We recently reported spotting multiple upgrades in the WhatsApp for Android beta, including the likely addition of passkey, AI-generated stickers, and the schedule group call feature. 

But WhatsApp is finally getting its long-awaited update that allows users to send images without compromising the image quality. 

No more compromised image quality on WhatsApp 

In his most recent Facebook post, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced WhatsApp is getting HD photo support. 

WhatsApp users have asked for this feature for a long time, and the new feature will allow users to preserve the image quality when sent from Android, iOS, or the web. 

The HD images will be denoted by a small “HD” logo that will appear at the bottom left corner. Once you update the app, you will be able to see the option appear among to the Editing Tools when sending an image to a message thread. 

After tapping the “HD” icon, you will be able to choose between standard quality and HD quality. According to TechCrunch, the Standard Quality will be selected by default to ensure sharing photos remains fast and reliable.

However, you will have a choice if you receive an HD image while you have bad internet connectivity. You will be able to choose whether to receive the image in SD or HD. 

The HD photo support feature was first spotted in the 2.23.12.13 beta version for Android and the 23.11.0.76 best version for iOS. WABetaInfo even captured screenshots of the feature.

The feature is not widely available yet. The global rollout of WhatsApp HD Photos should happen sometime next week, followed by HD video support.

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

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Meta now offers a Game Pass-like subscription called Quest Plus
• Instagram boss prefers Android over iOS, internet erupts
• Facebook owes you settlement cash – here’s how to get it
• Telegram founder says we should ‘stay away’ from WhatsApp

The post WhatsApp will finally let you send images in HD appeared first on KnowTechie.

The popular instant messaging platform is reportedly working on a new feature to generate stickers with AI and share them.

The advent of artificial intelligence is changing the way we used to interact with applications and operating systems.

Making it easier to create stickers on WhatsApp

According to the report by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is apparently working on a new feature to create and share AI-generated stickers with a chosen group of beta testers on the Android platform.

As you can guess by the mention of “Beta Testers,” the feature is in a testing phase. The latest Android WhatsApp beta, version 2.23.17.14, has a new “Create” button under the Sticker tab.

Tapping this button opens a new window to type text prompts. Those go into the AI, which generates stickers for them. After the sticker is generated, users will be able to share them quickly with a tap. 

WABetaInfo has also shared additional info regarding the feature that states Meta is using an unnamed secure technology for the AI-generated stickers, so users will be able to report any harmful or inappropriate stickers.

The generated stickers will supposedly have a unique look, indicating they are AI-generated. 

This is a neat use of AI, giving any WhatsApp users the ability to create stickers without needing editing skills. So, eliminating the burden of creating stickers from images with a simple prompt will give casual users more flexibility to express their emotions. 

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 is getting a new Schedule Group Call feature
• Netflix’s new app turns your smartphone into a controller
• Sony’s PlayStation 5 falls to its lowest price to date, so hurry
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is expected to be pretty expensive, leak says

The post WhatsApp’s AI-generated stickers could give casual users an edge 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.

A Schedule Group Call feature is also in the beta testing phase, likely to roll out soon. Now, a new report indicates WhatsApp is working to implement Passkey support. 

WhatsApp’s new security layer may involve Passkey 

WhatsApp users have multiple ways of protecting their accounts, like using a traditional password and two-factor authentication, and soon, they will also have the option to use Passkey to secure their accounts. 

Several apps and websites have already announced Passkey support, and it looks like WhatsApp is going to be next. 

While Meta is yet to announce the news officially, WABetaInfo has found a hidden passkey setup menu in the latest version of WhatsApp for Android beta 2.23.16.15. The message states, 

“You can now use your fingerprint, face, or screen lock to verify if it’s you with a passkey.”

However, the feature is still in development, and there’s no option to enable it.

That said, this is a definite hint that WhatsApp users may soon get Passkey support, providing a new layer of security. Unfortunately, it’s unclear when the Passkey update will roll out for WhatsApp users.

What is a Passkey? 

To those who are unaware, Passkey is a highly secure authentication system. And industry-wide efforts are being made to implement this new age of security. 

With Passkey, users no longer have to use traditional passwords. Instead, they can use facial recognition or biometrics for authentication, eliminating the need to create passwords. 

FIDO Alliance developed the new Passkey security in partnership with Apple, Google, and Microsoft. Basically, all the big names in the tech industry are involved in it.

Apple announced in June that a passkey would automatically be assigned to all Apple ID accounts running on devices with iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma. 

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 now let you send 60-second instant video messages
• Your WhatsApp account can be deactivated with just one email
• WhatsApp makes its debut on WearOS 3 smartwatches
• WhatsApp chats can now be locked behind password-protected folders

The post WhatsApp is beta testing Passkey support appeared first on KnowTechie.

UPDATE 8/14/2023: It appears the Yepp app has been taken offline. Both its website and respective app stores no longer host the app. We tried to reach out for comment via a contact found in an old press release, but since the domain is not active, chances are we won’t get a reply either.

Funny memes can make you smile, giggle, laugh, LOL, and ROTFL with your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues.

But did you also know that memes can make you smile all the way to the bank? Guess not.

But yep, they can, thanks to the new Yepp app. With Yepp, you can easily turn your funny memes (images, videos, or texts) into an additional or even primary means of income.

Yepp is one of the latest and greatest ways to monetize your memes, whether you’re an established or up-and-coming meme maker.

Let’s dive deeper into Yepp and how you can earn with memes.

Yepp: What the yepp is Yepp?

Yepp lets meme creators and consumers worldwide create, share, find, and discover thousands of funny multi-theme memes.

Most importantly, Yepp lets users earn money while at it.

Yepp’s machine learning-powered algorithm provides an endless feed of funny memes.

Users can upload, edit, remix, and reuse trending memes and earn money by viewing, creating, or sharing them.

Yepp only recently launched its beta program but already boasts more than 100,000 users and counting, with the best memes enjoying hundreds of thousands of daily views and providing income for their authors.

A closer look at Yepp

Thanks to Yepp’s robust recommendation engine, users view memes an average of 40 minutes per day, roughly 4-5x the time spent on other meme makers.

This R&D effort has been 10+ years in the making.

This also allows users to discover and explore more authors, thereby giving creators more visibility, viewership, following, subscribers, and of course, more earning potential. 

Part of Yepp’s mission is to enable millions of people to successfully monetize their sense of humor and provide tools to make content creation easy and fun.

This mission underlies everything Yepp stands for.

Key Yepp features to look out for

What makes Yepp stand out as a meme maker? If you’re wondering or asking this same question, you’re not alone.

Like other meme editors, it allows you to create memes, but unlike them, it also allows you to earn.

The following features make Yepp the go-to app for meme creators and users. 

Ease to Use In-App Studio 

Sign-up is fast and easy. Once in, you’ll find Yepp’s In-App Studio’s intuitive user interface as fun as its memes.

The app is easy to navigate, with well-defined categories that make finding your way around a breeze.

With a few clicks, you can create and share memes with your friends, followers, and hundreds of thousands of other users who share a similar passion for memes.

Face Swap

The Face Swap feature is one of the most popular features on Yepp.

As the name suggests, it allows you to swap out the face on a meme with that of your friends, family, or colleagues.

This can be a fun way of mimicking characters, including actors, athletes, footballers, comedians, and more.

Which face would you like to swap? Find out on Yepp.

Endless Smart Feed

With a robust recommendation engine, you can expect endless memes in the Yepp app, not just random memes.

The app recommends memes to you based on your user behavior.

Specifically, it picks up on your action rate and text and image recognition.

Its smart algorithm then creates a personalized custom feed for each user, considering their likes and interests.

Auto Content Suggestion and Duplicate Detection

The app’s intelligent algorithm can recognize and analyze patterns in your user behavior.

As a creator, Yepp can study and mimic your sense of humor by automatically suggesting similar texts or images to the ones you’ve used before.

And if you’re worried about your creative work being stolen, you can rest assured that it won’t happen.

This is thanks to Yepp’s neural networks, which detect clickbait memes, duplicates, and stolen content and deranks them, starving them of views.

Income Potential

If your memes make people laugh, Yepp believes they should make you smile to the bank.

To this end, Yepp has introduced an industry-leading and transparent revenue-sharing model.

Yepp’s weekly ad revenue is split 50/50 between the app and its users, who can expect to earn up to $1,750 weekly.

30% also goes to friends invited by users, 17% to creators, and 3% to users who view memes.

Analytics

Whether a meme maker or user, the Yepp app allows you to take stock of all your activities and earnings.

It lets you see how many of your friends or contacts installed the app using your link.

You can also easily view how many times your memes have been viewed over a particular period of time, plus how much you’ve amassed from such views.

It also allows you to see daily or all-time views and earnings.

Create and earn with Yepp

Thanks to its machine-learning capabilities, you don’t need to be an expert to create your own memes.

Yepp has enough built-in tools and templates to get you started in minutes. What’s more, it’s free to use.

From its ease of use to its many features, revenue-sharing formula, and earning potential, Yepp is the number one meme editor you should use along with your friends, family, and colleagues.

Go ahead, download the app, sign up, create, share, and earn. The app is available on iOS and Android.

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

Editors’ Recommendations:

• The girl from the burning house meme just made a cool $500,000 from it
• This website uses AI to generate memes and they are terribly wonderful
• Tesla adds Steam Games and Apple Music in latest update
• Google Play reveals its most popular apps and games of 2022

The post Yepp is a new meme-maker app that makes you money appeared first on KnowTechie.

The screen-sharing feature has already pushed WhatsApp to the level of professional video-calling applications like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. And the recent report suggests Meta is not stopping there.

The company is borrowing another feature from these applications the ability to schedule group calls. 

WhatsApp’s new Schedule Group Call feature 

WaBetaInfo has spotted the new feature that will allow WhatsApp users to schedule voice calls and group chats in the latest WhatsApp for Android beta.

Currently, the feature is only accessible via WhatsApp for Android beta version 2.23.17.7. Those who have access to this build can try the new feature, which basically enables them to plan a call and notify the group members beforehand. 

Scheduling a group call with this feature is simple. Simply tap the “Phone” icon, and you will have access to options like choosing the date and time for the said call. 

A call invite will be sent to the member of the group, and those who decide to join the call will get a reminder 15 minutes before the call begins.

The feature is currently in beta state, but it won’t be long before it starts rolling out. Look at the Screen Sharing feature, for example. The feature took slightly over a month to move from beta to a broader release.

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 now let you send 60-second instant video messages
• Your WhatsApp account can be deactivated with just one email
• WhatsApp chats can now be locked behind password-protected folders
• How to identify and prevent WhatsApp spam

The post WhatsApp is getting a new Schedule Group Call feature  appeared first on KnowTechie.

Therefore, if you try to launch Cortana on Windows 11, you will receive a notification saying that the app is no longer supported, along with a button that says “Learn more” which is linked to an article detailing the new change.

Microsoft plans to stop supporting Cortana in Teams mobile, Microsoft Teams Display, and Microsoft Teams Rooms by the fall of 2023. However, Cortana will still be available in Outlook mobile.

Similarly, the platform that birthed the digital assistant Cortana, Windows Phone, faced its own set of hurdles and was ultimately discontinued by the end of 2019.

In a candid admission, Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella, in 2019, openly acknowledged that Cortana had fallen behind its rivals.

Could Windows Copilot be the new Cortana? It’s still too early to make that call. However, Microsoft is certainly pulling out all the stops to revamp the coding assistant, leveraging the capabilities of Bing Chat in the process.

Windows Copilot is anticipated to launch this fall and will be a part of the comprehensive Windows 11 update, which will also feature native support for RAR and 7-Zip file formats.

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

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Microsoft is launching Copilot, a Windows 11 AI assistant, soon
• Microsoft is dabbling with ads in the Windows 11 Settings menu
• Microsoft says they’re sunsetting Windows 10 in 2025
• How to bring back the classic Start Menu to Windows 10

The post Microsoft officially kills the Cortana app on Windows 11 appeared first on KnowTechie.

Microsoft was the first company to introduce the fan favorite “Dark Mode” through a Windows 10 update back in 2016. It was an immediate hit and so much so that Apple had to follow it up with the same feature on the macOS Mojave in 2018. 

After that, Android and iOS both introduced Dark Mode in 2019, and several applications began integrating Dark Mode, including Snapchat. 

That said, the app introduced Dark Mode back in 2021. However, it was a half-hearted integration. While iOS users got it for free, the option was locked behind a paywall on Android, bundled with the $4/month Snapchat+ subscription, and that is about to change. 

Snapchat finally tore down its paywall!

For years, Snapchat users have asked, “Why Android users only?” And why shouldn’t they? iOS users have had access to the same feature since 2021, for free. 

Users even discovered a few workarounds to use Dark Mode without paying, like focusing the system’s dark mode scheme on multiple applications.

However, they don’t have to jump through these hoops anymore. The company has finally decided to remove the Android paywall for dark mode.

Shubham’s post shows there’s an option to choose between “Always light” and “Always dark.” And Snapchat users will receive it via an app update.

Users will be able to access the option to enable dark mode from the app’s settings.

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

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Snapchat launches new AI powered-chatbot from OpenAI
• Snapchat now has its own ‘dual-camera’ feature similar to BeReal
• Snapchat’s new Family Center helps parents monitor their kids
• A new Snapchat update lets other users see your precise location

The post Snapchat flips the switch to dark mode on Android for free appeared first on KnowTechie.

Just over a month ago, we reported about WhatsApp’s new screen-sharing feature introduced in a beta version on Android. At that time, the feature was in a testing phase, with the likely possibility of an official rollout soon. 

It seems that time has finally arrived, as the company has announced that screen-sharing during video calls is now rolling out to all users.

WhatsApp screen-sharing feature is rolling out on multiple platforms

Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, announced on Tuesday that WhatsApp users can now share their screen during a video call on WhatsApp. 

The announcement showcased WhatsApp’s new feature in landscape mode. Currently, the feature is rolling out on Android, iOS, and Windows platforms, and the rollout process will likely be executed in a few stages. 

At the moment, WhatsApp screen-sharing is already on Android and Windows platforms. If you are an Android user, you can share your screen by tapping the screen share icon visible during a video call.

Desktop users get the option to screen share specific apps or specific monitors. With this simple addition, WhatsApp is now taking on the likes of Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.

WhatsApp benefits from its large user base, especially in India and Southeast Asia, where many smaller businesses and startups rely on it for team communication.

Basically, WhatsApp screen-sharing potentially eliminates the reliance on typical video-calling apps. While it is not as feature-packed as Slack for organizational uses, it still has a few proper use cases and the potential to become even more significant.

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 now let you send 60-second instant video messages
• WhatsApp makes its debut on WearOS 3 smartwatches
• Your WhatsApp account can be deactivated with just one email
• WhatsApp chats can now be locked behind password-protected folders

The post WhatsApp screen-sharing feature is officially rolling out to all users appeared first on KnowTechie.

Here’s another thing that’s going unmentioned. Publishers like KnowTechie and countless others can now embed Threads on our websites, which obviously means Threads is now available on desktop devices. Check it out below:

Post by @zuck

View on Threads

Custom alt text has been added to improve accessibility in Threads. To use this feature, simply tap on an image or video while creating a post and select the “Alt” button.

Although the mention button is not yet accessible to all users, sharing a Thread to Instagram DMs is pretty self-explanatory.

To share a Thread to Instagram DMs, follow these steps:

1. Tap the paper plane icon.
2. Select “Send on Instagram.

Threads has been consistently adding new features to its platform, including things like a desktop version and a Following feed. However, but like any new social app, it could use more.

For example, Threads still doesn’t support features like hashtags, direct messaging, and a search function. We know it’s still early, but if you’re trying to dethrone an app like Twitter, this should have been developed when the app launched.

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

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Meta’s new Twitter clone, Threads, is now out in the wild
• Instagram’s Twitter clone, Threads, is available to download again
• Does Instagram notify when you screenshot someone’s story?
• Who’s the most followed person on Instagram?

The post Threads gets 3 much-needed features added appeared first on KnowTechie.