SAN FRANCISCO: In a strategic move designed to bolster its paid subscription service, YouTube is rolling out five new features to its Premium members globally. These upgrades, aimed at enhancing the viewing and listening experience, arrive amid an intensified battle for subscriber retention across global streaming platforms. According to an update on the official YouTube Help forum (via 9to5Google), these features—which were previously restricted to early experiments or specific devices—are now expanding their reach across Android, iOS, web, smart TVs, and gaming consoles. This broad deployment signifies YouTube’s commitment to increasing the perceived value of its Premium offering. Key…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
SAN FRANCISCO: In a major strategic move that blurs the lines between artificial intelligence and commerce, OpenAI has launched Instant Checkout, a new feature enabling users to purchase products directly from within their ChatGPT conversations. The integration transforms the chatbot from a mere assistant into a potential retail platform, promising a faster and more seamless shopping experience. With over 700 million people using ChatGPT for daily tasks and generating more than 2.5 billion prompts daily, OpenAI noted that many user queries already involve product recommendations. Instant Checkout is designed to leverage this existing behaviour, taking the next logical step by…
ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has approved the adoption of Wi-Fi 7 and subsequent Wi-Fi generations in the 6 GHz band (5925–6425 MHz), aligning with parameters previously cleared for Wi-Fi 6E. This pivotal regulatory move positions Pakistan among the early adopters in the Asia-Pacific region, underscoring a commitment to rapid digital innovation and regional technological leadership. The approval of Wi-Fi 7 is expected to be a catalyst for the country’s digital economy. The technology promises ultra-high data rates, low latency, and robust reliability, capabilities essential for advanced applications like 8K streaming, Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR), and industrial automation. By alleviating…
HANGZHOU, CHINA: Chinese AI developer DeepSeek has released its latest “experimental” model, claiming the new iteration is both more efficient to train and significantly better at processing long sequences of text than its previous large language models (LLMs). The launch signals a renewed push in the high-stakes global competition for AI dominance. The Hangzhou-based company designated DeepSeek-V3.2-Exp as an “intermediate step toward our next-generation architecture” in a post shared on the developer forum Hugging Face. This model arrives as the tech world closely watches the capabilities and cost structures emerging from China. Pressure on Rivals and Cost Reduction This forthcoming…
NEW YORK: Artificial intelligence (AI) firm OpenAI is rolling out new parental controls for its ChatGPT platform, an urgent measure following a lawsuit filed by the parents of a teenager who tragically died by suicide. The parents allege that the AI chatbot had coached their son on methods of self-harm, casting a harsh spotlight on the ethical responsibilities of AI developers. The company stated that the new controls, available on web and mobile, allow parents and teenagers to mutually opt-in for stronger safeguards by linking their accounts. An invitation must be sent by one party and the parental controls will…
NEW YORK: In a significant legal development, President Donald Trump and video platform YouTube have reached a $22 million settlement over a lawsuit filed after the company suspended his account following the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. The online video platform, a subsidiary of Google parent Alphabet, becomes the latest in a series of Big Tech firms to settle with the former president after he launched legal challenges against his broad deplatforming in the wake of the Capitol upheaval. The settlement, announced in a federal court filing on Monday, underscores the complex and often fraught relationship between political…
Internet personality Alix Earle had a comedic mishap during her intense rehearsal for Dancing With the Stars (DWTS), posting a clip of a spectacular fall to her TikTok account on September 27. The 24-year-old influencer shared an update on her preparation for the third episode, showing herself and dance partner Val Chmerkovskiy attempting what looked like a complicated, two-person cartwheel. Unfortunately, the difficult stunt resulted in a slow-motion collapse, with the pair ending up on the floor. Despite the dramatic fall, both Earle and Chmerkovskiy handled the situation well, recovering with laughter. Alix captioned the clip simply with, “HAHAHAH,” assuring…
Hollywood stars George Clooney and Adam Sandler have revealed that their children are huge fans of Taylor Swift and are eagerly awaiting her upcoming album, The Life of a Showgirl, which is set for release on October 3. Clooney’s Twins Eagerly Await the Release Speaking at the premiere of Jay Kelly at the New York Film Festival, George Clooney shared that his 8-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander, are constantly asking for the new music. “They’re in the back of the car going, ‘When are we getting the album?’” Clooney told Access Hollywood. Despite their excitement, the Wolfs star…
Country music star Keith Urban’s past remarks about his battle with addiction revealed the deep struggles that plagued his marriage to actress Nicole Kidman years before their recent separation announcement. The couple, who married in 2006, announced their split in September 2025, ending one of Hollywood’s longest marriages after nearly two decades together. Urban’s Revelation on Addiction More than a year before the separation, at the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award Gala in April 2024, Urban opened up about how his addiction nearly destroyed their relationship shortly after their wedding. Urban credited Kidman’s unwavering support during that period,…
Actress and director Angelina Jolie has reportedly sparked a new feud with her estranged father, actor Jon Voight, following recent political comments she made at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain. The Oscar winner, known for her stance on free speech, was asked about her fears as an artist and as an American. Jolie responded: “It’s a very difficult question… I love my country, but I don’t at this time recognise my country.” She added that “Anything, anywhere, that divides or, of course, limits personal expressions and freedoms and, from anyone, I think is very dangerous.” A “Direct…
