized 3D Printing Networks

Imagine a world where anyone with a 3D printer can participate in a decentralized network, offering their printing services to others. Decentralized 3D printing networks could democratize manufacturing and promote local production.

Peer-to-Peer Sharing of 3D Printers

Peer-to-peer sharing platforms can connect those in need of 3D printing services with individuals willing to provide them. This sharing economy model can reduce costs, increase accessibility, and reduce the environmental impact of shipping physical goods.

Reducing Barriers to Entry and Democratizing Manufacturing

Decentralized 3D printing networks have the potential to empower individuals and small businesses to enter the manufacturing space without the need for expensive equipment or extensive resources.

Regulatory and Security Considerations

Legal Challenges and Regulations in Cryptocurrency and 3D Printing

As with any emerging technology, cryptocurrencies and 3D printing face regulatory hurdles. Governments are grappling with issues related to taxation, intellectual property, and consumer protection.

Cybersecurity Risks in Decentralized 3D Printing Networks

The decentralized nature of 3D printing networks can introduce cybersecurity risks, such as intellectual property theft and malicious software. Implementing robust security measures is critical to mitigate these threats.

Strategies for Addressing Regulatory and Security Concerns

To ensure the responsible growth of cryptocurrencies and 3D printing, stakeholders must work together to develop regulatory frameworks and security protocols that protect consumers and innovators while fostering innovation.

Future Prospects and Challenges

Predictions for the Future of Cryptocurrencies in 3D Printing

The future of cryptocurrencies in 3D printing holds tremendous promise. We can expect to see continued integration and innovation, with more businesses and individuals leveraging these technologies.

Potential Obstacles and How to Overcome Them

However, there are obstacles to overcome, including scalability issues, regulatory uncertainties, and the need for widespread adoption. Solutions to these challenges will shape the trajectory of this intersection.

The Role of Innovation and Research in Shaping this Intersection

Innovation and research will be pivotal in unlocking the full potential of cryptocurrencies in 3D printing. Collaboration between technologists, researchers, and policymakers is essential to drive progress in this field.

Conclusion

In summary, the future of cryptocurrencies within the realm of 3D printing presents a promising and dynamic frontier. Addressing industry challenges, embracing blockchain technology, tokenizing designs, and establishing decentralized networks are pivotal steps toward creating a more accessible, efficient, and secure manufacturing ecosystem. Successful navigation of regulatory intricacies and cybersecurity risks will require collaboration and continued innovation. The fusion of cryptocurrencies and 3D printing holds the potential to transform the way we produce, share, and trade physical objects.

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Revealed in court: Google paid $8 billion over 4 years to make its services default on Samsung devices

Apps

andreasc

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November 14, 2023

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Revealed in court: Google paid $8 billion over 4 years to make its services default on Samsung devices

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Not too long ago, we shared details about Google allegedly shelling out a hefty $18 billion to maintain its status as the iPhone’s default search engine. Now, in the midst of the ongoing second case filed by Epic Games against Google, intriguing revelations are emerging—this time involving Google and Android phone manufacturers.

Bloomberg’s report unveils that Google has committed to a staggering $8 billion over four years to Samsung. This hefty sum secures Google’s search engine, voice assistant, and Play Store as the default on Samsung’s mobile devices. The disclosure comes from testimony presented by Epic Games during the trial.

James Kolotouros, Google’s Vice President for Partnerships, spilled the beans, stating that Google devised strategies to share app store revenue with Android mobile device manufacturers. The objective? Ensuring that their products come preinstalled with Google Play on home screens.

Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, contends that Google’s app marketplace violates antitrust laws, using the agreement with Samsung as a prime example of deals initiated four years ago with Android phone makers.

Kolotouros’ testimony brings to light that Samsung devices contribute to half or more of Google Play revenue. Epic aims to demonstrate that Google’s executives were keen on discouraging the rise of third-party app stores that could dent Google Play’s operating profit. Epic estimates this profit to surpass $12 billion in 2021, factoring in the standard 30% revenue cut Google takes from app developers.

Epic’s lawyer, Lauren Moskowitz, delved into a 2019 Google internal presentation called “Project Banyan.” The project focused on investing funds to fortify the Google Play Store against Samsung’s Galaxy App Store. The presentation started with “Existential Question — How do we continue to keep Play as the preeminent distribution platform for Android?”

In 2019, Google proposed to pay Samsung $200 million over four years to include Samsung’s Galaxy Store app marketplace within the Google Play store. However, this plan was abandoned, leading to three deals signed in the following year, totaling $8 billion over four years.

Internal documents brought forth during the trial indicate that Google saved almost $1 billion over four years by retracting its request for Google Play to be exclusively available on a device’s first screen, known as the home screen. This meant Google Play would appear on the home screen, leaving space for Samsung to add the Galaxy Store, according to the document.

Under scrutiny by Google’s lawyer, Glenn Pomerantz, Kolotouros clarified that Google and Samsung never reached an agreement barring Samsung from placing its Galaxy store on a device’s home screen. The essence of these deals, as per Kolotouros, was to prevent users from transitioning from Samsung Android devices to Apple’s iPhone, reinforcing Google’s stance that its policies and agreements are legitimate endeavors in the spirit of healthy competition.

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The evolution of cryptocurrencies in Latin America

Tech

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November 14, 2023

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The evolution of cryptocurrencies in Latin America

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Cryptocurrencies have taken the financial world by storm, and Latin America is no exception. In recent years, the region has witnessed a remarkable evolution in the use and adoption of cryptocurrencies. From the early days of Bitcoin to the current regulatory landscape and beyond, this article explores the fascinating journey of cryptocurrencies in Latin America. Check out Quantum Coin GPT, the greatest trading bot on the market that is utilised by millions of investors.

Historical Perspective

Early Adoption of Bitcoin in Latin America

Latin America has been at the forefront of cryptocurrency adoption since the early days of Bitcoin. Several factors contributed to this early embrace, including economic instability, currency devaluation, and the need for an alternative financial system.

Factors Influencing Adoption

Economic instability and high inflation rates in countries like Venezuela and Argentina pushed citizens to seek refuge in cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin, with its decentralized nature, became an appealing option to protect wealth.

Pioneering Countries and Use Cases

Countries like Argentina, Venezuela, and Brazil witnessed the emergence of cryptocurrency communities. Use cases ranged from peer-to-peer trading to cross-border transactions and even using Bitcoin as a store of value.

Challenges Faced in the Early Years

While the adoption of cryptocurrencies in Latin America was promising, it wasn’t without its share of challenges.

Regulatory Hurdles

Many governments were initially skeptical of cryptocurrencies, leading to regulatory uncertainty. This lack of clear regulations made it difficult for businesses to operate and investors to feel secure.

Lack of Infrastructure

The absence of cryptocurrency infrastructure, including exchanges and wallet services, hindered adoption. However, this situation gradually improved as the demand for these services grew.

Bitcoin as a Store of Value in Troubled Economies

Hyperinflation in Venezuela and economic turmoil in Argentina made Bitcoin a lifeline for many.

Hyperinflation in Venezuela

Venezuela experienced one of the worst hyperinflation crises in history, leading to the near-worthlessness of the local currency. Bitcoin became a means for Venezuelans to preserve their wealth.

Economic Turmoil in Argentina

Argentina faced its share of economic crises, with citizens using Bitcoin to hedge against currency devaluation and capital controls.

Regulatory Landscape

Recent Regulatory Developments

The regulatory landscape in Latin America has evolved significantly in recent years.

Legalization and Acceptance

Several countries, including Mexico, El Salvador, and Colombia, have embraced cryptocurrencies to varying degrees, legalizing their use for various purposes.

Regulatory Frameworks in Key Countries

Countries like Brazil and Argentina have introduced regulatory frameworks to govern cryptocurrency exchanges and businesses, providing clarity for market participants.

Impact on Cryptocurrency Adoption

Clearer regulatory frameworks have had a positive impact on cryptocurrency adoption in the region.

Investor Confidence

Investors now have greater confidence in the legitimacy of cryptocurrency businesses and the safety of their investments.

Institutional Participation

Institutional players, including banks and financial institutions, have started to explore cryptocurrency offerings, leading to increased access for consumers.

Cryptocurrency Use Cases

Remittances and Financial Inclusion

Cryptocurrencies have played a pivotal role in improving financial inclusion and facilitating remittances in Latin America.

Cross-Border Transactions

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and stablecoins are increasingly used for cross-border transactions, reducing the cost and time involved.

Unbanked and Underbanked Populations

Cryptocurrencies provide unbanked and underbanked populations with access to financial services, allowing them to participate in the global economy.

Investment and Trading

Cryptocurrency investment and trading have gained popularity in Latin America.

Cryptocurrency Exchanges

The region has seen the rise of cryptocurrency exchanges catering to both beginners and experienced traders.

Investment Trends

Growing interest in cryptocurrencies has led to increased investment in digital assets, including Bitcoin and altcoins.

Blockchain Technology Adoption

Beyond Cryptocurrencies

Blockchain technology is being adopted for various non-cryptocurrency use cases in Latin America.

Use of Blockchain in Supply Chain

Countries like Mexico are exploring blockchain to improve supply chain transparency and combat counterfeit goods.

Voting Systems and Governance

Blockchain-based voting systems are being considered to enhance transparency and trust in elections and governance.

Public vs. Private Blockchains

Governments and corporations are exploring both public and private blockchain solutions.

Government Initiatives

Some governments have initiated blockchain projects to improve public services, such as land registries and identity management.

Corporate Applications

Companies in Latin America are experimenting with private blockchains for supply chain management and data security.

Challenges and Opportunities

Security Concerns

While cryptocurrencies offer many benefits, security remains a significant concern.

Hacks and Scams

Cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets are vulnerable to hacks and scams, which can result in the loss of digital assets.

Safeguarding Digital Assets

Users must take precautions to safeguard their digital assets through secure practices and hardware wallets.

Economic and Social Impact

The adoption of cryptocurrencies has far-reaching economic and social implications in Latin America.

Income Inequality

Cryptocurrencies have the potential to either exacerbate or mitigate income inequality, depending on their distribution and usage.

Economic Empowerment

For many, cryptocurrencies represent a means of economic empowerment, offering financial access and opportunities.

Future Prospects

The future of cryptocurrencies in Latin America holds promise and uncertainty.

Potential for Mass Adoption

With growing awareness and regulatory clarity, there is potential for mass adoption of cryptocurrencies in the region.

Technological Advancements

Continued technological advancements, such as layer 2 scaling solutions and interoperability, may shape the future of cryptocurrencies in Latin America.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the journey of cryptocurrencies in Latin America has been marked by its resilience and adaptability. Initially spurred by economic instability, the region’s enthusiastic embrace of regulatory frameworks and blockchain technology is paving the way for a promising future. As cryptocurrencies continue to evolve in Latin America, their impact not only on the region but also on the broader global crypto market is bound to be substantial, shaping the financial landscape for years to come.

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Ad-free Instagram & Facebook now available in Europe, for a price

Tech

andreasc

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November 14, 2023

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Meta has begun sign-up for its paid “no ads” version of Facebook and Instagram in Europe. The reason behind this move is, again, EU Regulations. Subsequently, to adhere to it, Meta has launched the paid ad-free Instagram and Facebook. The price starts at €9.99 per month if purchased via the web. Currently, this subscription fee covers all the linked accounts and this will change after March 1, 2024.

Ad-free Instagram and Facebook come at a premium

Meta is launching a paid ad-free subscription service for Facebook and Instagram in the EU to comply with new privacy rules. This is the only way for users to avoid ads on these platforms. Europe-based users have begun to notice the pop-ups for ad-free Instagram and Facebook, too.

The fee for an ad-free experience browsing Instagram or Facebook is €9.99 per month when purchased on the web or €12.99 per month if purchased through Google’s or Apple’s app stores. Right now, that subscription fee covers all linked accounts.

However, one-for-all accounts cover is short-lived. Meta will charge an extra fee for each additional linked profile in a subscriber’s Meta Account Center, starting March 1. The fee is €6 per month if purchased directly or €8 per month if purchased through an app store. The ad-free subscription service is only available to users over 18.

You can still use Instagram, and Facebook without paying any fee (with ads)

Meta will continue to offer free access to its Facebook and Instagram products in Europe, with the same experience and ad preference tools as before. It clarified in a blog post, “If you choose to continue to use our products for free, your experience will stay the same.”

The Wall Street Journal report highlighted previously that the company is developing a plan for, especially, teenagers. It will “temporarily” stop showing ads to them in the region.

Similarly, X (formerly, Twitter) had recently unveiled a Premium+ subscription which offers a list of perks, including a blue checkmark and an ad-free experience in the app’s For You and Following feeds. It is priced at $16 per month, compared to Meta’s €9.99 (or, about $10.70) per month.

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