Google TV adds 10 more free channels, expanding the total to over 130

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Google TV adds 10 more free channels, expanding the total to over 130
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Google TV has been expanding its free channel catalog since last year. And, recently the platform has quietly boosted its FAST (Free Ad-Supported Television) channel offering by adding ten more channels. This also means that Google TV now has over 130 of its free channels. It is worth noting that the new channels are rolling out as part of Google TV’s June 2024 update.

Google TV once again expands its built-in free channel offering, boosting the total to over 130

The news comes via StreamingBetter which recently discovered the list of ten free channels that were added to Google TV. It includes channels like FilmRise Western, ION+, Johnny Carson TV, Noticias Telemundo Ahora, Property & Reno, Real Disaster Channel, Supermarket Sweep, The FBI Files, World’s Wildest Police Videos, and Yahoo Finance. You can access all these channels under “Google TV” in the Live tab. The best part is that you don’t even need to install any third-party apps to watch them.

Let’s not forget that these new channels join the vast lineup of over 800 FAST channels which already are one of the highlights of Google TV. Though most of these channels were sourced by its content partners like Tubi, Plex, Pluto TV, and Haystack, only a small portion are from Google itself. For instance, only 80 of its channels were available at the launch. However, the list has been growing ever since. In March this year, Google TV added eight new channels from CBC, FilmRise, and Scripps Networks.

The company has been focusing on free ad-supported channels for some time now

More recently, Google has been increasing its focus on free ad-supported channels since it could be a revenue generator. And, to make it happen, the tech giant even announced a new ‘Google TV network’ earlier this month. Notably, Google wants advertisers’ involvement with its FAST platform with this move.

Time will tell how profitable this decision will turn out for Google. But one thing is certain there’ll be more free channels coming your way in the near future. Therefore, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that Google TV will have something for everyone to enjoy.


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The EU monitoring Microsoft & Google AI deals to prevent oligopoly

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The EU monitoring Microsoft & Google AI deals to prevent oligopoly
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The EU is monitoring the latest moves by Microsoft and Google in the field of AI. The organization wants to make sure that antitrust rules are followed. For some time now, the EU has been legislating in favor of free competition in member countries, which has especially affected companies like Apple.

AI-based products and services are taking over the tech industry at an incredible rate. Currently, many companies are implementing AI, including non-tech ones. In the mobile sector, Google was the main pioneer in the implementation of complex AI models.

Google and Microsoft under EU scrutiny over AI deals

The portable and compact nature of smartphones prevents the integration of big LLMs. However, with this in mind, Google developed Gemini Nano, the “lite” version of its Gemini AI models. Currently, the model is integrated into the Pixel 8 series and the Galaxy S24 series. Its integration into Samsung mobile devices is one of the aspects that is being studied by the EU.

The organization fears that these types of agreements between industry giants will affect smaller players. Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s competition commissioner, said that “big tech companies could make it difficult for smaller foundation model developers to reach end users.” Part of the concern is the amount of resources required to develop AI models.

Regarding Microsoft, Vestager said the EU wants to “understand whether certain exclusivity clauses could have a negative effect on competitors.” In this case, she is referring to the huge investment Microsoft is making in OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. So far, the Redmond giant has invested a whopping $13 billion. Additionally, the EU is monitoring situations where large companies buy smaller ones to get talent. Such is the case with Microsoft’s acquisition of Inflection.

A full legislation for AI is still pending

Having taken the tech industry by storm, legislation around AI-based products and developments is still pending. The pace at which the AI industry develops makes the task even more difficult. Regarding this, the EU executive said that “a number of other preliminary antitrust investigations are ongoing into various practices in AI-related markets.” Vestager also noted that “now is the time to act. Strong competition enforcement is always needed at times of big industrial and technological changes.”

The EU’s goal is to prevent a few big companies from monopolizing the AI segment. “We remain vigilant,” Vestager added.


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Google Keep now supports using two accounts side by side on Android tablets and foldables

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Google Keep now supports using two accounts side by side on Android tablets and foldables
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Google Keep logo | Image credit — Google

Google Keep, the popular note-taking app by Google, is rolling out a new feature for Android users with large-screen devices like tablets and foldables. You can now use multiple Google accounts simultaneously within the app.

This means you can have two Keep windows open side-by-side, each logged into a different Google account. This is particularly handy for users who manage both personal and work accounts, or for those who simply have multiple Google accounts.

This new multi-account support builds upon the existing multi-instance support that was introduced last year. This previous feature allowed users to open two separate instances of the Keep app in split-screen mode, which was useful for viewing two different notes at the same time.

Now, with multi-account support, each of these split-screen instances can be logged into a different Google account. This opens up a whole new level of productivity and flexibility for Google Keep users on large-screen Android devices.

Having side by side Google Keep instance with different accounts will now be possible | Images credit — Google

The rollout of this new feature is happening now for both Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. This means that if your Google Workspace domain is set to Rapid Release, you should be seeing this feature soon, if you haven’t already. If your domain is set to Scheduled Release, the feature will be rolled out a bit later.

This feature is available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as Workspace Individual Subscribers and users with personal Google accounts. So, no matter what type of Google account you have, if you’re using Google Keep on a large-screen Android device, you’ll be able to take advantage of this new multi-account support.

This update is just the latest in a series of improvements that Google has been making to its Workspace apps. It’s clear that Google wants to make its productivity tools as useful as possible for users of large screen devices.


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FCC concerned about political AI robocalls still being a thing

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FCC concerned about political AI robocalls still being a thing
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The FCC is concerned about the social dangers of political AI robocalls. Jessica Rosenworcel, president of the agency, sent letters to nine big telecommunications companies. The agency wants to know if companies have a plan to attack these types of calls.

A political AI robocall is a method of deception that seeks to influence the actions of some sectors of the population for political reasons. The bad actors behind these calls turn to AI services to imitate the voices of political figures. Then, they implement them in automated phone calls with prerecorded audio to deliver a fake message. This method can influence current and future electoral processes.

Political AI robocalls have already influenced electoral processes, and the FCC is concerned

In fact, there has already been at least one case of this style. Several voters skipped the New Hampshire Democratic primary due to a hoax related to political AI robocalls. Therefore, it is a worrying situation that requires immediate action. However, it seems that the FCC is not convinced that telecommunications companies are doing enough.

A Rosenworcel’s letter says the following: “We know that AI technologies will make it cheap and easy to flood our networks with deepfakes used to mislead and betray trust. It is especially chilling to see AI voice cloning used to impersonate candidates during elections. As AI tools become more accessible to bad actors and scammers, we need to do everything we can to keep this junk off our networks.”

Up to nine major telecommunications companies, including AT&T and Comcast, received the letter. The agency wants to know what they are doing to stop political AI robocalls. It’s noteworthy that the US government banned all AI robocalls in February. This includes AI robocalls of all kinds, whether political or not. There is even authorization to pursue those involved in these types of calls. So, the FCC wants a breakdown of the strategies that telecoms are carrying out.

Rosenworcel also wants to force companies to warn about the use of AI in TV or radio ads. However, Sean Cooksey, chairman of the Federal Election Commission (FEC), opposes this initiative. Cooksey believes that such a decision would override the authority of the FEC over electoral processes.


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Meta tests user-created AI chatbots on Instagram

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Meta tests user-created AI chatbots on Instagram
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Image credit — Meta

Meta is introducing AI chatbots on Instagram, starting with a test run in the U.S. These chatbots, developed by creators through Meta AI Studio, will be integrated into Instagram’s messaging feature. They are designed to engage with users in a fun and interactive way, offering personalized responses and recommendations.Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg envisions these AI avatars as an evolving “art form” that will improve over time. While the initial focus is on entertainment and engagement, he believes that these chatbots will eventually become sophisticated tools for creators and businesses to interact with their audiences.

To ensure transparency, Meta will clearly label these chatbots as AI so users are aware they are interacting with a machine. The company is collaborating with creators like Wasted and Don Allen Stevenson III to develop and refine the early versions of these chatbots.

The initial test will involve around 50 creators and a small percentage of users. Meta plans to gradually expand access over the next few months, aiming for a full launch by August.

Zuckerberg highlighted the potential of AI avatars to cater to diverse interests and provide personalized experiences. He mentioned the need for a wide range of APIs to reflect different preferences and enable creators and businesses to develop their own AI chatbots.

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These chatbots could help creators manage their massive influx of messages from fans by offering automated yet engaging responses. This would allow creators to connect with their audience on a larger scale while saving time and effort.

Zuckerberg acknowledged the challenges in creating truly engaging and trustworthy AI avatars. He sees this as an ongoing experiment and encourages creators to explore different approaches to discover what works best.

Meta’s foray into AI chatbots on Instagram aligns with the growing trend of integrating artificial intelligence into social media platforms. As this technology continues to advance, we can definitely expect more AI-centric experiences for users in the future.

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Spotify has 250,000 video podcast shows; big annual growth

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Spotify has 250,000 video podcast shows; big annual growth
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In a recent blog post, Spotify highlighted the huge growth of video podcasts available on its platform. The format is becoming increasingly popular and helping to improve audience retention.

When thinking about podcasts, the first thing that probably comes to mind is audio-based shows. Many people tend to listen to podcasts during their daily activities. Classic podcasts are especially useful when you’re busy with tasks that require your visual attention. However, there are times of the day when users can give their full attention to the show. In those cases, a video podcast may be more attractive.

Spotify boasts the growth of available video podcast shows

Video podcasts are especially popular on YouTube due to the nature of the platform. Spotify began allowing video podcasts in 2020, first in a limited number of shows. Now, Spotify is boasting about the growth of the catalog of video podcasts they offer, reaching 250,000 in 2024. In comparison, the platform offered 100,000 in 2023, so the numbers more than doubled.

Apparently, video podcasts boast higher retention rates compared to the traditional format. This means that people listen to them for longer, probably because they offer a visual-enriched experience. Good production, set design, or being able to see the facial expressions and body gestures of the podcast participants can make a difference.

The blog post also includes statistics that further explain the growth of the video podcast format on Spotify. For example, since its availability, it has experienced 39% annual growth in views. Additionally, the number of creators using this format is growing by 70% annually. The company even claims that almost two-thirds of the American public prefers video podcasts over the traditional format.

So, now Spotify seems to be placing a lot of importance on video podcasts. It will be interesting to see if, in the future, they are able to surpass YouTube in this section. In the end, users will benefit from the fierce competition between both companies.


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Google Play Store tests “Collections” widget hub for app discovery

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Google Play Store tests “Collections” widget hub for app discovery
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Image credit — PhoneArena

Google is testing a new widget hub called “Collections” that will be integrated into the Play Store to help users discover new apps. This feature, previously known as “Cubes,” has been in development for some time and seems to be nearing release.

The latest Google Play Store beta version (41.6.26) gives us a sneak peek into what Collections might look like. By long-pressing the Play Store icon, users can access a context menu where Collections resides. Upon opening the widget, familiar Play Store categories such as “Watch,” “Read,” “Listen,” “Shop,” and “Social” are displayed, each leading to a selection of apps within that category.

New “Collections” widget | Image credit — Android Authority

What sets Collections apart is its curated approach. Google partnering with select apps to be featured within these categories could address a common pain point for users: app discovery fatigue. Scrolling through endless lists of apps in the Play Store can be overwhelming, and it’s often difficult to know which ones are worth downloading. By showcasing a curated selection of high-quality apps, Collections can streamline the process and make it easier for users to find apps that genuinely meet their needs and interests.

However, access to Collections might be limited at first. The feature seems to be geographically restricted, with the app’s code indicating that it may initially launch only in the United States with plans to announce expansions to other countries later on, but there’s no official timeline yet. This limited rollout could be a strategic move by Google to gather user feedback and iron out any kinks before making Collections available to a wider audience.


At this stage, Collections are still under wraps and not widely available. Screenshots reveal that it’s a work in progress, with the official rollout date yet to be confirmed, but hopefully not too far in the future.


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T-Mobile’s AI chatbot claims the carrier broke its price lock promise

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T-Mobile’s AI chatbot claims the carrier broke its price lock promise
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Despite raising the prices on legacy plans, T-Mobile claims it has not broken its word. However, the company’s own internal AI-powered chatbot does not agree with that position. In fact, the T-Mobile chatbot claims that the company broke its price lock commitment following its recent actions.

The controversial price increase in legacy plans

During the last week of May, T-Mobile became embroiled in a controversy related to the prices of its plans. There are users who contracted the company’s services due to a promise of an unalterable price. This means that T-Mobile was committed to never raising prices on those particular plans. There would only be changes to the monthly bill if the user changed to another one. However, the company announced price increases for some of those legacy plans.

The news received a lot of backlash from users who felt deceived. Prices for affected plans rose between $2 and $5. However, the company claimed that it was not doing anything wrong. In any case, the explanations offered by T-Mobile never fully convinced users. This caused not only criticism but also people to move to another carrier because of the broken promise.

T-Mobile broke its price lock commitment, claims its own chatbot

T-Mobile employees have the “Superpowers” suite to help them in their work, including an AI-powered chatbot. It is trained with the company’s policy documentation. With that in mind, you might find it amusing to know that the chatbot contradicts T-Mobile’s public position.

According to the chatbot, the carrier breached the price lock commitment by raising the prices of old plans. The chatbot adds that T-Mobile’s actions could incur legal problems. Furthermore, it states that such an action would also be negative for the company’s reputation.

The chatbot’s claims cannot be taken as an official statement. After all, similar AI-powered services can sometimes have “hallucinations,” which are basically made-up facts. However, it is still interesting that even T-Mobile’s internal tools do not support its public position. Even more so if these tools were trained in the carrier’s own policies.


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EU Competition Commissioner sees delay in Apple Intelligence rollout as anti-competitive

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EU Competition Commissioner sees delay in Apple Intelligence rollout as anti-competitive
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Apple has decided to delay the rollout of Apple Intelligence in the EU leading the European Commissioner for Competition to take notice.

The EU Commissioner for Competition reportedly sees this decision as an anticompetitive behavior. The decision not to offer the AI features in the EU is a “stunning declaration” of its anticompetitive behavior, said EU Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager.

Apple decided not to offer the feature to EU users to protect their privacy

Just a couple of days ago Apple announced that it won’t launch its self-developed AI features in the EU region. The company reasoned that the interoperability required by the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) could hurt user privacy and security. Now the commission has accused Apple’s App Store of DMA breaches.

Apple’s move to delay Apple Intelligence in Europe is the most “stunning, open declaration that they know 100% that this is another way of disabling competition where they have a stronghold already,” said the EU Competition Commissioner. According to the

The Digital Markets Act requires companies to be open to competition in order to operate in Europe, said EU Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager. Non-compliance means fines of up to 10% of annual revenue. In Apple’s case, it could be over €30 billion. In addition to that, the percentage will increase for repeated infringements.

EU Commissioner for Competition sees the delay in the rollout of Apple Intelligence as anti-competitive

Under the Digital Markets Act, Apple is a “gatekeeper,” meaning it has to make sure it does not stifle competition. iOS 18 comes with Apple Intelligence and some capabilities of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The AI capabilities are integrated within iOS 18 system apps and voice assistant Siri. The features will roll out in beta later this year.

Reportedly, the EU Commissioner for Competition could mark the lack of interoperability with non-Apple apps as anti-competitive. It’s important to mention that Apple does intend to bring Apple Intelligence to Europe. However, it’s taking a cautious approach with its new technology in that region due to “regulatory uncertainties”. It’s reasonable that Apple will want to ensure it won’t have to compromise on user safety.

The European Commission for Competition is carrying out multiple investigations into the company over possible violations of the DMA. The commission has already accused Apple of violating the law’s anti-steering provisions this week. According to the commission, Apple blocked app developers from freely informing users about alternate payment options outside of the company’s ecosystem.


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Google Chrome to add background playback for Read Aloud on Android

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Google Chrome to add background playback for Read Aloud on Android
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Google Chrome’s Android app is poised for a game-changing update: soon, you’ll be able to listen to articles like audiobooks, even when the app is closed or your phone is locked.

This new feature, dubbed “Read Aloud with Background Playback,” was recently spotted via a telltale flag within Chrome’s code. The flag’s description explicitly mentions adding support for background playback during read-aloud sessions, a clear indication that Google is actively testing the feature.

Commit requesting for Chrome for Android to add support for background playback for Read Aloud | Image credit — MSPowerUser
Currently, Chrome’s “Listen to this Page” option already allows you to listen to web articles aloud. But, to keep the audio going, you have to keep the Chrome app open and active. This new update will change that, letting you multitask or even lock your screen while continuing to enjoy your articles.

Chrome flag to enable “Read Aloud Background Playback” (still not available in Beta or Dev channels) | Image credit — MSPowerUser

Chrome’s desktop version has already offered this background playback functionality for a while, so it’s great to see that the Android app is finally catching up, bringing a more seamless and convenient listening experience to mobile users. This means that even when you minimize the tab with the article or switch to another application, the audio will keep playing.For those who love to consume content on the go, this is a major plus. This feature is also particularly useful for those with visual impairments or reading difficulties, as it can open up more ways in which one can consume information and entertainment that might have been previously inaccessible.

It’s important to note that this feature is still under development, and it’s not clear when it would be officially rolled out to the stable channel. Additionally, its functionality could change at any time before it’s officially released. However, the fact that it’s being actively tested suggests that it could be coming sooner rather than later.


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