Sunday Tech Journal(STJ): New WhatsApp update, camera helmet ban and more
Your weekly newsletter for all significant happenings in the Tech industry
1. New WhatsApp features
Whatsapp is working on a new “login approval” feature. This means that it will ask you whether it is you trying to log in to your WhatsApp account. Only after the approval will the session be logged in. This will be helpful to better protect your WhatsApp account.
Whatsapp has increased the “delete for everyone” time limit. Users will now be able to delete their message for everyone for up to 2 days, 12hrs.
via WABetaInfo
2. Helmet cameras banned in Kerala
A new report state that the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) of Kerala has banned the installation of Cameras on helmets. If someone is found violating this, they will be charged a 1000rs fine and a 3months suspension on their driving license. They state that this decision is taken as installing cameras on the helmet will change the physical structure of the helmet which causes the helmet to perform sub-optimally.
via CarToq
3. Google bans annoying full-screen ads
Google has updated their ad policy to restrict apps and games from displaying those annoying full-screen ads. Now the games cannot display fullscreen ads before or after each level. Developers can play ads only if the user chooses to watch them. For example, some games offer you to double your coins by watching an ad. Such kinds of ads are accepted.
via Google
5. Musk challenges Twitter CEO for a public debate over Twitter bots
Elon Musk has challenged Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal for a public debate on Twitter bots, and only then the Twitter takeover would move forward.
via CNBC
Subscribe to “Sunday Tech Journal” for weekly tech updates.
6. Twilio data breach
Communications giant Twilio has confirmed that some of its employees are tricked into handing over their login credentials to some hackers. These credentials have given hackers access to Twilio’s internal systems. After the company become aware of the incident, it removes access to the compromised accounts and will also alert the affected customers.
They also managed to trick three employees at Cloudflare, but the company’s use of Hardware-based Multi-factor authentication has prevented the attack from happening.
via TechCrunch and arsTechnica
7. Musk sells Tesla sales to avoid an emergency stock sale
Amid Twitter issues, Elon Musk between August 5th and 9th sold Tesla stocks worth $6.9 billion.
Tesla investor Sawyer Merritt Tweeted about this situation, Musk replied that “In the (hopefully unlikely) event that Twitter forces this deal to close *and* some equity partners don’t come through, it is important to avoid an emergency sale of Tesla stock”
Seems like Musk has sold these stocks to avoid an emergency sale of Tesla stock in case Twitter wins the deal.
8. Samsung launched new devices; Z fold 4, Z flip 4 and more
Samsung this week has launched new devices in their Fold and Flip lineup; Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 with some upgrades like newer chips, better hinge quality and etc. Samsung also launched the Galaxy Watch 5, Galaxy Watch 5 pro and Galaxy buds 2 pros. You can find more about its specifications and pricing on Samsung’s website.
9. Hulu and Disney+ price hike
Disney plus subscription prices will rise from $8 a month to $11 a month. They are also introducing an ad-supported plan that’ll cost $8 a month, the same price that users are currently paying to watch ad-free.
Hulu also announced a price hike. Their ad-supported plan which cost $7 a month will raise to $8 and their ad-free plan will raise from $13 a month to $15 a month.
Disney has released tables detailing the news plans. So check them here.