Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, is continuously rolling out new features to enhance the user experience on its messaging platform. One of the recent additions spotted in testing is a WhatsApp feature that allows users to transform any image into a sticker, adding another layer of personalization to chats. While this feature offers users more creative freedom, it also raises concerns about privacy. In response to these concerns, Meta seems to be addressing potential privacy issues with a new feature focused on avatars. According to reports from WABetaInfo, the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.6.8 includes settings that give users control over who can use their avatar in stickers. Users will have the option to allow their contacts or selected contacts to use their avatar in stickers, or they can opt to prevent all users from using it in stickers altogether. This level of control empowers users to manage how their personal images are utilized within the app, offering greater privacy and security.
What Is Qi2 Wireless Charging?
22.02.2024 - 18:28 / howtogeek.com / Tim Brookes
Wireless charging has always been convenient, but it was typically slower than wired charging methods. Good news! With the Qi2 wireless charging standard, things are faster and more convenient.
Qi2 is a Modern Wireless Charging Standard
Qi2 is an open wireless charging protocol that has been standardized by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). The original Qi standard was established in 2008 (along with the WPC itself), and in November 2023 the newer Qi2 standard was officially launched.
There have been smaller updates to the original Qi charging standard, but Qi2 makes some big changes. The standard supports up to 15w of power at launch, three times more than the original standard (5w) and double what Apple’s MagSafe wireless charging launched with (7.5w).
Based on Apple’s MagSafe charging technology, Qi2 is characterized by what the WPC calls a Magnetic Power Profile (MPP). New Qi2 chargers feature magnets for quick alignment on a charger. Products that include magnets will be branded with the Qi2 logo.
Qi2 maintains backward compatibility with Qi devices. Even if your older wirelessly charging device can’t make use of higher power outputs or magnetic alignment, it will still be able to charge wirelessly using a Qi2-certified charger. The original Qi logo will still be used since a revision to the standard (confusingly known as Qi v2.0) allows these devices to draw more power.
Qi is pronounced “chee” and is derived from the Chinese word that means “vapor” or “air” but is more commonly translated as “vital energy” or “vital force.”
Charging Is Easier and Faster (and Getting Even Better)
Taking a leaf out of Apple’s book, Qi2 relies on magnets to solve one of the biggest annoyances with wireless chargers: alignment. It’s no fun fishing around on a wireless charging pad to find the “sweet spot” where your phone reports that it is finally charging. It’s even less fun to return to the charger 30 minutes later to realize things weren’t lined up correctly.
These magnets are used to align charging coils on the charger and within the device itself, which means power transfer is efficient and predictable. If you’ve used a MagSafe charger on an iPhone, you're already familiar with the fundamentals of Qi2. The WPC's new standard brings the technology to more than just Apple devices since the standard is open.
Qi2 launches with up to 15w of wireless charging, though this is just the starting point. The WPC hopes to improve the standard and increase total power output in the future. According to an interview the WPC gave to Android Authority in early 2023, charging speeds that exceed 15w aren’t expected until at least mid-2024.
Just like existing MagSafe chargers, Qi2 works with pass-through cases that
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Vivo V30 specs and price leaked ahead of launch! Know what the smartphone has in store
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New iPad Pro, MacBook Air to launch soon but no Apple event, says Mark Gurman; Know what’s coming
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