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Spotify still plans to launch hi-fi streaming

Ready to go but nowhere to be seen

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Hi-fi streaming is one of the most anticipated features coming from Spotify. Unfortunately, despite being announced two years ago, the streaming platform hasn’t launched the feature yet. It’s still coming, though. Spotify has just confirmed that there are still plans to release hi-fi streaming sometime in the future.

In an interview with The Verge, Spotify co-president Gustav Söderström has reconfirmed the platform’s commitment to launching the feature. The timeline is still hazy, though. According to the company, the feature will launch when it’s best for the company and its users.

However, the report does confirm that the feature is already ready to go. Spotify just hasn’t figured out the specifics yet, especially when it comes to competing with others offering the same feature.

A few years ago when Spotify announced the feature, hi-fi streaming was a dream attained only by niche streaming platforms. Tidal, the most popular of that bunch, offered higher quality audio for a premium price. Since then, both Apple Music and Amazon Music started offering hi-fi streaming for no additional charge to its subscribers. In contrast, Spotify initially planned to offer the same feature at a pricier subscription tier.

With its competition on another level, the company does have reason to go back to the drawing board before releasing its own hi-fi streaming service. At least, the feature is still coming out. Hopefully, it won’t cost more than the price of a subscription.

SEE ALSO: Spotify completely revamps the home page

Apps

ShopeePay now available for Apple services

Additional payment method

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ShopeePay, the integrated mobile wallet of the e-commerce giant, is now available as a payment method for Apple services.

That means in the Philippines, one’s ShopeePay account may be used to pay for App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV app, and iTunes Store purchases, iCloud storage and more.

Using ShopeePay as an Apple ID payment method eliminates the need for a credit card while still having a secure and easy way for one-tap purchases from iPhones, iPads, Macs, and more.

Customers can manage their Apple ID payment information in Settings on iPhone and iPad, or on their Mac or PC.

On the Shopee app itself, ShopeePay has been a convenient payment option for users to buy products, as well as to pay bills, top-up load, and more.

SEE ALSO: ShopeePay: 6 reasons why you need to switch now

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Google is working on a Video Unblur tool

Possibly for the Pixel 8 series

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The Pixel 6 series introduced one of the most useful tools for smartphone cameras: Magic Eraser. With a simple swipe of a finger, users can erase distracting elements from a photo. Additionally, the Eraser came with other features which improved editing for photographers. Now, Google might be adding some tools for videographers.

As spotted by 9to5Google, Google is reportedly working on a new feature called Video Unblur. The feature already has code in a recently released APK. Unfortunately, though the feature can be forcibly enabled, doing so doesn’t do anything yet. The developers are still clearly working on the new feature.

However, it’s a clear indication that Google is confident about its software enough to work on videos. Presumably, Video Unblur will sharpen the detail of any videos that come out blurry.

Since the Pixel 7 series, Google already introduced Photo Unblur, a feature that does the same but for photos. If Google’s release history is any indication, the company might launch the Video Unblur tool for the Pixel 8 series. We might even get some hint of the feature during the I/O event this May.

In the meantime, Google’s newest suite of photo-editing tools is already available to both Pixel users and Google One subscribers on any platform.

SEE ALSO: Google confirms date of I/O 2023

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Microsoft Copilot will infuse Word, PowerPoint with AI

AI meets business

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As one of the primary moving forces of AI today, it’s no surprise that Microsoft is quickly infusing its services with a healthy dose of the technology. Today, Microsoft has announced Copilot, a new way to integrate AI with how the world works.

During an event today, the company introduced Microsoft 365 Copilot, based on large language models. It isn’t an entirely new product. Instead, the new technology will improve the Microsoft 365 suite of productivity apps.

For one, Copilot in Microsoft Word can automatically write and edit content while a user works. It will do the same in PowerPoint, streamlining the creation process with workers.

On the other hand, Copilot will ease how users engage with Excel, Outlook, and Teams. In Excel, the technology can easily understand and create insights for users, rather than the latter spending chunks of time poring over spreadsheets. In Outlook, the feature can manage a user’s inbox, allowing users to see what’s most important. Finally, in Teams, it can create real-time summaries as a meeting is going on.

Amid all of these integrations, Microsoft is also introducing Business Chat, a way for Copilot to collate everything it learns from the suite to create results for a team. The company even claims that the technology can create action plans for a team based solely on what it creates with users.

Right now, Copilot is still in testing with a few partners. It might take a while for the technology to reach other consumers.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft reportedly cancels Surface Duo 3

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