X one step closer to becoming an ‘everything app’
X, that app that’s going through more changes than a teenage boy, is rolling out audio and video calls. For some reason. It’s probably got something to do with Elon Musk’s grand vision of turning X into an ‘everything app’. We think. Musk directly confirmed the feature’s existence as an “early version” through a post in the early hours of the morning but failed to elaborate.
However, we’re still waiting on an official announcement from the platform itself. Right now, the feature is still shrouded in mystery. Thanks to a Community Note, we know that the feature is only available on iOS (for now) and is turned on by default. There’s been no mention from X on the feature’s status as an X Premium feature, either. Our guess? You’ll need to pay that R1,700/year to gain access.
Musk first confirmed X’s plans to launch audio and video calls back in August, noting that it would be available on iOS, Android, Mac, and PC with “no phone number needed.” He also mentioned that, at first, X’s calls wouldn’t be encrypted, and that the platform would eventually add a toggle to let users turn it on or off as they see fit.
For those with access, there’s already a toggle buried in the app’s settings that’ll let you turn the feature on or off. Go to Settings > Privacy & Safety > Direct Messages > Enable Audio & Video Calling.
Google’s fighting AI misinformation with “About this image”
If you weren’t aware, Google is attempting to curb some of the rampant misinformation that’s plagued the world in AI’s wake. Specifically, it’s doing that with the “About this image” tool that it announced earlier this year at the I/O developer conference, which is now officially getting its start for English users globally.
The whole idea is to give users a way to hunt down the origins of an image across Google Images or Search – including its metadata – and provide some valuable input on an image’s journey across the internet over time. It’s also offering some context on whether an image is AI-generated or not through its metadata (if available).
It’s clear that Google is rolling out the feature at a time when misinformation surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict is at an all-time high. In fact, Musk is being questioned by European regulators over this issue on X, with the company’s answer reportedly being the Community Notes feature.
Google’s answer seems a bit more elegant. Click the three-dot (kebab) menu to get hold of it if you’re using the platform in English. Google initially noted that it was working on more ways to access the feature – like being able to right-click on an image in Chrome or by swiping up on a page in the Google app when wanting to learn more about an image.
The search giant’s goals are pure, but it hardly spells the end of misinformation. Users are still required to do their homework, and it’s far too easy to share or engage with misinformation. As your aunt on Facebook has proven time and time again.
The PS5 Slim brings some hardware troubles
We’re less than a month away from the release of the new PS5 – commonly referred to as the PS5 Slim – which is set to release sometime in November (8 and 10 November if the leaks are accurate). We already know that some models will be sold with a detachable disc drive if you’re willing to fork over the extra cash. Unfortunately, that disc drive might need an active internet connection to get things going according to Eurogamer.
The news apparently comes from leaked images of the new PS5 box that appeared online. “Internet connection required to pair Disc Drive and PS5 console upon setup,” it warns, essentially locking the device behind a server-based authentication. Sure, it’s disappointing for some, but for the console’s general target audience, we’re guessing it won’t raise any big issues.
For one, it’s only required when setting up the peripheral for the first time. We’re guessing it’s a way for Sony to confirm that the device really is the officially licenced drive from Sony and not some knockoff that could run pirated games.
It does raise some concerning questions for the future of the product. Like what happens when you want to use it on another’s console. Will the device lock itself to the first PS5 it paired with? Will it need an internet connection every time it’s reattached? There’s really only one way to tell; testing the console itself when it lands. Or, you know, Sony could save us the hassle and clear up the matter itself. Unfortunately, we don’t see that happening yet.
Finally, Nintendo adds a new game to its online service
One of the N64’s best games is finally joining the ranks of Nintendo’s online subscription service that gives gamers access to a bunch of old games for a price each month. That game is Mario Party 3 and it’s rounding off the last of the series in the N64 era. It’ll land on 27 October after an update goes live to the Switch N64 app on Friday.
If you’re already subscribed to the service and have enough controllers (or friends), have no qualms about checking this out. It might not be as steeped in Nintendo (cult)ure as the previous two entries, but it’s still a welcome addition to the service if you’ve got enough controllers (or friends) handy.
It can’t touch the GameCube’s first entry: Mario Party 4 (which might finally get the Expansion + treatment), but it does feature some of the more iconic minigames in the series’ history – most of which can be played in a glorious 1080p resolution if you’ve got Mario Party Superstars under your belt.