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Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg has revamped Meta's company values as it faces investment concerns.

Touting pivot and an&nbsp;all-hands approach, he has unveiled a company overhaul after its shares had the biggest single-day slide in market value.

The huge drop, erasing over $200 billion from Meta's market capitalisation and around $29 billion from Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg's net worth, spilled over to the broader technology sector and dragged the Nasdaq Composite Index lower.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deceitful-business-texas-sues-metas-facebook-over-facial-recognition-system-453354" hreflang="en">'Deceitful business': Texas sues Meta's Facebook over facial recognition system</a>

“‘Focus on long-term impact’ emphasizes long-term thinking and encourages us to extend the timeline for the impact we have, rather than optimizing for near-term wins,” Zuckerberg wrote in his post.&nbsp;

“We should take on the challenges that will be the most impactful, even if the full results won’t be seen for years.”

<iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="277" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fzuck%2Fposts%2F10114316913387601&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="500"></iframe>

Zuckerberg has an ironclad hold on Facebook Inc. He holds the majority of the company’s voting shares, controls its board of directors and has increasingly surrounded himself with executives who don’t appear to question his vision.

Meta reported a decline in daily active users from the previous quarter for the first time as competition with rivals like TikTok, the video sharing platform owned by China's ByteDance, heats up.

"As we build the next chapter of our company as Meta, we just updated the values that guide our work," Zuckerberg wrote.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/meta-threatens-eu-to-pull-facebook-instagram-on-failure-to-scrap-privacy-pact-451544" hreflang="en">Meta threatens EU to pull Facebook, Instagram on failure to scrap privacy pact</a>

Meta's new credo also calls for being direct, but respectful to colleagues, collaborating as "Metamates."

"Meta, Metamates, Me is about being good stewards of our company and mission," Zuckerberg wrote.

"It's about taking care of our company and each other."

Facebook last reworked its professed values in 2007, according to the company's co-founder and chief.

Critics have derided Facebook's rebrand as an attempted distraction from an avalanche of damaging revelations from whistleblower Frances Haugen.

The "Facebook Papers" revealed&nbsp;numerous instances where researchers and rank-and-file workers uncovered deep-seated problems that the company then overlooked or ignored.

(With inputs from agencies)

Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg has revamped Meta's company values as it faces investment concerns. Touting pivot and an all-hands approach, he has unveiled a company overhaul after its shares had the biggest single-day slide in market value.

Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg has revamped Meta's company values as it faces investment concerns. Touting pivot and an all-hands approach, he has unveiled a company overhaul after its shares had the biggest single-day slide in market value. The huge drop, erasing over $200 billion from Meta's market capitalisation and around $29 billion from Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg's net worth, spilled over to the broader technology sector and dragged the Nasdaq Composite Index lower. Also read | 'Deceitful business': Texas sues Meta's Facebook over facial recognition system “‘Focus on long-term impact’ emphasizes long-term thinking and encourages us to extend the timeline for the impact we have, rather than optimizing for near-term wins,” Zuckerberg wrote in his post. “We should take on the challenges that will be the most impactful, even if the full results won’t be seen for years.” Zuckerberg has an ironclad hold on Facebook Inc. He holds the majority of the company’s voting shares, controls its board of directors and has increasingly surrounded himself with executives who don’t appear to question his vision. Meta reported a decline in daily active users from the previous quarter for the first time as competition with rivals like TikTok, the video sharing platform owned by China's ByteDance, heats up. "As we build the next chapter of our company as Meta, we just updated the values that guide our work," Zuckerberg wrote. Also read | Meta threatens EU to pull Facebook, Instagram on failure to scrap privacy pact Meta's new credo also calls for being direct, but respectful to colleagues, collaborating as "Metamates." "Meta, Metamates, Me is about being good stewards of our company and mission," Zuckerberg wrote. "It's about taking care of our company and each other." Facebook last reworked its professed values in 2007, according to the company's co-founder and chief. Critics have derided Facebook's rebrand as an attempted distraction from an avalanche of damaging revelations from whistleblower Frances Haugen. The "Facebook Papers" revealed numerous instances where researchers and rank-and-file workers uncovered deep-seated problems that the company then overlooked or ignored. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Live in the future’: Mark Zuckerberg revamps company values as Meta faces investment concerns

Fears of scam have surged as Axie Infinity craze has exploded in Philippines. Detractors warn the game is a "house of cards", some likening it to a fraud scheme driven by hype and speculation.

The NFT-based online video game developed by Vietnamese studio Sky Mavis&nbsp;is known for its in-game economy which uses Ethereum-based cryptocurrencies.

Under the financial model of P2E (play to earn), Axie Infinity became the biggest winner in the field of blockchain games in the last few months.&nbsp;

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/metaverse-electric-cars-brain-tech-take-a-look-at-how-the-future-of-technology-will-look-like-443374" hreflang="en">Metaverse, electric cars, brain tech: Take a look at how the future of technology will look like</a>

About 35 percent of Axie Infinity traffic,&nbsp;and the biggest share of its 2.5 million daily active users,&nbsp;comes from the Philippines, where high proficiency in English, strong gaming culture and widespread smartphone usage have fuelled its popularity, Sky Mavis said.

In Axie Infinity, players participate in battles using colourful blob-like Axies, and are mainly rewarded "Smooth Love Potion" (SLPs) that can be exchanged for cryptocurrency or cash -- or invested back into the game's virtual world Lunacia.

An Axie is an NFT -- a unique, non-fungible token, with a particular set of abilities and characteristics. Like NFT pieces of art, they are stored on the blockchain -- a digital ledger that cannot be changed.

Axies can be bought, sold or rented to other players. Owners can also breed them to create new Axies that provide more value.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/nft-platform-that-sold-dorseys-first-tweet-shuts-down-due-to-rampant-fakes-452578" hreflang="en">NFT platform that sold Dorsey's first tweet shuts down due to 'rampant' fakes</a>

At the peak of the game's growth last year, a starter team of Axies could cost hundreds of dollars, far beyond the reach of aspiring players in poorer countries. The cheapest Axies cost $37 each, putting the cost of a basic team at $111.

However, players who spend more get better Axies, giving them a better chance of winning battles to earn SLPs and -- from some activities -- the game's other crypto token AXS.

Those with the capital to assemble more lucrative Axie teams have set up guilds and "scholarships" -- profit-sharing systems where players are charged a percentage of their earnings. The owners' take can reportedly go as high as 30 percent.

Its fans and creators&nbsp;say it is a revolutionary step towards the future of the internet. As the number of daily active players skyrocketed in 2021, the price of Axies and SLPs also soared, raising questions about the game's sustainability.

The investors in the market sounded their alarm when Axie Infinity announced that it would transfer the main network from Ethereum to its own sidechain named Ronin. The transfer of its main network would lead to absolute control of the team over the data in the chain, making the whole system more and more centralised, which would be against the nature of the blockchain to be decentralised.

Sky Mavis earns revenue from the game mainly through breeding and marketplace fees, and Axie Infinity has generated more than $1.2 billion in revenue. It has also attracted deep-pocketed backers, including US billionaire Mark Cuban.

But some gaming industry analysts say its business model is unsustainable, pointing to the need for new players to keep money coming in.

Jonathan Teplitsky of blockchain firm Horizen Labs warned most play-to-earn games were a "house of cards", fuelled by "hype and price speculation".

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Fears of scam have surged as Axie Infinity craze has exploded in Philippines. Detractors warn the game is a "house of cards", some likening it to a fraud scheme driven by hype and speculation.

Fears of scam have surged as Axie Infinity craze has exploded in Philippines. Detractors warn the game is a "house of cards", some likening it to a fraud scheme driven by hype and speculation. The NFT-based online video game developed by Vietnamese studio Sky Mavis is known for its in-game economy which uses Ethereum-based cryptocurrencies. Under the financial model of P2E (play to earn), Axie Infinity became the biggest winner in the field of blockchain games in the last few months. Also see | Metaverse, electric cars, brain tech: Take a look at how the future of technology will look like About 35 percent of Axie Infinity traffic, and the biggest share of its 2.5 million daily active users, comes from the Philippines, where high proficiency in English, strong gaming culture and widespread smartphone usage have fuelled its popularity, Sky Mavis said. In Axie Infinity, players participate in battles using colourful blob-like Axies, and are mainly rewarded "Smooth Love Potion" (SLPs) that can be exchanged for cryptocurrency or cash -- or invested back into the game's virtual world Lunacia. An Axie is an NFT -- a unique, non-fungible token, with a particular set of abilities and characteristics. Like NFT pieces of art, they are stored on the blockchain -- a digital ledger that cannot be changed. Axies can be bought, sold or rented to other players. Owners can also breed them to create new Axies that provide more value. Also read | NFT platform that sold Dorsey's first tweet shuts down due to 'rampant' fakes At the peak of the game's growth last year, a starter team of Axies could cost hundreds of dollars, far beyond the reach of aspiring players in poorer countries. The cheapest Axies cost $37 each, putting the cost of a basic team at $111. However, players who spend more get better Axies, giving them a better chance of winning battles to earn SLPs and -- from some activities -- the game's other crypto token AXS. Those with the capital to assemble more lucrative Axie teams have set up guilds and "scholarships" -- profit-sharing systems where players are charged a percentage of their earnings. The owners' take can reportedly go as high as 30 percent. Its fans and creators say it is a revolutionary step towards the future of the internet. As the number of daily active players skyrocketed in 2021, the price of Axies and SLPs also soared, raising questions about the game's sustainability. The investors in the market sounded their alarm when Axie Infinity announced that it would transfer the main network from Ethereum to its own sidechain named Ronin. The transfer of its main network would lead to absolute control of the team over the data in the chain, making the whole system more and more centralised, which would be against the nature of the blockchain to be decentralised. Sky Mavis earns revenue from the game mainly through breeding and marketplace fees, and Axie Infinity has generated more than $1.2 billion in revenue. It has also attracted deep-pocketed backers, including US billionaire Mark Cuban. But some gaming industry analysts say its business model is unsustainable, pointing to the need for new players to keep money coming in. Jonathan Teplitsky of blockchain firm Horizen Labs warned most play-to-earn games were a "house of cards", fuelled by "hype and price speculation". (With inputs from agencies)

'House of cards': Fears of scam surge as Axie Infinity craze explodes in Philippines

South Korean presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol is using deepfake technology to garner votes.

His team has created a digital avatar of the frontrunner and set "AI Yoon" loose on the campaign trail ahead of a March 9 election.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-tom-cruises-deepfake-videos-raise-an-alarm-367264/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

From a deepfake video of Barack Obama insulting Donald Trump to failed New York mayoral candidate Andrew Yang campaigning in the metaverse, AI technology has been used in elections before.&nbsp;

But AI Yoon's creators believe he is the world's first official deepfake candidate, a concept gaining traction in South Korea, which has the world's fastest average internet speeds.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-viral-chinese-app-is-using-deepfake-tech-to-morph-faces-triggering-privacy-concerns-247368">Also see |&nbsp;How viral Chinese app is using deepfake tech to morph faces triggering privacy concerns</a>

With neatly-combed black hair and a smart suit, the avatar looks near-identical to the real South Korean candidate but uses salty language and meme-ready quips in a bid to engage younger voters who get their news online.

The former prosecutor general had earlier apologised over inaccuracies on his wife's resume when she applied for teaching jobs years ago, amid growing anger over what many voters see as politicians' hypocrisy.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/spot-the-real-elon-musk-deepfake-or-doppelganger-netizens-cant-decide-437678">Also read |&nbsp;Spot the real Elon Musk: Deepfake or doppelganger? netizens can't decide</a>

Yoon Suk-yeol is the flag bearer of the main conservative opposition People Power Party and will face off against his challenger from the ruling Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung.

Though a political novice, Yoon shot to fame as prosecutor-general for indicting Cho Kuk, a former justice minister and aide to President Moon Jae-in, over several charges including bribery and fraud in getting his daughter into university.

Going by opinion polls, the two leading candidates for South Korea's presidency have a big problem - their disapproval ratings are so high that the March 9 vote has been dubbed the "unlikeable election".

Started by pundits and popularised by the media, the name has stuck, and even the candidates shamefacedly acknowledge the ugly image they've helped create.

Voters wanting to hear what they will do about runaway property prices and the widening income inequality in Asia's fourth largest economy have been disappointed by election campaigns that have stooped to vicious personal attacks.

Public disillusion with the country's political class festered during the five-year term of the outgoing president, Moon Jae-in.

(With inputs from agencies)

South Korean presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol is using deepfake technology to garner votes. His team has created a digital avatar of the frontrunner and set "AI Yoon" loose on the campaign trail ahead of a March 9 election.

South Korean presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol is using deepfake technology to garner votes. His team has created a digital avatar of the frontrunner and set "AI Yoon" loose on the campaign trail ahead of a March 9 election. From a deepfake video of Barack Obama insulting Donald Trump to failed New York mayoral candidate Andrew Yang campaigning in the metaverse, AI technology has been used in elections before. But AI Yoon's creators believe he is the world's first official deepfake candidate, a concept gaining traction in South Korea, which has the world's fastest average internet speeds. Also see | How viral Chinese app is using deepfake tech to morph faces triggering privacy concerns With neatly-combed black hair and a smart suit, the avatar looks near-identical to the real South Korean candidate but uses salty language and meme-ready quips in a bid to engage younger voters who get their news online. The former prosecutor general had earlier apologised over inaccuracies on his wife's resume when she applied for teaching jobs years ago, amid growing anger over what many voters see as politicians' hypocrisy. Also read | Spot the real Elon Musk: Deepfake or doppelganger? netizens can't decide Yoon Suk-yeol is the flag bearer of the main conservative opposition People Power Party and will face off against his challenger from the ruling Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung. Though a political novice, Yoon shot to fame as prosecutor-general for indicting Cho Kuk, a former justice minister and aide to President Moon Jae-in, over several charges including bribery and fraud in getting his daughter into university. Going by opinion polls, the two leading candidates for South Korea's presidency have a big problem - their disapproval ratings are so high that the March 9 vote has been dubbed the "unlikeable election". Started by pundits and popularised by the media, the name has stuck, and even the candidates shamefacedly acknowledge the ugly image they've helped create. Voters wanting to hear what they will do about runaway property prices and the widening income inequality in Asia's fourth largest economy have been disappointed by election campaigns that have stooped to vicious personal attacks. Public disillusion with the country's political class festered during the five-year term of the outgoing president, Moon Jae-in. (With inputs from agencies)

South Korean presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol using deepfake technology to garner votes

15 out of 23 monkeys have died in Neuralink's trial to link the human brain to a computer. The firm, that belongs to Tesla chief Elon Musk is conceiving implants to be able to communicate with machines by thought.&nbsp;

The San Francisco-based company aims to implant wireless brain-computer chips to help cure neurological conditions like Alzheimer's, dementia and spinal cord injuries and fuse humankind with artificial intelligence.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-story-of-elon-musk-355489/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Neuralink works by recording and decoding electrical signals from the brain using more than 2,000 electrodes implanted in regions of the monkey’s motor cortex that coordinate hand and arm movements.

Musk has a history of bringing together diverse experts to develop technology previously limited to academic labs through companies such as Tesla Inc, SpaceX and Boring Co.

He has become an outspoken doomsayer about the threat artificial intelligence might one day pose to the human race. Continued growth in AI cognitive capabilities, he and like-minded critics suggest, could lead to machines that can outthink and outmaneuver humans with whom they might have little in common.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/elon-musks-neuralink-to-start-clinical-trials-of-implanting-brain-chips-in-humans-446942">Also read |&nbsp;Elon Musk's Neuralink to start clinical trials of implanting brain chips in humans</a>

Hooking a brain up directly to electronics is not new. Doctors implant electrodes in brains to deliver stimulation for treating such conditions as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and chronic pain. In experiments, implanted sensors have let paralyzed people use brain signals to operate computers and move robotic arms

But Musk’s proposal goes beyond this. Neuralink wants to build on those existing medical treatments as well as one day work on surgeries that could improve cognitive functioning.

Neuralink is not the only company working on artificial intelligence for the brain.&nbsp;

Entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, who sold his previous payments startup Braintree to PayPal for $800 million, started Kernel, a company working on “advanced neural interfaces” to treat disease and extend cognition, in 2016.

(With inputs from agencies)

15 out of 23 monkeys have died in Neuralink's trial to link the human brain to a computer. The firm, that belongs to Tesla chief Elon Musk is conceiving implants to be able to communicate with machines by thought.

15 out of 23 monkeys have died in Neuralink's trial to link the human brain to a computer. The firm, that belongs to Tesla chief Elon Musk is conceiving implants to be able to communicate with machines by thought. The San Francisco-based company aims to implant wireless brain-computer chips to help cure neurological conditions like Alzheimer's, dementia and spinal cord injuries and fuse humankind with artificial intelligence. Neuralink works by recording and decoding electrical signals from the brain using more than 2,000 electrodes implanted in regions of the monkey’s motor cortex that coordinate hand and arm movements. Musk has a history of bringing together diverse experts to develop technology previously limited to academic labs through companies such as Tesla Inc, SpaceX and Boring Co. He has become an outspoken doomsayer about the threat artificial intelligence might one day pose to the human race. Continued growth in AI cognitive capabilities, he and like-minded critics suggest, could lead to machines that can outthink and outmaneuver humans with whom they might have little in common. Also read | Elon Musk's Neuralink to start clinical trials of implanting brain chips in humans Hooking a brain up directly to electronics is not new. Doctors implant electrodes in brains to deliver stimulation for treating such conditions as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and chronic pain. In experiments, implanted sensors have let paralyzed people use brain signals to operate computers and move robotic arms But Musk’s proposal goes beyond this. Neuralink wants to build on those existing medical treatments as well as one day work on surgeries that could improve cognitive functioning. Neuralink is not the only company working on artificial intelligence for the brain. Entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, who sold his previous payments startup Braintree to PayPal for $800 million, started Kernel, a company working on “advanced neural interfaces” to treat disease and extend cognition, in 2016. (With inputs from agencies)

15 out of 23 monkeys die in Neuralink's trial to link human brain to computer

Non-fungible token marketplace Cent has shut down citing 'rampant' fakes and plagiarism problems.

"There's a spectrum of activity that is happening that basically shouldn't be happening - like, legally," said Cameron Hejazi, CEO and co-founder of the NFT marketplace Cent.

"It kept happening. We would ban offending accounts but it was like we're playing a game of whack-a-mole... Every time we would ban one, another one would come up, or three more would come up."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-charlie-bit-my-finger-video-to-be-sold-as-nft-386131/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The US-based firm had executed one of the first known million-dollar NFT sales when it sold the former Twitter CEO's tweet as an NFT.

The unique digital objects that confer ownership, are appealing due to the decentralised nature of blockchain technology. They allow users to create and trade digital assets without a central authority controlling the activity.

The biggest NFT marketplace, OpenSea, valued at $13.3 billion after its latest round of venture funding, said last month more than 80 per cent&nbsp;of the NFTs minted for free on its platform were "plagiarised works, fake collections and spam."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/beijing-olympics-2022-alibaba-launches-nft-in-traditional-chinese-ink-painting-style-451241">Also read |&nbsp;Beijing Olympics 2022: Alibaba launches NFT in traditional Chinese ink painting style</a>

Athletics giant Nike filed a lawsuit in New York on Thursday against shopping platform StockX for creating and marketing NFTs -- the tamper-proof digital property certificates -- based on the brand's products without permission.

The company's lawyers accused US-based StockX of "minting" NFTs using Nike trademarks and trading on the brand's "goodwill" to market them.

Such problems may come into greater focus as major brands join the rush towards the so-called "metaverse", or Web3. Coca-Cola and luxury brand Gucci are among companies to have sold NFTs, while YouTube said it will explore NFT features.

Investors and wealthy collectors have clamored in recent months to get involved in the latest digital craze, which relies on the same blockchain technology that powers cryptocurrencies and cannot be forged or otherwise manipulated.&nbsp;

Recent auctions have seen eye-watering sums paid for NFTs, including a staggering $69.3 million for a digital work by artist Beeple at a sale at Christie's.

Sales of NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, soared to around $25 billion in 2021, leaving many baffled as to why so much money is being spent on items that do not physically exist and which anyone can view online for free.

(With inputs from agencies)

Non-fungible token marketplace Cent has shut down citing 'rampant' fakes and plagiarism problems. "There's a spectrum of activity that is happening that basically shouldn't be happening - like, legally," said Cameron Hejazi, CEO and co-founder of the NFT marketplace Cent.

Non-fungible token marketplace Cent has shut down citing 'rampant' fakes and plagiarism problems. "There's a spectrum of activity that is happening that basically shouldn't be happening - like, legally," said Cameron Hejazi, CEO and co-founder of the NFT marketplace Cent. "It kept happening. We would ban offending accounts but it was like we're playing a game of whack-a-mole... Every time we would ban one, another one would come up, or three more would come up." The US-based firm had executed one of the first known million-dollar NFT sales when it sold the former Twitter CEO's tweet as an NFT. The unique digital objects that confer ownership, are appealing due to the decentralised nature of blockchain technology. They allow users to create and trade digital assets without a central authority controlling the activity. The biggest NFT marketplace, OpenSea, valued at $13.3 billion after its latest round of venture funding, said last month more than 80 per cent of the NFTs minted for free on its platform were "plagiarised works, fake collections and spam." Also read | Beijing Olympics 2022: Alibaba launches NFT in traditional Chinese ink painting style Athletics giant Nike filed a lawsuit in New York on Thursday against shopping platform StockX for creating and marketing NFTs -- the tamper-proof digital property certificates -- based on the brand's products without permission. The company's lawyers accused US-based StockX of "minting" NFTs using Nike trademarks and trading on the brand's "goodwill" to market them. Such problems may come into greater focus as major brands join the rush towards the so-called "metaverse", or Web3. Coca-Cola and luxury brand Gucci are among companies to have sold NFTs, while YouTube said it will explore NFT features. Investors and wealthy collectors have clamored in recent months to get involved in the latest digital craze, which relies on the same blockchain technology that powers cryptocurrencies and cannot be forged or otherwise manipulated. Recent auctions have seen eye-watering sums paid for NFTs, including a staggering $69.3 million for a digital work by artist Beeple at a sale at Christie's. Sales of NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, soared to around $25 billion in 2021, leaving many baffled as to why so much money is being spent on items that do not physically exist and which anyone can view online for free. (With inputs from agencies)

NFT platform that sold Dorsey's first tweet shuts down due to 'rampant' fakes

Tech giant Apple has introduced a new feature that will transform iPhones into payment terminals.

Bypassing hardware systems such as Block Inc's Square terminals, it will allow businesses to accept credit card and digital payments with just a tap on their iPhones.

"The new capability will empower millions of merchants across the US, from small businesses to large retailers, to use their iPhone" to accept payments, Apple said in a statement.

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Contactless, or tap-to-pay, payment systems have long been popular outside the US as the default way of paying for goods and services. But tap-to-pay has grown in popularity in the US in recent years, particularly during the pandemic when customers and merchants wanted to avoid as much physical interaction with cash and cards as possible.&nbsp;

The tap-to-pay feature will use the iPhone’s existing NFC chip that was being used to transmit payments down to a payment terminal. It will be available to developers via an iOS software update this spring. It will be up to developers and payment-services companies to add the capability to their point-of-sale software.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/no-more-facial-recognition-apple-airpods-might-be-able-to-recognise-the-user-by-checking-ear-canal-449524">Also read |&nbsp;No more facial recognition? Apple AirPods might be able to recognise the user by checking ear canal</a>

Stressing on the services privacy feature, the iPhone-maker said it would not know what was being purchased or who was buying it, stressing on the services privacy feature.

It will also give Apple a competitive edge in the growing world of contactless payments, in which the iPhone, as well as Apple Pay, play a dominant role by effectively turning the iPhone into a point-of-sale terminal.

The feature will only be available on iPhones XS or later, Apple said, and will not be available on iPads.&nbsp;

Payments platform Stripe will in the spring be the first to offer the "tap to pay" system to their business customers, Apple noted, with others expected to follow later this year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-pregnant-emojis-to-make-dramatic-appearance-on-apple-iphones-take-social-media-by-storm-find-out-why-448658">Also read |&nbsp;New pregnant emojis to make dramatic appearance on Apple iPhones; take social media by storm. Find out why</a>

"Whether you're a salesperson at an internet-first retailer or an individual entrepreneur, you can soon accept contactless payments on a device that's already in your pocket: your iPhone," said Billy Alvarado, Stripe's chief business officer.

"Apple views payments as an important standalone business for the company and they are looking to leverage it," said Shannon Cross, analyst at Cross Research.

"Them venturing into contactless payments is an indication on how important payments are as a business for the company."

The iPhone has been used as a contactless way to pay for goods and services since Apple Pay launched in 2014. But it required merchants to have their own point-of-sale hardware in order to accept contactless payments.

Apple is not the first to turn its flagship smartphone into a payment terminal without requiring additional equipment: South Korea's Samsung launched a similar offer in October 2019.

(With inputs from agencies)

Tech giant Apple has introduced a new feature that will transform iPhones into payment terminals. Bypassing hardware systems such as Block Inc's Square terminals, it will allow businesses to accept credit card and digital payments with just a tap on their iPhones.

Tech giant Apple has introduced a new feature that will transform iPhones into payment terminals. Bypassing hardware systems such as Block Inc's Square terminals, it will allow businesses to accept credit card and digital payments with just a tap on their iPhones. "The new capability will empower millions of merchants across the US, from small businesses to large retailers, to use their iPhone" to accept payments, Apple said in a statement. Contactless, or tap-to-pay, payment systems have long been popular outside the US as the default way of paying for goods and services. But tap-to-pay has grown in popularity in the US in recent years, particularly during the pandemic when customers and merchants wanted to avoid as much physical interaction with cash and cards as possible. The tap-to-pay feature will use the iPhone’s existing NFC chip that was being used to transmit payments down to a payment terminal. It will be available to developers via an iOS software update this spring. It will be up to developers and payment-services companies to add the capability to their point-of-sale software. Also read | No more facial recognition? Apple AirPods might be able to recognise the user by checking ear canal Stressing on the services privacy feature, the iPhone-maker said it would not know what was being purchased or who was buying it, stressing on the services privacy feature. It will also give Apple a competitive edge in the growing world of contactless payments, in which the iPhone, as well as Apple Pay, play a dominant role by effectively turning the iPhone into a point-of-sale terminal. The feature will only be available on iPhones XS or later, Apple said, and will not be available on iPads. Payments platform Stripe will in the spring be the first to offer the "tap to pay" system to their business customers, Apple noted, with others expected to follow later this year. Also read | New pregnant emojis to make dramatic appearance on Apple iPhones; take social media by storm. Find out why "Whether you're a salesperson at an internet-first retailer or an individual entrepreneur, you can soon accept contactless payments on a device that's already in your pocket: your iPhone," said Billy Alvarado, Stripe's chief business officer. "Apple views payments as an important standalone business for the company and they are looking to leverage it," said Shannon Cross, analyst at Cross Research. "Them venturing into contactless payments is an indication on how important payments are as a business for the company." The iPhone has been used as a contactless way to pay for goods and services since Apple Pay launched in 2014. But it required merchants to have their own point-of-sale hardware in order to accept contactless payments. Apple is not the first to turn its flagship smartphone into a payment terminal without requiring additional equipment: South Korea's Samsung launched a similar offer in October 2019. (With inputs from agencies)

Tap-to-pay: Apple introduces new feature that will turn iPhones into payment terminals

Meta Platforms Inc has threatened the European Union that it will be forced to pull Facebook and Instagram if the bloc fails to scrap the privacy pact.

''The simple reality is that Meta, and many other businesses, organisations and services, rely on data transfers between the EU and the US in order to operate global services,'' the firm said in a statement.

Europe's top court in 2020 scrapped a transatlantic data transfer deal known as the Privacy Shield and relied on by thousands of companies for services ranging from cloud infrastructure to payroll and finance because of similar concerns.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/metas-shares-plummet-26-after-facebook-reports-a-decline-in-daily-active-users-450488/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The United States and the EU have been trying to come up with a new pact in the two years since then. US&nbsp;Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said she was confident there would be a new accord which takes into account the EU court's concerns.

"If a new transatlantic data transfer framework is not adopted... we will likely be unable to offer a number of our most significant products and services, including Facebook and Instagram, in Europe," Meta wrote in its Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/assaulted-in-metaverse-woman-alleges-gang-rape-60-seconds-after-joining-metas-virtual-world-449784">Also read |&nbsp;Assaulted in Metaverse: Woman alleges 'gang rape' 60 seconds after joining Meta's virtual world</a>

The social media giant recently saw its worst-ever plunge in market value, after disappointing quarterly results that raised questions about its future.

The huge drop, erasing over $200 billion from Meta's market capitalization and around $29 billion from Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg's net worth, spilled over to the broader technology sector and dragged the Nasdaq Composite Index lower.

Fewer people checked their Facebook every day per quarter than they did the year before for the first time ever during the last three months of 2021, as per Meta.

Meta Chief Financial Officer Dave Wehner told financial analysts part of the usage decrease for the main Facebook app and website came from fewer COVID-19 lockdowns, which have tended to generate a boom in online activity.

He also blamed rising internet costs for consumers in India and increasing interest in ByteDance Inc's video-sharing app TikTok.

(With inputs from agencies)

Meta Platforms Inc has threatened the European Union that it will be forced to pull Facebook and Instagram if the bloc fails to scrap the privacy pact. ''The simple reality is that Meta, and many other businesses, organisations and services, rely on data transfers between the EU and the US in order to operate global services,'' the firm said in a statement.

Meta Platforms Inc has threatened the European Union that it will be forced to pull Facebook and Instagram if the bloc fails to scrap the privacy pact. ''The simple reality is that Meta, and many other businesses, organisations and services, rely on data transfers between the EU and the US in order to operate global services,'' the firm said in a statement. Europe's top court in 2020 scrapped a transatlantic data transfer deal known as the Privacy Shield and relied on by thousands of companies for services ranging from cloud infrastructure to payroll and finance because of similar concerns. The United States and the EU have been trying to come up with a new pact in the two years since then. US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said she was confident there would be a new accord which takes into account the EU court's concerns. "If a new transatlantic data transfer framework is not adopted... we will likely be unable to offer a number of our most significant products and services, including Facebook and Instagram, in Europe," Meta wrote in its Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Also read | Assaulted in Metaverse: Woman alleges 'gang rape' 60 seconds after joining Meta's virtual world The social media giant recently saw its worst-ever plunge in market value, after disappointing quarterly results that raised questions about its future. The huge drop, erasing over $200 billion from Meta's market capitalization and around $29 billion from Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg's net worth, spilled over to the broader technology sector and dragged the Nasdaq Composite Index lower. Fewer people checked their Facebook every day per quarter than they did the year before for the first time ever during the last three months of 2021, as per Meta. Meta Chief Financial Officer Dave Wehner told financial analysts part of the usage decrease for the main Facebook app and website came from fewer COVID-19 lockdowns, which have tended to generate a boom in online activity. He also blamed rising internet costs for consumers in India and increasing interest in ByteDance Inc's video-sharing app TikTok. (With inputs from agencies)

Meta threatens EU to pull Facebook, Instagram on failure to scrap privacy pact

A new report has claimed that Russia can earn $13 billion annually by regulating cryptocurrency.

Published by Moscow-based news outlet 'The Bell,' the report suggests that taxes should imposed on exchanges and intermediaries, as well as income from investments.

A piece of similar advice was given by Finance Ministry official Ivan Chebeskov who said Russia should regulate the crypto market, not ban it.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-much-tax-is-imposed-on-cryptocurrency-in-different-countries-worldwide-449585">Also see |&nbsp;How much tax is imposed on cryptocurrency in different countries worldwide?</a>

President Vladimir Putin has asked Russian politicians and the central bank to reach consensus, following a clash over how much control is needed on cryptocurrencies as they gain traction in Russia.

Russia has argued for years against cryptocurrencies, saying they could be used in money laundering or to finance terrorism. It eventually gave them legal status in 2020 but banned their use as a means of payment.

The central bank last week said financial stability, citizens' wellbeing and its monetary policy sovereignty were all under threat.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-proposes-ban-on-crypto-use-mining-446390/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The bank proposed preventing financial institutions from carrying out any operations with cryptocurrencies and said mechanisms should be developed to block transactions aimed at buying or selling cryptocurrencies for fiat currencies.

The central bank said it would work with regulators in countries where crypto exchanges are registered to collect information about the operations of Russian clients. It pointed to steps taken in other countries, such as China, to curb cryptocurrency activity.

In September last year, China intensified its crackdown on cryptocurrencies with a blanket ban on all crypto transactions and mining, hitting bitcoin and other major coins and pressuring crypto and blockchain-related stocks.

Kremlin had estimated the Russian cryptocurrency market at more than 16.5 trillion rubles ($214 billion), which is around 12 per cent of the total value of global crypto market capitalisation.

Russia is the world's third-largest player in bitcoin mining, behind the United States and Kazakhstan, though the latter may see a miner exodus over fears of tightening regulation following unrest earlier this month.

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are "mined" by powerful computers that compete against others hooked up to a global network to solve complex mathematical puzzles, a process that requires heavy use of electricity.

This year, Russia plans to test a digital rouble to facilitate payments for individuals and businesses and try to make its currency more global in the face of Western sanctions.

(With inputs from agencies)

A new report has claimed that Russia can earn $13 billion annually by regulating cryptocurrency. Published by Moscow-based news outlet 'The Bell,' the report suggests that taxes should imposed on exchanges and intermediaries, as well as income from investments.

A new report has claimed that Russia can earn $13 billion annually by regulating cryptocurrency. Published by Moscow-based news outlet 'The Bell,' the report suggests that taxes should imposed on exchanges and intermediaries, as well as income from investments. A piece of similar advice was given by Finance Ministry official Ivan Chebeskov who said Russia should regulate the crypto market, not ban it. Also see | How much tax is imposed on cryptocurrency in different countries worldwide? President Vladimir Putin has asked Russian politicians and the central bank to reach consensus, following a clash over how much control is needed on cryptocurrencies as they gain traction in Russia. Russia has argued for years against cryptocurrencies, saying they could be used in money laundering or to finance terrorism. It eventually gave them legal status in 2020 but banned their use as a means of payment. The central bank last week said financial stability, citizens' wellbeing and its monetary policy sovereignty were all under threat. The bank proposed preventing financial institutions from carrying out any operations with cryptocurrencies and said mechanisms should be developed to block transactions aimed at buying or selling cryptocurrencies for fiat currencies. The central bank said it would work with regulators in countries where crypto exchanges are registered to collect information about the operations of Russian clients. It pointed to steps taken in other countries, such as China, to curb cryptocurrency activity. In September last year, China intensified its crackdown on cryptocurrencies with a blanket ban on all crypto transactions and mining, hitting bitcoin and other major coins and pressuring crypto and blockchain-related stocks. Kremlin had estimated the Russian cryptocurrency market at more than 16.5 trillion rubles ($214 billion), which is around 12 per cent of the total value of global crypto market capitalisation. Russia is the world's third-largest player in bitcoin mining, behind the United States and Kazakhstan, though the latter may see a miner exodus over fears of tightening regulation following unrest earlier this month. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are "mined" by powerful computers that compete against others hooked up to a global network to solve complex mathematical puzzles, a process that requires heavy use of electricity. This year, Russia plans to test a digital rouble to facilitate payments for individuals and businesses and try to make its currency more global in the face of Western sanctions. (With inputs from agencies)

How Russia can earn $13 billion annually by regulating cryptocurrency?

Taking aim at Spotify over spreading misinformation about coronavirus and climate change, Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young has asked the company's employees to quit.

"In our communication age, misinformation is the problem. Ditch the misinformers," Young said in the statement.

He said the music streaming platform's chief executive officer, Daniel Ek is the main problem.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-spotify-reportedly-loses-usd-4-billion-in-market-value-449977/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"I say Daniel Ek is your big problem - not Joe Rogan. Get out of that place before it eats up your soul."

Young pulled his content from the streaming platform last month after objecting to his music being played on the same platform as Rogan's podcast.

Following suit, music legend Joni Mitchell, guitarist Nils Lofgren and best-selling US professor and author Brene Brown also asked that their songs be removed from the platform in protest against Rogan.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-singer-james-blunt-joins-joe-rogans-podcast-protest-threatens-to-release-new-music-on-spotify-448937">Also read |&nbsp;Singer James Blunt joins Joe Rogan's podcast protest, threatens to release new music on Spotify</a>

It comes after the head of music streaming giant Spotify condemned podcaster Joe Rogan's use of a racial slur but insisted that silencing him was not the answer.

He made the comments in an ongoing row over the streaming service and its flagship star, who has recently faced a torrent of criticism.

Rogan apologised for his past use of racist language, including the "N word", and addressed what he called "the most regretful and shameful thing that I've ever had to talk about publicly," after a compilation video of him using the term surfaced.

Spotify's stock fell sharply Thursday amid controversy over Rogan's show, which garners up to 11 million listeners per episode.

The company has announced that it would add advisories to any podcast episode discussing Covid-19 which would direct listeners to a "dedicated Covid-19 Hub" with facts and up-to-date information from scientists and public health authorities. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Taking aim at Spotify over spreading misinformation about coronavirus and climate change, Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young has asked the company's employees to quit.

Taking aim at Spotify over spreading misinformation about coronavirus and climate change, Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young has asked the company's employees to quit. "In our communication age, misinformation is the problem. Ditch the misinformers," Young said in the statement. He said the music streaming platform's chief executive officer, Daniel Ek is the main problem. "I say Daniel Ek is your big problem - not Joe Rogan. Get out of that place before it eats up your soul." Young pulled his content from the streaming platform last month after objecting to his music being played on the same platform as Rogan's podcast. Following suit, music legend Joni Mitchell, guitarist Nils Lofgren and best-selling US professor and author Brene Brown also asked that their songs be removed from the platform in protest against Rogan. Also read | Singer James Blunt joins Joe Rogan's podcast protest, threatens to release new music on Spotify It comes after the head of music streaming giant Spotify condemned podcaster Joe Rogan's use of a racial slur but insisted that silencing him was not the answer. He made the comments in an ongoing row over the streaming service and its flagship star, who has recently faced a torrent of criticism. Rogan apologised for his past use of racist language, including the "N word", and addressed what he called "the most regretful and shameful thing that I've ever had to talk about publicly," after a compilation video of him using the term surfaced. Spotify's stock fell sharply Thursday amid controversy over Rogan's show, which garners up to 11 million listeners per episode. The company has announced that it would add advisories to any podcast episode discussing Covid-19 which would direct listeners to a "dedicated Covid-19 Hub" with facts and up-to-date information from scientists and public health authorities. (With inputs from agencies)

Neil Young asks Spotify employees to quit over coronavirus misinformation and climate change

Sales of cars powered solely by batteries surged in the United States, Europe and China last year, while deliveries of fossil fuel vehicles were stagnant. Demand for electric cars is so strong that manufacturers are requiring buyers to put down deposits months in advance. And some models are effectively sold out for the next two years.

Battery-powered cars are having a breakthrough moment and will enter the mainstream this year as automakers begin selling electric versions of one of Americans’ favourite vehicle types: pickup trucks. Their arrival represents the biggest upheaval in the auto industry since Henry Ford introduced the Model T in 1908 and could have far-reaching consequences for factory workers, businesses and the environment. Tailpipe emissions are among the largest contributors to climate change.

While electric vehicles still account for a small slice of the market — nearly 9 per cent&nbsp;of the new cars sold last year worldwide were electric, up from 2.5% in 2019, according to the International Energy Agency — their rapid growth could make 2022 the year when the march of battery-powered cars became unstoppable, erasing any doubt that the internal combustion engine is lurching toward obsolescence.

The proliferation of electric cars will improve air quality and help slow global warming. The air in Southern California is already a bit cleaner thanks to the popularity of electric vehicles there. And the boom is a rare piece of good news for President Joe Biden, who has struggled to advance his climate agenda in Congress.

The auto industry is on track to invest half a trillion dollars in the next five years to make the transition to electric vehicles, Wedbush Securities, an investment firm, estimates. That money will be spent to refit and build factories, train workers, write software, upgrade dealerships and more. Companies are planning more than a dozen new electric car and battery factories just in the United States.

“It’s one of the biggest industrial transformations probably in the history of capitalism,” said Scott Keogh, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America. “The investments are massive, and the mission is massive.”

But not everyone will benefit. Makers of mufflers, fuel injection systems and other parts could go out of business, leaving many workers jobless. Nearly 3 million Americans make, sell and service cars and auto parts, and industry experts say producing electric cars will require fewer workers because the cars have fewer components.

Over time, battery ingredients like lithium, nickel and cobalt could become more sought after than oil. Prices for these materials are already skyrocketing, which could limit sales in the short term by driving up the cost of electric cars.

The transition could also be limited by the lack of places to plug in electric cars, which has made the vehicles less appealing to people who drive long distances or apartment residents who can’t charge at home. There are fewer than 50,000 public charging stations in the United States. The infrastructure bill that Congress passed in November includes $7.5 billion for 500,000 new stations, although experts say even that number is too small.

And it could take time to see the climate benefits of electric cars: Replacing the 250 million existing fossil-fuel cars and light trucks could take decades unless governments provide larger incentives to car buyers. Cleaning up heavy trucks, one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, could be even harder.

Still, the electric car boom is already reshaping the auto industry.

The biggest beneficiary — and the biggest threat to the established order — is Tesla. Led by Elon Musk, the company delivered nearly 1 million cars in 2021, a 90 per cent&nbsp;increase from 2020.

Tesla is still small compared with auto giants, but it commands the segment with the fastest growth. Wall Street values the company at about $1 trillion, more than 10 times as much as General Motors. That means Tesla, which is building factories in Texas and Germany, can easily expand.

“At the rate it’s growing now, it will be bigger than GM in five years,” said John Casesa, a former Ford executive who is now a senior managing director at Guggenheim Securities, at a Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago forum in January.

Most analysts figured that electric vehicles wouldn’t take off until they became as inexpensive to buy as gasoline models — a milestone that is still a few years away for moderately priced cars that most people can afford.

But as extreme weather makes the catastrophic effects of climate change more tangible, and word gets around that electric cars are easy to maintain, cheap to refuel and fun to drive, affluent buyers are increasingly going electric.

Porsche’s Taycan, an electric sedan that starts at about $83,000, outsold the company’s signature 911 last year. Mercedes-Benz sold nearly 100,000 electric cars and vans in 2021, a 90% increase from the previous year.

Ford will soon start selling the Lightning, an electric version of the F-150 pickup truck, which has topped US&nbsp;sales charts for decades. It initially planned to make 75,000 a year. But demand has been so strong that the company is racing to double production of the Lightning, which starts at $40,000 and runs up to more than $90,000. Ford stopped taking reservations after amassing 200,000 orders.

“We’re going to be able to sell every one we can build,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s chief product platform and operations officer.

A growing selection of electric pickups and sport utility vehicles is attracting buyers uninterested in Tesla’s minimalist cars, which are most popular in coastal cities and suburbs.

Take Eddie Berry, the owner of an auto-parts delivery business in Groveport, Ohio, near Columbus. He has long relied on pickup trucks for work and camping trips. He had little interest in electric vehicles until the Lightning. His roughly $75,000 truck will be delivered this spring.

“There’s so much about this truck that’s going to help me,” Berry said. The locking front trunk, where an engine normally sits, will give him a secure space to carry parts. He won’t spend $80 for fuel every few days.

And since the Lightning can be used as a power source, it will revolutionize his tailgate at Ohio State football games. “I’ll be able to set up my big-screen TV,” Berry said. “I can power the electric smoker I use for ribs and pork. I’m super excited. I’m going to be the guy everybody’s talking about.”

Sales of electric cars might have been even higher in 2021 but for production bottlenecks. Volkswagen sold about 17,000 ID.4 SUVs in the United States, but could have sold four times as many, Keogh said.

Mike Sullivan, owner of LAcarGUY, a dealership chain, sold out his ID.4s within weeks of their arrival. “When we have them it’s the bestselling model,” he said. Supply will increase this year when Volkswagen begins producing ID.4s in Chattanooga, Tennessee, rather than importing them from Germany.

At the upper end, electric vehicles are already competitive on price and could save buyers thousands on maintenance and gasoline. (Electric cars do not need oil changes, and electricity is generally cheaper per mile than gasoline.)

The Tesla Model 3 and Jaguar XF P250 sedans retail for around $46,000. But owning the Tesla for five years costs $16,000 less, according to calculations by Kelley Blue Book, a vehicle valuation company.

If Europe and China are any measure, sales of electric vehicles in the United States will continue to explode. In December, battery-powered cars outsold diesel cars in Europe for the first time. In 18 countries, including Britain, more than 20% of new cars were electric, according to Matthias Schmidt, an independent analyst in Berlin.

In 2015, more than half of Europe’s new cars ran on diesel, the result of tax policies that make diesel cheaper than gasoline. But government incentives for electric cars, and penalties for carmakers that don’t meet emissions targets, have changed the equation.

About 4% of new cars were electric last year in the United States, up from about 2 per cent&nbsp;in 2020.

The point of electric cars is to cut tailpipe emissions, a leading source of carbon dioxide and the pollutants that cause smog. In Southern California, electric cars have already had a small effect on air quality, leading to a 4 per cent&nbsp;reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions from passenger cars compared with what they would have been otherwise, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which includes Los Angeles.

Of course, battery-powered cars also have an environmental cost. But even taking into account the energy and raw materials they require, electric vehicles are much better for the climate than conventional cars, according to a Yale School of the Environment study.

Inevitably, a transition this momentous will cause dislocation. Most new battery and electric car factories planned by automakers are in Southern states like Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee. Their gains could come at the expense of the Midwest, which would lose internal combustion production jobs.

That hasn’t happened yet, because gasoline vehicles still dominate sales. But as battery power takes market share, conventional models will benefit less from the cost savings that come from stamping out the same vehicle hundreds of thousands of times.

The next few years could be perilous for carmakers that have been slow to offer electric vehicles. Toyota, a pioneer in hybrid vehicles, will not offer a car powered solely by batteries until later this year. Ram does not plan to release a competitor to Ford’s Lightning until 2024.

Chinese companies like SAIC, which owns the British MG brand, are using the technological shift to enter Europe and other markets. Young companies like Lucid, Rivian and Nio aim to follow Tesla’s playbook.

Old-line carmakers face a stiff learning curve. GM recalled its Bolt electric hatchback last year because of the risk of battery fires.

The companies most endangered may be small machine shops in Michigan or Ontario that produce piston rings and other parts. At the moment, these businesses are busy because of pent-up demand for all vehicles, said Carla Bailo, CEO of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

“A lot of them kind of have blinders on and are not looking that far down the road,” Bailo said “That’s troubling.”

Sales of cars powered solely by batteries surged in the United States, Europe and China last year, while deliveries of fossil fuel vehicles were stagnant. Demand for electric cars is so strong that manufacturers are requiring buyers to put down deposits months in advance.

Sales of cars powered solely by batteries surged in the United States, Europe and China last year, while deliveries of fossil fuel vehicles were stagnant. Demand for electric cars is so strong that manufacturers are requiring buyers to put down deposits months in advance. And some models are effectively sold out for the next two years. Battery-powered cars are having a breakthrough moment and will enter the mainstream this year as automakers begin selling electric versions of one of Americans’ favourite vehicle types: pickup trucks. Their arrival represents the biggest upheaval in the auto industry since Henry Ford introduced the Model T in 1908 and could have far-reaching consequences for factory workers, businesses and the environment. Tailpipe emissions are among the largest contributors to climate change. While electric vehicles still account for a small slice of the market — nearly 9 per cent of the new cars sold last year worldwide were electric, up from 2.5% in 2019, according to the International Energy Agency — their rapid growth could make 2022 the year when the march of battery-powered cars became unstoppable, erasing any doubt that the internal combustion engine is lurching toward obsolescence. The proliferation of electric cars will improve air quality and help slow global warming. The air in Southern California is already a bit cleaner thanks to the popularity of electric vehicles there. And the boom is a rare piece of good news for President Joe Biden, who has struggled to advance his climate agenda in Congress. The auto industry is on track to invest half a trillion dollars in the next five years to make the transition to electric vehicles, Wedbush Securities, an investment firm, estimates. That money will be spent to refit and build factories, train workers, write software, upgrade dealerships and more. Companies are planning more than a dozen new electric car and battery factories just in the United States. “It’s one of the biggest industrial transformations probably in the history of capitalism,” said Scott Keogh, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America. “The investments are massive, and the mission is massive.” But not everyone will benefit. Makers of mufflers, fuel injection systems and other parts could go out of business, leaving many workers jobless. Nearly 3 million Americans make, sell and service cars and auto parts, and industry experts say producing electric cars will require fewer workers because the cars have fewer components. Over time, battery ingredients like lithium, nickel and cobalt could become more sought after than oil. Prices for these materials are already skyrocketing, which could limit sales in the short term by driving up the cost of electric cars. The transition could also be limited by the lack of places to plug in electric cars, which has made the vehicles less appealing to people who drive long distances or apartment residents who can’t charge at home. There are fewer than 50,000 public charging stations in the United States. The infrastructure bill that Congress passed in November includes $7.5 billion for 500,000 new stations, although experts say even that number is too small. And it could take time to see the climate benefits of electric cars: Replacing the 250 million existing fossil-fuel cars and light trucks could take decades unless governments provide larger incentives to car buyers. Cleaning up heavy trucks, one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, could be even harder. Still, the electric car boom is already reshaping the auto industry. The biggest beneficiary — and the biggest threat to the established order — is Tesla. Led by Elon Musk, the company delivered nearly 1 million cars in 2021, a 90 per cent increase from 2020. Tesla is still small compared with auto giants, but it commands the segment with the fastest growth. Wall Street values the company at about $1 trillion, more than 10 times as much as General Motors. That means Tesla, which is building factories in Texas and Germany, can easily expand. “At the rate it’s growing now, it will be bigger than GM in five years,” said John Casesa, a former Ford executive who is now a senior managing director at Guggenheim Securities, at a Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago forum in January. Most analysts figured that electric vehicles wouldn’t take off until they became as inexpensive to buy as gasoline models — a milestone that is still a few years away for moderately priced cars that most people can afford. But as extreme weather makes the catastrophic effects of climate change more tangible, and word gets around that electric cars are easy to maintain, cheap to refuel and fun to drive, affluent buyers are increasingly going electric. Porsche’s Taycan, an electric sedan that starts at about $83,000, outsold the company’s signature 911 last year. Mercedes-Benz sold nearly 100,000 electric cars and vans in 2021, a 90% increase from the previous year. Ford will soon start selling the Lightning, an electric version of the F-150 pickup truck, which has topped US sales charts for decades. It initially planned to make 75,000 a year. But demand has been so strong that the company is racing to double production of the Lightning, which starts at $40,000 and runs up to more than $90,000. Ford stopped taking reservations after amassing 200,000 orders. “We’re going to be able to sell every one we can build,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s chief product platform and operations officer. A growing selection of electric pickups and sport utility vehicles is attracting buyers uninterested in Tesla’s minimalist cars, which are most popular in coastal cities and suburbs. Take Eddie Berry, the owner of an auto-parts delivery business in Groveport, Ohio, near Columbus. He has long relied on pickup trucks for work and camping trips. He had little interest in electric vehicles until the Lightning. His roughly $75,000 truck will be delivered this spring. “There’s so much about this truck that’s going to help me,” Berry said. The locking front trunk, where an engine normally sits, will give him a secure space to carry parts. He won’t spend $80 for fuel every few days. And since the Lightning can be used as a power source, it will revolutionize his tailgate at Ohio State football games. “I’ll be able to set up my big-screen TV,” Berry said. “I can power the electric smoker I use for ribs and pork. I’m super excited. I’m going to be the guy everybody’s talking about.” Sales of electric cars might have been even higher in 2021 but for production bottlenecks. Volkswagen sold about 17,000 ID.4 SUVs in the United States, but could have sold four times as many, Keogh said. Mike Sullivan, owner of LAcarGUY, a dealership chain, sold out his ID.4s within weeks of their arrival. “When we have them it’s the bestselling model,” he said. Supply will increase this year when Volkswagen begins producing ID.4s in Chattanooga, Tennessee, rather than importing them from Germany. At the upper end, electric vehicles are already competitive on price and could save buyers thousands on maintenance and gasoline. (Electric cars do not need oil changes, and electricity is generally cheaper per mile than gasoline.) The Tesla Model 3 and Jaguar XF P250 sedans retail for around $46,000. But owning the Tesla for five years costs $16,000 less, according to calculations by Kelley Blue Book, a vehicle valuation company. If Europe and China are any measure, sales of electric vehicles in the United States will continue to explode. In December, battery-powered cars outsold diesel cars in Europe for the first time. In 18 countries, including Britain, more than 20% of new cars were electric, according to Matthias Schmidt, an independent analyst in Berlin. In 2015, more than half of Europe’s new cars ran on diesel, the result of tax policies that make diesel cheaper than gasoline. But government incentives for electric cars, and penalties for carmakers that don’t meet emissions targets, have changed the equation. About 4% of new cars were electric last year in the United States, up from about 2 per cent in 2020. The point of electric cars is to cut tailpipe emissions, a leading source of carbon dioxide and the pollutants that cause smog. In Southern California, electric cars have already had a small effect on air quality, leading to a 4 per cent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions from passenger cars compared with what they would have been otherwise, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which includes Los Angeles. Of course, battery-powered cars also have an environmental cost. But even taking into account the energy and raw materials they require, electric vehicles are much better for the climate than conventional cars, according to a Yale School of the Environment study. Inevitably, a transition this momentous will cause dislocation. Most new battery and electric car factories planned by automakers are in Southern states like Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee. Their gains could come at the expense of the Midwest, which would lose internal combustion production jobs. That hasn’t happened yet, because gasoline vehicles still dominate sales. But as battery power takes market share, conventional models will benefit less from the cost savings that come from stamping out the same vehicle hundreds of thousands of times. The next few years could be perilous for carmakers that have been slow to offer electric vehicles. Toyota, a pioneer in hybrid vehicles, will not offer a car powered solely by batteries until later this year. Ram does not plan to release a competitor to Ford’s Lightning until 2024. Chinese companies like SAIC, which owns the British MG brand, are using the technological shift to enter Europe and other markets. Young companies like Lucid, Rivian and Nio aim to follow Tesla’s playbook. Old-line carmakers face a stiff learning curve. GM recalled its Bolt electric hatchback last year because of the risk of battery fires. The companies most endangered may be small machine shops in Michigan or Ontario that produce piston rings and other parts. At the moment, these businesses are busy because of pent-up demand for all vehicles, said Carla Bailo, CEO of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “A lot of them kind of have blinders on and are not looking that far down the road,” Bailo said “That’s troubling.”

Why this could be a critical year for electric cars

Elon Musk's SpaceX is installing a satellite internet constellation to restore Tonga's internet.

Fiji's Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said on Twitter, "A SpaceX team is now in Fiji establishing a Starlink gateway station to reconnect Tonga to the world."

It comes after Musk had tweeted, ''Could people from Tonga let us know if it is important for SpaceX to send over Starlink terminals?''

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/after-a-delay-spacex-successfully-launches-italian-cosmo-skymed-satellite-449938/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">Musk's dream of colonising Mars has a connection with the volcanic eruption that devastated Tonga.</div>

The undersea eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano was so powerful as it sent tsunami waves across the Pacific Ocean and was heard some 2,300km away in New Zealand. Thousands of homes were destroyed.&nbsp;

Locals and survivors had described how the devastating Pacific blast "messed up" their brains. In the aftermath, parts of the nation were covered in ashes, communication with other countries was cut because the undersea lines were damaged. &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/out-of-control-rocket-by-elon-musks-spacex-puts-indias-chandrayaan-in-danger-447837">Also read |&nbsp;Out-of-control rocket by Elon Musk's SpaceX puts India's Chandrayaan in danger</a>

NASA said that the eruption unleashed explosive forces that dwarfed the power of the Hiroshima atomic bomb.

Tonga's sole optic-fibre link to the internet and the rest of the world was severed by a volcanic eruption on January 15 and only limited connectivity has been possible since.

Officials said a specialist cable repair ship was expected to arrive this week and would take at least two weeks to fix the damage.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/from-humanoid-robot-to-software-that-drives-vehicles-autonomously-heres-what-elon-musk-is-betting-on-in-2022-448127" hreflang="en">From humanoid robot to software that drives vehicles autonomously: Here's what Elon Musk is betting on in 2022</a>

However, scientists are probing the eruption activities to learn and prepare humankind for such occurrences in future with advancements in technology.&nbsp;

Besides, that volcano could offer valuable clues about the formation of other planets like Mars and Venus as it is offering researchers a rare chance to study how water and lava interact.&nbsp;

Elon Musk is confident that humans will land on Mars by 2026. As he has been an advocate of hypothetical Mars colonisation, he might have persuaded people that human life outside Earth is possible.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Elon Musk's SpaceX is installing a satellite internet constellation to restore Tonga's internet. Fiji's Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said on Twitter, "A SpaceX team is now in Fiji establishing a Starlink gateway station to reconnect Tonga to the world.

Elon Musk's SpaceX is installing a satellite internet constellation to restore Tonga's internet. Fiji's Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said on Twitter, "A SpaceX team is now in Fiji establishing a Starlink gateway station to reconnect Tonga to the world." It comes after Musk had tweeted, ''Could people from Tonga let us know if it is important for SpaceX to send over Starlink terminals?'' Musk's dream of colonising Mars has a connection with the volcanic eruption that devastated Tonga. The undersea eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano was so powerful as it sent tsunami waves across the Pacific Ocean and was heard some 2,300km away in New Zealand. Thousands of homes were destroyed. Locals and survivors had described how the devastating Pacific blast "messed up" their brains. In the aftermath, parts of the nation were covered in ashes, communication with other countries was cut because the undersea lines were damaged. Also read | Out-of-control rocket by Elon Musk's SpaceX puts India's Chandrayaan in danger NASA said that the eruption unleashed explosive forces that dwarfed the power of the Hiroshima atomic bomb. Tonga's sole optic-fibre link to the internet and the rest of the world was severed by a volcanic eruption on January 15 and only limited connectivity has been possible since. Officials said a specialist cable repair ship was expected to arrive this week and would take at least two weeks to fix the damage. Also read | From humanoid robot to software that drives vehicles autonomously: Here's what Elon Musk is betting on in 2022 However, scientists are probing the eruption activities to learn and prepare humankind for such occurrences in future with advancements in technology. Besides, that volcano could offer valuable clues about the formation of other planets like Mars and Venus as it is offering researchers a rare chance to study how water and lava interact. Elon Musk is confident that humans will land on Mars by 2026. As he has been an advocate of hypothetical Mars colonisation, he might have persuaded people that human life outside Earth is possible. (With inputs from agencies)

SpaceX installing satellite internet constellation to restore Tonga's internet

E-commerce giant Alibaba has launched Beijing Winter Olympics-themed non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Featuring speed skating, aerial freestyle skiing, slopestyle, and figure skating, the virtual badges have a traditional Chinese ink painting style.

According to Alibaba, ''Owners of the NFTs are barred from using the digital collectibles for any commercial purpose.''

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/after-cryptocurrencies-money-laundering-via-nfts-is-next-big-worry-450303">Also read |&nbsp;After cryptocurrencies, money laundering via NFTs is next big worry</a>

Taobao and Tmall, Alibaba’s core e-commerce sites in China will sell them in online marketplaces from February 5 to 20.

Available to Alibaba’s 88Vip paid members, the four badges have 8,888 copies each.

Called “digital collectibles,” the offerings are only available to mainland Chinese residents over the age of 14 years.

The buzz around this new market has been buoyed by art collectibles like CryptoPunks and Bored Apes, algorithmically generated portraits that can sell for millions of dollars. They have gained celebrity traction, with socialite Paris Hilton and TV host Jimmy Fallon recently showing off their Bored Apes.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-what-is-the-hype-behind-pricey-pixels-why-people-spend-fortunes-on-nfts-or-digital-art-450100" hreflang="en">Explainer: What is the hype behind pricey pixels, why people spend fortunes on NFTs or digital art?</a>

Several big companies, from Coca-Cola to Gucci, are testing the temperature with their own NFTs. In the art world, meanwhile, just over $1 in every $20 of revenue at top auction houses last year came from NFTs.

A life-size image of International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach virtually handed an Olympic torch to a similar hologram of the chief executive of tech giant Alibaba, Daniel Zhang, who was more than 1,000 km away from Beijing in Shanghai.

No longer the preserve of sci-fi movies, hologram technology is becoming a real communications option, especially after COVID-19 put the brakes on global travel, driving firms such as China's Alibaba to seek alternatives to in-person meetings beyond video conferences.

"We’re living in a different world," the virtual Bach said of the technology in 2022 compared with the 2008 Summer Games that was also held in Beijing.

The Hangzhou-based firm was fined a record $2.8 billion for antitrust violations and is under scrutiny as regulators step up oversight of the technology industry at a time when the economy is slowing.

(With inputs from agencies)

E-commerce giant Alibaba has launched Beijing Winter Olympics-themed non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Featuring speed skating, aerial freestyle skiing, slopestyle, and figure skating, the virtual badges have a traditional Chinese ink painting style.

E-commerce giant Alibaba has launched Beijing Winter Olympics-themed non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Featuring speed skating, aerial freestyle skiing, slopestyle, and figure skating, the virtual badges have a traditional Chinese ink painting style. According to Alibaba, ''Owners of the NFTs are barred from using the digital collectibles for any commercial purpose.'' Also read | After cryptocurrencies, money laundering via NFTs is next big worry Taobao and Tmall, Alibaba’s core e-commerce sites in China will sell them in online marketplaces from February 5 to 20. Available to Alibaba’s 88Vip paid members, the four badges have 8,888 copies each. Called “digital collectibles,” the offerings are only available to mainland Chinese residents over the age of 14 years. The buzz around this new market has been buoyed by art collectibles like CryptoPunks and Bored Apes, algorithmically generated portraits that can sell for millions of dollars. They have gained celebrity traction, with socialite Paris Hilton and TV host Jimmy Fallon recently showing off their Bored Apes. Also read | Explainer: What is the hype behind pricey pixels, why people spend fortunes on NFTs or digital art? Several big companies, from Coca-Cola to Gucci, are testing the temperature with their own NFTs. In the art world, meanwhile, just over $1 in every $20 of revenue at top auction houses last year came from NFTs. A life-size image of International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach virtually handed an Olympic torch to a similar hologram of the chief executive of tech giant Alibaba, Daniel Zhang, who was more than 1,000 km away from Beijing in Shanghai. No longer the preserve of sci-fi movies, hologram technology is becoming a real communications option, especially after COVID-19 put the brakes on global travel, driving firms such as China's Alibaba to seek alternatives to in-person meetings beyond video conferences. "We’re living in a different world," the virtual Bach said of the technology in 2022 compared with the 2008 Summer Games that was also held in Beijing. The Hangzhou-based firm was fined a record $2.8 billion for antitrust violations and is under scrutiny as regulators step up oversight of the technology industry at a time when the economy is slowing. (With inputs from agencies)

Beijing Olympics 2022: Alibaba launches NFT in traditional Chinese ink painting style

In the wake of serious concerns raised about cryptocurrencies and the misuse of them for money laundering and hawala transactions by terrorists and criminals, a new report indicates that money laundering via non-fungible tokens (NFTs) is becoming a growing sector.

A&nbsp;report by Blockchain data platform Chainalysis indicates that money laundering is a small, but growing, part of the activity on NFT marketplaces.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-what-is-the-hype-behind-pricey-pixels-why-people-spend-fortunes-on-nfts-or-digital-art-450100">Explainer: What is the hype behind pricey pixels, why people spend fortunes on NFTs or digital art?</a>

"While money laundering in physical art is difficult to quantify, we can make more reliable estimates of NFT-based money laundering thanks to the inherent transparency of the Blockchain," the report said late on Wednesday.

During the third quarter of 2021, illicit addresses sent over $1 million worth of cryptocurrency to NFT marketplaces.

Again, the figure grew in the fourth quarter, capped at just under $1.4 million.

"In both quarters, the vast majority of this activity came from scam-associated addresses sending funds to NFT marketplaces to make purchases," the report informed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-in-seattle-a-nft-museum-opens-its-door-to-public-450047">In Pics: In Seattle, a NFT museum opens its door to public</a>

Additionally, both quarters saw a significant amount of stolen funds being transferred to marketplaces.

"Perhaps most concerningly, in the fourth quarter, we saw roughly $284,000 worth of cryptocurrency sent to NFT marketplaces from addresses with sanctions risk," said the researchers.

With NFTs, data can be stored on blockchains and those data can be paired with images, videos, audio, physical objects, memberships, etc.

The popularity of NFTs skyrocketed in 2021. According to Chainalysis, at least $44.2 billion worth of cryptocurrency is now being sent to ERC-721 and ERC-1155 smart contracts associated with NFT marketplaces and collections, up from just $106 million in 2020.

"Wash trading" is another way some NFT sellers make money.

Another area of concern for NFTs, Wash trading has a single person/party on both sides of the transaction, i.e. the same person acts as&nbsp;both the seller and the buyer, creating&nbsp;a false impression about an asset's value and liquidity.

Based on Blockchain analysis, the researchers identified 262 users who sold NFTs to self-financed addresses more than 25 times.

Watch |&nbsp;Non-Fungible token sales hit $25 Billion dollars in 2021

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/non-fungible-token-sales-hit-25-billion-dollars-in-2021-443780/embed" width="560"></iframe>

A total of nearly $8.9 million in profit was made by the 110 profitable wash traders, dwarfing the $416,984 lost by the 152 unprofitable traders.

"Even worse, that $8.9 million is most likely derived from sales to unsuspecting buyers who believe the NFT they're purchasing has been growing in value, sold from one distinct collector to another," said Chainalysis.

"NFTs offer potential for abuse. It's important that as our industry considers all the ways this new asset class can change how we link the blockchain to the physical world," said the report.

(With inputs from agencies)

In the wake of serious concerns raised about cryptocurrencies and the misuse of them for money laundering and hawala transactions by terrorists and criminals, a new report indicates that money laundering via non-fungible tokens (NFTs) is becoming a growing sector.

In the wake of serious concerns raised about cryptocurrencies and the misuse of them for money laundering and hawala transactions by terrorists and criminals, a new report indicates that money laundering via non-fungible tokens (NFTs) is becoming a growing sector. A report by Blockchain data platform Chainalysis indicates that money laundering is a small, but growing, part of the activity on NFT marketplaces. Also read | Explainer: What is the hype behind pricey pixels, why people spend fortunes on NFTs or digital art? "While money laundering in physical art is difficult to quantify, we can make more reliable estimates of NFT-based money laundering thanks to the inherent transparency of the Blockchain," the report said late on Wednesday. During the third quarter of 2021, illicit addresses sent over $1 million worth of cryptocurrency to NFT marketplaces. Again, the figure grew in the fourth quarter, capped at just under $1.4 million. "In both quarters, the vast majority of this activity came from scam-associated addresses sending funds to NFT marketplaces to make purchases," the report informed. Also read | In Pics: In Seattle, a NFT museum opens its door to public Additionally, both quarters saw a significant amount of stolen funds being transferred to marketplaces. "Perhaps most concerningly, in the fourth quarter, we saw roughly $284,000 worth of cryptocurrency sent to NFT marketplaces from addresses with sanctions risk," said the researchers. With NFTs, data can be stored on blockchains and those data can be paired with images, videos, audio, physical objects, memberships, etc. The popularity of NFTs skyrocketed in 2021. According to Chainalysis, at least $44.2 billion worth of cryptocurrency is now being sent to ERC-721 and ERC-1155 smart contracts associated with NFT marketplaces and collections, up from just $106 million in 2020. "Wash trading" is another way some NFT sellers make money. Another area of concern for NFTs, Wash trading has a single person/party on both sides of the transaction, i.e. the same person acts as both the seller and the buyer, creating a false impression about an asset's value and liquidity. Based on Blockchain analysis, the researchers identified 262 users who sold NFTs to self-financed addresses more than 25 times. Watch | Non-Fungible token sales hit $25 Billion dollars in 2021 A total of nearly $8.9 million in profit was made by the 110 profitable wash traders, dwarfing the $416,984 lost by the 152 unprofitable traders. "Even worse, that $8.9 million is most likely derived from sales to unsuspecting buyers who believe the NFT they're purchasing has been growing in value, sold from one distinct collector to another," said Chainalysis. "NFTs offer potential for abuse. It's important that as our industry considers all the ways this new asset class can change how we link the blockchain to the physical world," said the report. (With inputs from agencies)

After cryptocurrencies, money laundering via NFTs is next big worry

A lady has described a dreadful encounter in which her avatar was virtually sexually abused and gang-raped by other users in the Metaverse.

Nina Jane Patel, a mother, chronicled the entire scenario in a Medium blog post, alleging that it all transpired within seconds of her entering the virtual world.&nbsp;

"Within 60 seconds of joining, I was verbally and sexually harassed by 3-4 male avatars, with male voices, who essentially, but virtually, gang-raped my avatar and took photos," she said.&nbsp;

The 43-year-old went on to describe how she witnessed her avatar being sexually raped by a group of male avatars, who photographed her and gave her messages like "don't pretend you didn't love it."

Anyone who signed into Facebook's version of the'metaverse,' an online world in which users' avatars meet and communicate, as well as tour a rapidly increasing network of virtual destinations such as cities, country scenes, or cafes, could witness the torture firsthand.&nbsp;

"A horrible experience that happened so fast and before I could even think about putting the safety barrier in place. I froze, " she added. "It was surreal. It was a nightmare. 
 
Watch | Gravitas Plus: The Metaverse Explained

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-the-metaverse-explained-443258/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

She told The Daily Mail that she promptly ripped off her headphones to end the encounter and has been experiencing anxiety ever since.

Many people told Nina that she shouldn't choose a female avatar next time or that she shouldn't be influenced by the experience because it wasn't genuine.

The London-based woman works for Kabuni Ventures, an immersive technology firm, as vice president of Metaverse Research.

After an invite-only beta test a year ago, Meta released Horizon Worlds to everyone 18 and older in the United States and Canada on Dec. 9.

Ms. Patel's experience elicited a response from Meta, who stated that technical obstacles may be put in place to prevent this from happening again.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

"We're sorry to hear this happened. We want everyone in Horizon Venues to have a positive experience, and easily find the safety tools that can help in a situation like this--and help us investigate and take action, " a Meta spokesperson said.

The woman works for Kabuni Ventures, an immersive technology company, as vice president of Metaverse Research.

After an invite-only beta test a year ago, Meta released Horizon Worlds to everyone 18 and older in the United States and Canada on December 9.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A lady has described a dreadful encounter in which her avatar was virtually sexually abused and gang-raped by other users in the Metaverse. Nina Jane Patel, a mother, chronicled the entire scenario in a Medium blog post, alleging that it all transpired within seconds of her entering the virtual world.

A lady has described a dreadful encounter in which her avatar was virtually sexually abused and gang-raped by other users in the Metaverse. Nina Jane Patel, a mother, chronicled the entire scenario in a Medium blog post, alleging that it all transpired within seconds of her entering the virtual world. "Within 60 seconds of joining, I was verbally and sexually harassed by 3-4 male avatars, with male voices, who essentially, but virtually, gang-raped my avatar and took photos," she said. The 43-year-old went on to describe how she witnessed her avatar being sexually raped by a group of male avatars, who photographed her and gave her messages like "don't pretend you didn't love it." Anyone who signed into Facebook's version of the'metaverse,' an online world in which users' avatars meet and communicate, as well as tour a rapidly increasing network of virtual destinations such as cities, country scenes, or cafes, could witness the torture firsthand. "A horrible experience that happened so fast and before I could even think about putting the safety barrier in place. I froze, " she added. "It was surreal. It was a nightmare. Watch | Gravitas Plus: The Metaverse Explained She told The Daily Mail that she promptly ripped off her headphones to end the encounter and has been experiencing anxiety ever since. Many people told Nina that she shouldn't choose a female avatar next time or that she shouldn't be influenced by the experience because it wasn't genuine. The London-based woman works for Kabuni Ventures, an immersive technology firm, as vice president of Metaverse Research. After an invite-only beta test a year ago, Meta released Horizon Worlds to everyone 18 and older in the United States and Canada on Dec. 9. Ms. Patel's experience elicited a response from Meta, who stated that technical obstacles may be put in place to prevent this from happening again. "We're sorry to hear this happened. We want everyone in Horizon Venues to have a positive experience, and easily find the safety tools that can help in a situation like this--and help us investigate and take action, " a Meta spokesperson said. The woman works for Kabuni Ventures, an immersive technology company, as vice president of Metaverse Research. After an invite-only beta test a year ago, Meta released Horizon Worlds to everyone 18 and older in the United States and Canada on December 9. (With inputs from agencies)

Assaulted in Metaverse: Woman alleges 'gang rape' 60 seconds after joining Meta's virtual world

The Instagram engineer had already packed his bags for a December vacation when his boss pulled him into a virtual meeting to talk about job goals for 2022.

Their conversation soon took an unexpected turn. Forget the goals, his boss told him. To succeed at Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, his boss said, he should instead apply to a new position in the burgeoning augmented reality and virtual reality teams. That’s where the company needed people, he said.

The engineer, who had worked at Instagram for more than three years and who declined to be identified for fear of retaliation, was taken aback by essentially having to reapply for a job. He said he hasn’t decided what to do.

Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and chief executive of the company formerly known as Facebook, has upended his company ever since he announced in October that he was betting on the so-called metaverse. Under this idea, his company — newly renamed Meta — would introduce people to shared virtual worlds and experiences across different software and hardware platforms.

Since then, Meta has pursued a sweeping transformation, current and former employees said. It has created thousands of new jobs in the labs that make hardware and software for the metaverse. Managers have urged employees who worked on social networking products to apply for those augmented reality and virtual reality roles. The company has poached metaverse engineers from rivals including Microsoft and Apple. And it has officially rebranded some products, like its Oculus virtual-reality headsets, with the Meta name.

The moves amount to some of the most drastic changes at the Silicon Valley company since 2012, when Zuckerberg announced that Facebook had to shift its social network away from desktop computers and toward mobile devices. The company restructured, focusing its energy and resources on making mobile-friendly versions of its products. The makeover was hugely successful, leading to years of growth.

But changing the company’s course now is far more challenging. Meta has more than 68,000 employees, which is more than 14 times its size in 2012. Its market value has risen by more than eight times over that period to $840 billion. Its business is entrenched in online advertising and social networking. And while the shift may give Meta a head start on the internet’s next phase, the metaverse remains a largely theoretical concept — unlike the 2012 move to mobile when smartphones were already being widely used.

The result has been internal disruption, according to nine current and former Meta employees who were not authorized to speak publicly. While some workers were excited about Meta’s pivot, others questioned whether the company was hurtling into a new product without fixing issues such as misinformation and extremism on its social platforms. Workers were expected to adopt a positive attitude toward innovation or leave, one employee said, and some who disagreed with the new mission have departed.

What the metaverse focus means for the company’s existing social networking products like Facebook and Instagram remains in flux, two employees said. At Facebook and Instagram, some teams have shrunk over the last four months, they said, adding that they expected their budgets for the second half of 2022 to be smaller than in previous years.

A spokesman for Meta, which reports quarterly earnings on Wednesday, said that building for the metaverse was not the company’s only priority. He added that there haven’t been significant job cuts to existing teams because of the new direction.

Adam Draper, a managing director of Boost VC, a venture capital firm that invests in companies focused on “sci-fi technology,” said Meta’s new bet was well-timed.

“There will be entire economies and countries built digitally through VR/Web3, and we are just scratching the surface,” he said, using terms to describe next-generation technologies for building the metaverse. He noted that Meta was in the lead with virtual reality because of products like its Oculus headsets, adding, “This is the sci-fi future, and Meta made the bold move to make it a reality.”

Facebook’s pivot to the metaverse started in its top ranks. In September, Mike Schroepfer, the long-serving chief technology officer, said he would step down by the end of 2022. In his place, Zuckerberg appointed Andrew Bosworth, known as “Boz,” who has for the past few years led development on products like the Oculus headsets and Ray Ban Stories smart glasses.

Bosworth’s ascendancy was a sign to insiders that Zuckerberg was taking virtual reality and the metaverse seriously. The two had met at Harvard in an artificial intelligence class, when Zuckerberg was a student and Bosworth was a teacher’s assistant. They kept in touch after Zuckerberg dropped out of the university. Eventually, Bosworth moved to Silicon Valley to work for Zuckerberg.

Zuckerberg has since turned to Bosworth for major initiatives. In 2012, Bosworth was given the task of building out Facebook’s mobile advertising products. After management issues at the Oculus virtual reality division, Zuckerberg dispatched Bosworth in August 2017 to take over the initiative. The virtual reality business was later rebranded Reality Labs.

In October, the company said it would create 10,000 metaverse-related jobs in the European Union over the next five years. That same month, Zuckerberg announced he was changing Facebook’s name to Meta and pledged billions of dollars to the effort.

Reality Labs is now at the forefront of the company’s shift to the metaverse, employees said. Workers in products, engineering and research have been encouraged to apply to new roles there, they said, while others have been elevated from their jobs in social networking divisions to lead the same functions with a metaverse emphasis.

Of the more than 3,000 open jobs listed on Meta’s website, more than 24% are now for roles in augmented or virtual reality. The jobs are in cities including Seattle, Shanghai and Zurich. One job listing for a “gameplay engineering manager” for Horizon, the company’s free virtual reality game, said the candidate’s responsibilities would include imagining new ways to experience concerts and conventions.

Internal recruitment for the metaverse ramped up late last year, three Meta engineers said, with their managers mentioning job openings on metaverse-related teams in December and January. Others who didn’t get on board with the new mission left. One former employee said he resigned after feeling like his work on Instagram would no longer be of value to the company; another said they did not think Meta was best placed for creating the metaverse and was searching for a job at a competitor.

Meta also lured away dozens of employees from companies like Microsoft and Apple, two people with knowledge of the moves said. In particular, Meta hired from those companies’ divisions that worked on augmented reality products, like Microsoft’s HoloLens and Apple’s secretive augmented reality glasses project.

Representatives for Microsoft and Apple declined to comment. Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal previously reported on some of the personnel moves.

Meta’s employees have been asked to contribute to the change in other ways. In November, they were asked to sign up for Project Aria, an effort to test some new augmented reality glasses, according to an internal memo that was reviewed by The New York Times.

Employees could “earn points and win swag” by wearing the glasses and gathering data through the device’s cameras and sensors, the memo said. To reduce people’s privacy concerns about being filmed with the glasses, employees were asked to wear a T-shirt identifying themselves as a “research participant” and were told not to view or listen to the raw data captured by the glasses, according to the memo.

Employees have also been able to sign up to test the Oculus Quest headsets and to use them for meetings in Horizon Workrooms, the company’s virtual reality work-conferencing space.

Meta is working on other wearable tech products, including a smartwatch with health and fitness tracking capabilities, said two people with knowledge of the project. The Information earlier reported on the smartwatch. Ray Ban Stories, the smart glasses that people can use to capture video, are a stepping stone to making more people comfortable with putting smart tech on their bodies, they said.

In a companywide meeting days after Zuckerberg announced that Facebook was going all in on the metaverse, Sheryl Sandberg, the chief operating officer, took questions from employees about the change.

She said she was “excited” about the metaverse’s possibilities and told attendees to imagine the endless opportunities that would be available to people around the world, two employees who listened to the virtual meeting said.

Many employees showed their enthusiasm using heart emojis. But in one private chat for engineers, which was reviewed by The Times, one employee wrote: “Who is the elephant in the room who is going to ask how all of it works? Not it.”

The Instagram engineer had already packed his bags for a December vacation when his boss pulled him into a virtual meeting to talk about job goals for 2022. Their conversation soon took an unexpected turn.

The Instagram engineer had already packed his bags for a December vacation when his boss pulled him into a virtual meeting to talk about job goals for 2022. Their conversation soon took an unexpected turn. Forget the goals, his boss told him. To succeed at Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, his boss said, he should instead apply to a new position in the burgeoning augmented reality and virtual reality teams. That’s where the company needed people, he said. The engineer, who had worked at Instagram for more than three years and who declined to be identified for fear of retaliation, was taken aback by essentially having to reapply for a job. He said he hasn’t decided what to do. Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and chief executive of the company formerly known as Facebook, has upended his company ever since he announced in October that he was betting on the so-called metaverse. Under this idea, his company — newly renamed Meta — would introduce people to shared virtual worlds and experiences across different software and hardware platforms. Since then, Meta has pursued a sweeping transformation, current and former employees said. It has created thousands of new jobs in the labs that make hardware and software for the metaverse. Managers have urged employees who worked on social networking products to apply for those augmented reality and virtual reality roles. The company has poached metaverse engineers from rivals including Microsoft and Apple. And it has officially rebranded some products, like its Oculus virtual-reality headsets, with the Meta name. The moves amount to some of the most drastic changes at the Silicon Valley company since 2012, when Zuckerberg announced that Facebook had to shift its social network away from desktop computers and toward mobile devices. The company restructured, focusing its energy and resources on making mobile-friendly versions of its products. The makeover was hugely successful, leading to years of growth. But changing the company’s course now is far more challenging. Meta has more than 68,000 employees, which is more than 14 times its size in 2012. Its market value has risen by more than eight times over that period to $840 billion. Its business is entrenched in online advertising and social networking. And while the shift may give Meta a head start on the internet’s next phase, the metaverse remains a largely theoretical concept — unlike the 2012 move to mobile when smartphones were already being widely used. The result has been internal disruption, according to nine current and former Meta employees who were not authorized to speak publicly. While some workers were excited about Meta’s pivot, others questioned whether the company was hurtling into a new product without fixing issues such as misinformation and extremism on its social platforms. Workers were expected to adopt a positive attitude toward innovation or leave, one employee said, and some who disagreed with the new mission have departed. What the metaverse focus means for the company’s existing social networking products like Facebook and Instagram remains in flux, two employees said. At Facebook and Instagram, some teams have shrunk over the last four months, they said, adding that they expected their budgets for the second half of 2022 to be smaller than in previous years. A spokesman for Meta, which reports quarterly earnings on Wednesday, said that building for the metaverse was not the company’s only priority. He added that there haven’t been significant job cuts to existing teams because of the new direction. Adam Draper, a managing director of Boost VC, a venture capital firm that invests in companies focused on “sci-fi technology,” said Meta’s new bet was well-timed. “There will be entire economies and countries built digitally through VR/Web3, and we are just scratching the surface,” he said, using terms to describe next-generation technologies for building the metaverse. He noted that Meta was in the lead with virtual reality because of products like its Oculus headsets, adding, “This is the sci-fi future, and Meta made the bold move to make it a reality.” Facebook’s pivot to the metaverse started in its top ranks. In September, Mike Schroepfer, the long-serving chief technology officer, said he would step down by the end of 2022. In his place, Zuckerberg appointed Andrew Bosworth, known as “Boz,” who has for the past few years led development on products like the Oculus headsets and Ray Ban Stories smart glasses. Bosworth’s ascendancy was a sign to insiders that Zuckerberg was taking virtual reality and the metaverse seriously. The two had met at Harvard in an artificial intelligence class, when Zuckerberg was a student and Bosworth was a teacher’s assistant. They kept in touch after Zuckerberg dropped out of the university. Eventually, Bosworth moved to Silicon Valley to work for Zuckerberg. Zuckerberg has since turned to Bosworth for major initiatives. In 2012, Bosworth was given the task of building out Facebook’s mobile advertising products. After management issues at the Oculus virtual reality division, Zuckerberg dispatched Bosworth in August 2017 to take over the initiative. The virtual reality business was later rebranded Reality Labs. In October, the company said it would create 10,000 metaverse-related jobs in the European Union over the next five years. That same month, Zuckerberg announced he was changing Facebook’s name to Meta and pledged billions of dollars to the effort. Reality Labs is now at the forefront of the company’s shift to the metaverse, employees said. Workers in products, engineering and research have been encouraged to apply to new roles there, they said, while others have been elevated from their jobs in social networking divisions to lead the same functions with a metaverse emphasis. Of the more than 3,000 open jobs listed on Meta’s website, more than 24% are now for roles in augmented or virtual reality. The jobs are in cities including Seattle, Shanghai and Zurich. One job listing for a “gameplay engineering manager” for Horizon, the company’s free virtual reality game, said the candidate’s responsibilities would include imagining new ways to experience concerts and conventions. Internal recruitment for the metaverse ramped up late last year, three Meta engineers said, with their managers mentioning job openings on metaverse-related teams in December and January. Others who didn’t get on board with the new mission left. One former employee said he resigned after feeling like his work on Instagram would no longer be of value to the company; another said they did not think Meta was best placed for creating the metaverse and was searching for a job at a competitor. Meta also lured away dozens of employees from companies like Microsoft and Apple, two people with knowledge of the moves said. In particular, Meta hired from those companies’ divisions that worked on augmented reality products, like Microsoft’s HoloLens and Apple’s secretive augmented reality glasses project. Representatives for Microsoft and Apple declined to comment. Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal previously reported on some of the personnel moves. Meta’s employees have been asked to contribute to the change in other ways. In November, they were asked to sign up for Project Aria, an effort to test some new augmented reality glasses, according to an internal memo that was reviewed by The New York Times. Employees could “earn points and win swag” by wearing the glasses and gathering data through the device’s cameras and sensors, the memo said. To reduce people’s privacy concerns about being filmed with the glasses, employees were asked to wear a T-shirt identifying themselves as a “research participant” and were told not to view or listen to the raw data captured by the glasses, according to the memo. Employees have also been able to sign up to test the Oculus Quest headsets and to use them for meetings in Horizon Workrooms, the company’s virtual reality work-conferencing space. Meta is working on other wearable tech products, including a smartwatch with health and fitness tracking capabilities, said two people with knowledge of the project. The Information earlier reported on the smartwatch. Ray Ban Stories, the smart glasses that people can use to capture video, are a stepping stone to making more people comfortable with putting smart tech on their bodies, they said. In a companywide meeting days after Zuckerberg announced that Facebook was going all in on the metaverse, Sheryl Sandberg, the chief operating officer, took questions from employees about the change. She said she was “excited” about the metaverse’s possibilities and told attendees to imagine the endless opportunities that would be available to people around the world, two employees who listened to the virtual meeting said. Many employees showed their enthusiasm using heart emojis. But in one private chat for engineers, which was reviewed by The Times, one employee wrote: “Who is the elephant in the room who is going to ask how all of it works? Not it.”

How Facebook is morphing into Meta

How much tax is imposed on cryptocurrency in different countries worldwide?

In the latest development, Apple's AirPods will soon be able to verify a user's identity using the inside of the ear. This will be done using an in-ear biometric device that uses ultrasonic signals. These are then reflected against the walls of a user’s ear canal. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Apple has already signed a patent for the same. Granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office, it was listed on January 27 and first noticed by Patently Apple.&nbsp;

"Conventional systems do not address whether the user wearing the headphones is authorised to interact with personal features of the device, such as receiving messages from the device," the patent states.&nbsp;

AirPods are among the most popular tech gadgets by Apple. Already packed with great features, this new characteristic will further help increase the popularity of this device.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-technology/apple-launches-3rd-generation-airpods-features-spatial-audio-421916">Also read |&nbsp;Apple launches 3rd generation AirPods, features spatial audio</a>

This technology can help in preventing lost AirPods from being used by anyone other than the owner. &nbsp;

Earlier in October, Apple launched its third-generation AirPods at its ‘Unleash’ event with a redesign, which is similar to the AirPods Pro.

These AirPods included some spectacular features including sweat and water resistance, along with spatial audio. They also come with adaptive EQ as well, which was earlier seen on Apple AirPods Pro as well.

The next-generation AirPods also come with a wireless charging case as a standard that supports Apple's MagSafe.

The company is putting a big emphasis on spatial audio and Dolby Atmos music mixes with the new AirPods. They’ll support the same head-tracking capabilities as the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, which also apply when watching a video.

(With inputs from agencies)

In the latest development, Apple's AirPods will soon be able to verify a user's identity using the inside of the ear. This will be done using an in-ear biometric device that uses ultrasonic signals.

In the latest development, Apple's AirPods will soon be able to verify a user's identity using the inside of the ear. This will be done using an in-ear biometric device that uses ultrasonic signals. These are then reflected against the walls of a user’s ear canal. Apple has already signed a patent for the same. Granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office, it was listed on January 27 and first noticed by Patently Apple. "Conventional systems do not address whether the user wearing the headphones is authorised to interact with personal features of the device, such as receiving messages from the device," the patent states. AirPods are among the most popular tech gadgets by Apple. Already packed with great features, this new characteristic will further help increase the popularity of this device. Also read | Apple launches 3rd generation AirPods, features spatial audio This technology can help in preventing lost AirPods from being used by anyone other than the owner. Earlier in October, Apple launched its third-generation AirPods at its ‘Unleash’ event with a redesign, which is similar to the AirPods Pro. These AirPods included some spectacular features including sweat and water resistance, along with spatial audio. They also come with adaptive EQ as well, which was earlier seen on Apple AirPods Pro as well. The next-generation AirPods also come with a wireless charging case as a standard that supports Apple's MagSafe. The company is putting a big emphasis on spatial audio and Dolby Atmos music mixes with the new AirPods. They’ll support the same head-tracking capabilities as the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, which also apply when watching a video. (With inputs from agencies)

No more facial recognition? Apple AirPods might be able to recognise the user by checking ear canal

Spotify Technology SA will add a "content advisory" to any podcast episode that includes discussion about COVID-19, Chief Executive Officer Daniel Ek said, after coming under fire from rock and folk legends for giving voice to misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. 
 
"This new effort to combat misinformation will roll out to countries around the world in the coming days," Ek wrote in a blog post published Sunday. "To our knowledge, this content advisory is the first of its kind by a major podcast platform." 
 
Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan also expressed their concern to Spotify about COVID-19 misinformation on its platform and are committed to continuing to work with the company, a spokesperson for their Archewell foundation said on Sunday. 
 
The advisory will direct listeners to a COVID-19 hub that contains facts and information from medical and health experts, as well as links to trusted sources. 
 
The move comes after singer-songwriters Neil Young and Joni Mitchell announced they are removing their music from Spotify in protest that the popular streaming service has allowed the airing of misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. 
 
Young objected to his music being played on the same platform as Joe Rogan`s top-rated podcast "The Joe Rogan Experience." A prominent vaccine skeptic, Rogan has stirred controversy with his views on the pandemic, government mandates and vaccines to control the spread of the coronavirus. 
 
Earlier this month, 270 scientists and medical professionals signed a letter urging Spotify to take action against Rogan, accusing him of spreading falsehoods on the podcast. 
 
In a tweet on Saturday best-selling author Brene Brown -- host of the Spotify-exclusive podcasts "Unlocking Us" and "Dare to Lead" -- said she would "not be releasing any podcasts until further notice." 
 
Brown could not immediately be reached for comment. 
 
Spotify is also publishing platform rules for its creators, according to Ek's post. 
 
"We know we have a critical role to play in supporting creator expression while balancing it with the safety of our users," he wrote. "In that role, it is important to me that we don’t take on the position of being content censor while also making sure that there are rules in place and consequences for those who violate them." 
 
 
 
(Reporting by Helen Coster in New York; editing by Diane Craft) 
&nbsp;

Spotify Technology SA will add a "content advisory" to any podcast episode that includes discussion about COVID-19, Chief Executive Officer Daniel Ek said, after coming under fire from rock and folk legends for giving voice to misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines.

Spotify Technology SA will add a "content advisory" to any podcast episode that includes discussion about COVID-19, Chief Executive Officer Daniel Ek said, after coming under fire from rock and folk legends for giving voice to misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. "This new effort to combat misinformation will roll out to countries around the world in the coming days," Ek wrote in a blog post published Sunday. "To our knowledge, this content advisory is the first of its kind by a major podcast platform." Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan also expressed their concern to Spotify about COVID-19 misinformation on its platform and are committed to continuing to work with the company, a spokesperson for their Archewell foundation said on Sunday. The advisory will direct listeners to a COVID-19 hub that contains facts and information from medical and health experts, as well as links to trusted sources. The move comes after singer-songwriters Neil Young and Joni Mitchell announced they are removing their music from Spotify in protest that the popular streaming service has allowed the airing of misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. Young objected to his music being played on the same platform as Joe Rogan`s top-rated podcast "The Joe Rogan Experience." A prominent vaccine skeptic, Rogan has stirred controversy with his views on the pandemic, government mandates and vaccines to control the spread of the coronavirus. Earlier this month, 270 scientists and medical professionals signed a letter urging Spotify to take action against Rogan, accusing him of spreading falsehoods on the podcast. In a tweet on Saturday best-selling author Brene Brown -- host of the Spotify-exclusive podcasts "Unlocking Us" and "Dare to Lead" -- said she would "not be releasing any podcasts until further notice." Brown could not immediately be reached for comment. Spotify is also publishing platform rules for its creators, according to Ek's post. "We know we have a critical role to play in supporting creator expression while balancing it with the safety of our users," he wrote. "In that role, it is important to me that we don’t take on the position of being content censor while also making sure that there are rules in place and consequences for those who violate them." (Reporting by Helen Coster in New York; editing by Diane Craft)

Spotify says it will add content advisory to podcasts that discuss COVID

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said that supply chain issues can slow rollout of new vehicles.

The electric carmaker, which scored an 87 percent jump in auto deliveries last year in spite of the global semiconductor shortage, reported a 71 percent rise in revenues to $53.8 billion.

He said plans for its Cybertruck, Tesla's first pickup, would be pushed back to at least 2023, along with a new Roadster and a semi-truck.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/elon-musks-neuralink-to-start-clinical-trials-of-implanting-brain-chips-in-humans-446942" hreflang="en">Elon Musk's Neuralink to start clinical trials of implanting brain chips in humans</a>

"The rate of growth will depend on our equipment capacity, operational efficiency and the capacity and stability of the supply chain," Tesla said.

"Our own factories have been running below capacity for several quarters as supply chain became the main limiting factor, which is likely to continue through 2022."

Musk said, ''I hopes Tesla will be ready to bring those to production hopefully next year. That is most likely.''

"We will not be introducing new vehicle models this year. It would not make any sense because we'll still be parts constrained," Musk said on a call with analysts.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/analysts-predict-next-12-months-could-be-most-lucrative-for-tesla-ceo-elon-musk-447913" hreflang="en">Analysts predict next 12 months could be most lucrative for Tesla CEO Elon Musk</a>

He said additional products "would then require a bunch of attention and resources on that increased complexity of the additional product, resulting in fewer vehicles actually being delivered this year."

Musk said he hopes to produce a quarter-million Cybertrucks annually but achieving this will take time because of a lot of new technology to be introduced.

"Batteries will probably not be the limiting factor in Cybertruck production," he said.

"I worry more about like how do we make the Cybertruck affordable despite having awesome technology," he said.

Earlier in January, Reuters reported Tesla delayed its Cybertruck production as it changes features and functions in the face of rising competition in the electric pickup market.

Tesla, which began making electric vehicles with the premium sedan, Model S, and later introduced a more affordable car, the Model 3, has yet to launch in the highly profitable pickup truck segment currently dominated by fuel-guzzling vehicles from the US&nbsp;automakers.

(With inputs from agencies)

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said that supply chain issues can slow rollout of new vehicles. The electric carmaker, which scored an 87 percent jump in auto deliveries last year in spite of the global semiconductor shortage, reported a 71 percent rise in revenues to $53.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said that supply chain issues can slow rollout of new vehicles. The electric carmaker, which scored an 87 percent jump in auto deliveries last year in spite of the global semiconductor shortage, reported a 71 percent rise in revenues to $53.8 billion. He said plans for its Cybertruck, Tesla's first pickup, would be pushed back to at least 2023, along with a new Roadster and a semi-truck. Also read | Elon Musk's Neuralink to start clinical trials of implanting brain chips in humans "The rate of growth will depend on our equipment capacity, operational efficiency and the capacity and stability of the supply chain," Tesla said. "Our own factories have been running below capacity for several quarters as supply chain became the main limiting factor, which is likely to continue through 2022." Musk said, ''I hopes Tesla will be ready to bring those to production hopefully next year. That is most likely.'' "We will not be introducing new vehicle models this year. It would not make any sense because we'll still be parts constrained," Musk said on a call with analysts. Also read | Analysts predict next 12 months could be most lucrative for Tesla CEO Elon Musk He said additional products "would then require a bunch of attention and resources on that increased complexity of the additional product, resulting in fewer vehicles actually being delivered this year." Musk said he hopes to produce a quarter-million Cybertrucks annually but achieving this will take time because of a lot of new technology to be introduced. "Batteries will probably not be the limiting factor in Cybertruck production," he said. "I worry more about like how do we make the Cybertruck affordable despite having awesome technology," he said. Earlier in January, Reuters reported Tesla delayed its Cybertruck production as it changes features and functions in the face of rising competition in the electric pickup market. Tesla, which began making electric vehicles with the premium sedan, Model S, and later introduced a more affordable car, the Model 3, has yet to launch in the highly profitable pickup truck segment currently dominated by fuel-guzzling vehicles from the US automakers. (With inputs from agencies)

Tesla CEO Elon Musk says supply chain issues can slow rollout of new vehicles

The novelty coins are simple, glistening tokens of admiration for former President Donald Trump. They’re also one of the hottest products going.

There’s a style for every taste, each featuring a portrait of Trump. Sometimes he’s rendered in gold, staring thoughtfully into the distance. In others he’s smirking in silver, raising a thumbs-up, or even riding a missile while a bald eagle soars behind him.

Among all the options, one version stands out. Known online as simply the “Trump coin,” it has become a favorite of right-wing social media and fringe news sites. It’s advertised between claims of stolen elections or conspiracy theories about global cabals. Some ads even describe the coin as a kind of cryptocurrency, suggesting it would soon be worth thousands.

The coin itself features Trump’s face embossed in gold on a base of shining silver. His slogan, “Keep America Great,” is written in an arc atop his head.

It could be yours, too, for just $0. (Plus $9.99 shipping and handling.)

This particular version has become something of an internet mystery. It’s not obvious who’s promoting it or profiting from it. It’s sold by a mysterious news website about which little is disclosed. Trump has nothing to do with the coin. No identifiable company is taking credit.

Some internet sleuths have followed digital breadcrumbs to suss out the organizations behind the coin’s popularity. The New York Times took a similar path, tracking a network of advertisers and following their activity from public storefronts to private marketing portals. Using guidance from insiders and marketing veterans, the search crisscrossed the globe, implicating a handful of companies and a legion of anonymous marketers operating in parts unknown.

What became clear was not just the coin’s unusual origins, but an entire disinformation supply chain that relied on falsehoods and misinformation at nearly every step. Fueling the coin’s success were fake social media accounts that pushed false ads and a fleet of misleading news websites that preyed on partisan discontent.

Seen in full, the coin illustrates what watchdogs have long understood: Many untruths that Americans encounter online aren’t created by foreign actors trying to sow division. They simply exist to help someone, somewhere, make a quick buck.

The Trump coin shows how the strategy has evolved since Trump’s election in 2016. As right-wing interest in cryptocurrencies increased, marketers started claiming the physical Trump coin was cryptocurrency, too. The idea gained traction among buyers who already believed Trump was working on his own cryptocurrency.

The collectible novelty item might seem harmless, but that is part of the danger, experts say, because it’s easy to underestimate how the drive for profit can create new incentives to spread disinformation online.

“You make it small enough and harmless enough that no one can object to the individual grift,” said Danny Rogers, a co-founder and executive director of the Global Disinformation Index. “But taken together, you’ve built a movement.”

To understand how it all works, start with Denzel Washington.

From Fake Celebrity Accounts...

Chat app Telegram has become a hotbed of right-wing activity, with a stream of politicos and conspiracy theorists posting misleading updates about everything from vaccinations to deep state plots.

Joining the fray recently was an account posing as Washington, an Oscar-winning actor.

“Democrats are only causing panic and insecurity, and the American people are not safe with them on the wheel,” the account, RealDenzelWashington, posted on a page featuring his name next to a handsome profile photo.

Then the account announced that “real money” would disappear. The “Trump coin” would reign in its place.

That phony account is one of many on Telegram that use celebrity names and photos to push the Trump coin. There’s Ivanka Trump (more than 100,000 followers at one point), Mel Gibson (more than 140,000 followers), Trump-era special prosecutor John Durham (more than 210,000 followers), along with Keanu Reeves, Sen. Ted Cruz and even John F. Kennedy Jr. (who died in 1999). Each account pushes its own mix of patriotism, anti-vaccine content and claims that President Joe Biden is illegitimate. Many posts falsely claimed that the coin’s value was about to surge, invoking the soaring price of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

Conservatives turned to Telegram as Facebook and Twitter cracked down on conspiratorial and violent content after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Watchdogs have warned that Telegram exercises far less moderation than rival social media. Many of the fake accounts have remained online for months, and new ones keep popping up. Others have been disabled, like the fake account with Washington, or labeled “scam” or “fake” by Telegram. The company did not respond to requests for comment.

In one post, a fake account for Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who is closely aligned with Trump, shared a fake story on a fake Fox News website about a fake tweet by a fake Elon Musk, falsely claiming that Tesla’s CEO would soon accept Trump coins as payment.

A spokesperson for Washington said he was not available for comment but confirmed that the account was fake. Greene did not respond to requests for comment.

The idea that the physical trinkets could rise in value like Bitcoin seemed to connect with some Trump supporters, swayed by tales of crypto-millionaires or the promise that Trump could one day deem it legal tender. There is a real Trumpcoin cryptocurrency, but it has no connection to the physical coins. (In the last week, Trump’s son Eric threatened to sue the people behind the Trumpcoin cryptocurrency.)

One buyer apparently misled about the Trump coin was a Telegram user, TheBlueOx, who said he had bought more than $500 worth of physical Trump coins in hopes that they would one day be exchanged for Trump’s official cryptocurrency.

“Seems somewhat risky to me, but $500 against a potentially large upside seemed like a reasonable risk,” the user wrote.

... to Sites With Misinformation ...

Whether the coin was pitched as a kind of cryptocurrency or as a mere collectible, most ads on Telegram linked to the same place: the Raw Conservative Opinions Store.

The storefront claims that the coin has the “highest quality craftsmanship” and is “America’s favorite souvenir.”

The shop itself is hosted by right-wing news purveyor Raw Conservative Opinions, which features an American flag logo and a color scheme in red, white and blue. One article detailed “6 Factors Which Point To A Rigged Election,” including misleading claims that votes were swapped from Trump to Biden and that vote surges were evidence of manipulation. It was copied word for word from right-wing conspiracy site OffGuardian.

No owner is listed for Raw Conservative Opinions. The website was registered in 2016 using a business park address in Louisville, Kentucky. A representative from the office building said the suite number did not exist. A phone number was also provided, but a woman who answered said she didn’t speak English and hung up, then didn’t answer repeated phone calls and text messages.

... With Marketers Making a Buck

In the sprawling world of online advertising, one niche plays an outsize role in the sale of the Trump coin: affiliate marketers.

When someone buys the coin, most of the money goes to the seller. But a cut is shared with the affiliate marketer — an independent worker who advertises products online for a cut of the profits.

Affiliate marketing is a multibillion-dollar business, with websites and YouTube channels earning hefty commissions by posting quality endorsements. But some affiliate marketers work at the margins. If a seller has some diet pills or conspiratorial e-books, they can offer the products to affiliate marketers, who will post ads and create websites, or use less ethical methods like creating fake social media accounts that can generate traffic to the seller’s sales page.

ClickBank, a large affiliate network based in Idaho, listed the coin last year when sales were surging. The company wrote in a blog post that the Trump coin was its most popular product for October, and No. 2 in November.

ClickBank did not respond to requests for comment.

Feeding the Base

Merchandise has long been a part of the political culture surrounding presidential elections. But Trump’s victory in 2016 created a new and more ravenous appetite for the goods. That’s where the Trump coin first took shape, according to Maxwell Finn, an affiliate marketing expert and president of Unicorn Innovations.

Finn was on the ground floor in 2016, advising on one of the first Trump coins of the modern political era.

That early coin “did really well, and whenever something does well, you have hundreds of people trying to copy it,” said Finn, who was not involved with the current Trump coin.

Other marketers jumped in, buying millions of cheaply made coins at wholesale prices from Chinese manufacturers and storing them in American warehouses before selling them online, he said.

By the 2020 election, the pandemic, vaccines and lies about a stolen election each offered new ways to excite Trump supporters and generate interest in the merchandise.

“It was just a perfect storm,” Finn said.

The Center of the Mystery

Affiliate marketers who decide to advertise the coin can turn to the seller for help. The company behind the coin linked to another website, Conservative Affiliates, which provides marketing material like photos and fake news stories that can be used to advertise the coins online.

One set of marketing material detailed how House Speaker Nancy Pelosi planned to ban the Trump coin. The claim became so widespread that fact-checkers worked to debunk it.

Aneela Mirchandani, a software engineer and writer in San Francisco, mapped out an even larger network of products leading back to Conservative Affiliates for her blog The Odd Post. She investigated the coin after seeing it advertised on conservative social network Parler, where it was pushed by fake celebrity accounts. (Sound familiar?)

Her investigation uncovered digital identifiers on the Raw Conservative Opinions storefront that matched an array of other products, like the apocalyptic e-book “Alive After the Fall.” That book was also mentioned on Conservative Affiliates.

“They all led to this one door,” Mirchandani said.

The Times conducted a similar search, reviewing an archived version of the Conservative Affiliates site from February 2020. That page offered a vital clue: an email for Romanian marketing company Stone Force Media. The same name appeared on an obscure part of an affiliate marketing portal, which was visible only after signing up to advertise the Trump coin.

Mirchandani had also spotted the archived page along with a mention of Stone Force Media on an affiliate portal for “Tactical Home Defense,” an e-book about defending against home intrusion.

Those details placed Stone Force firmly in the middle of the mystery, with connections to Raw Conservative Opinions, Conservative Affiliates, the ClickBank listing and many other political and conspiracy-tinged products pushed online, including the coin itself.

Stone Force is an internet marketing company specializing in “audience acquisition and monetization,” according to its Facebook page and online job postings. The company’s co-founders include Vlad Bolovan, who lists on his Instagram profile that he lives in Bucharest, and Brandon Kelly, who lists on his Facebook profile that he is from California and lives in Romania.

Operating from Bucharest since 2016 with a staff of eight, Stone Force posted revenue of $1.07 million 2019, according to business analysis company Dun &amp;amp; Bradstreet. The listing on D&amp;amp;B, which also showed revenue for 2020, was taken offline after the Times contacted Stone Force for this article.

When reached about the coin, a spokesperson for Stone Force confirmed that the company was the coin’s vendor but declined to comment further. He later forwarded an email from late 2021 showing that Stone Force had warned affiliates against marketing the coins as a kind of cryptocurrency. As of January, many ads on Telegram were still promoting the coin that way.

Bolovan and Kelly also declined to comment.

At an affiliate marketing conference in 2021, Bolovan said the U.S. presidential election had prompted technology companies to crack down on unethical and misleading advertising, known in the business as “black hat” marketing.

“For black hat people, I have bad news, because the AI is only going to get better and better at this,” he warned, adding that in the past, Stone Force “didn’t care a lot about compliance” because its ads were usually approved. Now it was considering hiring a dedicated compliance person to keep up with advertising rules, he said.

Then, the Delivery

Rachel Edwards can’t remember where she first spotted the coin, but she thinks it was an ad on Facebook. Edwards, a mother of three from Alabama, said the coins immediately caught her eye — and so did the price, with a single coin costing nothing but shipping and handling.

“So I ordered five,” she said.

They arrived in about a week, packaged inside a simple padded envelope. The coins looked good, each in a protective plastic case, and she said they had enough heft to suggest they were real silver.

But there was something amiss.

“The bag they came in individually just had a sticker that said, ‘Made in China,’” she said.

Neil Segal, a dealer at Colonial Stamp and Coin in Kingston, New York, tested another Trump coin bought from the Raw Conservative Opinions Store. He used a device that detects precious metals.

He found no gold or silver. The coin was also magnetic, suggesting it was mostly made of iron.

Jack Batelic, a gold appraiser at PRS Gold Buyers in Newburgh, New York, tested the coin using a nitric acid solution. After he applied a blob to Trump’s gold-colored image, the area darkened, bubbled and then turned green.

“It’s paint,” he concluded.

What was it worth?

“Nothing,” he said. 
&nbsp;

The novelty coins are simple, glistening tokens of admiration for former President Donald Trump. They’re also one of the hottest products going. There’s a style for every taste, each featuring a portrait of Trump.

The novelty coins are simple, glistening tokens of admiration for former President Donald Trump. They’re also one of the hottest products going. There’s a style for every taste, each featuring a portrait of Trump. Sometimes he’s rendered in gold, staring thoughtfully into the distance. In others he’s smirking in silver, raising a thumbs-up, or even riding a missile while a bald eagle soars behind him. Among all the options, one version stands out. Known online as simply the “Trump coin,” it has become a favorite of right-wing social media and fringe news sites. It’s advertised between claims of stolen elections or conspiracy theories about global cabals. Some ads even describe the coin as a kind of cryptocurrency, suggesting it would soon be worth thousands. The coin itself features Trump’s face embossed in gold on a base of shining silver. His slogan, “Keep America Great,” is written in an arc atop his head. It could be yours, too, for just $0. (Plus $9.99 shipping and handling.) This particular version has become something of an internet mystery. It’s not obvious who’s promoting it or profiting from it. It’s sold by a mysterious news website about which little is disclosed. Trump has nothing to do with the coin. No identifiable company is taking credit. Some internet sleuths have followed digital breadcrumbs to suss out the organizations behind the coin’s popularity. The New York Times took a similar path, tracking a network of advertisers and following their activity from public storefronts to private marketing portals. Using guidance from insiders and marketing veterans, the search crisscrossed the globe, implicating a handful of companies and a legion of anonymous marketers operating in parts unknown. What became clear was not just the coin’s unusual origins, but an entire disinformation supply chain that relied on falsehoods and misinformation at nearly every step. Fueling the coin’s success were fake social media accounts that pushed false ads and a fleet of misleading news websites that preyed on partisan discontent. Seen in full, the coin illustrates what watchdogs have long understood: Many untruths that Americans encounter online aren’t created by foreign actors trying to sow division. They simply exist to help someone, somewhere, make a quick buck. The Trump coin shows how the strategy has evolved since Trump’s election in 2016. As right-wing interest in cryptocurrencies increased, marketers started claiming the physical Trump coin was cryptocurrency, too. The idea gained traction among buyers who already believed Trump was working on his own cryptocurrency. The collectible novelty item might seem harmless, but that is part of the danger, experts say, because it’s easy to underestimate how the drive for profit can create new incentives to spread disinformation online. “You make it small enough and harmless enough that no one can object to the individual grift,” said Danny Rogers, a co-founder and executive director of the Global Disinformation Index. “But taken together, you’ve built a movement.” To understand how it all works, start with Denzel Washington. From Fake Celebrity Accounts... Chat app Telegram has become a hotbed of right-wing activity, with a stream of politicos and conspiracy theorists posting misleading updates about everything from vaccinations to deep state plots. Joining the fray recently was an account posing as Washington, an Oscar-winning actor. “Democrats are only causing panic and insecurity, and the American people are not safe with them on the wheel,” the account, RealDenzelWashington, posted on a page featuring his name next to a handsome profile photo. Then the account announced that “real money” would disappear. The “Trump coin” would reign in its place. That phony account is one of many on Telegram that use celebrity names and photos to push the Trump coin. There’s Ivanka Trump (more than 100,000 followers at one point), Mel Gibson (more than 140,000 followers), Trump-era special prosecutor John Durham (more than 210,000 followers), along with Keanu Reeves, Sen. Ted Cruz and even John F. Kennedy Jr. (who died in 1999). Each account pushes its own mix of patriotism, anti-vaccine content and claims that President Joe Biden is illegitimate. Many posts falsely claimed that the coin’s value was about to surge, invoking the soaring price of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Conservatives turned to Telegram as Facebook and Twitter cracked down on conspiratorial and violent content after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Watchdogs have warned that Telegram exercises far less moderation than rival social media. Many of the fake accounts have remained online for months, and new ones keep popping up. Others have been disabled, like the fake account with Washington, or labeled “scam” or “fake” by Telegram. The company did not respond to requests for comment. In one post, a fake account for Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who is closely aligned with Trump, shared a fake story on a fake Fox News website about a fake tweet by a fake Elon Musk, falsely claiming that Tesla’s CEO would soon accept Trump coins as payment. A spokesperson for Washington said he was not available for comment but confirmed that the account was fake. Greene did not respond to requests for comment. The idea that the physical trinkets could rise in value like Bitcoin seemed to connect with some Trump supporters, swayed by tales of crypto-millionaires or the promise that Trump could one day deem it legal tender. There is a real Trumpcoin cryptocurrency, but it has no connection to the physical coins. (In the last week, Trump’s son Eric threatened to sue the people behind the Trumpcoin cryptocurrency.) One buyer apparently misled about the Trump coin was a Telegram user, TheBlueOx, who said he had bought more than $500 worth of physical Trump coins in hopes that they would one day be exchanged for Trump’s official cryptocurrency. “Seems somewhat risky to me, but $500 against a potentially large upside seemed like a reasonable risk,” the user wrote. ... to Sites With Misinformation ... Whether the coin was pitched as a kind of cryptocurrency or as a mere collectible, most ads on Telegram linked to the same place: the Raw Conservative Opinions Store. The storefront claims that the coin has the “highest quality craftsmanship” and is “America’s favorite souvenir.” The shop itself is hosted by right-wing news purveyor Raw Conservative Opinions, which features an American flag logo and a color scheme in red, white and blue. One article detailed “6 Factors Which Point To A Rigged Election,” including misleading claims that votes were swapped from Trump to Biden and that vote surges were evidence of manipulation. It was copied word for word from right-wing conspiracy site OffGuardian. No owner is listed for Raw Conservative Opinions. The website was registered in 2016 using a business park address in Louisville, Kentucky. A representative from the office building said the suite number did not exist. A phone number was also provided, but a woman who answered said she didn’t speak English and hung up, then didn’t answer repeated phone calls and text messages. ... With Marketers Making a Buck In the sprawling world of online advertising, one niche plays an outsize role in the sale of the Trump coin: affiliate marketers. When someone buys the coin, most of the money goes to the seller. But a cut is shared with the affiliate marketer — an independent worker who advertises products online for a cut of the profits. Affiliate marketing is a multibillion-dollar business, with websites and YouTube channels earning hefty commissions by posting quality endorsements. But some affiliate marketers work at the margins. If a seller has some diet pills or conspiratorial e-books, they can offer the products to affiliate marketers, who will post ads and create websites, or use less ethical methods like creating fake social media accounts that can generate traffic to the seller’s sales page. ClickBank, a large affiliate network based in Idaho, listed the coin last year when sales were surging. The company wrote in a blog post that the Trump coin was its most popular product for October, and No. 2 in November. ClickBank did not respond to requests for comment. Feeding the Base Merchandise has long been a part of the political culture surrounding presidential elections. But Trump’s victory in 2016 created a new and more ravenous appetite for the goods. That’s where the Trump coin first took shape, according to Maxwell Finn, an affiliate marketing expert and president of Unicorn Innovations. Finn was on the ground floor in 2016, advising on one of the first Trump coins of the modern political era. That early coin “did really well, and whenever something does well, you have hundreds of people trying to copy it,” said Finn, who was not involved with the current Trump coin. Other marketers jumped in, buying millions of cheaply made coins at wholesale prices from Chinese manufacturers and storing them in American warehouses before selling them online, he said. By the 2020 election, the pandemic, vaccines and lies about a stolen election each offered new ways to excite Trump supporters and generate interest in the merchandise. “It was just a perfect storm,” Finn said. The Center of the Mystery Affiliate marketers who decide to advertise the coin can turn to the seller for help. The company behind the coin linked to another website, Conservative Affiliates, which provides marketing material like photos and fake news stories that can be used to advertise the coins online. One set of marketing material detailed how House Speaker Nancy Pelosi planned to ban the Trump coin. The claim became so widespread that fact-checkers worked to debunk it. Aneela Mirchandani, a software engineer and writer in San Francisco, mapped out an even larger network of products leading back to Conservative Affiliates for her blog The Odd Post. She investigated the coin after seeing it advertised on conservative social network Parler, where it was pushed by fake celebrity accounts. (Sound familiar?) Her investigation uncovered digital identifiers on the Raw Conservative Opinions storefront that matched an array of other products, like the apocalyptic e-book “Alive After the Fall.” That book was also mentioned on Conservative Affiliates. “They all led to this one door,” Mirchandani said. The Times conducted a similar search, reviewing an archived version of the Conservative Affiliates site from February 2020. That page offered a vital clue: an email for Romanian marketing company Stone Force Media. The same name appeared on an obscure part of an affiliate marketing portal, which was visible only after signing up to advertise the Trump coin. Mirchandani had also spotted the archived page along with a mention of Stone Force Media on an affiliate portal for “Tactical Home Defense,” an e-book about defending against home intrusion. Those details placed Stone Force firmly in the middle of the mystery, with connections to Raw Conservative Opinions, Conservative Affiliates, the ClickBank listing and many other political and conspiracy-tinged products pushed online, including the coin itself. Stone Force is an internet marketing company specializing in “audience acquisition and monetization,” according to its Facebook page and online job postings. The company’s co-founders include Vlad Bolovan, who lists on his Instagram profile that he lives in Bucharest, and Brandon Kelly, who lists on his Facebook profile that he is from California and lives in Romania. Operating from Bucharest since 2016 with a staff of eight, Stone Force posted revenue of $1.07 million 2019, according to business analysis company Dun &amp; Bradstreet. The listing on D&amp;B, which also showed revenue for 2020, was taken offline after the Times contacted Stone Force for this article. When reached about the coin, a spokesperson for Stone Force confirmed that the company was the coin’s vendor but declined to comment further. He later forwarded an email from late 2021 showing that Stone Force had warned affiliates against marketing the coins as a kind of cryptocurrency. As of January, many ads on Telegram were still promoting the coin that way. Bolovan and Kelly also declined to comment. At an affiliate marketing conference in 2021, Bolovan said the U.S. presidential election had prompted technology companies to crack down on unethical and misleading advertising, known in the business as “black hat” marketing. “For black hat people, I have bad news, because the AI is only going to get better and better at this,” he warned, adding that in the past, Stone Force “didn’t care a lot about compliance” because its ads were usually approved. Now it was considering hiring a dedicated compliance person to keep up with advertising rules, he said. Then, the Delivery Rachel Edwards can’t remember where she first spotted the coin, but she thinks it was an ad on Facebook. Edwards, a mother of three from Alabama, said the coins immediately caught her eye — and so did the price, with a single coin costing nothing but shipping and handling. “So I ordered five,” she said. They arrived in about a week, packaged inside a simple padded envelope. The coins looked good, each in a protective plastic case, and she said they had enough heft to suggest they were real silver. But there was something amiss. “The bag they came in individually just had a sticker that said, ‘Made in China,’” she said. Neil Segal, a dealer at Colonial Stamp and Coin in Kingston, New York, tested another Trump coin bought from the Raw Conservative Opinions Store. He used a device that detects precious metals. He found no gold or silver. The coin was also magnetic, suggesting it was mostly made of iron. Jack Batelic, a gold appraiser at PRS Gold Buyers in Newburgh, New York, tested the coin using a nitric acid solution. After he applied a blob to Trump’s gold-colored image, the area darkened, bubbled and then turned green. “It’s paint,” he concluded. What was it worth? “Nothing,” he said.

How Trump coins became an internet sensation

The smartphone industry is dominated by two major operating systems—Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS. And the Indian government has taken upon itself to shake the status quo.

In a recent interview, India’s junior Information and Technology (IT) minister&nbsp;Rajeev Chandrasekhar has said that the government is talking with tech companies to come up with an indigenous operating system (OS).

“There is no third one. Therefore, in a lot of ways there is tremendous interest in MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) and in the Government of India to even create a new handset operating system. We are talking to people. We are looking at a policy for that," Chandrasekhar told PTI news agency.

The government is looking for capabilities within start-up and academic ecosystems for the development of the OS, he said.

“If there is some real capability then we will be very much interested in developing that area because that will create an alternative to&nbsp;iOS&nbsp;and&nbsp;Android&nbsp;which then an Indian brand can grow," Chandrasekhar said.

In the last few years, Android and iOS have ruled the mobile OS market. According to Statcounter, a web traffic analysis website, Android OS rules the roost with 70 per cent market share, while iOS is at a distant second with 29.24 per cent.

Microsoft tried to break the duopoly and had even acquired Nokia to push out Windows phones, but it failed miserably.

Mozilla's Firefox OS was discontinued after efforts to crack India's mobile market with low-cost devices failed. The Linux Foundation's Tizen also didn’t find any takers.

China's government has promoted Linux-derived Kylin OS for locals, but it has not won much market share.

While Russia’s Astra Linux is only limited to the nation’s military.

(With inputs from agencies)

The smartphone industry is dominated by two major operating systems—Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS. And the Indian government has taken upon itself to shake the status quo.

The smartphone industry is dominated by two major operating systems—Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS. And the Indian government has taken upon itself to shake the status quo. In a recent interview, India’s junior Information and Technology (IT) minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has said that the government is talking with tech companies to come up with an indigenous operating system (OS). “There is no third one. Therefore, in a lot of ways there is tremendous interest in MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) and in the Government of India to even create a new handset operating system. We are talking to people. We are looking at a policy for that," Chandrasekhar told PTI news agency. The government is looking for capabilities within start-up and academic ecosystems for the development of the OS, he said. “If there is some real capability then we will be very much interested in developing that area because that will create an alternative to iOS and Android which then an Indian brand can grow," Chandrasekhar said. In the last few years, Android and iOS have ruled the mobile OS market. According to Statcounter, a web traffic analysis website, Android OS rules the roost with 70 per cent market share, while iOS is at a distant second with 29.24 per cent. Microsoft tried to break the duopoly and had even acquired Nokia to push out Windows phones, but it failed miserably. Mozilla's Firefox OS was discontinued after efforts to crack India's mobile market with low-cost devices failed. The Linux Foundation's Tizen also didn’t find any takers. China's government has promoted Linux-derived Kylin OS for locals, but it has not won much market share. While Russia’s Astra Linux is only limited to the nation’s military. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian govt looking to break dominance of Android, iOS; to facilitate homegrown OS

Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Thursday revealed the details of what the upcoming line-up of the company is going to look like in 2022.

"I would be shocked if we do not achieve full self-driving safer than human this year," Musk said, predicting full self-driving would become "the most important source of profitability for Tesla."

"It's nutty good from a financial standpoint," he said, saying robotaxis would boost the utility of a vehicle by five times, as owners can send their cars out to work when not needed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/analysts-predict-next-12-months-could-be-most-lucrative-for-tesla-ceo-elon-musk-447913" hreflang="en">Analysts predict next 12 months could be most lucrative for Tesla CEO Elon Musk</a>

The South African billionaire is not content with electric cars, shooting people into orbit, populating Mars, and building underground tunnels to solve traffic problems. He also wants to get inside your brain.

His startup, Neuralink, is working on the implantation of computer chips inside the human brain. It aims to develop implants that can treat neural disorders, and that may one day be powerful enough to put humanity on a more even footing with possible future superintelligent computers.

Neuralink is not the only company working on artificial intelligence for the brain. Entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, who sold his previous payments startup Braintree to PayPal for $800 million, started Kernel, a company working on “advanced neural interfaces” to treat disease and extend cognition.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/elon-musks-neuralink-to-start-clinical-trials-of-implanting-brain-chips-in-humans-446942" hreflang="en">Elon Musk's Neuralink to start clinical trials of implanting brain chips in humans</a>

Musk also said that the Starship rocket developed by his company SpaceX and selected by NASA for the Americans' return to the Moon would attempt its first orbital flight this month.

Musk has built a career on defying skeptics with working businesses in electric cars and rockets.&nbsp;

Some Tesla drivers buy $12,000 self-driving packages in the expectation that full autonomy is around the corner, and 60,000 Tesla drivers are testing the latest self-driving software, a scale that other autonomous vehicle software companies can only dream of.

Critics believe Musk's promises are far-fetched and will face major challenges, from technology to regulation.

"I love the fact that they're pushing the envelope, but I think they are too aggressive," said Roth Capital Partners analyst Craig Irwin.

Philip Koopman, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University who has been working on autonomous vehicle safety, said a big problem is that at scale, unusual cases constantly can crop up.

"Without a human driver to handle safety for novel situations the machine learning hasn't been taught already, it's very difficult to ensure safety in a completely automated vehicle," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Thursday revealed the details of what the upcoming line-up of the company is going to look like in 2022. "I would be shocked if we do not achieve full self-driving safer than human this year," Musk said, predicting full self-driving would become "the most important source of profitability for Tesla.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Thursday revealed the details of what the upcoming line-up of the company is going to look like in 2022. "I would be shocked if we do not achieve full self-driving safer than human this year," Musk said, predicting full self-driving would become "the most important source of profitability for Tesla." "It's nutty good from a financial standpoint," he said, saying robotaxis would boost the utility of a vehicle by five times, as owners can send their cars out to work when not needed. Also read | Analysts predict next 12 months could be most lucrative for Tesla CEO Elon Musk The South African billionaire is not content with electric cars, shooting people into orbit, populating Mars, and building underground tunnels to solve traffic problems. He also wants to get inside your brain. His startup, Neuralink, is working on the implantation of computer chips inside the human brain. It aims to develop implants that can treat neural disorders, and that may one day be powerful enough to put humanity on a more even footing with possible future superintelligent computers. Neuralink is not the only company working on artificial intelligence for the brain. Entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, who sold his previous payments startup Braintree to PayPal for $800 million, started Kernel, a company working on “advanced neural interfaces” to treat disease and extend cognition. Also read | Elon Musk's Neuralink to start clinical trials of implanting brain chips in humans Musk also said that the Starship rocket developed by his company SpaceX and selected by NASA for the Americans' return to the Moon would attempt its first orbital flight this month. Musk has built a career on defying skeptics with working businesses in electric cars and rockets. Some Tesla drivers buy $12,000 self-driving packages in the expectation that full autonomy is around the corner, and 60,000 Tesla drivers are testing the latest self-driving software, a scale that other autonomous vehicle software companies can only dream of. Critics believe Musk's promises are far-fetched and will face major challenges, from technology to regulation. "I love the fact that they're pushing the envelope, but I think they are too aggressive," said Roth Capital Partners analyst Craig Irwin. Philip Koopman, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University who has been working on autonomous vehicle safety, said a big problem is that at scale, unusual cases constantly can crop up. "Without a human driver to handle safety for novel situations the machine learning hasn't been taught already, it's very difficult to ensure safety in a completely automated vehicle," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

From humanoid robot to software that drives vehicles autonomously: Here's what Elon Musk is betting on in 2022

In the increasingly digital world, anonymity is often a necessary thing in order to safeguard own details. There are many privacy measures to ensure anonymity of smartphone users. But a study has now suggested that the measures that have been used may no longer be suitable for the digital age.

Vast quantities of data are scooped up from smartphone apps by firms looking to develop products, conduct research or target consumers with adverts.

In Europe and many other jurisdictions, companies are legally bound to make this data anonymous, often doing so by removing telltale details like names or phone numbers.&nbsp;

But the study in the Nature Communications journal says this is no longer enough to keep identities private.&nbsp;

The researchers say people can now be identified with just a few details of how they communicate with an app like WhatsApp.&nbsp;

One of the paper's authors, Yves-Alexandre de Montjoye of Imperial College London, told AFP it was time to "reinvent what anonymisation means".

'Rich' data

His team took anonymised data from more than 40,000 mobile phone users, most of which was information from messaging apps and other "interaction" data.&nbsp;

They then "attacked" the data searching for patterns in those interactions -- a technique that could be employed by malicious actors.&nbsp;

With just the direct contacts of the person included in the dataset, they found they could identify the person 15 percent of the time.

When further interactions between those primary contacts were included, they could identify 52 percent of people.&nbsp;

"Our results provide evidence that disconnected and even re-pseudonymised interaction data remain identifiable even across long periods of time," wrote the researchers from the UK, Switzerland and Italy.&nbsp;

"These results strongly suggest that current practices may not satisfy the anonymisation standard set forth by (European regulators) in particular with regard to the linkability criteria."&nbsp;

De Montjoye stressed that the intention was not to criticise any individual company or legal regime.&nbsp;

Rather, he said the algorithm they were using just provided a more robust way of testing what we regard as anonymised data.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In the increasingly digital world, anonymity is often a necessary thing in order to safeguard own details. There are many privacy measures to ensure anonymity of smartphone users.

In the increasingly digital world, anonymity is often a necessary thing in order to safeguard own details. There are many privacy measures to ensure anonymity of smartphone users. But a study has now suggested that the measures that have been used may no longer be suitable for the digital age. Vast quantities of data are scooped up from smartphone apps by firms looking to develop products, conduct research or target consumers with adverts. In Europe and many other jurisdictions, companies are legally bound to make this data anonymous, often doing so by removing telltale details like names or phone numbers. But the study in the Nature Communications journal says this is no longer enough to keep identities private. The researchers say people can now be identified with just a few details of how they communicate with an app like WhatsApp. One of the paper's authors, Yves-Alexandre de Montjoye of Imperial College London, told AFP it was time to "reinvent what anonymisation means". 'Rich' data His team took anonymised data from more than 40,000 mobile phone users, most of which was information from messaging apps and other "interaction" data. They then "attacked" the data searching for patterns in those interactions -- a technique that could be employed by malicious actors. With just the direct contacts of the person included in the dataset, they found they could identify the person 15 percent of the time. When further interactions between those primary contacts were included, they could identify 52 percent of people. "Our results provide evidence that disconnected and even re-pseudonymised interaction data remain identifiable even across long periods of time," wrote the researchers from the UK, Switzerland and Italy. "These results strongly suggest that current practices may not satisfy the anonymisation standard set forth by (European regulators) in particular with regard to the linkability criteria." De Montjoye stressed that the intention was not to criticise any individual company or legal regime. Rather, he said the algorithm they were using just provided a more robust way of testing what we regard as anonymised data. (With inputs from agencies)

Just making smartphone data anonymous no longer enough, says study

Microblogging platform Twitter has suspended a bot that was spoiling Wordle, the five-letter puzzle craze that has gone global. It was posting offensive messages that included spoilers for the next day’s game.

The website-only word game has seen a recent surge in popularity thanks to celebrities like Jimmy Fallon.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Note: if you like tweeting your wordIe scores, someone’s made a bot you should block as it auto-responds with tomorrows answer <a href="https://t.co/u62kBaTivn">pic.twitter.com/u62kBaTivn</a>
— dan nguyen (@dancow) <a href="https://twitter.com/dancow/status/1485660308622528513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-meatless-meat-to-web-30-here-are-the-tech-trends-that-can-dominate-in-2022-441762" hreflang="en">From meatless meat to Web 3.0: Here are the tech trends that can dominate in 2022</a>

The once-a-day online word game, originally created in October by former Reddit software engineer Josh Wardle, can only be played on his website and does not have a mobile app.

However, several developers have created identical app versions to cash in on surging demand for the game, with unsuspecting users driving up downloads of the clone apps.

Part of what makes Wordle special is that it costs nothing to play,&nbsp;and is also, more unusually, ad-free.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/now-people-can-send-and-receive-messages-from-their-face-through-smart-glasses-437367">Also read |&nbsp;Now, people can send and receive messages from their face through smart glasses</a>

Its developer Steven Cravotta, now 24, says he initially "had no idea what was going on" when his app starting logging more than 40,000 daily downloads.

"I didn't know it was a craze," Cravotta told The Wall Street Journal.&nbsp;

Josh Wardle's game has flooded Twitter and Facebook timelines in recent weeks as players posted their scores. It gives a player six chances to guess the day's secret word, which has five letters, and the aim is to figure out the secret word with the fewest guesses.

Wordle is already being adapted into other languages, including French, having swiftly conquered the English-speaking world,&nbsp;although, spoiler alert, the Wednesday word's American spelling triggered howls of online player protests from its creator's fellow Britons.

(With inputs from agencies)

Microblogging platform Twitter has suspended a bot that was spoiling Wordle, the five-letter puzzle craze that has gone global. It was posting offensive messages that included spoilers for the next day’s game.

Microblogging platform Twitter has suspended a bot that was spoiling Wordle, the five-letter puzzle craze that has gone global. It was posting offensive messages that included spoilers for the next day’s game. The website-only word game has seen a recent surge in popularity thanks to celebrities like Jimmy Fallon. Note: if you like tweeting your wordIe scores, someone’s made a bot you should block as it auto-responds with tomorrows answer pic.twitter.com/u62kBaTivn — dan nguyen (@dancow) January 24, 2022 × Also see | From meatless meat to Web 3.0: Here are the tech trends that can dominate in 2022 The once-a-day online word game, originally created in October by former Reddit software engineer Josh Wardle, can only be played on his website and does not have a mobile app. However, several developers have created identical app versions to cash in on surging demand for the game, with unsuspecting users driving up downloads of the clone apps. Part of what makes Wordle special is that it costs nothing to play, and is also, more unusually, ad-free. Also read | Now, people can send and receive messages from their face through smart glasses Its developer Steven Cravotta, now 24, says he initially "had no idea what was going on" when his app starting logging more than 40,000 daily downloads. "I didn't know it was a craze," Cravotta told The Wall Street Journal. Josh Wardle's game has flooded Twitter and Facebook timelines in recent weeks as players posted their scores. It gives a player six chances to guess the day's secret word, which has five letters, and the aim is to figure out the secret word with the fewest guesses. Wordle is already being adapted into other languages, including French, having swiftly conquered the English-speaking world, although, spoiler alert, the Wednesday word's American spelling triggered howls of online player protests from its creator's fellow Britons. (With inputs from agencies)

Twitter suspends bot spoiling five-letter puzzle craze Wordle

Facebook parent&nbsp;Meta&nbsp;Platforms Inc said on Monday that its research team has built a new artificial intelligence supercomputer that it thinks will be the fastest in the world when completed in mid-2022.

Meta&nbsp;said in a blog post that its new AI Research SuperCluster (RSC) would help the company build better AI models that can learn from trillions of examples, work across hundreds of languages, and analyze text, images and video together to determine if the content was harmful.

"This research will not only help keep people safe on our services today, but also in the future, as we build for the&nbsp;metaverse," the company said in a blog post.

The social media company changed its name in October to&nbsp;Meta&nbsp;to reflect its focus on the&nbsp;metaverse, which it thinks will be the successor to the mobile internet.

The&nbsp;metaverse, a broad term which has generated a lot of Silicon Valley buzz in recent months, refers to the idea of shared virtual environments which people can access through different devices and where they can work, play and socialize.

"The experiences we're building for the&nbsp;metaverse require enormous compute power (quintillions of operations/second!) and RSC will enable new AI models that can learn from trillions of examples, understand hundreds of languages, and more,"&nbsp;Meta&nbsp;Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg wrote in a Facebook post on Monday.

The company said it believed the supercomputer was currently among the fastest AI supercomputers running.

Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc said on Monday that its research team has built a new artificial intelligence supercomputer that it thinks will be the fastest in the world when completed in mid-2022.

Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc said on Monday that its research team has built a new artificial intelligence supercomputer that it thinks will be the fastest in the world when completed in mid-2022. Meta said in a blog post that its new AI Research SuperCluster (RSC) would help the company build better AI models that can learn from trillions of examples, work across hundreds of languages, and analyze text, images and video together to determine if the content was harmful. "This research will not only help keep people safe on our services today, but also in the future, as we build for the metaverse," the company said in a blog post. The social media company changed its name in October to Meta to reflect its focus on the metaverse, which it thinks will be the successor to the mobile internet. The metaverse, a broad term which has generated a lot of Silicon Valley buzz in recent months, refers to the idea of shared virtual environments which people can access through different devices and where they can work, play and socialize. "The experiences we're building for the metaverse require enormous compute power (quintillions of operations/second!) and RSC will enable new AI models that can learn from trillions of examples, understand hundreds of languages, and more," Meta Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg wrote in a Facebook post on Monday. The company said it believed the supercomputer was currently among the fastest AI supercomputers running.

Meta says its new AI supercomputer will be world's fastest

There is no dearth of wireless earbuds in the market. But there are a very few that manage to catch our attention. One such is the Nothing Ear (1), which was introduced in India in August last year. Introduced by London-based technology firm, it was initially launched in the white colour option. The company is now offering it in black as well. Let's find out which colour variant is better and how well it fares.

Which one to pick - black or white?

Quite like the original variant, the black model comes in a transparent case, but it features a smoky finish. All the whites in the product have been replaced with the blacks, including the silicone ear tips.

In terms of the design language and aesthetics, there isn't any difference between the two models. The black earbuds are also encased in a see-through body, which means you can see all the tech and engineering that go into it, including microphones, magnets, and circuit board. They look cool and exude style.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-meatless-meat-to-web-30-here-are-the-tech-trends-that-can-dominate-in-2022-441762" hreflang="en">From meatless meat to Web 3.0: Here are the tech trends that can dominate in 2022</a>

Like what we have seen on the white model, these earbuds are also marked with different-coloured dots - the one with the red dot is for the right ear and the other one marked with a white dot is for the left. This makes it easy to handle and use them.

The black colour makes the entire unit look darker and more attractive. I, however, like them in both the colours.

The build quality is solid. Weighing merely 4.7 g, these earbuds are comfortable to wear, even for long hours. They are ergonomically designed and the silicon tips offer a nice fit.&nbsp;Overall, they look distinctive, have a quirky design, and offer a great fit.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/drown-out-of-the-world-with-the-new-sony-earbuds-445077" hreflang="en">Drown out of the world with the new Sony earbuds</a>

How is the performance?

Setting up the earbuds is easy. Just open the case near your phone or any other device, and it prompts you with an on-screen setup. Download the app, follow the steps, and voila, you are ready to go! It doesn’t take more than a minute to set up the earbuds.

If your device doesn’t support fast pairing, you can pair it the traditional way as well.

Now comes the most important question - how is the audio quality?

I tried them out in different environments including noisy places. I am mighty impressed with its sound quality. It offers a remarkable bass and great treble. The 11.6 mm dynamic driver makes the audio experience immersive, loud, and clear.

The Active noise cancellation technology blocks out ambient noise. You can even personalise the sound experience. These earbuds allow you to deal with moderate background noise as well as extremely noisy settings, such as airports and offices.

Also, the ClearVoice technology ensures enhanced voice clarity on calls. It reduces distractive background noise, like wind.

The app offers other different features to improve user experience. In fact, you can customise settings as per your location and mood.

There are a host of other smart features. The earbuds come with gesture controls such as double tap to play or pause and triple tap to go to the next track.

If you are unable to locate your earbuds, you can ring them using the “Find My Earbud” feature.

It comes with robust battery life, offering up to 34 hours of listening time with the case. Also, the Ear (1) supports ultra-fast charging.

Verdict

Nothing has taken a fresh take on wireless earbuds. Both the white and black colour variants look equally god. The Ear (1) offers a great mix of design, comfort, and performance. The aggressive pricing makes it a worthy contender. At INR 6,999, it’s a good product that can take on its contemporaries.

There is no dearth of wireless earbuds in the market. But there are a very few that manage to catch our attention. One such is the Nothing Ear (1), which was introduced in India in August last year.

There is no dearth of wireless earbuds in the market. But there are a very few that manage to catch our attention. One such is the Nothing Ear (1), which was introduced in India in August last year. Introduced by London-based technology firm, it was initially launched in the white colour option. The company is now offering it in black as well. Let's find out which colour variant is better and how well it fares. Which one to pick - black or white? Quite like the original variant, the black model comes in a transparent case, but it features a smoky finish. All the whites in the product have been replaced with the blacks, including the silicone ear tips. In terms of the design language and aesthetics, there isn't any difference between the two models. The black earbuds are also encased in a see-through body, which means you can see all the tech and engineering that go into it, including microphones, magnets, and circuit board. They look cool and exude style. Also see | From meatless meat to Web 3.0: Here are the tech trends that can dominate in 2022 Like what we have seen on the white model, these earbuds are also marked with different-coloured dots - the one with the red dot is for the right ear and the other one marked with a white dot is for the left. This makes it easy to handle and use them. The black colour makes the entire unit look darker and more attractive. I, however, like them in both the colours. The build quality is solid. Weighing merely 4.7 g, these earbuds are comfortable to wear, even for long hours. They are ergonomically designed and the silicon tips offer a nice fit. Overall, they look distinctive, have a quirky design, and offer a great fit. Also read | Drown out of the world with the new Sony earbuds How is the performance? Setting up the earbuds is easy. Just open the case near your phone or any other device, and it prompts you with an on-screen setup. Download the app, follow the steps, and voila, you are ready to go! It doesn’t take more than a minute to set up the earbuds. If your device doesn’t support fast pairing, you can pair it the traditional way as well. Now comes the most important question - how is the audio quality? I tried them out in different environments including noisy places. I am mighty impressed with its sound quality. It offers a remarkable bass and great treble. The 11.6 mm dynamic driver makes the audio experience immersive, loud, and clear. The Active noise cancellation technology blocks out ambient noise. You can even personalise the sound experience. These earbuds allow you to deal with moderate background noise as well as extremely noisy settings, such as airports and offices. Also, the ClearVoice technology ensures enhanced voice clarity on calls. It reduces distractive background noise, like wind. The app offers other different features to improve user experience. In fact, you can customise settings as per your location and mood. There are a host of other smart features. The earbuds come with gesture controls such as double tap to play or pause and triple tap to go to the next track. If you are unable to locate your earbuds, you can ring them using the “Find My Earbud” feature. It comes with robust battery life, offering up to 34 hours of listening time with the case. Also, the Ear (1) supports ultra-fast charging. Verdict Nothing has taken a fresh take on wireless earbuds. Both the white and black colour variants look equally god. The Ear (1) offers a great mix of design, comfort, and performance. The aggressive pricing makes it a worthy contender. At INR 6,999, it’s a good product that can take on its contemporaries.

Nothing Ear (1) review: Better in black?

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