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 Xiaomi gave the Xiaomi Community an update today on the company's efforts in resolving the issues that users had been reporting with Xiaomi HyperOS. The announcement focused on the album's smart beauty function optimization and layered alarm button optimization. To guarantee a more seamless user experience, the team is actively resolving further issues that have been found.




Issues Solved 

Alarm Buttons Overlapping: In some situations, some alarm buttons were showing up in an overlapping location, making them difficult to utilize. Unusual Intelligent Beauty Function: In album editing, anomalies in the Smart Beauty function have been corrected. 

Super XiaoAi Crash: Upon awakening, the Super XiaoAi helper crashed. Currently, if the wake is in specific situations, this should be rectified. 

Game Screens That Are Blurry: Enhanced: Game screens occasionally seemed hazy when using the Xiaomi 13 with OS2.0.3.0.




Ongoing issues under review

Turning Delay on Desktop sites: A few customers complained about unresponsive performance when switching between desktop sites. 

Blacked-out desktop wallpaper after restarting: The desktop wallpaper may occasionally turn black when the battery dies and it restarts.

 Inconsistent Wallpapers: In some situations, certain wallpapers don't apply correctly. 

Task Automation Failures: In certain usage cases, tasks are not being executed automatically. 

Screen flickering: The Xiaomi 15 running OS 2.0.101.0 has a flickering screen. 

Storage-Related Update Abnormalities: After installing updates, some Xiaomi 14 customers running OS 2.0.101.0 have noticed strange storage behavior.




Xiaomi keeps up the good work by using user feedback to improve the HYPEROS experience. Users have been urged to report any additional issues through an official channel so that improvements can be made regularly. This shows how committed the organization is to improving usability and finding solutions as soon as feasible. As Xiaomi resolves these problems one at a time, stay tuned for future updates!

Xiaomi Addresses Key Fixes in Latest HyperOS Update.

 



Google has released updated data that makes it clear how many charges its Pixel phones can store. A Pixel 8a or later should hold up to 80% of its battery capacity for roughly 1000 charge cycles, according to the Search giant (a cycle is a full battery charge from empty). The power efficiency of the latest Google smartphones is demonstrated by the fact that devices released between the Pixel 3 and Pixel 8 Pro should retain up to 80% of their capacity for about 800 charge cycles. The lithium-ion batteries that power smartphones have a limited lifespan, much like any other devices.





A similar stance was recently adopted by Apple, which claimed that the iPhone 14 and earlier generations should maintain up to 80% of its battery capacity for 500 charge cycles. By contrast, the iPhone 15 and 16 have a maximum capacity of 80% for up to 1000 cycles of charging.


By opening the Settings app and choosing Battery Information, Google users with Pixel 8a and later models can now keep an eye on their phone's battery life. The battery's manufacturing date, date of first use, and number of full charges are displayed here for users to observe. This should help consumers determine whether the phone's battery is the original one that came with it and how many charges are remaining in it. For those who purchase used smartphones, this is a tremendous help because the battery's condition is the most unknown aspect of the transaction.




Google advises using the adaptive charging feature, avoiding extended exposure to the sun or extreme temperatures (over 35°C), and not using the smartphone while charging in order to slow down battery degeneration. Google's initiative to increase battery health transparency is in line with a similar industry trend. Apple came under fire in late 2023 for its parts pairing policy, which was seen as anti-repair. 


Only parts made by Apple were permitted to be used for iPhone repairs and replacements under this policy. According to a repair specialist I spoke with, Apple was deleting battery health data from iPhones whose batteries had been replaced without permission. This meant that rather than using less expensive independent repair shops, Apple made iPhone users receive replacements at the Apple Store.




Since then, Apple has reversed component pairing and stated that iPhone 16 and later models will not be affected. This implies that Apple batteries can be effectively calibrated and transferred to the 16 model without compromising functionality.


Google Rolls Out Critical Battery Update for Millions of Pixel Phones

 



On Downdetector.com, over 50,000 ChatGPT outages have been reported, following a spike in reports at 1:30 p.m. EST. With 3,463 additional reports of disruptions, the issue seems to continue past 3:30 p.m. EST. When a Forbes query was submitted to ChatGPT at 3:40 p.m. EST, the Chatbot failed to respond and instead displayed the message "Internal Server Error." In an update published at 4:05 p.m. EST, OpenAI stated that it was "continuing to work on a fix for this issue," which was brought on by an unidentified ISP.




The outage was criticized by users of X, which is home to Grok, ChatGPT's competitor chatbot, who joked that they were once again forced to use their own brains. According to TechCrunch, which pointed out that a nearly six-hour outage happened two weeks ago, Thursday's outage marks ChatGPT's second of the month. In the past, OpenAI has resolved outages a few hours after they started. ChatGPT might be patched by nightfall if the business adheres to its track record of fixes. $157 billion. After its $6.6 billion funding round in October, OpenAI is now worth that much.




Apart from the numerous outages that have occurred this month, ChatGPT also encountered technical issues in early June, going down for a few hours. According to CEO Sam Altman, ChatGPT is widely considered the most popular chatbot in the artificial intelligence market. As of early this month, the AI assistant had over 300 million weekly users sending over one billion messages to ChatGPT daily. Although the chatbot is free to use, customers who prefer not to use subscription tiers may find some limits.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT downtime - Key things to know.



 Grok, Elon Musk's AI chatbot, is now accessible to X users for free. The move, which allows non-Premium subscribers to send up to 10 messages to Grok every two hours, was observed by a number of users on Friday. Grok, a "humorous AI assistant," was only accessible to Premium users when xAI first released it last year. Grok was given a text-to-image generating feature by xAI in August, and it proved to be able to generate some dubious-looking graphics.




Last month, TechCrunch revealed that Musk's xAI has begun testing a free Grok version in select areas. Expanding Grok's reach might help it compete with chatbots that are already free, such as Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, OpenAI's ChatGPT, and Anthropic's Claude. According to a Wall Street Journal story, xAI, which collected $6 billion in its most recent funding round, is also thinking of releasing a stand-alone app for Grok, something that ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude already have.

Grok AI now available to all users.

 



The fifth Big Tech business to come under such scrutiny in recent years is Microsoft, which is the subject of a comprehensive antitrust investigation by the Federal Trade Commission. The agency is investigating Microsoft's AI offerings, cybersecurity services, and cloud and software licensing operations. The Verge verified the investigation with an individual with knowledge of the situation, who was given anonymity to talk to a confidential investigator after Bloomberg broke the story first.




Hundreds of pages of material are needed, and the request is the result of more than a year of unofficial conversations with Microsoft partners and rivals. One area of emphasis, according to the source, is how Microsoft bundles security and productivity tools with its Azure cloud. After multiple security problems affecting Microsoft's products, the FTC became more interested in the company's cloud business, especially since Microsoft is a major software provider to US government organizations. Microsoft and the FTC declined to comment.






"Microsoft's security culture was inadequate and requires an overhaul, particularly in light of the company's centrality in the technology ecosystem," the federal Cyber Safety Review Board found earlier this year. "If you're faced with the tradeoff between security and another priority, your answer is clear: Do security," CEO Satya Nadella wrote in a message sent to staff members shortly after.






Microsoft would find itself in a familiar, albeit outdated, situation if the FTC filed a lawsuit against the business. In the late 1990s, the Department of Justice filed an anti-monopoly case against the corporation for combining its web browser with the Windows operating system. However, in recent years, Microsoft has largely avoided the same kind of antitrust scrutiny that has been placed on Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Google—all of which are battling government accusations of monopoly.

FTC Launches Antitrust Investigation Into Microsoft: What It Means for the Tech Giant

 



After several years of arduous work, Sam Porter Bridges has finally made it to Xbox. Today, Kojima Productions revealed that the Xbox Series X/S now has the director's cut of Death Stranding. The port will be offered at launch for 50% off for "a limited time." 2019 saw the release of Death Stranding, Hideo Kojima's first independent game after a tumultuous breakup with Konami. The game has been ported to PC, Mac, and iOS, and two years later, the director's cut—which isn't truly a director's cut—was released on the PS5. The company also released the game on Luna, Amazon's new game streaming service, as part of today's announcement.






The announcement coincides with Kojima Productions' significant growth after the original Death Stranding's popularity. A24 is working on a live-action movie and a sequel, both of which are scheduled for release in 2025. In a press release, the company stated that it "now has full ownership of the Death Stranding IP" and that it will keep expanding the game's reach to "more platforms and audiences." In addition to Death Stranding, Kojima Productions is working on a mystery new tactical spy game and the horror game OD.

Surprise Launch: Death Stranding Makes Its Way to Xbox!


 Microsoft is updating Windows 11's Windows Hello authentication, which incorporates fingerprint and face recognition. Passkey enhancements, new iconography, and visual modifications are all part of the redesigned Windows Hello experience, which is currently in beta testing with Windows Insiders. In addition to the Windows 11 login screen, this new user interface will also show up when you use passkeys to access websites and applications.


 According to the Windows team, "We redesigned Windows security credential user experiences for passkey, creating a cleaner experience that supports secure and quick authentication." "Users will now be able to choose passkeys and devices more easily and switch between authentication options."





Although Microsoft still supports passkeys in Windows 11, using one from a mobile device requires scanning QR codes and has an antiquated user interface. As part of this Windows Hello UI redesign, a new sign-in user interface for passkeys and Microsoft account authentication will significantly enhance this. Microsoft has also developed a new API for third-party passkey and password managers that enables developers to integrate this contemporary Windows Hello experience natively. 




Additionally, it will enable Windows 11 users to authenticate with PC apps and websites using a passkey from a mobile device. Additionally, this new passkey experience will allow you to sync your passkeys to your Microsoft account or save them to third-party apps.

Microsoft Revamps Windows Hello with Enhanced Passkey Support and Modern UI

 



According to Amazon, plastic air pillows are no longer used in its warehouses. In a blog post on October 9, the e-commerce behemoth stated, "As of October 2024, we've removed all plastic air pillows from our delivery packaging used at our global fulfillment centers." After years of pressure from environmental organizations to prevent plastic garbage from entering the water, this is a good shift. In its packaging, the corporation is still trying to use fewer single-use plastics overall.



In a statement following Amazon's announcement, Matt Littlejohn, senior vice president of strategic projects at the NGO Oceana, stated, "It is great news for the world's oceans that the largest e-commerce company in the world has made plastic air pillows history globally." According to Oceana, plastic film, the substance that goes into those once-commonplace air pillows, is the most common form of plastic waste found close to beaches. For huge mammals like whales and dolphins that might consume it, that film is also the "deadliest" kind of plastic pollution, according to Oceana.




Amazon’s announcement comes after it pledged in June to get rid of plastic air pillows in North America by the end of the year. The company swapped out plastic air pillows and single-use delivery bags for paper and cardboard alternatives in Europe in 2022. It also ditched plastic film packaging at its facilities in India in 2020.


The US is Amazon’s largest market, and the company hasn’t managed to fully eliminate plastic packaging in North America just yet. It says it plans to reduce the amount of deliveries containing “Amazon-added plastic delivery packaging” in North America to just one-third of shipments by December, down from two-thirds in December 2023.




Amazon says it's getting rid of plastic air pillows





The evolution of libraries has been rapid in recent years as digital platforms become a central part of modern life. Access to an entire world of literature is no longer bound by geography or physical limits. With just a few clicks readers can dive into books across genres, time periods and languages. Find and explore your favorite authors on Zendy where the variety of stories waiting to be discovered is endless. Now more than ever the stories of the world are right at your fingertips.





The Advantages of Digital Libraries

The rise of digital libraries has transformed the reading experience in ways unimaginable just a few decades ago. No longer do readers need to worry about carrying heavy books or being in one location to access the knowledge they seek. With a digital library your personal collection can be stored on your phone or laptop giving you access to thousands of books wherever you are. Moreover many digital libraries provide features like search functions, bookmarks and customizable reading preferences that make reading a seamless experience.



Another important benefit is the democratization of information. Digital libraries bring access to materials that might have been previously difficult to obtain. Rare historical texts, international fiction and niche genres are all just a few clicks away. This accessibility has leveled the playing field for researchers, students and casual readers alike offering vast possibilities for exploration.



Other benefits are:

● Instant Access: With digital libraries there is no waiting time between discovering a book and diving into it. This immediate access has revolutionized how we approach reading.

● Portability: A digital library fits in your pocket. Whether you are traveling or just commuting you can bring an entire library with you wherever you go.

● Customizable Features: Many platforms let you adjust text size font and background making reading comfortable for everyone.

● Search and Find: Quickly locating a specific passage or keyword is easy with digital libraries. This makes research more efficient.

● Sustainability: By opting for digital resources readers reduce the need for physical paper contributing to environmental preservation.





The Types of Digital Libraries Available

There are different kinds of digital libraries that suit various needs and preferences. Some libraries focus on academic texts and research materials which are indispensable for students and professionals. Others aim to provide popular fiction non-fiction and even multimedia content. Zendy for instance offers a wide variety of books covering countless subjects making it a hub for casual readers and scholars alike.



Subscription-based platforms offer exclusive content and benefits like early access to new releases. Some also feature audiobooks catering to those who prefer listening over reading. Publicly funded libraries have also started offering digital memberships where users can borrow e-books for a set period much like they would with physical books. These different models ensure that everyone finds what they are looking for.





A Global Community of Readers

One of the most significant impacts of digital libraries is how they have created global communities. As readers worldwide access the same stories in real-time conversations about those books now transcend national and cultural boundaries. Reading has become a shared experience enabling discussions and deeper connections with others from different walks of life.



In this interconnected world readers have never been more empowered to discover and share their love for books. Whether you are uncovering a classic for the first time or rediscovering a favorite tale from childhood the options are endless. Digital libraries are bridging gaps and allowing more people to engage in the wonderful world of storytelling.



How Digital Libraries Are Putting the World’s Stories Right on Your Screen




 Google Docs is getting tabs to help with organization and finding information in lengthy documents. Although it might take a few weeks to emerge, the functionality, which was first revealed in April, is now progressively being made available to all Google Workspace users as well as personal Google accounts. In its most recent Workspace upgrade, Google declared that "you can now use tabs to draft and build content in a way that makes it possible for you to find what you're looking for quickly and stay on task." "Moreover, readers can easily scan your document and concentrate on the sections that are most important to them."




The bullet-point icon in the top-left corner of the document screen on the Gdocs desktop online editor can be used to access tabs. When hovered over, the sign that read "show document outline" now reads "Show tabs & outlines," giving users the ability to add and manage multiple tabs, including subtabs to create customisable categories. For instance, Google advises users to make a "budget" tab with subtabs for particular costs like transportation and meals.





Up to three levels of nested subtabs can be added using this feature. To create a subtab, drag a tab into another tab to make it automatically become a subtab, or choose "Add subtab" from the tab settings menu. Users can give each tab and subtab a distinct label and emoji to instantly identify them. When a document has two or more tabs, the tab navigation menu will open by default. Users can click the three dots next to each tab to share links to individual tabs.




Renaming, copying, and deleting tabs are among the tab editing features that are exclusive to people with editor access to the document. In suggestion mode, tabs can be viewed and navigated but not changed otherwise.

Google Docs Introduces New Tabs Feature for Seamless Information Organization Within a Single Document

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