Apple’s iOS 18 has arrived, setting a new benchmark for mobile operating systems with cutting-edge features and performance enhancements. Released in September 2024, iOS 18 delivers a host of improvements designed to enhance user experience, from new personalization options to enhanced security measures. Here's a breakdown of everything you need to know about iOS 18, including its standout features, device compatibility, and potential drawbacks. New Features of Apple’s iOS 18 . Apple Intelligence (Coming with iOS 18.1) One of the most anticipated features, Apple Intelligence, will debut in iOS 18.1, specifically for the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 16. Apple Intelligence includes cutting-edge AI tools such as smarter Siri, text summarisation, writing assistance, and generative image creation.  While it is not yet part of the core iOS 18 release, users can experience it via the iOS 18.1 beta. This AI-driven toolset is designed to streamline tasks, make Siri more proactive, and enable users to create visuals effortlessly. Redesigned Photos App With iOS 18, the Photos app received its biggest-ever redesign. Apple has unified the layout into a single view combining a photo grid and a date grid, making it easier to navigate and locate photos.  Users can also filter photos by categories like screenshots or groups, significantly simplifying organization. Additionally, iOS 18 introduces a new ‘Recovered’ album, which stores photos or videos not in the main gallery and reduces risks of database corruption or issues with third-party apps. Read more: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Review: The Biggest and The Best of 2024 Advanced Home Screen Customisation iOS 18 takes customisation to the next level with significant upgrades to the Home Screen. For the first time, users can rearrange app icons and widgets to the bottom or sides of the screen, offering more flexibility for personal layouts.  The dark mode is now available for app icons, and users can apply color tints to match or complement their wallpapers. This enhanced customisation allows for a more personalized and visually pleasing experience. Control Center Upgrades Apple has also made significant improvements to the Control Center in iOS 18. Users can now group controls into distinct function sets, such as Media and Home, and resize Control Center widgets to fit their preferences. For the first time, users can also decide which Control Center widgets will appear on the Lock Screen, adding more functionality at a glance. Messages Upgrades iOS 18 enhances the Messages app with several exciting new features. Users can now react to messages using any emoji, offering more expressive ways to communicate. Apple has also introduced text formatting options, allowing users to bold, italicize, underline, or strikethrough text.  In addition, iOS 18 brings support for the RCS messaging standard, which provides a richer experience when communicating with non-Apple users. Another useful feature is the ability to schedule messages and make it easier to send important texts at the right time. Read more: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Review: Does a Bigger Phone Come with Better Features? New Passwords App iOS 18 introduces a new app called Passwords, designed to be a secure vault for all your passwords, passkeys, and verification codes. The app not only stores this information but also alerts you if any of your passwords are weak or compromised in a data breach. As expected, all data is protected by end-to-end encryption, and the app can be locked using Face ID or Touch ID. Wallet Upgrades The Wallet app in iOS 18 comes with the new "tap to cash" feature, which simplifies peer-to-peer payments. This makes paying friends or splitting bills even easier. Dynamic event tickets also make their debut in the Wallet app which provide users with more interactive ticket designs and additional event information. Messages via Satellite For users with compatible iPhones, iOS 18 expands satellite capabilities, enabling them to send messages when Wi-Fi and cellular networks are unavailable. This feature is especially useful in remote areas and also adds a layer of communication safety for travelers and adventurers. ID-Authenticated App Locks A significant privacy upgrade in iOS 18 is the ability to lock any app, not just banking or Notes apps, behind Face ID or Touch ID. Users can also hide apps in a new Hidden Apps folder which provides more control over their privacy and security. Math in Any Text Field iOS 18 introduces a nifty feature that allows users to perform mathematical calculations directly in any text field. This small but powerful update means that you will not need to open the Calculator app to solve basic math problems—it can be done seamlessly while typing. Read more: Apple iPhone 16 Review: Can It Set New Standards for the Brand? Power Reserve with Time Display The Power Reserve feature has been upgraded in iOS 18. Previously, Power Reserve allowed access to key features like cards and Find My iPhone when the battery was almost depleted. Now, it also displays the time, offering another useful function when your phone is low on power. Shoot Videos without Pausing Audio With iOS 18, users can record videos without interrupting any background audio, such as music or podcasts. This feature, though small, is a welcome change for those who enjoy capturing moments while listening to their favorite tunes. Compatible Devices iPhone ModelsiPhone SE (2nd generation)iPhone SE (3rd generation)iPhone XRiPhone XSiPhone XS MaxiPhone 11 seriesiPhone 12 seriesiPhone 13 seriesiPhone 14 seriesiPhone 15 seriesiPhone 16 seriesiPad ModelsiPad Pro (M4)iPad Pro 12.9″ (3rd generation and later)iPad Pro 11″ (1st generation and later)iPad Air (M2) iPad Air (3rd generation and later)iPad (7th generation and later)iPad mini (5th generation and later). Read more: Top 7 Smartphones Coming in October 2024  Limitations of Apple’s iOS 18 Delayed Apple Intelligence Features One significant limitation of iOS 18 is the absence of Apple Intelligence features at launch. These advanced AI capabilities, including enhanced Siri and text summarisation, will not be available until iOS 18.1. Users excited about these smart features will need to wait until a later update to fully experience the benefits of Apple’s AI integration. Bugs and Performance Issues Early adopters of iOS 18 have reported issues such as performance drops, particularly on older devices like the iPhone 12. Bugs include touchscreen unresponsiveness and camera freezing during specific tasks, like shooting videos in macro mode. As with many major updates, these issues are common in initial releases and are likely to be addressed in future patches. Incompatibility with Older Devices iOS 18 has also dropped support for several older iPads and iPhones, including models like the iPad Pro 10.5-inch (2017) and iPhone XS Max, meaning not all users will be able to access the new software. Verdict The Apple iOS 18 is a robust update packed with features that enhance customisation, privacy, and communication. While its initial release lacks the full power of Apple Intelligence, it is expected that the upcoming iOS 18.1 will address those issues. Early bugs and limited device compatibility may deter some users, but overall, the improvements in Photos, Messages, and Control Center make the iOS 18 a valuable upgrade, particularly for newer devices. Waiting for patches is advised for smoother performance. Read more: What’s New in Microsoft Office 2024: Key Features, AI Integrations, and Installation Guide

Google lost its final legal challenge on Tuesday against a European Union penalty for giving its own shopping recommendations an illegal advantage over rivals in search results, ending a long-running antitrust case that came with a whopping fine. The European Union’s Court of Justice upheld a lower court’s decision, rejecting the company’s appeal against the 2.4 billion euro ($2.7 billion) penalty from the European Commission, the 27-nation bloc’s top antitrust enforcer. "By today’s judgment, the Court of Justice dismisses the appeal and thus upholds the judgment of the General Court," the court said in a press release summarizing its decision. Read: Former YouTube CEO and longtime Google executive Susan Wojcicki has died at 56 The commission punished the Silicon Valley giant in 2017 for unfairly directing visitors to its own Google Shopping service to the detriment of competitors. It was one of three multibillion-euro fines that the commission imposed on Google in the previous decade as Brussels started ramping up its crackdown on the tech industry. “We are disappointed with the decision of the Court, which relates to a very specific set of facts,” Google said in a brief statement. The company said it made changes in 2017 to comply with the commission’s decision requiring it to treat competitors equally. It started holding auctions for shopping search listings that it would bid for alongside other comparison shopping services. “Our approach has worked successfully for more than seven years, generating billions of clicks for more than 800 comparison shopping services,” Google said. Read: US considers asking court to break up Google as it weighs remedies in the antitrust case At the same time, the company appealed the decision to the courts. But the EU General Court, the tribunal's lower section, rejected its challenge in 2021 and the Court of Justice’s adviser later recommended rejecting the appeal. European consumer group BEUC hailed the court's decision, saying it shows how the bloc's competition law “remains highly relevant" in digital markets. "Google harmed millions of European consumers by ensuring that rival comparison shopping services were virtually invisible," director general Agustín Reyna said. “Google’s illegal practices prevented consumers from accessing potentially cheaper prices and useful product information from rival comparison shopping services on all sorts of products, from clothes to washing machines.” Google is still appealing the other two EU antitrust penalties, which involved its Android mobile operating system and AdSense advertising platform. The company was dealt a setback in the Android case when the EU General Court upheld the commission's 4.125 billion euro fine in a 2022 decision. Its initial appeal against a 1.49 billion euro fine in the AdSense case has yet to be decided. Those three cases foreshadowed expanded efforts by regulators worldwide to crack down on the tech industry. The EU has since opened more investigations into Big Tech companies and drafted new laws to clean up social media platforms and regulate artificial intelligence. Read more: Google rolls out features to prevent thieves from accessing stolen devices Google is now facing particular pressure over its lucrative digital advertising business. In a federal antitrust trial that began Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice is alleging the company holds a monopoly in the “ad tech” industry. British competition regulators accused Google last week of abusing its dominance in ad tech while the EU is carrying out its own investigation.

Microsoft Office 2024 is here, continuing the legacy of its iconic productivity suite with significant upgrades and new tools. With enhanced features across Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, improved collaboration capabilities, and cutting-edge AI integrations, this latest version is designed to boost productivity for individuals and teams alike. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Microsoft Office 2024, including installation steps, key features, potential limitations, and our overall verdict on this highly anticipated update.  How to Install Microsoft Office 2024 Microsoft Office 2024 is not available for free, but Microsoft provides a legal way to try it through the Microsoft Office 2024 LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) preview. This preview version allows users to explore Office 2024’s features temporarily before committing to a purchase or a Microsoft 365 subscription. While Microsoft 365 offers continuous updates, cloud storage, and collaboration tools, the LTSC preview is ideal for those who want to test the software without an immediate financial commitment. Read more: How to Detect an AI-generated Image Here’s how to install Microsoft Office 2024 LTSC preview . Step 1: Uninstall Previous Versions Before installing Office 2024, you need to uninstall any older versions of Microsoft Office. Open Settings on Windows, navigate to Apps → Apps & Features and search for Microsoft Office. Then, select the installed version and click Uninstall. Follow the prompts to complete the process. Step 2: Download the Office Deployment Tool Next, you will need to download the Office Deployment Tool. Visit the Microsoft website, download the tool, and save it in a folder named Office 2024 on your desktop. Delete any existing XML files from the folder to avoid conflicts. Step 3: Configure Installation Create a configuration XML file for your installation. Visit the LTSC Preview Installation Page, copy the XML code, and paste it into Notepad. You can customise it according to your preferences and save the file as configuration.xml in your Office 2024 folder. Read more: 10 Best eBook Reader Apps for Android, iOS in 2024 Step 4: Install Office 2024 Open Command Prompt, navigate to the Office 2024 folder, and run this command:   setup /configure configuration.xml.  The installation will begin automatically. Step 5: Activate Office 2024 After installation, activate Office using the product key from the LTSC Preview page.  This LTSC preview is temporary, and you will need to switch to a paid version eventually, but it is an excellent way to experience Office 2024 firsthand. Key Features of Microsoft Office 2024 . AI-Powered Copilot Assistance One of the most significant additions in Office 2024 is the AI-powered Copilot, integrated into applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Copilot helps automate repetitive tasks, drafts content, analyses data trends, and offers smart recommendations, making work more efficient and intuitive. Read more: Best Free Personal Safety Android, iOS Apps for Women in 2024 New and Improved User Interface Office 2024 comes with a modernised design that follows Fluent Design principles, offering a more intuitive and consistent experience across all apps. The interface is sleek, minimalistic, and optimised for Windows 11, with new custom themes, toolbars, and Dark Mode improvements that enhance usability across devices. Dynamic Arrays and Charting in Excel Excel 2024 introduces Dynamic Arrays, which allow you to reference variable-length datasets within charts. This feature automatically updates charts as data recalculates, providing a more dynamic and accurate visual representation of your data. Fourteen new Text and Array functions simplify data manipulation. Enhanced Collaboration with Loop Integration The new Microsoft Loop integration in Office 2024 boosts real-time collaboration. Loop components can be embedded across different Office apps, allowing live updates and seamless teamwork. Whether you are in Word or Excel, changes made by your team appear instantly, improving efficiency in collaborative environments. Read more: How to Activate Earthquake Alerts on Android, iOS Phones Insert Pictures from Mobile Devices A handy new feature in Office 2024 allows you to insert pictures directly from your Android phone into Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents. This streamlines the process of adding visuals to your files, saving time and effort. Present with Cameo in PowerPoint PowerPoint 2024 introduces Cameo, a feature that lets you integrate your live camera feed into slides. This enables presenters to engage their audience more personally, using effects and transitions on their video feed to match the presentation’s style. Word Session Recovery Session recovery has been improved in Word 2024, allowing users to recover unsaved documents when the app closes unexpectedly. This ensures that your progress is not lost, even if the application crashes before saving. Read more: Best Video Editing Apps for Android, IOS in 2024 Advanced Accessibility Tools Office 2024 places a stronger emphasis on accessibility. The Accessibility Ribbon provides enhanced tools across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook to ensure your content is accessible to all users. Features like real-time feedback from the Accessibility Checker allow users to create inclusive documents effortlessly. OpenDocument Format (ODF) 1.4 Support Office 2024 includes support for OpenDocument Format (ODF) 1.4, which adds compatibility for more modern document features. It includes tables within shapes and new accessibility attributes. Limitations of Microsoft Office 2024 . No Feature Updates Microsoft Office 2024 offers a one-time purchase model, meaning that after the initial release, users will only receive security updates and bug fixes. Unlike Microsoft 365, Office 2024 will not receive new features, potentially leaving users with outdated software over time. Read more: Water Battery: What's Special About It No Cloud Storage or Collaboration Tools Office 2024 does not include OneDrive cloud storage or any advanced collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams. This lack of cloud services limits remote access, team collaboration, and file sharing, making it less suitable for modern, cloud-based workflows. Higher Initial Cost While Office 2024 eliminates subscription fees, it comes with a higher upfront cost. This can be expensive compared to spreading payments over time with Microsoft 365. Additionally, there is no option to upgrade to newer versions without purchasing another license. Limited Cross-Platform Compatibility Office 2024 is primarily designed for use on one device. Users will need to buy separate licenses for Windows and Mac, and the software lacks the flexibility of Microsoft 365, which supports multiple devices, including mobile platforms. Read more: Best Text-to-Speech Software in 2024 Reduced Support Lifecycle Office 2024 will be supported for five years, after which no further updates, including security patches, will be provided. This limits the software’s long-term viability compared to subscription-based services like Microsoft 365, which receives continuous updates. Verdict Microsoft Office 2024 is a powerful update packed with advanced features, such as AI-driven Copilot and expanded collaboration via Loop, making it a highly productive tool for users across platforms. Its revamped UI and improved cloud integration provide a seamless experience, especially for those working on multiple devices.  However, the higher upfront cost and lack of ongoing feature updates may deter some, especially with the more modern and feature-rich Microsoft 365 subscription available. For businesses or individuals seeking robust tools without a subscription, Office 2024 remains a solid, versatile option. Read more: Best Free Bangladeshi Online Doctor Apps for Android, iOS in 2024

In a move aimed at bolstering user security, Google has introduced a trio of innovative features designed to make it increasingly difficult for thieves to access stolen Android devices. These new tools, namely Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock, and Remote Lock, are set to enhance the protection of personal data, providing users with greater peace of mind in the unfortunate event of theft. Theft Detection Lock: An Automatic Safeguard The standout among these features is Theft Detection Lock, which uses machine learning technology to identify suspicious movement patterns indicative of theft. Microsoft Copilot adds ChatGPT-like features If a thief physically snatches a device—whether while the user is walking or cycling—the phone can recognise this sudden movement and promptly lock itself. This intelligent system continuously monitors how the device is handled, with the ability to detect rapid acceleration when it is taken from a user’s hand. In such scenarios, the phone will immediately lock, preventing the thief from accessing apps, data, or personal information. The swift activation of this lock is a significant advantage, as it makes it exceedingly difficult for the thief to use the device further. Offline Device Lock: Further Protection In addition to Theft Detection Lock, Google has also rolled out the Offline Device Lock feature. This safeguard triggers the locking mechanism if the device is disconnected from the internet for an extended period, effectively thwarting any attempts by a thief to disable tracking or remote unlocking features. Remote Lock: An Extra Layer of Security The Remote Lock feature allows users to lock their phones remotely via their phone number, which is particularly beneficial for those unable to access their Google account or "Find My Device" function. This added layer of security ensures users have multiple options for securing their data in the event of theft. Meta unveils cheaper VR headset, AI updates and shows off prototype for holographic AR glasses Gradual Rollout Across the US Currently, these features are being gradually rolled out to users in the United States. Reports indicate that availability varies by device; while some users have gained access to Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock, others, particularly those with certain Pixel models, may only see Remote Lock. The rollout follows beta testing in Brazil earlier this year and is expected to expand to a wider range of Android devices in the near future. Users of devices like the Xiaomi 14T Pro and Google Pixel are likely to benefit from these new security enhancements through upcoming software updates. These innovations represent a significant advancement in safeguarding personal data against the increasing threat of smartphone theft, offering users a crucial sense of security in an unpredictable world.

Tesla is recalling more than 27,000 Cybertrucks because the rearview camera image may not activate immediately after shifting into reverse, the fifth recall for the vehicle since it went on sale late last year. Tesla has released a free software upgrade to address the issue and owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Nov. 25. Cybertruck owners have had to deal with a series of recalls since the vehicle went on sale in November. In June, there was a recall to fix problems with trim pieces that can come loose and front windshield wipers that can fail. Two months before that, some Cybertrucks were recalled because the accelerator pedal could stick. In the most recent recall, the company notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the display screens in effected trucks may remain blank for up to 8 seconds after a driver shifts to reverse. The U.S. requires those screens to activate with a rearview within 2 seconds of shifting into reverse. Elon Musk's Tesla delivered the first dozen or so of its futuristic Cybertruck pickups to customers in November, two years behind the original schedule. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Microsoft has introduced a significant overhaul to its AI-powered assistant, Copilot, unveiling a host of new features designed to enhance user experience and productivity. These include Copilot Voice, Think Deeper, and Copilot Vision, which collectively bring a more personalised and interactive touch to the AI platform. Alongside these functional improvements, Copilot is also getting a fresh new look, adopting a more user-friendly interface. The newly introduced features aim to position Microsoft Copilot as a robust and versatile tool for daily tasks, competing directly with other AI platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Meta’s voice features. According to Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, “Copilot now looks unlike anything I’ve seen from Microsoft before, with an interface that is a big departure from what exists right now. It’s a lot warmer, with a personalised Copilot Discover page that’s more useful and inviting than a text entry prompt for a chatbot.” How to Detect an AI-generated Image Key Features of the New Copilot Copilot Voice: This feature brings voice interactivity to the AI, making it more convenient to use on the go. Users can brainstorm ideas, ask questions, or simply converse with Copilot using natural language. With four different voice options to choose from, the voice experience can be customised to suit individual preferences. Think Deeper: Inspired by OpenAI’s o1 model, this feature enables Copilot to provide more nuanced and detailed answers to complex queries. Taking additional time to respond, Copilot can now reason through challenging questions step-by-step, making it ideal for users who require in-depth comparisons or detailed explanations. Copilot Vision: A groundbreaking feature that allows the AI to ‘see’ and understand text and images displayed on the user’s screen. This capability enables Copilot to provide real-time suggestions, assistance, and contextual answers without interrupting the user’s workflow. For example, it can help users decorate a new apartment by suggesting colour schemes and furniture arrangements based on the images and text viewed during a browsing session. Copilot Daily: Aimed at reducing information overload, Copilot Daily provides a concise summary of news and weather in the user’s preferred Copilot Voice. Partnering with reputable content providers like Reuters, Financial Times, and the USA TODAY Network, the feature ensures that users start their day informed and prepared, with the ability to set reminders for upcoming events. Personalised Discover: This feature serves as a gateway to the various capabilities of Copilot, helping users explore the tool's functionalities through tailored conversation starters and guides. The personalised suggestions evolve over time based on the user’s interactions across Microsoft services. Google falling short of important climate target, cites electricity needs of AI A Fresh Look for Copilot The latest update isn’t just about new functionalities — Microsoft is also redesigning Copilot’s interface across mobile, web, and its Windows app. The new design embraces a more card-based user experience, providing a cleaner and more organised way to interact with the AI. The homepage, now named the Copilot Discover page, is customisable based on the user’s conversation history and preferences. With these updates, Microsoft is setting a new standard for AI-powered assistants, integrating voice, vision, and deeper reasoning capabilities. As AI technology continues to evolve, Copilot is poised to become an indispensable tool for both personal and professional use, offering a richer and more personalised interaction model for its users. About Microsoft Copilot Microsoft Copilot is an AI-driven assistant designed to improve productivity across the Microsoft ecosystem. The latest enhancements bring new capabilities such as voice interaction, advanced reasoning, and visual recognition, making it a versatile companion for everyday tasks.

Internet users in Bangladesh may experience slow speed or disruption for four hours due to maintenance work on the submarine cable system at Patuakhali’s Kuakata station. Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC (SCPLC) issued a notice in this regard, apologizing for the inconvenience. According to a statement from the company’s General Manager of Operations and Maintenance, Saidur Rahman, the SEA-ME-WE 5 (SMW5) consortium will install a lighting filter in the country’s second submarine cable system at Kuakata from 2am to 6am on Sunday. During this time, all circuits connected to the Kuakata landing station via the SMW5 cable will be affected. However, circuits connected through the SEA-ME-WE-4 (SMW4) submarine cable at Cox's Bazar landing station will remain operational. Users may experience slow connectivity or temporary disruptions during the maintenance period, according to the statement.

Worried about your teen's Instagram use? Faced with growing pressure to do more to stop online harm, the social media platform has rolled out a major new update to protect young people and give parents more control. With many teens spending almost all of their time online, parents are concerned that social media is exposing them to harmful content like cyberbullying, eating disorders and suicidal thoughts. Prominent profile figures including U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and Prince Harry have warned about the risks. Critics say Instagram's changes are a step in the right direction but they still put the onus on parents and children instead of the company to deal with the problem. Here’s a guide to Instagram’s new teen accounts: What limits will young users have? Instagram already prohibits anyone under 13 from signing up. Now, teen accounts will automatically be set to private. That means they'll have to accept or reject requests from new followers. Other users won't be able to see a teen user's posts and videos, or tag the account. Teens will also face messaging restrictions. They can only receive direct messages from people they're following or who follow them. But they can still send messages to other accounts. And they'll be subject to the strictest content settings, and won't be shown content involving sensitive topics like fighting videos and posts about cosmetic procedures. Instagram's anti-bullying feature will be set to the highest level to screen out offensive words and phrases in comments and direct message requests. To cut down their screen time, teens will get a notification to stop using the app after it's been open for more than an hour — which they can ignore. Sleep mode will kick in from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., which mutes notifications and sends auto-replies to direct messages at a time when they're supposed to be sleeping. However, they can still scroll through Instagram and even respond to messages if they want to. Are there workarounds? These limits will be turned on automatically for all teens, but 16 and 17-year-olds will have the authority to turn them off. Kids under 16 will need permission to do so and parents can make changes and approve or deny any requests in the family center. Teens might lie about their age, but it’s getting harder to fool the platform. Instagram has previously started requiring users to verify their ages — by uploading an ID or doing a video selfie — if they try to change their birthdates to show they’re over 18. Now, Instagram says it will start testing artificial intelligence technology early next year to detect if a user is a teen even if the account lists an adult birthday. Of course, teens don’t have to agree to be supervised in the first place. Instagram says they and their parents both have to opt in. And either side can revoke supervision at any time. What if the parent isn't on Instagram? If you want to use the teen controls, you’ll need an account even if you don’t want it. A spokeswoman said it’s important for parents to be familiar with the platform so they can effectively supervise their teens. New controls for parents If you don't think the limits on your teen's account are strict enough, you can add supervisory controls. This feature allows parents to see who their teen has traded messages with within the past seven days, but not what's in those messages. Not happy that your teen can ignore reminders to stop using the app? There are controls to let parents limit the amount of time their teen spends on Instagram each day. Once the limit is hit, they are cut off. You can also block your teen from using Instagram during specific times of the day, and monitor the topics of content that they're seeing. How to set up parental controls First, you’ll need your teen to set up family supervision on his or her account. On the mobile app, go to settings and scroll down to the family center to activate this feature. Next, the teen account will have to invite a parent. It will be in the form of a link the teen can send by text message to the parent. After accepting the invite, the teen user has 48 hours to review and confirm the parent's response. Can I use the teen settings right away? Anyone under 18 who now signs up for Instagram in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia will be automatically enrolled into a restricted teen account. Existing accounts will be transferred by mid-November. Teens in the European Union’s 27 countries will be migrated later this year. The rest of the world will get teen accounts in January and they will roll out to other Meta services like Facebook next year.

Meta unveiled updates to the company's virtual reality headset and Ray Ban smart glasses on Wednesday along with AI advances as it tries demonstrate its artificial intelligence prowess and the next generation of computing platforms beyond smartphones and computers. CEO Mark Zuckerberg also showed off Orion, a prototype he called “the most advanced glasses the world has ever seen.” “The technical challenges to make them are insane,” he told a crowd of developers and journalists at Meta's Menlo Park, California headquarters. These holographic augmented reality glasses, for one, needed to be glasses — not a bulky headset. There are no wires and it has to weigh less than 100 grams (3.53 ounces), among other things. And the beyond interacting with your voice, typing or hand gestures, Orion has a “neural interface” — it lets you send a signal from your brain to the device. There is no release date for Orion — Zuckerberg called it a “glimpse of the future.” Seemingly in his element speaking to a cheering and clapping crowd, Zuckerberg said Meta is working to “bring the future to everyone” with its headsets, glasses and AI system. As part of an update to its Llama model, people will now be able to interact with Meta AI by speaking, with voices from celebrities such as John Cena, Judi Dench and Awkwafina. Meta, which introduced the Quest 3 last year, showed off a cheaper version, the 3S, that will cost $299. The regular Quest 3 costs $499. The S3 will start shipping on Oct. 15. While VR goggles have grabbed more headlines, the augmented reality Ray Bans turned out to be a sleeper hit for Meta. The company hasn't disclosed sales numbers, but Zuckerberg said during Meta's July earnings call that the glasses “continue to be a bigger hit sooner than we expected -- thanks in part to AI.” Zuckerberg said on Wednesday that Meta seems to have gotten past the supply issues that plagued the Ray Bans a few months ago due to high demand. “They are kind of the perfect form factor for AI,” Zuckerberg said. The glasses, he added, let an AI assistant “see what you see, hear what you hear” and help you go about your day. For instance, you can ask the glasses to remind you where you parked or to pick up groceries, look at a pile of fruit and come up with a smoothie recipe, or help you pick out a party outfit. Meta — which renamed itself from Facebook in 2021, still makes nearly all of its money from advertising. In its most recent quarter, 98% of its more than $39 billion in revenue came from ads. At the same time, the company is investing heavily in AI and what Zuckerberg sees as the next generation of computing platforms such as VR headsets and augmented reality glasses.

SpaceX faces $633,000 in fines for alleged safety violations during two Florida launches last year. The Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday it’s proposing the civil penalties because of the company's alleged failure to follow licensing requirements. During a satellite launch in June 2023, SpaceX used a new launch control room without prior approval and also did not conduct the required readiness poll two hours in advance, according to the FAA. One month later, SpaceX launched another communication satellite using a new rocket fuel facility yet to be approved, said federal regulators. “Safety drives everything we do at the FAA" including oversight of commercial space, FAA's Marc Nichols said in a statement. “Failure of a company to comply with the safety requirements will result in consequences.” SpaceX has 30 days to respond to the FAA. It did not immediately return a request for comment.