Author: Daniel (The Tech Blog UK)

In January 2024, Meta introduced the Link History feature in the Facebook mobile app, allowing users to view a list of websites they’ve visited from the social network. How it works: – When you click on a link within the Facebook app that leads to a webpage, it gets logged and stored for 30 days. – Link History has its own dedicated section in the app, similar to browsing history in web browsers. – It’s not enabled by default; users need to opt in to use it. Privacy Implications: – Enabling Link History allows Meta to track the sites you…

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WhatsApp users should be aware of a significant change this year that could potentially incur additional costs. It’s time to review your phone’s settings to avoid these new charges. Starting from 2024, WhatsApp chat backups for Android users will now be included in the Google cloud storage quota. Each Google Account is allocated 15GB of free storage, but if your combined use across Google Drive, Google Photos, and Gmail exceeds this limit, you might need to consider purchasing extra storage. Google announced this update in a recent blog post, stating, ‘WhatsApp backups on Android will soon contribute to your Google…

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Excitement is building in the tech community as Samsung has finally announced the launch date for its much-anticipated Galaxy S24 series. The unveiling is scheduled for January 17 at the Unpacked event, which will also feature the debut of Galaxy AI. The event is set to start at 10 AM Pacific Time. This translates to 1 PM Eastern, 6 PM for those tuning in from London, 7 PM Central European Time, and 11:30 PM in India. For enthusiasts in the easternmost regions like South Korea, China, and Australia, the live stream will be available in the early morning hours of…

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Are you earning a tidy sum from online clothing sales or making a profit from renting out your spare room? For those involved in such online ‘side hustles’, it’s essential to be aware that tax regulations are becoming stricter this year. Starting from 1 January, platforms like Vinted, Airbnb, and eBay are now required to gather and share transaction details with tax authorities. This development enables HMRC to target individuals who may not be declaring additional income. Previously, HMRC could request data from UK-based online services, but new international regulations under the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) now…

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In a significant development, Apple has reinstated the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 on its US online store following a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals. This move also signals the products’ likely availability in select Apple retail stores. The tech giant sought emergency relief this Tuesday, requesting a suspension of the import ban while appealing the decision. The appeals court has temporarily halted the ban, allowing Apple to resume sales of its latest Apple Watch models equipped with blood oxygen sensing features. The International Trade Commission (ITC) has been given until January 10 to…

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The Tech Blog News has just found out Starting 5 February 2024, Amazon is set to revamp its Prime Video streaming platform by integrating advertisements. This update will initially impact viewers in the UK and Germany, with a nominal fee of £2.99 per month for an ad-free experience. In a competitive move echoing Disney+ and Netflix, who have recently launched more economical ad-supported memberships, Amazon aims to balance content investment with viewer preferences. In a customer email, Amazon articulated its commitment to investing in high-quality content while promising significantly fewer ads compared to traditional linear TV and other streaming services.…

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Apple has successfully appealed for the resumption of sales of its latest smartwatch models in the US. This development follows a temporary halt in sales due to a patent dispute. The US had previously ceased the import and sale of Apple’s Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches, citing concerns over patented technology used for monitoring blood-oxygen levels. Masimo, a medical device company, had alleged that Apple infringed on its technology and hired away its staff. Despite the White House’s refusal to lift the ban on the Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches earlier this week, Apple voiced strong opposition to…

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As we gear up for the new year, we’re all looking for ways to save precious time. Picture this: you’re sorting out an issue that needs a call to customer support – maybe it’s about a canceled flight or a misplaced parcel. Now, if you’re a Pixel user, there’s a nifty feature just for you to make these calls a breeze! Introducing ‘Direct My Call’ – a Pixel-exclusive feature to zip through call menus with ease. When you call a company with an automated system, like some airlines or big stores, ‘Direct My Call’ will display the spoken options right…

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Crikey, have you caught wind of the latest drama with Apple? So, here’s the lowdown: there’s been a right kerfuffle over the Apple Watch 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Turns out, there are claims flying around that Apple might have nicked some tech, and because of that, they’ve had to yank these models off the shelves! Now, we don’t have all the nitty-gritty details yet, but it’s a pretty big deal. Apple’s usually on top of their game, so for them to pull two major products like this, well, it’s got everyone talking. It’s not every day you…

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