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Twitter’s Ad Revenue Plummets Under Elon Musk
Since Elon Musk’s $44 billion takeover last October, Twitter has seen its advertising income nosedive. Musk himself recently confirmed the platform’s dire financial straits.
In a tweet, the billionaire stated that Twitter’s ad revenue has dropped approximately 50% since his acquisition. This has kept the company stuck in negative cash flow despite Musk’s efforts to revitalize the platform.
“We are still in a deep negative cash flow situation due to an approximately 50% drop in advertising revenue and massive debt load,” Musk tweeted on Saturday.
What’s Causing the Ad Exodus?
Musk has made several controversial changes since assuming ownership that likely triggered the ad decline.
He laid off over half of Twitter’s staff, upsetting advertisers who want workforce stability. Musk also introduced a $7.99 verification system that undermined Twitter’s previous ID confirmation standards.
These updates diminished advertiser trust in the platform. Many companies paused campaigns over content moderation concerns or unwillingness to be associated with Musk’s vision.
Without detailing specifics, Musk stated Twitter needs to reach positive cash flow before pursuing other plans. But winning back advertisers presents a formidable challenge.
Rival App Threads Emerges as Threat
Twitter also faces its first major competitor in Threads, a new app from Meta.
Threads mimics Twitter’s interface and has already attracted over 100 million users since launching on July 5. While still dwarfed by Twitter’s user base, Threads benefits from integration with Meta’s popular Instagram app.
In response, Musk accused Meta of stealing Twitter’s intellectual property and recruiting former employees. However, Meta denies these allegations of IP theft.
Key Takeaways
- Twitter’s ad revenue has dropped ~50% under Elon Musk, causing ongoing negative cash flow.
- Controversial changes like mass layoffs likely triggered the ad decline.
- Twitter now competes with the fast-growing Threads app launched by Meta.
- Musk claims Meta infringed Twitter IP and poached employees.
With ad dollars drying up, Twitter faces deep uncertainty in its finances and competitive standing. Musk continues seeking new ways to revive usage and trust in the beleaguered platform. But his polarizing tenure has so far repelled advertisers rather than attracting them.
iMessage Comes to Windows 11 PCs
For years, Apple has kept iMessage exclusive to its own devices. But now, Windows 11 PCs can finally tap into Apple’s popular messaging platform.
Microsoft’s Phone Link app, which mirrors phone content onto Windows PCs, now works with iPhones. After months of preview testing, the iMessage for Windows 11 rollout is now live.
Bringing iPhone and Windows Together
With Phone Link enabled, you can directly receive and send iMessages right from your Windows 11 laptop or desktop. The app also lets you view iPhone notifications, contacts, and make/receive calls.
This brings a much needed bridge between the iOS and Windows ecosystems. As Microsoft’s Ali Akgun says:
With the ability to now make this iOS/PC connection, we hope our Windows 11 customers will never have to worry about missing an important phone call or text while focused on their Windows PC.
For Windows users, that means not having to grab your iPhone just to reply to a text. You can now manage communication from one device.
How to Set Up Phone Link for iMessage
Enabling iMessage syncing takes just a few steps:
- On your Windows 11 PC, search for “Phone Link” and launch the app.
- Choose to connect with an iPhone.
- A QR code will appear. Use your iPhone’s camera to scan the code.
- Allow all the permissions prompts on your iPhone.
- Finish pairing via Bluetooth on both devices.
The Phone Link app should now mirror your iPhone’s messages, notifications, and calling functions onto your PC.
Limitations to Know
While handy, the Windows 11 integration does come with some limits compared to using Phone Link with Android:
- You can’t transfer photos or videos through the app.
- Group messaging isn’t supported.
- Phone Link doesn’t work with iPads.
Additionally, you’ll need devices running iOS 14 or later and Bluetooth-enabled Windows 11 PCs.
Despite the restrictions, being able to access iMessage on Windows is still a big step forward in improving cross-platform connectivity. For both Apple fans and Windows devotees, it’s exciting to see these walls between ecosystems slowly come down.
Key Takeaways
- Phone Link now lets you use iMessage on Windows 11 PCs.
- You can send/receive iMessages, view notifications, and sync contacts.
- Some limitations exist compared to Android syncing.
- Windows 11 and iOS 14 or newer are required.
- It’s a major step in bridging the divide between Apple and Microsoft.
With Phone Link’s iMessage support, your devices now have fewer reasons to be strangers. Windows and iPhone can finally connect for smarter, seamless communication.
Apple’s Latest Innovations: Breaking Down the Key Highlights
Apple’s highly anticipated September keynote unveiled several new additions across their product lineup. From iPhones to watches, let’s explore the key announcements.
iPhone 15 Arrives With Fresh Design and Improved Camera
This year’s iPhone 15 and 15 Pro continue Apple’s smartphone legacy with some notable changes.
The standard iPhone 15 ditches the infamous front notch for a new pill-shaped cutout called the Dynamic Island. This houses the front camera and Face ID while enabling seamless multitasking.
All iPhone 15 models now feature USB-C charging, meeting upcoming EU regulations. However, Apple touted the switch as an advancement rather than a requirement.
But the biggest iPhone 15 upgrades focus on the camera. The rear sensor increases to 48MP, enabling sharper detail and low-light enhancements through pixel binning. Apple also emphasized advanced computational photography and improved optical image stabilization.
The higher-end iPhone 15 Pro adds an optical 5x telephoto zoom, macro photography capabilities, and “Action mode” for smooth video capture.
Pricing sees a slight reduction versus last year’s iPhone 14, starting at €969 for iPhone 15 and €1,229 for iPhone 15 Pro.
Fresh Apple Watches Offer New Health Tracking
Alongside the iPhone, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 9 and rugged Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Key additions across both models include temperature sensing for deeper health insights, car crash detection, and an S9 chip promising up to 20% faster performance.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 specifically targets outdoor athletes with a larger, brighter display and marathon-ready 36-hour battery life.
Pricing starts at €449 for the Series 9 and €899 for the flagship Ultra 2. Leather has also been removed from all watch bands in favor of recycled or bio-based materials.
Takeaways From Apple’s Latest Launch Event
- iPhone 15 adopts an all-screen Dynamic Island cutout and shifts to USB-C.
- Major camera upgrades like 48MP main sensor and 5x optical zoom arrive on iPhone 15 Pro.
- Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 add new health tracking like temperature sensing.
- Apple watches will no longer feature leather bands.
- Pricing decreases slightly on standard iPhone 15 models versus iPhone 14.
With revamped iPhones and watches on the horizon, Apple continues pushing their devices into the future both aesthetically and technologically. Their latest keynote highlights a commitment to high-end experiences paired with environmental responsibility.
The Quest for the Perfect Ultra-Lightweight Laptop
Gone are the days of lugging around heavy laptops. With work and life becoming increasingly mobile, tech companies have answered the call for portable yet powerful devices.
This guide will explore some of the lightest laptop options that still pack a punch. While some ultra-light models compromise on performance or battery life, brands like LG, Apple, Asus and more have figured out how to create featherweight devices without sacrificing power.
Whether you’re a traveling pro or student on the go, there’s a lightweight laptop here to meet your needs. Let’s dive in.
Seeking an Oversized Yet Easy-to-Carry Screen?
For those wanting a large display without the heft, the LG Gram 17 is a standout option. At just 1.35kg and 1.78cm thick, it’s one of the lightest 17-inch laptops around.
Despite its size, the LG Gram 17 remains easy to transport. It houses a sharp QHD 16:10 screen to maximize viewing area. Performance is reliable as well with 10th-gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processors and up to 32GB of RAM.
With a 512GB or 1TB SSD drive, multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports and over 20 hours of video playback battery life, the LG Gram 17 proves that oversized screens can still be ultra-portable.
Need Sheer Portability Above All?
Weighing in at just 1kg and 1.2mm thin, the Asus Zenbook S13 OLED is engineered for pure mobility. Beyond its feathery footprint, the Zenbook S13 sports a slick design thanks to its hidden hinge system that raises the keyboard as you open the lid.
The OLED display pops with vibrant colors while 13th Gen Intel Core processing and up to 32GB of RAM deliver speedy performance. With a 1TB SSD drive onboard, the Asus Zenbook S13 is primed for productivity on the go.
Desire Ultra-Light Gaming?
For gamers seeking lightweight power, the Asus ROG Flow X13 packs a punch. At just 1.3kg with a 13-inch convertible design, the ROG Flow X13 transforms from laptop to tablet mode in seconds.
Gamers can configure the ROG Flow X13 with up to an Nvidia RTX 4070 graphics card, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The custom cooling system prevents overheating even during intense gaming marathons.
Though compact, this mighty machine can still handle demanding AAA games on its QHD 165Hz display. The ROG Flow X13 proves that portable gaming laptops can deliver desktop-like performance.
Seeking Apple’s Legendary Lightweight Build?
With its iconic aluminum unibody construction, the MacBook Air M2 represents Apple’s vision of the ultra-light laptop perfected. At just 1.24kg and 11.97mm thin, the MacBook Air slips easily into any bag or backpack.
The latest M2 processor and 16GB or 32GB of unified memory give the MacBook Air plenty of speed for demanding tasks like photo editing and video production. The vibrant 13.6-inch Retina display, combined with the silent, fanless design, makes for stellar streaming and web browsing on the go.
With over 18 hours of battery life, the MacBook Air M2 carries on the legacy of Apple’s featherweight yet powerful laptop lineage.
Seeking Budget Portability?
For those wanting lightweight affordability, the Honor MagicBook 15 fits the bill. At 1.5kg and under 600 euros, the MagicBook 15 easily slips into any budget.
The Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryden 5 processors and 8GB RAM handle everyday tasks like web browsing, documents and light gaming without issue. The 15.6-inch 1080p screen offers adequate color reproduction for the price.
While not the most powerful device, the Honor MagicBook 15 still impresses as a budget-friendly lightweight option. Students and general users will appreciate having this much portability at such little cost.
Want the Lightest Laptop Possible?
If you simply want the lightest device out there, the HP Pavilion Aero 13 owns the featherweight crown at under 1kg. It eschews any fancy features in favor of raw portability.
The Pavilion Aero 13 comes configured with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage – plenty of memory for web browsing, streaming videos or Office apps. The MediaTek processor won’t break any speed records, but handles basics capably.
While the screen and battery life are average, the Pavilion Aero 13 excels at being effortless to carry. For those prioritizing weight above all else, this HP is the way to go.
Prefer a Budget-Friendly Chromebook?
On the more affordable end, the Acer Chromebook 314 offers surprising portability starting under $300. Despite its low cost, the Acer 314 keeps weight down to 1.5kg with its 14-inch chassis.
With up to 8GB RAM and 64GB storage, the Acer Chromebook 314 provides ample power for Chrome OS and Android apps. The battery lasts around 8 hours for all-day use.
Students and kids will appreciate the Acer 314’s lightweight design and tactile keyboard. When cost is a concern, this portable Chromebook keeps budgets intact.
Key Takeaways
- Models like the LG Gram 17 prove large screens can still be lightweight and portable.
- For all-day use on the go, the 1kg Asus Zenbook S13 offers exceptional mobility.
- Gamers can enjoy AAA titles with the ultra-light Asus ROG Flow X13.
- Apple’s MacBook Air M2 carries on the legacy of thin, powerful laptops.
- For affordability, the sub-$600 Honor MagicBook 15 shines as a budget option.
- The sub-1kg HP Pavilion Aero 13 is the lightest laptop available.
- The Acer Chromebook 314 keeps costs low with Chrome OS in a portable package.
Whether your priority is screen size, raw power or affordability, there’s an ultra-light laptop ready to meet your needs and follow you anywhere. With technology this capable and portable, working on the go has never been easier.
Cannabis vaporizers – when vaping is not just smoking!
If you have ever smoked weed, you should be aware that the effects of the smoke produced during combustion are devastating: cancer, stroke, impotence, bad breath. It’s written on every cigarette packs these days.
Fortunately, technology is here to make smoking a thing of the past.
With the weed industry doing a massive push lately in some countries, both for medical and recreational use, “canna” businesses are now selling cannabis verdampfer.
What is a cannabis vape?
They do not produce smoke but rather vapor. What is the difference here? Vaporization converts the taste and psychoactive substances of the cannabis plant from solid to gaseous state (a process called sublimation) without burning the plant material. We tested several makes and models from the famous leading European suppliers Vaposhop and Namaste Vapes and were amazed with the results.
More than an a simple E-cigarette?

mighty storz and bickel
Vaporizers look like electronic cigarettes, although they are usually a little larger. They fit in the pocket and are powered by a rechargeable battery, most often by USB. The weed, which must be finely chopped using a grinder, is poured into a small bowl usually made of ceramic and exposed to a stream of hot air that vaporizes the cannabis molecules. Its temperature varies from 150 to 200 degrees (adjustable with buttons or via a smartphone application on some models equipped with Bluetooth), never beyond that because cellulose, the main component of plants, burns at around 230 degrees. Most models have an LCD screen and buttons to select the temperature which is highly convenient.
From 180 to 200 degrees, the cannabinoids are vaporized in the chamber, this actives the psychoactive THC substances of the plant. The aromas are then more discreet, and the vapor is denser, which generally pleases smokers. Vaporizers such as Storz & Bickel’s Mighty or Arizer’s Air produce thick, vaporous clouds that will be appreciated by joint smokers. You can feel the relaxing effect of cannabidiol (CBD) after a few seconds of inhalation.
In use, these two top-of-the-range devices have proven to be effective. Their battery allows about ten or more uses and recharges in less than two hours, special mention for the Arizer Air, whose battery is replaceable. Another popular device, the Pax 3, somewhat disappointed us. It heats too much and burns the lips after a few minutes because of its small size. Too bad, because it was undoubtedly the most discreet device in our panel.
Vapor extracted in balloons
The most demanding users will turn to indoor or desktop vaporizers. We tested the famous Volcano by Storz & Bickel. Initially designed for medical use and recognised as a medical device in countries like Israel, the truncated volcano shaped device extracts the steam into a plastic bag equipped with a valve. This system helps users vaporizing and smoking using funny little balloons. Surprisingly, the method may leave you skeptical at first, but the steam quality of this best-seller sold for almost twenty years is exceptional!
After a few weeks spent with these devices, combustion becomes a thing of the past. It is easy to prefer a vaporizer, which offers an incomparable taste and whose vapor dissipates in a few minutes indoors without leaving a trace.
Finally, there is the question of the effect of vapor and the type of components used on health. Science has not given a clear answer to this question yet, but this method is one of the best alternatives available today, according to many scientists and doctors. At a time when cannabis is consumption is on the rise, and health issues are a concern for consumers, vaporizers are part of a risk reduction approach and are an exciting option for nerds who like to vape their plants in a trendy and cool way.
5G modems for iPhone should not be available before 2025
Apple would not be ahead of the curve with its 5G modems, and there would still be a lot of work to do before they equip its iPhone. It means that Tim Cook’s firm will be dependent on Qualcomm in the meantime.
Apple’s 5G modems will take time to get up and running
Qualcomm can plan for the medium term with Apple without too much hassle. Indeed, the American firm is not yet ready to design its 5G chips. And it will take a lot of patience since Apple’s 5G modems will not be available until 2025. Until then, Qualcomm will still be Apple’s leading supplier.
How can such a delay be explained? The American site The Information, which made a lengthy investigation, articulates it by the divorce between Intel and Apple, and a calendar that has evolved following this event.
The Information site states: “In interviews with potential team members, Apple told engineers that they expected to have their modem ready by 2025. It will, therefore, be necessary to wait to see the arrival on the market of iPhone fully equipped by Apple.
An alternative to Qualcomm that is slow to come
In the meantime, the first iPhone with 5G integration should be available next year. It is made possible by the agreement signed between Apple and Qualcomm after years of a legal battle. It should be noted that this arrangement is planned for 5 years, the period necessary for Apple to produce its own 5G chips.
It should be recalled that the dispute between the two parties lasted two years: Apple blaming Qualcomm for abusing its dominant position to gain greater financial margins, and Qualcomm considering that Apple was not meeting some of its contractual commitments.
The fact that the two companies have found an arrangement is therefore rather a surprise, even if Apple had planned a plan B with Intel to become its modem supplier. The negotiations had finally not been successful, and Intel preferred to redirect its strategy towards its historical activity, namely processor design.
The United States is suing Huawei and two of its subsidiaries.
U.S. Attorney General Matthew Whitaker at a press conference on Monday, January 28, 2019.
13 charges were unveiled on Monday, January 28, by the U.S. Department of Justice. Washington accused the Chinese telephone giant, in particular, of having tried to circumvent the sanctions against Iran.
According to the indictment, Huawei deceived an international bank into making millions of dollars in transactions with Iran. The Chinese telecom giant is also accused of trade secret theft, electronic fraud, and obstruction of justice.
U.S. authorities accuse Huawei and its subsidiaries of offering bonuses to workers who steal confidential information from companies around the world. The American justice system mentions as proof an email sent to Huawei employees, offering them bonuses in exchange for stolen data.
Type of formal notice
Behind Huawei, the Acting Secretary of Justice is sending a warning to the Chinese authorities. “China must be responsible for ensuring that its citizens and businesses comply with the law,” said Matthew Whitaker. A kind of formal notice, issued on the eve of the arrival of the Chinese Vice-Premier in Washington, who will meet Donald Trump on Wednesday.
Optimistic, the Treasury Secretary said he expects “significant progress” in the trade negotiations between the two countries.
Huawei claimed to be “disappointed.”
For his part, Huawei dismissed on Tuesday, January 29, the charges announced by the U.S. Department of Justice against the company, denying that he had committed any theft of technology or violation of sanctions against Iran.
“Huawei is disappointed to learn of the charges brought against the company today,” the company told Agence France-Presse. “The company denies that it, or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, committed the alleged violations of U.S. law set out in each of the indictments. We are not aware of any wrongdoing on the part of Ms. Meng and are confident that the U.S. courts will reach the same conclusion,” she said with reference to her CFO, currently being held in Canada and facing extradition to the US.
The trade war has just started between these two.
Top 5 Mobile Development And Web Technology Trends
Virtual Reality
On account of the improvement of innovation, our cell phones have turned out to be broadly quick and fantastic. Augmented reality enables us to change our picture of the standard portable applications and amusements. Organizations like Microsoft will discharge the primary world-acclaimed utilizations of mass fame. New augmented simulation patterns, without a doubt, go past the portable advancement. They will likewise contact visual computerization, live events, online deals, and a lot more viewpoints. Facebook’s Oculus Rift and HTC Vive prepared for full-control VR frameworks.
Artificial Intelligence
Perhaps the most notable case of human-made consciousness is Apple’s Siri. The voice right hand is a coherent aftereffect of specialized advancement and a genuine aide. In any case, this is only one precedent. Human-made consciousness is required to be brought into the most stretched out scope of regions conceivable. By and by, so far, venture organizations can bear to create ideas highlighting human-made brainpower abilities.
Motion UI
Looking at the number of individual’s being bothered by the insane number of GIFs and glimmering promotions on the web, more and more website specialists have begun utilizing motion UI as an approach to recognize their sites from a considerable number of others. Motion UI gives you a few different ways of brightening your website page to change it into crafted by craftsmanship.
e-commerce
The online business remains consistent with its formative standards and systems. As indicated by research, designers will offer inclination to Magento CMS and Shopify facilitating stage. Regardless, an ever-increasing number of organizations are relied upon to start actualizing personalization and examination advances for social variables. Locales are going to increase point by point data about clients and their inclinations. Online stores will approach nitty-gritty data about clients, just as their wants and preferences to offer the most applicable items at the time. Envision going to the shop where representatives know your name and what you want to purchase.
PWA (Progressive Web Apps)
It was the year 2015 when we known about Progressive Web Apps just because. You may ask what it is that is so unique about this tech pattern? PWA are sites that demonstration like versatile applications. They can work disconnected as the more significant part of data is put away in the money. The most up to date data are changed every time you interact with the internet. The capacity to work without being connected is, without a doubt, the most essential preferred position of this web advancement pattern.
IOT
IoT arrangements steadily break into everyone’s life. Savvy gadgets have never been as mainstream and as significant as they are now. Also, if quite some time ago, these gadgets were utilized solely for stimulation purposes. Presently, IoT is being used by large universal organizations. With smart devices, we can use our assets all the more adequately. Wide open doors for expanding business potential are opened because of this idea.
Things To Know About Mobile Web Technology
Five things which are viewed as significant while structuring versatile web incorporates Adapting to the new format, while direction is characterized as Responsive Web Design which uses CSS designs, which help the programs to adjust to the original size as the direction changes, planning of touch screens as the screen is chiefly used by the fingers development than the mouse clicks. It ought to be snappy enough to react to the touch, the tallness, width of the pictures ought to be streamlined, so they are unmistakable on the little screen without an aggravating nature of the photograph.
- The things we ought to know about before utilizing Mobile web innovation incorporates giving the best understanding to the client with the inserted highlights of versatility, confronting the difficulties forced by the systems postponements and expenses brought about for them, impediments offered by CPU and memory issues, contrasts in the pointing gadgets and console constraints.
- Java content is utilized to give internet browser involvement in cell phones. As cell phones accompany a variety of various particulars in equipment and programming prerequisites, nitty-gritty data should be taken to structure the internet browsers. The challenge is exceptional in this field and is continuously developing, giving more prominent incomes and openings for work.
- Portable clients for the most part work mobiles in an unexpected manner in comparison to contrasted with work areas and PCs and a few diverse programming’s are produced for PDAs or cell phones which are introduced on the assembling stages or uses server handling or customer preparing which are conveyed as web applications.
- Versatile User Interface (UI) is a significant factor to be considered while planning the portable applications. A few requirements, settings are found alongside the screen size, input, and the capacity to prepare. Client, for the most part, centersaround the UI for the association which structures an extension between the equipment and programming.
- Portable UI is bolstered by back end frameworks which give irregular help to getting to a few structures. Choosing an apparatus which effects the client’s experience ought to likewise be considered. Given the current framework, aptitudes required for advancement, versatile stages an improvement stage is to be chosen.
- Choosing a cross stage for utilizing on to the different distinctive stages has been a considerable achievement, and the advances like CSS, Hypertext markup language, and Java content are utilized to build the client rich experience. Each application programming has its very own formative stage like iOS has to Code with C, Android has Eclipse IDE and Windows, and blackberry has its very own steps.
- Portable web innovation amalgamates a few apparatuses and advancements to assemble a more grounded formative stage which takes a shot at different stages. These are retested inside the developmental condition first by utilizing emulators later performed in field testing. These emulators are more affordable and help to test applications which are introduced on cell phones. The most famous working frameworks like windows, android, blackberry, iPhone, utilize emulators to examine cell phones.