Google hit with 250-mn-euro French fine in news copyright fight

After months of anticipation, Google has finally upgraded the Find My Device network for Android enabling users to locate other Bluetooth-enabled nearby devices. However, the feature is a greater boost for Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro users as they will be able to locate their devices even when they are entirely switched off or when the battery runs out. However, the feature utilizes the power of specialized hardware which is found in only Pixel 8 smartphones, as of now. Know more about the Find My Device network for Pixel 8 phones.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 achieved its highest Steam player count since the launch of Season 1 in December 2023. When compared to 2022's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 appears to be retaining more players and experiencing a higher level of growth over time.

Last year, I boarded the Google One train when my sister's 15GB storage tanked. Initially, I opted for the 100GB "Basic" plan, confident that it would provide me with ample benefits. But that didn't last long, and I realized that for a service called "Google One" it's sorely lacking in its inclusiveness.

Final Fantasy 7's lead characters have been turned into action figures of all descriptions, most of them selling out quickly without much controversy surrounding them. Cloud, Tifa, and Aertih's Bring Arts figures were the exception. The collectibles caused a stir when they went on sale in 2022 due to the NFT versions of the figures that came with their Digital Plus editions. Square Enix is now selling the Cloud and Tifa options again following Rebirth's release but has made the wise decision to do so without including any NFTs.

Apple might finally be on the verge of bringing Rich Communication Services (RCS) to iPhones, according to a teaser by Google. The iPhone maker has long withstood pressure from Google as well as tech regulators to adopt RCS as the standard for messaging which provides a better interoperability experience, but with its iMessage booming, it did not give in. That was until last year when Apple made a shocking announcement that it was finally bringing RCS support to iPhones via a software update in 2024. While the exact timeline wasn't revealed, Google's new teaser hints at this capability coming soon.

Silent Hill 2 has been rated by the ESRB.

Google's Podcasts app, boasting over 500 million downloads globally, is set to cease operations for users in the United States on April 2. Despite its large user base, only a small fraction of U.S. podcast listeners, around 4%, utilize the platform. This imminent shutdown has prompted concerns among users who now need to transfer their podcast subscription data to alternative services. However, this migration process can be complex and may expose users to potential security risks such as scams and credential theft.

A talented Pokemon fan has devised a few fictitious ads for Kool-Aid starring popular monsters from the Pokemon franchise. The fan came up with four flavors of Pokemon-inspired Kool-Aid based on creatures such as Tentacruel, Pikachu, Blastoise, and Chansey.

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Apple and other tech giants face another legal fight — this time from the European Commission, which is now investigating the iPhone maker's alleged non-compliance with EU rules.

In a recent alert from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Earth experienced a severe G4 geomagnetic storm on Sunday, indicating potential disruptions to radio communications. The NOAA emphasised that while the storm may fluctuate in intensity, ranging from lower levels to severe conditions, there's no need for panic among the public. However, staying informed about the storm's progression via NOAA's webpage is encouraged.

Big Tech is facing its biggest challenge in decades as antitrust regulators on both sides of the Atlantic crack down on alleged anti-competitive practices that could result in break-up orders to Apple and Alphabet's Google, a first for the industry.