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Ask Alexa for information on the COVID-19 vaccine

Amazon’s virtual assistant Alexa can help people by answering questions about vaccine availability and eligibility requirements in more than 85 countries, the company said in a blog post, and added that he could also help them find and connect with nearby vaccination sites. People can just say, “Alexa, where can I get tested for COVID-19?” to find the nearest COVID-19 testing sites, or just ask, “Alexa, where can I get the COVID vaccine?” to locate nearby vaccination sites. They can also say, “Alexa, call first” to connect directly to a particular site. In another update, Amazon launched Fire TV Cube which offers hands-free Alexa voice control in India for ₹ 12,999.

Facebook users can now upload their posts, notes

Facebook has expanded data portability options for users to upload their Facebook posts and notes to Google Docs, Blogger and WordPress.com, the company said in a statement. Facebook’s data portability tool, now renamed “Upload Your Info”, already allows users to upload their photos and videos to Dropbox, Google Photos and Koofr. Users can access the tool in the Facebook settings under “ Your Facebook Info ” and follow the on-screen prompts to transfer their data. Users will be prompted to re-enter their passwords before the transfer begins and encrypt their data as it moves between departments, the company noted. Facebook said it plans to continue expanding data types and partners in the future. This week, Facebook also announced that it had changed its advertising tools, a week before Apple’s iOS 14.5 software update.

Xbox Cloud Games on iOS, PC

Microsoft announced Monday that it has started testing the limited beta version of Xbox Cloud Gaming for Windows 10 PCs and Apple phones and tablets through web browsers. The company has started sending out invites to some Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members and will be sending additional invites on an ongoing basis to players of all. 22 countries supported, he added. “Our plan is to iterate quickly and open up to all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members in the coming months,” said Catherine Gluckstein, vice president, Project xCloud at Microsoft, in a blog post. Guests will be able to play over 100 Xbox Game Pass titles at xbox.com/play using a Bluetooth enabled controller or connected via USB through the Edge browser, Chrome, or Safari. In another game update, with the locks brewing, here are all of the latest games to keep you inside, safe, and sane – plus games you can expect in the coming months.

New Zoom meetings, chat features

Zoom has introduced new features to its platform to help people collaborate and better manage their communications. People can use the Vanishing Pen feature to highlight text or objects on the shared screen without having to undo or clear highlight annotations in Zoom meetings and video webinars, according to a company blog post. . In addition, the whiteboard’s auto shapes feature allows users to create straight lines and perfect shapes while annotating on the Zoom mobile app. The company also added more emoji reactions to meetings. Additionally, the platform now offers an option for account owners and administrators to add a user’s manager to appear on an employee’s Zoom profile, the company noted. Finally, using InformaCast, Zoom Phone users can trigger and receive mass notifications. Recently, Microsoft introduced several new enhancements in Teams to improve the meeting, chatting, and collaboration experience for its users.

Convert old Galaxy smartphones to smart home devices

Samsung announced Galaxy Upcycling at Home, an initiative that gives new life to older Galaxy smartphones by converting them into a variety of Internet of Things (IoT) devices through a simple software update. The program allows users to easily turn their old Galaxy devices into smart home devices like a babysitting monitor, pet care solution, and other tools that meet individual lifestyle needs. Users can turn their old Galaxy devices, including all S, Note and Z series released from 2018 onwards to Android 9 and above, to provide enhanced sound and light control features, by reusing the built-in sensors via SmartThings Labs, a feature of the SmartThings Application. Samsung has implemented the beta service for Galaxy Upcycling at Home in the United States, United Kingdom and Korea, it said in a statement. In another update, Samsung is recycling its old Galaxy smartphones into healthcare facilities for underserved people in India, Morocco, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea.

Fitbit announces ‘Luxe’ fitness tracker

Fitbit has announced a trendy fitness and wellness tracker dubbed ‘Luxe’. The device has a slim form factor and offers a wide range of health and wellness features, including automatic activity and sleep tracking, as well as wellness information in the app. Fitbit with the Health Metrics dashboard that tracks respiratory rate, heart rate variability, resting heart. rate and change in skin temperature. The sleek tracker with a color touchscreen can help people stay connected with customizable call, text and smartphone notifications across a wide range of Android and iOS devices. Luxe offers up to five days of battery life and can be combined with a wide range of stylish accessories. Luxe is available for pre-order for $ 149.95 (around ₹ 11,200), with worldwide availability later this year, the Google-owned company said. This week, we delved into the intricacies of Apple’s AirTag; from design to ultra-broadband technology to the inevitable privacy concerns.

NASA chooses SpaceX to bring humans back to the moon

NASA has chosen SpaceX to continue development of the first commercial human lander that will safely transport the next two American astronauts to the lunar surface as part of the Artemis program. The space agency plans to launch four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft for a multi-day trip into lunar orbit. There, two crew members will be transferred to the SpaceX Human Landing System (HLS) to get to the surface of the Moon. After about a week of lunar exploration, the astronauts will use HLS to return to orbit where they will return to Orion before returning to Earth. SpaceX’s HLS spacecraft builds on the company’s tested Raptor engines and the flying legacy of the Falcon and Dragon vehicles. Starship includes a spacious cabin and two airlocks for astronaut moon walks. In another update, SpaceX on Friday launched four astronauts into orbit using a recycled rocket and capsule, the third crew flight in less than a year for the growing company of Elon Musk.

AWS and DISH Partner to Create Cloud-Based 5G O-RAN

Amazon Web Services (AWS) and DISH Network Corporation have teamed up to reinvent 5G connectivity and innovation. DISH will leverage AWS infrastructure and services to create a cloud-based 5G open radio access network (O-RAN) in the United States that delivers consistent and cost-effective performance from core to edge, according to a report. Amazon version. The two companies will also work to transform the way organizations and customers, including AWS and Amazon, order and consume 5G services or create their own private 5G networks. AWS will also power DISH’s fully automated operating and business support systems, which will enable the company to provision and operate its customers’ 5G workloads and monetize its network. “Together, we are opening the door to new technologies that will transform factories, workplaces, entertainment and transportation in a way people have only dreamed of,” said AWS CEO Andy Jassy, ​​in a statement. This week, Amazon said it had secured an agreement with space launch company United Launch Alliance to support the deployment of its Project Kuiper satellites.

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