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Spotify adds AI-powered DJ feature

Slowly launching everywhere

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While everyone is worrying about the implications of AI on digital communication, other segments have found ways to use machine learning to further their services. Showing off its capabilities in that department, Spotify is infusing its music streaming platform with a healthy dose of AI by introducing a new DJ feature.

Simply called “DJ,” Spotify’s new feature aims to help users figure out what’s next on their list of songs to listen to. Now, for most users, this should sound familiar. Even prior to DJ, Spotify already offered a wide variety of curation tools to suggest new songs. The platform even has dedicated playlists to collate all these features.

One difference is that Spotify will rely on OpenAI technology to power DJ. OpenAI is the same group responsible for the creation of the infamous ChatGPT. The technology will help the platform know the user’s preferences better.

Another difference is the addition of a realistic voice assistant. The assistant will tell users why they picked certain songs in the playlists. It will also share some tidbits about some songs. It’s an actual DJ, so to speak. The assistant might also ask users how it did with its recommendations, furthering the software’s machine learning.

Despite the announcement, DJ isn’t widely available yet. It is still in beta testing stages and is only available for users in the United States and Canada.

SEE ALSO: Move Over, MBTI: Spotify Wrapped is 2022’s latest personality test craze

Apps

Twitter is working on a way to hide the blue checkmark

May or may not launch

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A year ago, Twitter’s blue checkmark was a coveted piece of online identity making. Now, the once-prestigious marker has grown into somewhat of a meme. The blue checkmark doesn’t mean the same as it did a year ago. Now, Twitter is reportedly developing a way to hide the checkmark from your profile.

Last year, Twitter announced a much easier way to get a blue checkmark for themselves. Soon after Elon Musk purchased the platform, Twitter Blue offered the badge with the monthly subscription price. Users who earned the old checkmark without paying for the subscription had their badges converted into yellow legacy checkmarks.

With the change, the value of a blue checkmark changed drastically. It become associated with a joke mocking users who paid for Twitter, an otherwise free-to-use platform.

Now, as spotted by notable app engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, Twitter is developing a way to hide the blue checkmark altogether. Currently, the development is still just a leak. It remains possible that the app will not launch the feature after all.

That said, after several months reinventing verification, the platform is still struggling for the perfect way to blend the old with the new. Right around the same time the leak popped up, they also officially announced that it will retire legacy checkmarks starting April 1.

SEE ALSO: Twitter promises encrypted DMs this month

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PayPal slowly rolls out passkey support for Android

Coming to the app soon

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Big Tech has been pushing for an end to the password. However, the password-less future is taking a while to get off the ground. Only a few platforms can support passkeys. A big name is lending its hand to the technology, though. PayPal has announced that it is working on implementing passkeys for Android users.

Starting today, the digital payment platform is slowly rolling out support for the new security measure. With a passkey, users will no longer need a password or two-factor authentication. Instead, PayPal will install a passkey onto your device. That passkey will be exclusive to your devices. If PayPal recognizes the device you’re trying to log in from, then the platform will allow you in.

It’s not a grand rollout yet, though. PayPal will introduce the feature for mobile browsers first, rather than the app outright. Android users will need Chrome to access the feature. App integration will come in the future. In the meantime, Android users will start getting the feature from now throughout the year.

Passkeys are moving slowly across the tech space. Some time ago, Apple, Google, and Microsoft mutually pledged to help usher in the future of passkeys as a more secure alternative to passwords. Today, only a few platforms can support the technology. In a time when cybersecurity is quickly becoming a priority for everyone, the arrival of passkeys can’t come sooner.

SEE ALSO: Google Chrome can now go password-free

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Maya summer deals: Cashbacks, discounts, instant credit

Make the most out of digital banking

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Maya is offering subscribers many ways to save this summer season by using the digital bank app.

Those who have not downloaded Maya yet will get a free Maya Card when they open an account and deposit PhP 1,000.

For cash ins and bank transfers, Maya helps people get rid of transaction fees and enjoy cashbacks.

Customers who cash in via InstaPay will get up to PhP 25 cashback. Those who use Maya Center, meanwhile, get a full cashback on their 1% cash in fee, capped at PhP 150. 

There’s also no cash in fee for linked banks and over-the-counter transactions up to PhP 8,000.

Need to pay for something but do not have enough funds at the moment? Maya may also be used to get instant credit of up to PhP 18,000 for eligible users.

Throughout summer, users should also be on the lookout for these exclusive deals:

  • Zalora: 20% off discount for new users, 18% off for existing users on purchases using Maya; 15% off on Michaela Bags
  • Robinsons Malls: Up to PhP 200 cashback using Maya QR, minimum spend PhP 1,000
  • SM Store: Raffle entry for every cash in or Maya QR scan-to-pay; prizes are PhP 3,000 Maya credits, Apple Airpods Pro 2, Apple iPhone 14
  • Boozy: PhP 150 off sitewide using promo code MAYA150 upon checkout
  • Airpaz: 3% discount on flight and hotel bookings using Maya, minimum spend PhP 1,600
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