WhatsApp is proposing new terms to users of service and privacy that must be accepted by February 8, under penalty of inability to use the app. There is no possibility to choose whether or not to share the information of your WhatsApp account with Facebook.
by Manolo De Agostini published 07 January 2021 , at 10: 01 in the Telephony channel WhatsApp Facebook
Take or leave. WhatsApp gave an aut to the billions of users of their app, who will have to agree to share their data with Facebook (and the companies of the group), otherwise they will no longer be able to use the app . This does not mean that you will need to have a Facebook account to use the app, but that the data collected via WhatsApp will be shared between different entities in the group led by Mark Zuckerberg.
Actually, before going into the explanation of what is happening, a clarification must be made : in Europe the situation is slightly different compared to the rest of the world due to much more restrictive laws on privacy and data sharing. Just compare the message sent to Italian and foreign users, outside the EU borders, to see that there is a point where we talk about “how we collaborate with Facebook to offer integrations in the entire Facebook company “.
In any case, this is an update of the privacy policies to which WhatsApp and Facebook (owner of the app ) had been thinking for a long time, but their imposition had been postponed. From 2016 WhatsApp allowed users to decide (within 30 days) whether or not they wish to share their data with Facebook , but this possibility will disappear from next month. Among the data that WhatsApp collects we find the telephone numbers of the users, the numbers of the contacts in the address book, the profile names, profile pictures, transaction and payment data, statuses (including last online presence) and diagnostic data collected from logs.
“As part of companies of Facebook, WhatsApp receives information from these companies and shares it with other Facebook companies. We may use the information that we receive from them, and vice versa they may use the information we share with them, to make available, provide, improve, understand, personalize, support and market our Services and their offerings, including products from Facebook companies “.
“ Currently, WhatsApp only shares certain types of information with Facebook companies The information we share with other companies d Facebooks include account registration information (such as phone number), transaction data, service-related information, information on how you interact with other users (including businesses) when using our Services, information about your mobile device and your IP address “.
That said, the merger between Facebook and WhatsApp after the acquisition of the 2014 is destined to become more and more (but on the other hand we must certainly not be surprised) as evidenced by the notice in the app in which you are invited to sign the changes to the WhatsApp terms of service by February 8 . WhatsApp users now have three options : accept the new terms (and thus become aware of the fact that WhatsApp is from Facebook), stop using the app (switching to Telegram, Signal or other alternatives) or delete your account.
“As part of the Facebook company, WhatsApp receives information from other Facebook companies and also shares information with other Facebook companies,” reads WhatsApp’s updated privacy policy. This must be approved within the framework of the new terms of use – no later than February 8th. So far it was possible to prohibit the transfer of the data. According to Facebook, the sharing of data naturally serves the security and integrity of all Facebook products. The aim is to take action against spam, threats, abuse and violations of rights.
In a further paragraph, however, it also says that the information will be shared to help operate, provide, improve, understand, customize, support, and market the Services. Facebook companies not only include the well-known social networks but also the VPN app Onavo, which is criticized for snooping, and the monitoring tool CrowdTangle.
Guidelines in a circle The reference to the new terms of use and data protection guidelines currently appears automatically when you open WhatsApp. First of all, there is only a brief summary that there are changes in data processing and Facebook-hosted services for businesses. You can “agree” or simply no longer use the messenger after the date of validity.
To find the changed passages, you have to click through some pages and links, which sometimes ends with being led in a circle. In order to process the data, one relies on “different legal bases”. This includes the need to provide services, after consent, but also when there is a legal obligation – for example after being requested by law enforcement authorities. Finally, it also says: “To the extent that it is necessary for our legitimate interests (as well as those of others), including our interests in providing innovative, relevant, secure and profitable services for our users and partners.”
Meanwhile, the US Trade Commission (FTC) is examining whether Facebook has prevented competition by buying WhatsApp and Instagram. Boss Mark Zuckerberg is said to have perceived the two services as a threat and therefore bought them.
Google apps for iPhone and iPad are soon to receive the data protection labeling in the App Store, which is new by Apple: They are planning to provide their own iOS app catalog with data protection labels, a Google spokesman confirmed to Techcrunch . The first Google software will list its data access in the next few days in label form.
Update requires data protection labeling Google is countering speculation that it deliberately withholds app updates in order not to have to comply with Apple’s new data protection labeling. Since the beginning of December 2020, Apple has stipulated new apps and app updates to transmit detailed information about advertising tracking and data collection, which is then available as uniform data protection labeling for every app in the App Store – from iOS or iPadOS 14. 3.
After Apple’s deadline, two Google app updates were even released in the App Store, including “Google Presentations” – but without the labeling that was actually required at that time, as Techcrunch notes . However, Google may have submitted the updates before the deadline and they got stuck in Apple’s review process. Many other large app providers such as Pinterest have not yet submitted any details for data protection labeling.
Hardly any criticism of data protection labels Apple wants to ensure more transparency with the mandatory data protection label so that users can see before the download which data an app is interested in. The Facebook subsidiary WhatsApp has so far been the only major provider to criticize the data protection label: Messenger sees itself at a disadvantage compared to Apple’s pre-installed iMessage service. The labeling is also falsified and falls short, because it does not reveal the effort involved in protecting data.
(Pocket-lint) – With huge numbers of us now working from home and spending more time in the house, there’s never been a time when you need to call colleagues or friends.
Secret WhatsApp tips and tricks you might not know about
There are a few stand-out examples that offer instant messaging and video chat as well as numerous other features. Every app is available across multiple platforms, with the exception of Apple’s FaceTime that is restricted to Apple devices.
Our guide to the best video calling apps
Facebook/TechCrunch
Messenger
Best for Facebook devotees
Facebook recently worked to streamline Messenger, which has been separate from the main Facebook app for several years now. Messenger is used by many individuals and businesses for communication and you can even use it without a Facebook account.
You can video or voice chat with an individual or a group very easily. Need to know how to use it for video calling? Check out: How to video call on Facebook Messenger
Messenger also has recently announced Messenger Rooms, a way to join group video calls with up to 50 people – yes, it’s like Zoom or Skype.
Facebook’s Messenger Rooms: The Zoom-like video calling feature explained
WhatsApp
WhatsApp
Best for small group calls – up to eight people
Facebook-owned WhatsApp may be second to Messenger in North America, but globally it is massive. As of early 2020 the app said it has over two billion users worldwide which is quite an incredible reach for an app that started as a paid-for premium offering.
WhatsApp’s strength is that it is easy to make new chats and search for messages in the past. You can also see when messages are received and read and it’s just great with pictures.
It can be used for video and voice calls. You can start a call with one individual and then add other participants easily. The limit on group video calls is now eight.
How to make WhatsApp group voice and video calls
Apple
FaceTime
Best for Apple-to-Apple calls
We don’t know how many users FaceTime video has, but it’s massive between Apple users and you can easily flip back and forth between video and voice.
Of course, being Apple-only is a disadvantage not shared by any of the other apps here but it is available across both iOS and macOS.
As well as individual calls, you can now easily make a Group FaceTime call – if everyone you’re talking to is on an Apple device, it’s mega easy to sort out.
How to make a Group FaceTime video call
Zoom
Zoom
Best for large group/workplace video conferencing (and for the tiled view)
Zoom is a cloud-based video conferencing service you can use to virtually meet with others – either by video or audio-only or both, all while conducting live chats – and it lets you record those sessions to view later.
A Zoom Meeting is a video conferencing meeting that’s hosted using Zoom while a Zoom Room is physical hardware that companies can install in meeting rooms.
What is Zoom and how does it work? Plus tips and tricks
One of the best features is the tiled view, so you can have everybody on screen at the same time – even if you have tens of participants.
If you want to know if you’re in good company when using Zoom, you are: over half of Fortune 500 companies reportedly used Zoom in 2019.
Zoom meeting passwords explained: Why are they now on by default?
WhatsApp
Google Meet
Best for G Suite (Google apps) users
While Google Duo (below) is more of a one-to-one solution, Google Meet is Google’s option for video calling and sits alongside Google Chat. It does have a separate app, but most people who use it are customers of Google’s G Suite, which is basically Gmail, Calendar and Docs but for business.
You can start meetings from Gmail or Google Calendar and you can video chat with individuals, conference or just text chat.
As of 4 May 2020, Google made Google Meet free to anyone with a Google account – this will last until the end of September 2020 at present.
What is Google Meet Chat, how do they work, and when can you use them?
Skype
Skype
Best for cross-device calling across PCs, Macs and mobile devices
Microsoft-owned Skype remains one of the most ubiquitous ways to make a video call and as such it’s a good option just because so many people have it. As well as PC and Mac, it’s also available for iOS and Android of course.
And you can even now access it via a web browser and also set up instant meetings with people who don’t have an account using Skype Meet Now. The group calling feature is also really powerful.
As in Zoom, you can also change your Skype background.
It also integrates nicely with Office 365 and if you use this for work you’ll be familiar with Skype for Business.
How to use Skype: A beginner’s guide for complete Skype novices
Pocket-lint
Slack
Best for perpetual office chat and one-to-one calling
Slack is a little different to the competition as it’s more of an open platform. It works as a central place for communication that pulls in third-party apps to make it work.
It’s meant for team communication – we use it here at Pocket-lint – and is a great way to share files (it also integrates with Google Drive or Dropbox). The free version enables you to make calls but only one-to-one; you need a paid subscription to call a group (and it’s expensive). It’s also been redesigned recently to make it easier to use.
Another great feature of Slack is its ability to search entire conversations for certain words so finding what’s been talked about is easy. The app is iOS and Android friendly and autocompletes friends’ names making tagging them simple.
What is Slack and how does it work? Plus plenty of Slack tips and tricks
Google/Pocket-lint
Google Duo
A WhatsApp alternative for easy calling between devices
Relatively recently brought out by Google, Duo is free to use, enables one-to-one video and voice calls and it works across both iOS and Android devices – unlike Apple’s FaceTime. It’s primarily an app for consumers rather than business – Google Hangouts is Google’s work calling solution.
It relies on your number, lets you reach people in your phone’s contacts list, offers end-to-end encryption, and has nifty features like Knock Knock, which allows you see live video of your caller before you answer.
What is Google Duo? What you need to know about Google’s video and voice call app
Pocket-lint
Viber
The best Skype alternative
Viber is a comprehensive alternative to Skype. It was primarily a service for calling directly between devices, but it now also has WhatsApp style chat and can be used to share files.
One of the great things about Viber is how widely available it is across platforms including Android, iOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, Windows 8, Mac and more. That means video calling across devices or chatting using IM with emoticons should be seamless and simple. Plus it’s all free.
Pocket-lint
WeChat
Another great Skype alternative
WeChat is being hailed as the one-stop-shop alternative to most communication apps. It’s like combining text, Skype, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram into one app.
WeChat enables you to share photos and videos directly with other users or they can be posted to their profile, like the Facebook wall. Another feature, called Shake, allows users to find others nearby to chat locally.
WeChat also allows voice chat, group chat, video chat and emoticon sharing. And it’s all free to download.
What is two-factor authentication and why should you use it? Plus how to enable for Apple, Google and more
Facebook looks back with delight at the turn of the year. Especially for the New Year, people would have used the company’s apps to get rid of good wishes and greetings. The numbers for Whatsapp, the Messenger app, Facebook and Instagram increased significantly compared to the previous year. The enormous increase is related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Doubling of usage As the company announces, more than 1.4 billion video calls and simple audio calls are said to have been made via WhatsApp for the New Year. This represents a new record for the app. Compared to the turn of the year from 2019 to 2020 use more than doubled.
The in-house messenger app, which was developed in conjunction with Facebook, is said to have been used with many effects at the same time. In the USA, the augmented reality effect “2020 Fireworks” was particularly popular. In addition, New Years Eve 2020 was the most successful day so far for messenger group video calls in the USA. These video calls typically involve more than three people speaking to each other at the same time. Here there was almost a doubling of calls compared to everyday use.
Via Facebook’s large platforms, Facebook and Instagram, users also had more than 55 Millions of live switches denied the New Year’s Eve.
Proximity despite Corona The large increase in usage figures is likely to be due to the coronavirus pandemic and a number of lockdown measures in various countries. Many people were encouraged to reduce their contacts at the turn of the year in order to slow down the spread of SARS-CoV-2. This is how Facebook interprets the numbers.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, far more people had met virtually over the course of the year 2020 and exchanged in order to still be able to continue exchanging information in times of contact restrictions. This was also clearly shown in the company’s statistics. The numbers for video calls and other calls would have broken earlier New Year’s records in the spring. In order not to have to accept any failures of the apps at the turn of the year from 2020 to 2021, Facebook has taken appropriate precautions .
On the action of the collection agency of the US taxes, Facebook was forced to close three holding companies in Ireland and bring the intellectual property back to the US
of Rosario Grasso published on 29 December 2020 , at 14: 01 in the web channel Facebook
I giants of the web , you know, they exploit tax havens to pay less taxes, and this applies to both Europe and United States. Not only Facebook , of course, but also the various Amazon, Netflix, Google and others. The Internal Revenue Service , the US government agency responsible for the collection of taxes, recently targeted the company of Mark Zuckerberg , to the point of forcing it to close three holding companies in Ireland and to bring back the intellectual property in the US.
Facebook used its Irish companies to collect payments from the companies it works with and pay less taxes
An operation that will lead Facebook to pay more taxes in the US, after the IRS found that the social network must pay more than 9 billion dollars , linked to the transfer, in 2010, of its profits in Ireland. “We believe it is consistent with the recent and upcoming changes in tax legislation that policy makers are advocating around the world” commented Facebook with an official note.
It is now expected that the European Union moves in the same way with the coveted web tax : an objective at the heart of the Italian presidency of the G 20.
Facebook has indeed used its Irish companies to channel international sales by holding its intellectual properties in Ireland. He thus collected payments from the companies he collaborates with in Ireland . According to recent investigations by Times and Guardian , Facebook’s main Irish subsidiary would only pay 101 millions of dollars in tax on profits of 15 billions in 2018, last year for which data are available.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has also gone against Facebook in recent weeks, accusing it of ‘illegal monopoly’ through the acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp .
What do Mazda RX-8, Audi A2 and BMW C1 have in common? They were all extremely interesting and exciting vehicles with the serious economic disadvantage that nobody wanted them. We dug deep into memories and picked out what we saw as the worst flops on two and four wheels that were kind of cool, but weren’t a big seller. Were they ahead of their time or was there never a target audience for the model? We get to the bottom of all of this and have brought numerous models with us for discussion.
The horn episode 22 handles in the toilet You have the option of leaving spoken comments via Whatsapp answering machine: + 49 2694 3190211
handles in the toilet (4 pictures) Designer specials always testify to the desperation of the sales department. Here the BMW C1 “Bond Street”, designed by Louis Vuitton.
(Image: BMW Motorrad) Website Spotify iTunes (cgl)
The instant messaging market is quite crowded, although without a doubt the most important services are Messenger and WhatsApp by Facebook and iMessage by Apple. Nevertheless, Telegram as a kind of privacy refuge is close to reaching 500 million users. For this reason, Pavel Durov, the co-founder of the platform, shared the “trailer” of future plans for the application. They mainly concern the monetization that is necessary to further develop the project. You must know that the creator of Telegram created it from scratch on the basis of his own savings and so far has simply not earned money on it. He also did not decide to sell the platform to any giant.
The creator of the Telegram messenger announces the emergence of new functions, some of which will be paid. In addition, ads are to be sent to the application.
Apple iPhone test 12 – a smartphone that cuts itself off from the past
Sooner or later it had to get it. No project can be continuously developed without a chance to earn money. Telegram, a recognized messenger providing a high level of privacy, has so far been financed only by Pavel Durov’s savings. The first element that allows you to earn money will be advertising. It is not certain where they will be displayed, but it is certain that we will not see them in private conversations. Perhaps they will go to the main screen of the application, but we will find out about it only next year.
POCO M3 smartphone test – Stereo speaker power, unusual design and battery life 6000 mAh make an impression
Telegram will also introduce new features, but you will have to pay for them. The creator has not revealed what new products are concerned, but we know that they will be dedicated to advanced users and business customers. This makes a lot of sense and I think the “Premium” variant will be devoid of ads that will go to the basic version of the application. Importantly, the current features available in the application will remain free forever and this could be a key message for current users who would not necessarily want to pay for add-ons.
Telegram has announced that it closing in on the 500 million active user mark. To keep a service of this scale operational, the company has announced plans of monetization through the co-founder Pavel Durov’s public channel on Telegram.
Durov laid out a two-fold plan on monetizing the service starting next year. The first part of this will be introducing premium features for business or power users. While all existing features will continue to remain free, the service will introduce some new features that are aimed at fulfilling the needs of the more demanding userbase.
Durov’s community post
The other part will be introducing ads in the public channels. These channels are like massive open group chats run by an individual or a group of people and allows anyone to join in. Over the years, the popularity of these groups has really skyrocketed, with users treating them as the modern day forums or an alternative to services like Discord.
Telegram will be showing ads in these groups using their own ad network, which will also get rid of any ads that the group owners may currently be placing manually by sending them as posts. The ads will be integrated within the app and have a better interface instead of masquerading as posts.
As for one on one and private group chats, those will remain free of ads.
In his post, Durov also assured users that Telegram will remain an independent company. The steps they are taking with monetization will help keep the company afloat and also avoid having to sell it to make money. Never one to mince his words, Durov also pointed to WhatsApp as an example of how things can go bad when platform owners prioritize profits over user privacy.
The company also released a major update on the mobile platforms that adds voice chat support to groups. Unlike voice calls, voice chats are like an open voice channel that people can go in and out of as they please and those in can continue talking or just listen to the others. You can continue to use the rest of the app while the voice chat is open in the background. On Android, a floating widget will appear on the screen when a voice chat is active and can be minimized to a chat bubble.
The feature will also be available on Telegram desktop client on Windows and macOS.
The update also brings other enhancements, such as faster loading stickers that show and outline before they finish loading, SD card storage on Android for moving their Telegram files from the internal storage to external storage, new app animations on Android, ability to announce your messages using Siri on iOS, ability to edit photos on Android after you’ve sent them, and finally, more animated emoji.
The app update is now live on mobile platforms. More details on the monetization aspect will be revealed in the future.
Telegram announced today that it will implement a new strategy to be economically sustainable, and that is, although there are services such as WhatsApp, which live mainly on the money that Facebook is able to collect with other services, Telegram for its part is a totally independent company.
As we can read in a message from Durov’s Channel, Telegram will remain Telegram independently , without selling the service to a third party company, for what will be implemented payment functionalities for companies, while normal users of the service will continue to enjoy Telegram as always, for free.
It is also indicated that all areas that have to do with messaging will remain ad-free, so hopefully we will find ads on other app sites, in addition to launching a unified ad platform to show advertisements on public channels, so that the impact for users will be relatively low.
Finally, it is also indicated that the creators of Premium stickers will be able to see part of the benefits , in addition to that the public channels in which these ads exist will be able to see their increased traffic, so that thanks to these ads will be able to reach more users around the world. )
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Jordi Bercial
Avid technology and electronics enthusiast . I mess around with computer components almost since I learned to ride. I started working at Geeknetic after winning a contest on their forum for writing hardware articles. Drift, mechanics and photography lover. Don’t be shy and leave a comment on my articles if you have any questions.
Messenger Telegram wants to introduce a payment model in view of its rapid growth. All currently free functions remain free, as Telegram founder Pawel Durow announced. However, there will be new functions for which users will then be asked to pay.
On advertisements to finance the service, which are displayed when reading Durow wants to continue to do without news. “Communication between people should be free from advertising of any kind,” he writes. According to him, Telegram is now used by 500 millions of active users. The service was founded 2013 and was initially popular with opposition activists in authoritarian countries because of its encryption, but has recently become the focus of German authorities because of questionable groups and criminal activities devices.
“We won’t sell the company like the founders of WhatsApp,” says Durow. “The world needs Telegram to stay independent.” And to ensure that, the service must generate income from the coming year. “We will introduce innumerable new functions and welcome billions of new users,” says the founder. The 36 – year old is considered the Russian Mark Zuckerberg. However, Durow lives abroad for fear of political persecution. He also founded the social network Vkontakte, the Russian equivalent of Facebook. In contrast to Facebook, there is even less control of the content there, which is why the platform is said to be popular with neo-Nazis, among others. Russian authorities have full access to Vkontakte.
Language areas at Telegram A new function for group voice chats is immediately available at Telegram, similar to a Discord room that runs continuously. You can then simply click in and out. The language rooms should also work for groups with several thousand participants. In the mobile app, a corresponding button appears within the group as soon as the update has been downloaded. A push-to-talk option is available on the desktop. The voice chats will soon be expanded to include video. Group admins must enable the function. “Voice chats are not group calls, but can achieve similar goals and are much more flexible than group calls with classic scheduling,” writes Telegram in the blog post.
Of course there are also more animations and animated emojis that can also be loaded faster. “If you are still using iOS, you can allow Siri to read incoming messages over your headphones,” it says with a swipe at Apple. (With material from dpa) / (emw)
Microsoft, Google, Cisco, the Internet Association and VMWare support Facebook in the proceedings against the NSO Group. The Israeli company had hacked WhatsApp accounts using malware 1400 – from journalists, lawyers, human rights activists and government officials, among others.
Microsoft has published the letter with multiple signers. It reads: “Private companies like NSO Group are working hard to develop surveillance tools and sell them to governments and other customers as ‘cyber surveillance as a service’.” This makes it possible to listen in on conversations, read text messages and e-mails, view photos and contact lists and download all of the data and search history. This is illegal in the USA.
Immunity thanks to governments The NSO is trying to do this Group to avert a proceeding. The company stated that immunity must apply because government agencies bought the software and were not used to monitor it yourself.
Facebook’s supporters try to protect its products from cyber criminals. “Every year 120 billions of dollars are invested in security worldwide,” the letter said. There is also an explanation of the other dangers – for example, using the example of the ransomware attack on a bank in Ukraine 2017, because of this in the USA and other regions of the world Productions had to be stopped. In their opinion, immunity for a private company is absolutely the wrong way to go. Imitators have already tried to produce similar software.
The first legal proceedings had already resulted in success for Facebook. However, a default judgment was issued against which the NSO Group defends itself. Since then, Facebook has also requested that the content of the case be decided.
(Pocket-lint) – Fitbit has been around for years, sitting at the top of its activity tracking class, smugly watching as its competitors hope to raise the same sort of brand awareness. For many, a fitness band is simply called “a Fitbit” – such has been the impact of this company – and it’s now being bought by Google, to add to its power.
We’ve broken down each of the Fitbit trackers, looking at how much each costs, what features it offers and why you might consider buying each one. This list is all about helping you work out which Fitbit will suit you and your lifestyle best.
Quick summary
The Fitbit Inspire is the cheapest fitness tracker in Fitbit’s offering, replacing the Zip, Flex and Alta. It offers all-day sleep and activity tracking, smartphone notifications, clock faces and interchangeable straps. It has a touchscreen display, is swim proof and it offers automatic exercise recognition too.
The Fitbit Inspire HR has a very similar design to the standard Inspire but it adds heart rate monitoring, more advanced sleep data, VO2 Max, Goal-Based exercise modes and Connected GPS. Other functions are the same as the Inspire, but it is a little more expensive due to the extra features.
The Fitbit Inspire 2 has a slightly more refined design compared to the Inspire and Inspire HR, offering many of the same features but doubling the battery life and adding Active Zone Minutes and Quick Replies for Android users.
The Fitbit Charge 3 offers everything the Inspire HR does, including swim tracking and Goal-Based exercise, but it adds more advanced smartphone notifications and it has an altimeter. There is also a Special Edition model with NFC for Fitbit Pay.
The Fitbit Charge 4 updates the Fitbit Charge 3, adds NFC as standard, offers Spotify controls and built-in GPS, so it’s better at accurately tracking workouts as a standalone device.
The Fitbit Versa Lite Edition moves into smartwatch territory, offering a middle ground between the Charge 3 and the standard Versa 2 smartwatch in terms of features and price. The Versa Lite Edition has the same features as the Charge 3, including swim proofing, but it adds apps. It loses Fitbit Pay however, as well as an altimeter.
The Fitbit Versa 2 is the next step up in the Fitbit smartwatch sector. It offers everything the Versa Lite Edition has, but it adds the altimeter back in, along with Fitbit Pay and built-in Alexa. Still no built-in GPS, but the Versa 2 has phone-free music, which the Charge 3 and Versa Lite Edition do not.
The Fitbit Versa 3 is an upgrade to the Versa 2, adding Google Assistant as an option on top of Alexa, a built-in speaker for taking calls, Pure Pulse 2.0 heart rate technology and most importantly, built-in GPS.
The Fitbit Ionic is more sportswatch in its design than smartwatch. It offers built-in GPS, water resistance up to 50-metres, mobile payments and smartphone notifications, as well as all the features found on other Fitbit devices. No voice assistants though.
The Fitbit Sense is the all-singing, all-dancing Fitbit smartwatch with a number of sensors on board. It has everything the Versa 3 offers, along with an EDA sensor for monitoring stress, the ability to take an ECG and a skin temperature sensor.
The very best Fitbit trackers available right now
Fitbit
Fitbit Inspire 2
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The Inspire 2 succeeds the Inspire HR and Inspire – below – offering a more refined design with softer, curvier edges and an inductive button over a physical button.
It delivers all the same features as the Inspire HR, including all day activity tracking, advanced sleep tracking with sleep score, exercise modes, female health tracking and smartphone notifications.
It doubles the battery life of the Inspire HR to 10 days however, whilst also adding Active Zone Minutes and Quick Replies for Android users.
The Inspire 2 comes in Black, Lunar White, Desert Poppy.
Fitbit
Fitbit Inspire
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The Fitbit Inspire is the entry level fitness tracker from Fitbit and it offers basic activity monitoring, including steps and calories burned, along with basic sleep tracking.
There’s a display for smartphone notifications and an on-screen dashboard, showing similar metrics to what you would find in the Fitbit app. The Inspire also offers waterproofing up to 50-metres but not swim tracking, and it doesn’t have elevation or heart rate monitoring either.
The Inspire is slim, slender and smaller than the Charge 3. It also offers interchangeable straps, allowing for a different look, as well as the ability to clip it to clothing with a specific accessory, and it is claimed to have a five-day battery life. As with all Fitbit devices, the Inspire connects to the Fitbit app via Bluetooth, offering a range of more detailed stats and data.
The Fitbit Inspire comes in two colours comprising Black and Sangria.
Fitbit Inspire review: Is this pretty pedometer worth the money?
Fitbit
Fitbit Inspire HR
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The Fitbit Inspire HR features a very similar design to the Inspire, meaning a slim and sleek waterproof device with a display for smartphone notifications and progress.
It adds heart rate tracking and swim tracking though, along with a colour-matched buckle for a more secure fastening and it also offers connected GPS, Guided Breathing Sessions, Goal-Based Exercise Modes and VO2 Max.
The Inspire HR also offers more advanced sleep tracking data than the Inspire, though it still lacks elevation data and it doesn’t offer Active Zone Minutes like the newer Inspire 2, or as good a battery life.
The Inspire HR comes in three colours comprising Black, Lilac and Black with White.
Fitbit Inspire HR review: The new fitness tracking king?
Fitbit
Fitbit Charge 4
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The Fitbit Charge 4 is an update to the Fitbit Charge 3, adding in a couple of new features, the biggest of which is the inclusion of GPS. Previously you had to use the GPS on your phone, but on the Charge 4 you can now get that direct from the device, giving location tracking, speed and distance, as well as elevation change from the altimeter.
That makes it a better exercise tracker overall as a standalone device, better than the Inspire models or the Charge 3. It also adds in NFC to support Fitbit Pay, something that was previously only available on special edition Charge 3 models, so it’s extra convenience. Adding to the convenience is Spotify control although you can’t download music to this device.
The battery is rated at 7 days, but this without the GPS – which does have a big impact on the life. It will track GPS activities up to 5 hours, so will cover a lot of events like 5 or 10km runs, but won’t cover anything longer – and that will use up a lot of the battery life.
All the other metrics from the Charge 3 are included – sleep tracking, steps and so on – but the Charge 4 also introduced active zone minutes, which is designed to focus on boosting heart health through your activities, regardless of steps. It’s better positioned to reward varied activities rather than depending on steps as a metric.
Fitbit Charge 4 review: The most accomplished fitness band?
Fitbit
Fitbit Charge 3
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The Fitbit Charge 3 is the successor to the Charge 2, refining and streamlining its design, whilst also adding waterproofing up to 50-metres and swim tracking, like the Inspire HR. There is a 40 per cent larger and brighter OLED display compared to the Charge 2 and it is touch-enabled, rather than just tap-enabled, allowing users to swipe through all the metrics they’d find in the Fitbit app, including hydration.
All of the Inspire HR’s features are on board, including Connected GPS and continuous heart rate monitoring, but you’ll also get a few extras with the Charge 3, including elevation data and the option of an NFC-enabled model.
The Charge 3 also has Run Detect with auto stop, meaning runners can stop at lights without manually hitting pause on their workout. Smartphone notifications are also a little more advanced than the Inspire HR with Quick Replies for Android users.
The Charge 3 is available in two standard options of Graphite with a Black strap or Rose Gold with a Blue Grey strap. There are also two Special Edition models that are NFC-enabled, offering Fitbit Pay. The Special Edition models have the same case options but the graphite has a white perforated sports strap, while the rose gold has a purple fabric strap.
Fitbit Charge 3 review: A stand-out smart fitness tracker
Fitbit
Fitbit Versa Lite Edition
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The Fitbit Versa Lite Edition is the first step from fitness tracker to smartwatch in Fitbit’s portfolio. It offers many of the same features as the Charge 3, including waterproofing, heart rate tracking, sleep stages, swim tracking and Connected GPS, though it misses out on elevation data and Fitbit Pay capabilities.
It does have the ability to install some third party apps however, something that sets it apart from the Charge, and it also looks more like a watch than an activity tracker. Additionally, the Versa Lite Edition comes with interchangeable straps like other Fitbit devices and it has the option of designer accessories too.
The Versa Lite Edition comes in four colours, including Silver Aluminium with White, Silver Aluminium with Purple, Marina Blue Aluminium with Marina Blue strap and Mulberry Aluminium with Mulberry strap.
Fitbit Versa Lite Edition review: Lower price with little compromise
Fitbit
Fitbit Versa 3
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The Fitbit Versa 3 succeeds the Versa 2 – below – but it adds some of the main features missing from the 2019 device.
There’s a built-in speaker for taking calls, along with built-in GPS and there’s also Google Assistant on top of Amazon Alexa.
You’ll also find fast charging on the Versa 3, along with all the other features you’d expect from a Fitbit smartwatch including all day activity tracking, sleep tracking and smartphone notifications. There’s also Fitbit Pay as standard and Pure Pulse 2.0 heart rate technology like the Sense (below).
The Fitbit Versa 3 comes in three colours: Pink Clay and Soft Gold Aluminium, Black and Black Aluminium, Midnight and Soft Gold Aluminium.
Fitbit
Fitbit Versa 2
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The Fitbit Versa 2 is a step up from the Versa Lite Edition, though part of the same family, offering a smartwatch that’s more lifestyle and less obviously sporty than the Ionic (below). Like the Versa Lite Edition, the Versa 2, offers a metal body waterproofed to 50m with rounded corners and a domed back, and it comes with interchangeable straps.
All the same features as the Versa Lite Edition are on board, but as you would expect, the Fitbit Versa 2 offers a couple more compared to the Lite model. These include elevation data like the Charge 3, built-in Alexa, music storage, an Always On display mode, Sleep Mode and support for Spotify.
As with the Lite model though, the Versa still only offers Connected GPS – you’ll need the Charge 4, Versa 3, Sense or Ionic if you want built-in GPS from Fitbit. Support for smartphone notifications, with quick reply support for Android is on board though, and there is also Fitbit Pay support.
The Fitbit Versa comes in five colours including Carbon Aluminium with a Black strap, Mist Grey Aluminium with a Stone strap, or Copper Rose Aluminium with either a Petal strap, Bordeaux strap or Emerald strap. There are also two Special Edition models that come with both a woven strap and classic strap.
Fitbit Versa 2 review: Alexa, what’s the new Fitbit smartwatch like?
Fitbit
Fitbit Sense
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The Fitbit Sense is the company’s most accomplished smartwatch, taking on a similar design to the Versa family but offering more features.
It has all the features from the Versa 3, along with a EDA sensor for stress monitoring, the ability to take an ECG (pending approval) and a skin temperature sensor.
Along with these additional sensors, the Sense smartwatch has built-in GPS, both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice assistants and it still promises a six day battery life.
There’s also a built-in speaker, allowing for Bluetooth calls and responses from the voice assistants and there’s the Pure Pulse 2.0 heart rate technology too, which can detect high and low heart rate and notify you when you go above or below your normal thresholds.
The Fitbit Sense comes in two colours of Carbon and Graphite Stainless Steel or Lunar White and Gold Stainless Steel.
Fitbit
Fitbit Ionic
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The Fitbit Ionic is more sportswatch looking in design and offers all the features available on both the Charge 3 and Versa 2 (except Alexa), while adding a few of extras like built-in GPS. It misses out on some of the features offered by the latest Sense smartwatch though.
It comes with partner apps like Strava and it offers on-screen workouts like the Versa and Sense devices. The Ionic also has interchangeable straps and a unibody made from aerospace aluminium for a premium look.
The Fitbit Ionic is said to have a 4-day battery life and it offers extended smartphone notifications to include apps like Facebook, WhatsApp and Gmail, like the Versa family, Inspire family and Charge 3 and 4 also do. The Ionic is available in three colours, each of which are compatible with the two leather straps and three sports bands available separately.
Fitbit Ionic review: Bridging the gap between fitness tracker and smartwatch
Calls and video calls can be also perform from desktop with WhatsApp Web and with the dedicated client. Their arrival is finally official in the preliminary version, a sign that everything could finally land also in the official versions. Here’s how they will work.
by Bruno Mucciarelli published 22 December 2020 , at 10: 41 in the web channel Whatsapp
During the COVID pandemic – 19 and lockdown periods the calls and the online video calls have become increasingly common, both for private users, and for companies that have had to find an alternative to physical meetings. Facebook and Zoom took advantage of the moment by proposing their own technologies, and WhatsApp was also updated by increasing the limit of group calls to 8 people. But there are more news in sight.
WhatsApp Web: calls and video calls arrive
As stated by the usual WABetaInfo, in fact, the WhatsApp team is working on the implementation of the functionality also on the client for desktop systems, therefore within the WhatsApp Web platform accessible via browser. The feature was implemented in the first test builds these days, but is not yet accessible to the public and provides for support for both calls and video calls with WhatsApp also on desktop .
In this case, here is WhatsApp Web has brought to the interface the buttons and graphic elements necessary to initiate calls and video calls also from PC, Mac and tablet. There are keys to start the calls that have been positioned in the upper bar, where there is also the header of the chat or group. In this case, the actual calls and video calls should take place within separate windows from those of the main chats. Not only because for voice calls there will be a compact size control bar which will guarantee, from what it seems, to hang up the phone call or even switch to a video call. If, on the other hand, a call is received, the window will expand to accommodate the caller’s profile photo, allowing you to reject the call, to answer on video, or to receive the communication using only the microphone.
Virtually only calls and video calls from the web interface on WhatsApp are missing. A shortcoming that certainly made itself felt not a little, especially in this period of smart working and lockdown. Two elements that have been available for years in the smartphone versions of the application but which are always lacking in the one accessible from the browser.
When the calls and video calls on the WhatsApp desktop client arrive also for the public version and on WhatsApp Web ? As usual, no official dates are released. The function is under development and has not yet been confirmed but in fact the landing on the Beta channel for some time can only bode well for a not too distant release. Or at least hopefully.
Since 2017, the police can officially monitor Internet phone calls and messenger communications in the event of suspicion of a large number of criminal offenses as well as carry out clandestine online searches . The Federal Office of Justice (BfJ) has now published statistics for the first time for 2019. According to this, the investigators used 368 – times state trojans.
For source telecommunications monitoring, judges ordered interventions in IT systems according to the report on paragraph 95 a Code of Criminal Procedure (StPO) 578 – times on. Of these 368. In around 32 percent of the cases, the use of a state Trojan was successful not or was called off despite the judge’s approval. With 129 arrangements of which 89, Lower Saxony leads the country table of the source TKÜ. In the comparatively poorly populated state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the judges allowed the police 118 – sometimes the source TKÜ. This was carried out there in 94 cases, so even more often than in Lower Saxony.
With 94 Bremen also comes up with a large number of orders. However, the investigators only implemented eleven of them in the Hanseatic city. For Saxony 76 judge permits and 76 implemented measures in this area. Hesse follows with 64 and 52 State Trojan missions carried out.
Paragraph 100 a StPO At the source TKÜ, encrypted ongoing communication, for example from messengers such as WhatsApp, Signal or Threema or online calls via Skype & Co., is tapped directly on the end device before it has been encrypted or after it has been decrypted. The extensive catalog of criminal offenses for this begins with murder and manslaughter, but ranges from tax offenses, computer fraud and receiving stolen goods to everyday crime. There is no individual list of the offenses for which a source TKÜ was deemed permissible.
Overall, judges 2019 ruled nationwide in 5252 telecommunication monitoring procedures according to paragraph 100 a StPO. This is an increase of 2.9 percent compared to the previous year. The number of “classic” monitoring arrangements is 12. 225 but 6.4 percent below the figure of the previous year when it was still 19. 474 Permits were.
8624 Monitoring orders were issued for drug offenses, which was around 40 corresponds to percent of the total permits. The Federal Criminal Police Office had already sounded out in advance that the need for a source TKÜ is likely to be particularly high. In places 2 and 3 follow “Fraud and Computer Fraud” with 3372 and gang theft with 1833 Orders.
Paragraph 100 b StPO Also for the first time the authorities 2019 recorded measures according to paragraph 100 b StPO on clandestine online searches statistically. According to this, judges in 19 proceedings ordered the relevant Monitoring of IT systems including hard drives. The number of initial and extension orders for online searches last year was 32, of which the investigators were actually able to carry out twelve.
Half of the online searches were carried out in Bavaria, where they too were primarily concerned with violations of the Narcotics Act. Overall refer to 12 Orders on drug offenses, 13 on predatory and particularly serious blackmail. In cases it has involved the formation of criminal or terrorist groups; The capital crimes of murder and manslaughter, often cited as a justification for the instrument, did not serve as a starting point. g StPO published. Accordingly, in the previous year nationwide in a total of 19. 562 procedure such data collected. The total number of initial and extension orders was 23. 231. Most requests are directed against data that telecommunications providers had on file for up to a week. A direct comparison with the data of the previous year is not possible due to incomplete information for 2018. At that time, eleven federal states had a total of 20. 143 Procedure reported.
(anw)
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