Apps

Get reliable info on Coronavirus from this WHO chatbot on WhatsApp

Fighting against unverified reports

Published

on

The World Health Organisation(WHO) has launched a chatbot to provide people with information about the Coronavirus as the pandemic continues to spread across the globe.

Imagine you’re talking to someone who’s an expert on Coronavirus and can provide you accurate information directly on WhatsApp chat. A chatbot is based on the same concept, except that it’s completely automated. You can easily navigate through the chat to obtain information on precautions, guidelines, updates, as well as news.

All you need to do is have WhatsApp installed and activated on your phone. If you already have it, just tap on this link — WHO Chatbot. You can also manually save this number on your phone — +41 79 893 18 92.

Once the chat window opens, just send a “Hi” message and it’ll start talking to you.

WhatsApp is the most popular instant messaging app worldwide and having such a user base along with convenient design also has its drawbacks. The app is also infamous for the spread of fake news, misinformation, and even harassment. To counter the spread of fake news, the Facebook-owned app has directly partnered with the WHO.

The service is live in English first before rolling out in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish over the coming weeks.

India has also launched a similar chatbot called MyGov Corona Helpdesk. You can also manually add it by saving this number — +91 901 151 515. The bot has been developed by a Mumbai-based company called Haptik that specializes in commercial chatbots.

These bots are relatively simple and don’t respond to natural language or questions from users. Instead, users can send numbers (or emojis) to get more info on corresponding topics.

WhatsApp is also reportedly in talks with the NHS in the UK on creating a similar chatbot tool, while it’s also working with the Singapore Government, The Israel Ministry of Health, the South Africa Department of Health, and KOMINFO Indonesia.

SEE ALSO: How to disinfect your tech from the coronavirus


As general rules, the CDC or The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed these to help with preventing the spread of COVID-19:

  • Stay home when sick
  • Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Frequently wash hands with soap and water
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces

Coronavirus: Where to donate

Apps

New X users must pay a dollar per year to post and reply

Rolling out globally now

Published

on

New users on X might soon face a tough time on the platform. The social media website will likely start charging new accounts a small fee for the right to post on the platform.

Now, the fee isn’t a new one. Almost six months ago, the company tested the paid system in New Zealand and the Philippines. New users in those countries had to pay a dollar per year for the ability to post and reply to content.

As spotted by X Daily News on the same platform, the company might be ready to take the experiment to a larger market. New text strings have shown that the policy is rolling out worldwide.

The policy is designed to combat a wave of bots appearing on the platform. By preventing new accounts from creating posts, X hopes to stave off the standard behavior of bots these days. You might have noticed them as OnlyFans creators in unrelated posts, peddling NSFW content on their bio.

Though the global rollout was only just spotted, owner Elon Musk has seemingly confirmed the change. Replying to X Daily News, Musk says that it is “the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots.” He says that the current breed of bots can easily bypass simple checks these days.

SEE ALSO: X will no longer let you hide your blue checkmark

Continue Reading

Apps

Disney+ might get always-on channels similar to cable TV

Featuring content from Marvel, Star Wars, and classic Disney

Published

on

Disney+ | Disney Plus

The burden of choice on streaming platforms is real. If you’re like us, you’ve spent hours just mindlessly scrolling through titles on Netflix or Disney+ without watching anything. Netflix, at least, has a Play Something button to fight off that irresistible urge. Now, Disney+ is reportedly trying something different: always-on channels.

If you already cut cable from your lives, you’re likely missing traditional channels or networks that have pre-determined programming. It was a flawed system that eventually ended up with mediocre content and a downpour of ads. However, cable did allow us to keep watching without deciding what comes next.

Now, according to The Information, Disney+ is working on adding those channels to its streaming service. Naturally, these channels will include content from the platform’s library such as Marvel, Star Wars, and its list of classic animated films.

Strangely, the reported feature might still have ads in between programs. Though the addition of ads does mean a better similarity with real television, users still have to be paying subscribers to access the channels. Even if you’re already paying for Disney+, you might still get hit with ads.

Disney has not confirmed the reports yet. The platform might launch a version of the feature outside of the scope included in this report. It’s also unknown when these always-on channels will launch.

SEE ALSO: Macross to be available on Disney+

Continue Reading

Apps

Google might offer satellite connectivity soon

Starting with the Pixel 9 series

Published

on

A few years ago, Apple unleashed one of the most interesting features for the iPhone today: Emergency SOS. Designed for those who like their fair bit of the outdoors, Emergency SOS allows users to contact emergency services without network coverage. Other manufacturers, however, are struggling to adopt the same feature. Now, Google might soon join Apple in providing satellite connectivity for its users.

Despite the convenience, satellite connectivity hasn’t taken off as much as the industry expected it to. For one, a network of satellites isn’t the easiest thing to maintain. Apple is still currently offering its services for free, a gamble that may or may not pay off. Now, the iPhone maker won’t be alone.

According to Android Authority, Google might start offering the same service to Pixel 9 users. Starting with this year’s upcoming flagship, the company is reportedly teaming up with T-Mobile to create satellite connectivity for its users. The telecommunications network is teaming up with SpaceX for the feature.

The same report describes how the feature might work. Once activated, the feature will ask users of their situation: is everyone breathing, are people trapped, are weapons involved, among others. The phone will then relay this information to emergency authorities for a rapid response.

Unfortunately, pricing remains a mystery. While Apple is still offering its satellite connectivity for free, other brands might put the burden of cost on the end user. Hopefully, they won’t, but a paid version is unfortunately expected at this point.

SEE ALSO: Should you be excited for Apple’s satellite connectivity?

Continue Reading

Trending