Ola to Launch Ride-Hailing Services in London on February 10 https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Ola-London-website.jpg

Indian cab-hailing company, Ola, has announced that it will officially launch its services in London, UK, on February 10. In a press release on Friday, the company claimed that its platform will be “fully operational from day one”, with over 20,000 drivers having registered since it began on-boarding late last year. The company announced plans to start operations in the British capital last November after receiving a 15-month license to operate in the city in July 2019.

Announcing its plans for London in the coming months, Ola said it “will maintain its differentiated focus on drivers, safety and a collaborative approach through its launch in London and beyond”. The company also claims to be offering ‘the best revenue share’ to enable its driver partners to keep a larger share of their income. “Drivers joining the platform will benefit from six weeks of zero commission and market-leading commission rates thereafter”, said the company.

While Ola has been operating in the UK since 2018, it obtained the license to operate in London only last July. Interestingly, its US-based rival, Uber, lost its license to operate in the city last November after the local transport regulator, Transport for London (TfL), declared the cab aggregator ‘unqualified’ following a spate of safety failures. In its report, TfL cited a ‘pattern of failures’ on Uber’s part to ensure public safety as the primary reason for its refusal to grant Uber a license.

As for Ola, the company originally entered the UK in 2018 by starting operations in South Wales. It has since expanded to a number of prominent cities in the country, including Birmingham, Bristol and Liverpool. The company has provided more than 3 million rides with over 11,000 drivers operating on the platform around the country.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/ola-london-launch-feb-10/

Latest UFS 3.1 Standard Brings Faster Performance, Better Efficiency https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/UFS-card-shutterstock-website.jpg

The Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) on Friday published the specifications for the UFS v3.1 (JESD220E) standard as an upgrade to UFS 3.0. According to the JEDEC, the new standard has been developed for mobile applications and computing systems requiring high performance with low power consumption. That being the case, it offers new features to increase read/ write speeds while minimising power usage.

As such, UFS 3.1 defines a number of key updates over the prior version, including ‘Write Booster’ – a SLC non-volatile cache that amplifies write speed; ‘DeepSleep’ – a new UFS device low power state for entry-level devices, and ‘Performance Throttling Notifications’ that enable the UFS device to notify the host when storage performance is throttled due to high temperature.

In addition to UFS 3.1, the organisation has also published an optional new companion standard called UFS Host Performance Booster (HPB) Extension (JESD220-3). It is said to provide an option to cache the UFS device logical-to-physical address map in the system’s DRAM. “For UFS devices with a large density, using system DRAM provides larger and faster caching thereby improving the read performance of the device”, said the organisation in an official press release.

It’s worth noting here that UFS 3.0 storage was used in only a number of flagship smartphones last year, including the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 lineup. UFS 2.1 NAND remains the default standard for flash storage, with most flagship smartphones last year sticking to the older standard. In fact, most entry-level and mid-range smartphones continue to ship with eMMC storage, so it will be interesting to see when the latest standard will make their way to consumer devices going forward.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/ufs-3-1-standard-faster-performance-efficiency/

Instagram to Introduce Reactions in DMs https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Instagram-DM-Reactions.jpg

Twitter recently brought reactions in direct messages and now, it appears like Instagram is planning to bring a handful of reactions in DMs. Popular reverse engineer Jane Manchun Wong managed to make new DM reactions work in her profile, which gives us an early look at the feature.

Jane took to Twitter to share the feature. In the attached GIF, we can see a swarm of emojis flying above as soon as you react to a message. According to Jane, the feature is currently under internal testing and hence, non-employees can only see the regular heart reaction for now. Take a look at the tweet below.

Instagram is working on Reactions for Direct Messages

Currently, “non-employees can only see the ❤️ reaction”

Facebook’s Tech Comms Manager @alexvoica confirmed this unreleased feature and this is “something they’ve been testing for a few days” pic.twitter.com/EzVWfA6Doo

— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) January 30, 2020

 

In the tweet, she mentions that Facebook’s Tech Comms Manager Alexandru Voica has confirmed the existence of this unreleased feature. Voica said that they’ve been testing the feature for a few days.

In case you’re unaware, Instagram always had an option to double-tap to like a message which in turn shows a heart icon on the message. This update will bring more flexibility to the feature, making it similar to Facebook’s Messenger.

Unlike Twitter DM reactions, we see an angry reaction 😡 in the GIF so that you can express your anger without being verbally rude. However, Twitter had an angry reaction as well when Jane reverse-engineered the feature back in October but it got omitted in the final rollout.

As Jane points out, Instagram has been working on DM reactions since late October 2019. We could expect the company to bring this feature to users in the upcoming months. I hope Instagram doesn’t follow the footsteps of Twitter to remove angry reaction emojis when they roll out the feature sometime in the future.

So, what are your thoughts on Instagram DM reactions? Tell us in the comments.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/instagram-dm-reactions/

Apple Has Started Trial Production of iPhone SE Successor: Report https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/iPhone-se2-iPhone-9-render-website.jpg

In spite of no official word from Apple, a whole bunch of leaks over the past several months have all but confirmed the company’s plans to launch at least one – maybe even two – successors to the iPhone SE this year. Now, a new report out of China suggests that the company may have already started trial production of its next-gen affordable smartphones, rumored to be marketed as the iPhone 9.

According to Chinese tech blog, MyDrivers, the report comes from unnamed ‘industry sources’ in China, who further claimed that mass production of the device will start in mid-February before it is officially announced in March. The company is also reportedly expecting total shipments for the phone to exceed 30 million units globally.

The report also reiterates that the device will be named iPhone 9 instead of iPhone SE 2 and, would be priced under 3,000 yuan (around Rs. 30,000) in China. As pointed out by GizmoChina, that would be in line with the pricing of the original iPhone SE, which was priced at $399 in the US, although, it had a significantly higher price-tag in India.

Apple has long been rumored to launch its successor to the iPhone SE in early 2020, but recent reports have also suggested that Apple might launch a grand total of six iPhones this year, including not one, but two low-cost iPhone SE successors that are said to come with an iPhone 8-like form-factor, but with the latest hardware under-the-hood, including the company’s latest A13 Bionic processor, alongside 3GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 128GB of storage, although, it’s unlikely to have 3D Touch.

Featured Image Courtesy: @OnLeaks / iGeeksBlog

from Beebom https://beebom.com/apple-trial-production-iphone-se-successor/

Top 5 Facebook Messenger App Alternatives that Actually Work https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Top-5-Facebook-Messenger-App-Alternatives-that-Work-2020.jpg

With more than a billion active users, Facebook Messenger has become one of the most popular instant-messaging apps on the market. The app has a ton of features and lets users play online games, share images, videos, stories, GIFs, and more. However, all that comes at a price. In an attempt to offer a versatile messaging app, Facebook has turned its Messenger app into a cluttered mess. Not only that, Facebook Messenger can also impact other apps installed on your phone and can reduce battery life by a significant margin. Thankfully there are a number of excellent Facebook Messenger app alternatives that actually work. In this article, we are going to list out our favorite Facebook Messenger alternatives.

Facebook Messenger App Alternatives in 2020

All of the apps mentioned below are quite good and can work as an excellent Facebook Messenger alternative. So, read their description carefully and choose the one that fits your needs.

1. Facebook Messenger Lite

Much like Facebook Lite, the Facebook Messenger Lite is a stripped down version of the Messenger app. The app is primarily aimed at people in developing countries where the internet speeds are pretty slow. However, it can be used by anyone who is looking to get rid of unwanted features like Stories or online games from Facebook Messenger. If that is something you would like to have Messenger Lite will be the best Facebook Messenger alternative for you.

The app offers all the core features from Messenger, like sending & receiving messages, stickers, sharing photos & links, etc. The app is divided into three different tabs, each of which are dedicated to different things. The first tab is a dedicated place for chats. It’s essentially a place where you’ll see all your conversations. The next tab is where you’ll see your active friends. You can simply tap on them to start a conversation or pick up from where you left off. The last tab is a dedicated place for Facebook Messenger settings. There’s also a Facebook button which will take you directly to the main Facebook app.

Despite being a lite version of the main app, Facebook Messenger Lite also lets you make and receive both audio and videos calls as well. So, if you are interested in using a lite app without having to worry about performance issues, then Facebook Messenger Lite is a good alternative to the Messenger app.

Download Facebook Messenger Lite (Free)

2. Disa

Disa is a multi-messenger service that unites several messaging services under a single roof and the fact that each service works using a third-party open source plugin makes it the most valuable contender in the list. After installing the app, you will have to add the Facebook Messenger as a plugin and it will be downloaded from an external source.

Disa will then ask you to login to Facebook using your credentials. That’s all. You will be shown the list of friends and you can start chatting with them without any issues. It is, however, worth pointing out that Disa is very limited when it comes to features.

You’ll be restricted to just sending and receiving messages. You’ll also be able to send photos, videos, etc., but other options such as sending GIFs, and stickers are missing. And unlike Facebook Messenger Lite, you won’t be able to initiate or receive calls as well. So, overall, Disa is a very basic Facebook Messenger client that gets the job done. In addition to Facebook, you can also add and manage your Telegram account and use Disa for SMS.

Download Disa (Free)

3. Swipe for Facebook

Swipe is essentially not a standalone Facebook Messenger alternative, but it comes with Facebook and Messenger packed into one simple app. You can access all your Facebook messages in a separate window with minimal interference from the News Feed. The best part about Swipe is that you don’t lose on any of your Facebook Messenger features like Chat heads, real-time notification, media sharing, and more. On top of that, you are getting top-notch experience as the app allows you to block all the Facebook ads natively.

Apart from that, the app is pretty lightweight and bloat-free and does not ask for any permission whatsoever. So if you are looking for a Facebook Messenger alternative for privacy reasons, Swipe is the best app you can go for. Not to mention, the app is highly customizable and you have options for dark mode scheduling, DND, fingerprint lock and more. So considering all the points, Swipe seems one of the best Messenger alternatives in this list.

Download Swipe (Free, Offers in-app purchases)

4. Folio for Facebook & Messenger

Folio is another Facebook Messenger app alternative that is fast, reliable, privacy-friendly and does what you expect from a Messenger app. Sure, the app also brings the Facebook News Feed, but you get all your Messages in a separate window. In case you are wondering how does it work? Well, it uses the Facebook Lite wrapper to bring all your messages and information in one place.

Other than that, what I like about this app is its lightweight size which translates to great battery life. Unlike Facebook Messenger, it does not hog your battery and performs reliably well. In addition, you can lock Folio with a 4-digit PIN and there is also support for night mode. All in all, if you want a Facebook Messenger alternative that does not take up much storage or drain the battery constantly then Folio would be a good app to pick.

Download Folio (Free, Offers in-app purchases)

5. Friendly

Friendly is really good alternative to the Facebook Messenger app. The app lets you use both Facebook and Messenger from one place. As soon as you install the app and log in to your Facebook account, you’ll be taken straight to your News Feed. From there, you can either choose to use it as the Facebook app or tap on the Messenger icon to use Messenger and chat with your Facebook Friends.

When it comes to Messenger, you can do things like send and receive messages, share images, videos, emojis, stickers, and more. The only thing missing here is again the ability to make calls. So you’ll still have to use the Messenger Lite app for that. But apart from that Friendly is a really great alternative to the Messenger app.

In addition to Facebook, you can also use Friendly to manage other platforms like Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and more. It’s a really handy feature, as Friendly can essentially act as a one-stop app for all your social media needs. The app is completely free to use and it works really well.

Download Friendly (Free)

The Best Facebook Messenger App Alternatives in 2020

Well, those were some of the best Facebook Messenger alternatives that you can use to stay up to date with your Facebook Friends. Facebook Messenger Lite is our recommendation as it works well for most users, as it’s a first party apps and works flawlessly. However, the third-party apps bring some unique features (like ad-blocking) that make them worth giving a shot. Do test these apps and let us know your favorite ones in the comments below.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/facebook-messenger-alternative/

EU Votes to Introduce Common Mobile Chargers, Rejecting Apple’s Protests https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Charger-Charging-Cable-USB-shutterstock-website.jpg

In a move that activists believe can go a long way towards tackling the increasing e-waste problem, the EU has overwhelmingly voted in favor of new regulations to establish a common standard for mobile chargers. The resolution, which was officially proposed earlier this month, passed by a whopping 582-40 margin, urging the European Commission, which drafts EU laws, to formulate rules that will make it mandatory for all consumer electronics companies to make their mobile chargers fully compatible with devices from other vendors.

The vote comes after years of unfruitful debates, which saw many Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) passionately arguing in favor of a common standard. As expected, though, Apple has already opposed the move, saying that regulation to force conformity would stifle innovation and hurt consumers. The resolution, meanwhile, states that such a law should be formulated by July, giving the industry just about six months to get ready for the impending regulation.

According to the EU, the imposition of mandatory regulations became incumbent upon the organization after the Commission’s approach of ‘encouraging’ the industry to develop common chargers fell short of the objectives. According to a statement released earlier this month, the step was necessary because “the voluntary agreements between different industry players have not yielded the desired results”.

Estimates quoted by the EU claims that old chargers generate more than 51,000 tonnes of electronic waste per year, which is why a common charger that fits all mobile phones, tablets, e-book readers and other portable devices has become a necessity. According to some observers, it is an important step not only for environmental reasons, but also to save regular consumers from the hassle of having to carry multiple chargers and cables for their phones, tablets, e-readers, etc.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/eu-votes-to-introduce-common-mobile-chargers-rejecting-apples-protests/

Apple Engineers Propose a New Standard for SMS OTPs https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Apple-Engineers-Propose-a-New-Standard-for-SMS-OTPs.jpg

Engineers at Apple have proposed a standardized format for SMS One-Time Passcodes (OTP). To be specific, Apple engineers working on WebKit, the core-component of the Safari web browser have put forth the proposal with two goals.

Firstly, the engineers want to eliminate the need for manually copying and pasting codes from SMSes, which can be annoying at times. In addition, they aim to establish a standard so that websites could trust the source of SMS and ensure that the SMS is being entered on the intended source website thereby making the system more secure.

To achieve these goals, the engineers propose a “lightweight text format” with the URL of the website added right into the SMS. Companies could also add the text they want at the beginning of the SMS. Take a look at the sample OTP SMS below for better understanding.

747723 is your FooBar authentication code.

@foobar.com #747723

In the above example, “747723 is your FooBar authentication code” represents the text added by brands while “@foobar.com” denotes the origin URL (https://foobar.com) and “#747723” is the actual OTP code.

“‘@’ and ‘#’ are sigils used to identify the text that follows them. Any origin which is schemelessly same site as https://foobar.com/ is an origin on which this code may be used.”, note the engineers.

This approach could make it easier for apps and websites to identify OTPs without compromising on security. If implemented, this could also eliminate spammy and malicious actors from taking over accounts with phishing sites.

As of now, Apple WebKit engineers and Google engineers have welcomed the proposal. There is no word from Firefox engineers so far. We could expect this new SMS feature to be rolled out in future browser updates. If it gets rolled out, third-party apps and services are more likely to adopt the technique which in turn would make it an industry standard for OTPs.

So, what are your thoughts on this new OTP  format? Let us know in the comments.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/apple-engineers-propose-a-new-standard-for-sms-otps/

Google’s ‘OpenSK’ Platform Lets You Build Your Own 2FA Key https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/OpenSK-website.jpg

In a move that can go a long way towards enabling DIY enthusiasts and third-party hardware vendors build their own FIDO security keys and improve consumer access to hardware authenticator implementations, Google on Thursday open-sourced the firmware needed to create two-factor authentication (2FA) security keys. Called OpenSK, it supports both FIDO U2F and FIDO2 standards, said the company in an official blog post.

According to Google, the OpenSK project is coded in Rust and runs on TockOS to “provide better isolation and cleaner OS abstractions in support of security”. The firmware can be flashed onto Nordic chip dongles that support all major transport protocols mentioned by FIDO2, including NFC, Bluetooth Low Energy, USB and a dedicated hardware crypto core.

In a statement, Kjetil Holstad, the Director of Product Management at Nordic Semiconductor, said that the company was happy to collaborate with Google on the project. “We’re excited to collaborate with Google and the open source community on the new OpenSK research platform. We hope that our industry leading nRF52840’s native support for secure cryptographic acceleration combined with new features and testing in OpenSK will help the industry gain mainstream adoption of security keys”.

In addition to open-sourcing the firmware, Google is also providing a custom, 3D-printable case to protect and carry the custom key. The design, says Google, works on a variety of 3D printers. You can learn more about the entire OpenSK project and gather tips on how you can make your own security key by checking out Google’s official Github repository.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/google-opensk-platform-2fa-key/

Realme XT Starts Receiving Realme UI Update Based on Android 10 https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/farmto-table-20.jpg

Realme launched the Realme XT, the first 64MP camera phone in India last September. The device shipped with ColorOS 6 based on Android 9 Pie. Realme has now started rolling out the company’s new Realme UI based on Android 10 for the smartphone.

The update brings a whole bunch of new features including dark mode, focus mode, partial screenshots, smart sidebar, and native screen recording with internal audio to name a few. The update bears the version number RMX1931EX_11.A.09 and the update size is 3.08GB.

You get a new charging animation, new recent apps management feature, optimized Game Space, new live wallpapers, animated wallpapers on the lock screen, improved Camera UI, and enhanced Realme Share. In case you’re out of the loop, you can now send and receive files from OPPO, Vivo, and Xiaomi devices using realme Share.

With Realme UI, you get the option to choose between global search and notification panel when you swipe down from the home screen. This was something missing on ColorOS where you were limited to Global Search. You can also customize the size, shape, and style of app icons on the home screen.

For those interested in security-related features, Realme UI brings a random MAC address generator feature that creates a random MAC address when you connect to a Wi-Fi network so that you could stay away from targeted ads and protect your privacy. You can read our article on Realme UI features if you’re interested to learn more about Realme UI.

In case your Realme XT has not received an OTA update yet, make sure to check back in a couple of days as OTA updates could take a while to reach all the supported devices. In the meantime, if you have already updated your Realme XT to the latest Realme UI, let us know your experience in the comments.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/realme-xt-realme-ui-rolling-out/

Apex Legends Season 4 Trailer Reveals Humanoid Assassin Revenant https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Apex-Legends-Revnant-website.jpg

Respawn Entertainment has released the Apex Legends Season 4 trailer that shows us a typical day in the life of the latest character in the game, Revenant, who transformed from human to a terrifying robotic assassin. He is part of the game’s Season 4, called Assimilation, which will start February 4.

The trailer shows Revenant turning up at the restaurant where the target was having dinner with his wife and daughter. However, all hell breaks loose when he gatecrashes the quiet family event and starts killing off the guards one by one. He then proceeds to shoot the target’s wife point blank before killing the man by dropping him off the broken window of the highrise building.

The trailer ends with the victims’ daughter mourning the loss of her parents, but seething with anger in a way that suggests EA could introduce her character in the game next season as a grown woman out for revenge against Revenant and Hammond Robotics. Now whether this means Forge will come back from the dead and team up with the girl against Hammond and Revenant, remains to be seen.

Describing the character, Respawn said: “Revenant used to be human. He was the greatest hitman the Mercenary Syndicate ever had. But when his programming eventually failed, he saw what Hammond Robotics had turned him into: a walking nightmare of steel and vestigial flesh. The return of Hammond Robotics to the Outlands has renewed his thirst for vengeance, and he won’t stop until they’re all dead. Of course, he doesn’t mind eviscerating a few Legends along the way”.

If the trailer is anything to go by, the upcoming season will be highly interesting, and given that it is set to start in a few days from now, it shouldn’t be long before we get more details.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/apex-legends-season-4-trailer-reveals-humanoid-assassin-revenant/

25 Cool Telegram Messenger Tricks You Should Know https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/25-Cool-Telegram-Messenger-Tricks-You-Should-Know-2020.jpg

Speed, security, and simplicity are a few of the virtues that make Telegram a very nifty communication medium. True to its metaphorical ancestor which also inspired its name, the messenger is minimal and focuses on conveying the message clearly. It also lets you customize the interface as well as the overall messaging experience. Above all, Telegram is completely free and does not come with the hidden cost in the form of a threat to your privacy or security. Whether you’re bothered about declining privacy and the dirty business of ads almost everywhere online, or just want to cut loose of the noise from ever-buzzing WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger chats, Telegram is a good place to start. Here we have listed out some Telegram Messenger tricks and tips that will help you know the messenger better and use it more effectively.

Cool and Best Telegram Messenger Tricks in 2020

1. Add Nearby People and Group

Last year, Telegram brought a unique feature that allows you to discover Telegram users and groups based on your location. This comes really handy when you want to add someone to your Telegram without sharing your mobile number. Also, if you are going to conferences, campuses or festivals, you can find several groups related to the place and event just like that. To add nearby people, open the Telegram menu and go to “Contacts”. Here, tap on “Add People Nearby” and there you have it. Keep in mind, for this feature to work, other users should also have this screen opened on their Telegram app.

2. Edit Sent Messages

Does it ever happen that you send a message, and within a few seconds you find out a glaring typo? Well, there is an edit button to save you on Telegram, but not so much on Twitter. All you have to do is select the message and tap on the “Edit (pen)” icon at the top and you can easily edit the message. However, it will show you an “Edited” label after you have made the changes. Also, there are no time-bound restrictions for editing messages on Telegram.

3. Send Silent Messages

There are times when we know our close ones studying, sleeping, or attending meetings, but we want to send some messages without disturbing them. Well, there is a feature called Silent Messages on Telegram. Basically, you can send messages and it will not make any sound or vibration even if the recipient has not turned on DND. That’s great, right? So to use this feature, type out your message and then tap and hold the “send” button. Here, choose “Send without sound” and you are done.

4. Schedule Messages

For power users, scheduling is a great way to achieve many tasks at a given time. We already use email scheduling a lot, but it’s awesome to see Telegram bringing this feature for messages as well. As you saw above, you can schedule a message just by pressing and holding the “send” button. Here, choose “Schedule message” and pick the date and time. The message will be sent at your preferred time.

5. Delete Sender’s Message

You can surely delete messages that you have sent until 48 hours, but Telegram has brought a new feature that lets you delete messages sent by other users too. That’s kind of weird, but this feature is for users who prioritize privacy over everything. To use this feature, just select the received message and tap on the “delete” button. Now, select “Also delete for X” and tap on “Delete”. The message will disappear from both ends without leaving any trace.

6. Self-destruct Media in Normal Chats

Self-destruct is a popular feature on Telegram, but it has been limited to the separate “Secret Chat” option only. However, with the recent update, now you can self-destruct media like photos and videos on normal chats too. Just select a photo or video and then tap on the “timer” button. Now, you can choose the time after which the media will be deleted from everywhere.

7. Set Reminders

Reminder on messaging apps has been one of the most sought-after features and finally, you can use it on Telegram. Recently, WhatsApp partnered with Any.do to bring Reminders, however, Telegram has implemented this feature natively. Though there is one lingering issue. You can only set reminders in the “Saved Messages” section. Type out the task and tap and hold the “send” button. Here, choose “set a reminder” and pick your date and time. Telegram will send a reminder notification just like Google Calendar or other task management apps. While the feature is good, we would have loved it more had it been available for user chats too.

8. Quick GIF and YouTube Search

So you want to quickly send a GIF or a YouTube link without leaving the Telegram app? Just type @gif or @youtube and enter your search query. Instantly, you will find the desired results in the chat screen itself. That’s absolutely great and we love to see this kind of deep third-party integration with popular services.

9. Slow Mode

If you are a group admin on Telegram, Slow Mode is what you need to stop unnecessary spam and make the conversation more orderly. After you turn on the slow mode and choose the time interval, group members will have a restriction to send one message in the defined interval. Say, for instance, if you choose the time interval to be 15 seconds, after sending one message, the group member will have to wait 15 seconds to send another message. It will definitely raise the value of each member and individual messages. You can turn on Slow Mode by tapping on the Group name -> Edit (pen icon) -> Permissions -> Slow Mode.

10. Copy a Part of Text from a Message

One of the nagging issues I have with WhatsApp is its extremely limited text editing features. For example, if someone sends a message, you can’t select a part of text from the message. You will have to copy the whole message and then edit it out in the small text field which frankly is very annoying. However, Telegram has brought a great way to select and copy a part of a message. Tap and hold on a message to select it first and then again tap and hold to select your part of the message. That’s ingenious, right?

11. Polls and Quiz Mode

If you love Twitter polls, well, now you can get the same feature on Telegram Groups as well. You can create both anonymous and visible polls and also schedule them accordingly. Other than that, there is also a Quiz Mode which allows you to see who voted for what. And the best part is that you can set up quizzes with multiple answers. So, if you run a Telegram group, this is the best way to settle scores with your friends and family. To create polls, simply tap on the “attachment” icon and select the “Polls” menu. And for Quizzes, you can go through Telegram’s guide over here.

12. Create Timestamp for Videos

Just like we can share videos with a pre-defined timestamp of YouTube videos, we can do the same thing on Telegram as well. For example, if you are sending a long video and want the user to play it from a specific timestamp say, 1:20, you can just type check the reaction at 1:20 in the video caption. Now when the user taps on the highlighted 1:20 link, the video plays from that particular timestamp. This is a helpful tip for users who send videos on Telegram regularly.

13. Send Uncompressed Media without Changing the File Extension

On WhatsApp and other messaging apps, you can send uncompressed media by changing the media extension to something like PDF or EXE. However, on Telegram, you don’t need to take this hacky route for sending uncompressed media files. Just select your media and tap on the 3-dot menu. After that, choose “Send without compression” and that is it. How awesome is that?

14. Stop Being Added to Random Groups

One of the worst parts about messaging apps is that anyone can add you to random groups without your active permission. However, the good part is that Telegram gives you an option to disable it altogether. You can change the desired settings from Settings menu -> Privacy and Security -> Groups -> My Contacts and then select all the Telegram users to “Never Allow”.

15. View Search Results in List View

Finally, Telegram has brought a list view for search results in chronological order. Earlier, finding something by incessantly tapping on “next” was a tiring exercise. Now, you can just search for the term and tap on the “search bar” at the bottom to find all the search results in the list view.

16. Turn Off Notifications for Individual Contacts

We all have that one person that annoys us by sending too many forwarded messages. Well, Telegram makes it really easy to silence such a contact. Just open the chat and tap on the profile photo of the contact.

Now tap on Notifications and mute the contact for either a custom period of time or forever. I generally leave it for forever.

17. Change Phone Numbers

One of the things that I love about Telegram is that the service gives me an easy way to change my phone number attached to my account without making me lose all my previous chats. If you also want to switch your Telegram number, it’s pretty easy to do. First, tap on Settings and then tap on your mobile number.

Here, Telegram will give you some information about what happens when you change your number. Basically, all your messages will be moved to the new number and your new number will be automatically added to all your existing Telegram contacts, barring the blocked contacts. It’s way easier then re-sharing your new number with everyone. To change the number, tap on the “Change Number”, enter the new number and follow the process on your screen.

18. Use Multiple Telegram Accounts

With the latest updates, Telegram also allows users to have multiple accounts. This is great for people like me who like to keep their work and personal accounts separate. To add a new account, tap on the arrow beside your name and tap on Add Account.

After you have done, that all you need to do is enter your new number and then follow the process on your screen. Once you have created your account, you can switch between your accounts by clicking on the down arrow and selecting the account that you want to choose.

19. Custom Theme Telegram

The fact that Telegram allows users to create and install their custom theme makes using the service a joy. Basically, you can customize your Telegram app to look however you want it to. To create your own theme go to Settings->Chat Settings ->Theme and tap on “Create New Theme”. Here, first add a custom Name of your Theme and then tap OK.

Once you have added your theme, you will see a new paint button has appeared at the top. Tap on it and then you will see the names of different elements that you can edit.

To edit any element’s color, tap on it and then select your desired color. Once you are done editing, tap on Save Theme and your customized theme will be saved and applied.

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of customizing your own theme and still want to theme your Telegram, you can do that too. To do that, tap on the search icon and search for the word Themes. In the results, tap on Android Themes Channel. The channel houses the list of all the themes that people create and share. Just scroll to find the one you like. Once you find a theme that you like, tap on the download icon. Once it’s downloaded, tap on it again and then tap on the Apply button.

And now you have your own newly themed Telegram. There are so many themes on the Android Themes channel that you can change them daily and still won’t run out of them in years, so enjoy!!

20. Enable Auto-Night Mode

If you like to use dark themes only in the night so that the app doesn’t blind you, enabling auto-night mode can save you a lot of hassle. Once you turn the auto-night mode on, the app will automatically switch to dark mode at the scheduled time. To enable auto-night mode go to Settings-> Chat Settings-> Themes and tap on Auto-Night Mode. Here you can select between Automatic and Scheduled.

If you select the Scheduled option, the auto-night mode will kick in at a pre-defined time which you can change. If you select the Automatic mode, the auto-night mode will start depending on the ambient light. You can slide the slider to select at what percentage of the ambient lighting do you want the night mode to start at. Personally, I prefer the scheduling option, however, you can use the one you like.

21. Lock Your Chats

There’s no denying the fact that Telegram became as popular as it is because of its focus on privacy. The service not only provides end-to-end encryption on the server-side of the things but also allows users to lock their chats. This is great for safeguarding your personal chats when you are handing out your device to anyone else.

To lock a chat go to Settings->Privacy and Security->Passcode Lock and enable it. Once you create a passcode and enable it, you will be able to lock and unlock your chats by tapping on the lock icon at the top right of the app.

22. Use Hashtags to Organize Your Chats

A great way to organize your chats inside a group or channel is by using hashtags. When you use a hashtag in a message, that word becomes searchable allowing you to see all the messages relating to that topic. For example, if the group is discussing the new Avengers movie, everyone can use the Avengers hashtag. If you want to see all the messages in one location, you can just tap on the hashtag and all the messages with that hashtag will come up.

23. Share Live Location

Just like WhatsApp, Telegram also allows you to share live location with your contacts. This is a very handy feature that I personally use on a regular basis. To share your live location with someone, first open the chat and tap on the attachment button. Now, tap on location.

Here you will get the option to share either your current location or your live location. Select the live location option and then select the time limit for which your location will be shared with the person. Now, all you need to do is hit that share button to share your live location.

24. Pin Messages in Channels

As you might now, Telegram allows you to create Channels which is a tool for broadcasting public messages to large audiences. The basic difference between a group and a Channel is the fact that a Channel can have unlimited numbers and the messages you sent inside a Channel are marked with the Channel name and not yours. However, if your channel is very large, it might become difficult to broadcast a message which is ready by everyone before it is lost in other messages. To solve this problem, you can pin messages inside a Channel. To pin a message, just tap on it and tap on Pin. Now the message will always be on top before the reader removes them.

25. Turn on Secret Chat

If you prefer keeping the sensitive content of your chats limited to yourself and avoiding it from being intercepted by a hacker or the authorities in your country or region, you must use the Secret Chat option. While normal chats in Telegram are user-to-server encrypted and cannot be read unless someone breaches Telegram’s servers, Secret Chats take it to a new level by providing user-to-user encryption. These chats are meant to be short-lived and not stored on Telegram’s servers.

Besides these security enhancements, you can set a self-destruct timer of duration varying from one second to one week. Furthermore, you or the other person cannot forward messages that you receive within the Secret Chat and taking screenshots (or screen recordings) is completely blocked. Currently, the Secret Chat is limited to conversations between only two people and Secret Groups are not supported within Telegram.

To start a Secret Chat, you can either tap on the option in the hamburger menu and select a contact to start the chat. Alternatively, you can go to an existing chat, tap on the top bar for the user’s information and scroll down to find the “Start Secret Chat” option at the very bottom of the page. Once you tap on the option, the other person will have to accept your invitation to initiate the Secret Chat.

Telegram Messenger Tricks for Better Communication

Telegram is a great tool focussed on making communication better and safer. Not only does Telegram warrant more security through features like end-to-end encryption and self-destructing but it also lets you customize the interface and experience significantly. Using these tips and tricks we’ve listed above, we hope you should have a better chance of being able yourself to call a Telegram tricks expert.

Do you think we missed out on something? Make sure you tell us in the comments below because that’s we’ll learn about your expectations and our shortcomings.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/cool-telegram-messenger-tricks/

Bezos Wouldn’t be Hacked if He Was Using Telegram, Claims Telegram Founder https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/whatsapp-telegram-media-files-hackable.jpg

Private instant messaging app Telegram’s founder Pavel Durov has said Amazon Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos’ data may not have been hacked if he had relied on Telegram instead of Facebook-owned WhatsApp which is full of malicious “backdoor” bugs.

Facebook has blamed Apple’s operating system for the hacking of Bezos’ phone, saying WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption is unhackable.

Investigators believe that Bezos’s iPhone was compromised after he received a 4.4MB video file containing malware via WhatsApp – in the same way when phones of 1,400 select journalists and human rights activists were broken into by Pegasus software from Israel-based NSO Group last year.

“WhatsApp’s ‘corrupt video’ vulnerability was present not only on iOS, but also on Android and even Windows Phone devices. Meaning, on all mobile devices with WhatsApp installed,” Durov wrote in a blog post late Thursday.

“This security fault was not present in other messaging apps on iOS. Had Jeff Bezos relied on Telegram instead of WhatsApp, he wouldn’t have been blackmailed by people who compromised his communications,” he added.

According to Durov, WhatsApp uses the words “end-to-end encryption” as some magic incantation that alone is supposed to automatically make all communications secure. However, this technology “is not a silver bullet that can guarantee you absolute privacy by itself”.

According to Durov, there are backdoors that are camouflaged as “accidental” security flaws and may lead to such instances.

“Enforcement agencies are not too happy with encryption, forcing app developers to secretly plant vulnerabilities in their apps. I know that because we’ve been approached by some of them — and refused to cooperate. As a result, Telegram is banned in some countries where WhatsApp has no issues with authorities, most suspiciously in Russia and Iran,” noted Durov.

In an interview to the BBC last week, Facebook’s Vice President of Global Affairs and Communications, Nick Clegg, said it wasn’t WhatsApp’s fault because end-to-end encryption is unhackable and blamed Apple’s operating system for Bezos’ episode.

“It sounds like something on the… you know, what they call the operate, operated on the phone itself. It can’t have been anything, when the message was sent, in transit, because that’s end-to-end encrypted on WhatsApp,” Clegg had told the show host.

According to a report from FTI Consulting, a firm that has investigated Bezos’ phone, after that the video file was received, Bezos’ phone started sending unusually large amounts of outbound data, including his intimate messages with his girlfriend Lauren Sanchez.

According to Clegg, “something” must have affected the phone’s operating system.
“Consequently, the issue was not iOS-specific, but WhatsApp specific,” replied Durov.

“Telegram rolled out end-to-end encryption for mass communication years before WhatsApp followed suit, and we’ve been mindful not only of the strengths, but also the limitations of this technology. Other aspects of a messaging app can render end-to-end encryption useless. Below are three examples of what can go wrong,” he added.

The fact that Apple was forced by the FBI to abandon encryption plans for iCloud is telling. “That’s one of the reasons why Telegram never relies on third-party cloud backups, and Secret Chats are never backed up anywhere,” said the Telegram founder.

WhatsApp has 1.5 billion users globally while Telegram has 200-300 million users. “Some could say that, as a founder of a rival app, I may be biased when criticizing WhatsApp. Of course I am. Of course I consider Telegram Secret Chats to be significantly more secure than any competing means of communication – why else would I be developing and using Telegram?”

from Beebom https://beebom.com/bezos-hack-preventable-telegram-founder/