Much like Otherweb, we started with a vision to distill boring 2,000-word articles into concise 200-word summaries that delivered the essence without the fluff.

This resonated because I knew then, and still firmly believe, that around 80% of readers don’t want or have the time for long-form content—they lack attention spans. This insight isn’t based on extensive research or science but a decade of observing and understanding reader behaviors.

The Otherweb app, the brainchild of an Austin-based startup led by my friend Alex Fink, is a unique AI-powered news platform. It’s not just another news app but a transformative tool that promises to reshape how we consume news and offer a ‘better way’ to do it.

Otherweb stands out by pledging no clickbait, bias, or ads. Here’s what makes it unique:

Otherweb, with its AI-powered curation and streamlined experience, is your personal news assistant.

It automatically collects articles from across the web every minute and runs them through specialized AI models to generate metadata like summaries, alternative headlines, and content traits. You can try out a web version of their assistant here.

This real-time filtering and hyper-personalization of your news feed, delivered in a clean, distraction-free environment, respects your time and preferences, relieving you from the overwhelming task of sifting through endless overly sensationalized headlines and news articles.

As Fink explains: “We collect articles once per minute, and as soon as they’re parsed, we run them through all our AI models to generate metadata that includes summaries, alt headlines, and various measured traits.”

You can check out a mockup of the clean interface and summarized article format below:

Otherweb Concierge feature uses advanced language models to compose personalized briefings tailored to users’ unique interests. I recommend new users spend 5-10 minutes customizing their settings to get relevant content.

Otherweb actively encourages user input by letting folks vote on articles and provide feedback — shaping the news in a way that genuinely values user voices.

How does Otherweb generate revenue?

While squarely focused on quality content for users, Otherweb plans to monetize through paid tools and services for journalists and publications powered by the same proven AI models. Potential offerings include assisted research, automated draft summarization, and predictive analytics.

Fink tells me Otherweb’s user base skews older, more educated, and represents a healthy mix of political leanings. This means that the app caters to diverse users, from tech-savvy professionals to news enthusiasts. 

User feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, resonating with heavy news consumers and those who had previously tuned out due to the negativity of traditional media. 

On Google Play, the app has earned a 4.0-star rating based on 16 reviews, with users highlighting how Otherweb AI-powered filters help them cut through the noise and protect them from the pervasive clickbait and low-quality content found on many other platforms.

They appreciate how the app allows them to focus on the essential news and insights, without the distractions that often accompany traditional news consumption.

Despite the generally positive reception, Otherweb has faced some criticism. Emerging Tech Brew points out that the app could become overly curated, limiting users’ exposure to diverse viewpoints.

Others have expressed concerns about Otherweb business model’s sustainability, given its commitment to prioritizing information quality over profits (god forbid, right?).

What excites me most is how Otherweb mission aligns perfectly with KnowTechie’s founding goal of simplifying tech news into digestible summaries.

As they continue evolving, their AI-driven, transparent approach is restoring public trust in an industry that desperately needs it. This is the future of how we’ll all consume news efficiently.

Otherweb is available on the App Store, Google Play, and on the web at Otherweb.com

What’s your take on the news these days? Do you plan on using Otherweb for your daily news needs? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• WhatsApp is adding two new features focused on communities
• Notion’s latest updates unlock a new level of productivity
• iOS 18 to bring improved task management to iPhone
• Safari to get new AI features with iOS 18 and macOS 15

At the same time, I know a good number of people who don’t use Notion or have no idea that it exists. When I asked a friend about their Notion use, they told me it wasn’t for them after struggling to use it and never fully committing to learning. 

Well, Notion is looking to change that. The company recently rolled out a series of exciting updates and enhancements, bringing a new level of functionality and user experience to its platform. 

Editor's Choice

What is Notion?

3.5

Notion is basically a chest of tools that lets you juggle your documents, task lists, and databases all in one spot—Notion is that tool. It combines note-taking, task management, databases, customizable pages, and spreadsheets into a single, highly customizable platform.

Try it FREE

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

Some apps are like master keys designed to unlock every door in the skyscraper of productivity. Notion is that key, and with its latest updates, it’s as if you’ve just been handed the code to the executive suite.

From improved sidebar navigation to AI-assisted writing features, Notion users are in for a treat with these latest upgrades. Here’s what’s new:

With a cleaner and more intuitive layout, finding and organizing content in Notion has never been more straightforward.

Enhanced writing tools

Notion now offers enhanced writing tools that aim to improve its users’ overall writing experience. From grammar and spelling checks to advanced AI assistance, users can now elevate their writing quality with the click of a button.

Managing images within Notion has been made easier with the introduction of image cropping and direct importing of PDFs and Google Docs.

This feature enables users to seamlessly integrate visual content into their workspace without any hassle.

Notion also rolled out a new Command Search shortcut that allows users to search for specific commands quickly. This feature boosts productivity by enabling users to access various functions and tools with ease without using that much brain power.

The bottom line is that Notion has proven it can transform your workflow for the better. With these latest upgrades, the app continues solidifying its position as a go-to platform for individuals and teams looking to enhance their productivity and collaboration efforts. 

Whether you’re a writer, marketer, or project manager, Notion’s new features are designed to streamline your workflow and boost your efficiency.

Editor's Choice

Notion

3.5

Notion is basically a chest of tools that lets you juggle your documents, task lists, and databases all in one spot—Notion is that tool. It combines note-taking, task management, databases, customizable pages, and spreadsheets into a single, highly customizable platform.

Pros:

• Everything in One Place: Notion allows you to manage notes, tasks, and schedules all within a single app.
• Customizable: Tailor the layout and functionality to your personal or professional needs.
• Great for Teams: Facilitates collaborative work with features that support multiple users in real-time.
• Works Everywhere: Accessible on various devices, enhancing flexibility.

Cons:

• Takes Time to Learn: The abundance of features can be overwhelming for new users.
  
• Can Be Slow: Performance may lag with heavy use or large projects.
  
• Needs Internet: Its offline capabilities are limited, especially on mobile.
  
• Might Need to Pay: Free version has limitations; full features require a paid plan.

Try it FREE

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

Are you a Notion user? Have any thoughts on this update? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office for just $40
• The best productivity apps (2024)
• The best ChatGPT Mac apps

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The platform recently introduced the Passkey feature for its iOS version, and now, the latest WhatsApp update has introduced two new features.

According to the company’s blog post, these new features are dedicated to bringing communities closer together.

WhatsApp will keep rolling out new features over the next few months

WhatsApp further explains the new features trolling out are for WhatsApp Communities. One of the features is event planning, and the other is replies in Announcement Groups.

The first feature, Events, will initially be available to groups in Communities and accessible from the group’s information page.

The feature will allow users to plan events directly from the app, including birthdays, dinner parties, or virtual meets. 

The post further explains that anyone from the group can set up an event, and others can RSVP, letting everyone else know who will attend. Attendees will be notified when the event is near.

The second feature is to organize replies properly in announcement groups. 

As the name suggests, the point of this feature is to stop clogging up the feed with replies, and users will be able to respond from Admins. 

According to the post, the platform will keep rolling out new features for communities and groups in the coming months to help people organize their lives on WhatsApp.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• WhatsApp users will be able to share files without internet
• WhatsApp search bar may get Meta AI integration soon
• WhatsApp may let you pin more chats
• You can now search WhatsApp conversations by date on Android

The report says ByteDance would prefer to shut down its operations in the United States if it is unable to convince a federal court to block a newly enacted law that bans the app from American app stores unless ByteDance sells the service to a stateside company within the following year.

Last week, lawmakers in the House of Representatives rolled the so-called TikTok ban into a funding bill for military aid in Ukraine and Israel, essentially forcing their counterparts in the Senate to act on the measure.

Senators did just that, sending the bill to President Biden this week, who signed it into law on Wednesday.

The law requires ByteDance to sell TikTok to a stateside company within the next nine months, with a possible extension of 90 days if government officials think the company is making enough progress toward that goal.

If ByteDance refuses to sell, tech companies would be prohibited from offering the service in their app stores, essentially cutting off distribution.

The TikTok ban is now law, but is it legal?

For now, nothing has changed: TikTok is still available in the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and other places, and the service is still operating.

Earlier this week, executives at ByteDance and TikTok said the company would file a legal challenge in federal court seeking to overturn the law.

As part of its legal challenge, it’s expected that ByteDance company will seek a preliminary injunction prohibiting the ban from taking effect while the case is being heard.

Similar efforts went ByteDance’s way: Last year, a federal judge blocked a near-identical state law banning TikTok while the court weighs a legal challenge brought by TikTok influencers and small business users there.

Proponents of the ban say TikTok collects a vast amount of user data, which ByteDance passes on to the Chinese government.

They claim that the data collection and sharing with Chinese government officials threatens homeland security and American users’ privacy, something ByteDance and TikTok deny.

Denials aside, the looming specter of national security prompted the Pentagon to ban TikTok on any devices used by Department of Defence contractors and employees.

Opponents of the measure say a ban on TikTok violates the company’s and its users’ First Amendment protections and specific federal laws intended to protect free trade and commerce.

The Reuters report on Thursday is the first sign that ByteDance is unlikely to comply with the law by selling TikTok’s U.S. operations if it fails in court.

Sources who spoke with the financial outlet said ByteDance considers TikTok’s discovery algorithm a core part of its product, one that it doesn’t want to share beyond the company.

According to Reuters, American users account for a relatively small part of TikTok’s overall business, and the app does not generate a financial profit for ByteDance.

If ByteDance shuts down its U.S.-based operation, it would have a limited impact on the company’s overall financial health, Reuters said.

Do you use TikTok and are worried about this legislation? Or maybe you don’t use it and worry about government overreach. Drop us a line in the comments below, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Teens are tuned in to TikTok and YouTube ‘almost constantly’
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• WhatsApp is rolling out Passkey support for iPhone
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The feature was available to a limited number of iPhone users for testing and feedback, but the scale is not changing. Meta is slowly rolling out the Passkey support for its WhatsApp iPhone app via its latest version. 

Passkeys, developed by the FIDO Alliance alongwith Apple, Google, and Microsoft, lets users to log in using facial recognition or biometrics instead of passcodes. Apple only introduced third-party integration with iOS 17.

Enable WhatsApp Passkey on iPhone

According to Engadget, Meta has confirmed that iPhone users will soon have the option to use Passkeys on their WhatsApp accounts, and it should be available to them in the coming weeks. 

WhatsApp’s head of product, Alice Newton-Rex, stated,

Passkey verification will make logging back into WhatsApp easier and more secure. We’re excited to launch this on WhatsApp and give users an added layer of security.

However, you need to go through the following steps to enable the Passkey feature on your WhatsApp account. 

• Launch WhatsApp.
• Navigate to Settings.
• Tap Account.
• Select Passkeys.
• Tap Create Passkey. 
• Finalize with Face ID or Touch ID.

WhatsApp released the Passkey support for its Android app last October. While iPhone users assumed the feature would soon be on their platform, Meta took its time.

Either way, it’s now rolling out, and iPhone users won’t need to start entering passcodes to access their WhatsApp accounts anymore.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• WhatsApp search bar may get Meta AI integration soon
• WhatsApp may let you pin more chats
• You can now search WhatsApp conversations by date on Android
• WhatsApp may redesign its Stories interface for the Android app

The measure comes into law less than two weeks after Congress rolled the TikTok ban into an appropriations bill that set aside financial funding and other aid for military conflicts in Ukraine and Israel.

Incorporating the TikTok ban into the military funding bill effectively forced Congress lawmakers to fast-track the TikTok issue, and President Biden affirmed his intention to sign it into law.

He did just that on Wednesday, putting ByteDance on notice that they had about a year to find an American company willing to buy TikTok.

If ByteDance can’t find a suitor in time or simply decides not to comply with the law, app stores in the United States will not be allowed to offer TikTok for download.

American lawmakers on both sides of the aisle paint TikTok as a national security threat, claiming the app harvests vast amounts of data from U.S.-based users. That data is later stored and scrutinized by Chinese government officials, lawmakers say, though little evidence has been made public to support those claims.

For its part, ByteDance says it safeguards the personal data of its users and doesn’t share that information with Chinese government officials.

However, there have been instances where some ByteDance and TikTok employees spied on journalists in an effort to learn their sources after unflattering information about the company was disclosed in news reports.

The TikTok situation is one of the few that has managed to unite federal lawmakers on both sides of the aisle

The movement to ban TikTok started under the administration of former President Donald Trump. In 2020, Trump signed an Executive Order banning business transactions between TikTok and U.S. citizens and companies—a move largely intended to choke off American advertising dollars. 

The ban on TikTok began during former President Donald Trump’s administration. In 2020, he issued an Executive Order prohibiting business dealings between TikTok and U.S. entities, mainly to cut off American advertising revenue.

TikTok immediately filed a legal challenge to Trump’s executive order. The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed after President Biden rescinded Trump’s executive order the following year.

But the heat on TikTok did not go away, and both state and federal lawmakers have been working to chip away at TikTok’s apparent surveillance activities in the United States since then.

President Biden has taken several actions independently, issuing orders that prevent TikTok from being installed on phones, tablets, and other devices used by federal agencies.

Last year, the Pentagon issued an order that banned TikTok on all devices used by Department of Defense contractors and employees.

Some local governments have also moved to ban TikTok: Last year, KnowTechie reported on a measure passed by lawmakers in Montana to prevent U.S.-based app stores from offering TikTok for download.

The law proposed financial fines against American technology companies that allowed TikTok to be downloaded by Montana residents and business owners. A federal judge blocked the law one month before it was to take effect.

The law signed by President Biden on Wednesday is the biggest attempt to ban TikTok across the country. It gives ByteDance about 270 days (about nine months) to find a new U.S.-based owner for TikTok, with the option for Biden to grant a 90-day extension if ByteDance can prove it is progressing toward that goal.

ByteDance is unlikely to comply with the law. Instead, company officials signaled their intention to sue the Biden Administration and request a preliminary injunction preventing the law from taking effect — similar to its actions in Montana.

Federal courts do not move quickly, and if ByteDance does sue — as it says it will — it could take several years before the dust settles on the matter. 

For now, nothing has changed — the app is still readily available in American app stores, and none of the major technology companies have signaled their intention to withdraw TikTok from their stores voluntarily. The service remains online and is still free to use at least, for now.

Will you continue to use TikTok, regardless of whether it’s banned or not? What’s your take on all this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Teens are tuned in to TikTok and YouTube ‘almost constantly’
• TikTok is giving free money away to anyone who wants it
• Facebook hits ‘copy-paste’ on TikTok’s vertical video format
• TikTok experiments with 15-minute videos

Meta is always looking to add new features to its popular instant messaging application, WhatsApp. In recent months, the app added Meta AI, Passkey, a custom sticker generator, and self-destructing voice messages.

We’ve seen reports of the AirDrop-esque file-sharing feature before, but this is the first time we’ve seen screenshots inside the app showing the necessary permissions.

The folks at WABetaInfo have shared screenshots from WhatsApp Android beta version 2.24.9.22.

They show that the platform is working on a new method for sharing photos, videos, documents, and other files with nearby WhatsApp users, even without cellular or internet data.

Sharing files to get easier soon for WhatsApp users

Based on the screenshot, you must be near other WhatsApp users for the new feature to work. 

After the app finds the other user, they can share or receive files through a locally-created network. 

Interestingly, users also have the option to revoke these permissions at any time, likely for security reasons. 

Like all WhatsApp messages, the file sharing is also end-to-end encrypted, and your phone numbers will not be disclosed. 

In addition, WABetaInfo has shared that WhatsApp is working on another feature that allows users to add notes to contacts. 

The outlet retrieved the details from the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.9.17, which showcases a new feature that opens a notes field on the contacts field. 

It will allow users to add helpful information about the contact; only the user can see them. 

Besides the WhatsApp mobile app, this feature will also be available on WhatsApp’s webapp.

That said, we are unsure if/when these features will roll out publicly. These are currently in the beta phase, and if users find them useful, they will soon be part of a future update.

Use WhatsApp? Think this is a handy feature or a security nightmare, just like AirDrop? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The measure requires TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest the service to a U.S.-based company under threat of a full-scope ban that would prohibit American tech companies from distributing it in their app stores. 

The premise of the ban is that the Chinese government utilizes TikTok as a way to gather information on Americans, something lawmakers flag as a security concern. Bytedance, which is based in China, has denied the allegations.

What happened over the weekend?

The measure passed on Saturday resembles a similar bill that was moved forward by House lawmakers just last month. Despite having broad bipartisan support among federal lawmakers and President Biden, the U.S. Senate has not acted on the earlier measure.

They may have to now, as lawmakers in the House rolled the TikTok ban into broader legislation that includes federal aid for the Ukrainian and Israeli militaries. By folding the TikTok ban into a broader foreign aid bill, House lawmakers are essentially pressuring their Senate counterparts to act on the measure, according to CNN. 

Lawmakers in the Senate could remove the TikTok ban from the bill, but doing so would require the amended measure to be sent back to the House for a vote — which would further delay assistance to the two militaries that are currently in the throes of prolonged wars. 

What would the TikTok ban require?

If both chambers of Congress pass the measure, and President Biden signs it into law — as he has said he will do — ByteDance would have about nine months to find a new U.S.-based owner for TikTok.

The Biden administration would be allowed to extend the shot clock by another 90 days if a sale doesn’t close in time, but there is proof that ByteDance is making progress on divesting the app.

By offloading TikTok to an American company, federal lawmakers believe the app would be privy to U.S. data collection, surveillance, and antitrust laws, which are more difficult to enforce on a service that is foreign-owned and operated.

If ByteDance does not move forward with a sale, the legislation would require U.S.-based technology providers to block the app from being downloaded in their stores. This would effectively require Apple, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and others to pull TikTok from their stores.

If the TikTok ban goes into effect, do users lose access to the app?

If no sale materializes, it isn’t clear whether TikTok users would lose access to the app.

It would be more difficult for users to download and install TikTok to their phones and tablets if they delete the app after the ban takes effect, since the app won’t be available in app stores or on U.S.-based servers. 

But that doesn’t necessarily mean ByteDance will block those who already have the app installed from using it — and there are signs that the company will continue to support it, even if they don’t move forward with a sale.

Quick Answer: WhatsApp checkmarks indicate the status of sent messages, showing whether messages are sent, delivered, or read.

What do the checkmarks mean on WhatsApp? You’re not alone if you’ve ever caught yourself asking this question.

This is because billions of people use WhatsApp—2.7 billion people, in fact. Therefore, questions like what WhatsApp checkmarks mean are expected.

Whereas nearly everyone knows what the two blue checkmarks mean on WhatsApp, the same cannot be said of the other types of checkmarks.

In this article, you’ll learn more about WhatsApp checkmarks, the different types of WhatsApp checkmarks, and what each checkmark means.

What are WhatsApp checkmarks?

Checkmarks on WhatsApp are read receipts that show you the status of sent messages including text, photos, audio files, or videos.

Through these checkmarks, you can tell whether your chats and posts are being delivered and engaged with.

WhatsApp checkmarks appear on the mobile app, WhatsApp Web, WhatsApp Desktop, and WhatsApp for Windows.

Types and meanings of different WhatsApp checkmarks

There are different types of checkmarks on WhatsApp. A checkmark will appear for each message you send. Here’s a breakdown of WhatsApp checkmarks and their meanings.

• Gray checkmark – message sent. If you see one gray checkmark indefinitely, you may have been blocked
• Two gray checkmarks – message delivered to recipient’s phone or any of their linked device
• Two blue checkmarks – message read

Note that the two gray checkmarks will appear even if the message is delivered to a linked device other than the recipient’s phone, and even when the phone is off.

For group chats, the two gray checkmarks indicate that your message has been delivered to all participants, while the two blue checkmarks mean that all group participants have read your message.

How to view your Message Info on WhatsApp

WhatsApp allows you to view the read receipts for messages you send, a.k.a, your Message info. This contains details like when your message was delivered, read, or played by the recipient.

You can view message info for individual and group chats on the mobile app. Here’s how:

Open WhatsApp on your phone

Open an individual or group chat for which you want to get the message info

Tap and hold the sent message in question

Alternatively, you can tap on the more info button (the i in a circle), or on More options, then Info

Your Message Info details and what they mean

Once you enter your message info center, you’ll find one of three status reports:

Delivered – your message has been delivered to the recipient’s phone or linked device, but they are yet to see it.

Read or seen – the recipient has either read your message or seen the picture, audio file, or video you sent. It could also mean that the recipient has seen your voice message, but has yet to play it.

Played – the recipient has played the voice message you sent.

Note that the Message info center for a group chat will continue to show the original message info even when people leave the group, without accounting for their exit.

Why can’t I find my read receipts?

If you can’t see the two blue checkmarks, blue microphone, or “Opened” next to your sent messages or voice messages, these could be the reason(s):

• Poor network or connection issues from you or the recipient.
• The recipient probably hasn’t opened your message.
• The recipient may have blocked you.
• You or the recipient disabled read receipts.

The best way to check these is by waiting it out and seeing if something changes. You can also check your read receipts settings, which we’ll detail below.

Can you turn off read receipts?

Of course, you can disable read receipts on WhatsApp. However, when you do, you won’t be able to see the checkmarks again.

Also, note that WhatsApp currently does not allow you to disable read receipts for group chats or play receipts for voice messages.

That said, here’s how to disable read receipts on WhatsApp:

1. Open WhatsApp

2. Tap on the three dots or at the bottom right click the settings (More options) button

3. Tap Account, then Privacy

4. Now, turn off Read receipts and kiss goodbye to WhatsApp checkmarks

And there you have it, you’ve successfully changed your Read Receipts setting on WhatsApp.

WhatsApp checkmarks explained

Now that you know what checkmarks mean on WhatsApp, you can easily tell when your messages have been delivered, read, or played.

Plus, you can always tell the exact time your message was delivered, read, or played by the recipient.

Read receipts or checkmarks are popular with social networks and instant messengers like Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram, among others. You may also want to check out other cool things you can do with WhatsApp.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Let’s face it. AI is everywhere, and widespread integration has already begun, which seems to have completely transformed how we use apps and devices daily. 

Meta is one of the companies that has been at the forefront of AI integration since day one for its WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram platforms. 

Users of these platforms in the US already have a taste of what they can do. But it seems the company is working to make the Meta AI even more seamless, at least for its prime messaging app. 

According to the report by WABetaInfo, Meta wants to allow users to access Meta AI from the app’s search bar, eliminating the need to initiate separate AI chats manually. 

Accessing Meta AI on WhatsApp will be a breeze in the future

Based on the screenshot provided by the outlet, a new prompt appears below the search bar reading “Ask Meta AI.” 

Reportedly, this prompt will eliminate the additional steps, making AI interactions more convenient, and there would be no need for the Meta AI shortcut. 

In contrast, Meta AI is similar to ChatGPT and designed as an all-around assistant. However, the difference is that you don’t have to look for the Meta AI chatbot. 

You can simply type your question into the app’s search bar. 

The feature is still under development and is likely to appear on the future Android version of WhatsApp soon. 

However, this is just the beginning. Meta is working on bringing more AI-powered tools to the platform, including image editing tools.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• WhatsApp may let you pin more chats
• WhatsApp will soon let you sync chat locks across all linked devices
• WhatsApp for iPhone to get Passkey support soon
• WhatsApp starts rolling out custom sticker maker for iOS users

While the number of pinned chats was limited to three for a few years, it seems the number may increase in the not-too-distant future.

According to the report by WABetaInfo, the latest WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.6.13, available on the Google Play Store, lets users pin five chats. 

Two more pinned chats on WhatsApp may not be groundbreaking but they are useful

So, the popular instant messaging app is letting users add more pinned chats. While two additional pins aren’t anything groundbreaking, it is still better than being stuck at three. 

Users will appreciate this small yet important addition of adding more pinned chats. They will have immediate access to more conversations just after launching the messaging app. 

However, it is important to note that the outlet hasn’t found any evidence that the app will ultimately allow five pins, but they speculate it may happen in the future.

The feature is yet to widely roll out to the beta users, which suggests we have a long way to go for a stable update. 

Last week, Meta announced that Whatsapp and Facebook Messenger will become interoperable in Europe.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• You can now search WhatsApp conversations by date on Android
• WhatsApp may redesign its Stories interface for the Android app
• WhatsApp will soon let you sync chat locks across all linked devices
• WhatsApp for iPhone to get Passkey support soon

Well, that’s done now, because WhatsApp has introduced a new functionality for Android users allowing them to look for chats via dates. 

The announcement came through Mark Zuckerberg‘s WhatsApp channel. Meta’s CEO posted a couple of messages on his channels alongside a video demonstrating the “search by date” feature. 

“When you realize you’ve got the perfect response in an old chat…”, Zuckerberg wrote.

How to use the new WhatsApp search

The new feature allows users to navigate through tons of messages by jumping to a specific date. Now, instead of an empty search bar, you’ll notice a calendar with a search icon on the right. 

1. Open the conversation you want to go through.
2. Tap on the calendar icon and wait for the calendar to pop up. 
3. Once it is displayed, choose a specific date and tap on “OK“. The app will take you directly to your conversations from that specific day. 

The option to look for keywords is still there, of course, and so is the ability to check out media, links, and documents you shared with each other. 

Of course, the ability to search by date could end up being better if you know when you sent a photo, for instance, rather than scrolling endlessly through the gazillion pictures you sent and received from all your contacts and groups.

The search-by-date feature is already available for iOS, Mac, and Web users, as it’s rolling out for Android users. 

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• WhatsApp will soon let you sync chat locks across all linked devices
• WhatsApp for iPhone to get Passkey support soon
• WhatsApp starts rolling out custom sticker maker for iOS users
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While it works like any other instant messaging app, it has the ambition to become more than just a messaging app. 

The platform continues to improve itself, adding features like syncing locked chat across all linked devices, adding Passkey support, the ability to pin messages in a chat, and more. 

Currently, WhatsApp is focusing on how it represents its “Stories” feature to its users and wants to make it more convenient.

The redesign for WhatsApp stories likely to come through future update

According to the report by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp may be looking into refreshing its status update page, which will come via a future update, redesigning the interface. 

After the redesign, the status tray will sit at the top of the updates tab but with a giant preview window, making it easier to go through the first story from each person without the need to open or click them. 

On Android, WhatsApp currently features a top bar for Communities, Chats, Updates, and Calls.

WhatsApp users who don’t follow Channels get a vertical list to scroll through all the stories. On the other hand, the users who follow Channels get a horizontally scrolling list with an Instagram-like circle indicator for stories – still, no previews. 

Now, the redesign will bring the tabs to the bottom and provide a horizontally scrolling list of stories with a large preview section, delivering a considerably better experience than the current layout. 

The new redesigned interface for WhatsApp stories isn’t live yet, and while we don’t have a concrete release date, the feature is likely to appear in the future version of the app.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• WhatsApp starts rolling out custom sticker maker for iOS users
• New WhatsApp beta feature lets you share music during video calls
• New WhatsApp beta points to more Instagram-inspired UI elements
• WhatsApp will finally let you pin messages in a chat

In the latest Xbox Wire blog post, the company reveals the new touch controls are available through the beta version of the mobile app. 

While Microsoft has previously dabbled in the realm of touch controls, it has yet to streamline it to all users. Only the Ultimate Tier subscribers can play a handful of games through touch controls.

A Xbox thumbstick recalibration tool is also coming

According to the blog post, after the new update rolls out, users of the Android, iOS, and Windows apps will have custom touch control support for more than 100 games through Remote Play.

In addition, there will be a basic touch control layout that supports most of the games.

That said, touch control for Remote Play was long overdue. While some may say it’s not the best way to play games, they are a good alternative if you want a quick session or don’t have your favorite controller close by.

Either way, Microsoft is also bringing multiple changes to Xbox hardware, like the new tool for calibrating your controller’s thumbstick, which sounds pretty useful.

Now, you won’t have to repair your controller for a minor issue like inconsistent response.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Get toasted with Microsoft’s new Xbox Series S toaster
• Sony replaces PlayStation 5 lineup with new slimmer, sexier PS5
• Nintendo Switch 2 leak points at a larger but inferior display
• MSI Claw launched: First gaming handheld with Intel Core Ultra chip

The new AI-powered features utilize advanced natural language processing to auto-summarize key points from long messages, recognize action items, schedule reminders, and prioritize notifications.

“These new AI capabilities empower our customers to access the collective knowledge within Slack so they can work smarter, move faster, and spend their time on things that spark real innovation and growth,”

Denise Dresser, Slack CEO

They allow users to quickly grasp the core content from conversations instead of having to read through extensive message histories.

AI – The time saver for Slack-ing off

According to Slack, early tests showed the features helped reduce time spent reading messages by an average of 20 percent.

The company claims this saves users nearly an hour each work week that can be reallocated to focus on more substantive work.

However, some privacy advocates have raised concerns about the increased reliance on AI, questioning how much access the systems have to users’ conversations and how secure the underlying data is.

Slack maintains it has implemented rigorous protections for customer data.

The rollout of the new capabilities aligns with Slack’s recent push into more advanced integrations of automation and AI amid heightened competition in the workplace collaboration software space from the likes of Microsoft, Facebook, and Google.

While promising more productivity, the technology does mean users give up a degree of data and privacy.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Apple’s shutdown of Beeper Mini might be investigated by FCC
• Mark Zuckerberg basically called the Apple Vision Pro….trash
• Leak reveals One UI 6.1 release window for older Galaxy devices
• Amazon Prime Video strips Dolby Vision and Atmos from the ad tier

Regrettably, the supposed ultimate solution was blocked by Apple and rendered ineffective.

However, in a twist of fate, an investigation has been called for to find the justification behind Apple’s recent crackdown. 

Apple closed down Beeper Mini in December 2023 due to security concerns; at least, that’s what Apple told the public. 

Either way, the standard Beeper service is still available, but it’s not as convenient as Beeper Mini, as it requires access to an iPhone or Mac to work. 

According to The Verge, FCC commissioner Brendan Carr has called upon the FCC to investigate Apple’s shutdown of Beeper Mini.

Why Apple should be investigated over the Beeper Mini issue

Carr has even made a post on X/Twitter regarding the matter, stating the following, 

Beeper bridged the ‘blue bubble – green bubble’ divide that Apple maintains as part of a broader set of walled garden practices that inhibit competition.

Apple’s wider set of exclusionary practices warrant scrutiny by antitrust and competition agencies, but the FCC should also examine this particular incident through the lens of our Part 14 rules on accessibility, usability, and compatibility.

More accurately, Carr’s concern is iMessage’s green bubble color is low in contrast. Hence, it makes reading difficult. In addition, he acknowledged the platform’s degrading photo and video quality for green bubble users.

I think the FCC should investigate Apple’s conduct with respect to Beeper Mini. Subsequently, Apple made changes to iMessage to disable the functionality of Beeper Mini.

Many of these issues would now be fixed with RCS support inside iMessage. The good news is that Apple plans to bring the messaging standard to iPhones in 2024 to work “alongside iMessage.”

And iOS has a robust set of system-wide accessibility options for those who need or want to use them.

The real issue is that Apple has long used exclusionary tactics to keep its market position, from App Store policies over payment to locking down devices so third-party apps can’t be installed.

Those policies are changing now, but it took concerted efforts from lawmakers around the globe. Android users being able to use iMessage is the next step.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Beeper Mini app triggers potential DOJ showdown with Apple
• WhatsApp will soon let you sync chat locks across all linked devices
• Max becomes the first to offer NBA All-Star Game in Dolby Vision
• Amazon Prime Video strips Dolby Vision and Atmos from the ad tier

You can now have a primary device and multiple secondary devices (Android, iOS, Web, Windows, and macOS) that sync the same messages. The app has also added passkey support.

Following that, now the team behind the app has been spotted working on a new chat lock feature that also syncs the lock across devices.

The folks at the WABetaInfo first spotted that the instant messaging platform is working on a chat lock feature that will be linked across all your devices. 

You have to wait a while for WhatsApp’s locked chat functionality

While Android and iOS users can already hide their chats behind the phone’s passcode, Face ID, fingerprint, or secret code, users on the Web, Windows, and macOS version do not have the same privilege. 

The chats on these devices remain open. So, a new locked chat functionality will be an excellent addition. 

The instant messaging platform is also working to sync the functionality on other devices, meaning if you lock the chat on one device, it will remain locked on the linked devices as well. 

However, the feature is currently under development, and WABetaInfo doesn’t say when it will be widely available to the general public. So, you may have to wait a while. 

In addition, WABetaInfo also reports WhatsApp is continuing its work on implementing username support. While it would also be an excellent addition, the outlet hasn’t revealed a release date. 

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• WhatsApp starts rolling out custom sticker maker for iOS users
• New WhatsApp beta feature lets you share music during video calls
• New WhatsApp beta points to more Instagram-inspired UI elements
• WhatsApp will finally let you pin messages in a chat

Runner Up	Editor's Choice	Popular Choice
Primary Rating: 4.5	Primary Rating: 4.8	Primary Rating: 4.3	Primary Rating: 4.0	Primary Rating: 4.0	Primary Rating: 4.0
NordPass	1Password	LogMeOnce	Sticky Password	IronVest (previously Blur)	Dashlane
Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Buy Now	Learn More	Learn More

Runner Up

Primary Rating:

4.5

NordPass

Check Price

Editor's Choice

Primary Rating:

4.8

1Password

Check Price

Popular Choice

Primary Rating:

4.3

LogMeOnce

Check Price

Primary Rating:

4.0

Sticky Password

Buy Now

Primary Rating:

4.0

IronVest (previously Blur)

Learn More

Primary Rating:

4.0

Dashlane

Learn More

As long as technology exists in the spaces it does, like the internet and the cloud, passwords will always be necessary.

We have been changing them up in recent years, like using fingerprints or facial recognition to get into some devices; otherwise, passwords remain largely the same for most programs or website accounts.

Trying to pick a password the website or service will accept is a task. Remembering what you chose is another problem entirely.

One site may require a certain amount of letters, numbers, and unique characters, while another asks for a mix of upper- and lower-case letters.

Having different passwords for different sites is a security best practice, but it’s useless if you can’t remember them. That is where password managers come in to save the day.

What are password managers?

As its name suggests, a password manager is a system that keeps track of all your passwords.

The manager is a program that stores the passwords and sometimes auto-fills them in when you’re logging into sites, thanks to browser extensions.

On the surface, a password manager may sound like a bad idea. If all your passwords are available in one spot, and a single password is all that stands between them and a hacker attaining access, there seems to be little point.

However, as long as you use a unique password for the manager itself, there’ll be no problems.

The manager will even help you discover new ways to make stronger passwords, providing additional layers of security rather than peeling them away.

Many managers encrypt themselves across various devices, so you can take the program anywhere.

How to create secure passwords

A manager can go a long way, but having a strong password on your accounts can be invaluable against malicious activity.

A secure password should ideally be longer than 12 characters and contain a mix of letters, numbers, symbols, and spaces.

It would be best if you also avoided password reset questions that ask for any personal information that might be easy to find on social media.

Two-factor authentication is among the most secure mobile authentications, which can also come in handy. Passwords could still get stolen or decrypted, so ensuring your login takes multiple steps can save your accounts.

E-mail or text verifications are common, fast, and easy. Using these with a password manager can give you extra security.

The best free password managers

Password managers aren’t difficult to come by, but what if you don’t have time to wade through them all and find the best one for you?

Allow us to step in and lend a hand. We’ve compiled a list of the best password managers available for you to try for free.

Dashlane

Dashlane comes with two-factor authentication and the power to change many passwords simultaneously.

The best thing about this manager is its simplicity and ease of use, allowing automation to change passwords immediately if a site gets hacked.

Dashlane is free but offers premium versions at either $5 or $10 monthly.

Premium offers web monitoring, secure VPN access, identity theft insurance, and credit monitoring.

Dashlane

4.0

Dashlane is a sleek and feature-packed password manager that offers a great balance of security and convenience. With a clean and user-friendly interface, it makes managing your password a breeze.

Learn More at Dashlane Best Current Offer

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1Password

1Password is a well-known, favorite manager with password generators and a watchtower service that notifies you of website breaches.

1Password can sync to Dropbox, iCloud, and other computers and is available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

There is a free 30-day trial and a premium version costing from $3 to $5 a month. Premium offers guest management and account recovery.

Editor's Choice

1Password

5.0

Starts at $2.99 a month

1Password offers a secure and user-friendly platform for managing passwords and sensitive information across devices. It emphasizes strong encryption and convenient features, like password generation and secure sharing.

What We Like:

• Enhanced Security: Strong encryption protects your data.
• User-Friendly: Easy navigation and setup.
• Cross-Platform: Available on various devices, ensuring seamless access.
• Time-Saving: Streamlines login processes, saving time and hassle.

Try 14 Days FREE Our Review

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Sticky Password

Sticky Password supports many browsers, including Pale Moon, Yandex, and SeaMonkey, as well as the more common ones.

This manager supports Face ID, fingerprint scans, and cloud encryption, all on a single secure platform.

The premium version is $30 a year or $150 for life, offering password sync, sharing, backups, and donations to save endangered manatees.

Sticky Password

4.0

Starts at $19.99 per year

Sticky Password Manager is a solid choice for a no-nonsense password manager. It's a great option for anyone who values simplicity and reliability over bells and whistles.

What We Like:

• Local and Cloud Storage Options: Offers flexibility in how you store and access your data, catering to different security preferences.
• Biometric Login: Supports fingerprint and facial recognition for quick and secure access to your vault, enhancing convenience without compromising security.
• Offline Access: Even without internet, access your stored information, ensuring you’re never locked out of your accounts.
• Excellent Autofill Feature: Streamlines your online activity by efficiently filling out forms and login details, saving you time and hassle.

Check Price See Current Offer

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IronVest (previously Blur)

IronVest (previously Blur) rounds out this list with password generation, tracker blocks, and the ability to mask your email address.

This manager also supports auto-fill, ad blockers, and data collection. The premium version ranges from $40 to $100 a year and offers masked credit card numbers, masked phone numbers, backup, and device sync.

IronVest (previously Blur)

4.0

Stars at $5.99 per month

IronVest password manager offers decentralized infrastructure, biometric authentication, and goes beyond traditional password management to protect accounts and secure personal information.

What We Like:

• Behavioral Biometrics: Recognize and respond to unauthorized access attempts, offering a unique layer of security.
• Comprehensive Monitoring: Keeps an eye on the dark web for your personal information, alerting you to potential breaches or misuse of your data.
• Real-Time Alerts: Offers prompt notifications about suspicious activities, enabling quick action to prevent potential fraud.
• Multi-Faceted Protection: Not just focused on one aspect of identity theft but offers a broad spectrum of tools to protect financial and personal information online.

Learn More at IronVest Try it FREE

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The best premium password managers (paid alternatives)

If you don’t mind paying a fee for a password manager, there are some strictly paid alternatives to the free options mentioned above.

NordPass

NordPass is one of the best password managers available. The program keeps all of your passwords safe and organized. It also helps you identify weak passwords and leaked data from breaches.

It works with all devices for easy use across your day-to-day life.

NordPass is available for $1.99 per month for a one-year plan or $1.49 per month for a two-year plan, so it won’t break the bank.

Editor's Pick

NordPass

4.5

Starts at $1.29

NordPass is our go-to choice for password management, it's sleek, user-friendly, and packs a punch when it comes to security.

What We Like:

• Zero-Knowledge Architecture: Ensures that your passwords and data are encrypted on your device before reaching their servers for ultimate privacy.
• User-Friendly Interface: Designed for ease of use, allowing quick access to stored passwords and personal information with minimal effort.
• Secure Password Sharing: Makes sharing passwords with family or colleagues safe and hassle-free, enhancing collaborative security practices.
• Data Breach Scanner: Regularly checks to see if your personal information has been exposed in a breach, offering proactive security measures.

See Current Offer

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LogMeOnce

LogMeOnce is another relatively inexpensive password manager.

It offers encrypted storing, emergency access, live password sharing, and more. Plus, there are separate business plans for users managing passwords across many people.

The company offers services starting at $2.50 per month. Plus, there’s a free tier that you can use to try the service out before you buy.

LogMeOnce

4.0

Starts at $2.50 per month

LogMeOnce presents a versatile password management solution, integrating security features like passwordless login options and a comprehensive dashboard for managing digital identities. It emphasizes convenience without sacrificing security. Save 10% with promo code: LOGMEONCE10

What We Like:

• Passwordless Access: Offers innovative login methods, including photo and fingerprint recognition, reducing the reliance on traditional passwords while enhancing security.
• Comprehensive Security Dashboard: Provides a detailed overview of your security posture with actionable insights to improve your online safety.
• Multiple Two-Factor Authentication Options: Enhances account security by supporting a variety of two-factor authentication methods, catering to different user preferences.
• Emergency Access: Allows you to designate trusted individuals who can request access to your account in case of emergency, adding an extra layer of preparedness.

Try It FREE

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Safety and Security

These days, password managers are automatically available on our devices or browsers, so there’s no excuse not to use them.

Apple products with iOS 11 or higher have them by default, and Chrome allows users access to one built into the browser.

Even the best free password managers can be a mixed bag if you don’t take proper safety measures to begin with. But they can offer a lot more security when used correctly.

If you’re on the fence, try one of these free password managers or one already on your device and see what all the fuss is about for yourself.

Do you use a password manager? Which one is your go-to? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to export LastPass data and switch password managers
• Here are the most used passwords in 2022
• Your browser’s spell checker is reportedly leaking passwords
• Chrome’s password manager now looks and works better

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

Now, the new Quick Share app is available with two notable improvements – the file size limit has been extended when sharing files through a QR code or sharing with contacts. The limit is now 5GB, up from 3GB. 

The biggest addition is the integrated support for Google’s Nearby Share. However, it appears the update doesn’t disable the existing Nearby Share integration for existing users, making it a bit broken right now.

Latest Quick Share update adds Nearby Share support and increases the upload limit 

At the CES 2024, Google announced its Nearby Share and Samsung’s Quick Share are merging under the “Quick Share” banner. 

However, it looks like Samsung is initiating the first step towards the merger with this update. 

Although Samsung was already ahead with the Galaxy S24 series, launched earlier this month. The new Galaxy handsets came preloaded with the updated Quick Share with the Nearby Share support. 

In order to make it work, you need to sign in with both your Samsung and Google accounts, and you also need to update the Quick Share agent, which is now rolling out through the Galaxy Store.

In terms of changes, Samsung’s file-sharing app isn’t limited to Galaxy devices anymore after the Nearby Share integration. It now supports content sharing with third-party Android devices. 

The upload limit has also been increased from 3GB to 5GB for single files when using a QR code or sharing with contacts. 

The prominent leaker, Mishaal Rahman, has pointed out on X/Twitter that the new update doesn’t disable the existing Nearby Share integration on One UI on older Galaxy devices as it has on the Galaxy S24 series. 

That said, some users have claimed that Nearby Share integration isn’t working on older Galaxy devices just yet, which leads us to believe that further updates are coming to complete the process.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Google Nearby Share now lets you send files directly to your PC
• Google Drive files are going missing for some desktop users
• Dropbox unveils features that shares your data with OpenAI
• Samsung’s In&Out Flip concept reimagines its flip phones

However, by December 2023, only WhatsApp users on the Android platform got to experience it. And now, according to the latest report, Meta is finally bringing Passkey support to WhatsApp on iPhone.

According to a recent report by WABetaInfo, Meta has added a new comprehensive menu to the latest version of beta for iPhone released to help set up passkey.

However, the feature is not yet enabled, but according to the outlet, it will soon become available to the beta users.

WhatsApp’s iOS app will soon support passkey

FIDO Alliance developed the Passkey technology in collaboration with companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft. 

It eliminates the need for traditional passwords, enabling users to use more secure authentication methods with the likes of facial recognition or biometrics.

However, Apple is not new to the Passkey technology. In fact, iOS 16 enabled users to develop and save passkeys using Safari and iCloud Keychain.

Apple event even further with iOS 17, expanding the functionality to the third-party applications. And on Apple devices, passkeys can be integrated with Face ID or Touch ID.

Meta is also doing more stuff to make its popular instant messaging platform more secure, like adding email verification support. The company is even working to make the app compatible with the iPadOS. 

Nevertheless, the reports state that iPhone beta users will soon get their hands on the feature. We hope Meta opts for a wider release of the feature sooner rather than later. 

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• WhatsApp starts rolling out custom sticker maker for iOS users
• New WhatsApp beta feature lets you share music during video calls
• New WhatsApp beta points to more Instagram-inspired UI elements
• WhatsApp will finally let you pin messages in a chat