Netflix subscription prices have been increased
Netflix has increased the prices of its plans again, with the cheapest plan coming with ads. Over 300 million users have an active Netflix subscription. The streaming service revealed that its ad-supported plan managed to bring in 55% new users in the last three months alone.
The ad-supported Netflix plan that was previously available at $7 per month has seen its price increase by $1, meaning it now costs $8 per month. The streaming service’s Standard plan now costs $18 following a $2.50 price increase. Due to the $2 price increase, Netflix’s Premium plan now costs $25 per month. Additionally, the additional member fee has also been increased by $1, so users will have to pay $9 per month.
The company explained to its investors that the price increase allows Netflix to invest in programming and improve its services. Netflix has diversified its content by offering live programming such as sports and will broadcast WWE matches this year. Netflix price increase Already effective in the US, Canada, Argentina and Portugal.
Microsoft will now automatically keep you signed in to your account
Microsoft has announced a change How it handles user accounts. As of the update going live next month, users who have signed in will remain logged in to all sessions unless they manually sign out. This will include all Microsoft services like Outlook, OneDrive, Microsoft 365.
Normally, when you sign in to your Microsoft account, a prompt appears offering you the option to stay signed in. This prompt will no longer be displayed starting in February 2025, and every user who signs in to their account will remain signed in. They must click Sign Out to manually end their session, otherwise the account will remain active even after closing and restarting the browser.
This move could be viewed as a potential security and privacy risk, especially if a user signs in to a shared computer or public PC. Microsoft is advising users who log on using devices they don’t own, i.e. shared systems, to use private browsing mode to ensure that their account information remains secure. So, how can someone sign out of their account if they forget to do so on a public computer? To do this, you’ll need to use the new “Global Sign Out” option. This will sign you out from everywhere.
Cloud AI will add two-way voice mode and memory features
Anthropic has some exciting plans for cloud AI. The CEO of the company said that preparations are underway to introduce a new voice feature. two-way voice modeThis will allow users to engage in conversations with AI-powered chatbots as if they were talking to another person. The ability to speak to a chatbot without typing should prove to be a convenient option for users who have used voice assistant apps.
Cloud AI is also getting a memory function that will allow it to remember your past conversations. This will allow the AI to remember your preferences and personal details such as your hobbies, or favorite book, which it will use to provide deeper engagement in future chats. Such improvements could help Anthropic establish cloud AI as a more interactive option in a market dominated by generative artificial intelligence services like Microsoft Copilot, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and Google Gemini.
Samsung Galaxy S25 series has been officially launched
It’s finally here, Samsung Galaxy S25 series Has been officially launched. The new flagship phones come with various AI features like call transcript, writing assist and drawing assist. Samsung Knox’s Personal Data Engine will help keep user data secure when using AI services on devices. Samsung’s Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra run One UI 7, which is based on Android 15. The software comes with an improved version of Google’s Circle to Search feature that enables it to recognize phone numbers, emails and URLs on your screen. Such details can be tapped for further actions such as dialing the number, or emailing the contact.
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 is powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile platform, 12GB RAM, 256GB storage, 4,000mAh battery with a 120Hz 6.2-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. The camera system includes a 50MP wide-angle lens with OIS, a 120° FOV 12MP ultra-wide angle camera, and a 10MP telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy S25+ features a 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED 2X screen with Vision Booster technology, 12GB RAM, 512GB storage, and a 4,900mAh battery.
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra features a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, 5000mAh battery, 1TB storage, 12GB RAM, 200MP primary camera with OIS, 50MP ultra-wide angle lens, 50MP telephoto sensor with 5x optical zoom. , 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The price of Samsung Galaxy S25 series starts at $799.
Android 16 beta 1 released
Google has released its first beta android 16The new operating system brings a number of new features including live updates, which will help users monitor and quickly access ongoing activities like ride-sharing, food delivery and navigation apps. This feature is very similar to Live Activities on iOS.
Android 16 enables the predictive back button which is a part of its three-button navigation system by default. This will allow users who long press the back button to see an animation that shows a preview of where the back swipe gesture will take you. Apps will no longer be able to restrict the ability to change screen orientation and size on tablets and large screen devices.
Google has added some security and connectivity improvements to Android 16 to improve security against AES-256-based encryption and MITM attacks, including supporting security features on devices that support Wi-Fi 6 802.11az. Camera apps can now automatically detect Night Mode scenes. Android 16 also comes with new privacy features available in the Privacy Sandbox.
Android 16 beta 1 is available for the following Google Pixel devices:
- Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, Pixel 6a
- pixel 7 and 7 pro
- pixel 7a
- pixel fold
- pixel tablet
- pixel 8 and 8 pro
- pixel 8a
- Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold
Google is expected to release Android 16 in Q2 2025.
