Google has quietly ended unlimited group video calls facility for free accounts on its video calling app Meet, and the users will now get only an hour time for group calls.

According to an update on Google support page for Meet users, at 55 minutes, everyone gets a notification that the call is about to end.

“To extend the call, the host can upgrade their Google account. Otherwise, the call will end at 60 minutes,” the company said in the update.

One-on-one calls will be available for up to 24 hours and calls with three or more participants for up to 60 minutes.

However, Google Workspace individual subscribers can host one-on-one calls and group calls with three or more participants for up to 24 hours.

The company continued providing unlimited calls (up to 24 hours) in the free version of its video conferencing app called Meet till the end of June for Gmail accounts.

Google last year announced that anyone with a Google account was allowed to create free meetings with up to 100 people with no time limit in the pandemic times.

Google last month announced that its integrated communication and collaboration service Workspace is now available to everyone with a Google account.

The company’s 3 billion-plus existing users across consumer, enterprise, and education have access to the full Google Workspace experience, including Gmail, Chat, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Meet and more.

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Apple Inc. has asked suppliers to build as many as 90 million next-generation iPhones this year, a sharp increase from its 2020 iPhone shipments, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The Cupertino, California-based tech giant has maintained a consistent level in recent years of roughly 75 million units for the initial run from a device’s launch through the end of the year. The upgraded forecast for 2021 would suggest the company anticipates its first iPhone launch since the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines will unlock additional demand. The next iPhones will be Apple’s second with 5G, a key enticement pushing users to upgrade.

This year’s update will be more incremental than last year’s iPhone 12, emphasizing processor, camera and display improvements, the people said, asking not to be named as the plans are not public. Apple is planning updates to all of the current models, spanning the 5.4-inch and 6.1-inch regular versions and the 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch Pro models. The phones, codenamed D16, D17, D63, and D64, are all expected to be announced in September, earlier than last year’s October introduction partly thanks to the supply chain recovering.

At least one of the new versions will have an LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) display capable of alternating its refresh rate based on the content being shown. Apple has used this technology in the Apple Watch for several years, allowing the screen to be slower in certain situations–such as the Always On mode–to extend battery life. Oppo, OnePlus and Samsung Electronics Co. already have LTPO screens in their flagship phones. The new iPhones with LTPO displays will also use IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide) technology for improved power efficiency and responsiveness.

While the design of the new Apple phones will remain largely unchanged, the company plans to reduce the size of the front-facing camera and face unlock sensor cutout, or notch, to better match its rivals. The company hopes to eventually remove the notch entirely in a future version of the iPhone and is likely to shrink its size further next year.

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Samsung has reportedly signed a deal with Elon Musk’s electric car maker Tesla worth $436 million to let its latest camera modules to be used in Cybertruck.

According to a report in Sam Mobile, the South Korean tech giant will supply the biggest electric car manufacturer in the US with its camera modules.

Samsung’s camera modules will be used by Tesla’s latest electric vehicle that was unveiled in November 2019, the reports claimed.

The prototype vehicle showcased on stage wasn’t equipped with conventional rearview mirrors, but instead, it used an array of cameras connected to the dashboard’s displays.

The production model shouldn’t be all that different from the original prototype and these reports further confirm that the Cybertruck will have a mirrorless design.

The partnership between the two companies isn’t new.

Earlier, Samsung has supplied Tesla with other EV-related technologies before, including batteries, and reports indicate that the new PixCell LED headlamp developed by Samsung will also be used by Tesla for its future EVs.

Tesla is believed to have close to 1 million reservations for the Cybertruck at this point.

Musk has confirmed that the Tesla Cybertruck will be equipped with a 4-wheel directional steering, resulting in a feature similar to the Hummer EV’s ‘Crab mode’.

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As 5G technology slowly but steadily spreads across the world, smartphone brand OPPO on Tuesday released its 6G strategy, saying that artificial intelligence (AI) will act as a new dimension to the next generation of communication networks, helping 6G networks self-optimise and dynamically administrate themselves.

The 6G technology will fundamentally revolutionise how AI infers, learns, interacts, and is applied, making the technology and its benefits available to all, according to a 6G white paper released by the OPPO Research Institute.

Mobile communication technology evolves in decade-long periods, and standardisation of the next generation of communication technology is expected to begin in 2025, with commercial implementation following in around 2035,” said Henry Tang, OPPO’s Chief 5G Scientist.

“Looking towards 2035, OPPO expects the number of intelligent agents in the world to far exceed the number of humans. Therefore, the next generation of communication technology, 6G, should be able to serve the needs not only of people but of all forms of intelligence and their various interactions,” he elaborated.

OPPO has established a pre-research team to conduct preliminary research on 6G service and technology requirements, key technologies and system features.

Empowered by 6G, smart devices will become important participants and users of AI, downloading and deploying AI algorithms at different application levels to create new immersive experiences while also constantly collecting data to feed more advanced AI models.

For example, in the case of autonomous vehicles, 6G networks will be able to assign the most appropriate AI algorithm and the optimal communication connection based on the location of the vehicle and the current physical environment.

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Consumer tech brand Nothing on Monday said that its first true wireless earbuds — Nothing ear (1) — will cost Rs 5,999 in India, as the wireless hearable market goes through a transformation in the country.

Available on Flipkart after its official launch globally on July 27, Nothing ear (1) features state-of-the-art Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) which uses three high definition mics to bring music, films and podcasts into sharp focus.

The London-based brand, headed by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, earlier announced the global price of the earbuds at 99 pounds.

“India is an important market for Nothing and and in partnership with Flipkart, we look forward to introducing ear (1) to Indian users at the same time as our global launch,” said Manu Sharma, Vice President and General Manager, Nothing India.

“Starting with ear (1), our products will be uniquely designed and easy to use. Above all, they will be devices we are proud to use ourselves and recommend to our friends and family,” he said in a statement.

According to the company, the true wireless earbuds will combine raw beauty and precise engineering for a pure sound experience.

“We believe the earphones market is begging for differentiation, space where we can elevate design and deliver value from day one,” according to Sharma.

The company had said that Flipkart will play an integral role in building Nothing’s presence in India and launching its highly-anticipated true wireless earbuds.

The earbuds will combine notes of transparency, iconic form and refined functionality.

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Samsung is one of the few brands that continue to sell Android operating system-based tablets in India. Fresh in the South Korean electronics maker’s tablet portfolio is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE. This tablet is a trimmed-down version of the company’s flagship Galaxy Tab S7+ (review). Though it cuts corners on several fronts, the tablet does not compromise on the core strength the company’s premium tablets stand for. That said, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE is an Android OS-based tablet with access to Google Play Store and the many apps that come with it. Besides, the tablet can double up as a laptop through the integrated Samsung DeX computing platform, when paired with Samsung Book Cover keyboard (sold separately). Rounding up the package is the Samsung SPen, which is capable of doing a lot more than what a regular stylus does.

Tablets originally came to fill the gap between smartphones and laptops. While most tablets failed to justify the nomenclature, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE seems to be an outlier. Being a tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE has a lightweight design and portable build. Made of metal, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE looks premium from all sides. It has a mammoth 12.4-inch TFT touch screen of 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) resolution with SPen support for handwriting, scribbling, drawing, etc. Though the screen lacks the oomph that the company’s premium tablets with super AMOLED screen of 120Hz refresh rate offer, it is a decent one for everyday use for regular chores or entertainment purposes.

Speaking of entertainment, Samsung has not just downgraded the screen but also the built-in speakers in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE. Instead of the quad-speaker set-up of the premium models, the FE model gets just two speakers. That said, the TFT screen of 60Hz refresh rate does not impact the entertainment experience as much as the muted sounding stereo speakers do. On the bright side, the speakers are tuned by AKG and support Dolby Atmos.

Coming to the utility, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE is fun to use as a tablet to experience the Android apps on a bigger screen and to watch multimedia content. However, its utility goes beyond when connected with the Samsung Book Cover keyboard for the Samsung DeX computing platform. The tablet boots Android tablet user interface by default but quickly shifts to DeX if you connect the Book Cover accessory. The DeX mode can also be manually enabled from the notification settings if you want to use it without the Book Cover keyboard.

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Invite-only audio chat app Clubhosue has struck a deal with TED to bring exclusive talks on its platform starting Monday.

The deal lets TED sell ads and sponsorships for its conversations and Clubhouse will not take any share, reports The Verge.

It’s still not clear if the chats will be available as podcasts or other on-demand recordings.

The first TED Talks room was set to arrive on Clubhouse on Monday, and additional rooms will be launched soon via TED’s Clubhouse club.

TED can now host regular Q&As and integrate audience interaction on Clubhouse.

TED has a growing podcast business, with over 1.65 million episode downloads per day.

Clubhouse is also working on its own private messaging feature, at a time when companies like Facebook and Spotify are launching a copycat service to take on Clubhouse which has grown in popularity.

The company accidentally leaked a private messaging feature called Backchannel to some users last month.

Backchannel is likely to let users chat via text instead of audio, just like WhatsApp or Telegram.

The TED partnership comes at a time when Facebook has rolled out Live Audio Rooms and podcasts on its platforms for public figures and select users in the US.

Spotify has also debuted Greenroom, its live audio Clubhouse rival.

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Facebook Inc.’s WhatsApp messaging app faces a European complaint after its allegedly “aggressive” roll out of new terms and services sparked outrage among consumer-rights campaigners.

The updated policy, in effect since May, remains opaque and makes it impossible for users to get a clear understanding of what consequences WhatsApp’s changes entail for their privacy, European consumer association BEUC said in a statement on Monday.

“WhatsApp has been bombarding users for months with aggressive and persistent pop-up messages to force them to accept its new terms of use and privacy policy,” Monique Goyens, director general of BEUC, said in the statement. “They’ve been telling users that their access to their app will be cut off if they do not accept the new terms” and remained “deliberately vague” about data processing.

WhatsApp announced the policy changes in January, but was forced to delay its introduction until May, because of confusion and user backlash over what data the messaging service collects and how it shares that information with parent Facebook.

Together with eight of its members, Brussels-based BEUC said it submitted a complaint with the European Commission and the European network of consumer authorities.

The filing urges regulators to open an investigation into WhatsApp’s practices and demand that the terms and services users agreed to “via the contentious practices” shouldn’t be binding on them.

Spokespeople for Facebook and WhatsApp didn’t immediately comment.

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Italy continued their 34-match winning streak as it defeated England in the final of Uefa European Championship (Euro 2020) that went into a penalty shootout after a 1-1 scoreline after extra time at the Wembley Stadium in London on Monday. England missed three penalties in the shootout as Italy defeated England 3-2 in the Euro 2020 final. The loss for the home team meant their search for a second major title after their 1966 World Cup, 55 years ago, and first European title continues.

For Italy, this is their second European title after 1968 and first najor title since the 2006 World Cup win. This was their second final in the last three Euro editions. The high-octane clash between the two teams started with England taking the lead in the second minute of the game. However, the initial intensity in the English side dropped and they were not able to create many chances. In the second half, the Italians took control of the game and started threatening England’s goalpost. The breakthrough for Italy came in the 67th minute after defender Leonardo Bonucci scored from close range.

Italy’s unbeaten run continues under manager Roberto Mancini. They have been undefeated for 34 matches which goes back to September 2018. Since Mancini took over, he has turned the team around from after their low point of missing the bus for the 2018 World Cup. The Italians are a complete team now with efficiency their key feature. With the next World Cup to take place in 2022, the Italians will hope to continue their form.

For England, this is a major disappointment. They have never been this close to a title since the 1966 World Cup. In the history of the tournament, only thrice the home country has been able to win the tournament. In the Euro Cup 2016, the host France too lost the final against Portugal.

Many would argue that the team became overconfident. However, its undeniable that the team is on the rise. They reached the semi-final of the World Cup in 2018, final of Euro this year, and there is another World Cup next year. The team did not perform up to its standard in the final but the team is filled with young and exciting talents, many of whom have already shined at the club stage.

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Apple is expected to release its next lineup of MacBook Pros later this year and a lot of rumours point to a fact that the infamous Touch Bar may be gotten rid of.

As per Mashable, the new MacBook Pros are said to feature a new generation of Apple Silicon processors and a shiny new design.

But one surprise rumour is that the Touch Bar is going to be replaced by a more regular row of functional keys, a change that wasn’t required in the first place.

To jog your memory a bit, the Touch Bar was first introduced to a handful of MacBook Pro models in 2016. It is an OLED touchscreen that sits just above the MacBook Pro keyboard. Its dynamic controls offer users shortcuts relevant to what content is on the most screen. It also offers quick access to system-level shortcuts.

It’s been controversial and that a bit of an understatement. While it’s not universally hated just like the butterfly keyboard appeared to be, not everyone liked it.

According to Display Supply Chain Consultants (via 9To5Mac), Apple is removing the Touch Bar from future upcoming MacBook Pro devices, despite it being the third largest use of OLED displays.

“Touch Bars continue to be the #3 application with an 18 per cent unit share and 1.2 per cent revenue share in Q1’21,” DSCC explained.

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