From Updated Meta Avatars to Apple AI news and More! | Tech News
Stay connected in the world of technology and media with our weekly wrap-up of the latest headlines from across the web. In this week’s blog, we dive into what’s new from Meta Avatars to Apple AI changes and more! Read on for tech news happening this week.
META INTRODUCES ENHANCED BODY FORMS AND UPGRADED HAIR FOR AVATARS
Meta announced on Thursday that it is enhancing its avatars with new body shapes, as well as improved hair and clothing textures. The update includes a wider selection of body shapes, refined existing options, and increased detail for hair and clothing. Although the enhancements aim to help users better represent themselves on Meta’s Horizon Worlds VR social platform, avatars will still lack visible legs. The improvements will be more noticeable in stickers, profile pictures, cover photos, and other non-VR elements.
GOOGLE MEET NOW OFFERS 1080P VIDEO CALL SUPPORT
Google Meet has introduced 1080p video call support for paying subscribers, including select Workspace and Google One users. The high-resolution video calls are only available on the web version of Google Meet and require a compatible webcam and sufficient bandwidth. Users can enable the feature through the video feed settings. This upgrade brings Google Meet in line with competitors like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, which already offer 1080p video call support. Applicable plans include various Workspace, Education, Enterprise Essentials, and Frontline packages, as well as Google One plans with at least 2TB of storage.
APPLE ALLEGEDLY DEVELOPING A PREMIUM AI HEALTH COACH
Apple is reportedly developing a paid AI-driven health coaching service called “Quartz” to help users improve exercise, sleep, and eating habits, according to Bloomberg. The service, set to launch next year, will use data from the Apple Watch to create personalized coaching programs. Other health initiatives include a dedicated Health app for the iPad, an emotion tracker, and features for users with nearsightedness. These efforts expand Apple’s health-focused offerings, such as the Fitness Plus service. The company’s rumored mixed reality headset may also support Fitness Plus and include a meditation app.
WHATSAPP INTRODUCES MULTI-PHONE SUPPORT FOR SINGLE ACCOUNT
WhatsApp is extending its multi-device feature to allow users to access their accounts on multiple smartphones. The new feature is set to be available to all users in the coming weeks. To set up a secondary phone, users can install the app, select “link to an existing account,” and scan the QR code. This functionality is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. WhatsApp’s new feature benefits small businesses by allowing multiple employees to use the same business number on different phones. It is also helpful for users with multiple smartphones linked to a single account.
