Author: Kerem Gülen

{ "de-DE": "", "en-US": "Kerem from Turkey has an insatiable curiosity for the latest advancements in tech gadgets and a knack for innovative thinking. With 3 years of experience in editorship and a childhood dream of becoming a journalist, Kerem has always been curious about the latest tech gadgets and is constantly seeking new ways to create. As a Master's student in Strategic Communications, Kerem is eager to learn more about the ever-evolving world of technology. His primary focuses are artificial intelligence and digital inclusion, and he delves into the most current and accurate information on these topics. You can always reach Kerem from LinkedIn.", "es-ES": "Kerem, de Turquía, tiene una curiosidad insaciable por los últimos avances en aparatos tecnológicos y un don para el pensamiento innovador. Con tres años de experiencia como redactor y el sueño de su infancia de ser periodista, Kerem siempre ha sentido curiosidad por los últimos gadgets tecnológicos y busca constantemente nuevas formas de crear. Como estudiante de Máster en Comunicación Estratégica, Kerem está ansioso por aprender más sobre el mundo de la tecnología, en constante evolución. Sus principales intereses son la inteligencia artificial y la inclusión digital, y profundiza en la información más actual y precisa sobre estos temas. Siempre puedes contactar con Kerem desde LinkedIn.", "fr-FR": "", "it-IT": "", "ja-JP": "", "nl-NL": "", "pl-PL": "", "pt-BR": "", "social": { "email": "", "facebook": "", "twitter": "", "linkedin": "" } }

Google Photos to roll out new Photo Stacks feature

Are you the type who snaps a gazillion photos and videos, hoping to capture that perfect moment? Well, Google Photos, your go-to for backing up those precious memories, just got a nifty upgrade.

Remember back in October when there were whispers about Google working on something called photo stack? Turns out, it’s not just tech gossip anymore. This feature is making its debut, ready to tidy up your photo library by bundling similar shots together. Say goodbye to the clutter and those pesky duplicates!

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What is Photo Stacks?

Here’s the scoop: Photo stacks is like your personal photo organizer. It’s perfect for those moments when you’re snapping away, trying to get that one perfect shot. Instead of scattering similar pictures all over your library, ‘photo stacks’ will gather them into a neat bundle. This means you can flip through your variations without turning your photo library into a chaotic jumble.

A Redditor, lucky enough to get early access, spotted the photo stacks option in the app. Although they didn’t spill the beans on all the details, like how the feature actually sorts the photos or the max number of pics per stack, it’s still exciting news for photo enthusiasts. Keep your eyes peeled for this cool feature to hit your Google Photos app!

Continuing on the photo stacks adventure in Google Photos, here’s how this new feature adds a sprinkle of magic to your photo organizing experience. Ever tapped on a stack and wondered which photo pops up first?

That’s the “Top Pick,” chosen by Google’s savvy AI from your group shots. But hey, if Google’s pick isn’t your cup of tea, no worries! You can switch it up by selecting any photo in the stack to crown as your new Top Pick.

But wait, there’s more. Google knows that sometimes, less is more. That’s why they’ve added a super handy option to declutter your stacks. If you find yourself drowning in a sea of nearly identical photos, just use the “Keep This, Delete Rest” option. It lets you keep the crème de la crème of the stack and waves goodbye to the rest, freeing up precious space in your library.

And here’s a neat little detail: stacks blend seamlessly into your library, but they stand out with a special icon on the thumbnail. This little badge of honor makes it easy to spot your stacks amidst the ocean of photos.

For those drawing parallels with the Pixel-exclusive Top Shot feature, here’s the lowdown. While Top Shot also merges similar shots and picks the best one, it’s a Pixel-only party. Photo stacks, on the other hand, roll out the red carpet for all Google Photos users.

How to check if Photo Stacks is available on your Google Photos?

Here’s how you can check if this cool feature is ready for you. Just pop open Google Photos, scoot over to Settings, then tap into Preferences. Keep an eye out for the “Stack similar photos” option. Found it? Great! Switch it on, and let Google Photos work its magic, stacking those similar snapshots automatically.

Think of photo stacks as your photo library’s new BFF, especially for all you shutterbugs constantly chasing that perfect shot of your fast-moving kids or playful pets.

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You know how it goes – you snap a flurry of pictures, hoping to catch that one magical moment. But then, your library ends up like a crowded party, filled with unwanted images. Photo stacks to the rescue! It’s like having a tidy-up fairy who makes sure only the best shots get the spotlight.

Edge gets smarter, Microsoft unveils Copilot Shopping and Review Summaries

Remember back in September when Microsoft made waves with their press event introducing Copilot? Well, they’re back in the spotlight today, dishing out some cool updates for the Edge web browser.

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New Microsoft Edge features

In a fresh-off-the-press blog post, Microsoft’s all abuzz about making some of those snazzy features they teased now available to Edge users.

“Copilot in Microsoft Shopping is designed to be your own personal shopper and help you find what you need in less time. You can give it prompts like “what are some gift ideas for teenage boys?” and Copilot will ask you a set of intelligent questions to help narrow down ideas for gifts for your nephew. Coming soon, you’ll also be able to simply share a picture of the product you’re looking for, and Copilot will guide you to the right match.”

Copilot in Microsoft Shopping

The big headline? Copilot in Microsoft Shopping is rolling out and it’s set to spread its wings even wider soon. Microsoft’s keeping the details under wraps for now, but let’s just say, shopping online is about to get a whole lot smarter.

And get this – Copilot in Microsoft Shopping isn’t just playing favorites with Edge. It’s actually open to any web browser. Just take a virtual stroll over to https://bing.com/shop/ai, and voilà, you’re in the AI shopping zone. But, Microsoft’s giving us a little nudge, hinting that Edge users will get the VIP treatment.

Review Summaries

But wait, there’s more! Microsoft isn’t just stopping with the AI shopping experience. They’re also rolling out a nifty feature called Review Summaries for Edge. Here’s the lowdown: Edge users can now click on the Copilot icon in the sidebar and ask it to whip up a summary of reviews for any product. Imagine getting the gist of what everyone’s saying without scrolling through pages of reviews. Talk about a time-saver!

And for those of you who’ve been keeping tabs on Microsoft’s experiments, here’s some news. Remember the Edge Secure Network that was being tested with the Edge Insiders Program earlier this year? It’s ready for prime time! Microsoft’s making this feature generally available, stepping up the game in online security.

“Edge Secure Network uses VPN technology to stop third parties and bad actors from accessing your sensitive information, so you can make purchases online, fill out forms, and keep your browsing activity away from prying eyes.”

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The latest blog post from Microsoft is like a treasure trove of security goodies. They’ve beefed up Microsoft Edge with features like Password Health and Password Monitor. And for anyone who’s ever typo’d their way into a sketchy website, Microsoft’s got your back with Website Typo Detection. This feature acts like your digital bodyguard, steering you clear of malicious sites that prey on misspelled URLs.

Is TikTok banned in Nepal?

Hey, have you heard the latest? In a move that’s becoming rather trendy worldwide, Nepal has just hopped on the bandwagon. During a cabinet meeting today, they’ve decided to join the list of countries imposing restrictions on TikTok. That’s right, the wildly popular app is facing a ban in Nepal.

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Yes, Nepal bans TikTok

Narayan Prakash Saud, Nepal’s Foreign Minister, made it clear: the ban on TikTok is effective immediately. It seems like TikTok‘s dance moves and viral challenges won’t be gracing Nepalese screens for a while.

“The government has decided to ban TikTok as it was necessary to regulate the use of the social media platform that was disrupting social harmony, goodwill and flow of indecent materials,” Saud said.

But wait, there’s a bit of a plot twist. TikTok isn’t just going to vanish overnight. Before the ban goes into full effect, there’s some behind-the-scenes tech work to be done. TikTok’s been in talks with the Cyber Bureau of the Nepal Police and the Ministry of Home Affairs. The big switch-off will only happen once all those technical ducks are in a row, and as of now, they haven’t shared a timeline for this digital curtain call.

And here’s the kicker: This TikTok ban is part of a bigger picture. Nepal’s recently rolled out the ‘Directives on the Operation of Social Networking 2023’. It’s like setting ground rules for the big players in social media – think Meta, X, YouTube, and the likes. These platforms, now, need to set up a local office in Nepal. Why, you ask? Well, it turns out, the lack of a local presence has been a real headache for the Nepalese Government, especially when it comes to addressing user concerns and nixing objectionable content.

In other news, TikTok’s been skating on some thin ice lately. The platform recently got slapped with a hefty $368 million fine. The reason? Not quite playing by the rules when it comes to handling the data of its younger users. Talk about a costly oops moment!

But wait, there’s more. The European Commission is now turning up the heat, asking TikTok to spill the beans on how they plan to keep kids safe on their platform. It’s like the digital world’s version of a parent-teacher meeting, and TikTok’s definitely got some explaining to do.

Yet, it’s not all doom and gloom for TikTok. They’re still making some big-time moves in the entertainment world. To jazz things up for their 100th anniversary, Disney just teamed up with TikTok. And to add some extra sizzle to the party, they’re bringing in Pulse Premiere, making the TikTok experience even more dazzling.

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But here’s the twist in the tale. TikTok, the brainchild of China’s ByteDance, has been under the global microscope. From the United States to Britain and New Zealand, governments are giving TikTok the side-eye, worrying that Beijing might use the app as a sneaky way to gather user data or push its agenda. Despite TikTok’s firm “nope” to sharing data with the Chinese government, the suspicion lingers.

So, as TikTok dances between deals and dilemmas, the app’s future remains a thrilling, if unpredictable, story to follow.

Nintendo and Sony to make a live action Zelda movie

Nintendo’s foray into cinema has reached a landmark moment with the announcement of a live action Zelda movie, a project that unites Nintendo with Sony Pictures in adapting the iconic The Legend of Zelda video game series for the big screen.

The collaboration brings together visionaries Shigeru Miyamoto, the video game luminary behind Zelda’s creation, and producer Avi Arad, renowned for his work on the Spider-Man films. The directorial reins have been handed to Wes Ball, celebrated for his work on The Maze Runner, setting high expectations for this cinematic venture.

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Nintendo is taking an active role on the upcoming live action Zelda movie

Details on the live action Zelda movie’s cast and narrative remain under wraps, keeping fans in eager anticipation. In a revealing post shared on Nintendo’s Japanese social media channels, Miyamoto shared insights into his joint efforts with Arad in bringing the film to life.

He indicated that while Nintendo is taking an active role in the film’s development, patience will be required as the production progresses. “It will take time until its completion, but I hope you look forward to seeing it,” Miyamoto expressed, igniting excitement among the Zelda community.

The Legend of Zelda stands as a titan in Nintendo’s storied history, second only to the Super Mario franchise, with a staggering 150 million units sold since its genesis in 1986. Demonstrating the franchise’s enduring appeal, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom shattered sales records by moving 10 million copies within the first three days of its release last May, heralding it as the quickest-selling installment in the Zelda saga to date. Meanwhile, its forerunner, Breath of the Wild, maintains the crown as the top-selling title of the series, with an estimated 30 million copies sold.

This upcoming live action Zelda movie emerges at a time when video game adaptations are undergoing a significant resurgence. Historically, the ’90s served as a cautionary tale with movies like Super Mario Bros and Mortal Kombat failing to win over critics and audiences alike. However, overturning past disappointments, Nintendo’s recent Super Mario Bros Movie dazzled at the box office, raking in over $1 billion and securing a spot as one of the highest-grossing animated features ever made. This triumph isn’t an isolated event, signaling a prosperous era for adaptations of beloved gaming franchises.

Successful video game adaptations to movie screen likely played a part in Nintendo‘s renewed interest in exploring cinematic opportunities, this time for a live action Zelda movie. With a seasoned producer like Avi Arad, known for his work on the Spider-Man films since 2002 and his previous leadership at Marvel Studios, at the forefront, expectations are high. Arad’s credibility is bolstered by his involvement in the gaming world, having produced the 2022 Uncharted film starring Tom Holland, another video game adaptation that enjoyed a $400m box office haul.

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Although the live action Zelda movie will mark the franchise’s inaugural silver screen debut, it’s not the first time The Legend of Zelda has ventured beyond game consoles. An animated TV series graced the screens briefly in 1989, and there was speculation around a new Zelda series by Netflix in 2015, though it never materialized. With such a rich history and a vast, passionate fanbase, this venture into live action presents a new realm of possibilities for one of Nintendo’s most cherished sagas.

The Espresso Express bug in Alan Wake 2 breaks the game, fixes are possible

Gamers playing Alan Wake 2 have reported a glitch with the Espresso Express ride in the Bright Falls theme park. This issue, known as the Espresso Express bug, affects how the ride operates within the game. The bug came to wider attention when a Redditor posted a video showing exactly what happens.

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How to fix the Espresso Express bug in Alan Wake 2?

The Espresso Express ride, part of Alan Wake 2‘s Bright Falls theme park, is a carousel puzzle critical to progressing in the game. Players must solve the puzzle to reach a circuit board under the red, number 6 car to unlock the next area. However, an infamous glitch, now referred to as the Espresso Express bug, has been causing gameplay disruption.

This bug manifests with the carousel cars detaching from their spinner and clipping through the floor, misaligning them with the access point for the circuit board. Such a glitch prevents players from progressing, leaving them stuck in the theme park.

Potential causes for the Espresso Express bug include game engine errors, outdated or corrupt game files, or conflicts with other software or mods.

In response to this issue, the game’s developers have rolled out patch 1.0.9, addressing the Espresso Express bug alongside other game concerns like audio mishaps and scene alignment. Players are encouraged to download this update, available across all gaming platforms, to ensure a smooth gaming experience. Comprehensive details of the patch are accessible on the game’s official website.

You may try some of the following solutions too.

Update the game

Regularly updating Alan Wake 2 can lead to enhanced performance, stability improvements, and the resolution of various bugs and glitches that may affect gameplay.

Restart the game

Should you encounter any issues, try reloading your save and restarting the game. Often, this can reset the game elements, possibly rectifying the Espresso Express bug.

Change zone

If the problem persists, exit the theme park area and return. This can prompt the game to reload necessary assets and scripts, potentially solving the issue.

Use the flashlight

Using Alan Wake’s iconic flashlight to interact with the ride might activate the required animations and logic to progress.

Apply this trick

Attempt to start and stop the ride at the strategic moment to align the problematic car with the floor opening, allowing you to reach the circuit board.

Contact them

If all else fails, report the issue to customer support. Your feedback can assist the development team in addressing this and other bugs in subsequent updates.

Remember, the solutions range from the simple act of restarting the game to the more strategic approach of exiting and re-entering the game zone. In cases where these steps fall short, directly engaging with the game’s support can provide both immediate assistance and contribute to a smoother experience for the broader gaming community in future updates.

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In conclusion, while encountering bugs can be a frustrating detour in the gaming experience, it’s important to acknowledge the dynamic nature of game development. Patches and updates, like the recently released 1.0.9, showcase the developers’ commitment to refining the game post-launch.

Meta has new monetization options for Instagram-ers

Instagram, while not traditionally seen as a hub for monetization by creators, has recently celebrated a noteworthy achievement in this domain. Following the expansion of the Instagram Subscriptions program, the platform has seen a significant uptick in creators harnessing this feature for revenue generation.

According to the latest dispatch from the Meta blog, the platform now boasts over 1 million active paid subscriptions. This figure is particularly impressive when considering the service’s vast user base of 2.35 billion monthly actives and the fact that the subscription feature was introduced just 18 months ago.

In an effort to bolster the success of content creators in growing their subscriber numbers, Instagram is unveiling new promotional tools. One such enhancement is the introduction of a conspicuous “Subscribe” button.

This feature will automatically present itself to followers not yet subscribed when they encounter posts from creators who have the subscription feature activated. Furthermore, the platform has streamlined the process for creators to extend a warm welcome to new subscribers, leveraging direct messages and stories. This added layer of personal touch is anticipated to foster greater interaction and, ultimately, boost engagement rates.

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Holiday bonuses for creators

Instagram, in a strategic move aligned with festive cheer, unveiled a new holiday bonus program aimed at rewarding creators. This selective initiative, extended by invitation to those in the US, South Korea, and Japan, incentivizes the production of both reel and photo content. Through this program, creators are compensated based on the viewership their reel plays and photo content accumulate over the holiday period, contingent upon adherence to standard monetization policies.

Parallel to Instagram’s announcement, Facebook, also under the Meta umbrella, disclosed enhancements to its subscriber program. Meta plans to expand access to Facebook’s subscription features to a broader array of creators in the forthcoming months. This expansion will introduce diversified methods for audiences to subscribe, including via Reels and Stories.

In addition to these access improvements, creators will gain more flexibility in pricing their subscriptions, with the ability to adjust rates over time. Moreover, a new aspect will allow creators to bestow a complimentary 30-day subscription on select fans, adding a personalized touch to the creator-follower relationship.

Boosting creator-brand partnerships

To further support creators on their platforms, Instagram and Facebook are introducing mechanisms to facilitate collaborations with brand partners. In the near future, creators who are part of the monetization program and choose the “Allow brand partners to boost” option will receive preemptive notifications about any content errors that could impede monetization.

This proactive feature ensures that potential issues are flagged and corrected before content is even published.

For the average user engrossed in scrolling through posts, these updates may not cause a ripple. However, for creators, these developments represent a suite of enhanced and more accessible avenues to generate revenue from their creative work.

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Although advertising remains the heavyweight in Facebook and Instagram’s revenue stream, these platforms are evidently making concerted efforts to expand the scope and appeal of their subscription services, offering creators a wider berth in the digital economy.

Meta bars AI ad tools for politicos

In the digital arena where the spread of misinformation can be as viral as the content it often piggybacks on, Facebook has steadily fortified its ramparts with the dual sentinels of AI and human oversight. Their latest venture into the bustling frontier of advertising has seen them harness the power of generative AI, a leap that promises a renaissance in how advertisers sculpt their messages.

Yet, as reported by Reuters, Meta is drawing a firm line in the virtual sand: these potent new tools will be withheld from the arsenals of political marketers, particularly as the nation braces for the approaching tempest of a fiercely contested election cycle.

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The decision underscores a conscious pivot towards a more cautious application of technology that can as easily create as confuse. While these AI-generated canvases and cleverly crafted captions have the potential to transform mundane adverts into masterpieces of engagement, their exclusion from political campaigns is a telling move.

Meta’s strategic forbearance on the deployment of generative artificial intelligence within political advertising echoes the broader caution that permeates the social media ecosystem.

Yet, as Reuters sheds light upon, the company’s silence on this matter is conspicuous; there have been no formal announcements or updates to its advertising guidelines to reflect this significant policy stance. This stealth approach stands in contrast to the more publicized prohibitions of political ads by TikTok and Snap, and Google’s methodical use of a “keyword blacklist” to keep its generative AI in check against political misuse.

The dynamics of social media policy are as varied as the platforms themselves, with X (formerly Twitter) offering a theater of the unpredictable, where policy enforcement and corporate direction have been subject to dramatic shifts and turns, particularly in the political domain.

Certainly, Facebook’s agreement with the White House’s guidelines reflects an industry-wide acknowledgment of the power and potential risks of generative AI. The commitment to red-teaming efforts aims to proactively identify and mitigate AI vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. This internal testing is akin to a continual self-audit, ensuring that the AI behaves as intended even when faced with unpredictable scenarios or data.

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Sharing trust and safety data across the industry and with government partners creates a unified front against misinformation. This open exchange is crucial for staying ahead of rapidly evolving threats. It’s a form of communal vigilance, recognizing that the challenge of maintaining integrity in the digital world.

Meet Mika, the AI CEO of Dictador

In a move that humanizes the face of artificial intelligence in the corporate world, Mika stands as the inaugural AI SEO, bringing a blend of algorithmic precision and a touch of human-like insight to the helm of Dictador. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the integration of AI into leadership roles, reflecting a synergistic future where technology and humanity converge in the boardroom.

Dictador crowns Mika as their new AI CEO

Dictador, a prominent player in the rum and spirits industry, has made a bold leap into the future by appointing Mika, an AI-powered humanoid robot, as their CEO. This decision represents a significant innovation in corporate governance, melding human-like leadership with advanced technology.

“Mika is a female, more advanced version of her sister prototype, Sophia, ‘activated’ in 2015 in Hong Kong, by Hanson Robotics Ltd. The first CEO female robot will be a board member, responsible for Arthouse Spirits DAO project and communication with the DAO community, on Dictador’s behalf. A contract with the world’s first ever AI CEO robot was signed on the 30th of August, launching her official career in Dictador on September 1st, 2022,” Dictador stated.

Mika’s creation is the result of a collaborative effort between Hanson Robotics and Dictador. The humanoid robot has been designed to embody the company’s core values and to act as its official representative. Underpinned by sophisticated artificial intelligence, including machine learning algorithms, Mika is equipped to make data-driven decisions with speed and accuracy. This fusion of AI capabilities with an anthropomorphic form aims to provide a forward-thinking approach to leadership, seeking to harness the efficiency of AI while maintaining a relatable presence.

Despite these advances, it’s noteworthy that during a company demonstration, Mika showed a significant delay in processing and responding to questions. This suggests that while AI technology has come far, there remains a path ahead before it can fully replicate the immediacy of human interaction.

David Hanson, the CEO of Hanson Robotics, played a pivotal role in Mika’s employment and has been a vocal advocate for “humanizing” artificial intelligence. Hanson believes that teaching AI to care about humans is crucial for the safety and benefit of future AI deployments. The integration of Mika as a humanoid robot CEO embodies this philosophy, attempting to bridge the gap between the binary world of AI and the nuanced spectrum of human emotion and decision-making.

The narrative of AI in leadership roles gained a provocative edge in 2016 when Hanson Robotics introduced Sophia, a humanoid robot capable of natural facial expressions and conversational engagement.

Sophia made headlines with her unnervingly candid joke about destroying humans. Fast forward to the present, and Hanson Robotics has once again pushed the boundaries with Mika, now positioned as the world’s first AI humanoid robot CEO for Dictador, signifying a dramatic evolution from Sophia’s debut to a new era where AI is not just interacting but leading in the business sphere

Stranger Things is coming back to DBD

The collaboration between Stranger Things and Dead by Daylight has been reignited. Following its 2021 exit, the Hawkins National Laboratory map was notably removed and has not been in play since. Those players who had invested in all three characters were able to keep them, and now, following a groundswell of fan requests, the show is set to make its anticipated return to the game.

Coinciding with the celebrations of Stranger Things Day, the series also expanded its crossover with Fortnite by rolling out a new Eleven skin among other items. The gaming community had been abuzz with speculation about the return of Stranger Things to DBD, fuelled by leaked information from dvveet, a notable figure in the game’s community, who teased the presence of the Hawkins map within the game’s disabled code.

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The buzz among DBD and Stranger Things enthusiasts escalated, reaching a crescendo until the long-awaited revelation was made, with the timing being nothing short of impeccable.

Behaviour Interactive has made the official announcement that Stranger Things is making a comeback to Dead by Daylight. The iconic characters Nancy Wheeler and Steve Harrington, along with the formidable Demogorgon, are set to re-enter the spine-chilling world of the game. This return also heralds the revival of the Hawkins National Laboratory, complete with the various skins and outfits associated with these characters.

An additional thrill for fans is the reintroduction of the Jonathan Byers alternate model as a Legendary Outfit for Steve Harrington. True to the original setup, the unique perk names and icons for all three characters are being restored, though they will continue to function as general perks for the moment. This move has been met with considerable joy from the community, fulfilling the longstanding hopes of the series’ ardent followers.

Stranger Things DBD perks

In Dead by Daylight, each Stranger Things character will once again boast their distinctive Perks, reverting to their original, character-specific names. Although these Perks had been temporarily categorized as General Perks available to all, they are slated to return to their status as unique identifiers for the Stranger Things characters, adding a layer of exclusive flavor to their gameplay.

It’s a momentous occasion that certainly calls for fanfare, yet it’s worth mentioning that the Achievements/Trophies tied to Stranger Things won’t be reactivated just yet. Players should stay tuned for any future updates on this front.

The Dead by Daylight team is ready to usher players back into the haunting embrace of The Upside Down and encourages curiosity and dialogue through the game’s forums or on social media channels. Brace for a renewed plunge into the eerie and unpredictable domain of Stranger Things within Dead by Daylight, where the line between surviving and succumbing is razor-thin.

With the original release, each Stranger Things character came with three unique Perks, which were transitioned into General Perks post the Chapter’s discontinuation. Now, they are set to reclaim their former exclusivity. After an upcoming update, these Perks will once again be solely tied to their respective characters.

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For players who advanced their characters while these Perks were universally accessible, their progression will remain intact. However, the subsequent unlocking of additional Perk Tiers will be on hold until players either acquire the Character Perk from the Shrine of Secrets or advance the Stranger Things characters to Prestige levels 1, 2, and 3.

Google enhances Play Store with app security badging

Google reaffirms its commitment to maintaining a secure environment on Google Play, emphasizing the importance of digital privacy and security for its users. In light of this, the tech giant continues to enhance its Data Safety section and transparency labeling initiatives, aiming to empower users with clearer insights into app data usage.

Google underscored the significance of clear security labels in shaping a user’s perception of risk and trust in digital offerings, factors that are pivotal in their decision-making process. Google acknowledges the critical impact that transparent labeling and badging have within the Google Play store, recognizing that an app’s openness about data security and privacy practices is increasingly influencing users’ choices to download, trust, and engage with an app.

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About App Defense Alliance

Google’s App Defense Alliance last year introduced the Mobile App Security Assessment (MASA). This initiative grants developers the opportunity to have their applications independently audited against a globally recognized security standard, a process that serves as a beacon of trust for users.

The independent validation signifies that the apps conform to established mobile security and privacy best practices and that developers are proactive in identifying and remedying potential vulnerabilities. This makes it more challenging for malicious actors to compromise user devices, ultimately elevating the quality of the app ecosystem.

Developers who successfully pass the validation from Google Play are offered the chance to feature an “Independent security review” badge within the Data Safety section, a symbol of their commitment to stringent security measures.

Although the certification does not guarantee absolute vulnerability immunity, the badge provides users with immediate visual confirmation of the developer’s dedication to security and privacy. To streamline user awareness of independently validated apps, Google Play is rolling out a new store banner, initially for VPN applications, due to the sensitive nature of data they manage.

Users searching for VPN services on Google Play will encounter an educational banner guiding them towards the “Independent security review” badge and offering a “Learn More” option. This leads to the App Validation Directory, a repository where all security-verified VPN apps are listed, complete with in-depth technical assessment information to inform user choices.

NordVPN, Google One, and ExpressVPN are examples of VPN providers that have completed independent security assessments and are displaying the badge, indicating their adherence to the MASA program’s guidelines. Google encourages more VPN app developers to seek independent testing, aiming to deepen transparency and elevate user confidence. VPN developers eager to explore this feature are invited to reach out via a provided form for further information.

Google’s commitment to safeguarding Google Play users and developers is exemplified by its endorsement of independent security validations and the visibility it provides to apps that earn security badges. These badges shine a spotlight on developers who make user safety and data transparency a priority. To support developers in achieving these standards, Google offers a suite of resources including Play PolicyBytes videos, webinars, blog posts, and the Developer Help Community, all designed to align with stringent developer policies that uphold the integrity of Google Play.

The tech giant is dedicated to refining its app review mechanisms, policies, and programs to ensure user protection while streamlining the experience for developers to comply with these guidelines. For a comprehensive look at the resources available to developers that pave the way for success while maintaining user safety on Google Play, Google directs interested parties to an in-depth article available on the Google Safety Center.

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These proactive steps underscore Google’s response to the voiced needs and expectations of both the user and developer communities. Google maintains that by placing user safety and trust at the forefront, it can nurture an app marketplace that is both secure and successful, empowering users to make well-informed decisions about the apps they download while encouraging developers to maintain exemplary standards in security and privacy practices.