Google has announced a new online storage subscription plan called Google One, which will replace the existing Drive storage program.



The new name makes more sense as the Google storage isn’t just limited to Drive, it’s also used to save data from other products. Google One subscribers can buy additional online space in the cloud to store photos, emails, and other files across Google’s various platforms.

Google One is basically an upgrade to Drive’s paid plans, so the fundamentals of the service remain unchanged, but there are a few changes plan along with a new logo.

Similar to the Drive we use, users of Google One will be getting 15GB of free storage. But there will be additional perks for paid users.

• Plans will start at $1.99 per month for 100GB
• A new 200GB plan at $2.99 per month
• The existing 1GB plan at $9.99 per month will be upgraded to 2TB, free of cost

All other existing plans besides the ones mentioned above will remain the same. For users who want to use Google One without paying at all, there is an option of using Drive’s basic 15GB free space.

Also, a much-requested option to share access to cloud storage with family members has been added. Google will allow up to 5 accounts to access one plan and each account will be entitled to a private section of storage only they can use.

Other facilities include one-tap access to experts to seek help for Google’s consumer products and services. Users will also gain access to extras like Google Play credits and deals on select hotel bookings found in Search.

The new upgrade will be rolling out to users in the U.S. over the next few months followed by a global release later on. Users who are already using the paid storage services will receive the upgrades first, and you can expect an email soon which will confirm the new changes.

If you suspect you may be spending a little too much time using Instagram, you may soon be able to check out the total time you’ve spent using the app.

computer science student Jane Manchun Wong spotted the feature. 

Instagram is testing "Usage Insights" to show the amount of time users have spent on the app

Be self-aware or be prepared to be ashamed for Instagram addiction pic.twitter.com/WzyRGWIOgZ

— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) May 15, 2018

• Instagram is testing “Usage Insights” to show the amount of time users have spent on the app.
• Be self-aware or be prepared to be ashamed for Instagram addiction.

She noted that the feature appears in a sidebar, which is itself new.

If her name sounds familiar, it’s because Wong is the same person who spotted code for end-to-end encryption in Twitter DMs, and Bitmoji-style avatars in the Facebook app.

App addiction is something that is being taken increasingly seriously at present. ‘Father of the iPod’ Tony Fadell recently made the argument for the digital equivalent of nutritional advice, and Bloomberg suggested that Apple is working on a Digital Health tool to show parents how much time their kids spent staring at the screen.

There are existing third-party apps that aim to measure your phone usage time, among them Moment and Circle.

Cryptocurrencies have had a rough week: the value of bitcoin plunged to a mere 50 percent of its 2017 peak, and other currencies, such as Ethereum, Ripple, and Litecoin have seen double-digit losses compared to their heights from last year. Tuesday also witnessed the collapse of BitConnect, an anonymously operated crypto exchange that had been repeatedly accused of running a Ponzi scheme via its proprietary BCC currency.

Taken together, these events may simply act as another reminder of the “volatility” of the cryptocurrency market, which saw bitcoin rise to a peak of $19,783 on December 17th. Bitcoin has gone through multiple crashes before: in spring 2011, in November 2013, and in January 2017. However, this current bubble comes against a new backdrop: a global tide of regulation against the inchoate cryptocurrency industry. On one hand, these regulations may be scaring bitcoin investors into selling their coins now before the full impact of regulation makes itself felt. On the other, it may also be threatening suspect exchanges such as BitConnect, with its own token declining in value by 46 percent between December 17th and January 15th — the day before it announced its closure.

THE VALUE OF BITCOIN PLUNGED TO A MERE 50 PERCENT OF ITS 2017 PEAK

In the United States, regulation has reared its head in the form of the SEC. Last month, its newly formed Cyber Unit pressed charges for the first time against PlexCorps, which was accused of defrauding investors through a questionable initial coin offering, or ICO. Almost a week later, SEC chairman Jay Clayton issued a warning on cryptocurrencies to investors, hinting that the commission would begin monitoring the market more closely for any potential violations of securities laws. The US isn’t the only nation taking a harder line on cryptocurrencies, either: the Chinese government tightened its ban on crypto trading this week, and the South Korean government is planning on implementing a similar ban itself.

This global movement toward harsher regulation has been cited as a major cause of the exodus of value that has gripped cryptocurrencies in the past week. It would also potentially account for BitConnect’s collapse, which came after multiple cease and desist letters from securities watchdogs in Texas and North Carolina.

A historic lack of regulation likely contributed to the current bitcoin bubble by facilitating market manipulation and duplicitous trading practices. Even as bitcoin became a household name in 2017, such practices remained common. In November, a Business Insider investigation discovered that “pump and dump” scams — where investor groups artificially inflate cryptocurrency values by orchestrating mass purchases of coins — were “rife” on the US exchange Bittrex. Similarly, Bitfinex, the biggest exchange by daily volume, acknowledged market manipulation on its platform in August, when it revealed that it had detected several accounts engaging in “large-scale manipulation tactics” relating to the Bitcoin Cash currency.

SUCH MANIPULATIVE ACTIVITY COULD BE THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG

Such manipulative activity could be the tip of the iceberg, given that certain critics have even accused Bitfinex of creating Tether, a cryptocurrency pegged to the US dollar, in order to buy bitcoins and artificially inflate the latter’s value. What’s clear is that such disreputable methods as “pump and dump” and “spoofing” are possible because exchanges like Bitfinex are unregulated. In any regulated market, the action of traders such as the infamous “Spoofy” would be illegal. Yet, without the active oversight of the SEC or FINRA, they can be carried in the cryptocurrency market with impunity.

Because market manipulation has helped push cryptocurrencies to dizzy, grossly inflated heights, the recent falls in value have been similarly spectacular. But unlike with previous drops, the newly emerging drive to regulate the cryptocurrency market could hobble a recovery. Assuming that the likes of the SEC and FINRA begin clamping down on fraudulent trading practices, and assuming that these practices were vital to Bitcoin’s precipitous rise, then Bitcoin may very well struggle to climb as quickly in 2018 as it did in 2017. Not only will the parties responsible for manipulative trading be inclined to sell their ill-gotten gains and run, but an increasing number of people will fully realize that the cryptocurrency market is a hive of dubious activity. That said, if greater regulation tamps down disreputable practices and brings the cryptocurrency into the regulatory mainstream, the longer-term trend may only be upward.

Apple’s power management feature that slowed down iPhones with older batteries has thrown the company into one of the biggest traumas it ever experienced, with consumers, organizations, and governments alike sending it to court for what was often described as planned obsolescence.

And now it looks like Apple’s criticized practice is dragging down others as well, with the Italian government launching a probe that also involves Samsung.

Italy’s anti-trust body announced it’s looking into possible planned obsolescence on devices manufactured by the two companies, as they said that customers weren’t informed of the performance impact some software updates implemented. This way, customers were forced to purchase new-generation models when a simple battery replacement would have addressed the performance issue.

“As a result of consumer reports and pre-trial activity carried out by the Authority, the Authority decided to initiate two separate proceedings for unfair commercial practices against the companies of the Samsung group and the Apple group operating in Italy,” a Google Translate version of the official announcement reads.

Samsung: We’re not slowing down our phones
No specifics were offered as to why Samsung itself has been involved in the lawsuit, but if found guilty, both companies could be fined millions of dollars for violating articles 20, 21, 22 and 24 of the Italian Consumer Code.

Oddly enough, Samsung previously said that it’s not slowing down devices, as it employs different methods to manage battery degradation without reducing performance.

“Product quality has been and will always be Samsung Mobile's top priority. We ensure the extended battery life of Samsung mobile devices through multi-layer safety measures, which include software algorithms that govern the battery charging current and charging duration. We do not reduce CPU performance through software updates over the lifecycles of the phone,” the firm said.

The Italian watchdog says it has already carried out “inspections” at the offices of the two companies and more information will be released publicly soon.

Here are the Best Windows 10 desktop PCs to buy

Note: The list is a compilation of the best PCs in their price range. We are covering PC’s which are the best buy for their configuration, though we are considering other factors too. The list could rather be translated into “best Desktop computers for common men.”




Dell Inspiron 24 3000


The Inspiron is the biggest multitasker of all. One of the most widely-bought desktops, it has a 6th generation Intel Core 2.3 GHz i3 processor, and a 24-inch wide-viewing screen. It has up to 1000 GB SATA hard drive and a resolution of 1920×1080 for its interface of the applications. It has 2 USB 3.0, ports and 2 USB 2.0 ports. It obviously has a 4-in-1 card reader, along with HDMI, Bluetooth 4.0 and a very easy set-up. You could buy this desktop from Amazon here.




Acer Aspire


This PC has pre-installed Windows 10 along with an Intel Core i3-7100 processor, 8 GB memory, and SATA3 Hard drive. It is a total performance piece and is as efficient for media edits, as it is for gaming. The 7th generation processor is obviously the biggest takeaway from the PC, as it gives it an almost futuristic response system. This has also been greatly recommended as a gamer’s machine and might prove to be the toughest competition for the biggest names out there.

ASUS Zen Z240 23.8″ Touch Desktop


The sleekest desktops there is, Asus Zen is impeccably designed and is just as user-friendly and efficient. It has almost Mac-like responses and a SkyLake Core i7 processor along with 16GB of RAM. It has tremendous storage potential, and the 3840×2160 resolution on its 23-inch touchscreen might alone sell it to whoever is in the market for a desktop in 2018. From binge-watching to gaming to Photoshop, this system is an ideal match for everything, as it makes everything easier with its screen and interface. It has been called to be a little too pricey, but trust us when we say it’s worth it. You could buy this desktop from Amazon here.

HP Pavilion 550



It has an Intel Core i3-4170 processor. The best thing about Pavilion is, of course, its audio. The best desktop for media and gaming purposes, this model has impeccable surround sound and makes speeding games a real joy. It also has HDMI and 16GB expandable memory and the works, and if you’re looking for a home PC, this could be the one. You could buy this desktop from Amazon here. 




HP Pavilion 24


This PC is also pretty big on multitasking. From great audio to impeccable touchscreen and a 7th generation processor, you can’t go wrong with this. It also has the best wireless provisions and was one of the best-reviewed desktops of last year. It has 8GB SDRAM and a media reader. It also has a pretty sleek and sharp design and is a hit with the millennial crowd. But experts have unanimously agreed that this desktop has the best audio and enhances media and gaming experiences like never before. Go for this model, if you’re buying a PC for binge watch sessions or even gaming. You could buy this desktop from Amazon here.



Acer Aspire ATC-780-UR61


Possibly the most economical PC, Aspire is a great buy considering its provisions and interface. It has a 2.7GHz Intel Core processor and a 1TB hard drive. With pre-installed Windows 10, good audio, HDMI, Bluetooth, this PC is a hit with students, as it is so thrifty and yet does not compromise on quality. This PC is also impressively efficient in media editing, photoshop, graphic manipulations and of course gaming. You could buy this desktop from Amazon here.








HP 20 Snow White


One of the most budget-friendly options in the market today. It has a weaker processor and yet has one of the best audio and interface. It has 4GB memory and a 19.5-inch screen. The PC has a resolution of 1,600 x 900 resolution, which is great considering what it costs. User has actually been partial to this model as it has great audio and graphics and makes for the best media-enabled system. You could buy this desktop from Amazon here.




Acer Aspire AIO

One of the best home PC options, Acer Aspire AIO, has a 23.8-inch screen and also has provisions for the graphics card, and yet it really doesn’t need one. This desktop also does not have a 6th or 7th generation processor and yet, does not really affect its performance. It’s also priced just right and is very sleek. It has great connectivity and is possibly the most dependable and responsive desktop of 2018. The media provisions too make it a great performance model. You could buy this desktop from Amazon here.




ASUS V221IDUK-BA166T


This desktop has a 1.5GHz Intel Intel Pentium J4205 Processor processor and a 4GB RAM. The 21.5-inch screen is a great win for this PC as it is very reasonably priced. It has the non-glare screen and has Bluetooth, HDMI, and a resolution of 1920×1080. If you’re looking for a good investment, at a lower budget, look no further, as this desktop is amazingly equipped and has everything you need for a home or work PC. From connectivity to editing, to storage, this ASUS model is an all-rounder.





Lenovo – Pentium Quad Core/2 GB DDR3/500 GB

A lot of users do not trust Lenovo, but you need to check out this Lenovo model at least once, as this is a total multitasker. From a 19.5 inch display to its futuristic design, this model has attracted the attention of many people. The desktop weighs like a laptop and is fiercely designed. It has a DVD writer and a resolution of 1366 x 768, which is astounding at these rates.
The Dell Inspiron 24 3000 and the Acer Aspire remain the best options for a desktop Windows 10 PC. They might be on the pricier side but are completely worth the investment. For gamers though, the HP 20 Snow White or the Acer Aspire AIO might be the best buys.

 

 

Doubles the power of Samsung’s previous 20nm 8GB GDDR5 memory

Samsung has started producing 16-gigabit (GB) Graphics Double Data Rate 6 (GDDR6) memory, amimed accelerating graphics processing for use in artificial intelligence and network workloads, and in automotive systems.

The South Korean technology company cites the 16GB GGRD6 as an "industry first", promising a set-up in performance over the GDDR5 meomery found in both business and consumer grade graphics cards and graphics accelerator chipsets.

The GDDR6 memory makes use of built on Samsung’s advanced 10nm class fabrication process techology, and could help accelerate artificial intelligence training, which relies of GPU parallel processing, thanks to its “advanced graphics processing”.

“By introducing next-generation GDDR6 products, we will strengthen our presence in the gaming and graphics card markets and accommodate the growing need for advanced graphics memory in automotive and network systems,” Samsung Electronics’ senior vice president of Memory Product Planning and Application Engineering, Jinman Han, said.

Also read-OnePlus 6 is confirmed, and these six things will change the flagship game forever in 2018

“With all of its improvements in density, performance and energy efficiency, the 16GB GDDR6 will be widely used in rapidly growing fields such as 8K Ultra HD video processing, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence,” the firm added.

What is likely to help accelerate future AI-driven devices is that the fresh GDDR6 memory also comes in a 16GB density, which doubles the power of Samsung’s previous 20nm 8GB GDDR5 memory. This means it will perform at an 18Gbps pin speed with data transfers of 72GBps, double the performance of the 8Gb GDDR5 chip that has a 8Gbps pin speed.

Also, because of its 10nm-class design, the 16GB GDDR6 version is also touted to bring a 30% increase in manufacturing productivity over the 20nm 8GB GDDR5 chip. And it could be that the likes of Nvidia put it to use in its Tesla and high-end graphics cards aimed at developers.

It’s not been revealed when Samsung will be releasing this chip to the wider market, but it did announce the new memory will be making its presense felt in the premium memory market within next several years. This is due to the time it can take for fresh developments to trickle down in the mainstream markets.

Also read-Best camera smartphones under Rs 15,000

© Vivo India via Twitter Vivo in-display fingerprint sensor at the CES 2018.


© OnePlus Forum OnePlus 5
© OnePlus OnePlus 3T as seen on OnePlus website