Elon Musk announced that Social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, will soon start charging newcomers a "small fee" for posting content, as well as for liking, replying, and bookmarking tweets.

Now, X Daily News, a feed that keeps you updated on X, has noticed a change on the website. Text strings have been updated to mention a small annual fee that new users will have to pay to access the social network.

Musk responded by saying that the fee for new users is "the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots."

Also Read: Elon Musk Apparently Brought A Gun To A Cyberpunk 2077 Recording Session And Asked For A Role

The Fees Only Applies To New Users

The fee has already been tried out in New Zealand and the Philippines, and Musk clarified that it only applies to new Twitter users. When someone new signs up, they'll have to pay the fee right away or wait for three months before they can start using the platform. The new language on the Twitter site states:

New accounts are required to pay a small annual fee before you're able to post, like, bookmark, and reply. This is to reduce spam and create a better experience for everyone. You can still follow accounts and browse X for free.

The text doesn't say anything about being able to post for free after three months, but Musk assured that "write actions" would be free after that time.

Also Read: Elon Musk Booed at Valorant Champions Tournament

How Will The Policy Curb Spam Accounts?

It's not clear how this policy will effectively combat spam accounts and bots because spammers could just pay the fee or make a bunch of accounts and wait to post. Plus, regular users might be put off from using X because of the extra hassle and the fact that other social media platforms are free.

The fee seems to be roughly $1, given that it's NZD 1.75 in New Zealand. So far, the pay-to-access rule hasn't been put into action anywhere else besides New Zealand and the Philippines.

Musk mentioned that fake accounts also take up space, making it harder to get good usernames. X has already released over a million usernames, and they plan to release tens of millions more in the next few weeks.

When Will The New Policy Come Into Act?

Elon Musk hasn’t revealed the exact timeline of when users can expect the new changes in the service. Moreover, he also hasn’t shared the amount new users will have to shell out to like, reply, post, and bookmark posts on the platform.

In October 2023, right after he met with Netanyahu, Musk experimented with the ‘Not A Bot’ program. The program charged new users a $1 fee if they wanted to interact with posts. 
 

PlayStation India has unveiled two new audio accessories designed to upgrade the gaming experience for PlayStation 5 users. The new devices include the PULSE Explore wireless earbuds and the PULSE Elite wireless headset. Both products are set to hit major retailers across the country starting October 11, 2024, offering gamers advanced audio technology tailored for immersive gameplay.

The PULSE Explore wireless earbuds are designed to provide an exceptional audio experience whether at home or on the go. Packing planar magnetic drivers, these earbuds promise lifelike sound quality that enables players to hear every detail in their favorite games.

The inclusion of the PlayStation Link wireless connection offers a swift, lossless audio experience, eliminating any delays that could disrupt gameplay. Moreover, the earbuds are equipped with two hidden microphones that leverage AI-backed noise rejection tech, making sure that voice communications remain crystal clear, even in noisy environments.

Also Read: PS5 Pro Announced: Launch Date, Price, Specs, Games, and More

PULSE Explore And PULSE Elite Features

Battery life is a highlight of the PULSE Explore earbuds, with up to 5 hours of use on a single charge. The bundled charging case offers an extra 10 hours of battery backup. Priced at Rs 18,990, the package comes with earbuds, a PlayStation Link USB adapter, a charging case, six earbud tips for a customized fit, and a USB cable.

Moreover, PlayStation India has launched the PULSE Elite wireless headset, which aims to elevate the audio experience further. Like the earbuds, the headset is packed with planar magnetic drivers and uses the PlayStation Link wireless connection for sound quality.

Crafted for lengthy gaming sessions, the PULSE Elite headset offers an impressive 30-hour battery backup, backed with charging capabilities to minimize downtime. The headset comes at a price of Rs 12,990 and comes complete with essential accessories, including a PlayStation Link USB adapter, a PULSE Elite charging hanger, a mounting plate, and a USB cable.

Both the audio accessories will be available through various retailers, including Sony Center, Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, Croma, Reliance, and Vijay Sales.

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Sony Reportedly Chose AMD Over Intel For Its PS6 Console

Intel’s bid was blocked because they did not agree on how much profit Intel would make from each chip it would design as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) handled the manufacturing process.

Apart from the recent embarrassment of crashing Raptor Lake CPUs, Intel has been a bystander in the AI chip boom and ceded manufacturing of some next-gen tech to TSMC as it tries to rebuild its capabilities. 

The chipmaking division also racked up $7 billion in losses last year, and recently, the company announced 15,000 layoffs. Meanwhile, its upcoming chip plant in Ohio has been delayed, although it did secure Microsoft as a customer for its advanced 18A chip process.

Meta seems to trying out something new with AI-driven video editing features, allowing advertisers to animate static images and extend the borders of video content. This new tool is aimed at providing brands more creative control and flexibility when creating ads for Instagram and Facebook, providing better ways to engage users with dynamic visuals.

Moreover, Meta has launched new AI-powered tools that enable advertisers to transform static images into dynamic videos. The AI can also expand existing videos by generating additional pixels, enlarging the content without compromising on the quality.

These features are being pushed to users in a gradual manner, with plans for wider availability in 2025. The tools aim to enhance creative options for advertisers on Facebook and Instagram.

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Meta Launches Its Text To Video Model

Facebook owner Meta on Friday revealed a new AI model dubbed Movie Gen that can produce realistic-looking videos using only text prompts. Meta’s announcement comes just 6 months after OpenAI took the AI industry by storm by unveiling its text-to-video generator, Sora.

Movie Gen is also capable of generating background music and sound effects that are synchronized with the video content. The AI tool can generate up to 16 seconds of video in different aspect ratios and up to 45 seconds of audio. The company also shared data from various blind tests where Movie Gen outperformed its other competitors in the segment, such as Runaway Gen 3, OpenAI’s Sora, and Kling 1.5.

Movie Gen can also create custom videos by using an image or video of a person to create a video that features that person in ‘rich visual detail’ while preserving human identity and movement. Meta claims that the new AI tool can be used to edit existing videos by adding different transitions or effects. In a video shared on the company’s blog, Movie Gen was able to add clothes to animals, change the background of the video, and add new elements.

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Meta Won’t Tell Whether Ray-Ban Smart Glass Videos Are Private

Meta is reportedly staying mum on whether it is collecting video and image data from its AI wearable device Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses to train its large language models (LLMs). The company announced a new real-time video feature for the device using which users can ask the AI to answer queries and ask for suggestions based on their surroundings.

The feature offers real-time video capability that enables Meta AI to “look” at the users’ surroundings and process that visual information to answer any query a user might have. For example, a user can ask it to identify a famous landmark. All of these functionalities require the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses to take passive videos and images of the surroundings to understand the context. 

Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar’s popular open-world Western adventure, is finally coming to PC for the first time after it launched 14 years ago. Rockstar Games announced that both Red Dead Redemption and its zombie standalone title Undead Nightmare will be coming bundled to Steam, Epic Games Store, or the Rockstar Store on October 29.

Players will also get bonus content from the Game of the Year edition, although the company has yet to reveal specific details. The project comes from Rockstar and port and remaster studio Double Eleven. It’s not up for preorder yet, but users can wish-ist it on Steam.

Besides, Rockstar has added modern PC improvements: native 4K resolution at up to 144hz, ultrawide and super ultrawide monitor support, Nvidia DLSS and AMD FSR support, DLSS frame generation, HDR10, and full mouse and keyboard compatibility. Users will be able to adjust the draw distance and shadow quality.

Also Read: Red Dead Redemption 2 Mod Discreetly Unlocks Free Downloads

PC Requirements To Play Red Dead Redemption

These changes will give players the same quality they’d get from its prequel, Red Dead Redemption 2, which has been on PC since 2019. Unlike Red Dead Redemption 2, players won’t require the latest hardware to play the game. As per the Steam page, Rockstar recommends having an Intel Core i5-8500 or AMD Ryzen 5 3500X, 8 GB RAM, and an Nvidia RTX 2070 or AMD RX 5700 XT. Users also only need 12 GB of storage space.

While it’s great to be able to play the game on PC platforms at launch, it’s imperative to note that users will still need a Rockstar Games account to play, as per the Steam page. While Red Dead Redemption has been available to play on modern consoles thanks to backward compatibility on Xbox and a 2023 release to Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, it had been absent on PC.

However, the PS4 and Switch ports didn’t come with any visual upgrades and still ran at 30 frames per second (fps), although Sony later added support for 60 fps with PlayStation 5.

Also Read: GTA 5 Story DLC Was Cut To Make Room For GTA Online

Rockstar Games Not Sure About GTA 6 Launch In 2025

Online rumors suggested that GTA 6 had already been internally delayed to 2026, but as per a former Rockstar Games lead, the studio doesn’t know whether the game will require more time in the oven until next summer.

Former Rockstar North technical director Obbe Vermeij has chimed in on the discourse to remind folks that "the decision to delay GTA 4 was made four months or so before the original release date. Any further and it's hard to make the call." The much-anticipated game has another year in prediction, so Vermeij says that Rockstar "is probably not in a position to determine whether they will hit 2025 until May-ish."

Google seems to be going all-cylinders on generative AI out of fear that missing out on the hype could damage its reputation in the search market. It's Gemini assistant and large language model form its key asset in the gen AI war, and thanks to its control over Android, it’s been able to get Geminin in front of a lot of users really fast.

Google is continuously experimenting with new ways to bring Gemini to more users, and its new experiment involves putting a dedicated button right on the Android lock screen. As of now, there are some ways to access the Gemini chatbot on Android. On most Android devices, users can long press the power button to invoke the default assistant, which is Google Assistant on older devices and Gemini on newer ones.

Users will also be able to invoke the default assistant by pressing and holding the home button or swiping up from the corner. Finally, users can say a wake-word phrase like “Hey Google” or “OK Google” to invoke the default assistant hands-free.

Also Read: Google Will Lock Your Android Smartphone If Stolen

Google’s AI Search Summaries Officially Showing Advertisements

Google has started rolling out ads in AI Overviews, which means users will now see product suggestions in some of their search engine’s AI-generated summaries. For instance, if a user is searching for a recipe, the AI-generated response will provide some tips along with products beneath a “sponsored” header. Google spokesperson Craig Ewer told The Verge they’ll only show up if a question has a “commercial angle.”

Google has been testing ads in AI Overviews since May but says it’s moving ahead with a full rollout because it helps people “quickly connect with relevant businesses, products, and services to take the next step at the exact moment they need them.”

As of now, ads are only coming to AI Overviews in the US on mobile. Microsoft similarly includes ads in its Copilot chatbot and recently changed how they surface in responses. Google is also making some tweaks to the formatting of AI Overviews. 

Also Read: YouTube Shorts Update Increases Video Length To 3 Minutes

Google Will Lock Your Android Smartphone If Stolen

Google has taken some serious measures against phone thefts. The company’s new “theft detection lock” ensures that personal data is safe and that the phone is of no use to the thief.

The new feature, currently being rolled out for Android users in the US, was spotted on the recently launched Xiaomi 14T Pro and was first reported by Mishaal Rahman on Threads. Google is rolling out three major components of theft-related features: theft detection lock, offline device lock, and remote lock.

The new theft detection lock feature leverages a machine learning model that is capable of detecting when a phone is snatched from a user’s hand and the thief runs away on foot or in a vehicle. 

Boult has announced the launch of Q Headset and Boost Headset, expanding its range of audio offerings in the Indian market. The new launches from the company aim to cater to a wide audience, from gamers to professionals, offering features crafted to upgrade audio experiences. Both headsets come equipped with advanced technology, including BoomX Technology for improved bass and ZEN ENC Mic for clear voice calls.

Speaking of the price, the Boult Q Headset comes at a price of Rs 1,799, while the Boult Boost Headset will set you back by Rs 3,799. The headsets are now available at an introductory price on Flipkart and Boult’s official website.

Also Read: Meta Working On Headphones With Camera Powered By AI

Boult Q And Boost Headset features

The Q Headset is crafted for users seeking flexibility. It comes with 40mm Bass Boosted Drivers and four EQ modes that make room for tailored audio preferences. Its Combat Gaming Mode, supported by Bluetooth 5.4, ensures ultra-low latency, ideal for gaming.

The headset is said to offer up to 70 hours of battery life, with a 10-minute quick charge offering 10 hours of playback. It can be used in both wired and wireless modes, making it apt for various scenarios. It is also IPX5-rated for water resistance.

The Boost Headset is aimed at audiophiles and professionals, offering Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (up to 33dB) to minimize distractions. It comes with Bluetooth 5.4 and 40mm Neodymium Drivers, enhancing audio quality. With a 65-hour battery life, the Boost headset supports fast charging and includes touch controls and voice assistant integration for easier operation. Like the Q Headset, it also comes with BoomX Technology for deeper bass.

Also Read: Sonos Launches Its First Ever Headphones In Indian Market

Dyson Launches OnTrac Headphones Without Air Purifiers

Unlike, Dyson’s other headphones, the new headphones do not filter air. This marks a key change in their spiritual predecessors, the Zone, which both fascinated and baffled the tech world with their combination of music play/particulate filtration. That device was, in its own peculiar way, a logical extension of Dyson’s existing product offerings, as a direct line could claim that the product didn’t, at the very, least, failed to stand apart in the much-crowded over-ear headphones.

Considering the years and capital put into the Zone’s creation, there seems to be logic in the company’s decision to turn its R&D work into a more standard set of headphones. After all, the Zone did offer excellent audio quality, but it’s unlikely many shelled out the $700 solely to use them as headphones with so many good alternatives on the market.

OnTrac comes at a cheaper price, though at $500, it’s still a huge premium over the top-end headphones from Bose ($429), Sony ($399), Apple ($449), and even the new entries like Sonon ($449).