Earlier if a user needs to use AI features inside mail, Docs, Sheets, Meet, and the rest of the Workspace suite, they need to pay an extra $20 per user per month for the Gemini Business Plan. Yesterday Google officially announced via a blog post that AI features will now be available to all the Workspace customers at no extra charge.

AI capabilities that will be rolled out to Google Workspace Business customers today and to Enterprise customers later this month include-

• AI assistance in the mail, Docs, Sheets, Meet, Chat, Vids, and more
• Chat with Gemini Advanced
• Unlock the power of NotebookLM Plus

But there is a catch, Google will not be charging for these AI features but has slightly increased the prices of its Workspace plans. For example, earlier the Standard Business plan was priced at $12 while for the Gemini Business add-on, they needed to pay $20, an amount totaling $32 per user per month. Now users will have to pay $14 ($2 extra) for the Workspace Business standard plan including AI features.

New Pricing For Workspace Plans (Global)

Flexible Plan (Monthly Payment)

• Business Starter- $8.40 USD per user
• Business Standard- $16.80 USD per user
• Business Plus- $26.40 USD per user

Annual/Fixed-Term Plan (Monthly Payment)

• Business starter- $7 USD per user
• Business standard- $14 USD per user
• Business Plus- $22 USD per user

The new pricing takes effect from tomorrow for new customers, monthly subscription pricing will be updated starting 17^th March 2025 or at renewal date with an Annual/Fixed term plan whichever is later. Very small business customers are not subject to pricing changes at this time.

Workspace Plans- Indian pricing

• Business starter- Rs 160.65 INR per user/month
• Business standard- Rs 864 INR per user/month
• Business Plus- Rs 1700 INR per user/month

In India, the AI feature is standard across all the plans.

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Indian authorities have ordered the removal of several prominent Virtual Private Network (VPN) applications, including Cloudflare’s popular 1.1.1.1 app, from both Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store in India. This marks the first major enforcement action under India’s 2022 VPN regulations.

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs issued removal orders through its Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, affecting more than half a dozen VPN services. Other apps impacted by the takedown include Hide.me and PrivadoVPN, according to documents reviewed by TechCrunch.

This enforcement follows India’s 2022 regulatory framework, which requires VPN providers and cloud service operators to maintain extensive customer records. The regulations mandate the collection and storage of user data, including names, addresses, IP addresses, and transaction histories, for five years.

The new requirements have faced major resistance from industry leaders. Major VPN providers, including NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN, previously expressed concerns about the regulations. Several companies responded by removing their server infrastructure from India, though some continue to serve Indian customers while ceasing local marketing efforts.

Neither the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology nor the affected technology companies – Apple, Google, and Cloudflare – have provided public comment on the removal orders.

The post Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 Among Multiple VPN Apps Pulled from Indian App Stores appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

Reliance Jio has today officially announced that it will soon launch a new AI Magic tool for its customers on Jio Cloud.

Experience AI magic with JioCloud! From auto-organized albums to theme-based photo edits that match your vibe, JioCloud simplifies and personalizes your digital life.
Stay tuned – the magic is launching soon! #JioCloud #WithLoveFromJio #DigitalLife pic.twitter.com/qzCINDe29A

— Reliance Jio (@reliancejio) December 20, 2024

Want to know what this Jio Cloud is? Here are the details

This new artificial intelligence tool will allow users to auto-organize their albums and also to make theme-based photo edits as per the choice of users. This tool will be launched soon and as per the official announcement, all you need to do is open the Jio Cloud app, scroll down, and click on AI magic. Then click or upload the photo that you want to be transformed.

There will be different themes available like Goa vibes, astronaut, snow, cinematic, ninja warrior, robot, baby, and more. Users can also generate professional headshots based on different vibes like corporate, classic, party, sharp, suave, and more. The professional headshots can also be used for your LinkedIn profile.

Jio has also added practical features to the app like an AI scanner, and background remover tool. And here is the best part, all these features will be made available for users completely free to use.  This AI magic tool is currently exclusive to existing and active users and soon this feature will be rolled out to everyone.

Stay tuned with The Tech Outlook for more latest updates.

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Yesterday Google officially unveiled a new quantum chip called Willow, which has earned a lot of appreciation in the industry. As per an official post by Sundar Pichai, more errors are reduced exponentially as more qubits are used in Willow.

We see Willow as an important step in our journey to build a useful quantum computer with practical applications in areas like drug discovery, fusion energy, battery design + more. Details here: https://t.co/dgPuXOoBSZ

— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) December 9, 2024

It is revealed that in benchmark tests, Willow solved a standard computation in <5 mins that would take a leading supercomputer over 10^25 years which is far beyond the age of the universe. Willow helps in cracking a key challenge in quantum error correction that the field has pursued for almost 30 years.

Willow outperformed the Frontier supercomputer in a benchmark algorithm, marking a significant step for the company’s ambitions in quantum technology. Pichai has also mentioned that Willow is seen as an important step in building a useful quantum computer with practical applications in areas like drug discovery, fusion energy, battery design, and more.

In an official blog post, the company has also mentioned that with 105 qubits, Willow has best-in-class performance across two system benchmarks: quantum error correction and random circuit sampling.

Well, Willow not only received appreciation from users around the world but it also impressed Elon Musk as he commented “Wow” on Pichai’s post. To this Pichai replied, “We should do a quantum cluster in space with Starship one day. ”

Musk continued the conversation saying, “That will probably happen” and also mentioned the philosophy based on the Kardashev scale. This online conversation between the two grabbed great attention from the X users who then posted about their opinions in the comment section.

The post Sundar Pichai Announces Google’s Quantum Chip, Willow; Elon Musk Reacts appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

Global automotive solutions provider Marelli has extended its strategic partnership with Wipro Limited for another four years, focusing on cloud transformation and IT infrastructure modernization, the companies announced today.

Under the new agreement, Wipro will spearhead the migration of Marelli’s Milan Data Centre and local server rooms to a cloud-based infrastructure through its FullStride Cloud services. This transformation aims to centralize Marelli’s operations while creating a more agile and stable technology ecosystem.

The extended collaboration builds upon the existing relationship between the two companies, with a clear focus on accelerating Marelli’s digital transformation journey. A key component of the project includes the implementation of AI-powered virtual assistants for enhanced employee support, along with comprehensive vulnerability management and application maintenance services.

“We are excited to begin a new chapter in our strategic partnership with our trusted partner, Marelli. Our wide-ranging expertise alongside our deep understanding of their needs means we will deliver a modernization program specifically tailored to their needs. Our relationship is built on mutual trust and a willingness to support them realize their ambitions,” said Graziella Neuvéglise, Regional Head & Managing Director, Southern Europe, Wipro and Executive Sponsor Marelli.

The modernization initiative is expected to yield significant operational cost savings while enabling Marelli to respond more quickly to market changes. Vittorio Rossetti, Chief Digital Officer of Marelli, commented: “We have a long-standing partnership with Wipro. Over the years we have worked with them, the Wipro team has developed an in-depth understanding of our business, which combined with their technical expertise, will help us further develop and grow our IT infrastructure.”

This strategic move is designed to strengthen Marelli’s competitive position by enabling continuous innovation across their business operations and reducing time-to-market for their automotive solutions and services. The project represents a significant step forward in Marelli’s ongoing modernization and growth strategy, promising to create lasting value for all stakeholders involved.

The post Wipro and Marelli Deepen Partnership with Four-Year IT Infrastructure Deal appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

JSW MG Motor India, in collaboration with Google Cloud India, has launched two AI-powered chatbots, Avira and Vir, marking a significant step in automotive customer service innovation. Developed using Google Cloud’s AI capabilities and Riafy’s expertise in AI app development, these digital assistants aim to enhance customer interactions and service.

First in India

JSW MG Motor India becomes the first car company in India to implement this advanced digital technology for customer engagement. The chatbots, based on Google Cloud’s PaLM 2 large language model (LLM), will be accessible across multiple platforms, including the MG website, WhatsApp, EVPEDIA website, and EVPEDIA WhatsApp.

These AI chatbots are designed to:
– Improve operational efficiency
– Enhance customer experiences
– Drive sales
– Provide insights into customer interactions

The chatbots offer personalized interactions with real-time support, adapting responses based on customer preferences and history. They feature multilingual capabilities and are designed to conduct natural, dynamic conversations, learning from each interaction to become more intuitive over time.

Satinder Singh Bajwa, Chief Commercial Officer, JSW MG Motor India, stated, “We continue to leverage technology to redefine customer engagement and operational excellence. In collaboration with Google Cloud, the launch of Avira and Vir marks a significant milestone in our journey to enhance consumer experience.”

Bikram Singh Bedi, Vice President, and Country MD, of Google Cloud India, expressed excitement about the collaboration, emphasizing their role in helping JSW MG Motor India innovate and reimagine consumer experiences through Google Cloud’s AI platform.

Avira: Enhancing the Car-Buying Journey

Avira is specifically designed to improve the car-buying experience. Available via text and voice on the JSW MG Motor India website and WhatsApp, it assists with inquiries about JSW MG cars and efficiently resolves customer queries. Avira uses advanced generative AI to ensure human-like interactions, creating a seamless experience for potential car buyers.

Vir: The EV Information Hub

Vir focuses on providing comprehensive information about electric vehicles. Accessible through the EVPEDIA website and WhatsApp, it serves as an expert guide on electric cars, educating customers about the latest developments in the EV landscape. Vir aims to help customers make informed decisions about electric vehicles by providing detailed insights and easy access to vital information.

This initiative is part of JSW MG’s broader strategy to leverage technology for customer satisfaction. It follows previous tech-first initiatives such as MG Xpert, MG Epay, MG VPhy NFT, and MGVerse. The company’s introduction of innovations like these AI chatbots and MG Metaverse underscores its commitment to meeting evolving customer needs and fostering stronger relationships in the digital age.

The post JSW MG Motor India Introduces AI Chatbots Avira and Vir in Partnership with Google Cloud appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

Apple, the Cupertino-based tech company, has now updated its iCloud web with some new user friendly features and has brought certain improvements along with it. Apart from general updates, iCloud Calendar, iCloud Drive, iCloud Photos, Notes, and Reminders have received some changes and updates too.

Know more about it in detail below.

Apple’s iCloud Web – Updated

For those of you who don’t know, iCloud is a service offered by Apple to its users which helps them in securely storing their passwords, files, photos, notes, and other such data to its cloud. Yes, similar to Google Drive. The data is kept up to date and will be made available across all their devices. Sharing these resources with friends and family is also really easy with the iCloud service. That being said, let us now look into the updates that Apple has brought to its web version.

Firstly, iCloud web will now be able to automatically match with the users’ device settings, and then, display in a dark or light color scheme accordingly. Users will also receive the option to customize the background. They just need to scroll down to the bottom, select ‘Customize Home Page’, and then choose from the different colors given.

The support for Hijri calendar, along with an updated design has been brought to iCloud Calendar. In iCloud Drive, now users will be able to find files that have been shared with them in the ‘Shared View Tab’. Faster navigation, Date/time/location adjustment, and new tile options are the major updates in iCloud Photos.

On iCloud, users will also now be able to pin notes for easy access at the top of the list. Using control click on Mac/right click, users can adjust their pinned notes. They can also choose whether or not to display them directly in the Notes tile on the home page. Creating new reminder lists is also possible with the new update.

In related news, Apple has started rolling out the iOS 18.0.1 update to its iPhone users to resolve few bugs and issues, whereas the iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence features is likely to be released on the 28th of October, 2024. Stay tuned for more updates.

The post Apple Updates its iCloud Web with Some New Features and Improvements: Check it Out appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE: NET) has announced the introduction of AI Audit, a set of tools designed to assist websites in analyzing and controlling how artificial intelligence (AI) models use their content. This move comes as AI bots increasingly scan online content, often without the knowledge or consent of content creators.

Key Features of AI Audit

The new toolset offers several features:

1. Automatic AI bot control: Websites can block all AI bots with a single click.
2. Analytics: Site owners can access data on AI model access patterns, including frequency and purpose.
3. Legal protection: Cloudflare will provide model terms of use for content creators to protect their rights.
4. Fair pricing system (in development): A feature to allow content creators to set prices for AI companies to scan their content.

Addressing Content Creator Concerns

Cloudflare’s initiative aims to address several issues faced by content creators:

• Lack of awareness: Many website owners are unaware of AI bots scanning their content.
• Loss of value: Uncontrolled AI scanning may lead to significant value destruction for businesses.
• Lack of compensation: Content creators are often not compensated for the use of their data in AI training.

Availability

Existing Cloudflare customers can access the AI Tab from their dashboard to review analytics and control bots. For the upcoming price-setting feature, interested parties can join a waitlist at Cloudflare’s website.

Industry Impact

This development could potentially reshape the relationship between content creators and AI model providers. It aims to create a more transparent exchange, allowing websites to have greater control over their content while enabling AI model providers to access fresh data sources.

As AI continues to evolve and impact online content, tools like AI Audit may play a crucial role in determining the future landscape of content creation and AI development on the internet.

The post Cloudflare Launches AI Audit Tools to Help Websites Control AI Content Usage appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

News channels are off-air, and Airlines’ ground flights and trains are delayed. Doesn’t it all sound like a horrific apocalypse of any Hollywood movie? This all has been happening because of the Microsoft outage that has left Windows users with a blue screen. As per the reports airlines, railways, stock exchange, news channels and more have been affected because of it.

This issue has mainly affected countries such as the UK, the US, Australia, several European countries, and India. Many airlines have taken the X to post about this issue.

#TravelUpdate: Due to infrastructure issues with our service provider, some of our online services, including booking, check-in and manage booking services will be temporarily unavailable. Currently we are following manual check-in and boarding processes at the airports and hence…

— Akasa Air (@AkasaAir) July 19, 2024

Our systems are currently impacted by a Microsoft outage, which is also affecting other companies. During this time booking, check-in, access to your boarding pass, and some flights may be impacted. We appreciate your patience.

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) July 19, 2024

Windows users all across the world are sharing the image of their screen that shows the recovery page displaying the message “It looks like Windows didn’t load correctly. If you’d like to restart and try again, choose Restart my PC below.”

This issue is said to be caused by the CrowdStrike security update. The company has acknowledged the issue and has said “We are aware of the widespread issue causing BSOD errors on Windows machines across various sensor versions”. One side where people are frustrated by this issue some employees are celebrating this as the early weekend when they will not have to work as it’s not them who don’t want to work this time. Several experts and firms are coming forth to suggest a solution for this major issue Kaspersky wrote in an X post ” To resolve the issue, it is necessary to delete the affected driver (csagent.sys or C-00000291*.sys) using Safe Mode. However, many corporate users lack the required access rights to perform this action, meaning that corporate administrators may need to intervene manually at a company-wide level”.

CrowdStrike Update Crashes Windows Systems

A widespread outage affecting numerous Windows systems worldwide, both servers and workstations, is attributed to a flawed update of drivers associated with CrowdStrike EDR solutions. The affected systems display the 'blue screen of… pic.twitter.com/4g5ApEeZqK

— Kaspersky (@kaspersky) July 19, 2024

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Surprised to read the above headline? Well, Google’s announcement did come as a shock for many Chrome users. According to the official blog post, from November 1, Google will be blocking CA certificates (SSL) issued by Entrust and AffirmTrust (acquired by Entrust in 2016) on the grounds of prioritizing the security and privacy of Chrome users.

Reason Behind This Decision By Google

As per Google’s statement, “Chrome Root Program Policy states that CA certificates included in the Chrome Root Store must provide value to Chrome end users that exceed the risk of their continued inclusion.” Also if things don’t go right, Google expects CA Owners to commit to meaningful and demonstrable change resulting in evidenced continuous improvement.

Google mentioned that over several years, there were publicly disclosed incident reports that highlighted a pattern of concerning behaviors by Entrust that fall short of above expectations and have eroded confidence in their competence, reliability, and integrity as a publicly trusted CA owner. In response to these concerns and to preserve the integrity of the Web PKI ecosystem, Chrome is taking the action of blocking the certificates issued by Entrust.

On June 21 in a Certification Authority Browser Forum post, Bhagwat Swaroop, Entrust president of digital security solutions, stated, “As a global CA we must walk a tightrope in balancing the requirements of the root programs and subscriber needs, especially for critical infrastructure. In some cases, we did not strike the right balance.” He also mentioned that Entrust is committed to making lasting changes both organizational and cultural, to begin to regain the trust of the root programs and the community.

Though Google now seems to have taken its decision regarding this issue. Hence, Entrust and AffirmTrust TLS server authentication certificates that were signed on or before 31 October will be unaffected by this change but the certificates dates after 31 October 2024 will no longer be trusted by default. The blocking action will occur in versions of Chrome 127 and greater on Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android, and Linux.

Google has advised the affected website operators to transition to a new publicly trusted CA Owner as soon as reasonably possible. While website operators could delay the impact of blocking action by choosing to collect and install a new TLS certificate issued from Entrust before Chrome’s blocking action begins on November 1, 2024, website operators will inevitably need to collect and install a new TLS certificate from one of the many other CAs included in the Chrome Root Store.

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