Science and technology

SAN FRANCISCO: Meta Platforms announced an application programming interface in a bid to woo businesses to more easily build AI products using its Llama artificial-intelligence models. Llama API, which was unveiled during the company’s first-ever AI developer conference, will help Meta go up against APIs offered by rival model makers including Microsoft-backed OpenAI, Alphabet’s Google and emerging low-cost alternatives such as China’s DeepSeek. “You can now start using Llama with one line of code,” chief product officer Chris Cox said during a keynote speech onstage. APIs allow software developers to customize and quickly integrate a piece of technology into their own products. For OpenAI, APIs constitute the firm’s primary source of revenue. Meta, which released the latest version of Llama earlier this month, did not share any pricing details for the API. In a press release, it said the new API was available as a limited preview for select customers and would roll out broadly i...

Social media behemoth Meta unveiled its first standalone AI assistant app on Tuesday as it tries to take on ChatGPT by giving users a direct path to its generative artificial intelligence models. “A billion people are using Meta AI across our apps now, so we made a new standalone Meta AI app for you to check out,” Meta CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg said in a video posted on Instagram. Zuckerberg said the app “is designed to be your personal AI” and would be primarily accessed through voice conversations with the interactions personalized to the individual user. “We’re starting off really basic, with just a little bit of context about your interests,” the CEO said. “But over time, you’re going be able to let Meta AI know a whole lot about you and the people you care about from across our apps, if you want.” Read More: WhatsApp launches Advanced Chat Privacy feature for secure messaging Embracing the company’s social media DNA, the app features a social feed allowing users to se...

Speculations about the release date of Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 6 intensified after another Take-Two Interactive title, Borderlands 4, received a fresh update. Gearbox’s upcoming first-person shooter Borderlands 4, initially set for a release on September 23, will now be released on September 12, as per developer Randy Pitchford. Pitchford confirmed the development in a video on YouTube. “Everything is going great, actually. In fact, everything is going kind of the best-case scenario. The game is awesome, the team is cooking, and so the launch date for Borderlands 4 is changing. We’re moving it forward. The launch date is now September 12,” he said. While the game will be released 11 days earlier than planned, Randy Pitchford confirmed that the PlayStation State of Play focused on Borderlands 4 will be out on April 30 as announced earlier. It is worth noting here that Gearbox is a studio of 2k, a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive, which is also the parent company of the GTA 6 deve...

PayPal missed Wall Street estimates for first-quarter revenue on Tuesday, overshadowing the payments giant’s profit beat and sending its shares down 3.2% before the bell. The company’s results highlight the challenge of navigating growth expectations as PayPal undergoes an ambitious turnaround under CEO Alex Chriss’ leadership. Since Chriss took the helm in late 2023, PayPal has narrowed its focus and concentrated on high-margin businesses instead of aggressive growth. “PayPal had a great start to the year and our strategy is working. This is our fifth consecutive quarter of profitable growth,” Chriss said. Still, PayPal stuck to its annual profit forecast, even at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs have fueled economic uncertainty. Its revenue stood at $7.79 billion in the first quarter, missing expectations of $7.85 billion, according to estimates compiled by LSEG, while it earned $1.33 per share, excluding one-time costs, topping analysts’ expectations of $1.16....

WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will enable voice and video calling directly through its web browser, a capability currently exclusive to its Windows and macOS desktop applications, according to recent beta updates. This development aims to address the inconvenience faced by users who must download the desktop app or switch platforms to make calls, as WhatsApp Web has been limited to messaging and media sharing. The upcoming feature, spotted in WhatsApp Web’s beta version, will allow users to make and receive voice and video calls seamlessly via browsers like Chrome, Safari, or Edge, enhancing the platform’s functionality. This update is expected to offer greater convenience for users who prefer the web interface, eliminating the need to install a separate desktop app for calling purposes. With remote work and digital communication on the rise, this feature will enable smoother voice and video interactions for both personal and professional use, without requiring device ...

The first 27 satellites for Amazon’s Kuiper broadband internet constellation were launched into space from Florida on Monday, kicking off the long-delayed deployment of an internet-from-space network that will rival SpaceX’s Starlink. The satellites are the first of 3,236 that Amazon plans to send into low-Earth orbit for Project Kuiper, a $10 billion effort unveiled in 2019 to beam broadband internet globally for consumers, businesses and governments – customers that SpaceX has courted for years with its powerful Starlink business. Sitting atop an Atlas V rocket from the Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab and Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), opens new tab joint-venture United Launch Alliance, the batch of 27 satellites was lofted into space at 7 p.m. EDT pm from the rocket company’s launch pad at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Bad weather scrubbed an initial launch attempt on April 9. Kuiper is arguably Amazon’s biggest bet under way, pitting it against Starlink as well as global telec...

India has blocked 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for raising questions over Indian failure in preventing the Pahalgam tragedy and the BJP-led government’s false allegations on Pakistan after the attack which claimed at least 26 lives. According to The Hindu report, Pakistani YouTube channels, which collectively have around 63 million subscribers, include major Pakistani news channels including ARY News, Dawn News, Samaa TV, Bol News, Raftar, Geo News, and Suno News. YouTube channels run by journalists like Irshad Bhatti, Asma Shirazi, Umar Cheema, and Muneeb Farooq have also been blocked for Indian users. The Indian government has accused Pakistani YouTube channels of provocative and ‘false’ narratives against New Delhi, its Army, and security agencies, government. On Tuesday, 26 men were killed at a tourist site in Pahalgam area of Indian Illegally Occuppied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), shot dead in a meadow. India claimed with presenting any evidence that there were Pakistani ...

Artificial intelligence has brought revolution to the creative industries, especially ChatGPT’s recent ‘realistic action figures’ creation feature has been the talk of the town these days. As Ghibli-style AI-generated images got famous, another new trend has arisen for users to create their realistic action figures using ChatGPT. This feature lets users produce realistic pictures of themselves, along with accessories and finest packaging. How to Create Realistic Action Figures Using ChatGPT To create a custom action figure, one should follow these simple steps: Open the ChatGPT app or visit ChatGPT’s website. Select the GPT-4o model, which supports AI image generation. Upload a clear photo of yourself in the chat. Enter a detailed prompt, specifying the design, accessories, and packaging style. For example, one can ask for a realistic action image which includes custom accessories users would like to get added, such as a cell phone, camera, football or laptop. Upon request,...

Nintendo fans were given a chance to try out the company’s new Switch 2 gaming console at an event near Tokyo on Saturday, ahead of a release that some worry could be overshadowed by tariffs driving up prices. “Since Mr. Trump became president tariffs have gone up tariffs so I am concerned about a price hike not just for the game console but for accessories too,” said Hidenori Tanaka, 55, a real estate company employee, who attended the event. Consumers around the world could face higher prices for electronic devices as tariffs imposed by the US President Donald Trump’s administration on trading partners including China raise costs for companies operating global supply chains. While Trump has rolled back some tariffs, the threat of a damaging trade war still looms. Gamers at the pre-launch event began lining up outside the Makuhari Messe convention centre near Tokyo from mid-morning to play Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bonanza, and other titles on the Nintendo Switch 2 gaming cons...

BENGALURU- April 26, 2025: Apple aims to make most of its iPhones sold in the United States at factories in India by the end of 2026, and is speeding up those plans to navigate potentially higher tariffs in China, its main manufacturing base, a source told Reuters. The U.S. tech giant is holding urgent talks with contract manufacturers Foxconn and Tata to achieve that goal, the person, who declined to be named as the planning process is confidential, said on Friday. Apple and Foxconn did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while Tata declined to comment. Apple sells over 60 million iPhones in the U.S. annually with roughly 80% of them made in China currently. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has in recent years promoted India as a smartphone manufacturing hub, but higher duties on importing mobile phone parts compared to many other countries means it is still expensive for companies to produce in India. For iPhones, manufacturing costs in India are 5-8% higher than in Ch...

NEW YORK: Nike was sued on Friday by purchasers of Nike-themed non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and other cryptocurrency assets who said they suffered significant losses when the athletic wear company abruptly closed the business that created those assets. In a proposed class action filed in Brooklyn, New York federal court, purchasers led by Australian resident Jagdeep Cheema said the sudden closure in December of Nike’s RTFKT unit caused demand for their NFTs to dry up. They said they would never have bought the NFTs at the prices they did, or at all, had they known the tokens were unregistered securities, and that Nike would “cause the rug to be pulled out from under them.” Nike, based in Beaverton, Oregon, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Phillip Kim, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, declined to comment. The legal status of NFTs is unsettled, and there has been much litigation over whether they are securities under federal law. Friday’s lawsuit sought unspecified da...

Epic Games has officially unveiled the Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3 Star Wars map, and it’s everything fans have been hoping for. While previous collaborations with the franchise introduced limited Star Wars-themed POIs (Points of Interest), this latest update takes things a step further with four major Named Locations set to transform the game. The new map will go live on 2 May 2024 and remain in place until 8 June 2025. Out of the current 18 Named Locations, four will be replaced with Star Wars-themed areas to immerse players in the galaxy far, far away. There are also whispers in the community suggesting that these locations may evolve mid-season, which would be unusual given the Fortnite season’s relatively short duration. However, Epic Games has a history of delivering surprises, so fans will be watching closely. Read More: Oblivion Remaster is back, but what’s new in this version? Among the highlights revealed so far are a First Order Base, which features two crashed AT-ATs ...

YouTube is turning 20, and to celebrate, the platform is rolling out several new updates. The latest YouTube updates include features like faster playback speeds to AI-powered music tools. One of the most notable YouTube updates is the new 4x playback speed, available exclusively to YouTube Premium subscribers. This feature allows users to watch videos at lightning speed, helping them skim through content more quickly. Another exciting YouTube update is the launch of “Ask Music”, an AI-based tool that lets users create their own radio station. By simply describing the mood or genre they’re in the mood for, users can generate a custom playlist. This feature will be available to both YouTube Premium and YouTube Music subscribers. Read More: YouTube latest update brings big changes to shorts creation tools YouTube is also expanding its voice reply feature for video comments. Initially tested last year, this update allows creators to respond to comments using voice notes, offerin...

Facebook has announced a broader crackdown on spammy content as part of its efforts to support authentic creators and help them reach new audiences. In an official statement, the social media platform acknowledged that some accounts attempt to manipulate the Facebook algorithm to increase views, gain followers quickly, or obtain unfair monetization advantages. “These hacky behaviors make it harder for authentic creators to reach new audiences, get discovered by people who might enjoy their content, and grow,” the company stated. As part of a long-term initiative to make the Feed more relevant and supportive of genuine creators, Facebook is starting by reducing the visibility of spammy content. The goal is to foster an environment where authentic content creators can thrive. Tips for Creators to Succeed on Facebook Post high-quality, original content consistently: Regular posting of engaging and original content helps keep your audience interested. Use insights from the Profession...

Apple’s next iPhone software update, iOS 18.5, is just around the corner — and while it’s not packed with major features, there are still a few tweaks worth noting. Here’s a full breakdown of what to expect and what comes after. iOS 18.5 Release Date Based on Apple’s update patterns, iOS 18.5 is expected to be released to the public in the third week of May 2025. Here’s the recent history of similar mid-cycle updates: iOS 17.5 – May 13, 2024 iOS 16.5 – May 18, 2023 iOS 15.5 – May 16, 2022 Given this pattern, a release date between May 13–20 seems likely. What’s New in iOS 18.5? This is a smaller update focused mainly on bug fixes and performance improvements — but a few features stand out: You can now disable contact photos directly from within the Mail app itself. Just tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and toggle off “Show Contact Photos.” Read more: iOS 18.4 update: Apple to ‘roll out’ new intelligence features Instead of hiding behind a swipe, the “All Ma...

Intel (INTC.O), forecast second-quarter revenue and profit below Wall Street estimates on Thursday, casting a shadow over new CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s first round of earnings at the helm, against the backdrop of a raging Sino-U.S. trade war. In a conference call with investors, Tan also gave the first hints of sweeping plans to revitalize Intel’s culture of innovation, including a mandate for employees to return to the office four days a week, fewer meetings and stripping out unnecessary internal administrative work in favor of core engineering work. His remarks appeared to help Intel shares stem losses in extended trading but they were still down 5%. The chipmaker’s dour outlook could be another source of pessimism for investors who are counting on Tan to turn things around after years of missteps have left it struggling to gain a foothold in the booming AI market. Fears around tariffs pushed customers to stockpile Intel chips, which boosted sales in the first quarter, CFO David Zinsner ...

A new privacy feature, ‘Advanced Chat Privacy’, has officially been launched by WhatsApp, which is designed to improve security for both individual and group conversations. The recent update stops users from exporting chat histories, auto-saving media files, and using messages for AI-powered features. With Advanced Chat Privacy, users can: Block others from exporting chat history outside of WhatsApp. Stop automatic saving of shared images and videos to recipients’ galleries. Restrict the use of Meta AI within conversations. Upon enabling, the feature ensures that no participant can export the full chat history outside of WhatsApp. Moreover, users can get screenshots of separate messages, even if media files aren’t automatically saved. WhatsApp has given a hint that, in future updates, screenshots will be restricted as well. WhatsApp conditions that this feature will be mainly useful in group chats where members may not know each other personally, but discuss complex topics. ...

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Information Technology Park is set to be inaugurated on August 14, offering purpose-built facilities for tech startups, freelancers, and export-oriented software companies, an official from the Ministry of IT said. Spanning 66,893 square meters, the state-of-the-art park will comprise two basements, a ground floor, and nine upper floors. It is designed to accommodate 120 office spaces for IT and IT-enabled service (ITeS) companies, as well as a startup incubation center with 15 dedicated offices. The official added that the park will feature a business support center providing legal, marketing, and financial advisory services. It will also host an industry-academia linkage center to promote collaboration between educational institutions and the IT sector, and a Tier III Data Center—Pakistan’s first of its kind—to ensure uninterrupted power and data security. “This will be one of the highest standard data centers in the country and a significant milestone fo...

South Korea’s data protection authority said on Thursday that Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek transferred user information and prompts without permission when the service was still available for download in the country’s app market. DeepSeek did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Personal Information Protection Commission said in a statement that Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co Ltd did not obtain user consent while transferring personal information to a number of companies in China and the United States at the time of its South Korean launch in January. In February, South Korea’s data agency suspended new downloads of the DeepSeek app in the country after it said DeepSeek acknowledged failing to take into account some of the agency’s rules on protecting personal data. Read more: DeepSeek claims theoretical cost-profit ratio of 545% per day The data protection agency said on Thursday that DeepSeek also sent content in AI prompts ent...

Meta has officially launched its new video creation app, Edits, aiming to offer creators a powerful, free alternative to popular tools like CapCut. Available globally on both iOS and Android, Edits provides a range of video editing and AI-powered features for short-form content. The launch comes after Meta announced earlier this year that it was working on Edits, following the brief removal of ByteDance’s CapCut from U.S. app stores during a TikTok ban scare. While CapCut is now back online, TikTok’s uncertain future in the U.S. presents an opportunity Meta appears ready to seize. At launch, all of Edits’ tools are free to use. However, Instagram head Adam Mosseri has hinted that future versions may include paid features. Unlike CapCut, which places a watermark on free exports, Meta’s Edits allows users to export watermark-free videos at no cost, making it an attractive option for creators who post across multiple platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube Sho...

JIUQUAN: China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Wednesday said that following the signing of a cooperation agreement between China and Pakistan at the end of February, the selection process for Pakistani astronauts is now underway. Similar to the selection process for Chinese astronauts, it consists of three stages: preliminary selection, secondary selection and final selection. The preliminary selection is being conducted in Pakistan, while the secondary and final stages will take place in China, CMSA spokesman Lin Xiqiang said in response to a question asked by APP at a press conference held at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. Ultimately, two Pakistani astronauts will be chosen to undergo training in China, he added. According to the flight mission plans for the China Space Station and the progress of international cooperation, one Pakistani astronaut will participate in a joint spaceflight mission as a payload specialist. In addition to daily crew duties, the a...

CUPERTINO: The iPhone 17 series is set to launch in September, and leaks have already started surfacing. Fans are really excited for launch of next phone as leaks show changes in design, smarter features, and expected Price. According to recent leaks, the iPhone 17 Pro will feature a completely reworked rear camera module, and the phone is expected to be thicker than its predecessor, possibly due to a larger battery. All phones including top of line iPhone 17 Pro Max, are said to witness major hardware and design upgrades, especially on Pro models. Design and Features The leaked pictures of the iPhone 17 Pro’s case design suggest a more pronounced and sleeker camera layout. While some users are excited, others have voiced preference for the rumored dual-tone finish that has yet to be seen in any leaked visual. Specs The iPhone 17 lineup is expected to run on Apple’s next-gen A19 Pro chip, promising improved AI capabilities, power efficiency, and enhanced multitasking performan...

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) are back in a bigger, bolder way in Fortnite’s Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN). Following their initial landing last year, the TMNT universe has now expanded dramatically, giving creators more tools and characters to build radical, pizza-fueled adventures. New fan-favorite characters like Krang, Casey Jones, Bebop, and Rocksteady have joined the roster, alongside the iconic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles heroes — Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo — all now fully compatible with devices like Character, NPC Spawner, and Guard. The compatibility unlocks the ability to design custom behaviors, in-game animations, and even fully cinematic TMNT storytelling experiences. UEFN creators can now dive into the Dimension X Starter Island template, which includes the legendary Technodrome Prefab, futuristic skyboxes, enhanced VFX, and new terrain materials. With no pre-set gameplay, the island gives full creative freedom to designers lookin...

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, will soon stop working on three older iPhones. Starting from 5 May, the popular messaging app will only work on phones that can run iOS 15.1 or newer. This change means some Apple phones will no longer be supported. The three iPhones affected are: iPhone 5S iPhone 6 iPhone 6 Plus All of these phones can only update to iOS 12.5.7, which is now too old for the latest version of WhatsApp. This change is expected to affect some of WhatsApp’s two billion users around the world. However, WhatsApp says it regularly updates its supported devices to keep the app safe and working well. Older iPhones may not have the latest security updates or features needed to run the app. This isn’t the first time WhatsApp has removed support for old phones. The app already stopped working on the original iPhone and several early models released between 2007 and 2013. If you’re still using one of these older iPhones and want to keep using WhatsApp, you may need to switch ...

Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) CEO Bilal Bin Saqib met Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan during his Jakarta visit, ARY News reported on Tuesday, quoting an official statement. In a statement released from the Finance Division the meeting discussed the “collaborative opportunities in blockchain technology, digital assets, and Shariah-compliant finance.” “In a pivotal step toward strengthening regional cooperation in the digital economy, the Foreign Minister of Malaysia Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan met with Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), to explore collaborative opportunities in blockchain technology, digital assets, and Shariah-compliant finance.” On the occasion, Bilal Bin Saqib appreciated Malaysia’s leadership in Islamic finance and crypto rules and regulations. Both parties expressed strong alignment on key areas of cooperation, including regulatory coordination between financial authorities and cross-border talent development and Web3 educ...

Alphabet’s Google (GOOGL.O), needs strong measures imposed on it to prevent it from using its artificial intelligence products to extend its dominance in online search, a U.S. Department of Justice attorney said as a trial in the historic antitrust case began on Monday. The outcome of the case could fundamentally reshape the internet by unseating Google as the go-to portal for information online. The Justice Department is seeking an order that would require Google to sell its Chrome browser and take other measures to end what a judge found was its monopoly in online search. Prosecutors have compared the lawsuit to past cases that resulted in the break up of AT&T and Standard Oil. Now is the “time to tell Google and all other monopolists who are out there listening, and they are listening, that there are consequences when you break the antitrust laws,” DOJ attorney David Dahlquist said during his opening statement. The DOJ and a broad coalition of state attorneys general are pr...

Marvel fans are in for a treat as Fortnite is gearing up to celebrate the release of the upcoming movie Thunderbolts with exciting new content. The action-packed film is set to hit cinemas next month, but the party starts early in the world of Fortnite. On 30th April at 8 p.m. ET, players will be able to get their hands on brand-new skins based on White Widow and the Winter Soldier. Both characters come with unique Pen and Ink styles, designed with a comic book-inspired cel-shaded look. Along with the skins, Fortnite will also be adding themed accessories. For White Widow, players can unlock White Widow’s Fangs Pickaxe, White Widow’s Pack Back Bling, White Widow Wrap, and the Widow’s Mac Emote — a fun reference to Yelena’s love for macaroni and cheese as seen in Black Widow and Hawkeye . Read More: Assassin’s Creed Shadows coming to Nintendo Switch 2? Winter Soldier fans can grab the Armament Axe Pickaxe, Winter Soldier’s Spare Back Bling, and the Winter Soldier Wrap. His pickax...

YouTube has transformed into a significant platform that allows content creators to express their interests, foster communities, and earn revenue. Nonetheless, successfully monetizing a YouTube channel and gaining popularity necessitates careful planning, ongoing commitment, and familiarity with the platform’s dynamics. In this discussion, we will examine effective strategies for earning money from a YouTube channel and increasing its popularity, drawing on industry insights, creator experiences, and platform guidelines as of April 2025. Part 1: Monetizing Your YouTube Channel Monetization on YouTube involves earning revenue from your content through various streams. To succeed, creators must meet YouTube’s eligibility criteria and diversify their income sources. Below are the key steps and strategies for monetization. 1. Meet YouTube Partner Program (YPP) Requirements To monetize through ads, creators must join the YouTube Partner Program. As of 2025, the eligibility requirement...