I. Technology
19. Apple fined for slowing down old iPhones
Apple has been fined 25 million euros (£21m or $27m) for deliberately slowing down older iPhone models without first informing its customers. The fine was imposed by France’s competition and fraud watchdog DGCCRF, which said consumers were not warned. In 2017, Apple confirmed that it did slow down some iPhones but said it only did so to ‘prolong the life’ of the devices. Apple said in a statement that it had resolved the issue with the watchdog.
Many customers had long suspected that Apple slowed down older iPhones to encourage people to upgrade when a new one was released. In 2017, the company confirmed that it did slow down some models as they aged, but not to encourage people to upgrade. It said the lithium-ion batteries in the devices became less capable of supplying peak current demands as they aged over time. That could result in an iPhone unexpectedly shutting down to protect its electronic components. So, it released a software update for the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s and iPhone SE which ‘smoothed out’ battery performance. The practice was confirmed after a customer shared performance tests on Reddit, suggesting their iPhone 6S had slowed down considerably as it had aged, but had suddenly speeded up again after the battery had been replaced.
The French watchdog said iPhone owners ‘were not informed that installing iOS updates (10.2.1 and 11.2) could slow down their devices’. As part of the agreement, Apple must display a notice on its French language website for a month. It says Apple ‘committed the crime of deceptive commercial practice by omission’ and had agreed to pay the fine.
Does Apple still slow down older iPhones? Yes. Since Apple confirmed the practice in 2017, it has implemented it on several more iPhones including:
* iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus
* iPhone SE
* iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
* iPhone 8 and 8 Plus running iOS 12.1 or higher
* iPhone X running iOS 12.1 or higher
* iPhone XS, XS Max and XR running iOS 13.1 or higher
The setting is only enabled when the battery begins to degrade, and iOS now offers clearer information to consumers about when performance management has been switched on. ‘The effects of performance management on these newer models may be less noticeable due to their more advanced hardware and software design,’ Apple said.
Source: www.bbc.com, 7th February, 2021
20. Twitter begins testing voice message feature for DMs
If you intend to send a direct message (DM) on Twitter, the micro-blogging platform is offering an option of doing so through audio.
Twitter will begin testing the voice message feature for DMs in India. The feature, which is being tested in India, Brazil and Japan, will be rolled out in phases for users. ‘India is a priority market for Twitter and that is why we’re constantly testing new features and learning from people’s experience on the service here,’ said Manish Maheshwari, Managing Director, Twitter India
Here’s how it works
The voice messages feature builds on the voice tweets feature that the micro-blogging platform began testing in June last year. With voice tweets, users can compose their audio tweet from the composer tab. They can record their audio tweets by tapping on a new wavelength icon in the composer. Once they tap on the icon, they will see their profile photo with the record button at the bottom. They can tap the button to record 140 seconds of audio.
Voice DMs will also support 140 seconds of audio similar to the feature. The user’s current profile photo will be added to the voice note as a static image when the note plays in DMs.
The feature will be made available for both Android and iOS users. In order to send a voice message, users can open an existing conversation or start a new one. They can then record their message by tapping on the voice recording icon and end the recording once they’re done by tapping it a second time. Users can also listen to their voice message before sending it. iOS users can also press-and-hold the voice recording icon to start recording. They can then send the note immediately when they swipe up and release the icon.
Source: www.thehindubusinessline.com, 17th February, 2021
II. Motivational
21. Mumbra girl defies odds to top CA intermediate
The all-nighters spent studying in the kitchen of the modest 300 sq. ft. home that she shares with her parents and three younger siblings, the limited resources and the apprehensions over whether she would even clear an exam that thousands of hopefuls take, proved every bit worthwhile for Mumbra girl Zarin Khan when she topped the country in the chartered accountancy (CA) intermediate examination. A total of 4,094 students took the exam held as per the old syllabus.
When Zarin got the news from her friends, she could barely believe it. ‘I had not expected to be a ranker, let alone be the first in the country, as I was too scared to even take the exam. I had applied in 2017 and took a two-year gap. But with my family strongly backing me, I decided to take the exam last year. I used to study all night to focus better as in the morning hours there is too much noise.’ Her house is located alongside a main road in Mumbra which is on the outskirts of Mumbai.
The young woman, aged 25, is among the first generation of learners to pursue a professional course in her family. While her father, who could study only till class IX, is a mechanic, her mother is a homemaker. Seeing their oldest sibling ace the CA exam, her sister and brothers are now keen to pursue academics more seriously. Her younger sister has completed B.Sc. and
is working.
‘As no one is well educated in the family, I wasn’t even aware about the courses available or what I should pursue. It was not until 2017 after I completed my graduation that I applied for CA. Later, I did an internship for a year, after which I worked in a Thane-based company. I used the money to pay for my CA classes.’ After completing her articleship, Zarin will pursue her CA final exams. She plans to study all night when it is quieter.
Source: mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com, 13th February, 2021
22. Miss India 2020 runner-up Manya Singh, auto driver’s daughter, was told shakal achi nahi hai
Manya Singh, the daughter of an autorickshaw driver, who was crowned ‘Miss India 2020 Runner-Up’ recently, was once told ‘shakal achi nahi hai’ (you don’t have a nice face).
The newly-crowned Miss India 2020 Runner-Up, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, has made everyone proud after her story went viral on social media. Following the win, her struggles and inspiring story have won praise from all over the country.
In an emotionally-charged ‘Humans of Bombay’ post, Manya Singh spoke about her childhood struggles, her parents’ belief in her dreams and the way she was criticised because of her looks.
She recalled leaving home at 14 to come to Mumbai to pursue her dreams. She had to work at a Pizza Hut store to earn an income. ‘At 14, I boarded the train from my village and left for Mumbai to pursue my dreams, all by myself. I didn’t know where it would lead me, but I knew I was meant to achieve great things. When I walked out of the station, Pizza Hut was the first place I saw. I somehow got myself a part-time job there and temporary accommodation’.
Her parents were always supportive of her dreams. A few days after she arrived in Mumbai, they followed her there, took up a job and supported her.
‘Two days later, when I called Papa, he started crying. But I reassured him, “This is where I belong.” So the next day, both my parents came to Mumbai. Papa said, “We’ll support you”’; he drove an auto to make a living. Still, they put me in a good school. Alongside, I also worked part-time. I earned Rs.15,000 a month,’ she added.
Talking about her dream of winning the Miss India pageant, she said, ‘I was 15 when I watched the Miss India Pageant for the first time. I thought, “I’m going to win that crown someday and make Papa proud.” But coming from a patriarchal family, I was told that women are lesser than men. Tauji would say, “Ladkiyon ko padhai karke bhi shaadi hi karni padti hai.” But when I told Papa, “I want to compete for a beauty pageant”, he said, “Keep working hard and you’ll get there!”’
She revealed that in the beginning she had to face rejection because of her looks or her English. She was once told that she does not have a nice face. ‘I auditioned for over ten pageants, but they’d say, “Shakal achi nahi hai” (you don’t have a nice face), or “You don’t even know English!” Things weren’t easy at home either. Papa had mortgaged our jewellery to pay my fees. So if I’d need money to buy clothes, I’d mop the floor at the pizza place. There, I observed how people carried themselves and in college I’d observe how my friends spoke English (sic),’ Manya Singh added.
Source: www.indiatoday.in, 17th February, 2021)
23. Your big break
Some people get one. Most people don’t.
But, if you’re reading this, it means that you’ve received more than one, perhaps a countless number of, little breaks.
Access to tools, the benefit of the doubt, decent health, occasional peace of mind.
Little breaks. Over and over.
Little breaks get you into a room, but they don’t guarantee your performance. Little breaks get you a glimmer of trust or opportunity, they give you a microphone and a chance to share your dream.
Little breaks don’t always announce themselves the way big breaks do.
Little breaks compound, one often leading to another. Or they don’t, creating false momentum and then disappointment.
Sometimes little breaks pretend to be big ones, and sometimes they’re hiding in plain sight.
Little breaks are easy to ignore and thus are wasted.
Little breaks don’t like being waited for the way big breaks do, because while you’re waiting, you’re wasting the little breaks you’ve already gotten.
Source: seths.blog – Mr. Seth Godin, 14th February, 2021
