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Google Pay to Shut Down in the United States in June, Consolidating with Google Wallet

Google has announced its decision to shut down Google Pay in the United States by June, citing the widespread adoption of Google Wallet as the primary payment app. This move aims to streamline Google’s payment services, reducing confusion among users.

Following the shutdown, the standalone Google Pay app will only be accessible in Singapore and India. The company rationalizes this decision as a step towards consolidating its payment apps, positioning Google Wallet as the singular platform for payment features.

Google highlights that Google Wallet is extensively utilized, being five times more popular than Google Pay in the United States. Consequently, users can seamlessly access the app’s key features directly from Google Wallet.

Effective June 4, users in the United States will lose the ability to send, request, or receive money through the Google Pay app. They are encouraged to transfer their Google Pay balance to their bank account via the app before the deadline. Any remaining funds can be managed through the Google Pay website.

For users accustomed to finding offers and deals through the Google Pay app, Google assures that these features will still be available through the new deals destination on Google Search.

Google Wallet remains the primary mobile payment solution in the United States, enabling various functionalities like in-store payments, boarding passes, transit access, loyalty card storage, digital ID storage, and car ignition via a digital key.

Google underscores the global reach of Google Pay, with millions of users across more than 180 countries utilizing the platform for online, mobile, and in-store transactions.

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Match Group Partners with OpenAI to Boost Work Efficiency with AI

Match Group has announced a significant enterprise collaboration with OpenAI, the creator of the AI chatbot, in a recent press release drafted with assistance from ChatGPT. This venture encompasses more than 1,000 enterprise licenses for the renowned dating app conglomerate, which includes popular platforms like Tinder, Match, OKCupid, and Hinge. The integration of AI technology aims to support Match Group employees in their daily tasks and is part of Match’s substantial investment of over $20 million in AI for the year 2024.

Although press releases typically exude enthusiasm for company developments, the release authored with ChatGPT veers into exaggerated territory. It boasts about ChatGPT being the ultimate “wingman” for employees, describes the Chief Technology Officer’s overwhelming excitement, and even incorporates a cringe-worthy analogy about AI safety akin to a “prenup with technology.” The release further includes a quote purportedly from ChatGPT itself, expressing dubious excitement about the collaboration.

Beyond the theatrics of the press release, Match Group plans to leverage AI technology, specifically ChatGPT-4, to enhance various aspects of its operations, including coding, design, analysis, template creation, and communication tasks. Access to OpenAI’s tools will be restricted to trained and licensed Match Group personnel to safeguard corporate data. Additionally, employees will undergo mandatory training focusing on responsible AI use, its capabilities, and limitations, aligning with the company’s existing privacy practices and AI principles.

While Match Group did not disclose the financial details of the agreement or its impact on the company’s finances, it anticipates that AI tools will significantly enhance team productivity. Executives highlighted Match Group’s commitment to AI during the fourth-quarter earnings call, emphasizing its role in evolving existing products and developing new ones. AI is expected to revolutionize various aspects of the dating app experience, including profile creation, matching algorithms, and post-match guidance, with a focus on enhancing user safety.

CEO Bernard Kim underscored the strategic importance of AI to Match Group’s future, emphasizing its potential to elevate user experiences and product quality. The company is also exploring the creation of standalone AI-powered apps, with plans to commence testing in 2024. A dedicated innovation team is spearheading AI integration across Match’s app portfolio, supported by the expertise of Match’s acquisition, Hyperconnect.

Despite inquiries about Match Group’s broader AI initiatives leveraging OpenAI technology, the company refrained from providing details. However, Match Group has committed significant resources, allocating $20 million to $30 million towards AI innovation in 2024.

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MariaDB Faces Potential Takeover Bid from California-Based Investment Firm

MariaDB, the renowned open-source relational database management system, is once again in the spotlight as California-based K1 Investment Management has confirmed its submission of a provisional takeover offer.

Revealed quietly on Friday, K1 presented an “unsolicited non-binding indicative proposal” to MariaDB. This offer, subject to change during negotiations, suggests acquiring all MariaDB stock at a price of $0.55 per share, amounting to approximately $37 million based on the company’s February 5 valuation.

This development follows a period of significant internal changes for MariaDB, marked by the appointment of a new CEO and a substantial downsizing initiative, including divestment from its database-as-a-service and geospatial businesses.

MariaDB originated as a fork of MySQL fifteen years ago, driven by concerns about MySQL’s ownership following Oracle’s acquisition in 2009. Positioned as a fully open-source alternative, MariaDB has gained traction among major corporations for data storage and manipulation across applications.

Despite raising approximately $230 million in venture funding and going public via a SPAC in December 2022, MariaDB’s market performance has been lackluster. Facing successive earning reports, the company’s market capitalization plummeted below the New York Stock Exchange’s listing threshold of $50 million.

In response to financial pressures, MariaDB received a previous takeover proposal from existing investor Runa Capital, offering $0.56 per share. However, Runa Capital ultimately withdrew its bid, opting instead for a loan arrangement through an associated entity.

In early February of this year, MariaDB announced a forbearance agreement with creditors, leading to a temporary surge in its stock price. K1’s bid, reflecting a 189% premium over MariaDB’s pre-forbearance closing price, demonstrates the firm’s interest in the company.

K1 Investment Management’s Position Unlike traditional venture capital firms like Runa Capital, K1 specializes in later-stage investments and has a history of acquisitions. Notably, K1 acquired Australia’s ELMO Software for $319 million in 2022.

The March 29, 2024 deadline set by Irish Takeover Rules, applicable to MariaDB due to its headquarters in Dublin, marks the timeline for K1 to formalize its offer or withdraw.

Amidst commercial challenges, the MariaDB Foundation, overseeing the open-source project, secured a significant sponsorship deal with Amazon Web Services (AWS), ensuring continued support for the community-driven MariaDB.

The impending decision by K1 Investment Management underscores the pivotal moment for MariaDB, with potential implications for its future trajectory and the broader open-source database ecosystem.

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UAE’s Field Hospital in Gaza to Receive Starlink Internet Service for Real-Time Medical Consultations

The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) field hospital in southern Gaza will soon benefit from Starlink internet service, facilitated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The UAE’s foreign ministry announced this initiative on Wednesday, aiming to support patients requiring real-time video medical consultations.

Communication disruptions have plagued Gaza, with several blackouts occurring in the past four months, including a prolonged outage in January, the longest since the conflict began. Limited communication access has posed challenges for journalists, aid workers, and the general population, with some resorting to international or electronic SIM cards near the Israeli or Egyptian borders.

The Rafah-based hospital, among the few international field hospitals in Gaza, employs 50 healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and lab technicians. However, communication difficulties have hindered its ability to provide patients with necessary medical assistance through video conferences with other hospitals. The UAE, maintaining positive relations with Israel, operates one of the few field hospitals in Gaza.

According to a spokesperson for the UAE’s foreign ministry, Afra Al Hameli, this initiative underscores the UAE’s steadfast commitment to supporting the Palestinian people during the ongoing conflict.

Starlink, operated by SpaceX, utilizes a network of satellites to deliver broadband internet, offering high-speed, low-latency connectivity globally, even in areas lacking conventional internet infrastructure.

In October, Elon Musk faced criticism from Israeli officials after expressing his intention to provide Starlink to internationally recognized aid organizations in Gaza. Despite initial concerns about potential support for Hamas, Israeli communication minister Shlomo Karhi later announced a “principle understanding” with Musk regarding Starlink’s operation in Israel and Gaza, subject to Israeli government approval.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Israeli communication ministry confirmed the approval of Starlink services at the UAE’s field hospital in Rafah. However, Karhi emphasized that such approvals for units in Gaza would be granted on an individual basis, contingent upon confirmation from Israeli security forces regarding authorized entities with no threat to national security.

Musk’s visit to Israel in November, where he met with the country’s leaders and toured areas affected by conflict, aimed to address concerns sparked by his social media activity. The use of Starlink in international conflict zones highlights Musk’s influence as one of the world’s wealthiest individuals.

Criticism regarding Starlink’s deployment also arose in Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia. Despite SpaceX’s assertion of non-engagement with the Russian government or military, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence reported confirmed usage of Starlink by Russian forces in occupied areas.

In December, CNN became the first Western media outlet permitted to visit the field hospital in Rafah. Upon their arrival, medical teams swiftly attended to individuals injured by Israeli strikes, underscoring the hospital’s critical role in providing urgent medical care amid conflict. Despite challenges, the hospital’s staff and modern equipment have facilitated over 555 major surgeries and treated more than 4,038 cases in recent months, as reported by the foreign ministry.

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New York City Files Lawsuit Against Social Media Giants Over Alleged Harm to Youth Mental Health

New York City has taken a significant legal step by suing several social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube. The lawsuit alleges that these platforms’ designs exploit young users’ mental health and result in a staggering $100 million annual cost to the city for related health programs and services.

The city claims that these social media platforms are responsible for a rise in mental health issues among young people, such as depression and suicidal thoughts. According to the lawsuit, these issues place a heavy burden on cities, school districts, and public hospital systems that provide mental health services to youth.

This legal action comes in the wake of recent congressional hearings where executives from social media platforms faced tough questions regarding their impact on younger users, particularly teenage girls, and their exposure to harmful content affecting mental health and body image.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the significance of the lawsuit, likening it to past actions taken against tobacco and guns. The city seeks monetary damages and equitable relief to fund prevention education and mental health treatment.

In addition to the lawsuit, New York City unveiled a social media action plan aimed at holding these companies accountable, providing education and support to young people and families, and studying the long-term impacts of social media on youth.

Representatives from the social media companies responded to the allegations. Snapchat emphasized its focus on communication between close friends, while Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, highlighted the tools and features it provides to support users and parents. TikTok also mentioned various tools it offers to support young users, including automatic time limits.

Google, the parent company of YouTube, disputed the allegations, stating that it works with mental health experts to provide age-appropriate experiences and parental controls.

Mayor Adams reiterated his concerns about the harmful and addictive features of social media, which he believes are negatively impacting the lives of young people. He described the lawsuit as a bold action to hold these companies accountable for their role in the crisis.

However, suing social media platforms in the United States is challenging due to Section 230, a federal law that protects tech companies from being held liable for user-generated content. In contrast, the EU’s Digital Service Act allows for lawsuits against companies that violate the law, with penalties of up to 6% of their worldwide revenues.

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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Criticizes Apple’s Vision Pro Headset in Faceoff

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took a direct jab at Apple’s latest headset, the Vision Pro, in a recent video. The Vision Pro gained attention as celebrities like Diplo and T-Pain flaunted it in public, showcasing its “passthrough” feature that allows users to maintain awareness of their surroundings while using the headset.

However, Zuckerberg, in a video captured using Meta Quest 3’s passthrough feature, asserted that Meta’s headset is unequivocally superior, stating, “the best product, period.” Apple has yet to respond to these remarks.

Passthrough is a feature found in the latest mixed reality headsets, enabling users to see beyond the screen strapped to their head by utilizing external cameras to provide a live, high-definition video feed of their surroundings. Meta has been developing this technology for nearly a decade, and it’s also present in competing products like Sony’s PlayStation VR 2.

Zuckerberg expressed frustration that the Vision Pro is receiving acclaim for technology that exists elsewhere, emphasizing, “I think Quest is the better product, period.” He expressed surprise that despite its higher price tag of $3,000 (£2,400), the Vision Pro is not superior for most users’ needs compared to the Quest.

Several individuals have taken to social media to discuss returning their Apple headsets, citing concerns about the physical trade-offs. Zuckerberg highlighted various advantages of the Quest 3, including its wireless design, lighter weight, and wider field of view.

While acknowledging some advantages of the Vision Pro, such as higher resolution and eye-tracking, Zuckerberg criticized the numerous trade-offs made by Apple in other areas to achieve these features.

In a forward-looking statement, Zuckerberg discussed the future of mixed reality and criticized “fanboys” who blindly support Apple, emphasizing Meta’s commitment to an open model in contrast to Apple’s closed ecosystem. He expressed his desire for the open model to prevail in this next generation of computing.

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Google Introduces Google One AI Premium with Advanced Gemini Features

Google has been actively enhancing its AI offerings, rebranding Bard to Gemini, launching a dedicated Android app, and more. Notably, Google has unveiled a paid tier for its generative AI engine, marking the debut of another digital subscription option.

The Google Gemini explained explainer provides an overview of Google’s AI tools, while here, we delve into the advanced features of Google Gemini available in the new Google One AI Premium tier.

We explore the pricing of this cloud tier, along with the AI features it offers, empowering you to make an informed decision about signing up. This plan is part of Google One, offering additional digital storage in the cloud. Here’s what Google One AI Premium brings to the table:

The Google One AI Premium plan is now available for purchase at $19.99 / £18.99 / AU$32.99 per month. Unlike some other Google One plans, there’s no option for an annual payment discount, but you have the flexibility to cancel anytime.

Currently, Google is offering free two-month trials for Google One AI Premium, allowing users to explore the features without initial payment.

In addition to 2TB of storage across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos, the premium plan includes priority support, 10% back in the Google Store, extra Google Photos editing features, dark web monitoring, and access to the Google One VPN.

However, the highlight is the inclusion of Gemini Advanced features, specifically the “most capable” version named Ultra 1.0. This advanced AI model offers state-of-the-art performance for handling complex tasks involving text, images, and code, surpassing human experts in various subjects.

While the Gemini app for Android and iOS is available to all users, subscribers to the premium plan enjoy the enhanced Ultra 1.0 model across platforms.

The integration of Gemini with Google’s productivity apps, such as Gmail, Google Docs, Google Meet, and Google Slides, is on the horizon. This integration, known as Gemini for Workspace, will be accessible to Google One AI Premium subscribers, aiding in email composition and presentation design.

In summary, Google One AI Premium offers access to cutting-edge Gemini AI features, with more enhancements promised in the future. The free trial provides an opportunity for early adopters to experience the potential of Gemini Advanced, positioning it as a strong contender in the AI landscape.

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Google Settles Shareholder Lawsuit for $350 Million Over Google+ Security Bug

Google (GOOGL.O) has reached a settlement agreement worth $350 million to resolve a lawsuit filed by shareholders concerning a security flaw at its now-defunct social media platform, Google+.

The preliminary settlement, filed late on Monday in San Francisco federal court following over a year of mediation, is subject to approval by U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson. This settlement addresses claims that Google was aware of a software glitch dating back to March 2018 that exposed personal data of Google+ users. Despite this knowledge, Google allegedly withheld information about the issue for several months while publicly emphasizing its dedication to data security.

Shareholders argued that Google refrained from disclosing the security flaw out of fear that it would lead to regulatory and public scrutiny similar to what Facebook faced in the aftermath of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where user data was harvested for the 2016 U.S. elections.

The lawsuit, spearheaded by Rhode Island Treasurer James Diossa on behalf of a state pension fund holding Alphabet stock, encompasses Alphabet shareholders from April 23, 2018, to April 30, 2019. Allegedly, news of the security flaw caused fluctuations in Alphabet’s stock prices, resulting in substantial losses of market value.

Google, while denying any wrongdoing, has agreed to the settlement without admitting fault and asserts that there is no evidence of data misuse. Jose Castaneda, a spokesman for Google, stated, “We regularly identify and address software issues, disclose information about them, and take these matters seriously. This case pertains to a product that no longer exists, and we are pleased to have resolved it.”

This settlement follows a related $7.5 million agreement reached by Google with Google+ users in 2020. Court documents reveal that lawyers representing the shareholders may seek up to $66.5 million in fees from the settlement.

The disclosure of this settlement comes just over five weeks after Google resolved another lawsuit, alleging the unauthorized tracking of internet usage by millions of users who believed they were browsing privately. The terms of that settlement have not yet been made public.

The case is identified as In re Alphabet Inc Securities Litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, No. 18-06245.

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Tech CEOs Face Congressional Grilling Over Social Media’s Impact on Teens

Tech executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, are set to face another round of questioning from Congress this week regarding the potential harm their products may pose to teenagers. Despite previous assurances that they would assist teens and families in making informed decisions, social media platforms are under increasing scrutiny amid concerns that their services could contribute to depression and even suicide among young users.

With a looming presidential election and state lawmakers taking a more prominent role, Congress is poised to push tech companies to go beyond their previous efforts in addressing these concerns. The Senate Judiciary Committee hearing scheduled for Wednesday will feature testimony from the chief executives of TikTok, Snap, Discord, and X, with some appearing before Congress for the first time

While many tech CEOs are expected to highlight tools and policies aimed at protecting children and giving parents greater control over their online experiences, critics argue that these measures fall short. Online safety advocates insist that relying solely on parents and young users to safeguard against potential harms is inadequate and that tech platforms must be held accountable for implementing more robust safety features.

Concerns have also been raised about the role of generative artificial intelligence tools, which could facilitate the creation and dissemination of harmful content on social media. This has intensified calls for tech platforms to prioritize safety features by default.

Several major platforms, including Meta, Snapchat, Discord, and TikTok, have introduced oversight tools allowing parents to monitor their teens’ online activities and exert some control over their experiences. Additionally, platforms like Instagram and TikTok have implemented features such as “take a break” reminders and screen time limits to mitigate exposure to harmful content.

In response to mounting pressure, Meta recently proposed federal legislation advocating for app stores to verify users’ ages and enforce age restrictions. The company also unveiled new safety initiatives, such as hiding age-inappropriate content and prompting teens to adjust their privacy settings.

Snapchat has expanded its parental oversight tool, Family Center, giving parents more control over their teens’ interactions on the platform. Despite these efforts, critics argue that tech companies have been slow to implement necessary safety updates and cannot be relied upon to self-regulate effectively.

As efforts to regulate tech platforms stall in Congress, momentum for addressing social media issues has shifted to state legislatures and the courts. Several states have passed laws aimed at restricting social media use among teens, though many of these laws are facing legal challenges from the tech industry.

Wednesday’s hearing will also provide lawmakers with an opportunity to question smaller industry players, such as X and Discord, about their youth safety efforts. Discord, in particular, has faced scrutiny over its role in hosting controversial content and has been engaging with lawmakers to address concerns.

With tech CEOs once again under the spotlight, there is growing recognition that industry-wide solutions are needed to address the complex challenges posed by social media platforms and their impact on young users.

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