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Runkeeper app properly updated for Apple Watch

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Jason Jacobs, the founder of the Runkeeper app has announced the launch of the latest updated GPS fitness-tracking app for Apple Watch, which was “rebuilt from the ground up” according to the founder. Even if the Runkeeper app has been around for months and available for Apple Watch, you still needed to carry your iPhone with you, for proper GPS tracking.With the launch of the Watch OS 2.0, Runkeeper has been updated to work on your Apple Watch, while your iPhone is left at home. Although the watch doesn’t have a GPS included, the Runkeeper app will still be able to track your distance, all while still showing you your heart rate, time and average pace. The updated app will also allow you t select your activity type from your Apple Watch and recaps with run stats will be available at the end of your exercise.

As for how Runkeeper will keep track of distance without actual GPS, no proper explanation has been given. It is probably a combination between Wi-Fi data and the M8 motion coprocessor that Apple Watch has included. This idea seems plausible because Jacobs has said that the accuracy of the app will depend on the location, buildings and even weather conditions, also the accuracy seems to improve over time if it is constantly used without relying on the iPhones GPS.

The improved Runkeeper app is what its users have been asking for, as iPhones are getting bigger it is harder to carry them around while exercising. An accurate fitness-tracking app that work on the Apple Watch is now available at the costly price of $350.

Who doesn’t enjoy listening to a good story. Personally I love reading about the people who inspire me and what it took for them to achieve their success. As I am a bit of a self confessed tech geek I think there is no better way to discover these stories than by reading every day some articles or the newspaper . My bookcases are filled with good tech biographies, they remind me that anyone can be a success. So even if you come from an underprivileged part of society or you aren’t the smartest person in the room we all have a chance to reach the top. The same message shines in my beliefs. All it takes to succeed is a good idea, a little risk and a lot of hard work and any geek can become a success. VENI VIDI VICI .

Apps

Now WhatsApp users can log into two accounts simultaneously

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WhatsApp launched dual-account support today. You can switch between accounts in WhatsApp.

Mark Zuckerberg announced the feature on Facebook and said it would soon be available.

People used to need two phones for two WhatsApp accounts. The company now allows two accounts on one phone. App cloning lets users use multiple WhatsApp instances on Xiaomi and Oppo phones.

“Helpful for switching between accounts – such as your work and personal – now you no longer need to log out each time, carry two phones or worry about messaging from the wrong place,” the company wrote in a blog post.

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Users can add accounts under Settings > Add Account. Your second SIM or multi-SIM phone is needed for setup. Account-specific notifications and privacy settings are available, the company said.

WhatsApp discouraged fake apps to prevent fraud.

WhatsApp added Android passkey support this week, enabling access without SMS-based two-factor authentication.

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Apps

X experiments with a $1-per-year new user fee

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X, formerly Twitter, announced today that it will experiment with charging “new unverified” users $1 per year to interact with posts. The company said this test is live in New Zealand and the Philippines and won’t affect existing users.

Users can post, like, repost, reply, bookmark, and quote for that fee. Free users get a read-only account to view posts and follow accounts.

This “Not A bot” program is not a profit driver, according to the company’s support account, but reason is hard to trust. The Elon Musk-owned company claims this program will reduce spam.

We created this new test to improve our already successful efforts to reduce spam, platform manipulation, and bot activity while balancing platform accessibility with the small fee. It does not generate profits, the company said.

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The company said it would share spam-fighting program results on its support page.

Musk announced that X will charge “a small monthly payment” to use its service. The test program pays annually, but ethos is the same.

X (then Twitter) started requiring logins to view posts in June. Days later, the platform allowed logged-out users to view posts.

One year after Musk’s $44 billion acquisition, Simialrweb reports X traffic has dropped. The company has taken drastic measures to cut costs and make money.

In an interview last month, CEO Linda Yaccarino predicted X’s 2024 profitability. The former NBCU executive avoided discussing X’s user fees in the interview.

As of now, X only offers a $8 monthly plan. According to recently discovered code, the company may introduce three premium tiers, one ad-free.

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Android

Pixel 8 Pro runs Google’s generative AI models

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Rick Osterloh, Google’s SVP of devices and services, says the Pixel 8 Pro will be the first hardware to run Google’s generative AI models.

At an event today, Osterloh said the Pixel 8 Pro’s custom-built Tensor G3 chip, which accelerates AI workloads, can run “distilled” versions of Google’s text- and image-generating models to power image editing and other apps.

Osterloh said, “We’ve worked closely with our research teams across Google to take advantage of their most advanced foundation models and distill them into a version efficient enough to run on our flagship Pixel.”

Google improved Magic Eraser, its photo-editing tool, to remove larger objects and people smudge-free using on-device models. Osterloh claims that this improved Magic Eraser creates new pixels to fill in shot gaps, producing a higher-quality image.

Osterloh says a new on-device model will “intelligently” sharpen and enhance photo details, improving zoom.

On-device processing benefits audio recording. The Pixel 8 Pro’s recording app will soon summarize meeting highlights.

Gboard will use a large language model on the Pixel 8 Pro to power smart replies. Osterloh claims that the upgraded Gboard will provide “higher-quality” reply suggestions and better conversational awareness.

Osterloh said an update in December will add on-device generative AI features except for Magic Eraser, which appears on the Pixel 8 Pro at launch.

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