Thousands of users were unable to access MS Teams after Microsoft said that the app is facing a major outage. The company said that is investigating the issue. It is unclear how many users have been affected, but according to outage tracking website Downdetector.com the app was down for more than 4,800 users.

The web monitoring firm also showed that there were more than 150 incidents of people reporting issues with Microsoft Office 365.

In its official Twitter handle, Microsoft said that it has received reports of users being unable to access Microsoft Teams or leverage any features. So far, it is unclear what caused this outage.

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We've received reports of users being unable to access Microsoft Teams or leverage any features. We're investigating the issue and further updates can be found in your Service Health Dashboard via TM402718.
— Microsoft 365 Status (@MSFT365Status) <a href="https://twitter.com/MSFT365Status/status/1549934141738651648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, Twitter users came up with interesting memes to express how they felt about Teams not working for them.

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So Microsoft Teams just went down… I guess it’s time for me to clock out <a href="https://t.co/JMlAb1W7p8">pic.twitter.com/JMlAb1W7p8</a>
— some bald headed gay slag 🌈💖💅🏾 (@astoldbymarkus) <a href="https://twitter.com/astoldbymarkus/status/1549931844174356480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Zoom: <a href="https://t.co/pzBgC9mG8m">https://t.co/pzBgC9mG8m</a> <a href="https://t.co/CohDCVy0H8">pic.twitter.com/CohDCVy0H8</a>
— ジーン 🐒 (@mrgnmrtnz) <a href="https://twitter.com/mrgnmrtnz/status/1549963804615663617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2022</a></blockquote>
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(some of us got jobs to do btw) <a href="https://t.co/uNYfACxhqx">https://t.co/uNYfACxhqx</a> <a href="https://t.co/GoDI54UdGO">pic.twitter.com/GoDI54UdGO</a>
— Netchimen's Recovery (@NetchimenRevery) <a href="https://twitter.com/NetchimenRevery/status/1549960424413884416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Recently, many tech giants have reported major outages in the past few months with&nbsp;a near six-hour disruption at Meta Platforms keeping WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger out of reach for billions of users last October.

Thousands of users were unable to access MS Teams after Microsoft said that the app is facing a major outage. The company said that is investigating the issue. It is unclear how many users have been affected, but according to outage tracking website Downdetector.

Thousands of users were unable to access MS Teams after Microsoft said that the app is facing a major outage. The company said that is investigating the issue. It is unclear how many users have been affected, but according to outage tracking website Downdetector.com the app was down for more than 4,800 users. The web monitoring firm also showed that there were more than 150 incidents of people reporting issues with Microsoft Office 365. In its official Twitter handle, Microsoft said that it has received reports of users being unable to access Microsoft Teams or leverage any features. So far, it is unclear what caused this outage. We've received reports of users being unable to access Microsoft Teams or leverage any features. We're investigating the issue and further updates can be found in your Service Health Dashboard via TM402718. — Microsoft 365 Status (@MSFT365Status) July 21, 2022 × Meanwhile, Twitter users came up with interesting memes to express how they felt about Teams not working for them. So Microsoft Teams just went down… I guess it’s time for me to clock out pic.twitter.com/JMlAb1W7p8 — some bald headed gay slag 🌈💖💅🏾 (@astoldbymarkus) July 21, 2022 × Zoom: https://t.co/pzBgC9mG8m pic.twitter.com/CohDCVy0H8 — ジーン 🐒 (@mrgnmrtnz) July 21, 2022 × (some of us got jobs to do btw) https://t.co/uNYfACxhqx pic.twitter.com/GoDI54UdGO — Netchimen's Recovery (@NetchimenRevery) July 21, 2022 × Recently, many tech giants have reported major outages in the past few months with a near six-hour disruption at Meta Platforms keeping WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger out of reach for billions of users last October.

MS Teams faces major outage, Twitteratis flood social media with funny memes

A local computer engineer Alaa Huthut in Palestinian Gaza strip has developed a phone app "Masahatuna" or "Our Spaces". This app allows women to report domestic abuse anonymously.

New phone app allows women in Gaza to report domestic abuse anonymously

Google Play has pulled down an app made by Malaysian apps with a view to help members of LGBT community 'back to nature'. The app was reportedly found to have violated the platform's guidelines.

The app was released for the first time in 2016.

Malaysia government's Islamic Development Department recently promoted the app on Twitter. The department said that the app helped members of LGBTI community return to a state of so-called purity.&nbsp;

The ministry also said that the app has an e-book that details a gay man who "abandon", "homosexual behaviour".

“Whenever an app is flagged to us, we investigate against our Play store policies and if violations are found we take appropriate action to maintain a trusted experience for all.” said Google in a statement sent to The Guardian.

The app is no longer available on Google Play Store.

No immediate reaction from the Malaysian government was reported.

There is a surmise that such step are being taken by the government for electoral gains since elections are just around the corner.

There is widespread discrimination against LGBT community. Some laws in the country prohibit same-sex relationships.

Experts have been quoted in the media as saying that demonisation of LGBT community is likely to increase as elections draw closer.&nbsp;

Google Play has pulled down an app made by Malaysian apps with a view to help members of LGBT community 'back to nature'. The app was reportedly found to have violated the platform's guidelines.

Google Play has pulled down an app made by Malaysian apps with a view to help members of LGBT community 'back to nature'. The app was reportedly found to have violated the platform's guidelines. The app was released for the first time in 2016. Malaysia government's Islamic Development Department recently promoted the app on Twitter. The department said that the app helped members of LGBTI community return to a state of so-called purity. The ministry also said that the app has an e-book that details a gay man who "abandon", "homosexual behaviour". “Whenever an app is flagged to us, we investigate against our Play store policies and if violations are found we take appropriate action to maintain a trusted experience for all.” said Google in a statement sent to The Guardian. The app is no longer available on Google Play Store. No immediate reaction from the Malaysian government was reported. There is a surmise that such step are being taken by the government for electoral gains since elections are just around the corner. There is widespread discrimination against LGBT community. Some laws in the country prohibit same-sex relationships. Experts have been quoted in the media as saying that demonisation of LGBT community is likely to increase as elections draw closer.

Google Play pulls down Malaysia government's 'gay conversion' app

Former US president Donald Trump's now social media app, Truth Social was launched on Apple store late on Sunday (ET). The app may mark Trump's return to social media after he was banned from popular platforms like Facebook, Twitter etc last year. The platforms had taken action against Trump over January 6, 2021 attack on US Capitol.

The app was available shortly before midnight ET and was the top free app available on the App Store early Monday. Truth Social was automatically downloaded to Apple Inc devices belonging to users who had pre-ordered the app.

Many users reported either having trouble registering for an account or were added to a waitlist with a message: "Due to massive demand, we have placed you on our waitlist."

The app has been available for people invited to use it during its test phase, Reuters previously reported.

Trump was banned from Twitter Inc, Facebook and Alphabet Inc's YouTube following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters, after he was accused of posting messages inciting violence.

Led by former Republican U.S. Representative Devin Nunes, Trump Media &amp; Technology Group (TMTG), the venture behind Truth Social, joins a growing portfolio of technology companies that are positioning themselves as champions of free speech and hope to draw users who feel their views are suppressed on more established platforms.

So far none of the newer companies, which include Twitter competitors Gettr and Parler and video site Rumble, have come close to matching the popularity of their mainstream counterparts.

"This week we will begin to roll out on the Apple App Store. That's going to be awesome, because we're going to get so many more people that are going to be on the platform," Nunes said in a Sunday appearance on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo".

"Our goal is, I think we're going to hit it, I think by the by the end of March we're going to be fully operational at least within the United States," he added.

Truth Social's app store page detailing its version history showed the first public version of the app, or version 1.0 was available a day ago, confirming a Reuters report. The current version 1.0.1 includes "bug fixes," according to the page.

(With inputs from agencies)

Former US president Donald Trump's now social media app, Truth Social was launched on Apple store late on Sunday (ET). The app may mark Trump's return to social media after he was banned from popular platforms like Facebook, Twitter etc last year.

Former US president Donald Trump's now social media app, Truth Social was launched on Apple store late on Sunday (ET). The app may mark Trump's return to social media after he was banned from popular platforms like Facebook, Twitter etc last year. The platforms had taken action against Trump over January 6, 2021 attack on US Capitol. The app was available shortly before midnight ET and was the top free app available on the App Store early Monday. Truth Social was automatically downloaded to Apple Inc devices belonging to users who had pre-ordered the app. Many users reported either having trouble registering for an account or were added to a waitlist with a message: "Due to massive demand, we have placed you on our waitlist." The app has been available for people invited to use it during its test phase, Reuters previously reported. Trump was banned from Twitter Inc, Facebook and Alphabet Inc's YouTube following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters, after he was accused of posting messages inciting violence. Led by former Republican U.S. Representative Devin Nunes, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the venture behind Truth Social, joins a growing portfolio of technology companies that are positioning themselves as champions of free speech and hope to draw users who feel their views are suppressed on more established platforms. So far none of the newer companies, which include Twitter competitors Gettr and Parler and video site Rumble, have come close to matching the popularity of their mainstream counterparts. "This week we will begin to roll out on the Apple App Store. That's going to be awesome, because we're going to get so many more people that are going to be on the platform," Nunes said in a Sunday appearance on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo". "Our goal is, I think we're going to hit it, I think by the by the end of March we're going to be fully operational at least within the United States," he added. Truth Social's app store page detailing its version history showed the first public version of the app, or version 1.0 was available a day ago, confirming a Reuters report. The current version 1.0.1 includes "bug fixes," according to the page. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump's Truth Social app tops download chart on Apple's App Store

On Monday, a strong 6.2 magnitude earthquake jolted the northern California coast. The disaster, which usually spurs panic among people, didn’t even faze the residents.

No major casualty, or injury was reported, and the day passed off with minimal panic.

The residents knew well in advance about the calamity that was to strike. This is thanks to America’s first public earthquake-warning app that gives “seconds to prepare”.

The app, known as ShakeAlert, is managed by the US Geological Survey (USGS) which sends an SMS alert to people seconds before an earthquake of 5.0 magnitude or larger is about to shake their location.

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It took 11.4 seconds for the first <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShakeAlert?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShakeAlert</a> Message data package to be produced by <a href="https://twitter.com/USGS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USGS</a>. The quake was estimated at M4.5. At this level alert delivery to cell phones by <a href="https://twitter.com/MyShakeApp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MyShakeApp</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Android?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Android</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ReadySanDiego?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ReadySanDiego</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/QuakeAlertUSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@QuakeAlertUSA</a> was possible. <a href="https://twitter.com/Cal_OES?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cal_OES</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CAGeoSurvey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CAGeoSurvey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/USGS_Quakes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USGS_Quakes</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZIDob71r0Z">pic.twitter.com/ZIDob71r0Z</a>
— USGS ShakeAlert (@USGS_ShakeAlert) <a href="https://twitter.com/USGS_ShakeAlert/status/1473351499736444928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The app, which is available for Android and Apple smartphones, only covers the Los Angeles county.

“We got some reports from folks that they got up to 10 seconds’ warning before they felt shaking. That’s pretty darn good,” Robert de Groot, a ShakeAlert coordinator with the USGS, told the Guardian.

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A 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit Northern California yesterday…here are some sad scenes from inside of a liquor store 😭 <a href="https://t.co/yowh4OZPq1">https://t.co/yowh4OZPq1</a> <a href="https://t.co/nPM6ukK9Dz">pic.twitter.com/nPM6ukK9Dz</a>
— Wu-Tang Is For The Children (@WUTangKids) <a href="https://twitter.com/WUTangKids/status/1473274743507898368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2021</a></blockquote>
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A data package is created from information provided by USGS sensors and – within seconds – shows up on phones. Some apps that provide alerts are available to download but even some who didn’t have an app on their phone were notified. Affected individuals are instructed to drop, cover, and hold on.

The earthquake occurred just after noon and was centred off the coast, near a tiny town called Petrolia that’s home to fewer than 1,000 people.

The USGS estimated economic losses of less than $10 million and no fatalities.

Photos showed shattered store windows, broken bottles falling&nbsp;into store aisles and tiles that had fallen loose from a commercial building’s ceiling.

The area last suffered an earthquake of a similar magnitude in 1993, when one person died, according to the USGS.

(With inputs from agencies)

On Monday, a strong 6.2 magnitude earthquake jolted the northern California coast. The disaster, which usually spurs panic among people, didn’t even faze the residents.

On Monday, a strong 6.2 magnitude earthquake jolted the northern California coast. The disaster, which usually spurs panic among people, didn’t even faze the residents. No major casualty, or injury was reported, and the day passed off with minimal panic. The residents knew well in advance about the calamity that was to strike. This is thanks to America’s first public earthquake-warning app that gives “seconds to prepare”. The app, known as ShakeAlert, is managed by the US Geological Survey (USGS) which sends an SMS alert to people seconds before an earthquake of 5.0 magnitude or larger is about to shake their location. It took 11.4 seconds for the first #ShakeAlert Message data package to be produced by @USGS. The quake was estimated at M4.5. At this level alert delivery to cell phones by @MyShakeApp, @Android, @ReadySanDiego or @QuakeAlertUSA was possible. @Cal_OES @CAGeoSurvey @USGS_Quakes pic.twitter.com/ZIDob71r0Z — USGS ShakeAlert (@USGS_ShakeAlert) December 21, 2021 × The app, which is available for Android and Apple smartphones, only covers the Los Angeles county. “We got some reports from folks that they got up to 10 seconds’ warning before they felt shaking. That’s pretty darn good,” Robert de Groot, a ShakeAlert coordinator with the USGS, told the Guardian. A 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit Northern California yesterday…here are some sad scenes from inside of a liquor store 😭 https://t.co/yowh4OZPq1 pic.twitter.com/nPM6ukK9Dz — Wu-Tang Is For The Children (@WUTangKids) December 21, 2021 × A data package is created from information provided by USGS sensors and – within seconds – shows up on phones. Some apps that provide alerts are available to download but even some who didn’t have an app on their phone were notified. Affected individuals are instructed to drop, cover, and hold on. The earthquake occurred just after noon and was centred off the coast, near a tiny town called Petrolia that’s home to fewer than 1,000 people. The USGS estimated economic losses of less than $10 million and no fatalities. Photos showed shattered store windows, broken bottles falling into store aisles and tiles that had fallen loose from a commercial building’s ceiling. The area last suffered an earthquake of a similar magnitude in 1993, when one person died, according to the USGS. (With inputs from agencies)

Moments before earthquake struck California, peoples’ phones were buzzed with warning

On the request of officials, Apple has deleted one of the world's most popular Quran apps in China from its store. &nbsp;

The app, which is called Quran Majeed, is available across the world on the App Store. It has nearly 150,000 reviews and is used by millions of Muslims. &nbsp;

It seems to have been removed for hosting illegal religious texts, as per a BBC report. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/evergrande-risks-controllable-says-chinas-central-bank-420980" hreflang="en">Evergrande risks 'controllable', says China's central bank</a>

The app’s deletion was first noticed by Apple Censorship, a website, which monitors the apps available on Apple's App Store globally. &nbsp;

In a statement, the app's maker, PDMS, said, "According to Apple, our app Quran Majeed has been removed from the China App store because it includes content that requires additional documentation from Chinese authorities." &nbsp;

"We are trying to get in touch with the Cyberspace Administration of China and relevant Chinese authorities to get this issue resolved," added the company. &nbsp;

As per the app's maker, it had around one million users in China. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/satellite-images-show-china-has-upgraded-military-bases-facing-taiwan-420955" hreflang="en">Satellite images show China has upgraded military bases facing Taiwan</a>

Meanwhile, an employee of Apple, who led a fellow workers movement against alleged patterns of discrimination, racism and sexism at the tech company, was fired. &nbsp;

Janneke Parrish, an Apple program manager and one of the leaders behind the #AppleToo movement, said she was terminated for “non-compliance” after she deleted personal files from her work device amid an internal investigation, according to the Guardian. &nbsp;

Parrish, who worked at Apple for five years, claims that she was fired for speaking out publicly about "issues within the company". &nbsp;

“I’ve been very vocal, I’ve been very public. I have not been afraid to put my name and attach my face to #AppleToo,” she told the Guardian. “This feels very much like retaliation for having the courage to speak out.” &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

On the request of officials, Apple has deleted one of the world's most popular Quran apps in China from its store. The app, which is called Quran Majeed, is available across the world on the App Store.

On the request of officials, Apple has deleted one of the world's most popular Quran apps in China from its store. The app, which is called Quran Majeed, is available across the world on the App Store. It has nearly 150,000 reviews and is used by millions of Muslims. It seems to have been removed for hosting illegal religious texts, as per a BBC report. Also Read: Evergrande risks 'controllable', says China's central bank The app’s deletion was first noticed by Apple Censorship, a website, which monitors the apps available on Apple's App Store globally. In a statement, the app's maker, PDMS, said, "According to Apple, our app Quran Majeed has been removed from the China App store because it includes content that requires additional documentation from Chinese authorities." "We are trying to get in touch with the Cyberspace Administration of China and relevant Chinese authorities to get this issue resolved," added the company. As per the app's maker, it had around one million users in China. Also Read: Satellite images show China has upgraded military bases facing Taiwan Meanwhile, an employee of Apple, who led a fellow workers movement against alleged patterns of discrimination, racism and sexism at the tech company, was fired. Janneke Parrish, an Apple program manager and one of the leaders behind the #AppleToo movement, said she was terminated for “non-compliance” after she deleted personal files from her work device amid an internal investigation, according to the Guardian. Parrish, who worked at Apple for five years, claims that she was fired for speaking out publicly about "issues within the company". “I’ve been very vocal, I’ve been very public. I have not been afraid to put my name and attach my face to #AppleToo,” she told the Guardian. “This feels very much like retaliation for having the courage to speak out.” (With inputs from agencies)

After officials’ request, Apple pulls down Quran app in China

Meal delivery services became essential during the pandemic, when millions of Americans were under lockdown and restaurants were shut to visitors.

But these days the platforms are increasingly finding themselves under fire, with politicians seeking to regulate the industry and restaurateurs accusing the likes of DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats of freeloading. And they are looking for ways to do without them.

In just the first nine months of this year, DoorDash has likely filled over 1 billion orders, most of them in the US, where the company is the market leader.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iceland-suspends-use-of-modernas-covid-vaccine-due-to-heart-inflammation-fears-419324">Iceland suspends use of Moderna's Covid vaccine due to heart-inflammation fears</a>

But Mathieu Palombino, founder of the New York-based pizza chain Motorino, calls the boost provided by delivery apps a "big illusion" because more orders don't bring bigger profits to restaurants.

"When you receive thirty or forty orders a day, you are happy. But the problem is that it does not translate into profits," Palombino told AFP.

Food delivery services can charge restaurants fees of up to 30 percent of the bill for a meal, according to their web sites.

To address that problem, in August the New York city council passed a law, capping third-party delivery fees at 15 per cent.

"Small businesses should not be pressured into accepting these fees in order to remain viable and competitive," said New York City Councilman Francisco Moya, who initiated the bill. A similar law was passed in San Francisco in June.

Food delivery giants have challenged the laws in courts, and some analysts think they have a point.

"We believe DoorDash will have a strong legal case against the permanent fee caps," Bank of America said in a research note last month.&nbsp;

DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats argue that the cap is unconstitutional and that restaurants are free to negotiate their commissions with delivery platforms.

The delivery giants also say they have made huge investments during the pandemic that led millions of customers who had never ordered meals online to get started.

And DoorDash says that restaurants that used its platform during the pandemic had a survival rate eight times higher than the industry average. The company also says that even before the laws were passed it already offered a 15 per cent fee formula.

Put Palombino, the pizza chain founder, is unconvinced.&nbsp;

"The problem is that they have become so established that there no longer is a way back," he said. "If you're not on Seamless (one of the most popular delivery services in New York), you no longer exist."

As for the 15 percent commission, Palombino said that a successful restaurant can "only hope" for a profit margin of 15 or 20 percent.&nbsp;

"So at the end of the day, they take it all."

&nbsp;'The only real solution'&nbsp;

In court, the food delivery platforms have argued that the cap will trigger higher fees for consumers, who have been relatively spared for now.

Collin Wallace, managing director of the marketing firm ZeroStorefront and former head of innovation at Grubhub, says that so far it's the restaurants who have had to bend.

"The only way to get this resolved is going to be by the technology platforms, using the same engineering and innovation they used to get their companies to this point," Wallace said.

Some businesses are already trying to get around the all-powerful delivery apps by creating their own platforms.

One such start-up, ChowNow, helps restaurants launch their own order-taking applications, so as not to have to pay any commissions at all.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-covid-19-update-high-infection-rate-in-0-19-age-group-in-india-globally-new-cases-fall-by-9-419214">WHO COVID-19 Update: High infection rate in 0-19 age group in India, globally new cases fall by 9%</a>

Another company, LoCo, creates delivery cooperatives owned by restaurants, where they get to choose their own commissions, often half of what delivery giants charge, said LoCo founder Jon Sewell.

Sewell, himself an owner of a restaurant in Iowa, added that this arrangement also allows restaurants to keep their clients' data to themselves.

LoCo has launched franchises in Virginia, Nevada, and Nebraska and is looking to expand further.

But Sewell admits that the concept is not easy to sell.

"It's difficult to get the people convinced that they need to start to work as a collective."

But, Sewell added, "to me, that's the only real solution."

Meal delivery services became essential during the pandemic, when millions of Americans were under lockdown and restaurants were shut to visitors. But these days the platforms are increasingly finding themselves under fire, with politicians seeking to regulate the industry and restaurateurs accusing the likes of DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats of freeloading.

Meal delivery services became essential during the pandemic, when millions of Americans were under lockdown and restaurants were shut to visitors. But these days the platforms are increasingly finding themselves under fire, with politicians seeking to regulate the industry and restaurateurs accusing the likes of DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats of freeloading. And they are looking for ways to do without them. In just the first nine months of this year, DoorDash has likely filled over 1 billion orders, most of them in the US, where the company is the market leader. Also Read | Iceland suspends use of Moderna's Covid vaccine due to heart-inflammation fears But Mathieu Palombino, founder of the New York-based pizza chain Motorino, calls the boost provided by delivery apps a "big illusion" because more orders don't bring bigger profits to restaurants. "When you receive thirty or forty orders a day, you are happy. But the problem is that it does not translate into profits," Palombino told AFP. Food delivery services can charge restaurants fees of up to 30 percent of the bill for a meal, according to their web sites. To address that problem, in August the New York city council passed a law, capping third-party delivery fees at 15 per cent. "Small businesses should not be pressured into accepting these fees in order to remain viable and competitive," said New York City Councilman Francisco Moya, who initiated the bill. A similar law was passed in San Francisco in June. Food delivery giants have challenged the laws in courts, and some analysts think they have a point. "We believe DoorDash will have a strong legal case against the permanent fee caps," Bank of America said in a research note last month. DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats argue that the cap is unconstitutional and that restaurants are free to negotiate their commissions with delivery platforms. The delivery giants also say they have made huge investments during the pandemic that led millions of customers who had never ordered meals online to get started. And DoorDash says that restaurants that used its platform during the pandemic had a survival rate eight times higher than the industry average. The company also says that even before the laws were passed it already offered a 15 per cent fee formula. Put Palombino, the pizza chain founder, is unconvinced. "The problem is that they have become so established that there no longer is a way back," he said. "If you're not on Seamless (one of the most popular delivery services in New York), you no longer exist." As for the 15 percent commission, Palombino said that a successful restaurant can "only hope" for a profit margin of 15 or 20 percent. "So at the end of the day, they take it all." 'The only real solution' In court, the food delivery platforms have argued that the cap will trigger higher fees for consumers, who have been relatively spared for now. Collin Wallace, managing director of the marketing firm ZeroStorefront and former head of innovation at Grubhub, says that so far it's the restaurants who have had to bend. "The only way to get this resolved is going to be by the technology platforms, using the same engineering and innovation they used to get their companies to this point," Wallace said. Some businesses are already trying to get around the all-powerful delivery apps by creating their own platforms. One such start-up, ChowNow, helps restaurants launch their own order-taking applications, so as not to have to pay any commissions at all. Also Read | WHO COVID-19 Update: High infection rate in 0-19 age group in India, globally new cases fall by 9% Another company, LoCo, creates delivery cooperatives owned by restaurants, where they get to choose their own commissions, often half of what delivery giants charge, said LoCo founder Jon Sewell. Sewell, himself an owner of a restaurant in Iowa, added that this arrangement also allows restaurants to keep their clients' data to themselves. LoCo has launched franchises in Virginia, Nevada, and Nebraska and is looking to expand further. But Sewell admits that the concept is not easy to sell. "It's difficult to get the people convinced that they need to start to work as a collective." But, Sewell added, "to me, that's the only real solution."

Pandemic saviors, food delivery apps now under fire

Even after the online financial services market for everyday investors heats up, Google has decided on hitting the brakes on a project to add mobile banking to its Pay app.&nbsp;

The company has ended work on its Plex project, however, it continues to look for different ways to integrate financial services, a spokesperson said, confirming a Wall Street Journal report. Plex would have allowed the Pay app to act as an interface for banks or credit unions. It would further allow the users to access their savings and checking accounts.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/google-pay-not-a-payment-system-operator-rbi-to-delhi-hc-308372">Also read |&nbsp;Google Pay not a payment system operator: RBI to Delhi HC</a>

In a response to the AFP enquiry, a spokesperson said, "We're updating our approach to focus primarily on delivering digital enablement for banks and other financial service providers rather than us serving as provider of these services."

"We strongly believe that this is the best way for Google to help consumers gain better access to financial services."

Last year, Google said that it was working with nearly a dozen credit unions and banks, including Citigroup, for inclusion in its Plex project for its Pay mobile app available on Android smartphones. This app allows users to pay for transactions, send money to friends, and store loyalty cards. There will also be many other advantages.

Even after the online financial services market for everyday investors heats up, Google has decided on hitting the brakes on a project to add mobile banking to its Pay app.

Even after the online financial services market for everyday investors heats up, Google has decided on hitting the brakes on a project to add mobile banking to its Pay app. The company has ended work on its Plex project, however, it continues to look for different ways to integrate financial services, a spokesperson said, confirming a Wall Street Journal report. Plex would have allowed the Pay app to act as an interface for banks or credit unions. It would further allow the users to access their savings and checking accounts. Also read | Google Pay not a payment system operator: RBI to Delhi HC In a response to the AFP enquiry, a spokesperson said, "We're updating our approach to focus primarily on delivering digital enablement for banks and other financial service providers rather than us serving as provider of these services." "We strongly believe that this is the best way for Google to help consumers gain better access to financial services." Last year, Google said that it was working with nearly a dozen credit unions and banks, including Citigroup, for inclusion in its Plex project for its Pay mobile app available on Android smartphones. This app allows users to pay for transactions, send money to friends, and store loyalty cards. There will also be many other advantages.

Google ends work on its Plex project even after financial markets heat up

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the Jal Jeevan Mission mobile application- which aims to improve awareness among stakeholders and for greater transparency and accountability of schemes under the initiative.

The Prime Minister said that the Jal Jeevan Mission has been empowering women of the country by saving their time and efforts which was earlier consumed in covering long distances to fetch drinking water.

During an interaction with the Prime Minister, various Gram Panchayat heads and Pani Samitis/ Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSC) representatives told PM Modi that through the Jal Jeevan Mission every household in their villages has now a tap connection that provides them with clean drinking water.

During the interaction, the Prime Minister was informed that women in villages now invest their time in educating their children and participating in other activities which generate income.

On the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi PM Modi also launched Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh, where any individual, institution, corporate, or philanthropist, be it in India or abroad, can contribute to help provide tap water connection in every rural household, school, anganwadi centre, ashramshala, and other public institutions.According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister` Office on Friday, nationwide Gram Sabhas on Jal Jeevan Mission will also take place during the day today.

The Gram Sabhas will discuss planning and management of village water supply systems and also work towards long-term water security.Pani Samitis play a key role in planning, implementation, management, operation and maintenance of village water supply systems, thereby providing clean tap water to every household on a regular and long-term basis.

Out of over 6 lakh villages, Pani Samitis/ VWSCs have been constituted in around 3.5 lakh villages. More than 7.1 lakh women have been trained to test the quality of water by using Field Test Kits.

On August 15, 2019, Prime Minister announced the Jal Jeevan Mission to provide clean tap water to every household.

At the time of the launch of the mission, only 3.23 Crore (17 per cent) rural households had a tap water supply.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, in the last two years, more than five Crore households have been provided with tap water connections.

As of date, about 8.26 Crore (43 per cent) rural households have a tap water supply in their homes.

Every rural household in 78 districts, 58 thousand Gram Panchayats and 1.16 lakh villages are getting tap water supply.

Till now, tap water supply has been provided in 7.72 lakh (76 per cent) schools and 7.48 lakh (67.5 per cent) anganwadi centres.

To realize the Prime Minister`s vision of `Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas`, and following the `bottom up` approach, Jal Jeevan Mission is implemented in partnership with States with a budget of Rs. 3.60 lakh Crores.Further, Rs. 1.42 lakh Crore has been allocated to PRIs as a tied grant under the 15th Finance Commission for water and sanitation in villages for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the Jal Jeevan Mission mobile application- which aims to improve awareness among stakeholders and for greater transparency and accountability of schemes under the initiative.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the Jal Jeevan Mission mobile application- which aims to improve awareness among stakeholders and for greater transparency and accountability of schemes under the initiative. The Prime Minister said that the Jal Jeevan Mission has been empowering women of the country by saving their time and efforts which was earlier consumed in covering long distances to fetch drinking water. During an interaction with the Prime Minister, various Gram Panchayat heads and Pani Samitis/ Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSC) representatives told PM Modi that through the Jal Jeevan Mission every household in their villages has now a tap connection that provides them with clean drinking water. During the interaction, the Prime Minister was informed that women in villages now invest their time in educating their children and participating in other activities which generate income. On the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi PM Modi also launched Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh, where any individual, institution, corporate, or philanthropist, be it in India or abroad, can contribute to help provide tap water connection in every rural household, school, anganwadi centre, ashramshala, and other public institutions.According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister` Office on Friday, nationwide Gram Sabhas on Jal Jeevan Mission will also take place during the day today. The Gram Sabhas will discuss planning and management of village water supply systems and also work towards long-term water security.Pani Samitis play a key role in planning, implementation, management, operation and maintenance of village water supply systems, thereby providing clean tap water to every household on a regular and long-term basis. Out of over 6 lakh villages, Pani Samitis/ VWSCs have been constituted in around 3.5 lakh villages. More than 7.1 lakh women have been trained to test the quality of water by using Field Test Kits. On August 15, 2019, Prime Minister announced the Jal Jeevan Mission to provide clean tap water to every household. At the time of the launch of the mission, only 3.23 Crore (17 per cent) rural households had a tap water supply. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, in the last two years, more than five Crore households have been provided with tap water connections. As of date, about 8.26 Crore (43 per cent) rural households have a tap water supply in their homes. Every rural household in 78 districts, 58 thousand Gram Panchayats and 1.16 lakh villages are getting tap water supply. Till now, tap water supply has been provided in 7.72 lakh (76 per cent) schools and 7.48 lakh (67.5 per cent) anganwadi centres. To realize the Prime Minister`s vision of `Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas`, and following the `bottom up` approach, Jal Jeevan Mission is implemented in partnership with States with a budget of Rs. 3.60 lakh Crores.Further, Rs. 1.42 lakh Crore has been allocated to PRIs as a tied grant under the 15th Finance Commission for water and sanitation in villages for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26.

PM Modi launches Jal Jeevan Mission app, Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh today

Facebook said on Monday that it had paused development of an “Instagram Kids” service that would be tailored for children 13 years old or younger amid questions about the app’s effect on young people’s mental health.

The announcement comes ahead of a congressional hearing this week about internal research conducted by Facebook, and reported in The Wall Street Journal, that showed the harmful mental health effects Instagram was having on teenage girls.

Facebook said it still wanted to build an Instagram product intended for children that would have a more “age appropriate experience,” but was postponing the plans in the face of the outside criticism.

“This will give us time to work with parents, experts, policymakers and regulators, to listen to their concerns, and to demonstrate the value and importance of this project for younger teens online today,” Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, wrote in a blog post.

Facebook has argued that young people are using Instagram anyway, despite age-requirement rules, so it would be better to develop a version more suitable for them. Facebook said the “kids” app was intended for those age 10 to 12 and would require parental permission to join, forgo ads and carry more age-appropriate content and features. Parents would be able to control what accounts their child followed. YouTube, which is owned by Google, has released a children’s version of its app.

But since it became public earlier this year that Facebook was working on the app, the company has faced criticism from policymakers, regulators, child safety groups and consumer rights groups. They have argued that it hooks them on the app at a younger age rather than protecting them from problems with the service, including child predatory grooming, bullying and body shaming.

Opposition to Facebook’s plans gained momentum this month when The Journal published a series of articles based on leaked internal documents that showed Facebook knew about many of the harms it was causing. Facebook’s internal research showed that Instagram, in particular, had a negative mental health effect on young people, especially young girls, even while company executives publicly tried to minimize the app’s downsides.

“We need to keep going and ensure this pause becomes permanent,” said Josh Golin, executive director of Fairplay, a Boston-based group that was part of an international coalition of children’s and consumer groups opposed to the new app. “This is a watershed moment for the growing tech accountability movement.”

American policymakers should pass tougher laws to restrict how tech platforms target children, Golin said. Britain adopted an “Age Appropriate Design Code” last year that requires added privacy protections for digital services used by people under the age of 18.

Golin called on Facebook to conduct a major public education campaign to tell parents to get their children under the age of 13 off Instagram.

On Thursday, Facebook’s global head of safety, Antigone Davis, is scheduled to testify at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing titled “Protecting Kids Online: Facebook, Instagram, and Mental Health Harms.” Davis will be questioned about Facebook’s research into the impact of its apps on young people and its work to address risks to young users.

Mosseri cast the internal research in a positive light, saying it is used to help guide product decisions, including new feature that allow people to pause their account or block certain words that could be used for bullying or harassment.

Facebook said that although plans for a children’s Instagram are postponed, it planned to introduce new parental control features in the coming months.

Facebook said on Monday that it had paused development of an “Instagram Kids” service that would be tailored for children 13 years old or younger amid questions about the app’s effect on young people’s mental health.

Facebook said on Monday that it had paused development of an “Instagram Kids” service that would be tailored for children 13 years old or younger amid questions about the app’s effect on young people’s mental health. The announcement comes ahead of a congressional hearing this week about internal research conducted by Facebook, and reported in The Wall Street Journal, that showed the harmful mental health effects Instagram was having on teenage girls. Facebook said it still wanted to build an Instagram product intended for children that would have a more “age appropriate experience,” but was postponing the plans in the face of the outside criticism. “This will give us time to work with parents, experts, policymakers and regulators, to listen to their concerns, and to demonstrate the value and importance of this project for younger teens online today,” Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, wrote in a blog post. Facebook has argued that young people are using Instagram anyway, despite age-requirement rules, so it would be better to develop a version more suitable for them. Facebook said the “kids” app was intended for those age 10 to 12 and would require parental permission to join, forgo ads and carry more age-appropriate content and features. Parents would be able to control what accounts their child followed. YouTube, which is owned by Google, has released a children’s version of its app. But since it became public earlier this year that Facebook was working on the app, the company has faced criticism from policymakers, regulators, child safety groups and consumer rights groups. They have argued that it hooks them on the app at a younger age rather than protecting them from problems with the service, including child predatory grooming, bullying and body shaming. Opposition to Facebook’s plans gained momentum this month when The Journal published a series of articles based on leaked internal documents that showed Facebook knew about many of the harms it was causing. Facebook’s internal research showed that Instagram, in particular, had a negative mental health effect on young people, especially young girls, even while company executives publicly tried to minimize the app’s downsides. “We need to keep going and ensure this pause becomes permanent,” said Josh Golin, executive director of Fairplay, a Boston-based group that was part of an international coalition of children’s and consumer groups opposed to the new app. “This is a watershed moment for the growing tech accountability movement.” American policymakers should pass tougher laws to restrict how tech platforms target children, Golin said. Britain adopted an “Age Appropriate Design Code” last year that requires added privacy protections for digital services used by people under the age of 18. Golin called on Facebook to conduct a major public education campaign to tell parents to get their children under the age of 13 off Instagram. On Thursday, Facebook’s global head of safety, Antigone Davis, is scheduled to testify at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing titled “Protecting Kids Online: Facebook, Instagram, and Mental Health Harms.” Davis will be questioned about Facebook’s research into the impact of its apps on young people and its work to address risks to young users. Mosseri cast the internal research in a positive light, saying it is used to help guide product decisions, including new feature that allow people to pause their account or block certain words that could be used for bullying or harassment. Facebook said that although plans for a children’s Instagram are postponed, it planned to introduce new parental control features in the coming months.

Facebook is delaying an Instagram app for users under the age of 13

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's app that instructed Russians how to vote to unseat Russian President Vladimir Putin's party disappeared from Apple App Store and Google Play Store in Russia on Friday. The development has come on the day parliamentary polls opened across Russia. The polls have been marked by historic crackdown on the opposition.

Parliamentary and local polls in the world's largest country spread over 11 time zones began at 08:00 am Friday.&nbsp;

On Friday morning, Navalny's "Smart Voting" app was unavailable on Google and Apple stores after Russia ramped on pressure on US tech giants to remove it, accusing them of election interference.&nbsp;

Meanwhilel Kremlin has said that&nbsp;Google and Apple conformed with "the letter and spirit" of Russian law by removing the app.

"This app has been outlawed in our country," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Navalny's allies denounced the move as an "act of political censorship."&nbsp;

"They caved in to the Kremlin's blackmail," exiled Navalny ally Leonid Volkov said on Telegram. Google and Apple have not commented on the move.

Navalny had appealed to supporters from prison to download the app and urged them to back mostly Communist Party candidates to weaken the ruling party.

With many voters frustrated by falling incomes and not planning to cast their ballots, Putin urged Russians to elect a "strong" parliament.

"I'm counting on your responsible, balanced and patriotic civic position," Putin said in a video address on Thursday.

The run-up to the parliamentary polls has been marred by an unprecedented crackdown on Kremlin critics and independent media, with Putin's top foe Alexei Navalny jailed in January and his organisations subsequently outlawed.

(With inputs from agencies)

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's app that instructed Russians how to vote to unseat Russian President Vladimir Putin's party disappeared from Apple App Store and Google Play Store in Russia on Friday.

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's app that instructed Russians how to vote to unseat Russian President Vladimir Putin's party disappeared from Apple App Store and Google Play Store in Russia on Friday. The development has come on the day parliamentary polls opened across Russia. The polls have been marked by historic crackdown on the opposition. Parliamentary and local polls in the world's largest country spread over 11 time zones began at 08:00 am Friday. On Friday morning, Navalny's "Smart Voting" app was unavailable on Google and Apple stores after Russia ramped on pressure on US tech giants to remove it, accusing them of election interference. Meanwhilel Kremlin has said that Google and Apple conformed with "the letter and spirit" of Russian law by removing the app. "This app has been outlawed in our country," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Navalny's allies denounced the move as an "act of political censorship." "They caved in to the Kremlin's blackmail," exiled Navalny ally Leonid Volkov said on Telegram. Google and Apple have not commented on the move. Navalny had appealed to supporters from prison to download the app and urged them to back mostly Communist Party candidates to weaken the ruling party. With many voters frustrated by falling incomes and not planning to cast their ballots, Putin urged Russians to elect a "strong" parliament. "I'm counting on your responsible, balanced and patriotic civic position," Putin said in a video address on Thursday. The run-up to the parliamentary polls has been marred by an unprecedented crackdown on Kremlin critics and independent media, with Putin's top foe Alexei Navalny jailed in January and his organisations subsequently outlawed. (With inputs from agencies)

Alexei Navalny's app removed right on Russian election day

A US judge on Friday ordered Apple to loosen control over its App Store payment system, a blow to the global tech giant sparked by its anti-trust battle with Fortnite maker Epic Games.

In a ruling with significant potential to alter the digital economy, Apple will no longer be allowed to force developers to use its tightly-controlled sales tool.

It's a change loudly demanded by app producers because of the up to 30 percent commission on purchases, however the judge also ruled that Epic had not proved its claim of illegal monopoly -- which prompted a sigh of relief from Apple.

Lawsuits, rules and probes have piled up for the iPhone maker, but it was noncommittal about challenging the ruling and instead lauded the anti-trust portion by saying: "We consider this a huge win for Apple."

Epic for its part branded the judgement as essentially a loss for app developers who rely on the App Store in the multi-billion-dollar mobile gaming industry, and for consumers.

"We will fight on," Epic CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted, and a company spokesperson later confirmed they would appeal.

Friday's order says Apple is permanently barred from prohibiting developers from including in their apps "external links or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms."

"Apple enjoys considerable market share of over 55 percent and extraordinarily high profit margins... (but) Success is not illegal," California federal Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers wrote.&nbsp;

"Epic Games failed in its burden to demonstrate Apple is an illegal monopolist," she added.

The decision noted that Apple violated California's laws against unfair competition, however.

The two firms clashed in a lawsuit over whether Apple has the right to set ground rules, control payment systems and kick out apps from its marketplace that fail to comply.

Also at stake was Apple's slice of revenue from iPhone apps of as much as 30 percent.

Apple booted Fortnite from its online mobile marketplace after Epic released an update that dodged revenue sharing with the iPhone maker.

A win for Apple?

However, even before Friday's decision Apple started to cede ground on its App Store dominance, including in an agreement with Japanese regulators.

It also faces the legislation adopted by South Korean lawmakers, which banned Apple and Google from forcing app developers to use the tech giants' payment systems.&nbsp;

Analyst Carolina Milanesi noted the anti-trust aspect of the case was what really had Apple's attention, with a ruling against it potentially opening the doors for challenges from lawmakers and prosecutors.

"For me, it is a win for Apple in that the judge clearly said they are not engaging in monopolistic behavior," she told AFP. "I don't think it is a problem for Apple from a revenue perspective."

Some US lawmakers also noted the anti-trust aspect of the case could not be ignored, noting courts have not tackled the issue.

"Congress must enact rules of the road to ensure free and fair competition online," said the joint statement from representatives Jerrold Nadler and David Cicilline.

"It is clear that courts continue to narrowly interpret the antitrust laws in favor of monopolies and against consumers, workers, and small businesses," the added.&nbsp;

Apple opened its App Store in July 2008, a year after the release of the first iPhone.

The shop, stocked with mobile apps tailored for devices powered by iOS mobile software, was quickly imitated by rival smartphone makers.

It ignited an entire economy where developers big or small could make money with "an app for that," from games or social networking to summoning car rides or ordering food.

The App Store -- the lone gateway onto the more than one billion iPhones in use around the world -- has grown to include more than 1.8 million apps.

A US judge on Friday ordered Apple to loosen control over its App Store payment system, a blow to the global tech giant sparked by its anti-trust battle with Fortnite maker Epic Games.

A US judge on Friday ordered Apple to loosen control over its App Store payment system, a blow to the global tech giant sparked by its anti-trust battle with Fortnite maker Epic Games. In a ruling with significant potential to alter the digital economy, Apple will no longer be allowed to force developers to use its tightly-controlled sales tool. It's a change loudly demanded by app producers because of the up to 30 percent commission on purchases, however the judge also ruled that Epic had not proved its claim of illegal monopoly -- which prompted a sigh of relief from Apple. Lawsuits, rules and probes have piled up for the iPhone maker, but it was noncommittal about challenging the ruling and instead lauded the anti-trust portion by saying: "We consider this a huge win for Apple." Epic for its part branded the judgement as essentially a loss for app developers who rely on the App Store in the multi-billion-dollar mobile gaming industry, and for consumers. "We will fight on," Epic CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted, and a company spokesperson later confirmed they would appeal. Friday's order says Apple is permanently barred from prohibiting developers from including in their apps "external links or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms." "Apple enjoys considerable market share of over 55 percent and extraordinarily high profit margins... (but) Success is not illegal," California federal Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers wrote. "Epic Games failed in its burden to demonstrate Apple is an illegal monopolist," she added. The decision noted that Apple violated California's laws against unfair competition, however. The two firms clashed in a lawsuit over whether Apple has the right to set ground rules, control payment systems and kick out apps from its marketplace that fail to comply. Also at stake was Apple's slice of revenue from iPhone apps of as much as 30 percent. Apple booted Fortnite from its online mobile marketplace after Epic released an update that dodged revenue sharing with the iPhone maker. A win for Apple? However, even before Friday's decision Apple started to cede ground on its App Store dominance, including in an agreement with Japanese regulators. It also faces the legislation adopted by South Korean lawmakers, which banned Apple and Google from forcing app developers to use the tech giants' payment systems. Analyst Carolina Milanesi noted the anti-trust aspect of the case was what really had Apple's attention, with a ruling against it potentially opening the doors for challenges from lawmakers and prosecutors. "For me, it is a win for Apple in that the judge clearly said they are not engaging in monopolistic behavior," she told AFP. "I don't think it is a problem for Apple from a revenue perspective." Some US lawmakers also noted the anti-trust aspect of the case could not be ignored, noting courts have not tackled the issue. "Congress must enact rules of the road to ensure free and fair competition online," said the joint statement from representatives Jerrold Nadler and David Cicilline. "It is clear that courts continue to narrowly interpret the antitrust laws in favor of monopolies and against consumers, workers, and small businesses," the added. Apple opened its App Store in July 2008, a year after the release of the first iPhone. The shop, stocked with mobile apps tailored for devices powered by iOS mobile software, was quickly imitated by rival smartphone makers. It ignited an entire economy where developers big or small could make money with "an app for that," from games or social networking to summoning car rides or ordering food. The App Store -- the lone gateway onto the more than one billion iPhones in use around the world -- has grown to include more than 1.8 million apps.

Apple takes app payment hit in Epic court fight

Live audio app&nbsp;Clubhouse&nbsp;has removed its invite system so that anyone can join the platform, it said on Wednesday.

The social app, which saw explosive early growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, previously required people to be invited by an existing user or request to join a waitlist. It said in a blog post that it had always planned to open up the app but that invites had been a way of tempering user numbers.

Clubhouse&nbsp;faces new competition from social media companies, including Facebook, Twitter, as well as streaming company Spotify, which have launched similar audio chat services.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/invite-only-app-clubhouse-launches-direct-messages-feature-backchannel-398255">Also read |&nbsp;Invite-only app Clubhouse launches direct messages feature 'Backchannel'</a>

"We know there will be many more ups and downs as we scale, and competition from the large networks will be fierce," the company wrote in its post.

Clubhouse&nbsp;said it had added 10 million people since launching on Android in May. Estimates from analytics firm Sensor Tower found the app had reached about 7.8 million global installs in June, up from 3.7 million the previous month.

The company, which said its team had expanded since January from 8 to 58 people, launched a direct messaging feature last week.

Live audio app Clubhouse has removed its invite system so that anyone can join the platform, it said on Wednesday. The social app, which saw explosive early growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, previously required people to be invited by an existing user or request to join a waitlist.

Live audio app Clubhouse has removed its invite system so that anyone can join the platform, it said on Wednesday. The social app, which saw explosive early growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, previously required people to be invited by an existing user or request to join a waitlist. It said in a blog post that it had always planned to open up the app but that invites had been a way of tempering user numbers. Clubhouse faces new competition from social media companies, including Facebook, Twitter, as well as streaming company Spotify, which have launched similar audio chat services. Also read | Invite-only app Clubhouse launches direct messages feature 'Backchannel' "We know there will be many more ups and downs as we scale, and competition from the large networks will be fierce," the company wrote in its post. Clubhouse said it had added 10 million people since launching on Android in May. Estimates from analytics firm Sensor Tower found the app had reached about 7.8 million global installs in June, up from 3.7 million the previous month. The company, which said its team had expanded since January from 8 to 58 people, launched a direct messaging feature last week.

Social audio app Clubhouse is no longer invite-only

India's e-payment gateway for cashless transactions, the BHIM app, will be launched in Bhutan today. BHIM or Bharat Interface for Money is developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and is based on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

The BHIM app will help Indian businesses and tourists in the country with cashless transactions and will give a flip to Bhutanese businesses as well.

BHIM is the second Indian payment gateway to be launched in the country after RuPay.

The year 2019 saw the RuPay card being launched in Bhutan during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Phase 2 of RuPay was launched last year. RuPay is an Indian payment gateway like a visa or Mastercard and is now available in many countries in the region, like Singapore, Maldives, UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.

India and Bhutan share very close ties, defined as a "special relationship".

Amid the Covid crisis, India sent out medicines and vaccines to the country. Bhutan also reached out to India by supplying 40 metric tonnes of liquid oxygen to Assam.

India's e-payment gateway for cashless transactions, the BHIM app, will be launched in Bhutan today. BHIM or Bharat Interface for Money is developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and is based on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

India's e-payment gateway for cashless transactions, the BHIM app, will be launched in Bhutan today. BHIM or Bharat Interface for Money is developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and is based on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). The BHIM app will help Indian businesses and tourists in the country with cashless transactions and will give a flip to Bhutanese businesses as well. BHIM is the second Indian payment gateway to be launched in the country after RuPay. The year 2019 saw the RuPay card being launched in Bhutan during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Phase 2 of RuPay was launched last year. RuPay is an Indian payment gateway like a visa or Mastercard and is now available in many countries in the region, like Singapore, Maldives, UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. India and Bhutan share very close ties, defined as a "special relationship". Amid the Covid crisis, India sent out medicines and vaccines to the country. Bhutan also reached out to India by supplying 40 metric tonnes of liquid oxygen to Assam.

Indian mobile payment App BHIM to be launched in Bhutan today 

Nextdoor, the neighbourhood-focused social network based in San Francisco, announced its plans to go public Tuesday, raising $686 million for the 10-year-old startup and valuing the company at roughly $4.3 billion.

But instead of completing a traditional initial public offering process, Nextdoor will be listed on the public markets by way of a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, a type of financial vehicle that has grown increasingly popular in recent years among tech companies.

Nextdoor's SPAC will be backed by an affiliate of Khosla Ventures, a blue-chip Silicon Valley firm, and will include participation from firms such as T. Rowe Price Associates, Baron Capital Group and Dragoneer Investment Group, along with existing investors that include Tiger Global.

Over the past year, these buzzy, financial vehicles have come under increased regulatory scrutiny as private equity firms and investors create record amounts of so-called blank check companies in the hunt to take promising startups public. Executives at companies like Reddit have mulled going public via SPAC, while hundreds of new SPACs have been created in the first half of 2021 alone.

Sarah Friar, Nextdoor’s CEO, said in an interview that going the SPAC route made the most sense for the company, allowing it to be more closely involved and counselled by a smaller, more targeted group of investors. Friar also said it gave Nextdoor a better sense of certainty about how much money it would raise, rather than the riskiness that could come with a traditional IPO process.

"We've been prepping for this now for a couple of years," Friar said. "We are ready, and we’ll do this right."

Founded in 2011, Nextdoor rose to prominence early on as a kind of "Facebook for neighbourhoods," slowly meting out invitations to people who lived in specific areas and could form small, tight-knit social groups based on proximity. Using the site's web and mobile apps, neighbours discussed everything from yard sales to finding child care to concerns about crime.

Nearly 10 years later, Nextdoor has ballooned to more than 275,000 "neighbourhoods" across 11 countries. As the network grew, Nextdoor began making money by selling advertising to businesses, which pay the company to post sponsored content inside users' feeds. Ads run the gamut from national brand marketers to small and midsize businesses to local service providers.

Nextdoor plans to use the new funding to invest in expanding its products and acquiring more users, Friar said, while also using capital to further develop its self-serve advertising platform aimed at small and midsize businesses. It also plans to hire more engineers and other employees.

Critics of Nextdoor have assailed the platform for being a haven for racism and targeted online harassment. Complaints often involve users who have flocked to Nextdoor to lodge racially motivated grievances about their neighbours or to engage in toxic behaviour or harassment.

Since Friar became CEO in 2018, she has made it a priority to clean up areas of the platform that have created problems. The company has added anti-racial profiling steps and includes ways to make users slow down and become more thoughtful about certain kinds of posts, like those about suspected crimes. Friar said the new funding would also pay for products that handle such content moderation issues.

In addition, Friar, the company’s three original founders and its earliest investor plan to contribute a portion of their shares in Nextdoor to form the Nextdoor Kind Foundation, a nonprofit foundation "dedicated to helping neighbours rejuvenate their neighbourhoods through targeted grants." The foundation will solicit ideas from people who want to improve their communities, whether it is to "plant a garden, paint a community center, or repair the playground," according to the company.

Shares of Nextdoor will be publicly traded on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the stock ticker symbol “KIND.”

Nextdoor, the neighbourhood-focused social network based in San Francisco, announced its plans to go public Tuesday, raising $686 million for the 10-year-old startup and valuing the company at roughly $4.

Nextdoor, the neighbourhood-focused social network based in San Francisco, announced its plans to go public Tuesday, raising $686 million for the 10-year-old startup and valuing the company at roughly $4.3 billion. But instead of completing a traditional initial public offering process, Nextdoor will be listed on the public markets by way of a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, a type of financial vehicle that has grown increasingly popular in recent years among tech companies. Nextdoor's SPAC will be backed by an affiliate of Khosla Ventures, a blue-chip Silicon Valley firm, and will include participation from firms such as T. Rowe Price Associates, Baron Capital Group and Dragoneer Investment Group, along with existing investors that include Tiger Global. Over the past year, these buzzy, financial vehicles have come under increased regulatory scrutiny as private equity firms and investors create record amounts of so-called blank check companies in the hunt to take promising startups public. Executives at companies like Reddit have mulled going public via SPAC, while hundreds of new SPACs have been created in the first half of 2021 alone. Sarah Friar, Nextdoor’s CEO, said in an interview that going the SPAC route made the most sense for the company, allowing it to be more closely involved and counselled by a smaller, more targeted group of investors. Friar also said it gave Nextdoor a better sense of certainty about how much money it would raise, rather than the riskiness that could come with a traditional IPO process. "We've been prepping for this now for a couple of years," Friar said. "We are ready, and we’ll do this right." Founded in 2011, Nextdoor rose to prominence early on as a kind of "Facebook for neighbourhoods," slowly meting out invitations to people who lived in specific areas and could form small, tight-knit social groups based on proximity. Using the site's web and mobile apps, neighbours discussed everything from yard sales to finding child care to concerns about crime. Nearly 10 years later, Nextdoor has ballooned to more than 275,000 "neighbourhoods" across 11 countries. As the network grew, Nextdoor began making money by selling advertising to businesses, which pay the company to post sponsored content inside users' feeds. Ads run the gamut from national brand marketers to small and midsize businesses to local service providers. Nextdoor plans to use the new funding to invest in expanding its products and acquiring more users, Friar said, while also using capital to further develop its self-serve advertising platform aimed at small and midsize businesses. It also plans to hire more engineers and other employees. Critics of Nextdoor have assailed the platform for being a haven for racism and targeted online harassment. Complaints often involve users who have flocked to Nextdoor to lodge racially motivated grievances about their neighbours or to engage in toxic behaviour or harassment. Since Friar became CEO in 2018, she has made it a priority to clean up areas of the platform that have created problems. The company has added anti-racial profiling steps and includes ways to make users slow down and become more thoughtful about certain kinds of posts, like those about suspected crimes. Friar said the new funding would also pay for products that handle such content moderation issues. In addition, Friar, the company’s three original founders and its earliest investor plan to contribute a portion of their shares in Nextdoor to form the Nextdoor Kind Foundation, a nonprofit foundation "dedicated to helping neighbours rejuvenate their neighbourhoods through targeted grants." The foundation will solicit ideas from people who want to improve their communities, whether it is to "plant a garden, paint a community center, or repair the playground," according to the company. Shares of Nextdoor will be publicly traded on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the stock ticker symbol “KIND.”

Nextdoor, the social network for neighborhoods, plans to go public

China's biggest ride-hailing firm Didi Global Inc said on Sunday removal of its 'DiDi Chuxing' app from smartphone app stores in China is expected to have an adverse impact on its revenue in China. 
 
Earlier on Sunday, China's cyberspace regulator ordered app stores to stop offering Didi's app after finding that the company had illegally collected users' personal data. 
 
"The company expects that the app takedown may have an adverse impact on its revenue in China," the company said in a statement. 
 
In its filing&nbsp;from June, Didi reported revenue of about 42.2 billion yuan ($6.52 billion) for the three months ended March 31. Of that, 39.2 billion yuan came from China mobility division while about 800 million yuan came from international business. 
 
Didi has a dominant position in the online ride-hailing business in China and operates in 4,000 locations across 16 countries. 
 
Didi said it will strive to rectify any problems, and will protect users' privacy and data security. 
 
The company also said once the app is taken down from app stores, new users will no longer be able to download the app in China, although existing users, who had installed the app prior to the takedown may continue using it. 
 
The takedown comes days after Didi made its trading debut on New York Stock Exchange having raised $4.4 billion in an initial public offering. 
 
A senior Didi executive said on Saturday company stores all China user and roads data at servers in the country and it is 'absolutely not possible' that it passed data to the United States. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

China's biggest ride-hailing firm Didi Global Inc said on Sunday removal of its 'DiDi Chuxing' app from smartphone app stores in China is expected to have an adverse impact on its revenue in China.

China's biggest ride-hailing firm Didi Global Inc said on Sunday removal of its 'DiDi Chuxing' app from smartphone app stores in China is expected to have an adverse impact on its revenue in China. Earlier on Sunday, China's cyberspace regulator ordered app stores to stop offering Didi's app after finding that the company had illegally collected users' personal data. "The company expects that the app takedown may have an adverse impact on its revenue in China," the company said in a statement. In its filing from June, Didi reported revenue of about 42.2 billion yuan ($6.52 billion) for the three months ended March 31. Of that, 39.2 billion yuan came from China mobility division while about 800 million yuan came from international business. Didi has a dominant position in the online ride-hailing business in China and operates in 4,000 locations across 16 countries. Didi said it will strive to rectify any problems, and will protect users' privacy and data security. The company also said once the app is taken down from app stores, new users will no longer be able to download the app in China, although existing users, who had installed the app prior to the takedown may continue using it. The takedown comes days after Didi made its trading debut on New York Stock Exchange having raised $4.4 billion in an initial public offering. A senior Didi executive said on Saturday company stores all China user and roads data at servers in the country and it is 'absolutely not possible' that it passed data to the United States. (With inputs from agencies)

Ride hailing firm Didi says app takedown may adversely impact revenue in China

On Monday, Apple faces one of its most serious legal threats in recent years: A trial that threatens to upend its iron control over its app store, which brings in billions of dollars each year while feeding more than 1,600,000,000&nbsp;iPhones, iPads, and other devices.&nbsp;

The federal court case is being brought by Epic Games, maker of the popular video game Fortnite. &nbsp;

Epic wants to topple the so-called 'walled garden' of the app store, which Apple started building 13 years ago as part of a strategy masterminded by co-founder Steve Jobs.&nbsp;

Epic charges that Apple has transformed a once-tiny digital storefront into an illegal monopoly that squeezes mobile apps for a significant slice of their earnings. Apple takes a commission of 15 per cent to 30 per cent on purchases made within apps, including everything from digital items in games to subscriptions. Apple denies Epic's claims.&nbsp;

Apple's highly successful formula has helped turn the iPhone maker into one of the world's most profitable companies, one with a market value that now tops USD 2,200,000,000,000.

Privately held Epic is puny by comparison, with an estimated market value of USD 30,000,000,000. Its aspirations to get bigger hinge in part on its plan to offer an alternative app store on the iPhone. &nbsp;

The North Carolina company also wants to break free of Apple's commissions. Epic says it forked over hundreds of millions of dollars to Apple before it expelled Fortnite from its app store last August, after Epic added a payment system that bypassed Apple.&nbsp;

Epic then sued Apple, prompting a courtroom drama that could shed new light on Apple's management of its app store. Both Apple CEO Tim Cook and Epic CEO Tim Sweeney will testify in an Oakland, California federal courtroom that will be set up to allow for social distancing and will require masks at all times.&nbsp;

Neither side wanted a jury trial, leaving the decision to US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who already seems to know her ruling will probably be appealed, given the stakes in the case.&nbsp;

Much of the evidence will revolve around arcane but crucial arguments about market definitions.&nbsp;

Epic contends the iPhone has become so ingrained in society that the device and its ecosystem have turned into a monopoly Apple can exploit to unfairly enrich itself and thwart competition.&nbsp;

Apple claims it faces significant competition from various alternatives to video games on iPhones. For instance, it points out that about 2,000,000,000 other smartphones don't run iPhone software or work with its app store, primarily those relying on Google's Android system. Epic has filed a separate case against Google, accusing it of illegally gouging apps through its own app store for Android devices.&nbsp;

Apple will also depict Epic as a desperate company hungry for sources of revenue beyond the aging Fortnite. It claims Epic merely wants to freeload off an iPhone ecosystem in which Apple has invested more than USD 100,000,000,000 over the past 15 years.&nbsp;

Estimates of Apple's app store revenue range from USD 15,000,000,000 to USD 18,000,000,000&nbsp;annually. Apple disputes those estimates, although it hasn't publicly disclosed its own figures. Instead, it has emphasised that it doesn't collect a cent from 85 per cent of the apps in its store.&nbsp;

The commissions it pockets, Apple says, are a reasonable way for the company to recoup its investment while financing an app review process it calls essential to preserving the security of apps and their users.&nbsp;

About 40 per cent of the roughly 100,000 apps submitted for review each week are rejected for some sort of problem, according to Kyle Andeer, Apple's chief compliance officer.&nbsp;

Epic will try to prove that Apple uses the security issue to disguise its true motivation, maintaining a monopoly that wrings more profits from app makers, who can't afford not to be available on the iPhone.&nbsp;

(With input from agencies)&nbsp;

On Monday, Apple faces one of its most serious legal threats in recent years: A trial that threatens to upend its iron control over its app store, which brings in billions of dollars each year while feeding more than 1,600,000,000 iPhones, iPads, and other devices.

On Monday, Apple faces one of its most serious legal threats in recent years: A trial that threatens to upend its iron control over its app store, which brings in billions of dollars each year while feeding more than 1,600,000,000 iPhones, iPads, and other devices. The federal court case is being brought by Epic Games, maker of the popular video game Fortnite. Epic wants to topple the so-called 'walled garden' of the app store, which Apple started building 13 years ago as part of a strategy masterminded by co-founder Steve Jobs. Epic charges that Apple has transformed a once-tiny digital storefront into an illegal monopoly that squeezes mobile apps for a significant slice of their earnings. Apple takes a commission of 15 per cent to 30 per cent on purchases made within apps, including everything from digital items in games to subscriptions. Apple denies Epic's claims. Apple's highly successful formula has helped turn the iPhone maker into one of the world's most profitable companies, one with a market value that now tops USD 2,200,000,000,000. Privately held Epic is puny by comparison, with an estimated market value of USD 30,000,000,000. Its aspirations to get bigger hinge in part on its plan to offer an alternative app store on the iPhone. The North Carolina company also wants to break free of Apple's commissions. Epic says it forked over hundreds of millions of dollars to Apple before it expelled Fortnite from its app store last August, after Epic added a payment system that bypassed Apple. Epic then sued Apple, prompting a courtroom drama that could shed new light on Apple's management of its app store. Both Apple CEO Tim Cook and Epic CEO Tim Sweeney will testify in an Oakland, California federal courtroom that will be set up to allow for social distancing and will require masks at all times. Neither side wanted a jury trial, leaving the decision to US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who already seems to know her ruling will probably be appealed, given the stakes in the case. Much of the evidence will revolve around arcane but crucial arguments about market definitions. Epic contends the iPhone has become so ingrained in society that the device and its ecosystem have turned into a monopoly Apple can exploit to unfairly enrich itself and thwart competition. Apple claims it faces significant competition from various alternatives to video games on iPhones. For instance, it points out that about 2,000,000,000 other smartphones don't run iPhone software or work with its app store, primarily those relying on Google's Android system. Epic has filed a separate case against Google, accusing it of illegally gouging apps through its own app store for Android devices. Apple will also depict Epic as a desperate company hungry for sources of revenue beyond the aging Fortnite. It claims Epic merely wants to freeload off an iPhone ecosystem in which Apple has invested more than USD 100,000,000,000 over the past 15 years. Estimates of Apple's app store revenue range from USD 15,000,000,000 to USD 18,000,000,000 annually. Apple disputes those estimates, although it hasn't publicly disclosed its own figures. Instead, it has emphasised that it doesn't collect a cent from 85 per cent of the apps in its store. The commissions it pockets, Apple says, are a reasonable way for the company to recoup its investment while financing an app review process it calls essential to preserving the security of apps and their users. About 40 per cent of the roughly 100,000 apps submitted for review each week are rejected for some sort of problem, according to Kyle Andeer, Apple's chief compliance officer. Epic will try to prove that Apple uses the security issue to disguise its true motivation, maintaining a monopoly that wrings more profits from app makers, who can't afford not to be available on the iPhone. (With input from agencies)

Apple's app store goes on trial in threat to 'walled garden' 

After Facebook Dating, the social networking platform is now testing a video speed-dating app called Sparked that will first allow 4-minute dates to help users find if they are compatible to each other.&nbsp;

Once you 'both have a great time’, dates will then be scheduled for a 10-minute duration. &nbsp;

After that point, Sparked can let the users exchange contact information and stay in touch via Instagram, iMessage, or email, The Verge reported on Tuesday. &nbsp;

Sparked is developed by the company's in-house NPE (New Product Experimentation) team.&nbsp;

The free-to-use app will offer no public profiles, no swiping and no direct messages (DMs) but a simple video speed-chat. &nbsp;

During the sign-up process, users need to explain what makes them a kind dater. The responses will be 'reviewed by a human at Sparked' before you can go on speed dates. &nbsp;

"Users also have to choose whether they want to date men, women, or nonbinary people, and then are asked if they are open to dating trans people," the report noted. &nbsp;

In 2019, the company rolled out Facebook Dating in the US, and later to various countries, including the UK. &nbsp;

The Dating app helps users explore potential romantic relationships within their own extended circle of friends.&nbsp;

Facebook also quietly launched a new app last year, just for couples who can connect to each other intimately like a personal dating app.&nbsp;

Called Tuned, the app allowed couples to share their mood, exchange music via Spotify and create a digital scrapbook. &nbsp;

After Facebook Dating, the social networking platform is now testing a video speed-dating app called Sparked that will first allow 4-minute dates to help users find if they are compatible to each other.

After Facebook Dating, the social networking platform is now testing a video speed-dating app called Sparked that will first allow 4-minute dates to help users find if they are compatible to each other. Once you 'both have a great time’, dates will then be scheduled for a 10-minute duration. After that point, Sparked can let the users exchange contact information and stay in touch via Instagram, iMessage, or email, The Verge reported on Tuesday. Sparked is developed by the company's in-house NPE (New Product Experimentation) team. The free-to-use app will offer no public profiles, no swiping and no direct messages (DMs) but a simple video speed-chat. During the sign-up process, users need to explain what makes them a kind dater. The responses will be 'reviewed by a human at Sparked' before you can go on speed dates. "Users also have to choose whether they want to date men, women, or nonbinary people, and then are asked if they are open to dating trans people," the report noted. In 2019, the company rolled out Facebook Dating in the US, and later to various countries, including the UK. The Dating app helps users explore potential romantic relationships within their own extended circle of friends. Facebook also quietly launched a new app last year, just for couples who can connect to each other intimately like a personal dating app. Called Tuned, the app allowed couples to share their mood, exchange music via Spotify and create a digital scrapbook.

Facebook testing video speed dating app 'Sparked' 

Indian government has&nbsp;launched first-ever app that enables the user to learn Sanskrit, the ancient language of the country. The app created by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has been named 'Little Guru'.

The app aims to make learning Sanskrit easy and entertaining by 'gamifying' it. It has been developed by Bengaluru-based company Gamapp sportswizz. The app is available on Google Play Store.

"Little guru is a beautiful symbol of what we proposed to do in teaching to people across the world. This app will help students, teachers, monks...to be able to get an app that will help them learn easier at their own pace, whatever time they want. It helps you do better," said Dinesh Patnaik, director general&nbsp;of ICCR.

"We realised something, we need something more modern, more up to date. Which works with technology, to bring this ancient language to the people...We decided to use modern-day tools like machine learning, AI, and gaming techniques. Gaming techniques help in bringing life to language," he said.

Sankrit is often called the 'language of the Gods' in Indian culture. ICCR has been providing Sanskrit books and other material to help people learn the language. ICCR comes under India's Ministry of External Affairs. It also deputes teachers, professors to universities and institutes.

Indian diaspora as well as foreigners have been requesting ICCR for assistance in Sanskrit learning. Many Buddhist, Jain and other religious texts are in Sanskrit. There has been great demand from some countries for assistance in learning the language.

Many Indian languages like Bengali, Tamil, Marathi use Sanskrit as a base.&nbsp;

A number of universities teaching Sanskrit across the world have been keen for an app that helps not only the current students but also other young scholars who wish to learn Sanskrit before joining universities.

Indian government has launched first-ever app that enables the user to learn Sanskrit, the ancient language of the country. The app created by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has been named 'Little Guru'.

Indian government has launched first-ever app that enables the user to learn Sanskrit, the ancient language of the country. The app created by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has been named 'Little Guru'. The app aims to make learning Sanskrit easy and entertaining by 'gamifying' it. It has been developed by Bengaluru-based company Gamapp sportswizz. The app is available on Google Play Store. "Little guru is a beautiful symbol of what we proposed to do in teaching to people across the world. This app will help students, teachers, monks...to be able to get an app that will help them learn easier at their own pace, whatever time they want. It helps you do better," said Dinesh Patnaik, director general of ICCR. "We realised something, we need something more modern, more up to date. Which works with technology, to bring this ancient language to the people...We decided to use modern-day tools like machine learning, AI, and gaming techniques. Gaming techniques help in bringing life to language," he said. Sankrit is often called the 'language of the Gods' in Indian culture. ICCR has been providing Sanskrit books and other material to help people learn the language. ICCR comes under India's Ministry of External Affairs. It also deputes teachers, professors to universities and institutes. Indian diaspora as well as foreigners have been requesting ICCR for assistance in Sanskrit learning. Many Buddhist, Jain and other religious texts are in Sanskrit. There has been great demand from some countries for assistance in learning the language. Many Indian languages like Bengali, Tamil, Marathi use Sanskrit as a base. A number of universities teaching Sanskrit across the world have been keen for an app that helps not only the current students but also other young scholars who wish to learn Sanskrit before joining universities.

Little Guru: India launches first of its kind app that teaches Sanskrit

Video conferencing platform Zoom on Monday released a new video Software Development Kit (SDK) to enable developers to leverage the platform's HD video, audio and interactive features to build video-based applications and desktop experiences with native user interfaces.&nbsp;

With the ability to build the reliability and scale-ready performance of Zoom's video-first unified communications platform into their products and applications, developers can leverage the Video SDK to create new and exciting experiences.&nbsp;

Using the Video SDK, developers can drive customer engagement and provide new opportunities for revenue without being tied to the Zoom Meetings user interface, Zoom said.&nbsp;

"Video-based customer experiences will play an increasingly large role in customer engagement as we move into the future," Natalie Mullin, Product Marketing Manager at Zoom, wrote in a blog post.&nbsp;

According to industry analyst Zeus Kerravala, principal analyst at ZK Research, "Video usage is at an all-time high. The next wave of video-based experiences will be driven by embedding video directly into business and consumer applications that seamlessly improve workflows and enhance social interaction."&nbsp;

"Zoom's Video SDKs are easy to work with, and enable nimble development of fully customizable video-based applications."&nbsp;

For example, developers can integrate Zoom's functionality into social media applications to create reliable and engaging communications experiences, such as on-the-go live streaming with interactive chat.&nbsp;

Using Zoom's HD video and audio and interactive features, developers can build desktop gaming apps that offer new opportunities for audience engagement.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Video conferencing platform Zoom on Monday released a new video Software Development Kit (SDK) to enable developers to leverage the platform's HD video, audio and interactive features to build video-based applications and desktop experiences with native user interfaces.

Video conferencing platform Zoom on Monday released a new video Software Development Kit (SDK) to enable developers to leverage the platform's HD video, audio and interactive features to build video-based applications and desktop experiences with native user interfaces. With the ability to build the reliability and scale-ready performance of Zoom's video-first unified communications platform into their products and applications, developers can leverage the Video SDK to create new and exciting experiences. Using the Video SDK, developers can drive customer engagement and provide new opportunities for revenue without being tied to the Zoom Meetings user interface, Zoom said. "Video-based customer experiences will play an increasingly large role in customer engagement as we move into the future," Natalie Mullin, Product Marketing Manager at Zoom, wrote in a blog post. According to industry analyst Zeus Kerravala, principal analyst at ZK Research, "Video usage is at an all-time high. The next wave of video-based experiences will be driven by embedding video directly into business and consumer applications that seamlessly improve workflows and enhance social interaction." "Zoom's Video SDKs are easy to work with, and enable nimble development of fully customizable video-based applications." For example, developers can integrate Zoom's functionality into social media applications to create reliable and engaging communications experiences, such as on-the-go live streaming with interactive chat. Using Zoom's HD video and audio and interactive features, developers can build desktop gaming apps that offer new opportunities for audience engagement. (With inputs from agencies)

Zoom unveils new SDK to help developers leverage video services 

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/google">Google</a> is cutting in half its commission on developers’ first $1 million in app sales, following a similar move by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/apple">Apple</a> that is aimed at appeasing developers and regulators who accuse the companies of abusing their dominance of the smartphone industry.

Google said that starting July 1, it would take 15% of the first $1 million developers take in from certain app sales, down from 30%. Google will still charge 30% after the first $1 million.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/google-collects-data-in-incognito-mode-consumers-allege-in-lawsuit-370408" hreflang="en">Google collects data in incognito mode, consumers allege in lawsuit</a>

Apple last year said it was halving its App Store commission to 15% on companies that earn less than $1 million a year in app sales.

The dual actions reverse years of resistance by the companies to change their app commissions, which have become important to their growth.

Rivals have intensified their criticism of the rates, saying they are artificially high because the companies have a duopoly on the distribution of mobile apps. Regulators around the world have begun investigating the commissions as part of larger antitrust probes, and lawmakers in several states are considering bills that would make it more difficult for Apple and Google to impose the fees.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-pity-you-after-timnit-gebru-google-fires-top-ai-researcher-margaret-mitchell-364958" hreflang="en">'I pity you': After Timnit Gebru, Google fires top AI researcher Margaret Mitchell</a>

Apple has been largely the focus of the criticism because it forces developers to use its App Store to reach iPhone users. Google’s Android software allows users to download apps outside of its flagship Play Store. Still, Android is the dominant smartphone operating system around the world, underpinning roughly 85% of the world’s smartphones, according to IDC, a market research firm.

Google said its change would halve the fees for 99% of Android developers. But while Apple’s and Google’s moves have earned them positive headlines, they will likely have little impact on the companies’ bottom lines, because most of their app revenues come from larger developers.

Apple’s new policy, for instance, will affect roughly 98% of the companies that pay Apple a commission, but those developers accounted for less than 5% of App Store revenues last year, according to estimates from Sensor Tower, an app analytics firm.

Google is cutting in half its commission on developers’ first $1 million in app sales, following a similar move by Apple that is aimed at appeasing developers and regulators who accuse the companies of abusing their dominance of the smartphone industry.

Google is cutting in half its commission on developers’ first $1 million in app sales, following a similar move by Apple that is aimed at appeasing developers and regulators who accuse the companies of abusing their dominance of the smartphone industry. Google said that starting July 1, it would take 15% of the first $1 million developers take in from certain app sales, down from 30%. Google will still charge 30% after the first $1 million. Also read | Google collects data in incognito mode, consumers allege in lawsuit Apple last year said it was halving its App Store commission to 15% on companies that earn less than $1 million a year in app sales. The dual actions reverse years of resistance by the companies to change their app commissions, which have become important to their growth. Rivals have intensified their criticism of the rates, saying they are artificially high because the companies have a duopoly on the distribution of mobile apps. Regulators around the world have begun investigating the commissions as part of larger antitrust probes, and lawmakers in several states are considering bills that would make it more difficult for Apple and Google to impose the fees. Also read | 'I pity you': After Timnit Gebru, Google fires top AI researcher Margaret Mitchell Apple has been largely the focus of the criticism because it forces developers to use its App Store to reach iPhone users. Google’s Android software allows users to download apps outside of its flagship Play Store. Still, Android is the dominant smartphone operating system around the world, underpinning roughly 85% of the world’s smartphones, according to IDC, a market research firm. Google said its change would halve the fees for 99% of Android developers. But while Apple’s and Google’s moves have earned them positive headlines, they will likely have little impact on the companies’ bottom lines, because most of their app revenues come from larger developers. Apple’s new policy, for instance, will affect roughly 98% of the companies that pay Apple a commission, but those developers accounted for less than 5% of App Store revenues last year, according to estimates from Sensor Tower, an app analytics firm.

Google reduces some app commissions amid criticism

The recently-launched audio-only chat app, Clubhouse, is facing a probe from France's data privacy watchdog.

France's The Commission nationale de l'informatique et des libertés (CNIL) is launching an investigation into the popular Clubhouse app to determine if the European data protection rules apply to the US-based company.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/clubhouse-the-invite-only-chat-app-that-elon-musk-uses-361479">Clubhouse: The invite-only chat app that Elon Musk uses</a>

CNIL has also said in a statement that the watchdog will take punitive measures if the chat app does not respect the rules and legislation.

As per CNIL, Clubhouse does not have any "corporate entity within the European Union", but was still using personal information. The watchdog has also questioned the security of this data being collected by the audio-only app.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/thai-government-issues-warning-against-clubhouse-after-it-emerges-as-platform-for-dissidents-364326">Thai government issues warning against Clubhouse after it emerges as platform for dissidents</a>

It has also been reported that a petition with more than 10,000 signatures has been submitted in France which aims to alert the agency against any "potential breaches of privacy by the Clubhouse app".

This has come months after the launch of the app, which has taken the world by storm. Even some of the French ministers, such as Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, have used this app to have a direct exchange of thoughts with the general public.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/party-over-chinese-users-of-clubhouse-app-say-experiencing-internet-access-disruptions-362362">&nbsp;'Party over': Chinese users of Clubhouse app say experiencing internet access disruptions</a>

Clubhouse is an audio-only chat app which people can download only through invitations by existing users. Every user can only send two of such invitations.

In this app, users can listen to interviews and discussions between specific people like in a conference hall, with the only difference being that not every particiapnt can talk in that room. once the discussion ends, the room is closed.

The recently-launched audio-only chat app, Clubhouse, is facing a probe from France's data privacy watchdog. France's The Commission nationale de l'informatique et des libertés (CNIL) is launching an investigation into the popular Clubhouse app to determine if the European data protection rules apply to the US-based company.

The recently-launched audio-only chat app, Clubhouse, is facing a probe from France's data privacy watchdog. France's The Commission nationale de l'informatique et des libertés (CNIL) is launching an investigation into the popular Clubhouse app to determine if the European data protection rules apply to the US-based company. Also read | Clubhouse: The invite-only chat app that Elon Musk uses CNIL has also said in a statement that the watchdog will take punitive measures if the chat app does not respect the rules and legislation. As per CNIL, Clubhouse does not have any "corporate entity within the European Union", but was still using personal information. The watchdog has also questioned the security of this data being collected by the audio-only app. Also read | Thai government issues warning against Clubhouse after it emerges as platform for dissidents It has also been reported that a petition with more than 10,000 signatures has been submitted in France which aims to alert the agency against any "potential breaches of privacy by the Clubhouse app". This has come months after the launch of the app, which has taken the world by storm. Even some of the French ministers, such as Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, have used this app to have a direct exchange of thoughts with the general public. Also read | 'Party over': Chinese users of Clubhouse app say experiencing internet access disruptions Clubhouse is an audio-only chat app which people can download only through invitations by existing users. Every user can only send two of such invitations. In this app, users can listen to interviews and discussions between specific people like in a conference hall, with the only difference being that not every particiapnt can talk in that room. once the discussion ends, the room is closed.

French watchdog launches investigation into audio chat app Clubhouse

Oman has cut off access to the buzzy new audio chat app Clubhouse, the country's telecommunications regulator confirmed on Monday, setting off fears that authorities across the Persian Gulf may censor a rare forum for discussion of sensitive topics in the region.&nbsp;

The Omani government has forbidden the app because it was operating without the proper license, Omar al-Abri, an official in the country's telecommunications regulator said. He did not elaborate on the licensing problem, and it remains unclear whether the ban is a temporary suspension to smooth out the bureaucracy or the latest government attempt to suppress dissent in the sultanate.&nbsp;

Over the past few days, scores of users in Oman reported receiving error messages when they tried to use the platform. Many said they could only bypass restrictions using a virtual private network (VPN). Clubhouse did not respond to repeated requests for comment on restrictions in Oman or elsewhere in the Gulf.&nbsp;

Clubhouse, the invitation-only social media app, has exploded in popularity in recent months, particularly gaining traction in the Middle East where social media remains a highly contested and sometimes perilous space.&nbsp;

The sheikhdoms of the Persian Gulf retain tight controls on traditional media like newspapers and television, and increasingly employ vague cybercrime laws to patrol internet platforms and apps. Private outlets self-censor out of fear of running afoul of so-called red lines. In Oman, where the police often patrol in riot-ready vehicles with chicken wire covering the windows, US Diplomats routinely describe the press as muzzled.&nbsp;

The chatrooms of Clubhouse, a sort-of town square for unfettered discussions of politics and social issues, have provided a window through the censorship. Recent free-flowing exchanges in the region have featured activists from Egypt's 2011 uprising, feminists in Kuwait, government officials in Libya and even a transgender woman in Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

But the surging excitement has been tempered by anxiety over possible censorship, following China's decision to block the app last month as part of the government's crackdown on free speech. Thailand's government also has warned users not to misuse the app or face possible legal consequences.&nbsp;

Although the United Arab Emirates reassured user earlier this month that the government had not banned the app, users nationwide have reported audio glitches that frequently make listening into discussions impossible.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Oman has cut off access to the buzzy new audio chat app Clubhouse, the country's telecommunications regulator confirmed on Monday, setting off fears that authorities across the Persian Gulf may censor a rare forum for discussion of sensitive topics in the region.

Oman has cut off access to the buzzy new audio chat app Clubhouse, the country's telecommunications regulator confirmed on Monday, setting off fears that authorities across the Persian Gulf may censor a rare forum for discussion of sensitive topics in the region. The Omani government has forbidden the app because it was operating without the proper license, Omar al-Abri, an official in the country's telecommunications regulator said. He did not elaborate on the licensing problem, and it remains unclear whether the ban is a temporary suspension to smooth out the bureaucracy or the latest government attempt to suppress dissent in the sultanate. Over the past few days, scores of users in Oman reported receiving error messages when they tried to use the platform. Many said they could only bypass restrictions using a virtual private network (VPN). Clubhouse did not respond to repeated requests for comment on restrictions in Oman or elsewhere in the Gulf. Clubhouse, the invitation-only social media app, has exploded in popularity in recent months, particularly gaining traction in the Middle East where social media remains a highly contested and sometimes perilous space. The sheikhdoms of the Persian Gulf retain tight controls on traditional media like newspapers and television, and increasingly employ vague cybercrime laws to patrol internet platforms and apps. Private outlets self-censor out of fear of running afoul of so-called red lines. In Oman, where the police often patrol in riot-ready vehicles with chicken wire covering the windows, US Diplomats routinely describe the press as muzzled. The chatrooms of Clubhouse, a sort-of town square for unfettered discussions of politics and social issues, have provided a window through the censorship. Recent free-flowing exchanges in the region have featured activists from Egypt's 2011 uprising, feminists in Kuwait, government officials in Libya and even a transgender woman in Saudi Arabia. But the surging excitement has been tempered by anxiety over possible censorship, following China's decision to block the app last month as part of the government's crackdown on free speech. Thailand's government also has warned users not to misuse the app or face possible legal consequences. Although the United Arab Emirates reassured user earlier this month that the government had not banned the app, users nationwide have reported audio glitches that frequently make listening into discussions impossible. (With inputs from agencies)

Oman blocks Clubhouse, app used for free debates in Mideast 

If anything is invite-only, it naturally gets people crazy as everyone wants to feel exclusive. So this strategy is often used to attract customers. But apparently, Clubhouse isn't one of those apps that aim to gain quick fame. Clubhouse features likes of Elon Musk in its list of users and it is creating quite a buzz.

Clubhouse is the latest craze that may strike bigger markets. It's a social-networking app that is based on audio chat. Users can listen in on interviews, interactions and discussions between interesting people. The conversation rooms are like a conference call but with some people talking and discussing while most others listening in. When the conversation ends, the room is closed.

Clubhouse hit headlines when Tesla CEO Elon Musk used it to hold&nbsp;a conversation with Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev recently. Number of those wanting to listen to the interaction was so high that the conversation room maxed out.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/jack-dorsey-likes-tweet-asking-for-emoji-to-complement-farmersprotest-361405">Jack Dorsey likes Tweet asking for emoji to complement #FarmersProtest</a>

The starpower of Elon Musk and Robinhood CEO helped Clubhouse create an unprecedented buzz. As per theconversation [dot] com, Clubhouse app had 2 million users by February 1.

How to get Clubhouse invite?

The app is currently invite-only. Am existing user has to send you an invite in order for you to create account on the app. But before you rush to hunt for a Clubhouse user to get you an invite, know that each user has only two invites which he can use to invite people.

The app is currently valued at USD 1 billion. The makers have given a hint that they would launch the app in wider market, but no date or timeframe has been given as of now.

If anything is invite-only, it naturally gets people crazy as everyone wants to feel exclusive. So this strategy is often used to attract customers. But apparently, Clubhouse isn't one of those apps that aim to gain quick fame.

If anything is invite-only, it naturally gets people crazy as everyone wants to feel exclusive. So this strategy is often used to attract customers. But apparently, Clubhouse isn't one of those apps that aim to gain quick fame. Clubhouse features likes of Elon Musk in its list of users and it is creating quite a buzz. Clubhouse is the latest craze that may strike bigger markets. It's a social-networking app that is based on audio chat. Users can listen in on interviews, interactions and discussions between interesting people. The conversation rooms are like a conference call but with some people talking and discussing while most others listening in. When the conversation ends, the room is closed. Clubhouse hit headlines when Tesla CEO Elon Musk used it to hold a conversation with Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev recently. Number of those wanting to listen to the interaction was so high that the conversation room maxed out. Also Read | Jack Dorsey likes Tweet asking for emoji to complement #FarmersProtest The starpower of Elon Musk and Robinhood CEO helped Clubhouse create an unprecedented buzz. As per theconversation [dot] com, Clubhouse app had 2 million users by February 1. How to get Clubhouse invite? The app is currently invite-only. Am existing user has to send you an invite in order for you to create account on the app. But before you rush to hunt for a Clubhouse user to get you an invite, know that each user has only two invites which he can use to invite people. The app is currently valued at USD 1 billion. The makers have given a hint that they would launch the app in wider market, but no date or timeframe has been given as of now.

Clubhouse: The invite-only chat app that Elon Musk uses

The researchers of Dalhousie University have come up with a new app that can detect mental conditions like anxiety and depression based on how you use your phone.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/googles-sundar-pichai-reveals-companys-new-plans-to-detect-earthquakes-early-314415" hreflang="en">Google's Sundar Pichai reveals company's new plans to detect earthquakes early</a>

The app is called PROSIT and includes tracking features like exercise, sleep, call frequency, message histories and music tastes. An emotionally charged state can be detected with your typing speed and the force you use.&nbsp;

The App will also ask the users to record a 90-second audio clip to talk about their best and exciting part of the week. They (users) will be asked to self-report their feelings on a five-point scale.

PROSIT is currently is under the testing stage where about 300 people are using this app. Half among the users are patients.&nbsp;

Privacy concerns have hit the users a lot of times and the developers are well aware of it. To tackle this issue, the use of app requires a signed consent and the data will be stored in a secure location.&nbsp;

PROSIT does not provide a complete analysis of one's mental health but could prove useful for the psychologists track and better understand their patients’ development outside of sessions.&nbsp;

The world has witnessed a rise in mental health issues due to the coronavirus pandemic. The researchers from the University College London (UCL) in the UK found that one in four people hospitalised with COVID-19 may experience delirium during their illness.

The post-recovery effects of COVID-19 are not yet known, so long-term risks such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic fatigue, depression, and anxiety are based on SARS and MERS studies, which may or may not apply to COVID-19 as well.

The researchers of Dalhousie University have come up with a new app that can detect mental conditions like anxiety and depression based on how you use your phone.

The researchers of Dalhousie University have come up with a new app that can detect mental conditions like anxiety and depression based on how you use your phone. Also read: Google's Sundar Pichai reveals company's new plans to detect earthquakes early The app is called PROSIT and includes tracking features like exercise, sleep, call frequency, message histories and music tastes. An emotionally charged state can be detected with your typing speed and the force you use. The App will also ask the users to record a 90-second audio clip to talk about their best and exciting part of the week. They (users) will be asked to self-report their feelings on a five-point scale. PROSIT is currently is under the testing stage where about 300 people are using this app. Half among the users are patients. Privacy concerns have hit the users a lot of times and the developers are well aware of it. To tackle this issue, the use of app requires a signed consent and the data will be stored in a secure location. PROSIT does not provide a complete analysis of one's mental health but could prove useful for the psychologists track and better understand their patients’ development outside of sessions. The world has witnessed a rise in mental health issues due to the coronavirus pandemic. The researchers from the University College London (UCL) in the UK found that one in four people hospitalised with COVID-19 may experience delirium during their illness. The post-recovery effects of COVID-19 are not yet known, so long-term risks such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic fatigue, depression, and anxiety are based on SARS and MERS studies, which may or may not apply to COVID-19 as well.

Researchers develop PROSIT app that tracks mental health by studying phone usage

An official circular from the Pakistani government asks officers to uninstall the WION app from their phones. Palki S Upadhyay tells you why Islamabad is targeting WION. Install the WION app. Google Play store: https://bit.ly/2Oc1cA9 Apple App Store: https://apple.co/2RHfuuI

Gravitas: Pakistan government targets WION's app

By Anshu Dubey

Pranav Desai, an Indian American IT Professional, showcased his much talked about creation- a mobile application for people with disabilities, at the United Nations recently. The app will help create mass awareness and inspire everyone including government officials, the business community, the youth and the specially abled themselves in efforts to ensure a life of dignity and equality. Desai himself is a polio-survivor and is the founder of the Voice of SAP (Specially Abled People). Desai spoke to WION with his team in an exclusive interview where he mentioned his mission and vision behind the campaign.

Desai is an adviser to the Department of Persons with Disabilities in India’s Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and was also appointed an adviser to the ‘Accessible India’ campaign aimed at making transport, public spaces and information and communication technology accessible to differently-abled people.

In this chat with us, Mr Desai and his colleague Manushri mentioned how important the aspect of accessibility of buildings are for people with disabilities and how helpful the campaign of Accessible India and the mobile app can prove to be for India and across the world.

The following excerpts are from the interview with the team:

What made you think about this App?

Pranav Desai: The basic need from our perspective is the accessibility. Because if the person has access to the school, he or she can do very well, which is why we made accessibility as our core theme at VoiceOfSAP. This is why we proposed Accessible Campaign to Govt Of India which was fortunately launched by Prime Minister Modi in 2015, 3rd International Disability Day. The key aspect of the campaign is creating the demand for accessibility, create the awareness and that is where the technical tool like VOSAP app is very very useful because we are empowering people to be advocates for the accessibility. The idea was to empower every individual who wants to help create accessibility. People can plan using the VOSAP app to track places of need like post offices, restaurants, etc. There is independent living. The whole idea was to provide information and empower volunteers to speak for them.

Manushri Desai: I was able to join Voice of Specially Abled People after Mr Pranav Desai had begun working on the application. My role in the application dealt mostly with expanding its community outreach to my secondary university based in California, the University of Southern California until I was able to work more closely to increase our outreach and community of disability rights activist. But I wasn't directly involved in the founding of the app.

How accurate is the app and did you get any feedback from the users as well?

Pranav Desai: For accuracy, we are using Google, Apple and various APIs so the mapping is driven by the latitude and longitude of the location which is captured by any smartphone. Of course, depending on various smartphones there could be some variations. However, we are very close in the precision of capturing the location which is what we are putting back on the Google map. It is very useful too, as there was never such an advocacy tool before. this kind of database is non-existent. As a matter of fact, more and more people like it and thousands of photographs are being taken, more and more communities are joining this movement and we have 8000 passionate volunteers. That's the success, in 3 years from zero to 8000 volunteers on the ground have been convinced to put their efforts to create a more inclusive society.

Manushri Desai: I think one of the very interesting parts of the application is the accessibility part of the app and that allows anybody in a respective community, any volunteer to take a picture of a building and rate its accessibility and then also be able to write specific comments about the accessibility of the building and take a picture of the building, that goes into a crowdsourcing database where people with disabilities in different areas of the world can access those photos and be able to use them to see which buildings are accessible to them. In that instance, I think it's been pretty accurate to which buildings do have accessibility and which buildings don't. The feedback that we get from the users is that they are able to navigate it well in the sense of the crowdsourcing aspect of the database and they are also able to locate buildings through the application very well from the point of view of persons with disabilities.

How does App work? Could you also elaborate on the methodology it uses?

Manushri Desai: There are three key features of the application. The first being it allows everyone to become a disability rights activist by taking the volunteering plunge. This is based on their role in the society which they can select in a drop-down menu. They use this basically to establish their individual social responsibility towards people with disabilities. It's really about committing to actions towards people with disabilities demonstrating empathy rather than sympathy. This way we want to create a mass movement worldwide. Anybody can join the group of the like-minded society of people that are willing to help disability rights advocacy.

The second key feature is to help contribute to the crowdsourcing community by raiding accessible buildings around the world. This allows us to crowdsource data where we get to know which buildings are accessible and which are not. If everyone takes some time out and navigate their neighbourhoods we can get hundreds of neighbourhoods around the world that people with disabilities can see if they can use those neighbourhoods.

The third major key feature is empowering our youth. Volunteers who can become change agents in the community. So these buildings which are rated by our volunteers, if they are not accessible in certain parts of the world then this key feature allows volunteers to email directly from the mobile app to the owner of the building and to reach out to them about changing the building to become more accessible for people with disabilities. It allows us to map our community locally also advocate the increase of accessible buildings around the world.

What is the status of your plea with the government of India?

Pranav Desai: We shared this proposal of Accessible India Campaign to Prime Minister Modi back in 2014, which is now a reality. So we believe on the ground we have created an impact. We have signed with 2 districts of Ahmedabad and Morbi in Gujarat, Our biggest suggestion or request to every District Magistrate to join with us and commit that their district would be mapped out completely for accessibility of the buildings. Our biggest request to the govt is every collector should promote and take action to map out their districts for all important buildings using VOSAP mobile app.

Manushri Desai: Right now the application has been helping the Accessible India Campaign. My colleague and I were able to attend the United Nations Conference very recently for the rights of persons with disabilities and the role of VoiceofSAP right now is working on the Accessible India campaign and basically using its crowdsourcing data to expand our community of accessibility of buildings in India and to be able to map that out.

How soon users will be able to use the app in India?

Manushri Desai: I think they can start using it right now. I joined VoiceOfSAP last year and I've become extremely accustomed to the application and I know many people I've been able to reach out to through my work. It's very user-friendly and it just requires a little role as taking a pledge, making sure you join the group of like- minded people to become a disability rights activist but to also be engaged in the community by taking pictures, rating accessibility of buildings and advocating for the accessibility. So especially in India, there has been a mass movement created by VoiceOfSAP and this application will be a trailblazer in establishing that mass movement.

How does it feel to bring a positive change in many people life?

Manushri Desai: It's very satisfying and I think it's not just because we interact with these people through this mobile app interface but it's knowing that there are 8000+ volunteers that are involved in this push towards this atmosphere creation around the world. Knowing that is not a feeling that can be explained by words. hence I feel privileged to be a part of this movement.

How do you see the app response?

Manushri Desai: The 8000+ volunteers are a testament to the fact that the app has started to create a mass movement and many of the people we spoke to at the UN Conference also spoke to a similar degree about how important the application is.

By Anshu Dubey Pranav Desai, an Indian American IT Professional, showcased his much talked about creation- a mobile application for people with disabilities, at the United Nations recently.

By Anshu Dubey Pranav Desai, an Indian American IT Professional, showcased his much talked about creation- a mobile application for people with disabilities, at the United Nations recently. The app will help create mass awareness and inspire everyone including government officials, the business community, the youth and the specially abled themselves in efforts to ensure a life of dignity and equality. Desai himself is a polio-survivor and is the founder of the Voice of SAP (Specially Abled People). Desai spoke to WION with his team in an exclusive interview where he mentioned his mission and vision behind the campaign. Desai is an adviser to the Department of Persons with Disabilities in India’s Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and was also appointed an adviser to the ‘Accessible India’ campaign aimed at making transport, public spaces and information and communication technology accessible to differently-abled people. In this chat with us, Mr Desai and his colleague Manushri mentioned how important the aspect of accessibility of buildings are for people with disabilities and how helpful the campaign of Accessible India and the mobile app can prove to be for India and across the world. The following excerpts are from the interview with the team: What made you think about this App? Pranav Desai: The basic need from our perspective is the accessibility. Because if the person has access to the school, he or she can do very well, which is why we made accessibility as our core theme at VoiceOfSAP. This is why we proposed Accessible Campaign to Govt Of India which was fortunately launched by Prime Minister Modi in 2015, 3rd International Disability Day. The key aspect of the campaign is creating the demand for accessibility, create the awareness and that is where the technical tool like VOSAP app is very very useful because we are empowering people to be advocates for the accessibility. The idea was to empower every individual who wants to help create accessibility. People can plan using the VOSAP app to track places of need like post offices, restaurants, etc. There is independent living. The whole idea was to provide information and empower volunteers to speak for them. Manushri Desai: I was able to join Voice of Specially Abled People after Mr Pranav Desai had begun working on the application. My role in the application dealt mostly with expanding its community outreach to my secondary university based in California, the University of Southern California until I was able to work more closely to increase our outreach and community of disability rights activist. But I wasn't directly involved in the founding of the app. How accurate is the app and did you get any feedback from the users as well? Pranav Desai: For accuracy, we are using Google, Apple and various APIs so the mapping is driven by the latitude and longitude of the location which is captured by any smartphone. Of course, depending on various smartphones there could be some variations. However, we are very close in the precision of capturing the location which is what we are putting back on the Google map. It is very useful too, as there was never such an advocacy tool before. this kind of database is non-existent. As a matter of fact, more and more people like it and thousands of photographs are being taken, more and more communities are joining this movement and we have 8000 passionate volunteers. That's the success, in 3 years from zero to 8000 volunteers on the ground have been convinced to put their efforts to create a more inclusive society. Manushri Desai: I think one of the very interesting parts of the application is the accessibility part of the app and that allows anybody in a respective community, any volunteer to take a picture of a building and rate its accessibility and then also be able to write specific comments about the accessibility of the building and take a picture of the building, that goes into a crowdsourcing database where people with disabilities in different areas of the world can access those photos and be able to use them to see which buildings are accessible to them. In that instance, I think it's been pretty accurate to which buildings do have accessibility and which buildings don't. The feedback that we get from the users is that they are able to navigate it well in the sense of the crowdsourcing aspect of the database and they are also able to locate buildings through the application very well from the point of view of persons with disabilities. How does App work? Could you also elaborate on the methodology it uses? Manushri Desai: There are three key features of the application. The first being it allows everyone to become a disability rights activist by taking the volunteering plunge. This is based on their role in the society which they can select in a drop-down menu. They use this basically to establish their individual social responsibility towards people with disabilities. It's really about committing to actions towards people with disabilities demonstrating empathy rather than sympathy. This way we want to create a mass movement worldwide. Anybody can join the group of the like-minded society of people that are willing to help disability rights advocacy. The second key feature is to help contribute to the crowdsourcing community by raiding accessible buildings around the world. This allows us to crowdsource data where we get to know which buildings are accessible and which are not. If everyone takes some time out and navigate their neighbourhoods we can get hundreds of neighbourhoods around the world that people with disabilities can see if they can use those neighbourhoods. The third major key feature is empowering our youth. Volunteers who can become change agents in the community. So these buildings which are rated by our volunteers, if they are not accessible in certain parts of the world then this key feature allows volunteers to email directly from the mobile app to the owner of the building and to reach out to them about changing the building to become more accessible for people with disabilities. It allows us to map our community locally also advocate the increase of accessible buildings around the world. What is the status of your plea with the government of India? Pranav Desai: We shared this proposal of Accessible India Campaign to Prime Minister Modi back in 2014, which is now a reality. So we believe on the ground we have created an impact. We have signed with 2 districts of Ahmedabad and Morbi in Gujarat, Our biggest suggestion or request to every District Magistrate to join with us and commit that their district would be mapped out completely for accessibility of the buildings. Our biggest request to the govt is every collector should promote and take action to map out their districts for all important buildings using VOSAP mobile app. Manushri Desai: Right now the application has been helping the Accessible India Campaign. My colleague and I were able to attend the United Nations Conference very recently for the rights of persons with disabilities and the role of VoiceofSAP right now is working on the Accessible India campaign and basically using its crowdsourcing data to expand our community of accessibility of buildings in India and to be able to map that out. How soon users will be able to use the app in India? Manushri Desai: I think they can start using it right now. I joined VoiceOfSAP last year and I've become extremely accustomed to the application and I know many people I've been able to reach out to through my work. It's very user-friendly and it just requires a little role as taking a pledge, making sure you join the group of like- minded people to become a disability rights activist but to also be engaged in the community by taking pictures, rating accessibility of buildings and advocating for the accessibility. So especially in India, there has been a mass movement created by VoiceOfSAP and this application will be a trailblazer in establishing that mass movement. How does it feel to bring a positive change in many people life? Manushri Desai: It's very satisfying and I think it's not just because we interact with these people through this mobile app interface but it's knowing that there are 8000+ volunteers that are involved in this push towards this atmosphere creation around the world. Knowing that is not a feeling that can be explained by words. hence I feel privileged to be a part of this movement. How do you see the app response? Manushri Desai: The 8000+ volunteers are a testament to the fact that the app has started to create a mass movement and many of the people we spoke to at the UN Conference also spoke to a similar degree about how important the application is.

Need an accessible, inclusive society for specially-abled people: Pranav Desai to WION

Watch this segment to know Lok Sabha elections related latest news.

Lok Sabha elections 2019: Watch latest election news

As we head for a 7-phase general election, back to back campaigns are underway to seek votes. But, how well do we know our candidates? 
Have we ever scrolled through their affidavits and nomination papers? For the voters in Tamil Nadu (which goes to polls on April 18) this otherwise complex process is just a few taps away via a free mobile app that was launched on Tuesday.

Arappor Iyakkam a voluntary movement based out of Tamil Nadu has compiled the crucial information on all the 863 candidates who are to contest from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The information which has been sourced from their respective affidavits is tabulated on a free app that is available for download from the Android Play Store.&nbsp;

Generally one would have to sift through hundreds of individual PDF files from the Election commission site in order to have a look at the candidates’ affidavits, but this App displays information in a user-friendly manner in Tamil and English. A tap on the constituency will display the candidates and once a particular a candidate is selected his/her individual details will be shown.&nbsp;

The individual details include a photograph, the party’s name, candidates’ educational background, profession, assets and liabilities declared, details of pending criminal cases. The details mentioned on the App are as mentioned by the candidates on the self-attested affidavits. In order to distinguish between cases, the criminal cases and the politically motivated cases have been mentioned separately. &nbsp;

Speaking to WION, Jayaram Venkatesan, the Convener of Arappor Iyakkam said, heavyweight candidates from established parties are projected easily, but much is not known about their background. We hope the App will boost the confidence of the good candidates and put fear in the minds of those with a criminal background. This is a politically neutral App that gives equal chance to all candidates.

This App is the result of the efforts of over 200 volunteers who had been working overtime from March 26 until today’s launch, said Deepa Seshadri, State Body Member, Arappor Iyakkam. Our App does not require any personal information or registration for the users, it has been made to empower and educate the voters to choose wisely. Can’t we spare 10 minutes to have a look at the candidates who could end up representing us for the next five years, she questioned.&nbsp;

To widen their reach, the team is also coming up with constituency-wise explainer videos with a voice-over that enlists the profile and background details about each candidate. Very soon the App would also incorporate the details of candidates contesting the by-polls to Tamil Nadu’s 18 vacant assembly seats.&nbsp;

As we head for a 7-phase general election, back to back campaigns are underway to seek votes. But, how well do we know our candidates? Have we ever scrolled through their affidavits and nomination papers?

As we head for a 7-phase general election, back to back campaigns are underway to seek votes. But, how well do we know our candidates? Have we ever scrolled through their affidavits and nomination papers? For the voters in Tamil Nadu (which goes to polls on April 18) this otherwise complex process is just a few taps away via a free mobile app that was launched on Tuesday. Arappor Iyakkam a voluntary movement based out of Tamil Nadu has compiled the crucial information on all the 863 candidates who are to contest from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The information which has been sourced from their respective affidavits is tabulated on a free app that is available for download from the Android Play Store. Generally one would have to sift through hundreds of individual PDF files from the Election commission site in order to have a look at the candidates’ affidavits, but this App displays information in a user-friendly manner in Tamil and English. A tap on the constituency will display the candidates and once a particular a candidate is selected his/her individual details will be shown. The individual details include a photograph, the party’s name, candidates’ educational background, profession, assets and liabilities declared, details of pending criminal cases. The details mentioned on the App are as mentioned by the candidates on the self-attested affidavits. In order to distinguish between cases, the criminal cases and the politically motivated cases have been mentioned separately. Speaking to WION, Jayaram Venkatesan, the Convener of Arappor Iyakkam said, heavyweight candidates from established parties are projected easily, but much is not known about their background. We hope the App will boost the confidence of the good candidates and put fear in the minds of those with a criminal background. This is a politically neutral App that gives equal chance to all candidates. This App is the result of the efforts of over 200 volunteers who had been working overtime from March 26 until today’s launch, said Deepa Seshadri, State Body Member, Arappor Iyakkam. Our App does not require any personal information or registration for the users, it has been made to empower and educate the voters to choose wisely. Can’t we spare 10 minutes to have a look at the candidates who could end up representing us for the next five years, she questioned. To widen their reach, the team is also coming up with constituency-wise explainer videos with a voice-over that enlists the profile and background details about each candidate. Very soon the App would also incorporate the details of candidates contesting the by-polls to Tamil Nadu’s 18 vacant assembly seats.

NGO launches bilingual know your candidate App for Tamil Nadu

Switzerland's competition commission (WEKO) on Tuesday said Apple Inc has agreed to make a technical fix to prevent the automatic launch of its Apple Pay from disrupting rival Swiss payment app TWINT.

"Apple has committed to provide TWINT with the technical capability to suppress the automatic launch of Apple Pay during the payment process with the TWINT app," WEKO said, adding it was ending a preliminary probe against Apple following the pact.

In a separate case, WEKO is investigating Swiss financial companies including Credit Suisse and UBS over a suspected boycott of mobile payment solutions such as Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Switzerland's competition commission (WEKO) on Tuesday said Apple Inc has agreed to make a technical fix to prevent the automatic launch of its Apple Pay from disrupting rival Swiss payment app TWINT.

Switzerland's competition commission (WEKO) on Tuesday said Apple Inc has agreed to make a technical fix to prevent the automatic launch of its Apple Pay from disrupting rival Swiss payment app TWINT. "Apple has committed to provide TWINT with the technical capability to suppress the automatic launch of Apple Pay during the payment process with the TWINT app," WEKO said, adding it was ending a preliminary probe against Apple following the pact. In a separate case, WEKO is investigating Swiss financial companies including Credit Suisse and UBS over a suspected boycott of mobile payment solutions such as Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Apple pledges to fix disruptions to rival payment app TWINT: Switzerland

Ride-hailing platform Uber on Wednesday announced the launch of its new driver app, rebuilt completely from the ground up, for and with drivers.

The new app provides a more simple and personalised experience, designed to support drivers and delivery partners on every moment of their journey.

"The launch of the new partner (drivers and courier partners) app is a key milestone for Uber. It truly reflects our commitment to the people who have been our partners in growth. We have built this app by listening to what they needed and shaped it alongside them - over 100 partners from Bengaluru were a part of the global beta launch. Our teams spent time on-ground, interacting with partners through group sessions, ride alongs and in person meetings to gather inputs," said Pradeep Parameswaran, Head of Central Operations, Uber India and SA.

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The new app entails a number of features essential to both driver partners as well as customers.

-The new real-time Earnings Tracker lets drivers know-at a glance-how much they earned on their last trip, thus making it easy to track progress toward their goals.

-The new Status bar provides real-time updates on market conditions around them and opportunities for more trips nearby. When a driver taps an opportunity, the app will provide optional navigation to the recommended area.

-Drivers will be able to access notifications and messages about upcoming earning opportunities, feedback from their riders, and information about their account.

-Drivers can also manage a profile, giving them an opportunity to showcase what they do outside of Uber, which will allow riders to learn more about their driver and find new ways to connect.

The app also contains a comprehensive guide to getting started with Uber that will be available to drivers in the coming months, as per a blog post written by Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi.

"Over six months, we launched nearly 40 new features designed to improve the driving experience. But our work was just getting started. While 180 Days was about correcting missteps of the past, we also needed to think longer term, and the obvious place to start was the Driver app. It sits at the center of the driver experience, but after a redesign two years ago, it was already showing its age. We knew we couldn't take the approach we'd taken in the past: redesign the app based on what we thought drivers wanted, launch it, then hope for the best. Instead we needed to listen to what drivers told us they needed, and shape the new app alongside them," he wrote.&nbsp

The new app provides a more simple and personalised experience, designed to support drivers and delivery partners on every moment of their journey

Ride-hailing platform Uber on Wednesday announced the launch of its new driver app, rebuilt completely from the ground up, for and with drivers. The new app provides a more simple and personalised experience, designed to support drivers and delivery partners on every moment of their journey. "The launch of the new partner (drivers and courier partners) app is a key milestone for Uber. It truly reflects our commitment to the people who have been our partners in growth. We have built this app by listening to what they needed and shaped it alongside them - over 100 partners from Bengaluru were a part of the global beta launch. Our teams spent time on-ground, interacting with partners through group sessions, ride alongs and in person meetings to gather inputs," said Pradeep Parameswaran, Head of Central Operations, Uber India and SA. The new app entails a number of features essential to both driver partners as well as customers. -The new real-time Earnings Tracker lets drivers know-at a glance-how much they earned on their last trip, thus making it easy to track progress toward their goals. -The new Status bar provides real-time updates on market conditions around them and opportunities for more trips nearby. When a driver taps an opportunity, the app will provide optional navigation to the recommended area. -Drivers will be able to access notifications and messages about upcoming earning opportunities, feedback from their riders, and information about their account. -Drivers can also manage a profile, giving them an opportunity to showcase what they do outside of Uber, which will allow riders to learn more about their driver and find new ways to connect. The app also contains a comprehensive guide to getting started with Uber that will be available to drivers in the coming months, as per a blog post written by Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. "Over six months, we launched nearly 40 new features designed to improve the driving experience. But our work was just getting started. While 180 Days was about correcting missteps of the past, we also needed to think longer term, and the obvious place to start was the Driver app. It sits at the center of the driver experience, but after a redesign two years ago, it was already showing its age. We knew we couldn't take the approach we'd taken in the past: redesign the app based on what we thought drivers wanted, launch it, then hope for the best. Instead we needed to listen to what drivers told us they needed, and shape the new app alongside them," he wrote.

Uber launches new partner app in India

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