They mistake the sheer stupidity (via The Guardian) of the former President for cleverness, and they laud tech billionaire and Mega-Chad Elon Musk as some sort of Reverse Flash version of Steve Jobs or Charles Babbage.

After the success of Paypal and Tesla, the media propped Elon Musk up, even though he had nothing to little to do with the development of those products.

Sure, he helped design the Roadster (and fired one into space), but that’s not an everyday occurrence.

But being the public face of a successful company has its benefits. The main one is the perception of “good” leadership.

Business 101

But there’s a lot more to running a successful business than the appearance of leadership, as Elon Musk has found out with Twitter.

Or has he? It’s very possible that we mistake his intent to create a platform where he can prance around as a tiny king for wanting to better Twitter and turn it profitable.

Musk applied his only useful skill to Twitter the moment he was forced to purchase it: laying off staff.

And that right there is a massive failure of Business 101.

Not only firing support staff that kept the machine running but assuming that one person could be the funnel for all technical and practical decision-making.

If anything, Musk’s singular leadership of Twitter has proven that despite the successes of previous ventures, he had little to do with it.

He bought the public square because no one was listening to him, turned it into a public bathroom with no walls, and the only creatures who are enjoying it are the ones who squeee at the prospect of rolling in their own shit.

And sure, this might all be wildly inaccurate conjecture. Musk could be a low-key genius with a grand plan that is at the beginning stages of fruition, but if that’s true, he’s hiding it well.

No one is doubting his chaotic level of creativity and marketing brilliance, but it’s his business sense that needs a lot of work.

Elon Musk takes the ball, goes home

Just because one is a billionaire and makes the right investments, does not a good businessman make.

Rebranding a household name after nearly two decades? Doable, but unnecessary, especially considering how connected the world is to the bird. Elon Musk did that.

And replacing it with something as uninspired as a distressed X? That’s like when Arthur Andersen spent millions on an orange ball (via Bloomberg) while cooking the books for Enron on the side.

Putting up a giant, seizure-inducing sign in the middle of the night? Even small business owners know better. Elon Musk did that too.

Hiring a CEO then constantly undermining her marketing-speak with irrational, spur-of-the-moment decisions and directives? Bad business. Elon, again.

Constantly eroding the fundamental functionalities of the platform, even to the point of pissing off and mocking one’s own hardcore fanbois? Bad business for anyone else but Elon Musk.

Hype machinery

At one time, the Elon Musk hype seemed real. He was looking better than mecha-Mark. Perhaps he was a tech billionaire who was going to change things for the better.

SpaceX and the Boring Company were going to change everything. But SpaceX has become a repository of explosions, and the Boring Company has become a cascade of ghost tunnels and failures (via WSJ). And Tesla cars keep crashing by themselves.

The good news for Musk is that he can absolve himself of any of that because we know damn well he wasn’t building cars, tunnels, or rockets. But as it pertains to business, it shows a track record of a lack of due diligence, trust, and unpredictable progress.

If nothing else, Musk at least gives a substantial amount of money to charities. Oh, our mistake. His own charity.

And perhaps that’s the silver lining here. No matter how shitty he appears to be at running a social media company, there’s still plenty of cash laying around to give to children’s hospitals and other altruistic ventures.

We have this weird expectation of billionaires that just because they have this volume of net worth, that equates to an equal amount of natural business sense and innovation.

It’s just not true. How many times have tech billionaires sat in front of Congress to explain themselves (to an uneducated and ignorant bunch of fuddy duddies, mind you)?

There’s a sadness to it all, in that we believe billionaires are somehow better than us at everything and that they believe it too.

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

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Elon Musk’s new regime reinstates Kanye West’s Twitter account
• Will Elon Musk’s new company xAI be ChatGPT’s top rival?
• How to keep your teen safe from dangerous social media challenges
• WhatsApp will finally let you send images in HD

The post Is Elon Musk actually good at business? appeared first on KnowTechie.

And who do we have to thank for this? None other than billionaire boy-man wonder Elon Musk, who, after buying Twitter for $44 billion, decided to turn X into a cash cow, milking us for all we’re worth.

Starting Wednesday, if you want to keep using X Pro, you’re going to have to cough up $84 a year for the privilege. But don’t worry; they’re throwing in some “perks” to sweeten the deal.

Here’s what you get with an X Premium membership: a verified blue checkmark on your account, priority in replies and searches, access to longer posts, and fewer ads. Wow, sign me up.

Let’s not forget, though, the comedy of errors that was the launch of X Premium, formerly known as Twitter Blue. It was pulled almost immediately after launch due to a flood of users impersonating celebs and popular brands.

In the meantime, Musk has been playing puppet master, cutting jobs and introducing new features and policy changes faster than you can say, “What happened to Twitter?”

And then there’s the rebranding, which saw Twitter’s iconic bird logo replaced with… well, X.

It’s a sad day when a platform we’ve grown to love (or at least tolerate) decides to bleed us dry in the name of ‘progress.’ And for what? A few extra bells and whistles? A blue checkmark? It’s as if we’re paying for the privilege of being nickel-and-dimed.

In the grand scheme of things, it’s just plain dumb, and frankly, I’m not here for it.

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

Editors’ Recommendations:

• X, formely Twitter, is planning to introduce a video-calling feature
• Twitter now lets paying Blue subscribers hide their shame
• Twitter X CEO changes username; trolls immediately snag it
• Elon Musk’s new regime reinstates Kanye West’s Twitter account

The post Tweetdeck is now pay-to-play appeared first on KnowTechie.

Not only that, YouTube has also added new features to YouTube Shorts, similar to TikTok and Instagram, and hiked the prices of YouTube Premium plans. 

But YouTube is not stopping there. Latest reports suggest the company is testing a new anti-adblocking feature that will disable video playback, forcing you to either disable your ad blocker or sign up for YouTube Premium.

YouTube always wins?

According to Search Engine Land, YouTube is currently testing a new feature, an anti-adblocking popup, and the popup works as the name suggests. It warns users that ad blockers aren’t allowed on YouTube. And the message also comes with three bullet points.

The first bullet point notes the video playback is blocked. The second and the third bullet point remind the users that ads allow YouTube to be free, and you have the option to go ad-free with YouTube Premium, asking you to sign up for it. 

So, whichever you choose, YouTube wins!

In addition to these warnings, the popup also features a timer. A 30-60 second timer or a countdown clock at the top right corner shows how long the users have to act before the next ad plays.

However, YouTube has provided two additional options at the bottom of the window to eliminate the popup. So, you have to either allow ads on or sign up for YouTube Premium.

Currently, YouTube is only testing this feature globally within chosen groups. If you are unlucky enough to be a part of those random groups, you won’t be able to watch videos unless you allow ads or signup up as a premium member.

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

Editors’ Recommendations:

• YouTube silently introduces new Stable Volume feature 
• YouTube is introducing a new ad format that everyone will hate
• YouTube’s NFL Sunday Ticket pricing: touchdown or fumble?
• YouTube Premium just added 5 new features – here’s what’s new

The post YouTube may soon start blocking adblockers with a timed warning appeared first on KnowTechie.

Quick Answer: Fast charging is generally safe for your battery when used with compatible devices and chargers. However, it may have a slight impact on battery health over time.

Fast charging tech for smartphones is insanely useful. I mean, who doesn’t want to be able to charge 50 percent of their battery in minutes? With speeds ever-increasing, you might have some questions about how a fast charger affects your battery health.

I mean, OnePlus has phones that come with a 150W charger. That’s full battery life in less than 15 minutes, and the company is working on an even faster 240W charger.

The Lithium-ion batteries in your smartphones are getting better all the time. Unlike NiCad, it’s not electrons that move between the positive and negative electrodes but ions.

In theory, this could work forever, but real-world usage means they start to degrade. The biggest killer? Heat.

So what do manufacturers do to mitigate fast charging issues?

Popular YouTuber MKBHD noticed that every video about advances in charging tech has the comments section littered with “I don’t want that on my phone, that’s definitely going to overheat,” to “good luck plugging that in for more than five minutes before it explodes.”

He decided to find out if that’s actually true, and it’s pretty cool what he discovered.

The first thing he found is that the rated speed of any charger typically only hits that speed for the first few minutes after plugging in.

A 65W charger goes at full for maybe 20 minutes before it drastically drops the power and trickle charges. That keeps the heat down, helping with battery longevity.

The other thing is that lithium-ion batteries don’t like being at 100 percent or 0 percent charge. They’re happier in the middle, which is why battery health algorithms stop the charge once they get to 80 percent.

He also found that there’s an industry standard for what actually counts as “ruining your battery.” That’s a target of 80 percent battery health after 800 charges. If you charge once a day, that’s over two years before your battery degrades below this point.

The biggest thing to take away from MKBHD’s video is that speedy charging doesn’t have to destroy your battery. They’re a convenient way to keep your battery topped up. The best thing to do is to keep using your phones as normal and try not to let them get hot.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Is iOS 15.4 draining your iPhone’s battery? You’re not alone
• Are Apple’s AirTags draining the battery life of nearby devices?
• The Galaxy S22 Ultra’s battery life drags behind the S21 Ultra and iPhone 13 Pro Max
• 10 tips to improve your iPhone’s battery life

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 post Is fast charging actually bad for your battery? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Zuckerberg took to his new social media platform, Threads, to share his thoughts. He wrote,

“I think we can all agree Elon isn’t serious and it’s time to move on,” adding a subtle challenge, “If Elon ever gets serious about a real date and official event, he knows how to reach me.”

This message seems to have put a period on a summer filled with suspense and unusual tension between these two tech giants. It all started less than two months ago when Musk, in a whimsical mood, suggested he was “up for a cage match.”

This was after he called Zuckerberg a “cuck, and for some reason, proposed a contest where the two would measure their penis size? That was Musk’s idea, at least.

Interestingly, this statement came just before Instagram, a Meta subsidiary, launched Threads, putting it in direct competition with Musk’s Twitter, now rebranded as “X.”

Whether Musk’s initial proposal was serious or not, intermediaries between the two magnates started outlining the details of a potential match.

Both Musk and Zuckerberg added fuel to the fire (but mainly Musk himself). Zuckerberg shared images of himself training shirtless, while Musk hinted on X that Italy could be the venue for the event.

Eventually, Musk abruptly announced that he was injured and needed surgery, which would require several months of recovery before he could resume fighting.

The amusing part is that Musk proposed going to Zuckerberg’s house and asked the CEO if they could have a practice bout there, away from the public eye.

Musk talks a big game, but it’s quite clear that he doesn’t follow through with his actions.

So, with Zuckerberg’s recent post, it seems the idea of this high-profile cage match may have been shelved, at least for now. If Musk actually grows a pair, that could change.

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

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Elon Musk’s new regime reinstates Kanye West’s Twitter account
• Will Elon Musk’s new company xAI be ChatGPT’s top rival?
• Musk calls Zuckerberg a “cuck” and then asks to compare penises
• Elon Musk’s investment in Twitter is almost entirely gone

The post Zuckerberg says “it’s time to move on” after Musk pulls a coward card appeared first on KnowTechie.

The announcement was made by X’s CEO, Linda Yaccarino, during a recent interview with CNBC. “Imagine being able to video chat without having to disclose your phone number to anyone on the platform,” Yaccarino shared with CNBC’s Sara Eisen.

This move is just another twist in the saga that began when Elon Musk bought the platform for a cool $44 billion last October.

Since then, it’s been a roller coaster ride, with Yaccarino at the helm, trying to steer the platform toward Musk’s vision of an “everything app.”

Yaccarino, who was brought on board in June, has been tasked not only with steadying the platform but also with spearheading its transformation into an “everything app,” a vision Musk has long championed.

The name change kicked off last month when Twitter officially rebranded to X.

Yaccarino described the rebranding as “a liberation from Twitter,” allowing the company to break free from legacy thinking and reimagine the platform’s potential.

She envisions X changing how we gather, entertain, and transact, all within a single platform. The introduction of video calls is just the tip of the iceberg.

Video calls are just the start, with future plans including peer-to-peer payments, content monetization, and possibly even online shopping and banking.

But not everyone is thrilled about this brave new world. Privacy advocates are already raising red flags about the potential risks of a single platform holding so much user data. Despite the naysayers, Yaccarino remains optimistic. I mean, she has to, she’s the CEO.

So, will X mark the spot for global success, or will it be a case of biting off more than it can chew? For now, sit back, grab some popcorn, and enjoy the show.

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

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Twitter now lets paying Blue subscribers hide their shame
• Elon Musk’s new regime reinstates Kanye West’s Twitter account
• Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey gets ‘Zucked
• Meta’s new Twitter clone, Threads, is now out in the wild

The post X, formely Twitter, is planning to introduce a video-calling feature appeared first on KnowTechie.

Quick Answer: No, Instagram does not notify others if their story was received a screenshot. Actually, you can screenshot Instagram posts and Reels without worrying about the other user being notified. When you screenshot a disappearing photo or video in DMs, Instagram will notify them.

If you’ve ever taken a screenshot of an Instagram Story, you’ve undoubtedly felt a little paranoid about the other person finding out.

There could be a valid reason why you take screenshots of Instagram stories initially. Maybe someone posted a humorous meme or interesting photo as their Instagram content, and you wanted to share it with someone else.

Or maybe someone added a sentimental photo to their story, and you wanted to treasure these images as a memory. 

On the other hand, you may be curious as to whether people are taking screenshots of your Instagram story, profile images, and messages.

Can people see if you screenshot their Instagram Story

Short answer: No 

When taking screenshots or capturing a photo of someone’s Instagram stories, Instagram won’t send a notification to those people.

You can also screenshot Instagram posts and Reels without worrying about the other user being notified. 

READ MORE: What is Vanish Mode on Instagram?

Instagram’s Screenshot Notifications: The Lowdown

Ever wondered what happens when you screenshot an Instagram story? Let’s dive right into it.

Comparison: Instagram vs. Snapchat

Here’s a quick comparison of Instagram and Snapchat regarding screenshot notifications:

Snapchat, unlike Instagram, does notify users when their snaps are screenshot.

What About Direct Messages?

Does Instagram notify users when you screenshot disappearing photos or videos in direct messages

Here’s the twist. Instagram does notify users when you screenshot disappearing photos or videos in direct messages.

Here’s how it works:

1. You receive a disappearing photo or video in your DMs.
2. You screenshot it.
3. The sender gets a notification saying you took a screenshot.

So, does Instagram notify users when someone screenshots a story or anything else? Read on to find out

Does Instagram ever send notifications for screenshots?

Instagram has a feature that many users often wonder about: screenshot notifications. This feature is designed to maintain user privacy and control over their content, but it can also cause confusion and concern among users who are unsure of how it works.

Short answer: Yes, when you screenshot a disappearing photo or video in DMs

Although you’re safe to screenshot stories, posts, and Reels without Instagram notifying the user, the same can’t be said for disappearing photos and videos sent as direct messages.

READ MORE: Who’s the most followed person on Instagram?

If someone posts a photo or clip on their Instagram story that can only be viewed for a short time and you decide to take screenshots, they will see a star symbol next to the item in the message thread. Follow these steps with caution.

Additionally, when they go into their direct messages inbox, there’ll be text saying “screenshot taken” underneath your name. 

READ MORE: Can you see who views your Instagram Stories?

However, you can screenshot someone’s direct message without them getting a notification. They’ll only know that you’ve read the message as it will say “seen.”

Instagram and Third-Party Screenshot Apps

When it comes to Instagram and third-party screenshot apps, there’s a lot to consider. Let’s jump right in and see what’s up with these apps and if Instagram sends notifications for screenshots.

Comparison: Instagram vs. Third-Party Screenshot Apps

Here’s a comparison table to show the main differences between Instagram’s own screenshot notification system and third-party screenshot apps:

Pretty clear, right? Instagram doesn’t send notifications for screenshots, but third-party apps can. However, the privacy and user-friendliness of these apps can vary.

Examples of Third-Party Screenshot Apps

Here are some examples of third-party screenshot apps:

• Private Screenshot
• Wondershare MirrorGo
• Apowersoft Phone Manager

These apps can send notifications when someone takes a screenshot of your content. But remember, their privacy and user-friendliness can be a mixed bag.

Steps to Use Third-Party Screenshot Apps

Follow these steps to use a third-party screenshot app:

1. Download the app from the app store.
2. Open the app and log in.
3. Connect your Instagram account.
4. Set up screenshot notifications.

Boom! You’re all set. Now, whenever someone takes a screenshot of your content, you’ll get a notification.

So, does Instagram send notifications for screenshots? Nope. But can you know if someone screenshots your stuff? Yep, with a third-party app. But remember, not all apps are created equal. Make sure you’re cool with their privacy policies before diving in.

Don’t be a creep when screenshotting on Instagram

There are plenty of reasons to screenshot an Instagram Story or Reel. There could be a movie recommendation you want to remember or a recipe you want to check out.

But don’t screenshot things that could be private or posted by mistake.

When it comes to capturing screenshots of DMs and stories on Instagram, we’ve covered every step you need to know about that content-related topic.

Again, the rules are the same. Don’t be a creep. It’s literally that simple.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to post on Instagram from a desktop
• Here’s how to add pronouns to your Instagram profile
• How to block words, phrases, and emojis on Instagram
• Here’s how to block sensitive content on Instagram

The post Does Instagram notify when you screenshot a story? A deep dive appeared first on KnowTechie.

YouTube says the new layout is part of a “new viewer experience,” and will only feature the search bar, along with the Shorts, Subscriptions, and Library buttons.

Starting today, if you have YouTube watch history off and have no significant prior watch history, features that require watch history to provide video recommendations will be disabled – like your YouTube home feed. This means that starting today, your home feed may look a lot different: you’ll be able to see the search bar and the left-hand guide menu, with no feed of recommended videos thus allowing you to more easily search, browse subscribed channels and explore Topic tabs instead.

This could be a breath of fresh air for those tired of wading through a sea of extreme thumbnails, but it could also be a clever ploy to nudge users into reactivating their watch history.

Android Authority notes that the change has already begun and will reach all users in the next few months.

The move has been met with mixed reviews, with some users appreciating the distraction-free interface while others express concern about the lack of recommendations.

If you were to ask us, this update has solved an arguably annoying problem for those who prefer a simpler, less cluttered homepage. However, the question remains: Will this decision enhance user experience, or will it push users to seek their video content elsewhere?

Either way, it will be interesting to see if YouTube’s gamble pays off or if it will be forced to hit the ‘undo’ button on this radical change.

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

Editors’ Recommendations:

• YouTube Shorts rips off another Instagram and TikTok feature
• YouTube silently introduces new Stable Volume feature 
• YouTube Premium sees price increase, now $14 per month
• YouTube silently introduces new Stable Volume feature 

The post Your YouTube homepage could soon go blank – here’s why appeared first on KnowTechie.

Quick Answer: The official Instagram account is the most followed account on Instagram. Portuguese footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, is the most followed man on the platform, and Selena Gomez is the most followed woman.

Instagram is one of the world’s most popular social media networks. The Meta-owned photo-sharing app has more than a billion monthly users.

Many of Instagram’s users are celebrities, social media influencers, and other high-profile people with millions of followers worldwide. 

For famous people, Instagram is a great way to connect with fans and offer a glimpse into their lives. Celebrities also use Instagram to make money, signing lucrative endorsement deals with the world’s biggest brands.

By regularly uploading Instagram posts, adding Stories, and conducting live streams, many celebrities have gone on to amass huge social media app followers over the past few years.

But who has the most followers on Instagram?

Who’s the most followed Instagram user?

Short answer: Instagram 

Surprisingly, the most followed Instagram user isn’t a human. It’s a company. And that company happens to be Instagram. Currently, the @Instagram account boasts 611 million followers.

Who is the most followed person on Instagram?

Meanwhile, Portuguese professional footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, is the most followed human on Instagram.

Since creating his Instagram account in October 2012, the Manchester United player has gone on to attract a whopping 554 million followers globally. 

Just to put this number in perspective, Ronaldo has more followers than the entire US population – which totals over 330 million people. 

READ MORE: Can you see who views your Instagram Stories?

His football club, Manchester United, also has a highly popular Instagram account. Its following count sits at 61.3 million people and is constantly growing. 

Who is the most followed woman on Instagram? 

The most followed woman on Instagram is Selena Gomez. She has starred on multiple shows, served as executive producer on 13 Reasons Why, and is the founder of the cosmetics brand Rare Beauty.

She is also a successful musician, having been featured on the Billboard Hot 100 multiple times.

Who else is the most followed person on Instagram?

The third most followed user on Instagram is another footballer, Lionel Messi. He hails from Argentina, plays for Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, and has 435 million Instagram followers.

In fourth place is Selena Gomez, with 420,937,201 followers. Gomez is followed by Kylie Jenner, with 393 million followers. From there, Dwane “The Rock” Johnson proudly sits firmly with 366 million followers, and then Ariana Grande (373 million followers).

After that, you have Kim Kardashian (359 million followers), Beyoncé (298 million followers), and Khloe Kardashian (295 million followers). 

In a nutshell 

What all these record-breaking Instagram accounts have in common is that they are owned by individuals who are highly respected in their fields and admired by millions of people around the world.

They also post lots of content on their Instagram profiles, keeping people highly engaged. As these celebrities continue to do big things, their Instagram followings will no doubt grow at the same time. 

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

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to hide Instagram likes on all posts
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The post Who’s the most followed person on Instagram? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Now, the company is adding a couple of brand-new features to YouTube Shorts, which are very similar to those that Instagram Reels and TikTok offer.

Six new YouTube Shorts features for the creators

Yesterday, YouTube announced six new features for YouTube Shorts. The primary addition is the feature named “Collab.” 

It enables users the ability to record a Short in a side-by-side format with an existing YouTube clip. Although both Instagram and TikTok have been offering this feature for a while. 

The company has also announced a new Q&A sticker function. It enables the audience to ask you questions, and of course, you are allowed to respond via the commence section or with another Short. Again, it is quite similar to Instagram and TikTok’s features. 

On the other hand, the Google-owned company is also trying to make creating Shorts easier from the existing content. So, the company is offering new tools to the creators to help them convert landscape videos into Short. 

The other notable additions to YouTube Shorts are the ability to save Shorts to a playlist, the ability to copy effects and audio in a blink from another clip, and the live videos in the Shorts feed.

Either way, it is clear that YouTube is turning a new leaf using its competition’s handbook.

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

Editors’ Recommendations:

• YouTube Premium sees price increase, now $14 per month
• YouTube silently introduces new Stable Volume feature
• YouTube is introducing a new ad format that everyone will hate
• TikTok announces FYP to feature more STEM content

The post YouTube Shorts rips off another Instagram and TikTok feature appeared first on KnowTechie.