Here are the top trending stories from the world of technology. Stories that every tech enthusiast should keep a tab on.
1)
OpenAI’s ChatGPT gets Picture and Voice Command Functions
OpenAI on Monday rolled out updated version of ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Enterprise. Thanks to these updates, users can now prompt ChatGPT with pictures and voice commands. This means that users can now simply speak their question aloud and have ChatGPT respond, or they can upload an image and ask ChatGPT about it. These new features are powered by a combination of OpenAI’s text-to-speech model and its multimodal GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 models. Currently, these exciting features will be available only to ChatGPT Plus and Enterprise users on iOS and Android apps, which means these features won’t be available to free users. Although these features have the capability to make ChatGPT more versatile and productive, only time will tell how well these features will be received by the end users.
2)
Spotify partners with OpenAI for Translating Podcast
Spotify has partnered with OpenAI to debut an AI translation feature that will reproduce podcasts in other languages. This feature is still in pilot stage and is powered by OpenAI’s voice transcription tool Whisper. This translation feature will be initially used for Spanish podcasts and will be gradually expanded to German and French podcasts in the coming days. Some of the podcasts that will be included in the pilot project includes Lex Fridman Podcast, Armchair Expert, and The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett. This voice translation feature has the potential to make Spotify podcasts more accessible to a global audience. Additionally, it also lends Spotify the opportunity to explore the multilingual podcast market.
3)
Gmail’s Basic HTML’s version will be permanently gone from January 2024
Google is killing its Gmail Basic HTML view from January 2024. This means that from January next years all users will be switched to the Standard view, which offers more features and security. The Basic HTML view is a stripped-down version of Gmail that is designed for older browsers and devices with limited internet connectivity. But it does not support many of the features that are available in the Standard view. This includes feature like chat, spell checking, keyboard shortcuts and rich text formatting. Google may be retiring the basic HTML version because it wants to ensure that all users have access to the latest features and security updates. If you are currently using the Basic HTML view then you will need to switch to the Standard view before January 2024.
4)
Tinder helps you find the perfect love with $499 per month plan
Popular dating app Tinder has launched high-end membership plan priced at whopping $499 per month. Known as Tinder Select, this plan offers several unique and exclusive features that are otherwise not available in other plans. This includes features like VIP search and matching where Tinder Select users are prioritized in search results and are more likely to be matched with other select users. Tinder Select users will also enjoy the privilege of sending direct messages to other users even if they have not matched yet and also invitation to exclusive events and meetups. However, this premium plan will be highly exclusive one as less than 1% of Tinder’s existing users will be allowed to gain access to this premium product.
5)
YouTube is retiring ad-free Premium Lite subscription plan
YouTube has announced that it is permanently axing its ad-free Premium Lite subscription plan from 25th October 2023. First launched in select European countries way back in 2021, it offered ad-free video viewing at a lower price than the full YouTube Premium subscription. However, probably due to low customer traction YouTube has decided to permanently terminate this plan. Existing Premium Lite subscribers will be able to continue using the plan until their billing cycle ends. After that, they will have two options: either switch to the full YouTube Premium subscription or start watching YouTube with ads again.